We need ideas on improving the cassava flour drying process for an EWB project in Malawi. This is your chance to put design skills and innovation to work for Dorothy!
We need to improve existing drying shed technology to produce high quality cassava flour more quickly. We need input on ideas to retrofit the process before the cassava harvest begins.
Background
The current drying shed is a wooden frame, covered in sheet plastic, with two plywood tables running the length of the shed. It takes approximately 3 days to process 500 kgs and we need to improve this. In order to meet processing and quality needs, the process needs to:
- Dry flour quickly
- Be free of dust and other particles
- Be free of insects and other pests
We have some available technical expertise but are interested in getting more input from other sources. Solutions need to be cost effective and not dependent on electricity.
Main Ideas for Improvement
1. Improving Airflow
We think that drying time is dependent on both heat and humidity and that improved airflow will dramatically improve the process. The existing shed has small vents between the roof edges and walls but air circulation remains poor. Our leading idea is to install a chimney and small vents at the shed bottom while sealing all other openings. We think a difference in vent height should create a pressure difference to draw air through the shed.
2. Increasing drying area
More surface area for drying should also accelerate the process. We considered the idea of constructing another shed but feel this approach may not be the most cost effective. Ideas for increasing area within the existing shed include adding a second level of shelving and replacing the current drying surface with a breathable material. Mafayo, the factory owner, is currently adding a second layer of shelving.
Required Input
We need ideas for solutions and feedback on what we already have. Any input needs to be in by July 6 so we can finish improvements before the harvest. Here is your chance to do some engineering design for Dorothy!
Thanks!
The Cassava Value Chains Team
Malawi Division
Friday, 13 June 2008
Preview: Malawi v Egypt
The champions of Africa Egypt are out for a third win on the trot when they face Malawi in Blantyre on Saturday.
The Pharaohs opened their Group 12 qualifying account with a 2-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo before smashing Djibouti 4-0.
Hassan Shehata's side are in control of the group and are odds on favourites to qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup, to be held in Angola and South Africa respectively.
Shehata has a headache up front due to injuries to Amr Zaky and Emad Moteab while Mohamed Zidan is also unavailable after he fell out with the Egyptian Football Association over a fake injury.
Egypt's opponents hammered Djibouti 8-1 in their opening qualifier, but suffered a 1-0 reverse to the DRC in their last match.
The Flames, who are managed by Kinnah Phiri, are currently second in the group.
School cash for Malawi youngsters
Mr McConnell visited pupils at St Bernadette's after they raised £1,100
Former First Minister Jack McConnell has visited primary school children in Tullibody after they raised money for youngsters in Malawi.
Pupils at St Bernadette's forged a link with Nankhwala Catholic School in Monkey Bay three years ago after being visited by a priest from the country.
Mr McConnell, who will become the UK's High Commissioner to Malawi in 2009, collected £1,100 from the children.
Malawi is among the world's poorest countries with a million HIV sufferers.
Mr McConnell was first minister from November 2001 until last May's elections.
Pupils at St Bernadette's raised the money from running events and by selling health food.
South Africa: The Golden Glitter is Gone
As for Malawians, talk of regional integration is merely a joke as they visit the holding centre in Blantyre, to see if their relations are among the returnees." Akwete Sande gives a Malawian perspective on the xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa particularly Malawians, Zimbabweans and Mozambiquans have taught several lessons to leaders of Southern Africa.
The first lesson is that their so-called regional integration is an empty message that helps nobody. The people on the ground are hardly affected by their lofty goals of uniting the region, says Joseph Ndhlovu 27, a Johannesburg high school teacher who was among the returnees in the first of the seven buses evacuating over 15,000 Malawians from South African two weeks ago.
Ndhlovu is a second generation resident, born in South Africa of Malawian parents and has never been to Malawi.
"I went to school in Zimbabwe and moved back to South Africa 8 years ago. My parents are buried in South Africa. I don't know anyone in Malawi," he says.
According to social welfare officials who are running a temporary holding centre for the returnees in the commercial city Blantyre, people like Ndhlovu will need long term assistance while trying to locate their kin. That means that the government which has already spent a fortune transporting them from South Africa will have to dig deeper into its coffers.
There are many like Ndhlovu among the bitter returnees because Malawi, one the poorest of colonial Africa, used to be the source of cheap labour for the more affluent colonies in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe and South Africa were the favoured destinations due to their better economies.
