MANAonline
NICE, CHRR for peaceful public participation in Sept. 16 election
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe 8 May, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has called for peaceful co-existence among Malawians, and the organization has urged all to refrain from political violence as the country is preparing for the general election slated for September 16, 2025.
NICE Programs Officer Daniel Malango’s made the call in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, saying as a democratic society, Malawi must raise the bar in order for the country to deliver credible election results.
Malango said people must understand that peaceful co-existence is one of the principles of democracy, which needs to be respected if peace and unity are to be achieved.
“For 2025 general elections to be credible, Malawians should participate peacefully; let us all exercise our democratic right responsibly. A credible election also depends on all of us playing our part with integrity,” he said, adding that people should desist from spreading misinformation.
Similarly, Director for Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Michael Kaiyatsa, hailed the existing partnership between his organization and different stakeholders, including NICE, Malawi Police Service, the District Elections Supervisory Teams, and civil society platforms, with an agenda to curb political violence.
“We recognize voter apathy as a serious challenge. That’s why our civic education includes targeted dialogues with youth, women, and marginalized communities, especially those who feel disillusioned,” explained Kaiyatsa.
He said CHRR and its partners are using relatable messages and local languages, emphasizing the power of each vote to bring about change, and that the stakeholders are also sharing success stories and practical ways in which citizens can influence governance through active participation.
“This election is not just about choosing leaders; it's about shaping Malawi’s future. We encourage voters to focus on issue-based politics, scrutinize candidates’ manifestos, and reject any form of bribery,” said Kaiyatsa in an interview.
He added: “I would also like to remind everyone that peaceful participation strengthens democracy: let us make this election a model for unity and national development.”
National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) and Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) are among organizations accredited by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to conduct voter education across the country in view of the 2025 general election.
Police arrest man for sexual intercourse with minor in Mzuzu
By Augustus Nkhwazi
Mzuzu, May 8, Mana: Police in Mzuzu have taken into custody 21 year old Promise Mwale for having sexual intercourse with a 15 year old girl within Chiputula Township in the city.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Cecilia Mfune told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday that Mwale was arrested on May 8, 2025 after the law enforcers received a complaint from the girl’s mother.
Mfune said the girl got pregnant from her affair with the suspect which began in 2024.
“On May 6, 2025 at around 22:00 hours, the girl’s mother noticed that her daughter was not home and informed community policing members to help search for her,” Mfune said.
She said the search led to discovery of the girl while sleeping in the suspect’s house.
According to Mfune, the matter was reported at Zolozolo Police Unit and the girl was issued a referral letter to Mzuzu Central Hospital where medical findings revealed penetration had occurred and that she tested positive for pregnancy.
Said Mfune: “Mwale is expected to appear before court soon to answer a charge of having sexual intercourse with a female child which contravenes section 138 (1) of the Penal Code.”
Mwale hails from Maferanji Village, Traditional Authority Mwansambo in Nkhotakota.
Improved Cotton Hybrid Seeds Impress Farmers in Salima
By Yankho Kandio
Salima, May 8, MANA: Farmers in Salima have expressed satisfaction with the performance of improved cotton hybrid seeds introduced by Seedworks, a plant science company that has recently expanded its operations in Malawi.
The feedback was shared during a cotton field day held on Thursday at Matenje Extension Planning Area (EPA) in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza, where Seedworks showcased the performance of five newly introduced cotton hybrids.
Speaking at the event, Seedworks Africa Business Head, Jagadeshwar Nareddy, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to revitalizing Malawi’s cotton sector by offering farmers improved, high-yielding, and pest-resistant seed varieties.
These varieties were recently approved for commercial cultivation after three years of trials conducted in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS).
“This demonstration plot is like my baby I know it’s good, but it matters more when others, especially the farmers, appreciate it," said Nareddy. "These seeds are not only genetically superior, but they also carry BG2 technology, which offers strong resistance to bollworms and sucking pests.”
