MANAonline
Chakwera-Chapo vow continued economic development
By Eunice Disi Lole
Lilongwe 5 June, Mana: Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Francisco Chapo have vowed to continue making progress on developmental and economic matters.
Speaking during a joint press briefing at Kamuzu Palace where President Chapo was concluding his two-day Official visit to Malawi, Chakwera said he and his colleague have affirmed the facilitation of the transportation of Malawi’s petrol and diesel at the port of Beira, the construction of a dry port for Malawi’s use in Nacala for which Mozambique already pledged the provision of land, revival of rail transportation through the Sena Corridor.
He said they have also made agreements to accelerate the implementation of the Malawi-Mozambique Interconnection Power Line to link Malawi’s grid to Southern Africa Power Pool and construction of One-Go-Border Posts at various points of entry between Mozambique and Malawi one of which was commissioned at Dedza-Calomue Border on Friday.
Chakwera said he was delighted that the visit by the Mozambican President had coincided with the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation whose positive outcomes are in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Communique for everyone to see.
“It is critical that that these developments should continue and I expect all Ministers who have been part of those discussions to sustain the momentum so that Malawians can see the full benefits of these interventions,” he said.
In his remarks, President Daniel Francisco Chapo. described his two-day visit to Malawi as productive for the two countries for the social-economic growth through trade and other critical sectors of development.
Chapo has commended Chakwera for being an action based kind of leader and has called for speedy implementation of the newly signed MOUs to facilitate trade activities, energy, security and other sectors of development.
President Chapo was on a two-day visit to Malawi marking 50 years of bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Among other engagements, the Mozambican leader visited Parliament Building and the Kamuzu Mausoleum in Lilongwe. He also engaged with the business community, both from Malawi and Mozambique and opened Dedza-Calomue One-Go- Border Post with President Dr Lazarus Chakwera.
Chakwera mourns deputy minister Joyce Chitsulo
By Innocent Manda
Lilongwe, June 6, 2025, Mana: President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and First Lady Monica Chakwera have expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of Deputy Minister of Local Government, Culture, and Unity, Joyce Chitsulo, who was also Member of Parliament for Mwanza West Constituency.
In a statement released from State House soon Chitsulo`s passing on Friday, Chakwera described late Chitsulo as a patriotic and courageous leader whose motto was "development over politics."
The President recalled late Chitsulo`s famous words, "Sitidya Ndale Koma Chitukuko," (We don’t eat politics) highlighting her unwavering commitment to national progress.
“Hon. Chitsulo lived every minute of her political life pursuing development for her people. Her death is a great loss at a critical time for Malawi’s development,” reads part of the statement.
The First Couple have since extended their heartfelt condolences to the Chitsulo family, the people of Mwanza West, and all Malawians mourning her passing.
The President has urged the nation to honour late Chitsulo`s legacy by uniting for the betterment of the country.
Joyce Chitsulo was known for her bold stance on national unity and local development. Her passing leaves a significant void in Malawi’s political and developmental efforts.
Miss Malawi Secures MK20 Million Sponsorship from Premier Bet
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, June 6 Mana: The Miss Malawi Organisation has announced a ground breaking sponsorship agreement with Premier Bet Malawi, valued at MK20 million, marking the largest sponsorship deal in the history of Malawi's beauty pageantry industry.
The partnership will support the full rollout of Miss Malawi 2025, including national auditions, a televised reality series, and the prestigious Grand Finale.
As part of the agreement, Miss Malawi will also serve as a brand ambassador for responsible betting, working alongside Premier Bet to promote awareness among Malawian youth on ethical and informed gaming practices.
According to Godfrey Kambewa, Co-Chairperson of Miss Malawi 2025, the sponsorship is not only a significant financial boost but also a critical step towards promoting social responsibility.
"This is more than just a sponsorship - it's a movement. One that celebrates Malawian beauty and culture, while also embracing our responsibility to protect and uplift our communities," Kambewa said.
The partnership will also introduce a nationwide Responsible Betting campaign, aimed at promoting safe betting practices and providing support to those who may be affected by problem gambling. The campaign will include regional pop-up events, targeted messages, and events designed to empower players with knowledge and support mechanisms.
Patrick Kalidozo, Central Region Arial Manager at Premier Bet, echoed Kambewa's sentiments, stating that the company is committed to social impact and empowering women.
"We are committed not just to business success, but also to social impact. Our goal is to educate the public on how to engage with betting in a safe and informed way," Kalidozo said.
