MANAonline
Council increases revenue base through GESD
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, May 10, Mana: Since introduction of the Performance Based Grants, under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), tremendous transformation can easily be noticed in councils as valuable assets are being created with some helping to change the face of an area and others helping in revenue collection.
For other councils like Balaka whose developmental funding is not all that huge, GESD has necessitated a boost to the council’s financial muscle such that tangible assets are being created.
Apart from creating assets, the programme has helped to improve the way councils do business following the Local Authority Performance Appraisal (LAPA) assessments which are done annually to assist councils to have proper documentation, among other things.
Through GESD, Balaka has constructed three state-of-the-art revenue enhancement structures, which is helping in the collection of revenue for the smooth flow of council’s day to day operations.
Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Balaka District Council, Christopher Nawata acknowledged that GESD has been a game-changer as most councils were struggling financially.
“It is strategic that apart from creating assets that provide social services like hospitals and resource centres, our council thought of how we can enhance our revenue, thus in consultation with different stakeholders, we agreed to consider revenue enhancement assets.
“Currently, we are still thinking of more options, so that more revenue enhancement structures are created as councils are now encouraged to make more local revenue and fully utilize it,” he said.
Nawata disclosed that Balaka District Council has constructed the state-of-the-art Rivirivi Area Planning Area office, Chimatiro Maternity Wing, Mbera Resource Centre, Kachenga Market Shelter, Chidzanja Market Abattoir and shops within Balaka Bus Depot, Nkaya Health Post and Mulunguzi Health Centre.
He added that, “If you see the list of the assets that we have created, some will go a long way in giving back to the council the much-needed revenue for day-to-day operations, as well as giving back good services to the community.”
Market Supervisor for Balaka District Council, Matiasi Nkusa disclosed that the revenue base for the council has indeed been boosted as the shops in the bus depot alone were remitting K2 million to the council.
“We only constructed a block with three shops, in which each shop is giving K 55,000 every month, what if we had constructed 10 shops, it could have been more.
“Apart from the shops, we get funds from a slaughter house we constructed at Chidzanja Market from which butcher men pay K 700.00 every goat slaughtered and K1, 050 for every cow, we are collecting market fee at Kachenga Market Shed,” he said.
GESD, a five-year programme, is a government project championed by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and is being financed by the World Bank.
Electoral stakeholders urged to disseminate right Information
By Clarabella Chipolonga
Chiradzulu: May 10, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson for Voter and Civic Education, Francis Kasaila has urged electoral stakeholders in Chiradzulu District to disseminate reliable information regarding the September 2025 General Elections to counter misinformation in communities.
He made the call on Thursday when MEC briefed members of the Multi-Party Liaison Committee on the new electoral laws, constituency and ward boundaries and voter registration process.
Kasaila said the citizenry should not rely on rumours and speculations as these contribute to inconsistencies; hence, appealed to the committee, which comprises traditional and faith leaders, political party representatives and civil service organizations, to work with MEC in sensitizing the masses about various electoral processes.
“During elections misinformation is common, so we resolved that we should start engaging stakeholders to inform them about what we are doing so that we can move together as a team in all the processes in preparation for the general elections,” he said.
The Chairperson pointed out key changes in the 2025 General Elections including adjustments of voting time from the previous 6 am to 6 pm to 6 am to 4 pm in 2025, the voting pattern for the President shifting to 50+1 from first past the post and alignment of eligibility criteria for voters with the constitution and electoral laws.
“The other important law which has changed is the one regarding freedom of speech and expression. People are not allowed to abuse or castigate each other during political rallies as this is now punishable by law. Penalty for any electoral offence has also been readjusted to K10 million or imprisonment for up to five years,” he added.
District Commissioner (DC) for Chiradzulu, Francis Matewere commended MEC for the efforts in civic education, recognizing its role in enhancing the capacity of stakeholders.
“I thank MEC for orienting us on the electoral laws and calendar. This will contribute to the conduct of free and fair elections,” he said.
Senior Chief Ntchema pledged the support of traditional leaders in disseminating information to their communities.
“We now understand our responsibility in shaping voter outcomes. We will organize village meetings to educate our people on the electoral process and the new laws, encouraging them to exercise their right to vote,” he added.
Malawians are scheduled to cast their votes on September 16, 2025, to elect president, members of parliament and ward councillors.
Journalists challenged to be more active on WASH story
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, May 10, Mana: Wash Media Forum newly elected Chairperson, Meclina Chirwa has challenged journalists to cover more stories about Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) if the challenges affecting the country’s WASH sector are to be addressed.
