MANAonline
Youths salute DIGMAP for opening up doors for business
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: A group of young people has lauded Rydbery Starck Limited, an innovative engineering and technology company, for empowering them with computer and entrepreneurship knowledge and skills, including start-up business capital through Digital Skills Development Innovation Programme implemented under Digital Malawi Project (DIGMAP).
Ministry of Information and Digitalization officials had a tour of Rydberg Starck Limited’s offices at Mount Pleasant in Blantyre, recently, where they interacted with some of the youths that benefited from Malawi Digital Project to appreciate how youth digital and financial empowerment impacted on the trained youths.
Nellie Kamba, one of the ten young people, said she received K2 million start-up business capital from DIGMAP after undergoing a two-week training programme that also helped her gain computer and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.
She added that after presenting a wining business idea, she got the grant that enabled her to open Kuwala ICT Center at Lunzu, where she offers typing and printing, scanning, photocopying, laminating, binding, and graphic designing services, besides offering computer lessons to young people at the trading centre.
Under DIGMAP, Rydberg Starck Limited trained 635 youths (43 per cent males and 57 percent females) in Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa and Nsanje, where young people are in various income generating activities and other digital related employment for a living.
Another young lady, Happiness Douglas was trained by Rydberg Starck Limited on computer and entrepreneurial skills but she was not among the ten youths that received K2 million grants for business.
“I got business management skills; My business capital was the knowledge I got, and I am able to apply the knowledge such that I am in agri-business,
“I have got 22 goats and I grow a lot of onions and other vegetables, and I also support my siblings’ education,” she said, adding that she advertises her business on social media platforms to get more customers.
Douglas who looks forward to creating jobs, said she wanted to see her agri-business grow beyond what people see today.
Deputy Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Information and Digitalization, Bessie Msusa, called on the youths to venture into businesses with knowledge and skills they acquired from DIGMAP.
“Start from the scratch if you want to prosper; You have skills and we expect you to grow,” she said, adding: “We trained you to enable you attain sustainable livelihood.”
Rydberg Starck Limited, Communication Officer, Cuthbert Magawa, said the organization was pleased to be associated with young peoples’ successes out of entrepreneurial and digital skills training programmes.
“ICT mass literacy campaign and other digital skills training programmes are relevant to the young people. We are therefore impressed to see the young people we trained doing great things in their respective communities,” he added.
The communication Officer, said Rydberg Starck Limited will continue to empower young people with various digital and entrepreneurial skills, hoping that the skills will lead most young people to sustainable livelihood.
Luntha ndi Chuma, Digital Skills Development and Innovation Training Programme was being implemented by Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) under DIGMAP with funding from the World Bank.
Chakwera challenges MUBAS graduates to focus on production
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has challenged the newly graduated students at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) to become producers, rather than consumers. choose between being consumers or producers.
Chakwera made the call on Monday in Blantyre during the second congregation at MUBAS, where about 344 students (237 males, and 107 females) graduated with certificates, diplomas and degrees from various programmes.
The President, who is also the Chancellor of MUBAS, observed that Malawi is at cross-roads where the people must choose between two paths.
“The first path before us is to become a nation and a people that produce more than they consume, and the second path is to remain a nation and a people that consume more than they produce,” he said.
The Malawi leader said it was surprising that many citizens claim to believe in production, yet their behaviour shows that their “true religion” is consumption.
“Such people act with entitlement with resources that belong to others, waiting around for good things to come magically or miraculously, instead of using the opportunities and resources God has already given them to create value,” said Chakwera.
He continued: “They spend hours online consuming data, reading useless posts designed to turn you into a hopeless and angry person, instead of spending hours online setting up businesses on websites like Stan Store, where thousands of other young people all over the world are turning their content into millions of dollars in the bank.”
Chakwera said his government expected to see the newly graduated students turn the tables and focus more on production.
He urged them to orient their livelihoods towards production, and start spending time researching what areas of production are most lucrative, and what markets are available in that area, creating innovative solutions that are tailor-made to meet the needs of that market.
He further encouraged the graduates to forge partnerships with people who would open doors to enter the market with the ideas and solutions in a win-win arrangement.
“On top of this, stay away from masters of kulubwalubwa and kuwuwawuwa and clinging to those Malawians who are creating solutions and making change happen,” he advised.
