By Charles Nkhoma

Lilongwe, November 7, Mana. As the Malawi Super League enters its 28th week, fans are eagerly awaiting an array of intense matchups that promise competitive action and high stakes.

 Among the notable fixtures is the only clash between Chitipa United and Fomo FC, scheduled for Saturday at Karonga Stadium. This arrangement allows supporters to focus on the much-anticipated Airtel Top 8 final between Silver Strikers and Big Bullets at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe.

The weekend lineup continues on Sunday, featuring a diverse slate of games that span the country’s major venues. Kamuzu Barracks will confront Civil Service United at Civo Stadium, while Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos meet Moyale Barracks.

At Kamuzu Stadium, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will face Mighty Tigers, and the action will extend to Mzuzu Stadium, where Mzuzu City Hammers take on Creck Sporting Club.

Speaking to the Vice General Secretary, Donnex Chilonga, at the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) expressed optimism, encouraging fans to expect a high quality of play and to maintain decorum across stadiums to support a safe and engaging football atmosphere.

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC head coach echoed the importance of securing a win, highlighting his team’s ambitions to finish within the top eight—a target that would secure them a position in next year’s Airtel Top 8 tournament.

The coach noted that this goal reflects both the team’s dedication and its potential to compete among the elite teams in Malawian football.

With just weeks left in the season, every point gained or lost holds significant implications for the league standings, ensuring an exciting weekend for fans and players alike.

By Hope chimwala

Blantyre, November 7, Mana:   Malawi Government through the Ministry of Education has embarked on an innovative journey to digitalize education using the Building Education Foundation through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program.

The digitalization agenda includes electrification of schools, internet access, and provision of at least 40 digital access devices per school, National Open Distance and e-Learning policies among others.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Public Relations Officer in Ministry of Education, Mphatso Nkuonera said that Malawi Government is dedicated to improving the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of primary school learners in standard one up to four through (BEFIT).

“Over 80,000 tablets have already been distributed to 660 primary schools across the country, serving over 410,000 learners. In areas where there is no electricity, the ministry is providing vibrant solar panels,” he said.

Education expert, Steve Shara said in an interview that digitalizing access to education is key to transforming societies, as a lot of people do not have access to education.

“We have two million young Malawians aged 15-19 years old, yet only 538,000 are in school, the rest have no access to education because we do not have enough secondary schools,” he said.

Another education expert, Benedicto Kondowe agreed with Shara, saying that digitalizing education in Malawi is a significant step towards achieving Malawi’s 2026 vision, which prioritizes building a strong human capital foundation through quality and accessible education.  

“Digitalizing education is a realistic agenda as learners will be equipped with technological knowledge and skills resulting into a productive society. We are living in a digital world and our learners need to be in line with how the world is working,” he said.

The BEFIT program led by the Malawi Government is embedded within the national curriculum and school timetable and by 2029; all public primary schools are expected to have benefited from the program.

By Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe November 7, Mana: Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Samson Mdolo, says it is encouraging to see Malawi making strides in the fight of HIV and AIDS.

Speaking on Wednesday, in Lilongwe, during a three-day Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting, Mdolo said, there is much progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.

“We have made a good progress as a country as far as the fight against HIV and AIDS is concerned. Although there are some difficulties, in the country in fighting the pandemic, but we are making so much progress and our goal is to reduce new infection incidences by 2030.

“As a country we have managed to achieve the new UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, though when we dig deep we still have some sections, we are not doing so well. That is the reason why we have organized this annual review meeting, in order to still assess the progress,” he said.

Mdolo also commended the government of Malawi for showing commitment to the fight by increasing 2024/2025 financial budget for the health sector, saying it is only health people who can positively contribute to the development of the country.

Chairperson of Health Donor Group, Susanne Meltl, congratulated Ministry of Health for doing well in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and pledged that the donor community will continue to support the ministry in its operations.

“As a donor community, we just want to congratulate the Ministry of Health and National Aids Commission (NAC) for conducting a joint review meeting for the first time.

