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Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nakhumwa has commended Blantyre City Council saying it was on the right track in municipal management.

Nankhumwa was speaking when he visited the Council where among other activities he inspected the Masauko Chipembere Highway reconstruction under the Phase III of Japanese aided project.

“Let me say that Blantyre City Council is a shining example of well managed Councils in Malawi under the leadership of His Worship Cllr Noel Chalamanda and the Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr [Alfred] Chanza,” said the Minister.

Nankhumwa, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development Chris Kang’ombe and Director of Local Government Services Kiswell Dakamau, walked with the Mayor and other dignitaries from Yiannakis Roundabout to Illovo Roundabout where the Phase III project is ending.

The road, which was expected to be completed by November 30, 2015, will be opened to normal traffic flow on October 20, this year.

Nankhumwa also toured Limbe market where he emphasized that government was worried with the market fires that have destroyed a number of such facilities with recent ones being Kasungu, Area 18 and Kamuzu road markets in Salima.

He said there was a need to promote construction of fire proof markets to avert this problem while also noting that Insurance companies cannot provide insurance services to markets that are vulnerable to fire.

In the afternoon, the Minister officially received a fire engine which was handed over by the Japanese Embassy First Secretary Kohei Sakamoto on behalf of Japan Fire Fighters Association.

During the ceremony, the Mayor lamented the state of fire engines in the Council saying in some cases, expected execution of duties during emergencies has been compromised due to breakdowns of vehicles.

Said Chalamanda; “For the past 12 months, the position of fire fighting vehicles in the city Council of Blantyre had been very pathetic and it was on several occasions, very difficult to cope with emergency situations.”

“This was due to frequent breakdown of our old vehicles whose spares are obsolete. With this donation Sir, we are now in a position to provide at least proper fire cover,” he said.

Japan Fire Fighters Association has so far donated four fire engines to Blantyre City Council since 2011.

On path to success, dedication to work remains unparalleled…Chalamanda

He is the new face of local Government.  Although Mayor, Noel Chalamanda has only been in office for a year, he has revolutionized the way people interface with Local Councils and the delivery of public services in Malawi’s Metropolitan  City of Blantyre.  The City’s Council has been given a shot of efficiency served with a people-focus approach. The man behind it recently shared his secret with me, PATRICIA MTUNGILA, as I wore the cap of freelancer.

“I am just a person who was born and raised in Blantyre and who understands what Blantyre was  is and could be if we all played our part…”

 Chalamanda says that the secret behind Blantyre’s apt transformation is “Nothing magical”.

“I respond to people’s queries through different media especially social media, listen to suggestions, take time to meet a lot of people in my office regardless of their age or status in society, listen and discuss issues,” he says.

Despite, this mammoth shift in style of public service delivery, there are no grunts. The people of Blantyre completely adore Mayor Chalamanda for his ability to innovatively deliver on his promise to serve Blantyre residents by bringing about tangible change to the streets of Blantyre in so little time.

The success of the Blantyre City Mayor, like any other lasting success, has by no means come by means of rubbing a Ginny.

“On path to success, dedication to work remains unparalleled. Action is more appreciated than eloquence. We must try in all circumstances to do that which we have been tasked to do and if we can be innovative, even better,” he says.

Crowning it all Noel Chalamanda, who has made a name for himself in private practice as a lawyer, has an unmatched fashion sense and will not be spotted looking anything but flawless.

“I also took it from my mother, who would say then, ‘why are you dressed like a christmas tree?’ when the colors were really not properly matching! It is good manners to dress well!”

Pupils of Namiwawa Primary School and Chilomo LEA School were all smiles on Thursday (17^th September) when the Mayor Noel Chalamanda donated sets of uniforms for the schools’ football teams.

Chalamanda, who is Blantyre City Central Ward Councillor, bought the two uniform sets in China using personal money.

“When I was in China for training, I thought of buying something for pupils in my Ward,” said Chalamanda. “I know that apart from sitting in Class learning, you also need to do physical games and that is why I bought you this uniform.”

