Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Aisha Chiwaya

Salima, March 22, Mana: Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) and the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) in partnership with Oxfam have trained NICE monitors to equip them with essential skills and knowledge for effective election monitoring ahead of the September 16 general elections.

Speaking during the training, on Friday in Salima, WOLREC Executive Director Maggie Kathewera emphasized the importance of equipping monitors with the necessary knowledge to ensure smooth and effective election monitoring.

"Monitors are an integral part of an electoral process, therefore this training will help them to sensitize communities on the hazards of violence against women," she said.

With funding from the European Union, the one-day training focused on the prevention and mitigation of Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE), monitoring and adherence to electoral laws and procedures.

NICE District Program Officer for Salima, Queen Mataya highlighted the crucial role NICE plays in mobilizing the masses for elections.

She expressed optimism that the training would enhance the effectiveness of their efforts across the six constituencies in Salima.

"NICE is a key stakeholder in voter mobilization and by training these monitors, we are ensuring that they have the skills and strategies needed to engage the public effectively," said Mataya.

She also voiced concerns over potential voter apathy and underscored the importance of mindset change ahead of the polls.

 "We are taking this training seriously because we want to address voter apathy. By starting early, we can ensure that by September 16, these monitors are ready to encourage hesitant voters to participate in the elections," she added.

 A participant from Chitala Ward in Salima Central West Constituency, Charles Sabawo, expressed gratitude for the training, acknowledging its role in preparing them for their responsibilities as NICE monitors ahead of the elections.

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, March 22, Mana:  Women’s Legal Resources Centre (Worlec) and Oxfarm Friday trained 40 National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) volunteers from all 20 wards in the district on the prevention and mitigation of violence against women youth and people with disabilities (PWDs) in elections.

Dedza District Nice Programs Officer, Vincent Kalawa who facilitated the training said women and other disadvantaged groups continue to face discrimination towards the attainment of political leadership positions.

“Malawi 2063 talks about leaving no one behind. But to a certain extent, these disadvantaged groups are not given a chance to take part in many development activities.

“We are therefore promoting awareness to encourage them to contribute towards development by contesting either as a councillor or parliamentarian, if not, we are encouraging them to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

He urged the participants to make deliberate efforts to reach the PWDs with the messages because some platforms, such as infrastructure are not conducive for them.

“There is a lot that different stakeholders can do to make sure that the status of these people is uplifted. We urge different stakeholders to come up with different strategies to support marginalized groups of people to take up leadership positions,” he added.

A participant at the training Esther Mchekeni from Dedza Boma Constituency’s Umbwi Ward said the training was vital to help the volunteers develop strategic awareness messages for the marginalized groups.

She however lamented a threat to the civic engagement process saying some people have a negative mindset, declaring that they will not vote due to dissatisfaction with politicians’ performance. 

“We will not relent because voting is a fundamental right and crucial aspect of democratic participation,” she said.

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace for Dedza Diocese projects officer, Horace Kasudze said demeaning remarks against women, youth and PWDs contesting in political positions is one of the violence that needs to be addressed

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, March 22, Mana: Mchinji District Council on Friday conducted a clean-up exercise at Boma New Market as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure public spaces remain clean and safe for business and daily activities.

The initiative was spearheaded by District Commissioner Lucia Chidalengwa, who said maintaining cleanliness in all public spaces is very important if the people are to operate and stay in safe places.

“The main aim of having a clean-up exercise is to make sure that all the places where we do our business or reside are kept clean. Public spaces such as markets must always be maintained in a hygienic state to prevent diseases and promote a safe trading environment,” said Chidalengwa.

The Boma New Market was specifically targeted for the clean-up as it was established to accommodate traders who previously conducted their businesses on the streets.

According to Chidalengwa, the decision to have the market was an effort to prevent accidents and enforce regulations that prohibit roadside vending.

Mchinji District Environmental Health Officer Robson Kayila said cleanliness, especially during the cholera season is paramount and urged market users and the general public to prioritise hygiene to prevent the outbreak of diseases.

“This exercise is crucial, particularly now as we are in the cholera season. Mchinji is yet to record a cholera case, and we must continue observing proper hygiene practices to maintain this status,” said Kayila.

He further called on residents and business owners to embrace the clean-up initiative as a collective responsibility to ensure that public spaces remain conducive for all.

The council has pledged to continue conducting similar exercises while advocating for community participation in sanitation efforts.

Authorities believe that by fostering a culture of cleanliness, Mchinji can significantly reduce health risks and create a more orderly business environment.

In 2020 President Lazarus Chakwera declared that every second Friday of the month should be cleanup day.

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, March 22, Mana:  Chairperson for Dedza Station Executive Committee (SEC), Peter Msukwa has commended Dedza Puma Service Station for a 100 reflector jackets donation worth about K1.2 million to Dedza Police Station.

Speaking Friday when he received the donation at Dedza Police Station, Msukwa said SEC requested 1,200 reflector jackets from well-wishers for the smooth operation of the community policing department.

