In a bid to ensure speedy and stable access to mobile Internet, Airtel Malawi has intensified its 3G site upgrades in Lilongwe.

Edith Tsilizani

Airtel Malawi Public Relations Relation Edith Tsilizani….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

For the past two weeks, the upgrades have been carried out in nine strategic sites in a bid to ensure speedy and stable access to mobile internet.

According to Airtel Malawi’s Publicist Edith Tsilizani, the upgraded sites are Lilongwe Bus Depot, Maula Prison, Bwaila, Area 25 C, Area 36, Area 48 and the Bingu International Conference Center.

“Access to speedy and reliable Internet is a must,” Tsilizani said adding that other upgrades have also been done in Blantyre and Dwangwa recently.

Tsilizani said they will keep on carrying out these upgrades to make sure that subscribers enjoy the best internet experience in Malawi.

Airtel Malawi is a leading mobile telecommunications operator and has the largest 3G Internet sites and coverage in the country.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel, a telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, has said that it has become the third largest mobile operator in the world in terms of subscribers.

As per the latest data published by WCIS, Airtel with over 303 million mobile subscribers across its operations, has moved up one position in the global rankings.

Airtel began operations in November 1995 in New Delhi, India and in less than two decades it has emerged as one of the top brands in the emerging markets with an unmatched scale and diversity of operations.

Bharti Airtel chairperson Sunil Bharti Mittal said: “This is a major landmark in the journey of Airtel and underlines the strength of our business model and our brand that is loved by customers across 20 countries.

“Today, we seamlessly manage global scale operations in diverse geographies and deliver the same world-class services to each customers, this perhaps is one of our biggest achievements.”

After going through the disappointment of failing to fly out to the Pan African Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) football tournament in Gabon last year, the 2014 Airtel Rising Stars will now be smiling all the way to the bank- courtesy of Airtel Malawi, which has dished out K1.6 million in total to be shared amongst the stars.

Kyumba presents the K70m dummy cheque to Malamula

Airtel’s PRO Edith Tsirizani welcoming journalists

The 2014 Rising Stars (in red T-shirts), journalists follow the proceedings

A total 32 boys and girls identified from last year’s Airtel Rising Stars football tournament were supposed to fly out to Gabon with their two coaches and an official from Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) for the 2014 Pan African ARS tournament but the trip was cancelled at the 11th hour due to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.

Mindful of the ordeal the 35-member contingent went through, Airtel Malawi has decided to compensate each of them with MK45,000 (USD $100), making a total of K1.6 million.

Presenting the cheque to Massa at Airtel Head Office in Lilongwe on Friday, July 3, 2015, Airtel Malawi’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Wilson Kyumba said Airtel values the lives of the stars- hence the cancellation of the tournament.

“As future stars of the nation, your lives are more important. The Ebola virus outbreak had to be avoided at all cost considering that the Pan African ARS tournament in Gabon was going to attract over 500 immigrants from all Airtel operating countries, including some West African countries which were badly hit by the Ebola outbreak,” said Kyumba to a group of rising stars, who represented the teams.

During the function, Airtel also presented a K70 million dummy cheque for the 2015 ARS tournament expected to be launched in Salima on Saturday, July 4, 2015.

Speaking after presenting the cheque to Massa General Secretary Blackson Malamula, the head of Airtel Regulatory Affairs said the company was pleased to be associated with the success story of the tournament, now going into its fifth season.

“ARS has been running for the past four years, during which it has recorded a great deal of talent. Some of the stars from ARS have featured in the Malawi national junior football and women football teams

“This is a historical and record amount of money to be injected in the development of under 17 boys’ and girls’ football in the country. We are proud to be the leading investor in sports development in the country,” said Kyumba.

Speaking on behalf of the Malawi schools sports body, Malamula hailed Airtel for compensating the 2014 Rising Stars and raising stakes for this year’s ARS from K65 million to K70 million.

“We are so grateful to Airtel for this gesture. There are a lot of other avenues where this money could have been channelled but you chose the development of our young boys and girls. We will make sure that the money is used for the intended purpose,” said Malamula.

The K70 million 2015 Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) football competition was officially launched Saturday, July 4, 2015 in Salima, where sponsors Airtel in conjunction with Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) held a number of activities to celebrate the landmark sponsorship.

