By Albert Mulizakamba

Balaka, November 28, Mana: Action Aid Malawi has disclosed that over 137,000 children across six Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Balaka District have been enrolled in pre-primary schools under the School Readiness Initiative.

The Organization's Programme’s Manager for Early Childhood Development, Anderson Moyo, said this on Tuesday in Balaka when presenting the phase one and two project's progress to District Executive Committee (DEC) members.

He noted that the programme has managed to prepare vulnerable preschool children for education in the district, citing strong collaboration among various parties as a leading factor.

"Phase two has enrolled 137,471 children and we have seen improvements in children’s developmental domains, and also communities are willing to support their children. The construction of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, particularly in Traditional Authority Nyanyala, has been a great success," he said.

However, Moyo noted that Cyclone Freddy and El Nino posed significant challenges, affecting learner attendance due to hunger in the community.

He added:" The initiative has also recorded 1,640 male and 739 female dropouts with 19,364 male and 19,044 female repeaters"

Balaka District School Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Fabiano Mbendera emphasized the project’s importance in the district saying that the programme remains dedicated to ensuring vulnerable children receive a solid foundation for their educational journey.

"Action Aid School Readiness Initiative has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing education in Balaka, despite facing challenges and a radio programme, “Breach to School,” which was also featured in the programme further supported pre-primary children and parents," he commended.

The initiative was launched in 2020 and phase one started from 2020 to 2022, followed by phase two from 2022 to 2024 and now it is in phase three targeting eight TAs in Balaka.

By Agatha Kadzinje and Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, November 28, Mana: Small scale farmers in Blantyre rural have expressed high expectations in crop harvests in the 2024/2025 farming season as they are currently purchasing fertilisers and maize seeds in various selling points through Affordable Input Programme (AIP).

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, one of the beneficiaries from Chapasuka Village, Traditional Authority Chigalu in Blantyre, Stenala Juma, said that failure to apply fertilizer had been a challenge among most small scale farmers in his area.

“Most of us are appearing on the beneficiaries list for the first time. We therefore expect that next year we will have enough harvest,” he said.

Juma, who owns 1 hectare of land, expects to have a bumper harvest of maize next year, as in the past year he only harvested one bag of maize. He therefore expressed joy for being among the AIP beneficiaries at Traditional Authority Chigalu.

Some of the criteria for selecting AIP beneficiaries include; being a productive small farmer, owning land from 0.4 to 2.5 hectares, and belonging to a gazetted village, recognized by local authority on top of being a citizen of Malawi.

Speaking in a separate interview, Blantyre District, Chief Agriculture Officer, Lusungu Banda Mtukale said at least 41,860 farmers are expected to benefit from AIP.

She added that under AIP, small scale farmers in Blantyre will buy fertilisers and seeds at subsidised prices, anticipating that the AIP will improve maize production in the district which was also hit by drought.

“Some parts of Blantyre such as Kunthembwe and Chigalu received insufficient rains than other areas in the district.

“We are therefore encouraging farmers to adopt good farming practices according to weather patterns. We are hoping that good rainfall in 2024/25 farming season will bring good results,” Mtukale added.

She advised Agricultural Extension Development workers to provide extension services to farmers so that they should continue with good agricultural practices to ensure good harvest citing early land preparation, good choice of seeds, correct spacing, manure application on top of fertiliser application as some of the best practices.

Mtukale then appealed to AIP beneficiaries never to sell farm inputs for quick money, saying this would be counterproductive and set back in the quest for improved food production

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, November 28, mana: Scores of subsistence farmers in Mzimba have expressed hope of getting bumper yields from their farms after purchasing cheap fertiliser under the government’s Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the 2024/2025 farming season.

According to AIP coordinator for Mzimba Agriculture office, Julius Banda most market dealers have started selling   fertiliser under the programme which is targeting 45,541 beneficiaries in the district.

In an interview on Tuesday after purchasing fertiliser, a beneficiary of the programme Temwanani Chirwa, 48 from Kapokolo Village in Traditional Authority M’mbelwa said in the past she cultivated her two acres farmland but due to loss of soil fertility she failed to harvest enough.

‘‘My farmland can no longer give me yields without applying fertiliser. This is the reason I thank government for this programme which is making life easier for us subsistence farmers. This 50 kg bag I have bought at K15,000 will enable me cushion hunger as I am sure I will harvest more than 20 bags’’, said Chirwa.

