MANAonline
Dedza District Council hands over MK36 million bridge
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, March 23, Mana: Dedza District Council on Friday handed over a concrete bridge worthy over MK36 million to communities of Group Village Headman Chipeni under Senior Chief Kaphuka which has been constructed with funds under the District Development Funds (DDF).
For a long time, communities in the areas of Ntapo, Chipeni and Kamfundula have had a hustle of their lives in as far as crossing the river to the other side of the villages to access social amenities was concerned.
Dedza District Council, Chairperson, Councilor Themuka Nkhweu, said he was happy to witness the grand opening of the bridge which he said will improve coordination among surrounding communities.
He thanked the contractor, Manjawira Contractors, for what he described as good and quality work as well as completing it within stated time-frame of three months.
“There are problems everywhere and it takes good leadership to receive such developments. The handing over of Nadulu bridge today, is in-line with our vision as council to provide sustainable developments to the people,” said Nkhewu.
On his part, Group Village Headman (GVH) Chipeni, said all along they thought bridges were meant for urban areas and regarded the gesture by Dedza District Council as a dream coming true and as an honour.
“The absence of the bridge has been a problem for some time and facilities such as schools were further apart but now we have an easy road connection,” he said.
Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Dedza, McPherson Mwakhwawa, hailed communities’ participation during construction to which he said resulted in its success.
While calling for the full ownership, he reminded communities that the council implements projects from the Village Action Plans (VAPs) and urged them to always formulate plans of whatever development they want.
NGO moves to equip farmers with new agricultural technologies
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, March 23, Mana: Tiyeni, a local based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aimed at promoting sustainable farming in the country, has challenged farmers in Lilongwe district to start embracing new agricultural technologies in order for them to have bumper yield.
Tiyeni Country Director, Isaac Chavula made the call on Friday at Mkoma primary school ground in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Kalulu Extension Planning Area (EPA) during deep bed farming method field day.
“Times have changed because of climate change and farmers now should start cultivating in a different way. So by bringing in deep bed farming method, we want farmers to start managing soil and water because deep bed farming harvest rain water and controls erosion,” said Chavula.
Chavula then said it is interesting and encouraging that many farmers in the district have started using and appreciating the new agricultural technologies in their farms because they have realized that using deep bed farming is not just mere farming, but also a business.
“We have seen farmers using this kind of farming, getting eight tonnes per hectare, this is the way to go. We have also seen other crops such as groundnuts, tobacco and soya doing well using deep bed farming,” he said.
Deputy Director under Land Resources Conservation Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gilbert Mponda thanked Tiyeni for the initiative saying the new farming technologies will assist farmers to respond positively to climate change.
Mponda said it is encouraging that the farming technologies that Tiyeni has brought are really bringing positive results to farmers and very soon the ministry will roll out to other districts country wide.
Speaking on behalf of other farmers who have benefited with the initiative, Cosmas Mwale, said if many farmers can embrace this kind of farming country wide, Malawi will be a food basket nation.
“We have been working hard in our fields for a long time, but we couldn’t find any benefit, then since Tiyeni taught us this new method we are able to have enough food for our families and sell the surplus.
“Just imagine on an area of 0.8 hactares, I am expecting to harvest 140 bags of 50kgs of maize using this method of deep bed farming and manure utilization, I challenge you, I cannot be poor,” he said.
GESD school block excites Dedza communities
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, March 23, Mana: Communities under Mwenje area in Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza district, were all smiles on Friday with hopes for improved education standards when the district council officially handed over Katongole school block worthy over K58 million under the World Bank’s Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project.
Vice Council Chairperson for Dedza district council, Shyreen Gamulani, said she hoped more parents will now start sending their children to school citing rumors that most parents and guardians kept their wards at home for fear of unconducive learning environment at the school.
“This handover of a school block today should not only be a demonstration but rather to aid our children access quality education because we all know that education is key to social-economic development,” she said.
Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Willard Gwengwe, who officially opened the school block, expressed gratitude for the project. He further asked the learners to be exemplary and work hard in their studies in order to become successful future leaders.
