Items filtered by date: May 2025

By George Mponda

Karonga ,November 3,  Mana: Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa has said most Malawians no longer follow traditions due to misunderstanding of democracy.

Kyungu said this, Saturday, while speaking at the celebration of the second Karonga-Chitipa Cultural Festival held at Mbande Hills in Karonga under the theme 'Unity in Diversity, Respect and Justice for All'.

"Ever since we attained democracy, most Malawians fail to understand the system and end up abusing it. We have witnessed a high number of suicide cases, youths vandalising development equipment all this happening because of failure to understand what democracy is all about."Kyungu said.

“We need to retrace our steps and start using our lost values and showing respect especially to the elderly people and if we do this, then the country’s development will be on the right track,” he added.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, who was representing President Lazarus Chakwera at the festival, commended people of Karonga and Chitipa for their efforts in promoting culture.

Said Hara: "Culture is considered as being primitive by the current generation. Most people living in urban areas dont even know their vernacular languages like Tumbuka, Nkhonde and Lambya which is very bad."

“We have forgotten where we come from, in the past you wouldn't even know that there are orphans because people adopted them into their homes with love unlike the situatuon now where everyone only looks out for their immediate family members which is a serious sign of moral decay," she added.

Chairperson for Karonga Chitipa Heritage Malumbo Mwasinga, asked government to offer support for cultural festivals, emphasizing their role in fostering national unity.

This was the second joint cultural festival held by the people of Chitipa and Karonga, following the inaugural edition in 2022 at the same site.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, November 2, Mana: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to Dzaleka Police Unit at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, to help in bolstering security at the camp.

Making the donation, UNHCR's Country Representative, Modeste Kouame said lack of resources like transport can jeopardize police work in enhancing security, hence the donation.

"We had seen that the police here faced some challenges including transport which negatively affected their work, hence some recurrences of crime in this area.

"But with this vehicle, we believe it will aid police movement and patrols for both day and night and help curb crime," he said.

Kouame urged Dowa police officers to execute their duties with diligence and dedication.

He reaffirmed UNHCR's commitment to help in improving security at the camp and surrounding areas, but called on community members to be law abiding citizens.

In her remarks, Superintendent Gladys Chiwaula representing Dowa Police Officer In- Charge expressed gratitude for the donation but called for greater collaboration in fighting crime.

"Fighting crime is not a one man's job, it involves all of us. That is why we are urging for collaboration with stakeholders, community policing, and also members of the community, because if we work as one, we can achieve more," she said.

Dzaleka Chief Security Officer, Serial Ghambi thanked UNHCR for the donation saying amongst many things, it would facilitate more effective patrols.

In June 2024, UNHCR also donated three motorcycles and two desktop computers to Dowa Police Station.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, November 2, Mana: Ministry of Education Director of Basic Education, Grace Milner has described primary school teachers as the heart of the education system upon which learners’ lifelong learning and character are built upon.

Milner made the remarks, Friday at Njewa Primary School during the best award event ceremony of Education Managers, teachers and schools that performed well in the 2024/25 academic calendar in Lilongwe Rural West Education Division.

“Primary education forms the cornerstone of every child’s learning journey and behind this phase of discovery are teachers like you. Your commitment to nurturing potential, sparking curiosity and inspiring confidence for the learners to become future leaders cannot be overstated,” she said.

Milner said government through the Ministry of Education is committed to creating an environment where every teacher feels valued, motivated and equipped to thrive.

“Our goal is to ensure that teachers have access to professional development opportunities, additional resources and the support they need to overcome the challenges. We are advocating for more robust resource allocations, improved classroom environments, and continuous teacher professional development,” she said.

In her remarks, Director of Education and Sports, Sophia Mthiko said they organized the awards as one way of encouraging and motivating teachers and learners to continue doing well in their education.

Mthiko said the event targeted schools that produced a 100 percent passing rate and urged other schools to emulate the gesture.

