Malawian women living in fear

Apr 25, 2016 Top News 172
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Human Trafficking

There are fears among women in Malawi as whistleblowers have revealed how thousands others are being ill-treated and forced into prostitution in countries in the Middle East where they are taken to work by government officials including ministers.

Most of the worried women include those who are jobless and opt to pick the jobs outside Malawi because employers there would allow them to get training before they work as some of the adverts claim. human-trafficking-1-140203c

Over the week, one of the country’s newspapers carried a story which made revelations of how women are being subjected to ill-treatment outside Malawi.

Recently, there have also been adverts in the media calling upon Malawian women to travel to places like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Kuwait among others where they could work as Air Hostesses, Chefs, and Receptionists, jobs which they would normally get trained on prior to being hired.

Malawi24 understands that with unemployment rates on the rise in Malawi and the cost of living surging day in day out, most people have been attracted to apply and some Malawians are working in such places, but women unlike men have been hit hard.

Investigations the paper made stated that while outside Malawi, for example in Kuwait, the ladies are told to work as sex workers in drinking joints and they go unpaid for months.

It is said that when they get to the Middle East, the traffickers confiscate their travel documents so that they do not run away before sending them off to various places where they are told what to do.

According to reports, a Burundian national working as a medical doctor at KCH and two Malawians including Flora Gondwe who works at the Ministry of Information have been behind the ring.

“Gondwe and the other Malawians who we have not been able to trace collect women’s medical reports and submit them to the DRC national commonly known as Fatiki who communicates with an agent in Kuwait who finally sends the air tickets.

“This is when Dr Eugene Kayisile, the Burundi national, conducts the examinations including HIV tests. This doctor is working at the hospital’s outpatient medical department (OPD2),’’ the report said.

But speaking to Malawi24 in a vox pop conducted on Sunday, women across the streets of Blantyre said that the move is wiping away the dignity of Malawian women.

While urging authorities to act with urgency on the matter, some of them said that it would also be important for government to create employment opportunities for people in Malawi.

A lady who wanted to be identified as Miriam told this reporter that the blame should be on government.

“Why are they silent on this? Despite those reports, our fellow Malawians are suffering in South Africa and other countries, because at least there they are making ends meet, unlike here where even cheap labour jobs are scarce.

“On the part of training, our technical institutions lack equipment and that on itself is a problem. Someone goes to do mechanics but finishes without hands on experience. Do you expect that person to get a job out there?’’ She wondered.

Miriam blamed politicians for not helping Malawians, for not taking the welfare of Malawians a heart and for being greedy.

The other women interviewed also said that this could be a learning platform for other people, not only women, who could be enticed to work outside Malawi under similar agents.

Much as the issue of labour export started way back in the 1990s when Malawians flocked to countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe where they worked in the mines, the situation has not lately changed.

Most of the youthful population in Malawi is trekking to South Africa where they attain cheap labour jobs and earn a living.

This has largely been blamed on unemployment.

According to Trading Economics Website, Unemployment Rate in Malawi increased to 6.60 percent in 2013 from 3 percent in 2011. Unemployment Rate in Malawi averaged 4.90 percent from 2005 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 7 percent in 2005 and a record low of 3 percent in 2007.

Last year thousands of Malawians were repatriated into the country after a series of attacks on foreigners in South Africa.

At the moment, the Malawi government says it is working towards addressing the concerns about human trafficking and labour exports.

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172 Comments

  1. Mulungu yekha ndiyenjira yokhayo yomwe ikhoza kukwanitsa kuthetsa mabvuto wonse.Koma kukamba zakuti munthu angathetse umphawi umenewu, apo ndizosatheka.

  5. malawians are naturally born slaves, its genetic don’t bother changing what the deooxyribonucleic acid dna formed. In malawi private companies they work for less than US$100per mnth. I feel pit for the them in joburg- they can work in 8hours what 2 pple could do in 3days. they are afraid of whites I don’t know it’s bcoz they’re used to seeing indians back home. Donald Truimph said it blacks are good ta making noise, dances and sex- let them enjoy it read Towera’s comment. They like it

  6. malawians are naturally born slaves, its genetic don’t bother changing what the deooxyribonucleic acid dna formed. In malawi private companies they work for less than US$100per mnth. I feel pit for the them in joburg- they can work in 8hours what 2 pple could do in 3days. they are afraid of whites I don’t know it’s bcoz they’re used to seeing indians back home. Donald Truimph said it blacks are good ta making noise, dances and sex- let them enjoy it read Towera’s comment. They like it

  7. What can be done? Is to permanetly delete all of u greedy leaders who think Malawi is there for u and not for Malawians, oneday mukayankha milandu kwamulungu m’mangoba ndalama zaboma zimene u were suppose to open up government companys and employ young people instead mumata? Stealing,DEMN anthu oyipa inu.

