
MANAonline
Judges set to select 15 songs in Dolo Amavotera Chakwera challenge
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, 14 February, Mana: Judges for the Dolo Kwambiri Amavotera Chakwera music challenge are set to select 15 songs out of 212 songs that were submitted for the competition from various artists in the music industry.
The judges include musician Graiton GD Pasanje of the Dare Devils music group, music producer Tapps Bandawe and Sophie Mponda.
Speaking in an interview, one of the judges for the competition, Tapps Bandawe, said the judges started their camping yesterday on Thursday in Lilongwe to select 15 songs for the next round of the competition and will finish their task on Sunday.
He said the judges are well prepared for the task as artists are putting their talents and dreams in the judges’ hands and that they will take the task very seriously because it is about pushing the talent forward.
“The criteria we are going to use is going to be based solely on an individual's talent. It is our first time meeting as a panel of judges, so when we meet later during the day, we are going to decide what categories we are going to choose. whether it's creativity 10 points, songwriting 10 points, vocal range, whatever it is. So, we will put together the right criteria,” Bandawe said.
In his remarks, one of the organizers of the challenge Yikamikani Chinguwo said the judges have been given four days to shortlist 15 songs that will be uploaded on the Dolo Amavotera Chakwera website so that the public can choose five winners out of the 15.
He said the public will start voting for the best five winners latest on Tuesday next week.
The competition, dubbed Dolo Kwambiri Amavotera Chakwera, will see winners walk away with K5 million each.
The music challenge was introduced by Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba during last year’s youth concert held at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Youth organization bridging education gap
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, February 13, Mana: As one way of promoting education and empowering young people to become future leaders, a Blantyre based youth-led organization, Makhetha Youth Friendly (MYF) had embarked on a mission of supporting underprivileged primary and secondary school students with school fees.
Programs Director for MYF, Yunusu Mussa told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, that they believe that every child deserves to go to school regardless of their background and no one should be left behind in the pursuit of education.
“Our focus is on students who have the potential of doing well with their education but are struggling financially, have special needs and those with disabilities,” he said.
Mussa said as a way of ensuring that the program is effective and meeting its objectives, they are working hand in hand with school administrations and teachers to be assessing the student’s performances.
“Funding comes from our fundraising activities, well-wishers which includes donations from individuals and other corporate sponsors. We also provide mentorship and guidance to our beneficiaries to help them achieve their academic goals,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, a form 3 student at Stance Independent Private School in Machinjiri, Eliza Lakalaka expressed gratitude saying that this is a huge encouragement.
“I was about to drop out of school due to financial challenges. Thanks for the support, now i can concentrate on my studies,” she said.
Under the program, MYF is currently helping 39 students in Makhetha Township, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kapeni in Blantyre, with a target of reaching over 100 students by the end of this year.
BEFIT Programme expands to 60 more schools in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, February 13, Mana: Director of Education and Sports in Nkhata Bay, Votie Mboweni has disclosed that 60 more public primary schools in Nkhata Bay will be benefiting from the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program in the next academic year.
In an interview Thursday during media engagement event organized by Nkhata Bay Gouncil and Organization for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development Initiative (OSSEDI), Mboweni said this is a plus to the district, as more learners will be exposed to the technology.
"I can confirm that an assessment of schools has been completed, and 60 additional schools will join the current 29 participating schools.
"This means more learners will benefit from the programme, which aims to improve foundational literacy and numeracy skills using innovative technology and teaching methods through the tablets," he said.
He therefore expressed optimism that by 2029 the program will be rolled out in all 202 schools in the district.
Project Manager for OSSEDI, Alick Makiyi noted that the programme has shown improved performance in mathematics and increased attendance of leaners in Nkhata Bay.
"Putting all programmes in Chichewa has not only helped learners understand all 4000 programmes easily but also helped them to understand the language easily," he added.
He therefore said that the involvement of the media will help publicize the programme to rural areas.
"Many people are unaware of the programme, and there are misconceptions that need to be cleared.
"We're confident that media platforms will help share correct information, contributing to the programme's sustainability," Makiyi said.
However, Makiyi expressed concerns about implementation challenges, including topography in Nkhata Bay, which makes weekly monitoring difficult and malfunctioning gadgets affecting school tasks.
BEFIT is a Malawi government's program being implemented by Ministry of Education across the country and through OSSEDI in Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay aiming at improving the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of all primary school learners in standard 1-4 by use or tablets.
