Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, July 29, Mana: Stakeholders in the fisheries sector have been advised to be proactive in safeguarding fisheries resources in Lake Malawi in preventing practices which could lead to depletion of various fish species.

The call was made Thursday in Nkhata Bay by Pact Malawi Deputy Chief of Party for Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods (REFLESH), Amakhosi Jere when he closed training for fisheries champions on communities’ roles in enhancing responsible fishing.

He said that illegal fishing practices can lead to depletion of diverse fish species and reduction of fish harvest.

“As stakeholders in the fisheries sector, you need to push for formulation of by-laws in your respective areas while also advocating for legally acceptable fishing gears and practices.

In regard to the outdated Fisheries Act of 1994 which is being used, there is a dare need for fishing communities to have by-laws that restrict the use of illegal fishing gears and illegal fishing practices such as catching fish during breeding period,”  Jere said.

District Fisheries Enforcement Officer for Nkhata Bay, Evance Mataka said that his office has no boats and other related equipment for conducting patrols on the lake and they outsource the service at intervals.

He said the fisheries sector has high potential in contributing to national development and improved sustainable livelihoods.

"For instance, we have almost 6,000 fishers in the district with only 782 certified meaning that we lose close to K3 billion in addition to reduced fish landing being recorded in recent years,” Mataka said.

One of the trainees, Cyria Adamana, said it was time for communities to protect fisheries resources which they depend on for their livehoods and that it was the responsibility for everyone to advocate and enforce legal fishing practices.

Adamana is a councillor for Nkhata Bay Boma Ward added that there was need to enhance mindset change in communities on fisheries related issues saying such an approach was key to achieving the desired practices.

The trainees among others included information officers, women's group representatives and chairpersons for fisheries associations, traditional and religious leaders.

By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, July 29, Mana: Malawi Diaspora Network from the United States of America (USA) on Friday donated assorted relief items worth K5.5 million to 102 households,

The Households were affected by drought which destroyed crops in the 2022/23 growing season in Lupembe area in Karonga.

The items included bags of maize, beans, packets of sugar and cooking oil.

Speaking when he presented the donation, a representative for the Network, Michael Mapundi said Malawians living in USA decided to donate the items because the district was hit by a dry spell which left a majority of households and farmers with limited harvest.

He advised the beneficiaries of the donation against sell out the items as doing so would demotivate the network from supporting them.

Chairperson for Lupembe Area Development Committee, Orwin Ndovie thanked the Malawi Diaspora Network for the donation saying it has come at the right time when the people in the area are in dire need of food.

“I need to extend my gratitude to the Malawians who reside in the USA for their support. The donation will help reduce the impact of the dry spell on the people. About 38,635 households were affected drought in Karonga,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Jenala Gondwe prayed to God to continue blessing the network for continued charity works in the area and the district as a whole.

By Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe July 29 Mana: Malawi Netball team, the Queens have started their  seventh World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion after completing a daunting come back against the 10^th ranked Thistles of Scotland wining 55-49 at the Cape Town Convention centre, in South Africa.

The match, monitored through, the live direct sports channel on YouTube, Scotland skimmed through the Queens to establish total command of the first quarter which ended 17-9.

The Queens did about everything to remain in the game and sure enough began to play like themselves as the game proceeded which resulted to them outscoring the Thistles 13-12 to conclude the second Quarter while trailing 29-22.

Takondwa Lwazi thrived in her role, distributing the ball to watch the delightful connection between Mwai Kumwenda and Joyce Mvula, as both eventually finished the game with 100 percent shooting with 15/15 and 38/38 scoring respectively.

Responding to how they hoped to swing back during a half time interview, Jane Dambo said the team would continue working hard because of its self-belief.

The fourth quarter started with Scotland narrowly leading 41-35 but Malawi tied the game with 10 minutes left making it 42-42.

 The Queens would eventually grab their first lead, then pushed it to 45-43 and never took their foot off the pedal.

Malawi suffered a scare with seven minutes to play when wing defender, Grace Mwafulirwa was suspended for two minute after committing an intentional foul as scores stood on 47-44 before ably out scoring Scotland 20-8 in the fourth quarter for the victory.

In a post-match interview, player of the match, Mvula said tactical changes enabled them to get back in the game and is hopeful they will remain consistent during the rest of the games.

“We told each other to mark man on, which forced them wide and made it easier for us to get the ball and in attack, we played short and went for goal,” she said.

In an interview at the beginning of the third quarter, Kanyenda acknowledged that his team had given away a lot of balls while noting tactical changes made.

“I introduced Mvula because she is agile with her colleagues and our initial goal attacker was shorter compared to their goal defender,” he added.

