MANAonline
Chakwera for climate resilient communities
By Patricia Kapulula
Lilongwe, May 17, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized on the need to enhance climate smart agriculture in order to build self-reliant and climate resilient communities to address effects of climate change amongst communities.
He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday during the launch of the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) 2024 Flag Week.
He said climate smart agriculture that includes winter cropping through the use of irrigation technologies are important in addressing climate change related shocks.
“Presently, Malawi is in the midst of the state of disaster which I declared almost two months ago in 23 districts of the country on account of El Niño weather conditions that have destroyed much of the country’s food crops adding to the already acute food shortages caused by Cyclone Freddy last year, cyclones ANA and Gombe a year before,” he said.
The cyclone has left a total of nine million Malawians in need of food assistance this year.
President Chakwera, therefore, called upon Malawians to support MRCS whose work, he said, is important in the advancement of the welfare of Malawians.
“MRCS is an indispensable player with operations worth of our support. There is need to enhance response to humanitarian aid as implications of food crisis on public health are enormous and demand collaborative efforts to ensure that every Malawian household is reached with the necessary humanitarian support,” said Chakwera.
The President made a donation of K2 million towards the Flag Week.
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, appealed to Malawians to join hands in helping MRCS raise funds for its humanitarian activities.
MRCS President Innocent Majiya, said the society is expected to raise K160 million that could see them having readily available funds in their reserves for emergencies.
He, therefore, appealed to well-wishers and the corporate world to support them with donations towards the cause.
“With so many global challenges competing for attention and resources, the Red Cross movement is committed to addressing the forgotten crises around the world.
“Beyond borders and amidst our diverse backgrounds, the unity of our movement lies in shared commitment to humanitarian action,” he said.
As part of activities to raise funds during the week, MRCS has organized a Cycling for Humanity which aims to raise K100 million for disaster response.
Two cyclists, Dziwani Mwachumu and Kenneth Chikazunga will, on Monday, cycle from Lilongwe to Blantyre on voluntary basis.
It is expected that Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima will send off the cyclists from Lilongwe whose cycle will take two days.
MRCS Flag Week, which is held to raise funds for various activities, follows commemoration of the Red Crescent Day which falls on May 8 every year.
CSAT Advocates for community radios to report Parliamentary proceedings
By Lyte Ali
Mangochi, May 17, Mana: Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has appealed to community journalists in the Eastern Region to write stories focusing on parliamentary proceedings to keep communities aware of issues good governance.
Citizen Engagement Manager for CSAT Moffat Mphweya Phiri said CSAT established that community radios do not focus on what Members of Parliament (MPs) discuss when parliament is in session.
Phiri made the call on Thursday in Mangochi at the end of a media training on Access to Information Law under Parliamentary Support Programme.
"As CSAT, we saw a gap that most of the community radios in the country do not pay attention on parliamentary reporting. We note that the proceedings are mainly covered by few national radio stations,” he added.
He said that CSAT therefore felt the need to engage community radios to raise awareness on the need to adequately report on parliamentary proceedings.
“We felt it necessary to empower community journalists so that they should have knowledge on Parliamentary Support Programme and how to access as well as report parliamentary proceedings," the Citizen Engagement Manager said.
Phiri added that the media training was aimed at identifying and addressing barriers in accessing parliamentary information to reach communities in rural areas.
In her remarks, Head of News at Dzimwe Community Radio in Mangochi, Maureen Kawerama commended CSAT for the training which she described as an eye opener.
She said that for a long time Dzimwe Community Radio were left out in parliamentary reporting, adding that her media house did not know procedures to follow in accessing parliamentary proceedings.
"As community journalists, we felt left out on parliamentary reporting as we did not know how to access information in parliament. This training has helped us know procedures to follow when accessing information on parliamentary proceedings,” she added.
Kawerama therefore said that community radios will be able to cover parliamentary proceeding to keep communities well informed on issues of national importance.
Journalists from different community radio houses based in Mangochi, Balaka and Machinga attended the training.
Nice, Thyolo Police Encourage Peace and Harmony during the General Election Campaign
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, May 17, Mana: Thyolo National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust and Thyolo Police have urged political party’s followers in the district to maintain peace and harmony during 2025 general elections campaign to ensure violent free and credible polls.
The appeal was made on Thursday, during a stakeholder engagement with Thyolo Multi-Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) on a peace building organized by the Trust in the district.
NICE Trust. Programmes Officer for Thyolo and Chiradzulu, Moses Kaunda stressed the importance of peace and harmony in electoral process, saying political parties in the district should refrain from confrontational politics that often lead to burning of party campaign materials and other party properties.
"Peace is paramount. There is need to ensure that the peace is maintained. Political violence only illustrates immature democracy," said Kaunda, adding that party representatives need to convey to their followers’ the importance of maintaining peace during campaign.