She made the remarks on in her acceptance speech for the Chairpersonship role during Wash Media Forum Annual General Meeting (AGM) which held on Thursday at Cross Roads Hotel in Lilongwe with support from Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (WESNET).
Chirwa said that journalists in the country have critical role to play in exploring challenges concerning WASH in communities so that they should be addressed.
“The issue to do with WASH is a big challenge in the country and we are remaining behind in terms of monetary support or even commitment of stakeholders and government, so as journalist we have a big role to play to explore the WASH challenges that people are facing in the communities.
“We have to ensure that people in rural communities are well assisted, there are gaps between the urban and the rural areas in terms of water supply so it is our role to ensure that there is equal access to WASH services for both urban and rural areas,” Chirwa noted.
She promised to be committed to encouraging journalists especially those who are the members of Wash Media Forum to ignite their interest in covering WASH stories.
“We will ensure that all members in the forum should be committed, they should not just be members by just a name but they should be passionate about their work so that we can serve the country,” the Chairperson said.
WESNET Executive Director, Willies Mwandira, said that journalists in the country have been vital in lobbying government to make better policies aimed at enhancing the country’s WASH sector.
“In past journalists managed to advocate for key sector issues in water and sanitation and those issues managed to influence even government to change some of the policy directions.
“Even this newly instituted Ministry of Water and Sanitation, it is something to say the media did a lot of advocacy work to ensure that this ministry comes to place,” he acknowledged.
He said his organization was keen to supporting journalists with resources through Wash Media Forum in order for them to cover more stories that would help to transform the country’s WASH sector.
Wash Media Forum was established in 2009 with a mission to promote and advocate issues about WASH through the use of media.
Electoral stakeholders urged to promote awareness
By Majona Mnjuzi
Mchinji, May 10, Mana; Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged stakeholders in Mchinji to take a leading role in sensitising the communities about new electoral laws for credible 2025 tripartite elections.
Speaking on Thursday during interface meeting with political parties, religious leaders, civil society organisations and tradition leaders, MEC Electoral Service Manager, Wellington Katantha, said there are significant changes in electoral laws and constituency demarcation that people need to be aware.
“As you are aware we have started preparations for September, 2025 elections, and from 2019 to date, there have been several changes in the electoral laws and also other issues to do with elections. So, these leaders have a role to ensure their people are aware of these new changes for free and fair elections,” he pointed out.
Senior Chief Dambe hailed MEC for the engagement and warned different political parties to refrain from perpetrating violence during this electoral preparation period.
“When we are back to our villages, we will ensure that our community members are fully aware about these electoral changes,” he said.
MEC is conducting interface meetings with multiparty liaisons committees and other concerned stakeholders in various districts across the country to ensure people are well informed about changes in electoral laws and constituency demarcation.
Red Cross Societies disburses K214 million to flood survivors
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, May 10, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Danish Red Cross have disbursed K214 million to support the people that were affected by floods in Nkhotakota district.
Speaking on Thursday at Ngala Camp in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda, Malawi's Country Manager for Danish Red Cross, Eva Jordung Nicolson said they felt it was necessary to support the people to get back to their feet.
"We have provided the support from partners to support beneficiaries to assist them to rebuild in their respective communities after experiencing the devastating floods since February this year," he said.
Director of Housing in the Ministry of Lands, Martin Chimangeni encouraged the recent flood survivors to plan for recovery and rebuild their lives.
Nkhotakota District Commissioner's Representative, Godfrey Kubwense thanked various organizations and government for the help brought to these communities and asked them to continue providing resources to assist the survivors as they recover from the trauma in the district.
"The support has come at the right time and we are still appreciating the support various partners and government agencies are rendering to us as a council. Let me ask other companies and organizations to come forward and continue assisting the survivors to return to their homes," he said.
A total of K214 million was disbursed to households with K 100,000 each per household.
According to a report from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the recent flash floods affected over 14,000 people, displaced over 10,000, and claimed eight lives in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in the district.
New beneficiaries in social cash transfer target
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, May 10, Mana: Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare has said they are geared towards the social cash transfer retargeting exercise meant to graduate the current beneficiaries and introduce new beneficiaries for the next four-year cycle.
Speaking during a Consultation meeting with stakeholders at the Nkhotakota District Council, Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry, Given Mkisi said according to the programme guidelines, after every four years an assessment is to be carried out to determine beneficiaries that would then graduate to pave way for another group to benefit from the programme.
“During the retargeting, some beneficiaries may continue and some graduate depending on the progress made. Currently 7,742 households are benefiting from the program but as we retarget our target is 8,742 households increasing the number of beneficiary households in Nkhotakota by 1000,” she said.
