MANAonline
Mpemba Market structure to increase revenue base
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, May 20, Mana: Blantyre District Council Trade Officer, Pilirani Nyangulu Mbwana has said the council is expected to enhance its revenue collection base following the construction of the K43 million Mpemba Market shed in Blantyre.
The shed has been constructed using the council’s Locally Generated Revenue (LGR) and is expected to accommodate at least 60 business people from Mpemba Trading Centre and surrounding areas once it becomes operational.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Mbwana said currently the council has six established market structures in Lunzu, Lirangwe, Chileka, Nkhalamba, Chilobwe and Mdeka where people conduct their businesses in a safe and conducive environment.
She, however, said the council saw it necessary to construct another market shed in Mpemba as the absence of it forced business people to sell their products along the road, which is a risk to their lives.
Mbwana observed that the situation made it difficult for the Trade Office to collect market fees.
“Currently, the Trade Office collects K1.6 million weekly as market fees from all the market places, including from the business people who conduct their businesses along the Mpemba road.
"We are optimistic that the amount is likely to go up once the Mpemba Market structure becomes operational because it will make it easy for us to collect the fees from every individual operating within the premises,” she said.
One of the business people at Mpemba Trading Centre, Chifuniro Chimombo, hailed Blantyre District Council for constructing the market shed, describing it as a huge relief to the business people as they will be able to conduct their business in a safe and permanent structure.
"Right now, we have been hesitant to pay K200 daily to the council from our earnings considering that the place we are conducting our business is along the road and our business is mostly affected during the rainy season.
“We believe once we occupy the newly constructed market, we won’t find any excuse to pay the market fees because the place is convenient and safe for us and the buyers,” said Chimombo, who sells vegetables along Mpemba Trading Centre.
Recently Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda inspected the newly constructed market shed where he expressed satisfaction with its outlook.
Apart from the market shed, the place will also have other facilities such as kiosk, toilets and butchery that will be constructed with additional funds from LGR.
MACRA takes digital services and technologies to schools
By George Bulombola
Karonga, May 20, Mana: Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, Monday said access to digital services and technologies is a fundamental right for all and not just a privilege for those who can afford it.
Mkandawire who is also Member of Parliament for Karonga South made the remarks at Khwawa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Karonga when he presided over construction of an information and communication technology computer laboratory under Connect a School (CAS) Project
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Digitalisation and Ministry of Education will implement the CAS Project with funding from Universal Service Fund.
The project will see such laboratories being established in 75 schools, including 73 CDSS, one national government secondary school, and one pilot primary school.
across the country.
He said the 2023 National Survey on Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) report indicated that adoption of ICT services and technologies is higher in urban than rural areas.
Mkandawire added that the report also revealed that over 6 million learners in both public primary and secondary schools have no access to ICT services, hence the project.
“This event is a testimony that MACRA is aware of this challenge and promotes inclusivity to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing digital services and technologies,” said Mkandawire.
He added that the initiative which is the first of its kind in Malawi, will bring to life National ICT Policy, align with the youth-centric Malawi 2063 which priory’s digitalization, among others.
“This is a reflection of President Chakwera’s unwavering commitment to transforming Malawi into a digitally empowered nation as he has consistently emphasized the importance of youth empowerment, education, and technological advancement as pillars for national development,” he said.
The minister also noted that the project aims at providing students with the essential tools and skills for them to thrive in the 21st century.
Head teacher for the school, Victor Mkandawire commended MACRA for the initiative which he said will be a motivating factor to students to have interest in ICT studies.
“This world is becoming ICT driven, hence the need to put such structures in place so that there is inclusive access to such services by young people including students across the country,” said Mkandawire.
MACRA project to increase access to ICT services by rural communities
By George Mponda
Karonga, May 20, Mana: Malawi Communications and Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has said its Connect a School (CAS) project will help increase access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services by rural communities.
MACRA's Human Resources Manager Glad Ngwira said this on Monday at Mlare Secondary School in Karonga during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an ICT laboratory.
Ngwira said: "The National Statistical Office released figures which revealed a huge disparity in access to ICT services between rural and urban communities. As a regulator, we decided to bridge the gap by constructing computer labs which will enable learners get acquainted to ICT services from a young age.