  9. Malawi ndi dziko lokoma zedi koma satana adamva pemphero lathu la national anthem kuti”….Njala,nthenda,sanje”.Njala siikutha,umphawi,matenda osatha,sanje ziri thoo!Tiike national day of prayer and fasting ndi atsogoleri athu tipemphe Mulungu atithandize.Zose ndizotheka.

  13. Tngs r hard in Malawi evn if ther r graduates,stl no jobs.yet too much money was put on university n other institution trainn colleges.haaaa nde bas ndwautali ku Middle East

  15. Our leaders r greedy instead ov transfomin malawi 2 b a bettr place 2 live,they r bsy accumulatin worthy 4 themselves.

  16. Dats a gud post Admin…., dos tings r real & l can testify bout dat!! “Malawian women take care”

  18. Hahahaha sooo you think the problem of unemployment can be solved now cause of this whole abroad job chan chani …..if malawi can’t provide jobs for people you think people are gonna wait for job availability hahaha nde 2070tu … people can’t wait till 2070 because ana athu njala ikiwapweteka panopo… koma enna ake alibe puloblemu akubabe ndrama zachitukuko

  21. Nane ndikufuna kupita ku Kuwait or Dubai, lets talk ku inbox please. Malawi z becoming more poorer than it was 20 yrs ago.inu muli kunja simunalakwise kuno kumakhala ngati ku mortuary kulira daily. Eish Exit Malawi Enter middle east.

    5. I don’t believe in hearsay, ndikazionele ndekha ngati nditakakhale sex slave? Kuzolowela ulesi basi thats why tikapita mayiko amnzathu timaona ngati tikuzunzika, no food for a lazy man, kuno tizingokhalila kugwilana ufiti ndi satanic?

    6. I don’t believe in hearsay, ndikazionele ndekha ngati nditakakhale sex slave? Kuzolowela ulesi basi thats why tikapita mayiko amnzathu timaona ngati tikuzunzika, no food for a lazy man, kuno tizingokhalila kugwilana ufiti ndi satanic?

  22. Those countries invested in Tourism ,they have effective Boards of Tourism unlike here in Mw we lack effectiveness and interest towards Tourism . It could be a good idea if Govt invested in tourism sector we have resources only there’s a need to invest and creating jobs. Naturally tourism is largest employer

  23. Mind what u say not all who go there are promiscous mmm amalawi from forex externalisation to sex externalisation anyway raising exports kkkkkkkkkk

  25. How can I explain this testimony to the public about a great man who help me out in serious illness I have HIV AID for good 3year and I was almost going to the end of my life due to the way my skin look like all I have in my mind is let me just give up because life is not interesting to me any longer but I just pray for God every day to accept my soul when ever I’m gone lucky to me my kids brother run to me that he found a doctor in the internet who can cure HIV online he help me out on everything, the doctor ask for my details, so he can prepare the herbal medicine for me from his temple after all he ask is done one week later I started getting more stronger my blood start flow normally for 4 to 5 days I start getting Wight before 6 days my body start developing my skin start coming up after 8 days which he told me that i will be completely healed, I went for HIV test and I was tested negative I’m so happy that I can say I’m not a HIV patient if you have HIV/AID or any sickness he can still help you in getting your ex-back to you please contact him via his email: [email protected], or whatsapp him on +2348143143878.

  26. If all leaders had a bushiri calibre( personally) this country would be a haven.their major focus is of self development not community development

  29. Its laughable when we accept rich countries to build for us infrastures that we will not be able to maintain. We have beautiful beaches and beautiful views along lake Malawi,why don’t we persuade investors to come and develop these areas instead of having big stadiums that will be useless so soon? Our leaders have traveled the world over,the see what’s happening there,but when they come back they also sing the same 1964 song. How can we creat jobs when we don’t know when and how to creat it? We need jobs not job creation. Countries that are developed were created by God on the same day our country was created but why are we still stinking poor? We need to ask our selves WHY????