“We wrote to different stakeholders across the district requesting assistance. We are excited that Dedza Puma has come out first to make this donation,” he said.

Msukwa said the donation would enhance monitoring and patrols and promote trust and credibility among the public.

Dedza Police Station Officer Clement Mlera said through the community policing forum there is a good working relationship between police and the communities which he said is critical in crime prevention.

He urged other stakeholders to emulate the gesture by Dedza Puma Service Station to support the police.

Dedza Puma Service Station official Simion Itai described the donation as the organization’s corporate social responsibility.

“It is very difficult for police to work in isolation, they need support from the community. As Dedza Service Station, we believe the donation will help them to effectively do their job,” he said.

By Gift Chiponde

Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: The High Court Judge, Justice Howard Pemba has granted an injunction to Practicing lawyer Gift Nankhuni, halting the enforcement of a six-month suspension and fines imposed by the Malawi Law Society (MLS) Disciplinary Committee.

The injunction, granted by Justice Pemba at the Lilongwe District Civil Division Registry, prevents the MLS from implementing its disciplinary decision pending the outcome of a judicial review.

The committee's ruling, issued on January 10, 2025, had suspended Nankhuni for six months and imposed significant fines. However, Nankhuni challenged the decision, leading the High Court to grant permission for a judicial review under Cause No. 6 of 2025.

As a result, the MLS and its representatives are now legally barred from enforcing the disciplinary measures until the review process is concluded.

When contacted for comment, Nankhuni declined to speak on the matter, referring inquiries to his legal team—comprising Senior Counsel Allan Chinula, John Suzi Banda, and Gilbert Khonyongwa. However, his lawyers also refrained from commenting, citing the ongoing court proceedings.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, March 21, Mana: Zomba District Council on Friday gave out 150 buffalo push bicycles to volunteer community-based trainers (CBTs) that were trained to set up Village Savings and Loan groups under Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) project to sustain livelihood of communities under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP).

Speaking during the handover of the push bicycles at Sakata Training Center in the area of Traditional Authority Nkagula, District Commissioner, Reinghard Chavula said the volunteer CBT were given the bicycles to ease their mobility in facilitating setting up VSLs among recipients of cash transfers.

She said SCTP was meant to uplift the lives of the vulnerable community members that were listed in the programme, adding that VSL groups formation was an ideal approach to ensure sustainable livelihood among recipients of the cash transfers.

"Our expectations under the Social Cash Transfer Programme is that people should, by end of the programme, graduate from their current status and live a more transformed life other than remaining in poverty. For us to reach this stage, more village banks should be established and sustained,” Chavula said.

The district commissioner therefore appealed to CBTs to encourage community members to do businesses in groups, saying this allows them to have market opportunities for their products on top of easy access to loans.

One of the community based trainers, Exah Nsapato hailed the council after receiving a push bicycle saying this was timely since travelling long distances on foot was a challenge.

“We are just volunteers and we could, in many occasions, use our money to visit the groups and we thank government through UNICEF for the support," Nsapato who supervises a VSL group of over 100 members, added.

She said the bicycles are a big relief, adding that many CBTs have been motivated and will work hard.

“We promise to take good care of the bicycles so that they serve the intended purpose," Nsapato added.

Traditional Authority Nkagula who witnessed the handover, said mobility amongst most of the CBTs was a big setback.

He therefore hailed the council and development partner for the timely support and promised to woo more people to join VSL groups.

SP-GEAR championed by UNICEF is one of the cash plus interventions which among others seek to promote community resilience through establishment of VSL groups.

By Steven Lingamawa

Balaka, March 21, Mana: Government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has secured funds for an extra month for the lean season program beneficiaries in Balaka.

Since December, beneficiaries of the 2024-2025 lean season were left with no hope as the World Food Program (WFP) through its partner Find your Feet, only managed to distribute cash meant for food for two months cover against the five months that food situation assessment recommended.

Briefing members of the District Disaster Risk Management Committee on Thursday, Acting Disaster and Rehabilitating Officer, Alick Milanzi disclosed that WFP will again partner with Find your Feet on the activity.

Said Milanzi: “The Learn Season Response Program is a Malawi Government program intended to help a lot of households which are food insecure.

“WFP will cover 36, 519 households with cash amounting to K70, 000 while the remaining 15, 281 will be given a 50 kilogram of maize by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.”

According to Milanzi, beneficiaries from Traditional Authorities Nsamala, Nkaya, Group Village Headman Phalula, Ngomwa, and Phimbi will receive maize, while the rest will get cash.

For the remaining two months, Milanzi said Government is still knocking doors for other donors and once everything is set, the beneficiaries will be notified.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Balaka South, Ireen Mambala has hailed the initiative, saying people in villages were struggling to find food and asked authorities to act with speed as the food situation was worsening with a handful of harvests this year again.

By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, March 21, Mana: Plan International on Friday donated relief items to Mulanje District Council worth K42 Million to support households affected by Cyclone Jude in Traditional Authority Nkanda.

