Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika on Wednesday in Lilongwe said that that there was need for the country\’s football team to remain permanent on the world sports map as one of the best teams in Africa.
Speaking during a State Luncheon hosted at his New State House in honour of the victorious Flames who beat the DR Congo’s side 2-1 last Saturday, he said following the recent victories recorded when Malawi beat the African reigning champions Egypt and the DRC at home, the national team was now on the world spotlight of football.
\"I am therefore urging you as players and coaches to work hard, harder and hardest as a team so that we remain among the best teams in Africa,” he added.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu said Malawi was now one of the best teams that have improved in as far as African football is concerned.
Out of several African teams played in the joint 2010 FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Malawi was among the 20 teams which have qualified for the final phase of the tournament that would see it participate in either one or both tournaments.
\"What remains now is to explore measures on how to make the team very strong to qualify for the top five qualifiers for South Africa 2010 or to be among the 15 teams to qualify for Angola 2010,\" he said. “And both goals are within reach of the Flames.”
Underdogs Malawi qualified for the final phase of the joint qualifiers after defeating DRC 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre last Saturday.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Paladin inks offtake agreement for new Malawi uranium mine
ASX-, TSX- and NSE-listed uranium producer Paladin Energy has signed a supply contract with an Asian power utility for the delivery of 1,5-million pounds of uranium, the firm reported on Wednesday.
The uranium would be produced by the company's 85%-owned Kayelekera uranium project, in Malawi, and would be delivered from 2009 to 2011, "at prices reflective of the longer-term nature of the contract", the company stated in a quarterly report.
The 3,3-million pounds a year uranium project is now 75% completed, Paladin said.
The openpit mining activities were also in full operation, with the focus on opening up ore zones. While ore had not yet been uncovered, the pit was on schedule to deliver ore readiness by March next year, when the plant would be commissioned.
Meanwhile, sales from the company's Langer Heinrich uranium project, in Namibia, during the quarter ended September 2008, totalled $51-million, comprising 878 000 pounds of uranium at an average realised price of $58/lb.
Paladin said that this brought sales in line with its original contract schedules.
During the quarter, Langer Heinrich achieved its initial production target of 2,6-million pounds a year of uranium, with the work on a stage-two expansion already under way.
Paladin is also considering a stage-three expansion to increase output to about six-million pounds of uranium a year by the end of 2010. A study on this will be completed by November and presented to the company's board for approval.
Further, the company is exploring the potential of heap leaching the low-grade ore that was being stockpiled at the project. An initial leach-test programme is under way in Johannesburg.
If this proves successful, the company will implement on site investigations.
Paladin expects production at the Langer Heinrich and Kayelekera mines to amount to 3,6-million pounds a year of uranium during the 2008/9 financial year.
This would increase to 6,6-million pounds a year of uranium during the 2009/10 financial year.
The uranium would be produced by the company's 85%-owned Kayelekera uranium project, in Malawi, and would be delivered from 2009 to 2011, "at prices reflective of the longer-term nature of the contract", the company stated in a quarterly report.
The 3,3-million pounds a year uranium project is now 75% completed, Paladin said.
The openpit mining activities were also in full operation, with the focus on opening up ore zones. While ore had not yet been uncovered, the pit was on schedule to deliver ore readiness by March next year, when the plant would be commissioned.
Meanwhile, sales from the company's Langer Heinrich uranium project, in Namibia, during the quarter ended September 2008, totalled $51-million, comprising 878 000 pounds of uranium at an average realised price of $58/lb.
Paladin said that this brought sales in line with its original contract schedules.
During the quarter, Langer Heinrich achieved its initial production target of 2,6-million pounds a year of uranium, with the work on a stage-two expansion already under way.
Paladin is also considering a stage-three expansion to increase output to about six-million pounds of uranium a year by the end of 2010. A study on this will be completed by November and presented to the company's board for approval.
Further, the company is exploring the potential of heap leaching the low-grade ore that was being stockpiled at the project. An initial leach-test programme is under way in Johannesburg.
If this proves successful, the company will implement on site investigations.
Paladin expects production at the Langer Heinrich and Kayelekera mines to amount to 3,6-million pounds a year of uranium during the 2008/9 financial year.
This would increase to 6,6-million pounds a year of uranium during the 2009/10 financial year.
