MANAonline
Matiti Primary School in Zomba holds cultural day
By Emily M’mangisa
Zomba, June 1, Mana: Failure to absorb expressive arts, history of different ethnic groups and understanding of cultural diversity by learners compelled educationists, parents and traditional leaders at Matiti Primary School in Zomba into action to host a cultural day.
The day was held on Friday under the theme; Our Culture, Our Pride.
Matiti Primary School Head Teacher, Leah Pahuwa, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview that learners have been fairing badly on subjects which could easily be related to daily life.
She said the school sat down with all stakeholders and resolved to organize a cultural day as one way of imparting cultural knowledge that can easily be applied in the classroom.
“We thought of organizing this activity so that learners should know and remember their culture and tradition and apply the same during examinations. With this knowledge, I am sure they can do well,” she said.
Chief Education Officer for Zomba Rural, Medson Mbilizi, concurred with Pahuwa saying the cultural day will rejuvenate the understanding of culture and tradition among learners.
He observed that there was moral decay among most learners due to diversion from moral values.
“We hope to have citizens that are morally sound. This generation has completely lost moral values hence the state of moral decay is incomprehensible,” he said.
He expressed hope that the learners will embrace the cultural day to uphold cultural, traditional values and identity, adding that learners have to be identified by characteristics of their ethnic group.
Group Village Head (GVH) Makungula appealed to parents to take a leading role in ensuring that learners are abreast with their culture and traditions as teachers are there to supplement parent’s efforts in raising children into responsible citizens while maintaining moral and cultural values.
“Any country is identified by its culture and tradition; we risk losing the identity of language if this generation won’t take interest in what their fore-fathers believed in,” said the GVH.
Hilda Tambala, a Standard Five learner at the school and comes from Rumphi District, who showcased a variety of different food items described the event as relevant saying it will assist her and fellow learners to relate with what teachers teach in class.
The day showcased traditional dances such as manganje, tchopa, ngoma, gule wankulu and malipenga among others while makaka, kalongonda, kondowole, mikate, thobwa were some of the local food items that caused the audience to salivate.
Recently, Kingdom Builder Academy in Zomba also held a cultural day.
Six arrested for theft of Illovo irrigation equipment
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, June 1, Mana: Chikwawa Police Station has arrested six individuals for allegedly stealing irrigation equipment from Illovo Nchalo Estate.
Chikwawa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Dickson Matemba, said the six were arrested earlier this week when police intercepted Yohane Sakala, 28, at Thabwa Roadblock with 150 metres of electric cable.
“The suspect confessed to stealing the cable and identified five accomplices: Enock Mtefula, 20; Mverani Sakala, 22; Thokozani Maxwell, 27; Robert Bwanali, 24 and Hamilton Machika, 43,” he said.
According to Matemba, the stolen equipment valued at K4.3 million was taken from fields 412, 413, and 419
The suspects will appear in court soon to face theft charges.
Meanwhile, Chikwawa Police in cooperation with Mitole Police Mobile Services officers have intensified security measures to prevent further vandalism and theft of Illovo irrigation equipment.
Salima District Council strategizes nutrition interventions
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, June 1, Mana: Salima District Council has developed a Community Led Action against Malnutrition (COLAAM) strategy to combat the rising cases of malnutrition the district is facing.
Speaking during a District Nutrition Coordination Committee meeting with various partners implementing nutrition interventions in the district, Acting Director for Community and Social Services, Chifundo Manong’a, highlighted the importance of the strategy in addressing acute malnutrition.
He expressed optimism that the strategy will be adopted and implemented by all stakeholders to deal with nutritional challenges the country is facing.
“We have been monitoring indicators like death rate for children admitted with acute to severe malnutrition. Unfortunately, numbers are increasing amidst partners and government frontline workers implementing interventions,” he said.
Manong’a emphasized that the strategy will bridge the knowledge gap that exists in communities by ensuring that households are utilizing the same knowledge disseminated at a community level.