“May I request you not to concentrate on football only; you must work hard in class as well. You have to ensure that you become useful citizens of Blantyre in future,” he said.

Each school received a set of 17 jerseys which include top, shot and pair of socks and two balls.

Scores of people from all walks of life gathered at Green Valley gardens on Saturday to participate in the first ever food festival which was officially inaugurated by Mayor Noel Chalamanda.

Several stalls were erected offering different cuisines. Also on offer were assorted beverages and it was clear that patrons had more than enough on the menu to make their choices.

An excited Mayor told the gathering that occasions like the Blantyre Food Festival were happy moments bring together residents of the City to share a meal.

“I wish to profoundly thank you for choosing to patronize this event. As residents, we need to come together, share a meal and have fun,” said Chalamanda.

There were also live performances apart from disco. The gate was opened at 12:00 pm and closed at 9pm.

Amakhosi Functions and Events, BizMalawi in partnership with Blantyre City Council organized the food festival which would be an annual event.

Member of Parliament for Blantyre City East Noel Masangwi on Wednesday inaugurated LDF funded school to the communities around Nkolokoti township.

Blantyre City Council sponsored the project through Local Development Fund to the tune of K79 million.

The school which is expected to enroll pupils from Standard One to Four has two classroom blocks, office block, head teacher’s house and three modern toilets.

Masangwi said the school will ease the pressure on Nkolokoti Primary School which has one of the highest enrolments in the country.

“Opening of this school will also help in reduction road accidents,” said Masangwi. “We have lost a lot of children who are hit by vehicles as they try to cross the busy road going to Nkolokoti school.”

The legislator has also pledged to construct a feeding shelter at the school before the end of this year to ensure that pupils do not go to Nkolokoti for the sake of food.

The school’s management committee chairperson Ishmael Alex Kuchinyonga commended the support provided by Masangwi as well as former MP for the Constituency John Bande.

Councilllor Joseph Makwinja, who represented the Mayor, said it was impressive to see former MP joining hands with the incumbent on issues of development.

“By being here today, the former Member of Parliament is a clear demonstration of unity. I hope even us followers will learn to live in harmony,” said Makwinja.

Councillor for the area Mary Kachale pleaded with her subjects to take “very good care of the school” and appealed for more support to build more classroom blocks so that the institution has classes to Standard 8.

In the picture, Masangwi, Bande and the Council’s Director of Commerce and Industry who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chinseu get a briefing from School Management Committee chairperson Kuchinyonga

The City of Blantyre, BizMalawi and Amakhosi Functions & Events are planning a major event for the people of Blantyre. The Blantyre Food Festival, is predicted to be a leading annual event that brings together the best in food and beverages from Blantyre and surrounds – all in one place. The festival is designed particularly with the family in mind.

The whole theme of the event will be devoted around wonderful food and drink, with plenty of fun activities for the whole family. This is a chance for families and friends to get out together and have some fun.

Blantyre Food Festival is designed particularly with the family in mind. People who attend this event will be literally ‘tired’ and ‘fed’ out after the festival. It promises to be a day filled with lots of food, drink and fun activities for the whole family.

One can expect delicious food and drinks to entertain one’s appetite. Various other foods will also be on sale such as desserts, cakes, cheese and honey stalls, to name a few.

Activities for the kids such as face painting, colouring, jumping castles and obstacle course among others will be available. We don’t want the adults to be left out of things, so we have live music, an obstacle course, live entertainment and live bands to entertain the ‘big’ kids.

Alongside the food and fun side of things, homemade art and craft stalls, sweet stalls, popcorn and candy floss stalls will be displaying and selling their wares – there will even be a toys stall for the kids.

For further information, or for booking your space for your eating house, activity or stall, please contact the organisers, AMAKHOSI FUNCTIONS & EVENTS, on amakhosi.functions@gmail.com

Date: 12th September 2015
Venue: Green Valley Gardens,
(next door to South End School)
Chicwawa Road
Time: 12:00 through to 9:00pm
Entrance fees: Adults: K1000
Kids under 13: K500
Under 5’s: Free

Work at Midima roundabout which was adopted by Chambo Fisheries has started under the Blantyre City beautification initiative. Some of the Blantyre City management team on Tuesday morning inspected the work and were satisfied with the designs.

