Items filtered by date: June 2025

By George Mponda

Mzuzu, August 7, Mana: Board Chairperson for Mzuzu E-Hub, Julius Ng'oma has called on stakeholders to be supporting young entrepreneurs as a way of promoting youth participation in the development of the country.

Ng'oma was speaking Saturday in Mzuzu during a Business Incubation (Bizcubation) and Women in Business Pitch night where 12 young entrepreneurs made business presentations in their efforts to lobby for support for their initiatives.

"Through Bizcubation, we annually we release vacancies for young entrepreneurs to apply for. This year’s cohort had 44 drawn from across the country. They underwent a three- month intensive training in in leadership, branding and projections for their businesses and to enhance innovative reasoning," Ng'oma.

He said such trainings are important to upcoming entrepreneurs who are many in the country, hence the need for stakeholders to support to them as it is through entreprenuership that youth can contribute to the country’s economic development.

In his remarks, Data Centre Technical Project Manager for Public Private Commission, Paul Kanthambi said Malawian entrepreneurs have a role to ensure that Malawi 2063 of pillar an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation is achieved.

"Goverments prime focus is to implement efforts that will help entreprenuers especially youths to be innovative and generate wealth for our country.

 I therefore call for support to such initiatives as demonstrated by Mzuzu E-Hub where youths are best placed to offer solutions to economic problems," said Kanthambi.

Speaking in an interview, founder of Echo Tech Solutions, Alice Ndau who was given a prize of K2, 500,000.00 for emerging winner of the Bizcubation Pitch said her company which deals in solar energy products wants to offer energy solutions to small holder farmers in rural areas.

"There are a lot of Malawians who do not have access to electricity and I will use the money which I have won today to expand my business by engaging farmers’ cooperatives so that they should use solar powered equipment in irrigation farming,” said Ndau.

Besides Ndau under Youth Innovation Challenge, Joyce Mpuweni of Women in Biz also went away with K2, 500,000.00 as seed capital for their businesses.

Mzuzu E-Hub is a social enterprise based in Mzuzu that was established

By WakisaMyamba

Karonga August 7, Mana: Chitipa United FC started the TNM Super League second round with a win after defeating Karonga United 2-0 at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.

The two goals were scored by Ramadan Ntafu in the 11^th minute and China Chirwa in the 73^rd minute respectively.

In a post-match interview, Assistant Coach for Karonga United FC, Luka Bruno Milanzie was not pleased with the results, saying that his players were not utilizing chances.

On his part, Coach for Chitipa United FC, Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera expressed satisfaction with the results.

“The boys played very well and we plan to maintain with the performance,” he said.

Chitipa are on second position with 32 points while Karonga are on position 10.

By Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe August 7, Mana: Silver Strikes completed the season double over Blue Eagles with a 2-1 win at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday to kick off their second round campaign in the TNM Super League.

Following a 1-0 loss to their city rivals in the first round, Blue Eagles were out looking for a better result and came out playing with an absolute sense of urgency.

Blue Eagles’ Richard Lapson was the first to register successive chances that proved that keeper Pilirani Mapila would have a busy afternoon.

On the other end Silver’s rookie Adiel Kaduya showed early signs of a promising attacking connection with veteran Atusaye Nyondo.

Blue Eagles’s first half was highlighted by the flawless through balls swung forward by Ian Chinyama and McDonald Lameck.

Though Silver Strikers lagged behind in terms of chance creation they made the most of a rare opportunity in the 33rd minute when Chinsisi Maonga scored from Attended M’balaka’s cross.

After finishing the first half with seven chances while Silver had five, Blue Eagles’s sense of urgency was on full display to begin the second period with Blessings Malemia threatening early with a shot attempt following a pass from Lankeni Mwale.

Lapson came closest for Blue Eagles in the 60th minute when his shot from the right flank smashed off the cross bar.

Kaduya continued to pester the Eagles defense and he had his shot saved by goal keeper Chakonda Majanga before substitute Stenie Davie pounced on the rebound to put Silver up by two in the 71st minute.

Blue Eagles found their consolation goal in the 76th minute after Sankhani Mkandawire released a pass from midfield to substitute Christopher Gototo whose effort was punched away by Mapila with Mwale in position for the rebounding goal.

The Blue Eagles players, appealed for a penalty kick after it seemed Moanga had handed the ball in 18-yard box with the referee awarding a free kick which Gototo smashed the post.

