Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Richard Kagunda

Kasungu, November 26, Mana: Kasungu District Council health authorities have planned to source MK363 million to operationalize a strategy devised to prepare and respond to health emergencies such as cholera, which traditionally cause havoc during the rainy season.

Unveiling the plan to stakeholders on Tuesday, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Coordinator for Kasungu District, Chrispine Thomo said the best approach to deal with outbreaks is to prepare for them.

“To win the war against health emergencies like cholera, we don’t have to wait until we register a case. We just have to prepare, putting resources together and executing the devised strategy,” Thomo said.

The response plan outlines enhanced community awareness and sensitization campaigns on preventive measures, along with training for health personnel on emergency management and preparedness activities.

“A word to the communities out there is that the rainy season is here. Let us make use of the information we get on prevention, especially for waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea which spread fast during the rainy season,” Thomo said.

Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Kasungu District Hospital, Dickson Mbewe appealed to stakeholders and well-wishers to help in mobilizing resources.

“We urge partners to support this exercise because we know we cannot do this alone.

“Already, we have intensified awareness messages and would like to get to every corner of the district using various approaches so that everyone gets the message and stays safe from diseases,” he said.

In the 2022/23 season, Malawi was heavily hit by cholera registering close to 59, 000 cases with at least 1, 768 fatalities before it was declared ‘no longer an emergency’ early August 2023.

While Kasungu did not register alarming cases during the previous outbreaks, the district has always been on alert and actively involved in the Tipewe Kolera campaign through which authorities have been disseminating messages on prevention and control, targeting local leaders and the community at large.

Health Promotion Officer for the district, Catherine Yoweli said in an interview that the health office also carried out house inspections in communities checking the availability of proper sanitary facilities and intensified surveillance of cases.

In 2024, cholera resurfaced in September, about two months after it was declared over, with Chitipa and Karonga districts reporting the most cases.

At least six people have died in the lakeshore district of Karonga, which has reported 49 cases while the neighboring Chitipa District has registered 61 cumulative cases with two fatalities.

By Yankho Kandio

Salima, November 26, Mana: The Salima District Education Office has called for collaboration among various stakeholders in the education sector to enhance learners' performance in the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education.

Some of the contributing factors to poor performance have been attributed to learner absenteeism, teacher absenteeism, lack of motivation, and lack of teaching and learning materials.

Speaking on Monday during a district stakeholders’ meeting to map solutions on learner's performance, Principal Education Officer, Eliam Banda highlighted that coordinating and collaborating is the best way to improve performance.

"Collaboration and coordination are critical because if there is no collaboration and coordination, there will be a high concentration of interventions in one area while others are neglected, such as Chilumba and Chitala, where there is no organization working with the schools,” Banda stated.

He also underlined the importance of involving more partners, stating that government alone cannot solve all challenges.

Despite the challenges facing the district's performance, Banda expressed hope that things are changing because Salima had moved from number 32 to number 25 on the national level.

Chairperson of the District Education Network, George Kanyemba said various intervention measures have been put in place, such as meetings with parents and guardians.

 "We need to identify and discover feasible solutions to this situation. There are also plans to visit underperforming schools to identify areas for improvement," he said.

Care Malawi, Kindle Orphan Care, Ndimoyo Palliative Care, were among the organizations that were present at the meeting.

By Ivy Yohane

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: In a bid to celebrate the Mexican culture and cuisine, Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre has organized an event dubbed; Mexican Fiesta on November 30, 2024 as Rosalba Ortega Rosas from Mexico will lead the culinary showcase and share her expertise in the Mexican cuisine.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Amaryllis Hotel Marketing Manager, Georgina Gadama stated that the event would provide an opportunity for patrons to explore authentic Mexican flavors, enjoy family-friendly entertainment, and create unforgettable moments.

“The food will highlight traditional Mexican cuisine, with dishes prepared by Chef Rossalba Rosas and inspired by Mexico's rich culinary heritage. Attendees should expect a variety of tacos, enchiladas, salsas, guacamole, and other iconic Mexican delicacies,” she said.

Gadama added that the guests will have an opportunity where they will interact with the chef.

“Chef Rosalba Rosas will be available to mingle and share insights about the ingredients, preparation methods, and cultural significance of each dish. This hands-on engagement will provide an excellent opportunity to learn directly from the expert while savoring the delicious dishes,” she added.

In a separate interview, the headliner chef, Rosalba Ortega Rosas said she was inspired to participate in the event to display her culture in Malawi.