One of the teachers who got the award Harriet Chitanda from Khanda primary school thanked the education office for the initiative, saying it will go a long way in motivating and encouraging teachers and learners in their education.

“This is a morale booster. It has never happened in the district before. I am so happy for this initiative,” she said.

Lilongwe Rural West Education Division has 261 primary schools and 223 schools participated in the   Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination, out of which 77 schools produced a 100 percent pass rate.

The schools, Education Managers and Teachers went home with certificate of recognition and cash.

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, 2O October, Mana: Paramount Chief Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V of Ntcheu has described the late Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima and the late legendary music icon Soldier Lucius Banda as patriotic citizens of the country.

Gomani V made the remarks on Saturday at the end of Maseko Ngoni mourning period of the late State Vice President, Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima who was also Impi to Gomani V and the late legendary music icon Soldier Lucius Banda at a ceremony that took place at Nsipe Catholic Primary School ground in Ntcheu district. 

He commended the families of the late Chilima and the late Banda for accepting the Maseko Ngoni heritage request to organize a special day marking the end of the mourning period.

"The late Dr Saulos Chilima and Lucius Banda were patriotic, they loved their country and their culture and will always be remembered" he said. 

Gomani urged all the people to emulate the example set by the two departed souls.

State Vice President Dr Michael Bizwick Usi, Madame Mary Chilima and Madame Sunganani Banda together with various other political dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Nsipe Parish Priest, Father Atanazio Steve Manyenga said the ceremony is a true testimony that religion and culture are not in conflict, but rather complement each other.

Member of Parliament for Ntcheu West, Simion Salambula asked government to construct a musoleum for the late Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima.

He advised all UTM Party aspirants to bring unity amongst the members.

A representative of the Chilima family, Ana Sazuze commended the Maseko Ngoni heritage for organizing a special ceremony marking the end of the mourning period for their son who was also the State Vice President.

"The family salutes the Maseko Ngoni heritage because as Chilima family we had organized a ceremony after 40 days from his death, but the heritage organized a special period," said Sazuze.

On his part, a representative of the late Lucius Banda family, Elias Kamoto saluted the Maseko Ngoni heritage for the ceremony which has shown love and unity amongst the Maseko Ngoni.

"You stopped everything from June this year up to now in honour of Lucius Banda and the late State Vice President, we say thank you,' said Kamoto 

In July this year, Paramount Chief Gomani V cancelled the 2024 Umhlangano annual cultural event which was scheduled for 5 to 7 September in honour of the late VP and Lucius Banda.

The late Chilima died in a plane crash on 10 June, 2024 in Chikangawa forest in Mzimba district while Lucius Banda died on 30 June 2024 in South Africa.

By Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, November 1, Mana: Executive Director for Zomba Centre for Creative Arts (ZOCCA), Pemphero Mapanje has advised the youth in the country to work together and take part in different activities for the country to make meaningful progress.

Mapanja emphasized the importance of self-advocacy, resilience and community engagement for young people.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, Mapanje said the youth need to take an active role in development activities in order for the country to forge ahead with its soci0-economic growth.

“There is need to give chance to our youth by giving them the opportunity to take different roles in our society, being it in government, church and other areas. One of our objectives at ZOCCA is to work hand in hand with the youth and provide them with counseling and guidance in life,” she said.

Mapanje added that recently there has been an increasing number of school dropout, attributing it to poverty among the youth and sometimes because of peer pressure.

“Our youth are meeting with a lot of problems of which sometimes make them to think of committing suicide that is why we use to chat with such youths and give them a talk and advice on how they can handle themselves when they are in dilemma instead of committing suicide,” she said.

Mapanje disclosed that the organization is also responsible for helping the youth with sexual and reproductive health issues, encouraging them to go back to school after delivery, besides empowering with business management skills.

“We bring sanity among the youth in the community and also we act as mediators between parents and their children by bringing peace if there are some misunderstanding in the family,” she said.

