Outsourcing

I recently heard on one of the radios that Labour Ministry officials were not happy with emerging trneds of organisations to fire staff and outsource those services. They argued that it would be better to retain the staff and firing them would make them jobless. They have a point.

However outsourcing will obviously have positive effects for the organisations too like reduced labour costs (funerals, loans, etc). I think the ministry should look at ways in which to implement the outsourcing. A few years ago a company were outsourcing their security services. They struck a deal with the security organisation where at least 97% of the former company guards were now employed with the current security firm. There were casualties but very few. There are also other campanies that lay off skilled people like carpenters, plumbers, builders, etc and later on source those very same services from them.

So not all is lost when companies outsource!

Bwana Shabir, Lilongwe

'Under construction'

Soyapi commented on the unavailability of MTL Online website. I share his frustration. Press Corporation until recently had a website that needed a facelift. I think they realised the same but rather than just work on the facelift in the background, they decided to pull the plug on it and replace it with a horrible 'This Site Is Under Construction and Coming Soon.' notice. What worries me even more is the fact that this construction is taking quite a bit of time and doing more harm than good. Lets hope the final product is a hit!

Misplaced priorities?

Earlier this week a friend of mine asked me to take a picture of the former presidents mausoleum. I sent him the pictures and thought I would send them to a few relatives as well who live outside Malawi. I also mentioned to them that next to the mausoleum, a new parliament building is also coming up much to their disappointment.

"As new parliament for what?" was the question. "Wouldn't that money have been spent on other things like water harvesting or infrastructure to improve trade of Malawian goods or on building the tourism sector?". I'll debate the last point.

For the past seven or so years we have heard many in top government positions urging the country to move away from dependency on tobacco and possibly shift to tourism. Fair. But what has govt done about it? Apart from just talking, nothing really! Instead they have just locked up large amounts of money in a project that will really bring nothing to the Malawian economy. Shame!

Malawi Night

Am one person who would love to see tourism take root in Malawi sometime soon. There has been a lot of talk but not much action, all thing considering that the World Cup is just 4 years away in South Africa. What an opportunity to have teams camp here and acclimatize themselves before heading down for the finals.

There was recently an issue in the media about airfields to crucial tourist areas that are in poor condition. Then there is that road to Mangochi which had certain sections of tar removed almost seven years ago. Then there is Chileka Airport...

Anyway am glad that Shire Highlands Hotel have taken a step to promote Malawian culture. They have organised a Malawi Night where local and locally produced food, music and beer shall be served. It should give a chance to resident non-locals to experience some therere likupa, nsima and the like. Bravo Shire Highlands!!

Blogger Braai

Bloggers in Lilongwe met up on Friday 20th for a braai in Area 43 at Mike's house. It was a lovely cool night of fun and laughter. I made a promise to blog more than I have in the past. So check this space, expect more from these ends.

Bloemfontein

sights of Bloemfontein city centre, Free State.