MCP bringing back ‘Press Trust’ through newly registered Kokoliko Holdings

1. Kokoliko v. Press Trust: it is good to put the two in competition to see which will bring more value to Malawi. Unless Press Trust upgrades itself and push PCL to shape up, I’ll put my tambala on Kokoliko. PT has been too sleeping, too bureaucratic, too norrow-minded, too comfy. It is time to put some fire under their behind

2. What does our laws say about an owner like PCL owning more than one Telecommucations companies and competing for the same customers? I feel this is very unethical and that’s why PCL guys were infuencing their interests on TNM and MTL, when a bank buys another bank, they simply merge and not operate as separate entities, how is this not possible in Telecommunications sector? MACRA, Completions and Fair commission needs to advise us on this, something is not adding up honestly in the way we interpret our laws

   1. This well said. CFTC needs to speak up about this especially considering that PCL is using its ownership of 2 telecoms to prevent, restrict and distort competition and fairness to an appreciable extend in Malawi. Over the year, PCL has left a dozens of trails to prove this point. They must not let to continue hence the importance of organizing challenges at institutional levels as well as at regulatory ones. There are plenty of anti-competitive cases at CFTC to guide the commission to go after PCL and its “very competent” management. It beats me that management has not foreseen this risk factor and did not anticipate that they must rationalize their assets and dispose of MTL before they are pushed to do so. Now they stand to pay hefty penalties. No wonder PCL experienced a major fiasco on LSE and had to shamelessly de-list. Oh boy!

      1. So how do we engage competitions and fair commission on this? What are the steps? On MACRA?

      2. How do we go about this so that we kick start this issue at corporate level and regulatory level MACRA and CFTC? Please guide us through

      3. Very correct boss, iam very much amazed that such trend has been happening the last 10 yrs without even no one to hit them back, PCL has abused its role on this putting MTL ona very diffult situation at the expesne of TNM, yet TNM was created by MTL, i wonder what role MACRA plays as a regulator, its disgusting, someone needs to take up this and report to them and get fixed, the data must fall movemnet in social media wouldnt have been there if MTL was allowed to operate freely, PCL has tied MTL to its garage, while allowing TNM to operate freely, this is unfair trading honestly

   2. James Khaphale, Rex Nyohonda and Lewis Kulisewa must take on this matter of unfair investment practice and apply substantial penalties that will come in handy to CFTC’s coffers

      1. It is clear that PCL has not lived up to the competitive advantages that the country has granted it at huge cost to the population. As the owner of TNM and MTL and Malawi and the late Malawi one, PCL bears the responsibility of Malawi’s poor teledensity (both for mobile and for data). This is not surprising as PCL has become a master of quick fixes to the detriment of MTL, Malawian consumers and the tax payers. Now comes CFTC. Lets see how things go

         1. Very true, a very terrible company which has failed to live up to it’s billing, PCL is a big shame

   3. I would that this Kokoliko Holdings belongs to a certain Political Party. Let us wait and see. As a country we should remind one another how Press was established during the time of Kamuzu

3. Press Trust is now under major threats. The trustees must take matters in their hands before this Kokoliko thing grow to challenge. You know that government support can mean a lot. So the trustees must focus in bringing shareholder’s value to PCL. Look into the Management and juice it up. Currently the PCL management is too weak, too shallow, too slow, too short-termist, too egocentric and loyal to their own pockets, too aloof, too insensitive towards problem companies such as PTC and MTL, too risk adverse and too dependent on incompetent advisers such as Shiraz Yusuf. The trustees are just watching the show, like bystanders. Now comes Kokoliko

   1. This financial adviser hit all key notes of what is going on with PCL. PT has just appointed 3 new board members plus its executive secretary on the board of directors of PCL. PT controls PCL’s board. Old Mutual’s rep has no voice. It is up to PT to make things happen now that PT has a new competitor who will have the favors of the government. I agree that PCL cannot get things right without drastic changes. Its management is weak and its decision making process is slow and unreliable. Its dependency on fake adviser such as Shiraz Yusuf makes matters worse. This incompetent adviser is the go to consultant for PCL’s CFO, which in itself is weird. All auditors in town are wondering what is going on for Shiraz Yusuf to be in such a pole position at PCL and PT despite his huge deficiency. This said, we all wish PCL and PT the best even thought the de-listing of PCL on LSE will remain a major blow to Malawi.

      1. Lets hope that PT and the new directors will ask rigorous questions to PCL management. No more joking around and no more dining or wining board meetings

   2. Press Trust needs to deliver better result. Its return on asset (ROA) is far too minimal to give them a passing grade. PT is an asset manager and as such it depends on to performance of its companies. Sadly PCL is disappointing, to say the least.

4. Kokoliko Holding is biting more than it can chew. Careful for indigestion my friends. Careful okay? Things were hard before covid 19 and they will be a lot harder after covid 20. Take it easy, you big bosses full of money

5. Press Corporation has failed to served the Malawian people. It is time fixing time. They now have 3 new directors representing Press Trust. These new directors must have opened eyes and really look after the house. The laissez-faire of the past must stop. Management needs to be accountable to the situation of each and every asset, no matter how small it may be. Game changing time has come and lets enjoy the show

6. UTM must veto this Kokoliko initiative and focus on restructuring the old fashion way: bring good management, partner with good partners, increase productivity and competitiveness, set performance targets at all levels along with sanctions and bonus system, reduce constraints to private sector growth, and more. This is what transformation is all about. I expect the Veep and the State President to have a serious talk. Socialism is death as it is tantamount to poverty to all

7. Maybe it me who is naive. But I doubt if what I am reading here is true. I know that MCP has a youth with called Kokoliko. If what is said in this article had come from a senior party member I could have believed. I believe the writer has his own agenda and it seems he has achieved it.

