MANAonline
Government disburses K1.5 billion to poor households in Kasungu
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, May 21, Mana: Government has disbursed K1.5 billion to 14,080 poor and labour-constrained families in Kasungu District as part of the Social Cash Transfer Programme covering the period from November 2024 to May 2025.
The funds, ranging from K60,000 to K241,500 per household, targeted newly enrolled beneficiaries following a retargeting exercise conducted last year to recruit new households and graduate others from the programme.
Receiving her money during a pay parade on Tuesday, one of the beneficiaries, Jessie Phiri from Traditional Authority Mwase, said she would use the money to start a business and acquire household assets.
“This money is enough to start a meaningful business venture and will go a long way in helping me buy essential items such as livestock for my family.
“We did not harvest enough maize for food as a family, so we also plan to use part of the money to buy maize to help us survive during the lean months,” Phiri said.
Another beneficiary, Wezi Banda, expressed gratitude to government saying while she waited for a long period, the money has accumulated to a significant figure that will help her invest in a village saving and loan group.
Social Welfare Officer for Kasungu District, Raphael Chitete, urged the new beneficiaries to use the money for its intended purpose to enable them improve their nutrition, which is essential for their health and well-being.
“We are confident that the programme is meeting its objectives of supporting the most vulnerable households in the district, providing them with a regular income to meet their basic needs including supporting children in school.
“Specifically, we can attest to the fact that there is a change in the nutritional status of beneficiary households because of the wealth creation made possible with investing the money they receive under this initiative,” Chitete said.
He said the social protection initiative has been instrumental in improving the lives of thousands of families in Kasungu, enabling them to access essential services and invest in their future.
Kasungu District has a total of 19,300 beneficiary households under the Social Cash Transfers Programme which is supported by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
NYCOM for youth empowerment through Youth Innovation Fund
By Doricah Mkwapatira
Machinga, May 20, Mana: The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) toured Machinga to celebrate and support youth-led innovations through Youth Innovation Fund (YIF), which is meant to drive Malawi’s economy.
The NYCM visited Community Change for Youth Development (CCYD), which is implementing an agro-based project at Paramount Chief Kawinga’s area in the district, where NYCOM Executive Director, Rex Chapota, lauded CCYD for being a model, a case of young people utilising their skills to drive positive change.
CCYD is a group of 26 members, comprising 15 females and 11 males, that grows rice, maize and tomatoes covering a total of 8 acres since 2021.
"We are very inspired by the agricultural innovations we have seen today. This shows that if youths are given a chance to participate in national development, they can make a difference. Our role is to scale up their work so that they can do more," he added
Chapota said that a tour of Machinga offered NYCOM an opportunity to appreciate the challenges youth organisations face in their strides for youth empowerment
He said there is YIF under NYCOM, which is meant to provide financial resources to youth organisations to meet their development aspirations in line with government development agenda.
“The grants are meant for the purchase of necessary machinery and warehouses for food manufacturing and processing,” he added and expressed hope that giving youth organisations grants through the YIF would empower young people in Malawi to become drivers of innovation, productivity, and economic transformation.
CCYD, Executive Director, Justin Chiwaya disclosed that the organisation will be given a grant meant to support the organisation towards economic empowerment.
"Our goals include increasing production capabilities to enable us to process, grade, and package high-quality products for major retailers in Malawi, ultimately export to global markets and generating forex,
"We, however, face challenges that hinder production and efficiency,” Chiwaya said, citing limited machines for food processing.
The YIF was launched at 2024 National Youth Summit at Bingu International Convention Center in Lilongwe to empower youth aged 10 to 35 years to drive innovation, job creation and economic transformation in agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing.
FAWEMA initiative boosts tertiary education access for marginalised students
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, May 20, Mana; The Ministry of Higher Education has expressed gratitude to the Forum for African Women Educationalists Malawi (FAWEMA) for its initiative to increase access to tertiary education for students from marginalised areas.
Speaking during a courtesy call at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Principal Secretary Levis Keliyasi Eneya praised the program, saying it would be life-changing for students in rural areas.
“This is a life-changing program and we are so happy that it is focusing on rural girls and boys by providing all the necessary resources including fees and other basic needs.