"Mexican food is UNESCO Worldwide Heritage and I am very excited to bring my culture to Malawi. I have this commitment to be ambassador from my country everywhere,” she said.

Rosas explained that her work is entirely artisanal, utilizing recipes from Aztec culture to create delicious tortillas.

“The attendees will be immersing in a wonderful Mexican Day with the best Mexican food in Blantyre and feel the Mexican vibes,” she added.

The event is set to begin at 12 noon and will run throughout the afternoon into the evening. Attendees are encouraged to explore the offerings at Splash Rooftop and Zaffron at their own pace throughout the day.

By Martha Rukunya

Lilongwe, November, 26, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has today officially opened the three days Malawi-European Union (EU) Investment Forum 2024 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Speaking at the function, the president highlighted that the forum main aim is to cement the investment partnership with EU member states, paving the way for Malawi's economic development.

"Malawi has great potential in agriculture, tourism, and mining, providing opportunities for European member states to invest. Additionally, the reforms implemented by the government further enhance this potential," Chakwera said.

The European Union Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, emphasized on the EU's strong commitment to investing in Malawi.

"We aim at advancing the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy in alignment with Malawi's development priorities, unlocking investment opportunities that drive sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth," he said.

In his remarks, Deputy Director General for International Partnerships, European Commission, Myriam Ferran outlined that EU is committed to remain a steadfast partner in Malawi's development.

"Our partnership is built on shared values: respect for human rights, commitment to sustainability, and a belief in the transformative power of trade and investment,” she noted.

During the function, three agreements were signed: the grant agreement which will enhance energy policy performance, implementation agreement which will strengthen public financial and economic management (PFEM) and Ratification of commitment for financing the AGCOM 2.0.

These agreements will pave the way for European investors to engage in various ventures in Malawi, contributing to the country’s economic growth.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: Kabula Gospel Project will on December 28 go into full swing to sing numerous series of hymns at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre under the theme; Hymns of the Heart to offer heartfelt experience in hymn worship.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Spokesperson for the event, Thokozani Kasiya said the worship series will feature a powerful blend of traditional hymns, soul-stirring gospel melodies to allow devoted Christians and other patronage to celebrate the power of faith.

“After a year of growth, challenges, and victories, we thought it wise to end the year with a concert which shall reflect faith, strength and beauty in God. Through the theme; 'Hymns of the Heart’, we will explore how hymns speak to the soul, reflecting deep on personal faith, prayer, joy, and worship,” said Kasiya.

She added that the Hymns of the Heart worship series will incorporate spoken word and congregational singing to create a dynamic atmosphere and bridge the gap between God and His people.

Kasiya added that the event promises to bring the Christian community together in worship, singing and celebration as the year ends.

The December 28, Hymns of the Heart will be “free entry” and is the first public event organised by Kabula Gospel Project outside the churches.

The show will feature popular church hymns and will be sung in various languages along with gospel songs from Kabula Gospel Project collections.

One of the devoted Christian, Chikumbutso Jabu hailed the Kabula Gospel Project for organising the hymn worship saying hymns connect people with God.

He said he is anticipating that singers will bring a vibrant flavor of hymns that will revive the listening audience to greater moments.

“I am looking forward to attend the event and l know l will witness God’s power and glory. I hope the group will inspire and uplift the audiences through a collection of original compositions and re-arranged hymns,” he added

Kabula Gospel Project formerly known as Kabula Youth Choir based at Kabula Hill Seventh day Adventist Church is a grouping of Kabula adventist youths with an ardent determination in preaching the gospel through music.

Since its establishment, Kabula Gospel Project has been leading different worship programmes and initiatives in various churches.

By Alinafe Kapatamoyo

Lilongwe, November 26, Mana: The Castel Challenge Cup Round of 16 is well underway with two exciting fixtures set to take place tomorrow 27th November.

Bangwe All Stars will meet Fomo FC at Balaka Stadium, while Karonga United will go head-to-head with Moyale Barracks at Karonga Stadium.

Both games are expected to be closely contested, with each side eager to make a statement and advance further in the competition.

Bangwe All Stars, who have shown impressive form in the tournament so far, will be hoping to secure their place in the quarter finals at Balaka while Fomo FC, on the other hand, will be looking to upset Bangwe All stars and continue their strong run in the tournament.

At Karonga Stadium, Karonga United will be aiming to build on their solid performances in the earlier rounds as they face the experienced Moyale Barracks, The Barracks, known for their tactical discipline and strong squad, will be determined to secure a win and progress to the next stage.

Will Bangwe All Stars and Karonga United live up to expectations, or will Fomo FC and Moyale Barracks cause an upset?

