Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, November 21, Mana: Ripple Africa through its Fish for Tomorrow’s Project has oriented officials from the judiciary and police in Nkhata Bay on Fisheries Conservation Management Act for them to be familiar with it as they are key when it comes to law enforcement.

Speaking on Wednesday after a two-day orientation exercise, Country Director for Ripple Africa, Force Ngwira said their expectation was that the law enforcers would better understand the Act for them to effectively handle fisheries related cases.

“We are trying to fill the knowledge gap that we identified and we expect to collaboratively move forward together as we manage and conserve fish on our beautiful lake,” he said.

Ngwira singled out poor mind-set of fishermen and transfer of well-trained law enforcers on Fisheries Management Act as major challenges fuelling illegal fishing in Malawi.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay Rodgers Newa urged the trained law enforcers to pass on the knowledge they gained to the local communities.

“There is need for cascading such trainings to trainer of trainers at grass root level for its sustainability as transfers of government officials are inevitable,” he added.

He therefore commended Ripple Africa for always taking a leading role in complementing government’s efforts in conserving the environment

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, November 20, Mana: The Principal Secretary of Finance and Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Nwazi Mnthambala, has commended Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) for transforming lives of the programme beneficiaries.

Mnthambala made the remarks on Wednesday at Nkhwali, in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay, during a visit to households benefiting from the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) alongside officials from her ministry.

“It’s impressive to see beneficiaries having achieved financial stability in various forms including asserts. This development fits the goals of the programme,” said Mnthambala.

She then advised the beneficiaries against using the assets which they have accumulated as a tool for propelling gender based violence.

One of the beneficiaries, Timothy Mlauzi aged 58 testified that he is ready to graduate from the programme to pave way to others so that they also benefit from the initiative.

“I developed my exit strategy immediately I was enrolled into the programme in 2022 and I can say proudly that the strategy is working.

I now have five goats, 24 chickens besides purchasing 15 iron sheets and I am expecting to receive money from village savings and loans (VSLs) group bank which I will invest in farming,” said Mlauzi.

According to District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, Martha Mphopo, beneficiaries will continue being encouraged to be investing their stipends money in VSLs so that they develop a sustainable economic base.

SCTP is being implemented by Malawi Government through the National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from Multi Donor Trust Fund and World Bank and currently is benefiting 6,475 households in Nkhata Bay.

By Patience Kapinda

Lilongwe, November 21, Mana: After a three-year break, Malawian hip-hop sensation SevenOmore is back with a bang, announcing the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Yr2099 Lives: Teacher's Guide.

The album, set to be released in late November 2024, promises to continue the narrative introduced in his debut album, Yr2099: The Future Is Here.

SevenOmore revealed that he didn't take a break from music, but rather used the time to refine his craft, "I was making music, which I'm about to release," he said.

The album's theme revolves around love, inspiration, and spirituality.

SevenOmore acknowledged the challenges he faced during his break but expressed gratitude to fans who waited patiently and supported him throughout.

"This project is a masterpiece designed to ease people's pain, motivate them, and bring emotions together," he said.

The album features a collaboration with renowned Afrobeat artist Piksy, who praised SevenOmore as a genius, "His beats, lyrics, and videos are out of this world," Piksy said. "When he asked me to jump on his song, I didn't hesitate."

Fan Timothy Nahosi shared his excitement about the album, citing SevenOmore's unique blend of hip-hop and Malawian rhythms, "Their music has become an anthem for my own journey," Nahosi said. "I'm expecting Yr2099 Lives: Teacher's Guide to tackle social issues, personal growth, and self-empowerment."

With Yr2099 Lives: Teacher's Guide, SevenOmore is poised to elevate Malawi's music scene, showcasing local talent and creativity to a global audience.

Some of other artists that he has featured on the album despite Piksy are Third eye, Anne Matumbi, just to mention a few.

By Mary Sichali

Karonga, November 20, Mana: Female officers from the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Prison Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, held a parade on Wednesday in Karonga District to raise awareness and reduce cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and children.

The parade called operation "Basadi" which literally means 'women' in Sotho and Tswana languages is an operation by female police officers across countries in the SADC region and it focuses on combating priority crimes particularly against women and children, such as defilement, rape, assault, human trafficking, domestic violence and child labour among others.

Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police, Constable Magret Msiska said they conducted the operation to create awareness to the public and ensure that female police officers are integral in dealing with GBV against women and children.

"Through the victim support unit office, we are sensitizing the public about GBV and its dangers, the penalties involved and case reporting procedure," Msiska said.

She added that the common forms of GBV in karonga are; rape, assault, sexual intercourse with a minor and sending children to sell items during school hours.

"Sometimes women and children may not know that they are experiencing violence. That is why we are putting effort towards building awareness even in schools to keep children informed about their rights to minimize the cases," she explained.

District Gender Officer for Karonga District Council, Ireen Mwenelupembe said GBV cases are rampant in the district and that the initiative by the police will play a vital role in dealing with the status quo.