“This will further uplift different lives of girls to have a chance to fulfil their dreams as most of them cannot afford to attend tertiary education on their own,” he explained.
FAWEMA’s initiative covers necessary resources, including fees and basic needs.
Deputy Executive Director of FAWE Africa, Teresa Omondi Adeita, revealed that 1,350 students would benefit from the program, which includes a bridging course to ensure quality education. Malawi joins ten other countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, in this initiative.
“The bridging course will help the students from the marginalised areas in Malawi to have access to quality education.
“Malawi is going to be among the top ten countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal and others, who will benefit from the program while working hand in hand with the Ministry of Higher Education,” he said.
FAWEMA Executive Director Wesley Chabwera explained that the program supports both boys and girls in pursuing technical college and university studies without financial burdens.
“Students in rural areas do not have access to tertiary education due to many challenges, including financial issues and the coming back on of the problem will help to address those challenges.
“The program started last year helping students in rural areas and will end in 2030, he explained.
About 80% of beneficiaries are girls, and 20% are boys from across the country. The program, launched last year, runs until 2030.
Machinga looks forward to successful PSLCE examinations
By Alice Ndunya
Machinga, May 20, Mana: District Education Office in Machinga says all is set for this year’s Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education(PSLCE) examinations, with high expectations that the district will perform exceptionally well in the national examination, with a lot of learners selected into national secondary schools.
Chef Education Officer for Machinga District Council, Douglas Namikungulu told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Tuesday that the district had received candidates identy cards (IDs) for the PSLCE examinations candidates contrary to speculations that the Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) was not ready to administer this year's examination due to identity cards issue.
Machinga has about 88 cluster centres with 2,864 males and 3,746 females registered for the examinations, out of which 10 males and 21 females are candidates with special needs.
“ We received the students ID’s on May 19 and all of them have been sent to the intended destinations where they have been distributed,” Namikungulu added.
He added that examination papers, security teams, and other necessary items arrived in examination centres in good time..
“ We have been improving in terms of pass rate, and with that in mind, we are eager to register progress this year. Let me appeal to parents and guardians to encourage their children to continue working hard in their education to excel in examinations,” he added.
A learner with special needs from St Therese Primary School, Jazira Hassan expressed said was ready to sit for the examinations with determination to pass..
“ My ambition is to become a medical doctor and for this reason, I work hard in class to fulfil my dream,” said the gifted learner.
A standard 8 teacher at St. Theresa Primary School, Liwonde Township, Linly Gama, said she prepared her learners very well ahead of the examination to remove fear apart from telling them MANEB rules and regulations to avoid disqualifications.
“ We revised all that was covered in the syllabus with the students and we provided counselling to prepare the candidates very well,” she added..
Public Relations Officer for Machinga Police, Sergeant Western Kansire said police officers were ready to execute their duty with the highest level of professionalism.
“Following a briefing that we recently had at Machinga Police Station, I can confirm that teams are ready to provide security efficiently to ensure examinations are written without security-associated challenges,” he added.
MANEB will administer this year's PSLCE examinations from May 21 to 23.
Chikwawa DC applauds government for teachers’ mass promotion
By Macmolex Chirwa
Chikwawa, May 20, Mana: Chikwawa District Commissioner, Nardin Kamba has applauded government for promoting 900 primary school teachers in Chikwawa District, saying the move will boost morale in the education sector and improve service delivery in schools.
The District Commissioner expressed his gratitude over the mass promotion on Tuesday when he presented promotion letters to the 900 teachers at Chikwawa Secondary School, describing this as step forward towards teachers’ motivation.
“This mass promotion is a sign that government is truly committed to uplifting the welfare of our teachers. This will boost morale and performance in our schools,” added Kamba.
One of the promoted teachers, Memory Phiri, from St. Mathews Primary School, said was happy with the promotion, adding that the promotions have added value to the district’s education sector.
“We are truly grateful for this. It shows that government listens to our concerns. The promotion gives us renewed energy to serve our learners with commitment,” added Phiri.
Another teacher, from Gotha Primary School, Madalitso Nasola, said the promotions were great motivation to many teachers that served diligently for years without recognition.
She further called on the government to ensure consistence in promoting teachers to make the teaching profession attractive and dignified.
During the meeting the district council also distributed 20 bicycles to teachers working in hard-to-reach areas.
