By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, August 12, Mana: Government has announced plans to launch Political Empowerment of Women (PEW) strategy on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza made the announcement on Monday during a Press briefing in Lilongwe.

Sendeza called on all the women for full participation in the upcoming 2025 general elections saying that as a Ministry they want to achieve 35 percent  competition of women in politics.

“Government of Malawi recognises  that when women occupy high-level political offices, society becomes more gender-sensitive by adopting and adapting new ways of doing things to accommodate the interests of both gender,” she said.

She emphasised that the Ministry has reviewed the 2019 Strategy on PEW and came up with a successor strategy whose implementation will assist to increase women representation in elected political positions.

“It is envisioned that implementation of the 2024 Strategy on PEW will result in balanced participation of women in Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections,” Sendeza stated.

She said the launch of 2024 National Strategy for PEW will start by holding a half-day awareness event to sensitise stakeholders, the media and the general public on the contents of the Strategy.

Country Director for Oxfam Lingalileni Mihowa, said they are going to engage different political parties and the media to sensitise the public on the importance of women participation in politics.

“As  Oxfam we thought we should launch the strategy together with the Ministry in good time so that women, girls and people with disabilities will have much time to prepare themselves for the general election, we are going to mentor these people throughout so that they understand what politics is it all about,” Said Mihowa.

The National launch of PEW will take place at Lithipe area in Dedza district.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, August 12, Mana:  President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has commended the Muslim World League (MWL) for its continued humanitarian support to the Country.

Speaking on Monday during the Celebration of Muslim World League's Program at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe, Chakwera applauded the support that MWL render to the needy orphans and less privileged people in Malawi.

“During natural disasters MWL were among the first to respond with aid, this represents the gift of friendship and goodwill we have with them.

“There are a lot of development support that MWL is giving to Malawi, we have clean water in different parts of the country and also thousands of orphans are receiving care,” said Chakwera.

In his remarks, Secretary General for MWL, Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al Issa, appreciated the president for the Co-existence with Saudi Arabia saying that MWL is committed to promoting the welfare and development of the Malawian population through humanitarian aid, educational programs and interfaith dialogue.

“As MWL we are pleased with the partnership we have with Malawi; it is our responsibility to continue helping those in needy. Our mission is to foster understanding, peace, and cooperation among diverse communities,” he said.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza said MWL is empowering women and girls to the highest level of addressing gender equality as well as helping in promoting rights and welfare of widows in the country.

MWL is an international Islamic NGO based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia that promotes what it calls the true message of Islam by advancing moderate values that promote peace, tolerance and love.

By Moses Nyirenda

Ntchisi, August 12, Mana: WaterAid Malawi has been hailed for improving access to potable water in Ntchisi district through drilling and installation of boreholes in communities and schools in the district.

This comes after the organization recently drilled and installed boreholes in four villages and two primary schools in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Nthondo and Sub-Traditional Authority M’ndinda in Ntchisi district with funding from Giorgio Arman.

Speaking on the sidelines of the drilling and installation of the boreholes, Ntchisi district Assistant Water Development Officer, Maxwell Thengezi commended WaterAid Malawi for the development which it has done in the district.

“We are really thankful for what WaterAid has done in our district, the gesture has greatly improved access to potable water in our district,” Thengezi said.

He added that with the installation of the new boreholes by WaterAid Malawi in Ntchisi district potable water access coverage in the district has reached at 75 percent from 72 percent a change, which he described as big improvement.

However, he said as a district their vision is to reach at 99 or 100 percent of water access coverage hence he called upon other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to emulate what WaterAid has done in order for his district to reach the targeted potable water access coverage.

“We are calling upon other organizations to support us, government on its own cannot manage to drill boreholes in all the villages in our district to improve potable water access coverage,” he said.

In his comment, WaterAid Malawi Programme Officer, Laston Zungu said the installation of the boreholes in Ntchisi is part of fulfilling their commitment as an organization in improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in the communities and institutions in the country.

He also said that as WaterAid Malawi they remain committed to improving WASH interventions in the country.

“As WaterAid we are committed to improving the WASH situations in the country especially in healthcare facilities, communities, institutions and many other places,” Zungu said.

By Roy Nkosi in Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali, August 11, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has outlined the need for unity if Malawi is to achieve its development agenda.

Usi who represented President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera at the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame at Amahoro Stadium in the capital Kigali on Sunday, said there’s a lot Malawi can learn from Rwanda.

