MANAonline
Heavy rains injure two learners and woman in Balaka
By Mirrium Fumulani
Balaka, November 8, Mana: Heavy rains characterized by strong winds have injured two Standard Five learners at Balaka Primary School following the destruction of a roof of their classroom.
Confirming the incident, Head Teacher for Balaka Primary School, Dayton Malefula said the tragedy occurred on Thursday afternoon when the area experienced a heavy down pour while classes were in session.
He said due to the heavy winds which accompanied the rains, the roof of the classroom collapsed, injuring the two learners in the process.
“Immediately after the accident, I took the kids out of the class room with the help of other teachers and rushed to the hospital for the children to receive medical attention,” he said.
In a related development, a woman from Mgawanyemba area, Agnes Makata was also rushed to Balaka District Hospital for treatment after the roof of her house collapsed.
An eye witness, Esther Phiri said she heard a loud crack followed by a deafening crash of the roof leading to collapsing due to pressure of the windy rainfall.
“I was in my living room when I heard this huge noise and I ran outside seeing the roof had collapsed. I immediately called people who live around to help,” said Phiri.
She added: “When other people arrived at the scene, we entered the house of Agnes and found her trapped under the rubble so we quickly took her to Balaka Hospital where she was admitted.”
Meanwhile, Balaka District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Alick Milanzi has confirmed the incidents, saying a team is currently on the ground to provide immediate help to the survivors and also assess the magnitude of the damage.
Milanzi, therefore, urged all people to stay indoors during severe weather and to report any incident to relevant authorities.
Apart from injuring people, the storm has also destroyed ESCOM powerlines and trees, among others, in some parts of Balaka.
Farmers in Blantyre encouraged to adopt modern farming methods
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, November 8, Mana: Blantyre District Council has encouraged farmers and agriculture experts to change their mindset by adopting modern methods of farming to make the most out of their production.
Blantyre District Council Chairperson, Elsen Dumùka made the remarks on Friday during the opening of 2024 - 2025 Agriculture Fair under the theme: "Market oriented agriculture through innovation and commercialization," held at Mdeka ADMARC ground, Lirangwe EPA in Traditional Authority Chigalu.
Dumuka said government through the Ministry of Agriculture is playing a very big role in making sure that there is food security in the country such that farmers should have more than enough harvest and sell the surplus.
"We need to realize that climate change has become a threat to both farming and development in the country; therefore, we need to change our mindset, let's take farming as a business too because farming is a source of food security, economy and country's development," he said.
Director of Agriculture Services for Blantyre District Council, Edward Katunga said the agriculture fair is very important because it coordinates farmers and the people or organisations who buy their produce.
"During this time, farmers learn different farming methods from each other and also from their service providers," he said.
Katunga added that Blantyre District Council is working very hard in assisting farmers with new farming methods including irrigation technologies.
"You have seen Bakasala Irrigation Scheme stand and what they portrayed on their stand, also Nkawinda Irrigation Scheme which currently has about 600 hectares and it's been developed whereas the water comes from Shire River. 600 hectares is a big size which is enough to serve the whole Mdeka area," he added.
One of the farmers from Chisesele Village in T/A Chigalu, Macdonald Kampira said he has learnt a lot during the agriculture fair including the use of local methods in fighting pests in the field.
"We have learnt the benefits of using such local and cheap methods like the use of Neemu tree leaves and Chikhawo portrayed by other farmers here," he said.
Parliamentary Committee concerned with MACRA’s delayed project
By Mwai Kumanda
Lilongwe, November 7, Mana: Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communication has expressed a concern over the delays by Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA), on the construction of computer laboratories in schools under project dubbed Connect A School (CAS).
Speaking during the site visit at Kalumba Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalumba on Thursday, Chairperson for the Committee Susan Dossi said, it is sad to see that the project that was supposed to take three months only, is not yet even roofed after several months.
“As members of Parliamentary Committee on Media as well as Education Committee, we are not happy with what we have seen. We are therefore requesting MACRA to speed the process of construction of these laboratories so that leaners and the surrounding communities should start using the equipment as planned,” She said.
