MANAonline
TA Mtumbwinda applauds government for its speedy food response
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, September 6, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Mtumbwinda of Machinga District has applauded government for moving with speed to provide food support to hunger-affected families in his area some of whom were seen surviving on itching beans (chitedze).
The traditional leader expressed appreciation in an interview with Malawi News Agency Thursday when Machinga District Council with support from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) distributed maize to 100 households that depended on wild beans and other plants for survival.
He said his subjects have been relying on wild plants for survival, adding that it was impressive that government responded quickly after the council reported the food situation.
“I am happy that government has provided my subjects with this food support. It has been a quick response after reporting the case just few days ago. People that received the maize really appreciate government’s quick response.
“As a traditional leader, I appreciate the government and the council’s prompt response. My people have something to rely upon,” said TA Mtumbwinda.
He therefore asked the recipients to consume the food per government intention rather than selling the relief it.
Hunger situation in Machinga was known through a video clip that circulated on social media showing Margaret Pepe picking itching beans (chitedze) to make food.
Pepe was one of the recipients after DODMA came to Mtumbwinda for maize distribution to the hunger-affected households and thanked government for coming to the community rescue, saying there was relief after the food support.
“We appreciate the timely support by the government. We did not know that one day, we will receive relief food from the government,” she said.
Machinga District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere said government came in after realizing that some people were food insecure in the area.
Jere added that the food provision came barely a few weeks after government also provided once-off maize flour to about 4,000 households in the district.
“Government is trying to provide food support to people in Machinga so that they should have something to eat while they are waiting for the start of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) response,” he added.
Malawi government through DODMA distributed the once-off maize flour recently in the country including Machinga District such that about 4000 households in the district benefited from the support.
Thyolo DC concerned with delays in completing Namalowa Irrigation Scheme
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, September 6, Mana: Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, has expressed concerns over delays in constructing Namalowa Irrigation Scheme's multipurpose dam, a K1.4 billion project funded by the World Bank.
The dam, which has been constructed at Chalingana Village along the Mkama River, is intended to support irrigation, water supply, and fishing activities for the local community.
During his visit to the site on Thursday, Kuphanga faulted slow pace in the construction, warning that further delays could jeopardise the entire project as the rainy season approaches.
"The work is going at a snail's pace, and as council, we are worried. If they don't work with speed, the site will be flooded with water, resulting in starting all over again,” added Kuphanga.
He urged the contractor to put in strategies that should help to speed up the construction without compromising on quality.
“We need to ensure that the project is completed on time so that the community should start benefiting from it,” he added.
Kuphanga also highlighted the council's ongoing engagement with development partners for support in implementing various projects listed in the District Development Plan (DDP) and Social Economic Profile (SEP).
“We have projects of this nature in the DDP and we would like to see similar initiatives across the district. Many people do not have farm land as the land was taken by estates, so promoting irrigation in their communities is crucial,” he added.
Responding to the concerns, SICO Civils Engineer, Precious Chamasowa acknowledged the delays and attributed them to changes in the construction site, which he said necessitated a redesign of the dam.
However, the contractor assured Thyolo District Council that measures have been put in place to accelerate the work to ensure successful completion.
“We had issues because the current construction site is not the initial one, so we had to rework the design. But that has been resolved and we are committed to completing the project by October 30," said Chamasowa.
Secretary for Malowa Irrigation Scheme, Vincent Mulume expressed optimism about the project's impact.
”At first, we built our dam using the little resources but the water wasn't enough for all of us. Once completed, we will be able to plant three times a year, which will alleviate hunger in our homes and improve our income levels."
Once completed, the multipurpose dam is expected to benefit over 90 smallholder farmers in the Malowa Irrigation Scheme area.
One God Decade in Africa to hold gospel crusade
By Alex Kachingwe and Isaac Jim
Blantyre, September 6, Mana: One God Decade Africa in coordination with Blantyre City churches on Thursday held a Jesus march from Blantyre City Old Town Hall to Nyambadwe School ground to inform people in the city about their gospel crusade scheduled for September 5 to 8, 2024.
One God Decade Africa, an international ministry under the leadership of Seigfried Tomazsewski from the United States of America will also be a guest preacher at the crusade.
He has joined hands with Blantyre City churches to host what is described as a mega gospel crusade at Nyambadwe School ground running from September 5 in the afternoon to Sunday September 8.
During the Jesus march, Country representative of One God Decade Africa, Prophet, Maxwell Juwao, told Malawi News Agency that the right time has come to proclaim the word of God to the people in Blantyre city.