On his part, Julius Kamwaza, Dedza District Council Chief Education Officer, said issues of learning space were a huge concern in the ministry as well as in schools around the district and that the handing over of the school block was a great step ahead that aligns with the Malawi 2063 agenda being pursued by the Malawi government under the leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera whose one goal is to provide quality education to the citizenry.
“We hope this development will benefit the whole Mwenje catchment area. And as council, we are very satisfied with the standard of the building after recommending some defects to which the contractor complied to. It is therefore our plea to the community members, learners and the teachers to take care of the structure,” he said.
He however noted that despite the challenges the education sector is facing, government is doing its best as funds towards acquisition of teaching and learning materials have more than doubled.
He appealed for more partners to assist, observing despite the effort by government, enrollment numbers are still high.
A standard seven learners at the school, Mphatso Evason, said they appreciate government for the school block, the desks and latrines saying in the absence of these, they found learning environment not conducive.
She called on her fellow learners to care for the structure for their benefit and those to come after them.
Za Kwathu ku Namitambo in afforestation drive
By Evance Chisiano
Chiradzulu, March 23, Mana: A grouping of people from Namitambo area in Chiradzulu under the name Zakwathu Ku Namitambo (ZKN) Trust has handed over 400 seedlings to three schools within Traditional Authority Mpunga in the district to instill environmental consciousness among leaners that are expected to plant the trees in their schools within the forestry season.
ZKN Trust member and leaners at Namitambo, Chingoma and Malowa schools planted the seedlings on Saturday while other trees are expected to be planted soon.
Speaking at Namitambo School on Saturday, ZKN Trust National Coordinator. Pacharo Namatumbo urged learners to appreciate effects of climate change and start taking positive steps towards addressing problems that arise as a result of environmental degradation.
“We expect that you will take care of the trees by protecting them against damage,” he said, adding that ZKN Trust in collaboration with forestry extension worker for Namitambo area will continue monitoring the trees to ensure a higher survival rate.
Wildlife Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) donated the trees to ZKN Trust for distribution in schools at Namitambo as complimentary to afforestation drive in the current forestry season which started on December 15, 2023 and will end on April 15, 2024.
Namatumbo commended WESM for responding to ZKN Trust’s request for tree seedlings.
Head teacher for Namitambo School, Charles Majawa expressed gratitude to ZKN Trust’s for the afforestation drive and pledged to take care of the trees so that they benefit them in future.
“We will assign classes to take care of the trees and we will make sure that we are watering the seedlings to increase survival rate,” he said.
Forestry Assistant responsible for Namitambo area, Brand Abraham commended ZKN Trust for complementing Chiradzulu District Forestry Office’s quest for forest coverage in schools, homes, hills and along streams in order to control land degradation and to provide wind shield to schools that are usually blown off by strong winds.
“We really appreciate the tree seedlings donation. This is complimentary because the forestry office always encourage tree planting in the communities,” he said.
ZKN Trust comprises groups of people who come from Namitambo whose objective is to improve people`s livelihood in the area as well as to promote agriculture and encourage people to actively participate in good governance.,
The trust also donated an ambulance to Namitambo Health Center in September 2019 to improve mobility and in 2017 to 2020, ZKN supported 124 secondary school girls and boys with schools’ fees, uniforms, notebooks and school bags.
ln 2017 t0 2020 the trust also distributed food and non-food items in Namitambo area to poor households to improve their livelihood.
SADC calls for unity of blocks in fighting crises
By Rose Cross Mahorya in Lusaka, Zambia
Lusaka, March 23, Mana: President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, has asked regional blocks world over to unite and deal with security crises together for continued world peace.
Speaking when he opened a meeting on SADC countries contributing missions to Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit at Mulungushi Convention Centre in Lusaka on Saturday, Hichilema said even though the blocks are in different regions, challenges on conflict affect the nations equally.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera attended the meeting.
“We may be working in different regions, but our challenges on conflicts are the same; we must work together to defeat conflicts and unrest in the world.
“We must look at challenges faced by one nation and block as for us all and together we must unite to defeat conflicts in our respective regions,” he said.
SADC Executive Secretary, Ellias Magosi, appealed for more humanitarian support to conflicting regions particularly in eastern DRC disclosing that in his recent visit to the region, he witnessed women and children needing support.
