2012 Women of Distinction Awards-Malawi

Who won an award at WODA 2012 awards and what earned them the awards

By Albert Sharra

March 10, 2012, will remain a day to remember in the world of women awards in the Malawi as this is the day, both men and women from all walks of life came together as a family to recognise and appreciate the works some of our mothers have contributed to the economic and social wellbeing of the country at a special function called Women of Distinction (WODA) 2012 awards held at the New State House in Lilongwe. This was the first event of such calibre to award 15 successful women who have contributed largely in various fields at one time.

However, though various quarters have described the event a success, some people have questioned on what earned most of the awardees the honours. In an interview WODA awards elections committee chairperson Dr Agness Chimbiri said the awardees were nominated by the public and the committee only picked the cream from list, but Dr Chimbiri said the committee had a tough task to identify the winner. She says most nominations were submitted without giving brief success stories of the candidates.

According to Dr. Chimbiri each category had three finalists and the best was picked after satisfying the following conditions. Contributed to community needs and solutions, her activities have an impact and that the activities reflect an innovative approach to meeting community, development and social needs of the people in the country.

ALBERT SHARRA digs to reveal what earned who the awards.

Life Time Achiever

Mama Cecilia Kadzamira

Out of the fifteen awardees, former Hostess to the late president of the republic of Malawi Dr Kamuzu Banda Mama Cecilia Kadzamira was named the Life time achiever. The award comes among many others awards with notable ones being Older of Lion of Malawi (OLM) award by the late Dr. Kamuzu Banda; Malawi Order of Achievement (MAC) by president Professor Bingu wa Mutharika,Interior Decoration by Spanish Interior Decorator  and Honorary Doctorate in Humanities. She was also once recognised for her successful work as a hostess to the former president for 31 years and her charity projects in the rural areas.

Mama is also the founding member of Malawi against Polio (MAP) in the early 1970’s and Dzidalire Community Development Agency from 2007. This woman of distinction also co-founded Malawi Orthopedic Assistants Project in the 1980s and Chitukuko cha Amayi M’Malawi (CCAM) in 1985. The Life Time Achiever also serves as a Trustee and Board member of Kamuzu Academy (since 1977) and Mtendere Orphanage (from 2006). Also in support to the vulnerable, through her work with Mtendere Orphanage and Dzidalire Community Development Agency, Mama Kadzamira sources support from missionaries in America who provide shoes that are given to people who plant more trees. With her team, she mobilizes women who teach orphaned children from 6 years of age to secondary school level.

Mama Kadzamira (in glasses, with a walking stick),First Lady Callista Mutharika (in red blouse) WODA founder and director Zilanie Gondwe Nyundo (far right) and others celebrating after Mama had won the life time Achiever award 

National Woman of Distinction

Also won the Science and Technology award

Felicity Malewezi

Wife to the former Vice president of Malawi Justin Malewezi, Felicity Malewezi was awarded the National Woman of Distinction. The award came after she also won the Science and Technology award. Malewezi is an astounding Mathematician and educationist. She holds a Masters degree in Mathematics Education from Leeds University with a distinction.  She has taught Mathematics from 1968 to 1983 in various secondary schools in Malawi. Throughout her teaching career she strived to demystify the teaching of mathematics and present it in such a way that students would understand, enjoy learning it and also find it relevant in their daily lives. To succeed in her quest to demystify the teaching of mathematics she did not only strive to change the mindset of students she taught, but also of the policy makers in the Ministry of Education itself, as well as teachers and parents. She therefore took time to examine in-depth the issue of mathematics in Malawi and the various factors that contribute to students, and in particular girls, to find mathematics difficult and irrelevant in their lives. This resulted in her re-writing Book 1 of General Mathematics which is a user friendly book widely used in schools in Malawi.  She also contributed in the writing of the Primary Mathematics Book which is currently used by Standard 8 pupils through out Malawi. Not only that. She has also written several papers most of which were on the Mathematics curriculum in Malawi schools as well as gender stereotyping and sexism and how these negatively impact on girl’s achievement. Malewezi has also worked on a number of consultancies and Projects for UNICEF on girls education the results of which have had a positive impact on education in Malawi. She is also co-founder of a community based organization called “Mwana wa Mnzako” whose major objective is to provide financial support to orphans to enable them access and complete their secondary school education. Since its inception in 2003 Mwana wa Mnzako, has been paying school and related fees in secondary schools for an average of 55 orphans annually.