As the Round of 16 unfolds, the pressure is on, and only 90 minutes of football will decide which teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, November 15, Mana: Driving from Mangochi Boma to Blantyre, approximately 20 Kilometers, one reaches Traditional Authority Chimwala. Unlike other areas in Mangochi, Chimwala is unique due to its geographical position. Turning left, one finds Lake Malombe, while to the right there is breathtaking scenery of mountainous topography.  

Mangochi District is endowed with numerous natural resources, including lakes, minerals and mountains. The district boasts three famous surface water bodies: Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and Shire River.

Largely, situated in the rift valley of Lake Malawi’s Southern end, Mangochi boasts highlands and hills with a minimum elevation of 472 meters such that the district’s topography falls into two distinct categories: rift valley and hilly forest area.

The district also faces challenges in the education sector in the sense that its mountainous terrain, in some areas of Traditional Authority Chimwala becomes hard to reach area making it hard for people to access social amenities like hospitals and schools.

The geographical condition also becomes a stumbling block to learners to the extent that they long endure difficulties in accessing education such that the most prominent public secondary schools; Chimwala and Changali Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSS) becomes too far on foot and too far apart for option.

“Due to the long distance to school, we feel that access to school is no longer a right,’’ says Amina Hassan, a form two student at Changali CDSS. With 148 learners, including 77 girls, most students travel over 10 kilometers to access secondary education.

To address the challenge in the education sector, Member of Parliament for the area, Mangochi Nkungulu, Aisha Mambo Adams approached Mangochi District Council to agree to construct a 50-capacity girls’ hostel at Changali CDSS using Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Completed within months, the hostel is valued at MK43 million and has a kitchen and wash rooms as a package to provide for the girls very well.

Adams, who also serves as the Second Deputy Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, said she was inspired to construct the girls' hostel after reflecting on her own school days, when she faced the challenge of walking long distances to attend classes.

‘‘I was born and raised in this area, I know what it means to walk a long distance to get education. Unlike boys, whenever girls are back home from school they are given a number of household’s chores, a development which demotivate them from continuing with education,’’ says the legislator.

Access to education is well stipulated in the Malawi 2063 agenda, with a goal to promote formal and quality education to every Malawian child. However, as set in the 2022 to 2030 Social Economic Profile for Mangochi, high dropout of school learners is one of the main challenges currently experienced by Mangochi District Council.

For instance, in Traditional Authority Chimwala, population for projected school going age by 2023 was 25,827, with 2,627 number of school going children that were out of school, making Chimwala the third highest area with most school dropouts in Mangochi.

By 2023, having 15 Traditional Authorities in Mangochi, the Traditional Authorities with highest school dropouts was Traditional Authority Bwananyambi with 13 percent, followed by Traditional Authority Chilipa with 12 percent, and Traditional Authority Chimwala with 10 percent as the area registered 1,275 boys drop out vs 1,230 girl drop outs, while in 2021, the same Chimwala registered 1,416 boys and 1,611 girls drop outs respectively.

According to the 2023 Mangochi District Education Management Information System, dropout rate for girls in schools is slightly higher than that of the boys in most Traditional Authorities in the district, due to long distance to school, inadequate change rooms for girls, as well as child marriage.

Considering geographical and social barriers affecting girls’ education and good intervention by Mangochi Nkungulu legislator, Changali CDSS Deputy Headteacher, Maria Jackson, says that construction of the girls’ hostel was a big plus, anticipating that the facility will help to improve girls’ academic performance.

‘‘Changali CDSS accommodates learners that travel very long distances of over 10 kilometers from home, and as a result, performance of some, especially girls, is not encouraging. Most of them dropped out of school.

‘‘Construction of the hostel here is a sigh of relief to learners, teachers, as well as the community. The hostel will assist students to stay within the school premises and this will in turn help them to concentrate on their studies,’’ Jackson adds.

Mangochi District has for the past years shined in the education infrastructure development through CDF such that during the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the district received a total of MK1.2 billion. With the CDF, number of classroom blocks have been constructed in secondary and primary schools across 12 constituencies.

The following blocks were constructed at the following school and constituencies; Malimbasa, Namitambo, Nandembo as well as Mkumba in Mangochi South Constituency.

Classroom blocks were also constructed at Mendo Primary School and Masanje Nursery School in Mangochi Monkey Bay Constituency while Mangochi Masongola Constituency saw construction of blocks at Changwale, Mandimba 2 and Masongola primary schools.