Dossi then disclosed that very soon the committee will engage the Universal Service Fund (USF), as well as the board for MACRA so that they explain what has caused the delay and make a way forward.
“This project is very important and we need to take it seriously knowing that the world is going digital and we don’t want our country more especially the youth in rural areas to remain behind in a digital world,” Dossi said.
In his remarks, one of the members of the Committee, Kamlepo Kaluwa, said the delays are affecting the youth in the communities where MACRA is constructing the ICT labs, and urged MACRA to speed up the process so that the people at Kalumba can start benefiting from the computer laboratory.
MACRA’s Human Resource Manager, Glad Ngwira, said they have taken note of the concerns raised by the committee and they will make sure to work on the concerns.
“As MACRA we thought it was wise to invite the parliamentary committee to come and appreciate what MACRA is doing, and as you know in any project there are different challenges and this one is no exception.
“But what I can say is that we have taken note of all the observations and I am optimistic that the management will find a way forward,” he said.
Construction of sustainable assets gives hope to Mangochi communities against flooding
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, November 8, Mana: World Bank funded Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) empowers communities in Mangochi to adopt means and ways of responding to land degradation through construction of sustainable assets such as deep trenches and stone bunds.
Mangochi was amongst districts that were heavily affected by Tropical Cyclone Fredddy, which induced floods that caused havoc to communities, and left thousands of Malawians homeless and food insecure.
Speaking during a tour of catchments in the district this week, community member in the area of Traditional Authority Jalasi, Emily Thomas said that the area has for so long been heavily affected by floods and a dry spells which in turn left many households food insecure as a result of low crop production.
“Due to deforestation, a number of areas in our community are bare, and as a result, we have been affected by water run-off from highlands.
“As such, we believe that the construction of assets such as deep trenches and stone bunds will assist to minimize the impact of the hazards as they are able to control run- off of water. We are thankful to government for introducing the programme,” Thomas added.
In his remarks, Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator (AEDC) for Ntiya Extension Planning Area, Frank Banda said that apart from minimizing effects of flooding, interventions that are carried out through CS-EPWP in the area will also help to improve food production at household level.
“Deep trenches, swales, as well check dams are able to catch water, and they help moisture content in the soil which help to improve crop production,” Banda added.
Desk Officer for CS-EPWP in Mangochi, Francis Mbirisa, said the programme is a sub-component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project and is being implemented in 28 district councils in Malawi to restore and conserve the environment.
“In Mangochi the programme is being implemented in 22 catchments of the district, and at the moment about 25, 465 participants are benefiting from the project. The council is for far satisfied with its progress,” said Mbirisa.
China donates 33 tons of maize flour to Malawi
By: Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, November 7, Mana: The Government of the People’s Republic of China has donated 33 tons of maize flour worth over MK42 million to households that are food insecure across the country.
Speaking on Thursday, during the official handover of the donation in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalumbu in Lilongwe, the Director of Welfare Affairs of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malawi ,Wang Hao ,said the donation is in response to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jimping in China.
Hao said the Government of the People’s Republic of China is prudently aware that in the past years Malawi has suffered a severe impact of natural disasters, other factors resulting to a serious food security crisis.
“As we all know that Malawi is an agricultural country, and the government has put agriculture and food security as top priority of economic development.
“China therefore appreciates the efforts made by the Malawi government under the leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, to respond to the natural disasters and address people’s need for food,” He said.
Hao then said the Government of China will continue supporting African countries including Malawi because of its strong and sound bilateral ties that exist between the two countries.
“There is an old Chinese quote, which goes like: Timely help is like sending charcoal in snowy weather. Today’s food donation to the people in hunger is another real reflection of our strong relationship,” He said.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba, thanked the Chinese government for the timely donation saying many people are in dire need of such support due to their food insecurity.
Kalemba said, apart from the maize flour, the Chinese government will soon support the country with yet another consignment of a donation of rice.
