UNIMA Checkers VT Stars–Ready to Volley and Check-Bang in CUCSA Competitions

UNIMA Checkers VT Squad at 2025 TESSAM II. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi.

The slight failure to return gold at the just-ended TESSAM tournament has not stopped The University of Malawi Checkers Volleyball team (UNIMA Checkers VT) stars from being called into the squad by The Volleyball Association of Malawi to represent Malawi Universities and Colleges in the Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) games, which will be hosted in Botswana.

On Sunday, 30th November, 2025 UNIMA Checkers boys fell short to MZUNI Trojans after dominating the previous rounds and having better scores throughout the tournament. Their dominant displays paid off as the majority of the team's players have been called to go camping in preparation to represent the tertiary institutions at CUCSA set to kick-off 2026 in Botswana.

Checkers VT Captain Mikuwa at the back and his fellow stars recharging. Credits: Volleyball Malawi

Hence, the slight failure to secure gold did not stop the Volleyball Association of Malawi from recognising their prowess, as the immediate former TESSAM gold and current silver medalists, went on to dominate the squad. 

The UNIMA Checkers, like the Spain football team in 2010 and 2012 which was dominated by Barcelona players, have also dominated the with ten players compared to their rivals. Barcelona had a majority of players in the Spanish national football team despite semi-final losses to Internazionale Milan and Chelsea, leading to the country's FIFA World Cup and Euro Championship triumphs respectively. Despite being different sporting disciplines, having a majority of UNIMA Checkers' players who already have a good chemistry, also gives the Malawi joint tertiary volleyball team a huge boost like the then all-conquering Spanish football team.

Checkers Captain Mikuwa recharging in a game vs NRC. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi

The team also comprises the current gold medalists from MZUNI Trojans, bronze medalists from Bunda Dragons (LUANAR) and the other TESSAM competitors who did not make it to top three in the tournament that just ended last Sunday on 30^th November, 2025.

Below are the names and positions of UNIMA Checkers' players who have been called to join camp as Malawi Volleyball prepare for the games. 

Checkers VT ready for the Kickoff. Photo Credits: Volleyball Malawi

David Chinkhuntha (Setter)

Beston Chimpeni (Setter)

Blessings Mikuwa (CB/Power hitter)

Benson Chimpeni (Opposite)

Leo Kadam'manja (CB)

Harrison Julius (Power)

McDonald Ngwira (Power)

Raphael Chimombo (Power)

Latif Dulana (Power/Libero)

Deusdeditt Chigwenyu (Power)

Congratulations boys!

Follow UNIMA Checkers on Facebook:  https://web.facebook.com/UnimaCheckersVT/

EXTREME SHOUTS AT HOME; WHAT DO THEY MEAN TO VISITORS AND CHILDREN?

There is a psychological trait; I understood that most people especially women, use children as a block to disrespect visitors like relatives or close friends of their partners. The block is simply shouting, and even smacking kids for a minor issue. Mostly, the shouting is extreme for a child's age, and makes the visitor wonder if that is how they normally treat their offspring or those they are raising.

Let us assume they do; what kind of beings will they be when they start to think and do things independently in the future? Honestly, what is displayed means it is not the children they are shouting at, but you, the visitor present at their residence. When you have the chance, please just leave that "wanna-be hell" and never go back if you can. 

Photo Credits: Meta AI

I always quote my late Gramps: "When you are welcomed, children's behaviour is the first sign. Even the joy displayed to these children by parents is a sign that you are appreciated in a home." Of course I was very young when he advised someone of this, and I still recall it vividly.

Anyway, a home where a parent often treats children in an unfriendly way in the presence of visitors is not worth a stay. Someday, you might wonder why people never open up to the possibility of sharing conversations with you or engaging you on important matters. It is definitely your behaviour, and how you react in their presence.

I understand, sometimes children are hard to control, but that is not an excuse to speak, and treat them poorly around visitors. It is very unfortunate that many do not realise this. Hence, the visitors may simply observe the parent, and in the end regard them as a wild animal to kids. They cannot even let their kids to go at relative or friend's for a holiday or some kind of a weekend visit for fear of having them mentally damaged.