During a half time, Head Coach for Scotland Tamsin Greenway relished challenging Malawi tactically but anticipated that the Queens would get back into the game.

In another Pool B match played on Friday, England defeated Barbados 90-29.

The Queens will be back in action on Saturday as they take on England.

By Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe, July 28, Mana: Federalism Institute has re-echoed the need for a democratic governance revolution in the country in order to build a just and equitable society that will attain its full economic potential.

According to a joint press statement issued by the Federalism Institute,Youth Rise up and Economic Representative platform on Thursday, Federalism has the capacity to improve living standards and uphold personal freedoms.

“For years, Malawi has been struggling with a multitude of challenges, including lack of industrialization and lack of technological and infrastructure development. The country remains one of the least developed nations in the world given that the majority of its people live on less than a dollar per day an issue successive governments have failed to adequately address.”

“Since gaining independence in 1964 Malawians have suffered under a unitary system of governance founded on injustice, self-centered interest and manipulation of smallholder farmers,” reads the report in part.

The Statement indicated that alternative governance systems have deterred investors, and left high unemployment rates which largely affects the youth while leaving the rich natural resources under-utilized.

The Institute has written to Malawi Electoral Commission requesting that they cease preparation for the next elections until there has been a thorough evaluation of the governance systems and the progress made thus far.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press briefing at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, Leader of Federalism Institute, Lusungu Mwakhwawas aid they are set to initiate a referendum process for Malawians to choose which system they want.

He said the federal system of governance was ideal since it works in every nation used while further noting its capacity to address corruption.

“We are already at the first phase of federalism; we have already done administrative de-concentration, what remains are the political de-concentration, where you give people the power to decide how they want to be governed.”

“Corruption is a syndrome but with an adopted federal system, institutions like the Anti- corruption Bureau , which are not fully independent in practice will become so because we shall look at issues to do with institution reform therefore bringing government closer to the people,” he said

Simba added that though the Federal Institute was set close the country’s airports and borders on August 20, 2023 in a bid to advance their revolution, they are always open to engagein dialogue with leaders because they are law abiding citizens.

Representative of Youth Rise Up, Isaac Kathumba said once people have power there would be good governance and investors would ably make contributions to the country.

By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, July 28, Mana: A Teacher at Saint Mary’s School of the Blind in Karonga, Lughano Winga has embarked on a project of making chairs and desks designed to provide postural support for learners with physical disabilities.

Winga, who works with a team, makes the desks from locally available resources such as cartons and cassava flour.

In an interview Thursday, he said that he initiated the project after noting that some learners at the school were experiencing posture challenges during since the desks has few desks and the majority of thelearners had to sit on the floor.

“We noticed that learners faced challenges to sit upright and concentrate on learning because of their physical disabilities, hence the initiative,” Winga said.

Headteacher for St-Mary’s Boys Primary School to which the school for the blind is affiliated to, Geoffrey Kayange welcomed the development saying the initiative would go a long way in facilitating teaching and learning at the school.

“This initiative will enhance the teaching and learning process at the institution as learners will be sitting on comfortable desks during classes,” he noted.

 Kayange appealed to well- wishers to assist the school with construction of toilets at the school.

“The institution has only one toilet which is used by bothboys and girls,” he added

By Tiwonge Kampondeni

Karonga, July25 Mana: An Agro-processing company in Karonga, Homes Industries Limited has been awarded a grant of K101.9 million from the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) aimed at promoting agro-processing in the district. Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday, Programme Coordinator for USADF in Malawi, Lynda Jere said they were excited to have granted Homes Industries Limited the funds with a focus on rice value addition. She appealed to Homes and Industries Limited to use the money with prudence saying experience has shown that grantees that use the funds prudently are able to achieve beyond the set goals. “We have seen that grantees that have used the resources well, were able to achieve their objectives and grew beyond the set targets. “We expect Homesand Industries Limitedto grow more and get their brand well known in supermarkets even beyond the borders of Malawi,” Jere said. She added that through the grant Homes Industries Limited was expected to provide training and a market to rice farmers, apart from constructing an infrastructure called a Community Reinvestment Grant.

Managing Director for Homes Industries Limited, Victoria Mwafulirwa said the grant would go a long way in promoting local farmers in Karonga. “We will be up to date as far as standards go and standards mean quality. Quality means more money and more money means more empowerment for a smallholder farmer,” she said. Mwafulirwa said empowering farmers was the gateway to economic activities that would result in growth. Agribusiness Officer for Karonga, Victoria Mhone said through the grant the district would be able to support the Malawi 2063 agenda pillar number 1 and 2 on Agriculture productivity and commercialization as well as industrialization.