Business

Annie Fletcher

54 years old enterprenuer.She hails from Zomba. Fletcher is a woman with extra ordinary entrepreneurial spirit. She managed to expand her business from a humble beginning of running a bottle store in 1986 to a big business empire in the hospitality industry. Now proudly owners Annies Lodge Group comprising of:  Annie’s coffee shop - Area 2,  Lilongwe ,Annie’s lodge - Area 47, Lilongwe, Annie’s lodge - Area 10, Lilongwe, Annie’s lodge – Zomba and Annie’s lodge – Nyambadwe, Blantyre. She is also founder of a Women Support Network formed in 2004 which trains women in entrepreneurship, leadership and other economic activities. Current membership of the network is 500

Fletcher has also served as Member of Parliament for Changalume constituency between 1999 – 2004.In 2010 Fletcher was recognized as “global eminent leader” by the Leadership Studies Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Agriculture

Chrissie Katundu

A cassava farmer and an agro-processor from T/A Malemia, Domasi, Zomba.She is Director of Alongolele Enterprises, a personal business which she started in 1998 processing Kondowole and selling it to supermarkets.  

Founder of a large Community Based Organisation called Cassava Mbatata Roots and Tubers Enterprise (CMRTE) with current membership of 2,500 farmers (87% of whom are women) with the aim of involving small scale cassava farmers in the farming and agro-processing of cassava. CMRTE currently has a big factory which processes cassava into high quality flour for baking which is supplied to different bakeries. 

Katundu has received various awards and among them include Trade and Industry Award in 2003,Top Budding Women Entrepreneur Award winner in 2005 and Global Entrepreneur Award in New York organized by United Nations in 2005.

Health

 Maureen Chirwa, PhD

A professional nurse with specialization in health systems management with more than 20 years experience of teaching health professionals in state and academic institutions including external examining of various local and international universities.

She has extensive research degree supervision and other postgraduate teaching experience and has carried out and managed consultancies for a number of international development agencies and NGOs.  She is on a pool of distinguished international consultants with Health and Life Sciences Partnerships a UK based firm and a German based Organisation called EPOS Health Management. 

She has a number of book chapters and journal publications in peer reviewed journals.

She  facilitated the development of a Registered Nursing Diploma Program for Enrolled nurses for both Kamuzu College of Nursing and Malawi College of Health Sciences, initiated a University Wide HIV and AIDS programme on Life Skills within the University of Malawi, when she was the Chief Executive officer of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi- she mobilised resources to support the development of nursing and midwifery education and practice in Malawi which included the development of a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery Technician Programme; Bachelors Degree in Nursing and Midwifery programme for Mzuzu University. She also played a major role in development of the non financial incentives for the hard to reach areas; and the development of the six year Emergency Human Resources for Health in Malawi

Public Service

Kettie Mkandawire

Born on 23^rd August 1971.Mkandawire is a female Solder in the Malawi Defence Force. Joined the MDF in 1999.She has achieved a lot while in the MDF.In 2003 she became the first female soldier to drive a Senior Officer (Brigadier),In 2001 she became the first female soldier to obtain a Certificate in Boxing Coaching, In 2007 she went to Israel and did a VIP protection course in which she emerged the best, she is the first female soldier to establish a military police at Cobbe Barracks, in 2010 she became the first female soldier in the history of MDF to undergo Drill and Duties Course both basic and advanced and in 2011 she made another history by becoming the first female soldier to be an Instructor in the Drill and Duties Course in 2011

Education

Gertrude Kasopa

A 37 year old PTE3 primary school teacher with passion in the education welfare of girls. She encourages girls in primary schools to fully utilize their potential in mathematics and science. She has also been a source of motivation and encouragement for girls who have dropped out from school after becoming pregnant. She is well known to the communities surrounding St John Primary School in Lilongwe as she regularly visits the school drop out girls in these communities encouraging them to go back to school after delivering. She is also involved in Girl guide activities through which she encourages girls to be patriotic to their country, helping them to realize their full potential and also to have a clear mandate and score of being responsible citizens of Malawi. She is a mentor for a lot of young girls around St Johns Primary School. Apart from that, She also holds a Certificates in Football Refereeing, Certificate in Insert Programme of PCAR and Certificate in  Counselling of Peer Educators 

Media

Gloria Banda

30 year old Radio and Television Producer and Presenter for Malawi Broadcasting Corporation who through her career has promoted and advanced women social issues. As a result of her passion for women issues, she has been involved in a number of projects involving both radio and TV productions which have had tremendous impact on the lives of millions of women who listen to radio and watch the TV.

