MANAonline
DC advises social cash transfer beneficiaries to buy maize
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, December 29, Mana: Zomba District Commissioner, Reinghard Chavula, has advised beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in the district to use money meaningfully particularly by buying food in the lean season with K3.2 billion allocated to support them through lean season cash support.
Chavula made an appeal Saturday during the launch of lean season response of cash to SCTP beneficiaries.
She said as part of cushioning people from hunger government decided to provide K140, 000 cash to each beneficiary instead of maize as a way of improving their livelihood in the lean season.
“All Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries are part of the lean season support for two months; they will get K140, 000, thus K70, 000 for each month to buy food.
“On top of this lean season support, households will also receive their regular transfers which are a huge contribution from government to the people,” Chavula added.
The District Commissioner therefore advised the beneficiaries never to be carried away by the huge sums of money but rather prioritizing on important basic household needs purpose.
One of the recipients of the cash, Thom Mapemba, of Traditional Authority Chikowi hailed government for the timely support of the cash.
He said the money received will enable him buy food and maize seeds to be planted in his fields.
“This is something that I never expected. The support has come at the right time when I needed it most and I salute government for the timely response,” Mapemba said.
According to Zomba District Council, a total of K3.2 billion has been allocated to benefit almost 19,730 SCTP beneficiary households through the lean season cash support.
Fountain of Victory to host a night of Hope and Destiny
By Hope Chimwala
Blantyre, December 28, Mana: In an attempt to restore hope to the body of Christ, Fountain of Victory Church International has organised a crossover service scheduled for December 31.
The cross over will be observed under the theme: 'Night of Hope and Destiny.' It will start from 8pm at Victory Land behind MBC TV offices in Blantyre.
In interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Friday, founder of Fountain of Victory, Apostle Joseph Ziba, said that the crossover service has been organised and titled “Night of Hope and Destiny” because it is an event which will be held at the end of the year with the aim of restoring hope to the church and also ushering people into a new year.
“The year in which we are in has affected many people in the country and people have lost hope with the economic crisis as well as with the year which is coming, this event will bring hope to them that God has special plans for us in 2025.
"We’re bringing all people together to tell them what God has said about 2025, tell them their responsibility and how they should carry themselves as we are in this season,” he said.
Ziba added that it is important for believers to enter the new year while in the presence of God rather than embracing it through drinking and doing other immoral things.
He particularly encouraged all people to attend and enter the new year in the presence of God.
“Other people think that crossing over is about drinking and doing all other things, but as believers, we know the meaning of coming together and entering the new year in the presence of God," Ziba said.
"I would urge each and every one if they could understand what the presence of God could do to them, you can come before him with a burden or depressed but you don’t go out the same," he added.
In a separate interview, Kalem Emmanuel, a member of God’s Will Church International, said that crossover services provide an opportunity for people to know and hear what God is saying about the coming year and how they should prepare.
“Services like these allow us to hear the mind of God through the man of God concerning all aspects of life, they also enable us to reflect on the areas we have done well and those we didn’t do well; thereby, giving us a chance to prepare on how we are going to prosper in the new year which is 2025, in this case,” he said.
The crossover services will be done in all Fountain of Victory Churches around the globe and activities such as 2024 mega thanksgiving praise, testimonies, saturated worship and prophetic messages and prayers, among others, are what will keep the services energised.
Chitipa Police Women's Welfare Group cheers the sick at Chitipa District Hospital
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, December 27, Mana: Chitipa Police Women's Welfare Group, which comprises police female officers and wives of police officers, Friday donated assorted groceries worth K2 million to prenatal, maternity and children's wards at Chitipa District Hospital.
Apart from celebrating with patients, the grouping also donated to patients’ guardians as a gesture of love in celebrating Christmas and New Year festivities.
Speaking when she presented the items, Chairperson for Chitipa Police Women's Welfare Group, Phinlet Mazengela, said that Jesus Christ was born to save all who believe in him and urged everyone to have faith that God intervenes in whatever challenges people experience.
