Author: dytonmashall

Blantyre City Council has partnered with eventsPlus to mobilise privileged schools students in the city to donate at least a pair of shoes to less privileged pupils in what is called Mayor’s Festive Shoesday Tuesday Initiative.

Under this initiative, the Council has made a humble appeal to a number of schools in the City to collect pairs of shoes and other materials from pupils which the Mayor can donate to less privileged pupils during the festive season.

The objectives of the initiatives are to cultivate a spirit of sharing with the less privileged in our children at an early age, to establish our own charity solutions within our communities instead of solely relying on outsiders and to cheer up less fortunate residents of City during this festive season among others.

“The main item being focused on is shoes after realizing that many pupils within the City of Blantyre go to school barefooted,” said Anthony Kasunda, BCC Public Relations Manager.

“A second hand pair that some children last wore six months ago or no longer fit them, can boost a needy child’s confidence and positively impact on class performance,” he said.

So far, Southend Schools, Nyasa Junior Academy have already presented their donations to the Mayor Noel Chalamanda. Central High schools, Kalibu Academy and Hillview school have already collected from pupils and are waiting for the Mayor to receive.

Blantyre City Deputy Mayor Wild Ndipo on Monday opened the first fire fighting course at Civic Centre.

The Council has lined up a number of three-day first aid and fire fighting courses targeting officers from both the public and private sectors.

According to Ndipo, the idea to conduct the training course was ignited in response to rapid industrial growth resulting in “exposure to different occupation health and safety risks.”

Said Ndipo: “As you are all aware, fire like water is a good servant but a bad master and once out of control, it is the worst enemy. Fire can destroy life, homes and businesses rendering life miserable”

“It is this horrendous knowledge which led Blantyre City Council Fire Service to initiate this programme of teaching stakeholders first aid and fire fighting techniques so that you are able to look after your institutions properly and that should there be any eventualities you use knowledge and skills gained here,” he said.

At least 20 officers from Blantyre and other areas are participating in the course.

On Friday 6^th November 2015, 11 contestants battled for the Miss Blantyre crown at the College of Medicine sports complex hall.

The contestants paraded in different attires like dinner wear, office wear, tradition wear, and cultural wear and there were also given a chance to sell different brands.

Guest of Honour at the colourful event, Blantyre City Deputy Mayor Wild Ndipo said the Council realises that the youth have potential to drive the clean and green agenda.

Said Ndipo: “We found it an exciting initiative and also an opportunity to create an active and productive youths.”

“We believe the Miss Blantyre we are choosing tonight will take up a huge task to set up an example of a socially responsible lady and someone fellow youth and indeed seniors can refer to as a role model and not just a model,” he said.

Polytechnic student, Chisomo Machelo, caught the eye of the judges, with her dressing, confidence, sales ability and intelligence to win the Miss Blantyre 2015-2016 crown.

Overwhelmed Machelo said she will work hand in hand with the Blantyre City Council to advance the Keep Blantyre Clean and Green Initiative.

Machelo, who is now ambassador for Keep Blantyre Clean and Green Initiative, received a car, and also ambassadorship for online education courtesy of Yanga co.

A 20-year-old Vanessa Chiutsi from the same Polytechnic was crowned 1^st Princess while Tunosiwe Mwakalenga was crowned 2^nd Princess.

The night was spiced up with performances from Black Jack, Black Nina (Chilawe changachi fame), Nesnes and Andy Music.

The Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts (BEFFTA) on October, 31, 2015 presented Namalimwe Ward Councilor Gertrude Chirambo with the Leadership Award.

Chirambo says she feels greatly humbled with the award which recognizes her “outstanding contribution to the society.”

The event organisers say the world has admired Chirambo’s achievements and it has seen that she is “a great inspiration to many young people.”

The BEFFRA Awards is Europe’s biggest and most prestigious award ceremony that celebrates the achievements of black and ethnic personalities in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Africa and the Caribbean in entertainment, film, fashion, television, arts, sports and leadership.

Blantyre City Council congratulates Councilor Chirambo for this milestone.

Limbe Central Ward Councillor Nellie Nseula has become the first female councilor to head a council committee after her election to chair the Education committee.

Education is one of the directorates under the Blantyre City Council headed by the District Education Manager.

Nseula, one of the five female councilors in the Council, will be deputized by Chilomoni Ward Councillor Phillip Litchowa Kameta.

