MANAonline
Nkhata Bay Council targets over 10 000 households in relief food distribution
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, December 11, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay District Council, Rodgers Newa has disclosed that the council, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) will start distribution of relief items on Friday.,
Newa disclosed this Wednesday during a full council meeting.
He said the exercise, targeting 10, 494 households, is part of 2024/25 National Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
"We are done with all processes like assessment, retargeting and verification of beneficiaries. On Friday, we will start maize distribution starting with the area of lower Zilakoma then all other areas across the district," he said.
According to Newa, each household is expected to receive a 50 kilograms bag of maize for December, January and February.
In his remarks Traditional Authority Zilakoma commended government for the timely support as this will greatly bail out households that are currently affected by hunger in his area.
Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report established that about 5.7 million Malawians will be in dire need of food aid during the lean period from October 2024.
Woman dies in Karonga road accident
By George Mponda
Karonga, December 11, Mana: A woman identified as Dyna Mwenegamba Gondwe 50, has died in a road accident after a motor vehicle she was traveling in collided with a freight liner truck at Wovwe in the district.
According to Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Karonga Police Station, Constable Margret Msiska, the accident took place around 20:00 hours at Wovwe trading center on Tuesday.
"We have established that on that particular day, Kenneth Gondwe, was driving a Toyota Sienta registration number CP 6403 from Chilumba heading Karonga boma with four passengers on board.
“Upon reaching Wovwe trading center, he started over taking a freight liner registration number MN 9188-KU 1067 heading the same direction. In the course of overtaking, he collided with it at the front edge and lost control of the vehicle due to over speeding," said Msiska.
She added that the vehicle later hit one male pedestrian who was walking on the side of the road before hitting a road embarkment which made the vehicle to over turn twice before resting.
"Following the impact, the driver’s wife, Dyna Mwenegamba Gondwe, sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Nyungwe Health Center", she added.
According to the police PRO, the driver and other three victims including the pedestrian sustained minor injuries and are receiving medical treatment at Nyungwe Health Center.
Gondwe hailed from Chivundiko village, Traditional Authority Wansambo in Karonga District.
School drop-out rate decreases in Lilongwe
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: Action Aid Malawi says school drop-out rates have decreased in six Traditional Authorities (T/A) in Lilongwe Rural West through a programme called School Readiness Initiative (SRI).
Speaking on Tuesday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, Action Aid Programmes Manager, Anderson Moyo, said the drop-out rate has dramatically gone down due to a number of initiatives the organization has been undertaking in the area.
“Most children have gone back to school since 2020 and the numbers have gone down from 357 to 147. This was possible because we constructed Community Based Childcare Centres (CBCCs), employee caregivers and also primary school teachers,” he said.
Moyo said their target is to reach out to 5,686 pre-primary children but so far they have already managed to reach 4,040 in the second phase, a sign that the project will be a success.
He further said the project has promoted coordination and collaboration between primary schools and CBCCs, and increased enrollment in primary schools.
However, Moyo said despite the successes which the project has registered, there are also numerous challenges such as the unavailability of food in CBCCs which somehow reduced the enrolment and attendance in Early Childhood Development Centres and schools as well as poor structures which failed to withstand disasters.
Lilongwe District Social Welfare Officer, Derek Mwenda, has since applauded Action Aid for the initiative saying it will go a long way in increasing the number of young learners in schools.
The project has been implemented from 2020 to 2024.
Action Aid is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) whose primary aim is to work against poverty and injustice worldwide.
Likoma MP hands over multipurpose printer worth K11 million
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, December 11, Mana: Member of Parliament (MP) for Likoma, Ashems Songwe, has handed over a multipurpose printer worth K11 million to Likoma District Examinations Board to ease challenges in printing examination papers.
Speaking Tuesday during the handover ceremony in the district, Songwe, said the printer has been purchased using Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in order to support efforts that are being done by the education sector.
“Ideally, I wanted to support the efforts that are being done by the education sector, particularly our teachers who are working so hard.
