MANAonline
NGO urge communities to plant trees in graveyards
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Community Energy Malawi, a non-governmental organization promoting use of solar technologies has appealed to chiefs in Zomba to champion planting of trees in graveyards to ensure adequate vegetative cover to check land degradation and other factors that compromise the environment.
Speaking on Friday at Mkanda at Senior Chief Mlumbe’s area, Community Energy Malawi Programme Director, Memory Suwedi, said most of the graveyards were bare due to increased deforestation.
Suwedi said graveyards used to have good vegetative cover, observing that no one was allowed to cut a tree in such areas.
“We have gone very far with deforestation; our resting places that were always respected and feared are bare. May I therefore urge chiefs to dress up our graveyards in their tree planting drive,” she added.
The Programme Director said, as part of contributing to national forestry season, the organization has distributed 5,000 seedlings of both exotic and indigenous tree species to cooperatives in the district.
Assistant Forestry Officer at Zomba District Council, Yassin Lamusi also urged community members to actively take part in addressing challenges associated with deforestation that also ignite land degradation.
Senior Chief Mulumbe, lamented increased irresponsible cutting down of trees, which he said become a norm in his area and many parts of the district.
“It is saddening that those that destroy the environment know no boundaries. They are really encroaching graveyards, places remaining with trees,” the chief added.
Mlumbe pledged to enforce by-laws to check tree cutting in all areas including graveyards, adding that that he will mobilize his subjects to play an active role in the current forestry season by planting many tree seedlings.
Chairperson of Shukurani Bakery Cooperative, Twaeina Mgaye whose group received tree seedlings from Community Energy said, tree planting in bare areas was the way to go, considering that firewood is largely used in bakery apart from other household chores.
Community Energy also promised to introduce solar technology to replace over dependency on firewood in bakery and other undertakings, saying this will be done under a project called Large Solar Ovens for Bakery Cooperatives.
The Zomba District Council has set its 2025/26 budget at MK47.2 billion
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, January 26, Mana: Zomba District Council has pegged its 2025/2026 budget at MK47.2 billion from MK35.4 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
Presenting the budget during a budget review and hearing session in Blantyre, Director of Finance, Ellen Kayira said the increase is as a result of expected enhanced disbursements from projects such as the Regional Climate and Resilient Project (RCRP), Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP).
In addition, Kayira said an increase in the budget is also due to an increase in personal emoluments.
“If you check our budget, you will see that a fair share is also under personal emoluments which are taking a substantial percentage,” she said.
According to the Director, out of the total budget, MK2.6 billion is for Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) MK1.8 billion is Constituency Development Fund (CDF) MK1.42billion GESD, MK1.1 billion for hospital rehabilitations and MK5.3 billion for Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) under the SSRLP.
On local revenue generation, Kayira said the council has under budgeted from MK274 million last year to MK259 million, adding that there were some areas that the council needed to work on enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in revenue mobilization.
“We are supposed to collect revenue in estates but we don't have bylaws that allow us do that. Additionally, the council is supposed to construct toilets and market shades for it to easily collect revenue in markets,” she said.
NLGFC Budget Analyst, Yohanne Nyanja hailed the council for what he described as a detailed budget, saying the council should work more on revenue generation avenues.
However, this is a proposed budget, which awaits final ceilings from the NLGFC and approval by Zomba full council.
Business people in Zomba welcome Digital Financing Services
By Dex Mpando
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Business people in Zomba have expressed satisfaction with Digital Financial Services (DFS), which the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) is encouraging as means of modern and convenient transaction.
Speaking on Thursday during DFS awareness, Anthony Phiri who is butcher at Mpunga Market said DFS was a way to go in the modern digital era.
Phiri said he enjoyed receiving payments from customers instantly through mobile money transfer, adding this proved convenient and safer than transacting through direct cash payments.
“This is a good development. I urge the Reserve Bank of Malawi to continue raising DFS awareness so that this should be fully adopted by many people,” he added.
Another business person, Andrea Bwanali, a barber said many of his customers prefer paying through mobile money or bank, describing DFS as very easy and safe.
“DFS made it easier for me to manage my finances. It has also helped me to save and invest for the future,” said Bwanali who was flanked by other business people that praised the DFS.
DFS Team Leader, Paul Nthala said RBM was impressed with the rate at which people were adopting DFS across Malawi.
“We will continue to promote DFS to ensure it remains secure, reliable and accessible to all the people in Zomba and other areas,” Nthala added.
RBM had already visited many areas in Malawi raising DFS awareness stating its advantages over old ways of business transacting.
Complete GESD projects or lose funding -Councils advised
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe has advised councils in the local authorities to complete Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded projects to qualify for other funding.
Dr. Santhe made the appeal on Friday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre during a budget review and hearing session as Zomba and other councils took their turns to present their budgets before the NLGFC.
He therefore emphasized that no council will receive funding if it fails to complete any GESD projects proposed for the 2024/25 financial year.
“You have no excuse for failing to implementing projects. We don't want to hear issues of delayed funding,” he added while advising the councils to ensure that all completed projects are in use to meet citizens’ development aspirations.