   1. And you don’t see that Daudi Suleman is being quoted in that article, what else do you need as evidence? If it’s a lie by now they could have refuted these allegations, they want to defraud us these these party establishments, I would have been happy if they came as govt projects and not some stupid kokoliko shenanigan agendas

8. It has began and Malawians are once again clapping hands. For starters, who is financing this project? Why the name Kokoliliko which has clear party overtones when it is meant to benefit Malawians. Truly, this is not the kind of Malawi that we need.

   1. Nobody is stopping you from starting your own initiative , there is so much that can be done to move our country forward, don’t waste your time with negativity be creative

      1. as part of the ruling party MCP should not be opening businesses now. Why did they not do it in the past?. it obviously is suspicious. If UTM had decided to come up with this company and mention these projects it would not sit well with the president because it would obviously be viewed as suspicious.

9. I would rather have this than Cadets who painted themselves blue and wasted so much time being unproductive members of society, I will take this anytime over Cadets who were being used by DPP pano they have nothing to do,

   1. what the DPP did was evil but this is also wrong. it’s not about undervaluing Malawians to accept another evil but to just say no to what is wrong. This is wrong

10. Great initiative!!! lets bring Malawi its lost glory, watsala-watsala, leave negativity behind amane sakufuna asiyeni, leave the nay sayers behind, dont you worry about them

11. Press Trust is still there and so is Press Corporation. Will this be Press Trust 2?

    1. Yes Press Corporation is still here. But Press Corporation has not been doing well. They have been chased out of the London stock exchange for non compliance. Many of their companies are about to go burst. They are fully dependent of TNM and National Bank, both companies can do much better. Some of these companies are legacies that was passed on by the fathers of independence like MTL and PTC. Maybe setting up a Press Trust 2 can counter the lackluster performance of Press Trust 1 and Press Corporation. Can Kokoliko Holding deliver? I personally doubt it very much.

    2. Press Trust has done a very bad job managing Press Corporation. The trustees must be accountable to the people of Malawi. They must talk about the performance of their companies. To let management mess up at Press Corp the way it has done and not say anything is really bad. We hope that the new trustees will know that Malawi has changed. Malawi must be governed in a transparent manner. They can no longer just talk in board rooms and let bad management practices and decisions be made. This is the new Malawi and maybe KH will do better. Why not?

       1. John Biziwick should return to PCL as CEO. He knows the operations of PCL and is committed to success

          1. I worked with John at MRA (first term) and I fully agree that he should return to PCL as the CEO. He will do a good job there

          2. John Biziwick now heads MRA which is a very very powerful job in Malawi. This is his second time at MRA. I am sure that if he were to be offered the job as the CEO of PCL, he will take it. The perks are gigantic and the salary is similar to those paid in the UK. Who will refuse that? I agree that he would be a good CEO of PCL

          3. I motion this!

          4. John Biziwich will bring more to the nation as the CEO of PCL that as commissioner of MRA. But wait, why are we talking about this? Is the CEOship of PCL vacant? I would love to throw in my hat too. This is one of the best paid job in the country

             1. We talking about this because George Patridge has proved thst he is just a stupid copycat of one Mathews chikaonda who messed up PCL,patridge has been a big disappointment honestly, very insensitive leadership at all levels,with the coming of kokoliko, PCL will die a neutral death,

             2. Partridge lacks leadership. Such a major disappointment! He is a nice chap but he has no charisma whatsoever. Some of the comments are amazingly sad because Partridge comes across as a coward, unable to guide a stupid consultant who is destroying one of his company. With Kokoliko, Partridge must make a drastic management change if he wants to be around until the end of his contract in 2 years. Well he and his CFO and Legal Officer may not have a place in that company if PT wants to survive Kokoliko’s challenge

             3. Please lets give George Partridge a chance to fix his mistakes before we throw him under the bus. Now if he is give this chance, he must really take it at heart and make all necessary corrections that have been discussed in these comments. Obviously he has a lot of limitations. The part that shocked me most is his relationship with Shiraz Yusuf (the most hated man in Malawi) and the absolute trust he has given to this man, to the point of exposing himself so badly. Lets give him a chance before we invited John Bisiwick to come in as a white knight. John is good and he has been in charge of operations at PCL so he knows the company well

    3. Yes, PT is still there and so is Press Corporation. Under the right leadership, these 2 institutions will grow multiple times in 10 years. They have what it takes to do so. They are “too big to fail”. However, there is a big BUT. The but is the leadership or better its absence therefrom. I don’t believe that my friend Dr. George Partridge is the right man to lead Press Corporation to an ambitious future. George is a gentleman who is settled financially and who should actually retire. He lacks the charisma and the vision and the energy and the passion and the determination and the wisdom and the entrepreneurship spirit, all of which are necessary to make Press Corporation a real shining star in Sadc and beyond. I attended a conference with him a few years ago and was shocked that while he was representing Malawi, he uttered not a single world to talk about our country while other big African CEOs could not stop showtelling about their countries. De-listing PCL from the LSE was also another major evidence of these combined weaknesses, as the company’s failure to comply to regulations have been known for years and years. Yet, since the man took over the helm of the company, he has acted as if there was no sense of urgency to cure the compliance issues. When push came to shove, PT and PCL presented the delisted as a punishment by LSE authorities, these white people who are banning a African great company, one of few that are listed outside of Africa. Noooh, delisting was a failure of major proportion by PCL and someone must own it. Who owns it other that George Partridge, Ph.D. honorate? (Forget about brother Matthews who is resting in eternal peace even though clearly he was also one of the culprits). Who owns it other than the Press trustees who have closed their eyes on how PCL management have been fairing for the past 10 years plus and have not dare challenging the management of its failures, even in situations such as the MTL deal which was a real no-brainer. This is unfortunate and as sad as it is, one is really tempted to support Kokoliko Holding, despite its obvious unacceptable flows.

