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Congratulations and Welcome!
Congratulations and Welcome! You are embarking on an
unforgettable journey to one of the most exotic and
exciting countries in the world. Your memories of this
extraordinary country and its peoples will be vivid
and with you for the rest of your life. Nothing is monochrome
in this fabulous part of Africa where the colours of
everyday life are both brilliant and sometimes very
blue. Never boring, Malawi will richly reward the curious
and can drive those seeking normalcy right up the wall.
The aim of this information is to make those moving
to Malawi more aware of typical problems that can be
encountered and overcome in day to day life and is perhaps
more useful to those who will be residing in Lilongwe
or Blantyre. Let us presume that your company has already
found you accommodation in an expatriate-type area and
that it is ready for your occupation........
International Removals, Export Packing, Shipping, and
Storage Services is coordinated by Petra von Chamier
(+265 8 821 969).
Any shipper can contact Petra with regard to any pack-ups
and deliveries as well as international and local requests
for bids and rate requests. All quotations, pre-movement
surveys and organisation of packing are directed through
her office.
The packing teams provide all equipment and materials
for packing, such as cartons, book cartons, wardrobe
cartons, padding, soft and corrugated paper, polythene
lining and plastic and steel banding.
All of our Team Leaders can speak, read and write fluent
English and Chechewa. Each Team Leader has over five
years experience and has impeccable work skills and
a proven track record with-in the company.
Our entire packing staff has been provided with Uniforms,
a marker pen a packing knife and identifying credentials.
Company policy requires each individual to turn out
in clean, neat uniform.
During pack-ups, every packing team prepares an itemized
inventory for each shipment as detailed in the contract.
All items are detailed on the inventory and the checked
and signed by both the packing supervisor and the shipper.
Every packing team takes the greatest care in handling
and packing, weighing and itemizing all household effects
within each consignment. The packed items are then carefully
loaded and stuffed directly into inspected and seaworthy
containers or into prepared lift vans or airfreight
crates.
During deliveries, the goods are conscientiously unloaded.
Every member of the delivery team meticulously cross
checks every item delivered against the provided inventory,
and reports any missing items or damages. The household
goods are be unwrapped, unpacked, set up and positioned.
Any damages or short counts are noted on the delivery
receipt. The consignee and the delivery supervisor both
sign the delivery receipt, all inventory pages, and
the service evaluation. The packing debris is be removed
at the time of delivery or at a date requested by the
customer.
We can provide teams for local deliveries and packing
anywhere in Malawi. Our teams endeavor to protect all
shipments and cargo from physical damage while in transit.
Our scale adheres to the standards department of Weights
and Measures, Malawi Bureau of Standards. The accuracy
is periodically updated and certified.
All our staff is briefed on the environmental impact
of our work. They are trained to be, and strive to be,
diligent and caring of their surroundings. We encourage
the use of quality second hand packing materials wherever
possible, and we discourage the wastage of our resources.
Our packing cartons are in standard brown craft color
and we encourage the recycling of old materials. We
have specially marked cartons in the office for the
disposal of recyclable materials.
All our facilities are regularly maintained. The staff
is assigned the responsibility of taking care of and
respecting their work environment. Regular walkthrough
tours are made to inspect goods in store and the condition
of the warehouse.
History
The Nyasaland District Protectorate was declared by
the British Government in 1891. An administration was
established, the imposition of which was opposed by
many chiefs. The Nyasaland African Congress was formed
in the 1950's as an opposition group to colonial rule
with Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda as its leader.
In 1964 the Protectorate became the independent State
of Malawi and Banda became Prime Minister and Life President
of the Republic of Malawi. Malawi was ruled as a one-party
state under Banda's strict regime. Any form of opposition
was suppressed. Only after server pressure from the
international donor community a referendum was held
in 1993, which paved the way to the first multi-party
elections.