Banda holds a Diploma in journalism from the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic. She has produced and presented some well known programmes as well as improved the quality the following programmes: Nthawi ya Amayi - a programme which tackles issues aimed at achieving social economic empowerment for women, Zoona Zake Zaumoyo -  a programme that tackles women Health issues and features topics on maternal health, HIV/Aids, hygiene and malaria, Oyo N’kamodzi – also a programme which  aims  at addressing maternal health problems to ensure that no woman dies of childbirth related complications, She is also the producer and presenter for a TV programme called Mayi wa Lero which aims at encouraging women to raise their living standards a programme chosen as the most listened to program on MBC Radio one according to an independent 2011 National Media Survey by Afro Management and  Zokonda Amayi -  a popular program amongst women which allows women to interact, share ideas and experiences.

Arts/Music

Grace Chinga

An accomplished woman who takes music career to the heights of her capabilities. She is among few successful women who have survived the music market and find a place for gospel music in the country. She has received various awards with the latest being Malawi Music Awards 2011 Gospel artist of the year.

Sports

Mary Waya

Was born on 25 May 1968.She is a Malawian netball player and coach. Waya started playing international-level netball at the age 14, and has played in more than 200 representative matches for Malawi. During that time she has competed in two World Netball Championships (1995 and 2007), three Commonwealth Games (1998, 2006 and 2010), and two World Netball Series (2009 and 2010).

Waya came to international prominence during the 2007 World Championships in New Zealand, where the Malawian national team (the "Queens") finished 5th, their highest ever placing. She announced her retirement after the tournament, but returned to international competition the following year. She remains the national team's most high-profile player and was chosen as the flag bearer for the Malawi team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

After the 2010 World Series in Liverpool, Waya again announced her retirement from international netball and later that year stepped into the role of head coach of the Malawi U-20 netball team. Domestically, Waya plays for the MTL Queens.

Maternal Health

Dr. Jane Namasasu

A Registered Nurse, Midwife, and Public Health Nurse professional who has made great contributions to maternal health in Malawi. She holds a Master’s degree in Community Health from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom and a PhD in Public Health obtained at Edith Cowan University, Perth in Western Australia and currently works as a Zone Supervisor for Central East health zones. Some of her outstanding works and achievements include:Her involvement in the establishment of  a Reproductive Health Unit for the Ministry of Health to implement a comprehensive reproductive health programme ,She conducted a National Emergency Obstetric Care Assessment which led to the development of the roadmap to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity from 2005 -2015, the implementation of which has so far been a success for Malawi and She also co-founded the Centre for Reproductive Health which is affiliated with the College of Medicine to undertake research, monitor and evaluate the implementation of reproductive health programme.

Young Woman Leader

Thembi Thadzi

27 year old 4^th year student in development studies with Share World Open University with full of passion for youth development. She is the first and only young woman in Malawi to be appointed on to the National advisory Council on Strategic Planning. Thadzi was also amongst the 115 young people across Africa, who had the privilege to meet the  USA president,Barrack Obama in 2010 in Washington DC. In 2010 was awarded the Commonwealth Youth  Initiative Award and the Youth Development Award by the National Youth Council of Malawi for her outstanding work in Youth development. She is a representative of the regional youth caucus for the commonwealth youth program and is Chairperson for the Resource Mobilization committee for the yet to be launched Youth parliament, Vice chairperson of the Ten Plus Link,an initiative that identifies and promotes the different talents of the youth and also member of Pan African Youth forum, Young African leaders network, The red cross , Scout Association of Malawi  and was once chairperson of the National Youth council. For her work, she received a leadership health award at the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics 30^th anniversary function at the United States of House of Representatives in September of 2003.

