By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, February 26, mana: Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Mzimba Chapter Chairperson, Dan Kaunda, has challenged fish farmers in the district to join the union to benefit from working collaborations with other farmers and also from various business opportunities and expertise that the farmers grouping facilitates.

Kaunda was speaking on Tuesday in Mzimba during a meeting with fish farmers drawn from Mzimba Boma.

He said there is great potential in farming if farmers work jointly to exploit joint business opportunities that lay unexploited.

‘‘There is a huge demand for fish in Mzimba but only few farmers are able to match the supply side. We need to work jointly as farmers and grow fish production so that we jointly meet the market demand,” said Kaunda.

He also said there is a need for farmers to join the farmers’ union to benefit from various business opportunities such as business linkages that the union facilitates.

‘‘As FUM, we believe if we can be serious as farmers in working together we will be able to form cooperatives which will enable us to be attending agricultural fairs where we will be getting business linkages beneficial to us all.

“If we grow more fish it would be easier to sell some in the bordering countries like Zambia after satisfying local demands,” said Kaunda.

Speaking during the meeting, District Fisheries Officer for Mzimba, Andrew Saukani said there is need for working collaboration among fish farmers and his office for the farmers to benefit from the expertise that his office provides.

‘‘As an office we are ready and willing to provide extension services to all farmers. Our office is there to assist farmers in fish farming so get orgarnised so that we should start working with you. This extends to both existing farmers and those aspiring. We are here to help you maximise potential from the fishing business,” said Saukani.

He said Mzimba South leads in terms of fish farmers as it has 499 fish farmers unlike Mzimba North which has 210 farmers.

‘‘We have a shortage of fish on the market all the time yet this is an area that provides an opportunity for fish farmers to exploit and make money. I therefore urge you all farmers to look into growing the sector by setting and establishing fish ponds. Our office will help you with the expertise,” he said.

One of the fish farmers, William Kachale from Engalaweni said the training on fish farming has been an eye opener as he looks to setting up fish ponds.

‘‘All along I have been a fish farmer but I had problems with where to get fingerlings and also where to get expertise on fish production but with this training I have now realised the expertise is just nearby. All we will be doing is consult fisheries department for extension services,” said Kachale.

Another farmer, John Pemba hailed the training as it enabled them appreciate how beneficial the fish sector is.

‘‘We now realise how readily available the market for fish farming is in Mzimba. This training by Farmers Union of Malawi is beneficial in the sense that we now realise the potential of the fish sector if one takes it seriously to invest in it,” said Pemba.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, February 26, Mana: Young Urban Women (YUW) Network in Mchinji has raised concerns about the impact of debt and taxation on women’s livelihoods.

The concern was made on Tuesday during a multi-sector engagement where they interacted with government officials, chiefs, councillors, and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) network.

The network urged stakeholders to take action on issues affecting them, particularly debt and tax justice, decent work, unpaid care work, and ending gender-based violence.

Chairperson of the Mchinji YUW network, Nellie Pulumuka, said there is a serious bearing of government debt and taxation on women’s livelihoods, since when debt rises, development projects that could benefit women are hindered.

She said, in addition, heavy taxation on goods and services affects small-scale businesses, which many young women rely on for income.

“As women, we strongly feel that government debts and taxes in the country should not impact us negatively. Considering the state of the economy now, it is women who suffer the most. We are the ones who shoulder all the burdens, including caring for children and the sick, especially when our businesses struggle or collapse,” Pulumuka said.

CSO representative, Gilbert M'bwana, concurred with the young women saying civil society has a role in advocating for economic justice for women.

“When government debt increases, it affects development initiatives that could empower women. Many young women run small scale businesses, and high government debt and taxes negatively impact them.

“Additionally, when debts affect the economy, companies struggle to create jobs, resulting in lack of decent work that women can take up,” said M'bwana.

Mchinji Council Chairperson, Dorothy Musa, said the active engagement by young women is a positive step towards women empowerment.