Season 4 Airtel Rising Stars line up before the match

Mwandidya scores a penalty

Proud Sponsors- Airtel Zone Manager Misheck Kavuta

Dancing time- Malawi Police Band is joined by Massa officials.

Gracing the occasion were officials from government led by Principal Secretary II for Youth and Sports Mwandidya, a delegation from Sports Council headed by Executive Secretary George Jana, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Technical Director John Kaputa, Salima District Commissioner Blessings Nkhoma and Councillor Janet Chipeni.

The launch started with a grand parade led by Malawi Police Band from Kamuzu Road all the way to Salima Community Ground, where there were a number of activities including a football match.

Addressing the gathering at the community ground, Guest of Honour Mwandidya commended Airtel Malawi for being government’s true partner in the development of sports in the country.

“There can be no meaningful development in sports without investing in the youth. The youths being targeted here are the national team stars of tomorrow. As a Ministry responsible for youth development and sports, we do not take the gesture from Airtel lightly,” said Mwandidya.

Massa vice president Severia Chalira joined government in thanking Airtel for the sponsorship. She also hailed the sponsors for compensating the Rising Stars who failed to make the trip to the 2014 Gabon Pan African Airtel Rising Stars tournament due to the Ebola outbreak in some West African countries. Airtel presented each of the stars with K45,000 ($100).

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Airtel Zone Business Manager for Central Zone II Misheck Kavuta said the sponsorship was a sign of Airtel’s commitment to contribute to the development of sports and nation building.

“Sports enhances development as it keeps the youth away from bad behaviours that can destroy their careers. Sports is also a source of employment and so many sportsmen including footballers are earning a lot of money from sports. With the ARS sponsorship, which is the biggest investment in youth soccer, the game of football will never the be the same,” said Kavuta.

The Airtel official thanked government, Sports Council, Fam and Massa for contributing to the success of the ARS initiative.

After the speeches, there was a football match between Salima Select and Airtel Rising Stars 4, which ended one-all. ARS 4 had a mixture of boys and girls from the 2014 squad that failed to travel to Gabon.

Mobile phone service provider Airtel Malawi has commissioned the upgraging of 2G network into 3G network at Kabwazi Trading Centre in Dedza as part of its extensive advancements across the country.

3G is here

Airtel 3G

The new upgrade is part of 400 3G transmitting spots which the service provider has in different parts of the country.

Airtel Malawi also has 556 2G spots which mostly offer voice information transmission.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, Airtel Malawi Zonal Business Manager Misheck Kavuta said the mobile service provider believes that connectivity is the future.

“Wiireless 3G network is desirable because of their extremely fast data transmission speed which allows streaming of videos and also allows fast downloads and uploads,” said Kaputa.

“The people of Dedza, specifically Kabwazi and surrounding areas, can now experience amazing mobile multimedia applications which they couldn’t enjoy previously. The 3G networks are desirable because of their extremely fast data transmission,” said Kavuta.

According to Airtel, the conversion of Kabwazi into a 3G zone adds the total number to over 200 sites which have been upgraded from 2G to 3G since the start of the exercise last year.

A statement from the mobile service provider states that the brand has invested heavily in mobile network infrastructure development with the aim of providing the best for its subscribers “both in quality and quantity”.

Chairperson of Dedza District Council, Auzious Chidobvu, who presided over the unveiling of the 3G upgrade a t Kabwazi Trading Centre, commended Airtel for the development, saying it will allow its users easy access to the internet.

“The lives of people here will be changed because of the commissioning of this 3G network because previously, we even had general network problems. This is no longer the case now after the upgrading of the network,” said Chidobvu.

3G technology features data transfer at a higher rate of megabits per second apart from facilitating faster web browsing and file transfers.

Barely a month after Airtel Malawi held a successful golf tournament that attracted over 100 golfers at the Limbe Country Club, this weekend, it is the time for Nchalo golf course.

Airtel’s Charles Kamoto on the golf course: Its Nchalo time

This weekend’s invitational stable-ford golf tournament is expected to attract over 70 golfers.

Airtel’s Chief Commercial Officer Charles Kamoto said the mobile service company feels good to return to Nchalo with this golf tourney.