Speaking earlier, Senior Chief Kalumbu urged his subjects to use the donation for the intended purpose and not to sale it.
“There are several people across the country that are in dire need of such donation. It will therefore be unfair to hear that some beneficiaries are selling the donated maize flour,” He said.
Currently, over 2 Million farming households have been affected by hunger due to the effects of the ongoing E-l Nino conditions.
MACRA launches Cyber Security Awareness Month
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe 30 October, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has launched Cyber Security Awareness Month, aimed at enhancing public understanding awareness of cyber security issues.
The launch took place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday and will run throughout the month of November with a series of events such as public outreach campaigns to educate and empower citizens on safe online practices.
Speaking during the launch, MACRA’s Board Director Malla Kawale said cyber security has become a critical concern in the digital age, as more Malawians engage with technology in their daily lives.
She said, the rise of internet use presents both opportunities and challenges and therefore it is necessary for individuals, businesses and organizations to understand how to protect themselves from cyber threats.
“As MACRA, we would like to emphasize the importance of this initiative. As we embrace the digital revolution, we must equip our citizens with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the online landscape safely,
Cyber security is a shared responsibility and through awareness and education, we can foster a safer digital environment for all Malawians. We therefore encourage all citizens, businesses and organizations to participate actively in cyber security awareness month,” Kawale said.
MACRA’s Consumer Affairs Officer Brave Kaira said 27000 cases of mobile money fraud worth 180 million kwacha have been reported from January to August this year.
He said, 90 percent of the mobile money fraud cases emanate from prisons, especially Zomba Maximum Prison.
Kaira also said it is very important to empower consumers and mobile money agents in order to reduce the number of fraud cases.
“This is the reason the money fraud invasion task force was set up as one of the initiatives to combat mobile money fraud,” he said.
He added that MACRA is hoping to introduce National Identity cards from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to be the one single source of truth and should be linked to biometric data in order to avoid cases of people registering SIM cards using other people’s National IDs.
Food insecure households in Mzuzu to get cash grants
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, October 7, Mana: Project Officer for GiveDirectly, Bahat Ngwira says the organisation intends to roll out unconditional household cash grants to 450 food insecure households in Mzuzu.
Ngwira disclosed this Thursday during a meeting with Mzuzu City Executive Committee members.
She said through the program, called Urban Lean Response Program, each of the households will receive K210,000 delivered in monthly tranches of K70,000, starting from January 2025.
“All the payments will be distributed through mobile money using Airtel as mobile network operator. Airtel was selected on the basis of its market share, reach and experience working on similar projects.
“In order to facilitate mobile payments, all recipients will be provided with an Airtel SIM card through which they will receive their cash grants,” Ngwira said.
She said GiveDirectly will take a universal targeting approach, enrolling every eligible household in all the wards in Mzuzu.
Ngwira added that the organisation is working in close collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs to ensure there are no duplications as well as exclusions of beneficiaries.
Youth Officer responsible for Mzuzu City, Misheck Msokwa asked GiveDirectly to properly mentor the beneficiaries to ensure they don’t use the cash grants for unintended purposes.
“This is a safety net programme intended to help families buy food for household use. However, you find that in some instances, the beneficiaries tend to use such cash grants on some other things not related to food including alcohol,” he said.
In his remarks, Director of Planning and Development for Mzuzu City Council, Philemon Maseko, asked the organization to engage relevant stakeholders including community leaders in the identification of beneficiaries to ensure only deserving households are targeted.
GiveDirectly will implement the programme with funding from Scottish Government Climate Justice Fund.
TNM Super League: A weekend of fireworks
By Charles Nkhoma
Lilongwe, November 7, Mana. As the Malawi Super League enters its 28th week, fans are eagerly awaiting an array of intense matchups that promise competitive action and high stakes.
Among the notable fixtures is the only clash between Chitipa United and Fomo FC, scheduled for Saturday at Karonga Stadium. This arrangement allows supporters to focus on the much-anticipated Airtel Top 8 final between Silver Strikers and Big Bullets at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe.