12. Kokoliko Holding! Just by the sound of this name, one can foresee full disaster for Malawi. Socialist is something of the past. It is not because Dr. Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda did something 50 years ago that one must do the same. In 50 years, the management systems have changed and the private sector has grown tremendously even though most of it is in the hands on Indi-pakistani robbers. Mcp must take it easy. Easy does it! We will be watching this and as long as we can post comments, we will do so. I’ll investigate this matter. UTM must be ashamed of being part of this plan. We did not voted for this

    1. I cannot believe that UTM will go for this poor idea. Lets wait and see what will be announced. Kokoliko is such a bad idea that even donors will oppose it, not to mention the voters. The World Bank and the IMF cannot accept that such a backward idea be implemented.

13. MCP must be a little wiser. A socialist economy has never done well.This may be the beginning of the end of the implementation of their ambitious manifesto. Has the creation of a PT-like holding been approved by Tonse and by UTM? This plan CANNOT and will not lead to the transformation of Malawi. A managed economy only creates unfairness, bullying by bureaucrats and party activists, corruption of the worst shape than seen under DeePeePee, wastage, and in fine, poverty of the same people that Tonse has promised to help. This said, and understandably, PCL has not delivered the type of performance that was expected from such a big company. It has been managed by people who lack vision, creativity and leadership. PCL management seems afraid of its own shadow. The de-listing of PCL on LSE is a big blow to Malawi. PT and PCL have been unable to bring in partners in some of their non-performing companies such as MTL and PTC. And when they have found credible partners, PCL has been unable to close deals and have been afraid to decide. Most recently they hired Shiraz Yusuf to close a deal and the “bastard” (pardon my language) managed to destroy the transaction, probably on purpose in order to redirect assets to himself and his friends in the Asian community. I have nothing against good Asians people but the Shiraz Yusuf types are spoilers and are not welcome in our country. I know the man well and can assure you that he is the sneaker of the worst shape that a human being can be. My take is that the Tonse folks should revise their plan and focus on what works universally. PT must absolutely wear the hat of an asset manager and not that of a by-stander. As such, PT must put increased pressure of PCL to deliver top performance. It is time to force PCL to finalize all the partnerships it has been sitting on in order to safe some of its companies from liquidation. PT must also lead the way to reshape own management of PCL and that of its subsidiaries and bring on board stronger and savvier managers who have leadership and operational experience to bring about success to their companies. There is just a lot to say about this. May God lead us all.

    1. Wise man is always wise. Your point is great. I agree with you that if PCL has done well over the years this Kokoliko Holding will not be in the map. Lately PCL has been a disaster. Management is super weak. Your point on its de-listing is a perfect illustration of the ridiculous it is. I too know them well, from the CEO down. I had my way, the whole lot will be fired, including the CEO, the CFO who has zero brain, the general counsel and the advisors. Bring in the new folks with restructuring expertise. Kokoliko Holding will be a start up with all the risks associated with such a status. MCP is not well advised to think that this start-up will do all the things they are saying they will do. That is not wise. Putting PCL and PT to task is the way to go. Getting PT to become a true asset manager will go a long way to bring about jobs. Kokoliko Holding will not be able to deliver this. My poor Malawi.

       1. My uncle works for Press and he has talk about this. According to him, the management team (especially the old timers) is no good. The CFO, the CEO and the lawyer are often the targets of his complaints. Ok, viva Kokoliko

          1. Never mind the CFO. She is mean and manipulative

    2. I totally agree with u on this, PCL has failed companies, just this yr MTL had found a USA investor who wanted to completely buy the company and detach from PCL, but PCL management refused to approve this, their main interest is TNM and MTL, yet TNM was created by MTL, when PCL bought MTL theirsin interest was to snatch TNM from MTL, since then they have always promoted TNM at the expense of MTL, coz they know that if MTL is favored TNM can die a natural death, but what’s disheartening is the fact that PCL doesn’t support MTL financially, now when a USA investor came to completely buy MTL @ the tune of 50 million USD and deploy new technologies such as LTE, it’s the press management that was the first to block this deal, honestly they are not there to help this country but only to steal and weaken vibrant companies,PCL must fall honestly they are the reason why MTL is not ticking, why cling to a company you don’t want in the first place? This confirms that George Patridge is another stooge who is just a copycat of one stupid Mathews Chikaonda, the thug that messed up PCL