He described the four-day Gospel crusade as an important celebration to Christians from different denominations, saying this will be the right time to share their Christian life experience.
Pastor Linda Mumbulu of Kingdom Christian Church from Bangwe believed that the four-day gospel crusade will also provide opportunity for many people to get transformed from sin.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity. This crusade will help people to transform as they seek to walk in the light of the Lord,” she said.
Mumbulu added that lessons and prayers at the crusade will play a significant role in reducing the number of children in conflict with the law in the city and dealing with corrupt practices that are common in society.
“I feel like Malawi as a country we are also going to benefit because when the country is led by the divine power of God it conquers bad practices,” she added.
At the end of the crusade, there will be a raffle draw where the lucky winners will be awarded with various prizes like; King Lion's motorbike, push mountain bicycles, smartphones, and a TV plasma screen among others.
President Chakwera satisfied with FOCAC 2024 outcomes
By Chikondi Chimala, in Beijing, China
Beijing, September 6: Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has described the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as a highly successful Summit.
Chakwera said the 2024 Summit exceeded his wildest dreams as it produced tangible results that would help transform Malawi in areas that need support including infrastructure development, trade and agriculture among others.
“It was pleasing and exciting to note that China has opened up its huge market with 1.4 billion people as Malawi we will take advantage of this with our Agriculture, Tourism and Marketing (ATM) key priority areas to get a slice of the cake to achieve our much-needed development goals.”
We will take up the initiative focusing on agriculture mechanization, modernisation, industrialisation, and value addition to create a base for driving up our export potential,” said Chakwera.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), President Chakwera said he was going back to Malawi a happy person and would not rest on his laurels but make sure that Malawi claims a fair share of the cake as promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Delivering his keynote address during the opening session of the Summit, Xi Jinping, promised that China would open up its huge market to African exports and also provide support to Africa in 10 technical areas to help improve trade and cooperation between China and Africa as well as offering over $51 billion to support implementation of the specified areas.
Said Xi Jinping: “To implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion yuan of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB210 billion yuan of credit line, RMB80 billion yuan of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB70 billion yuan of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.”
The president also met the management of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) at their headquarters in Beijing who he requested to consider investing in Malawi’s energy sector.
“Malawi has enormous potential to generate more energy from solar, wind and geothermal sources,” said President Chakwera, who is in China to attend the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.
“Your expertise could provide us with the alternative sustainable power sources that we need. We believe that partnering with GEIDCO is crucial for Malawi to further develop the energy sector by utilizing clean energy sources,” he added.
President Chakwera emphasized that energy is critical for Malawi to realize its Vision 2063, which is being driven through the ATM strategy (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining). He stated that a minimum electricity demand of 2,200 megawatts for mining, manufacturing, and domestic consumption is necessary.
GEIDCO Chairman and President of the China Electricity Council Xin Baoan said his organisation is ready to collaborate with the Malawi government to create a better future.
Baoan said his organization is already exploring opportunities to develop Malawi's energy interconnections to foster integrated growth across the “power-mining-metallurgy-manufacturing-marketing” sectors.
Meanwhile, President Chakwera and the First Lady, Madam Monica Chakwera, have left China through Beijing Capital International Airport and are expected to arrive in Malawi on Saturday.
Government urged to enhance Buy Malawian Strategy Campaign
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, September 5, Mana: An entrepreneur, Anna Keys has asked government to enhance its efforts of promoting ‘Buy Malawian Strategy Campaign’ saying it has the potential to accelerate the achievement of Malawi 2063.
Keys who is Founder of Maloto, a parent organization to Mzuzu International Academy, Kwithu Kitchen and Kwithu Community Based Organization was speaking Thursday when she opened a two-day Business Concert for youths at Mzuzu Stadium.
Keys said encouraging youth to embark on entrepreneurship without readily available markets is retrogressive and young people can be motivated to hatch entrepreneurial ideas if Malawians support the strategy.
“Most small businesses including those owned by youths have no market linkages.
“For instance, the number of fashion designers is increasing among young people, but the second-hand clothes market makes it hard for their businesses to survive. We have to slow down on importation products,” said Keys.
Director of Enterprise Development at Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute Lydia Kadzongwe said efforts are being undertaken to enhance the promotion of youth enterprises by ensuring that their products are of high quality and desired standards.
“Young people are producing goods and high standard products that can beat most of the imported items, hence we must always allow them by providing a conducive business environment,” said Kadzongwe.
Founder of Njera Processors which produces soya bean porridge flour, Maggie Njera urged government tailor-made interventions so that youth enterprises’ products are easily certified.
