By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, April 19, Mana: Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED) on Friday donated 70 bicycles worth K32 million to champion lead farmers and other groups in Kasungu District to ease mobility challenges in the provision of extension services.

Presenting the bicycles, which were procured with support from Irish Jesuits International, Deputy Director for JCED, Martha Phiri, said there have been serious mobility challenges for champion lead farmers under the institution's Tasintha Mlimi Project to ably provide extension services to fellow farmers.

"We work with the most marginalized and vulnerable farmers, building their resilience to effects of climate change such as food insecurity. We use the farmer to farmer approach whereby we train the local farmers to provide technical agricultural extension services to their fellows.

"These are the people that have contributed less to climate change yet they are the ones that suffer most from the effects of this changing climatic patterns. So, to smoothen the provision of extension services, we thought of distributing the bicycles to ease mobility for the service providers," Phiri said.

She said through the Tasintha Mlimi Project, JCED has helped vulnerable communities to cope with challenges brought by climate change.

She expressed hope that activities under the intervention will be sustained when the project phases out in 2026.

President for champion lead farmers, Frazer Phiri, expressed gratitude for the support which was also extended to patrons for environment clubs under the Green Schools Initiative and village agents who supervise village savings and loan groups under the Tasintha Mlimi Project.

He said: "We work with so many farmers and the catchments are big, requiring the use of bicycles like these.

"We mainly teach them about climate smart agricultural practices like manure making, environmental conservation and the establishment of orchards and tree nurseries. So, we are excited that we have received these bicycles because they will ease our mobility," he said. 

On his part, a representative of the Extension Methodology Officer at Kasungu District Council, Kelvin Siti, advised the groups to use the bicycles for the intended purpose of promoting provision of extension services in the communities.

He called for seriousness in climate change interventions saying the changing weather patterns are a threat to food security.

Kasungu is one of the districts that suffered prolonged dry spells last growing season, putting over 50, 000 people on the line of starvation.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 19, Mana:  Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Salima have hailed government's swift response to the recent El Niño induced dry spells, praising the timely disbursement of emergency funds that helped them cope with food shortages.

Each beneficiary received K70,000 to support their household needs, a gesture many described as life saving.

Acoording to a beneficiary mother of four from the area of Traditional Authority Maganga, Sidya Isa, used the money to buy food items for her household.

“The money came just when we had nothing in the house. I was able to a buy 50 kilograms of maize and still had enough to purchase beans and cooking oil.

“Without this help, my children would have gone to bed hungry. Apart from the El Niño response I also received my normal cash transfer,” she said.

Another beneficiary, 78-year-old Mwanaiba Ali, from the same area said the support allowed her to survive a period of great uncertainty.

 “At my age, I cannot farm much anymore. The dry spell destroyed the little I had planted, but this cash helped me buy food and even some medicine. I am thankful to government for remembering us,” she said.

A widow from Lifuwu area, Aisha Shaibu, also praised the support underscoring the importance of the intervention in alleviating her family’s problems.

“Since my husband passed away, providing for my children has been a daily struggle. This money helped me buy maize, salt, and soap. It may seem to some, but for us it means survival. I feel seen and supported,” shaibu said.

Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme in Salima, Thumbiko Mbale, said the exercise is a success and commended the efficiency brought by the use of electronic payments.

“We are pleased that beneficiaries were able to access their funds without many challenges. The use of mobile money platforms and bank transfers has greatly improved the process and reduced congestion at pay points,” he said.

He noted that SCTP remains a critical safety net for the most vulnerable populations, especially during times of crisis.

"The proactive measures taken in response to the El Niño effects demonstrate government’s commitment to cushioning citizens from climate related shocks," he said.

The K70,000 was a top up on the usual transfers that beneficiaries under the programme receive bi-monthly.

8,365 beneficiary households were budgeted for the exercise.

Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) is Malawi Government social protection programme that helps ultra-poor and labour constrained households.