       1. My friend George Patridge should not be in his job. He is too aloof to get PCL in a dynamic position. He is too afraid to make any decision. The MTL deal you are describing is a case in point. It would be great if Press Trust or government or minority shareholders can ask him to explain what happened. He claimed to me that the negotiations felt through but in reality he hired Shiraz Yusuf to spoil the deal. Folks at MTL are bitter about him (my niece works there and she is just disgusted by how PCL management has acted). Shiraz and the entire management team know each other very well and lots of things happen between them. The CFO is the conduit to their partnership yet she is absolutely incompetent. The trustees and government must ask my friend George to provide detailed explanation as well as an action plan of what to do next. MTL can’t close down but chances are that it will close down. That company has sold off all its prime assets and now it is empty. Sadly the ignorant Shraz did not help and may not have understood how much in bad shape the company was. He has been greedily eyeing MTL remaining assets that he would like to sell to his asian compatriots and to the cronies of the management. MTL employees will be left with tears. Government must step in and perhaps see how to bring back the investor (if there are still interested). My friend George is really a big disappointment

          1. You must advise your friend George Partridge to make a big u-turn by 1) canceling Shiraz Yusuf’s contracts (in plural), 2) taking matters in his own hands and getting all pending deals closed, 3) setting plans of action toward increase shareholder value for PCL and its companies, 4) strengthening his management team by bringing in younger and competent players and getting rid of dead woods (particularly in finance). His executive team should have at least 6 or more players, not 3 and 1/2. If he can do this, your friend George Partridge will buy himself some time and he may even be able to secure an extension of his contract. Your friend George Partridge does not have much time to fix this mess. Get to work George! Get!

             1. Imagine PCL management blocking MTL deal from US investor simply because he wanted to buy 100% ownership from PCL, PCL sensing danger blocked this because TNM network depends on MTL connectivity, and this would create downfall of TNM where they get their dividends, I find it very unethical for PCL to have two Telecommucations companies competing for the Same customers, MACRA must come in to kick PCL out at least to leave one of the companies, obviously MTL since they don’t want it already but just clinging to it to safeguard their interests

             2. Master, you are absolutely right. PCL must be pushed to divest from MTL. They don’t care about MTL. They have milked MTL and are only interested in selling the bones. It will take hard work to bring MTL back but it is worth a trial. The US investor must be given a chance to restructure MTL. This is a better outcome than closing the company down. Same goes for PTC

             3. I was part of the deal in some capacity. It broke my heart that PCL was so short-term oriented and that its financial adviser was so stupid. I attended meetings in month 4 of the financial adviser’s mandate and the man had still not read the documents. No wonder whenever someone mentions Shiraz Yusuf’s name, all Malawians just gets mad. This man is totally un-competent and his reports are not worth the piece of paper it is written on. Yet he got paid even before the reports were produced. Amazing stuff

             4. Very terrible leadership at PCL, how can they scheme to kill a big deal like this one which would boost job creation, ICT growth really?

             5. Sad!

             6. You are making an excellent point. Frankly after the OCL deal when all MTL’s infrastructure (fiber) was transferred out (and before that many other MTL’s good assets were siphoned out), MTL became a shell full of debt and liabilities. The company certainly has a negative net worth. With the infrastructure gone, MTL is a carcass. It appears that PCL considers that this carcass has more value than the infrastructure that was transferred to OCL. They are totally wrong to think so. It does not make sense to think that MTL has residual value that can commend value that is big enough to justify substantial ownership percentage to PCL while the new investor will invest the type big money to rejuvenate the company. If this investor gives PCL 10%, I would said that they should take it and perhaps have a put-call option to be use in, say 5-10 years after the restructuring and the rejuvenation of MTL is complete or during IPO. It is too sad that PCL had an incompetent financial adviser who did not quite understand how to put deals together.

             7. I don’t understand. It is PCL that should pay the investor and not the other way around. MTL is full of liabilities and most of its prime assets had been pumped out and what remain are junks. Therefore PCL must pay the investor to get rid of the junks and we, the Malawian people hope, to make revive MTL and bring the company back from the death. If this process is delay too long, the resuscitation will become an impossible task

             8. PCL refused this deal, all they care is that if MTL is rejuvenated under the new owner, it will spike growth and challenge TNM, take not that the OCL fiber which was transferred from MTL is still managed by MTL across the country in their MTL exchanges, OCL which was formed out of MTL depends on MTL network for their survival, if MTL Chase’s OCL from their infrastructure, it will instantly die, as for TNM it has been protected by PCL through squeezing MTL not to invest in GSM network, this is the bone of contention for PCL, as this would make RNM lose revenue which is the basis of dividends PCL gets from TNM, in summary TNM and OCL highly depends on MTL to operate, that’s why PCL felt completely detaching itself from MTL through sale of MTL to an investor, would backfire

       2. Now I understand what happened. I’ve been wondering what went on after the investor came in. We had a great rapport with him. Then silence. Now I understand. We the employees of MTL will not go down without fighting. We shall fight hard to safeguard out company whether Dr. Partridge wants it or not. Some key employees are watching to see where things go but one thing is clear. We will make a lot of noise and bring the noise all the way to PCL building and even to Dr. Partridge himself. It is now clear that these big bosses blew it big time. It is unfortunate and very sad. Very very sad . We are not amused by these cold-heart people

          1. MTL employees have been far to mistreated by PT and PCL. They siphoned out all the juicy assets (GSM license, OCL infrastructure, etc) and the company is left with empty shell with huge accumulated liabilities. A courageous investor comes and they too seems to have been seriously and shamefully mistreated. What do these big bosses want? If they have coffins to put us in then they must kill us first. This is so frustrating that all the employees can die of heart attach even before the company is close down. We are trying very hard with our hands tied behind our back. This is a shame