Speaking after the match coach of Silver Striker, Pieter De Jong appreciated his team for the concentrated effort and also hailed the match officiation.

“We had control of the game of course but we were unlucky with injuries but non-the less Blue Eagles are a good team,” De Jong said.

Meanwhile coach for Blue Eagles Elia Kananji expressed disdain with the match officiation.

“Silver’s first goal was a clear offside, then we were meant to have a penalty in the second half after a hand ball, the lines man had awarded it but the referee thought otherwise,” Kananji said.

Silver returned top of the log table with 32 points while Blue Eagles sit 13^th with 18 points.

By Francis Mkanya.

Lilongwe August 7, MAna: Director of Stewardship at Malawi Union Conference (MUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church Dr. Moffat Botolo has urged Seventh - day Adventist Church members in the country to embrace faithfulness in returning tithes and giving offerings as a barometer for their salvation.

Botolo made the sentiments on Saturday at Machenga Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe during one day stewardship emphasis aimed encouraging church members to be faithful in returning tithes and giving offerings to God all the time as a symbol of God’s ownership over everything.

He further advised all church members to learn from God’s love who had given them the whole heaven through Jesus Christ as an indicator of their relationship with him.

“I urge all church members to step up their efforts in being faithful in returning tithes and giving offerings despite the difficult times they are going through in order to enhance God’s work and appreciate his blessings,” he explained.

In his remarks Likuni District Church Pastor Chikondi Love more Matekenya said church members must have a desire to draw near to God by giving their hearts to him through returning tithes and giving offerings for the support and growth of his church.

 Matekenya said “ Am encouraging you to count all God’s blessings and praise him for what he has done which reminds us that he is the source of every blessing as such they need to have a desire to emulate him as the best giver.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event of one of the elders of  Machenga SDA Church Catherine Chalira said stewardship emphasis is crucial in increasing church members’ knowledge on how best they could differentiate tithes and offerings and learn that tithe is not bargained as God is waiting to see us being  faithful and not to give up.

“As a church we shall be determined and dedicated in returning tithes and giving offerings to God in rain and sunshine to demonstrate our faithfulness to him in order to book a place in heaven,” she said

By Tione Andsen

Lilongwe, August 5, Mana: Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Scaling (FInES) has stressed the need for providing enhanced capacity buildings among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to improve their businesses.

FInES Programme Manager, Ralph Tseka made the remarks Friday when he closed a five day Train the Trainer Workshop of Personal Initiative Training at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

He believes that SMEs need to acquire entrepreneurship and mind set development skills for them to perform as expected.

Tseka said most SMEs in the country are failing to grow because they do not have required skills to use in their businesses.

“Most SMES are only interested to develop business plans and use them to acquire loans from the banks but they don’t have prerequisite skills to manage their affairs hence the need for them to be trained,” Manager said.

He said the training aims at training 100 trainers but the first cohort have only engage 27 of them in order to training 3,500 registered SMEs in the country.  

Tseka pointed out that the team of trainers would have a huge task ahead of them in making sure that SMEs are providing with right information and skills to improve their business.

He said the impact of the training would be demonstrated when SMEs would be conducting their business months after being trained.

Doorways Master Trainer, Benjamin Scharweit said the training was hands on and it was mythology which was used.

He said the trainers have been equipped with new skills on how they could handle SMEs in order to improve their status.

One of the Trainees, Barbara Banda said the training has provided a new way of helping the SMEs to make right decisions for their businesses.

She said SMEs should not view finances as barrier to their businesses but they need to view all factors relating to their work.

By Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe, August 5, Mana: FCB Nyasa Big Bullets survived a resilient Extreme FC side to progress to the semi-finals of the FDH Bank Cup by a 4-2 with through penalties 4-2.

The match played at Civo Stadium was well patronized with larger parts of the crowd dawning red regalia in support of the people’s team.

There were no substantial chances in the first 20 minutes as Bullets looked to grow into the game stringing up passes while Extreme FC observed Bullets build up and anticipated counter attacking opportunities.

The right was Bullets active flank as Patrick Mwaungulu and Gomezgani Chirwa took turns to create through it. Mwaungulu created the first chance with cross that was headed wide by Clyde Senaji.

Extreme FC produced a shocker in the 21^st minute when goal keeper Blessings Juma’s free kick from his own half eluded the Bullets defense to Gregory Mwase who slot home the opener.

Bullet’s remained patient. However, Extreme grew more confident enjoying passes and capitalising on their opponent’s mistakes to the joy of a minority who were rooting for them.