“Most young people are growing into producers, however very few of them meet registration and certification standards because of exorbitant costs associated with the processes,” said Njera.
Chief Executive Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Gomezgani Nyasulu said the concert is one of the council’s way of getting closer to the youths and understanding their needs for the council to deliver young people’s expectations.
Vice President assures Chirimba residents of government support
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, September 5, Mana: Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi has assured Chirimba residents of government support, saying it is committed to make them independent and self-reliant.
Usi made the remarks on Friday when he visited Maela, Namatete and Chirimba Zambezi Ground under M’dala and Suya villages in the area.
Addressing people at Maela in M’dala Village, Usi disclosed that his initial plan was to visit older people from the area to assess how they are living.
“I visited some households to know how they are living but because of time I was told to meet them at one place,” he said.
He assured the community of maize availability, saying that ADMARC depots in the area will resume operating soon.
“Our ADMARC depots will be reopened and I will make sure that maize should be available,” he said.
In response to the issue of hunger that was raised during the meeting, Usi promised to provide foodstuff.
“Tomorrow I will send maize flour and fish to share with the people that are affected by hunger, we should be sharing the little that we have,” he added.
He said people will soon start receiving loans from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) adding he has invited officials from NEEF to examine the progress and that he will give updates after the meeting.
“Other areas have started receiving loans, I will meet with NEEF officials tomorrow and I will give you updates. As ward councilor, it is your responsibility to update people about the progress of some projects,” Usi added.
Councilor for Michiru Ward, Uche Yesaya urged the government to fast track the reopening of Maela ADMARC depot, saying it was helping people in the area, now they cannot afford to buy maize from vendors.
He said many people in the area are left out on the list of beneficiaries of NEEF loans because they are given a small number against a large population.
“Only a few people received the loans, talk to them to raise the number because those loans will help uplift people's lives,” he said.
Yesaya, therefore, thanked the Vice President for negotiating with Centenary Bank, which is willing to provide loans without collateral.
Speaking earlier, Village Head Mdala expressed gratitude, saying his subjects have been neglected for so long.
“I must thank you for visiting us, you were the first to visit when we were affected by Cyclone Freddy,” he said.
Group Village Head, Suya concurred with Mdala, saying some of his subjects are heavily affected by hunger.
“Although we are near to Chirimba Market where many people conduct businesses, people here are starving because they don't have capital,” he said.
After the meeting at Maela, Usi distributed wrappers (zitenje) to older women who were present.
The Vice President thereafter visited Suya Village in Namatete, Chirimba Township, where he promised development projects like construction of a hospital and some bridges.
Ntcheu owes NEEF over MK655 million in arrears
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, September 5, Mana: Clients of the National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited (NEEF) in Ntcheu owes the institution MK655 million in arrears.
NEEF Head of Operations Kisa Kalolokesya disclosed the development during a local leaders' consultative meeting on Thursday in the district.
He said the institution disbursed MK2.5 billion to 4,109 clients in the district but the collection rate is a challenge.
"The collection rate for the district is at 68 percent which is below the average. Over MK655 million is yet to be collected from the beneficiaries," he said.
Area of Senior Chiefs Njolomole and Ganya are the biggest debtors in the district.
On his part, Senior Chief Njolomole said he was disappointed with the development and has assured stakeholders that he will embark on an awareness campaign in his area on the importance of paying back the loans.
"This is a revolving fund and needs to be honoured," said Njolomole.
Chairperson for Ntcheu District Council, Councilor Flaness Kampeni commended the meeting which will make all the stakeholders move together in addressing the challenges.
She highlighted that NEEF loans are not gifts as such people should pay back.
UN Women and UNFP court journalists on sexual exploitation and abuse reporting
By Peter Magawa
Mzuzu, September 5, Mana: UNFP Gender and Gender Based Violence Specialist, Beatrice Kumwenda on Thursday said that media has the responsibility to advocate for policy changes in where there are gaps in protection of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) during and after disasters.
Kumwenda was speaking in Mzuzu during a training which was co-organized by UN women and United Nations Population Fund for northern region journalists under Nyika Media Club on best practices in reporting SEA during disasters.
She said that there has a been a gap on how journalists conduct themselves and report during disasters hence the need for the scribers to be oriented on basic SEA reporting.
"Malawi has been hit by various disasters during which women and girls were more vulnerable to abuse than others due to increased inequalities which are aggravated by such situations.
“It is during this time that the media has a crucial role not only to report on general challenges being experienced by survivors but to also identify the inequalities and highlight to the public the gaps that need to be addressed to reduce such vices,” said Kumwenda.
