MANAonline
MEC rounds up voter inspection exercise
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 29, Mana: The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged registered voters to verify their details to avoid issues on polling as they roll out the third and final phase of the voter inspection exercise in preparation to the September 16 general elections.
MEC Director of Communication and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, confirmed the development in an interview on Thursday.
The Commission is conducting the last phase of voter inspection from May 29 to 31, 2025 in Mangochi, Lilongwe, Mzimba, Mwanza, Chikwawa and Nsanje.
“We are into the final round of the exercise. Therefore, I’m encouraging everyone who registered to take part in the exercise in the affected councils to verify their details to avoid issues on polling day.” Mwafulirwa explained.
National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust Programs Officer, Daniel Malango, described the exercise as a crucial step in the electoral process, saying when anomalies are found, they are resolved on time.
“I advise voters to check their details at a registration centre or via a USSD facility on their mobile phones so that the Commission should map a way forward by addressing all challenges purposed to deliver fair and credible general elections,” said Malango.
Unqualified Private Schools risk closure- Minister
By Gift Wahuta
Blantyre, May 29, Mana: Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, warned that private schools that fail to meet standard educational requirements will be closed, as government is committed to improve standards for quality education in Malawi.
The minister said this on Wednesday when she opened the Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) National Conference at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre under the theme; Advancing Quality in Schools: Embracing Inclusion, Digitalization, and Corporate Governance for a Sustainable Future.
Wirima emphasized government’s commitment to improve education quality in both public and private institutions, saying the ministry will not tolerate schools that fail to meet government-set standards.
“Running a school is not just a business but a responsibility. We will not allow any school to operate without qualified teachers, learning materials, or proper infrastructure,
“These are basic requirements. A school that fails to meet these requirements puts learners at risk,” said Wirima.
She added that, while government values the role of private education institutions in expanding access to learning, the ministry will continue deploying education inspectors to assess and shut down schools that fall below the required standard.
“The ministry has intensified inspections across the country. Schools operating without licenses or with unqualified teaching staff will be closed,” Wirima said.
ISAMA President, Bishop Wycliffe Chimwendo, acknowledged the minister’s concerns and said the association will operate in line with the ministry’s mission to deliver quality education to all learners in Malawi.
“The conference theme resonates well with the ministry’s mission to provide education that responds to today’s challenges and equips learners with practical skills. I would like to assure you that ISAMA is committed to support both our schools and the ministry in the quest for education excellence,” he added.
Chimwendo therefore called for closer collaboration with government to review policies that may hinder the operations of private schools, particularly those serving rural populations or low-income earners.
The conference had presentations from education experts from South Africa and Zambia, who shared strategies for improving governance and internal management in schools.
Director of Rise and Shine Private School, Vincent Kambuka, said a session on corporate governance inspired him to strengthen his school’s management structures.
“A school without a board of directors or a parent-teacher association (PTA) is like a ship without direction. That stayed with me. I now plan to set up proper systems to support effective learning,” he said.
The two-day event also tackled topics such as; digital learning, inclusive education, and integrating learners with disabilities into mainstream classrooms.
The conference will enter its second day on Thursday with a general meeting and elections to choose a new president of ISAMA.
Malawi secures US$5 billion investment to transform Chipoka
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 29, Mana: Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) has signed a landmark of US$5 billion investment deal to develop Chipoka in Salima as a Chinese Model City.
Speaking after the signing which took place at Hunan WanJiaLi International Hotel in China, MITC Director General, Kruger Phiri said the project is about reshaping Malawi’s future through innovation, infrastructure, and industrial transformation.
He said this transformative agreement comes just two years after President Dr Lazarus Chakwera unveiled Chipoka as one of Malawi’s eight emerging secondary cities.
“As Malawi intensifies its global investment drive, the world is beginning to take notice and Chipoka is set to be the heartbeat of this new era,” said Phiri.
The signing ceremony attracted over 300 influential Chinese business leaders, eager to explore new frontiers for investment in Malawi.
This phased investment is expected to inject US$1 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Malawi over the next 12 months marking one of the most significant economic deals in the country’s history.
Meanwhile, Kings Group has committed US$100 million to establish a state-of-the-art fertilizer plant, further anchoring Malawi’s agri-industrial ambitions.
