MANAonline
Council awards best performing teachers, schools
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, December 12, Mana: There was dancing and jubilation at Balaka Primary School Wednesday when Balaka District Council through the District Education Office awarded 167 outstanding teachers for their outstanding performance during the 2023 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE).
During the function, 17 outstanding schools which registered 100 percent pass rate were also recognized and awarded for their remarkable performance.
Speaking during the function, District Commissioner for Balaka, Tamanya Harawa said the initiative aims at promoting quality education in the district.
He, therefore, challenged all teachers in the district to dedicate themselves to the noble course for the district to always produce good results.
Harawa, disclosed that the council will continue to support the education sector by ensuring necessary resources were available in both rural and urban schools.
"Depending on the resource envelope, we may also expand the rural allowance initiative so that those teachers working in these hard-to-reach areas are motivated. I would like to find ways in which we can intensify this,” he disclosed.
“When one is working and doing better, rewards are important as they act as an encouragement for the awardees to do more, it also motivates those not doing well to push harder.
“For the past years Balaka has been at the bottom ten of poor performing districts, but I am glad that last year we registered an improvement which is encouraging and looking forward to do more,” he added.
Harawa, therefore, cautioned teachers to be exemplary and exception, noting that the council will not tolerate misconduct and absenteeism, adding that the council will discipline anyone on the wrong side if the law.
“This is the beginning of these awards which will be done yearly, we will put this in our annual budget which will vary from one year to another, we are also happy that our partners such as NBS Bank and other non-governmental organizations have expressed interest to assist us during these events,” he said.
The money received during the function varied depending on the number of distinctions a teacher produced in a subject, but the highest smiled all the way to the bank with K235,500 with each best performing school receiving K50,000.
One of the awardees, Dorothy Naveya from Mponda Primary School, who was awarded as the best teacher who produced 157 distinctions in Chichewa, expressed gratitude for the council's decision, noting that it will inspire teachers to work hard.
“Mostly, I was encouraging the learners to read a lot and I was also doing make up classes so that I finish up the syllabus and start revisions so that the learners are reminded of what they have been learning,” he said.
Nomads white wash Bangwe All Stars to reach Castel Cup semis
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, December 12, Mana: Goals from Clement Nyondo, Misheck Bottoman and Sama Thierry Tanjong saw Mighty Mukuru Wanderers romp Bangwe All Stars 5-0 Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium in Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup quarterfinals.
Nyondo, who score a hatrick in the game, put the Nomads ahead on 5 minutes of the game after Bangwe all Stars defender lost composure.
They doubled the lead in the 56th minute through Misheck Bottoman followed by another goal from Nyondo in the 72nd minute which Cameroonian Sam also chipping in with his goal before Nyondo completed his hatrick that cemented his status as man of the match for the game.
In post-match interviews, Wanderers head coach, Bob Mpinganjira said their target was to battle it up to the finals and this was why his boys hit hard Bangwe All Stars, saying that this meant a lot to his side.
“Am very happy that we have won and proceeded to the next stage. We have been preparing hard for the game upon realizing how important the game was and it was good to see that the substitutions we made paid dividends as planned,” said Mpinganjira.
Following this result, the Nomads will meet giant killing Ryman Panthers from Area 49, Lilongwe who booted out Civil Service United through penalties.
Bangwe All Stars head coach, Trevor Kajawa said they needed to rebuild the team by scouting players who can withstand and compete with other teams, citing lost confidence due to poor performance in TNM Super League.
“We were trying to maintain the team’s pace but we couldn't and this is why we failed to go to the next level. We will go back on the pitch to correct mistakes and enhance the team,” said Kajawa.
In other matches, for the four semifinal slots of Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup played on Wednesday, Ryman Panthers managed to defeat TNM Super League club Civil Service United by 4-2 through penalties, Karonga United failed to seal Mzuzu City Hammers with 3-1 penalty defeat.
Sectors for intergration of gender considerations into health initiatives
By Catherine Chikopa
Thyolo, December 12, Mana: Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Health have underscored the need to integrate gender considerations into health initiatives as a key strategy to improve vaccine uptake and access to healthcare services.
This was emphasized Wednesday during an orientation session held in Luchenza, where Thyolo District Council, Gender Technical Working Group held a meeting to align strategies and share insights on linking gender and health.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana), after the session, Principal Gender and Development Officer, Francis Chitenje, said the meeting focused on ensuring both men and women take shared responsibility for health, particularly in immunization efforts.
“The main objective was to address low vaccine uptake in communities. We emphasized that vaccination is a shared responsibility between men and women and discussed strategies to effectively communicate this to communities," Chitenje said.
He said Thyolo District which has previously recorded low vaccine uptake, requires a robust approach to improve access, particularly by involving men as decision-makers and economic providers in most households.
“It’s vital for men to understand the benefits of immunizations. Without their involvement and support access to vaccines for children, wives and relatives can be significantly hindered," Chitenje added.
