MANAonline
RAS now operational
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: Revenue assurance System (RAS) is now operational, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has disclosed.
MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman disclosed this during a press briefing on RAS implementation at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
He said the project which started some two years ago has now come to effect after certain stakeholders branded it as spy machine.
The Director General said RAS was a crucial too for revenue assurance verification and fraud detection in the billing and taxation of operators’ services.
“This milestone could not have been achieved without the exemplary cooperation between MACRA, all operators, and other stakeholders involved in the project,” Suleman said.
He said the authority sincerely appreciates their dedication and looks forwards to enhancing our collaboration.
The Director General added that MACRA was requiring each operator to provide historical data for the financial fiscal year spanning from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Suleman pointed out that this data was crucial for their records and regulatory procedures.
“We are expecting to be fully provided by no latter than July 31, 2024,” he added.
Suleman said they are anticipating continued engagements and support to foster excellence within the digital ecosystem.
He appealed to any operator having problems with the initiative should not hesitate to engage them directly.
A Lilongwe resident, Masa Phiri said the RAS should help to address the issue of call drops that mobile providers are facing.
“We are continuously being charged on call drops and the mobile e providers are not even refunding us or providing us with an apology on this matter,” he added.
Good Vision to extend eye care services
By Shyra Nselema
Chiradzulu, May 30, Mana: A leading eye care organization in the country, Good Vision Malawi has announced its expansion plans to reach communities in Chiradzulu District suffering from eye conditions.
The Organization's Distribution Manager, Movan Chirwa made the announcement on Wednesday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in the district.
He said the expansion, which would commence in June, was expected to significantly improve the lives of the people in the district, especially those who struggle to access basic eye care services.
Chirwa observed that this development would benefit many people by cutting on transportation costs to hospitals and avoiding the need to visit expensive hospitals to buy spectacles.
"The organization will provide free eye testing and the cost of the glasses will range from K4, 000 to a maximum of K13, 000,” he said.
Chirwa said in addition to free eye testing and the sale of glasses, there would be an element of eye health education to sensitize the community on proper eye care practices.
Chiradzulu District Hospital Eye Specialist, Shalom Itimu said the arrival of Good Vision Malawi would greatly benefit people with eye problems especially the elderly and students who could not manage to buy glasses.
"A lot of eye patients faced challenges as they cannot afford to purchase prescribed glasses, leading to worsening conditions, so the coming of the organization will particularly benefit them," he said.
Itimu said the initiative would contribute to the country's development by enabling people to resume activities they had stopped due to issues of sight.
Ministry conducts training for school leaderships
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, May 30, Mana: Ministry of Education has said capacity building for teachers in leadership positions was essential in improving primary school performances.
Director for Teacher Education and Development in the Ministry Dr. Zizwa Msukuma said this on Wednesday after opening a 16th batch of Capacity Building for Primary School Teachers at Linde Hotel and Thope lodge in Mponela, Dowa and are drawn from Kasungu.
He said the Ministry decided to start undertaking the school leadership programme because it observed a gap in school leadership affairs which was negatively affect performance of schools.
"Most school leaders assume positions without undergoing any orientation to their positions and this has created some challenges which have negatively affected the learning outcomes of the schools. That is why the Ministry in conjunction with partners decided to mount the Malawi Education Reform Programme, specifically the school leadership programme.
"This aims to build and strengthen the capacity of our school leaders in primary schools by equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge and altitude which we feel will improve the quality of teaching and learning in our schools," Msukuma said.
He said since conducting trainings from the first batch, follow up exercises indicate there has been significant upgrade in teaching and learning in schools with leaders who have undergone the orientation.
"We believe these exercises will continue to play a pivotal role in improving education standards in primary schools," Msukuma added.
Team Leader of the School of Education and MIE Consortium that developed the training programme, Symon Chiziwa said the training has four key thematic areas.
"The first one is on building inclusive cultures in schools, motivating teachers and rewarding performers, utilizing and maintaining school records, and finally, mobilizing resources for the schools," he said.
The 10-day training is targeting Primary Education Advisors, Head Teachers, Deputies and Female Section Heads.
Graduates told to create own employment
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, May 30, Mana: Government has said courses being offered at Magomero Community Development College are crucial in fighting malnutrition and HIV/AIIDS in the country.
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza said this Wednesday during the graduation ceremony of 185 students from Magomero Community Development College with diplomas and certificates in early childhood development, nutrition and home management, community development, social work, social protection, agro-food processing and adult education.
She said the courses are geared to train from frontline works who could assist the country ins fighting malnutrition and HIV/AIDS.
"This is in line with Pillar 5 of Malawi 2063 agenda, which is human capital development. The nation needs robust and strengthened social services delivery for all children and young people to access better services," Sendeza said.