“To print examination papers, they had to go to Nkhatabay, spend some days there so we discussed to find a lasting solution to the problem hence the printer,” said Songwe.
Chairperson for Likoma District Examination Board, Micheal Kanjaya said he was overwhelmed with gratitude for the multipurpose printer which will be used as a photocopier, scanner and printer.
“The coming in of the machine will help a lot in our sector because we will be printing, scanning and photocopying within our reach and we are going to minimize expenses,” said Kanjaya.
School Management Committee Chairperson for Same Primary School in Chizumulu, Petro Ndalama thanked the MP for the printer saying that it was relief to parents who struggled to source money to pay for their children for printing of examination papers.
Chitipa Lions Club donates medical equipment to Chitipa hospital
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, December 11, mana: Chitipa Lions Club through Mzuzu Lions Club have donated K19 million slit lamp machine to Chitipa District Hospital which helps to detect and diagnose eye diseases.
President for Chitipa Lions Club, Fidelis Kambalame, said that his club decided to donate the slit lamp to Chitipa District Hospital so that many people can be reached with eye health care services.
He said this on Tuesday during donation of the slit lamp to the health facility under Sightfirst project, which is funded by Lions Club International in conjunction with Latter Day Saints.
“We decided to donate the slit lamp to Chitipa District hospital so that it can reach out to many people as you have heard that Chitipa District hospital has struggled for several years without slit lamp equipment.
“The cost of the hospital sending patients to Mzuzu is high so we thought this would be one of the best Christmas gifts to people of Chitipa and Chitipa District hospital,” Kambalame said.
On his part, Chitipa District Medical Officer, Dr. Victor Matumbo, applauded Chitipa and Mzuzu Lions Clubs for the donation which he said will go a long way in reaching out to many people in Chitipa District.
Matumbo said as a district they have stayed for a number of years without the equipment and patients were referred to Mzuzu central hospital for all the functions requiring the services of the equipment.
“The coming of the equipment will do us good in terms of resource utilization. We should be able to save resources and direct them to other pertinent issues that affect health care services in Chitipa. This machine will also reduce the burden that our patients incur, traveling from Chitipa to Mzuzu which is almost 350 kilometers,” Matumbo explained.
Matumbo added that a surgical camp is taking place at the facility and common conditions that affect the eyes all are being operated.
He said that the surgical camp, targeting 60 patients, will run for five days.
Chitipa Council asks stakeholders to collaborate in ending GBV
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, December 11, Mana: Chitipa District Council has asked different stakeholders to join hands in order to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) at all levels in the district.
Vice Chairperson for Chitipa District Council, Wedson Sinkhonde said this on Monday during the Commemoration of 16 days of activism, which took place at Kapoka Primary School ground in senior chief Mwenemisuku, under the theme; Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Chitipa.
Sinkhonde said that if all stakeholders are well united and practically committed to ending GBV, it will be easier for the violence to come to an end in the district.
He explained that some of the factors that contribute to GBV in the district are cultural beliefs, which do not permit women and girls to be involved in decision making in various issues.
"Ending GBV is not only for women and girls but men and boys should also participate to end all malpractices leading to GBV so that nobody should suffer from it," Sinkhonde explained.
District Gender Officer for Chitipa, Rosemary Mahata said that Chitipa district is also registering more cases of GBV, especially to girls and women.
She added that most teenage girls are being impregnated and forced into early marriages.
"Let us report any forms of GBV to relevant stakeholders so that they should be dealt with properly. In so doing the district will be free from any form of GBV," Mahata appealed.
Senior Chief Mwenemisuku agreed that GBV is indeed happening in the district to both females and males which result to suicidal deaths and other harassments.
He gave an example of his area where two male people have committed suicide this year alone.
He, therefore, appealed to all communities to resolve any misunderstanding amicably by informing local leaders, faith leaders, gender office, police, courts and other relevant stakeholders so that communities should not lose their lives in such a way.