CARE Malawi donates WASH items to flood survivors in Mangochi
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, February 13, Mana. In response to the recent floods that affected communities in Mangochi, CARE Malawi has donated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) items worthy k5 Million to Mangochi District Health Office, aimed at promoting hygiene and preventing the spread of diseases among flood survivors that are currently sheltering in camps.
Floods affected over 1500 households, and three people died while 48 others sustained injuries in Traditional Authorities (TAs) Chimwala, Mapira and Mponda.
Speaking during a symbolic handover ceremony of the items at Mangochi District Hospital on Wednesday, Care Malawi Project Manager, Chimwemwe Gremu said the organization thought it wise to support the survivors because of the floods, which has affected their livelihood.
Gremu said his organization is implementing a project called Malawi Drought Response project in Traditional Authorities Chiunda, Chowe, Namabvi and Makanjira, targeting 3000 households.
"We decided to make a donation of WASH items because of the floods which affected communities in T/As Chimwala, Mponda and Mapira, who are currently staying in camps. We have donated 1000kgs of chlorine powder, 100 H2S strips and 1200 tablets of soap to support the survivors," said Gremu.
District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO) for Mangochi District Health Office (DHO), Chimwemwe Jella described the donation as timely, observing it will go a long way in supporting the district to promote hygiene in the established camps.
Jella said the wash items are very important for the DHO to enhance safety and health status of the people in the communities.
"The chlorine will be used to treat the water that people are using on daily basis. The water testing kit is meant to monitor the quality of water and the soap for the people's normal hygiene routine," added Jella.
He therefore urged stakeholders in the district to continue supporting the DHO for it to be able to provide integrated health services and wash items in established camps.
Apart from WASH and nonfood items, care Malawi will also through the project distribute cash amounting to K92,500 for three months to selected survivors.
Mzimba passes K67 billion budget
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, February 13, Mana: Chairperson for M’mbelwa District Council, Morgan Tembo has heaped praise on councillors and Members of Parliament (MPs) in Mzimba for nodding to the council’s proposed 2025/2026 annual financial budget pegged at K67 billion.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday after passing the budget, Tembo said people living in Mzimba are looking to have various projects from the money in the budget.
‘‘There are schools and bridges that need to be constructed, dilapidated structures that need to be renovated and roads that need to be upgraded. All these will now be possible with the funding that has been approved’’, said Tembo.
The budget approval did not however pass easily as Member of Parliament for Mzimba South, Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere expressed concerns on how developments funded by Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds are distributed in constituencies.
Jere observed that most GESD projects have been concentrated in Mzimba Solola and Mzimba East Constituencies leaving other constituencies with little developments from the GESD Funding, estimated at K1.6 billion.
‘‘There are some constituencies that are benefiting more from GESD funds than others. We need to distribute developments fairly without side-lining others,’’ said Chambulanyina Jere.
“If the GESD funds cannot be used to develop the areas fully, let authorities appeal to the donors if they could allow us to pool the funds and embark on one big development project that will benefit all people of Mzimba other than coming up with piecemeal funding that are not helping areas have impactful projects’’, said Chambulanyina.
He cited the state of most roads as being in a very bad state and if GESD funds can be pooled together and buy a grader it would be used to upgrade all roads in various constituencies to facilitate easy mobility.
‘‘Some of these developments such as school blocks, can be constructed using Constituency Developments Funds (CDF). Let us use GESD funds for big projects that an individual MP cannot manage to do using CDF funds’’, he said.
However, Tembo said the suggestion by Chambulanyina Jere to have one big project is untenable because every politician wants to have projects in their areas to impress his people and there is little chance that other MPs and councillors would settle for the one big-for-all project.
In his response, District Commissioner for Mzimba, Rodney Simwaka said projects are initiated and agreed by the members of development committees and there was need for the committee to scrutinize all projects by various constituencies before allocating them.
Among others, in the budget for 2025/2026, personal emoluments have been pegged at K45 billion, the development budget stands at K17 billion while the operational budget is pegged at K4.6 billion.
Among other proposed projects in the budget include the acquisition of land for residential and commercial plots at Euthini and the construction of access roads at Raiply Malawi Limited.
Others are construction of a staff house and VIP toilet at Chipho and the construction of two-span bridge at Emazwini.
The budget will be financed by three windows of government and donor transfers and locally generated revenue.
