MANAonline
Maxwell Phiri sworn in as councilor of Chilaweni ward in Blantyre.
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, August 10, Mana: Maxwell Phiri who worn in the recent Local Government Elections at Chilaweni in Blantyre Rural East Constituency has been sworn in as ward council to take up the responsibility of representing people in his area.
Phiri amassed 1,882 votes from a total of 3,864 votes cast during the by-elections held on July 22, 2024 emerging a winner over eight candidates who contested for the position of councilor for the Chilaweni ward.
Speaking at the swearing in ceremony at Blantyre District Council, District Commissioner, Alex Mdooko advised the newly sworn-in councilor to collaborate with fellow councilors, traditional leaders, and Members of Parliament to facilitate development activities in the in the district.
“We want you to build a good relationship with traditional leaders, MPs, and your fellow councilors so that together you can fulfill the wishes of the communities you are serving in areas of health, agriculture and education among others,” he said.
Mdooko also advised Councilor Phiri to live by the promises he made to the electorates during the campaign period.
Blantyre District Council Chairperson, Councilor Elson Dumuka advised Phiri to always embrace the spirit of hard work, patriotism, and servant leadership in serving the communities well.
After being sworn in, Phiri said was excited to be sworn in as a councilor for Chilaweni ward, pledging to serve people in the ward well irrespective of religion, culture, and political affiliations.
“I am geared to support the government in the implementation of various development activities such as construction of roads and health facilities to benefit the local citizenry,” he added.
Phiri who won the Chilaweni by-election on an independent ticket replaced late councilor, Carol Mdala of Democratic Progressive Party who died in March this year.
Phiri is expected to serve his term of office until July 23, 2025.
Vice President arrives in Kigali
By Roy Nkosi in Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali, August 11, Mana: Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi has arrived in Kigali Rwanda where he is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame slated for Sunday at Amahoro Stadium in the capital.
Usi is representing President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera was met on arrival at Kigali International Airport by Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Claudette Irere and Malawi's Deputy High Commissioner to Tanzania and Rwanda, Deborah Mitawa.
“This visit is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen the cordial bilateral relations that exist between Malawi and Rwanda.
"On behalf of the President and the people of Malawi, we appreciate the invitation of President Paul Kagame to Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who has since delegated me," the Vice President said.
President Kagame was re-elected for a new term following a landslide victory in July's Presidential elections.
Inject more funds for Queens
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, August 11, Mana: Malawi Netball Teams, “the Queens” can claim its lost glory if funds are injected for early preparation and camping for the team.
Leeds Lionesses professional netballer, Joyce Mvula made the suggested Saturday at Gateway Mall Netball Court in Area 47 in Lilongwe in an internment with Malawi News Agency (Mana).
She admitted that the team’s performance has gone down in the recent past but this was due to lack of adequate preparation and camping.
Mvula said early camping was helping a lot and players were able to jerry well and formulate good combinations.
The Queens Goal Shooter observed that nowadays that the Queens, they only have one week of camping for big tournaments and the results are usually disastrous.
“When I was first called into camp in 2010, we used to be in camp for two months when preparing for big tournaments.” Mvula recalled.
She noted that teams like England, New Zealand, Jamaica and Australia have already started camping for 2025 Commonwealth games and 2026 World Netball cup.
“Look at the seriousness of the teams that we play with. If we are to progress, we need to emulate what our friends are doing too and then we will be at par with them. Netball Association of Malawi through National Sports Council need to support the Queens technical and financially,” Mvula explained.
She believes that, “In camp make the players happy and happy players win games always.”
Former Queens captain, Emmie Chongwe attributed to delays in injecting new blood into the team.
“We are taking long to replace our aging players and as result we are being caught up. We need to have a fine succession plan and more days of camping in order to develop our play. We have talent and the only way we can nature it is to scout it,” she said.
Mvula delivers sporting shoes
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, August 11, Mana: Provision of better sports equipment remains fundamental prerequisite to the development of any sport code in the country.
Leeds Lionessess in England and National Netball Goal Shooter, Joyce Mvula made the sentiments Saturday in at Gateway Mall Court in Area 47 when she presented assorted sporting shoes to Immigration Netball team which is playing in the Gateway Mall Central Region League sponsored by Mpico to the tune of K 40 million.