  31. Mentality of Malawian #Leaders. are very far to ruduce th@ kind of Slave for these reasons,We don’t practice wh@ we learn frm colleges.U find th@graduate frm Bunda is police constablez!How do u expect we can raise industrialisation whch is amajor key Job creating and Economy route?we the Teveta ,they got gd plans on their#Papers for our Vulnerable youth in community,but wh@ they know is Corruption.We were hving the strongesst ADD in Malawi ,findout frm Nsanje too Chitipa,Ziinathelatu,jus look @Sign Post Zinchita kufufutika.But in the National Budget ufind that the Min of AGriculture rcvd alots of Money!Pls Malawians let’s Set our Minds!

  33. Its better 2 get traficd ,nanga ndiuphawi WAKUnyasaland nanga ndkutan ! Kut upeze ntchto ukhale ndiwomuziwa kapena ndalama………….mapapers ndkumangowola

  34. Malawi u increase the price of passport uthink that people they are not going but you were just wasting your time just come and see the way your police is doing there same like border no passport you blibe finish

  36. Not only that..
    Some street vendors and illiterate people just talking nonsence totaly unexpected words to any women and any girl passing on road..
    Just unbelievable support or ignorance by public and judiciary department and police..
    Women not safe even any were ..
    Save malawi culture..
    Come in front and save…
    Belive or not but it is true…

  37. Not only that..
    Some street vendors and illiterate people just talking nonsence totaly unexpected words to any women and any girl passing on road..
    Just unbelievable support or ignorance by public and judiciary department and police..
    Women not safe even any were ..
    Save malawi culture..
    Come in front and save…
    Belive or not but it is true…

  38. Suzen Nankhoma my sister, workers must be unionised every worker must belong to a union who then will be the mouth piece for the labour force. Without a union, exploitation is rampart. Also pakhale organisation that deals with work issues like un fair treatments, unfair dismissals and exploitation. Labour office must be a no nonses office.

  39. Suzen Nankhoma my sister, workers must be unionised every worker must belong to a union who then will be the mouth piece for the labour force. Without a union, exploitation is rampart. Also pakhale organisation that deals with work issues like un fair treatments, unfair dismissals and exploitation. Labour office must be a no nonses office.

  40. The problem was with John chilembwe,y he fought for fredom in 1915 what of fredom he want when he was chasing white ppo,from dere Dr H kamuzu Banda he chase the white for de same reason ,dats y our country there is ignorance ppo they dont no hw to write n read. C Zambia,Zimbawe, RSA ppo r more educated dan MW bcoz white ppo r dere . If we want de govnt which can create job lets higher white ppo to rule us.

  41. The problem was with John chilembwe,y he fought for fredom in 1915 what of fredom he want when he was chasing white ppo,from dere Dr H kamuzu Banda he chase the white for de same reason ,dats y our country there is ignorance ppo they dont no hw to write n read. C Zambia,Zimbawe, RSA ppo r more educated dan MW bcoz white ppo r dere . If we want de govnt which can create job lets higher white ppo to rule us.

  42. Boma lamalawi olamulira ndiamene alive nzeru mokudziwa dzikoli ilibe njira yopenzera ndalama koma ulimi ndiye Iwo akangote dziko kulamulira choyamba amayamba kukwenza mtengo FERTILIZER ndikusitsa ntengo malata ndiye muthu a gone nyumba yamalata pamene kumimba kuli njala ndiye mutu ukugwira pamenepo we leave our country bcs we want better life other countries not tr build house , we build house after we eat food without eat food we can’t make more kids for the leaders of tomorrow 2019 brother what the government should know about their people

  43. Boma lamalawi olamulira ndiamene alive nzeru mokudziwa dzikoli ilibe njira yopenzera ndalama koma ulimi ndiye Iwo akangote dziko kulamulira choyamba amayamba kukwenza mtengo FERTILIZER ndikusitsa ntengo malata ndiye muthu a gone nyumba yamalata pamene kumimba kuli njala ndiye mutu ukugwira pamenepo we leave our country bcs we want better life other countries not tr build house , we build house after we eat food without eat food we can’t make more kids for the leaders of tomorrow 2019 brother what the government should know about their people

  44. go ask peter muthalika winu uyo. even kukwezga ma passport wakati ku stopenge wanthu kuya ku walo? tsk . ask peter and an those fool who increase the goods.