NGO donates food to Courageous Kids foundation
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, February 13, Mana: To address the absence of a feeding programme at Courageous Kids Foundation in Mpemba, Blantyre, Ashraful Aid Humanitarian International has donated foodstuffs at the Foundation.
Speaking after making the donation on Wednesday, Project Coordinator Dickson Laja encouraged the children that their current situation should serve as motivation to strive for a better future.
"You must work hard in everything you learn at school and here at your home. This will help you achieve your dreams and enable others to benefit from your success," he said.
He urged them to recognize and appreciate the efforts of their founder, so they, too, could develop a spirit of giving back as they grow.
Founder of Courageous Kids Community Foundation, Courageous Musasa, commended Ashraful Aid for their support, stating that it would help alleviate their food shortages, as they do not have regular donors.
She said some potential donors request that the number of children be reduced to seventy, which she finds impossible since most of them are orphans who lost their parents to Cyclone Freddy and are now homeless.
"I remember being a street kid myself, wishing that someone would rescue me. Rather the well-wishers should try to make their target reach the number we have here," she said.
She called on more donors to assist the foundation, as some of the children attend private secondary schools and public universities and struggle with tuition fees and daily upkeep.
Musasa also expressed gratitude to the Blantyre District Council Social Welfare Office for their frequent visits and supervision, saying that their support helps address challenges and improve the foundation's operations.
One of the children at the foundation, Lucky Musasa, thanked the donor an encouraged the organization to extend its generosity to others in need.
The organization donated 100 kg of maize flour, 50 kg of rice, five bales of soya pieces, and a bale of sugar to the foundation which has ninety-five kids who were previously living in the streets.
Mchinji council passes K37 billion budget
By Brighton Chimsinde
Mchinji, February 13, Mana: Members of Mchinji District Council have approved budget estimates for the district pegged at MK37 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The budget was approved on Wednesday during a full council meeting held in Mchinji District Council Hall.
Chairperson for the Finance Service Committee, Henry Nyamaulo, presented the proposed budget, describing it as "a budget for the people of Mchinji" with focus on critical needs across all parts of the district.
He said that the budget would fund service delivery and infrastructure development in health, education, and agriculture sectors adding that they would enhance monitoring and supervision of projects funded by the budget.
“In the 2025/2026 fiscal year, we are committed to strengthening monitoring and supervision. No contractor will receive payment without our supervision and certification of the project.
“If citizens observe any issues or lack of progress on development projects, they are encouraged to report them to relevant authorities for action,” he said.
He also noted that the budget includes a review of taxes and fees, such as market fees, ground rentals, and registration and estate licensing fees.
Mchinji District Council Chairperson, Dorothy Mussa, praised the council members for approving the budget.
“Last week, the house could not approve the budget due to some issues that required clarification from the Finance Service Committee. We are pleased that the house has now approved the budget, which remains a crucial tool for delivering social services across the district,” Mussa said.
Kunkuyu challenges radios on professionalism
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, February 13, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu has challenged radio stations in the country to be responsible in their work by reporting on issues that could help build the nation.
Kunkuyu made the call on Thursday when he presided over the commemoration of World Radio Day activities which took place in Kasungu District under the theme ‘Radio and Climate Change’.
The minister said radios must give people hope and focus on life-changing messages that can help transform communities.
“Radio has been a reliable medium of communication in our society especially now when there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation on social media. However, we must ensure that we are responsible in our reporting
“We must therefore strive to ensure that our radio stations are managed professionally to take the huge responsibility of building the nation in the face of climate change which is real, and it’s a subject matter that no community can run away from,” Kunkuyu said.
He also challenged the radios to remain apolitical in their broadcasting, ensuring fairness and objectivity.
“The people we broadcast to are well knowledgeable to make their own decisions. We must not decide for them; our role is to give them information and they will make informed decisions based on that,” he said.
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in partnership with Unesco supported the event which is observed every year on 13 of February.
Board Chairperson for MACRA, Bridget Chibwana, said climate change has had devastating effects in the country, destroying key economic infrastructure including radio towers hence the need to mount effective address mechanisms.
She said radio remains a powerful and reliable tool that could help to cascade information about changing climatic patterns and their effects to all communities with ease.
"We recognise the role that the radio plays in sensitising the masses on issues of climate change. So through this commemoration, we are raising awareness on the importance of radio in that regard,” she said.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary for UNESCO, David Mulela, said World Radio Day is an opportunity to celebrate an enduring, versatile and widely accessible means of communication that serves as a tool for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate disruption.