Thyolo Police Officer In-Charge (OC), Francis Chisoti said the engagement with the MPLC was the most effective way to deal with political violence among party members.
“The meeting has provided room to strategies how the district should handle issues of political chaos if they erupt,” said Chisoti, adding that it was important for leaders of political parties in the district to work together and share strategies that should help in preventing violence during political meetings ahead of the general elections.
“As police, this committee is a security strategy, any problem emanating from the ground regarding disagreements can ably be resolved by the committee.
“We have proposed that party representatives should conduct joint sensitization meetings in trading centers that we are one in principle despite having different political parties,” he said.
He further warned perpetrators of political violence that police will arrest and take them to court, saying crime and disorder in society affect development.
A MPLC member, Charles George said the engagement meeting was relevant and timely, saying it provided a forum that promoted a spirit of coexistence among political parties.
Political party’s representatives, Thyolo MEC officials, CSO representatives among others attended the MPLC engagement meeting.
MHRC moves to safeguard refugees
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, May 17, Mana: Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has underscored the importance of addressing issues of lack of information sharing which has potential to misinformation and lack of action in some important issues which is affecting the rights of refugees in the country.
Speaking in Salima district during a capacity building workshop for commissioners and staff on refugee’s related laws, policies and international best practices, Commissioner Andrew Kavala highlighted that lack of coordination among stakeholders is a big challenge.
"We want refugees to live their lives like any other citizen in the country with their rights protected and promoted and those undermining their stay in the camp are taken into task, no one should feel more important and violate the rights of refugees,” he said.
“As a commission we look at a number of areas which require immediate interventions by government and various key players on issues about safety of the refugees, status and overcrowding. We will make sure that these issues are addressed by various stakeholders,” he added.
Kavala said the interface meeting will help the commission to develop a way forward, on what should be done and what strategies should be put in place to address various issues faced by the refugees in the camps.
In her words, Programmes Manager at European Union Delegation, Atiji Nuka highlighted the importance of coordination among stakeholders and the need to review refugee act of 1989 which is outdated.
“We have an outdated legislation, there is coordination among main stakeholders, lack of knowledge sharing and the need to discuss and review all issues happening with refugees and come up with solutions,” he said.
Nuka added that complaints handling mechanisms in the refugee camps is not working due to lots of trust issues between refugees and organisations working in the camps.
“This dialogue can come up with a set of either an independent organisation, commission or a forum that the refugees can feel comfortable with but also trust that their issues can be handled properly,” she said.
Law Commissioner Rosemary Kanyuka, who is one of the commissioners reviewing the Refugee Act of 1989 said it is important to review the Act to accommodate the current situations being faced by the refugees.
“We are reviewing the act because it is long overdue, we want to incorporate current issues such as overcrowding and relocation of the camp. This meeting will provide us information about these issues and will tell us what will be made so that when reviewing we should include them in the new act,” she said.
MHRC is implementing a two year “promotion and protection of rights of refugees and other migrants in Malawi” project with funds from the European Union to enhance alignment of national legal frameworks and policies and to improve equality, inclusion, respect and engagement of refugees in the country.
WVI graduates 97 Ntchisi youths in tailoring
By Maria Tembo
Ntchisi, May 17, Mana: At least 97 youths from Senior Chief Vuso Jere, Chikho and Kalumo have graduated from a tailoring course which World Vision Malawi (WVM) in collaboration with Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) conducted in Ntchisi district.
World Vision Project Officer in Ntchisi Lewis Chiwanga said these 97 youths have been equipped with all the required knowledge and skills about tailoring and hopes for high quality products to be produced from them.
Speaking on Thursday, during a graduation ceremony of youths at Chipokosa Youth Resource Centre in the area of Senior Chief Kalumo, He said with the tailoring skills the youths have acquired, they will be able to act as role models in their communities, create jobs to fellow youth and train others on the same.
“We expect these tailors to be productive members of the community and Ntchisi as a whole and that we are planning on training other youths in the district with different vocational skills in future,” Chiwanga explained.
In his remarks, Regional Service Centre Manager for Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) Josephy Sambaya said with the startup toolkits the youths have received from WVM, they will be able to start small scale businesses.
He said these youths have also been empowered with entrepreneurship training and hopes for some of these youths to get employment from different organisations in the district.
“These youths have not only been given startup toolkits from WVM but have also received certificates from TEVETA and this is very huge as they will be able to get employment from different organisations within the country as well as outside Malawi,” said Sambaya.
Arnold Kapolo who is Ntchisi District Council Chairperson applauded WVM and TEVETA for empowering youths with tailoring skills, saying they will be reliable citizens of the community and will help in developing the country.