The Miss Malawi titleholder will be featured on national TV and digital platforms in a documentary series titled "Road to the Crown," highlighting Premier Bet's journey to crown the next Miss Malawi.
The partnership between Miss Malawi and Premier Bet is a significant step towards promoting youth development, gender equality, and social responsibility in Malawi.
Dedza/Calomue One-Go Border Post commissioned
By: Steve Chirombo
Dedza, June 6, Mana: In a significant step towards enhancing regional integration and trade facilitation, the president of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, and the president of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, on Friday jointly officially commissioned the Dedza/Calomue One-Go Border Post (OGBP).
The World Bank funded US$9.6 million OGBP aims to streamline border clearance procedures, reduce transit times, and boost trade between Malawi and Mozambique.
Speaking at the event, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, said apart from celebrating the 50 years of existence between the two countries, the OGBP was another positive development for rejoicing.
"Mozambique and Malawi agreed that this should be named a ‘One Go’ not ‘One Stop’ post, and this goes to all borders across the country," he said
The president further thanked the World Bank and other partners for making it happen, adding that the facility will improve trade and investment.
"As we celebrate the 50 years of Mozambique and Malawi ties, we are happy to take our relations to higher levels and we want to celebrate this as a starting point of greater things to come, building from strong foundations that have already been laid," he added.
According to Chakwera, Malawi and Mozambique will continue to cooperate in many areas of co-existence for the prosperity of Africa.
The Mozambican President, in his corresponding remarks, expressed gratitude for the invitation, and he described the ceremony as historical.
"This One-Go Border Post shows the relationship between the two people. The 50 years are a lifetime achievement and we are here to confirm our relationship and improve the living conditions of our people," said Chapo.
He called on the African continent to improve its infrastructure so as to ensure free trade a reality, and to also boost economies.
"We are one people, we are brothers and sisters. Let's remove the barriers among our people because this is what they want. To more developments of One-Go so that our people can do rapid businesses," Chapo said.
World Bank, Country Manager, Firas Raad, said, apart from celebrating 50 years of existence between the two countries, the day marked a new beginning of fast trade as well as regional cooperation between the two countries.
"This improves the system, digitizes it, and also improves the waiting time. All this has been made possible through the good relations between Malawi and Mozambique," said Raad.
Man arrested in Likoma for indecent assault on fellow man
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, June 6, Mana: A 36-year-old maize mill operator Wilson Nkhoma has been arrested in Likoma for alleged indecent assault on a 21-year-old man in the district.
Likoma Police Station Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sergeant Enala Kalua, said the suspect, who hails from Chipumba Village, Traditional Authority Wimbe in Kasungu District, was arrested on June 4, 2025, at Makungulu area in the district.
“It has been established that both the victim and the suspect stays in the same village, and the victim is into pig farming whereby most of the time he buys maize husks from the suspect.
“On the said date, at around 18:00 hours, the victim received a call from Nkhoma that he was offering him free maize husks. He rushed to the maize mill but he was told to go again the following day because he was late,” said Kalua.
She explained that the two started off together since the maize mill was far from home, saying that on their way, Nkhoma told the victim to branch somewhere to collect fire wood.
“After reaching the said place there was no firewood, instead Nkhoma hugged the victim and started kissing him while caressing his private parts. The victim pushed Nkhoma away and called for help, and was rescued by passersby,” said Kalua.
The PRO said the matter was reported to Likoma Police Station which led to the arrest of Nkhoma with the help of community policing members.
Kalua said the suspect is expected to appear before court soon to answer charges of indecent assault, contrary to section 137 sub-section 1 of the Penal Code.
Mwabulambya applauded for getting 133 dropouts back in school
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Halima Daudi, has applauded Senior Chief Mwabulambya of Chitipa District for ensuring that 133 learners who drop out of school at Kasisi Primary School are back to the institution.
Daudi commended the Senior Chief’s effort on Thursday at Kasisi Primary School in the district, saying the traditional leader’s initiative is worth emulating.
“I had a chance to interact with some of the learners who have gone back to school and I have encouraged them to work hard in class for them to excel in their academic studies,” Daudi said.
She added that President Lazarus Chakwera is committed to ensuring that young people are in leadership positions, including ministerial, and in various sectors in the civil service.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya said it was disheartening to see half of the learners at the school dropping out of school.
‘It was so disappointing that some of dropouts were Standard One and Standard Two learners and, to sustain this achievement, I will lead my subjects in formulating bylaws as one ways of curbing this malpractice,” said Mwabulambya.
