Distribution Points: All District Council Offices; National Libraries; NICE Libraries; Book Shops, Islamic Information Bureau, Public & Private Universities, Libraries, Government Ministries, Departments & Agencies; Super Markets etc Volume:02 Edition No: 5 “Development News & Analysis that Count” Second Quarter Edition Price: MK2000 It’s New Dawn Walk the Talk Mr. President! “YOU PROMISED CHANGE, AND CHANGE YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE US ” ADVERTISEMENT AD 12 The Messenger April - May 2020 CONTENTS Editor’s Note Beating poverty in Capital City ---children instinctively switch into survival Chakwera’s maiden mode to fend for their families --------------------- 6 cabinet sparks mixed COVER STORY ------------------------------------ 8 Chombe Foods Unveils reactions, a welcome New Packaging ------------------------------------- 10 Rebranded TAMA goes commercial development in a democratic Malawi …develop a strategic plan to diversify to he year 2020 will be remembered as the time local electoral governing other cash crops …to source markets for body, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) facilitated free, fair and farmers commodity ---------------------------------- 12 credible elections whose winner was Tonse Alliance’s torch bearer Building social blocks ----------------------------- 14 TDr. Lazarus Chakwera. It’s also the year that Malawians reacted differently when Chakwera announced his 31 member cabinet. PRESIDENTIAL NATIONAL Constipated with Malawian citizenry’s discontentment with Chakwera’s choice ADDRESS ------------------------------------------- 16 of ministers, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) met the president to Malawi’s ‘Access to Justice’ initiative tell him about mixed views from the populace. The bone of contention was that captures global eye the cabinet has couples, relations and most members from the central region where ---stakeholders in justice from other the president comes from. Some quarters concluded that Chakwera’s choice of countries flock to Malawi to learn --------------- 18 ministers rested on appeasement. Some claimed that the president deliberately created the mess which he might fix after being reprimanded so that his Judith Foundation administration might appear like “the listening Government.’ ...a humanitarian effort that is making Gender activists described the cabinet as a raw deal, because they expected a difference by educating the needy -------------- 20 that it might accommodate at least 40 percent women representation as Chakwera Beijing cracks down on illegal earlier promised. They expressed disappointment that most women in the cabinet wildlife trade are deputy ministers, no gender portfolio to clearly outline how gender, women and …imposes blanket ban on ivory trade children issues would be dealt with, as the created community development and animal killing …30 years maximum ministry is too general which ought to be narrowed down to specific ministries. jail term awaits offenders -------------------------- 22 Tonse government supporters had mixed reactions on Chakwera’s maiden cabinet; some saying had no problems with the cabinet while others expressed Food For Soul: their dissatisfactions. Church Offering & Tithing ---------------------- 24 This second quarter edition has provided enough space for articles and congratulatory messages focusing on the double cerebrations namely: president and Nutritional Talk vice president ascension to power and 56th independence anniversary. We also Coronavirus on magnet health have stories of general interest ranging from COVID-19 pandemic, Rebranding of point of view ----------------------------------------- 25 TAMA Farmers Trust, access to justice, police brutality, entertainment to sports. CSOs thwarting early marriage We promise, you, our valued readers and advertisers that we will keep on through 'Girls not Brides' initiative ----------- 26 publishing well-researched, balanced and objective stories. Your support in terms of advertisements and advertorials is greatly appreciated. A botched dream or the price of arrogance? …the Nsanje Inland Port that was never to be -------------------------------- 28 Runnin g sports ministry is not rocket science ...Msungama responds to critics Joseph Mizimbe of his ministerial appointment -------------------- 30 Group Editor Group Editor Contributors Marketing Executives Joseph Mizimbe Brown Mdalla - Lilongwe Aubrey Thom Vakhani +265 (0) 991 565 889 Aubrey Thom Vakhani - Mzuzu +265 (0) 999 403 583 (MZUZU) Pedzisai John Zembeneko - Lilongwe [email protected] Charles Nkula - Lilongwe Graphic Design & Layout ......................................................... Charles Maida - Nsanje Chiku Jere +265 (0) 999 796 111 Editor On-line Edition Editorial