“In unity you achieve a lot, it’s where someone plants, someone weeds, someone waters, someone applies fertilizer. In unity you achieve a lot because you have one goal and then you share your focus in order,” said Usi in describing the lessons learnt from the visit.

“In order to achieve something, there is need for discipline and focus. Rwanda has displayed character of unity and focus, and that’s something we should emulate as Malawi,” he said.

Apart from the inauguration ceremony, the Vice President also had an audience with the Malawi community in Rwanda earlier in the day.

During the meeting, Usi outlined the need for communication which includes monitoring and evaluation so there should not be repetitiveness or lack of follow up issues raised to ensure that the program is being registered.

He encouraged Malawians in the diaspora to be specific to government in the areas they want to invest so that such meetings address the strategic needs of the government development agenda, with specific state agencies that are in line with the desired goal.

In his inaugural speech, President Kagame also touched on the importance of unity as a country describing foreign influence as not always good for the interests of African nations.

According to the Rwanda Electoral Commission, the 66-year-old Kagame, won the July elections sweeping just over 99 percent of the votes for his fourth term in office.

By Roy Nkosi in Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali, August 11, Mana: Rwanda President Paul Kagame has been sworn in for a new term of office as President of the East African nation.

Thousands of people braved long queues and swelling temperature to witness the inauguration ceremony at the imposing Amahoro Stadium in the capital Kigali.

Kagame was welcomed into the stadium to resounding applause in the presence of 22 Heads of State, Four Vice Presidents including Malawi’s Dr. Michael Usi and other high-profile dignitaries.

Chief Justice Faustin Nteziryayo administered the Oath of Office following which the Chief Justice presented the President with state symbols, which include a constitution, coat of arms and a sword of command, which were followed by a 21-gun salute and the national anthem.

In his inauguration speech, President Kagame said his election victory signifies what the people of Rwanda have been striving for.

“Our tragic past ignited a fire in each one of us, a fire of hope, resilience and justice; this is who we have become as Rwandans.

“We must strive to adapt our political and governance structures to the benefit of our citizen. What matters most is to see our people living safe, health and dignified life. It is a responsibility that we cannot evade or outsource,” he said.

Notable dignitaries at the ceremony included Presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Samir Samil Hassan of Tanzania among others.

Kagame of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, was elected into office beating by a large margin, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Independent candidate Philipe Mpayimana, in the July elections.

By Lyte Ali

Mangochi, August 11, Mana: Mangochi Police Women Network Friday donated assorted food and non-food items to patients in the Tuberculosis(TB), Nutrition and Pediatric ward at Mangochi District Hospital in a bid to ease the burden patients admitted to hospitals face.

The food and non-food items included 2 Kilogrammes (Kgs) of maize flour packets, tablets of soap, 2Kgs of packets of sugar, rice, cooking, soya pieces and peanut worthy K400, 000.

Speaking after handing over the items to hospital authorities, Chairperson for the Network, Inspector, Susan Musongole said the women decided to cheer the patients to demonstrate Police women’s responsibility over people in need.

“We have reached out to 20 patients with items such as maize flour, soya, rice, sugar and cooking oil among others,” she narrated.

Musongole observed that most people think that Police officers on duty are only to do with providing security and arresting criminals.  

“We are doing this to show people that although we are law enforcers but as human beings we also feel sorry when someone is sick that it is our duty to cheer patients at the hospital so that they know that they are not alone,” she added.   

The Network Chairperson urged other well-wishers to do the same, saying that the donation would only last few months hence the need for collective efforts people in need of support.

In-charge for Nutrition and Psychiatric Ward at the hospital, Nurse Midwife, Florence Chidyaonga said the donation was timely, adding that the food and non-food items would assist the patients to meet their daily needs.

She commended the Police women network for reaching out to the patients with the items saying the hospital only provide food to patients twice a day other than four times a day

“The hospital struggles to provide balanced meals to patients, For example, patients only receive two meals a day which is not a balanced diet especially for those taking medication that need speech diet. Due to constraints, the hospital is unable to meet their nutritional needs,”  Chidyaonga said.

She appealed to all well-wishers, organization and individuals to emulate what the Police women have done citing that any assistance would make the patients recover faster.

Mangochi Police Women Network was established in 2014 with an aim to promoting women's empowerment and gender equality within the Malawi Police Service.

