MANAonline
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.
Chirunga alumni group donate Wheelchairs to KCH
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, December 26, Mana: Chirunga alumni group from the University of Malawi has donated wheelchairs worth K2 million as part of Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations at Kamuzu Central Hospital on Thursday.
The Director of Quality Assurance Services in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, also a representative of the Alumni group, Dr Darwin Pangani, said one of their colleagues in the University of Malawi, also a former student, put up a bid for disposal of the wheelchair to the group to be donated to any hospital in the country.
Pangani said this triggered an inclination to the idea of making use of such an item in a meaningful sense and through value addition.
“Our engagement today here at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) at this function aims to deliver 5 new Wheelchairs as part of our goodwill donation to an important health facility not only in Lilongwe City but for the whole country Malawi.
“We started with modest donations and this became a bigger ambition which has led to mobilizing close to K2 million which has been used to buy four wheelchairs for adults and one wheelchair for a child, from the local medical equipment supply," said Pangani.
However, he expressed gratitude to his fellow alumni for the kind donations from Chirunga friends and colleagues some of which stay and work outside the country, US and UK.
“We are grateful for the guidance from the Health Financing section of MoH on following the right protocols to make this donation.
“All in all we are also grateful to be part of the start of this partnership with KCH and MoH in particular. Most of us value KCH as a facility which has been used as a referral for most of our health problems," he said.
The Director General at Kamuzu Central Hospital Dr Knock Ludzu expressed gratitude for the coming of the Chizungu alumni ground, as the wheelchairs will play a crucial role in the easy movement of the patients from one place to another within the hospital.
“Our goal is to provide quality tertiary healthy services in the central region and beyond, but we have limited resources which is also a challenge to fulfil our core values and goals.
“We would love if other well wishes would intervene and provide us with more wheelchairs since the hospital is very large and requires more availability of resources;” he explained
He has however encouraged other well wishes to donate essential materials at the hospital in order to help patients in different departments of the hospital.
Blantyre Press Club to host issue-based campaign forum
By Charlie Ligomeka
Machinga, December 26, Mana: In a bid to promote issue-based campaigning ahead of the September 16, 2025, General Elections, Blantyre Press Club will host a forum at Naripiri Holiday Resort in Mulanje this Friday.
According to Blantyre Press Club President, Luke Chimwaza, the event aims to bring together different political leaders and stakeholders to discuss the importance of focusing on issues that affect the lives of Malawians.
“We will have an interface with political parties and we expect them to share their strategies for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections next year.
“We want to know how they plan to address the challenges facing our country and how they intend to engage with citizens on these issues,” said Chimwaza.
Chimwaza emphasized that violence and intimidation have no place in Malawi's electoral process, noting: "We encourage all political parties in the country to desist from violence as it scares voters away from participating in elections.”
“Instead, we want to see them engaging in constructive debates and discussions on the issues that matter most to Malawians," he added.
The forum will feature discussions on various topics including civic education, inclusive participation, environmental issues and internal issues affecting the press club.
Chimwaza, however, noted that civic education is crucial in empowering citizens to make informed decisions at the polls.
"We will also civic educate people to take part in elections as well as encourage people with disabilities to take part in elections,
"They are also Malawians and their votes count. Their votes can change things," he said.
By hosting this forum, Blantyre Press Club hopes to promote a culture of issue-based campaigning and encourage politicians to prioritize the needs and concerns of citizens.
The event is expected to attract a diverse of stakeholders, including political party leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the press.
SCT beneficiaries praise government for lean season response
By Salome Gangire
Neno, December 26, Mana: Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Neno District have expressed gratitude to the government for the lean season response funds and their regular cash transfers, saying the financial support will enable them to purchase food and meet other basic needs.
Speaking on Wednesday at Ligowe in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlauli's area during the disbursement of lean season response funds and social cash transfers, a beneficiary from Dzomodya Village, Nelia Somebody said the funds would help her purchase food for her household in the coming months.
“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,” Somebody said.
As part of the lean season response programme, SCT beneficiaries received a lump sum of K210, 000 to cover three months in place of maize supply in addition to their monthly stipends. Payments ranged from K244, 000 for single-member households to K374, 000 for larger families.
Another beneficiary from Dzomodya 2 Village, Macdonald Kusata, echoed similar sentiments, observing that the funds came at a critical time.
“The money has come at the right time when I had no food for my family. I will now be able to buy food for the coming months and celebrate Christmas well,” Kusata said.
Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare responsible for Manual and E-transfers, Gilbert Kaponda said the lean season response funds were provided through support from the European Union (EU) in addition to their regular monthly stipends from September to December, representing a vertical expansion of the programme.