Mozambiquans and Malawians have until recently have been credited for hard work and honesty. In fact, the first president of Malawi, Hastings Banda, worked in the Johannesburg mines in the 1920s before embarking on a long educational career in the USA and UK
According to the ministry of labour, organized recruitment of Malawians to work in the mines was a source of revenue not only for the illiterate Malawians most of whom managed to build decent houses upon return but for government also.
These organized recruitment ended in the 1980's after most of the Malawians were accused of spreading HIV to South African nationals because as migrant labourers they were not allowed to bring their spouses.
But the trek Southwards was never been curbed, many Malawians continued to go South and in some cases professionals disappointed with poor working conditions at home made South Africa their new home.
Mary a mother of 3 who arrived home with a small bag of clothes narrates her ordeal.
"Both my husband and I were working. We were in South Africa for 9 years, and built our own house. In the fateful day, my husband was working night shift and I was alone with our three kids. I heard a nock and when I opened the door I found five people armed, they were my neighbours but they ordered me out, told me to run away or else they would kill me. I pleaded with them to allow me stay for the night but they refused. I managed to take my children out and run to the nearest Police station. For three days we had no food until social workers came to our rescue. I have not heard from my husband. I don't know what happened to him," she laments.
Unlike Ndhlovu Mary had relatives who came to pick her up and took her back to Zomba, about 100 Km from Blantyre.
The Chairperson of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee, Undule Mwakasungura and the Director of Malawi Human Rights Commission, Dorothy Nyasulu issued statements condemning the attacks. They also organized a demonstration against the xenophobic attacks and petitioned the South African ambassador to compensate the victims.
The South African ambassador described the events in her country as embarrassing.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Conflict, Peace and Security
Crime and Corruption
Human Rights
Malawi
Migration
South Africa
The media reports that over 60 lives have been lost and 250000 displaced but Malawians are not sure how many of their kin have died. The initial figure was five, but it is unclear how many lost their lives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has no figures accounting for the number of Malawians living in South Africa because most of them do not register with the embassy.
A human rights activist who once worked at the Malawi embassy in Pretoria says Malawians never report to the embassy because they have bitter memories from when security agents used to harass them and accuse them of working with rebels during the regime of Kamuzu Banda. He says most of Malawian embassies back then were full of security personnel and hence people stayed away. "At one time we had four police officers at the embassy, we didn't know their work nor did we interact with them. This was true of all Malawian embassies" he said.
The South African media has blamed the country's security chiefs for failing to notice that there was growing tension in the townships. The South Africans accuse foreigners of taking their jobs, fueling crime, taking their women and of prospering at their expense. Some have blamed Thabo Mbeki for fueling these sentiments through his policy of quiet diplomacy over the economic and political problems in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
An editorial in a local Malawian daily paper argued that careless statements by Mbeki did not help matters because one wonders - if indeed there is no crisis in Zimbabwe why would 3 million Zimbabweans flock to South Africa?
The media argues too that the huge influx of Zimbabweans in South Africa was bound to create problems and that regional leaders are to blame for the mayhem.
Andrew Phiri, a Malawian who has lived in both South Africa and Botswana [another country renowned for anti-foreign sentiments] says these kind of attacks have always happened but on a smaller scale but usually targeted at Zimbabweans.
"There have been sporadic attacks but not to the level we have seen today. Our leaders need to resolve the Zimbabwean problem or else the region remains sitting on a time bomb. South Africans cannot expect to prosper when neighbours are suffering. What if the nationals of neighbouring countries seek revenge? South Africa has huge investments in the region and its nationals are there - will they be safe if there are revenge attacks?" he argues.
While the economy of Malawi appears to be flourishing, unemployment is said to be high. Little manufacturing is taking place as the country continues to be a huge market for imports. This means that for considerable amount of time, the country's youths will continue to pursue greener pastures abroad. South Africa, despite the current problems will still be an attractive destination.
"I will wait for some time but I will be going there again. Malawians gardeners, cooks and tailors are always in demand there. Even if I worked hard here I can never dream of buying a TV and subscribing to DStv [a satellite television]. What has happened should be regarded as an accident," says, Francis who refused to disclose his last name.
Francis has lived in the most volatile township - Alexandra in Johannesburg. He too blames president Mbeki for the current problems. He discloses that tension started when Mbeki said there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. The locals started telling Zimbabweans and others to go back to their countries since there was no crisis.