He also addressed the challenge of misinformation and stereotypes surrounding vaccines.
“Misconceptions such as claims that vaccines reduce sexual desire must be tackled with accurate information. These myths negatively impact vaccine acceptance in communities," he said.
Consultant Epidemiologist for the World Health Organization (WHO), Zaziwe Gunda reiterated the need for a gender-focused approach to health access.
“Gender and health are interlinked. To achieve health equity, both men and women must actively participate in healthcare decisions.
"Campaigns that empower women while involving men are critical for sustainable health outcomes,” Gunda said.
He noted that dependency on logistical and financial women have on men often hinders access to health services.
“Improving access to immunization requires addressing these dependencies and breaking cultural barriers that limit gender equality in health decisions,” he added.
The session concluded with a call for collaborative efforts among stakeholders, bolstered by government policies and grassroots initiatives, to ensure equitable health service delivery and improved vaccine uptake.
The meeting was conducted with support from the WHO.
Learner call for implementation of school feeding programme
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, December 12, Mana: Learners in primary schools across Mchinji have called on the government to introduce school feeding programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition in the district.
The appeal was made during a nutrition dialogue held on Wednesday by World Vision Malawi (WVM) under the ENOUGH Project.
The project, launched earlier this year, aims to address food insecurity and malnutrition and the recent dialogue focused on the Bua-Mtete Programme Area.
Speaking in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), on behalf of other learners, Anita Mtimawina, a learner at Choumba Primary School, highlighted the struggles faced by many learners who attend school on empty stomach.
“We often go to school without eating anything in the morning. This causes fellow learners not to concentrate during lessons, and some even skip classes to search for mangoes during the mango season.
“This affects our academic performance that is why I am asking the government and non-governmental organisations to introduce school feeding programmes in Mchinji to tackle malnutrition and improve attendance,” she said.
Mchinji World Vision Program Manager, Mereena John, emphasised the importance of the dialogue in raising awareness about nutrition among learners.
“Children are at the centre of our programmes. These dialogues aim to educate primary school learners on the importance of nutrition and the benefits of a balanced diet. It is important to know how the learners feel about the importance of good nutrition,” said John.
The ENOUGH Project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to end hunger and ensure food security globally.
Jackpot city casino introduce first ever online casino platform in Malawi
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe,12 December, Mana: Chief operations officer for Jackpot City Casino, Charles Phiri has said the launching of the first online casino platform in the country will provide gamers with premium gaming experience with an extensive suite of casino games.
Speaking during the launch Wednesday at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Phiri said the jackpot city casino has a vision to bring the thrill of the city to life through a seamless online experience while encouraging players to embody the "Ma Biggie" lifestyle that aims to celebrate excitement, big wins and uplift the community.
Said Phiri: "Ensuring that players experience more than just gaming, jackpot city casino aims to incorporate a number of key pillars that will set them apart from the market.
“Our goal is to create a platform that goes beyond gaming, it's about delivering an engaging, secure and responsible environment for players to enjoy while giving them an opportunity to win big," Phiri stated.
Brand Manager (Africa) at jackpot city casino Sharne Govender, said the first exclusive online casino in Malawi has bought a full suite of casino games which customers that look to play casino games will be able to register and log in through their handsets.
Jackpot city casino is operated by Golden bay limited, situated on 6 Umodzi street, in New Naperi, Blantyre and is duly is licensed by the Malawi Gaming and Lottery Authority (MAGLA).
It prides itself as an innovative online casino platform offering a premium selection of games, secure and unparalleled customer support.
“The company policy remains to support responsible gambling while providing a fun and entertaining environment for our players, no players under the age of 18 are eligible for jackpot city casino accounts,” added Govender.
Nkhata Bay Council targets over 10 000 households in relief food distribution
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, December 11, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay District Council, Rodgers Newa has disclosed that the council, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) will start distribution of relief items on Friday.,
Newa disclosed this Wednesday during a full council meeting.
He said the exercise, targeting 10, 494 households, is part of 2024/25 National Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
"We are done with all processes like assessment, retargeting and verification of beneficiaries. On Friday, we will start maize distribution starting with the area of lower Zilakoma then all other areas across the district," he said.
According to Newa, each household is expected to receive a 50 kilograms bag of maize for December, January and February.
In his remarks Traditional Authority Zilakoma commended government for the timely support as this will greatly bail out households that are currently affected by hunger in his area.
Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report established that about 5.7 million Malawians will be in dire need of food aid during the lean period from October 2024.
Woman dies in Karonga road accident
By George Mponda
Karonga, December 11, Mana: A woman identified as Dyna Mwenegamba Gondwe 50, has died in a road accident after a motor vehicle she was traveling in collided with a freight liner truck at Wovwe in the district.
According to Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Karonga Police Station, Constable Margret Msiska, the accident took place around 20:00 hours at Wovwe trading center on Tuesday.
"We have established that on that particular day, Kenneth Gondwe, was driving a Toyota Sienta registration number CP 6403 from Chilumba heading Karonga boma with four passengers on board.