Mazengela urged mothers and patient guardians to understand that health workers at the health facility are always there to foster lover and care as God per the wish of God.
Eliness Mtambo who is one of the patient guardians in the maternity ward, thanked the grouping for the donation which she said will go a long way in alleviating some of the challenges that some patients face while admitted at the facility.
Matron for Chitipa District Hospital, Nie Nyirenda, commended the women for complementing Chitipa District Council’s efforts enhancing patients’ welfare at the hospital.
Nyirenda added that the gesture portrayed love and unity amongst various stakeholders towards the council’s development
"I therefore urge individuals and organizations to continue supporting health facilities across the district," Nyirenda said.
Zomba District Council commissions construction of K430 million TDC
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, December 27, Mana: Zomba District Council on Thursday launched construction of a K430 million Teacher Development Center (TDC) using District Development Funds (DDF) at Mchengawedi Education Zone where Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) turned a classroom into a TDC for some years.
Speaking at the project site, Mchengawedi Council Chairperson, Blazio Chinthenga, said the Council was committed to providing quality infrastructures in the education sector to attain good education standards.
Chinthenga said the TDC was one such infrastructure that will improve provision of quality basic education.
“In our district development plans, we have a lot to achieve. We are therefore committed to completing all planned infrastructural projects.
Our target is to develop Zomba in all aspects,” the council chairperson
He said Mchengawedi TDC will be one of finest structure in the district and the whole Malawi and expressed hope that the facility will create a conducive working environment for teachers and users.
Member of Parliament for Zomba Malosa, Grace Kwelepeta, hailed government for financing construction of the TDC, describing the development as a positive step towards improved education standards in her area.
“The current PEA is operating in a classroom which is not conducive enough for a person of such a position. It our hope that this structure will restore the dignity of the PEA and the area which has rich education history,” she said.
While commending the commissioning of the TDC the parliamentarian appealed for the construction of a secondary school, which she said would provide secondary education for many children in primary schools in Zomba Malosa.
Senior Chief Malemia applauding Zomba District Council for the decision to construct the TDC but advised community members to desist from stealing construction materials.
“This is our own development; we should own it. Let us guard against theft of materials and let us ensure we get a perfect structure,” the chief said.
Ochibwe Building Contractors were awarded the contract to construct Mchengawedi TDC, according to Zomba District Council, Director of Public Works, Henry Mwamvani.
Mwamvani said among others, the TDC will have a conference hall.
Vice President warns against partisan distribution of relief maize
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, December 27, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has issued a stern warning against partisan politics in the implementation of Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme, which is meant to distribute relief maize to vulnerable households.
Speaking during a visit to Thyolo District on Thursday, Dr. Usi urging local leaders to ensure that assistance reaches all deserving individuals regardless of political affiliation or religious beliefs, emphasizing the need to ensure transparency when identifying and registering people that should benefit from programme.
“The relief maize is for every Malawian in need, not for members of a particular political party or religion. Chiefs and local leaders must ensure fairness and accountability in this process,
“We rely on you to uphold the integrity of this program,” added the Vice President.
The Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme in Thyolo will benefit 72,599 households representing 317,514 people.
Senior Chief Ndalama of Thyolo commended the government for the timely intervention, acknowledging its potential to alleviate the hunger crisis affecting communities across the district.
He, however, appealed to the government to extend the relief food programme to June or July, citing the prolonged dry spell that has severely impacted crop yields.
“Many fields are bare, and it is clear that people will not harvest enough food this year. We ask the government to consider extending the relief period to ensure that no one is left starving," said the senior chief.
Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, echoed the call for expanded support, urging the government to increase the number of beneficiaries in the district, noting that the magnitude of hunger in Thyolo requires a broader safety net to address the growing demand for food aid.
“The hunger crisis has affected nearly every corner of our district. The number of people in need far exceeds the current beneficiary list.
“We appeal to the government to adjust allocations to accommodate more households,” added the District Commissioner.