"Though it appears they targeted Malawians, Mozambiquans and Zimbabweans, it should be known that there are other nationals that speak the same languages as South Africans while others from Kenya, Nigeria etc live in big suburbs away from the poverty" he says.
Some employers have hinted that foreign workers are hardworking and they hope the situation will return to normal and the foreigners will return. But such sentiments are usually discounted by union leaders who feel some employers want foreign staff purely to exploit them because they are desperate to have food and shelter and they don't bargain for better terms.
As for Malawians, talk of regional integration is merely a joke as they visit the holding centre in Blantyre, to see if their relations are among the returnees.
The recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa particularly Malawians, Zimbabweans and Mozambiquans have taught several lessons to leaders of Southern Africa.
The first lesson is that their so-called regional integration is an empty message that helps nobody. The people on the ground are hardly affected by their lofty goals of uniting the region, says Joseph Ndhlovu 27, a Johannesburg high school teacher who was among the returnees in the first of the seven buses evacuating over 15,000 Malawians from South African two weeks ago.
Ndhlovu is a second generation resident, born in South Africa of Malawian parents and has never been to Malawi.
"I went to school in Zimbabwe and moved back to South Africa 8 years ago. My parents are buried in South Africa. I don't know anyone in Malawi," he says.
According to social welfare officials who are running a temporary holding centre for the returnees in the commercial city Blantyre, people like Ndhlovu will need long term assistance while trying to locate their kin. That means that the government which has already spent a fortune transporting them from South Africa will have to dig deeper into its coffers.
There are many like Ndhlovu among the bitter returnees because Malawi, one the poorest of colonial Africa, used to be the source of cheap labour for the more affluent colonies in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe and South Africa were the favoured destinations due to their better economies.
Mozambiquans and Malawians have until recently have been credited for hard work and honesty. In fact, the first president of Malawi, Hastings Banda, worked in the Johannesburg mines in the 1920s before embarking on a long educational career in the USA and UK
According to the ministry of labour, organized recruitment of Malawians to work in the mines was a source of revenue not only for the illiterate Malawians most of whom managed to build decent houses upon return but for government also.
These organized recruitment ended in the 1980's after most of the Malawians were accused of spreading HIV to South African nationals because as migrant labourers they were not allowed to bring their spouses.
But the trek Southwards was never been curbed, many Malawians continued to go South and in some cases professionals disappointed with poor working conditions at home made South Africa their new home.
Mary a mother of 3 who arrived home with a small bag of clothes narrates her ordeal.
"Both my husband and I were working. We were in South Africa for 9 years, and built our own house. In the fateful day, my husband was working night shift and I was alone with our three kids. I heard a nock and when I opened the door I found five people armed, they were my neighbours but they ordered me out, told me to run away or else they would kill me. I pleaded with them to allow me stay for the night but they refused. I managed to take my children out and run to the nearest Police station. For three days we had no food until social workers came to our rescue. I have not heard from my husband. I don't know what happened to him," she laments.
Unlike Ndhlovu Mary had relatives who came to pick her up and took her back to Zomba, about 100 Km from Blantyre.
The Chairperson of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee, Undule Mwakasungura and the Director of Malawi Human Rights Commission, Dorothy Nyasulu issued statements condemning the attacks. They also organized a demonstration against the xenophobic attacks and petitioned the South African ambassador to compensate the victims.
The South African ambassador described the events in her country as embarrassing.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Conflict, Peace and Security
Crime and Corruption
Human Rights
Malawi
Migration
South Africa
The media reports that over 60 lives have been lost and 250000 displaced but Malawians are not sure how many of their kin have died. The initial figure was five, but it is unclear how many lost their lives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has no figures accounting for the number of Malawians living in South Africa because most of them do not register with the embassy.
A human rights activist who once worked at the Malawi embassy in Pretoria says Malawians never report to the embassy because they have bitter memories from when security agents used to harass them and accuse them of working with rebels during the regime of Kamuzu Banda. He says most of Malawian embassies back then were full of security personnel and hence people stayed away. "At one time we had four police officers at the embassy, we didn't know their work nor did we interact with them. This was true of all Malawian embassies" he said.
The South African media has blamed the country's security chiefs for failing to notice that there was growing tension in the townships. The South Africans accuse foreigners of taking their jobs, fueling crime, taking their women and of prospering at their expense. Some have blamed Thabo Mbeki for fueling these sentiments through his policy of quiet diplomacy over the economic and political problems in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
An editorial in a local Malawian daily paper argued that careless statements by Mbeki did not help matters because one wonders - if indeed there is no crisis in Zimbabwe why would 3 million Zimbabweans flock to South Africa?
