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NEEF plants 1,500 trees at Msuka Primary School
By Charlie Ligomeka
Machinga, March 4, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Monday planted 1,500 tree seedlings at Msuka Primary School in Mkanje Village, Traditional Authority Nyambi, Machinga, as part of NEEF’s corporate social responsibility.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise, NEEF Regional Manager for Eastern Region, Victor Mlusu, said the initiative was meant to promote environmental conservation and hoped that it will improve livelihoods of communities in the area once the trees fully grow.
“We believe that tree planting is essential for the future. It helps to purify the air, improve the weather, and prevent soil erosion,” Mlusu added.
He said NEEF is committed to support farmers in the area through the business, and farming inputs loans for improved socio-economic livelihood.
Mlusu added that NEEF chose to plant trees in the area, considering that it has many loan beneficiaries who are committed to pay back loans.
“We have disbursed 2,100 bags of fertilizers to 418 farmers in Machinga North East. This is part of our effort to support farmers and improve food security in the area," he said, observing that the farmers' enthusiasm for farming was evident in their choice of fertilizer over cash loans.
Mlusu disclosed that NEEF plans to introduce loan officers in all agricultural Extension Planning Areas (EPA), to ensure proper coordination with farmers for easy access to loans and services.
Member of Parliament for Machinga North East, Ajiru Kalitendere, asked NEEF to continue with the corporate social responsibility in areas where they provide farm inputs and business loans.
He therefore thanked NEEF for leading in tree planting at Machinga North East, saying the exercise will help his constituents embrace issues of environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture.
Apart from local leaders and teachers, learners also took part in planting various tree species, including mango, pawpaw, nsangu and other agroforestry trees.
Msuka Primary School, Deputy Head teacher, Davie Rabison, welcomed the tree planting, saying this will have a lasting impact on learners' understanding of afforestation and the importance of environmental conservation in the wake of climate change.
Standard 2 learner, Rahim Muhammed, said NEEF led tree planting inspired him to plant more trees at home.
Traditional Authority Nyambi hailed the initiative, saying the tree planting has set the pace for people in his area to do more on afforestation this forestry season and beyond.
Nyambi encouraged people who got loans from NEEF to pay back the loans so that other people could benefit from the same.
Chakwera asks Malawians to emulate martyrs
By Chisomo Kambandanga and Yamikani Sabola
Nkhata Bay, March 3, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has asked people in the country to emulate selflessness and patriotism demonstrated by martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the country’s independence.
Chakwera was speaking in Nkhata Bay on Monday when he led the nation in honoring the fallen heroes who were shot by colonial police on March 3, 1959.
He said the best way to honour martyrs is not just to remember them but to continue their struggle, to live by the principles they fought for and to tirelessly work towards a country they envisioned.
“The country needs patriotic people who have the welfare of their country at heart and not sellouts who betray their country because of greed,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera said though every 3rd March is a somber day because lives were lost, it is also a celebration of the bravery and sacrifice made by the martyrs to secure the country’s independence.
“The men and women we honour on Martyrs Day were visionaries who believed in a Malawi where everyone, regardless of region or tribe, could live with dignity, respect and freedom.
“They fought for the freedom to shape our own destiny, to build a nation that truly belongs to all its citizens; and it is this dream of an inclusive and prosperous Malawi that we must continue to strive for,” he said.
He admonished the tendency by other politicians to engage the youth in violence and vandalism of property instead of encouraging them to contribute positively to national development.
Chakwera also criticized ADMARC officials who he said are conniving with vendors to buy its maize at cheaper prices and resell it at exorbitant prices.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda said government has set aside K15 million to compensate 61 families across the country who lost their loved ones on 3rd March, 1959 while fighting for independence.
He said the bereaved families in the northern region had already received their compensations and disclosed that families in the southern and central region will get their compensations on Wednesday and Thursday.
Representative for the bereaved families, James Thawi said he was grateful to the government for paying the compensations and thanked Chakwera for availing himself every year to preside over the commemorations.
President Chakwera alongside First Lady Monica Chakwera laid wreaths at Kakumbi Cemetery in the district where some of the martyrs were buried.
In addition to the President and the First Lady, wreaths were laid by Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara; Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, Malawi Defence Force Commander, Paul Valentino Phiri, and Inspector General of Police Merlyne Yolamu.