In addition Liaoning Jingmao Quantum Technology Company Limited pledged US$520 million investment in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and mining with execution starting as early as June 2025.
In attendance were senior representatives from the Hunan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and the Hunan Provincial Bureau of Commerce, underscoring the event's significance.
Eight Chinese companies formalized cooperation agreements to participate in Chipoka’s development.
JCM power empowers women with soap-making skills
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 29, Mana: In a bid to promote socio-economic empowerment among women in Salima District, JCM Power has trained over 30 women in soap-making skills under its Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP).
The initiative is part of the company’s broader mission to support sustainable development as it operates as an Independent Power Producer (IPP) in Malawi.
Speaking during supervision of the training on Wednesday, at Kamzimbe village in the area of Senior Chief Kalonga, Trade Officer for Salima, Humphrey Phiri emphasized the importance of such skills in addressing challenges that women face.
“Malawi imports more than it exports. We need to improve skills, especially among women, to empower them economically. Skills development is vital the knowledge gained here will significantly enhance these women’s livelihoods,” Phiri said.
He said his office will continue working closely with the women until they reach their full potential in soap-making skills and also identify better markets for them.
JCM Power’s Community Liaison Officer for Salima, Levison Masamba, reiterated the company’s commitment to inclusive development.
“We believe in driving social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Working hand in hand with the District Council, we aim to ensure our business operations benefit the surrounding communities,” he said.
Masamba said the women gained practical skills in soap making and product moulding.
The training cost K 3 million with K 2 million allocated to training activities and K 1 million for the provision of essential materials to the participants.
A beneficiary from Sadzu Village, Nelliya Chiphiko, expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“We are thankful to JCM Power for imparting these skills. What we have learned will go a long way in transforming our lives and our communities. We intend to use these skills to start small businesses and support our families,” she said.
The training is expected to create sustainable income streams for the women involved, reducing dependency and promoting economic resilience within the targeted villages.
The four-day training, involved 31 women from Sadzu and Waya villages under Traditional Authorities Salima and Kalonga respectively.
The women were drawn from two Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups under Makande and Nanjoka.
Epilepsy management, stigma still a challenge
By Brenda Nkosi
Blantyre, May 28, Mana: A community engagement meeting of people with epilepsy has revealed gaps in epilepsy treatment and stigma as setbacks in management of the disorder.
Speaking during the engagement at Chileka in Blantyre on Wednesday, Mental Health Clinical Officer for Chileka Health Centre, Chisomo Kapiseni, said most cases would have been moderate if they were well managed socially and clinically.
“Most of the patients do not take medication as prescribed. They only come to the clinic when they are experiencing severe reactions,” he said.
Kapiseni said the health facility is also limited in the provision of treatment as some cases of epilepsy require expensive drugs which are rarely in stock.
“We are only able to give them Carbamazipine and Phernobotone while we need almost 10 other kinds of drugs that go with other cases of epilepsy or when the patient is not responding to the ones we have,” said Kapiseni.
He highlighted that poor management of epilepsy leads to brain damage which manifests through memory loss, behavior disturbances, poor problem solving and intellectual disabilities.
Skensi Nkwaila, a person with epilepsy, from Solomoni Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Kuntaja said they are discriminated against because they are looked at as sick people who cannot work.
“It is hard for us to find meaningful employment because we are not looked at for our abilities but the condition we have.
“I am 37 years and I only have seizures four to five times a year. Yet no one is willing to give me any work. I completed by educated up to Form Two so I can do something meaningful,” he said.
He said myths like that they are witches, their breathing transmits epilepsy to those who inhale it or sits next to them, and that they cannot marry or get educated segregates them in their communities.
Project Manager for Epilepsy Warriors Foundation (EWF), Symon Kaseko, said they are implementing a project called Leveraging Social Protection Schemes and Inclusive Budgeting as tools to address stigma surrounding epilepsy.
The project is being implemented in Blantyre with funding from Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
CAMFED bails over 300 needy girls in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 29, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council has commended Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) for providing education school bursaries to over 300 needy girls who were on the verge of dropping out of school.
The remarks were made Wednesday by Nkhata Bay District Principal Education Officer, Macvinly Kamata during the distribution of the girls’ education necessities at Lukalazi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS).
