Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Mtisunge Gwedeza

Blantyre, February 6, Mana: After taking a very long bow in the music circles, a gospel musician popularly known as Purpose is back in the active music industry, this time with a renewed vision.

Purpose also known as Purple C disclosed his return in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Sunday day, promising to release new songs very soon.

Purpose whose 'Good Life' piece made headlines said he has embarked on a transformative journey at Rhema Bible School where he immersed himself in understanding God's word; thereby, soaking his new music in the word of God.

The artist expressed excitement about returning to the industry and the changes that he is embracing in his music as a born-again.

“I am filled with excitement and gratitude as I return to the music industry, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and clarity in my mission” he said.

“I embrace a label of being a born again wholeheartedly and fans should expect music that is uplifting, inspirational and melodies that are encouraging and uplifting to the soul,” Purple C added.

Meanwhile, Themba Chiligo well known as Mikozi also observed that fans have expressed their excitement to have Purpose back into the industry, noting that fans were eagerly waiting to listen to his new releases.

“After we posted Purpose’s announcement of being back actively in the music industry there was a positive reaction from fans,” Chiligo said.

“On my part, I think this is because Purpose took the break when his music career was at its peak, so people are expecting and waiting to hear more tunes from him,” Chiligo added.

Purpose aims to transform lives and bring souls to the kingdom of God through his new music that is uplifting, inspirational and designed to resonate deeply with listeners.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 6, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda says chiefs play a significant role in uniting people and has asked them to do more in ensuring justice is delivered at the community level.

Chimwendo Banda said this on Wednesday during the elevation of Traditional Authority (TA) Nthalire and Group Village Head Mwenekayilizi to Senior Chief Nthalire and Sub-TA Mwenekayilizi respectively at Nthalire Community Stadium in Chitipa District.

Chimwendo Banda said that chiefs need to do more to make sure that justice is delivered at the community level even when distributing social protection programmes like the Affordable Input Programme and lean season maize distribution programmes.

“We need chiefs to help government in promoting justice and fairness by making sure that vulnerable people are not being victimized. We want to ensure that people are receiving food aid as per the government guidelines,” Chimwendo Banda said.

He then asked chiefs to protect vulnerable people when discharging their duties, saying it is against government policies and laws to side with those who infringe on vulnerable people’s properties like land.

“We have cases of chiefs who have grabbed the land of orphans after the death of their parents. We urge all the chiefs in the country to make sure that we protect vulnerable people,” he said.

Paramount Chief Kyungu asked the chiefs to promote unity and peace for the country to flourish.

“For the country to be united it should start at the community level. Chiefs have a great role to play in fostering unity and peace,” he said.

Chitipa District Council Chairperson, Councillor Ronald Kayira, thanked State President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for elevating two traditional leaders which he said is a plus in the district.

Senior Chief Nthalire and Sub-TA Mwenekayilizi were elevated on 3^rd February 2025 by Dr Chakwera.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, has departed Malawi through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Thursday morning following a two-day diplomatic visit.

The Chairperson was seen off at KIA by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo and other government officials.

Speaking before the departure at KIA, Spokesperson for Mahamat, Ebba Kalondo said the visit for the Chairperson was very important as they have discussed issues pertaining to the country as well as the African continent with President Lazarus Chakwera.

She said the Chairperson was in the country to appreciate the support which President Chakwera has been giving him throughout the time he has been Chairperson of the AUC.

“The Chairperson thought it wise to visit Malawi so that he should bid farewell to the Malawi president as his eight years tenure has come to an end,” said Kalondo.

She further stated that the visit has also helped the two leaders to discuss continental agendas which Malawi has been standing in all the operations of the AUC.

Kalondo said Malawi has been addressing great challenges including climate change as it was affected by drought and heavy rainfall.

“Malawi is among some African countries who benefited from solidarity funds of the AUC after it was affected by El Nino,” she said.

The Spokesperson further said the two leaders have tackled issues to do with intra-African solidarity and unity, on how to address problems the continent is facing so that peace and security should prevail.

Mahamat, was first elected chairperson for a four-year term on January 30, 2017, after seven rounds of voting beating Kenya's Amina Mohamed.

He was reelected in 2021 for another four-year term which ends this month

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, has departed Malawi through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Thursday morning following a two-day diplomatic visit.

The Chairperson was seen off at KIA by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo and other government officials.

Speaking before the departure at KIA, Spokesperson for Mahamat, Ebba Kalondo said the visit for the Chairperson was very important as they have discussed issues pertaining to the country as well as the African continent with President Lazarus Chakwera.