Woman Champion

Sakina Nyenge

She hails from Mponde Village T/A Jalasi Mangochi district. Through her work she has had a tremendous impact on women and girls in the communities around her village. She leads a Community Based Organisation of women in her village which carries out a number of activities which focus on the plight of women and girls.  The organisation has been involved in the provision of awareness and counselling sessions on HIV and Aids; support for the elderly by proving them food and carrying out some chores for them. Her organisation has also been involved in encouraging and counselling girls who have dropped out from school due to pregnancies to go back to school to continue with their education. The organisation has also been involved in advocating and persuading schools around the communities to accept such girls back into school.

Charity

Catherine Chipembere

She is the founder of the Women Initiative Network (International), a community based organization (CBO) based in Mangochi and Blantyre which was formed in 1998 after she was concerned with HIV/AIDS situation and its impact in the country. The Organisation operates in remote villages where people are severely poverty stricken.  Due to poverty, these people are hungry and vulnerable to diseases. The programs carried out by this organization are run by committees who work voluntarily in mobilizing and training villagers to run these programs. The programs run by the organization include: Community Based Child Care Centers, Home-based Care for the Sick, Hunger Project, Income Generating Activities for food security, supporting the Old/ the Handicap, youth and the girl child. 

Chipembere has also assisted in forming a literacy class at Ntangaluka Village, securing scholarships for needy students to attend secondary schools, referring orphans to social workers for assistance.

Equal opportunity employer

Standard Bank

Standard Bank is one of Malawi’s leading financial institutions and has been in operation as a bank in Malawi for 42 years. The bank strives to move its customers, communities and employees forward.

The bank’s main competitive advantage is its people. The bank’s philosophy is to ensure members of staff realize their personal and career dreams. One key component in the Bank’s values is growing its people. To achieve this feat, Standard Bank has an equal opportunity policy, which remains sacrosanct and is premised on engagement of staff to fill a position being made looking at any status like race,sex etc. Recruitment process is transparent and no favours are made. By December 2011, more than 40% of the total employees are women.

Men and women at Standard Bank excel on equal footing and there are many women than men in key and strategic positions within the Bank. 

In 2011, Malawi Congress of Trade Union recognized Standard Bank as one of the best employers in Malawi.

In addition, through its Cooperate Social Responsibility policy,the bank supports basic education and maternal health  which occupy an important aspect for the attainment of the  MDGs in Malawi.

That’s the cream some Malawian women have done to their country. Read detailed aspiring stories for each awardee in Nation On Sunday on Everywoman page every Sunday from 18^th March to end May 2012.

For comments, write to albertshara@yahoo.com.

SOCIETY STORY

LUFEYO DZOMBE BACK WITH CHANGA NDI CHANI

Sings for the poor.

ALBERT SHARRA

Lufeyo Dzombe is here to stay. After six years of silence, the 2004 best music seller who made record with his Malawi for sale album is back on the airwaves with a new album called Changa ndi chani. Renowned for his daring romantic tunes, the Wanga wa Chitonga fame star has bounced back with a different style; singing purely for the poor and the needy.

Taking the same route as taken by other renowned artists in the names of Lucius Banda and Joseph Nkasa whose recent albums are commenting more on socio -economic problems tormenting the country, Dzombe has gone straight with the title track to sob with poor Malawians who have been reduced from eating bread and accessing other minor foods due to the just introduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on most foods in the country. In the song, the artist wonders why the poor are supposed to pay for all these taxes when their purposes are not benefiting them in any way

Carrying the central message in the song is its chorus which goes like “Ndimalipira aphunzitsa chifukwa amandithesera umbuli, ndimalipira ma lawyer kuti anditeteze ku ma bwalo oweruza milandu, ndimalipira madotokotala chifukwa amandichiza, alonda amanditeteza ndipo ndimaperekanso kutchalichi kuthokoza Mulungu wanga pondipatsa moyo.Nanga misonkhoyi ndiyachani?”[I pay for teachers because they end my ignorance, Lawyers  protect me at the courts, doctors treat me from diseases,wathmen provides me with security and I contribute at the church to thank God for giving me life. But why for the taxes?].

Dzombe believes most of these taxes are irrelevant unless their purpose is to punish the poor at the expense of reckless behaviours of some people in the authority.

Other hot tracks expected to touch the hearts of many include Thambo lagwa and Chilema. The songs are preaching about the consequences of not listening to advises.

