By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, April 03, MANA: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has said Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills among Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) students in Balaka will improve once Connect A School (CAS) Project is completed.

Speaking on Wednesday after touring Namikombe and St. Peters CDSS’s, where the two modern computer laboratories are being built respectively, MACRA's Board Member, Malla Kawale, expressed satisfaction with the work of contractors.

She said given the pace at which the world is developing technologically, MACRA will show its commitment to providing equal opportunities to both rural and urban secondary school students by enabling them connect with their peers globally.

"The workmanship of these laboratories is outstanding, and we hope that the finishing will also be good; As MACRA, we have adequate funds to complete this project and with what the contractors have told us, we are happy and optimistic that the work will be done within time," said Kawale.

She, however, said the project has faced some challenges such as devaluation of Kwacha which resulted in further evaluation of budget and negotiations with contractors.

Head teacher for Namikombe CDSS, George Chipawo hailed government through MACRA for rolling out this project, saying that the 62 computers that will be installed in the laboratory will compel students to pursue ICT courses in tertiary schools.

"Once this facility is completed, students will now have the opportunity to know the computers before going to colleges and this will also motivate them to further specialize their courses into ICT," Chipao said.

He added: "The community members will also benefit from the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network that will be available 100 metres around the laboratory.”

One of the Area Development Committee (ADC) members at Namikombe, Markford Mtemula said they are ready to provide tight security around the facility, adding that they would also help community members with civic education for them to own the project.

With financial support from Malawi Government through Universal Service Fund, MACRA is implementing CAS Project in 72 constituencies across the country, with each district getting two laboratories, in order to allow students to have ICT literacy.

By Augustus Nkhwazi, Dhumisan Khumalo

Mzuzu, April 3, Mana: Preliminary assessment by Mzuzu City Council has revealed that over 500 households were affected by heavy downpour that fell early this week in the city.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu City Council, McDonald Gondwe, said the affected areas include; Mchengautuba East, Chibavi West, Chibavi East, Chiwanja and Chiputula wards.

According to Gondwe, most of the affected households experienced run-offs, with one household completely damaged in Chibanja, while another house had its roof partly blown off in Chiputula.

"Majority of those affected need urgent support in areas of food items, beddings and kitchen utensils," said Gondwe.

He added that the council was set to submit the preliminary assessment report to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) for necessary action.

“Most of the affected households are those living along water ways, which makes them prone to disasters. The Council however reminds those staying in such places to relocate to safer places,” he said.

Last week the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services issued a statement highlighting heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms mainly over the North due to Equatorial Rain Belt.

By George Mponda

Karonga, April 3, Mana:  Karonga Police have arrested Kenson Mwafongo and Lusubiro Mwenelupembe, both 30, for allegedly possessing and transporting 500 liters of liquid petroleum without a permit.

This comes barely a week after Malawi Police Service in Karonga arrested Robert Mwangaju for allegedly being found in possession of 420 liters of petroleum without license.

On Tuesday, a similar case prompted Chitipa Resident Magistrate Court to sentence Watwivwa Kayola, 41 to pay a fine of K1.8 Million or, in default, serve a 12-month jail term.

Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe were apprehended on Tuesday at the Rukuru roadblock in the district.

According to Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska, the two were in a Toyota Probox from Karonga Boma heading towards Songwe Border and they were stopped by officers manning the roadblock.

"A search in the vehicle established that the car was loaded with 25 jerry cans filled with liquid petroleum. When they were asked for documents of the petroleum, Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe failed to produce any to support their possession and transportation of the liquid petroleum, hence they were arrested and the product was seized," said Msiska.

Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe hail from Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga District.

By Rosalia Kapiri

Kasungu, Mchinji, April 3, Mana: Students and teachers from various secondary schools in Mchinji and Kasungu have hailed the Malawi government for the construction of ICT laboratories across the country under the Connect A School (CAS) project.

CAS is a Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) project funded by the Authority’s digital inclusion arm, Universal Service Fund (USF), and currently, there are 75 ICT laboratories under construction nationwide, with many at 90 percent completion.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency during a tour of the ICT facilities in the districts on Thursday, the students and their teachers expressed joy and thanked government for the development.

Fungisai Kandaya, A Form 2 student at Misale Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Mchinji, said the ICT labs will play a crucial role in bridging knowledge gap among the students.

“I am happy that this facility is being established at my school: It will help me research on various topics related to my studies, moving beyond just reading books, and this will enable me and my fellow students excel academically,” she said.

Another student, Praise Chiponda, from Mtunthama All Saints CDSS in Kasungu, said the ICT laboratories in secondary schools will prepare students for higher education.

“It is high time all secondary schools had ICT labs. With this knowledge, we will enter college already familiar with computers and the internet, making our transition much easier,” Chiponda said.

Similarly, Head teacher at Misale CDSS, Aaron Masaile, commended the government for the CAS project, noting that it comes at a crucial time when technology is advancing rapidly.

He noted that students from remote areas will now have the same access to ICT resources as their counterparts in urban schools.

“This facility will benefit both students and the wider community by providing essential computer skills,” he said.

Ronald Tembo, USF Head acknowledged some challenges faced during the implementation of the project but he expressed satisfaction with the progress.

The project started in June 2024 and it is expected to end in June 2025 and, according to Tembo, four to five ICT labs are expected to be constructed in each constituency by 2030 under the project.

“This [2024-2025] is just the first phase, and soon we will commence Phase 2, which includes the construction of another 120 labs across the country,” Tembo explained.

Each lab will be equipped with 60 computers and free internet access, to ensure that students and communities benefit from digital learning opportunities.