One of the graduates, Memory Chimombo said the vocational training is coming at the right time, as most youths in the district are jobless and advised fellow graduates to take good care of the given startup toolkits.
The trainings and startup toolkits that have been given to youths in the district are worth MK52 million.
Mana nr 1Microfinance institutions urged to support women
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 17, Mana: In an effort to promote financial inclusion and equality, Microfinance institutions have been urged to develop policies that ensure that women have access to financial services.
Reserve Bank of Malawi Executive Director, Mercy Kumbatira, made the call on Thursday, and during an inaugural ‘Women in Microfinance Meeting’ organized by Malawi Microfinance Network, in Salima district.
Kumbatira said it is unfortunate to note that women are preferring informal financial institutions popularly known as "bank nkhonde" a development that is putting them at risk of financial insecurities, adding that most of these groupings are not registered.
"These women groupings where money is kept are not registered therefore if money is misappropriated it is difficult to lay claims to recover the loses," she said.
She said the higher percentage of women accessing and using informal financial services, specifically village banks, is an indication of a high and unmet demand for financial services and products by women.
On this point she said it is important for financial institutions to revisit their policies so that women should move from preferring informal financial services to preferring formal financial services and create demand for women to have access to financial services.
She therefore said Microfinance Institutions should continue challenging traditional gender norms by promoting financial inclusion adding that when women gain control over financial resources, they make financial decisions which positively impact their families and communities.
Kumbatira said the Reserve Bank is complimenting efforts made by Microfinance Institutions such as development of a Gender Inclusive Finance Roadmap to address the gaps hindering women from accessing formal financial services.
Concurring with Kumbatira, Malawi Microfinance Network Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Phulusa said bringing together women in Micro Financing will help in bringing solutions to challenges that women are facing when trying to access financial services.
Phulusa said the meeting provided networking and mentorship opportunities for building professional networks among women working in the financial services.
"This conference has provided an opportunity and a platform for all stakeholders to engage and chart a way for leadership, empowerment and embracing talent in the microfinance sector, as in doing so, plays a crucial role in shaping the industry and promoting financial inclusion," he said.
Malawi Microfinance Network acts as a resource Centre for Microfinance Institutions and other stakeholders to access a wide range of information on Microfinance within and outside Malawi.
Super Sunday in a do or die encounter
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, May 16, Mana: Battle for supremacy will take a centre stage on Super Sunday encounter when TNM Super League leaders, Silvers Strikers will battle it out for maximum points with third placed, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Area 47 Silver Stadium.
The Central Bankers have consolidated their lead with 16 points from six games and they have dropped two points after they were held to 1-1 draw against Premier Bet, Dedza Dynamos.
The Lali Lubani Boys are four points short of the leaders with 12 points from the same number of games played and are yet to register a defeat for the season.
Both teams are having good defence formation and stable goal keeping which have seen them conceding few goals.
Wanderers have only allowed two to kissed the back of their net while Silver have let in three.
The Sunday encounter will put to test the capabilities of their goalkeeping departments with Silver’s custodian, George Chikooka and Wanderers shot stopper, Richard Chipuwa.
The attacking formation for both teams should be clinical if there will a winner from the encounter.
The Bankers pose a threat through their leading scorers, Adiel Kaduya and Binwell Katinji as they will be provided with killer passes from the midfield operated by Chimwemwe Idana, captain, Mphatso Kamanga and Uchizi Vunga.
Wanderers defence led by captain, Lawrence Chaziya need to keep on checking the on slots from both flanks by guarding them firmly with Stanley Sanudi and Timothy Silwimba.
The Nomads have ammunitions they can use upfront, Christopher Kumwembe, Vincent Nyangulu and Clement Nyondo with the help of Isaac Kaliati, Gaddie Chirwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira at the heart of the pitch.
Silver defence commanded by Nixon Mwase, Maxwell Paipi, MacDonald Lameck and Tatenda M’mbwalaka
Both coaches, Silver’s, Peter Mponda and Wanderers’ Nsanzuarwimo Ramadhan have a duty to ensure that they title hopes are kept alive at the end of regulation time.
On Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, TNM defending champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will play host to second placed, Mzuzu City Hammers in a must win battle for both teams.
Hammers have 13 points from six games while Bullets are sixth with 10 points and the game promises to be a tricky one.
A military affair will be at Aubrey Dimba’s Stadium in Mchinji when Kamuzu Barracks will face Moyale Barracks.
Moyale should be on the lookout for leading scorer, Zeliat Nkhoma with five goals and need to keep him on bay.
Debutantes, Creck Sporting and FOMO will battle for points at Civo stadium and this game will be of interest to watch.
With Creck coming from a defeat and FOMO had a draw last weekend, both teams will be aiming at collecting maximum points.
Bangwe All Stars up against Mafco, Karonga United will sweat out with Civil Service united and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos will dine with Chitipa United.
