MANAonline
Project rescues 16 children trafficked to Tanzania
By Ephraim Ngwira
Karonga, December 10, Mana: The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has reported that its Stop Gender-Based Violence Project, currently being implemented in Karonga, has successfully rescued 16 children who were trafficked to Tanzania.
Gender Officer for CCJP, Stella Zimba, made the remarks on Monday during a joint monitoring visit at Traditional Authorities Mwakaboko and Kilupula.
Zimba stated that through the efforts of zone implementation committees, in collaboration with mother groups, chiefs, male champions, religious leaders, and child protection workers, they are achieving significant progress in combating gender-based violence.
"The zone committees have managed to bring children back to school who were rescued from early marriage and child trafficking in Tanzania.
“16 children who were trafficked to Tanzania were rescued and eight girls ranging from 13 to 16 years have been rescued from marriages and some are back to school," said Zimba.
“We managed to bring mobile courts in these remote areas. We are happy justice is being served. There was a case where a husband left a woman with two kids for another woman but now through the intervention of the courts, the husband is paying child maintenance fee of K80,000 per month," she added.
Zimba further explained that through the project, they have also trained women who are survivors of GBV with vocation skills like tailoring so that they can be self-reliantt.
District Liaison Officer at Governance for Solutions, Christobel Munthali, commended CCJP for the successful implementation of the project but she expressed worry as the project is ending December 2024.
“For girls who have been returned from marriage and are not going to school, we need to find them something to do. If they are doing nothing they might go back to marriage,” Munthali said.
Gender based violence survivor Bertha Chikome from principal GVH Mwandambo thanked the CCJP for changing her life and asked them to reach out to others who are undergoing challenges.
“My husband left me with kids without help. The CCJP taught me vocational skills in tailoring and they gave me a sewing machine and now am able to feed my family and am living a happy life,” Chikome said.
The project which is being funded by Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid is aimed at enhancing effective protection and promotion of rights of women and girls from GBV through improved justice delivery, safe advocacy, and self-activism.
Ntchisi registers a 33.5 percent increase in reporting GBV cases
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, December 11, Mana: Ntchisi district has registered 4,975 cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in 2024 compared to 3,309 cases they registered in 2023 representing a 33.5 percent reporting increase.
The development was brought to light on Tuesday at Ng’ombe Primary School ground, Traditional Authority (TA) Kalumo during an Open Day event in commemoration of 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
In her speech, District’s Gender Officer, Chikondi Macheso attributed the reporting increase to increased awareness interventions by key players including the district council, chiefs’ forum and political leadership from legislators and ward councillors.
She however said it is worrisome that most victims are young girls.
“These children fall victim to GBV mostly due to negligence of their parents and guardian. Some parents could leave children without an adult guardian leaving children vulnerable to perpetrators of abuse,” she said.
She has since called on key stakeholders in the district to go a step further by taking GBV perpetrators to book while continuing with the intensified awareness campaigns.
It was announced during the event that T/A Kalumo has recorded over 1,000 reported cases topping all T/As in the district.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Nthondo, whose area has been amongst the best performing in reporting and addressing GBV cases, asked authorities to plan for a learning visit and appreciate how others are addressing GBV issues and learn from each other.
He said: “I have also noted that our people are cutting corners in following marriage procedures and this has proved to be one of the leading contributing factors for increased cases of Gender Based Violence.
“These marriages that cut procedural corners do not know where to seek proper advice or counselling when they experience gender-related violence and end up suffering in silence.”
Chairperson of the district’s council, Councillor Marko Mphenzi Nkango has since called for collective efforts from all key players in combating GBV.
He said: “This level of increase in figures is worrisome. Let us join hands towards ending this shameful practice.”
This year’s 16 Days of Activism has been nationally commemorated under the theme: “Time to Act Now” and Ntchisi commemorated under the theme: “Let’s hold hands; Together we can end Gender Based Violence”.
Development Partners Praise Implementation of Social Protection Programs
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: Malawi’s development partners have expressed satisfaction with the progress in assessing the impact of the social protection programs they are funding.
Programme Manager for Social Protection of the EU Delegation, Arnold Chikavanga, said this on Tuesday at Mulinde Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority Malili in Lilongwe District.
Donors from the EU, Iceland, Ireland and Norway visited to appreciate, the first-hand impact of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project as well as the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP).
“We are so much impressed with what we have seen. Beneficiaries are explaining what they are expected to do to improve their livelihood. This is quite encouraging,” he said.