By Leonard Masauli

Lilongwe, April 2, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has taken a swipe at some State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for performing below expectation and has since assigned the Secretary to Treasury to facilitate performance assessment to see how best to position them.

The Minister made the sentiments Wednesday at the Bingu International Convention centre (BICC) in Lilongwe when presiding over the signing ceremony of shareholder’s Letters of Expectations.

Banda noted that there are some SOEs that are performing below expectation hence the need for initiative to allow them sign letters of expectations for them to work hard.

“The signing letters of expectations will help SOEs to be on their toes in terms of performance and be able to generate revenue. This is a framework under which the ministry monitors their action, work and performance.

“This is the second time. Last year we did the same and some SOEs were able to pay government some dividends and remittances but still some are still struggling. This is a wake up call for SOEs to work extra hard and be able to share experiences for improved performance,” said Banda. 

He said some SOEs are still a burden for implementation of the national budget because they still come forward for bail outs, an indication that they are not performing well.

He said the state is doing assessment through a monitoring framework to appreciate SOEs challenges and environment to ensure they are working within their plans.

“Some of the challenges that we have seen are that some SOEs are too ambitious, and they operate outside their approved budget.

“These are some of the things that we needed to share with them such as compliance to the approved budget and to live according to their Key Performance Indicators that they shared in their letters of expectations and these will be used to measure their performance,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer for National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), named as one of the best performing SOE, Humphrey Mdyetseni said the letters of expectations are a pathway on how to travel in the next 12 months.

“What is key is that in the key performance indicators are deliverables that are expected of us as SOEs to deliver to Malawians for better service delivery and at the end of the day, make an impact in the lives of Malawians.

“It's significant because the resources we receive from government are not just there to be spent for purposes of spending, but to spend them with the aim of transforming lives of Malawians,” said Mdyetseni.

Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Peter Simbani, said he is going to monitor SOEs to ensure they achieve results.

“The state corporations or state enterprises have signed these letters of expectation which are going to outline what government expects from each one of them in terms of the targets, on revenues, on expenditures, but also on the dividend or surplus which they are supposed to give to government.

“So, as comptroller corporations, I will be there to monitor implementation of the KPIs that are going to be developed so that they are assessed using that and my office is there to monitor the implementation to make sure that they achieve whatever they have agreed with the Treasury,” said Simbani.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balak, April 2, Mana: The body of Wailesi M’bwana who until his death was Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Mbera has been laid to rest at his Mbera Headquarters in Balaka.

Deputy Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, attended the burial.

According to Balaka District Council, STA Mbera died in the early hours on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 due to heart failure caused by high blood pressure.

Chitsulo called for unity amongst the family members as they identify next heir to the throne saying the departed was a peace loving person.

 “Today is a sad day to the Ministry of Local Government and the entire country. We have lost two chiefs, thus Traditional Authority Ndindi of Salima and STA Mbera.

“This is sad as chiefs are custodians of culture and development. It is also sad that in a space of a year Balaka has lost three TAs; Kachenga and Amidu,” she said.

Chitsulo described the passing of the three chiefs in Balaka as an unfortunate development.

On a different note, Chitsulo called on the people of Balaka to remain peaceful as Malawi heads to general elections.

“Let me also take this opportunity to appeal to all people in this area to desist from violence as we are approaching the campaign period.

“Let us respect each other when campaigning. Let us avoid hate speech and political violence as these slowly destroy the country,” Chitsulo said.

Paramount Chief, Kawinga also called for unity among the bereaved family to ensure peaceful succession process on the heir to the throne.

“Most of chieftaincy wrangles end in court because of lack of tolerance among family members. This undermines succession process as it takes too long to be completed,” he said.

Chairperson for Balaka District Council, Pharao Kambiri, said the local authority shall always remember the departed STA for being well organized in mobilizing his subjects to development work, adding that his leadership is worthy emulating.

Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Frank Jomo, described Mbera’s death as a big loss, saying he was accommodative, peaceful and always jovial.

“Those that were around here on Monday saw him seated on his veranda, full of life. Anyway, we respect God’s will that everyone has his or her way of departing from this world.

“We will miss his kindness and leadership. He was there for everyone and was ready to assist whenever asked to do so,” Jomo said.

M’bwana was born on January 6, 1933, and was installed as STA Mbera on August 17, 2017.

He survived by a wife and four children.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, April 2, Mana: Government has announced plans to transform Chima Outpatient Department (OPD) into a fully functional maternity wing, with an investment of K61 million, aimed at improving maternal and child health services in Likoma District.

The project, funded by the Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), is set to alleviate challenges faced by expectant mothers in the area who, currently, walk long distances to access critical healthcare services.

In an interview on Monday, acting Director of Public Works for Likoma District, Shadreck Msiska, confirmed that the OPD will soon be renovated into a maternity wing.

“Construction will begin shortly once proper procedures for selecting the right bidder are concluded,” said Msiska.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Likoma District, Chisomo Phethi, emphasized that the new maternity wing will greatly benefit maternal and antenatal health in the district.

“This will significantly improve access to maternal services considering the long distance women travel to reach St Peter’s Hospital,” said Phethi.

Phethi explained that the addition of a maternity wing at Chima Health Centre will ease the burden of accessing services such as antenatal, labour, delivery and postnatal care.

She said women in the district often miss antenatal visits in their first trimester due to long distance to the health facility.

Maria Makomela, a mother of one from Chiponde, expressed gratitude for the initiative.

She noted that it would provide the much needed relief for women who face challenges in accessing maternity services.

“It’s a struggle for us to travel to St Peter’s Hospital. Some women deliver on their way, and others tragically lose their babies. This is heartbreaking,” said Makomela.