Are kindness and love that hard towards the young ones? How did we lose the moral grounds and disciplinary ways to help our children become better? Where is the honesty if we have problems with others?

Tolerating extreme shouts create a hostile environment–not just to the young ones, but everyone present. As we keep on evolving, we should not leave love and discipline behind. Let us be kind with one another, as most religious doctrines say, "Love always win" 🫶

Tell me what you think in the comments or through Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/BcubeRJ/). Another exciting and  enlightening chapter will come from your suggestions.

This is just a start 😉 

PERSEVERANCE CEMENTS GOLD STATUS: UNIMA CHECKERS VT TOPS TESSAM TOURNEY

UNIMA Checkers VT gold medalists (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers)

The University of Malawi Checkers Volleyball Teams (UNIMA Checkers VT) have proven that success comes through persistence and resilience, as both the men’s and women’s teams claimed gold at the recent Tertiary Education Students Sports Association of Malawi (TESSAM) tournament held in Lilongwe on Saturday, 10^th May 2025.

The men’s team, who were knocked out in the previous tournament after earning bronze in the one before that, and the women’s team, who secured bronze in two consecutive competitions, finally broke through to the top. This year’s sweep cements UNIMA Volleyball as a rising powerhouse in TESSAM, marking a perfect finish in both categories.

UNIMA Checkers VT gold medalists 🥇 showing their medals (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers)

Speaking after the tournament, men’s captain Benjamin Chamgwera expressed his joy over the hard-earned victory especially that it came in his final year at the institution.

“This gold medal symbolises that hard work pays off. This victory will inspire many aspiring players, especially considering that volleyball is one of the least popular professional sports in the country. I urge the government, the university and other stakeholders to support us in competing in more tournaments, especially those that could earn the nation a continental and global recognition.

Our dominance in both male and female categories shows that we are committed to inclusive success,” said Chamgwera.

Top is Gold: Captain Benjamin Chamgwera🥇 (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers team)

Women’s team captain Jessie Kaunda also celebrated the win, saying she is happy with the triumph, and hopes volleyball gets the recognition and support it deserves for being one of the most successful sports at the university. She further highlighted the benefits of shared training sessions with the men’s team.

Smiles for the MileGold: Captain Jessie Kaunda🥇 (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers)

“This triumph is a result of strong teamwork across both teams since we often train together. Competing alongside the men helps us to grow as athletes, and it motivates them too when we outperform them. These gold medals are a collective achievement,” Kaunda noted.

Joel Bangs! UNIMA Checkers VT Men's eliminating LUANAR-Bunda Campus team (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers team)

UNIMA Checkers coach, Martin Ngalande, praised the players for their discipline and commitment by acknowledging the team's effort for turning the past losses into learning opportunities.

“This victory is a testimony that UNIMA is indeed the home of excellence. The players made sacrifices, trained consistently despite tight academic schedules, and showed a willingness to grow from past defeats. Some players even missed their final social weekend. This mentality and work ethic made the difference,” said Ngalande.

We learned from our Mistakes - Ngalande (Photo Credits:  Martin Ngalande Facebook)

UNIMA Student Sports Director Precious Bonzo praised the UNIMA Checkers’ efforts and called for greater institutional support.

Athletes need more support - Bonzo (Photo Credits: Chanco News Facebook)

“The university, and other stakeholders need to step in and support these athletes. Their performance shows that with more opportunities in domestic competitions, they can also help with the development of a strong national team,” said Bonzo.

Some UNIMA Checkers VT gold winning players before the games (Photo Credits: UNIMA Checkers)

UNIMA Checkers teams achieved gold after facing tough setbacks in recent tournaments. The men’s team bounced back from an early knockout in the last competition, following a bronze medal finish the year before. Meanwhile, the women’s team had consistently secured bronze in the two previous editions. This year, both teams reached new heights: the men’s team defeated Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA) 25–13, 25–18, while the women’s team delivered a dominant 25–15, 25–15 victory in the final.