“After quite a number of years of Airtel’s absence, we are proud to be back in the Lower Shire with this invitational golf tourney to delight and interact with our customers,” said Kamoto.

He added that this year, Airtel shall have an extensive golf crusade across the country with the Nchalo tournament marking the second out of 5 golf tournaments that will happen across the country.

Top range prizes for winners in the men’s and women’s categories are 16GB iPad Minis, vapour speed drivers, golf stand bags, glass trophies, state of the art handsets, travel bags and airtime among others.

Blantyre based entrepreneur Welkam Phiri and Roza Mbilizi emerged the winners for the 2015 Airtel Malawi Golf Tournament, which was held at Limbe Sports Country Club.

Phiri scooped the men’s Division with 41 points with Sope Kayira coming second on 40 points, while a Mr Parker finished third with 38 points.

In the Women’s Divisions, Roza Mbilizi finished top with 38 points, while Lilian Kawaza came second with the same number of points only that she was out countered by Mbilizi.

In terms of prizes, in the men’s category, Phiri received Nike Vapor speed driver, Apple ipad Air Min (16gb), flash Disk 2 gb and a glittering trophy, while Kayira, who came second went home with Nike Golf stand Bag, Samsung S3 NEO I 9300, flash Disk 2gb and a trophy.

The third position golfer, Parker received Putter, flash disk 2gb and a trophy.

In the ladies category, Mbilizi received Nike Golf stand Bag, Apple Ipad Air Min (16gb), flash disk and a trophy, while Kawaza went away with Putter, Samsung S3 NEO I 9300, a trophy and a flash disk.

Blantyre based Nestor Msowoya and Roza Mbilizi on Saturday emerged the winners for the 2015 Airtel Malawi Golf Tournament at Nchalo golf course in a field of 72 golfers.

Nestor Msowoya the winner receiving his prize from Charles Kamoto … photo Jeromy Kadewer

Playing at Nchalo golf course.- Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Lawyer John Gift Mwakhwa came second. – Photo by Jeromy Kadewere.

Roza Mbilizi wins again … .Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Siula receiving his prize from Rachel Mijiga. …Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Presentation of prizes…Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Lilian Kawaza also took part in the tournament… ..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Roza Mbilizi ( centre) winner of women catergory -Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Prize presentations…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Lady golfers -Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Presentation of a cheque to Illovo-Nchalo for the golf course … ..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Group photo of all the winners. -Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Carol Banda scooped second position … Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Kalekeni Kaphale also played.. .Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Msowoya scooped the men’s Division with 36 points with lawyer John Gift Mwakhwawa coming second on 34 points, while Kenani Siula finished third with the same number of points only that he was out countered by Mwakhwawa.

The men’s winner had a birdie on hole 10, par hole 11, 12 and on several other holes.

In the Women’s Divisions, Roza Mbilizi finished top with 35 points, while Carol Banda came second 34 points.

There were also other consolation prizes. For instance, the following golfers received various prizes in various categories.

Maggie Nkwanda and Agness Mwase received airtime for being senior ladies, who participated during the tournament, while Ten Amaro had the longest drive in ladies with 10 hole.

Longest drive in men was Archie Graham, while nearest to the pin with 15 hole was Emmanuel Munthali.

Airtel’s Chief Commercial Officer Charles Kamoto described the golf tournament as an occasion serves as an interactive platform for both long and short term benefits to the brand Airtel as well as the golfing community.

“Our being back with this tournament in Nchalo is meant to be a total celebration and that is the reason this has been an invitational tourney,” said Kamoto.

He applauded the golfers for their participation in the tournament and states that it demonstrates their high level commitment towards uplifting Airtel’s investment in the sport of golf.

“We are passionate about you just as you have depicted your passion about us. And that’s the reason we have taken the second 2015 golf crusade to Nchalo golf course. Just like last year, we shall have an extensive golf crusade across the country,” said Kamoto.

He said, apart from interacting with the golfers, there is a lot of skill, knowledge and feedback that Airtel get from them through the golf avenue.

Kamoto also took time to applaud the golfers in a special way for supporting Airtel our various products and services.

“Your participation in this tournament demonstrates your high level commitment towards uplifting Airtel’s investment in the sport of golf,” he said.

He assured them that the leading mobile company will continue giving them the best of the top innovative products and services on the menu of mobile telecommunications industry.