"This is the first phase of the project whereby we are going to construct computer labs in 75 secondary schools of which 73 are community day secondary schools (CDSS), one national secondary school and one primary school with funding from MACRA's Universal Social Services Fund."
In his remarks, guest of honor at the function, Member of Parliament for Karonga Central Constituency, Leonard Mwalwanda, said ICT is a lifeline for every development project worldwide.
"If we want to compete with other nations, our citizens have to be conversant with ICT hence this initiative by MACRA is step in the right direction towards ensuring our learners are equipped with this valuable knowledge,” he said.
On his part, head teacher for Mlare Secondary School, Edward Luhanga, hailed MACRA for selecting their school to be one of the beneficiaries of the project.
"The world has transformed into a digital place now and being located in a rural setup, our learners needed this laboratory yesterday. ICT in education advances information sharing not only for teachers who support learning but especially for students who will be able to acquire knowledge and skills which could be used to develop our country,” Luhanga said.
President for Mlare Secondary School Students Union, Sayamika Phiri, said the construction of a computer laboratory at their school will help learners get used to devices which are instrumental in today’s world.
"As students, we are fascinated with technology and the laboratory will encourage and motivate us to learn and gain knowledge which we can use to uplift our communities,” he said.
Africa urged to use its population to its advantage
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, May 20, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has said African countries need platforms for collaboration, where the continent’s population advantage is married to the human capital disadvantages of other continents to create a better world across the globe.
Chakwera said this on Monday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the official opening of the 9th African Population Conference.
He said Africa must put its population to work and animate it to the fact that it is in a long season of sacrificial nation-building and a lean season of disciplined sowing, not a short-sighted and election obsessed season of harvesting, plundering and eating like there is no tomorrow.
“I doubt that there is anyone in this room who does not know that other continents in the world are struggling to sustain their labour markets demands because they do not have enough young people to work in various industries that are critical to their economies, including agriculture and food security.
“If only we can remove our afro-pessimistic lenses and see that the youthful and enterprising population of Africa is a resource we must harness and equip to solve the sustainability problems that the ageing populations of other nations are grappling with.
For this reason, here in Africa we must celebrate and leverage our demographic dividend by nurturing, empowering and deploying our people,” Chakwera said.
He further said the perspective by other continents that African poverty is exacerbated by its overpopulation is wrong, saying this narrative is afro-pessimism as Africa has enough resources to sustain its people.
Chakwera therefore urged the participants at the conference to take the conference as a solution-oriented event, not a competition on who can complain about Africa the loudest.
“This is a new Malawi for a new Africa, and we are too busy focusing on finding solutions to waste any time on meetings that add no value to the creation of Africa we want,” he added.
In his remarks, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda said the conference is set for African countries to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in population management, in pursuit of Africa’s sustainable development ambitions.
Chithyola Banda said for so long Africa has been taken as a stunted and stagnant continent with little hope of lifting her people out of poverty and that Africa has received little attention to her quest for development and technical assistance.
“But the world now knows that Africa is on the move and that it has the largest size of arable land for agriculture production to feed the world; Africa has the largest deposit of mineral wealth and that it is enjoying a demographic dividend for economic productivity,” Chithyola Banda said.
“As Africans, we are collaborating more and strengthening partnerships in areas which will accelerate African economic growth, such as health and education, focusing on population development, especially on the youth.
“It is therefore worth noting that this conference today is such a powerful testimony on Africa’s resolve,” he added.
The five-day conference, which has attracted over 600 delegates, is held under the theme “Road to 2030: leveraging Africa’s human capital to achieve transformation in a world of uncertainty”.
MANEB tightens security for PSLCE
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 20, Mana: Spokesperson for Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) Angella Kashitigu has said the preparations for this year’s Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination have been finalised as students are expected to start the exams on Wednesday.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Kashitigu said, 262,216 learners are expected to sit for PSLCE exams in the country.
“The Board has accredited all names of learners who are expected to sit for the national examinations as teachers and parents verified all the details about their pupils”, Said Kashitugu.
She further said MANEB together with Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) have tightened security in readiness for the exams.