Mchinji set for voter inspection and verification exercise
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, May 20, Mana: The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is fully prepared to commence the inspection and verification of voters’ register exercise in Mchinji, which is scheduled from May 21 to 23, 2025.
MEC’s District Elections Officer for Mchinji, Samson Ng’anjo, confirmed that all logistics have been finalized, with officers and equipment already deployed to designated centres across the district.
“Everything is set. We have deployed our officers and equipment to all verification centres in the district. We are ready to begin the exercise as planned this Wednesday,” said Ng’anjo.
The exercise allows registered voters to verify their details ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections and to make corrections or updates where necessary.
However, the timing has coincided with the administration of national examinations, the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) by the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB).
Addressing concerns of potential disruption, both MEC and education authorities have assured the public that measures have been put in place to ensure smooth and uninterrupted execution of both critical national activities.
District Education Manager (DEYS) for Mchinji, Joyce Hamsini, said schools serving as venues for both exams and voter verification have been instructed to carefully separate the two activities.
“We have directed head teachers to ensure that candidates sitting for exams are not disturbed by those coming to verify their voter details. Verification and examination activities will be done in separate and properly arranged spaces to avoid interference,” said Hamsini.
District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, also reaffirmed the district’s preparedness, stating that the District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) is on the ground and fully equipped to monitor the exercise.
“The DEST is ready. We will monitor the exercise as a team to ensure the exercise is conducted smoothly across the three days,” said Chidalengwa.
Phase two of the inspection and verification of the voters’ register is taking place in other districts of Nkhata Bay, Rumphi, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba, Zomba City, Thyolo, and Luchenza.
MACRA engages stakeholders on Bio-metric SIM registration regulation
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, May 20, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) on Tuesday engaged stakeholders in Blantyre on the Authority’s intention to embark on a Bio-metric SIM registration in line with the 2024 Data Protection Law to ensure a society safer from various cybercrimes.
The consultative meeting with targeted social media influencers, civil society organization representatives, Blantyre City Council ward councilors, among others discussed topics such, Bio-metric SIM registration, operationalizing Sim registration in Malawi- enhancing consumer protection, and counterfeit device enforcement.
In his remarks during the opening of the meeting, MACRA`s Head of ICT, Steven Perete said the Authority has the mandate to protect ICT consumers, adding that this was the reason the Data Protection Act was passed.
He said MACRA will do the Bio-metric SIM registration following concerns from consumers on increased digital fraud and many forms of cybercrime.
Perete said the BIO metric SIM registration will involve finger printing and facial recognition.
“Bio metric SIM registration is not about surveillance of ICT consumers rather is about security and trust,” he said,
Perete further said an individual will be allowed to register less than ten sim cards per mobile provider.
He therefore called on people to comply by registering their SIMs bio metrically for improved service delivery and ensure safer digital society, when the exercise rolls out on 1 July this year.
The MACRA ICT Head observed that with the bio metric sim card registration, law enforcement agents will be able to trace fraudsters easily, saying this will also create a safer zone for consumers.
Blantyre based Young Voices Communication and Advocacy Officer, Jacquline Butao said Young Voices will carry out a series of public awareness on importance of the Bio-metric SIM registration.
“We will raise awareness on Bio-metric SIM registration in our project areas and will explain benefits of registering SIM cards bio metrically,” she said.
However, Blantyre City Mayor, Councilor Makwinja observed that involvement of National Identity Cards in the Bio-metric registration is tricky and politically sensitive.
“I am afraid this will create a lot of speculations in the public. People are already speculating a lot on use of machines in the election and you’re bringing in the issue of Bio-metric SIM registration,” he said.
He therefore asked MACRA to consider shifting the exercise later, preferably after the general elections.
MACRA held similar consultations in Mzuzu and Lilongwe where stakeholders said the Bio-metric SIM card registration is a way to go in addressing fraud and other digital crimes.
DC calls on voters to verify names in voters’ register
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, May 20, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Likoma, Abubakar Nkhoma has asked registered voters to verify their names during the three days’ voters’ inspection exercise expected to run from May 21 to May 23 in the district.
Nkhoma said this, Tuesday on the sidelines of a District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) briefing exercise which was held in the district.