“We are posed to unleash more and more customer driven initiatives and applications to better the quality of life for all. Otherwise, it’s indeed a great privilege to meet and interact with you and I must admit that the quality of golf and the quantity of golfers have been excellent,” he concludes.

Also took part in the tournament were high profile people in the society like the Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale.

Malawi leading mobile operator Airtel has donated K7 million to Malawi Queens as they prepare for the World Cup in Sydney, Australia.

Malawi Queens gets Airtel boost.-Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Airtel Malawi Head of Enterprise Rachel Mijiga : We are proud sponsors of the Malawi Queens…..Photo Jeromy Kadewere.

Malawi Queens captain Carol Ngwira : We are motivated .-Photo Jeromy Kadewere

The team is expected to leave for Sydney Tuesday through Chileka Airport.

Airtel Malawi Head of Enterprise Rachel Mijiga presented the cheque to Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Carol Bapu at Blantyre Youth Centre after the Queens morning training session.

Mijiga said in their quest to develop netball and boost morale in the camp of the Queens as they get geared for the crucial international engagements, Airtel Malawi thought it wise to give the team something in their preparations.

“Airtel Malawi is pleased to announce a donation of MK7 million to the Queens preparations for the World Cup. We are convinced and determined to underline that netball remains the most treasured and successful sport in the country,” said Mijiga.

Mijiga said Airtel Money remains the prime premium sponsor of netball courtesy of their historical and record breaking MK360 million sponsorship packages invested in the sport.

She said they believe the supplementary camp boost package will not only fire up the Queens in their camp but also drive the much needed energy in them so that they break into the top four zone of global rankings through their 2015 international engagements.

Message to the Queens, Mijiga said, “You ought to be more than determined to conquer the World of netball now. Surely, you should improve your performance of last year. The administrators of netball must also put their house in order,” said Mijiga.

Malawi Queens evergreen shooter Mwawi Kumwenda said they are geared for the tournament.

“We are ready to upset the tables in Australia. I have confidence that with the crop of players in camp we will perform better,” said Kumwenda.

However, the final squad to travel to Australia is yet to be realised.

Malawi’s leading telecommunication operator, Airtel has launched Tisanje Promotion in a bid to bond its customers with the brand while increasing recharge and extra value through Airtel Money.

Iman: Airtel-Ding Partnership

Matseketsa during Tisanje promotion launch

Francis Matseketsa, Airtel Money Country Director said during the launch of Tisanje promotion held on Friday, July 31, 2015 in the capital Lilongwe, said Tisanje Promotion will help to change lives of ordinary Malawians.

“Tisanje as the name suggests is about reaping as all customers are bound to reap lucrative amount of money daily and monthly for addressing economic challenges prevailing in the country,” said Matseketsa.

He aid company’s customers deserved lucrative amount of money to address social-economic challenges the country was going through.

The promotion which runs from July 31 to October 25, 2015 will see 56 customers wining MK100,000 monthly whilst daily winners have chance taking home MK50,000 and the three grand ultimate winners will walk away with MK5 million.

Customers that recharge their mobile account with MK50 and above using Scratch-cards, EVD or Airtel Money will enter into the promotion by earning points for the draws.

“Customers will also be awarded with bonus minutes for recharging of MK50 and more with up to 100% bonus therefore customers enter into the promotion by sending or receiving money using Airtel money”, said Matseketsa.

Thus, short code 59999 and USSD code 599 which are free, will be communicating customers for checking points r unsubscribing from the promotions.

Meanwhile,  Airtel on Friday,  launched Airtel-Ding Partnership. Airtel Malawi sales director Ellias Imaan said the new partnership, will help to lessen problems which customers experience when comes to mobile top up.

“With the new partnership, our subscribers will be able to top up their mobile phones or top up other phones of family and friends from every corner of this planet,” said Imaan.

Imaan said all needs to be done is to go to www.ding.com

“You will then automatically be directed to borderless visa that will enable customers to top up the Airtel number,” he said.

Airtel Malawi has pledged to continue supporting government to facilitate the creation and transmission of knowledge for Malawi to effectively compete on the global economic front.

Airtel Malawi’s Enterprise Director Rachael Mijiga.