Be a source of hope, SDA evangelists told
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, December 11, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has challenged Literature Evangelists in the Southern Indian Ocean Division (SID) of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church to be a source of hope amongst people facing various challenges across the region.
He made the call Wednesday during the opening of the Fourth SID Literature Evangelist Congress held at Linde Hotel at Mponela in Dowa.
He said as evangelists spread the word of God, they must also be an inspiration for people facing various social economic problems within the areas they serve.
"As evangelists, you have been called on a mission to spread the good news, to heal the broken hearted and bring hope to those in despair, to those that are uncertain about tomorrow, those about to give up hope and are thinking about taking their own lives.
"Therefore this call is not limited to the pulpits of the church, it is a call to serve humanity, and to be the hand and feet of God in a world that desperately needs his love and redemption," he said.
Usi also reminded the evangelists of what he said was their critical role in shaping the moral fabric of the society.
He said they must also heed their role of transforming lives, bringing people together, and fostering social economic development amongst communities.
"As we try to build a more just and equitable society, your contribution is invaluable," he said.
He acknowledged that the evangelists face a lot of challenges in course of their work like skepticism and hostilities. But he urged them to remain strong to achieve their mission of redeeming mankind from evil and sin.
Usi then said he respected the calls for members of SDA fraternity to be considered for exemptions in undergoing interviews or exams during Saturdays.
Speaking earlier during the event, Pastor Tony Nyirenda, President of Malawi Union Conference bemoaned that many SDA faithful, whether working, seeking employment or students, both in the public and private spheres, face challenges in observing one of the fundamental pillars of the SDA, which is observing the Sabbath.
He said many are forced to attend interviews or exams on Saturdays, a thing which he said puts them at an inconvenience.
"We want to make this humble request that may you take this up, so that our students should be able to attend classes or write exams on any other days expect Sabbath.
"Similarly this should be accorded to the SDA members in attending interviews on Saturdays. I have made this request because Malawi is God fearing country which upholds freedom of worship," he said.
He however commended the Vice President for attending the event while describing him as a right standing member of the SDA.
Dr. Pastor Harrington Akombwa, President of Southern Indian Ocean Division said they decided to hold the conference in Malawi because the country has a large number of baptized SDA members hovering around 700, 000.
The conference has attracted leaderships from 23 countries from the SID.
SID is a sub-entity of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which coordinates the Church’s activities in the southern portion of Africa, which include the Angola, Ascension Island, Botswana, Comoro Islands, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Reunion, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe; as well as St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha, territories of the United Kingdom, and the Kerguelen Islands, territory of France and is headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa.
CS-EPWP wages excite beneficiaries
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, December 11, Mana: Participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), who are currently receiving their wages in 24 catchment areas in Dedza District have expressed their excitement saying the money has come at the right time when they are struggling to meet certain basic needs.
Speaking in separate interviews at the start of the pay parade on Tuesday, some participants said they will now be able to purchase fertilizer while others said they will buy food for their households.
Nalifera Lackson from Jojo Village under Traditional Authority (T/A) Kachere in the district said she has three children who are depending on her.
“I currently do not have food. I will use part of the money to buy food that will help to push us in this lean season. I also plan to use a little money to start a small-scale business to sustain my family,” said Lackson.
Another woman, Masautso Stelaman from Mwangodzuma Village said she would use the money to buy affordable farm inputs.
“This money has come at the right time. I will use it properly by making sure that my crop field is taken care of. I will also buy some basic needs,” said Stelaman.
In her remarks, Dedza District Council Computer Analyst, Elites Majawa, said although there are some challenges such as missing some names of participants while others have no identity cards (IDs), the process of giving money is going well.
“Some lost their IDs and we previously advised them on what they can do. However, they have not followed the procedures. There are still options which we are doing as long as they provide additional information,” said Majawa.
Dedza District Project Facilitator for CS-EPWP, Jocaster Mnemba Khoriyo, said over 21, 000 participants are receiving their wages under cycle 2 across the 24 catchments in the district with each one of them receiving K48,000.