Nareddys said the sharp decline in Malawi’s cotton cultivation from 200,000 hectares to as low as 20,000 hectares has been largely due to the absence of improved genetics and persistent pest challenges.
He urged Government and stakeholders to support initiatives that promote the adoption of modern seed technologies to help revive the industry.
Local farmer Saiford Tayimu, who received hybrid seeds from Seedworks, said he was impressed with the results.
“I have never seen cotton grow this well with such little pest pressure. The yield looks promising, and the planarets strong and green. I will definitely encourage other farmers to try these seeds,” he said.
Development and Research Manager for the Cotton Council, Justin Chimimba, noted that farmer's feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Our role is to support technologies that enhance cotton production, and from what we’ve heard today, the hybrid seeds are clearly performing well in the field,” Chimimba said.
He added that providing farmers with multiple seed options is key to increasing productivity, as different hybrids may perform better in different regions.
Despite challenges such as erratic rainfall and dry spells caused by climate change, Seedworks reported that its hybrids have demonstrated strong adaptability across diverse agro-ecological zones.
These same varieties are already performing successfully in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. These hybrids were recently approved for commercial cultivation after three years of trials conducted in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS).
MEC engages Traditional and religious leaders on voter verification exercise
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 8, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) District Elections Officer for Nkhata Bay, Peter Mukhula, has urged traditional and religious leaders in the district to mobilize their subjects to verify their voter details during voter verification exercise.
Speaking, Tuesday during voter verification and inspection sensitization meeting with traditional and religious leaders in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Mndola, Mukhula said the exercise is scheduled for May 21-23, 2025.
According to Mukhula, the meeting was aimed at equipping the leaders with the knowledge on the importance of voters to verify their details ahead of the September 16, 2025 General Elections.
"We are meeting with traditional and religious leaders across the district to disseminate information about the upcoming voter verification exercise.
This is one of the ongoing exercises in preparation for the general elections and we urged the leaders to take the message to people so that they turn out in large numbers for the exercise," said Mukhula.
He added that the exercise was important as it will rectify issues such as spelling errors, mismatching names and facial elements which cannot be corrected on the polling day.
“Those who lost their voter registration certificates or identity cards can still participate in the exercise by providing their names and dates of birth,” he said.
Mukhula informed the leaders that voter verification can also be done through phones by dialing *2509# and entering the voter registration number starting with "G" or National Identity number and that the service is free.
In his remarks, Sub Traditional Authority Mndola said the leaders are geared to mobilize their communities.
"As local leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that our people are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
We will work closely with the MEC in mobilizing people so that the exercise becomes a success.
Mndola expressed optimism that the electronic verification process will help reduce congestion in centres and save time for people.
Consolidated preliminary figures of registered voters indicate that Nkhata Bay has 107, 314 registered voters with 186 polling centres.
Social Cash Transfer Programme proves effective beyond lean season
By Doricah Mkwapatira
Machinga, May 8, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP)’s lean season top up support participants in Machinga have hailed government and its development partners for providing support that helped them build resilience during the recent past dry spell.
The participants expressed their gratitude on Wednesday when Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare officials visited the district’s traditional authorities Sitola and Nsanama to appreciate how the social support programmes have contributed to better livelihood.
A 57-year-old Leonard Mwakhula, a father of seven children, from Mtila Village, Group Village head Napwanga, Traditional Authority Sitola, testified how the SCTP, popularly known as Mtukula Pakhomo, improved his household’s income and how the lean response food package addressed food challenges during the dry spell.
“We were very poor; Mtukula Pakhomo has been a game changer to me. I invested some of the cash in my mat weaving business, which brings more returns to my family,
“From the business profit, I am able to send my four children to school, besides buying livestock that will sustain me even if Mtukula Pakhomo phases out,” explains Mwankhula, adding that he, also, received food in the lean season that bailed him out of difficult moments of acute food shortage.
The father of seven commended government and development partners for responding to the lean season food insecurity.