Immediate changes were made for Bullets to begin the second half, introducing Mcfallen Mgwira and Lanjesi Nkhoma for Chawanangwa Gumbo and Righteous Banda.

The half proceeded at a slow pace as play was constantly stopped for Extreme FC players to get medical aid.

Extreme FC had chances to kill off the game but Bullets looked hungrier in search for an equalizer.

Juma was at the Centre stage, dishing out a stellar performance by racking up save after save denying Bullets.

Lanjesi Nkhoma missed a golden opportunity after latching on to the ball but couldn’t beat Juma.

Fate wasn’t on Extremes’ side as Bullets eventually saved their FDH Cup hope after late substitute Ephraim Kondowe headed home Mgwira’s cross in the 92nd minute for the 1-1 equalizer.

During the penalty shot out, Extreme scored their first two kicks, Bullets scored their first three penalties with Keeper Richard Chimbamba saving Thokozani Mwangata’s third kick.

Bullet’s Frank Willard and Extreme’s Chikondi Chasowa missed their kicks before Nickson Nyasulu won it all for Bullets.

In a post-match interview Kalitso Pasuwa said they had anticipated a tough outing and noted the need to careful manage his squad ahead of the semi-finals.

“Well done to the opponents besides their position in the league they played well because that’s how cup games are,” said Pasuwa.

Coach for Extreme FC, Elvis Kafoteka attributed the loss to fatigue as well as elements of complacency however he also noted that the team will bounce back in the league.

By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, August 5, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has called for government and the church to work together in instilling the spirit of hard work amongst Malawians for the development of the country.

Speaking Saturday in Mzuzu during consecration of Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Auxiliary Bishop Yohane Nyirenda, Chakwera said the country cannot develop if citizens are not hard working.

Chakwera said the church too has the responsibility to encourage citizens not to always depend on help from others but from the outcomes of their own hard work.

“As citizens we must know that this nation will only develop if each one of us play our part in building it.

“If we want to have good roads, we must work hard. If we want jobs for youths, we must provide good education to them and create industries which can employ them. As such, each one of us must work hard because it is not going to come easily,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera added that the church has a responsibility to remind the people that God blesses people that are hard workers.

“A lazy nation cannot prosper because God did not create us lazy,” he said adding that leaders in different capacity should serve people for the betterment of the country.

Delivering his homily, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Catholic Diocese of Karonga encouraged believers to love both the newly ordained Auxiliary Bishop and the Diocesan Bishop.

He also called upon the newly consecrated Auxiliary Bishop Nyirenda to work with all groups of people without taking sides as he works on behalf of God who is the father all people.

“My advice is that you be a servant of all people and do only one job which is bringing people to Christ and care for those in need. Do not be a servant of politicians, but be a servant of God,” said Mtumbuka.

In his speech, Auxiliary Bishop Nyirenda called for continued unity in the church and the country as a whole for smooth sharing of the word of God.

“My plea is that let us continue working together for the betterment and growth of the Church of God for that is what we are all here for,” said Nyirenda.

 Nyirenda was born on 20 June, 1976 and was ordained priest on July 19, 2008.

He has been serving as the Rector of Kasina Spiritual Formation Center and assistant to Bishop John Ryan of Mzuzu Diocese before being appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese by Pope Francis on May 5, 2023.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu was originally part of Apostolic Prefecture of Northern Nyasa and was erected as a Diocese on 17 January, 1961.

The Diocese comprises the northern districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay and part of the central district region of Kasungu.

Some of the dignitaries who attended the ceremony included Vice President Saulos Chilima, former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara, President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi Archbishop George Desmond Tambala.

Also in attendance were Bishop George Zumaire Lungu and Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri of Catholic Diocese of Chipata-Zambia and Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi Bishop Fanuel Magangani.

By Austine Kachilika

Mzimba, August 4, Mana: As one way of ensuring that children’s rights are upheld, M’mbelwa District Council annually holds Children’s Parliament, a platform through which they share and deliberate issues which affect their welfare.

Speaking on Thursday during the opening of the fourth session for Mzimba South Children’s Parliament under the theme ‘Children’s Voices Matters,’ Chairperson for M’mbelwa District Council, Morgan Tembo said children face a lot of challenges that limit them to enjoy their rights, welfare and realise their full potential.

 “There are a lot of issues that hinder children from exercising their rights, these include child marriages, climate change, child labour, poor and inadequate school infrastructure,” said Tembo.

