Items filtered by date: May 2025

Mangochi, May 29, Mana: Stakeholders in Mangochi have expressed concern over increased cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the district, saying are resulting into unwanted pregnancies.

Speaking Saturday during an interface meeting on sexual reproductive health rights organised by Go Fund a Girl Child, Victim Support Unit Officer for Mangochi Police Station, Inspector Maggie Karroti said for the past four months her office has recorded an increase in number of cases such as un-procedural divorce, rape, as well as defilement.

Karroti said the development is hindering rights of many young girls in the district, including their right to good health.

“From January to April this year my office has recorded a total of 261 cases of GBV, of which most cases were rape and defilement. This is against 198 cases that were recorded during the same period last year. This, indicates that as a district we are not doing fine, on protection of women and girls,” said Karroti.

Coordinator for Post Abortion Care for Mangochi District Council, Mathews Ntemang’ombe, said the development is resulting into many young girls in the district having early pregnancies.

Ntemang’ombe said last year alone Mangochi registered 15,343 cases of early pregnancies.

He added that his office assisted 1,058 patients who had terminated their pregnancies.

“Out of these cases, those who were of ages between 10 to 19 were around 280, and we lost three due to complications resulting from abortions,” said Ntemang’ombe.

In her remarks, Programmes Officer for Go Fund a Child, Hawa Shabir said the organisation is, currently, advocating for access to sexual reproductive health rights, including the right to safe abortion, in order to ensure that girls in Mangochi are living in safe environment.

“As an organisation, the development has led us to start advocating for access to sexual reproductive health rights for youths.

“We want to want to see that youths in the country are able to access safe abortion, as the current laws have restrictions over the same,” said Shabir.

The interface meeting attracted youths, faith and traditional leaders in Mangochi.

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Zomba, May 29, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia has appealed to the cooperate world and well-wishers to support Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) with water bowsers and construction materials as it strives to fix the main transmission water pipe that was vandalised.

Speaking Friday after visiting the site where the pipe was vandalised and to appreciate construction works currently underway, Mia said with current situation the board is in, it would be proper if more assistance was available to support the people of Zomba.

The minister said with only eight water bowsers it would be difficult for SRWB to reach out to all its 600,000 customers in Zomba who have no water.

"The problem here is huge and I don't think the board is able to serve all its customers. Having looked at the extent of damage and how affected people of Zomba are, I would like to appeal to wellwishers to assist us with water bowsers so that people have access to clean and safe water,” Mia said.

She also asked for the support of air transport which could help in airlifting some construction materials which are manually being carried by engineering staff to the top of the mountain where the transmission pipe was vandalised. 

The minster feared about cholera outbreak due to water scarcity in the city as people are getting water from unprotected sources.

"I cannot imagine where people are getting water. People of Zomba are indeed in trouble," she said.

The minister condemned theft of public properties saying the conduct is retrogressive.

In an interview Chief Executive Officer for SRWB, Duncan Chambamba said the Board would need K500 million to fix the problem.

He said the Board will need to buy new anchor straps and also erect a concrete pillar which will help in holding the transmission pipe.

"We have already spent K150 million and we still need more funds to complete the construction works," said Chambamba.

Meanwhile, the CEO says the Board is working on revamping the old transmission line so that people have access to water throughout at a low pressure.

On May 12, 2023 thieves vandalised the main water transmission pipes forcing SRWB to completely shut down its water supply in Zomba.

Staff from SRWB and Malawi Defence Force are on the site working tirelessly to ensure water is restored.

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Blantyre, April 24, Mana: Stakeholders in technology and gender say all is set for the 2023 commemoration of the International Girls in ICT Day slated for April 27 in Blantyre.

The commemoration which will be held under the theme: Digital Skills for Life is targeting women and girls from different sectors.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), spokesperson for the organisers, Chimwemwe Kaonga said commemoration will also interrogate the position of the gender digital gap in Malawi and how to promote Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among girls.

The “We want to share the common understanding that digital transformation provides new avenues for the empowerment of women and girls. However, discrimination, negative stereotypes and social cultural biases create challenges for women and girls to strive in a highly digital economy and society,” said Kaonga.

This year’s commemoration will launch Her Tech Magazine which has profiled a number of women who have made strides in the area of STEM.

Kaonga added that these fields are male-dominated and most girls lack role models in STEM hence the launch of magazine so that as a girl child reads it, she should be inspired and motivated to pursue a similar field.