The media argues too that the huge influx of Zimbabweans in South Africa was bound to create problems and that regional leaders are to blame for the mayhem.
Andrew Phiri, a Malawian who has lived in both South Africa and Botswana [another country renowned for anti-foreign sentiments] says these kind of attacks have always happened but on a smaller scale but usually targeted at Zimbabweans.
"There have been sporadic attacks but not to the level we have seen today. Our leaders need to resolve the Zimbabwean problem or else the region remains sitting on a time bomb. South Africans cannot expect to prosper when neighbours are suffering. What if the nationals of neighbouring countries seek revenge? South Africa has huge investments in the region and its nationals are there - will they be safe if there are revenge attacks?" he argues.
While the economy of Malawi appears to be flourishing, unemployment is said to be high. Little manufacturing is taking place as the country continues to be a huge market for imports. This means that for considerable amount of time, the country's youths will continue to pursue greener pastures abroad. South Africa, despite the current problems will still be an attractive destination.
"I will wait for some time but I will be going there again. Malawians gardeners, cooks and tailors are always in demand there. Even if I worked hard here I can never dream of buying a TV and subscribing to DStv [a satellite television]. What has happened should be regarded as an accident," says, Francis who refused to disclose his last name.
Francis has lived in the most volatile township - Alexandra in Johannesburg. He too blames president Mbeki for the current problems. He discloses that tension started when Mbeki said there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. The locals started telling Zimbabweans and others to go back to their countries since there was no crisis.
"Though it appears they targeted Malawians, Mozambiquans and Zimbabweans, it should be known that there are other nationals that speak the same languages as South Africans while others from Kenya, Nigeria etc live in big suburbs away from the poverty" he says.
Some employers have hinted that foreign workers are hardworking and they hope the situation will return to normal and the foreigners will return. But such sentiments are usually discounted by union leaders who feel some employers want foreign staff purely to exploit them because they are desperate to have food and shelter and they don't bargain for better terms.
As for Malawians, talk of regional integration is merely a joke as they visit the holding centre in Blantyre, to see if their relations are among the returnees.
South Africa: The Golden Glitter is Gone
As for Malawians, talk of regional integration is merely a joke as they visit the holding centre in Blantyre, to see if their relations are among the returnees." Akwete Sande gives a Malawian perspective on the xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa particularly Malawians, Zimbabweans and Mozambiquans have taught several lessons to leaders of Southern Africa.
The first lesson is that their so-called regional integration is an empty message that helps nobody. The people on the ground are hardly affected by their lofty goals of uniting the region, says Joseph Ndhlovu 27, a Johannesburg high school teacher who was among the returnees in the first of the seven buses evacuating over 15,000 Malawians from South African two weeks ago.
Ndhlovu is a second generation resident, born in South Africa of Malawian parents and has never been to Malawi.
"I went to school in Zimbabwe and moved back to South Africa 8 years ago. My parents are buried in South Africa. I don't know anyone in Malawi," he says.
According to social welfare officials who are running a temporary holding centre for the returnees in the commercial city Blantyre, people like Ndhlovu will need long term assistance while trying to locate their kin. That means that the government which has already spent a fortune transporting them from South Africa will have to dig deeper into its coffers.
There are many like Ndhlovu among the bitter returnees because Malawi, one the poorest of colonial Africa, used to be the source of cheap labour for the more affluent colonies in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe and South Africa were the favoured destinations due to their better economies.
Mozambiquans and Malawians have until recently have been credited for hard work and honesty. In fact, the first president of Malawi, Hastings Banda, worked in the Johannesburg mines in the 1920s before embarking on a long educational career in the USA and UK
According to the ministry of labour, organized recruitment of Malawians to work in the mines was a source of revenue not only for the illiterate Malawians most of whom managed to build decent houses upon return but for government also.
These organized recruitment ended in the 1980's after most of the Malawians were accused of spreading HIV to South African nationals because as migrant labourers they were not allowed to bring their spouses.
But the trek Southwards was never been curbed, many Malawians continued to go South and in some cases professionals disappointed with poor working conditions at home made South Africa their new home.
Mary a mother of 3 who arrived home with a small bag of clothes narrates her ordeal.