"As a council, this year from January up to now we have registered 757 cases of GBV while last year it was 500 cases. This informs an escalation and I believe the exercise may aid the lowering of GBV numbers," Mwenelupembe said.

By Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, November 21, Mana: Chitipa based Tubepoka Development Initiative (TDI) has donated different medical supplies to Chitipa District Hospital to promote healthy service delivery in Chitipa District.

The medical supplies and equipment includes; 93 cartons of different medical supplies, crutches, hospital beds, mattresses and electric beds to be used in the High Dependency Unit (HDU); all amounting to MK12 million.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover ceremony at Chitipa District Hospital, Executive Director for TDI, Apostle Paul Ng'ambi appealed to the district hospital management team to put the donated supplies to the intended purpose.  

Director of Health and Social Services for Chitipa District, George Kasondo applauded TDI for the donation, saying it has come at a right time whereby Chitipa District is in high need of medical supplies and equipment.

By: Steve Chirombo

Dedza, November 21, Mana: Monica Mtambalika, a 45-year-old from Chimombo Village under Traditional Authority Kachere, has been a lifelong farmer specializing in maize cultivation. However, her harvests were often insufficient, falling short of meeting her family's needs for the entire year.

This was deeply traumatizing for her and her family, as year in and year out they were plagued in acute hunger.

Nevertheless, she diligently adhered to all recommended farming techniques, including planting high-yield crops, planting on time, and applying fertilizer.

However, according to Mtambalika, run-off water was affecting the crops as they were heavily washed away.

"We were following all the farming procedures, planting on good time, applying fertilizer and planting high yield varieties of crops but still we were failing to harvest enough for our families. This was so because the rains would wash away our crops, as a result every year we were experiencing hunger in our families,” she explained.

However, since the introduction of Climate Smart Enhancement Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) in her community, the situation has improved.

She says the program has helped her and fellow farmers to find solutions that have played a critical role in addressing challenges that were affecting their farming.

Mtambalika mentions swale construction, ridge realignment, stone bands and natural tree regeneration as some of the initiatives they are undertaking to minimize damages of soil erosion, low crop production as well as deforestation among others.

“Since we began working together to construct swales, we have successfully prevented rainwater from running down the hills and washing away our crops. The program has enhanced the collaborative efforts among us and it is our plea to see it continuing,” she said.

Another participant, Alinafe Gumbo, under Group Village Head Sefasi spoke highly of the program.

“The initiative is paying dividends, for example, last harvesting season, for the first time, we have realized bumper harvests because we were not affected by soil erosions, as previously experienced, the trees that have been restored also ensured that we receive good rains," she says.

Gumbo added that their families are now free from hunger and that the surplus is sold, and that the money is used to improve their family livelihoods.

Lute Yohane, a participant under Namasenga catchment, also narrated her from lags to riches story, as she now uses the money they are paid after working to join Village Saving and Loans (VSLs) groups and also buy food as well as buying farm inputs.

“I am one of those participants whose life has changed for the better, currently, I have managed to buy some livestocks like chicken and pigs,” she said.

Senior Chief Chauma in the district applauds the construction of swales saying they are helping to reduce soil erosion and that participants use the money they are receiving per month to buy their basic needs.

"The construction of swales, stone bands and planting trees among others has helped in reducing soil erosion in the area. Previously, our crops were being washed away and this was negatively affecting our harvests and as a result people were facing acute hunger every year," he said.

According to the Senior Chief, the program has also played a critical role in environmental conservation.

"My subjects for a long time depended on charcoal burning business but they are now into other businesses that do not harm the environment," he explained. 

Franklin Gomani, the Land Resources Conservation Officer for Dedza District Council, says that in addition to restoring forests, reclaiming land, and combating soil erosion through swale construction and natural tree regeneration, the program provides participants with around K48,000 after completing 30 full working days which helps them meet basic needs.

“The impact has been good and I am impressed. Through this money, people are able to buy food items, purchase farm inputs and also school materials for their children and more importantly, they are able to participate in Village Savings and Loans (VSLs) that are in their villages to make sure the money increases in value,” Gomani says.

District Commissioner for Dedza, Thomas Chigwenembe, urges communities, especially where the CS-EPWP is being implemented to own it.

He says being a project with a time factor, there was need for communities to fully regard it as their own so that once it phases out; they will be able to continue implementing it.

“We thank government for bringing in this intervention. It is covering a lot of people who are benefitting.

He, however, urged other capable NGOs to follow suit, noting that the CS-EPWP operates in only a few selected areas of the district. He emphasized that Dedza is vast, hilly, and has many other regions in need of similar interventions.

“In continued efforts, this will go a long way in conserving our land, water and the air we breathe. Willingness of the people is something that can’t go without being recognized. Thanks to all local leaders where CS-EPWP is being implemented in the district for cooperation because mobilizing people is not easy,” Chigwenembe says. 

