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Blantyre City Council has engaged the services of electrical contractors to rehabilitate street lights on a number of sites to enhance security in the City.

The project costing the Council approximately K150 million, targets Kandodo corner shop roundabout through Mbayani to Kameza roundabout, Kwacha roundabout to Kudya, CI to Manyowe and CI to Green Corner.

“Since the other contractors have not started work, we may not disclose their names. But at an appropriate time, you will be advised,” said Director of Engineering Services Grant Sichali.

Sichali said work has already started on Kandodo Cornershop to Kameza via Mbayani and Chirimba road and that the contractors on the other sites would commence rehabilitation works soon.

He said: “The project execution duration is three months so we expect by end March to complete all the earmarked sites. The project is funded by government through the Roads Authority. This is part of the developmental funds which we received from government.”

“The significance of this project cannot overemphasised. Street lights enhance security apart from adding beauty,” he said.

Under the developmental funds, the Council will also upgrade a number of roads in the City.

“The Council is appealing to residents and members of the public to guard these facilities jealously. The City has lost substantial money through vandalism of facilities such as street lights and it is our appeal that the beautiful lights we are fixing will be protected,” said Sichali.

Blantyre City Deputy Mayor Wild Ndipo on Wednesday evening switched on Christmas lights to mark the beginning of celebrations in the City.

In his address, the Deputy Mayor preached love for less privileged and also appealed for peace during the festive season.

Said Ndipo: “Christmas is a time for reaching out the hand of friendship and reconciliation and to making sure all members of our community are included. It is time for giving and receiving, a time for sharing and for caring for each other.”

He added: “Christmas is a very special time. It’s a time for family and friends to get together and reflect on the year gone by and celebrate the New Year. That celebration should extend to the good fortune and blessings that we share and appreciate.”

He encouraged residents to reach out to the less privileged with whatever they could afford.

“A special attention should be given to those that are in hospitals and those that are sick at home. Our very best wishes go to them and prayers for quick recovery,” he said.

“Allow me to appeal for peace and order during this festive period. I would like to urge all residents to strive for a crime free festive season. I am happy that our partners, Malawi Police Service, have already started giving the public tips on how we can protect and safeguard ourselves and our property during this period,” said Ndipo.

Ndipo also said people of Blantyre City and those visiting should continue observing a DO NOT LITTER policy.

Puma Energy Malawi on Friday fulfilled a K2 million donation pledge towards the Keep Blantyre clean and green initiative made during the Mayor’s Ball on November 1, 2014.

Sales and Marketing Manager Joseph Chafumuka said it is the corporate world’s duty to work hand in hand with the Council to keep Blantyre clean.

Said Chafumukuka; “The money will be used to fuel vehicles that remove garbage from the streets and all markets in Blantyre City.”

Receiving the donation, the champion of the Keep Blantyre Clean and Green, Mayor Noel Chalamanda said the financial gesture from PUMA will help the Council realise the dream of having a clean City.

“I would like to thank Puma Energy Malawi as they have shown a good example and I want to appeal to all persons and organisations to take part in this initiative, this is our city let us all love it and take care of it,” said Chalamanda.

Blantyre City Council is on course in the construction of houses under the government’s Decent and Affordable Housing Subsidy Programme.

On Tuesday, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Atupele Muluzi inspected some of the houses in Makata, Ndirande.

Under the Malata and Cement subsidy programme, at least 599 people are expected to benefit this year.

So far, 315 houses are at roofing level while 126 houses are below window stage for people benefiting through loan facility while houses for the rest of beneficiaries getting them as grants are yet to start.

“On behalf of Blantyre City residents, I would like to commend government for coming up with this programme which will go a long way in transforming lives of underprivileged,” said Wild Ndipo, Deputy Mayor of Blantyre City during the minister’s tour.

“We say thank you and thank you indeed. Honourable Minister, take a word of appreciation from us to His Excellency, the State President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. We are very grateful to his government,” he said.

Muluzi commended the collaboration which was there between different stakeholders which has resulted into smooth implementation of the programme.

All 23 councillors have embarked on clean up initiative in their respective wards as part of the Keep Blantyre City Clean and Green campaign.

The cleaning initiative will be done in such a way that the Councillors will take a lead in the removing of garbage that has been accumulating in various locations and sites in their wards.

One of the Councillors, Mngelezi Chinthuli of Mbayani Ward, said there was need to support the Keep Blantyre Clean and Green campaign because only health people can contribute to the development of the City.

Said Chinthuli; “I for one fully support this campaign because I believe in a clean city and on top of that I want the people I serve to be health.”

He said there was no any opportune time than now to clean the city when the rain season is about to start.

“The only way to avoid water borne diseases such as cholera is by keep our city clean. It is always a pity when we experience cholera outbreaks in the city. In fact, it should be laughable,” he said.

“This is the rainy season and there are a lot of outbreaks of cholera so I want the people of my ward to be clean and hygiene to avoid this outbreak, Mbayani should be one of the clean and hygiene location in the city of Blantyre,” said Chinthuli.

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.