“We have experienced a number of cheating in the past years so this time the security is highly tightened in all centre’s because we want to ensure credible examination, “she said.
In his remarks, a Standard 8 leaner at Kawale L.E.A, Hassan Hussein said he is ready for the exams and hopes to pass with good grades.
“As learners we have prepared ourselves to write the exams as we know that they only come once a year, all we want is to do well”, he said.
Meanwhile, MANEB has temporary suspended all its services from May 20 to July 19, to pave way for students writing PSLCE, Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) and Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations.
NYCOM for active youth engagement in Malawi 2063 implementation
By Wakisa Myamba
Karonga, May 20, Mana: Programs Officer for National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), Ashan Cossam, says the Council is geared to promote youth participation in the implementation of the Malawi 2063 through a strategic plan they are formulating.
Cossam was speaking Saturday in Karonga during a stakeholder consultation meeting for the development of the NYCOM Strategic Plan (2024-2029).
He said the strategic plan is aimed at harnessing the potential of the country’s youthful population, emphasizing the pivotal role of youths in realizing Malawi’s long-term aspirations for inclusive prosperity.
"As stewards of tomorrow, the youth must be at the forefront driving change and shaping the future. Our strategic plan must align with Malawi 2063 and youth policies that are in place to empower young people to actively participate in the country's development.”
"The consultation sessions being held across the country are providing a platform for youth representatives, non-governmental organizations and council officials to voice their challenges and aspirations,” he said.
Chairperson for Mbande Youth Network, Walusungu Kaseghe, lamented obstacles faced by young entrepreneurs in accessing loans and financial hurdles hindering their education pursuits.
"We are failing to meaningfully participate in sectors like agriculture and education due to difficulties in accessing loans from money lending institutions. However, through the strategic plan which NYCOM is formulating, we are hopeful that our concerns will be addressed," Kaseghe said.
A representative for Karonga District Youth Office, Anna Chima, urged NYCOM to integrate the insights learned from participants into the strategic plan.
South Lunzu Alumni motivates Standard 8 candidates
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, May 20, Mana: South Lunzu Primary School Alumni Association on Saturday visited their former school in Machinjiri with an aim of motivating and encouraging Standard 8 learners ahead of Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE) which starts on May 22, 2024.
The Association's Publicity Secretary, Ernest Kuleti, told Malawi News Agency that since the examination dates are approaching they thought it wise to visit their former school and speak with candidates to encourage them to come up with good grades.
"We went there to have motivational talks with candidates and encourage them ahead of the examinations, we told them that they have to be focused,” Kuleti said.
After giving the word of encouragement to the candidates, the group provided writing materials including pens, lead pencils and a mathematical ruler to each candidate to be used during examinations.
In a separate interview, Hendrina Mphenzi, Head teacher for South Lunzu Primary School commended the alumni's visit saying the initiative will give confidence to the learners because they will know that in the past others performed well in their PSLCE from the same school and now is their time and can do the same.
"It was an important visit because learners will be confident that they can also perform well during examinations after hearing how the former candidates performed,” she said.
South Lunzu Alumni Association was formed in 2023. This is the second time they have visited the school.
In February, 2024 the alumni conducted a tree planting programme. In the meantime, they have plans to assist the school with teaching materials and award top performing students.
UTM welcomes UDF Eastern Region Vice President
By Evance Chisiano
Zomba, May 20, Mana: United Transformation Movement (UTM) Party on Sunday welcomed former United Democratic Front (UDF) Vice President for the Eastern Region, Hasheem Banda, and other UDF and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members into the party.
UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, welcomed Banda during a party meeting held at Chinamwali Ground in Zomba City where she claimed that other 50 UDF members also defected to UTM.
Kaliati said the party will continue receiving members from other parties to ensure that all interested members are given chance in the party.
“Apart from Hasheen and 50 members from the UDF, we have also received 17 members from DPP,” Kaliati said.
She said the party is set to form the next government in the 2025 general elections and called on young people above 18 to apply for National Identification and get registered once voter registration starts.
“We will distribute campaign materials (wrappers and t-shirts) to those that will get register for the general elections,” Kaliati added.
Banda announced his resignation from the UDF recently through a presser but declined to say the party he intended to join.