The inauguration of a new government in May 1994 not
only brought about Malawi's first democratically elected
government in 30 years, but it also brought with it
a new constitution. This constitution guarantees the
people freedom of speech, religion and assembly.
Language
The official languages of Malawi are Chichewa and English.
Chichewa is one of the local languages, therefore hardly
any books are available in book shops overseas, but
there is a local selection and some institutions do
offer Chichewa lessons.
Lilongwe
Lilongwe is situated in the Central Region and became
Malawi's capital in 1975, taking over from the University
Town of Zomba. Government Ministries, the Parliament
and International Organisations are based here, yet
the commercially more important city is Blantyre in
the Southern Region.
Lilongwe has two faces:
The Old Town still retains the character and atmosphere
of an old trading centre with many buildings dating
back to the early 1900s, whereas the modern sector with
government ministries (Capital Hill) and shopping and
office complexes dominates the Capital City Centre.
Blantyre
Blantyre is scenically very attractive being set amongst
hills and mountain.
The City (which also incorporates Limbe) owes its origin
to the establishment of the Church of Scotland Mission
in 1876. It is now Malawi's largest city and commercial
centre with some light industry. Tobacco, coffee, tea,
rice, nuts, cattle, cotton etc. are processed and -
there is an excellent Brewery.
Blantyre is served by Chileka Airport, which operates
domestic and some international flights.
Safety
Malawi is generally a safe country. However, normal
precautions should be taken in the cities at night.
Driving overland at night should be avoided.
Muggings are fairly infrequent, but a car immobilizer
or a crowbar is recommended. It is sensible, for example,
to lock all doors of the vehicle when driving through
Old Town and not wear precious or striking jewellery.
The purse should be invisible when visiting the various
markets for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Several security companies offer burglar alarm systems
for the house and the premises as well as security guards.
Weather
There is a seasonal variation in the climate between
the 3 seasons:
cold and dry - May - August,
hot and dry - September - November
hot and rainy - December - April
Generally the temperatures are warm and slightly humid.
In summer (September - November) the average daily
temperatures vary between about 33ºC/92ºF
maximum and 25ºC/77ºF. The rainy season usually
begins at the end of November and lasts until the end
of March. In the winter season, from June - August,
some warm clothes are required because the temperature
at night could go down to 5ºC/15ºF. accessible
climate.
Banks
The major Banks are
National Bank of Malawi
Commercial Bank
First Merchant Bank
Stanbic Bank
NEDBANK
Telephones & Faxes
Telephone services are improving but you will still
be subjected to many frustrations. IDD and faxes now
ease foreign communication as does E-Mail and Internet.
Charges to America and Europe have gone down recently
and are now approx. USD 1,20 per minute.
There are also two local mobile phone providers: Telekom
Networks Malawi and Celtel.
E-Mail & Internet
Remember that E-mail and Internet are only as fast and
useful as the effectiveness of the individual provider.
However, users now have the option between a conventional
connection via the telephone line and wireless broadband
via satellite with coverage at present only in the major
cities Blantyre, Limbe and Lilongwe.
Providers are
Malawinet Ltd. Tel. +265 1 771 119, http://www.malawi.net
Skyband Cooperation Ltd. Tel. +265 1 758 558/559, http://www.skybandhotspots.com
Globe Internet Ltd. Tel. +265 1 776 341
Burco Electronic System Ltd. Tel. +265 1 771 323,
Never the less prices do vary depending on the individual
provider between i.e. USD 150,00 up to USD 300,00 per
month for a transmission of 64 kb/sek plus a single
payment for installation.
Water
All houses in the residential areas around the Lilongwe,
Blantyre and other major towns get their water from
underground pipes. The quality of the water is quite
good. Water filters are locally available as well as
bottled mineral water. Water storage tanks and Katadyn
filters are recommended.
Electricity
Supply is 220/240 volts AC 50 cycles, but it can vary
quite considerably, particularly during the rainy season.
