Items filtered by date: June 2025

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 14, Mana: Director of Planning and Policy in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Walusungu Kayira has asked extension workers in Mzimba to help communities formulate Village Action Plans (VAPs) that are in line with Malawi 2063.

Speaking Friday in Mzimba when he closed a four-day training for extension workers on digital village planning process, Kayira said most Malawians are only familiar with construction of school infrastructure, bridges and medical facilities when it comes to developmental projects.

‘‘When you go to villages to facilitate discussions with villagers on what developmental projects should happen in their areas in the next five years, it’s highly likely most of them will tell you they want schools and hospitals.

“It will take your facilitation skills to extract other great development plans from the people they may be oblivious of, such as plans to have farms and industries in their areas. In short, let the plans of the communities should be in line with Malawi 2063 (MW2063,’’ Kayira said.

IM’mbelwa District Council Director of Planning and Development, Walter Chikuni disclosed that district development plans for Mzimba expired in 2022.

Chikuni said, with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the council is rolling out a village action planning process that will result into VAPs and projects to be carried out in the district in the coming five years.

One of the trainees, Prisca Gondwe hailed the training saying it has helped impart facilitation skills that will be instrumental when carrying out work.

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By Abubakar Kanjoka

Kasungu, August 14, Mana: Education authorities in Kasungu have expressed worry over inadequate sanitation facilities in primary schools, saying the situation is putting the pupils’ lives at risk.

Making his contribution on Tuesday during a training session for primary school teachers and mother groups on behavioural change communication, Boma Zone Primary Education Advisor (PEA), Willy Fula, said many primary schools have inadequate toilets to cater for the growing numbers of learners.

Fula said: “Most of the primary schools in the zone have over 2 000 pupils with only four toilets or so; meaning two for girls and two for boys.

“This challenge compromises efforts to make the teaching and learning environment safe for both teachers and learners.”

On her part, mother group member, Agnes Msewu, said lack of sanitary facilities in schools is a heck on girl child education as most girls opt to stay home when they are menstruating.

“Primary schools have inadequate or no sanitary facilities to give girls freedom of the mind when they are menstruating. This issue is common knowledge for us all.

“But we must be aware that if girls stay at home during such times, they miss lessons which affect their performance in class,” she said.

Msewu then urged fellow mother group members to encourage pupils on following personal hygiene, saying some learners go to school without bathing.

Deputy Director for Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Ronaldo Phiri who was the lead facilitator, challenged teachers that they are key agents of social change as they mostly spend time with the learners.

The engagement was part of the Kulumikiza Project, an initiative of the multi-ministry National Social Mobilisation Committee funded by United Nations Children’s Fund.

The project seeks to address issues relating to gender-based violence, child rights, disease prevention, and other related social issues through social behavioural communication.

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By Elizabeth Chilopa

Dedza, August 14, Mana: Dedza District Council Principal Nutrition, HIV and AIDS Officer, Lottie Makina has hailed the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for funding the second phase of the Living Schools Project saying this will strengthen nutrition status of learners and promote education in the district.

Speaking during a District Nutrition Coordination Committee meeting on Friday, Makina said the project is essential in the district as many students are facing health related issues due to malnutrition.

"As a result, they find it difficult to learn and fail to complete their studies. With this programme, we have been able to help them overcome some of these issues so that they could stay in school," he said.

He, therefore, thanked UNICEF for approving funds amounting to K36 million for the district to implement the second phase of the project saying the project has already begun transforming communities where the schools are located and strengthening the education system in the district.

Chairperson for Dedza Civil Society Network, Heston Nalikole stressed the need for the council to find means of sustaining the project as it has the ability to promoting health and education among learners.

“There is a lot of idle land in school campuses which is usually encroached by surrounding communities. If we could use this land for agriculture practical and food productions for our schools, we could cut procurement costs for boarding schools and other feeding programmes," he said.

