Zambian Carol Chisanga Wins Prestigious American AD King Award

 

With Mrs King, yes! As in Martin Luther King

In what could be best described as a trail blazer in the history of the Southern African diaspora community in the US, Carol Chisanga, of CCF Foundation, has been awarded the highest award in black America, the prestigious AD King Award.
 

 “And I’ve received-the humanitarian award for my work!”Chisanga said.

 “First, I give God all the glory; second, am proud to be the first in Southern Africa to receive this award.”

The other African who got the award is Nigerian singer Acorn’s mother. 

Chisanga could nt hide her excitement: “I am very excited to have have been nominated and won this award. It is such an unexpected honour to be recognised this way and a truly humbling experience to be amongst a special group of people who sacrifice so much in many ways to better the lives of others; therefore making this world a better place.”

She says CCF is determined to continue supporting education.

“This Christmas we have a shoe-to-support education initiative aimed at collecting shoes for girls across rural Zambia. Also our women’s resource center is growing to include literacy, and skills training for vulnerable women and girls.”

PRICE & PROFIT POLICY FOR PUBLIC CORPORATIONS: ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE

By Bryson Jumbe

Malawi has a mixed economic system, comprising the public and private sector. That is, some industries are under public control whilst others are under private ownership. 

The past decade, has seen most public enterprises being sold under the much touted 'privatisation' programme. Through privatisation, ownership of public enterprises is transferred into the hands of private entities. 

This is in sharp contrast to 'nationalisation' of industries whereby, the State, through its various corporations, is in control of the operations. Supporting reasons for public ownership of industries include to protect the consumer against monopoly, ensure efficiency of service provision, and for national interest purposes. 

It is due to these and other reasons that privatisation of national industries, which were core to the socioeconomic stability of the country, faced some resistance. Privatization has not been the only problem to our national industries under public corporations. 

Another matter of concern has been the 'price and profit policy'. Recently, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), approved the proposed 25 percent electricity tariff hike by ESCOM. Is the the increase from about K58.80 to K73.23 per kWh justifiable? [It is also understood that water tariffs for domestic and commercial use have been revised upwards to 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively]. 

First, the following are points to note in regards to public enterprises; They are run not with a view to making profits, but rather to provide services in the public's best interest. There returns are necessary to cover costs and keep operations running - returns are likely spent on maintenance and the like (could this be ESCOM's justification for price increase?) 

As such, prices are not set to make excessively huge profits, nor to make inhibiting losses. That is, setting prices that would necessitate to 'breakeven' - no loss, no profit. Since profit is not their operational objective, they ought to be audited in terms of efficiency relating to 'service provision' and not 'profit'. 

These preceding points, and those mentioned earlier in favour of ownership of industries by public corporations, should provide the basis for discussion on all matters of price and profit policy for industries managed by public corporations. 

The 25 percent electricity tariff increase policy seem unjustifiable for a public run corporation. Even if made in view of the standby generators being procured [initial assessment of operating costs for Mzuzu only is pegged at over K500 million per month], the hike seem not to be in tandem with public corporation objectives. And, for a corporation which for long has been marked by inefficiency and continues to preform below par, it is illogical to increase the fee. We do not even need auditors for expert opinion to prove its inefficiency. 

In addition, other industries depend on power as well. Increasing the tariff would result in goods and service providers in such industries to increase their prices. As a nation coming from or in a period of slow productivity due to the same power outages, this will have dire economic consequences. ESCOM has failed in its operations as a public entity. 

It has failed to provide services in the best interest of the public. Its negligence to maintain and improve its generation capacity over the years to efficiently supply power should in no way be borne by customers. 

It all goes down back to the issue of privatization. 

Should ESCOM be privatised or the power industry 'demonopolised' to allow competition, which is an important ingredient to excellent service provision, in the industry?