“In music we consider most being relevant. An artist is an ambassador of the voiceless and the messages in the album are what people are talking about. This is a production that has taken me three years to complete, not that it was very tough but I wanted something that could appease my supporters who missed me for six years” said Dzombe while revealing that he has been in Zambia where he was working on a music contract project with a women group called Women Lobby of Zambia since 2005 to 2009.

“There were rhumas that I am dead and others said I was sick , that is what happens in life but I want to assure my fans that I have not returned empty handed, listen to my music and you will appreciate,” boasts Dzombe.

Though the album is expected to hit the market this coming Friday, the 12 track masterpiece has already started ringing the bell in most radio stations. Even music distributors have started scrambling to distribute it. Top music distributor in the country O.G Issa has nodded to distribute it and has already bought 2 000 copies as starting point according to sponsor and promoter of the album Ganizani Chingonda of  the Gani Records.

Produced at Gani Records by George Chinthenga formerly of Rhem studios, the album will be available only in tapes until month end of January when protected CDs and DVDs will be ready; a strategy set to fight piracy.

Dzombe’s history in music indicates that all his three previous productions have done well both on musical charts and the market. His best selling album remains Malawi for sale which sold over 120 000 copies and is seconded by 2001 production Tikhale nawo which hit over 50 000 copies.

END.

Piracy, poor sales force Mlangeni into begging.

By ALBERT SHARRA. 

With just a month after gospel star Lloyd Phiri came to the open to tell the nation that he is failing to release his new album because his last albums did not yield enough money because of piracy and poor sales, another gospel star Peter Mlangeni has come out to the open with similar concerns to ask favours from his fans to help him release his new album.

Speaking in a separate interview with On the Arts last week Mlangeni said he is completely bankrupt because his last album called Ambuye ndiwabwino
 has only sold a fraction of the money he invested and now is unable to finalize
 recording of his new album.

"Things have gone out of hand; i am totally broke that i can not even finish recording my new album. I have come out to ask all my fans and well wishers to help me with any little cash they can afford. I can not continue hiding in the wilderness
 because i know truth will set me free and bring favours before me,” says Mlangeni who made his name after releasing his second album called Amandikonda where there is a popular hit Wandikweza Yahwe.

 Mlangeni says his last album has not sold well because he released it at a time when Amandikonda was still hot on the market. He also lamented that the album was hit strongly by piracy.

“It was a tough challenge which i could not survive and as an artist who believes in taking risks I am not looking back. I have come up with brilliant compositions and I am optimistic that they will do much better than any of my albums, I am just assuring all my fans that the new compositions are great and they should not hesitate to assist me,” says Mlangeni who disclosed that he has already recorded two songs Amayankha and Kodi ukafika for the new album.

He says he is targeting to raise about K250 000 which will cover both recording and distribution. All people who want to assist him should call him on 0999 394 929 or just deposits their cash to Bertha Onsewa account number 1624587, National Bank of Malawi, Lilongwe branch.

END.

Moyale not happy with Standard Bank cup final venue

Wants Kamuzu or civo stadium

By ALBERT SHARRA

Standard Bank cup defending champions Moyale Barracks have expressed great concerns over the settlement of Silver Stadium by standard bank customers as the venue for their final game against Blue Eagles next Saturday.

Sponsors of the cup, Standard Bank announced on Thursday last week the final results of the voting by their customers on the venue for the finals which came out with a twist, Silver stadium beating Kamuzu stadium which had been leading in votes since the voting started.

Moyale’s assistant team manager Kazizwa Banda disclosed this in a separate interview on Saturday morning. Banda said, the team is not amused with the decision saying the stadium is very constricted and not suitable for such a cup final.

“We have learnt with great shock that standard Bank customers have settled for Silver stadium as the venue for the finals, as a team we are not happy because the stadium is too small and constricted which to our understanding creates pressure for teams and even supporters and violence is unevitable,”said Banda revealing that they would love the game to be played either at Kamuzu or Civo stadium.

Banda also disclosed that the team is expected to meet early this week to discuss procedures they can follow to approach the sponsors to shift the game to either Civo or Kamuzu stadium.

“We know people want the game to be in the central region and we respect the decision but we want to try to check if it is possible that the game can be shifted to Civo stadium. If they will stick to venues that were on votes, then we will plead for Kamuzu stadium,” said Banda.