Chikavanga then applauded government for the effective implementation of the programmes, which he said are making a positive impact on the targeted households by contributing to their sustainable economic development.
One of the beneficiaries, Samalani Chimsoko, applauded the government for introducing the Social Cash Transfer Programme saying it has assisted in transforming many lives of the people in rural areas.
“Before this program, I was failing to provide basic needs for my family such as food and school fees for my five children, but now I can pay school fees for my children and I also started keeping pigs as a source of my income,” he said.
Lilongwe District Principal Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Sarah Chimodzi said it is encouraging that many beneficiaries can invest in livestock, such as chickens, goats and pigs.
Chimodzi further said the programme has also assisted in reducing negative risks such as withdrawal of children from school and absenteeism among others.
Social Cash Transfer Programme in Lilongwe is being managed by the Malawi Government with support from the World Bank. It targets ultra-poor and labour-constrained households by providing them support in the form of cash.
The programme covers 22 Traditional Leaders and has a total number of 29, 512 beneficiaries.
MACOKASA warns against unauthorized Kabaza registration
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, December 11, Mana: Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations (MACOKASA) has warned its members in the country to be cautious about unauthorized registration of Kabaza operators.
The warning comes after noticing that some people in Blantyre District are conducting registration for kabaza motorcycle operators without MACOKASA’s consent.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, National Chairperson for MACOKASA, Moses Mwalabu said that individuals who are conducting the registrations are not affiliated with the coalition and are operating unlawfully.
“As the mother body for Kabaza we have not yet made the mandate to produce Identity Cards (ID) for our members, we will do that together with the registration of motorcycles which will start soon,” he said.
Mwalabu added that carrying out programs for Kabaza motorcycle operators without notifying MACOKASA, which is the mother body, is unlawful and it brings disorder.
“It is not right for individuals or associations to be doing projects for Kabaza without notifying us. They have to let us know about what they are doing and what is their aim because we are the ones who control everything about Kabaza across the country,” he added.
He therefore urged kabaza motorcycle operators to always verify with their leaders before participating in different activities and to continue adhering to road safety rules.
“They should first seek for clarification from their associations when someone approaches them with a project that is suspicious,” he said.
In a separate interview, Vice Chairperson for Blantyre Kabaza Association, Mussa Magombo denounced the registration saying that it is a way of stealing money from Kabaza operators.
“That registration is invalid. We do not know those people and what they are doing is bad because it will tarnish the reputation of MACOKASA,” he said.
In a related development, last month police in Blantyre arrested two men for posing as officials from Kabaza Union and demanding money from Kabaza operators claiming to be enforcing road regulations.
Silver Strikers Celebrate 2024 TNM Super League and U-19 Triumph with Trophy Parade
BY Austin Kananji
Lilongwe, November 11, Mana: The Lilongwe giants, Silver Strikers Football Club, invite fans from across the country to join them today, Wednesday, in celebrating their Senior Team's victory in the 2024 TNM Super League and their Youth Team's triumph in the 2024 Lilongwe Under-19 Katswiri FCB Championship. The celebrations will feature a trophy parade across Lilongwe City.
The Lilongwe giants, Silver Strikers, ended a 10-year drought without a TNM Super League title after securing 19 wins, 10 draws, and just one loss to Fomo United. Their impressive performance earned them the coveted championship, along with a prize of 100 million Malawi Kwacha for the first-place finish.
In an interview following Silver Strikers' 5-2 victory over Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos on Saturday, the final match of the season, midfielder Chimwemwe Idana expressed his gratitude and joy for securing the 2024 Super League title.
“I am delighted to be part of the winning team and most importantly I thank my teammates for not giving up from the beginning of the season till this end of the match which granted us this title,” said Idana.
In a separate interview with Man of the Moment, Uchizi Vunga also expressed his excitement for winning the first Super League title in his football career.
“I am very excited to win my first Super League title which I also dedicate to my teammates and mostly the Silver Strikers fans for trusting us and boosting our team`s morale which helped us to work extra hard and bring their long-awaited cup near them,” he said.
The proposed parade route which is beginning this morning at precisely 9:00 am will start from Silver Stadium then City Centre → Chidzanja Road → Mchesi → Area 36 → Old Town → Chinsapo → Gateway Mall → Mtandire → Area 49 → Area 25 → Kanengo → Area 18 → back to Silver Stadium.
The parade promises exciting performances and a chance for fans to join in the team's historic celebration whereby there will be a performance by Lulu & Mathumela Band and Malinga Mafia.
