Items filtered by date: July 2025

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.

By Brenda Nkosi

Thyolo, August 11, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasised on the need for university students to be innovative and create enterprises and industries in order to strengthen capacity of institutions and organisations.

The President made the remarks Friday at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Thyolo during the graduation of 420 students from the university.

Chakwera, who is Chancellor for MUST, said the graduates have endless opportunities and great responsibilities hence the need for them to put that into practice.

“You have a responsibility to serve your country with integrity, dedication and sacrifice. You have the opportunity and responsibility to do great and unimaginable things and to put Malawi on the map by outperforming other nationalities,” he said 

He said a college graduate is a privilege, a responsibility and an opportunity which needs to be taken seriously.

"I say it is a privilege because in every nation on earth, only a minority get the chance to enroll into an institution of higher learning," he said.

Vice Chancellor for MUST, Prof. Address Malata disclosed that the university will call back all needy students so that they are offered the courses they were selected in on scholarship by MUST.

"We are, in September launching 'Come back to campus' initiative which will recall back all students who could not afford school fees and were withdrawn," she said.

Of the 420 graduates, 45 got distinctions from the 24 degree courses offered at the institution.

By Austine Kachilika

Mzimba, August 11, Mana: District Executive Committee (DEC) members for Mzimba have commended Spotlight Initiative for enhancing the fight against sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the district.

Speaking Wednesday during Spotlight Initiative exit sustainability meeting, District Gender Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Naomi Mwale said Spotlight Initiative has helped in changing the mindset of many towards SGBV as well as improving the welfare of girls and young women in the district.

“Spotlight Initiative has helped in coming up with legislative and policy frameworks that counter gender-based violence, strengthening institutions that support the implementation of SGBV and sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) laws, policies, programmes, provision of quality services, real-time data on GBV and advocating for women’s movement and empowerment,” she said.

District Social Welfare Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Bernard Nangwale applauded Spotlight Initiative for its holistic approach.

He said: “Spotlight Initiative has made a change in issues pertaining to gender based violence. It has tackled areas the council was unable to reach in terms of eliminating gender-based violence, promoting sexual reproductive health and women empowerment, among others”.

Spotlight Initiative representative, Mercy Mlenga said they are still committed towards eliminating gender-based violence and women empowerment in the district.

“If all goes well, we will implement Spotlight Initiative 2.0 in the near future” she said.

Spotlight Initiative was incepted in 2019 to end violence against girls and women through several interventions.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 11, Mana: Senior Chief Mkumpha III of Likoma Island on Friday led his subjects in a clean-up exercise with the aim of keeping the island clean.

In an interview, Senior Chief Mkumpha said he decided to take part in the exercise in order to be exemplary to his subjects by keeping the island clean thereby preventing the spread of diseases.

"We need to keep the district clean. It is a responsibility of each and everyone to take part so that the district should prevent diseases which come due to lack of hygiene," said Mkumpha.

He, therefore, advised all community leaders in the district to be on the forefront practicing hygiene as well as sensitizing community members on the importance of the clean-up campaigns.

Chairperson for the clean-up campaign taskforce, Grant Kumwenda thanked all stakeholders for their participation which he said will help in the control of plastic pollution.

"I am impressed with the activity. The turn up was good, even people from market areas participated. It is good that people are now embracing this kind of initiative to keep the island clean," said Kumwenda.

He urged all the Islanders to continue embracing the activity since it is a routine exercise which is being done every second Friday of each month.

District Commissioner (DC) for Likoma, Abu-Bakr Nkhoma said the routine program, apart from preventing diseases, will make Likoma look tidy.

"The clean-up campaign aims at achieving good hygiene practices among Malawians. It encourages people to clean their homes, workplaces and their community surroundings and our district is not spared," said Nkhoma.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera officially launched the National Clean-up Day in November, 2020 in Lilongwe.