One of the members of ZOCCA, Chifundo Kadzuwa said she has benefited a lot from the group, pointing out that she has learned a lot after joining the organization.

“Through ZOCCA, I have gained a lot such as sexual and reproductive health, issues about environment, it has also helped me because instead of indulging in some untoward things, I spend most of my time doing activities organized by the organization, playing netball; for example,” she said.

Kadzuwa, therefore, urged all the youth in different areas to desist from engaging in wayward behaviours, instead advised them to be responsible in bringing peace especially now when the country is preparing for 2025 elections.

ZOCCA was established with the aim of helping the youth to be tolerant with one another and making the youth to be the instruments of peace in their communities. Currently, the organization is working with the youth in Zomba District.

By: Vida Msiyo

Blantyre, November 1, Mana: Chitseka Foundation in partnership with communities under Village Head Chopenga in Chilomoni Township on Friday undertook its first project with focus on controlling erosion along the slopes of degraded Michiru Mountain.

Foundation members and local residents placed rocks in areas heavily impacted by water runoff, aiming at reducing the risk of damage to farmland, homes and local infrastructure.

Executive Director for Chitseka Foundation, Prince Chitseka said the plan was initiated to safeguard both the environment and the community.

“We saw that erosion channels on Michiru Mountain pose a risk, especially during heavy rains and decided to take action, by placing rocks in these areas, we aim at slowing the flow of water and future efforts will include tree planting wherever necessary,” he said.

Village Head Chopenga commended the foundation’s involvement, describing it as essential support for the community’s long-standing environmental efforts.

“This is what we have always hoped for to have people helping us protect the environment, since we started in 2019, resources have been limited because we are all volunteers and now with the foundation, we believe this work will progress and they will help with some of the tools like slashers, hoes and panga knives,” he said.

Community members have also committed to forest preservation, discouraging deforestation practices around Michiru Mountain.

Treasurer of the Forest Committee in Chopenga Village, Susan Mkolongo said maintaining vegetative cover is critical for air quality and preventing soil erosion.

“These rocks are a temporary measure to protect crops and infrastructure until we can plant more trees with the rains, all thanks to Chitseka Foundation for coming through, we believe they will be there to help bring back our Michiru Forest,” she said.

The efforts of the Chitseka Foundation and the Chilomoni community on Michiru Mountain aim at strengthening environmental protection and foster a sustainable future for the local area.

By Agatha kadzinje

Blantyre, November 1, Mana: In an effort to combat suicide cases, Mental Health Coalition Malawi has launched a new initiative offering free call-in therapy sessions for individuals struggling with mental health issues across the country.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, Tilinao Lamba, a founding member of the Mental Health Coalition and a Global Health Corps alumnus, revealed that the initiative aims at linking those in need of mental health support with qualified professionals, such as psychologists and therapists.

“One of the major challenges we face in Malawi is that people often do not know where to seek assistance or how to connect with mental health professionals. This initiative will help bridge the gap in seeking mental health assistance,” she said.

Lamba added that the initiative will help address daily mental health challenges that affect individuals’ well-being from relationship problems to financial hardships.

She added that this development aligns with Malawi’s mental health strategy by raising awareness about mental health issues, an area that has for a long time been neglected.

Founder of The Little Mental Health Project, which is part of the coalition, Collina Nkhambule said the coalition is expanding its efforts to rural areas through partnerships with local hospitals and secondary schools.

“We have started meeting with major hospitals in the districts. Additionally, we are collaborating with secondary schools to train teachers and students, with the aim of establishing mental health clubs to increase open discussions about mental health struggles,” she said.

Nkhambule added that the coalition’s main goal, through this initiative, is to raise awareness and reduce stigma, ensuring that people are well-informed and have access to mental health support.

In a separate interview, mental health expert, Moses Muotcha emphasized that free therapy sessions could potentially reduce suicide rates in Malawi by providing support to those in need while highlighting the multiple benefits of the initiative.