Dr. Santhe also advised councils to comply with project guidelines, warning local authorities that they should not be tempted to go against set guidelines and standards.
He said NLGFC will continue monitoring how councils adhere to polices, guidelines and standards, saying failure to abide by these would result in less or no funding.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula assured NLGFC that the district will complete all the projects in time to receive the next GESD funding.
In the 2024/25 financial year, Zomba was allocated MK682.1 billion GESD funds.
The NLGFC organized councils' budget review meetings to ensure well-prepared and responsive budgets.
EQUALS Project excites learners
By Thom Ali
Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Some learners have expressed excitement for the newly constructed classroom blocks that the government is constructing under the Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) Project, which is being implemented by Ministry of Education to enhance the quality of education in the country.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency, Sinkanako Khombe, Head Teacher for Mitundu Secondary School, which is among the beneficiaries of the project, said the initiative will help improve education standards by providing more classrooms for learners, reducing travel distances and creating a better learning environment.
"Due to shortages of classrooms previously, some learners had to attend classes in the afternoon, which resulted in poor performance," Khombe said.
He commended government for initiating the project, noting the new facilities have impacted learners positively.
A beneficiary of the project, form two learner at Mitundu Secondary school, Gloria Maliana, said the project will reduce disruption in learning due to adverse weather conditions and other distractions.
Another beneficiary, Ruth Mbidzi, who is a form 4 learner at Msongwe Community Day Secondary School in Mzuzu, shared her excitement over the development, saying the facilities will help adress challenges of overcrowding due to lack of sufficient classrooms, inadequate sanitation, and an increase number of school dropouts.
Mbidzi further made an appeal to the government to continue with the initiative of upgrading schools across the country to improve education standards.
Among others, the EQUALS Project intends to construct additional school facilities such as libraries, ICT rooms, and toilet blocks in other districts across Malawi in order to improve sanitation in learning environments.
The Ministry of Education is implementing the EQUALS Project in collaboration with the United Nations with support from the World Bank.
Kawale Police impound 40 motor vehicles for contravening traffic regulations
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Kawale traffic police officers on Thursday impounded 40 motor vehicles for contravening various road traffic regulations.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency, Public Relations Officer for Kawale Police Station, Sub-Inspector Precious Mabvuto Phiri, said the station’s traffic officer, Assistant Superintendent Suezen Kamgwao, led the team in the operation within the road network of Kawale.
“Motorists who attempted to defeat the operation by using uncharted routes were equally intercepted by traffic riders who were on the assignment," he said.
During the operation, traffic officers patronized Chidzanja, Mchesi and the road that connects to Kamuzu Institute and Area 24, where motorists have been booked for offences like exceeding seating capacity, worn-out tyres and driving without valid permits, just to mention a few.
Minibuses and saloon vehicles that are used for conveyance of passengers for business purposes were targeted.
This is a continuation of the festive season exercise, which has seen the station reducing the number of road accidents by 25%.
MBS warns against unidentified and smuggled products
By Majona Jabesi
Mchinji, January 24, Mana: Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has warned consumers and business owners across the country regarding the influx of unidentified and smuggled products on the market.
The warning comes after the bureau shut down Dalitso General Supplies Shop located at Mchinji Boma for selling fertiliser that failed to provide labelling details of a manufacturing company and stocking fertiliser in a leaking warehouse.
The bureau, which is responsible for the quality and safety of products sold to consumers in Malawi, emphasised that proper labelling is crucial not only for consumer safety but also for tracking the origin of products in case of defects or recalls.
According to MBS Communication Officer Wazamazama Katatu, the absence of clear manufacturing details undermines the ability of the bureau to monitor the quality and authenticity of the product.
“Dalitso General Supplies has been closed for stocking fertilisers that had lacked some labelling details as per Malawi Standard Number 3 which provides guidelines on how labelling needs to be done on the products.
“At the same time, the warehouse where fertilisers were being kept is also not friendly because it is heavily leaking as you might have noticed moisture on the other side of the warehouse,” Katatu said.
Mama’s Shoprite Manager, Abdul Rahman Chapunga, whose shop was also closed for an hour, applauded the bureau for the inspection and challenged MBS officials that he would cooperate with the bureau by ensuring that all products being sold are fully meeting the required standards.
“I can challenge you that you can come any time and you will never find these problems again. We have cleaned our fridge which is ready for use now,” Chapunga said.
Among others, MBS officials expressed concern over the growing number of counterfeit and unauthorised products that are brought in through uncharted routes and smuggling.
Following the MBS market surveillance in Mchinji, 11 shops were temporarily closed for an hour for hygiene issues while Dalitso General Supplies remained closed until the products complied with the bureau’s standards.
Minister for good welfare of orphans and vulnerable children
By Brighton Chimsinde
Mchinji, January 24, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza has condemned the tendency to abuse orphans and vulnerable children, which takes place in some orphanages in the country.
Sendeza made the remarks on Wednesday when she visited Home of Hope Orphanage in the area of Chief Nyoka in Mchinji District.
The minister said her office has received reports that orphans and vulnerable children are being abused in other orphanages, which is contrary to laws of the country.