Be job creators and not job seekers
By Christina Mkutumula
Chiradzulu, December 10, MANA: Graduating students from DAPP Mikolongwe vocational training have been urged to be job creators and not job seekers.
The call was made by National Project Coordinator for the Global Program on Skills and ProAgro Youth Project Malawi, Patrick Makondetsa at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational Training in Chiradzulu on Tuesday when he presided over a graduation for students who have completed their training in crop and animal production but also in re-cycle, re-use and repair trainings.
He said the International Labour Organization (ILO) looks at improving quality apprenticeship so that they promote creation of jobs among the young people in both wage and self-employment.
“Now that you have finished your internship training expect us to follow you up and see what you are doing in your various communities and how you are applying the skills and knowledge acquired here. Make sure you bring an impact and change in your communities and display the skills and knowledge gained here at the institution.
“I am encouraging you that you need to get organized in groups so that you can tap whatever resources is coming your way. Usually it is easy to be supported when you are in groups other than individuals,” said Makondetsa.
He further explained that his organization expectations from the graduating students is to ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired would help them start their own businesses so that they be self-employed and self-reliant.
“With this programme we have reached out to 1,400 youths and our target was to reach about 1,500 youths, this means that we have almost reached 90 percent of our intended target,” he said.
Makondetsa said the International Labour Organization, Malawi office, works with different partners and are currently running two programmes namely; Global Program on Skills and Lifelong learning which is being funded by NORAD and the ProAgro Youth, which is being funded by IFAD.
“What we are doing now is a pilot program, we are trying to understand how we can reach out to communities and also for people who cannot go through the normal TEVET training programs.
“The main purpose is to ensure that youth and young people are able to gain the skills that will result in worth creation through wage or self-supporting employment,” explained Makondetsa.
Speaking in an interview, Country Director for Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi, Moses Chibwana said the trainings that the students undergo are vital for their communities and the country at large in as far as improving the country’s economy is concerned.
“The skills acquired here will not only accord the students wage employment or self-employment but also help in conserving the environment, looking at what they have gained from their Agriculture training. As DAPP we are honoured to be assisted with resources from ILO to train these youths. There are so many institutions who could have done this but we were chosen and do not take it for granted,” he said.
One of the students who was trained in crop and animal production, Brazio Manyamba, said the knowledge imparted to him in class was different from what he learnt at the farm. He said he has learnt a lot of skills on how to care for both crops and animals and that he will change and showcase his skills in his community.
“Before this training I used to help my parents in the farm and also run their business, but now once I get home I will concentrate on applying the skills I gained here. The good thing is that there is already land at home and will utilize it,” he said.
About 50 students graduated from the crop and animal production training and about 40 students graduated from the reuse, recycle and repair training. Youths from different districts of Nsanje, Phalombe, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Dedza, Thyolo and Mulanje were trained.
Government assures youths on Israel jobs
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, November 10, Mana: Leader of the house in Parliament Richard Chimwendo Banda says government is finalising new deal with Israel that will enable more youths to secure jobs.
He said this when responding to the leader of the opposition George Chaponda and Zomba Central legislator, Bester Awali who demanded an explanation from the minister of labour to explain why the number of job offers in Israel has been reduced to 2,500.
Chimwendo Banda said government is working on ways to support young people by securing more job in Israel.
“There was an influx of recruitment agents and government held a meeting last month on the recruitment process. I can assure young people that other job opportunities are becoming available, including in the infrastructure sector,” he said.
Community leaders urged to invest in CLCs
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, December 10, Mana: Group Village Heads (GVHs) in Blantyre have expressed gratitude with the establishment of Customary Land Committees (CLCs), noting that it is a tool to enhance transparency and accountability during the registration process of land parcels.
CLC is a committee consisting of six members established at a village level to oversee the land registration process, alleviate and regulate customary land-related disputes, ensure land security, and develop development plans, among others.
Speaking during sensitization on CLC law and establishment of CLCs at Majora, Gwadani and Imbwa in Senior Chief Kunthembwe’s area on Tuesday, GVH Imbwa said each week he receives four land-related cases; as such, CLCs will help to reduce land disputes, as people will know their land boundaries.
“When it comes to land-related issues people think that traditional leaders are prone to corruption, as such the introduction of CLCs in our communities will promote access to land-related justice which will improve all customary land-related disputes and it will lead to satisfaction during the registration process,” said Imbwa.