“Most of nutrition interventions are displayed at community level but there is no adoption at household level. This strategy will make communities aware of malnutrition because there is poor understanding concerning malnutrition and poor health seeking behaviors amongst communities to act on malnutrition,” he said.
Chairperson for Civil Society Nutrition Alliance (CSONA) Salima Chapter, Joseph Kandiyesa, said prioritizing nutrition will assist in combating malnutrition effectively in the district.
"We have to change our mindset about nutritional issues, we have to take nutrition seriously by allocating sufficient resources to address this critical issue," he said.
In their 2024 Nutrition Budget Research Brief, CSONA indicated that there is an increase in the rate of nutritional related deaths due to acute malnutrition which is at 18 percent on average.
“In order to combat the numbers, the district council should prioritize and allocate more funds to the nutrition sector and the health sector should develop and implement new strategies in combating acute malnutrition at community level,” said Kandiyesa.
The nutrition unit, in collaboration with partners, analyzes data they collect and brings it back to communities for them to appreciate the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition and those who have died of it for their own actions.
COLAAM, which is action pact strategy, has been nodded in favor of its implementation by various stakeholders and partners as such CSONA, Feed the Children, Care Malawi, Hunger Project, World Vision, GIZ, frontline workers and community leaders to influence mindset change for the communities to adopt.
Chakwera describes Malawi youth as game-changers
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, June 1 Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has described youths in the country as game-changers because of their involvement in the country’s economy as it is being transformed to wealth creation, job creation and food security.
Chakwera made the remarks Friday evening when he hosted youth leaders from across Malawi at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
He said the youth have significantly contributed to the productivity of the economy as well as growth in Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) because of their efforts, ideas, advocacy as well as their passion for mindset change.
“I am, therefore, hosting you the game-changers to this dinner to say thank you for understanding that this is your moment to shine your talents like a light in the darkness of the challenges we face. Thank you for understanding that this is your government to run by your ideas.
“Remember that you are a great asset, not a liability. Being young is an opportunity, not an obstacle. Being young is a powerhouse, not a problem,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the youth not to let anyone look down on them because they are young.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, commended Chakwera for dedicating his entire day hosting the youth at the Palace saying the act is a testimony that youth are dear to the President.
Mkandawire considers the meeting, the President had with youth leaders, as a send-off for the youth to go back to their respective communities energized and do more as they take part in developing the country.
“Let me assure you that your investment in time and resources to host and inspire these youth leaders will not go in vain. Today you have planted seeds which will eventually germinate and grow. In no time we will be inviting you to witness some of the fruits that will be borne out of this engagement,” Mkandawire said.
The dinner was spiced up by performances from Ellie Njuchi and the Malawi Police Band.
BuildOn hands over classroom block in Ntchisi
By James Mwale
Ntchisi, May 31, Mana: BuildOn Malawi, a non-profit organization aimed at improving education standards, has handed over a two classroom block, commencing the genesis of Chidima Primary School in Chimbiri Village, Senior Chief Chilooko, in Ntchisi district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Thursday, BuildOn Country Director, Atusuye Mwafulirwa, commended the proactive community involvement throughout the construction process and called for a sense of ownership to protect the structure against vandalism.
“Your level of proactivity during the construction of this school block has been so inspiring. However, this school block is not a decoration structure. Our efforts for building this structure will be in vain if we still keep our children in homes and engaging them in household chores instead of sending them to school,” said Mwafulirwa.
The first, of 15 blocks to be built across the district under the project is expected to accommodate 50 pupils each and it has been built in Ntchisi North Constituency.
Ntchisi North Member of Parliament, Arnold Kadzanja, echoed Mwafulirwa on the need on for sense of ownership by the community.
He urged police in the district to work in collaboration with the community policing team of the area on how best they can protect the block against vandalism.
“This development has inspired me to start thinking along lines of sourcing out resources for construction of a Community Day Secondary School with visions of developing this area into a fully-fledged town,” he said.
Deputy Education Manager, Hammex Malithano, commended BuildOn for the development and hoped for more similar projects in the district while promising to deploy competent teachers by commencement of school year in September.