According to Kamata, the girls were selected from 29 CDSSs across the district following a thorough assessment by the district's community development committees in collaboration with other school structures.
"We are grateful to CAMFED for coming to our rescue by supporting the girls who would have otherwise been at home due to lack of school fees," Kamata said.
CAMFED teacher mentor at Maula CDSS, Mirriam Chazinga said the support will reduce absenteeism from school hence excelling in their academic performance.
In her remarks, a Form 4 student at Mtetete CDSS, Maggie Kaunda said she was pleased to receive the assistance which she said will motivate her to focus on her studies.
"We have today been given school bags and a complete set of uniforms among others. Let me encourage all other girls to make good use of these resources to meet the desired goal of CAMFED,” said Kaunda.
ATMM strategy requires enough energy supply- Matola
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, May 29, Mana: Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has said the government's Agriculture Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing (ATMM) strategy requires enough energy supply for it to bear fruits in the country.
Matola made the remarks on Wednesday during a power purchase signing ceremony between the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and Mzuzu University at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Mzuni has constructed a 20 megawatts solar power farm plant at Choma worth $20 million but they have already signed another power deal to upgrade to €70 million for 50 megawatts which will all be sold to ESCOM’s national grid.
The Minister commended Mzuni saying for the ATMM strategy to flourish it requires enough electricity to be able to drive manufacturing industries, Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing.
"This signing ceremony is a significant milestone in the energy sector. We have an ATMM strategy in the country and for it to work out, we need stable and reliable power to drive such initiatives.
"As a government, we shall create a conducive environment for more players to invest in the energy sector because this is a catalyst to the economic growth of our country," said Matola.
The Minister said Mzuni has demonstrated that universities can offer solutions to the country's challenges saying, for instance, the demand for electricity in Malawi is quite huge.
“The current generation capacity for the country remains 554.24 Megawatts, which comprise 401.84 Megawatts of hydro, 101 Megawatts of solar and 51.4 MW of diesel power generators. Malawi also imports 8 Megawatts from Zambia and Mozambique as cross-border traders and this adds up to 562.24 Megawatts,” said the Minister.
The Chief Executive Officer for ESCOM, Kamkwamba Kumwenda said the coming Mzuni project will greatly offer an alternative to issues of blackouts and load shedding in the northern region areas.
"This project is so significant because we have been having challenges in power supply to the north. Our line that we use, we call it the Eastern backbone is very old, and its wooden structures. Predominantly transmission is supposed to be on steel structures.
“But now, with the structures and the terrain, every other fortnight, we are having power outages to the north, making the northern region experience a lot of blackout and load shedding. So, with the Mzuni 20 Mega Watts is enough for the northern region,” said Kumwenda.
Kumwenda said as per the Mzuni program, the delivery time for the project is 2027 but ESCOM has requested them to move closer to 2026 saying the solar is not as complicated as hydro.
Vice Chancellor for Mzuzu University, Professor Wales Singini said the institution thought to come up with the idea to help the students have a practical feel of what they are learning in class.
Singini said they started with 5 Mega Watts and scaled up to 20 and they are looking forward to 50 Mega Watts.
Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila thanked Mzuni for the initiative saying universities must offer solutions to the country's problems unlike blaming politicians.
In a related development, Nyika Hydropower Group also signed a Power Purchase Agreement for a 51 Mega Watts project with ESCOM where the company would like to sell their power to the national grid.
Chairman for Nyika Hydropower Group, Engineer Graeme Watson said their project will give the people of the north a stable and reliable power considering that most generation comes from the southern region where the equipment is aged and result in frequent power outages due to frequent maintenance.
“Nyika Hydropower will give people jobs, and secondly, after the construction is complete it will stabilize power supply in the area and hence leading to more development of businesses such as manufacturing as well as mining,” said Watson.
Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive Officer Henry Kachaje commended Mzuzu University and Nyika Hydropower for the initiatives saying the development will ensure power stability in the country.
He further asked Mzuni to consider exploring Wind power generation to reduce the country’s overdependence on Hydropower.
Mulanje Police and MMCT unite to curb deforestation
By Mirriam Bwanali
Blantyre, May 29, Mana; Mulanje Police Station, in collaboration with the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT), held a meeting this week to strengthen collaboration between the police, community-based policing structures, and other key stakeholders in addressing deforestation around Mulanje Mountain.