In an interview with Malawi News agency, Plan International Area Programs Manager for Southern Region, Jane Mweziwina said the initiative was brought up after observing that people that have been affected by the cyclone are living in devastating conditions that needs urgent support.

“Plan International Malawi status core is to help children for them to achieve their goals. Therefore, it is in our will as an organization to support these children,” she said.

District Commissioner for Mulanje, David Gondwe commended the development, saying they have welcomed the donation, which will help to cushion the shock that households had been facing since the onset of the cyclone in the district.

“Plan International has been a key partner to Mulanje District Council in responding to emergencies we have been experiencing. As a council, we are thankful for the support that the organization has been rendering us. The donated items will help cushion the impact that our people have been experiencing since the onset of the cyclone Jude,” he said.

Mulanje District is one of the districts that were affected by the cyclone Jude on 10 March this year.

The donation included soap, blankets, buckets, soya pieces, maize flour, dignity kits and chlorine.

By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: In a decisive move to combat misinformation and disinformation ahead of the country’s elections, the Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, has launched iVerify Malawi, a fact-checking initiative spearheaded by MISA Malawi.

Speaking at the event that took place on Friday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, Kunkuyu emphasized the growing threat of false information, particularly during election periods, where misinformation can fuel unrest and undermine public trust in the electoral process.

“False information is a danger to any society. iVerify Malawi has come at a much-needed time as we approach the elections. This is a time when we cannot afford to live in an era of disinformation,” he stated.

He called on both the media and the public to be vigilant, underscoring that the responsibility to combat fake news falls on everyone, not just journalists.

MISA Malawi Chairperson, Golden Matonga, reaffirmed the platform’s role in curbing the spread of fake news, stating that iVerify Malawi will fact-check suspicious information, particularly during the campaign and voting periods.

“Misinformation can lead to violence and distrust in the electoral process. This platform allows the public to report any questionable stories, which will then be verified to ensure people access factual information,” Matonga said.

The launch comes at a critical time when social media and digital platforms are widespread with misleading claims, which can easily influence public perception. False narratives about election candidates, polling procedures, and election results have the potential to incite violence or delegitimize the process.

UNDP Resident Coordinator, Fenelia Frost, commended the initiative, stating that iVerify Malawi will equip citizens with the tools to discern fact from fiction.

“Misinformation is dangerous, especially in an election year. This platform will play a crucial role in ensuring factual and credible information is shared with the public,” Frost emphasized.

The iVerify Malawi platform will serve as a trusted resource for citizens, journalists, and policy makers, offering verified news to counter misleading narratives. As Malawi enters a crucial election period, the fight against misinformation has never been more urgent.

By Salome Gangire

Neno, March 21, Mana: Neno District Council Chairperson, Joseph Chiphaliwali has described a learning visit to Dowa District Council as an eye-opener, commending Dowa for its effective revenue collection strategies beyond government subventions.

Chiphaliwali made the remarks on Thursday during the visit, which aimed to enhance Neno’s service delivery under the Demand Driven Performance Improvement Plans (DD-PIPs) initiative.

"Dowa is implementing several innovative initiatives to boost local revenue, including through agricultural cooperatives and associations, farmers clubs and a council-owned 6 hectare farm. We need to emulate this approach rather than relying solely on traditional revenue sources like market fees," he said.

He added that Dowa District Council has successfully used locally generated funds to procure assets, such as 11 motorcycles, 55 pairs of protective gears for its agricultural extension workers; an achievement that underscores the importance of revenue diversification amid insufficient government subventions.

Chiphaliwali further emphasized that Neno District Council was particularly interested in learning from Dowa’s strong performance in local governance and development, as reflected in its first-place ranking in the 2023/24  Local Authority Performance Assessment (LAPA).

"This exchange visit is expected to enhance Neno’s operational efficiency and governance, fostering improved service delivery based on lessons learned from Dowa," he said.

Dowa District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gift Nkhono Songeya, attributed their success to strong collaboration among council secretariat, elective members such as  Members of Parliament, councilors, traditional leaders and interest group.

"For a council to perform well, there must be a good working relationship between all stakeholders. Additionally, supervision at every stage of project implementation is crucial to ensuring quality infrastructure. Some contractors compromise quality when unsupervised, but in Dowa, we prioritize strict oversight, which has resulted in better infrastructure," Nkhono said.

He also advised fellow councillors to prioritize impactful flagship projects rather than focusing on small, scattered developments that may not bring significant change.

Deputy Director of Local Government Services, Janet Machinjiri, commended Dowa District Council for hosting Neno and urged the visiting delegation to implement the best practices observed.

"Dowa has been performing well in several areas, and I encourage Neno District Council to apply the knowledge gained here to improve service delivery," she said.

The learning visit aimed to expose Neno officials to best practices in revenue collection, project implementation, procurement, and council management, particularly in the implementation of the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) and District Development Fund (DDF) projects.