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 Brenda Nkosi

Thyolo, August 11, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasised on the need for university students to be innovative and create enterprises and industries in order to strengthen capacity of institutions and organisations.

 The President made the remarks Friday at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Thyolo during the graduation of 420 students from the university.

 Chakwera, who is Chancellor for MUST, said the graduates have endless opportunities and great responsibilities hence the need for them to put that into practice.

 “You have a responsibility to serve your country with integrity, dedication and sacrifice. You have the opportunity and responsibility to do great and unimaginable things and to put Malawi on the map by outperforming other nationalities,” he said.

 He said a college graduate is a privilege, a responsibility and an opportunity which needs to be taken seriously.

 "I say it is a privilege because in every nation on earth, only a minority get the chance to enroll into an institution of higher learning," he said.

 Vice Chancellor for MUST, Prof. Address Malata disclosed that the university will call back all needy students so that they are offered the courses they were selected in on scholarship by MUST.

"We are, in September launching 'Come back to campus' initiative which will recall back all students who could not afford school fees and were withdrawn," she said.

 Of the 420 graduates, 45 got distinctions from the 24 degree courses offered at the institution.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, August 10, MANA: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Head Coach, Mark Harrison Wednesday said he was disappointed as his team was held to a one all goal draw in a match against Red Lions in the second round of TNM Super League.

Red Lions lead the first half of the game after Moses Namkumba scored within seven minutes of play and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defender, Lawrence Chaziya scoring at 48 minutes making it 1-1.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Harrison said he was not satisfied with the team’s performance in the second round of the game saying they need to build on attacking.

"We created a lot of chances and it's unbelievable that with the 90 minutes in our hands we have failed to win this game and it's so shameful to see that we are dropping points to a team which we were not supposed to, am really frustrated with today's performance,"  he said.

On the other hand Assistant Coach for Red Lions, Malumbo Mkandawire expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance saying their draw with Wanderers was a start to their wins in the second round of the league.

"Wanderers is a big team yes but the boys played very well and we plan to maintain the energy throughout the second leg of the league as such our supporters should expect only the best from us as we are going to build confidence in our players," he added.

Mkandawire said he was optimistic of winning their next game against Silver Strikers as they will be at home.

Referee Maulana Honest ended the match with four yellow cards whereby three yellows cards were given to Red Lions players, Moses Nankumba, Franklin Titan and Gibson Robert after Wanderers player Gaddi Chirwa received the first yellow card of the game in the 22^nd minute.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are in fourth position with 29 points with 10 goals ahead of Red Lions which has 15 points with 14 goals in TNM Super League Log Table.

By Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe, August 10, Mana: Football enthusiasts were on Wednesday treated to an exciting matchup between Extreme FC and Civil Service United in which both teams left it till late before they each scored to play out to a 1-1 draw at Civo Stadium in the TNM Super League.

Extreme FC were coming off a loss to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the FDH Bank cup while Civil Service were last in action when they registered a league win against Silver Strikers.

Civil Service were the better side in the first half, they kept better possession and looked more lethal in front of goal.

Muhamad Biason attempted to create Civil’s first chance when his clever but misplaced through ball went straight to goal keeper Blessings Juma. Momentously, Chikaiko Batson dribbled past midfielder, Grevin Ng’anjo and laid off a pass to Biason who shot over the bar.

Extreme FC suffered an injury blow to defender, Trevor Kalema in the 15^th minute with John Chalamanda replacing him.

Levison Gopani should have put Extreme FC ahead at least by two goals but was not clinical enough when he missed deliveries from Innocent Chipolopolo and Justice Honde respectively.

By contrast, Civil Service United amassed 10 chances in the first half and had another nine in the second while Extreme FC lagged in chance creation with seven in each half.

The second half had a similar complexion to that of the first, with Civil Service dominating and show casing their attacking velvet in the early minutes while Extreme left it late to push up the tempo and try to catch Civil on the counter.