Surge protectors and voltage stabilisers are absolute
vital for TVs, stereo, and recommend for washing machines,
dryers and fridge's. Computers need a UPS system to
avoid loss of data.
Power plugs/sockets are mostly of the square three-pin
British type and light bulb fittings are generally of
the bayonet type. Power outages are common in some areas.
Consider an additional source for cooking such as a
gas camping stove or kerosene stove. Many households
have their own locally available generator for that
purpose.
Housing
Adequate expatriate housing nowadays is a little more
plentiful and expensive than before.
Many new rental houses have come onto the market recently
and local real estate agents will be pleased to show
you a good selection. There are four parameters that
govern house or apartment hunting in Malawi and they
are:
Much of the housing in Lilongwe and Blantyre is available
through referrals and word of mouth. A good place to
start is the various club notice boards: not doubt your
company has contacts that will yield some properties
to inspect.
As a rule of thumb, suitable houses range from USD
1.500 - 2.500 per month. Remember that these prices
do not generally include furniture, a working telephone,
appliances, electricity costs and most-times, security
guards. If the premises boasts a working telephone,
it is a major advantage. It is essential to have security
guards as pilferage and theft is endemic. Security alarm
companies enjoy great success in Malawi but they should
only be an addition to your own guards in most cases.
Landlords frequently demand three, six and sometimes
12 months rent in advance. It is important to try to
pay as little in advance as possible which might encourage
the lessor to undertake repairs should anything go wrong
during the term of the lease. It may be a good idea
to discuss with the landlord some kind of discount off
your rent if you include some mildew-proof exterior
paint in your household effects as you can be sure that
any painting done prior to your occupancy will deteriorate
badly within a short period.
The leading real estate agent is Knight Frank
Lilongwe: Tel. +265 1 772 834
Blantyre: Tel: +265 1 823 577
Homepage: www. knightfrank.com
Email: kfmw@knightfrankmw.com
But also the adverts by local Estate Agents in the
daily newspapers offer a wide range of suitable houses
in different areas around the major cities.
Furniture and Appliances
Simple furniture are available in the larger centres.
Neither design nor quality is remarkable, but good quality
hard and softwood is available. If you enjoy watching
TV and DVD's, it is worth bringing your PAL multi-system
TV and DVD-player with a 220V converter. With a locally
available satellite dish including a decoder several
channels, for example CNN, BBC, M-net, Discovery Channel,
Sports Channel and several more can be received.
Health
Well, there are plenty of very nasty bugs and viruses
to keep you on your toes, but it's not really the end
of the world unless you get malaria or a serious amoebic
complaint. In the lake Bilharzia is prevalent. Regular
tests are recommended. Once the parasite has been identified
there are several doctors and institutions, who can
treat nearly all cases. Clean food and clean liquids
will be the best defence with good advice from a local
doctor for malaria protection. The best protection is
to avoid getting bidden, therefore wear long sleeves
and trousers and use mosquito repellent liberally, especially
at sunset.
Doctors:
Lilongwe
- Dr.
Tayub, GP Tel. +265 1 757 228
- Dr.
Huber, GP / 24 hrs emergency service Tel. +265 1 750
404
- Dr.
Mazloum, Dentist Tel. +265 1 770 853 or 772 228
- Adventist
Health Clinic, GP + Eye Tel. +265 1 775 456
Dental Reception Tel. +265 1 775 680
- Partners
in HOPE Medical Centre, Tel. +265 1 727 155
- African
Bible College (ABC) Community Clinic Tel. +265 1 761
670 or 761 743
- Medical
Air Rescue Service (MARS) Tel. +265 1 795 018
(24 hrs emergency service)
Blantyre
Adventist Hospital
Mwaiwathu Private Hospital
The Medial Aid Society of Malawi (MASM) P.O. Box 1254,
Blantyre, provides medical coverage.