MUBAS Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, said the institution has produced a number of innovations to contribute to Agriculture Tourism and Manufacturing (ATM) strategy, and she advised the newly graduated students to produce impactful innovations for the nation and beyond.
"It is not only the knowledge they have gained, but also practical experience in research, innovation, and production," she said
McHurrington Phiri, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce Taxation, said the knowledge he has acquired throughout his studies will be pivotal in his career.
"I will use the knowledge gained from MUBAS to help clients navigate complex tax-related issues," he said.
MUBAS offers over 115 programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
NEEF committed to curbing hunger in Kasungu
By Gracious Phiri
Kasungu, May 21, Mana: The National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) continues to provide micro-irrigation loans to farmers’ clubs in Kasungu District, enabling smallholder farmers to access modern farming techniques and technologies and boost crop yields to curb food insecurity.
Speaking when he handed over irrigation equipment and farm inputs to Ntanga Women Irrigation Club, in Traditional Authority Njombwa, NEEF Zone Manager for Mponela, Lloyd Nyakamera, said the loans will avert hunger created by harsh climatic conditions, which affected harvests in this year’s farming season.
He said NEEF is committed to supporting government efforts to attain food security through irrigation agriculture to enable farmers to cultivate crops such as maize, at least twice a year.
“The programme is meant to curb hunger and boost the economy of the country through contributions by smallholder farmers.
“These smallholder farmers will be able to have enough food for themselves and sell the remaining for the continuation of the programme,” Nyakamera said.
He urged beneficiaries to make good use of the loan so that they are able to repay it, adding that as NEEF, they are not just looking for loan repayment but, also, improving the economic status of the beneficiaries.
Senior Chief Njombwa thanked NEEF for the loan saying it is in line with government’s efforts to have a hunger free country.
Chairperson for the Club, Matren Phiri, also expressed gratitude for the loan, saying it will help the group to cultivate crops on a large scale.
“We have been waiting for this opportunity because ever since we started in 2018, we have been doing irrigation on small scale, using hired water pumps at a high cost.
“This is why we are excited that we now have our own pump, which uses solar energy, meaning that we will save a lot of money that we used to spend on hiring pumps and buying fuel,” Phiri said.
The loan package included solar powered water pump, maize seeds, and 100 bags of fertilizer, all valued at K30million.
Kasungu communities urged to adopt fish farming
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, May 26, Mana: District Fisheries Officer for Kasungu, Ignatious Lipato, has urged communities in the district to diversify their farming activities by adopting green businesses such as fish farming.
Lipato made the call on Saturday, when Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED), handed over fingerings to Chisamba Village, in Sub-Traditional Authority Ndume, to mark the launch of a community owned fish pond.
“As a department responsible for aquaculture, we are seriously encouraging fish farming in rural communities, especially now that we are faced with the challenge of climate change.
“Fish farming is one of the best green businesses, communities can adopt for their nutrition and income security and, today, I’m happy to witness one of the milestones in the promotion of aquaculture in the district,” Lipato said.
He said Kasungu District has over 1,000 farmers spread across all Extension Planning Areas (EPA’s), producing around 15.5 metric tons of fish annually.
The Fisheries officer described the launching of the pond at Chisamba as a huge development that would boost production and he challenged the surrounding communities to construct more ponds.
Director for JCED, Reuben Nazombe, lauded the commitment shown by the community by manually constructing the pond, which is 375 square meters in size.
“Our interest is to work with rural communities so that they withstand the impact of climate change which is mostly affecting their livelihood.
“Although climate change affects everyone, our understanding is that it affects vulnerable communities more than others. That’s why we are working with them to build and strengthen their resilience,” Nazombe said.
He added that with the unreliability of rains, communities have to diversify the sources of their livelihood by venturing into green businesses that protect the environment, and enhances the biodiversity of the place and, at the same time, contributing to their livelihood.
“Our motivation is to see a resilient household and a resilient community,” he said.
Chairperson for Chisamba Village Pond, Kamwenye Vito, expressed gratitude to JCED for supporting the 54-member group with training and resources to start the fish farming project.
“Our dream is to make it big, and we will add more ponds both as a group and at individual level to increase production,” he said.