Another participant of the lean season response package, Patuma Sailesi, 87, from Group Village head Kwilasya, Traditional Authority Sitola, said the intervention saved her from starvation.
“I was included in the maize distribution programme and it saved my household as I did not harvest anything at all due to lack of fertilizer, besides poor rain pattern.
“With a full stomach, I now strongly carry out economic activities like selling fruits for more income to buy basic needs,” she explained, thanking government for “its timely intervention”.
Another elderly participant, Esnart Walasi, 80, from Gawo Village, Traditional Authority Nsanama said she used to sleep on empty stomach and that her nutrition status was critically compromised.
“I could spend two to three days with no food, and this put me at the verge of malnutrition. After receiving maize for three months, I have been eating consistently and I am strong enough to interact with my grandchildren as my health has been restored,” she said
Machinga District Council’s Principal Social Welfare Officer, Daniel Zidana, has since expressed happiness with the testimonies from the SCTP participants.
“I commend the beneficiaries for their dedication to this programme. This demonstrates that they are keen to work with the vision of the ministry in achieving livelihood transformation.
“To achieve total excellence, I urge relevant officials to work on meeting the timeline of events to improve inconveniences that come with delays in carrying out SCTP activities,” he said.
Machinga District has 18,173 SCTP participants, including 61,827 under expansion programme, totaling 80,000 people benefiting from the whole social protection programme.
MCP aspiring legislator constructs bridge at Nguludi in Chiradzulu
By Yanjanani Mendulo
Chiradzulu, May 8, Mana: People from Gomani and Ngusiche villages, Senior Chief Likoswe in Chiradzulu, will soon have better mobility after Chiradzulu Nguludi aspiring legislator for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Winston Bergi started the construction of Mapanje Bridge estimated to cost K1.8 million.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) during a visit to the site on Wednesday, Bergi said good roads and bridges are important for development.
“This bridge is more than just cement and poles. It will connect people, help them go to markets, schools, hospitals, and make their lives better,” he said.
The shadow member of parliament said many people, especially farmers, struggle to take agricultural produce to markets as they could not cross Mapanje River during rainy season.
Group Village Head Gomani thanked Bergi for listening to the people’s concerns over mobility, saying; “For a long time, we have suffered. This bridge will end our struggles and make grow as a community,”.
He also asked villagers to take care of the bridge once it is finished and warned people in the area against stealing project materials, saying the law will take its course.
Mirriam Keyala from Ngusiche Village, said the bridge will facilitate transportation of goods and services.
“Vehicles will transport our farm produce without problem, Learners will no longer miss classes during the rainy season because the bridge will help them cross safely to schools” she said.
Works on the bridge have already started with completion expected soon.
Distribution of bicycles motivates female teachers in Rumphi
By Ella Mlenga
Rumphi, May 8, Mana: Director of Education and Sports for Rumphi District, Fides Msowoya, has commended government for its efforts of improving female teachers lives by providing them with easy transportation through the Malawi Education Reforms Programme (MERP).
Msowoya made the commendation on Wednesday during a media tour, adding that the bicycles have significantly enhanced the district's education standards by providing better and easy transportation to female teachers.
"I am very grateful that government has also considered giving female teachers bicycle for easy transportation. This development will tremendously improve education standards in Rumphi district," she said.
However, she appealed to government to prioritize addressing accommodation and transportation challenges that female teachers are facing, so that they do not run away from teaching in rural areas.
Nellie Chawinga, Head teacher at Kakuyu, one of the primary schools in the district, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely.
"As a way of safeguarding this development, we already have existing by-laws and regulations in place to protect the bicycles and ensure it continues to serve future generations," Chawinga said.
She also advised fellow headteachers against personalising the bicycles, emphasizing that they are intended to serve all teachers in the district and promote equitable access to transportation.
