By Joseph Ligowe

Blantyre, April 9, Mana: Over 46,311 families that are affected by hunger in Blantyre District stand to benefit from a maize distribution which is expected to start on Sunday, April 13 in the district with each listed affected family to receive a 50 Kilogramme bag of maize for six months.

Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Disaster Risk and Management Officer (DRMO) for Blantyre District Council, Faith Khamula, disclosed that the exercise is a response to food insecurity among housedholds as a result of last year’s effects of El Nino.

“This climatic condition led to many households harvesting low yields, resulting in food insecurity at household level,” she added.

Khamula said about 2,552 tons of maize are expected to be distributed to households in all Traditional Authorities in Blantyre District, with each family receiving a 50-kilogramme bag of maize for six months.

Traditional Authority Machinjiri applauded government for responding to the food situation in the district, saying the exercise will address the situation in his area as well.

“This exercise has come at an opportune time because, currently, the majority of people rarely afford a meal in a day," he said.

The maize distribution exercise will be done by Government of Malawi through Blantyre District Council in collaboration with the World Food Programme.

By Christina Mkutumula

Mzuzu, April 9, Mana: The International Labour Organization (ILO), says it is impressed with the work that artisans in bricklaying are doing after being assessed and getting certification for their skills through the Recognition to Prior Learning (RPL) Project.

The remarks were made on Tuesday, by the ILO National Project Coordinator for Global skills Programme, Patrick Makondetsa, in Mzuzu when he visited some of the artisans who have been assessed and certified through the RPL project.

“I am happy to say that RPL has a significant impact on the beneficiaries. We have seen how after getting certified they are given big contracts which shows that the project is good to the informal sector,” he said.

He further explained that the beneficiaries are adding value and increasing their opportunities for a wider clientele and in so doing gaining more wages that will help their families.

Makondetsa also said there are some industries that require different kind of skills and they need to support their people so that the skills being acquired on the job training has to be assessed and certified.

“Going forward we need to not only look for artisans who are doing piecework but we also need to engage industries who have artisans that are not certified to train them and ensure that they are certified. In future when we develop the sector skill council it will provide all and meet the gap that is there,” he said.

Speaking in an interview, acting Chief Trade Test Officer for Mzuzu, Jack Kachingwe, said the RPL project, is an extended assessment to external candidates who do not have classroom skills but learn the job informally.

“This project started in 2019 after abolishing the Malawi Trade Test Certification where we left out the informal sector but now we are recognizing these people and assessing them. We piloted the project in 2022 with 11 candidates in two trades of bricklaying and fabrication and welding,” said Kachingwe.

He explained that since the project started to-date they have assessed about 187 candidates adding that it is encouraging that people are coming forward. He said they have added five more trades in Tailoring, Automobile Mechanics, Food, Plumbing and Carpentry and Joinery and appealed to more people with the skills to get to their offices to be assessed and certified.

Commenting on the same, Regional Centre Manager for TEVETA in Mzuzu, Joseph Chikopa, said the beneficiaries of RPL have gained the required skills.

“We have seen how confident they are working after being assessed and certified and this is helping them to contribute effectively to the social economic development of the country,” he said.

A beneficiary of the project, Donly Mkandawire said he did his training in January 2023 and has since been certified.

“Before getting the paper I was just building houses anyhow, but now I know how to build a house right from foundation to roofing stage. I have also come to realize that people have confidence with artisans, who not only know the job but are also certified,” he said.

Recognition to prior learning process help individuals who do not have qualifications, to acquire a qualification that matches their knowledge.

By Janet Masamba

Nkhata Bay, April 9, Mana: Director of Education and Sports in Nkhata Bay, Votie Mboweni, is optimistic that revamping the District Education Network (DEN) will enhance the education system in the district.

Mboweni said this on Tuesday during an education stakeholders meeting aimed at revitalizing the DEN Committee.

"The district is facing a number of challenges in education ranging from infrastructure and others.  That is why we have a number of partners to help us and for them to effectively do their work we need an active DEN.

"That is why we are here today to revamp it because it has been dormant for quite some time, and I am sure this will help us to move forward, " he said.

According to Mboweni an active DEN will not only help to mobilize resources for the sector but also advocate for the promotion of a girl child education as most of them drop out.

In his remarks, Civil Society Organization Chairperson, Michael Mwanachawa said the meeting was essential as it helped members to understand their roles and terms of reference.

"I am glad that we now have the new executive committee for DEN. This will help us monitor education performance in the district and surely we will work together to lobby for more partners so that the district continues doing better in the education sector" he said.

The meeting was organized with financial support from World Vision and African Youth Employment Initiatives-AYEI.

By Prisca Kasache

Mangochi, April 9, Mana. A 22-year-old DMI University student died after being hit by a speeding minibus along Arthur Peter Mutharika Highway in Mangochi on April 7.

Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector, Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the death and identified the deceased as Samuel Josephy, a second-year student from Chimbiya Village, Traditional Authority Tambala in Dedza District.

Inspector Daudi said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace minibus, registration number PE 10498, driven by Mike Justine, 40, of Mulandani Village, Traditional Authority Mpama in Chiradzulu.