Deputy General Secretary for Association for Women in Media (AWOME), Towera Katswiri highlighted the importance of responsible journalism especially when reporting on issues of SEA.
“We have to be writing stories that can change lives and help curb issues such as rape and defilement and sexual exploitation among others.
We must go beyond reporting just to inform but to make reports that will inspire others to take action against norms and practices that fuel victimization of women and girls,” Katswiri said.
Katswiri then commended UNFP and UN Women for the training saying that the media has a huge role during and after disasters but lack expertise on how to better report on the same.
The training session is part of UN Women's broader efforts to combat SEA and promoting a culture of accountability and respect for human rights.
MRA Liwonde collects MK2bn monthly tax revenues
By Arnold Namanja
Machinga, September 5, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Liwonde Customs and Excise Station has registered a record increase in monthly revenue collection from MK500 million to MK2 billion, authorities have confirmed.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency on the sidelines of Southern region editors’ tour of Liwonde station, MRA Marketing and Communications Manager, Wilma Chalulu attributed the increase to revival of the railway line from Nacala to Nayuchi.
Chalulu said the station, which also houses the Authority's Flexible Anti-Smuggling Team (FAST) for the Eastern region, has successfully collected the revenue as a result of the revival of the railway line which has led to importation of various commodities such as fertilizer, coal, clinker, among others.
“This record increase in revenue collection can be connected to the revival of railway transport which has seen increased volumes of goods being cleared at Liwonde Rail Station resulting in more revenue," she said.
According to Chalulu, MRA has been clearing commodities such as fertilizer in quantity of 10, 000 metric tonnes (MT), 12, 000 MT of wheat, 20, 000 MT of clinker, 1.5 MT of coal to 3 million litres of fuel monthly.
“We have had around 300 containers cleared through our inland stations.,” the marketing communications manager said.
However, Chalulu decried increasing cases of smuggling, saying the malpractice leads to crippling of government’s obligation to provide social services to the citizenry.
She said the authority is in the process of enhancing surveillance to curb smuggling by constructing road blocks in hotspots, engaging drones, enhancing taxpayer education to boost voluntary tax compliance as well as introduction of tax stamps.
“We have deployed several strategies to deal with the problem of smuggling which deprives government of the much needed revenue. We very much rely on the communities through their leadership in fighting smuggling,” Chalulu added.
She observed that sometimes smugglers become hostile to law enforcers and warned them that the law will always take its due course in such situations.
“We've had several cases where some culprits have wanted to intimidate our offices, but we don't bow down to such threats because we are protected by law. Our law enforcement partners have also been very crucial in this regard,” Chalulu said.
In a separate interview, Head of News at Capital FM Malawi, Wezzie Nyirongo Chamanza expressed satisfaction with MRA’s efforts in revenue collection, noting that revenue collected from goods transported on railway give hope that Malawi’s economy can grow significantly.
“These success stories are worth reporting about because the country depends on taxes for government operations such as procurement of drugs in hospitals,” Chamanza said.
MRA has taken editors from the Southern region on a tour to some of its establishments to appreciate its operations.
On Wednesday, the editors were taken on a tour of Marka-Nyathando Border Post in Nsanje and MRA Zomba Domestic Taxes Office.
EAM engages journalists on matters of electoral governance
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, September 5, Mana: Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has asked Mchinji-based journalists to help them in sensitizing the public on electoral governance and anti-corruption.
Speaking during the media interaction that took place in the district where the association was introducing its project on Electoral Governance and Advocacy, the Programme Coordinator for EAM, Frazer Chikhase said media plays an important role in disseminating information, especially on the issues that affect the nation.
"The media play a bigger role. As we are getting closer to campaigns and elections, we need the media to disseminate as much information as possible so that people are well equipped with electoral knowledge and their rights," said Chikhase.
He said Malawi has new roles enacted in the electoral governance, hence people need to be educated and media is a perfect weapon to help spread the message.
Chikhase said the project will not only focus on electoral governance but will also include acquiring information from people on public service delivery and how they can overcome corruption.
Speaking on behalf of Mchinji journalists, Francis Zulu appreciated EAM for including media practitioners in the project and said Mchinji media team will work with the association accordingly.
"The media understands its role when it comes to communicating with the people, so EAM will be able to achieve the purpose of the project easily," said Zulu.
EAM is working on a project called "Churches United for Peace, Justice and Electoral Governance in Malawi" in three districts namely Mchinji, Karonga and Lilongwe.
The project has funding of 315, 000 Euros and will run for three years from November 2024 to October 2026.
