Items filtered by date: June 2025

By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 22, Mana: District Nutrition Officer for Nkhata Bay, Madalo Mohammad has hailed Feed the Children for equipping people with knowledge and skills in sanitation and hygiene.

Speaking on Monday during Feed the Children’s orientation meeting on its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, Mohammad said the program was essential to Nkhata Bay as it was one of the hotspots for cholera which recently hit the country.

She said the WASH program will complement the council’s efforts in curbing diseases that are caused by poor hygiene and sanitation practices.

“We want to reach out to many people in the communities with WASH messages so that they have knowledge on what to do to prevent cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases in future,” she said.

Cluster Coordinator for Feed the Children, Chimwemwe Nyasulu said improved water hygiene and sanitation is key to ensuring a healthy population.

He said Feed the Children has trained district nutrition coordination committee (DNCC) members to advocate for increased positive behavior change toward WASH practices.

By Sarah Munthali

Lilongwe, August 22, MANA: The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has said the adverse effects of climate change are increasingly impacting, not only the environment but also the health and well-being of communities.

She made the remarks in Lilongwe Tuesday, when she opened a regional workshop on health for delegates from Africa, Europe and organisations dealing with climate change and health aimed at uniting diverse African stakeholders to drive policy changes and build resilient health systems.

“As we all know; climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a reality that we are seeing and feeling every day. It is no longer something that we just talk about. Climate change, at the global level, is now regarded to be the greatest threat to human health. The threat and impact of climate change is more pronounced in developing countries like Malawi, which are not resilient to climate shocks such as extreme weather events and disasters.

“As Africa we need to have a common position, you are aware that there is COP28 (climate change conference) which will be held in Dubai, December this year, the conference is a rare opportunity for us to have discussions because we get so many countries and partners gathered at one place,” she said.

Chiponda said that African countries should unite if the issue of climate change impacts on health is to be addressed.

She said for first time there will be a day dedicated to health, saying the health sector in all member states have experienced crises, health emergencies such as draughts and waterborne diseases, among others due to the impact of climate change.

“Let us have a common position as Africa, all of you are pushing the 2063 agenda which is being championed by African Union and all of us are striving that by 2063 we need to move from where we are and be more productive and more resilient,” the Minister said.

She then called for financial partners to provide additional funding opportunities for sustaining climate and health research and actions in the African Region.

Amref Health Africa Group Director for Partnership and External Affairs, Desta Lake said as Amref Health Africa they are committed in addressing the impacts of climate change on health.

“Amref Health Africa has taken a significant interest and commitment in ensuring that health is at the Centre of every climate conversation, here in Malawi you have seen the effects of climate change on the health, communities, women and children.

“With partners such as; PACJA, World Health Organization, Ministries of Health and the government officials we are committed to work with Africa to negotiate and come up with a common position in addressing the impacts of climate change on health,” Lakew said.

She added that, as an organization, they also ensure that they assist in presenting the Africa’s common position on the issue of mitigating the impact of climate change on health to forums that will help to bring solutions to challenges affecting the Africa’s health sector due to climate change.

“We will take this common position with us to Botswana WHO meeting and work with Africa Health leaders’ policy forum to brief our Ministers of Health to the Africa Climate summit in Kenya, take it to the UN General Assembly’s climate summit and COP28.

A representative of the World Health Organization in Malawi, Ishmael Nyasulu said the organization is committed to supporting countries towards building climate resilient and carbon health systems by supporting health community engagement in the climate change forums.

The three-day regional workshop is funded by the WellCome Trust in partnership with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Amref Health Africa and African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) in partnership with the Government of Malawi and World Health Organization in Lilongwe, Malawi.

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President Lazarus Chakwera has assured South African investors of the Government of Malawi’s support in clearing all bottlenecks that stifle investment opportunities into Malawi in order to accelerate economic growth in the country.

The president said this on Tuesday at Davinci Hotel when he met South African investors with diverse investment interests.

One of the investors, Natal East India said the company which deals in rice farming, milling and distribution in South Africa has committed about U$20million dollars towards establishment of a rice mega farm in Malawi.

This was disclosed after the investor and other South African investors met president Chakwera Tuesday to discuss investment opportunities.

In an interview after the meeting, the company’s representative, Thami Shande said the company targets production of up to 100, 000 tons of rice on 10,000 hectares of land.

He said the meeting was very important as they were able to inform the president and his team about the rice specifications their clients want in South Africa.

“This will make Malawi the Champion of rice production not only in South Africa, but also the whole SADC region.

“The president has assured us that in terms of licensing it will be completed within this quarter and we will be able to start implementing before the end of the year,” he said.

Another investor, Blue Energy representative, Marcel Steinberg said he was encouraged by the government of Malawi’s commitment to economic growth and industrialization and identifying the link between energy security and economic growth.