“I am happy to see young women coming out to voice their concerns. This is a good sign of empowerment. Mchinji is a district that is making strides in promoting women in leadership and when women rise into leadership positions, their voices will be heard,” she said.

Young Urban Women Movement also known as Feminist Hub builds the capacity of young women on macro-economic policies.

The Mchinji movement is under the Valuing Women’s Work Project implemented by Action Aid Malawi with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, February 26, Mana: Young Urban Women (YUW) Network in Mchinji has raised concerns about the impact of debt and taxation on women’s livelihoods.

The concern was made on Tuesday during a multi-sector engagement where they interacted with government officials, chiefs, councillors, and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) network.

The network urged stakeholders to take action on issues affecting them, particularly debt and tax justice, decent work, unpaid care work, and ending gender-based violence.

Chairperson of the Mchinji YUW network, Nellie Pulumuka, said there is a serious bearing of government debt and taxation on women’s livelihoods, since when debt rises, development projects that could benefit women are hindered.

She said, in addition, heavy taxation on goods and services affects small-scale businesses, which many young women rely on for income.

“As women, we strongly feel that government debts and taxes in the country should not impact us negatively. Considering the state of the economy now, it is women who suffer the most. We are the ones who shoulder all the burdens, including caring for children and the sick, especially when our businesses struggle or collapse,” Pulumuka said.

CSO representative, Gilbert M'bwana, concurred with the young women saying civil society has a role in advocating for economic justice for women.

“When government debt increases, it affects development initiatives that could empower women. Many young women run small scale businesses, and high government debt and taxes negatively impact them.

“Additionally, when debts affect the economy, companies struggle to create jobs, resulting in lack of decent work that women can take up,” said M'bwana.

Mchinji Council Chairperson, Dorothy Musa, said the active engagement by young women is a positive step towards women empowerment.

“I am happy to see young women coming out to voice their concerns. This is a good sign of empowerment. Mchinji is a district that is making strides in promoting women in leadership and when women rise into leadership positions, their voices will be heard,” she said.

Young Urban Women Movement also known as Feminist Hub builds the capacity of young women on macro-economic policies.

The Mchinji movement is under the Valuing Women’s Work Project implemented by Action Aid Malawi with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

By Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, February 25, Mana: Kabula Diaries is set to host Kell Kay's Acapella Sunday at Chichiri Underground Cinema Room in blantyre on March 2, 2025 to create a unique and memorable experience that portrays the beauty and power of acapella music. 

In an interview, Kabula Diaries Project Manager, Desire Mtosa, said the creative events platform decided to bring Kell Kay in March as the month is dedicated to bring unique entertainment and recreation to Blantyre residents.

“Music has a way of bringing people together. We felt that Kell Kay is an incredible talent and he is the perfect artist to perform acapella music.

“The audience should expect a  beautiful afternoon filled with acapella music by Kell Kay and an energetic atmosphere, a live performance and a beautiful time,” he said.

One of Kell Kay's fans and acapella music lover, Madalitso Banda, expects a heartwarming afternoon to listen to good acapella music from the artist who always preaches love through his music.

“I have always been a fan of Kell Kay because of his touch of acapella music. I cannot wait to attend and watch his live performance. It is going to be a great experience for me and my beloved ones,” said Banda.

Kelvin Kambwiri, best known as Kell Kay, is a multi award winning RnB singer and songwriter with hits like Mr Yesu, Loss, Muchedwa, Bwana Pwanya.

He collaborated with Great Angels Choir on a song titled Hallelujah (Inuyo).

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, February 25, Mana: Dedza District Council Finance Committee Chairperson, Themuka Mkhwewu, has urged people in the district to track the implementation of the 2025/2026 budget.

The K45.5 billion budget was passed during the full council meeting on Monday through access to information law.

The budget’s 15 percent is allocated to infrastructure development with K10 billion earmarked for Social Cash Transfer and Climate Smart Public Works programs.

In an interview Mkhwewu said people should realize that the budget is meant to improve their livelihood through better service delivery.

“Therefore, every citizen must follow up on this budget using access to information law whereby a citizen is free to go to the District Commissioner’s office and ask for any information regarding this budget,” he said.