“Support from experienced individuals will be more accessible and people won’t need to travel long distances or spend money to seek help. Many Malawians cannot afford therapy sessions due to the high costs, so this initiative will reach a broader population,” he said.

Muotcha commended the initiative, emphasizing that it will reach many people who might otherwise lack access to mental health services.

“Malawians should take advantage of these services to share their struggles, which could help decrease suicide cases in the country,” he said.

He also urged the coalition to maintain strict confidentiality, fostering a safe space where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves openly.

The Mental Health Coalition Malawi was founded by Global Health Corps and includes a range of organizations, brands and individuals working to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health in Malawi. Members of the coalition include The Little Mental Health Project, Match Foundation, Mind Malawi and Caring Malawi. The hotlines include 0993875725 and 0996491333.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, November 1, Mana: Lilongwe District Health Office has announced that six people have died of measles in the district.

Principal Public Health Officer for Lilongwe District Health Office Macmillan Nzuwala made the announcement during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting on Thursday.

Nzuwala further said from the month of October the district has so far registered 102 measles positive cases, saying the situation is worrisome.

Currently, the cases are being registered in Nthondo, Area 25, Bwaila, Nathenje, Chiunjiza and Kamuzu Central.

Meanwhile, members of the community are being advised to stay alert on the sign and symptoms of the disease and seek medical attention.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, November 1, Mana: Former Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos midfielder, Lameck Gamphani punished his former club with a late equalizer for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on Thursday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre in a league encounter.

Gamphani coming in as substitute for the people’s team pulled the equalizer in dying minutes of the match. 

A see-saw supporters witnessed a super substitute in 50 minutes from Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos, Victor Lungu paving way for Ibrahim Sadiki, who pushed the visitors on a 1-0 lead in 65 minutes, later on, in 76- 89 minutes of the game Bullets tried to launch an attack using Chrispin Mapemba but the solid defence of Dynamos could not give in.

In 90 minutes of the game as frustrated Bullets supporters who were expecting more goals from the match were trekking out of stadium, Lameck Gamphani who came from the bench scored an equalizing goal assisted by Crispin Mapemba.

In post-match interview with Bullets Head Coach, Kallisto Pasuwa said their team lacks intensity in terms of attacking and their performance was not good because they were coming from the Blantyre derby.

“We got our chances, but couldn't utilize them. Unfortunately, the opposition got one and they punished us, which has taught us a lesson that needs to be fixed. We tried as much as we could to look for an equalizer and we managed to do so which was a great and impressive,” said Pasuwa.

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos Head Coach, Andrew Bunya raised concern on the red card which Khumbo Banda received in 82^nd minute after a second yellow card, saying it contributed to an equalizing goal which made them not to achieve their purpose.

“We made all the possible measures that they shouldn’t get any goals but unfortunately the plan failed. We are still searching for an away win; today we almost got it, but it was denied by that late equalizer,” said Banda.

In other fixtures between MAFCO and Bangwe All Stars ended 0-0 whereby Moyale FC walloped Baka City with 4 -1 goals. Considering the Thursday's match, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Mighty Tigers on Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, October 31, Mana: At Kawiya Community Day Secondary School in the area of Traditional Authority Mnyanja in Kasungu District, 16-year-old Form 2 student, Felistas Lungu used to be outside her hostels as early as 4am.

With a bucket in her hand, the destination would be a stream located at about a kilometre distance to fetch water for a bath in readiness for classes.

With a lowered water table, the stream is perennially dry and communities managed to dig an open well, which served both students and tobacco farmers who use it to water their nursery beds.

“You really had to work early enough to find the water. Any delays meant you would find the well dirty or with no water as the farmers also depend on the same for their tobacco nurseries,” Lungu says.

In this equation of waking up this early, Lungu and her friends did not have adequate sleep and the results could be seen in class where the students felt weary and sleepy – dozing off as lessons were in progress.

The teachers too were not spared in this predicament. Their errands to fetch water had negative trickledown effects on the delivery of lessons.