The weekend lineup continues on Sunday, featuring a diverse slate of games that span the country’s major venues. Kamuzu Barracks will confront Civil Service United at Civo Stadium, while Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos meet Moyale Barracks.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will face Mighty Tigers, and the action will extend to Mzuzu Stadium, where Mzuzu City Hammers take on Creck Sporting Club.
Speaking to the Vice General Secretary, Donnex Chilonga, at the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) expressed optimism, encouraging fans to expect a high quality of play and to maintain decorum across stadiums to support a safe and engaging football atmosphere.
Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC head coach echoed the importance of securing a win, highlighting his team’s ambitions to finish within the top eight—a target that would secure them a position in next year’s Airtel Top 8 tournament.
The coach noted that this goal reflects both the team’s dedication and its potential to compete among the elite teams in Malawian football.
With just weeks left in the season, every point gained or lost holds significant implications for the league standings, ensuring an exciting weekend for fans and players alike.
Ministry of Education digitalizing education through BEFIT program
By Hope chimwala
Blantyre, November 7, Mana: Malawi Government through the Ministry of Education has embarked on an innovative journey to digitalize education using the Building Education Foundation through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program.
The digitalization agenda includes electrification of schools, internet access, and provision of at least 40 digital access devices per school, National Open Distance and e-Learning policies among others.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Public Relations Officer in Ministry of Education, Mphatso Nkuonera said that Malawi Government is dedicated to improving the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of primary school learners in standard one up to four through (BEFIT).
“Over 80,000 tablets have already been distributed to 660 primary schools across the country, serving over 410,000 learners. In areas where there is no electricity, the ministry is providing vibrant solar panels,” he said.
Education expert, Steve Shara said in an interview that digitalizing access to education is key to transforming societies, as a lot of people do not have access to education.
“We have two million young Malawians aged 15-19 years old, yet only 538,000 are in school, the rest have no access to education because we do not have enough secondary schools,” he said.
Another education expert, Benedicto Kondowe agreed with Shara, saying that digitalizing education in Malawi is a significant step towards achieving Malawi’s 2026 vision, which prioritizes building a strong human capital foundation through quality and accessible education.
“Digitalizing education is a realistic agenda as learners will be equipped with technological knowledge and skills resulting into a productive society. We are living in a digital world and our learners need to be in line with how the world is working,” he said.
The BEFIT program led by the Malawi Government is embedded within the national curriculum and school timetable and by 2029; all public primary schools are expected to have benefited from the program.
Malawi makes significant strides against HIV and AIDS
By Mwai Kumanda
Lilongwe November 7, Mana: Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Samson Mdolo, says it is encouraging to see Malawi making strides in the fight of HIV and AIDS.
Speaking on Wednesday, in Lilongwe, during a three-day Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting, Mdolo said, there is much progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
“We have made a good progress as a country as far as the fight against HIV and AIDS is concerned. Although there are some difficulties, in the country in fighting the pandemic, but we are making so much progress and our goal is to reduce new infection incidences by 2030.
“As a country we have managed to achieve the new UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, though when we dig deep we still have some sections, we are not doing so well. That is the reason why we have organized this annual review meeting, in order to still assess the progress,” he said.
Mdolo also commended the government of Malawi for showing commitment to the fight by increasing 2024/2025 financial budget for the health sector, saying it is only health people who can positively contribute to the development of the country.
Chairperson of Health Donor Group, Susanne Meltl, congratulated Ministry of Health for doing well in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and pledged that the donor community will continue to support the ministry in its operations.
“As a donor community, we just want to congratulate the Ministry of Health and National Aids Commission (NAC) for conducting a joint review meeting for the first time.
“And we are delighted to see that there has been a progress towards achieving the 95-95-95 targets and we would like to encourage the ministry to further put efforts, and they will have our support,” she said.
In 2022/23, the prevalence of HIV among adults in Malawi was 8.9 percent, which corresponds to approximately 946,000 adults living with HIV. HIV prevalence was higher among women (10.5%) than among men (7.1%).