Senior Chief Kachere said the budget is critical in giving direction in implementation of development activities.

He, therefore, encouraged support from well-wishers.

He said it is the duty of local leaders, government officials and political leaders to promote utilization of the allocation for the benefit of people in the district.

“We must ensure that these figures in the budget go to the people,” he said.

By Gift Chiponde

Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Ministry is  currently implementing various initiatives  aimed at improving efficiency and performance of the ministry.

Minister of labour, Vitumbiko Mumba, made the remarks at a pres briefing in Lilongwe on Monday emphasising government’s commitment to education and technical skills development.

He disclosed the ministry’s plans to establish agriculture technical colleges to support President Chakwera’s vision of making Malawi a self-reliant nation.

He said such institutions will enhance vocational training opportunities and equip young people with essential skills.

"My ministry is establishing four centres of vocational excellence focusing on agriculture mechanisation at Lilongwe Technical College, renewable energy at Mzuzu Technical College, marine transport and operations at Salima Technical College and tourism at Malawi Institute of Tourism.

“With the help of the EU-Zantchito Project, my ministry has also started offering artisanal small scale mining course at Ngara Community Technical College to support the growing mining sector in the country,” he said.

He underscored the need to promote girls' education, revealing that over 6,000 female students in technical colleges are currently benefiting from full bursaries covering tuition, examination fees, transport, and accommodation, an initiative with support from the World Bank.

According to Mumba, the ministry is expanding programs in technical colleges by introducing courses in renewable energy, mining, and boat assembling, particularly at Salima Technical College.

To further boost agricultural mechanization, Mumba said the ministry plans to acquire over 500 hectares of land to establish an agricultural technical college which will train technicians to support large scale farming and modern agricultural practices.

"Considering that Malawi is an agro based economy, and government is implementing mega farms and commercialization, the coming in of these initiatives, has introduced demand in qualified agricultural technicians. Therefore, the agriculture technical college will foster agriculture mechanization, food processing and value addition,” Mumba said.

In order to increase access to skills attainment, Ministry of Labour has introduced double streams in the enrolment of apprentices in technical colleges and has extended national selection of apprentices to 14 community technical colleges from the initial 2,575 to 7,256 per year

The ministry is also investing in infrastructure development to increase the intake further.

Currently, with support from the World Bank all the seven national technical colleges have been given a grant of K2.8 billion each while the 30 community technical colleges and community skills development centres have each been given a grant of K500,000,000.

By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre, February 25, Mana: Gospel artist, Chifundo Meleka is set to launch her second album titled "Nthawi ya Yehova" in June this year.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), on Tuesday, Meleka explained that the new album has ten tracks; among them are "Nthawi ya Yehova," "Bwenzi langa," "Sangamake," "Wabwino," and "Chimwemwe."

According to the gospel artist, the album project will be completed in March this year, followed by its launch on June 1.

"People should expect to be encouraged and blessed through this album," she said.

Production of the new album involved one producer, Steve Meleka, who also happens to be the artist's husband.

Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM), President, Vita Chirwa, said Meleka’s album symbolises that the music industry in Malawi is growing stronger and stronger.

"Artists in Malawi are doing great. They have improved in many areas, and the music coming out of Malawi is now very sweet, well-cooked, well-presented, well-arranged, and well-marketed. It's a step in the right direction.

I haven't yet listened to Chifundo Meleka's new album, but I am confident it's going to be a wonderful work of art.”

“Chifundo needs all our support for her music career to reach greater heights," he said.

The gospel artist produced her first album, titled "Mwayenera," in 2015.

By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, February 25, Mana: Machinga District Council officials recently toured Mchinji District to learn the district's development strategies as Mchinji fared very well on Local Authority Performance Assessment (LAPA)

Machinga District Council's Director of Planning and Development, Noel Dakamau, other council and ward councilors were part of the delegation that visited the border district.

"We wanted our councilors to appreciate development strategies and to learn from their experiences so that we should apply them on our own development projects," the director added.

