Malawi Medical Doctors Society pleads against spreading fake news

  By Duncan Mlanjira Society of Medical Doctors of Malawi has expressed concern over some of the fake news that is spreading about Coronavirus on social media, saying it is becoming very expensive since each rumour has to be investigated. This comes after people posted on social media that a staff member for Old Mutual Malawi who died at Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Blantyre she had tested positive of COVID-19. The rumour started by an unnamed individual, who…

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SAA suspends all international flights till end of May

  By Marelise van der Merwe, fin24.com Troubled state-owned airline South African Airways (SAA) has announced that it is immediately suspending all international operations until May 31 in light of a government travel ban aimed at stopping transmission of the novel coronavirus. According to a statement issued by SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali, the ban resulted in a “substantial decline” in demand for air travel. SAA will only be servicing domestic and regional routes. SAA operates in three markets that…

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Jappie Mhango back as Minister of Health as head of special committee on Coronavirus

  By Duncan Mlanjira Member of Parliament Jappie Mhango has been retained as Minister of Health and Population, a position which he had as head of the special cabinet committee on Coronavirus that President Arthur Peter Mutharika set before he dissolved the Cabinet last week. In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 94 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, President Mutharika has appointed a new Cabinet with effect from 16th March, 2020. This…

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Poor waste disposal irks Balaka vendors

  By Briana Singo, MANA Vendors conducting business around Balaka Township have expressed concern over lack of waste disposal materials around the town. Chairperson for Balaka main market, Francis Lafu told MANA on Wednesday people in the market fail to manage the waste properly, a development that has prompted others to dispose their refuse anyhow, thereby compromising sanitation at the market. Lafu further said vendors face several challenges including low turn up of customers, who he said opt to…

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Zomba judiciary, police complain of NGOs pressurizing them to prosecute unqualified cases

By Thandizo Chadzandiani, MANA Judiciary and Police in Zomba have expressed concern over pressure which Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are placing on them when dealing with cases involving children and women cases. Senior Resident Magistrate, Rhodrick Michongwe and Zomba Police Officer-In-Charge, Deputy Commissioner Happy Mkandawire expressed their concern during a meeting at Zomba Police College on Wednesday when the judiciary, the Police and Station Executive Committee of the community policing held a review meeting on status of crime in…

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Mulanje formulates Coronavirus master plan

  By Blackson Mkupatira, MANA Mulanje District Health Office (DHO), with help from its stakeholders, has devised a K11 million Coronavirus (COVID- 19) response, preparedness master plan aimed at mitigating risk and containing the pandemic in the event of an outbreak. Speaking on Wednesday during an emergency District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, Mulanje District Health Office Assistant Environmental Officer, Masilina Kausiwa said Mulanje being a bordering district with Mozambique, was at a higher risk  because of its porous borders….

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African Drone and Data Academy graduates first batch

  By Morton Sibale, MANA  A total of 24 students from Malawi and other African countries on Wednesday became the first cohort to graduate from the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA), whose inaugural graduation ceremony took place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC). The academy, which was launched in January this year, is the first of its kind in Africa and was established with support from UNICEF-Malawi. It is run through the partnership between Virginia Polytechnic Institute and…

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Lesotho postpones 2020 Zone 4.5 individual chess championship due to Coronavirus

By Duncan Mlanjira Chess Federation of Lesotho, in consultation with African Chess Confederation, has announced the postponement of the 2020 Zone 4.5 Individuals Chess Championships that were scheduled to be hosted in the mountain kingdom from March 27th to April 5th at Blue Mountain Inn Hotel. A statement from the confederation says this is due to the request made by the Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission(LSRC) with regard to suspension of all travel trips into and from Lesotho by…

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Of motivational speakers and the substance of reality

By Farai Chigaru With unemployment rate still escalating almost in all countries, many people especially the youth, are diverting their interest to entrepreneurship.  Mostly these young ones are motivated by those people who have succeeded in life, playing role models and even those who give motivational talks.  Malawi is one of the countries that has successful people in businesses and also very influential motivational speakers. But not all people who are venturing into business are successful despite being influenced…

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Ministry of Education provide guidelines for education institutions on Coronavirus preventive measures

By Duncan Mlanjira Even though Malawi has so far not registered any positive case of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology maintains that it is advisable to remain vigilant against infection of the disease. The Ministry has since provided guidelines to all education institutions in the country on how to manage the disease during school time as well as on holidays. A statement released on Tuesday by Secretary for Education, Science and Technology Justin Saidi urges all institutions to…

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