The Minister appealed to the graduates to consider venturing into entrepreneurship and other small-scale businesses, saying the government alone cannot offer employment to all of them.
"Every year, we have new graduates from various universities in the country and the government cannot absorb them all into the civil service. This is why you have to start thinking outside the box.
"For example, by forming cooperatives to access the K59 billion which the government has set aside specifically for entrepreneurs who are into agro-processing or by writing proposals to access NEEF loans," Sendeza added.
She thanked the World Bank and the European Union (EU) for providing financial and technical support at the College and offering scholarships to about 107 of the graduating students.
Sendeza urged the graduates to make a difference in the communities they would be serving by strengthening early childhood development and nutrition, among others, saying the country was experiencing a problem of non-communicable nutrition-related diseases.
Principal for Magomero Community Development College, Thokozani Mtapa said the new graduates have the potential to help the country become self-reliant in many areas; thereby, contributing to the aspirations of the Malawi 2063.
"This is a skilled and vibrant workforce that we are releasing into the world. Apart from their normal courses, they have been equipped with skills in value-addition, business management and entrepreneurship which will enable them to start small-scale businesses and become independent financially," she said.
Senior Chief Nchema advised the graduates to work with traditional leaders in the communities they would be working to make meaningful impact in various areas of development.
President of the student Union at the College, Stanley Miliyasi said they are ready to serve and contribute to food security, community development and job creation in the country.
The 2024 graduation ceremony was held under the theme: "Strengthening nutrition and early childhood development to achieve children's full potential."
Close to 30,000 households to benefit from scalable safety nets
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, May 30, Mana: At least 29, 598 households under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CS-PWP) will benefit from the Scalable Safety Nets in Thyolo District.
National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Shock Sensitive Specialist, Mulder Mkutumula disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Thyolo District Social Support Committee (DSSC).
"The programme will run for three months starting from June to August and beneficiaries will get K50, 000 per month.
"However, they will be given the money in a lump sum of K150, 000 by mid or end of June to ensure that they are able to buy maize now that it is relatively cheap than later," he said.
Mkutumula said out of the 29, 598 households, 16, 658 households are from the Social Cash Transfer Programme while 12, 940 are ultra-poor households drawn from the CS-PWP.
"Beneficiaries will receive the money through e-payment where we use TNM Mpamba," he added.
Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Thyolo District Council, Enerst Kaphuka described the move as timely and critical, especially as we are in the harvesting season.
He said the money would enable the most vulnerable households to purchase maize; thereby, ensuring food security and stability in the community.
"This money will ensure that thousands of household’s secure maize supplies to last them for at least three to five months.
"This will help in improving nutritional standards and enhancing the health and well-being of our people" the DPD said.
Kaphuka added that giving K50, 000 per household per month will significantly boost the local economy.
"As households purchase maize and other essentials, local markets will experience increased activity, benefiting traders and contributing to the overall economic vibrancy of our district," he pointed out.
TRADE urges farmers to embrace mechanization
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, May 30, Mana: Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) has urged farmers to embrace mechanization and machinery in farming in order to improve farm yields.
Speaking at Limbika Farm where TRADE was showcasing the use of a new machinery called a potato planter, Value Chain and Agribusiness Specialist, Linda Magombo Munthali explained that mechanization was vital to improving farm production and yields.
“The use of machinery such as the potato planter saves time rather than using manual labour. This way, farmers will have time to do more activities on their farm and avoid spending more time on one activity,” she said.
Munthali explained that in the process of commercializing agriculture, machinery and mechanization brings in labour saving and increase in productivity.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in Mchinji, Hastings Yotamu said the use of machinery addresses many activities making it commendable for farm production.
“As one way of reaching Malawi 2063 goals, farmers need to take farming as a business and one way to do that is to invest in machinery which will be used for easy labour and production,” he said.
Yotamu asked farmers to join cooperatives for easy access to such machinery and grants from different stakeholders.
“Such machinery is expensive but recommendable which is why farmers are encouraged to be in cooperatives so that they can be able to raise funds and buy the needed farm inputs and share among themselves,” the Director said.
Owner of Limbika Farm, Annie Jaffu appreciated TRADE for introducing such machinery in their field of work saying this would make their work easier.
“As a farmer, efficiency is very important in farming and using this machinery will help us save time and save labour enabling us do more work in a short period of time,” she noted.
Officer in-charge for Gada Farm, Lieutenant, Deborah Nkulama said they would make it a point to access such machinery to their farm for improved yields.
“The potato planter does not only plant the potato but makes fine ridges at the same time making finer soil particles for easy growth of the potato which means the potatoes that will come out will be large and good to be used as seeds the next farming season,” she explained.