Speaking on behalf of the area’s Primary Education Advisor, Francis Silanga, hailed BuildOn for the project saying the area has been affected by high absenteeism and school dropout rates because learners from the village have had to travel long distances to access primary school education.
BuildOn school construction programme’s goal is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education by providing rural communities with clean and safe learning environment.
YASD to launch youth project in Lilongwe
By Rennie Tembo
Lilongwe, May 31, Mana; Youth Action for Success and Development (YASD) is set to launch a Local Green Innovations Champions Project Logic to train and motivate youth and women in green skills to build their socio economic status and respond to climate crisis.
The project is being implemented in the areas of Traditional Authorities (TA) Tsabango and Chitukula targeting 80 youths comprising of 30 percent males and 70 percent females.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Thursday, YASD Programs Manager Cecilia Mphande, said the goal is to equip youths and women with skills in combating climate change through grassroots green business.
“This project will transform and equip the youth to participate more in development activities. We all know how bad climate change has affected the economic sector hence contributing to the vulnerability of youth and women.
“This project will help them gain experience where they will be able to develop themselves economically making them active development contributors,” she said.
She said the project will help create jobs and successful businesses for the youths thereby help eliminate idleness among the youths.
‘’We will recycle waste into something profitable to the youth. So, they will be making fire briquettes from residues, making compost manure and making tumblers from glass bottles, among others initiatives,” she said.
Lilongwe District Council Youth Officer, Monica Banda, thanked YASD for the project saying it will help youths to break their socio economic barriers and be empowered to realize their potential economically.
The eight-month project worth K38 million is funded by the Swedish Development Partners.
Ministry warns land grabbers, encroachers
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, May 31, Mana: Ministry of Lands says it is taking strong action to address issues of land grabbing and encroachment in the country.
Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, announced this at Chikho Hotel in Mponela, Dowa during a sensitization meeting with police officers from Lilongwe Units.
Gumba emphasized that government will continue to demolish any structure built on illegally acquired land.
“My ministry will work closely with the Malawi Police Service to ensure that issues of land grabbing and encroachment are addressed amicably,” said Gumba.
He stressed the importance of citizens complying with the new land laws, particularly the Customary Land Act.
Ministry of Lands Principal Secretary, Devie Chilonga, highlighted the significance of working with the police to effectively address land-related issues.
Commissioner of Police for Central West Division, Emmanuel Soko, assured the minister that police will work diligently and within the bounds of the law to enforce the amended land laws.
Soko issued a stern warning to any law enforcement officers engaged in corrupt practices, stating that they would face legal consequences if found guilty.
“We are going to arrest any police officer involved in any activity of land grabbing and encroachment, as our duty is to uphold the rule of law,” said Soko.
Synod of Livingstonia rolls out goat pass on scheme in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, May 31, Mana: Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has distributed 150 goats in a pass on scheme to 75 beneficiaries from Lupembe in Karonga.
In an interview after the handover ceremony at Kayuni Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu on Thursday, Synod Moderator Reverend Reuben Msowoya, said they do not only preach the gospel but also look after the welfare of people.
Msowaya said the program is intended to alleviate poverty since by rearing the livestock, families will have meat to eat or sell and get manure for their fields.
“In the first phase, 75 beneficiaries will receive two goats each and when they start multiplying they will be passing on the kids to other beneficiaries.
“We have also created 18 community pass on programme commitees which have been trained in basic livestock management to be looking after the goats," he said.
The committees have been supplied with one drug box which contains necessary medicines to be used to treat the livestock when they fall ill.
Director of Agriculture Services for Karonga District Council, Yaz Nyirenda, said the distribution of goats is an economic empowerment which is essential for most families.
"The economic status of most smallholder farmers in this area is low and the intervention to distribute goats here will help them get manure. Lupembe is a rain shadow area where the water holding capacity of the soil is low. With application of manure in their farms, water retention rate will improve and crops will start doing better,” Nyirenda said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mackson Myaba, from Mwaluwari Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu hailed CCAP Synod of Livingstonia for the goats saying they will be a stepping stone out of poverty.