Efforts to get the Bank’s stand on the request proved futile as the bank’s Marketing Manager Linda Kachingwe-Sisya refused to comment saying she can’t comment on an unofficial request.

“I can not comment on that now because I have not received the complaint officially , lets wait till we receive an official request from the team and then we can talk as sponsors and what can happen next,” she said trying not expose the possible stand at the bank.

However, Blue Eagles has said it has no problems with the venue saying the power to choose the venue for the finals was in the hands of the bank’s customers.

“I don’t think making any comment here can change anything. The power to decide for the venue was in the hands of standard bank customers and we have to respect their decision. As Blue Eagles we will go for any decision that is made but we have no problems with Silver,” said the team’s coach Deklerk Msakakuona.

A victory for Moyale at Silver stadium will mean the team has won the cup three times in venues in all the three regions. They first did it at Kamuzu stadium in 2008 and last year did it at their home yard in Mzuzu. Their coach Nicholas Mhango has vowed to make it a treble. However, it will not be easy as his counterpart Msakakuona has openly said he wants the cup at his office.

END.

Waya tells Embangweni to win remaining games

ALBERT SHARRA

CORRESPONDENT

Chairman of the northern region Mzuzu and District Football Leagues (MDFL) Alexander Waya has said he is totally depressed with Embangweni’s performance in the on going TNM Super League and has urged the team to win all their remaining games as an apology to its supporters if the team finishes in relegation zone.

Waya’s comment comes at a time when the team’s chances of finishing outside the relegation zone are becoming slim and slimmer following miserable loses the team has suffered in the past consecutive weeks.

This is the fourth time for the chairman to speak in good wishes for the team since it got its promotion into the league.

“I am not happy with the performance of the team; I have always wanted the team to remain in the league and I have been advising them to build a strong team that can survive in the league but seems there is a problem somewhere. My final advice is that they should not give up but work extra hard and win all their remaining games because anything can happen and they can survive relegation,” said Waya sounding depressed.

He blamed the team’s altitude towards players, advice and game approach for their poor performance and pointed out the firing of players at the club during the first round as a deadly mistake the team did.

Embangweni started the league very well wining most crucial games and for a number of times have stopped the league giants both at home and away but things changed lately after the team fired some players on issues of indiscipline.

Meanwhile, Waya has advised top three teams in the K2 Million Simama League to start making plans of building a strong team if they are promoted into the top flight league.

“What we want here is that teams should stay for good in the super league. The problem with our teams here is that they don’t prepare much. So it is my request to the top three teams which are likely to win the league that they should start up planning for the league,” he said.

History for the region indicates that no team except for Moyale has survived in the league for more than two consecutive leagues.   

END.

Lucius, Lulu tour RSA with shows

ALBERT SHARRA

 

For so long Malawi has been only leading in inviting foreign musicians to perform in the country, with very few of its artists being invited to perform in foreign countries. This signaled something negative about our music and promised no future for the country in music. However, in just a decade, the story has changed. Malawian music is becoming hot stuff in foreign countries with fun lovers there being eager to watch its artists performing live.

 

Witnessing this is a double international music performance invitation that has landed on our four local artists who are being invited to perform outside the country.

 

With Masudi Khonje and Dyghton Mbewe touring Kenya with gospel music, big shows will be in the gold lands of Republic of South Africa (RSA) where our top secular stars Lawrence Khwisa aka Lulu and Soldier Lucius Banda will be touring the cities of Johannesberg, Durban and Cape town with live performances courtesy of RSA entertainment promoters Scallas Café and HK Events.

 

This will be the second time in a year for the secular artists to tour the country on similar arrangements.

 

Speaking when confirming about the invitation, the Mabala fame star said the invitation is a two weeks one and they are expected to perform in two consecutive weekends.

 

“I can confirm to the nation that I have been invited alongside Lulu by a number of music sponsors in RSA and we are expected to spend two weeks there performing. Among the main sponsors are Scallas Café in Durban and HK Events in Johannesberg. In total there are about four but we are treating the trip as one,” he said.

 

Expected to leave the country late this month end, Banda who will travel with the whole Zembani Banda and Lulu will start their journey with a performance at Turffontein School Hall in Johannesburg on first Friday of December. The following day, they will be at Scallas café in Durban and will close the first chapter with a performance at Westlake in Cape Town. The next Saturday, they will be at fun maker Safari hotel winding up the tour.