The faith-based organization has also supported the venture with fingerlings and feed.
Government pledges support to people of Chatata
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 25, Mana: The Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda, who is also the Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, has assured the people of Chatata that government is set to distribute relief maize to the area as soon as possible.
In his remarks made on Saturday at Chatata ground in Lilongwe, Banda said the government will provide direct support to the area.
"We have made a promise that the government will support them, and we will ensure that they receive the assistance they need," he said.
Banda also emphasized the need for peace and unity during the upcoming general elections.
"Malawians need to move in unity to ensure peace, so as a party, we are committed to promoting peace and stability and will not tolerate violence in this country," he said.
Director of Youth to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who is also the Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works, Baba Steve Malondera, highlighted the act of violence and challenges faced by women and young men who have their goods taken away by city officials.
Malondera added that it is time for city officials to have a human face and allow small-scale businesses to thrive, and taking goods from vendors is unfair and affects their livelihoods. These small-scale businesses need support, not harassment. He said they will engage with city officials to find a solution.
"We need to put in place a proper system to help city officials clean the city while also supporting small-scale businesses," Malondera explained.
Malawi determined to end new HIV/AIDS infections by 2030
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Deputy Director for HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Health Rabson Kachala says government through Ministry of Health, is geared to eliminate new HIV/AIDS infections by 2030.
Kachala made the assurance on Friday during the commemoration of a Joint International World AIDS Day and Candlelight memorial event, which took place at Lilongwe Technical College.
He said the country is doing all it can to achieve the deadline (2030), which was set by SADC member countries.
Kachala also urged the public and key stakeholders to work together to achieve the set goal.
"Let's work together to create a future where everyone can live without fear or any kind of stigma. For your information over 996,000 people are still receiving HIV/AIDS treatment and this is still a huge number and we are monitoring our health facilities to provide the best services," he said.
Speaking earlier, Y- Plus Organization member Innocencia Kachitsa, a young woman living with HIV/AIDS, bravery shared her emotional story, saying stigma still remains a big challenge among the people living with HIV/AIDS due to misinformation.
"Stigma is still one of the factors affecting us as people living with HIV/AIDs, because when you share your status to your friends, they begin to discriminate you even disincline you from participating certain activities.
“Let me encourage my colleagues who are facing stigma like me, to never give up but stay determined and become what you want to be in life,” she said
Lilongwe Principal Nutrition and HIV/ AIDS Officer, Edna Mwangonde, commended different organizations that made the event a success.
"It was a very important day for us, and a colourful event. As a district we are glad to have organized such an event, because it created a platform for us to reach out and provide information on HIV/AIDS," Mwangonde said.
The event which was commemorated under the theme: “Take the right path, together we remember, together we end AIDS”, was financially supported by Jhpiego, World Vision, UNC project, Mothers to Mothers, National AIDS Commission (NAC), MANASO, AHF Malawi, COWLHA just to mention the few.
Low turnout for voter verification exercise in Dowa
By Tamala Kamanga
Dowa, May 23, Mana: An inspection exercise for the verification of names in the voter’s registry, which MEC conducted in Dowa district, has shown a low turnout for the verification of names in the voter’s registry.
Speaking on Friday after an inspection exercise at five verification centres, MEC’s Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano attributed the low turnout to mobile verification, which MEC established to ease the verification process.
"Out of the five centres we visited, only one centre had 72 people verifying their names, despite thousands of people registering to vote in the district.
"A lot of people are verifying on phone, and I believe that is the major factor in the low turnout, this way is easier than physically going to verification centres," he said.
However, Fabiano urged political leaders to take a major role in encouraging people to go for verification, to enable them to choose their preferred leaders in the forthcoming elections.
One of the potential voters who on the day, Jailos Amos, said the mobile platform that MEC has established has allowed many people to verify their names through their phones.
"The coming of this kind of technology has made things simpler. You all know that we are in tobacco season, and many people here are farmers, hence they are finding it difficult to go to the centres, and are verifying through phone," said Amos.
In Dowa district, the verification of names in the voter’s registry commenced on 21 May and ended on 23 May 2025.
3 women arrested for burglary and theft
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Police in Lilongwe have arrested three women for allegedly orchestrating a burglary in Area 36 on May 19, 2025.
