The catchphrase for the Mo626 College Basketball final games was ‘the madness continues’ and oh yes it did for invincible Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA)-Lilongwe Campus men’s side which retained the honours in spectacular fashion on Saturday.

New kids on the block Zomba Institute of Management and Accountancy (Zima) did it in ladies category during contests that charmed the turnout at Chancellor College’s Chirunga court in Zomba.

MCA Lilongwe Campus beat hosts Chanco Hawks 53-46 while Zima saw-off Malawi Assemblies of God University (Magu) 62-56. In third-place matches, Poly Wildcats edged Magu 61-60 in men’s section while Poly Ladies beat Bunda 46-42.

The scenes after the final whistle of the men’s final were a wonder to behold as MCA turned the arena into a theatre of celebrations as the hosts trooped off in disappointment.

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc on Wednesday donated a K13 million surgical theatre to Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe to help the facility improve health services delivery.

The donation comprised an adjustable theatre bed, a theatre lamp, anesthetic machine, theatre monitoring machines and refurbishment of the theatre room to make it suit the modern equipment.

The bank’s chief executive officer McFussy Kawawa said the donation is a result of the bank’s consultation with the hospital to support critical area of need.

He said: “As National Bank, we were looking at the kind of support that would benefit to make a difference to patients and service providers at the facility. We are happy to be able to provide this kind of help.”

Physical conditions for classrooms and the general environmental of schools are key in providing a conducive learning environment for both pupils and teachers. One of the factors that affect the efficiency of learning is how well students and teachers sit in classrooms. Lack of desks and chairs to schools is one of the challenges that pupils face and is a cause of girl child drop out. A Well designed classroom has the ability to encourage creativity and promote collaboration amongst the students.

To the teachers too, it is difficult to do a good job of teaching in a poor type of building and without adequate equipment and furniture. A school building or a classroom has no merit when built without due regard to its educational objectives and functions.

National Bank of Malawi plc (NBM) has injected K1.5million into the Malawi ladies open stroke play championship set for Lilongwe Golf Club (LCG) between April 11 and April 4.

During a cheque presentation to Ladies Golf Union of Malawi (LGUoM) in Blantyre. NBM Financial controller Arnold Makanda said the assistance is part of Banks corporate responsibility.

“The Bank sponsors a number of sporting events in the country, including golf and basketball as part of corporate social responsibility. We hope the forthcoming international event will attract and promote tourism and enhance teamwork. Best wishes to Team Malawi, have fun and make new friends.’’ He said.

National Bank of Malawi plc would like to advise that following the change in the determination of commercial banks’ base lending rates to align them to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Lombard Rate, there will be adjustment in the method of referencing the lending rates to customers.

Further, in response to the downward revision of the Policy Rate and Liquidity Reserve Ratios, we are pleased to inform our borrowing customers that NBM plc has reduced its lending rates. The effective rates will now range from 14.9%, the current RBM Lombard rate, (previously NBM plc base rate was 23%) to a maximum of 25.9% (formerly a maximum of 33%).

The specifc application of the downward interest rate adjustment will depend on each customers’ risk profle and the type of the lending product. The Bank will endeavor to engage all its borrowing clients on how the reduction in the rates will be effected in their specifc case.

The new rates will become effective from Monday, 11th February 2019.

National Bank of Malawi plc and Malawi Defense force planted 9000 trees at Changalume barracks in Zomba

NBM chief executive officer Macfuss Kawawa said tree planting and nurturing of forests must be embraced by all Malawians.

“it is the duty of all of us in leadership at all levels to lead by an example and encourage tree planting, nurturing and caring of trees and the protection of the environment as a must for all the people we lead.” He said