He said his team will be in Malawi from September 5 for site visits to at least 10 areas and also to do feasibility study.

He added that his company has already identified customers in Malawi and a lot of ground work has already been done.

Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe said the introduction of more energy investors in Malawi would lessen the pressure on the grid and create a conducive environment for economic development.

He further said that investment in rice mega farms will give an opportunity to local farmers in districts such as Nkhotakota and Salima among others to benefit from the available south African market.

He said the president has urged his team to clear all investment blocks in order for Malawi to develop.

The president also met other investors who are interested in investing in hospitality and tourism, among others.

Theh Malawi leader is in South Africa to attend the 15^th BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa at the invitation by South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Johannesburg, August 22, Mana:

President Lazarus Chakwera has assured South African investors of the Government of Malawi’s support in clearing all bottlenecks that stifle investment opportunities into Malawi in order to accelerate economic growth in the country.

The president said this on Tuesday at Davinci Hotel when he met South African investors with diverse investment interests.

One of the investors, Natal East India said the company which deals in rice farming, milling and distribution in South Africa has committed about U$20million dollars towards establishment of a rice mega farm in Malawi.

This was disclosed after the investor and other South African investors met president Chakwera Tuesday to discuss investment opportunities.

In an interview after the meeting, the company’s representative, Thami Shande said the company targets production of up to 100, 000 tons of rice on 10,000 hectares of land.

He said the meeting was very important as they were able to inform the president and his team about the rice specifications their clients want in South Africa.

“This will make Malawi the Champion of rice production not only in South Africa, but also the whole SADC region.

“The president has assured us that in terms of licensing it will be completed within this quarter and we will be able to start implementing before the end of the year,” he said.

Another investor, Blue Energy representative, Marcel Steinberg said he was encouraged by the government of Malawi’s commitment to economic growth and industrialization and identifying the link between energy security and economic growth.

He said his team will be in Malawi from September 5 for site visits to at least 10 areas and also to do feasibility study.

He added that his company has already identified customers in Malawi and a lot of ground work has already been done.

Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe said the introduction of more energy investors in Malawi would lessen the pressure on the grid and create a conducive environment for economic development.

He further said that investment in rice mega farms will give an opportunity to local farmers in districts such as Nkhotakota and Salima among others to benefit from the available south African market.

He said the president has urged his team to clear all investment blocks in order for Malawi to develop.

The president also met other investors who are interested in investing in hospitality and tourism, among others.

The Malawi leader is in South Africa to attend the 15^th BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa at the invitation by South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Johannesburg, August 22, Mana:

President Lazarus Chakwera has assured South African investors of the Government of Malawi’s support in clearing all bottlenecks that stifle investment opportunities into Malawi in order to accelerate economic growth in the country.

The president said this on Tuesday at Davinci Hotel when he met South African investors with diverse investment interests.

One of the investors, Natal East India said the company which deals in rice farming, milling and distribution in South Africa has committed about U$20million dollars towards establishment of a rice mega farm in Malawi.

This was disclosed after the investor and other South African investors met president Chakwera Tuesday to discuss investment opportunities.

In an interview after the meeting, the company’s representative, Thami Shande said the company targets production of up to 100, 000 tons of rice on 10,000 hectares of land.

He said the meeting was very important as they were able to inform the president and his team about the rice specifications their clients want in South Africa.

“This will make Malawi the Champion of rice production not only in South Africa, but also the whole SADC region.

“The president has assured us that in terms of licensing it will be completed within this quarter and we will be able to start implementing before the end of the year,” he said.

Another investor, Blue Energy representative, Marcel Steinberg said he was encouraged by the government of Malawi’s commitment to economic growth and industrialization and identifying the link between energy security and economic growth.

He said his team will be in Malawi from September 5 for site visits to at least 10 areas and also to do feasibility study.

He added that his company has already identified customers in Malawi and a lot of ground work has already been done.

Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe said the introduction of more energy investors in Malawi would lessen the pressure on the grid and create a conducive environment for economic development.

He further said that investment in rice mega farms will give an opportunity to local farmers in districts such as Nkhotakota and Salima among others to benefit from the available south African market.

He said the president has urged his team to clear all investment blocks in order for Malawi to develop.

The president also met other investors who are interested in investing in hospitality and tourism, among others.

The Malawi leader is in South Africa to attend the 15^th BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa at the invitation by South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Sarah Munthali

Lilongwe, August 22, MANA: The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has said the adverse effects of climate change are increasingly impacting, not only the environment but also the health and well-being of communities.

She made the remarks in Lilongwe Tuesday, when she opened a regional workshop on health for delegates from Africa, Europe and organisations dealing with climate change and health aimed at uniting diverse African stakeholders to drive policy changes and build resilient health systems.