Airtel Malawi’s Enterprise Director Rachael Mijiga made the pledge Friday morning during an interface meeting with students pursuing a Masters Degree in Innovation at the Malawi University of Science and Technology-MUST.

Mijiga said Information and Communication Technologies-ICTs have enormous potential to increase information flows and empower poor people in the country, thereby enhancing their performance in economic activities.

“There is now alignment of what the industry expects of graduating students and that students have seen for themselves first-hand the massive network architecture that is Airtel, what is involved to keep it up and running 24/7 . This means that courses will be designed with the employer in Mind.

“As Airtel we support education because we understand that intellectual capital is the very determinant of economic growth for any nation e.g. India invested heavily in education and we can see the results,” said Mijiga.

According to Mijiga, Airtel – Malawi leading mobile telecommunications operator – will be heavily investing in the internet in the next two years, and will also continue investing to innovate and offer value add solutions that both consumers and Corporate markets require.

“We will soon be talking of LTE Speeds (115MBps). We need as a country to start talking, E-Banking, e-commerce, E-Government leading to increased demand and supply of goods and services including export, stimulating greater financial development which is a backbone of economic development,” challenged Mijiga.

“Internet can get around inefficient delivery systems and other physical barriers such as geography and transportation problems in facilitating knowledge transfer and creation hence our strategic focus in the medium –to long term is internet,” added Mijiga.

One of the students, Roe Zenengeya was overwhelmed with innovations at the company like Airtel Money, admitting that MUST has shouldered a huge innovation task in the country.

“I know we have a challenge to innovate, but I promise you that we won’t just relax. We are the first cohort and everything has started. We have appreciated what Airtel is doing and we want to do more, innovate more,” challenged Zenengeya.

Among others, MUST students were oriented on the Airtel network, systems, Airtel Money and others.

Students from the University of Malawi – Chancellor College in Zomba and Malawi Institute of Tourism over the weekend took time out off their studies and partied throughout during a social weekend courtesy of telecommunication operator Airtel.

An aspiring Miss Chanco does her cat walk.

Nepman performs at Chanco.

Shake your bum-bum – Dancing Time at Chanco

BlackJack performing at MIT

MIT students before the real fun kicked off.

Mr and Miss Chanco 2015

They cheered, sang and shouted. It was all fun, as some got drunk such that they had to be assisted by their friends; some took time out to dress in funny attire with others in bathing towels.

Some male students decided to act like females putting on women attire like bras and wigs, dresses and some female students also did the same acting like men. Others had to put on uniforms which they used to wear in primary school.

Malawi’s leading mobile company Airtel Malawi also decided to be part of the event reaching out to the youths as they pumped over K2 million  towards the social weekend.

Whilst MIT was more of a get together, music and dance treat with performance by dancehall artist Blackjack, their counterparts at Chanco added spice on the menu by crowning Mr and Miss Chanco 2015.

Apart from Nepman’s live performance and other activities, Blackjack also featured. During both social weekends, students won numerous give aways from Airtel Malawi.

Airtel Malawi Zonal Business Manager Dan Kamanga, said they supported the function simply because Airtel is a youthful brand and aim at empowering the youth to unleash their full potential and realize their dreams.

“As you can see tonight, the students are having fun tweetig, posting and sharing pictures using our network and also paying entrance fee via Airtel Money and that’s part of fulfilment of their dreams.

“We were at MIT as well this very same weekend, now we are here and that tells you that we are serious as far as youth empowerment is concerned and there will be more similar support in the future,” said Kamanga.

Kamanga also said the company offered to support the two institutions because it is a youth centred brand.

“We aim at empowering the youth to unleash their full potential and realise their dreams. As you can see, apart from the fun with Airtel, students also use our network to access various social networks as well as academic resources,” he said.

During the social weekend whose climax was mid night several artists like Nepman and Black Jack performed.

The event at both venues several students received prizes in different categories among them ‘Best Drunkard.’

There were also performances on the night that entertained the audience and many could not resist the sound but rather storm the stage overpowering some of the security personnel.

Nepman moved the audience with his hit of the moment ‘Nalelo,’ while Black Jack also had everyone singing along and mobbing him with his famous .

Thato Mwendo, a first year Communications student and Joyce Chaula,who is a first year education student outclassed other six contestant to be crowned Mr and Miss Chanco respectively.