Mozambicans fleeing political violence goes up in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, December 27, Mana: Number of Mozambicans fleeing their country to Malawi as political violence continues in the wake of disputed election results has risen as 2,497 households entered Nsanje as of Thursday.
Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira says the number of people seeking refuge in the district is expected to rise as more Mozambicans are still coming in as the number of households rose from 2,000 to 2,497 of late.
The District Commissioner added that government through the Nsanje Council has provided shelter in evacuation centers and primary schools adding that a place to relocate some refugees has already been identified in the area of Senior Chief Tengani.
“Mainly the Mozambicans are coming in the district through the areas of Senior Chief Tengani, Senior Chief Mlolo and Traditional Authority Mbenje,” he added.
Mwandira stated that Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) also provided maize flour and beans to the Mozambican households seeking refuge in Nsanje.
“We are working with relevant stakeholders to make sure that these people receive necessary support. We reported the matter to the Department of Refugees in the Ministry of Homeland Security and other concerned organizations,” added Mwandira.
Political violence resurfaced in Mozambique after Constitutional Council announced Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo as the winner of the October 9 elections.
Mozambique's main opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, of Renamo, who according to the Constitutional Council said came second in the presidential elections but who rejected the results, has called for more protests from supporters.
Through Nsanje District Council’s situation report, Mozambican families are in need of various necessities such that the council; appeal for more humanitarian support.
Nsanje borders three districts in Mozambique namely Doa, Mutarara and Molumbala
Neno Council disburses over K837 million in Lean Season Response and SCTs
By Salome Gangire
Neno, December 27, Mana: The Social Welfare Office in Neno district has called on people that receive money as part of lean season response in the district to use the money wisely, citing purchase of food that should improve their nutrition status.
Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), Amos Chandilanga, made the call Thursday, at Matope, Traditional Authority Symon, during cash disbursement to beneficiaries of SCTP.
He disclosed that the council disbursed K648, 480,000.00 for lean season response from the European Union (EU) to support 3,088 households benefiting from the SCTP in the district for three months and K189 million in regular transfers for the month of September to December from the Multi Donor Trust Fund.
As part of the lean season response, SCT beneficiaries receive the sum of K210, 000, thus K70, 000 per month for three months in place of maize supply on top of their monthly stipends.
According to Social Welfare Office, the payments range from K244, 000 for single-member households to K374, 000 for larger families.
Chandilanga therefore, urged the recipients to utilize the cash for intended purposes to make their household’s food and nutrition secure apart from meeting other basic needs.
“The Lean season response is meant to cushion you from hunger and the Social Cash Transfer Programme is designed to achieve three main objectives: reducing poverty and hunger, increasing school enrollment and improving the health and nutrition of beneficiaries,” Chandilanga said while stressing good use of the cash.
He added that the programmes prioritizes nutrition particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, lactating mothers with key components that include community based nutrition sessions, malnutrition screenings and an efficient referral system to health facilities for treatment.
Chandilanga said the integrated approach is designed to combat malnutrition and strengthen community health system.
The Social welfare officer also encouraged the programme beneficiaries to invest the money in Village Loans and Saving Groups (VSL) so that they should have a solid financial base to move out of poverty.
A beneficiary, Margret Chimbarika, from Tchenga Village in Traditional Authority Symon said the money will enable her to purchase food for her household in to improving their food and nutrition needs apart from buying school materials for her children.
“Prior to the disbursement, we were trained and sensitized on nutrition. I will therefore purchase wider range of livestock for food and to sell some to improve household income,” Chimbarika added.
Another beneficiary from Dzomodya 2 Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli, Macdonald Kusata, had similar intentions, saying that he will use the money to purchase food and buy school essentials for his children as schools re-open in January.
“The money I have received will go a long way in helping me buy food and other essentials that I couldn’t afford on my own. I am very grateful to the government for this,” Kusata said.