“As we all know; climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is a reality that we are seeing and feeling every day. It is no longer something that we just talk about. Climate change, at the global level, is now regarded to be the greatest threat to human health. The threat and impact of climate change is more pronounced in developing countries like Malawi, which are not resilient to climate shocks such as extreme weather events and disasters.

“As Africa we need to have a common position, you are aware that there is COP28 (climate change conference) which will be held in Dubai, December this year, the conference is a rare opportunity for us to have discussions because we get so many countries and partners gathered at one place,” she said.

Chiponda said that African countries should unite if the issue of climate change impacts on health is to be addressed.

She said for first time there will be a day dedicated to health, saying the health sector in all member states have experienced crises, health emergencies such as draughts and waterborne diseases, among others due to the impact of climate change.

“Let us have a common position as Africa, all of you are pushing the 2063 agenda which is being championed by African Union and all of us are striving that by 2063 we need to move from where we are and be more productive and more resilient,” the Minister said.

She then called for financial partners to provide additional funding opportunities for sustaining climate and health research and actions in the African Region.

Amref Health Africa Group Director for Partnership and External Affairs, Desta Lake said as Amref Health Africa they are committed in addressing the impacts of climate change on health.

“Amref Health Africa has taken a significant interest and commitment in ensuring that health is at the Centre of every climate conversation, here in Malawi you have seen the effects of climate change on the health, communities, women and children.

“With partners such as; PACJA, World Health Organization, Ministries of Health and the government officials we are committed to work with Africa to negotiate and come up with a common position in addressing the impacts of climate change on health,” Lakew said.

She added that, as an organization, they also ensure that they assist in presenting the Africa’s common position on the issue of mitigating the impact of climate change on health to forums that will help to bring solutions to challenges affecting the Africa’s health sector due to climate change.

“We will take this common position with us to Botswana WHO meeting and work with Africa Health leaders’ policy forum to brief our Ministers of Health to the Africa Climate summit in Kenya, take it to the UN General Assembly’s climate summit and COP28.

A representative of the World Health Organization in Malawi, Ishmael Nyasulu said the organization is committed to supporting countries towards building climate resilient and carbon health systems by supporting health community engagement in the climate change forums.

The three-day regional workshop is funded by the WellCome Trust in partnership with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Amref Health Africa and African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) in partnership with the Government of Malawi and World Health Organization in Lilongwe, Malawi.

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By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, August 21, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has unveiled Stewart Mwase as its candidate for Mwasa Ward in Mangochi Municipality for the local government by-elections to be held on September 26 this year.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) launched the by-election campaign after Mwasa Ward in Mangochi Municipal fell vacant following the death of Councilor Edna Jose. 

Speaking to people who gathered at St Augustine 2 Primary School Ground on Sunday afternoon, MCP Secretary General, Eisenhower Mkaka said the party unveiled Mwase because communities chose him to represent Mwasa Ward

“Any development begins with a choice that people make. Stewart Mwase has been chosen by people to represent them and as a party what we are doing is to give the support to this candidate who has already been chosen by people from the ward,” added Mkaka

MCP Secretary General said councilors are pillars of development in any society because they are a link between the community and the council.

“There cannot be any meaningful development without a counselor, because a councilor connects government directly with the people. As such, this is an opportunity for communities in Mwasa Ward in Mangochi to have a councilor from a ruling party who can ably bring development to the area,” he added.

Mkaka, therefore, asked the electorates to register and to verify their names in the voters’ register, prior to the local government by-election date.

During the day, MEC also started the voter registration and inspection exercise of the voter’s register in the area, an activity that will run for a period of seven days up until August 26.

In a Press Release, MEC Chief Elections Officer, Andrew Mpesi said that during the entire registration and inspection period, the only registration Centre, St. Augustine 2 will be open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, and that voters who registered for the 2019 election do not need to register again but they should go and verify if their names appear in the voter’s register.

In his remarks, Mwase said that he started supporting communities in his area even during the time he did not have an ambition of standing as a counselor, adding that he accepted to represent people in Mwasa ward following their request.   

“As a man of development conscious, I have already drilled three boreholes, constructed a mosque and I recently distributed over 2,500 bags of maize to communities in my area using my own money. As such, I accepted to represent people as a counselor,” said Mwase.

MCP Campaign Director, who is also Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, and the party’s Director of Youths, who is also Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda also asked people in Mwasa Ward to vote for Mwase come September 26.    

By Austine Kachilika

Mzimba, August 21, Mana: A Mzimba based organisation, Communities in Development Activities (COIDA) has expressed concern over failure by a contractor to complete construction of Chimkusa Stadium in the district on time.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Director of Public Procurement, M’mbelwa District Council and other relevant stakeholders, Executive Director for COIDA, Patrick Jonathan Mwale demands an update on the project.