       3. PCL does not need MTL at all. Its focus is on TNM which gives them significant dividends. Macra must oblige PCL to divest from MTL as they have a conflict of interest. In the case you are describing, they kill a deal that would have been good for MTL. At this point and considering MTL’s worth, PCL must give it away to this US investor. That will be good for Malawi. Malawi needs American investment. Please PCL do not prevent this by as you only try to protect your own personal interest. Investment means jobs. Lots of jobs to Tonse alliance who will be judged by the number of jobs it will create

          1. Very true, PCL has been a very big disappointing, clinging to a company they don’t want, I totally agree with u, MACRA can’t mustn’t allow one owner to own 2 Telecommucations companies under their watch, it creates conflict of interest, it is MTL that created TNM, when PCL bought MTL, they simply wanted TNM from the word go, TNM has gain ufair treatment by PCL at the expense of MTL, why block a US investor simply because u feel if MTL has that muscle it will push TNM on the sidelines, it’s disheartening to see MTL struggle yet such is endorsed by PCL the parent company, it doesn’t work that way, why cling to wife u don’t love?Kaxakp and team must go to the bottom of this issue if they are very serious about private sector growth

             1. MTL has been screwed up by PCL and by PT on many occasions. PCL purposely dried up MTL over the years in order to push the company to sell its assets. On one the prime assets was majority shares in TNM which were sold to PCL at a bargain price. Just a few years ago, they repeat the same type of transaction with Open Connect and sold off MTL remaining infrastructure to Harrith. Now MTL is totally naked and PCL is still looking to sell its bones even as there is no more meat. I fully agree that the new directors must press this and avoid a closure of MTL at all cost

       4. Does anyone knows where Dr. George Partridge got his Ph.D.? I am just curious because there are so many fake or honorary Ph.D. holders out there these days. In Malawi here, you never know. After the Ph.D. saga of Dr. Colin Magalasi, Dr. Francis Chinjaka Gondwe, Dr. George Kanja, Dr. Ben Phiri and others, I am careful and would love to know.

          1. This is a very interesting question. Does Dr. Partridge has a real Ph.D.? Or is he a holder of a “doctor honoris causa” which one can get with money but no sweat nor burn of midnight oil. In Malawi here, we abuse titles. Dr must be used by physician or academicians. The ethiquete frown at those who use the the title of Dr. when they have received a honor doctorate. The question is does Dr. Partridge, our good big boss has a real Ph.D. or does he has one of those fake or honor thing that many Malawians are buying these days?

          2. We Malawians, we love titles! Honorable this, professor that, doctor this and more. I did not realize that George had a Ph.D. Now you got me to become curious about it.

             1. Ph.D.? Maso anga!

          3. Anthu amatha kugulitsa amayi awo kuti awalembere m’Malawi

       5. Press Trust has appointed 3 new directors to Press Corporation. PT controls PCL’s board and they can actually dictate what they want. Sadly the former directors have not been savvy enough or forceful enough to derail the management’s short term vision.The new directors must act fact and request detailed reports from the management. PCL can’t go on like it is now with zero lack of vision, zero performance beyond the automatic legacy profit it gets from TNM and NBM, zero leadership, zero growth prospects, zero job creation, zero capital gain beyond the legacy, and more. The new directors have a lot of work to do. The country is watching

          1. Let those new director start working to prove to the country that they share Tonse Agenda, imagine blocking US investor simply because he wanted to buy 100% ownership from PCL, and PCL sensing danger felt that this deal would kill TNM where they get their dividends, since TNM has been supported by MTL network across the country for them to operate,they are killing growths for MTL, new jobs, ICT sector growths, they must resign these guys they can’t holding the country at random simply just because they want to satisfy their ego!!!! Please advise them if you know them those new directors to intervene on this, secondary advise them to meet MACRA to enact law blocking one owner to owning more than one Telecommucations company, that way their will be growth since such owner favour whom they want when they have more than one!!!!!

             1. This is sad because MTL will never be able to match TNM. Doing so would require huge investment that no bank will be able fund. MTL under a new owner and TNM can work together to improve ICT in Malawi. From what I see, PCL managment must have been poorly advised and they did not have confidence in themselves to question their adviser’s assumptions and understanding of the industry. Currently MTL is a shell and PCL’s stock value get very penalized by this. Their adviser could have helped them understand how to structure a deal in such a way that PCL could later buy back more shares after the clean up. Sadly they select a lazy man to be their transaction adviser. They are now realizing that Shiraz fool them. Hopefully the new directors who have been appointed by Press Trust will reopen this matter and instruct the management to move forward and close this deal, if this is still possible. Your point about MACRA is correct. Thank you

       6. It seems to me that PCL must renew contact with the US investor and cut a deal or just accept the deal in order to save MTL, it that is still possible. PCL must not let the best be the enemy of the good

          1. It is possible that the investor is long gone. In the US people value their time. Not like in Malawi where we take our time to do anything. If PCL wants to renew contact with the investor, they must first change the messenger and bring in someone with more credibility than Shiraz Yusuf, Mister hotelier, banker, auditor, accountant, trader and God know what else this man does, no matter how conflicting they may be with the activities of his clients

    3. Shiraz Yusuf, kkkk. This man has the worse brand in Malawi. I know no one who has anything nice to say about him. Even his friends in government are very lukewarm behind his back. Money is not all. Adam you said it right: Shiraz Yusuf is a true bastard. He is bad to us Malawians and he is even worse to his pakistani people because he makes them look really bad. From what I read and hear, it seem that Shiraz Yusuf has screwed Press Corporation properly.