Bankers accept Peter Mponda’s resignation
By Wishes Matchaya
Lilongwe, December 27, Mana: TNM Super League Champions Silver Strikers Football Club has confirmed that its head coach Peter Mponda has resigned from the club. Mponda announced about his resignation from the club on December 26, 2024 on personal reasons.
The club informed its supporters about the resignation through a press release on December 26, 2024. Despite two-year contract extension Mponda signed recently, he decided to part ways with the club on reasons he did not disclose.
Silver Strikers Football Club acknowledged Mponda’s exceptional leadership and technical expertise that led to club’s success during his stay at the club. The club has further expressed sincere gratitude to Mponda for his invaluable contribution and dedication.
The club accepts the resignation and is eager to working swiftly to identify a suitable replacement to ensure the continued success of the club and has told the supporters that they will be communicated regarding the coaching situation.
“Silver Strikers Football Club has therefore extended best wishes to Mr. Peter Mponda in his future endeavours,” reads part of the statement.
Faith Leaders urge leaders to champion peace and unity.
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, 26 December, Mana: The Chairperson for the faith leaders Dr, Hope Herbert Nkhoma has underscored the importance of the press briefing, saying they are going through orders for them to have a way that is going to put things into perspective and bring peace, reconciliation in the nation.
Speaking during a press briefing at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe on Thursday, Nkhoma emphasized that the whole purpose was to bring peace to the nation and addressed the remarks made by Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa on the June 10 plane crash inquiry.
"But on the remarks of Archbishop Thomas Msusa while we were just scrutinizing the remarks and looking at the positives of the remarks but also the negative of the remarks, so as faith leaders our words have got the power to build as well to destroy that is why in our statement, we said that as people that have be trained in as preaching and communication is concerned the choice of words is very important.
"So, what I want to say is that as a nation we have to learn and grow in our democracy and be able to argue on the point of point and not on the point of humanity, on personality but just be able to come together and reason in the regard to the principles and what we want to do and need to be done " He stated
Meanwhile, Reverend Alfred Mphote said as leaders we must build unity among our people and preserve national peace, not destroy it.
Adult literacy key in social economic development
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, December 26, Mana: District Community Development Officer for Salima Samuel Chimwaza has emphasized the need for stakeholders to take an interest in spearheading adult literacy in communities where they are implementing projects as one way of empowering community members.
Chimwaza made the remarks on Wednesday at Kamzimbe village in the area of Senior Chief Kalonga, during the graduation of 21 community members who underwent adult literacy training, facilitated by JCM power.
He said stakeholders should take it as their responsibility to empower communities so that people should be able to read, write and solve basic mathematics.
"It is worrisome when the majority of communities cannot write and sign during social protection activities, it is our wish to have at least 70 per cent of society who can read and write, this calibre of individuals make up productive citizens," he said.
On this point, he said, they appreciate stakeholders who collaborate with their office to improve the status of literacy in the district.
"Collective effort in improving and popularizing adult literacy is key to ensuring that the numbers of people who can read and write improves," he said.
He however expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of interest from males in adult literacy classes, giving an example of the graduating students who saw only one man graduating in the day.
Community Liason Officer for JCM Power, Levison Masamba said they have been observing that the majority of community members they are serving cannot read and write; therefore, this prompted them to come up with the initiative of having adult literacy classes.
"They have undergone rigorous training to attain skills in writing and reading, we sought the services of teachers who knew how to help an adult grasp the concept of reading and writing within the shortest time," he said.
He revealed that the initiative will be ongoing and the next cohort will commence in March 2025, with an expectation of having a higher enrollment number since there has been an awareness of the importance of adult literacy education.
One of the graduating learners Chisomo Banda said she dropped out of school in standard 5 and she has never learnt how to read or write, which was drawing her back from engaging in activities that would develop her life.
"I could not engage in peace works because the conditions were that I had to be able to read or write, and I could not properly count money but now with this skill, I am confident that my life will move forward," she said.
As motivation to others and to commend the graduating learners for taking part in the training, JCM Power gifted them with water buckets.