He added that the children’s parliament was held at the right time where there is a need to deliberate on upholding the rights of children by all stakeholder across the country.

“We believe that children are future leaders, therefore, this will be a conducive platform through which the children’s voice will be heard, amplified and taken into consideration by relevant stakeholders including the council,” he said.

On her part, the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Rachel Ngulube, expressed concern over lack of effort by authorities in addressing issues which raise during last parliamentary session.

 “There has been little effort to address grievances where we raised in the previous session. We therefore plead with the authorities to deal with issues we raise in this August house,” said Ngulube.

According to Ngulube, the session will focus on finding remedies to early and child marriages, climate change and poor road network saying they are some of the factors which hinder children from enjoying their rights including right to education.

The session is sponsored by NORAD, Save the Children, Securing Children’s Rights through Education and Protection and CCAP Synod of Livingstonia.

By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, August 4, Mana: one of the country’s independent filmmakers, Philmon Kuipa says he is committed to producing more films centered on disability that would advocate various talents and skills which people with disabilities in the country possess.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Kuipa said that his inspiration comes from ‘Focus on Ability’, a short film festival annually done in Australia and Malawi which promotes the talents and abilities of people with various forms of disabilities.

The filmmaker said that through producing films on disability among other things he wants to promote inclusion amongst people with disabilities mostly by showcasing their capabilities and contributions.

“Most of the times the inclusion becomes an issue and we lose out from tapping the skills and gifts from the people with disabilities, with my films I want to show the contributions that people with disabilities are making,” Kuipa said.

Kuipa who has so far submitted 15 short films on disability to Focus on Ability film festival since 2020, said that recently he has produced two short films titled ‘Gratitude box’ which talks about a person with disability who was saving his money for charity and ‘Kark’ which is a highlight of a young blind man who was a musician.

The film production enthusiast cum journalist further said with his films he also wants to see change on perception of some individuals on people with disabilities.

“I really want to see change, I really want to see people with disabilities being liberated, enjoying their rights just like any other person, there should not be prejudices that the moment you see a person with disability you start thinking that he or she wants to beg some money,” he said.

In her remarks, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Spokesperson, Pauline Kaude commended Kuipa for his mission.

“One of the barriers facing persons with disabilities is to do with negative attitudes that the society has towards them due to, among other factors, lack of accurate information to address this situation, raising awareness becomes an important tool.

“So we believe what Mr. Kuipa will be doing will help to raise awareness about persons with disabilities and this is in line with government policies, laws, and strategies on disability,” Kaude said.

By Salome Gangire

Neno, August 4, Mana:  Neno District Council Director of Planning and Administration Charles Lomoni has hailed Partners in Health (PIH) popularly known as Abwezi Pa Za Umoyo for its programs aimed at improving health and socio economic rights of adolescents in the district.

He was speaking Thursday during an engagement on the strides of the two programmes namely Social Economic Rights (POSER) and Teens Clubs: Improving Health and Creating Socio Economic Opportunities for HIV Adolescent (ASPIRE).

 He said empowering youth with vocational skills is crucial to the development of the country.

“Let me recommend PIH for the good work it is doing in the district as government alone cannot manage to support all the youths in the county,” he said.

Lomoni therefore encouraged the youths to utilise such opportunities by acquiring vocational skills to empower themselves so that they become economically independent.

PIH Director of Community Health Jimmy Harare said one of the objective of the ASPIRE programme is to promote socio-economic rights of adolescents through education promotion and job creation through supporting vulnerable adolescents with school bursaries, food packages, transportation and housing improvement.

He said the programme is supporting 174 students in secondary schools, 11 in universities and some doing vocational skills through Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training programs.

“We believe that once the youths are empowered they will be able to acquire quality health services and improve their physical and economic wellbeing,” he said.

Harare said access to health care services is affected by a number of issues like social economic and if people do not have enough resources they are unable to go to health facilities to get the help they need.

Harare added that the aim of the project is to make sure that adolescents acquire skills to do business so that they are empowered economically so as to acquire quality health services.

He said the project is in line with their strategic plan of supporting adolescents but also national strategies like Adolescent girls and young women, the agenda 2063 and the Health Strategic Plan aimed at supporting the communities economically.

POSER programme Manager Victor Kanyema said the programme gives cash transfers to patients for transport costs, goat pass on programme and education to vulnerable people as means of empowering rural communities economically.

“We make sure that adolescents we work with do not have issues in accessing health services because they have no transport, no housing and sources of income,” he said.