  45. go ask peter muthalika winu uyo. even kukwezga ma passport wakati ku stopenge wanthu kuya ku walo? tsk . ask peter and an those fool who increase the goods.

  47. Nganya Mirriam, osati pamene mukudya ma rand mudziyimbanso school ya part time to improve your education. malawi is beautiful, we just need wise leadership not greedy leadership. Someone who is passionate about people and has interest in their lives.

  48. Nganya Mirriam, osati pamene mukudya ma rand mudziyimbanso school ya part time to improve your education. malawi is beautiful, we just need wise leadership not greedy leadership. Someone who is passionate about people and has interest in their lives.

  49. Chomwe ndikuchionapo ine ndi vuto la azisogoleli anthu salibwino ndithu amafuna zonse zikhale zawo.choncho dziko losauka ngati limene lija silingatukukenso mpaka agogo anga adzadzuke kumanda.

  50. Chomwe ndikuchionapo ine ndi vuto la azisogoleli anthu salibwino ndithu amafuna zonse zikhale zawo.choncho dziko losauka ngati limene lija silingatukukenso mpaka agogo anga adzadzuke kumanda.

  51. Malawi kkkkkkk after 60+ years of independence you are still strugling to find a better life for your citizens? Just imagine after 6months in RSA already am living my dream life in an electrical field that i learnt there.

  52. Malawi kkkkkkk after 60+ years of independence you are still strugling to find a better life for your citizens? Just imagine after 6months in RSA already am living my dream life in an electrical field that i learnt there.

  53. Aziphuzitsi ,ma agriculture,healthy workers,alimi amasiya zintchito kuthamangila ku maiko akunja,zaka ziwiri kubwela ndi yomwe kumalawi sangampeze or atagwila ntchito 15yrs,ndiye chokhalira kumalawiko ndichani?muzionesetsa,musatitape pakamwe ife chaaa

  54. Introduce federal Government which make region or oppositon work hand in hand to create jobs in their regions rather all of us waiting for one person to authorise duties e.g infrastructure which helps in creating job(2)and reduce presidential powers to avoid huge corruption cases(3)introduce 50plus votes so that a leader must spread development to all corners without tribalism or nepotism

  55. Introduce federal Government which make region or oppositon work hand in hand to create jobs in their regions rather all of us waiting for one person to authorise duties e.g infrastructure which helps in creating job(2)and reduce presidential powers to avoid huge corruption cases(3)introduce 50plus votes so that a leader must spread development to all corners without tribalism or nepotism

  56. Good ? Malawi has never valued its educated citizens. The government has always not rewarded and recognised hard work. Reward hard workers with meaningful rewads like pay progression, ten year service bonus 3x annual salary etc introduce a 13 check and add benefits to the salary e.g Medical care or free professional development packages. A well earned retirement package not like what teachers were being given in 1980s.

  57. Good ? Malawi has never valued its educated citizens. The government has always not rewarded and recognised hard work. Reward hard workers with meaningful rewads like pay progression, ten year service bonus 3x annual salary etc introduce a 13 check and add benefits to the salary e.g Medical care or free professional development packages. A well earned retirement package not like what teachers were being given in 1980s.

  60. Need to reduce prices . this country is very poor in everything, no one will live in malawi after their test a good life in the other side of the world. even me will not live there, thing are very expensive

  61. Need to reduce prices . this country is very poor in everything, no one will live in malawi after their test a good life in the other side of the world. even me will not live there, thing are very expensive

  62. This is a world disaster no ways govt can do, unless middleast country are on peace and african leaders especiall madalas who are rulling should be given age limit on leadership. Africa as whole and Malawi will be abetter place to live.

  63. This is a world disaster no ways govt can do, unless middleast country are on peace and african leaders especiall madalas who are rulling should be given age limit on leadership. Africa as whole and Malawi will be abetter place to live.