Malawi and Zambia seek donor aid to demarcate border
Southern African neighbours Malawi and Zambia are seeking four million dollars from donors to demarcate 400 kilometres (250 miles) of their common border, a senior Malawian official said Wednesday.
"We are jointly looking for four million dollars from donors," Daniel Gondwe, Malawi's government surveyor general, told AFP.
The lack of physical markings on the ground had led to people living on the border to "unknowingly extend developments on land that is not in their country."
"The two governments have already put resources to kick start the initial work using local resources," Gondwe said.
The international boundary between the two countries stretches some 804 kilometers (500 miles) and was agreed by colonialists at the Berlin Conference in 1885.
"We are jointly looking for four million dollars from donors," Daniel Gondwe, Malawi's government surveyor general, told AFP.
The lack of physical markings on the ground had led to people living on the border to "unknowingly extend developments on land that is not in their country."
"The two governments have already put resources to kick start the initial work using local resources," Gondwe said.
The international boundary between the two countries stretches some 804 kilometers (500 miles) and was agreed by colonialists at the Berlin Conference in 1885.
Malawi celebrate women’s crucial role in Africa’s development
Malawi is on Wednesday celebrating Mothers’ Day and the World Rural Women’s Day, occasions set aside to honour and give special attention and recognition to the tireless work women of Africa carry out to develop and care for Africans from the cradle to the presidency.
That’s how President Bingu wa Mutharika put it when he directed that from this year onwards, the local public holiday known as Mothers’ Day would be celebrated jointly on 15 October to coincide with the commemoration of the UN-designated World Rural Women’s Day.
Previuosly, Mothers’ Day in Malawi was commemorated on the Monday of the second week of the October.
Minister of Women and Child Development, Anna Kachikho, said in Lilongwe that women played a critical role in contributing to the socio-economic development of all countries.
"The contributions women make to the well being of both nations and families are great. Women, especially those from rural areas, play a very key role in the food production and food security of the country," she said.
According to her, in Africa rural women produce 80 percent of the food that is grown in the continent.
Much as women provided all that labour that enables the production of food in the localities, she observed, it was very disappointing to note that worldwide only two per cent of land was owned by the rural women.
She added that women only received one percent of all agriculture credit and five percent of agriculture extension resources
That’s how President Bingu wa Mutharika put it when he directed that from this year onwards, the local public holiday known as Mothers’ Day would be celebrated jointly on 15 October to coincide with the commemoration of the UN-designated World Rural Women’s Day.
Previuosly, Mothers’ Day in Malawi was commemorated on the Monday of the second week of the October.
Minister of Women and Child Development, Anna Kachikho, said in Lilongwe that women played a critical role in contributing to the socio-economic development of all countries.
"The contributions women make to the well being of both nations and families are great. Women, especially those from rural areas, play a very key role in the food production and food security of the country," she said.
According to her, in Africa rural women produce 80 percent of the food that is grown in the continent.
Much as women provided all that labour that enables the production of food in the localities, she observed, it was very disappointing to note that worldwide only two per cent of land was owned by the rural women.
She added that women only received one percent of all agriculture credit and five percent of agriculture extension resources
The ABC of Being a Successful Business Woman
LILONGWE, Oct 15 (IPS) - Through hard work and resilience, Malawian entrepreneur Mary Phombeya has developed her once small and struggling business outfit into a fully fledged company. She imports fashionable clothes – for women, children and men – from Dubai, Thailand and Hong Kong which she sells locally.
‘‘Although I have only been in this business for two years now, I feel like I have come a very long way. I have achieved so much despite facing some very tough challenges,’’ 40-year-old Phombeya tells IPS.
Initiated in April 2006 with a measly 3,000 dollars, the clothing business has given her a five-bedroom house in one of the affluent areas in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. She is also able to send her two children and three other relatives to the country’s distinguished schools from the profits she makes.
‘‘I was so reliant on my husband before I started my business. But I am now very independent as I have a daily cash flow from the sales,’’ Phombeya says proudly. She makes an average profit of 5,000 dollars per month and provides employment to two women.
The business is different from when she kick-started it two years ago. She did not even have a business plan. ‘‘I had no real vision at all when I started. I just decided to accompany somebody to Hong Kong who had been selling clothes to me. I brought back whatever I could lay my hands on but most of the clothes did not sell because I had only bought what I’d liked,’’ she explains.
Phombeya learnt her lesson from that incident and decided to take her trade to greater heights. She went around to offices, asking potentials clients what their desired piece of clothing would be.