According to Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, the suspects have been identified as Chimwemwe Chembe, 39, Elizabeth Mkwezalamba, 36, and Memory Elias, 46. The trio reportedly hired three criminals to assist in stealing household items, including a deep freezer, an upright fridge, a mattress, beddings, and a microwave.
Chigalu explained that the first suspect, Chimwemwe, had been residing in a house whose owner had temporarily relocated to Blantyre for work, leaving behind some belongings locked in a separate room.
“Three days before the burglary, Chimwemwe approached Elizabeth and the two conspired to break into the room and steal a microwave,” said Chigalu. “However, Chimwemwe went ahead alone, broke into the room without Elizabeth’s knowledge, and sold the microwave for K30,000.”
After discovering that she had been left out of the scheme, Elizabeth allegedly decided to organize a larger burglary without Chimwemwe’s involvement. She then approached the third suspect, Memory Elias, asking her to help identify criminals for the job and to store the stolen items temporarily, since Elizabeth’s husband would not approve of keeping them in their home.
“Memory agreed and recruited three men to carry out the burglary, including her own son,” Chigalu added.
On the day of the incident, at around 17:00 hours, Elizabeth reportedly brought the criminals to the house under the pretense of inspecting the targeted items. The same night, at around midnight, the suspects returned and carried out the burglary.
The arrest of the three women was made on Thursday following a tip-off from well-wishers. Meanwhile, the three male accomplices remain at large and are currently being pursued by police.
Young women acquire media skills
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, May 24, Mana: God Cares Rights Foundation through Lwande Lithu Project with support from United Nations Women Peace Humanitarian Fund has embarked on an initiative aimed at equipping young peace builders with skills in story telling on issues affecting their communities through multimedia platforms.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Saturday, Programme Officer for Lwande Lithu Project, Blesco Nyangulu, said the initiative will provide a platform through which communities will be telling stories about gender based violence (GBV) among other issues to transform and foster peace.
One of the peace builders, Lestina Kalua of Chagoneka Village under Senior Chief Mwalweni, said that the skill which she has acquired from the project will help her investigate and report on credible stories from her community.
“This will help bring light on issues which retard development, co-existence, unity and peace in the community,” said Kalua.
Another beneficiary, Violet Nyirenda of Dimba Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwamlowe said knowledge on data privacy when handling stories will win people’s trust in their work and enhance peace building.
She added that other skills such as mobile storytelling will enable her share stories from her community fast targeting wider audience through her mobile phone.
The project is targeting 18 young women drawn from all four constituencies in the district.
CARD rescues 1,700 households from hunger in Balaka
By Steve Lingamawa
Balaka, May 24, Mana: Balaka District Council hailed Church Action in Relief and Development (CARD) for rescuing about 1,700 households from hunger in Balaka as the church relief organization responded to effects of El Nino in the 2024/2025 lean season through El Nino Emergency Response Project.
Balaka District Disaster Risk Management Officer (DDRMO), Allick Milanzi, expressed gratitude on Thursday when CARD presented El Nino Emergency Response Project exit report to Balaka District Council.
Milanzi said the district had 51, 802 households that were affected by hunger due to El Nino induced dry spells in the 2024/2025 season.
“Allow me to appreciate various stakeholders that participated in this initiative such as CARD, Council officers, the police and community members among others. Balaka District is prone to climatic shocks such as dry spells but your effort is always available as shown during this project,” DDRMO added.
He further explained that CARD, through El Nino Emergency Response Project disbursed K90,000 to every households to purchase food despite several challenges encountered during the project implementation, citing community leaders’ corrupt practices in identifying the beneficiaries.
CARD Project Coordinator, Harliex Chimutu, said the organization is among primary disaster respondent actors in Malawi.
He therefore commended stakeholders’ collaboration that helped to bail out households that were affected by hunger in Balaka District, saying; "The Project was given seven months to operate in Balaka from November 2024 to May 2025 particularly in areas of Phimbi, Nkaya, Makuluka and Zalimu with each household getting K90,000 for the first five months to purchase food items."
CARD received a 273,000 Canadian Dollars from the Presbyterian World Service and Development and Canadian Food Grains Bank to support households that were affected by the El Nino dry spell in Balaka.