Contacts Brian Kansichi Publisher: The Messenger Publications Chiku Jere +265 (0) 995 108 854 +265 (0) 888 896 111 P.O. Box 20176, Marketing Manager 999 038 428 Lilongwe2 Malawi. Edson Mizimbe +265 (0) 882 599 507 Website: www.themessenngermw.com +265 (0) 888 284 567 (BLANTYRE) The Messenger Second Quarter Edition 3 NAVTIIEOWNAPLOFIENAT TURE AD City Yanga.com 12 The Messenger April - June 2020 ADVERTISEMENT/CARTOON CARTOON by Hendie Mawera The Messenger Second Quarter Edition 5 NATIONAL FEATURE Beating poverty in the Capital City ---children instinctively switch into survival mode to fend for their families By Pedzisai John Zembeneko - (Contributor ) Chilinde, Biwi and Area 36. Periodically, we t first glance he looks like any conduct meetings with parents, vendors and Rwandee nationals to ensure that everyone normal and happy Malawian joins in the fray to discourage these children child with the usual promise of from not absconding school,” Makwacha said. a bright future ahead. But The block leader also said during funeral Mandaaliza Bokosi (not real gatherings, parents and guardian who allow name) collects rice spill-overs at Mchesi children to go scavenging for rice droppings Market which sits on the edge of Lilongwe than being at school, are censored, condemned ACentral Business District. and sometimes, name-shamed. Mandaaliza does not scavenge alone as “We usually stress that rice traders other scores of children, ceaselessly, flood the operating in the area should not allow children market to have their pick for the day. to loiter around at their premises during school Mchesi Ward D, Block leader Rashid Issa hours. The future of the country depends on Makwacha said individual household poverty children hence the need to collectively channel levels in townships compel children to go them onto the right path, which is paved through foraging for survival means. education,” said Makwacha. “These children come from Kaliyeka, He also observed that video show rooms Makwacha: Poverty levels are just to high 6 The Messenger Second Quarter Edition NATIONAL FEATURE Lad winowing rice picks ready for sell Time to sell, measuring from Chibuku pack Deal done! the boys get their money and pool tables are other factors that make “This business has made tremendous school going children abscond classes. different in my family. It helps me complement Mchesi market has a total of 7 running rice my husband’s efforts to feed the family and mills whose activities are coordinated by through it I also raise income which I use to chairpersons tasked to resolve challenges faced provide my children needs, such as clothes, by rice vendors and sometimes by buyers. school needs and others,” she explained. One rice mill chairmen, Daniel Nkhumbira Another client, a Mrs. Phakesa said she’s said the readily available market for rice drops been in the business for five years and like that these children picks makes it difficult to Bwanali, the business has full blessings from discourage the scavenging. their husbands who often top up their capitals ‘These children fall into three categories; in time of need, since they appreciate the those who collect rice spillages throughout to Counting the pick of the day benefits. sustain their daily needs in terms of money and “Some of us have even built houses from food, another group is of those who hunt on this trade and we believe that these children daily basis to raise pocket money while the last and their households also being assisted component is of those who succumb to peer financially,” she said. pressure though they come from financial She however explained that, as a group stable homes. The finally group only scavenge that buys rice collected by the children, they on weekends and holidays,’ explained decided to put it as a silent rule that they should Nkhumbira. only start conducting their business in the He said allowing these children to do afternoon when the schools have closed for whatever they are doing is also encouraging the day. the practice of theft and some youngsters has “This is a deliberate move allow these become petty thieves who move with knives or Time for a pool game on an improvised table children attend school first before they come to razorblade and in disguise of scavenging, they either through cash or food, explaining that on sell us the rice,” she said. crookedly gain access entry to warehouses to a good day he carts home over K3,000 raised By the look of things, these young rice literally steal in the commodity. from the picked rice sells. merchants are also well organized and they Once caught, Nkhumbira said, the already The Standard 4 pupil from Area 36-located indulge in other activities amongst themselves financially struggling guardians or parents are St John Primary School disclosed that he