She said development of any sporting code starts with the essential basic equipment such as such balls, uniforms, whistles and playing surface.
“A well-wisher who opted to be named has collected and provided the fairly used shoes which has been donated to Immigration netball team,” Mvula disclosed.
The Leeds netballer added that, “Sometimes people would ask for assistance and I had just to ask some other few friends to help. I have collected the parcel and I have presented to Immigration netball team.”
She said her role was only to facilitate the delivery of the items to the intended beneficiaries which are Immigration netball team.
Mvula said playing on hard surface was prone to lots of injuries and wearing of sporting shoes help to curb some of them particularly in our country where most playing courts are made of hard surface.
Immigration Netball Coach, Aaron Gopani expressed gratitude to the well-wishers saying the donation would go a long way in improving the standards of play for her players.
He said playing shoes are one of the critical equipment most teams in the league are lacking and the coming of the shoes has narrow the gap his was facing in terms of equipment.
“I am hopeful that the donation will help to boost morale in my camp and the team will start doing betters in our league games,” Gopani added.
Chakwera calls for unity, hard work among MCP
By Hastings Yobe & Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, August 10, Mana: President for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who is also State President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has thanked all party members who volunteered and donated for the party's convention.
The President said this on Saturday at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) during the closing ceremony of the party’s 2024 elective convention.
“I want to thank all party members who run small businesses all over the country but still decided to donate their income to support the convention because this is what is needed for the stronghold of our party,” said Chakwera.
Chakwera further urged the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members to be hardworking, committed and work as a team.
“You should keep in mind that the people who have elected you are united, hardworking, lovers of peace and do not bring anything opposite to this. We respect the rule of law and not strength of individuals,” Chakwera said.
Newly elected Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda, emphasized on the need for the new committee to work in unison in order to achieve better results.
“I strongly advise for peace to those who are in the party. We must work together even with those we were contesting against on the same seat we are on now. We must remember that we are children of the same family,” said Chimwendo.
Chimwendo also thanked the delegates for choosing what he called democratic leadership.
“This convention has proven that our delegates know what is best for the party because they have voted each position wisely,” said Chimwendo.
The MCP elective convention started on Thursday, August 8.
MCP Convention Reaches Climax as Events Near Conclusion
By Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, August 10, Mana: The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) auditorium has reaching its climax, with musician Skeffa Chimoto setting the tone with soothing music as delegates await the commencement of today's events.
The highly anticipated events, expected to start shortly, will be graced by the presence of State President and MCP President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera.
Today's proceedings mark the finalization of all events held during the convention, resulting to the announcement of the official results for the party’s new National Executive Committee (NEC) by the Malawi Electoral Commission.
Zomba ready for any disaster - DPD
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, August 10, Mana: Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Zomba District Council, Precious Kamtsitsi has disclosed that the district is now prepared to handle any disaster that may occur.
Speaking on Friday during the Disaster Risk Management and Disaster Evacuation planning meeting in Liwonde, Kamtsitsi said Zomba is one of the disaster prone districts of the country.
Kamtsitsi said by having the plans in place, it was a testament that the district is ready for any disaster.
He said apart from showing readiness, plans showed how organized the district was.
“Disasters are natural calamities that can happen any time and as a council, we thought it necessary to put plans in place. This is to ensure that when a disaster strikes, there should be a reference document that outlines strategies on how we can deal with that particular situation,” he said.
Kamtsitsi added: “The plan will also help us to mobilize and lobby for support and donors will have an already existing document to refer to incase they want to provide support.”
He said the district will soon start activities of popularizing the plans to ensure every citizen is aware and involved.
“We have a huge task ahead and let’s strive to ensure that we make the two plans known to residents of Zomba,” he said.
Great Munthali who represented the districts Disaster Risk Management Officer said the meeting was crucial as it provided an opportunity for the district to prepare for disasters.
During the meeting which attracted officers from different sectors as well as development partners, a number of resolutions were made including popularization of the plans and involving all players in disasters.
WESM spends K80 million in borehole drilling and maintenance in Nkhotakota
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, August 9, Mana: Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) says it has spent over K80 million since 2023 to drill six and maintain 31 boreholes to provide clean and potable water to communities in Nkhotakota district.