Head Teacher for Kasisi Primary School, Dominic Nkhata, said child neglect is one of the challenges that fuels the malpractice in the area.
“Most parents do not value education in this area. The school is surrounded by 18 villages but most of the people in these villages do not care about the welfare of their children,” Nkhata said.
Out of 133 learners who went back to school, 69 are girls in different classes and the school has an enrollment of 756 learners, with six teachers.
WaterAid launches “Mudzi Uwale” campaign
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, June 6, Mana: WaterAid has launched a Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation promotion campaign, branded “Mudzi Uwale” and “Chipatala Chobeba,” in Ntchisi District, to encourage hygiene practices in health facilities, communities, and households.
The launch follows WaterAid’s construction of toilets and a water supply system at Sambakunsi Maternity wing whose operations have been at a standstill due to lack of the same.
Speaking during the launch at Chandulu Primary School grounds in Traditional Authority (TA) Sambakunsi on Thursday, the organization’s Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Clement Ndiwo Banda, urged local authorities to take a leading role in ensuring that the campaign lives up to its objectives.
He said: “Promotion of health through hygiene practices like clean disposal of waste, access to clean potable water, and adherence to sanitation discipline are at the core of this campaign and we need proactive interventions from local authorities if we are to succeed.
“Senior Chiefs and local authorities need to take the lead as champions of hygiene, and that is why we have set up a competition where best-performing villages in advocating and implementing pro-hygiene activities will be awarded trophies and prizes.
Speaking earlier, Traditional Authority Sambakunsi underscored the need for hygiene in development, saying it is only healthy community members that can actively participate in development activities and that no one can talk about good health without mentioning hygiene.
“Hygiene is at the centre of human existence, and people, or place, without hygiene practices becomes a laughing stalk. It is a healthy citizenry that can strike impactful development, and it is in this respect that the coming of WaterAid with this campaign cannot be overemphasized,” he said, further committing himself to see through the campaign’s success.
According to the district’s Health Promotions Officer, Frank Kaphaso, 35 percent of cases that visit hospitals are infections from unhygienic practices hence practice of hygiene could help decongest hospitals by 35 percent.
Also present at the ceremony was the district council’s chairperson, Mark Mphenzi Ntengo, who commended WaterAid for the campaign and urged other organizations to emulate the gesture, saying the district needed such initiatives.
Sambakunsi becomes the seventh health facility, among them Ntchisi District Hospital, in which WaterAid has intervened with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene initiatives with funding from Wimbledon Foundation.
69-year-old woman commits suicide over spouse’s infidelity in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, June 6, Mana: A 69-year-old woman has committed suicide in Balaka by taking pesticides over husband's infidelity, Balaka Police confirmed the case.
Balaka Police Public Relationms Officer, Gladson M’bumpha, identified the deceased as Maria Makoko of Chimpakati Village, Traditional Authority Chanthunya in the district.
“Police report indicates that the woman was married to Francis Kamba aged 60, from the same village some years ago. The deceased accused her husband, Kamba of flirting with a certain young woman within the village.
“The matter was amicably resolved at family level, but it was still in the woman's heart, such that whenever there were disagreements in the house, the issue resurfaced” the police publicist added.
He said on Tuesday, at about 05:00 hours, the woman asked her husband to give her cash but the husband told her that he had no money.
“This did not please the wife, who openly told her husband that his money was mostly spent on his lover. The woman told her husband and her family members that she was going to kill herself because she was tired of her husband's behaviour,” M’bumpha added
He added that the wife disappeared from the house, adding that family members started searching for her after realising her disappearance.
“In the process, she was found lying down in the garden, battling for her life.
Beside her were two bottles of pesticides, one was empty while the other was full of the liquid stuff,” he added.
Makoko was rushed to Kankao Health Centre where she died while receiving treatment and post-mortem showed that death was due to poisoning, according to Balaka Police.
Balaka Council approves 2022-2030 DDP, with food security as No 1 priority
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, June 6 Mana: Balaka Full Council Meeting has approved K249 billion 2022–2030 District Development Plan (DDP) whose priority is food security.
Presenting the plan to the council members in the week, Director of Economic Planning and Development for Balaka Council, Chris Nawata, said after a thorough consultation with the grassroots across the district, the plan has 14 key priority areas that need attention, with food security topping the list.
He said every stakeholder in the formulation of the DDP was given a chance to contribute so that the 2022-2030 DDP is a true reflection of what people in Balaka need.