She said the Chairperson was in the country to appreciate the support which President Chakwera has been giving him throughout the time he has been Chairperson of the AUC.

“The Chairperson thought it wise to visit Malawi so that he should bid farewell to the Malawi president as his eight years’ tenure has come to an end,” said Kalondo.

She further stated that the visit has also helped the two leaders to discuss continental agendas which Malawi has been standing in all the operations of the AUC.

Kalondo said Malawi has been addressing great challenges including climate change as it was affected by drought and heavy rainfall.

“Malawi is among some African countries who benefited from solidarity funds of the AUC after it was affected by El Nino,” she said.

The Spokesperson further said the two leaders have tackled issues to do with intra-African solidarity and unity, on how to address problems the continent is facing so that peace and security should prevail.

Mahamat, was first elected chairperson for a four-year term on January 30, 2017, after seven rounds of voting beating Kenya's Amina Mohamed.

He was reelected in 2021 for another four-year term which ends this month

By James Mwale

Ntchisi, February 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo has challenged contractors undertaking government projects to either meet their set deadlines with quality results or step down and pave the way for their capable counterparts.

Chitsulo was speaking in Ntchisi district Wednesday after inspecting the progress of development projects under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).

She expressed dissatisfaction with delays in the construction of Malambo police unit and police officer’s house in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Masanya, which she said should have been completed as the deadline was three months ago.

She said: “As a Ministry, we are not impressed and we have urged the district council to get in touch with the contractor to agree on the final deadline which I am told is 27^th February 2025. Failure to meet this deadline will force us to award the contract to another contractor who will finish in time.”

She, however, was impressed with the completion of a police officer’s house construction at Kansonga in the area of Senior Chief Malenga, and a two-classroom block at Masangano Primary School in Senior Chief Kalumo.

She said the two projects are of good quality and that the contractors have done a commendable job.

Chairperson for Ntchisi district council, Marko Mphenzi Mtengo commended government for awarding such development projects to Malawian contractors.

He, however, warned contractors who miss deadlines and put out substandard work saying they are sabotaging government’s development initiatives.

Governance to Enable Service Delivery is a government of Malawi project funded by the World Bank and is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).

By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, February 6, Mana: Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited has introduced the Rural Transformation for Natural Development (Rutrand) project to farmers in Thyolo District to enable them boost agricultural yields by using the newly introduced organic fertiliser called, Chonde.

Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited unveiled the project during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting on Thursday as it presented its project plans to the executive committee members.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) after the meeting, Rutrand Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Harold Njewa told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that his company is optimistic that Chonde fertiliser would help farmers to improve crop production.

“Chonde fertilizer is affordable to farmers. This product will help bridge the gap left by the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) and contribute to increased production in the district,” Njewa said.

He further said affordability will help complimenting government’s efforts of making Malawi food sufficient.

Njewa therefore thanked Thyolo District Council for approving the project, stating that Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited can meet farmers' demands.

Thyolo District, Director of Planning and Development, Thokozire Munthali, hailed the initiative saying it is a major step towards addressing food insecurity in the district.

“Food insecurity remains a major challenge in Thyolo due to the high cost of farm inputs, particularly fertiliser. With the introduction of Rutrand’s more affordable alternative, farmers will now have better access to inputs. I am sure this will increase food crop production thereby improving food security,” she added.

Similarly, Thyolo District Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa, commended Rutrand for launching the project, noting that the new fertilizer's composition and blend of organic and inorganic materials make it a sustainable option for farmers.

“As an agriculture office, we appreciate this initiative because fertiliser prices have been very high. This new type of fertiliser, combining both organic and inorganic elements, is a great solution,” she added.

The Rutrand project is being implemented in Ntcheu, Dedza, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Mulanje, and Thyolo, covering all Traditional Authorities and Extension Planning Areas.

By Joyce Menyere

Lilongwe, February 5, Mana: The Minister of Trade, Sosten Gwengwe expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the Malawi Police Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) in its implementation of the financial inclusion and security at large and household level, where Malawi police SACCO is handing out loans to small and medium-sized enterprises and farmers.

 Speaking during the event on Tuesday, Gwengwe said having toured different Sacco’s in Malawi people are hardworking and have ideas but have a challenge when it comes to financial access. He encouraged the Malawi police SACCO to continue the good work that they are doing as it is reaching many hardworking and creative people in the country.

“the financial cooperatives that we are working with is Reserve Bank of Malawi to simplify the regulatory regime that are for small SACCO’s which should be hand holding rather than applying bracket regulations for big banks to let the SACCO’s grow”, Gwengwe said.