Chairperson for Nkhotakota District Council, Councilor Charles Chimzukuzuku said as a council they commend the ministry for these meetings as they ensure that all stakeholders in the implementation of this programmes are on the same page aiming for effective implementation of the said programme.
Principal Social Welfare Officer for Nkhotakota, Osward Mwale said the retargeting exercise was timely, stating that the previous beneficiaries have outlived their cycle span. Mwale also said the categorical method of retargeting which will be used in the exercise will improve inclusion and exclusion errors experienced in the last cycle.
The Social Cash Transfer Programme is a World Bank-funded programme implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) under its Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) and targets 10 percent of ultra-poor households in the country.
Malawi secures US$45 million for soil health, fertilizer use
By Patricia Kapulula in Nairobi
Nairobi, May 10, Mana: Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has pumped in US$45 million to help in promoting agricultural productivity, soil health, use of fertilizer and conservation in order to help the country produce enough thereby achieving food and nutrition security.
Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, told Malawi journalists in Nairobi Kenya after President Dr Lazarus Chakwera held an audience with AGRA officials.
He said the funds, which would be made available to Malawi for a period of five years, was important as it targets value chains that would bring more money to Malawi.
“Partners have pledged support in different ways. We met International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) which we work with in irrigation. There is a US$5 million package that has already been secured to help us in soil management to increase productivity,” the Minister disclosed.
Kawale said the country was not food and nutrition secure because soil nutrition has been depleted hence the need to put in place mechanisms for soil management and the funding secured would help achieve that.
Chairperson for AGRA, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe said Malawi was endowed with huge natural resources hence the need for the country to depart from rain fed agriculture to irrigation in order to respond to climate change shocks.
“Our work is to have a sustainable production system given the climate change calamities and vulnerabilities. We are launching a programme on sustainable farming which talks of how to improve soil, land and soil degradation as well as deforestation,” he said.
AGRA is investing in a youth programme that will create 250,000 jobs for youths in agriculture, agribusiness and food systems.
AGRA is a Pan African institution, which works on inclusive agriculture transformation in Africa and Malawi is one of the 16 African countries in its programme.
In Malawi, AGRA has trained agriculture professionals on agronomy and breeding.
Malawi Eyes Economic Boost Through enhanced collaboration with India.
By Daniel Siame
Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: The ministry of Trade and Industry held a Business Forum today at Bingu International Conference Center (BICC) in pursuit to enhance collaboration with India to boost economic and technological advancement. The key sectors discussed in dialogue are agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology. This strategic partnership is poised to bring a wave of benefits to Malawi, promising increased investment, technology transfer, and sustainable development.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry, The Minister of Natural resources and Climate change, Michael Usi says India and Malawi can create a path towards shared prosperity and inclusive development.
Malawi, a country with vast agricultural potential, stands to gain significantly from Indian expertise and investments in this sector. The exchange of agricultural technologies and practices could revolutionize Malawi’s farming landscape, boosting productivity and ensuring food security for its population. Furthermore, Partnership in renewable energy hold promise for addressing Malawi’s energy challenges and transitioning towards cleaner, more sustainable power sources.
High commissioner of Malawi to India, Leonard Mengezi, highlighted the need for partnership between Malawi and India to create opportunities and consensual relations.
“Let us work together with determination, creativity, and a shared vision for a brighter future for Malawi and India.” Lengezi said.
One of the notable outcomes of this collaboration is the potential influx of Indian Businesses are eyeing opportunities in various sectors, attracted by the conductive investment climate and growth potential in Malawi. This investment surge is expected to create jobs, stimulate local industries, and contribute to overall economic diversification.
Moreover, the transfer of information technology know-how from India could catalyze Malawi’s digital transformation. Access to advanced IT solutions could empower Malawian businesses and institutions, driving efficiency and innovation across sectors such as healthcare, education and finance.
During recent discussions between Indian and Malawian officials, both parties emphasized the importance of friendship and good cooperation in realizing these shared goals. In response to Malawi’s calls for increased investment, Indian businesses have shown keen interest in exploring opportunities in the country. This signals a new chapter of economic collaboration, grounded in mutual respect and partnership.
Battle for points on
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: Mafco are in a tricky fixture on Saturday weekend as they face fifth placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa.
Coming from an away defeat against Premier Bet, Dedza Dynamos, Mafco have a mountain to climb in order to claim their first maximum points for the season.
Mafco was the only team in 2022 that hammered Bullets in the league when they played at Dedza stadium as their home ground but now are at their backyard.
Will Mafco repeat the magic they used at Dedza and become the first team this season to inflict defeat at the hands of the defending champions.