“And we are delighted to see that there has been a progress towards achieving the 95-95-95 targets and we would like to encourage the ministry to further put efforts, and they will have our support,” she said.

In 2022/23, the prevalence of HIV among adults in Malawi was 8.9 percent, which corresponds to approximately 946,000 adults living with HIV. HIV prevalence was higher among women (10.5%) than among men (7.1%).

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, November 7, MANA: Director of Crop Development in the Ministry of Agriculture, Elida Kazira has appealed to all tobacco industry stakeholders to embrace the implementation of new tobacco practices, saying it is critical in transforming the tobacco industry and the country`s economy.

Kazira was speaking during the official opening of the 2024 Tobacco Industry Conference in Lilongwe on Thursday, which is being held under the theme “Learning from our success and challenges to improve the future” emphasizing that tobacco industry plays a vital role to ensure the sustainability of forex in the country.

In her address, Kazira highlighted the need to reflect on labour practices in tobacco industry stating the implementation of the Agriculture Labour Practice Code which was launched recently in an effort to eliminate child labour in the tobacco industry.

The Director also stressed the need for proper management and interest in tobacco production acknowledging the increased tobacco production in 2023/2024 growing season.

She noted that as of 31st October 2024, the Tobacco Commission had licensed 230 million kilogrammes compared to the 133 million kilogrammes licensed during the last season for the benefit of the country.

“It is sobering to note that the conference in not just looking at lessons from success but from challenges as well” she said. “There is an opportunity to learn from the delayed payment of proceeds to tobacco growers in the 2023/2024 selling season.

Commissioner for Tobacco Commission Dr. Godfrey Chapola appealed for collective efforts and collaboration among tobacco stakeholders to ensure there is a platform for tobacco players in the industry to learn, share knowledge and experience as well as address challenges faced in the tobacco industry

“This gathering here is to share experience and to share knowledge so that we can map and forge forward as an industry.,” he added.

Chairperson for Tobacco Processers Association(TPA) Moffat Hamilton Gama, who is also the Managing Director for Japan Tobacco International(JTI)  advised tobacco growers in the country to consider optimal production to ensure they  offer global market a quality product.

Among other stakeholders, the Tobacco Industry Conference has attracted key players from Tobacco Growers Association(TGA), Banker's Association of Malawi(BAM), Auction Holdings Limited(AHL), Agriculture Research Extension Trust(ARET) and Japan Tobac

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, November 7, Mana: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) has praised the Muslim Youth United (MYU) weekly feeding programme, which provides meals and hygiene supplies to 1,200 patients every Wednesday.

The programme, which was established in 2019, provides packets of Chiponde (RUTF), Likuni Phala, cooking oil, milk, maize flour, soya pieces and eggs and has proved essential in meeting critical nutritional needs for patients and alleviating some of the hospital’s resource challenges.

QECH Hospital Administrator, Sipho Nyasulu, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that the collaboration with MYU has been vital since the programme began.

“This initiative bridges the nutrition gap for our patients. We work hand-in-hand with MYU to identify beneficiaries and ensure resources are distributed effectively,” Nyasulu said.

He said their role in the project is more than just receiving donation but also overseeing that these resources truly reach those in need.

According to Nyasulu, the programme initially targeted only two wards; pediatrics and orthopedics, but now covers most of the wards.

"When the programme was launched, it was limited in scope, but it has since expanded, helping us support a broader range of patients,” he said.

He said the hospital still struggles to meet the dietary requirements of patients with specific illnesses that call for high-protein or therapeutic meals.

"Certain patients require special meals tailored to their illnesses, which are costly. We rely on feeding programmes like these to bridge the gap as the demand far exceeds our capacity to supply," he said.

Nyasulu called on stakeholders and well-wishers to step in and support specialized nutritional needs programmes saying while government supports them, demand is still high for them to meet it alone.

In a separate interview, MYU Feeding Programme Coordinator Wadson Banda said the programme has been impactful, aligning with Islamic values of helping the needy and the sick.