 

Banda whose two DVDs, Life album and Life Documentary are selling like hot cakes on the market attributes the success of his Life album to his fame in RSA.

 

“Life album is doing miracles in South Africa. People want it very much than what is happening here but I know it is because people in RSA don’t just dance to any music, they listen first and grasp the message. Many people also love Lulu especially because of his recent album which carrying the popular track Mwachenjera Darling,”said Banda while promising to display the best of his capacity.

 

Self styled star, Lulu says he can’t wait for the shows.”It is an honour to me because it will expose me to the international music. I am taking it seriously and my wish is to lift Malawian flag there and give the people what is real about Malawi.I have already started my preparations with Zembani band and we are all geared for the shows,”

One of the orgnaisers of the shows who is also a Malawian but based in RSA Kingsley Kakhobwe, in an email interview indicated that the shows are expected to be patronized by hundreds of people including award-winning musicians in RSA. He said the purpose of the shows is to unite Malawians in South Africa by encouraging them to work together as one.

END.

LL crowns another Florence Banda-LL Miss True African Queen

ALBERT SHARRA

In a glamorous, historical and stunning event, Miss True African Queen beauty pageant formerly known as Miss Matofotofo on Friday night crowned Florence Banda the 2011 Miss True African Queen Lilongwe at the Sunbird Capital hotel Marquee.

As if names matter most in this beauty pageant, Florence has taken over the crown from the current pageant’s national queen whose name is also Florence Banda. The former queen was serving two crowns for the capital city and national.

Dubbed the country’s only best beauty pageant with Malawi’s traditional reflection, the pageant attracted nine beautiful queens from across the city. The group had four chances to convince a panel of six well experienced judges in different parades to book their ticket into the last five and finally in top three.

The race began with an introduction parade then casual, formal, traditional and smart traditional wears. Most interesting and attractive parade that also gave judges a tough time to identify the best five was the smart traditional one. To almost everyone’s satisfaction, the queens displayed beautiful attires decorated with multi-coloured beads and chilundu cloth that really depicted the real life of a true Malawian lady. It had to take the judges almost an hour to settle for the five and they settled for Leah Banda, Constance Kachoka, Florence Banda, Zainab Chimphanje, Getrude Masamba, Halyma Assad Khan and Chikumbutso Sinayi.

However, after the final session of the event which was oral interviews, 34 year-old Florence Banda won the crown which is in its second year now since it was found by Lwazi Mbowa. Leah Banda was crowned the first princess with Constance Kachoka coming out second princess.

The princess received a goat , K10 000, a voucher to plate hair at Aloevera saloon each while Florence had a top up of a voucher to spend 3 nights at Sunbird hotel and K30 000 cash.

The event which was also graced by former Big Brother Africa representative Hazel Warren also crowned Violet Gwaligwali as Miss Personality with Florence making it a double by winning the Miss Beautiful smile Crown.

The all time smiling lady was short of words after the event saying she never expected to win the crown.

“It is a miracle to me, I never expected to win the crown being my first time to contest in the event. But all in all, I am happy to serve the office and i will utilize the crown to help me reach the needy with various support and reach the big mamas with the message that Matofotofo is beautiful, lets celebrate about it,” said Florence an employee at Mota Engil in Lilongwe.

In her speech midway the event, the outgoing Miss True African queen Lilongwe who is also country director for the pageant Florence, asked companies and the business sector to invest more in the pageant saying it has the potential to transform the starving tourism sector.

“Let us all support the pageant because it is the only that is representing what has for long been seen as a no beautiful sample of African women. I believe, done well, this will sell the nation and uplift our tourism standard,” she said while applauding main sponsors Darling International.

Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Daniel Liwimbi who was also guest of honour at the event hailed the ladies for the event saying the pageant is uplifting the flag of Malawi while developing the tourism industry.

According to the pageant’s country director, the next event will be to crown Miss Blantyre in February and Miss Mzuzu pageant will follow. Three queens from each region will batte out at the national finals with the winners going for the continental pageant.

END.

Wendy dances with big mamas in LL

ALBERT SHARRA

In a one time opportunity, big mamas in Lilongwe last Friday night deserted their idleness which they attribute to huge scale of their bodies to dance with self acclaimed dance hall queen Wendy Harawa at the Sunbird Capital hotel marquee during the crowning event of the Miss True African Queen Lilongwe.

