Malawi

Without a doubt I vote HE Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, one of the best performing African Presidents. The reason for this is simple: in 2004 when he came into power he made a pledge - “I will not be a president who goes around begging for food”. Unlike other rhetorical commitments we have often been treated to, he has put his words into action.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) highlight poverty as one of the key challenges facing the global community. In the Southern African region, an increasing number of people are living in adverse poverty. While this situation is not unique to Southern Africa, a number of factors play a significant role in this regard, including alarming HIV/AIDS infection rates and high unemployment.

In March 2003, the Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) introduced Thetha: The SANGONeT ICT Discussion Forum to assist South African civil society organisations (CSOs) in responding to various challenges and opportunities presented in their day-to-day work by information communication technologies (ICTs).

Thetha is a Nguni verb meaning talk, discuss, debate and share opinions/ideas.

A leading human rights group in Malawi has welcomed a court decision to turn down an application by US pop star Madonna to adopt a second child from the southern African country.

Malawi's Human Rights Consultative Committee chairperson, Undule Mwaksungula, said, "We are very happy. I think it's the right decision, the right ruling...I don't think the welfare of Malawian children can be solved by inter-country adoptions."