MANA-online
Standard Bank applauded for Be More golf tournament
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, December 3, Mana: Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima has applauded Standard Bank Malawi for the Be More golf tournament held on Saturday at the Lilongwe Golf Club under the theme 'We Believe in Malawi'.
Speaking after participating in the tournament, Chilima said Standard Bank did well in organising the tournament.
He, therefore, appealed to the bank to continue organising tournaments that would promote the country’s transformation.
“I appreciate Standard Bank for organising the tournament. We all need to believe in Malawi and if we don’t, nobody will,” Chilima said.
Standard Bank Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Madinga said the Be More initiative, which encompasses various sporting activities such as golf and racing each year, aims at inspiring people to do more in life.
He said this year's tournament theme was chosen after observing challenges which the country has, recently, been experiencing.
"As a country we have gone through a number of challenges such as Tropical Cyclone Freddy and Cholera, among others.
"We Believe in Malawi is a theme that resonates with what we would like Malawians, including our customers, to believe that we can transform this country to economic recovery and resilience of our people,” he explained.
He said, as a bank, they will continue to organise tournaments, including golf tournaments, that would assist build up confidence and a spirit of resilience among the public while fostering the country's growth.
Macleod Nyanda of NICO Technologies, who emerged the tournament’s overall winner in the men's category and walked away with K900,000 cash prize and a trophy, hailed Standard Bank for the tournament.
The tournament was participated by Standard Bank staff and its clients as well as top government officials, among others.
Winners walked away with cash prizes and trophies.
Government applauded for environmental conservation interventions
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, September 15, Mana: Communities in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Thula in Nkhata Bay have applauded government for implementing interventions aimed at promoting sustainable use of the environment.
Speaking in Nkhata Bay on Thursday during the launch of 2023 Integrated Catchment Management Campaign at Kavuzi Extension Planning Area (EPA), Chief Chinoko described the approach as life changing.
“There was a big knowledge gap among farmers on ways of conserving soil and water. Land was degraded due to deforestation which resulted into low yield to famers but this is no longer the case,” Chinoko said.
He said many farmers have learned how to conserve soil and water through afforestation and other new ways of farming which has reduced the cost of farming through use of locally available resources such as manure.
He therefore urged farmers to make use of the new ways of farming to keep on harvesting bumper yields.
Vice Chairperson of agriculture service committee in the district, Councilor Patrick Manda hailed the Integrated Catchment Management Campaign, saying it is a way of preventing natural disasters such as floods.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural resources, Raphael Mkisi assured farmers in the district of continued government support through the council so that soil and water in the district is conserved.
"The government is ready to support the farmers, because if we can not conserve our soils and water then social and economic development of the country will not be achieved," he said.
Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is implementing the Integrated Catchment Management approach aimed at, among others, promoting sustainable use of land and water resources.
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Former Chitipa East MP laid to rest
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, September 13, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Chitipa, McMillan Magomero has described late Raphael Berlin David Mulungu, who was buried on Wednesday in the district, as a developmental conscious man.
Mulungu who hailed from Kapoka Village in the area of Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in the district was the first Member of Parliament (MP) for Chitipa East from 1976 to 1986, under Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
He died on Tuesday at Chitipa District Hospital after a short illness.
In his eulogy, Magomero said late Mulungu was a man who wished his community well and championed various developments in the area.
"Mulungu was a man who wished well for his community hence was involved in championing and participating in various development projects. He was a great advisor to all of us," Magomero said.
Magomero then called on the community members to emulate the good example set by the late Mulungu.
Incumbent MP for Chitipa East, who is also MCP Regional Chairperson for North North Region, Kezzie Msukwa echoed Magomero`s sentiments, saying Mulungu was a father and an advisor to everyone.
"Honourable Raphael Mulungu was a pillar in the Malawi Congress Party as he remained loyal to the party. He was a disciplined man, development conscious, and advisor to many including me," he said.
African International Church Vestry Chairman, Kondwerani Panja described Mulungu as a God fearing man as he was dedicated to the work of God.
"We have lost a dedicated member in the church. He contributed a lot of things such as planks for church construction, tables, chairs but also encouraged the paying of one tenth to the church," Panja said.