The Living Schools Project aims to improve the resilience of schools and support their adaptation to climate change. It addresses issues of health, water and sanitation, environmental awareness and tree planting with an emphasis on multipurpose and fruit trees for nutrition in schools.

In Dedza, the project is being implemented in three primary schools of Mapuyu, Mtemwende and Fumbwa under Traditional Authority (TA)Tambala.

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By Ellen Banda

Dedza, August 14. Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Dedza Division has urged its volunteers to continue spreading domestic hygiene messages that aim at ending and preventing outbreak of Cholera in the coming rainy season.

Speaking Friday during a refresher training on cholera management and prevention, Dedza District MRCS Project Officer for Cholera Emergency Response, James Kachidiku said the training was meant to prepare the volunteers to be alert should the country experience resurgence of Cholera pandemic.

“We understand that Dedza is one of the districts that was hard hit by cholera, therefore, we believe empowering our volunteers to keep sensitising communities to always practice hygiene will help to ensure free Cholera communities," he said.

Kachidiku hailed community structures for playing a crucial role of clearing myths and misconceptions surrounding Cholera cases and oral Cholera vaccine.

Council Member for MRCS Dedza Division, Sothini Chande asked volunteers to intensify collaboration with health care workers in their respective communities.

One of the volunteers from Traditional Authority (TA) Kachindamoto, Mercy Longwe, pledged to use household approach to monitor if hygiene protocols are observed in her area.

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By Yamikani Yapuwa

Blantyre, August 14, Mana: Players in entertainment sector have all reasons to smile as Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has announced the return of Entertainers of the Year awards 18 years after it was discontinued.

Making the official announcement in Blantyre on Monday, MBC Director General, George Kasakula said the awards event will take place on 15 December, 2023 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

“We have decided to re-introduce the awards in fulfilment of our mandate of entertaining as a public broadcaster.

“We want to take this further by rewarding talent from all sectors in Malawi, as long as it is entertainment,” said Kasakula.

Kasakula said they have hired an independent auditing Firm, Graham Car to oversee the selection of nominees and winners to ensure transparency, accountability and credibility of the awards.

He said Graham Carr will be getting Short Message Service (SMS) through a platform provided by Airtel Malawi which will be used to identify the winners.

“It is not completely full proof. There could be one problem or two but we have time on our side. We know people are already talking about how we will ensure that it is one vote one person in the digital age where one can have several sim cards and use them.

“That is something that we are going to crack our heads but the idea is it should be one vote,” said Kasakula.

He, therefore, called upon companies to come out and support the initiative.

Close to K80 million is needed to finance the awards.

“MBC does not have that money that is why we are appealing to the public, private sector and businesses to come and partner with us on this noble assignment. Even media houses can come on board,” he said.

Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Zilanie Phiri said the red carpet event will recognize outstanding achievements across various entertainment categories including, but not limited to, broadcast, music, drama, film, stage theatre and sports.

“The Entertainers of the Year Awards will be open to all individuals of Malawian origin practicing their trade in the proposed categories. Legal foreign nationals currently plying their trade in the country are also eligible.

Voting will open on from October 1 to 22 and all members of the public are eligible to vote.

By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, August 12, Mana: Children in Karonga have asked parents, government and other stakeholders to ensure children, especially those in school, have more access to internet to enhance their learning, communication, participation in decision making and their general development.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow children during commemoration of this year’s Day of the African Child at Ngara Primary School in the district, Eliza Chavula, a standard 7 learner said internet was a tool that could enhance children’s enjoyment of freedom of expression. 

She noted that some children are abusing the internet by among other things downloading or streaming adult content.

“Internet is a very necessary tool for children in this digital era, only if we use it properly and responsibly. I warn my fellow children against streaming or downloading pornographic materials. I also request parents and guardians to monitor their children against accessing pornographic materials on the internet,” Chavula said.

Karonga District Council Chairperson, Misheck Mwaijengo asked well-wishers and stakeholders to support the district with ICT equipment that learners can be using to access internet services.