Chirwa said she struggles to raise money for her household to survive everyday and she could hardly manage to raise over K100, 000 to buy fertiliser for her garden at the current market price.

“Most of us beneficiaries of this AIP are just subsistence farmers so we cultivate for food and because of that we don’t have the financial muscle to buy fertiliser on the market but the coming of this programme has made my life easy to have food through out of the year,” she said.

Another beneficiary of the programme, 71 year old Joys Kamanga from Chimuzalire Chirwa village in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande says this is the third time to be among AIP beneficiaries. He commended government saying it has come as a saviour since in the past they could not buy even one bag of fertilizer but currently they are buying two bags which is a great improvement.

Kamanga further says that he is able to provide for his family and that he is able to pay school fees for his family from the farming.

“Since I started benefiting from the program a lot of things have changed in my life as I am able to buy two bags of fertilizers at a low price,” he said.

Martin Jinkho from Yelemiah Mawaso village, in Traditional Authority M’mbelwa said they have not yet started planting and the fertiliser sales have not delayed.

“Some people were panicking that government was delaying in starting selling the fertiliser but I can assure you that this is just the right time as planting rains are yet to start,” said Njikho.

In a separate interview, Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku has also commanded government for rolling out the sales saying people in his communities’ bank on the programme.

‘‘This programme is doing wonders in enabling farmers to harvest without which most people would go hungry. I therefore commend government for this AIP and I only urge government to consider increasing number of beneficiaries next season,” said T/A Mzukuzuku.

Group village headman Amon Moyo says since AIP program was introduced a lot of people have benefited in his area and he further says that 160 people are going to benefit from AIP program this year.

“When the communities have got enough food it becomes easier for communities to take part in even self-projects. Hunger drives away hard working spirit. But people who have food are easy to manage. So as a chief I applaud government for making people buy fertiliser at cheaper price of K15, 000,” said Moyo.

According to the AIP coordinator Banda, they have since opened 32 selling points including mobile markets to ensure farmers have easy access to markets.

‘‘These 32 fertiliser selling points are up from 18 points we had last year. We have scaled up the selling points to ease challenges that some beneficiaries were facing to buy the fertiliser. Also, the mobile markets we have, we believe will ensure farmers buy farmers closer to where they reside,” said Banda.

By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, November 28, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council Economist John Manda has urged Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries to form strong and sustainable Savings loan groups that will assist in transforming their households and communities.

Manda said this at Khwapu Primary School in Nkhotakota district on Wednesday, during a weeklong GIZ-funded campaign on the benefits of savings and loan groups and other financial literacy benefits to beneficiaries of resilience programmes in the district.

He said the separate package that they contribute within Saving loan groups is used to support group members during disaster.

Manda therefore asked more male SCTP beneficiaries to join saving loan groups to achieve equal financial access between males and females.

H said embracing a culture of saving and learning entrepreneurial skills is critical to improve one’s economic status in life.

"We are encouraging them to join saving loan groups to have a vision for their households, as they might have plans to buy a bicycle, some livestock, or to build a house. So it is important for them to join these groups,” said Manda.

Ministry of Gender Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division Economist, Elicia Limbe revealed that most of the previous SCTP beneficiaries failed to succeed as they lacked effective strategies such as joining saving loan groups that would have guided them to accomplish their vision.

He added that this is why the ministry is advocating for the measures to make sure beneficiaries are guided, equipped, and placed in the best possible environment to succeed.

Alice Chimsewu one of the beneficiaries from Group Village Head Benga 2, said she ventured into livestock farming after joining the savings group and this has greatly helped the family to support children in school.

Chimsewu however asked government to consider increasing the package in order to match with the high cost of living caused by the devaluation of the local currency.

She admitted the importance of joining saving loan groups saying through this groups have access to borrow loans from financial institutions like banks and have access to numerous linkages of other groups.

By Ivy Yohane

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: In a bid to celebrate the Mexican culture and cuisine, Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre has organized an event dubbed; Mexican Fiesta on November 30, 2024 as Rosalba Ortega Rosas from Mexico will lead the culinary showcase and share her expertise in the Mexican cuisine.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Amaryllis Hotel Marketing Manager, Georgina Gadama stated that the event would provide an opportunity for patrons to explore authentic Mexican flavors, enjoy family-friendly entertainment, and create unforgettable moments.