“As a district, we are set to start the voters’ inspection exercise, so I am encouraging all those who registered as voters to go to the centres where they registered or transferred, to verify their names,” said Nkhoma.
Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) Team Coordinator for Likoma, Thandiwe Zimba said the exercise will help voters know If they are in the register and if the details are correct.
“The voters need to know if they are indeed in the register and if their details are correct. Sometimes there might be some issues like having your bio data captured as a female but the face is for a male voter.
“We do not want to have these issues on the polling day, that is why we want to rectify such problems to make sure that our data, our voter register is very clear and has the right information,” said Zimba.
Director of Education and Sports (DES), Zimulange Mhango said the national primary school leaving certificate examinations which will run concurrently with the voters’ inspection exercise will not be affected.
“As a district, we have Nkhwazi and Yofu primary schools as centres which will be handling the two exercises, however measures have been put in place to make sure that they run concurrently without any challenges,” said Mhango.
President Chakwera underscores the significance of the construction sector
By Eunice Disi Lole
Lilongwe, May 20, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Mc Carthy Chakwera says the construction sector plays a crucial role in facilitating infrastructure developments in the country.
The President made the remarks on Monday during the Inaugural of the construction day at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
“When I was sworn in as President in 2020, my goal was to build a Malawi for all and I am glad that we are progressing. So far we have over 600 projects which are underway,
“We will soon share the list of the projects for Malawians to appreciate the works and to have an idea of the country’s development,” he said.
The Malawi leader further condemned the act of discrediting his government’s development describing the tendency as undesirable.
He urged the public to embrace love and stand by facts and urged all people to avoid hate speech during the election period.
“Developing a country is not a one-man job and it is not about who started or completed what but it is about how far you have gone with development during one’s service. As such let us detest such statements as they only bring commotion in the country,” he added.
The President further said,” We are not building Malawi for ourselves, but for generations to come. I encourage engineering companies to uphold high standards in construction work.
In his speech, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara commended President Chakwera for transforming the engineering and construction industry stressing durability and quality work that will last for generations.
Meanwhile, Chairperson for the National Construction Industry Council Jeremiah Mugaba has praised President Chakwera for advocating quality infrastructure and promoting the work of the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC).
The event which was celebrated under the theme “Quality driven construction industry: Building for generation” brought together government officials and key players in the engineering and construction sectors.
Government to construct Chimwaza - Nambuma tarmac road in Dowa
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, May 20, Mana: The Malawi Roads Authority, has announced that government will upgrade the 21 kilometer Chimwaza - Nambuma Road (S115/T344) in Dowa to bitumen standard.
The Authority`s Social Planning Officer, Boston Kadzamira, made the remarks on Monday, during an orientation about the project to the Dowa District Executive Committee (DEC).
He said the project will be financed by government to a tune of Mk18.3 billion and is expected to commence in May 2025, and be completed in 18 months.
"Once completed, the road is expected to ease mobility challenges, reduce travel time, and improve safety for road users.
"It is also expected to improve transportation of agricultural produce, and overall improvement in social economic activities of the people around the area. So this orientation aims at informing the council about the project," said Kadzamira.
Other benefits, he said, include creation of employment opportunities and skills transfer to local community and civil engineering sector through interaction between different technocrats.
Kadzamira said currently, the contractor, China Civil Engineering Corporation Limited is establishing a campsite around Kalonga Trading Centre.
On the day, the Malawi Roads Authority also held consultative meetings with community members living close to Chimwaza - Nambuma road, namely, Chimwaza, Kalonga, Kasolo, Dangaliro and Nambuma.
Through the meetings, the Roads Authority in conjunction with Dowa District Council met chiefs, Village Development Committees, faith leaders, community members, security agencies, amongst others to raise awareness on the project.
"We want you to know the benefits the road will bring, but also on the challenges which might come during construction and how we plan to mitigate them," said Mgwadira.
A representative of Senior Chief Dzoole said the project is a good development and was long overdue.
"We are very happy with the development. As a community, we will ensure we play our part in the successful implementation of the project," he said.
Earlier, Acting Chief Planning Officer for the council, Yusuf Laki said roads boost social economic development of a district.
He however called for strong communication channels between stakeholders and the community to ensure timely address of issues that may arise, to avoid unnecessary delays of the project.