Mighty Waka Waka Tigers Thursday moved to fifth place from eighth by playing seven after beating Baka City 4-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The weekend fixture are as follows and kick off is at 2;30 pm.
Saturday- May 18, 2024
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Mzuzu @ Kamuzu Stadium
Kamuzu Barracks vs Moyale Barracks @ Aubrey Dimba Stadium
Creck Sporting vs FOMO @ Civo Stadium
Sunday- May 19, 2024
Bangwe All Stars vs Mafco @ Mpira Stadium
Silver Strikers vs Wanderers @ Silver Stadium
Karonga vs Civil Service United @ Karonga Stadium
Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos vs Chitipa United @ Dedza Stadium
NYCOM launches consultation meetings on strategic plan development
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, May 16, Mana: National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) on Thursday launched consultation meetings on the development of its 2024-2025 strategic plan.
Speaking in Mzuzu during the launching ceremony of the plan, Executive Director for NYCOM, Rex Chapota, said the plan should be youth-centred so that it can guide implementation of youth driven strategies for them to contribute to the country’s development.
Chapota urged the youths to have self-esteem, stand for what they feel will work for them and voice out challenges and propose solutions to the same so that they are incorporated in the plan.
"The consultations are not a once for all activity which is done to show off. I need young people in every part of this country to be sending in their views for the betterment of this strategic plan which will reflect a true situation concerning youths on the ground.
“This is your council; therefore, it must be driven to the future that you envision it to go," said Chapota.
He added that youths should look forward to more opportunities through NYCOM.
“We will soon be calling for applications for agribusiness grants from youths, and we are currently in the process of consulting for more affordable terms of conditions so that more young people access these grants," said Chapota.
Chairperson for Mzuzu Youth Network, Salome Kadazi, commended the council for consulting the youth on the development of the plan and said that the process will contribute towards the success of the plan.
"For a very long time, youths have been rarely consulted on issues affecting them, let alone on national development programs, a development that made it hard for youths to fully participate and benefit from such interventions,” said Kadazi.
She said the consultation should not be the end in itself but incorporate views as submitted by different stakeholders in the youth development sector.
“Youths need to be empowered financially if they are to contribute positively to the development of this country," said Kadazi.
Director of Planning and Development for Mzuzu City Council, Philemon Maseko, said it is high time youths were empowered and given a chance to be part of planning and decision making processes, as young people are part of the country's driving force.
The council's previous strategic plan expired in 2020.
2 murder suspects surrender to police
By Mwai Kumanda
Lilongwe, May 16, Mana: Two murder suspects who were wanted by Lingadzi Police in Lilongwe have voluntarily surrendered to police, fearing for their own lives.
Lingadzi Police Station publicist Sergeant Cassim Manda confirmed the development in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday.
Manda has since identified the two as John Gidala, 34, and Mavuto Jonas, 42.
“The two are suspected to have murdered a 27-year-old Madalitso Magwaya whose body was found in Lilongwe River near Kauma Township with both hands and legs tied.
“It is also believed that Gidala offered his bicycle to transport the victim to an unknown destination where they hacked Magwaya before throwing him into the river,” he said.
According to Manda, the two had been on the run for several days and became extremely fearful of their safety after hearing growing tension from the deceased’s family, hence surrendering themselves in the hands of the police.
The two will be taken to court soon to answer murder case, contrary to section 209 of the penal code which attracts the maximum sentence of death penalty.
Gidala hails from Lipalama Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Lilongwe District and Jonas hails from Nkhuthe Village in Traditional Authority Chitukula’s area in the same district.
Watchman arrested for theft
By Martha Simchimba
Lilongwe, May 16, Mana: A 44-year-old security guard, Patrick Zgambo, is in police custody at Lilongwe Police Station for breaking into a church building where he stole electronic music equipment worth K3.5 million at Time of God Church situated opposite Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Lilongwe.
Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Hastings Chigalu confirmed the development in an interview with Malawi News Agency and said the suspect committed the offense at his workplace on Wednesday and was arrested the same day.
Explained Chigalu: “The incident took place around 01:50 hours when the station's detectives who were on routine motor vehicle patrols along Kamuzu Procession Road, intercepted the suspect while carrying several travel bags on a bicycle.
“When the police searched the bags, they discovered that it was music equipment and upon being questioned, the suspect revealed that he stole the equipment at Time of God Church, where he was working on night shift as a security guard."
Meanwhile the police have since recovered all the stolen items that include 16 channel mixer, six microphones with their stands, and amplifier, among others.
Zgambo hails from Mzikubola Village in Traditional Authority Mabulabo in Mzimba district.
The suspect, who gained entry into the church by breaking a big window glass, will appear in court soon to answer unlawful breaking and theft charges.