Others included James Thawi and Dorothy Chirwa, representing the bereaved families; Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda; Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba; Leader of the Opposition George Chaponda; and Nkhata Bay Central MP Vuwa Kaunda.
This year’s Martyrs’ Day was commemorated under the theme, ‘The martyrs: A great model of patriotism’.
MHEN Impressed with MCGs
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, March 3, Mana: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has expressed satisfaction with Mother Care Groups (MCG) role in mobilizing communities in Blantyre rural to understand the benefits of child immunization.
MHEN Assistant Project Officer, Helbert Chakwawa appreciated MSG’s role after the organization toured two MCGs, namely Namende at Group Village Head Scott under Traditional Authority Somba at Mpemba and Umodzi at Group Village head Undi, Traditional Authority Lundu at Lirangwe.
MHEN monitored the two MCGs to appreciate vaccine coverage following community mobilization on importance of immunization on child health.
“As MHEN we are really impressed with the Namende and Umodzi Mother Care Groups since we established them in October 2024. They have managed to identify about 20 zero dose children and 66 under immunized and they have brought them back,” he added.
He therefore urged the MCGs to continue sensitizing communities on immunization to eliminate new born deaths.
“All men and community leaders should also take part in immunization so that our children should be protected from diseases,” he added.
Chief Preventive Health Officer at Blantyre District Health Office, Innocent Mvula, said involvement of MCGs in child immunization has helped the District Health Office to increase vaccine coverage.
He said the MCGs play crucial role in covering gaps in child immunization, as some parts of Blantyre were hard to reach with community mobilization for child vaccine coverage.
“The Mother Care Groups assist Blantyre to mobilize communities on child immunization to ensure good coverage. This resulted in reaching out to more children and reduce zero dose plus under dose children.
“Before Mother Care Groups came in, our vaccine coverage was hovering around 78% but we are now at 91%, marching towards 95% by December, 2025,” he said.
Mvula added that MCGs are crucial in providing community awareness saying that District Health Office programmes emphasizes on community involvement for sustainability.
“They help to dispel the myths on child vaccination. As members of the communities, they play crucial role by providing peer to peer education to mothers,” he added.
Namende MCG member Joyce Kwazachina stated that the group persuades mothers who were initially reluctant to vaccinate their children due to myths and religious beliefs. She added that these mothers now understand the importance of child vaccination.
“We also help in other community level development activities. We did not have toilets in our health post, with our initiative, we advocated for toilets in the health center and we will soon have toilets in the facilities,” she said.
MHEN in partnership with PATH with financial support from Global Alliance Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) through the Ministry of Health are implementing a project called Identification of Zero Dose Children in four districts namely; Mzimba, Dowa, Mchinji and Blantyre.
Government continues to build houses for security agencies
By Happy Byson Milanzie
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Minister of Lands, Deusi Gumba, has assured people that the project of building houses for the security agencies is going on smoothly, with phase three of the project almost complete.
According to Gumba, approximately 4000 houses in phase three have already reached the procurement and construction stages, demonstrating the seriousness of the current administration.
"The project is making significant progress on the ground. Out of the 10000 houses planned by the government, some have already been opened by President Lazarus Chakwera, while others are nearing completion with only minor work remaining," he said.
Gumba also emphasized that 90 percent of the phase three project is expected to be completed soon, as both the procurement and construction processes are progressing well.
He said the project in Rumphi is also promising, with contractors already identified adding of the 90 earmarked in the district, 78 will be allocated to the Malawi Police Service, and 12 to immigration.
The government of Malawi promised to build 10000 houses across the country, with 4000 houses allocated to the Malawi Police Service, another 4000 to the Malawi Defense Force (MDF), 1000 to immigration, and another 1000 to prisons.
Msonthi wins Ntchisi West MCP primaries
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, February 21, Mana: Malawi Congress Party Thursday held primary elections for legislator and ward councillors to represent the party in forthcoming tripartite elections in the district’s West Constituency.
Competing for the Member of Parliament position were Anderson Msonthi who amassed 284 votes followed by Moses Chakana with 284 votes.
Mtendere Chilapondwa accumulated 47 votes followed by Mdoko Peter Banda who got 33 votes followed by Rosemary Sadya Lunda who came last with 27 votes.