Batson was the pace setter for Civils goal when he run circles in midfield and found substitutes Innocent Tanganyika who set up a perfect cross for Patrick Phiri to head home on the 89^th minute.

With two minutes added on for extra time, Extreme FC remained resilientand their substitute pair Babangida Ishaya passed to Beston Jimu who slotted in the equalizer.

In a post-match interview, Assistant Coach for Civil Service, Wilson Chidati accented to the difficultly of the match and noted that his team had lost concentration in the dying minutes.

“We are not happy with the result we also had a similar out comein the first round which may mean we are at par with the opponent,” he said.

 Coach for Extreme FC, Elvis Kafoteka expressed relief with the result, hailing his men for working hard to the wire and also revealed that the team is accessing some new reinforcements while the transfer window is still open.

By Chilungamo Missi

Blantyre, August 10, Mana: Commissioner for Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA), Charles Kalemba has said his department was geared to improve disaster preparedness and response having learned from challenges that were encountered when the country was hit by Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF).

He was speaking on Thursday during the opening of a two-day post-action review meeting in Blantyre aimed at reflecting on how different sectors and stakeholders faired during the TCF response.

Kalemba said that the reflection meeting would enable the country do better next time it experiences a similar situation as each and every sector and cluster would be assessed saying that Malawi wants to build resilience which cannot be achieved if relevant pillars are not properly assessed.

“We warned people of the impending cyclone however we were focused on flooding, we did not anticipate mudslides and landslides, now it means that on paper we know the hazards that can impact us but we are not holistically looking at those hazards and are prepared for them.

“We need to be always prepared in terms of what people will eat and where people should go when disasters hit. Because we had no places designed for people that needed shelter then. During the disaster people had to run to schools which showed a lack of preparedness,” he said.

The Commissioner added that the department was committed to making sure that people living in disaster-prone areas have relocated to safer areas saying the process already started in Chiradzulu, Nsanje, Phalombe, Mangochi and Mulanje adding that in other districts land was yet to be identified in order to carry out the same process.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Rebecca Adda Dontoh underscored the importance of coordination among stakeholders involved in the disaster response.

She said, “Coordination is very important in every humanitarian action, it reduces transactional costs and reduces duplication that takes away the minimum resources we already have.

“In this review meeting, we are looking forward to reflecting on how UN humanitarian actors, government, and everybody coordinated in the TCF preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.”

By Mark Phiri

Mangochi, August 10, Mana: Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Unit in the Department of Fisheries has confiscated 75 illegal fishing gears between November 2022 and July, 2023 in Mangochi.

In an interview, Inspectorate Officer for Mangochi, Allan Katola said fishermen in the district modify fishing gears with the aim of making them efficient turning them into illegal fishing gears.

He added the most common misuse and modifications are meshed netting materials, monofilaments, usage of mosquito nets, as well as fishing during closed season and fishing in restricted areas.

The Inspectorate Officer described the development as worrisome saying the continued usage of illegal fishing gears in the district was contributing to habitat degradation, depletion of fish stocks and extinction for some fish species.

He said his office has embarked on establishment of a multi-sectoral taskforce to deal with the vice.

“Apart from conducting lake patrols, our office has intensified community engagement through strengthening of community based structures such as Beach Village Committees and Fisheries Associations.

“We are orienting our partner agencies such as police officers and magistrates for us to work collaboratively in handling fish-related cases brought before them,” Katola added.

Chairperson for Makumba Beach Village Committee, Hussein Sukali said they are enforcing by-laws that govern fishing industry in ensuring that no fisherman was using illegal fishing gears.

“Last month, Fisheries officials and Senior Chief Chowe came and oriented us on these by-laws. Since then, we make sure that any fisherman plying his or her business within our jurisdiction is complying to the set by-laws.

“So far, we have evicted two mosquito net and kandwindwi users for catching juvenile fish,” he explained.