“At a time extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, we must recognise the critical and often life-saving role of radio.
“Radio can reach even the most remote locations and function even when electricity fails. This makes radio a unique medium in crisis situations by acting as an early warning system to reduce disaster risk and save countless lives,” Mulela said.
During the event which was also attended by Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Media Susan Dossi and chiefs, MACRA presented computers to selected community radios to help in their broadcasting.
In 2011, UNESCO designated 13th of February as World Radio Day recognising its importance in communicating to masses.
BCC bans sale of green maize
By Ruth Kumwenda
Blantyre, February 13, Mana: Blantyre City Council (BCC) has banned selling of cooked and roasted green maize with immediate effect to control theft of the commodity in the city.
According to a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chinseu, the council appealed to all vendors in the city to comply with the ban.
“BCC has restricted selling of fresh, roasted, or cooked green maize until harvesting season,” reads the statement.
BCC further appealed to all vendors selling green maize to comply with the directive, warning that any vendor found selling green maize will be prosecuted.
Reacting to the development, a vendor who sells green maize at Blantyre Flea Market, Lucy Peter, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that she is worried about the ban, as the green maize business is the only source of income for her family.
“I sell fresh maize whether in the dry or rainy season because this is the only business that I do to support my five children with basic necessities.
“I am worried with this ban. We appeal to the BCC to reconsider the decision,” said Peter.
However, Peter acknowledged the rampant theft of green maize in the fields in the district but said she purchases the green maize from the farmers.
BCC bans selling of green maize every year to combat theft of green maize in the city.
Save the children donates wheelchairs and medical equipment
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, February 13, 2025, Mana: Deputy Minister of Health, Noah Chimpeni, has commended World Vision for its donation of wheelchairs for children with disabilities and medical equipment valued at $378 577 approximately MK643 million stating that this donation is to assist children with disabilities in various health centers and hospitals across the country.
Chimpeni made these remarks during a handover ceremony of the donation on Thursday held at the Health Education Unit offices in Lilongwe.
He said that the donation is timely and that the ministry recognizes World Vision as an international partnership of Christians dedicated to working with the poor, promoting health, fostering human transformation, seeking justice, and spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God.
He expressed gratitude that World Vision is committed to working with the poor and oppressed, and acknowledged the government's role as a partner in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, especially those with disabilities.
Chimpeni also said that government appreciates how World Vision’s priorities align with the government's Sustainable Development Goals, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Malawi National Disability Act.
“As a government, we are doing our best to ensure that children and people with disabilities have access to education, good health, well-being, water, sanitation, hygiene, and other social amenities without discrimination based on disability,” he said.
He commended World Vision and the Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) for their efforts in ensuring the success of the Able to Thrive project, which promotes the holistic development of children and communities in Mzimba North, Kasungu, Dowa, Ntchisi, and other districts.
"The government supports institutions with frameworks and policies that empower them to operate independently while helping to achieve its 2030 agenda.
“On behalf of my ministry and other government agencies, I am thankful that this implementing year of the Able to Thrive project will benefit 4,700 children with disabilities, along with their caregivers in the mentioned districts,” Chimpeni added.
He expressed appreciation for World Vision’s gesture in providing the 340 wheelchairs and other medical supplies, which will significantly improve health and care for the people saying that these items will greatly facilitate the implementation of projects and activities, enhancing the overall impact on the targeted beneficiaries.
“The wheelchairs will alleviate mobility challenges faced by children in the project areas, while the medical supplies will support our hospitals. As a government, we will continue collaborating with our partners to enhance the lives of people affected by disabilities,” he said.
Charles Chimombo, Director of Operations at World Vision, said that the organization is committed to promoting access to services for children with disabilities in the country.
“We are handing over 340 wheelchairs to MAP Bwaila, MAP Kachere, MAP Rumpi, and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Additionally, we are donating medical supplies to 20 district hospitals, 20 health centers, and two referral hospitals: Kamuzu and Mzuzu Central Hospitals” he said
He also commended the partnership with the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) and Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) for their dedication to disability inclusion, which has fostered a collaborative environment.
George Chiusiwa, Director General of the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA), stated that this donation will ensure the wheelchairs reach their intended beneficiaries, thus reducing the mobility and accessibility challenges faced by many children with disabilities in the country.