She said Justice was driving from Liwonde towards Mangochi Boma with 12 passengers on board at the time of the accident.

“Upon reaching the DMI University Trading Centre, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and hit Joseph who was crossing the road from right to left.

“He sustained severe head injuries and fractured ribs and was rushed to Mangochi District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” said Daudi.

The Mangochi Police Publicist further said the minibus driver abandoned the vehicle at the scene and fled but later surrendered himself to Mangochi Police Station around midnight.

He is currently in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, police in the district has urged all road users, especially drivers, to strictly adhere to road safety regulations to prevent such tragic incidents.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, April 9, Mana. A 60-year-old man died after an elephant at Namizimu Forest Reserve attacked him near Kwilasya Village, Traditional Authority Namabvi in Mangochi District.

Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Meleke Jeke.

Tepani said the incident occurred on the morning of April 7 when Jeke had gone to his maize garden near the forest, to check on his crops and protect them from baboons.

While in the field, the elephant suddenly emerged and attacked him, resulting in an instant death, according to Inspector Daudi.

“The incident was witnessed by neighboring farmers that share boundary with the deceased’s garden who reported the incident to Lungwena Police Unit” she said.

Inspector Daudi said police officers visited the scene accompanied by a medical practitioner who carried out postmortem whose results confirmed that Jeke’s death was due to multiple fractures and internal bleeding sustained during the elephant attack.

Meanwhile, police have notified the Department of National Parks and Wildlife for appropriate action.

Jeke came from Kwilasya Village, Traditional Authority Namabvi.

By Monica Banda

Mchinji, April 8, Mana: As the world commemorates consumer rights day, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), has called on consumers across the country to be aware of their rights and take responsibility in protecting them, especially in the digital space.

Speaking during a consumer awareness meeting in Mchinji, MACRA’s board member, Stella Tchuthi, said consumer education is a key tool in tackling service-related challenges.

“Consumers must be well-informed about their rights and they should know that they have the power to act, especially when facing issues such as injuries, or service challenges.

“They can contact us through our toll-free number 261, so that MACRA can engage the relevant service providers," said Tchuthi.

She also noted progress in addressing mobile money fraud, attributing it to coordinated efforts with the Malawi Prison Services, mobile service providers, and the Malawi Defence Force.

Also present at the meeting was the chief executive officer for the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), Lloyd Vincent Nkhoma, who underscored the significance of commemorating consumer rights annually.

“Consumers face numerous challenges in the market: It is vital that they understand their rights and responsibilities so they can protect themselves from common malpractices,” said Nkhoma.

He further warned that the digital space poses several risks, including identity theft, data breaches, online fraud, and cyberbullying.

The event, organized by MACRA, was part of a broader initiative to ensure consumers are aware of their rights and confident in exercising them.

By Aisha Chiwaya

Salima, April 8, Mana: The Salima First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and fined Adam Likagwa, 34, to pay K2 million or, in default, serve a 12-month jail term for being found in possession of 576.68 Kilograms of Chamba without license.

According to Salima police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sub Inspector Rebecca Ndiwate, the Court heard through the Regional Prosecution Inspector, Ida Mzama, that Likagwa was arrested on March 22, 2025 at around 3:30 PM at Chikumba area where officers mounted an ad-hock roadblock.

"Mzama further told the court that Likagwa failed to produce relevant document permitting him to possess the hemp which was fully loaded in his Toyota Sienta vehicle," said Ndiwate.

Appearing before court, Likagwa pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him. In mitigation, Likagwa prayed for leniency, citing family obligations.

During submission, the state pleaded for a stiffer punishment considering the quantity of the prohibited goods.

First Grade Magistrate Anthony Banda concurred with the State and ordered him to pay a fine of K2 million and the immediate disposal of the Cannabis by burning to serve as a deterrence to other would be offenders.

Adam Likagwa hails from Kambadi Village, Traditional Authority Nsamala, in Balaka district.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 8, Mana: Parliament on Tuesday passed Bill No.20 of 2025, the Tourism Bill, which aims to develop a robust and sustainable tourism sector.

This new legislation establishes a legal framework to regulate and standardize the industry, aligning it with the country's development goals outlined in MW 2063.

Speaking during the presentation of the Bill in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, Minister of Natural Resource and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, said the Bill mandates the Malawi Tourism Authority to regulate the sector and promote Malawi as a top tourist destination, locally and internationally.

"The bill sets up the Malawi College of Tourism as the government's primary tourism professional training institution, defining its functions and powers,” said Chomanika.

He added: “A registration and licensing framework is established for tourism enterprises, establishments, and practitioners, to ensure industry standards.”

The minister noted that the tourism sector plays a significant role in Malawi's economy, contributing to inclusive development and poverty reduction, especially in rural areas where most tourist attractions are located.

 The Bill is expected to enhance the sector's performance by promoting tourism investment, and the Malawi Tourism Authority will facilitate and approve tourism investment projects

Additionally, the registration and licensing framework will ensure that tourism enterprises meet required standards, according to Chomanika.

He described the passing of the Bill as a “significant step” towards developing Malawi's tourism sector, and that the government will need to implement the new framework, establish the Malawi Tourism Authority and the Malawi Tourism College of Tourism, and ensure effective enforcement of regulations.