The program is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Program which is being implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee with support from the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, November 21, Mana: Youth for Development Productivity (YODEP), a local youth organisation based in Zomba on Thursday trained community and district disaster risk management committees on search and rescue, one of the important aspects in disaster response.

Speaking during the opening of the two days training, YODEP Programmes Manager, Joy Mwandama said considering reports of heavy rains that the country is expected to experience this year, the organisation felt it necessary to empower both district and community disaster structures with search and rescue skills.

Mwandama said it is only when the district and community structures have been empowered with the necessary knowledge and skills that they can take the required steps during search and rescue missions.

"Obviously we expect floods and other forms of disasters in Zomba and it is therefore important that our teams are fully equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills," he said.

Mwandama said it is the expectation of YODEP that the training will be of great impact to communities of Zomba.

Among those participating in the training are members of the District Disaster Risk Management Committee, Area Disaster Risk Management Committee and Village Risk Management Committee.

Zomba District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Violet Jimu described the training as crucial, especially now that the district was preparing for various disasters.

Jimu said capacity building on disaster is crucial and hailed YODEP for the orientation, saying it will enhance the capacity of disaster structures.

During the training, participants were taking through topics like fire-fighting, survival skills, search and rescue techniques.

The training also involved disaster structures from Neno District who are also beneficiaries of the localised project with support from the Save the Children.

By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, November 21, Mana: Minister of Trade, Sosten Gwengwe has asked Ethanol Malawi Company to scale up production in order to meet the high demand of its products at both local and global markets.

Gwengwe made the call in Dwangwa on Wednesday when he visited Ethanol Company to appreciate their work and the progress of the Fertilizer factory construction project in Nkhotakota district.

The minister said was impressed with the rapid expansion of Ethanol Malawi Company saying the production company is able to satisfy the global ethanol market.

Gwengwe further said the company is producing products of good quality and high value that can assist the country in sourcing foreign currency through export.

" So, basically the Ethanol Company is doing quite a lot in terms of venturing into various kinds of products, what I can advise them is simply scaling up what they are doing right now,” said Gwengwe.

Chief Executive Officer For Ethanol Malawi in Dwangwa, Lusubilo Chakaniza said the company is planning to construct another production unit in Salima district in order to scale up production.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, November 21, Mana; The Vice President of the Republic of Malawi Dr. Micheal Usi has highlighted the importance of access to information saying it’s a fundamental right to Malawians.

Speaking during the launch of MBC2 On the Go, at MBC Area 4 studios in Lilongwe, Usi said televisions provide the basics of information, education and entertainment.

“Broadcasting images and sounds becomes an integral part of how people imagine, understand, and form judgments. Therefore, the responsibility that accompanies this power is immense.

“No one can doubt that the mass media, the field of broadcasting have a very important place in contemporary society. The broadcasters form an important and influential bridge, a crucial channel, between government and people,” he said.

Usi also added that the development plans of the government for all parts of the country will not succeed without adequate provision for channels of information, that is both for information to the people and information from the people.

The Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, noted that the use of television creates lasting impression in human memory and it is critical in influencing perceptions and attitudes.

“I would therefore urge program producers to use the power of the media to transform the image of Malawi and the continent in general by sharing Malawi’s inspiring and motivational stories and technology innovations with the world,” said Kunkuyu.

Meanwhile, Board Chairperson of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Rev. Vasco Kachipapa said their goal is to be relevant and engage Malawians intensely while modernising ways of working and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

“With the imminent migration to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), MBC’s aim is to create a sustainable platform for broadcasting and content distribution in the digital age,” he said.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, November 21, Mana: Likoma District Council on Thursday launched MK114 Million Yofu-Makulawe Health Post construction Project which has been financed by the Constituency Development Fund.

Speaking on Thursday during the launching ceremony of the project alongside handing over construction site to a contractor, Cheyeka Contractors Limited’s Director of Administration for Likoma District Council, Moses Jere said that the project is expected to be completed in three months.

“The council is committed towards bringing healthy services closer to people so that people do not travel more than eight Kilometers to access health services as stipulated by government policy, hence the project,” said Jere.

Member of Parliament for Likoma, Ashems Songwe said community members from the surrounding areas of the facility will access primary health care services within their reach once the health post is completed.

“People will no longer be going to St Peters Hospital for minor ailments. Women will have easy access to maternal health services hence promoting safe motherhood,” said Songwe.

He then advised the contractor to complete the project within the agreed timeframe since resources for the project are readily available.

One of the community members, Patricia Dilisha said the Post will be a relief especially to expectant women who had to travel to St Peters Hospital for delivery.

“Some women were delivering on their way to the hospital. This will be history once the project is completed,” said Dilisha.

Director for Cheyeka Contractors Limited, Blessings Ng’oma said that the health post will be constructed according to the clients required standards.

“We will deliver according to the required standards for the structure to last long,” said Ng’oma.