Obviously, it is not easy for a big mama popularly known as Matofotofo to match and survive in a purely reggae concert, but the different happened at the venue as the ladies jumped on stage in the last hour of  the show and danced stunningly to local raggea music with Harawa.

It was Lucius Banda’s tracks which Harawa sings most in her shows, Dziko lathu and Amikayele that stole the show during the evening. The culmination of the dance reached when she performed her popular track Toto Ndakana sending the highly filled marquee into deep choruses and serious jiving with other doing it while on their seats.

Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Culture Daniel Liwimbi and some male patrons could not control their agitating bodies but join the ladies in the dance floor that was lead by founder of the Miss True African Queen beauty pageant Lwazi Mbowa and the pageant’s national queen Florence Banda. Even the former Big Brother Representative Hazel Warren could not ignore the moment, for a number of times was seen shaking her body while on her seat.

The hall went weird with some sorts of tension as the fans clapped hands to Liwimbi who swayed the fans with the popular old generation dancing styles.

Speaking in random interviews after the dance, some of the ladies said the opportunity comes once in a time and so wanted to utilize it.

“This was a great night for us and it has displayed that we are not just weak as anyone thinks. We can dance like anyone and this should send a message to artist that we also want special shows like this where we can just dance,” said one of them Lillian Muwuku.

Harawa also nodded to the request saying the big mamas really need a special show.  ”The show was great beyond my expectation and I promise to make them my priority in my career because I am also a Matofotofo and so need to keep them in the entertainment boiling pot,” she said.

END.

Hundreds scramble for Naeto C show in LL

ALBERT SHARRA

It required only those who spend good hours at Gyms lifting heavy objects to get an easy entry into the fun maker Zanzi in Lilongwe where a popular Nigerian rapper Naeto Chikwe aka Naeto C was performing alongside our own self styled Tay Grin last Friday night as hundreds of people of all generations scrambled for an entry at the venue.

The show was expected to start at 8pm as per publicized information but by 7pm the venue was fully packed and fans already started scrambling for an entry.

However, despite coming in time, the keyed up fans had to wait till midnight to watch the 10 over 10 fame star who could not be seen at the venue alongside Black Rhyno owner Tay Grin till midnight. Surprisingly, no one showed any signs of frustrations by the delay and when the two arrived at 12:21pm the venue turned into weird of excitement with fans singing in choruses Naeto C  wabwera! Naeto C wabwera!

The show started at exactly 1:17am with Tay Grin singing a number of his popular tracks and wind up his turn with his recent remix Oga Oga sending the fans into maximum entertainment

Popular for his stage antics, Naeto C could not disappoint the fans. He dished a number of well-liked songs in a back to back non stop performance throwing the fans into serious jiving. Among the popular tacks that sent the fans weird included KI NI, big deal and Lagos party remix from his recent album Super C. However, it was his popular track 10 Over 10 that could go without a backing voice from the audience.

Speaking in a vox pop interview, patrons at the venue praised the two artists for their performance saying they gave them the quality they have been lacking for so long but complained on late arrival of the artists at the venue.

“This is what Malawians of today want, we want star performers who can satisfy their audience with even three songs. We are satisfied but would request the two if they can arrange us an afternoon show before Naeto C returns to Nigeria,” said the patrons.

Commenting on his visit to Malawi in an earlier interview, Naeto resident of  Owerri in the eastern part of Nigeria said he is happy to visit the country and said he is optimistic that the partnership he has set up with Tay Grin will benefit the two countries musically.

“I respect Malawi for its talent in music and I believe I will learn a lot and Malawi as well also benefit a lot from Nigerian music talent,” said Naeto C amid advising the young artists to desist from computerized music and dependence to sponsors to have their music produced saying talent sells itself.

Tay Grin hailed the fans for the patronage saying he has learnt a lot that people in the capital city are hungry for his music and has pledged to organize another show soon.

“I am very impressed with patronage Lilongwe fans have given, this is very good and motivating. I will come back soon with another show as a token for their support,” said Tay Grin while rebuffing the late arrival complaint raised by the fans saying that was the show’s arrangement.

According to organizers, over 1000 people patronized the show.

Naeto C arrived in the country on Friday afternoon through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) aboard a South African Airways plane and was expected to perform two shows in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

END.