State of the Map Africa 2023/Call for venues/Malawi
Malawi the warm heart of Africa, endowed with the most beautiful freshwater lakes, rivers and friendly people. It is ranked as the third most peaceful country in Africa and number 40 in the world according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2019. It has higher levels of societal safety and security. Currently, the country under Humanitarian Openstreetmap has 13 Mapping campaigns including 3 HOT projects. However, the larger part of the country remains to be inconspicuous on the world Map. Yet the use of OpenStreetMap data, would be pivotal to improving the quality of open Geospatial data which would be crucial for disaster risk management, natural resources management and planning.
Therefore, we believe this conference will enlighten the stakeholders including the government on the state of Map Africa including Malawi and why more effort is required to build the visibility of places on the world map. In this regard, we would like to submit a bid to host State of Map Africa (SOTM Africa) 2023, in Malawi, particularly in the City of Blantyre.
Our vision
"Mapping each and every part of Malawi is the aim for OpenStreetMap Malawi . State of the Map Africa 2023 will be an event where OpenStreetMap members from various countries in Africa will celebrate the mapping and its progress in Africa. We plan on bringing together all OpenStreetMap Africa Communities to share their experiences and achievements as we learn from one another to improve OpenStreetMap in Africa. The event will be an opportunity for visiting members to experience the local culture and meet the peace loving Malawians with Malawi termed the 'Warm Heart of Africa' because of its peace loving people and their friendliness, as well as a go to Lake Malawi for a short vacation and enjoy the Tilapia "Chambo" fish, only found in Malawi, the whole Africa.
Why Blantyre?
Blantyre is the commercial city of Malawi. It hosts Chileka International Airport, which is located approximately 17 km from Blantyre Central Business District. The City has a good road network and cheap accommodation facilities. Most importantly, it is situated within a close locality such that mobility from one place to another is easy and less time consuming.We find that to be advantageous because distances pose challenges when it comes to keeping time. The City is surrounded with hilly areas that provide an amazing aesthetic of the place. It is this beauty perhaps, that it was named after Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, birthplace of the explorer David Livingstone. Additionally, the city has historical infrastructure that still stands impressively in its streets. The most impressive is St Michael and All Angels church, built by men with no training in architecture, construction or even brick-making. Others include the original town hall (Old Boma) and Mandala House, built in 1882 as the headquarter of the African Lakes Company. It was Malawi’s first two-storey building and is believed now to be the country’s oldest house. Mandala House is home to the Society of Malawi which protects and nourishes a true treasure trove of the country’s history. With thousands of books and resources safely stored away, it provides an opportunity to find out a bit more about Malawi that perhaps many tourists don’t ever discover. The Malawi Museum is also located in the City. The city being close to some districts which have compelling scenic beauty sites accessed at a maximum of 1 hour drives also qualifies it as an ideal location. Firstly, Chikwawa-Kamuzu View is an elevated spot where one can appreciate the hills and valleys of lower shire. Secondly, Mulanje which is the home of Mulanje mountain is one of the highest mountains on the continent. Thirdly, Zomba, a historic town, the old capital has Chawe which showcases the dense vegetation of the city as well as nature; waterfall and animals like monkeys. It is also a good place for hiking.
Who is the Team?
Our team is made up of OSM Malawi community members. Members of this community are specialists and professionals working in academia, government, and the private sector. They have collectively attended three State of the Map conferences in Uganda (2017), Tanzania (2017), and the United States (2022). The team's organizational, management, and technological skills acquired from their diverse professional backgrounds, together with their experiences from attending and presenting at other conferences qualify them to smoothly organize the next State of the Map Africa conference in 2023. Our team members are:
- Rachel Kumwenda Kaunda
- Blessings Chiepa
- Patrick Ken Kalonde
- Christie Mhone
- Aubren Chirwa
- Gumbi Gumbi
- Olive Caroline Mandalasi
- Simon Tembo
- Zola Manyungwa
When?
We propose that SOTM Africa should be held from 17th to 19th November 2023. This is so because the students of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences will be on holiday during this period which will make the venue available and easy to host visitors.
Where?