Salima is among the seven districts funded by the German Government through KfW.

By George Mponda

Karonga, April 19, Mana: Three people died on Saturday after a motor vehicle they were traveling in swerved off the road, overturned and rested upside down near Mount Meru Filling Station at Karonga Boma along the Karonga-Chilumba M1 Road.

Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, identified the three as Diverson Tembo, 22; Alick Mwamonje, 24 and Hilton Mwamonje, 25.

Msiska said on Saturday afternoon, a Toyota Sienta salon registration number BW 7381 driven by Diverson Tembo from the direction of Karonga Town going towards Chilumba with six passengers on board swerved off the road.

“As he was nearing Meru Filling Station, Tembo (now deceased) lost control of the vehicle due to speeding and swerved to the dirty verge of the road where it overturned once and rested upside down,” said Msiska.

Following the impact, Tembo and passenger, Alick Mwamonje, sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Karonga District Hospital.

Msiska said Hilton Mwamonje died three hours later whilst receiving treatment while the rest of other passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Alick and Hilton Mwamonje hailed from Mwangolera Village, while Tembo hailed from Kwiyula Village, all from the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.

By Janet Masamba

Nkhata Bay, April 19, Mana: NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has urged Nkhata Bay based journalists to promote fair and balanced reporting towards women aspirants for various political positions in the run up to the September 16 general elections.

In an interview on Friday after an interface meeting with journalists, one of the officials for NGO-GCN, Dorothy Chiumia, said journalists play a crucial role in supporting women who intend to compete for political offices.

“Your fair and balanced reporting will go a long way in motivating women to participate in politics as you provide them with platforms through which they can showcase their ideas to masses.

“We, therefore, organized this training to equip journalists with skills on how to support female aspirants through balanced reporting,” she said.

Chiumia was optimistic that such reporting will instill self-esteem in women and break challenging stereotypes about women in politics.

District Information Officer for Nkhata Bay, Chisomo Kambandanga, described the training as timely, with the potential of promoting women participation in politics.

"The meeting has been an eye opener. We have been encouraged to incorporate gender issues in our reporting. We are hopeful that more women will be interested in vying for political offices in the district," said Kambandanga.

The meeting was organized with support from UN Women through the Malawi Electoral Support Project under the Basket Fund financed by European Union, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom Government, Irish Embassy and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

By Abednego Sibale

Nkhata Bay, April 19, Mana: Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in Nkhata Bay, Wisdom Mwafulirwa, has disclosed that approximately K3.8 billion has been disbursed to SCTP beneficiaries in the district over the past three years.

Mwafulirwa was speaking recently when he updated members of Nkhata Bay District Social Support Coordinating (DSSC) on the program's progress.

According to Mwafulirwa, the support has transformed beneficiaries' lives as most of them invested their stipends in different forms.

"We have so far disbursed K3.8 billion to 6,476 beneficiaries from April 2022 to March 2025.

“Out of this number, 4,848 have joined village savings and loans groups, accumulated shares and most of them have embarked on small-scale businesses,” said Mwafulirwa.

He said such investments will contribute to sustainability of the program’s impact on the beneficiaries’ livelihoods as they are about to graduate from the program.

Mwafulirwa assured stakeholders across the district that the Council will continue providing regular, adequate, and timely cash transfers to promote beneficiaries' livelihoods and contribute to human capital development.

Nkhata Bay District Council Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Emmanuel Kanjawala, said the program is on track, with notable improvements in beneficiaries' lives.

"The program has improved housing conditions, with most beneficiaries living in iron sheets thatched houses, increased school enrolment, business skills of beneficiaries and contributed to decrease in charcoal and wood fuel usage due to diverse business ventures by beneficiaries, among others," said Kanjawala.

Despite household diet diversity remaining a challenge, Kanjawala believes beneficiaries are ready to graduate from the program.

Nkhata Bay District Council Public Relations Officer, Chisomo Kambandanga, said the district will continue engaging communities on the introduction of E-payment model to beneficiaries of the program.