‘‘I only got things right when I decided to acquaint myself with the needs of my customers. I always make sure that I know exactly what I will sell to what type of buyer,’’ says Phombeya, as she bustles around her boutique, hanging up pieces of clothing from the consignment she has just brought back from Thailand.
It is her dedication to her customers that has supported Phombeya’s business, Flora Kabati, one of her most reliable clients, tells IPS.
‘‘She has the interest of her customers at heart. She knows what my choices of clothing are and she does not go wrong. She has supplied me with office wear, casual wear and even clothes for special events like a wedding or a party,’’ enthused Kabati.
Phombeya makes the most of every chance to network with fellow traders. She is always in the company of colleagues when she travels abroad to procure clothing.
‘‘You want to feel safe when you are walking around a strange city. We walk long distances scouting for affordable goods. Sometimes we cover a distance of up to 20 kilometres,’’ says Phombeya.
It only takes two days to gather enough merchandise for sale but that she spends four days flying to and from Malawi. ‘‘It is very tiring and challenging. One needs a lot of patience and determination to do this.’’
There are a number of sacrifices that Phombeya has to make in her quest for an income. She throws the need for privacy to the wind during her travels as she usually shares a hotel room with four other traders. This helps them save money.
She also has to be tough and stop herself from being enticed to buy goods that she might want for herself and her family while shopping for her customers.
‘‘This business demands a lot of discipline and self-control. Sometimes I get really fascinated by all sorts of good things but I ensure that I don’t get lured into buying those things,’’ says the merchant. Once she went to Dubai and ended up shopping for her own house, thus losing business opportunities.
A major challenge facing Phombeya’s trade is the amount of duty she has to pay on importing merchandise into the country. ‘‘The taxes are so high. Sometimes the amount of money I pay in taxes on an item of clothing is higher than the amount of money I paid for the garment,’’ worries Phombeya.
She has to sell such clothing at a higher-than-usual price if she is to realise profits.
The business woman also has to contend with high transportation costs when flying the goods into the country. She pays seven dollars for every kilogramme of luggage.
Most of Phombeya’s customers buy the clothes on credit. They pay her in instalments. This also poses a challenge because not all her customers honour their debts. ‘‘Some people get the clothes and change their telephone numbers while others move houses. It’s very difficult to trace such people and I lose out.’’
Others get aggressive when she reminds them to pay and hurl insults at her.
Phombeya, however, is not being slowed down by the challenges she encounters. She plans to spread out into more business ventures in the coming year and is eyeing the distribution industry.
‘‘I already have plans in place to be a distributor of soft drinks and mobile phone credit. I am sure I will make it and I will be a much bigger trader than now,’’ Phombeya confidently adds.
She holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics which, she says, has also helped her in being resourceful. (END/2008)
‘‘Although I have only been in this business for two years now, I feel like I have come a very long way. I have achieved so much despite facing some very tough challenges,’’ 40-year-old Phombeya tells IPS.
Initiated in April 2006 with a measly 3,000 dollars, the clothing business has given her a five-bedroom house in one of the affluent areas in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. She is also able to send her two children and three other relatives to the country’s distinguished schools from the profits she makes.
‘‘I was so reliant on my husband before I started my business. But I am now very independent as I have a daily cash flow from the sales,’’ Phombeya says proudly. She makes an average profit of 5,000 dollars per month and provides employment to two women.
The business is different from when she kick-started it two years ago. She did not even have a business plan. ‘‘I had no real vision at all when I started. I just decided to accompany somebody to Hong Kong who had been selling clothes to me. I brought back whatever I could lay my hands on but most of the clothes did not sell because I had only bought what I’d liked,’’ she explains.
Phombeya learnt her lesson from that incident and decided to take her trade to greater heights. She went around to offices, asking potentials clients what their desired piece of clothing would be.
‘‘I only got things right when I decided to acquaint myself with the needs of my customers. I always make sure that I know exactly what I will sell to what type of buyer,’’ says Phombeya, as she bustles around her boutique, hanging up pieces of clothing from the consignment she has just brought back from Thailand.
It is her dedication to her customers that has supported Phombeya’s business, Flora Kabati, one of her most reliable clients, tells IPS.
‘‘She has the interest of her customers at heart. She knows what my choices of clothing are and she does not go wrong. She has supplied me with office wear, casual wear and even clothes for special events like a wedding or a party,’’ enthused Kabati.