Born November 14th, 1939 (Aged 84), Raphael Berlin David Mulungu is survived by two wives, 16 children, 39 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
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Kunkuyu applauds DMI University for ICT skills training Project
By Monica Tambala
Lilongwe, September 13, MANA: Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, has applauded DMI St. John the Baptist University for its ‘ICT Skills for All’ project which is building human capacity through training as well as promoting the countries National ICT Policy.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe, the Minister, who was the guest of honour commended the good work that DMI is performing which has seen 370 civil servants and Malawi School Certificate Examination (MSCE) holders graduate with a certificate in ICT.
Kunkuyu emphasised the need for ICT training as one way of transforming the economy and driving the digitalisation agenda of the country which will help Malawi align with other countries at a time when the world is going digital.
“What DMI has done is very commendable as it has complemented government efforts by partnering with government to train those in the civil service and those who have just attained their MSCE certificates,
We believe the skills the graduates have acquired will be put to good use such as running businesses, developing content, engaging in e-commerce as well as promoting their workplace and given responsibilities,” he said.
The Minister further encouraged the graduates to display employability and promotable behaviour through their performance while making sure that they remain productive so that the country can benefit from their skills.
Addressing the 370 enthusiastic ICT graduates, Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for academic affairs within DMI University, Dr. Benedicto Malunga emphasised on the need to include everyone in ending the digital divide which he says has greatly impacted the way of life.
“ICT is now an integral part of life, we therefore cannot afford to leave anyone behind but make sure we move together,
The program from which these graduands are graduating from was established to address the national gaps in the utilisation of ICT in Malawi since ICT is one of the transformational drivers of the economy,” said Dr. Malunga.
Malunga further implored other universities and institutions to take special interest in domesticating various technologies.
Delivering his felicitations, the Pro-Chancellor of DMI St. John the Baptist University, Most Reverend Montfort Sitima highlighted how Africa still lags behind in its ICT penetration despite that learning, and every sector of the country is being replaced by interactive digital platforms.
He said that as of 2000, the number of internet users globally was at 390 million which has however increased to 5.18 billion representing 64.6 % of the world population hence the need to boost ICT skills in the country which DMI has embarked on using its ICT infrastructure and facilities to train working professionals in ICT skills.
One of the graduates, Witcar Halifax Nkhata, a teacher at Ekwendeni CDSS commended the university for the skills imparted which he says will help in his teaching profession.
“I am very thankful to the university for the skills which will help me improve my teaching and delivery methods when I return to school owing to the fact that I can now teach using a laptop, projector and other equipment’s,” he said.
The ICT skills for all project was launched in August 2022 and is expected to run for five years equipping civil servants and MSCE holders with certificates in ICT.
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Minister call for respect for council chair persons
By Brenda Hara
Thyolo, September 2, Mana: Minister of Works and Public Works, Jacob Hara has called on secretariats in local authorities to give council chairpersons due respect by allocating them deserving office spaces.
Hara made the appeal on Friday during a tour of infrastructural development projects that included K4.6 billion Thyolo Council office complex and K5,6 billion stadium.
The appeal came after the minister observed that Thyolo Council chairperson occupies a small office not befitting his status.
“The office given to council chairperson is just a small office. Council chairpersons are top most bosses for councils. Their offices should reflect that,” the minister added.
Hara said he toured Thyolo to appreciate progress in the construction of council office complex and stadium and to provide direction and expertise where necessary.
“The two projects were supposed to complete over a year ago. Delaying the projects is costing government more. We want the two projects to complete as soon as possible,” the Transport and Public Works Minister added.
He also expressed concern over contractors failure to comply with project deadlines, saying government has taken some measures to address the issue.
“To instill discipline among contractors, we have started to charge liquidated damages for exceeding contract deadlines,” Hara said.
DEC Construction company were contracted to construct Thyolo stadium but the contractor attributed the delay to scarcity of cement on the market and company’s Project Manager, Ellard Malonda said the company had no choice but to extend the work,
“Stadium construction takes in a lot of cement. Its unavailability on the market derailed us and scarcity of fuel made it impossible to transport material to site,” he added.
The K4,6 billion Thyolo office complex is expected to be completed in December 2023 while the K5.6 billion stadiums will complete in March 2024.
Octagon Tower to host chess tournament in Mangochi
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, September 2, Mana. Octagon Tower, an entertainment house in Mangochi has organized chess tournament to promote competitiveness and identify potential chess masters in the district.