The Lakeshore giants are a fix as they are in the relegation zone with two pints from six games and are yet to post a win.
They need to utilize their home ground advantage when they play host to Bullets and they should revenge on cup defeats they suffered at the hands of the people’s team last soccer season.
Mafco seem to be going through a patch of poor results owing to the absence of their captain, Paul Ndhlovu and coach Prichard Mwansa who has not reported for duties at the club.
Will the caretaker coach, Technical Director for Mafco, Stereo Gondwe have the muscle to stop Bullets at home?
They have only managed to secure two draws against Kamuzu Barracks 1-1 at home and Baka City 0-0 away but lost away to Moyale Barracks 2-1, Silver Strikers 5-1, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 3-0.
Fresh from Blantyre derby draw, Bullets will be itching for maximum points in order to narrow the gap with league leaders, Silver Striker currently at 13 points while Bullets have nine points.
They have won away once against Chitipa United 3-0 and they capable of replicating the same results against Mafco.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will welcome Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium and they have to gun for maximum points as catch up drive to the title.
Wanderers need to avoid wastefulness in front of goals as their main man, Christopher Kumwembe, when playing at home.
New revelation midfielder, Blessings Singini has duty to anchor Wanderers engine room like what he did in the derby encounter.
Battle for newcomers is on between FOMO and Baka City at Mulanje Park as the visitors will be seeking for their first win of the season and are anchoring the log.
Leaders, Silver Strikers have a date against Creck Sporting on Sunday and a win they will consolidate their lead.
Creck Sporting defence should keep a close eye on Silver’s joint goal scoring machines Adiel Kaduya and Binwell Katinji.
Playing at home, the Bankers have proved to be free scoring and Creck Sporting have a task to tighten their defence.
At Mzuzu Stadium, battle for second position will emerge as third place, Ekwendeni City Hammers will face Kamuzu Barracks.
Any for any team, they will push close to the leaders, Silver and a draw they will be overtaken by teams that are trailing them behind.
TNM Super League weekend fixtures are as follows and kicking off at 2:30 pm.
Saturday- May 11, 2024
Moyale Barracks vs Chitipa United @ Mzuzu Stadium
Mafco vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets @ Chitowe Stadium
FOMO vs Baka City @ Mulanje Park
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers vs Karonga United @ Kamuzu Stadium
Civil Service United vs Bangwe All Stars @ Civo Stadium
Sunday- May 12, 2024
Silver Strikers vs Creck Sporting @ Silver Stadium
Mighty Waka Tigers vs Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos
Ekwendeni City Hammers vs Kamuzu Barracks a@ Mzuzu Stadium
Living Waters Church talent exhibition instils community unity
By Vida Msiyo
Blantyre, May 9, Mana: Chimwankhunda Living Waters Church Youth Pastor, Reverend Amos Benjamin has encouraged the youth to participate in church activities, noting that their participation allows them to showcase individual spiritual gifts considering that the youth were future leaders.
Chimwankhunda Living Waters Church hosted a talent exhibition event aimed at showcasing a diverse of skills which youth gospel lovers have, and allowing them to share the gospel to each other.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, Benjamin said allowing the youth to display their talents can have a profound impact, noting that such events help to strengthen the bond among different groups as they foster a sense of togetherness and promote unity.
“In this time of entertainment, it is crucial to create space where young people can engage and feel entertained, while also hearing the word of God, fostering creativity and talent can make church attendance more appealing to the youth and encourage their continued involvement in church activities,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin added that people are often recognized not by their job titles but by their unique gifts and this signifies the importance of churches supporting young people in developing and displaying their talents.
He said it was vital for the church to provide opportunity for the youths to demonstrate their skills, because not only does it inspire them but also helps bring the community together.
Gospel lovers were treated to music performed by Twin-Light duo, a hip-hop group which consists of twin brothers Faith Crecile Nyirenda and Patience Jerry Nyirenda who performed beyond limits, among other dancing, poetry and drama performances.
Speaking in a separate interview, Patience shared his pleasure with the experience, saying their performance with his brother was successful due to thorough preparations before the event.
“We always think about the audience first which helps us decide what to deliver. We pray and practice to make sure we are ready for the event and we gave each other specific tasks for the stage ensuring a smooth and engaging performance,” he said.
In her remarks one of the attendees, Ruth Nyirenda said the success of the talent exhibition at the church demonstrates the importance of creating space for young people to express themselves and connect with their community.
Nyirenda expressed gratitude over the event, saying it brought positive influence to the youth.
“Events like these help us to overcome stress at the same time provides the much needed entertainment and also offer a valuable alternative to less constructive activities,” said Nyirenda.