 "Our Prophet Muhammad encourages us to always assist those in need, especially the sick. This feeding programme helps us fulfill that duty," Banda said.

He explained that since its launch in 2019, the programme has evolved to address immediate needs.

In addition to food, MYU provides hygiene supplies to improve hospital conditions and prevent illnesses.

He said the initiative has also fostered personal and spiritual growth among MYU youth volunteers who engage directly with patients during their visits.

Banda encouraged Muslims across Malawi to establish similar feeding programmes at hospitals nationwide.

QECH receives support amounting to K3 million every six months and K25 million per year from the initiative.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, November 6, Mana: After seating for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) many are hopeful to find an opportunity to be selected into public universities or technical colleges, for some the latter seems like a far-fetched dream and unattainable.

Communities in Salima District are speaking highly of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme for opening doors of job opportunities through employment such as forepersons and digitizers, informal employments that do not need higher qualifications such as a university paper.

In Salima district, under the CSEPWP about 136 forepersons have been employed who are custodians of catchments and provide technical guidance to participants of the project.

One of the forepersons, Elise Standwell from Mtende Village Traditional Authority Khombedza who is working under Mchepa catchment, describes her work under the CS-EPWP as elevating because after she wrote her Malawi School Certificate of Education in 2012 she has been employed.

"Being employed as a foreperson has given me an opportunity to gain experience on how to manage people, how to manage tree nurseries and environmental restoration activities and putting documents in order such as registering participants everyday after working at project sites," she says.

She echoes how beneficial the employment has been to her after remembering how unskillful she was when she was being employed 2 years ago.

Standwell reveals that her confidence has been boosted, after undergoing various capacity building trainings, such as tree and nursery management, social safeguards modalities, catchment and management trainings, citing the vitality of the skill set she has gained so far.

Another Foreperson from Lilongwe catchment Enita Alfred, in the area of Senior Chief Kalonga agrees with her colleague stating that being employed under the CSEPWP has been a morale booster for her, because she had been jobless and hopeless after writing her MSCE, a situation which has changed at the moment.

"My daily responsibility under the CSEPWP include supervising participants, ensuring that they are following stipulated standards and not delivering substandard work, my livelihood has improved because the wages that I receive help me to sustain my family's day to day needs," she says.

Limbani Nthala, Foreperson from Mchepa catchment underscores that despite lacking formal certifications, he has honed his leadership skills through hands on experience and on-the-job training, earning him the respect from the participants in the environmental public works program.

"I have natural ability to communicate effectively, paired with my keen problem-solving skills, enables me to manage my team and navigate complex project challenges. I believe in collaboration because it fosters a positive work environment," he says.

He says it is encouraging to note that valuable skills can be cultivated through experience and dedication, rather than solely through formal education.

District Labour Officer for Salima, Lanwell Mkisi confirms that Salima District Council through the CSEPWP has employed about 136 forepersons and 52 digitizers and this has reduced unemployment rate in the district.

"Individuals who happen to get a chance of employment, in an informal way, if well executed, after completion of all circles, they will have gained experience, in leadership, and practical or hands on type of working," he explains.

Mkisi says it is expected that the gained experience will be used when applying for formal jobs or transitioning to formal jobs. These forepersons lead a very large groups of participants, that require someone to have some attributes like how to manage people, so the skills will help them greatly.

"Such employment arrangements help to alleviate poverty in the sense that these forepersons will now have a buying power, the money earned will first of all help them as individuals to meet some basic needs like food, clothes, paying school fees and some do invest as well," he says.

On this point he says another advantage of the CSEPWP set up is that the forepersons are scattered across the district which means that there is well distribution of resources across the district.

According to the International Labour Organization the informal employment provides employment opportunities, especially within developing countries, to those who do not have employment security, work security and social security.

CS-EPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP). The SSRLP is a Malawi Government project, funded by the Multi Donor Trust Fund facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee in all the 28 district councils.