President Rupiah Banda says the re-election of Malawi’s President, Bingu wa Mutharika in the country’s just ended presidential elections was an indication that Malawians were satisfied with his performance in the previous term of office.

President Mutharika was sworn in to lead Malawi for the second and final five year term of office after being declared winner of the May 19, general election by the Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Anastasia Msosa .

In the first four years of Dr. Mutharika’s governance, the economy of Malawi grew by an average of 7.5 per cent per annum while in 2008, the economy grew by over 9 per cent.

“It is a great thing for the people of Malawi. Before we used to analyse Malawi by provinces but this time you have shown us that you are satisfied with the work of a particular president in all the regions in Malawi,” Mr Banda told local journalists in Blantyre yesterday.

He noted that the fading away of regionalism in the way people voted in the past was commendable.

Mr. Banda pointed out that this development was encouraging, adding that Zambia would learn a lot of lessons in terms of political and economic development from the Malawian government.

He further urged the people of Malawi to be strong because this was Zambia wish.

President Mutharika garnered a total of 2,730,630 votes against his closest rival, John Tembo who had polled 1,270,057 votes. This was out of the 93.25 per cent of the confirmed information from 3,634 polling stations out of the 3,897 stations across the country.

There are currently nearly six million registered voters in Malawi, a country lying on an area of 118,480 square kilometres and a population of over 13 million people.

And President Mutharika pledged in his acceptance and inaugural speech that he would embrace all Malawians, including opposition political parties, in governance in order to guarantee and foster social, economic and political development of Malawi.

He said amid applauses from thousands of people who gathered at the ceremony that dialogue and reconciliation among all Malawians, and unity of common purpose was an important factor that would help develop the economy of the country further.

He outlined his government’s development agenda and strategies, among them prioritizing agriculture development, increasing energy generation, improving road network and transportation, education and health sectors.

Yesterday, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the European Union and the African Union election observation missions said in their preliminary findings of the elections that the election was free and fair and reflected the will of the people of Malawi.

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) election observer missions have also declared the election as free and fair, adding that they were held under a tranquil and peaceful environment.

Head of COMESA Election Observer Mission, Otema Musuka, said at a press briefing here today that the mission did not witness any occurrence that could have compromised the integrity of the votes cast.

“Looking at the country as a whole and taking into consideration the foregoing, the mission has come to the conclusion that the 2009 presidential and parliamentary elections for the Republic of Malawi took place in an environment of peace and tranquility,” Mr. Musuka said.

Mr. Musuka noted that the election took place in a transparent environment that was secure enough to guarantee the freedom of the vote and respect the will of voters.

“The mission, therefore, considers that the votes cast and declared thus far as a true reflection of the will of the people of Malawi in the 2009 presidential and parliamentary election,” he added.

He congratulated the people of Malawi for the peaceful election and a huge turn out to cast the votes, which he said was an important ingredient to the development of democracy.

EU Election Mission Chief Observer, Luisa Morgantini, said the elections were held in a manner where fundamental freedoms and rights of assembly, expression and movement were respected.

“The people of Malawi turned out to cast their ballots in high numbers demonstrating an awareness and commitment to an election which represents a step forward the consolidation of democracy,” she said.

Government has been urged to restrict the number of second hand-vehicles entering the country as such vehicles cause harm to the health of people and the environment due to their emissions.

CFAO Managing Director Albert Campbell says such vehicles emit gases which are poisonous.

Mr. Campbell said this during the launch of film entitled “HOME” which shows how the environment is being polluted.

He also urged the Zambian Bureau of Standards to scrutiny the roadworthiness of the second hand vehicles coming into the country.

Mr. Campbell pointed out most of the second hand vehicles are not road worthy hence emit poisonous gas which are harmful to people and dangerous for the environment.

The film “HOME” with footage from over 50 countries and will be screened in Zambia on the 5th of June on World Environment Day.

The film will be screened on ZNBC TV and will be reproduced on DVD for free viewing to make people aware of the effects of emissions which involve green house gas emissions, from fossil fuels.

Dance diva Rozalla Miller has pledged her support to the Wilmslow-based charity All Star Kids by becoming their latest high profile patron.

Rozalla, who was born in Zambia, and brought up in Zimbabwe, was catapulted into the world club scene when her famous dance anthem ‘Everybody’s Free’ stormed the UK charts in 1991.

Now the new ambassador for All Star Kids, Rozalla says she is privileged to be a part of the work that the charity is doing to help make a positive change to the lives of children in Africa by providing a safe place to live, health care and education.

Commenting on her new role, Rozalla says: “As somebody who was born in Zambia and raised in Zimbabwe, the fact the charity works in those two countries made it of great interest for me to get involved. Also I’ve always had a view that education is the most important thing in any child’s life.

“I will be raising it’s profile wherever possible in the UK, and whenever I travel to see my family in Zambia and Zimbabwe I will make sure I do whatever possible to visit and see some of the children the charity is helping.

“Everyone is aware of how difficult things are in Zimbabwe, but beyond this, having grown up in both countries I think I will understand some of the cultures and national characteristics, which in turn will help me be a better patron.”

Chris Clarke, Chairman of All Star Kids, says: “It’s fantastic to have Rozalla on board, she is totally committed to do anything she can to help the charity.”

“We are certainly privileged to have her support and we look forward to seeing the difference we can make together to the lives of children in Africa, helping to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, productive and loving atmosphere where they can reach their full potential.”[quote]

The charity, which supports and offers hope and an education to street children in Africa, also saw international runway model Rosemary Chileshe and Sky World News reader Lukwesa Burak become patrons earlier this year.

All Star Kids was originally founded in 2000 as the Andy Cole Children’s Foundation. More recently the charity has re-launched and has changed its name to “All Star Kids” to better reflect its focus – on children – the real stars who they work with.

All Star Kids has launched a number of innovative fundraising projects to help support its work including a search to donate website at www.fightthefamine.com and a video sharing website for all charities at www.madtube.org. To find out more about the charity’s work and get involved please visit www.allstarkids.org.uk

MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, has welcomed President Rupiah Banda’s intentions to contest elections at the MMD convention.

Dr. Kalumba says he will defend President Banda and any other party member who wishes to contest the party’s top position.

He told ZNBC news in a statement that it is his constitutional responsibility as National Secretary to defend any member of the party wishing to vie for the party Presidency.

Dr. Kalumba said he will treat each expression of interest with the confidentiality and integrity it deserves.

On Tuesday, Southern province MMD Chairman, Solomon Muzhyamba, announced that the MMD in the Province had resolved to endorse Mr. Banda as its president at the party’s convention next year.

He said the party in the area will also support Mr. Banda in the 2011 Presidential election.

[ZNBC]

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said that it was not true that only one person was involved in the stealing of K10 billion Kwacha from the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Livingstone on Thursday when he officially closed the Sixth Zambia International Business Advisory Council Conference (ZIBAC).

Mr Banda called for the suspension of all civil servants involved in the alleged K10 billion graft scandal at the ministry of Health.

He said it was disappointing to note that those who have been implicated in the scam were still occupying their offices and  that the Secretary to Cabinet has not made any attempts to ensure that all civil servants that could have perpetuated the vice are removed from public offices to pave the way for investigations.

Mr Banda further said that he was not yet in office when the named official stole the money.

Mr Banda said the country was passing through a difficult phase and urged people to work together with government in the fight against corruption.

Mr Banda reiterated that corruption had become rampant in Zambia and called for concerted efforts in the fight against the scourge.

ZANIS