“The government recognizes the challenges posed by hunger and is ensuring that beneficiaries receive both their regular payments and additional support under the lean season vertical response. We encourage beneficiaries to use the money responsibly by prioritizing food purchases and meeting their children’s school needs as schools reopen in January,” Kaponda said.
He emphasized that 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.
Kaponda added that the government is digitalizing all social protection programs with efforts underway to conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) processes for all beneficiaries to enable electronic transfers in Neno.
Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfers in Neno, Amos Chandilanga disclosed that the EU's contribution of K648, 480,000.00 was meant to support 3,088 SCTP beneficiary households in the district whereby each household is receiving K70, 000 per month for three months under the Lean Season Response Programme.
“This once-off payment is designed to help households purchase food items during the lean season,” said Chandilanga, adding that the lean season response programme in Neno is being delivered through two modalities: cash transfers for SCTP beneficiaries and in-kind maize distribution for others.
He added that the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report identified 5,692,122 people across 28 districts and four cities as requiring food assistance for three to six months during the 2024/25 consumption year.
In Neno District alone, 13,869 households are affected, of which 3,088 SCTP beneficiaries are receiving cash transfers for three months instead of maize having received the commodity for the past two months. The remaining households will continue to receive 50-kilogram bags of maize under the programme, which began in October.
Over 140 children reinstated on ART in Nkhata Bay
By Abednego Sibale
Nkhata Bay, December 26, Mana: Programs Manager for Malawi AIDS and Community Development Support Organization (MACODESO), Michael Chirwa, Wednesday said that over 140 children aged below 14 in Nkhata Bay have been reinstated on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
Chirwa said the children have been reinstated on ART after defaulting the therapy for varied periods after their parents and guardians had travelled to other countries in search of employment opportunities.
He was speaking at Chisala in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay during Ndife Umodzi Know Your Rights awareness campaign on the rights of children and women living with HIV.
"It was observed that some guardians fail to support children living with HIV to adhere to ART.
With the help of Ndife Amodzi Know Your Rights campaign, I am glad to say that 143 under the ages of 14 have been reinstated on ART in 2024 and we will continue engaging communities so that we maintain the status," said Chirwa.
According to Chirwa, discrimination against people living with HIV is a major obstacle in fighting HIV.
"We will therefore continue empowering communities to report to relevant authorities any forms of discrimination and ART default cases, " he said.
ART Coordinator at Nkhata Bay District Health Office, Yvonne Mnjeza commended MACODESO and other stakeholders for collective efforts towards improving the well-being of children living with HIV who depend on their guardians to manage their life decisions.
"This development is a significant initiative in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among vulnerable populations like children," said Mnjeza
Community Policing Station Coordinator for Nkhata-Bay Police, Joseph Kyeyo said that he was optimistic that this campaign will enhance advocacy for women and children health rights.
All Set for Sounds of Africa in Blantyre
By Ivy Yohane
Blantyre, December 25, Mana: To celebrate African music this festive season, Hype has organized a music party, dubbed Sounds of Africa on December 28, 2024, at Amaryllis Hotel, Stakeout Restaurant in Blantyre to explore ignored African music genres.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Hype, Rahim Karim told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that Sounds of Africa has been organized under the theme; Taking a journey through the rhythm of the motherland.
He added that the show is meant to explore African music genres that aren't usually played in Malawi this time around, citing afrobeat, soukous, rhumba and kanindo among others.
“It is called Sounds of Africa because of the type of music that will be played on the day. We will strictly be playing African music throughout the event.
“This will help to appreciate how diverse our continent music backgrounds differ. Despite the difference, we shall further appreciate that the music still unite us through the language in the music,” Karim said, adding that entertainment lovers should expect full and memorable musical experience that will draws them closer to African roots.
Apart from the music, there shall be food and drinks tailored for day at the Stakeout Restaurant which, according to Hype's Chief Executive will be transformed to give real African music sound,
“There will be an exclusive food and drinks menu tailored for that day on top of a lineup of amazing DJs. The venue itself, Stakeout Restaurant will be transformed to give the ultimate African sound experience,” he said.
In a separate interview, one of the DJs who will perform at the event, Innocent Mpakiza popularly known as Tino the DJ said that his mission is to take everyone on an unforgettable journey through African music.
“People should expect soulful vibes, infectious beats and a performance that embodies the spirit of Africa at that same time bringing everyone together on the dance floor”, he said.
Other DJs that will perform at the event include; DJ Climaxx and DJ Vinneq as the event will set to begin at 3 in the afternoon and will run throughout into the evening.