On his part, GVH Majora concurred with Imbwa, saying it is good that surviving family members will not be able to sell their parents’ plots, adding that the development has come at the right time when he receives about 12 land-related cases per month.
“I am happy that people will be able to elect their representatives who will assist them in the land registration process, a registered land is insured against illegal encroachment, as such I will urge my fellow community members to take the initiative seriously,” said Majora.
Over 50,000 land parcels have been registered in Chingale, Zomba since it started in 2021 and the registration is expected to register more land parcels by the end of the Malawi Watershed Service Improvement Project (MWASIP).
Deputy Commissioner for Lands, Anthony Tchokola Nzima said during the registration process the committee will act as a bridge between the Department of Lands and the land owners to avoid encroachment and provide an opportunity for people to legally own their land without conflict.
“I am encouraging all community members to register their land for security reasons since land is a key asset for sustainable livelihoods and economic development across the country. If people sell their ancestral land it means that they are putting the young generation at risk,” said Nzima.
According to Nzima, through CLCs over 45,000 land parcels for Nkaradzi catchment area at Kunthembwe are expected to be registered, adding that registration of customary land is free.
The initiative is being undertaken in Mangochi, Ntcheu, Machinga, Balaka, Zomba, Neno and Blantyre through the Ministry of Lands with support from MWASIP.
President Chakwera arrives home after successful trip in UAE
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, December 10, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has returned home after an official visit to the United Arab Emirates(UAE), following an invitation from the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahya.
Upon arrival at Kamuzu International Airport ( KIA) in Lilongwe, President Chakwera said he had a successful trip after tackling a number of issues related to the development of the country including fuel procurement and hoping to start reaping results soon.
He said the discussions undertaken while in UAE will allow significant improvements in addressing fuel shortages and supply challenges in the country.
“I am happy that the discussion went well, we hope to have a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) soon so that we can have a stable fuel supply,” said the Malawi leader.
He further added that while in UAE they discussed foreign investment opportunities which the two countries can share.
In UAE President Chakwera had discussions with the President of the country aimed at exploring long-term solutions to Malawi's fuel challenges and other bilateral discussions.
The President participated in numerous discussions with the UAE president on the government-to-government fuel procurement agreement as one way of ensuring steady fuel supply in the country.
He then engaged various UAE government officials including the Chief Executive Officer for the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development on Malawi’s development and investment.
Further, he took advantage of the trip to sell the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy.
President Chakwera was welcomed at KIA by Cabinet Ministers, government as well as party officials.
Vice President calls Malawians to uphold principles of human rights
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, December 10, Mana: Vice President Dr Michael Bizwick Usi has asked citizens in the country to celebrate a significant milestone in the country's journey towards upholding human rights.
He was speaking at Mangochi Stadium on Tuesday, during the commemoration of 2024 International Human Rights Day, an event, which also coincided with the 25 years of human protection and promotion by the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).
Dr Usi said Malawi's efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of all its citizens for the past 25 years is a journey, which has taken efforts by courageous and resilient human rights defenders around the world, hence the need to uphold it jealously.
“This day serves as a crucial reminder of the fundamental rights to us all. As we reflect on the state of human rights in Malawi, and around the world, we are reminded of the immense progress that has been made, as well as the significant challenges that remain amidst us,” he said.
Usi therefore emphasized the importance for Malawians to respect all human rights defenders who work tirelessly to promote and protect the rights of marginalized communities across the globe.
“As we celebrate this important day, let us remember the courage and resilience of human rights defenders around the world. These individuals, often in the face of great adversity, continue to fight for justice, equality and dignity for all,” he said.
The Vice President therefore urged stakeholders to continue upholding the principles of human rights, both at home and abroad.
In her remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malawi, Ms. Rebecca Addah-Dontoh, commended Malawi for its strides in upholding human rights for every citizen in the country.
She said this is witnessed through government commitment to uplifting livelihoods socially and economically, but also through strengthening the police in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
“I am extremely excited to be part of Malawians in celebrating their rights today. This is a special and important occasion, where we are celebrating achievements that Malawi has registered for the past 25 years, for that I say congratulations,” she said.
The event was commemorated under the theme ‘our right, our future, right now.
Amongst participants at the event included the chairperson for the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Ms. Chikondi Chijozi, Representative of Human Rights Civil Society Organizations, Head of Mission for the Republic of Iceland to Malawi, Dr David Bisjarnason, as well as traditional authorities among others.