Dakamau said Mchinji's performance was impressive as reflected in the LAPA, adding that this was key factor that made Machinga District Council to choose Mchinji as model district to visit.

“Mchinji ranked second in the LAPA last year, and we wanted to learn from their successes. Their good infrastructure development and financial management are areas we wanted to emulate,” he added.

The delegation visited various development projects; including the Mchinji stadium, Mchinji recreational hall, fish ponds, and Kabzala Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) Girls hostel.

The visiting ward councilors said they were impressed with projects and the projects’ positive impact on the community.

Machinga Council, Chairperson, Councilor, Simplex Diwa hailed learning tour, saying, it was necessary thing, adding; “We learnt a lot from Mchinji tour. We have seen Mchinji ’strides in infrastructural development, and we believe we can do the same in Machinga,”.

He observed that Machinga had potential to construct and maintaining fish ponds with Shire River as a reliable source of water,

“We have the resources but we need to make good use of the resources. We need to work together to identify our priorities and implement development projects that shall benefit people in Machinga,

“The visit has shown us that with determination and hard work, we can achieve great things,” the Council Chairperson, added and emphasised importance of collaboration between ward councilors and council secretariat to achieve best results.

Director of Planning and Development for Mchinji District Council, Martin Pindankono said the council coordinates very well with ward councilors and other community level development structures to achieve best results.

“Councilors and the secretariat work in collaboration to drive the district forward. It is better to invest in one or two major projects that will have a lasting impact, rather than spreading our resources too thin,” he said and stressed the need to use funds prudently.

Machinga District Council, Chairperson, Councilor, Dorothy Mussa called on Machinga Council secretariat to collaborate with councilor to achieve meaningful development and encouraged fellow ward councilors to emulate Mchinji strategies.

Mchinji Council also encouraged Machinga Council to explore other revenue-generating initiatives, such as construction of fish dams, stadiums, and border posts for economic growth

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) commonly known as Mtukula Pakhomo beneficiaries in Lilongwe district have applauded government for introducing the safety net initiative that has assisted them to be empowered economically.

Lubeya Kasomkanji, a resident of Kavundula village in the area of Traditional Authority Malili said the wages he receives from the programme have assisted him to venture into tearoom business in his area.

Speaking Monday during a media tour, Kasomkanji hailed the programme describing it as a lifesaver.

“I received my wages of five months in arrears, that gave me an opportunity of starting a tearoom business which is generating a lot of profits and has completely changed my life and that of my family,” he said.

Kasomkanji further said through his tearoom business he has managed to build a house with iron sheets and bought a garden as source of his income for his family.

Another beneficiary, Dorothy Zamuka, from Mkwerera village also ventured into tearoom business after receiving her dues in arrears which she said has assisted her to build a house with iron sheets, upgrading from her previous grass thatched house.

Both Kasomkanji and Zamuka have since urged other beneficiaries to be using the money they get from SCTP for intended purpose so that they become self-reliant financially.

Lilongwe District Social Welfare Officer, Responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Sarah Chimodzi said it is encouraging that many beneficiaries are able to invest in livestock, such as chicken, goats and pigs.

Chimodzi further said the programme has also assisted in reducing negative risks such as withdrawal of children from school and absenteeism among others.

The programme in Lilongwe district is being managed by Malawi Government with support from the World Bank and it targets ultra-poor and labour-constrained households by providing them support in form of cash.

The programme covers 23 Traditional Leaders and has a total number of 29, 512 beneficiaries.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 24, mana: A 33-year-old primary school teacher, Station Mbale, from Namatubi Village in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District, on Monday died after hanging himself from the roof of his house.

Spokesperson for Chitipa Police, Sub Inspector Gladwell Simwaka, confirmed the sad news, saying that the deceased left a suicide note citing a family misunderstanding as the reason for his actions.

Simwaka said that postmortem results from Chitipa District Hospital confirmed that death was due to suffocation secondary to strangulation.

“We are urging individuals facing family wrangles and other challenges to seek help from the police victim support unit rather than taking their own life,” Simwaka appealed.