  68. Musatitape m’kamwa ife pofuna kumva maganizo athu,mukuyenela kukhala oyamba kupeleka maganizo anu pankhananiyi ngati olemba olemba dzinkhani.Kodi mwazindikila lero kuti ife aMalawi tikukumana ndi zokhoma ngati izi nthawi zonse?,mwangodzidzimuka pa tulo nkungoyamba kumalemba izi pofuna kuwonetha ngati ndinu madolo?,ngakhale ena mwa anzathu ogwila ntchito m’boma akulandila malipilo okwanila bwino-bwino?.Anzathuwa amamvana chimodzi ndipo zochita zawo zimakhala zobvuta kuzimvetsa kwambiri,amamulemba munthu ntchito nkumunyengelela koma pambuyo pake timakumana ndi mikwingwilima yosaneneka.Ndipo ine ndine m’modzi mwa iwo ndipo ndikugwila ganyu ku Zambia m’malo mosowa ntchito kumudziko,ngakhale zitakhala bwanji bvutoli silingathe olo pangono.Dziko la Malawi ndilosauka ndipo mwai wopeza ntchito ndi nyanga yagalu,m’theng’eneng’e ndikukhalila m’phathi sikudzathaaaaaaaa!!!!.

  69. Musatitape m’kamwa ife pofuna kumva maganizo athu,mukuyenela kukhala oyamba kupeleka maganizo anu pankhananiyi ngati olemba olemba dzinkhani.Kodi mwazindikila lero kuti ife aMalawi tikukumana ndi zokhoma ngati izi nthawi zonse?,mwangodzidzimuka pa tulo nkungoyamba kumalemba izi pofuna kuwonetha ngati ndinu madolo?,ngakhale ena mwa anzathu ogwila ntchito m’boma akulandila malipilo okwanila bwino-bwino?.Anzathuwa amamvana chimodzi ndipo zochita zawo zimakhala zobvuta kuzimvetsa kwambiri,amamulemba munthu ntchito nkumunyengelela koma pambuyo pake timakumana ndi mikwingwilima yosaneneka.Ndipo ine ndine m’modzi mwa iwo ndipo ndikugwila ganyu ku Zambia m’malo mosowa ntchito kumudziko,ngakhale zitakhala bwanji bvutoli silingathe olo pangono.Dziko la Malawi ndilosauka ndipo mwai wopeza ntchito ndi nyanga yagalu,m’theng’eneng’e ndikukhalila m’phathi sikudzathaaaaaaaa!!!!.

  70. Malawi is a failed country, i’ll only come back there when i’ll be able to make K200 000 or more per month with the MSCE i have which i don’t see happenning soon choncho ndizidyabe ma rand kuno

  71. Malawi is a failed country, i’ll only come back there when i’ll be able to make K200 000 or more per month with the MSCE i have which i don’t see happenning soon choncho ndizidyabe ma rand kuno

    1. That is mediocrity of highest level and unproductive propaganda. Malawi has many educated people who can’t perform on the ground hence just wasting donors money.

  77. Make the currency to be strong and reduce the price of the goods,and then invite more white pple in the country to build there houses and companies .

  78. Make the currency to be strong and reduce the price of the goods,and then invite more white pple in the country to build there houses and companies .

  83. Including Zimbabwe?koma munafufuza bwinobwino?Ma zimbabweans now are flocking to TZ ZA or even here in Malawi.anthu anasiya kalekale ku Zim msawanamize anthu please

  84. Including Zimbabwe?koma munafufuza bwinobwino?Ma zimbabweans now are flocking to TZ ZA or even here in Malawi.anthu anasiya kalekale ku Zim msawanamize anthu please

    1. thats a lie never heard any Zimbos in Malawi . Won’t waste ma energy cmng to ur poorer country . Malawians mst wake up and do smthng to save the country frm dyng.

  85. I think govt must come with the strategic plans to supervise the working conditions and salaries mainly in public & private sectors becoz some employers in the country are after to feed themselves & to make themselves rich.They dont care and even put the lives of their employees at heart.For how long will the employees or workers be taken as slaves??Plz govt do something to end the violation of our rights as citizens becoz some who are busy violating the rights of workers by paying less salaries are foreigners.