"This model aims to enhance the program's efficiency and effectiveness in reaching its beneficiaries," he said.

SCTP is one of the components of Social Support for Resilience Livelihoods Programme (SSRLP) implemented across the country through National Local Government Finance Committee with financial support from World Bank and Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Yankho Kandio

Salima, April 19, Mana: Children from Chinguluwe and Lipimbi wards in Salima on Friday were given a rare opportunity of speaking directly to duty bearers about issues affecting their lives during a Children’s Parliament session organized by World Vision Malawi.

The event, which took place under the theme of child participation and empowerment, brought together children from various schools in the area, who debated and presented their views on pressing matters such as climate change, education, and child welfare.

In his remarks, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza North Constituency and Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Savel Kafwafwa, commended World Vision for creating a platform that allows children to raise their voices on issues that matter to them.

He said the initiative provides lawmakers with first hand insight into the challenges that children face.

“Children’s Parliament is a good platform where we can learn about issues affecting them. It is different when a teacher reports to you, but when you interact directly with children you get to hear the real issues from them,” he said.

He recalled a previous event where children reported a case of abuse by a teacher.

“Upon investigation, the claim was found to be true and the teacher was arrested. This is the power of giving children a voice,” he said.

Kafwafwa emphasized the importance of sustaining such initiatives beyond donor support, calling for government funding through district councils.

He suggested allocating part of the school improvement grant towards establishing children’s parliaments across constituencies.

World Vision Malawi Project Officer for Livelihood and Resilience, Adamson Kamwana, said the organization is child focused and believes in allowing children to speak for themselves.

“We realized that oftentimes decisions are made on behalf of children without really listening to them. This platform allows them to share their concerns directly with those who have the power to act,” Kamwana said.

He noted that such forums have contributed to national policy changes, citing the law prohibiting child marriage under the age of 18, which was influenced in part by children’s advocacy through similar platforms.

Speaker of the House, Grace Dumbo, hailed the initiative as a milestone in empowering children.

“This Parliament gives us chance to raise our concerns and propose solutions. We feel to be part of the society.

“These platforms help to shape policy and inspire children to dream big. Some of those who were in Standard Six when we started are now in college, motivated by these experiences,” she said.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, April 19, Mana:  The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has warned of the threat of high flash floods over lakeshore areas of Nkhata Bay and Karonga from April 18 into the weekend.

In an interview DCCMS Head of Public Weather and Aviation Services, Yobu Kachiwanda, said Mwera winds will blow over lake Malawi and other water bodies as such people should stay alert, avoid swimming, fishing and sailing in small boats during such winds.

“People in northern region and lakeshore areas should follow precautionary measures following an issued warning of active rain-belt which will cause flash floods. People with asthmatic conditions are asked to be extra careful during this week as temperature may drop significantly," Kachiwanda said.

In the past week, Malawi experienced hot conditions with rains over many areas which were locally heavy.

The highest reported 24 hourly rainfalls was recorded at Kabalelyamayolo in Karonga with 126.8mm on April 7.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula, said the Department has activated all inter agency working committees for preparations and anticipatory actions.

He said national emergency operation centre has also been activated for coordinating disaster preparedness and response.

“People are advised to move to safer and higher areas as a matter of urgency, follow weather updates through various communication channels and platforms. Avoid crossing flooded rivers and walking through running water, among others.

“The public should stay away from power lines, electrical wires and report fallen power lines to authorities,” he said.

In the 2023/2024 rainy season, Mangochi District experienced floods along Lake Malawi and Shire River due to rising level of the lake and the river, forcing a number of families to flee to safer places, leaving behind houses that were constructed in flood prone places.

The situation saw some concerned people in Mangochi petitioning the district council to force authorities to open gates at Kamuzu Barrage at Liwonde to let water go down stream, blaming the barrage gates to be contributing factor to the lake and river side flooding.