In Mangochi Nkungulu Constituency, Mdinde Primary School classroom block has been re-roofed while Chilumba Primary school toilet as well as Katole Primary School classroom block in Mangochi West Constituency have been finalized.

CDF was also used in Njera classroom block construction in Mangochi North East as the same fund was used in Mangochi Lutende Constituency for Kabuli Primary classroom block construction. In Mangochi South East, Dambula and Msosa primary schools also got their shares of the CDF following construction of blocks.

Economist at Mangochi District Council, Blessings Stove says despite having a highest learner to classroom ratio, of 15 to 1, the district is currently doing fine on infrastructure development.

“The council is implementing infrastructure projects using three funding windows of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), District Development Fund (DDF), as well as Constituency Development Fund, and through such funds, we believe that we are on course,” says Stove.

Despite tremendous improvement in infrastructure development, performance in the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examination in girls in Mangochi has been hanging between averages, compared to that for boys, for the past three years.

In 2022, for instance, boys pass rate was 63 percent, while girls pass rate was 54 percent, an indication that girls are left behind.

The results also show that CDSS’s in Mangochi are the lowest performers, compared to boarding schools in the district as the results indicate that district boarding schools had 90 percent passing rate, while CDSSs had 51 percent passing rate.

Currently, Mangochi has one grant-aided national secondary school, two district boarding secondary schools, two district day secondary schools, 37 CDSSs as well as 16 private secondary schools.

The secondary school subsector absorbs only 50 percent of primary school leavers, calling for establishment of many public secondary schools in the district.

To address school dropout among girls, a Mangochi-based social activist, Dickens Mahwayo said there was need to lobby for boarding facilities for girls, libraries, as well as teacher houses, in order to attract and retain quality teachers and learners in the district.

"There is a need to construct more Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSs) in areas where they are lacking and to upgrade existing ones by providing adequate human resources, materials, and boarding facilities," he adds.

On his recent tour to Mangochi to appreciate developmental projects under CDF, DDF and GESD, Executive Director for National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe observed that through CDF, challenges of inadequate infrastructure, as well as school dropout by girls in the district are minimized.

‘‘As National Local Government Finance Committee, we are satisfied with what we have seen here in Mangochi where MPs are constructing high quality education infrastructures. We are impressed with the CDF outcomes adds Santhe.   

By Alex Mlanga

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: Blantyre District Council, Forestry Officer (DFO), Noel Moyo says the council, through the forest sector is expected to plant over 1.1 million trees seedlings during this year’s forestry season.

Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Moyo said the exercise will begin mid-December and ends mid-April 2025.

He added that despite some challenges, such as droughts, the past forestry seasons had been successful.

‘’We had drought which affected us but at least 65% to 70% of the seedlings we planted last season survived,’’ said Moyo.

The DFO expressed optimism that this year’s tree planting season will be more successful due to good rains and he encouraged communities to work with the forestry extension staff in their respective areas during the forestry season.

Communities are expected to plant tree seedlings in their homes, farmlands and other areas that require afforestation to ensure vegetative cover.

Executive Director of Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) Charles Mkoka said community participation in forestry season was a good initiative in helping to conserve the environment, address issues of land degradation and promote biodiversity.

He added that afforestation also improves ground water recharge, regulate water flow in rivers and reduce the risk of floods.

‘’By planting million trees, this initiative aligns with global climate actions goals, contributing to carbon neutrality and sustainable development for Blantyre District,’’ said Mkoka.

Blantyre District Council planted one million trees in the 2023/2024 forestry season which started on December 15 to April 15 per the forestry calendar.     

By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, November 25, Mana: Felesiya Chithumba is a traditional doctor who has transformed her passion for traditional medicine into a mission for reforestation.

The 42-year-old mother from Mwiza Village in Sub-Traditional Authority Chiputula in Chikwawa District, started her journey from a humble beginning in 1998 when her child Emmanuel fell terminally ill.

With the child’s health was in jeopardy, Chithumba turned to her grandmother for help instead of heading to a nearby health centre. Her grandmother led her deep into the forest and stopped by a certain tree that she claimed held the cure for the illness.

A mixture of its leaves and bark was prepared immediately and shoved into the baby’s mouth. To Chithumba’s surprise, her son’s ailment vanished in no time and he recovered. For Chithumba, this was a powerful revelation of the value of traditional medicine.

This experience was a turning point, revealing the valuable role of traditional medicine.

“The trees are our heritage,” Chithumba states. “They provide medicine, food and even protection against the harsh climate changes threatening our fields and homes. That day, my grandmother showed me that every tree has a purpose. Some cure, some protect and others sustain life in ways we often take for granted.”