"Both my husband and I were working. We were in South Africa for 9 years, and built our own house. In the fateful day, my husband was working night shift and I was alone with our three kids. I heard a nock and when I opened the door I found five people armed, they were my neighbours but they ordered me out, told me to run away or else they would kill me. I pleaded with them to allow me stay for the night but they refused. I managed to take my children out and run to the nearest Police station. For three days we had no food until social workers came to our rescue. I have not heard from my husband. I don't know what happened to him," she laments.
Unlike Ndhlovu Mary had relatives who came to pick her up and took her back to Zomba, about 100 Km from Blantyre.
The Chairperson of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee, Undule Mwakasungura and the Director of Malawi Human Rights Commission, Dorothy Nyasulu issued statements condemning the attacks. They also organized a demonstration against the xenophobic attacks and petitioned the South African ambassador to compensate the victims.
The South African ambassador described the events in her country as embarrassing.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Conflict, Peace and Security
Crime and Corruption
Human Rights
Malawi
Migration
South Africa
The media reports that over 60 lives have been lost and 250000 displaced but Malawians are not sure how many of their kin have died. The initial figure was five, but it is unclear how many lost their lives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has no figures accounting for the number of Malawians living in South Africa because most of them do not register with the embassy.
A human rights activist who once worked at the Malawi embassy in Pretoria says Malawians never report to the embassy because they have bitter memories from when security agents used to harass them and accuse them of working with rebels during the regime of Kamuzu Banda. He says most of Malawian embassies back then were full of security personnel and hence people stayed away. "At one time we had four police officers at the embassy, we didn't know their work nor did we interact with them. This was true of all Malawian embassies" he said.
The recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa particularly Malawians, Zimbabweans and Mozambiquans have taught several lessons to leaders of Southern Africa.
The first lesson is that their so-called regional integration is an empty message that helps nobody. The people on the ground are hardly affected by their lofty goals of uniting the region, says Joseph Ndhlovu 27, a Johannesburg high school teacher who was among the returnees in the first of the seven buses evacuating over 15,000 Malawians from South African two weeks ago.
Ndhlovu is a second generation resident, born in South Africa of Malawian parents and has never been to Malawi.
"I went to school in Zimbabwe and moved back to South Africa 8 years ago. My parents are buried in South Africa. I don't know anyone in Malawi," he says.
According to social welfare officials who are running a temporary holding centre for the returnees in the commercial city Blantyre, people like Ndhlovu will need long term assistance while trying to locate their kin. That means that the government which has already spent a fortune transporting them from South Africa will have to dig deeper into its coffers.
There are many like Ndhlovu among the bitter returnees because Malawi, one the poorest of colonial Africa, used to be the source of cheap labour for the more affluent colonies in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe and South Africa were the favoured destinations due to their better economies.
Mozambiquans and Malawians have until recently have been credited for hard work and honesty. In fact, the first president of Malawi, Hastings Banda, worked in the Johannesburg mines in the 1920s before embarking on a long educational career in the USA and UK
According to the ministry of labour, organized recruitment of Malawians to work in the mines was a source of revenue not only for the illiterate Malawians most of whom managed to build decent houses upon return but for government also.
These organized recruitment ended in the 1980's after most of the Malawians were accused of spreading HIV to South African nationals because as migrant labourers they were not allowed to bring their spouses.
But the trek Southwards was never been curbed, many Malawians continued to go South and in some cases professionals disappointed with poor working conditions at home made South Africa their new home.
Mary a mother of 3 who arrived home with a small bag of clothes narrates her ordeal.
"Both my husband and I were working. We were in South Africa for 9 years, and built our own house. In the fateful day, my husband was working night shift and I was alone with our three kids. I heard a nock and when I opened the door I found five people armed, they were my neighbours but they ordered me out, told me to run away or else they would kill me. I pleaded with them to allow me stay for the night but they refused. I managed to take my children out and run to the nearest Police station. For three days we had no food until social workers came to our rescue. I have not heard from my husband. I don't know what happened to him," she laments.
Unlike Ndhlovu Mary had relatives who came to pick her up and took her back to Zomba, about 100 Km from Blantyre.
The Chairperson of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee, Undule Mwakasungura and the Director of Malawi Human Rights Commission, Dorothy Nyasulu issued statements condemning the attacks. They also organized a demonstration against the xenophobic attacks and petitioned the South African ambassador to compensate the victims.
