By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has emphasized the importance of the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) saying it provides a comprehensive social protection to all Malawians, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized by empowering them economically.

Speaking during the launch of the NSPP 2024-2029 at Lilongwe Hotel on Friday, Banda said the policy will provide support to vulnerable populations through social cash transfer and other forms of assistance.

"The policy aims to promote social security mechanisms to protect individuals and families from economic shocks as well as addressing malnutrition and promoting nutrition sensitive interventions,” he said.

Banda added that government recognizes the importance of partnerships in implementing the policy hence called on development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities to support the policy's implementation.

"Social protection is not charity; it is an indispensable investment for human capital development, socio-economic stability, and national development,” said Banda.

He, therefore, said government is committed to prioritize predictable finance mechanisms for social protection interventions through increased domestic resource mobilization and fostering Public Private Partnership (PPPs).

Representative of Development Partners, Rovan Sweeney, said the launch of the policy demonstrates government's commitment to protect and empower the most vulnerable members of society.

"It is a testament to share commitment in ensuring that no one is left behind especially the most vulnerable,” he said.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, May 23, Mana: Male involvement has contributed to a 35 percent increase in under-5 vaccine and immunization coverage at Kadidi Health Centre in Blantyre, moving from 50 percent to 85 percent.

This was disclosed Thursday when Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) visited Nkolesya Mother Care Group (MCG) at Group Village head Nkolesya, Traditional Authority (TA) Kapeni in Blantyre to appreciate the group’s performance in child immunization.

MHEN trained Nkolesya MCG which was established in 2019 to help sensitize the community on the importance of under-5 vaccine and immunization.

Speaking during the meeting at Kadidi Health Centre, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant, Jude Kuseliwe, hailed MCG for bringing male parents on board saying before their involvement the coverage was below 50 percent.

“During MCG’s community mobilization, the group informed men on the importance of child vaccination and convinced them to take part in the programme. We are now receiving a large number of men at the outreach clinic and during vaccine distribution,” he said.

Kuseliwe added that Nkolesya MCG contribution prompted establishing another MCG to cover other remaining villages to improve Kadidi Health Centre’s outreach.

Nkolesya MCG Chairperson, Kattie Kamowa, said the training that MHEN offered helped the MCG to successfully mobilize the community, including male parents, to take an active role in under-5 vaccine and immunization programmes.

“Men have understood that child vaccination is a shared responsibility. When men are not taking part or show no interest in child vaccination programmes, they put their children at risk of being under immunized because when a mother is sick there will be no one to follow up the vaccine schedule,” she said.

Group Village head Nkolesya thanked MHEN for building MCG’s capacity saying the group’s community mobilization minimized under-5 mortality in his area.

Nkolesya MCG operates under Kadidi Health Centre and has 30 members from three villages.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, May 23, Mana: Project Coordinator for International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mandi Makoka, has expressed satisfaction with progress of the construction of Mzenga Irrigation Scheme in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay.

Makoko expressed the satisfaction Thursday during a supervision mission to appreciate progress of construction works.

According to Makoko, the project has reached a 96 percent physical progress since its commencement in June 2023, despite some challenges such as compensation issues with the community and adverse weather conditions experienced in the course of work.

"We are really excited that construction of the scheme is coming to an end.  However, for this scheme to be successful, there is need for cooperation with those living in the upland to protect the environment.

"The works will be finalized within the provided time-frame enabling farmers to access water in the reservoirs and start using it for irrigation,” he said.

He urged dwellers in the upland to take good care of the environment to ensure a steady supply of water in the scheme.

Nkhata Bay District Council Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Raphael Mkisi, hailed the initiati, citing its potential to contribute to the district's economic development.

He said it will enable farmers to grow crops twice or thrice a year, thereby increasing their profits and boosting food security.

"Our office is pleased with this project, as it will give farmers a chance to continue growing crops even during the dry spell. Farmers should expect more training sessions to help them maximize profits through their farming activities," he said

Chief Engineer for DASAN Consulting Firm for Inyatsi-H.E Jackson JV Construction, Stenner Zuze, said his company will finalize the works by May 31, 2025 as only a few installations remain.

One of the farmers from Bandawe Village, Linly Mbewe, expressed hope that farmers will make more profits through irrigation by growing wheat, which is currently on high demand

The project is being implemented with a budget of approximately US$12.47 million funded by the Malawi Government and IFAD under the Program for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE).

By Mary Makhiringa in Harare, Zimbabwe

Harare, May 23, Mana: Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson, Emmerson Mnangagwa who is President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, has urged SADC Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) member states to apply science-based approach towards environmental conservation.

Mnangagwa said the region must also consider taking aboard the youth and women in this cause.