       1. i hope that Government and Press Trust will never again work with Shiraz Yusuf. Ersnt Young must fire him. He is too mus of a liability at this point. Absolutely no one likes him in Malawi here. No one

       2. Shiraz Yusuf si wabwino. Lye ndi mwana wa mdierekezi. But he is very well connected with MCP, UTM, DPP. He can buy anyone in this country including prez Laz himself (so he says). Ndi munthu woipa

          1. Shiraz Yusuf has friends in quarters of the Malawian society. He has befriended all the ministers of this government and those of the previous governments. Nothing can happen to him in this country. He wines and dines them all. That is how he has a license to cheat and that is how he could easily fool Press Corporation. There is no consequences to him. He is the master of Malawi universe

       3. Why is Shiraz Yusuf so troublesome? Whenever his name is mentioned anywhere, passion takes over. Nobody seems to like the man, particularly his employees. The lady who use to be his partner could not stand him. She is now back to England

          1. Tonse Alliance and all state corporations must no longer work with Shiraz Yusuf and his Ernst Young. There are enough good Malawian accounts out there who are diligent and who harbor no conflict of interests. Deloitte, PWC, KPMG, Grant Thorton are all run by proper Malawians and they must all be given a chance. Press Trust and PCL must also stop relying too much on Ernst Young. Shiraz owns interests in hotels, banks, trade, mining, and more. He basically competes against PT and PCL. How in the hell will these people hire him? The story behind the MTL saga should open our eyes. Shiraz is a dangerous man. A snake of worse shape than Adam and Eve encountered in their days. Sad

             1. All audit firms in this country know Shiraz Yusuf well. He secures mandates even when he is the most expensive and is often very very late in submitting reports. Understandably he owns the market of asian firms because he knows how to help them deal with MRA and lower their taxes. Expertise in books cooking, yes. He also owns a substantial part of the audit of government entities and major firms. He has a lot of friends in government and knows his way around. It is clear that he is not even afraid of state presidents. The rest of audit firms get the rest after Shiraz is served

          2. Yes, Vikki.
             She left EY in disgust

          3. All his high power friends in government (Tonse or DPP or PP) or in corporates (such as Dr. Partridge, Dr Mpingajira, Kumwenda, etc.) will drop him like a hot potato if Shiraz Yusuf’s distrust were to be fully exposed, So never mind his so-called fake power. He is nothing but a white-collar criminal and one day, the time of reckoning will certainly come

       4. Osazitengera. Shiraz Yusuf ndi wamatsenga nthawi yayikulu. Musange mulibe chifanizo kwa iye. People who deal with him fall asleep (if you know what I mean). He is satanic no doubt

          1. I worked with this man a few years ago at Ernst Young. Black magic is in his blood

             1. Scary stuff. I wouldn’t come close Shiraz Yusuf even if my life depends on it. Oh no, oh no, no and no

          2. Scary stuff! I wouldn’t want to deal with this man ever. I feel sorry for those who do and are taken over by his spell

14. Musatisokoneze ndi bodza pilizi

15. Expect to fraud our country,
    One way of paying suleman Daudi
    More to come please citizens watch out.

16. Palibepo nkhani yapa, tingopitani ku dimba muzikalima kachewele. Osafuna akhale.

17. I have mixed feelings because the name makes it sound like something for MCP supporters. That is the exclusivity that we dont want for the Tonse alliance.

    For instance will a well meaning young man who is loyal to DPP feel welcome or be allowed to partake in this enterprise. Will others need to create their own? Will they be allowed to create their own that competes with this one?

    Whats the difference with Mulakho and their exclusive millionaire clubs?

    Malawi wokomela Tonse, osati ife, that’s what i want.

    1. I think you are lost and don’t understand this whole ideology. Unfortunately it’s not a Tonse Alliance concept. This is purely an MCP concept for all Malawians of good will. This is a party concept and not government concept. Yes it’s Kokoliko, another synonym of Kwacha or The Black Cock and these names are associated with Malawi Congress Party! So stop bringing in the element of Tonse Alliance.

       1. An MCP concept for all Malawians! What a silly statement.

       2. Mbuzi

18. If this is the kind of thinking and the way to run government, then I am afraid. MCP is taking us to destruction. DPP was smarter than this.

    1. Uchira, take aspirin. This is a party ideology and not government ideology!

    2. ZA ZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

19. Panopa zinthu musangopanga panokha, kodi munapanga advertise kuti anthu agule nawo ma share. Chifukwa ifenso anthu tikufuna kukhala nao ma share holder ku Kokoliko ko. Mwayambapo kuchita zinthu zozikundikira osaganizira anthu. Anthu munawaphunzitsa nokha mwano azakuonongerani zimenezotu ngati simudziwapanga involve.

    1. Inu anena kuti Kokoliko holdimgs ndi ya anthu. Inu ngati mukufuna mudzakhala part ya company imeneyi. Phuma bwanji??????