Phombeya makes the most of every chance to network with fellow traders. She is always in the company of colleagues when she travels abroad to procure clothing.
‘‘You want to feel safe when you are walking around a strange city. We walk long distances scouting for affordable goods. Sometimes we cover a distance of up to 20 kilometres,’’ says Phombeya.
It only takes two days to gather enough merchandise for sale but that she spends four days flying to and from Malawi. ‘‘It is very tiring and challenging. One needs a lot of patience and determination to do this.’’
There are a number of sacrifices that Phombeya has to make in her quest for an income. She throws the need for privacy to the wind during her travels as she usually shares a hotel room with four other traders. This helps them save money.
She also has to be tough and stop herself from being enticed to buy goods that she might want for herself and her family while shopping for her customers.
‘‘This business demands a lot of discipline and self-control. Sometimes I get really fascinated by all sorts of good things but I ensure that I don’t get lured into buying those things,’’ says the merchant. Once she went to Dubai and ended up shopping for her own house, thus losing business opportunities.
A major challenge facing Phombeya’s trade is the amount of duty she has to pay on importing merchandise into the country. ‘‘The taxes are so high. Sometimes the amount of money I pay in taxes on an item of clothing is higher than the amount of money I paid for the garment,’’ worries Phombeya.
She has to sell such clothing at a higher-than-usual price if she is to realise profits.
The business woman also has to contend with high transportation costs when flying the goods into the country. She pays seven dollars for every kilogramme of luggage.
Most of Phombeya’s customers buy the clothes on credit. They pay her in instalments. This also poses a challenge because not all her customers honour their debts. ‘‘Some people get the clothes and change their telephone numbers while others move houses. It’s very difficult to trace such people and I lose out.’’
Others get aggressive when she reminds them to pay and hurl insults at her.
Phombeya, however, is not being slowed down by the challenges she encounters. She plans to spread out into more business ventures in the coming year and is eyeing the distribution industry.
‘‘I already have plans in place to be a distributor of soft drinks and mobile phone credit. I am sure I will make it and I will be a much bigger trader than now,’’ Phombeya confidently adds.
She holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics which, she says, has also helped her in being resourceful. (END/2008)
Moonlight HIV/AIDS Clinic
“In the darkness of the HIV/AIDS crisis, antiretroviral drugs are the moonlight to get us through, which is where the name Moonlight Clinic comes from.” –Martin Banda, Assistant for the Health Center, July 2008
The idea for the Moonlight Clinic was conceived by Martin Banda, Medical Assistant at the local Health Center and representative of the community. The District Hospital and the local community had been looking to expand the Health Center and upgrade it to a Rural Hospital, in order to offer more services locally instead of referring patients to the nearest hospital, 45 kilometers away.
A major step towards the upgrade is the construction of a new HIV/AIDS clinic and a new maternity ward. Today the 2200 square foot Community Health Center is already over-crowded, serving 40,000 people from surrounding villages. HIV/AIDS is one of the largest health problems facing the communities in this area. Moonlight Clinic will offer volunteer counseling and testing for HIV, Antiretroviral drug distribution for AIDS patients, HIV/AIDS education for youth, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and STD screening.
After the initial discussions concerning the Moonlight Clinic, people from many villages came—both day and night—to show their support for the project. The community has agreed to contribute land, burnt bricks, hoes, wheelbarrows and transport of water and sand for cement. The Moonlight Clinic is not only something the community needs, but something they want and support fully. They are excited to be involved in the improvement of their own community.
The idea for the Moonlight Clinic was conceived by Martin Banda, Medical Assistant at the local Health Center and representative of the community. The District Hospital and the local community had been looking to expand the Health Center and upgrade it to a Rural Hospital, in order to offer more services locally instead of referring patients to the nearest hospital, 45 kilometers away.
A major step towards the upgrade is the construction of a new HIV/AIDS clinic and a new maternity ward. Today the 2200 square foot Community Health Center is already over-crowded, serving 40,000 people from surrounding villages. HIV/AIDS is one of the largest health problems facing the communities in this area. Moonlight Clinic will offer volunteer counseling and testing for HIV, Antiretroviral drug distribution for AIDS patients, HIV/AIDS education for youth, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and STD screening.