“Failure to complete the stadium on time has adverse effects on public perception and overall development projects. Therefore, we would like to seek clarity on the delay,” he says in the letter.

According to Mwale, the contractor has no adequate materials in stock, blaming it on delayed funding from the government.

M’mbelwa District Council Spokesperson, Joel Phiri said on Monday that the council is also concerned with the failure to complete the project on time.

He said: “Manobec Construction Company wrote a letter of no objection to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority to request additional funds since the project has been hit with devaluation. The project will continue if the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority acknowledges the letter of no objection.”

Phiri highlighted that failure to complete the project on time has dramatically affected the council’s capacity to generate revenue from the events requiring the facility.

Chimkusa Stadium project commenced in 2018 and was supposed to be completed in 2022. It is projected to be completed in 2024 after failing to meet its mid 2023 deadline.

By Arnold Namanja

Blantyre, August 21, Mana: Nineteen couples on Saturday entered into holy matrimony in a mass exchange of vows at Saints Peter and Paul Chilobwe Parish under the Archdiocese of Blantyre.

Officiating the marriages, Chilobwe Parish’s Priest Rev. Fr. Francis Masuku said the exchange of vows is a milestone in the church’s history, as more people will now start receiving sacraments.

“The Catholic Church is premised on different sacraments, including the Sacrament of Marriage, and what this means now is that more people will be participating in the sacred sacraments and also in various church activities,” Masuku said.

He said whether one chooses to have a glamorous or low profile wedding, what is important is to live an active Catholic Christian life and be liberated from any obstructions.

“For me, what is important is that everyone should take part in the life of sacraments, which is the basis of the Catholic Church’s teachings,” Masuku added. 

In his sermon, drawn from Genesis 2:18–26 and Mathew 5:13–16, Masuku said God created man in his own image and gave him power to reign over all living things, apart from recreating the world.

He added that in a similar fashion, the Bible encourages Christians to be the salt and light of the earth through their deeds.

“People should see Christ in us and we also need to take care of our neighbours besides supporting the church in its various endeavours,” Masuku added.   

Catechist for Chilobwe Parish, Patrick Magombo, commended all the couples for making a bold decision in taking the marriage vows, saying it will go a long way in consolidating growth of the church.

“We all need to support our colleagues as they start the journey in marriage. Today is a big and joyous day for the church in Chilobwe and the Catholic Church at large,” Magombo said. 

One of the couples, Annastazio and Rhoda Magreta from St. Louis de Montfort, said they are overjoyed to have their marriage blessed after being unofficially together for five years.

“This is the best moment in our life as we will now be free to participate in church activities without any hindrance. In fact, we will now join the Catholic Family Movement to contribute meaningfully to the church,” Magreta said.

This is the second time for the parish to conduct such a ceremony, as last year at least 43 couples also walked the aisle to make their marriage vows at Chilobwe Parish.

By George Mponda

Mzuzu, August 21, Mana: Organisers of the Gwamba Unlimited Concert have confirmed that the show will still take place on 26 August at Mzuzu Stadium despite Football Association of Malawi (FAM) ordering its closure for renovations.

Recently, FAM released a statement saying Mzuzu Stadium has been banned from hosting elite matches.

FAM ordered Mzuzu City Council (MCC) officials to commence renovations at the venue saying the pitch is in poor state and has a bad perimeter fence, among others.

In an interview, organiser of the show, Duncan Zgambo popularly known as Gwamba confirmed that the venue for the concert remains Mzuzu Stadium.

 “FAM announced that Mzuzu Stadium has been banned from hosting elite football matches but this is an entertainment show hence we are still going to the same venue as earlier advertised.

“We intend, through this concert, to identify and nurture music talent in the northern region. We have lined up 30 upcoming artists who are going to showcase their skills and this is going to be an unforgettable event for music lovers, said Gwamba.  

MCC Spokesperson, Macdonald Gondwe confirmed that there is no change as regards to the venue of the Gwamba Unlimited Concert.

“Of course, we received communication from FAM banning Mzuzu Stadium from hosting elite football matches under the organization. As a council, we are yet to sit down and see the way forward but at the moment, the stadium is still open to other activities,” Gondwe said.

Reacting to this, James Luhanga a music lover from Mchengautuba in Mzuzu was excited that the concert will take place as scheduled.

“A lot of us have been anticipating this show which has been advertised on several billboards around the city since May this year. It would have been a shame to hear that the show has been postponed due to the closure of the stadium,” said Luhanga.

Some of the upcoming artists who are expected to perform at the concert include; Zephy, Maninja Clan, Anisha, Yang Kissah, Nekire, Jibah, Diego, Mr. Zexy, M grinder, Merlam, Tremone, Black Ziphu, Vino Africa and Fly P.