The South African ambassador described the events in her country as embarrassing.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa
Conflict, Peace and Security
Crime and Corruption
Human Rights
Malawi
Migration
South Africa
The media reports that over 60 lives have been lost and 250000 displaced but Malawians are not sure how many of their kin have died. The initial figure was five, but it is unclear how many lost their lives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has no figures accounting for the number of Malawians living in South Africa because most of them do not register with the embassy.
A human rights activist who once worked at the Malawi embassy in Pretoria says Malawians never report to the embassy because they have bitter memories from when security agents used to harass them and accuse them of working with rebels during the regime of Kamuzu Banda. He says most of Malawian embassies back then were full of security personnel and hence people stayed away. "At one time we had four police officers at the embassy, we didn't know their work nor did we interact with them. This was true of all Malawian embassies" he said.
Fish production reaps more in 2007
Malawi is currently registering a higher output in fish production after years of decline. According to estimates made by the country's government, about 60,000 tonnes were produced last year compared to 45,000 two years ago thanks to better fishing methods.
1.6 million People in the Southern African country depend on the fishing industry which provides over 70 percent of national dietary animal protein and 40 percent of the country’s total protein supply.
The country’s local daily of the Daily Times reported Thursday that fish production has been registering low output since 1990’s and that good fishing methods are now being practiced.
Malawi’s deputy director of Fisheries Orton Chinjika said on Tuesday during the official opening of Chia Fisheries Association fish market in the country’s central region, that the past fishermen used mosquito nets to catch fish.
He observed that the fishing method, would even take out fingerlings-smallest fish and hence reducing the number of fish in Lake Malawi.
Some of the country’s districts which borders the lake and depends on fish for relish include Mangochi in the Southern region, Salima in the Central region and Nkhata Bay in the northern region.
Malawi has also in the past lost its popular local fish Chambo due to bad fishing methods.
In another development Malawi’s neighbour Tanzania says it sees economic growth rising to 7.8 percent this year from 7.1 percent last year and that it will get inflation below 7.0 percent mid next year.
The country’s Finance minister Mustafa Mkulo told Reuters on Thursday during an economic survey presented to parliament ahead of his 2008/09 (July-June) fiscal budget speech and predicted the rate of growth would rise steadily in each year up to 2011.
He said that the economy will grow by 7.8 percent in 2008, 8.1 percent in 2009, 8.8 percent in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2011.
1.6 million People in the Southern African country depend on the fishing industry which provides over 70 percent of national dietary animal protein and 40 percent of the country’s total protein supply.
The country’s local daily of the Daily Times reported Thursday that fish production has been registering low output since 1990’s and that good fishing methods are now being practiced.
Malawi’s deputy director of Fisheries Orton Chinjika said on Tuesday during the official opening of Chia Fisheries Association fish market in the country’s central region, that the past fishermen used mosquito nets to catch fish.
He observed that the fishing method, would even take out fingerlings-smallest fish and hence reducing the number of fish in Lake Malawi.
Some of the country’s districts which borders the lake and depends on fish for relish include Mangochi in the Southern region, Salima in the Central region and Nkhata Bay in the northern region.
Malawi has also in the past lost its popular local fish Chambo due to bad fishing methods.
In another development Malawi’s neighbour Tanzania says it sees economic growth rising to 7.8 percent this year from 7.1 percent last year and that it will get inflation below 7.0 percent mid next year.
The country’s Finance minister Mustafa Mkulo told Reuters on Thursday during an economic survey presented to parliament ahead of his 2008/09 (July-June) fiscal budget speech and predicted the rate of growth would rise steadily in each year up to 2011.
He said that the economy will grow by 7.8 percent in 2008, 8.1 percent in 2009, 8.8 percent in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2011.
Former Minister Warns Media Not to Report On Allegations of His Misconduct While in Office
On 10 June 2008, former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Bazuka Mhango, who is also a Member of Parliament, warned the media not to report on allegations levelled against him by fellow parliamentarian Ibrahim Matola.
Matola, an opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) legislator, alleged during deliberations on the 2008/09 national budget that Mhango dubiously received over MK42 million (approx. US$310,000) from the government as legal fees when he was in cabinet, which was contrary to the government's prohibition on ministers engaging in legal work.
Warning the press not to report on the matter, which he said was in court, Mhango said Parliamentary privilege does not extend to the media.