“Orphan centres that are doing such malpractices will face the law because it is inhumane and contrary to the laws of a democratic country like Malawi,” Sendeza said.
However, the minister commended Home of Hope Orphanage Centre for offering holistic support to the children at the centre.
“It is very encouraging that the centre is providing food and accommodation, and on top of that it is also providing nursery, primary, secondary, and vocational training to them. The approach is in line with Malawi’s Vision 2063 which stresses human capital development,” she said.
On the issue of inadequate resources at the vocational centre, she assured that her ministry would liaise with the Ministry of Labour to see how best they can support them to produce reliable products.
We appreciate that the institution has a technical college that imparts technical skills to needy children for them to be self-reliant. But resources are very limited; therefore, I will make everything possible to discuss with my fellow Minister of Labour to provide them with the necessary support in terms of instructors' salaries and equipment support,” she said.
Responding to food shortage at the centre, she assured that her ministry, in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management (DoDMA), would intervene.
The founder of the institution, Rev. Thomson John Chipeta, who is aged 96, described the minister’s visit as very important.
“The institution has over 650 children, so the minister’s visit is very paramount because she has come and seen for herself what Home of Hope is. Someone said seeing is believing," said Rev Chipeta.
Rev Chipeta also appealed to other line ministries and non-governmental organizations to give support to the institution with materials and monetary support for it to sustain the agenda of relieving sufferings of the orphans and vulnerable children.
"We do farming but we do not produce enough. We are requesting support in the form of cash or materially for us to feed and educate them accordingly for them to be self-reliant and productive citizens to the country’s development in the future,” Chipeta said.
Mchinji District Council Chairperson Dorothy Mussah thanked the minister for sparing her time to visit the centre, saying the visit is a motivation to the institution and the council.
According to Rev Chipeta, Home of Hope was founded in 1998 with only K100.
Police officer dies in Mchinji road accident
By Majona Jabesi
Mchinji, January 24, Mana: A police officer, Constable John Mwenye, has died after a motorcycle hit him while on duty on Thursday in Mchinji.
The accident occurred at around 4 pm at Makiyeli when the rider, Lawrence Mwale, was heading towards the direction of Kamwendo from Mchinji Boma on his unregistered motorcycle using the Mchinji-Lilongwe (M12) road, with a pillion passenger.
According to Mchinji Public Relations Officer, Limbani Mpinganjira, the motorcyclist hit the officer who was standing on the offside of the road, in the line of duty.
"Following the impact, the deceased sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to Mchinji District Hospital where he died while receiving treatment," said Mpinganjira.
Mpinganjira also added that both the rider and pillion passenger sustained minor bruises and were also rushed to the same hospital for treatment, adding the motorcycle and its gear lever and handles twisted during the accident.
A 26-year-old Constable Mwenye hailed from Mbedza Village, Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa District.
Until his death, Mwenye was serving as a police officer in Mchinji District.
NEEF to disburse K150 billion worth of loans to 400,000 people this year
By Stanley Nkhondoyachepa
Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Government through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) says it hopes to disburse a total of K150 billion worth of loan to 400,000 farmers and business people by close of this financial year.
Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu said this on Thursday at Liwonde in Machinga and Namwera in Mangochi when NEEF distributed fertilizers to farmers who successfully applied for farm input loan.
Kunkuyu noted that there has been a substantial increase in the amount of funds allocated to NEEF this financial year as directed by President Lazarus Chakwera to ensure that many people benefit.
“Last year, government allocated K25 billion to NEEF, which benefited 11,000 farmers but the President directed that this year`s NEEF funds be increased to K150 billion to benefit 400,000 people” he said.
Kunkuyu said as Minister of Information and Government spokesperson, he has a responsibility to monitor the distribution exercise so as to ensure that only deserving farmers and not vendors are benefitting from the loans. as well as give feedback to government on how people want the programme implemented.
“We have heard that people are complaining about how the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) is being implemented. Let me assure you that I will inform the President about your concerns,” he said.
The Minister emphasized the need for fair distribution of the NEEF loans to farmers regardless of political affiliation, saying it is the wish of the President the initiative be nonpolitical.
He challenged the farmers to use the fertilizer in their farms and repay the loan in good time, stressing that a loan needs to be repaid.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo, advised the farmers to go into winter cropping so that they realize benefits from the fertilizer loan.
“Since some crops have gone past the fertilizer application stage, I advise you to go into winter cropping, but NEEF has assured us that this year, the distribution exercise will start early,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga asked NEEF to consider giving farmers loans for purchase of modern irrigation equipment as well as cash to enable them buy chemicals, observing that farming is also affected by other factors, such as attack by pests and diseases, beside other expenses.
A loan beneficiaries’ representative at Namwera in Mangochi, Leston Kambwiri, hailed the farm input loan initiative by government, saying this will help the farmers have food throughout the year.
He however asked for timely disbursement of the loans to ensure that government’s and farmers’ objectives are achieved.
Since its inception in 2020, NEEF has so far disbursed K184 billion, benefitting over 200,000 people across the country, according to NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphreys Mdyetseni.