TRADE programme is a six-year programme under local government which is set to contribute to sustainable improved livelihoods of rural people in the country.
Farmers asked to mechanize harvesting techniques
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu. May 30, Mana: Controller for Agriculture and Extension Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alfred Mwenefumbo has said lack of technological investments in the harvesting of produce was making farmers incur huge post-harvest losses.
He said this on Tuesday during the country’s first ever National Commemoration Day for the Reduction of Food Loss and Waste at Santhe in Kasungu District.
The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources organised the activity in conjunction with Malawi government to raise awareness about food losses and waste.
Mwenefumbo said manual labour presents harvest inefficiencies, calling on farmers to invest in harvesting technologies to safeguard their produce.
“Let’s buy harvesters according to our capacities because they are available right in this country in different sizes.
“If you are a serious farmer, you must get a harvester. It is worth it because manual labour is limited and you lose your produce due to inefficiencies during harvesting,” he said.
According to Mwenefumbo, the country registers high post-harvest losses due to poor transport systems, storage deficiencies and carelessness.
He said that, “Government is trying to make more places accessible to reduce the losses that are made during transportation. The actual storage also contributes a lot to the losses because most of the produce cannot withstand weevils.
“Let’s take advantage of the available technology such as plastic bags to preserve our produce and avoid selling the produce without budgeting.”
Coordination Specialist at Food and Agriculture Organization, Noellah Kamwendo said high post-harvest losses being incurred by farmers are contributing to the problem of food insecurity in the country.
“This is why this day is very important in that we are raising awareness so that people should know more about food losses, be it maize, milk and legumes.
“It is an important day because people will get know that right from harvesting, transportation, and during processing, some food is lost. This food that is lost can help us for many days,” she said.
As part of the commemoration activities, several organisations including the World Food Programme mounted pavilions to showcase their contribution towards food security in the country.
At least 1.3 billion metric tonnes of food is lost in the world annually where as in the country, post-harvest losses are estimated at 30 percent.
Call for substantial investment in irrigation
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, May 29, Mana: Government has called for substantial investment in irrigation as means to counter food shortages in the country.
Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale made the call Wednesday when he launched the construction of Dowa Dambo Irrigation Scheme being funded by Malawi government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to a tune of K 29.1 billion.
The Scheme will see the construction of five dams with over 30 submersible pumps, which will provide water to 453 hectares of farmland.
Kawale said the recent erratic rain patterns, droughts, which resulted into a state of disaster in many districts, was a wakeup call that the country could no longer depend on rain fed agriculture for food security.
"In recognition of that, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera expressed numerous measures put in place to deal with long term food shortages, with special emphasis on irrigation agriculture.
"Irrigation is very important to us as a nation. It will help our farmers plant and harvest more than once, depending on the crop under cultivation. It will provide socio economic endeavors, enough and nutritious food critical for a healthy population that can partake in the development of the country," he said.
The Minister pointed out the need for the community to utilize the project, which was being constructed by the Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (FISD) and a joint venture of SAWA and SICO JV, and expected to be completed in 18 months.
Kawale added that Ministry of Agriculture was committed to achieving the country’s quest for sustainable food security.
"As such today, we have immense joy with this project as it not only contributes towards Malawi 2063, but answers the request from Malawians to help them grow more food," he said.
IFAD Country Director, Bernedette Mukonyora said her organization was supporting government to have adequate funding to actualize its plans, programsme, policies and priorities in the agriculture sector.
She said with irrigation farming and infrastructure development being a core pillar under Malawi 2063, Malawi like other countries was facing challenges due to climate change, making it difficult to attain food security.
"So we are funding this program to enable government support the food security and production agenda of this country. Irrigation allows you to produce more than once, which means continuous cropping.
"This project will help in supporting household production in Dowa, it will promote diversification because a community can cultivate different crops within the year, and it supports the agriculture commercialization agenda," she said.
Chairperson for Dowa District Council, Mayamiko Kambewa said the project would help farmers benefit from their farming activities.
"If we want to see tangible results in farming, we have to encourage farmers to harvest more than once a year. One of the ways is to put in structures which will encourage irrigation farming.
"We are very happy because we know that this is the beginning of a new era which will propel food security and income generation for our people," he said.
Government is constructing the scheme, which is the eighth one in the country, through the Department for Irrigation under the Program for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE).
Unbeaten run on test
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: Week nine of TNM Super league will put to test unbeaten run for defending champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and current league leaders, Silver Strikers on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The clash of the giants is a litmus test both teams which have not posted any defeat for the season.
Bullets are fourth on the log with 14 points while Silver are on top with 22 points from eight games, six points clear of second placed, Mzuzu City Hammers with 16 points.