By Chilungamo Missi

Blantyre, July 28, Mana: Controller of Agriculture Extension and Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alfred Mwenifumbo has urged farmers in Blantyre to embrace farm mechanization as one way of achieving increased agricultural productivity and commercialization.

He said this on Friday in Machinjiri during the launch of Mahindra Tractor Hiring Scheme Ceremony organized by Delta Automobiles, M’bawa Trading, and Blantyre District Agricultural Office.

Mwenifumbno said the five newly launched tractors that have been procured by the Lambat family who are owners of M’bawa Trading, would provide farmers with tractor-hiring services.

“One of the major pillars of Malawi 2063 is agriculture productivity and commercialization and this can be achieved through the use of mechanization.

“The tractors, therefore, are not only going to benefit the Lambat family on their farm, but also offer this service to farmers’ clubs and cooperatives in this whole catchment area to increase their productivity,” he said.

Director for M’bawa Trading, Abdul Lambat said the initiative aims to uplift smallholder farmers saying the land has degraded in the country and tractors would assist in bringing back the degraded land through plowing.

He said that, “Together with the government and Mahindra which is under Delta Automobiles, we have agreed to start this project here but it will be scaled up to other districts.

“So, if we embrace this project, the country will be able to produce enough food which can also be exported to other countries and in turn bringing much-needed forex in the country.”

Delta Automobiles and Equipment Limited General Manager, Goldy Nair expressed his company’s commitment to support farmers in the rural areas with farm mechanization to enable them become food secure and support government in the mega farm’s development.

By Prince Justice Banda

Lilongwe, July 28^th, MANA: His Excellency the Vice President of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Klause Chilima has this morning paid his final respects to his Aunt Grace Kanyangala Golombe at Bwemba location around Chinsapo Township in Lilongwe.

Golombe whose birth dated back to January 5, 1945, died yesterday upon battling hypertension and expected to be laid to rest tomorrow on 29^th July, 2023 at Buwa Township Traditional Authority (T/A) Njombwa in Kasungu.

At Bwemba, the funeral ceremony has witnessed dozens of relatives, dignitaries from government and political parties as well as members from Bwemba Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) whose acute shades of condolences, paid tribute to the profound memories and legacy of the late Grace Golombe.

The late Mrs. Golombe has survived with 5 children, three sons and two daughters.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Blantyre, July 27, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia said the Thyolo District Strategic Investment Plan (DSIP) for Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) would greatly promote coordination and harmonization of WASH sector investments in the district.

She made the remarks on Thursday in Blantyre when launching the plan noting that the DSIP is a vehicle for ensuring that the aspirations for both international and national development strategies for the WASH sector are prioritized and implemented in a more effective and efficient way.

 “It is very exciting that Thyolo District Council has now a written, agreed WASH plan document, but that is not the end, the finishing of the WASH plan document is the start of the journey.

“Therefore, beyond just planning, together we must ensure that WASH plan is marketed and operationalized,” Mia said.

In order to ensure that the DSIP is operational, the Minister called upon the district council to make sure that everyone knows about the plan and has access to it and ensure that all actors are aligned to it.

“Let me request the council and all partners to also ensure that potential funders are approached and have committed, also make sure that the DSIP is monitored and is reviewed annually with all stakeholders for accountability.

“Further, the council should also make sure that the DSIP is updated and the plan is used to influence annual operations and budgeting,” she explained.

Mia urged all district councils to emulate what Thyolo has done saying it shows that the council was committed to ensuring that people in the district have access to portable water, sanitation and hygiene.

United Purpose WASH Programme Manager, Smorden Tomoka stressed the need for all partners to show commitment towards operationalizing the plan and go beyond.

“Learning from others, the DSIP has built-in mechanism to maintain focus on the district plan through a market plan and annual reviews by the district to reflect on progress of implementation and document lessons for sharing and up scaling,” he said.

Tomoka added that the organization would continue with its capacity support to the council as they operationalize the plan in order to contribute towards achieving Sustainable and Resilient WASH services by 2027 and beyond.

District Commissioner (DC) for Thyolo, Rosemary Nawasha said their vision was to ensure that the council was able to sustainably provide basic access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene services to all by 2027.

“The district has an estimated population of 747,086. Currently, total number of water points is at 3,632 and out of this number, only 1,991 water points are functional. In view of this situation, 61,086 people have no access to potable water.