“The food will highlight traditional Mexican cuisine, with dishes prepared by Chef Rossalba Rosas and inspired by Mexico's rich culinary heritage. Attendees should expect a variety of tacos, enchiladas, salsas, guacamole, and other iconic Mexican delicacies,” she said.

Gadama added that the guests will have an opportunity where they will interact with the chef.

“Chef Rosalba Rosas will be available to mingle and share insights about the ingredients, preparation methods, and cultural significance of each dish. This hands-on engagement will provide an excellent opportunity to learn directly from the expert while savoring the delicious dishes,” she added.

In a separate interview, the headliner chef, Rosalba Ortega Rosas said she was inspired to participate in the event to display her culture in Malawi.

"Mexican food is UNESCO Worldwide Heritage and I am very excited to bring my culture to Malawi. I have this commitment to be ambassador from my country everywhere,” she said.

Rosas explained that her work is entirely artisanal, utilizing recipes from Aztec culture to create delicious tortillas.

“The attendees will be immersing in a wonderful Mexican Day with the best Mexican food in Blantyre and feel the Mexican vibes,” she added.

The event is set to begin at 12 noon and will run throughout the afternoon into the evening. Attendees are encouraged to explore the offerings at Splash Rooftop and Zaffron at their own pace throughout the day.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, November 26, Mana: Kabula Gospel Project will on December 28 go into full swing to sing numerous series of hymns at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre under the theme; Hymns of the Heart to offer heartfelt experience in hymn worship.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Spokesperson for the event, Thokozani Kasiya said the worship series will feature a powerful blend of traditional hymns, soul-stirring gospel melodies to allow devoted Christians and other patronage to celebrate the power of faith.

“After a year of growth, challenges, and victories, we thought it wise to end the year with a concert which shall reflect faith, strength and beauty in God. Through the theme; 'Hymns of the Heart’, we will explore how hymns speak to the soul, reflecting deep on personal faith, prayer, joy, and worship,” said Kasiya.

She added that the Hymns of the Heart worship series will incorporate spoken word and congregational singing to create a dynamic atmosphere and bridge the gap between God and His people.

Kasiya added that the event promises to bring the Christian community together in worship, singing and celebration as the year ends.

The December 28, Hymns of the Heart will be “free entry” and is the first public event organised by Kabula Gospel Project outside the churches.

The show will feature popular church hymns and will be sung in various languages along with gospel songs from Kabula Gospel Project collections.

One of the devoted Christian, Chikumbutso Jabu hailed the Kabula Gospel Project for organising the hymn worship saying hymns connect people with God.

He said he is anticipating that singers will bring a vibrant flavor of hymns that will revive the listening audience to greater moments.

“I am looking forward to attend the event and l know l will witness God’s power and glory. I hope the group will inspire and uplift the audiences through a collection of original compositions and re-arranged hymns,” he added

Kabula Gospel Project formerly known as Kabula Youth Choir based at Kabula Hill Seventh day Adventist Church is a grouping of Kabula adventist youths with an ardent determination in preaching the gospel through music.

Since its establishment, Kabula Gospel Project has been leading different worship programmes and initiatives in various churches.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, November 15, Mana: Driving from Mangochi Boma to Blantyre, approximately 20 Kilometers, one reaches Traditional Authority Chimwala. Unlike other areas in Mangochi, Chimwala is unique due to its geographical position. Turning left, one finds Lake Malombe, while to the right there is breathtaking scenery of mountainous topography.  

Mangochi District is endowed with numerous natural resources, including lakes, minerals and mountains. The district boasts three famous surface water bodies: Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and Shire River.

Largely, situated in the rift valley of Lake Malawi’s Southern end, Mangochi boasts highlands and hills with a minimum elevation of 472 meters such that the district’s topography falls into two distinct categories: rift valley and hilly forest area.

The district also faces challenges in the education sector in the sense that its mountainous terrain, in some areas of Traditional Authority Chimwala becomes hard to reach area making it hard for people to access social amenities like hospitals and schools.

The geographical condition also becomes a stumbling block to learners to the extent that they long endure difficulties in accessing education such that the most prominent public secondary schools; Chimwala and Changali Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSS) becomes too far on foot and too far apart for option.

“Due to the long distance to school, we feel that access to school is no longer a right,’’ says Amina Hassan, a form two student at Changali CDSS. With 148 learners, including 77 girls, most students travel over 10 kilometers to access secondary education.