20. My message is to Chilima he claims to be mfana oganiza booh …is he able to see these nosence that Mcp is bringing .We dont want kuti Mawa muzawoneke ngati saints apa …You should no that this nonsense that Mcp is bringing Malawians are able see .So my brother tread carefully .To Sulemen it seems you are easily carried by Mcp …but remember you are young .if you take things as if you are the son of Tembo ,you will rot in jail one day .This kokoliliko trust is just a one way of looting government taxes .where Malawians will not allow this .Ndakuwuzani muwona kuti mutani

    1. Palibe zakue zakuba ndalama zaboma apa. Ngati angabe aMalawi adzawadziwa.

    2. U r a big nosence urslf

21. The same old mistake today it won’t work. Implementation of government projectd and divating them to party project’s for financial gain. It will not work . We are in Democratic Republic.

22. In my opinion, it was good to revamp Press Corporation and restore all its activities than coming up with this new KH. You could have used the already exisiting structures and reduce the costs and time for your operations.

    Secondly the project seems to be too ambitious, you dont start a company and do many things at once. This is suspicious where are you getting the rosources to do all what you have said there?

    The name that you have selected is very political and it will mean MCP members will be a priority in your recruitment process (Like Cadets) hence not benefiting all ordinaly Malawians.

23. SKC its time you showed some strength. How can you allow Chakwera to take our hard won democracy backwards to Kamuzu era. Do not forget that there is such a thing as guilt by association. If you keep quite now then do not come out like you did against APM one year from the next election and attack Chakwera and MCP, do so now. Speak out against the blatant tribalism. Nepotism etc or have you made some sort of a deal with Chawera whereby you have craved out areas in which each of you is allowed a free hand to be bribed and to loot. Enough is enough! Speak out and speak out now please SKC whilst we your supporters are still with you. The by elections will be your last chance. We will ensure you win big but Bwana SKC time is running out. We are now living bordering on fear. This man Chakwera is as dangerous as Kamuzu was prior to the cabinet crisis in 1994. He talks sweet but his action are geared to building a personality cult of hero worship for himself.

    1. Phuma

       1. No no no not hot air by Don Mtonga – it’s the hard true facts. We shall await for SKC to be President

          1. SKC is fully aware of Kokoliko Holding. He is watching and must not overlook such a dangerous initiative. SKC is in charge of transformation and he cannot allow PT and PCL to be dumped and swallowed by hidden interests. SKC for president NOW

             1. UTM Cadet, you are dreaming. Right now, the president is Laz for 10 years. Full stop. Kokoliko Holding will restore our independence. Press Trust is ok but they have a lot of work to do. KH will have government support to establish strong companies, mightier than PCL. SKC cannot stop this

24. We voted MCP just because of Chilima. This dragon MCP will remain a serpent.

    1. Amwene, pena zikundiwawa bwanji ndikamava MCP this, MCP that!!!! eeesshhhh. A chilima anatilowetsa koyipa bwanji?

25. They want to use this KH to loot, dominate all govt business, koma sizitheka. Demo tipanga. Greedy idiots.

    Mcp is a mistake. UTM n Chilima were supposed to be the govt.

    Awa ah sono, tele, satithandiza. 60 days only change is negative, cement now k9500 from K4500, and akusowanso. RTD still the same, police trafic mbwe kumangopempha munseu, vendors alephera kuwachotsa, Forex olo kupezeka, rate k890 to Dollar small notes, pound now K1050, rand K50, kaya akuyesa running a country ndi ma speech ah weekly aja, opanda policy direction, za pa assembly ya ku primary, hopeless MCP.

    Lets not talk about useless DPP.

    1. Anzathu cement wa K4500 mumagula kuti ndipo akupanga cement ameneyu ndani? Ife timagula dangote otchipa and ali pa K7500/bag since nthawi ya adadi.

       Mwanena za forex inu meitengo imeneyi mukuyipeza pati? pa black market kapena. Lero NBM exchange rates ndi K757 kugula ku bank ndipo K742.9 inuyo kuwagulitsa a bank. Rand ili pa K47.3 kugula ku bank ndip K46.4 kuwagulitsa a bank and pound ili pa K922.6 kugula ndipo K904.6 kugulitsa. Yakwerako inde koma si momwe mukunenera mudziwauza anthu zoona. Kutengeranso economy ya ku Malawi kuno ma exchange rate amakwera when harvest season is over i.e. nthawi yomwe timati ndiyanjala thus from August. And ndi ndalama zinadibwa zija tikufuna zibwererezi ntchifukwa forex ikusowa.

       1. Wiseup, dont u know banks do not have forex we actually trade using blackmarket? Now blackmarket has no forex. Banks never have forex, go to any highstreet bank see if can get $2 or R1. Zinthu zavuta baba.

       2. go and buy from the bank and then talk. banks don’t have forex that’s why the black market is thriving.

    2. Kodi a UTM ma MP 4 boma lake mukanayendetsa bwanji? Zinazi mukamayankhula muzikhala mukuganiza chifukwa nafenso a MCP timatha kuyankha. Mungothokoza kuti zisankho tinapanganso zikanakhala kuti za 2019 zinayenda momwe anthu tinavotera mukanakhala ku opposition chifukwa monga mukudziwa MCP ndi yomwe inawina 2019.Pepani chilungamo kuwawa.

       1. MCP inawina kutiko? Iwe ndi wa ku Mazambiki eti?

          1. Mbuli iweso, ma vote ukuona ngati amabela DPP a MEC? Ndimayesa amaba a Chakwera ndikupatsa Bubu wako? MCP has been winning all Elections in Malawi. You just took chances because we have been so peaceful people in this Country. DPP has never won any Election including UDF ask Allison Bakili Muluzi akuuza! Ndiye poti pano nkhope siudzaonekasotu, ndizo mwayamba Ku ng’ambilana kekekekeke mwachiona chipani! Ung’ambilana kuti keeeeeeeeeee!