 Ian Mwalungira who is an officer with the Malawi police and a member of SACCO, said that they are happy that as an institution they have grown from 65 to 14,900 members as of 31^st December 2024 and total asset book has increased from K300 thousand in 2014 to K7.2 billion.

“K 6 billion has been advanced as loans to the members, who have also been able to mobilize K4.7 billion in shares and savings that are used for onward lending. Our headquarters is here in area 30 and we have now opened a branch in Mzuzu and its satellite in Karonga, another branch in Blantyre and a satellite in Luchenza, and a branch in Zomba and we intend to have a satellite in Mangochi”, he said.

He added that they are yet to reach more members with the use of technology using the member portal and plan to move to mobile banking.

“The Government has a vision of the 2063 agenda of the financial inclusion aspect and access to financial services, where they are trying to create vibrant financial institutions for self-reliance initiatives as offering loans for members, and the ATM strategy where people like those supplying meat in the tourism industry borrow from the SACCO and buy goats”, Mwalungira said.

The Minister of Trade will continue to work with the Reserve Bank of Malawi to simplify the regulation of small SACCO institutions.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, February 5, Mana: Police in Limbe have arrested a 34-year-old man for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a minor.

 Limbe Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Aubrey Singanyama said in an interview on Wednesday that a complaint was lodged at Kapeni Police Unit that on January 29^th 2025 at around 6 PM in Manje Location at Soche Township in Blantyre, Ebelle Mangani coaxed a three-year-old girl who was playing with her friend into a nearby maize field where he sexually assaulted her.

“The matter came to light when the victim's mother inquired from her about her prior whereabouts. The victim narrated the whole ordeal and also highlighted that her underwear was left in the said maize field,” he said.

This prompted the victim's parents to report the matter at Kapeni Police Unit where they were referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital One Stop Centre for medical examination the results came out positive for sexual assault and the child was admitted to the medical facility.

Upon receiving the complaint, police detectives commenced investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect at Nkando Trading Centre in Mulanje District on February 02, 2025, where he sought refuge.

Mangani who is admitted to the charge levelled against him is currently remanded at Blantyre Prison pending a further court appearance.

The suspect, a bricklayer by profession was once convicted of the same offence in 2017 and got released from Blantyre Prison in 2023.

Ebelle Mangani hails from Nthundu Village in the area of Traditional Kapeni in Blantyre District.

By Patience Harawa

Karonga, February 5, Mana: The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has called for deliberate efforts in a bid to promote active women's participation in electoral processes.

CCJP’s Gender Officer, Stella Zimba said this on Tuesday in Karonga during a loud-hailing awareness campaign on enhancing women's participation in the democratic processes.

Zimba said it’s a pity that women continue to lag behind in development activities especially in political leadership despite several efforts being made in order to change the status quo.

Zimba said: "There is a need for specific interventions that enhance women's participation in the democratic processes, especially now that the country is preparing for the general elections slated for 16 September 2025.

“Women's participation in political leadership remains critically low. We should make efforts that will not only ensure women take part in electoral activities but also vie for leadership positions.”

CCJP under the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has been implementing a one-year project called 'Enhancing the participation of women in 2025 General Elections' funded by the United Development Programme (UNDP).

The project is aimed at enhancing the participation of women in the September 16, 2025, general elections by creating awareness of electoral processes and empowering communities to vote for women.

“Women's participation in electoral processes is crucial for our democracy. This project aims to raise awareness of the electoral processes, empower communities, and ensure inclusive women participation in the electoral processes,” Zimba said.

The District Elections Officer for Karonga Elias Nyirenda hailed CCJP for the project which he said will help to promote women's participation in the electoral processes.

Nyirenda said there is a need to remove all barriers that hinder active women's participation in political leadership

By Wishes Matchaya

Lilongwe, February 5, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it is satisfied with how the Supplementary Voter Registration Exercise has been conducted.

MEC commenced the Supplementary Voter Registration Exercise on January 21, 2025, and concluded on February 3, 2025. The exercise was among others to ensure that those who did not register during the voter registration process should have the opportunity to register and exercise their voting rights in forthcoming general elections.

“It has been a successful exercise and we are satisfied with how it has been conducted. We managed to run all the centres as scheduled. No centre warrants us to extend the voter registration period that we provided for” Sangwani Mwafulirwa, MEC’s spokesperson.

MEC’s spokesperson, Sangwani Mwafulirwa also revealed that MEC will run the transfer window which will be opened later this month. The transfer window intends to give an opportunity for people who might have moved from the places where they registered or for those who foresee that by September 16, 2025, they will be in places other than where they registered.

Mwafulirwa has argued people to use the transfer window as there will be no transfer during the voting day.