Speaking on Thursday during the borehole handover ceremony held at Senior group Kawerenga, WESM Branch Manager for Nkhotakota, Yasin Rasheed Malandura said they had been influenced to drill boreholes in most remote areas within the district after discovering through a survey conducted in 2017 that people around those areas were using unprotected water, putting their lives at risk of suffering from diseases like diarrhea and cholera.
"We noted with great concern that people living in remote areas, especially around Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve were denied the right to access safe and clean water, that is when we sat down and found a solution to the situation," said Malandura.
He said his organization is expected to maintain 12 other broken boreholes and continue providing communities with clean water by drilling boreholes in hard-to-reach areas within the district before urging community members to take care of the boreholes that have been handed over to them.
One of the community beneficiaries from Senior Group Kawerenga, Aweto Zuliani hailed WESM together with the Peter Falvey Foundation for providing them with boreholes saying this will prevent people from drinking water from unprotected sources.
WESM has since 2016 drilled 126 boreholes in the district with financial aid from Peter Falvey Foundation and Bridge Waters Foundation.
Media crucial in supporting voluntary tax compliance
By Rosalia Kapiri
Salima, August 9, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) says the media has a powerful role to play in making sure that correct information is passed on to the public, thereby facilitating in voluntary tax compliance in the country.
MRA Head of Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma disclosed this on Thursday, in a statement during a media editors training on new tax measures and MRA initiatives workshop in Salima.
Kapoloma said MRA engaged various media organizations to take them through the various tax administration reforms and measures that have been implemented by MRA and the new technologies employed to fight smuggling.
"Editors are key gatekeepers of information and engaging them will make sure that the information going out to the masses is the correct one.
"MRA is committed to ensure that all tax knowledge and skills are shared with members of the press to advance capacity and guarantee effective utilization across the news gathering chain," he said.
In his presentation, MRA Training Manager under Domestic Taxes Division, Samuel Mwale highlighted the introduction of tax stamps, a tool to help identify goods that have come through the border and are of good quality and genuine.
He said this will help differentiate smuggled goods from legitimate ones on the market of which teams deployed to search will be confiscating goods without MRA stamp found on the market.
"Tax stamps is not a new type of tax, but a compliance monitoring tool," he said.
He added that MRA will run campaigns to encourage the general public to report non-compliance for rewards.
The Authority has appealed to the public to adhere to the paying of taxes, saying they enable Government to implement various social services such as buying of medicines for hospitals, learning and teaching materials in public schools, developmental projects such as construction of roads and paying of salaries to civil servants, among others.
New secondary school construction excites Mwanza chief
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, August 9, Mana: Senior Chief Nthache of Mwanza has hailed Mwanza District Council for constructing two classroom blocks at Mthetula, Group Village head, Kasuza where the council is introducing a Community Day Secondary School to provide secondary education within reach of children in the area.
In an interview on Wednesday Nthache said in the past the leaners from Mthetula used to walk long distance to Chidoole Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), regarded as next school, adding that the long distance to Chidoole frustrates children’s interest in education.
“Now that the school is going to open within a walkable distance, our children will be motivated because many will be selected to start form 1 and this will surely promote education in my area,” said Nthache who also expressed optimism that cases of school dropout will end in the area.
The classroom block which is at roofing level has been constructed with last financial year’s Constituency Development Fund at a total cost of about K45 million.
Also under construction at the new school is a staff house with Performance Based Grants by Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project at a cost of about K118. Million and there are plans to build an administration block estimated to cost K143 million, courtesy of GESD.
Mthetula CDSS is expected to open this coming academic year (2024-2025) and will bring the number of secondary schools in Mwanza to nine with Mwanza District Secondary School being the only boarding public school in the district.
Emily Nyozani a primary school learner in the area commended the introduction of Mthetula CDSS in the area, which she said, will reduce drop out of girls in the area.
“I am particularly grateful for having a secondary school in our area because this will be convenient on our part, the walking distance is reasonable,” she added.
She encouraged fellow girls in the area not to rush for marriage but rather stay in school to go up to secondary school as the new facility is there for them.