President for Information, Communications and Technology Association of Malawi (ICTAM), Clarence Gama said it is a good initiative as women are often underrepresented in this field which can result in missed opportunities for both individuals and the industry as a whole.

"This will help increase diversity in the ICT industry, leading to a more creative and innovative workforce and is particularly important in developing countries like Malawi where access to technology and digital skills can be limited for girls due to cultural and societal norms," said Gama.

The commemoration is being organised by Her for Tech, Women for Social Change (W4SC), Centre for Governance and Leadership (CEGOL), Sparc Systems Limited, Inq. Digital Malawi and Times Group.

The International Girls in ICT Day was designated in 2011 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations.

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Likoma, May 17, Mana: Airport Development Limited (ADL) says it has partnered with Malawi Gaming Board and Ministry of Tourism to enhance tourism in Likoma District.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) for ADL, Wezzie Gondwe made the remarks Tuesday when ADL board members visited Likoma to explore opportunities on how Likoma can be developed in terms of tourism.

“As managers of Likoma Island Aerodrome, we want to explore opportunities on how we can turn Likoma Island into the biggest tourism hub in Malawi to attract more traffic to the airport, and maximise our revenue base as a company. We have seen that Likoma has a lot of potential to help us develop as a company.

"One of the key things that we want to do is to expand the existing runaway so that it can accommodate bigger aircrafts. We also need to build a 100 roomed hotel that can accommodate tourists that will be coming to Likoma," She said.

Gondwe said the project is on concept phase, saying all feedback from stakeholders will be incorporated.

District Commissioner (DC) for Likoma, Abubakar Nkhoma welcomed the project saying it was going to boost the Council’s revenue.

"It is also going to bring revenue to the district which will be used for various infrastructure developments. It will also create job opportunities to the residents and change the outlook of the island," he said Nkhoma.

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Lilongwe May 15, Mana: Malawi Aquatic Union (MAU) has expressed satisfaction with the tremendous improvements junior swimmers have displayed when tasked to represent the country at international competitions.

The sentiments were shared by MAU Spokesperson, Beatrice Makwenda following the stint nine swimmers had at the recent 2023 African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone IV Championship, in Luanda, Angola.

Makwenda hailed 14 year-old Luka Smith who carted home two gold medals in the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle events while six new Malawian national records were broken during the championship.

“Luka has done Malawi proud and has demonstrated that the golden podium appearance is possible for our athletes. He has inspired his colleagues to reach greater heights.

“MAU is very proud of the young and upcoming team who are already making a mark in breaking 10-year old records. They have shown growth in the sport and also made a mark towards improving the swimming records,” she said.

Makwenda was grateful that the 2023/2024 national budget included funds for the completion of the Aquatic Complex but highlighted that the Ministry of Sports is better placed to provide the timeline for the completion.

Meanwhile Coach of the Swimmers, Sharon Malrose said it was an honor to coach the young swimmers who are relatively new to the competition setting at international level as they showed potential besides challenges faced in preparations.

“Almost all the swimmers achieved personal best times in their events in Angola.  Swimming in a 50 metre pool takes some getting used to and for some of them it was their first time in the longer pool having trained almost exclusively in 25 metre pools.

“It is not easy for swimmers who train in Malawi as it is seasonal.  From now (May) until September, the water is cold hence swimmers are unable to train for any length of time, therefore, it is pleasing to see them achieving great results,” Malrose said.

CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships games were held from 3-6 May, with swimmers, Asher Banda (17), Jessie Chirwa (12), Ian Chongwe (12). Danielle Kandjaza (12), Jeremiah Makwenda (13), Tasunje Mkavea (13), Rhinniah Nzengo (14), Zoe Rebello (15).

The swimmers were accompanied by team manager Taymamike Chang’anamuno and Technical Official, Beatrice Makwenda.

At the tournament, Smith broke the record in the 100 metre freestyle, Makwenda in the 800 metre freestyle as well as in the 400 metre freestyle, whereas Mkavea had records in 50 metre breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and 400 metre freestyle

Additionally, Chongwe, Smith, Makwenda and Mkavea also had a record in the 4 x 50 metre freestyle relay competition.

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Mangochi, April 21, Mana: Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Kakhobwe Chapota has refuted rumours circulating where some people are linking rising water levels in Shire River and Lake Malawi to the closure of Kamuzu Barrage at Liwonde in Machinga District.

Reports indicate that for the past  weeks, water in Lake Malawi and in its tributaries such as Shire River have increased above the sea level, a development which has created fear of flooding to some residents surrounding the lake in Mangochi.