The People’s team have only two wins and five draws while the Central Bankers have seven wins and a draw to their credit.
Crowd pulling encounter promises fireworks and a lot of expectations from both camps itching for a straight win.
Last season, both teams played out to two one all draws but the Sunday encounter fans are baying for a win for any of the two.
The Area 47 outfit has been on song for the first opening counters where they have been banging in goals to their advantage while the counterparts are struggling on front of a goal hence they have accumulated five draws.
Men to watch from both sides, Bullets. Patrick Mwaungulu has four goals to his credit, Hassan Kajoke, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Chawanangwa Gumbo while Silver have Uchizi Vunga, Charles Chipala, Chikondi Kamanga and Zebron Kalima.
However, the availability of their four goal scoring duo of Adiel Kaduya and Binwell Katinji remains doubtful as they are reportedly nursing some injuries.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers coming from two defeats are geared to face Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.
Wanderers have an interim coach, after their head coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan a had resigned from his posts and his assistant, Meke Mwase was made to replace him.
Mwase carries hope for Wanderers starved supporters who are looking for a win in order to revive their title chase ambitions after a Lilongwe and Mzuzu setbacks.
The away games for the Lali Lubani Boys have proved to be costly and they need to forgo the nasty experience and take their game head on.
Premier Bet Dedza have been strong playing at home and they managed to share points with Bullets and Silver while on their travel they have been found wanting at times.
Third placed, Kamuzu Barracks with 15 points are facing Karonga United at Civo stadium on Thursday.
Kamuzu Barracks will definitely push for a win in order to climb the ladder while Karonga United will be search for a win after they were beaten 4-2 by Silver Strikers last weekend.
On Friday, Civil Services United coming from a 2-0 win over Chitipa United in Karonga last Thursday will have to entertain another Karonga side, Baka City at home.
Baka City have moved from the basement of the log, now on position 15 will be looking for the first win over Civil Service United to give them hope of survival.
Chitipa United with new interim coach at the helm they need to find a winning formula if they are to pull out of the relegation zone as they be facing.
Their coaches, head coach, Mcnebert Kadzuwa and his assistant, Elvis Kafoteka throw a tower after the team’s dismissal performance.
Immediately, the team promoted second assistant coach, Gift Mkamanga to become an interim coach and will be assisted by Wakisa Mukhondiya.
It will be seen if the new coach will have the magic to make Chitipa United a force to reckon with.
They have a daunting fixture against log anchors, Bangwe All Stars at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
Stubborn, Mzuzu City Hammers are on the road and they will face the debutantes, FOMO at Mulanje Park on Saturday.
Victory over Wanderers should not be used as a yard stick to undermine FOMO because they have very strong playing at home.
After pulling a 0-0 draw against Bullets on Monday, Moyale Barracks are lining up against Mighty Waka Tigers which has be unpredictable at times.
Both teams are seriously look for a win in order to narrow the gap with the two five teams.
The fixtures are as follows and kick off is 2:30 pm.
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Kamuzu Barracks vs Karonga United @Civo Stadium
Friday, May 31, 2024
Civil Services United vs Baka City @ Civo Stadium
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Mafco vs Creck Sporting @ Chitowe Stadium
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers vs Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos
Moyale Barracks vs Mighty Waka Tigers @ Mzuzu Stadium
FOMO vs Mzuzu City Hammers @ Mulanje Park
Sunday, June 2, 2024
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Silver Strikers @ Kamuzu Stadium
Bangwe All Stars vs Chitipa United @ Mpira Stadium
Government commits to supporting architecture sector
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, May 29, mana: Vice President, Saulos Chilima, has assured Malawians that government is committed to supporting architecture sector in order to have good standards of infrastructures across Malawi.
Chilima made the remarks on Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe during the official opening of a four-day Malawi Institute of Architect’s (MIA) Annual General Meeting.
"We have strategies that help to improve architectural standards in the country such as specification of appropriate materials and construction methods as well as training of local builders", He said.
He, therefore, appealed to construction industries to collaborate with government saying this is crucial for good standards of architectures and this will help the Country to achieve vision 2063 in terms of urbanization.
In his remarks President for MIA, Khumbo Chirwa, added that architects are taking steps to ensure that all buildings are of good standards in both designs and constructions in the country.
"We have architectural education at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) and we are working hand in hand with the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) and local authorities such as Blantyre and Lilongwe city assemblies to approve only quality standards buildings in their cities and across Malawi", he added.
Director of Buildings, in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Same Ngoma, therefore appealed to government to review the architects and quantity surveyors act which passed in 1992 to have few things changed in order to improve the development of urbanization.
This year's event is held under the theme, “The architect: Re_imagining Malawi's future" and aligns with the Malawi 2063 vision on urbanization.