Moving to Malawi
Choose a quality mover for your relocation to Malawi.
Worldwide Movers is the leading professional international
moving company in the country and we have seen all sorts
of insufficiently packed shipments arrive by air and
sea. Select a moving company that specializes in overseas
moves: they know how to pack and they know how to load
your possessions to prevent damages. We would suggest
that you designate and international mover that belongs
to the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs
Internationaux (F.I.D.I.): membership manifests competency.
Don't worry about customs clearance and delivery, we
do it every day. If you need any special information,
call our Lilongwe office on +265 1 712 222 or +265 1
794 523 and ask for Petra von Chamier (Cell: +265 8
821 969). You can also contact us via Email under wwmmw@malawi.net
. We will be pleased to assist.
Newspapers and Magazines
The local newspapers "The Nation" and "The
Daily Times"contain the sufficient need-to-know
information nation wide. Some imported magazines are
available at the bookshops including "The Lilongwe
Lowdown", a very helpful directory and guidebook
for newcomers and residents.
Some imported magazines are available at the bookshops
and in the super markets.
Domestic Staff
It is common to employ house staff, cooks, gardeners
and security guards. Salaries are extremely reasonable
and they add greatly to the quality of life overseas.
Washing machines and tumble dryers are recommended;
dish washers are not recommended. Those expatriates
who are leaving Malawi always try to find good employment
for their reliable staff after their departure and you
should have no problem finding recommended help with
good references; look on you embassy or High Commission's
notice board for starters. Nannies are wonderful with
children.
Schools
There are two schools (in Lilongwe and Blantyre), which
offer reasonable facilities for multi-national children.
All schools run their academic year from September to
late June/early July, with three terms with approximate
dates as follows: term 1 = 1 September - 10 December;
term 2 = 10 January - 30 March; term 3 = 1 April - 30
June
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Bishop Mackenzie International School, Lilongwe
Primary: Tel. (+265) 01 756 364
Secondary: Tel. (+265) 01 756 631/984
BMIS offers a well designed and balanced international
curriculum at GCSE and IB.
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African Bible College (ABC) School, Lilongwe
Primary and Secondary
Tel. (+265) 01 761 617 or 762 533
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Saint Andrews International School, Blantyre
Primary: Tel. (+265) 01 833 428
High School: Tel. (+265) 01 822 585/470, 01 823
688
email: info@saints.mw,
www.saintsmalawi.mw
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Phoenix International Primary School, Blantyre
Tel: (+265) 01 824 845
Email: phoenixschool@africa-online.net
www.phoenixschoolmalawi.com
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Saint Patricks Academy
Sunnyside, Blantyre
Tel. (+265) 01 551 193
Email: stpat@africa-online.net
School fees vary from USD 1,750 for Primary up to USD
4,300 for Secondary per term.
Boarding rates are USD 935 for Primary and USD 1,200
for Secondary.
Clubs
Clubs and Sporting Clubs are very popular in Malawi
and form the principal avenues of the social life of
the expatriate. The perfect weather conditions encourage
outdoor sports that are available at the Lilongwe Sailing
Club, the Lilongwe Golf Club, the Portuguese Club as
well as with the Hash House Harriers. In addition cricket,
volleyball, tennis, rugby, horse riding and aerobic
are offered. Social Clubs include the British High Commission
Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Round Table,
the Wildlife Society of Malawi and the International
Women Association. The Music and Drama Society "MADSOC"
with its shows is always a highlight in the cultural
life of Lilongwe. All major congregations and religious
groups are active and church services are available.
Embassy Registration
It's always a good idea to register with your Embassy
or High Commission as soon as you arrive in Malawi.
Not only is it appreciated by the mission, but also
a good way to meet other nationals at the drink parties
that are held from time to time. Most of the diplomatic
missions are fairly laid-back in Lilongwea and are much
more helpful than in other larger countries.