“Upon reaching Wovwe trading center, he started over taking a freight liner registration number MN 9188-KU 1067 heading the same direction. In the course of overtaking, he collided with it at the front edge and lost control of the vehicle due to over speeding," said Msiska.
She added that the vehicle later hit one male pedestrian who was walking on the side of the road before hitting a road embarkment which made the vehicle to over turn twice before resting.
"Following the impact, the driver’s wife, Dyna Mwenegamba Gondwe, sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Nyungwe Health Center", she added.
According to the police PRO, the driver and other three victims including the pedestrian sustained minor injuries and are receiving medical treatment at Nyungwe Health Center.
Gondwe hailed from Chivundiko village, Traditional Authority Wansambo in Karonga District.
School drop-out rate decreases in Lilongwe
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: Action Aid Malawi says school drop-out rates have decreased in six Traditional Authorities (T/A) in Lilongwe Rural West through a programme called School Readiness Initiative (SRI).
Speaking on Tuesday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, Action Aid Programmes Manager, Anderson Moyo, said the drop-out rate has dramatically gone down due to a number of initiatives the organization has been undertaking in the area.
“Most children have gone back to school since 2020 and the numbers have gone down from 357 to 147. This was possible because we constructed Community Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs), employee caregivers and also primary school teachers,” he said.
Moyo said their target is to reach out to 5,686 pre-primary children but so far they have already managed to reach 4,040 in the second phase, a sign that the project will be a success.
He further said the project has promoted coordination and collaboration between primary schools and CBCCs, and increased enrollment in primary schools.
However, Moyo said despite the successes which the project has registered, there are also numerous challenges such as the unavailability of food in CBCCs which somehow reduced the enrolment and attendance in Early Childhood Development Centres and schools as well as poor structures which failed to withstand disasters.
Lilongwe District Social Welfare Officer, Derek Mwenda, has since applauded Action Aid for the initiative saying it will go a long way in increasing the number of young learners in schools.
The project has been implemented from 2020 to 2024.
Action Aid is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) whose primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide.
Likoma MP hands over multipurpose printer worth K11 million
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, December 11, Mana: Member of Parliament (MP) for Likoma, Ashems Songwe, has handed over a multipurpose printer worth K11 million to Likoma District Examinations Board to ease challenges in printing examination papers.
Speaking Tuesday during the handover ceremony in the district, Songwe, said the printer has been purchased using Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in order to support efforts that are being done by the education sector.
“Ideally, I wanted to support the efforts that are being done by the education sector, particularly our teachers who are working so hard.
“To print examination papers, they had to go to Nkhatabay, spend some days there so we discussed to find a lasting solution to the problem hence the printer,” said Songwe.
Chairperson for Likoma District Examination Board, Micheal Kanjaya said he was overwhelmed with gratitude for the multipurpose printer which will be used as a photocopier, scanner and printer.
“The coming in of the machine will help a lot in our sector because we will be printing, scanning and photocopying within our reach and we are going to minimize expenses,” said Kanjaya.
School Management Committee Chairperson for Same Primary School in Chizumulu, Petro Ndalama thanked the MP for the printer saying that it was relief to parents who struggled to source money to pay for their children for printing of examination papers.
Chitipa Lions Club donates medical equipment to Chitipa hospital
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, December 11, mana: Chitipa Lions Club through Mzuzu Lions Club have donated K19 million slit lamp machine to Chitipa District Hospital which helps to detect and diagnose eye diseases.
President for Chitipa Lions Club, Fidelis Kambalame, said that his club decided to donate the slit lamp to Chitipa District Hospital so that many people can be reached with eye health care services.
He said this on Tuesday during donation of the slit lamp to the health facility under Sightfirst project, which is funded by Lions Club International in conjunction with Latter Day Saints.
“We decided to donate the slit lamp to Chitipa District hospital so that it can reach out to many people as you have heard that Chitipa District hospital has struggled for several years without slit lamp equipment.
“The cost of the hospital sending patients to Mzuzu is high so we thought this would be one of the best Christmas gifts to people of Chitipa and Chitipa District hospital,” Kambalame said.
On his part, Chitipa District Medical Officer, Dr. Victor Matumbo, applauded Chitipa and Mzuzu Lions Clubs for the donation which he said will go a long way in reaching out to many people in Chitipa District.
Matumbo said as a district they have stayed for a number of years without the equipment and patients were referred to Mzuzu central hospital for all the functions requiring the services of the equipment.
“The coming of the equipment will do us good in terms of resource utilization. We should be able to save resources and direct them to other pertinent issues that affect health care services in Chitipa. This machine will also reduce the burden that our patients incur, traveling from Chitipa to Mzuzu which is almost 350 kilometers,” Matumbo explained.
Matumbo added that a surgical camp is taking place at the facility and common conditions that affect the eyes all are being operated.
He said that the surgical camp, targeting 60 patients, will run for five days.