To address the challenge in the education sector, Member of Parliament for the area, Mangochi Nkungulu, Aisha Mambo Adams approached Mangochi District Council to agree to construct a 50-capacity girls’ hostel at Changali CDSS using Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Completed within months, the hostel is valued at MK43 million and has a kitchen and wash rooms as a package to provide for the girls very well.

Adams, who also serves as the Second Deputy Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, said she was inspired to construct the girls' hostel after reflecting on her own school days, when she faced the challenge of walking long distances to attend classes.

‘‘I was born and raised in this area, I know what it means to walk a long distance to get education. Unlike boys, whenever girls are back home from school they are given a number of household’s chores, a development which demotivate them from continuing with education,’’ says the legislator.

Access to education is well stipulated in the Malawi 2063 agenda, with a goal to promote formal and quality education to every Malawian child. However, as set in the 2022 to 2030 Social Economic Profile for Mangochi, high dropout of school learners is one of the main challenges currently experienced by Mangochi District Council.

For instance, in Traditional Authority Chimwala, population for projected school going age by 2023 was 25,827, with 2,627 number of school going children that were out of school, making Chimwala the third highest area with most school dropouts in Mangochi.

By 2023, having 15 Traditional Authorities in Mangochi, the Traditional Authorities with highest school dropouts was Traditional Authority Bwananyambi with 13 percent, followed by Traditional Authority Chilipa with 12 percent, and Traditional Authority Chimwala with 10 percent as the area registered 1,275 boys drop out vs 1,230 girl drop outs, while in 2021, the same Chimwala registered 1,416 boys and 1,611 girls drop outs respectively.

According to the 2023 Mangochi District Education Management Information System, dropout rate for girls in schools is slightly higher than that of the boys in most Traditional Authorities in the district, due to long distance to school, inadequate change rooms for girls, as well as child marriage.

Considering geographical and social barriers affecting girls’ education and good intervention by Mangochi Nkungulu legislator, Changali CDSS Deputy Headteacher, Maria Jackson, says that construction of the girls’ hostel was a big plus, anticipating that the facility will help to improve girls’ academic performance.

‘‘Changali CDSS accommodates learners that travel very long distances of over 10 kilometers from home, and as a result, performance of some, especially girls, is not encouraging. Most of them dropped out of school.

‘‘Construction of the hostel here is a sigh of relief to learners, teachers, as well as the community. The hostel will assist students to stay within the school premises and this will in turn help them to concentrate on their studies,’’ Jackson adds.

Mangochi District has for the past years shined in the education infrastructure development through CDF such that during the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the district received a total of MK1.2 billion. With the CDF, number of classroom blocks have been constructed in secondary and primary schools across 12 constituencies.

The following blocks were constructed at the following school and constituencies; Malimbasa, Namitambo, Nandembo as well as Mkumba in Mangochi South Constituency.

Classroom blocks were also constructed at Mendo Primary School and Masanje Nursery School in Mangochi Monkey Bay Constituency while Mangochi Masongola Constituency saw construction of blocks at Changwale, Mandimba 2 and Masongola primary schools.

In Mangochi Nkungulu Constituency, Mdinde Primary School classroom block has been re-roofed while Chilumba Primary school toilet as well as Katole Primary School classroom block in Mangochi West Constituency have been finalized.

CDF was also used in Njera classroom block construction in Mangochi North East as the same fund was used in Mangochi Lutende Constituency for Kabuli Primary classroom block construction. In Mangochi South East, Dambula and Msosa primary schools also got their shares of the CDF following construction of blocks.

Economist at Mangochi District Council, Blessings Stove says despite having a highest learner to classroom ratio, of 15 to 1, the district is currently doing fine on infrastructure development.

“The council is implementing infrastructure projects using three funding windows of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), District Development Fund (DDF), as well as Constituency Development Fund, and through such funds, we believe that we are on course,” says Stove.

Despite tremendous improvement in infrastructure development, performance in the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examination in girls in Mangochi has been hanging between averages, compared to that for boys, for the past three years.

In 2022, for instance, boys pass rate was 63 percent, while girls pass rate was 54 percent, an indication that girls are left behind.

The results also show that CDSS’s in Mangochi are the lowest performers, compared to boarding schools in the district as the results indicate that district boarding schools had 90 percent passing rate, while CDSSs had 51 percent passing rate.