Special Occasions
Many a time one hears "I wish I brought that with
me from home!". Invariably, its food items that
were forgotten, so if you enjoy pumpkin pie, haggis
or confit of goose, take it with you in cans.
Out-of-the ordinary goods and special medical supplies
are difficult to get, but the situation has improved
in recent years. Various Supermarkets offer a wide range
of local and imported quality food and goodies.
Restaurants
Lilongwe:
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Baba's Delhi Darbar, inside Four Seasons Nursery
(+265) 01 725 705
Blue Ginger, (Indian) Pacific Center (+265) 01 795
225 / 08 214 444
Mamma Mia, Old Town Mall (+265) 01 758 362
Don Brioni's Restaurant, Mandala Road (+265) 01
920 221 / 09 933 627
Clouds, Gemini House City Centre (+265) 09 383 373
/ 08 836 193
Buchanans, Four Seasons Nursery (+265) 01 772 859/46
Korea Gardens Restaurant, Area 3, Old Town (+265)
01 753 467 / 01 757 854
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Blantyre:
21 Grill on Hannover, Protea Hotel Ryalls (+265)
01 820 955
Alem Ethiopian Restaurant (+265) 01 822 529
Baba's Delhi Darbar, Pagat Mall, Victoria Ave. (+265)
08 205 607
Cappineros, Victoria Ave. (+265) 09 939 260 / 09
571 157
Greens Restaurant, Sunnyside (+265) 01 836 375 /
08 833 518
Ambrosia Restaurant (Game Heaven) Thyolo Road
14 km from Blantyre (+265) 09 971 287/8
Email: gameheaven@broadbandmw.com
Hotels
There are some good hotels in all the major cities of
Malawi. If you are a foreigner, you must settle your
bill in hard currency in all hotels. Prices for single
room between 80 - 120 USD, Double room 110 - 180 USD.
Residents will be charges a special rate.
Lilongwe:
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Korea Garden Lodge, Area 3 (+265) 01 753 467
/ 01 757 854
Email: info@kglodge.net
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Vehicles
If you do not have the use of a company vehicle, it
may be worthwhile considering importing one with your
household goods. Automobiles are very expensive new
(twice that in the US or Europe). Most Japanese models
are available and spares are not a problem. If you do
import a vehicle, install a quality anti-theft device.
In most cases, returning foreigners sell their vehicles
so there is a good variety of second hand care available.
Right-hand dive vehicles are preferable.
Driving Licenses
You can drive with an International License (available
from your local Automobile Club) for a period of 12
months in Malawi after which you have to take a driving
proficiency test. Only Commonwealth Licenses are transferable
without a driving test.
Popular Destinations
Malawi is home to some of the most striking natural
beauty in all of Africa. Lake Malawi is unique, with
over 500 and maybe as many as 1000 species of fish in
the whole lake and with 350 species occurring nowhere
else in the world. Lake Malawi National Park is the
only sweet water National Park in the World.
Currency Exchange
After a major devaluation in 1998 of 75% the Malawi
Kwacha is still an unstable currency. Credit cards are
accepted only at some hotels and other premises.
Pets
Some expatriates bring their pets with them. Long haired
dogs are particularly unsuitable for Malawi where temperatures
and ticks are big. A good barker is one of the most
effective thief deterrents and a pet adds to the continuity
of family life in this new and exotic land.
Corruption
Seems to exist in Malawi as well. However, the government
has established an Anti Corruption Bureau to curtail
such malpractice's.
And Finally....
For it's beautiful lake, the land and the friendly
people Malawi has the epithet the Warm Heart of Africa:
one of the last destinations remaining unspoiled by
the vulgarity of popular tourism. Like other African
countries, time has a nonchelant gait. This you will
soon find out in all areas of life and with a little
bit of patience and a good humour, all peculiarities
can be amusing. A sense of adventure and kindness is
the hallmark of lifetime memories for all who live and
work in this wonderful country.
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