The proposed venue at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences is among the top Universities in Malawi. In order to make this conference affordable and convenient, this University is well situated in the Blantyre Central Business District (CBD). The University is well equipped with a large lecture theatre that can host more than 150 people. It has several boardrooms that can be used for breakout sessions and presentations for exhibitions, with a capacity of more than 60 people.
Budget
| Items | Quantity | Unit Price (USD) | Amount USD | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| venue | 3 days | 550 | 1650 | 1 lecture theatre and 1 Auditorium |
| Catering ( people) | 200 | 80 | 16000 | Various catering providers have displayed that average amount for the conference. |
| Scholarships (People) | 20 | 2000 | 40000 | 20 People from different African countries. |
| Sound Systems | 3 days | 300 | 900 | |
| Pre -Conference Marketing | 1 | 1300 | 1300 | Marketing the conference will start 3 days prior to the Conference day. |
| Pull up banners | 4 | 150 | 600 | |
| Backdrop banners | 2 | 250 | 500 | |
| Teardrop banners | 2 | 150 | 300 | |
| T-shirt | 200 | 30 | 600 | |
| Conference package | 200 | 20 | 4000 | This includes, pens, writing notebooks among others |
| Sticker | 1000 | 0.5 | 500 | |
| Photograph & Video | 3 days | 400 | 1200 | |
| Security | 1 | 150 | 150 | |
| Internet | 3 days | 600 | 1800 | |
| Cocktail | 200 | 30 | 6000 | |
| Volunteers | 10 | 50 | 500 | This amount will cover accommodation and other expenses for the volunteers |
| Miscellaneous | 1 | 800 | 800 | |
| TOTAL | 76700 USD |
Accommodation
There is a variety of accommodation in Blantyre – hotels and lodges of all sizes. The distance from the conference venue to the hotels also vary from walkable distances, bus rides, taxis.
Hotels
The newest impressive Amaryllis Hotel which now dominates the city’s skyline, blending modern luxury with traditional hospitality. The oldest hotel, which provides top-class accommodation and all expected facilities, including a gym and spa, is the The Protea Hotel by Marriott Blantyre Ryalls. Malawi hotel chain Serendib has 3 properties across Blantyre & Limbe: Heritage; Lotus and Serendib Suites & Conference Centre.
Hostels and Dormitories
The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences has a number of varieties of hostels from shared to single self-contained rooms available at a cheap cost of not more than 20 USD.
Airbnb/Private homes
There are two best Airbnb/Private homes and these are Villa 33 and Leslie Lodge.
Transportation
Visa & International advice
All visitors to Malawi must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure. Citizens from all Commonwealth countries, COMESA and SADC region do not need a visa to enter Malawi. Those requiring visas should obtain this prior to their travel through the Malawi embassy or consulate in their countries. You can also obtain the visa electronically here . Citizens of selected countries can obtain a visa on arrival, please check the Department of Immigration for more details.
Air Transport
Chileka International Airport (IATA: BLZ, ICAO: FWCL) is an international airport that serves Blantyre City. It is located about 13km by road to the commercial capital city of Blantyre. Main Airlines include Ethiopian Airlines connecting Blantyre to the rest of the World through Addis Ababa, South African airline which has frequent flights to Johannesburg and Malawian Airlines with regular flights to Dar Es Salaam and Lilongwe.
Road Transport
Public buses: Blantyre can also be reached by international buses via the Wenela bus stage which has regular buses travelling to and from Johannesburg, Dar Es Salaam, Harare and Lusaka.
Airport Taxi: There are reliable taxis just outside Chileka international airport that will take travellers to the venue (Which is well known by the drivers) within 40 minutes at an affordable price (15USD). These taxi’s do not require any prior booking.
Minibuses: There are public minibuses moving around Blantyre which are very cheap and travellers can hop on any of them.
Pre-Arranged Taxis: The organising team shall have a focal person who can arrange a taxi for you to the venue. You can also make the bookings yourself with various Taxi and Car rentals in Blantyre. We recommend: Avis, Countrywide, Taxify Malawi Android, Taxify Malawi iPhone, Eco ride.
Attendee care
There will be a team dedicated to assist in the travelling of the participants
security
The host university provides security on the campus
Language
English is the primary language in Malawi