Octagon Tower Director, Dr. Kondwani Mamba said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the tournament is scheduled for today.
“Chess is played in major cities but rarely do we have chess being played in beaches and rural areas. As such, we want to ensure that the sport is also played here in Mangochi as a way of boosting tourism industry,” he said.
Mamba said Octagon Tower also invited national chess team players to share talent with rural players to enable them acquire best chess play standards.
“We want to make sure that we have more players identified in Mangochi to be competing at national level.” He said.
So far 26 participants registered to participate in the tournament, he explained and looking forward to more competitions by December 31
One of the guests to grace the event include Malawi's number one chess player Joseph Mwale. Skeffa Chimoto and Zeze Kingston are expected to perform.
Prizes for the tournament have been divided into two; open and special prizes, whereby in open prize, winner will walk away with K100, 000, runners-up will pocket K70, 000, while third winner will get K50, 000.
In the special prize category, Mangochi based players number one will walk away with K50, 000, runners up with 30, 000, and third winner will go home with 20, 000.
For many occasions Octagon Towers has hosted Skeffa Chimoto, BlackMissionaries at its entertainment house at Namiasi.
St. Martin Parish Main Choir launches DVD
By Chilungamo Missi
Blantyre, September 4, Mana: St. Martin Parish Catholic main Choir from Chirimba Township in Blantyre Sunday launched its most awaited DVD album comprised of 10 songs titled, Mawu a Mulungu ndi nyale.
Speaking during the launch, the Choir’s Conductor, Brenda Kanzimbi described the DVD as fully baked saying it has songs that cater for a wider range of audience and expressed hope that the songs would extensively enjoy airplay and revive many souls.
“The DVD has 10 songs; there are some songs which are already doing well on airplay. There are songs like Ndekha, Mawu a Mulungu ndi nyale, Tsiku lonse mtima wonse, and many other catchy songs whose visuals will be loved by many people either Catholics or non-Catholics
As a choir, this is our third DVD, we spent a considerable time coming up with the best quality of all the 10 videos for this DVD considering the current trends in the music industry,” she said.
Kanzimbi added that there are many lessons that people would get after listening and watching the DVD citing Baibulo as a song that teaches people to love reading the Bible with their families every time for God’ s guidance in everyday endeavors.
The Choir Mistress said that the DVD is being sold at the amount of K 5,000 at St. Martin Parish at Chirimba, adding that the DVD is selling at this price so that most people should afford it.
One of the invited guests during the launch, Ward Councilor for Michiru Ward, Uche Selassie Yesaya described the DVD launch as a breakthrough in the music circles and said it was impressive to see youth from his area singing in the choir.
He said: “The choir has many youth. This is good because it give them something positive to do instead of indulging in bad practices which are rampant today. When other youth watch the DVD and see their fellow youth in the choir, I hope they will be motivated to join their friends in preaching the gospel to the world.”
ECG calls on churches to embrace mega farms
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, September 1, Mana: The Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), the Jesus Nation has called on Christians and Churches to embrace mega farms initiative as a way to contribute towards making the world a better place for Christians and achieve the Malawi vision 2063 agenda.
This was said during a press briefing on Friday at Golden Peacock, the ECG Headquarters to announce to Malawians of the global cerebration week which commences from September 04 to 10th 2023 across the 70 countries.
The Resident pastor for ECG-The Jesus Nation in Lilongwe, Evangelist Charles Gwengwe said the aim of the week is to use a cocktail of activities to send a message to the people that it is high time Christians embrace mindset change for social transformation such as adopting the mega farms initiative to make the world a better place.
He said as a church it is time to tackle the key pillars of mindset behaviours of the people such as in religion, government and education among others to make the world a better place by embracing such pillars.
“Through the cerebration, we will carry out charity works reaching out to prisons, hospitals, academia among others. In this we are trying to show the people that it is possible to pray and share the word but also demonstrate and change the lives of people and make the world a better place and achieve the Malawi 2063 agenda.
“For example, in Malawi there is a talk of mega farms and as Christians we need to embrace these things. Christians can also do mega farms so that we make the world better for us. You have heard the General Overseer is working on a city and even the mega farms and this is just to demonstrate that we can do much more than just to pray,” said Gwengwe.
