Latest posts by Victor Kaonga
Malawi: Wedding of Year, Flag Changes and Media Suppression
In what some describe as the wedding of the year, Malawi’s President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika wed his former cabinet minister Callista Chapola Chimombo Saturday April 17, 2010. The officiation took place at Civo Stadium, an open place contrary to Roman Catholic procedure. Over 20 heads of states and governments were among the 4,500 delegates to the ceremony.
Malawi: Madonna and the Girls Academy
Pop star Madonna shares her motivation to help Malawian girls: Having lost my mother at such a young age, I felt a close connection to these children. Their stories had touched my own. In a country of 14 million, a staggering one million children have been left alone with the...
Malawi's President to formally declare new love on Valentine's Day
Malawians are digesting news that the country's president Dr Bingu wa Mutharika will engage his former tourism minister Callister Chimombo on Valenetine's Day 14 February. A couple of bloggers have wished the president well in his new found love following the death of his wife Ethel three years ago.
Malawi: Bloggers discuss 30 earthquakes in 3 weeks
In what some geologists have described as rare occurrences, Malawi's northern district of Karonga has in the past three weeks experienced a total of 30 earthquakes resulting in at least 5 deaths, over 200 people injured and over 3,000 made homeless. Bloggers have been quick to share their reactions.
Malawi: Of Sports and the Windmill boy-Kamkwamba
This past weekend, Malawi drew 1-1 against the much feared Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire, and a new book about a young Malawian named William Kamwamba is making international headlines.
Malawi: Reactions to Madonna's adoption of Chifundo
For some who never knew Malawi, they have gotten to hear about the country in Africa purely because of Madonna whose full name is not known to many. It appears that the generally many Malawians are happy that Madonna is able to adopt needy children from Malawi in spite of the fears of what this trend may create.
Malawi Politicians Campaign in Cyberspace
The presidential and parliamentary race in Malawi is seeing innovative use of the Internet that Malawi's politics has never witnessed before. Parties and individual contestants have established themselves online through websites, Facebook and blogs to get voters' attention.
Malawi: Of Election Fever and Going Digital
The week gone has been a politically hot one for many Malawians as they have seen their presidential and parliamentary candidates present their nominations papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission ahead of the May 19 polls. By the end of the exercise, about 10 have presented their papers and presidential candidates and several hundreds to compete for the 193 seats in parliament.
Malawi: Murderous Thanksgiving, AIDS Day and crossing the Zimbabwean border
Victor Kaonga highlights a few posts from blogs about Malawi: an expat Thanksgiving, World Aids Day and a long bus trip from Malawi to South Africa with an interesting border crossing in Zimbabwe.
Africa: Your Majesty, Stop Marrying!
Several Malawian journalists joined many others in attending a three-day Highway Africa conference at Rhodes University in South Africa under the theme Citizen Journalism: Journalism for Citizens. The conference which is the largest annual gathering of African journalists (over 700 in attendance) focuses on new media issues and is also the forum for critical reflection on journalism, media and technology and a celebration of Africa.
Malawi's Ex-President Under House Arrest
Following recent reports of alleged coup plotters, police picked up and put Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi under house arrest. Lilongwe-based Journalist Bright Sonani gives eyewitness accounts as events unfolded at Kamuzu International Aiport in Lilongwe where Muluzi was picked as he arrived from a trip from the UK.
Malawi: Several arrested over allegations to remove president
It has been reported that several senior security and opposition political officials have been arrested in Malawi on allegations of coup plot. Malawian journalist and blogger Kondwani Munthali says that the politics in Malawi is undergoing interesting developments and political temperatures have reached a boiling point. Writing from Lilongwe where...
Malawi: Reactions to former president political comeback
Recently, the United Democratic Front (UDF) of Malawi's former president Bakili Muluzi had a convention and elected him as their presidential candidate in next year's election. His only challenger was Malawi's vice president Dr Cassim Chilumpha who is answering treason charges. Lilongwe-based blogger Austin Madinga says he Muluzi's comeback is for wrong reasons.
Blogger's opinion about “Nsima” angers Malawians
A recent post on Malawi's staple food nsima has raised debate on how much freedom one can have in expressing themselves in blogs. The reactions by mostly Malawian readers have demonstrated that some restraint, responsibility and sensitivity is needed especially if one is writing about something that others may consider very dear to them.
Malawi: Blogging about marriage, language, lifestyle and health
The Malawian blogging community is gradually growing in terms of size and topics. In this roundup, I introduce four blogs dedicated to marriage and children issues, Tumbuka language, health and lifestyle issues.
Is President Bingu Malawi's “Moses”?
Some artists read the times and strategise accordingly. A popular song titled Mose wa Lero by Joseph Nkasa makes many Malawians sing along even if they did not want to because of the way the artist has related the biblical Moses to Malawi's president Bingu wa Mutharika. In the song which is on Mutharika's blog, the artist Nkasa says Mutharika has led Malawians move out of Egypt where they had hunger and different problems.
Malawi dumps Taiwan for China, media under scrutiny
China's influence in Africa is on the rise. Malawian foreign affairs minister has announced that Malawi has switched its diplomatic relations from Taiwan to Mainland China. Malawian bloggers seem to welcome this move.
The Mobile Web and Compulsory HIV Test for Malawi
Malawi's Internet users have this year been experiencing new trends as now they can access and browse from their mobile phones and homes. This is an initiative by the fixed line service provider (Malawi Telecommunications Limited) and two mobile phone service operators, Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) and Celtel Malawi. Malawian blogger, Mile, has welcomed this initiative with a post titled ICT Development in Malawi.
Confronting Euro-American media biases against Africa
Malawian blogger on africa-aphukira (African Rebirth), Steven Sharra, chronicles serious biases by Euro-American media and scholars against Africa in not crediting the recent archeological finding to a Kenyan palentologist, Fredrick Manthi. He writes, "The question for us now becomes how to move beyond the cliché that describes the blatant anti-Africa biases not only in the EuroAmerican media, but also in the entire knowledge enterprise. "
Frustrations with Malawi Soccer, President looks to God, Questions about AIDS and Sex, and Benefits of SourceForge
In recent years, Malawi’s soccer scene has been less exciting due to poor performance of national team, The Flames. Its performance has attracted a number of bloggers calling for action now. At the heart of the matter are issues of coaching and finances. Such problems have not only affected the national team but also many clubs. Malawian bloggers look at the whole situation from different angles.
Malawian bloggers mourn First Lady
Malawian bloggers join the rest of the nation in sending sincere condolences to the State President on the loss of First Lady Madamme Ethel Mutharika, who passed away Monday 28 May, 2007. Her death is a big blow to Malawi as a nation. The burial is scheduled for Saturday 9...