Mhango also threatened to sue any Member of Parliament who speaks about the allegations outside the National Assembly. He said parliamentarians hide behind parliamentary privilege to make unfounded allegations.
But Member of Parliament for Blantyre South West Gerald Mponda differed with Mhango, arguing the former minister has no right to stop the media from reporting on parliamentary proceedings.
Mponda said the press is free to report on all parliamentary proceedings and therefore should not be intimidated.
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jones Chingola, who was presiding over the deliberations, did not make any ruling on Mhango's threats against the media.
BACKGROUND:
Mhango, who is an opposition Republican Party (RP) Member of Parliament, was fired from cabinet over a year ago. On several occasions, Mhango has clashed with fellow opposition parliamentarians for collaborating with the government.
Last month, opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament Robert Bondo accused Mhango of corruption for occupying a ministerial house despite being dropped from cabinet.
But Mhango denied the accusations, arguing he entered into a private arrangement with Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) while he was a minister to pay rentals directly to the corporation.
Mhango's position was supported by Transport, Public Works and Housing Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda.
Matola, an opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) legislator, alleged during deliberations on the 2008/09 national budget that Mhango dubiously received over MK42 million (approx. US$310,000) from the government as legal fees when he was in cabinet, which was contrary to the government's prohibition on ministers engaging in legal work.
Warning the press not to report on the matter, which he said was in court, Mhango said Parliamentary privilege does not extend to the media.
Mhango also threatened to sue any Member of Parliament who speaks about the allegations outside the National Assembly. He said parliamentarians hide behind parliamentary privilege to make unfounded allegations.
But Member of Parliament for Blantyre South West Gerald Mponda differed with Mhango, arguing the former minister has no right to stop the media from reporting on parliamentary proceedings.
Mponda said the press is free to report on all parliamentary proceedings and therefore should not be intimidated.
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jones Chingola, who was presiding over the deliberations, did not make any ruling on Mhango's threats against the media.
BACKGROUND:
Mhango, who is an opposition Republican Party (RP) Member of Parliament, was fired from cabinet over a year ago. On several occasions, Mhango has clashed with fellow opposition parliamentarians for collaborating with the government.
Last month, opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament Robert Bondo accused Mhango of corruption for occupying a ministerial house despite being dropped from cabinet.
But Mhango denied the accusations, arguing he entered into a private arrangement with Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) while he was a minister to pay rentals directly to the corporation.
Mhango's position was supported by Transport, Public Works and Housing Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda.
Malawi seeks technical bids for telecoms gateway management
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) is seeking technical and financial proposals from eligible firms interested in bidding for the provision of consolidated international gateway management services.
Macra director-general Alexon Chiwaya says that interested bidders must provide information indicating that they are qualified to render the required services, including company profiles, the qualifications of key personnel, references from current or pre- vious clients, and descriptions of similar assignments undertaken.
“The prospective firms must have in-depth specialist understanding of consolidated international gateway management services,” says Chiwaya.
He says the relevant expertise includes, but is not limited to, the detection of traffic, irrespective of the technology used, international and domestic interconnection standards, real-time billing and revenue assurance, quality of ser- vice analysis and reporting, interplatform networking that supports all telephony protocols, and the detection of fraud in international traffic communication.
Chiwaya says the details of the terms of reference are available at Macra’s offices in Blantyre.
“These services shall be operated under the build, operate and transfer [model] for up to three years,” he says.
Interested applicants, he adds, must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $360 or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency.
Chiwaya says the opening of the bids will take place at Macra’s offices on June 24.
Macra director-general Alexon Chiwaya says that interested bidders must provide information indicating that they are qualified to render the required services, including company profiles, the qualifications of key personnel, references from current or pre- vious clients, and descriptions of similar assignments undertaken.
“The prospective firms must have in-depth specialist understanding of consolidated international gateway management services,” says Chiwaya.
He says the relevant expertise includes, but is not limited to, the detection of traffic, irrespective of the technology used, international and domestic interconnection standards, real-time billing and revenue assurance, quality of ser- vice analysis and reporting, interplatform networking that supports all telephony protocols, and the detection of fraud in international traffic communication.
Chiwaya says the details of the terms of reference are available at Macra’s offices in Blantyre.
“These services shall be operated under the build, operate and transfer [model] for up to three years,” he says.
Interested applicants, he adds, must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $360 or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency.
Chiwaya says the opening of the bids will take place at Macra’s offices on June 24.
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