After the initial discussions concerning the Moonlight Clinic, people from many villages came—both day and night—to show their support for the project. The community has agreed to contribute land, burnt bricks, hoes, wheelbarrows and transport of water and sand for cement. The Moonlight Clinic is not only something the community needs, but something they want and support fully. They are excited to be involved in the improvement of their own community.
Thirty Rwandans repatriated from Malawi
THIRTY Rwandan refugees were last week repatriated from Malawi.
The group who arrived through Kigali International Airport, were living at Zareka refugee camp. They include seven men, eight women and 15 children.
Talking to The New Times, Joanna Pollonais, the UNHCR External Relations officer in Rwanda confirmed that they were in good shape and happy to be in their country and that many more want to be repatriated.
She however did not mention the number of those who want to be repatriated but added that those who had returned had done so on their own will.
“Repatriation is voluntary. So when refugees are ready to return to their country of origin, UNHCR is there to provide solutions in terms of human assistance, protection and logistics,” Pollonais explained, adding, “We’re discussing with the government of Malawi the best approach to repatriate them in a big number.”
This has come following the good bilateral relationship between Rwanda and the government of Malawi.
In September 2007, President Paul Kagame had a three-day state visit to Malawi where, together with his counterpart Bingu Wa Mutharika, inaugurated Paul Kagame Road in the southern African country’s capital, Lilongwe.
Predictably, the two presidents discussed the refugee issue, agreeing that a tripartite commission comprising both governments and the UNHCR be instituted and immediately devise means of having those Rwandans repatriated home.
This is in line with Kigali’s desire to have all Rwandan refugees in as many countries repatriated home to help rebuild and develop their motherland.
The group who arrived through Kigali International Airport, were living at Zareka refugee camp. They include seven men, eight women and 15 children.
Talking to The New Times, Joanna Pollonais, the UNHCR External Relations officer in Rwanda confirmed that they were in good shape and happy to be in their country and that many more want to be repatriated.
She however did not mention the number of those who want to be repatriated but added that those who had returned had done so on their own will.
“Repatriation is voluntary. So when refugees are ready to return to their country of origin, UNHCR is there to provide solutions in terms of human assistance, protection and logistics,” Pollonais explained, adding, “We’re discussing with the government of Malawi the best approach to repatriate them in a big number.”
This has come following the good bilateral relationship between Rwanda and the government of Malawi.
In September 2007, President Paul Kagame had a three-day state visit to Malawi where, together with his counterpart Bingu Wa Mutharika, inaugurated Paul Kagame Road in the southern African country’s capital, Lilongwe.
Predictably, the two presidents discussed the refugee issue, agreeing that a tripartite commission comprising both governments and the UNHCR be instituted and immediately devise means of having those Rwandans repatriated home.
This is in line with Kigali’s desire to have all Rwandan refugees in as many countries repatriated home to help rebuild and develop their motherland.
POSSIBLE GROUPS FOR MALAWI
SEEDS FOR FINAL GROUP STAGE
POT 1: Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast
POT 2: Guinea, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Algeria
POT 3: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Zambia, Kenya, Benin
POT 4: Rwanda, Togo, Mozambique, Sudan, Malawi
The teams in POT 1 will be heads of each of the 5 groups. By being top seeded they get the luxury of not having to play against another top seeded team.
Here are some of the possible groupings for Malawi:
Group 1
Cameroon
Algeria
Benin
Malawi
Group 2
Egypt
Guinea
Burkina Faso
Malawi
Group 3
Ghana
Algeria
Gabon
Malawi
Group 4
Nigeria
Algeria
Kenya
Malawi
GROUP 5
Ivory Coast
Mali
Zambia
Malawi
Group leaders will qualify for the world cup. Given the above, which group do you want Malawi to be in?
POT 1: Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast
POT 2: Guinea, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Algeria
POT 3: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Zambia, Kenya, Benin
POT 4: Rwanda, Togo, Mozambique, Sudan, Malawi
The teams in POT 1 will be heads of each of the 5 groups. By being top seeded they get the luxury of not having to play against another top seeded team.
Here are some of the possible groupings for Malawi:
Group 1
Cameroon
Algeria
Benin
Malawi
Group 2
Egypt
Guinea
Burkina Faso
Malawi
Group 3
Ghana
Algeria
Gabon
Malawi
Group 4
Nigeria
Algeria
Kenya
Malawi
GROUP 5
Ivory Coast
Mali
Zambia
Malawi
Group leaders will qualify for the world cup. Given the above, which group do you want Malawi to be in?
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