In addition to their primary goal, the Network has made a significant impact through various charitable initiatives, organizing activities and events as a team to support the community.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 11, Mana: Two of three fishers missing on Thursday after they were swept away by strong water currents whilst fishing in Lake Malawi in Likoma District.

Assistant Public Relations Officer for Likoma Police, Chisomo Thomson said the missing fishers, Patrick Chilachila and Emmanuel Kapanga both of Chamba Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mkumpha in the district.

He disclosed that the trio went fishing on Wednesday and after casting their nets, they started they journey back to Likoma, engine of their boat developed a fault and the water currents forced them to seek refuge at Chizumulu Island.

Thomson said after fixing the problem, they went back for their nets but found them completely damaged by the strong water currents hence started heading back to Likoma.

" The engine failed again and as they were trying to fix it Chilachila lost balance and fell into the water, his brother-in-law Kapanga tried to rescue him but he fell in and both were swept away by strong waves. Yamikani Sitenilamu, 24 tried to call for help but no one came to their rescue," he said.

Thomson said the matter was reported at Likoma Police where a search party which included Police and other stakeholders was instituted to help in searching for those missing and currently the searching exercise is still underway.

Meanwhile, Police in the district are appealing to the fishermen to pay attention to weather forecast and refrain from going into the waters against the warning by the Department of Meteorology Services.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 11, Mana: Over 1000 households in Nkhata Bay South East Constituency are expected to have access to potable water once Constituency Development Fund (CDF) sponsored Chaulandi Water Supply Project is completed.

The K27 million worth project will supply piped water to Chaulandi Primary School and surrounding communities.

In an interview on Saturday, after launching the project at Chikhumbi Village, Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Noah Chimpeni said the project was a response to communities’ request to have access to potable water.

"Community members mobilized themselves and demanded piped water which is safe for consumption so that they are not at risk of water borne diseases such as Cholera,” he said.

Acting Director of Public Works   for Nkhata Bay District Council, George Gopani said the project was crucial as it would improve access to safe and clean water to people as aligned in Sustainable Development Goal number six.

"Apart from connecting piped water to the school, there will be a communal water point at every kilometer so that the project benefits a wider audience for improved public health in the district," he said,’

Gopani pledged that the Council would ensure that the project was completed within stipulated timeframe of 40 days.

A community member, Rhoda Chirwa, 60 from Group Village Head Chikhumbi applauded government through the legislature for the project.

"We are happy with this project because it is the solution to our health and water related problems," she added.

By Moses Nyirenda

Ntchisi, August 11, Mana: Community members from the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Nthondo and Sub Traditional Authority M’ndinda in Ntchisi district have expressed their excitement with the installation of new boreholes in their communities by WaterAid Malawi.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Saturday Village Head Chimanda one, under Sub-Traditional Authority M’ndinda said for a long time in his village they have been drinking unsafe water and now they are happy with the installation of the borehole in their village.

“Many years have passed since we have been drinking unclean water from the wells where we were drinking together with animals and during rainy season we were being hit by cholera and other waterborne diseases.

“But now with the coming of the borehole in our community everyone is excited as we will now have easy access to potable water,” Village Head Chimanda one said.

He disclosed that about 100 families from his village are expected to benefit from the borehole that has been installed in his village and he thanked WaterAid Malawi for the installation of the borehole.

One of the women from Kawiya village in the area of TA Nthondo, Rose Levison also applauded the installation of the borehole in her village saying that for over a decade they have been facing challenges in accessing potable water.

“For over 15 years we have been drinking bad water and because of this we were facing many problems including diseases like diarrhea and we were going frequently to the hospital for treatment.

“Now with the coming of the borehole we will no longer be facing the problems that we have been facing and as women from Kawiya village we are happy for the development that has come in our village,” she said.

She further appreciated WaterAid Malawi for the installation of the borehole in her village and she appealed to the organization to extend its support to other communities in Ntchisi district that have no access to potable water.

In his comment, WaterAid Malawi Programme Officer, Laston Zungu said that his organization remains committed to improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in the country.

“As WaterAid we are committed to improving the WASH situations in the country especially in healthcare facilities, communities, institutions and many other places,” Zungu said.

He also said that the installation of the boreholes in Ntchisi is part of fulfilling their commitment as an organization in improving WASH interventions in the communities through provision of potable water access.

Currently WaterAid Malawi has drilled six boreholes in six communities in Ntchisi district, which include; Chipondo, Kawiya and Chimanda village with funding from Giorgio Arman.