  86. I think govt must come with the strategic plans to supervise the working conditions and salaries mainly in public & private sectors becoz some employers in the country are after to feed themselves & to make themselves rich.They dont care and even put the lives of their employees at heart.For how long will the employees or workers be taken as slaves??Plz govt do something to end the violation of our rights as citizens becoz some who are busy violating the rights of workers by paying less salaries are foreigners.

  98. I can’t be part of this slave trade thing. This is modern day slavery. Even during the days of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade you had some miserable Africans selling themselves into slavery and even justifying this barbaric act. Human trafficking is human trafficking whether it’s done by an individual, private entity or government.

    I have learnt to create opportunities for myself where the average person can’t even see a grain of one. I was born here, educated her, I’m working here and shall die here in Malawi. I refuse to dehumanised so that I could be shipped like cargo and commoditised in some Asian state just because I am too dull to think for myself. Malawi wake up, it’s time for African Renaissance.

  104. Women in Malawi are living in fear as thousands are being forced into prostitution.Does this happening inside or outside Malawi? Typical of Mw24,always making hills out of anthills,what a shame?

  105. Women in Malawi are living in fear as thousands are being forced into prostitution.Does this happening inside or outside Malawi? Typical of Mw24,always making hills out of anthills,what a shame?

  106. Women in Malawi are living in fear as thousands are being forced into prostitution.Does this happening inside or outside Malawi? Typical of Mw24,always making hills out of anthills,what a shame?

  111. They go through Medical checks before they leave base. You mean they don’t test for HIV? They are running adverts on the radios recruiting for people to work in the east. One of the requirements is to undergo Medicals.What is really going on here?

  112. To be honest with you there is no Drinking place in Kuwait plus, Those girls who are Spreading stories they were found Infected with hiv and they were Advised to go Back and i Know them so stop spreading bad News and this also Goes to you the News editor’s and News reporters before you publish your News you should do survey to get Proper News we do have embassys you could ask Those people they could give you Proper information you need Don’t embarrass our country am out.

    2. There are special places and hotels where you can drink and find prostitutes, but there are tight restrictions because it’s a grade run by powerful syndcates, well organized, and they target very rich tourists. Most of the women are from Eastern Asia.

    3. There are special places and hotels where you can drink and find prostitutes, but there are tight restrictions because it’s a grade run by powerful syndcates, well organized, and they target very rich tourists. Most of the women are from Eastern Asia.

    4. Lier, i have been here for so long time now almost 4yrs mention one of the place you know drinking joints, only one joint

  117. Its not about being HIV positive,recently Zimbabwe girls also complained of ill-treatment in Middle Eastern countries.Why they want African women as prostitutes?While theirs are covered from top to bottom.Gvt must act quickly these pple came from the East to buy our forefathers as slaves today they want to make our sisters sex slaves.This must immediately.

  118. The girls who are spreading this news were deported in Kuwait because they were HIV positive so stop lying to people.

    11. Man zimatheka munthu osapezeka ndi matenda Ku Malawi kuno kumpeza nawo ndi chifukwa amayezanxo komanso udziwe kuti amayeza matenda ambiri

    12. Man zimatheka munthu osapezeka ndi matenda Ku Malawi kuno kumpeza nawo ndi chifukwa amayezanxo komanso udziwe kuti amayeza matenda ambiri

    22. Guys understanding is good thing.. Am living in One of Middle East countries . The thing is they don’t allow people who are suffering from HIV, TB, and other diseases in total like five of them. If you found affected with one of them, direct ukuyenera kubwezedwa. Thus their rule.

  119. It’s not a new trade, Government officials are aware of this. And not just the Middle East, go to Jo’burg, a lot of Malawian girls, Zimbabweans, Mozambiqueans work in brothels for for less or no pay.

    1. so many northerners doing prostitution in Johannesburg, go to the Diplomat, Ambasadors,u will find them go to the locations and see.ask them how many years they have been in RSA doing that.Dont blame the government blame all the prostitutes including the Gondwes,Katete,Chikuses,Nyirenda,Ndoros and other tribes you name them

    2. so many northerners doing prostitution in Johannesburg, go to the Diplomat, Ambasadors,u will find them go to the locations and see.ask them how many years they have been in RSA doing that.Dont blame the government blame all the prostitutes including the Gondwes,Katete,Chikuses,Nyirenda,Ndoros and other tribes you name them

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