“We noted that almost in all Village Level Action Plans (VLAPs) issues of food security were mentioned as number one area of focus. In the years to come, we would like to promote use of drought tolerant and early maturing crops varieties to suit the kind of rains we receive.
“Apart from that, we will also strengthen agricultural extension and advisory services delivery mechanism where irrigation will also be enhanced so that we, at least, raise the food security of our district from the current 20 percent to 40 percent,” Nawata added.
According to the Director, the DDP also captures low average household income, high morbidity and mortality rate, high illiteracy levels and poor access to affordable and clean water, among other areas.
“The passing of the DDP today entails that we have a clear direction as far as the development agenda is concerned, these are the issues that the people out there are looking for. The DDP formulation process followed decentralisation guidelines.
“Now that we have the plan, the entire district owns it, which means every partner, investor even government projects, coming into the district must align their efforts to the plan. It is therefore not us the council alone that is mandated to work towards funding implementation of the plan,” the director added.
On the previous DDP (from 2017 to 2023), Nawata said the council tried to work towards fulfilling key priority areas that were listed.
“We prioritised access to clean water, and we worked towards that, and if you see in this plan, the access to portable and clean water is coming 9th which means the situation has changed for the better through various interventions that we, together with other players, instituted,” he said.
Balaka District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pharao Kambiri pledged a political will towards implementation of the DDP.
“We cannot win if we only wait from the council alone to help in implementing the plan. We need to make people understand that due to the fact that the globe is experiencing climate change, our people must be ready to adopt irrigation farming which is very possible as we have water around us,
“Most of the problems are interlinked, once a person has enough food at a household level, you will see that he or she will have the energy to do other things to improve his or her home, in the process issue of low-income levels which is coming second in the plan will not be there,” he added
Kambiri also called for adequate funding and collective implementation of the Balaka DDP for positive results.
Mwanza District Council awards outstanding staff
By Cassandra Mangulama
Mwanza, June 6, Mana: Mwanza District Council on Thursday awarded staff members that worked exceptionally well in 2024/2025 financial year to motivate and appreciate their dedication to duty, with Emmanuel Yasin from Finance and Audit Directorate standing tall above all, as best performing member of staff of the year.
Mwanza District Council Chairperson, Councillor Emmanuel Kapawe, said during the award ceremony that the council had to recognise the hard working spirit among its members of staff, adding that the local authority felt this was the best way to encourage best performance among staff across the council sectors.
“The awards are very important to the council staff members because this is the best way to motivate them to work extra hard in their respective sectors,” he added.
Mwanza District Commissioner, Dr. Martha Magreta Sineta, who introduced the awards, said this was another way of motivating best performers, saying those that perform very well deserved a token of appreciation.
“There are several members of staff that are committed to duty but it was decided that we sample out the few exceptional ones. We needed to recognise them and make them feel valued for their hardworking spirit.
“It is my hope that from today, every member of staff is going to work extra hard by serving the people of Mwanza even better than before, so that they can be recognised as well in the next financial year," the District Commissioner added.
The DC pledged that the council will continue with the awards to make it an annual event, and she asked the organising committee to explore more categories of recognition.
Sineta encouraged members of staff in all council sectors to actively participate in voting to ensure competitiveness among members of staff.
Chairperson of the organising team, Joe Magombo, who is also Director of Education and Sports said the voting process was done both physically, using ballots, and online.
“We faced some challenges, there was low sensitisation and difficulties in categorising departments under some directorates,” he added.
An accountant from Finance and Audit Directorate, Yassini got K150, 000 for emerging Mwanza District Council best performing staff of the year.
He hailed the council for recognising his commitment to duty and for delivering to his best in the 2024/20325 financial year, and he asked fellow members of staff to be committed to the work for best performance.
“I am very grateful for the award. I therefore encourage my colleagues not to give up because next time they might be recognised as well,” he said.
A driver in the Administration directorate, Richard Laudon, Gracious Pofera from the Agriculture directorate, Primary Education Advisor, Emily Matewere, Principal Education Officer, Fredrick Malango, went home with K100,000 each for coming second after the overall performer, Yasini,
Others that got K100,000 each as token of appreciation for good performance were: Viena Kaponda from the Health directorate, (non-medical), Tamandani Kuchanje (medical), Eric Nyekanyeka from Lands and Public Works directorate, alongside Sibongile Phakati Chimbaka from the Administration; and Lerato Mbalule from Social and Community Development section