He said this Friday, when he opened the 2025 SADC TFCA at Rainbow Tower in Harare where Heads to State have convened marking 25 years of TFCA in the region.

“I urge all of us to embrace science-based solutions and community driven approaches to conservation. The youth and women of our countries must play an important role in wildlife conservation, riding on the hard work ethic of this demographic.

“We also need to empower the rural community, because by empowering them and enhancing tourism and promoting cross boarder wall enforcement we have laid a strong foundation for lasting impacts,” he said.

He added that the region is currently boosting of 13 TFCAs with five others on the way, as the region looks towards the next 25 years of doubling its dedication to fostering social ecological and economic connectivity.

“At the centre of these efforts, we need to enhance livelihood of our communities. Today, the TFCAs are safe habitats for wildlife to move away from human settlements, which has helped to reduce human-wildlife conflicts,” he said.

SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, said SADC TFCA has formed one of the largest conservation areas on the African continent of which the Kavango Zambia (KAZA) Transfrontier arrangement accounts for 520,000 square kilometres.

“Today we can look back with pride and celebrate the value of effective corroboration of member states who have demonstrated, over time, strong political will and invested in financial and human resources and fostered partnerships to realise this great vision that we are celebrating today.

“The commemoration presents a moment of pride and opportunity for reflection on the successes and challenges in trans-boundary natural resources across our region,” he said.

He emphasized that TFCAs is not only about conservation but also co-existence, development and resilient and regional identity.

Magosi highlighted that SADC TFCA is currently facing deforestation challenges, which is necessitating loss of about 0.6 percent cover every year, which is roughly 31 percent of Africa’s deforestation area annually, whose primary driver is poverty and population growth.

President Dr Lazurus Chakwera is among the Heads of State attending the summit under the theme: The SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas 25 years of cooperation for regional Integration and Sustainable Development.

By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Vice President Dr Michael Usi has highlighted the importance of Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation (RDFST) Summit in Malawi saying it is a critical platform for addressing food security challenges across Eastern and Southern Africa.

Usi made the remarks when he presided over the official closing of the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation 2030 Summit at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday.

He emphasized that the dialogue has a great impact in developing Malawi's economy.

"Hosting this Summit in Malawi underscores the international recognition of President Lazarus Chakwera's transformative efforts to advance agriculture with countries and development partners acknowledging Malawi nation's leadership in this vital sector,” he said.

He added that Malawi is committed to supporting food system transformation as delegates shared experiences and best practices to strengthen food and nutritional security.

Usi, therefore, appealed to all development partners, private sectors and all stakeholders to continue supporting Malawi in various sectors including agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, said the Summit is a call to collective action, demanding solutions that are evidence-based, regionally scalable, fiscally and environmentally sustainable and inclusive of smallholder farmers.

"The robust discussions and firm commitments that emerged ensured our food systems nourish our people while securing sustainability for future generations,” he said.

Kawale further said that climate shocks such as Cyclone Freddy's devastation in 2023, which impacted 2.5 million Malawians and subsequent droughts affecting 5.7 million, highlight the urgent need for systemic change.

He said Malawi is responding with bold reforms such as modernizing the sector through private sector partnerships and improved targeting of smallholder farmers, digital innovations, digital farmer registry and expanded soil testing to promote climate-smart agriculture.

The Summit, which was organized by the government of Malawi, the Wold Bank and Ireland, was held from May 21 to 23, 2025 under the theme: "Making food systems transformation a reality on the ground in Eastern and Southern Africa.

By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, May 23, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, has described the newly opened energy saving stove factory, Burn Manuifacturing, in Chiradzulu as an impressive development whose stoves are efficient.

He made the remarks Thursday when the toured the factory.

Mumba was happy to note that apart from promoting environmental conservation, the factory supports import substitution, which is government’s goal in attaining an industrialized economy by 2063.

He said by promoting factories, government was safeguarding local jobs, encouraging entrepreneurship and building national industry base.

"Having a plant in Malawi is a plus for us because, apart from selling to us, they supply the stoves across the boarders to countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia. This means we will gain in forex,” he said.

The Minister said Malawians have already started gaining from the plant as it has created several opportunities.

“It is bringing in exposure for our people and employment as it is currently employing over 80 people. Additionally, some of the raw materials used in the production are sourced locally which is promoting other businesses," he said.

Burn Manufacturing Factory Manager, Nanokishor Parekh, said they make energy efficient cookware meant to protect the environment.

"Our products reduce carbon emissions as it uses less charcoal and give more efficient cooking," he said.

The factory, which started production in April 2025, produces 750 stoves a day and only sells through distribution channels.