26. The beginning of monopoly capital. All government purchase orders and contracts will be directed to this “black cock” . This is a strategy to strengthen the financial capacity for MCP. It is a highway for corruption. Next it will be the formation of MYP which Chakwera is so passionate about. He so insensitive about the atrocities it perpetrated to innocent Malawians that were butchered by them.

27. President Talk Talk Chakwera also becoming President Take Take Chakwera. Is this KH really necessary? Surly these revives the fear amongst other regions of Malawi of a revival of Chewa domination replacing Lomwe domination. This is crazy in a democratic era. Malawians should fear this trend on part of MCP. I have switched my support from MCP to UTM. Wake Up

    1. This is a sign of immaturity to you. Regionalism and tribalism have failed us big time. We need an idea that will sustain Malawi economically. A party should spearhead hardwork and development. This is a vehicle to carry his vision and NOT your vision….your vision is that of tribalism, regionalism and partism…or mutapita ku UTM if the attitude is the same nothing will improve.

       1. Press Holdings was part of the abuse and denial of human rights during the 30 years of Kamuzu MCP rule. Go ask the children of the mangers and workers of Press Holdings who were prosecuted or harassed for being from the northern region or Yaos or for the slightest of reasons. Chakwera’s talk of reviving the Young Pioneers and now this Kokoliko Holdings are warning signs. However Chakwera forgets this is the multi party era and parliament will hold him to account. Sadly you can take a Chewa out of central region but you cannot take the tribalism out of him. Chewas are tribalist and vindictive wherever they are.

       2. Sorry to say but we Malawians are truly dumb. Can’t we see where this is heading, next Chakwera will reopen Mikuyu Prison to detain at his pleasure his opponents. Idiot like Game Changer are the emerging Young Pioneers taking root.

          1. Is there ant problem if to open Mikuyu and thrown in you thieves?

             1. So to you dumbo only Chewas are not thieves, the rest of us should be thrown in Mikuyu?

             2. You missed it, thieves, are you?

             3. Sniper learn English.
                By the way was Kokolico Holdings in the manifesto of Tonse? Never mind it being Chakwera’s way if developing Malawi. This is sure way to Mikuyu Prison for many.

    2. What is wrong with Malawians. Who told you that KH will belong to Chewa tribe. Please you need to have minde set change. Otherwise you’ll be left behind.The mentallity of mentioning tribes is always driving our country behind. Is Suleiman a Chewa by tribe? Wake up.

       1. Daud is a Chewa from Madisi. Mudzi wawo uli posasowanso. please educate yourself on that one

28. This is a great move on bringing back our economy

    1. Wake up you fool.

       1. Palibeposo za fool apa, we are doing it with you or without you.

29. From no where MCP has all that money to venture into all those businesses.Kuba basi

    1. Never underrate the power of presidency boss. When you are a president investors come with an idea to you. Infact the move is good sitikufuna kumakhala ndi chipani chosowa zochita kenako nkumagula magalimoto dzitenje zambirimbiri without source of cash. Abusa this is a good idea. Ngati mukuwakaikira afunseni ndalama apeza bwanji osati maganizo aumphawi mulinawowa

       1. The very same old foolish ideologies of MYP (Maipa). Forming parrel power structures during Kamuzu Banda’s MCP giving their dictator more power. Vanity all at the end.

       2. Galu iwe.What do you know on KH? Foolish

       3. Cadet of the new era 😔

30. Kokoliliko Holdings. The birth of a new Muli Group??

31. Is this the Communist Republic of Malawi or what. Tkumbutsane kuti this is exactly why MCP was kicked out in the first place. Those ideas have no place in a democracy.

    1. Koma pano tabweraso ukumva bwanji?

       1. Tikuwonetsaninso njira yakwanu.

32. satana ananyerera dziko lino basi. Just when we think we have escaped the hot pan, it now seems we might be in the fire.

33. I think MCP has forgotten that it’s Tonse alliance in government. How can they set up Kokoliko Holdings to fulfill issues of Mega farms etc. are those not supposed to be government projects for all Malawians. Things are starting to take a terrible turn.

    1. MCP is a government of Tonse Alliance. Infact Mega farms are just as good as press agriculture..koma sitikufuna kupanga revamp because government inaika anthu akuba heavy kumenekuja for us to remove rubbles titha kutenga nthawi kenako mudziti fulfil the promise

       1. they should leave it under the ministry of Agriculture not this foolish Kokoliko Holdings. SKC please ensure nyasi izi zisachitike.

34. The more things change the more they remain the same. MCP has not changed at all. if ruling political parties start running businesses. How sure are the Malawians that there is integrity in the way business is being run. Izitu izi mapeto ake saakuwoneka bwino.

    1. Mmmm inu tangopitani kumwamba basi pali nkhani apa, munaluza chisankho munaluza basi dikira 5year ithe …ino ndi nthawi yathu

35. MCP ibweze ndalama zomwe inaba kwa a Malawi kudzera mu mphatso kwa Ngwazi ndi makadi a chipani okakamiza.

    1. Palibe anaba ndalama amwene we had one party system ngati nkubweza ndalama pitani mukafuse system yakaleyo osati ife ayi we are in a democratic era

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