CEDEP terminates HIV and AIDS project amid aid freeze
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, May 08, Mana: Center for Development of People (CEDEP) has terminated a project that was aimed at reducing HIV prevalence and increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among key populations in Mzimba North, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mangochi.
Technical Director for CEDEP, Angela Simwanza, disclosed this on Wednesday during an exit meeting for the project with Mzuzu City Executive Committee.
She said they cannot continue with the project due to an aid freeze following USAID cuts effected by the United States of America.
Simwanza said the project, called Peer Solutions for Epidemic Control, was targeting, among others, female sex workers, men who have sex with men and trans genders to prevent new HIV infections among them, and ensure that those infected are accessing ART, as well as sexual reproductive health services.
“The project started in 2015 after noticing high HIV prevalence rate among key populations. For example, HIV prevalence rate was 49.9 percent among female sex workers, 12.7 percent among men who have sex with men and 13.8 percent among trans genders,” she said.
“These figures were so alarming compared to HIV rate among the general population which was at 7.7 percent. The aim of the project was to uncover the key populations, who mostly are in hiding, to ensure that they start accessing ART and that they are not spreading infections,” she added.
The Technical Director further said through the project, the organization was conducting outreach clinics for key populations where a core package for HIV and AIDS services were being offered, including viral load monitoring, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and psycho-social counselling.
Director of Planning and Development for Mzuzu City Council, Philemon Maseko, commended the project for expanding access to HIV and AIDS services among the key populations.
Maseko said the country needs HIV and AIDS interventions that target everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.
World Bank for renewable energy for Vehicles
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 7, Mana: The World Bank has called on Malawi to invest more in renewable energy to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, adding that the adoption of e-mobility has the potential to reduce fuel import costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
World Bank Country Manager in Malawi, Firas Raad, said this in Lilongwe on Wednesday during a workshop held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) on pioneering electric mobility in Malawi.
Raad said saving money on fuel imports and reduction of greenhouse emissions could improve the country’s economy, and mitigate climate change.
“I urge authorities to invest more in infrastructure to facilitate the growth of the e-mobility industry in the country" he said, and pledged to continue supporting Malawi government on its efforts to adopt electric vehicles.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Madalo Nyambose, said the ministry is currently developing a regulatory framework aimed at covering electric vehicles in the country.
"This framework will help guide the adoption and use of electric vehicles in the country,” she said.
The World Bank's call to action highlights the potential benefits of investing in renewable energy and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in Malawi.
Chakwera calls for national support towards MRCS Flag Week
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, May 8, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, who is also the patron for the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), has called upon the Malawi nation to support the Society in order to fulfil their target of raising K200 million for humanitarian activities.
He made the remarks during the launch of the MRCS 2025 Flag Week at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday.
“It is very important to remember that natural disasters can affect anyone without considering their status hence we must unite to help and support MRCS as it plays a crucial role in responding to natural,” he said.
Chakwera has since donated K2 million to MRCS towards the cause.
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, explained that MRCS plays a crucial role in helping the ministry and the nation during various national disasters including cyclones, floods and others
“It is everyone’s duty to support and help the Society in resource mobilisation for various emergency operations in the country.
“MRCS plays a very important role helping people when emergencies occur. For instance, last year we worked together during the various cyclones and we are still working together right now to fight against Mpox. As such, we call upon everyone to support the cause by donating the little they have to the Society,” she explained.
MRCS President, Innocent Majiya, expressed gratitude to the President’s commitment to support the Society through the K2 million donated.
He said the money collected during the week will be used in various emergency operations in the country.
“We celebrate the unwavering commitment of millions of volunteers and staff worldwide. We remain deeply rooted in their communities including people affected by armed conflict violence and humanitarian crisis. We call upon people to support us in order to reach the set target,” he said.
MRCS has over 85,000 volunteers across the country.
The funds raised during the Flag Week will be used to support vulnerable communities that are experiencing effects of natural disasters and hunger across the country.
This year’s Flag Week is being held under the theme “On the Side of Humanity.”