Competing for Madanjala ward councillor was Justice Zambila who amassed 363 votes followed by the incumbent, Mark Mphenzi Mtengo who got 67 votes.
Coming third was Millias Mkwezalamba who got 27 votes followed by Dustan Kalirani who came last with 7 votes.
For Kamnenje ward, incumbent Arnold Kapolo came first with 476 votes followed by Damiano Kapesa with 107 votes with Godfrey Zakeyo coming last with 31 votes.
In an interview after the voting exercise, the prospective legislator said: “It was a stiff competition and for people to trust me with a voter margin of such magnitude, I am very happy.”
Amongst his ambitions, Msonthi said: “Our district has poor road network concerns and we are stranded here because of the same. I will try my best to make sure our road network improves.”
The voting exercise was overseen by ward councillors and the district’s senior party officials.
CMD for political commemoration of this year's Martyrs Day
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, February 21, Mana: Executive Director of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Boniface Chibwana, has called for a political commemoration of this year's Martyrs Day to maintain the event's integrity and significance.
In an interview in Nkhata Bay during a stakeholder's engagement meeting for the event, Chibwana emphasized that focusing on the martyrs' sacrifices will promote unity and solidarity among citizens.
"As we prepare for this day, it is essential to understand that the martyrs died for this country's freedom and wanted self-rule, so Malawians can govern themselves.
"That is why we are emphasizing that this commemoration should be apolitical, as the martyrs died for everyone in this country," he said.
According to Chibwana, during the commemoration, political party colours and affiliations should be set aside to remember that martyrdom is about self-rule.
He added that all political parties must attend the event as one nation.
Principal Secretary responsible for national Unity in the Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani stated that preparations for this year's National Martyrs Day event are at an advanced stage and will be unique compared to previous years.
"As the government, we are ready for this function, and we want to keep commemorating it as a national event.
"We have produced a commemorative cloth for the first time, and we want everyone to come in one colour, not in political party colours," Gomani said.
"We have also made efforts to engage the media to educate the masses on the distinction between Chilembwe Day and Martyrs Day, and everyone is welcome on this day,” she added.
Representative of the deceased families, James Thawi praised the government for taking over responsibility for organizing the event, describing it as a sign of empathy towards the families.
Martyrs' Day is observed annually in the country on 3rd March to honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and self-rule.
This year's celebration will take place in Nkhata Bay under the theme "The Martyrs: A Great Model of Patriotism and is expected to be led by President Dr Lazarus MacCathy Lazarus Chakwera.
Kampanikiza wins Dedza Boma Constituency primaries
By Timothy Peter
Dedza, February 21, Mana: One of the country's social media influencers, Gerald Chavez Kampanikiza commonly known as GCK has been voted as a torchbearer for Dedza Boma Constituency under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ahead of the September 16th general elections.
Kampanikiza amassed 839 votes to stand out as a top candidate who will represent the party against the other 5 candidates in elections held at Dedza Stadium on Thursday.
Speaking after the elections, Regional Publicity Director for the Centre who was a Team Leader for the Elections, Abraham Liwonde, commended people in the area for maintaining peace before, during and after the elections.
He said: "MCP is the mother of all political parties in the country and we told our supporters to maintain peace during the elections.
"People here have chosen the best candidate for themselves and as a party, we are very happy to conduct fair and free primary elections," he said.
He has since asked those who have not made it to support Kampanikiza in developing the area and also keeping the party strong.
"We ask those who have not made it to support the one who has won," he added.
In his reaction, Kampanikiza told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that he was a very happy person.
"I am very happy to be given this opportunity to lead the party under Dedza Boma Constituency. It was not easy for me but I was hopeful that I would make it.
“I will keep my promises as I work towards developing the area," he explained.
Kampanikiza was seconded by Howard Mzambwe who got 338 votes while Martha Kwataine was third with 194 votes followed by Jane Kumwanje with 37 votes and Francis Chimpikizo as well as Felicity Kadyampakeni who both got 10 votes.
Meanwhile, Ganizani Chimwala will represent MCP as councilor for Umbwi ward after amassing 370 votes while Charles M'tambalika who got 497 votes will represent Bembeke Ward.
Elsewhere at Dedza Linthipe Constituency, Councilor, Themuka Nkhweu has won with 767 votes against Jacob Kaumphawi's 529 and Bonex Malunga as well as Stevie Tanyaze who got 258 and 237 respectively.