The goats have been distributed under a three year Lupembe Food Security Project.
The Synod is implementing the project through its development arm, Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (SOLDEV), with over K460 million from Canadian Foodgrains Bank through the Presbyterian World Service and Development.
Mental wellness a prerequisite for high job performance
By Levison Lester
Lilongwe, May 31, Mana: Chief Justice, Rezine Mzikamanda, says mental health programmes are crucial in the course of justice delivery in the country.
Speaking during the launch of a Wellness Programme at Eden Estates and Resort in Lilongwe on Friday, Mzikamanda said there is need for judicial officers to take mental health programmes seriously in order to serve Malawians effectively.
He said mental wellness play a greater role in democracy consolidation and socio-economic development of the country hence judicial officers should priotise activities such as aerobics for their health and mental wellbeing.
"This is a wonderful day for the judicial family to come together and celebrate wellness. Healthy mind and body are the prerequisites for job well done. So, today's event is a basis of serving Malawians efficiently. Our coming together consolidates oneness in judicial system," he said.
Judge for High Court, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, said judicial work is stressful as such, the wellness retreat will give ample time for judicial officers to reflect on the impact of their job.
"Today's retreat is a reflection on the impact of stress in our work environment. Judicial officers live in a stressful world hence introducing wellness programme helps in relaxation," Mtalimanja said.
Law Clerk at High Court, James Mauzauza, urged judicial staff to take the retreat as an opportunity to identify issues that lead to stress in course of their work to serve the citizenry better.
Wellness Programme was first launched in 2022 in Mzuzu to provide a reflection on issues related to mental health and financial management for judicial members.
Malawi, Israel tighten labour export deal
By Robert Katuli
Lilongwe, May 31, Mana: Private recruitment agencies will no longer be involved in the recruitment of Malawian labourers expected to work in Israel, as Malawi Government will be the sole recruiter.
Minister of Labour, Agnes NyaLonje, disclosed this in Lilongwe on Friday during a press briefing to inform the public on the current status of the Israel Labour Export Programme.
NyaLonje said this follows a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour export Malawi Government and Government of the State of Israel signed on April 18 this year.
"Specifically, the MoU aims at promoting the protection of the labour rights, including safety, health and welfare of Malawian workers in Israel from recruitment, selection, and placement with specific employers upon arrival and throughout employment until returning to Malawi.
"These rights will be further protected because of the presence of a Malawi Embassy that has been established in Israel where a labour attaché has also been posted," she explained.
NyaLonje said private recruitment agencies were initially allowed to recruit Malawian workers for temporary employment in the agriculture sector in Israel between December 2023 and January 2024, which was the emergency recruitment period.
She added that, when the emergency recruitment window expired, the involvement of Malawian private recruitment agencies was also closed in compliance with the laws.
"Government has, however, noted that Malawian private recruitment agencies continued to recruit long after the deadline of 31st January 2024 set by Israel. This has led to some youths waiting to travel to Israel," said the Minister.
She indicated that once this new recruitment process is initiated, government will also consider the youths who were recruited by private agencies after the Israeli emergency recruitment window was closed.
NyaLonje further said there are three supplementary documents the two governments need to finalize before her ministry initiates the recruitment.
"A virtual meeting between Malawian and Israeli Technical Teams has been arranged for June 5, 2024 to finalize the above supplementary documents," she disclosed.
Among other things, in readiness to export labour to Israel, Ministry of Labour will from next week start orienting district labour officers, health workers, immigration officers and the police on the whole recruitment cycle and the role each will play.
Secretary for Labour, Chikondano Mussa, said labour migration expertise will be provided by the African Union during the exercise.
The MoU the two countries signed is built on mutual respect, cooperation and a shared commitment to foster socio-economic development and prosperity.
In the long run, Malawi is seeking to enter into a more rigorous bilateral agreement with Israel.
