Penjani Kalua, a 39-year-old hip-hop artist known as Fredokiss, became the first rapper to win a parliamentary seat in Malawi through the September 16 elections under the United Transformation Movement party. The musician previously lost a bid for the Blantyre City South Constituency seat five years ago but succeeded this time in Soche-Zingwangwa, defeating long-standing stereotypes about hip-hop culture. Fredokiss, who performed as brand ambassador for UNICEF and NBS Bank, attributes his success to faith and learning from setbacks in conversations with media outlets.
Fellow musicians Skeffa Chimoto and Kendal Kamwendo also secured parliamentary positions in the general elections. The victory signals a shift in attitudes toward youth...
Castel Malawi Limited demonstrates that robust union engagement and transparent employee communication form the foundation of workplace success, with management and staff collaboration enhancing both productivity and worker satisfaction. Human Resources Director Gloria Zimba told members at the Castel Malawi Workers Union annual meeting in Salima over the weekend that empowered unions and open dialogue position organizations for sustained growth. The company has introduced social welfare initiatives, including football and netball clubs, across Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu, while upgrading facilities for casual workers with new restrooms and break areas. Castel Malawi ranked as the nation's second-highest taxpayer last year through the...
Malawi's top 40 companies will receive recognition through the 2025 Year-End Business Awards, with public voting that began on Monday, Oct. 20. National Product Magazine, a business publication marking its 120th edition, organizes the ceremony to honor excellence in products, services, and entrepreneurship under the theme Where Innovation Meets Distinction.
Executive Director Arthur Chinyamula told media outlets on Monday that voting continues for two weeks before the gala on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe. The awards recognize outstanding products, services, suppliers, and business leaders while aiming to inspire job creation and economic growth across all industries.
This year's ceremony...
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga faced widespread criticism after a video emerged showing him suggesting that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's death would redirect government resources to the Mount Kenya region. Kahiga told mourners at a funeral in Nyeri that President William Ruto had channeled assistance to Nyanza because of his partnership with Raila before the leader's death on Oct. 15 from cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in India.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui called the remarks regrettable, while the Orange Democratic Movement said it was praying for Kahiga to seek forgiveness. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei demanded an apology, and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi warned against inflaming ethnic divisions. Kahiga has not...
Dennis Onyango, the longtime spokesperson for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, shared an emotional account of the leader's final day in Kenya before departing for treatment in India. Onyango recalled on Oct. 3 receiving the last instructions from Odinga and sharing a meal of chicken, beef, kamongo, and osuga before the departure. The Facebook post drew widespread attention from Kenyans who praised Onyango's dedication to one of the nation's most prominent political figures.
Odinga died at 80 and was buried beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, at the family compound in Bondo on Oct. 19. President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and other officials attended the state funeral. Onyango wrote that he would complete...
Madagascar's Gen Z movement leaders criticized the appointment of Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo by the country's new military ruler on Monday. Col. Michael Randrianirina, who seized power through a coup last week and was sworn in on Friday, selected the businessman without transparency or consultation, according to Gen Z Mada. The youth group questioned Rajaonarivelo's ties to the ousted government and warned against repeating past failures.
The protests began nearly a month ago over water and electricity shortages before expanding into broader demands for political change that forced President Andry Rajoelina into hiding. Randrianirina's elite CAPSAT army unit took control after Rajoelina's dialogue efforts failed to stop...
Media personality Oga Obinna shaved his head on Tuesday to honor former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died on Oct. 15 in India at age 80. The gesture follows liedo, a Luo mourning custom performed on the third day after burial to mark renewal for close relatives and friends of the deceased. Raila was buried on Sunday at his family compound in Bondo.
Obinna became emotional during the process, dedicating the act to Odinga and cancer patients. He refused to wear a cap afterward, stating he remained proud of his decision. The liedo ritual forms part of an extended mourning cycle in Luo culture that can last over a year.
US Vice President JD Vance stated that the Gaza ceasefire implementation proceeds better than anticipated and warned that Hamas faces obliteration without cooperation. President Donald Trump declared Middle Eastern allies stand ready to deploy heavy forces into Gaza if Hamas continues hostile actions. Vance arrived in Israel to advance negotiations on permanent war resolution after violence on Sunday threatened the 12-day truce when Hamas killed two Israeli soldiers and Israeli strikes killed dozens of Palestinians.
Trump dispatched Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to maintain momentum for phase two of his 20-point peace plan. The plan requires establishing an interim Palestinian government, deploying international...
Babylonwaves has launched Art Conductor 11.9, a preset collection for articulation switching across Logic, Cubase, Dorico, Digital Performer, Studio One, and Cakewalk that works with major sample libraries. The software eliminates multiple track requirements for orchestra sample library users by implementing standard key switches for core articulations, and users can transfer regions between instruments in supported hosts without losing technique assignments.
Versions 11.4 through 11.9 added support for 39 new libraries from developers such as AudioBro, Berlin Brass, EastWest, Fracture Sounds, Heavyocity, Orchestral Tools, Spitfire, Strezov, and Vienna Symphonic Library. The update also revised presets for 15 existing libraries from...