CS-EPWP is a social support for resilience programme being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee with support from the World Bank and a multi-donor trust fund.
Mental health retreat to bring together advocates
By Hope Chimwala
Blantyre, December 11, Mana: A Non-Governmental Organization called ‘Sorry I’m Not Sorry: We Are All Sick’ has for the first time organized a two-day mental health retreat that will be held in Zomba at Gymkhana hall from 20 to 21 December.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Wednesday, Founder and chairperson for Sorry, I’m Not Sorry: We Are All Sick, Joseph Daniel Sukali said the retreat aims to bring together all mental health advocates and youths from across the country and equip them with skills for enhancing mental health advocacy in their communities.
“This retreat will provide a safe and engaging space for all the participants to reflect, learn, and strategize on how to address mental health challenges effectively,” he said.
Sukali added that the retreat will provide the advocates with practical skills, knowledge, and emotional resilience to address mental health issues in order to minimize suicidal cases.
“Through collaboration, and creation of a network of support, we hope to strengthen the fight against stigma, promote awareness about mental health challenges and reduce cases of mental distress and suicide cases,” he said.
In a separate interview with a psychotherapist and mental health advocate, Catherine Thangalimodzi, said that the initiative is a good step as it demonstrates commitment to addressing the urgent need for mental health support in Malawi.
“By bringing together all mental health advocates from across the country and providing tools and resources, the retreat empowers participants to take action in their communities and create a more compassionate and understanding society through organizing awareness campaigns, providing peer support, and advocating for better mental health services,” she explained.
Thangalimodzi also highlighted that by empowering participants to combat stigma, the initiative is directly challenging the negative attitudes and misconception surrounding mental health.
They will also visit Zomba Mental Health Hospital to donate various items such as clothes, soap, and food worth MK300, 000.
The retreat has been organized with support from sponsors and partners such as Emmanuel Car rentals, Mango Lodge, Monnel Foundation, Ruyare Mental health organization, Empower Mind Counselling and Therapy, and Aerobics Arena and fitness Gym. Another retreat will be done next year in Lilongwe.
Salima District Council eyes a people-centred budget
Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, December 11, Mana: As the 2024/2025 financial year is drawing closer to an end; Salima District Council has commenced developing the 2025-2026 annual budget, which has been described as a people-centred budget.
Speaking during the official opening of the 2024/2025 annual budgeting development plan in Mangochi, the Council Chairperson for the district, Councilor Ephraim Manthepa called on sector heads to prioritize activities that directly target communities.
"Developing an annual work plan should not involve duplicating the previous year's budget, there is a need to go back to the drawing board, looking at what worked and what did not work, so that moving forward improvements are made," he said.
He cautioned heads of sectors not to focus on expenditures such as administrative costs in the form of allowances and unnecessary travelling.
He added: "We want this budget to dwell more on issues that affect communities such as road networks, quality health care provision, provision of clean water and all issues that will improve people's livelihoods."
Manthepa warned that poor planning of the budget will lead to failure and therefore urged officials to analyze and conduct a needs assessment to come up with a proper budget.
District Commissioner for Salima, James Mwenda, concurred with Manthepa saying the duty bearers are in their positions to serve communities.
"We will ensure that we develop a budget that will focus on people's needs, our goal is to selflessly serve the people of Salima by putting them first above anything, we will be held accountable for failing to deliver what we planned because failing to plan is planning to fail," he said.
On this point, Mwenda affirmed the council's commitment to develop the district hence the annual budgeting plan sessions will solely focus on developing sector budgets that are people-centred.
Earlier this year, National Local Government Finance Committee hailed the council for its plans and tipped the council to aim at investing more in projects that will help in local revenue collection.
Salima District Council approved a MK24.7 billion budget for 2024/2025 financial year.
The 2025/2026 budget will be projected after the consolidation of sector budgets.