He said it is high time churches embrace mindset change, engage and take action to contribute to the national social transformation saying it does not take the government to be right for things to change but needs a holistic approach to reach the needed change.
Gwengwe called on the private sector and business enterprises who make large profits to reinvest in the people to contribute towards development of the country than just wait for government alone.
MERA nods to ESCOM's proposed tariff increase
By Levison Lester
Lilongwe 2 September, Mana: The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority has agreed to raise the electricity tariffs to 50.8 percent effective today, 1 September 2023.
Speaking in Lilongwe during a press briefing on Friday, Chief Executive Officer for MERA, Henry Kachaje said the adjustment has been made following the proposal which Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) submitted some months ago.
Kachaje said the adjustment of electricity tariff will be done in phases for four years.
"Based on total revenue requirement calculations for tariff period at 1.72 trillion tackled with estimation for energy that will be billed to end user customers at 9.9 billion units, the average end user tariff fees of k157.50 per killowatt hour"
"At the current average tariff of k104.46 per killowatt hour, this has been translated into average tariff increase of 50.8%" he said.
Kachaje further said the adjustment is justifiable saying it will improve high quality service delivery to ESCOM customers.
"The authority believes that granting this tariff adjustment will enable the power sector to realize enough revenues for investment, system maintainance, operations and other appropriate costs to sustain provision of services to customers”, Kachaje said.
Meanwhile, MERA has urged all licensees in ESCOM to open an operationalised individual operating accounts within the first three months of this new tariff base.
Senior Chief Mpama laid to rest, Mammoth crowd pays homage
By Lydia Maganga
Chiradzulu, September 3, Mana: Senior Chief Mpama real name Daniel Matewere who died on August, 30, 2023 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after suffering a heart attack was laid to rest Saturday at Mpama Headquarters in Mbulumbuzi, Chiradzulu District.
Cabinet ministers and hundreds of people paid their last respects to the fallen chief whom many described as loving and kind.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika described the late Senior Chief as a great man who loved his people and felt good about his roots.
“I know you people of Chiradzulu are crying for this man because of his good deeds. As Government, we are also crying with you because we have lost our chief and advisor; a great man who loved his people and was dedicated to his work,” the deputy minister said.
He said the late Senior Chief served his subjects well throughout his 27-year chieftaincy and had no bad record with government.
“The mammoth crowd that has gathered here shows that this man was loved by many. He served his chieftaincy with dignity in all his 27 years of serving as a TA and Senior Chief such that my ministry has never experienced any problems with him, none whatsoever,” said Chomanika.
He added that President Lazarus Chakwera was equally saddened to learn of the loss of the Senior Chief who died in the line of duty in Lilongwe where he was attending meeting that required inputs from chiefs.
“The President is very saddened by the chief’s sudden death. He asked me to extend his heartfelt condolence and tasked me to condole with K1 million to help the family in this difficult time,” said Chomanika.
He, therefore, advised family members to choose a leader who has the love of his subjects as was the case with late Senior Chief Mpama.
“I urge all family members to choose your next leader wisely because if you chose anyhow, you will destroy the unity. Issues of chieftaincy are very crucial so you need to be patient to avoid unnecessary conflict which can delay development of the district,” said Chomanika.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiradzulu North, Patrick Matola described Senior Chief Mpama as a very good and who was approachable and treated everyone with kindness whether young or old, whether in government or opposition.
Matola said the late senior chief was developmental conscious such that he used to follow up development activities in his area.
MP for Chiradzulu South, Joseph Mwanamvekha who represented friends of Chiradzulu said Senior Chief Mpama was an ambassador of development in the district.
He expressed sadness saying the sudden death was painful and hard to believe.
Son to the deceased, Harvey Matewere described his father as a lovely person who always fulfilled his promises.
“My father was a happy man who would fulfill whatever he promised. He loved his people dearly and loved his family too. The gap he has left is too wide to be filled by anyone such that we will surely miss him,” he explained.
Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, Paramount Chief Lundu, Paramount Chief Kawinga and senior chiefs from other districts, MPs from Chiradzulu, District Commissioner for Chiradzulu Francis Matewere and District Commissioner for Zomba Reginald Chavura also attended the funeral.
The late Senior Chief Mpama was born on May 5, 1950 and was installed TA Mpama in 1996 and elevated to Senior Chief in 2007.
He is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren.