Eagles Relief to equip farmers in Balaka with drought resistance crops
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, February 20, Mana: Eagles Relief organization said it will embark on a new project called Drought Risk Financing to empower over 66,000 farmers affected by prolonged dry spells in Balaka District in the 2024/2025 farming season.
Eagles Relief Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator, Evelyn Mkandawire said on Wednesday at Balaka District Executive Committee meeting that Drought Risk Financing will provide farmers with drought resistance orange, sweet potato vines, cowpeas, tomatoes and onions among other vegetables.
She added that the initiative will benefit over 1,200 households in sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro in the district.
“Mostly, targeted beneficiaries will be households that have marginalized people including women, children and people living with disabilities.
“We are targeting sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro, based on the 2024 dry spells report from Balaka District Agriculture Office in December. Eagles Relief is implementing other related projects in the same areas and we believe this will provide a complimentary aspect to the existing initiatives,” she added.
She said the project will take onboard farmers that have access to land to equip them with agricultural practices to enable them produce enough food through revolving farming techniques.
Balaka District Crop Production Officer, Blazio Mphepo hailed Eagles Relief’s Drought Risk Financing, describing it, as timely intervention capable of covering over 31,000 hectares of land affected by dry spells in Balaka.
Eagles Relief will implement the Drought Risk Financing Project worthy over K139. million for five years, starting from 2025 and the first part will be a pilot.
Chinese national nabbed for K70m theft
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: Lilongwe Police are holding Wang Jixiang, 27, in custody for allegedly diverting K70 million, which he was entrusted to deposit at the bank, and subsequently gambling it away at a casino on February 19, 2025.
According to Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu, authorities have also arrested Wen Jui, 50, on suspicion of harboring Wang Jixiang.
Reports indicate that Wang, a shop manager at Area 2 in the capital city, was instructed by his employers to use the company vehicle to make the bank deposit. However, after the suspect took the money, he went missing, and his phone became unreachable.
"After allegedly taking the money and driving his employer's vehicle, the suspect went missing, and his phone went out of reach," Chigalu said.
Following a report of Wang’s disappearance, detectives launched an immediate investigation and search, which led them to discover that he was hiding in Area 43, at the home of the second suspect, Wen Jui.
During interrogation, Wang admitted to using the stolen amount for gambling at a casino and revealed that he had abandoned his employer's vehicle near Bwaila District Hospital. The vehicle was later recovered by detectives.
Wang Jixiang and Wen Jui will face charges of theft by servant and harboring, respectively.
Minister of Youth urges utilization of district funds for youth resource centres
By Austin Kananji
Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire has emphasized on the need for Members of Parliament (MPs) to allocate District Development Funds towards constructing facilities like youth resource centres as other partners like World bank are already helping the initiative.
In an interview during the private members' day, Mkandawire emphasized that the parliamentary budget allocates resources to districts for the construction of youth resource centers.
"We would like to clarify that the budgets introduced in this house allocate resources to district councils, such as the District Development Funds and the Constituency Development Funds. It is our expectation that our honorable members will appropriately utilize these funds for the construction of youth resource centers," he said.
He added that although the resources allocated by the government to the constituencies are not sufficient to cover all the needs, partners are stepping in to help address this issue.
"We know that district councils work with various partners, and resources from organizations like the World Bank are directed to them. It is within the power of district councils to decide which projects to implement with these resources. This was also clarified earlier by the Ministry of Local Government, which receives resources from partners to fund projects in their districts. Therefore, while our ministry may face resource limitations, other partners assist us in securing the funds needed to construct prioritized projects," he added.
The minister was responding to a question raised by the Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Central, Mctimes Malowa, during the 51st meeting of the first session of Private Members' Day.
Malowa had asked the Minister of Youth and Sports to consider constructing a Youth Resource Centre at Senior Chief Likoswe's Headquarters. The proposed centre would provide the youth of Senior Chief Likoswe with facilities for recreational activities and serve as a skills development hub.
With the government's ongoing efforts to promote youth development, the construction of youth resource centres is a vital step toward empowering young people. By utilizing district funds and partnering with organizations like the World Bank, Malawi can create vibrant hubs for youth growth, helping shape a brighter future for its young citizens.