Immediately after elections, the committee received a report from the Director of Education Services Evelyn Mjima who looks after educational facilities in the City.

Soche West Ward Councillor George Chipwete has been re-elected Finance Committee chairman while Councillor Stanley Kamphambali Banda of Mzedi Ward was elected chairman for Human Resources Committee.

Kamphambali Banda replaced Peter Kajiya of Michiru Ward and he is deputized by Namiyango Ward Councillor Raphael Mzimu.

Chipwete has won the hearts of his fellow councilors because of his deep understanding of financial issues.

He has ably guided the Council on financial matters for the past one year while Kamphambali Banda will guide the Council on human resources issues for the next one year.

Immediately after elections, the two committees received reports from the Director of Financial Services Michael Kasamba (Finance Committee) and Acting Director of Administrative Services who is also Human Resources Manager Alfred Nyengo (Human Resources Committee).

Who will be crowned Miss Blantyre 2015? Who will be Keep Blantyre Clean and Green Ambassador?

Mayor Noel Chalamanda on Wednesday hosted Miss Blantyre 2015 Corporate Night at Protea Ryalls Hotel where he outlined the Council’s vision for the development of the youth.

“The youth are not leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today that is why the Blantyre City Council in partnership with BizMalawi is reaching the youth through the activities that the youth are committed to and we will keep supporting the youth,” said Chalamanda.

Beyond Beauty is the theme of Miss Blantyre 2015. The organizing chairperson Daniel Ngwira said this year’s pageant is looking at more than just looks of a person.

Members of the Works Committee on Tuesday unanimously elected Councillor Joseph Makwinja of Bangwe Ward as their chairperson deputized by Councillor Leonard Chibade of Nyambadwe Ward.

The 20-member-committee was holding its first meeting following the dissolution of the former committee which was also chaired by Makwinja. The Council Committee term is one year.

Makwinja said he was overjoyed by the confidence fellow councillors had demonstrated by giving him a second term of office.

“I am very happy for trusting me with a second term. I know the elections were free and fair and I promise to work hard for the benefit of the City of Blantyre,” said Makwinja.

After elections, the committee received a report from the Director of Engineering Services Grant Sichinga in which he gave progress status on various works being undertaken by the Council.

Among the works reported were grading of roads, procurement of road construction machinery, fixing of street lights and flood lights in townships among other developments in the City.

The Works Committee provides an oversight role on development projects undertaken by the Council.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Atupele Muluzi led the country in the commemoration of World Habitat Day 2015 under the theme Public Spaces for All.

The event which started with a solidarity march from Blantyre Civic Centre to city centre, drew participants from Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu City Councils led by their Mayors.

Muluzi encouraged councils to utilize Public spaces in their urban centres for the benefit of the residents.

Hosting Mayor Noel Chalamanda said streets and public spaces have often been overlooked and undervalued although they are increasingly being considered as the backbone of the cities.

“Public spaces are places which are accessible and enjoyable by all without a profit motive and take on various spatial forms, including parks, streets, sidewalks, road reserves, markets, parkades, water parks and playgrounds just to mention a few,” said Chalamanda.

He added: “The character of a city is defined by its streets and public spaces. From city squares to neighbourhood gardens and children playgrounds, public space frames city image. The layout plans of streets, green spaces, water parks and public spaces forms the bedrock of the city upon which everything else rests.”

“Well designed and managed public space is a key asset for a city’s functioning and has a positive impact on its economy, environment, safety, health, integration and connectivity,” he said

The Mayor said many cities are developing policies that promote compact, livable areas, with adequate public space that facilitate public transport, encourages walking and cycling in order to reduce carbon emissions.

“Public space is critical for environmental sustainability. Green and open public space brings many important environmental benefits such as, the cooling of air and the absorption of atmospheric pollutants,” he said.

The Mayors from the four cities also conducted a debate broadcast live on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Television channel and Zodiak Broadcasting Station on the same theme of Public Spaces for All.

The Council on Monday signed a City Beautification Agreement with HTD Motors which is adopting the roundabout in front of its premises at Ginnery Corner near Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

It was a momentous occasion when the Blantyre City Council Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Alfred Chanza and the HTD Managing Director signed the Memorandum of Understanding which stipulates partnership conditions.

“We are happy that today we have signed this agreement and it is our wish that you immediately start working on the roundabout,” said Chanza.

HTD Motors has pledged to make the site one of the most beautiful roundabouts in the City with water feature and evergreen gardens.