“We look forward to the completion of the work otherwise the designs are beautiful. We appreciate the support we are receiving from Chambo Fisheries and other corporate partners,” said Director of Parks Sylvester Mitini-Nkhoma.

The long anticipated implementation of red star campaign will soon be a reality as the exercise is just waiting final report ratification by the Full Council of the Blantyre City.

“By October 30, 2015, all buildings earmarked for demolition to be red star painted,” says Chief Architect and campaign coordinator Mathews Mwadzangati.

“The commencement of formal demolition exercise will take place on 1^st March 2016 and the actual construction is expected to start on 1^st June 2016,” he adds.

He further says; “Currently the main committee is waiting for the ratification of the recommendations by the full council and notifying all developers on the recommendations.”

The red star campaign started during the era of the first President Hastings Kamuzu Banda but stalled due to some problems.

President Arthur Peter Mutharika revived in February this year when he toured Blantyre and Limbe CBDs to appreciate the state of the buildings in the commercial capital.

The red star campaign involves the relocation of businesses, demolition of structures for city initiated development projects.

It also provides opportunities for replacing dilapidated buildings with modern ones that meet the present living and business infrastructure standards to improve the urban environment and cityscape.

Among the main red star campaign committee members include Blantyre City Council, Commissioner of Lands (south), Commissioner for Physical Planning (south), Surveyor Generals office (south), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Malawi Confederations of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Malawi Institute of Engineers (MIE), Malawi Institute of Architects (MIA), Malawi Institute of Physical Planners (MIPP), Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM).

It also includes University Of Malawi – Faculty of Built Environment, National Construction Industry Council (NCIC), the Commissioner of Police (south), Blantyre Water Board (BWB), ESCOM, Representatives of the Asian Business Community in both Blantyre and Limbe.

There are about 160 buildings earmarked for demolition, 85 structures for maintenance and 79 buildings need a new coat while 55 buildings were certified to be in good condition in both Blantyre and Limbe.

The campaign is chaired by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Wild Ndipo.

Government has given Blantyre City Council K1.8 Billion for improvement of road infrastructure in the City.

The money, whose target roads were already approved by the Council, was provided under the Special Infrastructure Fund project.

With full recognition that there are a number of roads that need rehabilitation, under the project, the Council only considered the roads that would make an impact to the whole City.

The project would benefit the Angelo Goveya to Manje road, the road off Mugabe Highway from Mthandizi to Mpingwe/Limbe via City Clinic, Youth Centre, Mpingwe Medium Housing Area.

It will also finance Chilomoni Ring Road to Sigerege via Fargo, Off Kapeni road to Zion via Living Waters Church road and Chinseu to Magalasi and Chilimba Landover to Railways road.

“These roads were chosen because of the great impact they have to the people of Blantyre City,” said Deputy Director of Engineering Stone Nkhondodwe.

“The roads will also help in decongesting the city traffic like the off Mugabe Highway to Mpingwe. The Landover to Railways road in Chilimba will help in by passing the two main roads of M1,” he said.

The street lighting also falls under this project and it will cover; CI to Green Corner, Kandodo Corner shop via Mbayani to Kameza roundabout, Kwacha roundabout to Kudya via MBC Television Station and Sunnyside to Manyowe.

This will involve the maintenance of existing street lights and new installation according to Nkhondodwe.

Said Nkhondodwe: “People should take care of the streets lights. They should not vandalise the poles, in so doing we are going to create a beautiful Blantyre.”

Currently, the Council is preparing the tender documents to be followed by advertisement of tender notices in the media.

After receiving the bids, there will be an evaluation which will lead to the selection of successful bidders, a process expected to be completed in about three months.

“This project has come at the right time because there is a general outcry due to conditions of our roads and infrastructure,” said Chimwemwe Ndelemani, Assistant Director of Engineering.