Speaking during her tour to appreciate the levels of water in Lake Malawi at Nkope and Mapira in Mangochi on Friday, Chapota said Kamuzu Barrage has never been closed, adding that the rising water levels in Lake Malawi is as a result of heavy rainfall that was experienced in the neighbouring Tanzania and other eastern countries.

Chapota added that the level of water which is currently flowing at Kamuzu Barrage downstream is more than the volume that was passing through within the same period last year.

‘‘Let me emphasise that we have not closed and never shall we close the Kamuzu Barrage at Liwonde in Machinga. In fact, if the barrage was closed, the country would not have been able to generate electricity.’’

‘‘What has happened is that due to the increased rainfall in Tanzania and other eastern countries, the level of water in Lake Malawi has risen above the sea by 66 centimetres, as of April last year, water increased by 475.3 meters and this year it has risen by 475.89 meters,’’ said Chapota.

Kamuzu Barrage was constructed to regulate the flow of water from Lake Malawi to Shire River, for proper generation of hydro power.

According to the Board Chairperson for National Water Resources Authority, Engineer James Mambulu, levels of water in Lake Malawi are likely to continue increasing in the next coming months.

Sub Traditional Authority Chiwalo of Mangochi urged his subordinates at Nkope, whose villages have currently been submerged in water, to relocate to upper land.

‘‘This is the right time for people to consider moving to the upper land before any disaster may occur,’’ said Chiwalo.

Some of the notable figures who accompanied the deputy minister on the tour included Member of Parliament for Mangochi Monkey Bay, Ralph Jooma, Traditional Authority Mapira and some government officials.

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Lilongwe April 21 Mana: In response to President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration of disaster and the United Nation’s flash appeal for funding for assistance to Malawians affected by flooding and cholera, the United States Government has announced a new grant to address immediate humanitarian needs.

US Ambassador to Malawi, David Young made the announcement on Thursday in Lilongwe indicating that the new $4 million (4.1 billion MWK)  grant is part of the U.S government’s ongoing assistance valued at approximately $5 million (more than 5.1 billion MWK) during the country’s recovery from the devastating impacts of Tropical Cyclone Freddy and the Cholera emergency.

The U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Government of Malawi through the grants given to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will deliver urgently needed shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) suppliers.

“USAID will partner with WFP to provide life-saving food assistance and urgent helicopter support to airlift medical supplies, and other relief items to communities and medically evacuate patients still cut off by flood waters an exercise that targets 142,000 Malawians,” he said.

Young added that USAID’s partnership with UNICEF will bolster WASH services in both Southern Malawi and other areas affected by cholera and will also promote safe hygiene practices through radio and phone.

“UNICEF will rehabilitate broken water and sanitation facilities in health facilities and schools, giving approximately 90,000 people access to safe water and will also help learners return safely to school by providing soap, clean water, buckets and promoting hygiene in schools and in surrounding communities, “  he said.

According to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) currently in the process of producing a post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report, the cyclone affected more than 2,514,910 people, displaced over 659,000, with 676 deaths, 537 missing and 2,286 injured.

According to a statement released by Minister of Health, Khumbize kandodo Chiponda, the cumulative cholera confirmed cases and deaths reported since the onset of the outbreak is 58,027 and 1,740 respectively with case fatality rate at 3.0 percent.

The statement also says a total of 56,206 people have recovered with 81 currently in the treatment centers.

The U.S government which is Malawi`s longtime partner has already been working in many of the communities affected by Cyclone Freddy responding to pressing humanitarian needs.

USAID has also been supporting the nation to recover through existing projects in health, education and economic growth.

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 Vendors plying their business at Zomba City Market have expressed concern over uncollected garbage by the city council which they say poses a big threat to their heath. According to one of the vendors, Mphatso Kachala, the city council takes time to collect garbage, to the extent that the refuse starts producing a bad smell,” he added. Zomba City Council 

Mchinji District Council Chairperson Musha White has called on organisations in the country to support the council’s efforts to restore forests through tree planting. He made the call at Mchinji Secondary School on Wednesday, when he launched the district forestry season. White urged Mchinji residents to take good care of the planted trees, saying tree planting on its own cannot bring back depleted forests.

Power Market Limited (PML) says diversified power technology has potential to improve the current electricity power generation capacity in the power sector besides balancing the supply-demand balance which the organisation says is a big challenge in the country. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), PML’s Director of Marketing and Corporate Services, Villant Jana said bringing wind..