Currently, Mangochi has one grant-aided national secondary school, two district boarding secondary schools, two district day secondary schools, 37 CDSSs as well as 16 private secondary schools.

The secondary school subsector absorbs only 50 percent of primary school leavers, calling for establishment of many public secondary schools in the district.

To address school dropout among girls, a Mangochi-based social activist, Dickens Mahwayo said there was need to lobby for boarding facilities for girls, libraries, as well as teacher houses, in order to attract and retain quality teachers and learners in the district.

"There is a need to construct more Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSs) in areas where they are lacking and to upgrade existing ones by providing adequate human resources, materials, and boarding facilities," he adds.

On his recent tour to Mangochi to appreciate developmental projects under CDF, DDF and GESD, Executive Director for National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe observed that through CDF, challenges of inadequate infrastructure, as well as school dropout by girls in the district are minimized.

‘‘As National Local Government Finance Committee, we are satisfied with what we have seen here in Mangochi where MPs are constructing high quality education infrastructures. We are impressed with the CDF outcomes adds Santhe.   

By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, November 25, Mana: Felesiya Chithumba is a traditional doctor who has transformed her passion for traditional medicine into a mission for reforestation.

The 42-year-old mother from Mwiza Village in Sub-Traditional Authority Chiputula in Chikwawa District, started her journey from a humble beginning in 1998 when her child Emmanuel fell terminally ill.

With the child’s health was in jeopardy, Chithumba turned to her grandmother for help instead of heading to a nearby health centre. Her grandmother led her deep into the forest and stopped by a certain tree that she claimed held the cure for the illness.

A mixture of its leaves and bark was prepared immediately and shoved into the baby’s mouth. To Chithumba’s surprise, her son’s ailment vanished in no time and he recovered. For Chithumba, this was a powerful revelation of the value of traditional medicine.

This experience was a turning point, revealing the valuable role of traditional medicine.

“The trees are our heritage,” Chithumba states. “They provide medicine, food and even protection against the harsh climate changes threatening our fields and homes. That day, my grandmother showed me that every tree has a purpose. Some cure, some protect and others sustain life in ways we often take for granted.”

Currently participating in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), Chithumba is committed to giving back to the forests that have sustained her family and career for many years.

“The programme is helping us to preserve these valuable natural resources for future generations,” she says. “It is not just about planting trees; it is about restoring balance to the environment.”

Chithumba also practices natural tree regeneration, a sustainable method that nurtures existing trees to encourage growth without cutting or disturbing the ecosystem.

She adds: “By letting trees grow naturally, we protect the forest’s biodiversity and ensure it remains useful for years to come. This work goes beyond my role as a healer—it is about survival, sustainability and ensuring that future generations will have access to the same resources I was fortunate to learn about.”

Chikwawa District Forestry Officer, Hector Nkawihe echoes Chithumba’s sentiments, emphasising the impact of the programme on local reforestation efforts.

Nkawihe says the programme has made strides in promoting Village Forest Areas (VFAs) to ensure communities have convenient access to forest products and services.

“During the last cycle, we made significant progress in establishing new VFAs while sustainably managing the older ones. In Chikwawa, the CS-EPWP now covers 2, 000 hectares of forest, with 335 VFAs managed by Village Natural Resource Management Committees across the district,” he points out.

On the other hand, Chikwawa District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Charity Machika emphasises how reforestation is essential for mitigating disasters such as floods and strong winds.

“One major contributing factor of flooding in Chikwawa is river siltation. So, to avoid siltation of rivers, reforestation is crucial because it helps to stabilise soil and reduce sediments flowing into rivers. Additionally, trees act as a buffer against strong winds, protecting homes and crops,” Machika says.

Chikwawa District CS-EPWP Project Facilitator, Chifundo Thungwa underscores the programme’s broader significance in building household resilience to climate shocks.

“The programme is designed to improve household incomes, enhance food security and build resilience to climate challenges,” Thungwa explains.

Participants are paid to work on catchment-based projects that address environmental degradation, including afforestation, soil conservation and gully reclamation, according to Thungwa.

“These activities reduce surface run-off, prevent soil erosion and rehabilitate degraded land, making communities more resilient to climate change,” she observes.

District Commissioner for Chikwawa, Nardin Kamba commends the programme for reducing disaster risks and improving livelihoods.