Egypt to host six Heads of State and Africa’s leading CEOs at the Africa 2017 Forum

Over 100 speakers and 1,500 delegates to discuss regional Integration and job creation in Africa The Forum will start with a Young Entrepreneurs Day, with 50 of Africa’s leading start ups in funding and partner pitches.

CAIRO, Tuesday 5th: December: President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi will be hosting six African heads of state at the Africa 2017 Forum that will take place this week in the picturesque beach resort of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The President of Guinea, current chair of the AU, will be joining the Forum as well as the Presidents of Chad, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros and Somalia. The Vice President of Nigeria is also expected as is the Prime Minister of Mozambique.

This business and investment Forum, whose theme is “Driving investment for inclusive growth’, has been convened to increase intra African investments and cross border collaboration. Egypt in 2015 hosted the signing of the tripartite agreement between the three regional economic communities SADC, COMESA and the EAC, and the Forum has been designed for African business leaders to play a greater role by investing in opportunities throughout the continent.

The first edition of the Forum took place in February 2016. This year the programme has been enhanced to include 2 exclusive Presidential Roundtables, where these business leaders will openly discuss policy with the African presidents present to help create a more conducive business environment, in addition to immense investment and business opportunities available in the continent. Youth and entrepreneurs will also play a prominent role. Over 50 of the continent’s brightest and most promising entrepreneurs have been invited to showcase their businesses and will be presenting them to investors and funds in a Deal room curated by Asoko Insights.

The Forum is being organised by the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation of Egypt and the COMESA Regional Investment Agency (RIA). Speaking ahead of the Forum, Dr Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation of Egypt stressed the importance of greater intra-Africa collaboration: “Intra-Africa trade is a valuable component of Africa’s and Egypt's economic growth strategy,” she said. 

“For Egypt’s growth strategy, Intra-Africa trade remains a valuable component. Despite European and North American markets dominating Egypt’s trade activities, we have proximity to African markets as well as trade agreements with African nations. The markets where Egypt has seen an increase in its trade include North Africa, specifically Morocco, East Africa, specifically Kenya, South Africa and Sudan.“

Heba Salama, head of RIA, highlighted the responsibility of the private sector to devise innovative solutions. “The private sector can play an important role in filling in the US $93bn infrastructure gap. Manufacturing is another important sector where private sector support is needed. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that Africa could double its manufacturing output in 10 years, which could ultimately create between 6 million and 14 million stable jobs and boost African GDP growth.”

The Forum will take place between the 7-9th of December. The speaker feature some of Africa’s leading CEOs and policy makers, including Isabel dos Santos, Chairperson of Unitel Angola, Daniel Matjila, CEO, Public Investment Corporation, Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Founder of Qalaa Holdings, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA, Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of UNECA.

Isaac Kam’mwamba Shines in Kenya

Isaac Kam’mwamba shines in Kenya

By Rahim Kamwana, Mana

The Malawian feather weight champion, Isaac Kam’mwamba Sunday night became victorious after beating Anderson Sifuna from Kenya in a unanimous decision.

Kam’mwamba won the non title fight which saw all the boxers exchanging punches up to the last 6^th round. The fight was fought in the capital Nairobi.

Although Anderson Sifuna used home ring advantage, it was Kam’mwamba who dominated in all rounds with high punches and uppercuts which brought points for his victory.

Speaking with the Malawi News Agency in a telephone interview from Nairobi after the fight Kam’mwamba praised the almighty God for his win.

“I should thank God for this win. It was not an easy fight, my opponent was also coming with heavy punches but all in all I have managed to defeat him on points and also many thanks should go to No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions for the support they do give me and also to all my fans for the support they do provide,” Kam’mwamba said.

Kam’mwamba is one of the best boxers in Malawi with a good record on both the international and local scene.

Before this fight Kam’mwamba was camping in Zimbabwe courtesy of No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotion. Furthermore Kam’mwamba promised his fans that he would be giving them good results.

“My fans should support me fully as I am continuing with my journey and with God’s help I will be bringing them good results in the ring and I urge them to support me in numbers,” Kam’mwamba added.