“The district has 136,081 latrines of all types against 179,698 households representing coverage of 75.7 percent out of which a total of 47,601 latrines had drop hole covers, representing 27 percent. Further in the district, 27,752 latrines have hand washing facilities with soap, representing 16 percent of the latrines,” she stated

Nawasha indicated that the WASH plan seeks to mobilize K7.4 billion to guide investments and actions in WASH areas and currently United Purpose has pumped in K300 million.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, July 26, Mana: They are weak and living in a dilapidated grass -thatched house in the outer skirt of Zomba district. Genazio Chinangwa 85 and Teleza Stanly 65 are just a sample of so many elderly persons battling it all, fighting for their lives even when their muscles have less to offer.

With difficulties in walking and hearing, the two never leave each other, day in and day out, they are either seated close to each other at their dusty veranda or in their field trying to prepare their land for the next growing season if not, caring for their already grown crops.

Of the eleven children they produced, seven are still alive but unable to care for them due to poverty. According to Chinangwa, sometimes, these children though in their separate marriages, look up to them for support.

“We are a starving family and have no proper support. This is the reason why, even at our old age, we still go to the field so that we have food for the rest of the family,” he says.

However, Chinangwa says despite numerous challenges facing the family, they find relief in the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme which they have been benefiting since its inception in 2015.

Through the programme, the family is able to use money received to buy food, fertilizer and pay school fees for their grandchildren.

Sometimes when their bodies are weak, they use the same money to employ other people to assist them in their farm.

This is not the only benefit they have managed to get from the programme, Chinangwa and his wife have also been saving and buying iron sheets for their house which they intend to roof some years to come if God allows to remain in the programme.

“Since 2015, I have been saving some little money and I have since bought 14 iron sheets out of 32 and I am hopeful that one day, I will roof my house with iron sheets,” he believes.

Chinangwa has since hailed government for introducing SCT programme which is one of the many social protection and safety net programs.

 He said without which, his life would have been a total mess and that at his age, he would have died of stress and poor health.

“How I wish this was a special package for the elderly and also accommodating many vulnerable groups. In addition, government should consider increasing the amount as the current value do not match with the cost of living,” Chinangwa suggests.

Government of Malawi with financial support from various partners including European Union (EU) introduced SCT programme as one of the social resilience and protection programme targeting the most vulnerable Malawians.

The idea is to ease sufferings of the less privileged through the provisional of monetary support to selected households. 

In Zomba, about 15, 556 households are benefiting from the program among whom includes the elderly persons like Chinangwa.

According to Paul Simfukwe, Principal Social Welfare Officer for Zomba, of the total beneficiaries, 7002 are the elderly.

Simfukwe described social cash transfer as a pivotal programme that provide an opportunity to every Malawian especially the vulnerable to rise above their statuses and start contributing to the economy of the country.

He said, initially the programme was designed to aid ultra-poor populations and graduate them to a much better level where they could stand on their own.

“Much as we talk about people benefiting from the programme, this is not a lifetime-all programme, people need to graduate. However, we are failing to graduate beneficiaries due to the absence of sustainable initiatives that could take up those graduation pathways,” Simfukwe said.

On increasing number of beneficiaries for the district, Simfukwe said during re-targeting, the figure may increase by 2 percent.

“Currently, the target beneficiaries are 10 percent of the total household population and after re-targeting, the percentage will increase by 2 percent making it 12 percent,” he said.

He agreed with Chinangwa that the amounts given to beneficiaries are too little to correspond economic demands and appealed authorities to consider revising.

Malawi Network of Eldery Persons Country Director, Andrew Kavala said much as the organizations appreciates that a proportion of the beneficiaries are the elder people, they would have loved if government rolled out a pure elderly scheme.

He said people like Chinagwa should not be allowed to sweat and work with their weak bodies.

“Elderly issues must be looked into critically, we will end up losing elderly persons due to pressure, unhealthy life and many more. Its high time government should take a bold step and improve the welfare of elderly persons,” said Kavala.

During their visit to the country, KFW a development bank through which European Union channels resources for the programme in Zomba, hailed the country for a successful progress made so far.

The Bank’s Head of Health, Education and Social Protection Division for south-reign Africa, Dr Marlis Sieburger said she was impressed to see that those benefiting are ultra-poor in very remote areas.

 Dr Sieburger also said including the elderly in the SCT was the much exciting thing about the programme.

She promised to lobby for more funds and also increasing the number of elderly benefiting from the programme.

“I am impressed to see elderly persons being considered. They are weak and cannot engage themselves in any hard labor. I pray that the programme continues so that more and more elder people benefit from it,” she said.

Social cash transfer programme was first introduced as a pilot in 2006 in Mchinji.

After a successful implementation, it spread out to other districts and in Zomba it was introduced in 2015.