“The initiative has positively impacted the lives of participants and is helping to restore degraded land and enhance soil conservation through techniques such as check dams and swales which improve soil fertility and reduce erosion,” he says.

“These techniques improve soil fertility and are vital for sustainable farming and food security in disaster-prone areas,” he says.

Kamba adds that communities frequently hit by floods and other natural disasters face challenges contributing to national development.

However, Kamba notes that programmes that reduce disaster risks are crucial for low-lying and flood-prone districts such as Chikwawa and Nsanje.

“We are working tirelessly to build resilience and mitigate climate change effects. These efforts also align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10 and 13 which focus on promoting socio-economic inclusion and combating climate change,” reaffirms Kamba.

Funded by the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the CS-EPWP is being implemented across all districts in Malawi. 

By Watipa Nyalugwe

Lilongwe, 25 November. Mana: Ministry of Labour, with support from the European Union (EU), under the Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme, has launched a capacity building initiative to train occupational safety and health (OSH) inspectors on advanced occupational hygiene monitoring techniques.

The initiative marks a critical step towards realizing Vision Zero which is a global strategy to eliminate workplace accidents and injuries.

OSH expert, Johanes Mandowa, said in Lilongwe on Monday that the training program is meant to equip OSH inspectors with knowledge on how to conduct occupational hygiene monitoring in the work place environment.

He said workplace employees are exposed to physical hazards such as dust, noise exposer and poor lighting which are supposed to be identified in a scientific way.

“There is need for

us to equip OSH inspectors with knowledge about occupational hygiene monitoring so that when they go out they are able to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control these hazards which is based on scientific evidence,” he said.

Labour Commissioner, Hlale Kelvin Nyangulu, said there is a lot of theological knowledge amongst the inspectors where they know all the hazards that prevail in the work places but a gap exists in terms of measuring and quantifying the level of these hazards.

“The missing link is the practical aspect where they do actual measurements to determine hazards in the work places,” he said.

He, therefore, said the training will give inspectors a chance to be able to measure these hazards.

Facilitated by renowned occupational hygienist Peter Jacobs and organized by GOPA Worldwide Consultants, the workshop focuses on bridging gaps in knowledge and practice among Malawi’s OSH inspectors.

The training aligns with the International Labour Organization’s standards, reinforcing Malawi’s commitment to decent work and sustainable economic development.

Participants have been provided with operational manuals to ensure that knowledge gained is sustainable.

The initiative underscores collective efforts required to build a safer, more productive workforce as Malawi moves towards achieving Vision Zero and eliminating workplace injuries and fatalities.

By Austin Kananji

Lilongwe, November 25, Mana: The Ministry of Labour held a pre-departure orientation today at Lilongwe Technical College for the first batch of agricultural workers heading to Israel aimed to prepare them for their upcoming roles and responsibilities, with their departure scheduled for Thursday this week.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Planning in the Ministry of Labour, Patricia Zimpita, emphasised the importance of the pre-departure orientation saying it will provide the necessary information to the successful Malawian Agricultural workers which will help them during their tenure in Israel.

“This is to prepare the successful candidates that applied for the agricultural work in Israel under the Malawi-Israel Labour export programme. We are orienting these candidates for them to know what is expected of them, and what they are going to do in Israel and also how they are going to conduct themselves in Israel so that they do not find themselves in trouble or stranded in any instance,” she said.

Director of Legal Services in the Ministry of Labour, Chapusa Phiri, highlighted the importance of conducting the pre-departure orientation which he said will help the successful candidates understand more the terms and conditions of their contract agreement before leaving for Israel.

“I emphasised much on the employment contract to our young Malawians so that they know what they are letting themselves into and understand their responsibilities as they go to Israel,” he said.

In an interview with one of the selected candidates to work in Israel, Lumbani Chiwaka, expressed the benefit of being part of the successful candidates being recruited by the government.

“The importance is that as Malawians we will learn different aspects concerning the type of irrigation to utilise and bring back that knowledge here in Malawi to showcase to others what happens in the farming sector of Israel,” he said.

The pre-departure orientation aimed to equip the first 29 Malawian agricultural workers as recruited by the government with crucial information about their upcoming employment in Israel by emphasizing the importance of understanding their contracts, and expectations, as per the Memorandum of Understanding which also differentiates it from the previous departures made by the private recruiters where workers were deployed with no orientation on the nurture of the agricultural jobs.