A Council Secretariat Official, Ireen Mwenelupembe said increasing internet access for learners was one of the priorities in the district’s development plans.

“We recognize the importance of internet access to primary and secondary school learners. As such, one of our development plans for the district is to build infrastructure in schools where learners should have access to the internet,” she said. 

This year’s Day of the African Child commemoration was held under a theme, ‘The rights of the child in the digital environment.

By Twimpoki Mangani

Lilongwe, August 12, Mana: Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate, Madalitso Chimwaza has adjourned the extradition case involving Prophet Shepherd and Mary Bushiri to September 27, 2023 for a ruling after hearing an application by the defense lawyer.

The Defence Lawyer, Wapona Kita has asked the court to entirely dismiss South Africa’s extradition request.

In his submission, he asked for the dismissal because the evidence used by South Africa cannot be admissible in Malawi courts as they have not been duly authenticated as required by the law.

In an objection, Kita requested the court not to allow the state to amend the substantial flaws in their request as extradition proceedings are special since they go to court after an order from the Minister of Homeland Security.

In response to the submission, State Advocate, Dzikondianthu Malunda described the application as premature and opted that it be dismissed with contempt.

Speaking on the side lines of the hearing, Council Kita revealed that the court proceedings indicate that there was no evidence which the court could receive to warrant the extradition

“This case has been to the high court and back and the high court gave directions on how the magistrate court should proceed with the matter, one of the directions was how they are going to receive the evidence, which was in accordance with the extradition act.”

“When the South African government wanted to start the case, they brought documents that showed that they have not been authenticated in accordance with the act but in accordance with the South African law, so we said they are bringing contempt to the high court,” he added.

State Advocate, Malunda reiterated that all documents were duly authenticated using applicable relevant laws in the matter while noting that after assessments, only one witness may suffice as opposed to the initial six since the whole matter would not be subject to hearing. 

“What happens in these extradition processes is that it’s up to the state to convince the court that indeed there may be a case in which the fugitive offenders, would have to answer in the South Africa and as for the full details of the evidence then that would be done at the hearing in South Africa should the court decide that they should be extradited,” he added.

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By Solister Mogha

Zomba, August 12, Mana: Head of Presidential Delivery Unit and Deputy Secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC), Dr Janet Banda has appealed for fast completion of Domasi Hospital in Zomba whose construction works started in 2013.

Speaking after touring the site on Friday, she said it was disheartening that 10 years after launching construction works; the facility wa still at 65 percent completion rate.

Dr Banda said was a bad sign of how developments should be implemented and that the delay has denied people of Zomba access to quality health care.

“Zomba is one of the congested cities and unfortunately, it has only one reliable hospital which is Zomba Central Hospital which by design is a referral facility.

“Domasi Hospital if completed would ease pressure on the Zomba Central Hospital while improve on provision of health services in the district,” Dr Banda noted.

The Head of the PDU said she would engage Secretary to the Treasury to make special provision that would see the facility completed and put to use.

“Our aim of coming to the hospital is to appreciate the progress and learn about bottlenecks that are making it hard to have the project completed and if possible find solutions.

“We understand that the main challenge was flow of financial resources for the project and from here, I would engaged relevant authorities and ensure we have enough funding and that works are done with speed,” Dr Banda said.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached that the project be done in phases and that come January next year, the facility should start operating at a small scale.

Secretary for Health, Dr Samson Mndolo said it was the wish of the Ministry of Health to have the facility completed.

He said at the moment, the Zomba Central Hospital was overwhelmed with cases that could have been handled by the district hospital.

“Central hospitals are supposed to attend to specialized cases, but as it with Zomba Central, every other case is handled by these specialized medical personnel thus shifting their attention.

“Completion of Zomba Central Hospital would definitely improve provision of health care and reduce maternal death which is high in the district,” Dr Mndolo said.

Since 2013, the maternity ward, female and women general wards, 10 staff houses, laboratory among others have been completed.