He said this was his memorable time in his political career having joined the UTM.
“This is my greatest moment in my political career. I have joined the UTM,” he said, adding that there are many UDF supporters that have followed him to UTM.
Banda contested for a Zomba Central parliamentary seat in 2019 and lost to DPP’s Bester Awali.
He said he will also contest in the 2025 parliamentary race on a UTM ticket.
Finance Minister urges all NEEF loan defaulters to pay back
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, May 20, Mana: Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has urged all people owing National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to pay back their loans for others to benefit from the same.
Chithyola made the remarks in Balaka on Sunday during the official handover of 10 boreholes which NEEF has drilled in the district as a corporate social responsibility for emerging the best loan repayment district.
He said it was encouraging that even though others are defaulting, a lot more are coming forward to repay their loans.
He, therefore, emphasized on the importance of the boreholes to the community saying NEEF has complimented government efforts in as far as providing clean and potable water to the people is concerned.
Said Chithyola: “Having clean and potable water is a milestone to the development of the country as people will prevent waterborne diseases and no country can develop if its people are sick and not health.
"We are happy with the initiative that NEEF has done to Balaka community members; this is what we call corporate social responsibility.”
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Chapota-Munthali, concurred with Chithyola commending NEEF for the boreholes saying it has given back to the people of Balaka what they need as the district is a dry land.
Board Chairperson for NEEF, Jephta Mtema, said Balaka has done well in loan repayment with 85 percent registered.
“At national level, we managed to give out K109 billion and in terms of loan repayment we are at 75 percent. In Balaka, out of K109 billion, we disbursed K1.2 billion and 85 percent of the people have already given back their loans which is very encouraging.
He added: “In the 2024- 2025 financial year, we are geared to give over K70 billion to our clients, let me urge all Malawians especially the youth to come forward, get the loans and uplift their businesses and lives.”
Balaka District Commissioner, Tamanya Harawa, disclosed that the district has very low access to potable clean water, and with the donation, things will greatly change for the better.
“Reports shows that only 79 percent of people in Balaka have access to potable drinking water which means 21 percent are drinking from other non-conducive sources, with such donations, the 21 percent remainder will further be reduced,” he said.
Harawa further disclosed that the distribution of the donated borehole, have been drilled in cholera hotspots, markets, schools, as these are crucial as far as access to potable, good drinking water is concerned.
STA Kwanjana laid to rest
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, May 20, Mana: People from different walks of life led by Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika, on Sunday attended burial of Sub-Traditional Authority (STA) Kwanjana, born James Damiani, who succumbed to stroke on Friday at Thyolo District Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.
In his eulogy at Sambankhunda headquarters, Chomanika said government is saddened by the death of STA Kwanjana considering that Thyolo District has lost four Traditional Authority leaders within a short period of time.
"The STA has been a person of service and his departure has created a gap. His loss is a blow to the government as chiefs are responsible for the development, peace, unity and the enhancement of culture in their areas," said Chomanika.
He urged the bereaved family to unite and choose a person who will take over from the departed chief.
He said the family has a responsibility to the community of bringing up a new leader to the area, district and the country at large.
“Choose a person who will work with other chiefs, government and the council. A person who will look into the needs of the people in this area," he said.
Councilor for Nchima Ward, Hudson Ovila, representing Thyolo Central Constituency Member of Parliament Dr Ben Phiri, said the death of the STA is a heavy blow to the constituency and ward since he was a person where people were getting advice and knowledge.
He asked the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture to continue promoting the welfare of the chiefs citing that some chiefs are corrupt because they do not get enough to look after their everyday lives.
Thyolo District Council Chairperson, Listen Banda, expressed gratitude to the ministry for its efforts in looking into the welfare of chiefs in the district.
Senior Chief Khwethemule was saddened by the death of the STA saying the chief has served the position for a short period of time since his installation.
However, Khwethemule was happy that the bereaved family has already chosen someone to take over from the departed chief.
He said this will reduce chieftaincy wrangles which puts national resources at pressure to solve since at times people drag each other to courts.
Born April 12, 1943, the late James Damiani was installed as STA on November 16, 2019 and he is survived by a wife, 14 children and 51 grandchildren.