THE SURVIVOR WITH A MORTARBOARD: A MALAWIAN GRADUATE’S STORY

Who is a Malawian Public University graduate?

UNIMA graduation, April 2025 (Credits: UNIMA Facebook Page)

Have you ever walked in the corridors of the University of Malawi (UNIMA) or any other public university as a student?

As we walk the corridors of Malawi's public universities, we are reminded of the resilience and determination of students who strive for excellence despite numerous challenges. From limited resources to financial constraints, these students persevere to fulfil their dreams of a brighter future.

After successfully being enrolled in various public universities for undergraduate studies, either as generic or mature students, many face hardships. Once enrolled, it is common for people back home to heap praises and focus on the belief that the student will come back home with "the paper" in the later years. Unlike in religion where faith is supreme, university students need extra necessities to help them run their day-to-day activities. These necessities are not limited to cooking flour, rice, groceries, and money for lunch and supper, especially for those residing in the school’s hostels.

Many students struggle to make ends meet at these institutions due to financial limitations, and again, psychological constraints caused by academic pressure. Some students complain of being redirected to programs they never wished to study. Others lament about academicians who appear inconsiderate to their academic needs, but that is a story for another day. There have even been tragic trends where universities, particularly the University of Malawi, have lost aspiring graduates to suicide. Almost every academic year since 2022, students have forced themselves into the silent palace. It is the struggles they face at the institution that prompt them to seek an escape route from the difficulties.

The Malawi government tries to support generic students by subsidising education costs and providing loans. Despite this financial help, many generic students still struggle to access basic needs which prompt some to withdraw or seek public assistance through social media. Those who are bold enough open up, and help is given by friends and philanthropists. The problem arises when students fail to speak up about their struggles, whether financial or academic which lead to a silent suffering. The end result is often either suicide or reckless engagement in drugs and substances, especially marijuana and alcohol.

It even gets harder for those who enrolled as mature students; they are not given any financial support from the government—no loans and subsidies. Unless they are employed by institutions willing to sponsor their education, they must shoulder everything themselves. Mature students are expected to worry less, at least in the eyes of generic students who assume that their peers are financially sound due to their admission requirements: proof of work experience, financial statements, or sponsorship letters. Some generic students even ask for financial help from these mature students for luxuries, not knowing that even mature students are unsure of how they will source their own funds. The emotional burden placed on the experienced student, and the silent power that financial expectations hold over them, separates them from their younger counterparts. Some leave behind families that rely on them financially. When they compare their earnings to tuition fees and other necessities, it is a nightmare. Still, they soldier on, and face battles brought upon by academicians in their quest to be certified for the academic award.

Some UNIMA BACCS class of 2024 graduates (Credits: Dr. Chavinda)

To graduate from these institutions, resilience is essential, and most importantly God's grace for many. Despite atheism claims, many cry for help in the name of love. As one big family per UNIMA, arms are stretched to pull each other out of messes: financial, academic or psychological. A degree is a testimony that one attended university, but the real lessons gained from these institutions are not recorded on the transcripts. Those transcripts are strictly information of courses attended in a classroom or an academic required research. The most important lessons from university are stored in the graduate’s brain, the true centre of the degree.

Some argue that a degree is just a paper, but they never understand the struggles and efforts invested to earn it. The lessons learned are the reason people boast about having studied at a public university, not just for academic achievement but for the life lessons gained from interacting with people of different backgrounds in the country, and sometimes from across the globe. A degree is not just a paper, it is a testimony of resilience, hope and determination.

 A sigh of relief as student is ready to be conferred his Bachelors in 2025 (Credits: UNIMA Facebook page)

Behind every graduation photo is a story of survival. A story of skipped meals, silent cries, sleepless nights, postponed dreams and quiet courage. The mortarboard is not just worn on the head, it rests on the weight of everything a student had to endure to earn it.

Last Man standing (Credits: UNIMA Facebook page)

They are not just graduates. They are survivors, the last kind standing with a mortarboard.

A question for your mind, who is a graduate from a public university in Malawi?

Leave the comments below.