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Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe August 11 Mana: The Yellow Submarines, Kamuzu Barracks (KB) claimed three points on Thursday after defeating the Sugar Babies, Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar FC 2-0 in a TNM Super League showdown at Civo Stadium.

The game began on a backdrop of a noisy reception from curious onlookers who wondered why both teams started play with nine on-field players. In the 15^th minute KB’s Michael Mtonyo and Dedza’s Lameck Gamphani entered field of play to even the numbers while the referee flashed yellow cards to both players.

The match proceeded to extended dull moments when both teams struggled to settle into the game.

The yellow Submarines’ Christopher Mtambo was teasing the Dedza defense from the flanks but his attempted crosses were all neutralized.

Moments later, Dedza’s Charles Chipala dazzled through the KB defense but released a weak shot which Lehman Nthala punched away only to have Gamphani shot wide on the subsequent rebound.

As the game drugged on, KB kept piling chances which disappointedly fell off target. Chipala should have put Dedza up by one in the 42^nd minute, when he took a close ranged shot but Nthala was once again up to the task.

In the second half, Marque striker Clement Nyondo began to find his groove as he constantly exchanged passes with Chipala in attempts to unlock the KB defensive wall.

In the 55^th minute Gregory Nachipo broke the deadlock after calmly slotting home a cross from Olson Kanjira.

Seven minutes later, the Submarines struck again through Hope Namadzunda’s well curved free kick after goalkeeper Anthony Singini caught the ball just outside the penalty area.

Dedza went down fighting and came closest in the 73^rd minute when Victor Lungu and Nyondo’s connection set up substitute Chifuniro Mpinganjira whose effort smashed the goal post for a corner.

Speaking on the side lines of the match, Coach for KB, Alick Chirwa expression satisfaction with the match and is hopeful his men will capitalize on the result.

“It was a difficult match because we were both desperate for a result, but I was able to tell my boys to remain to calm and read the game,” Chirwa said.

His counterpart, Dedza Dynamos Gaffer, Gilbert Chirwa decried the match officiation and called for instant improvements.

“The game was just fine though we missed a lot of chances, however the second goal was orchestrated by the referee because the goalkeeper had not handed the ball as it was claimed,” Chirwa said.

The result elevates KB to position six from eight on 22 points while Dedza Dynamos drop to position 10 from nine with 19 points.

By George Mponda

Mzuzu, August 11, Mana: Mzuzu Derby between Moyale Barracks FC and Ekwendeni Hammers which was played on Thursday produced no winner as the game ended 0-0.

The midweek TNM Super League fixture was the first match for both sides in the second round and it was patronised by a sizeable number of fans.

Moyale Barracks looked more threatening in the first half but their talisman, veteran striker Gasten Simkonda missed a couple of chances to put his team in front but did not achieve anything.

In the second half, the tide changed and Ekwendeni Hammers started piling pressure but   Moyale’s goalkeeper, Mc Donald Harawa was up to the task and saved alot of shots from Ekwendeni Hammers striker, Mphatso Magaleta.

At 81 minutes, Magaleta wasted the best chance to put his team in front when he blasted the ball over the bar after being fed a nice pass by Blessings Singini finishing the game in a barren state.

In an interview after the game, Coach for Ekwendeni Hammers, Elias Chirambo described the derby as a tough match.

"We know each other very well so it was never a simple match. We also missed alot of our players who feature in the first eleven due to injuries so it was hard for us to coordinate well to carry the game," said Chirambo.

In a separate interview, Assistant Coach for Moyale Barracks FC, Victor Chigoneka said the team’s striking force has been wasteful in a lot of games.

"Today we had an upperhand because some of Ekwendeni’s star players were not featured in this game but our strikers missed many chances due to lack of composure a thing which we will work on during training,” Chigoneka said.

After the game, Moyale Barracks FC defender, Maneno Nyoni was voted Player of the Match.