THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF A NEW MALAWI
This handbook depicts some of the scenes that set the tone of the country's development over the years. The stated achievements represent what the Government has managed to do to consolidate Malawi's social, political and economic development with particular emphasis on how it is safeguarding the new-found democracy as the country looks to the future with hope.
Cabinet
of NATIONAL GOVERNMENT chaired by the president; last reshuffle November 3, 2000|
President and Commander-in-Chief for Armed Forces |
His Excellency Dr. Bakili Muluzi |
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Vice President and Minister for Privatisation |
Right Hon Justin Malewezi |
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Key Ministers |
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Health and Population |
Hon. Aleke Banda |
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Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs |
Hon. Harry Thomson |
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Transport and Public Works |
Hon. Kalyoma Phumisa |
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Local Government |
Hon. Patrick Mbewe |
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Justice and Attorney General |
Hon. Peter Fachi |
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Education, Science and Technology |
Hon. Dr. George Nga Mtafu |
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Commerce and Industry |
Hon. Rev. Peter Kaleso |
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Land, Housing and Physical Planning |
Hon. Thengo Maloya |
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Foreign Affairs |
Hon. Lilian Patel |
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Labour and Vocational Training |
Hon Yusuf Mwawa |
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Information |
Hon. Clement Stambuli |
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Defence |
Hon. Rodwell Munyenyembe |
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Agriculture and Irrigation |
Hon. Leonnard Mangulama |
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Finance |
Hon. Dr. Mathews Chikaonda |
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Home Affairs |
Hon. Monjeza Maluza |
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Water Development |
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Sports and Culture |
Hon. Moses Dossi |
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Tourism, National Parks and Wildlife |
Hon. Dr. Ken Lipenga |
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Presidential Affairs |
Hon. Dr. Dumbo Lemani |
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Poverty Alleviation Programmes |
Hon. Alice Sumani |
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People with Disabilities |
Hon. Susan Chitimbe |
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Central Bank Governor |
Dr. Elias Ngalande |
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BASIC ECONOMIC INDICATORS
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CATEGORY |
STATISTICS |
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Malawi Kwacha |
1998 |
November 2000 |
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GDP Per Capita |
5,566.9 |
8,216.5 |
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GDP Nominal |
54,769.7 |
82,168.2 |
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Real GDP Growth |
3.4 |
6.7 |
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Exports |
16,432.7 |
24,135.2 |
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Imports |
19,792.0 |
26,200.0 |
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Total External Debt |
72,393.1 |
103,065.6 |
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Population |
9,838.5 |
10,000.4 |
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Life Expectancy |
46.0 |
46.0 |
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Literacy Rate |
41.6 |
41.6 |
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Exchange Rate |
31.1 |
80.5 |
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CATEGORY |
STATISTICS |
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US Dollars |
1998 |
1999 |
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GDP Per Capita |
179 |
187 |
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GDP Nominal (Million) |
1.763 |
1.867 |
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Exports (Billion) |
0.529 |
0.549 |
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Imports (Billion) |
0.637 |
0.595 |
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Total External Debt (Billion) |
2,330 |
2,342 |
FACT FILE
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OFFICIAL NAME |
Republic of Malawi |
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HEAD OF STATE |
His Excellency President Bakili Muluzi |
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FORM OF STATE |
Unitary Republic |
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LAND AREA |
118, 484 sq. km |
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POPULATION |
9 million plus (2000 estimates) |
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LITERACY |
46 percent |
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URBANISATION |
13 percent |
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LIFE EXPECTANCY |
46 years |
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LEGAL SYSTEM |
Based on English Common Law and the constitution which was promulgated in May 1995 |
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CAPITAL CITY |
Lilongwe |
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LEGISLATURE |
National Assembly with 193 seats elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of five years |
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MAIN TOWNS |
Blantyre, Zomba, Mzuzu |
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CLIMATE |
Tropical (cooler in highlands) |
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TEMPERATURE |
Summer: 17-29 degrees Celsius Winter: 7-23 degrees Celsius |
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE |
English |
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE |
Chichewa |
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OTHER LANGUAGES |
Tumbuka, Lomwe, Yao, Sena, Tonga, Nkhonde and Lambya |
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MEASURES |
Metric System |
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CURRENCY |
Kwacha (100 Tambala) |
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ELECTRICITY |
230=240 volts AC50 Hz square 3 pin plugs are used in most buildings |
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TIME |
GMT + 2 Hours |
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
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DATE |
Name Of Holiday |
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1 January |
(New Year's Day) |
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15 January |
(John Chilembwe Day) |
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3 March |
(Martyrs' Day) |
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March/April |
(Good Friday and Easter Monday) |
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1 May |
(Labour Day) |
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14 June |
(Freedom Day) |
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6 July |
(Republic Day)* |
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2nd Monday in October |
(Mother's Day) |
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25 December |
(Christmas Day) |
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26 December |
(Boxing Day) |
*National Day