MMCT Executive Director, Carl Bruessow, stated during the meeting that there is an urgent need for collective action to protect the forest and reduce environmental degradation resulting from deforestation.
“We will continue to work with the communities, particularly in traditional authorities Njema and Sunganinzeru to stop the illegal cutting down of trees. We will soon implement a comprehensive project aimed at addressing deforestation in the mountain reserve,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), the Officer in charge of Mulanje Police Station Moses Chibwe, commended MMCT for its ongoing and upcoming initiatives and reaffirmed Mulanje Police’s commitment and that of community policing members to work hand in hand with MMCT in dealing with environmental malpractices that threaten biodiversity in and around the mountain.
He stressed that the police will intensify mass awareness campaigns on forest conservation and ensure that those involved in charcoal production, illegal logging and other non-environmental friendly human practices are brought to justice,
Established in 2000, the MMCT is an environmental endowment trust whose goal is to ensure sustainable management of the Mulanje Mountain biodiversity apart from doing research and monitoring, co-management and sustainable livelihood, environmental education and communication.
MACODA demands duty bearers in Balaka to abide on 2024 Disability Act
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, May 28, Mana: Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) says duty bearers including district council officers, laws enforcers, judiciary, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local leaders have the role and responsibility to abide by new Disability Act of 2024 for effective mainstreaming and implementation of programmes related to people with disabilities.
MACODA oriented Balaka District stakeholders on Disability Act on Wednesday as the organization’s Director General, George Chiusiwa, highlighted that previous Disability Acts had several gaps that prevented people with disabilities from receiving appropriate treatment and attention they deserve.
The Handicapped Persons Act which created Malawi Council for Handicapped (MACOHA) was charity and medical orientated and not in compliance with rights based approach to persons with disabilities hence not comprehensive enough.
"As MACODA, we understand the critical roles and responsibilities that local authorities have in implementing policies and programmes targeting persons with disabilities, The 2024 Act therefore demands them to put extra effort and resources on existing programmes in order to achieve inclusiveness on national development," he said.
Chiusiwa therefore said, MACODA through Section 37 of the 2024 Disability Act is mandated to empower people with disabilities to demand equal and fair distribution of services from all stakeholders at national, district council and community levels.
Balaka District Social Welfare Officer, Stanley Chisi said the orientation came at the right time, adding that the orientation will capacitate Balaka District Council to incorporate inclusive development programmes in planning processes.
Chisi therefore called on government to further capacitate the council and other relevant stakeholders with adequate knowledge on the new Act on top of allocating adequate financial resources to promote welfare of people with disabilities.
The 2024 Disability Act among others; promote provisions for parking areas designed for persons with disabilities in car parks, places obligations on the provision and promotion of rights to persons with disabilities, receive complaints, conduct inquiries, and also inspect institutions for non-compliance of the law.
MACODA organized the orientation meeting with stakeholders in Balaka District for the following sectors; police, judiciary, Balaka District Council and CSOs with ultimate goal of raising awareness among the duty bearers on the newly enacted Persons with Disabilities Act.
Chewa chiefs outraged over Gule Wamkulu incident in Mangochi
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: The Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) and Chewa chiefs from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia have expressed disappointment and outrage over a recent incident in Mangochi, where an individual dressed as Gule Wamkulu allegedly killed someone.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Lyson Banda, Deputy Director of Chiefs, Traditional and Cultural Affairs at the Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO), stated that the individual involved was not a legitimate Gule Wamkulu dancer, but rather someone using the identity to tarnish the reputation of the Chewa people while pursuing personal vendettas.
“Gule Wamkulu typically appears during specific ceremonies like traditional initiation rites (Chizangala), funerals of prominent figures or chiefs, and coronation ceremonies for new chiefs” he said.
Banda also emphasized the importance of following traditional procedures and protocols when invoking the Gule Wamkulu, to ensure that cultural practices are respected and not misused for malicious purposes.
Chief Chadza, Masumbankhunda, and M’bwatalika concluded that some individuals are impersonating Gule Wamkulu dancers with the intention of committing criminals’ acts.