“You wake up and the first thing is to go somewhere far to fetch water. And you come back tired going to class to teach.

“Our work demands that we prepare thoroughly to make teaching and learning effective. So the absence of water was a big disturbance to both learners and teachers,” says Head Teacher for the school, Chikondi Kaundama.

The scramble for water from unprotected open wells amongst students, teachers and communities was not just a fight for survival, but also an open invitation for waterborne diseases like cholera.

“The water was itself not safe to use but also that its scarcity compromised every element in the hygiene equation. It’s not surprising that waterborne diseases were common,” Kaundama says.

Touched by the plight of the learners and the community at large, The Sonder Project, a humanitarian non-governmental organization (NGO) lobbied for support to reverse the sufferings.

With a K39 million investment, the organization has planted a solar reticulated water system at the school, which is also to benefit hundreds other households surrounding the school.

Speaking during the water system handover ceremony, Sonder Project Country Director Beria Mwaulambo said Kawiya CDSS was one example of how rural schools grapple with water challenges.

“Access to clean water is one of the biggest challenges affecting schools and communities in the rural areas. We came here at Kawiya School and the surrounding community to help eradicate the so many ills that come due to lack of access to clean water.

“For instance, this school was relying on an unprotected open shallow well and both learners and teachers used to travel long distances to collect water and the likelihood of suffering from water-borne illness, and missing classes was high,” Mwaulambo said.

The system at Kawiya is now supplying water to the students’ hostels where modern bathrooms fitted with showers have been constructed as part of the project package.

“So we have two taps and four showers at the girls’ hostel, one tap and three showers at the boys’ hostel, while some taps have been put at the main school campus, teachers’ houses and the surrounding communities.

“Our mission is to empower communities through high-impact, sustainable development. We envision a world where each individual and community has the resources and opportunities needed to improve their own lives, and to lift themselves and future generations from poverty,” she said.

Through the ‘Water is Our Right’ component, the Sonder Project is drilling boreholes, installing water systems and distributing water filters to communities like Kawiya in a bid to increase access to clean water.

“We are proud to say that the school and the surrounding communities are now drinking water that is free from diseases clean water and education are interrelated. At Kawiya School, for example, enrollment numbers were less than 200 when the project was first conceived, even though the school has a capacity for 400 students.

“Students were dropping out and not showing up because the conditions were not conducive for learning.  Too much time was spent fetching water and causing students to miss school. Teachers faced similar challenges and turnover rates were high,” Mwaulambo said.

Now with a cool morning shower taken right in their hostels, learners like Lungu, and the teachers led by Kaundama, promise to repay back with hard work, saying the feeling that they are in a forgotten rural school is over.

On his part, Paul Mgunda who represented the Education Division Manager for Central East Education Division said education authorities expect the project to attract more teachers to the school and improve the school outcomes especially in national examinations.

“Now the students and the teachers can focus on what is most important, getting an education and improving performance,” Mgunda said.

Kasungu District Council Water Officer, Charles Mwenda, expressed gratitude to Sonder Project saying the water facility will help many households in the area to access clean water and prevent diseases.

“We mostly rely on ground which also expensive to extract. That is why we applaud partners like Sonder Project for complementing government’s efforts to ensure that there is clean water for everyone.

“My appeal is that we should all own the facility by taking care of it so that it is sustained for the benefit of others in the future. Parents must ensure the project is well cared for,” Mwenda said.

Since 2020, Sonder Project has drilled 23 boreholes and installed two solar-powered water supply systems to two secondary schools in Kasungu District impacting over 10,500 people, while at the same time distributing about 168 water filters to dispersed communities and those without boreholes.

A 2022 Voluntary National Review on the progress of implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Malawi shows that the country is on track to meet its target of universal access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Currently, at least 67 per cent of the population has access to improved sources of safe water but experts say distribution of water facilities among districts and between urban and rural areas remains uneven.

These indicators are likely to improve further if efforts like this at Kawiya, are replicated in many rural schools and communities.