Currently participating in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), Chithumba is committed to giving back to the forests that have sustained her family and career for many years.

“The programme is helping us to preserve these valuable natural resources for future generations,” she says. “It is not just about planting trees; it is about restoring balance to the environment.”

Chithumba also practices natural tree regeneration, a sustainable method that nurtures existing trees to encourage growth without cutting or disturbing the ecosystem.

She adds: “By letting trees grow naturally, we protect the forest’s biodiversity and ensure it remains useful for years to come. This work goes beyond my role as a healer—it is about survival, sustainability and ensuring that future generations will have access to the same resources I was fortunate to learn about.”

Chikwawa District Forestry Officer, Hector Nkawihe echoes Chithumba’s sentiments, emphasising the impact of the programme on local reforestation efforts.

Nkawihe says the programme has made strides in promoting Village Forest Areas (VFAs) to ensure communities have convenient access to forest products and services.

“During the last cycle, we made significant progress in establishing new VFAs while sustainably managing the older ones. In Chikwawa, the CS-EPWP now covers 2, 000 hectares of forest, with 335 VFAs managed by Village Natural Resource Management Committees across the district,” he points out.

On the other hand, Chikwawa District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Charity Machika emphasises how reforestation is essential for mitigating disasters such as floods and strong winds.

“One major contributing factor of flooding in Chikwawa is river siltation. So, to avoid siltation of rivers, reforestation is crucial because it helps to stabilise soil and reduce sediments flowing into rivers. Additionally, trees act as a buffer against strong winds, protecting homes and crops,” Machika says.

Chikwawa District CS-EPWP Project Facilitator, Chifundo Thungwa underscores the programme’s broader significance in building household resilience to climate shocks.

“The programme is designed to improve household incomes, enhance food security and build resilience to climate challenges,” Thungwa explains.

Participants are paid to work on catchment-based projects that address environmental degradation, including afforestation, soil conservation and gully reclamation, according to Thungwa.

“These activities reduce surface run-off, prevent soil erosion and rehabilitate degraded land, making communities more resilient to climate change,” she observes.

District Commissioner for Chikwawa, Nardin Kamba commends the programme for reducing disaster risks and improving livelihoods.

“The initiative has positively impacted the lives of participants and is helping to restore degraded land and enhance soil conservation through techniques such as check dams and swales which improve soil fertility and reduce erosion,” he says.

“These techniques improve soil fertility and are vital for sustainable farming and food security in disaster-prone areas,” he says.

Kamba adds that communities frequently hit by floods and other natural disasters face challenges contributing to national development.

However, Kamba notes that programmes that reduce disaster risks are crucial for low-lying and flood-prone districts such as Chikwawa and Nsanje.

“We are working tirelessly to build resilience and mitigate climate change effects. These efforts also align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10 and 13 which focus on promoting socio-economic inclusion and combating climate change,” reaffirms Kamba.

Funded by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the CS-EPWP is being implemented across all districts in Malawi. 

By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: At least 41,860 farmers are expected to receive farm inputs in Blantyre through the Affordable Input Programmme (AIP) currently underway in the district, as 26 selling points would be operating to serve the beneficiary farmers.

Crops Officer for the Blantyre Agriculture Office, Linda Msiska has told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the district has already established 26 selling points where beneficiary farmers should buy one bag of NPK weighing 50 kilogrammes, one 50 kilogrammes of Urea, and one packet of 5 kilogrammes of maize seed.

“So far, the programme has started on a positive note as the district has been allocated 26 established markets, unlike last season when there were only 20 established markets. This will help ease congestion at selling points. Our target is to ensure that about 41,860 farmers get the inputs,

“In terms of the costing, for one bag of either 50 kilogrammes of NPK or Urea, the beneficiary is contributing K15, 000 only, while the government is shouldering the market difference. For one pack of 5 kilogrammes of cereal seed, the government is contributing K4, 300, and the farmer pays the market difference," she said.

Msiska singled out the mismatch of beneficiary names and IDs as the only challenge faced the programme face, adding that that such case were being referred to the AIP secretariat for assistance.

One of the beneficiaries from Lunzu, Mary Soko, expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the farmers with the inputs and she pledged to use the inputs to increase crop production as opposed to selling.

The AIP in the country is meant to make agricultural inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers.

The programme's goals include increasing agricultural production, helping poor farming households, improve nutrition status, and to build a healthy population.

On October 14, 2024 President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera launched the 2024/2025 AIP at Dzundu Primary School ground in Neno.