“While we are forever grateful to countries contributing their missions to various conflicting site in our region, I am specifically appealing that we also scale up on humanitarian aid going to civilians in these conflict zones.
“In my recent visit to the conflict zone in eastern DRC, I saw many people, most of them women and children in dire need of more support; we need to balance all interventions by sending both military support and humanitarian support,” he said.
The meeting was concluded with Magosi delivering a communique on some of the issues the states deliberated on.
Aside Chakwera, other heads of state present at the meeting were: Joao Lourenco of the Republic of Angola who is also SADC Chairperson, Felipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Felix Tshisekedi of DRC.
Meanwhile, President Chakwera has departed for Lilongwe.
Government disburses K6.5 billion to cooperatives from 13 districts
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, March 23, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale has handed over cheques worth K6.5 billion to 41 cooperatives from 13 districts across the country in a bid to boost agri-businesses of the groups for increased productivity and vibrant export market.
This is under a World Bank supported initiative of the government flagship programme, Agricultural Commercialization (AGCOM) 2, which was launched by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera in November last year, with an aim of transforming smallholder agriculture from mostly subsistence to commercial.
Speaking during the presentation of the cheques to the groups at Malembo in Senior Chief Nankumba's area in Mangochi on Friday, Kawale said he was excited to see that the agricultural transformation agenda, which is in the Malawi 2063 Agenda has started taking shape.
Kawale said that through AGCOM, government expects to graduate majority of farmers, who have, for so many years been practicing smallholder agriculture, without getting any tangible benefits.
‘‘The Vision 2063 clearly talks about agricultural mechanization, increase in productivity, as well as having a very vibrant export market and through empowering farmers with grants, we believe that help in reaching that goal,’’ he added.
‘‘Through AGCOM, we want to see that our farmers are transformed into commercial and that is why over K600 billion is going to be invested into cooperatives in the coming few years,’’ said Kawale.
Kawale added that through programmes like AGCOM as well as mega farms initiatives, Malawi will soon be food secure and will generate enough income.
National Project Coordinator for AGCOM, Dr. Ted Nakhumwa encouraged communities across the country to apply for the grant, by forming value addition groups of 20 members each.
Nakhumwa said that through AGCOM 1, which phased out last year, livelihoods of most farmers in the country have tremendously improved.
Before the handover ceremony, Kawale also toured Mlambe Irrigation Scheme, under the Greenbelt Authority, which is amongst the mega farm initiative, where government intends to do commercial irrigation farming of close to 800 hectares.
Kawale Commends Gala Macs Limited
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, March 23, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has commended Gala Macs for using advanced innovative approaches towards mega farm implementation in pursuit of achieving the Malawi 2063 vision.
He made the remarks on Wednesday when he toured the 2030 hectares of Gala Macs Macadamia Farm situated at Namitete in Lilongwe.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with Gala Macs for its use of improved agriculture systems, including irrigation, and crop processing systems at the farm, which he said are contributing to the progress of the agriculture sector.
“We all witnessed how agriculture activities are being conducted at the farm, starting from the Nursery to the farm and the processing systems, this truly indicates a strong dedication to agriculture investments by Gala Macs.
During the tour, it was revealed that the company is also producing liquid Bio fertilizer intended for Macadamia a development that Kawale described as agriculture modernization and is complementing the vision of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera of Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) strategy.
He said Gala Macs which is also producing honey at the farm whose main aim is for pollination of macadamia trees and business purposes has trained 100 beekeepers and more are expected to be trained to manage 8000 bee hives at the farm.
“I am very impressed with how Gala Macs is using every opportunity at their disposal for the beekeeping business this is not a mean achievement for a local company like Gala Macs. The initiative will also add value to the company’s export earnings and maximise the country's honey production’ he said
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer for Gala Macs Limited Christo Bothma said the company will continue working with government in achieving and solving forex problems through macadamia export.
Bothma commended the minister for the timely visit, saying it served as a platform for the company to address challenges it is facing in the macadamia business.
CISONECC equips disaster committees in Neno
By Salome Gangire
Neno, March 22, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Committees (DRMCs) in Neno District have been asked to identify potential risks their areas face and find solutions to avert and lessen the effects of disasters.
Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA) Recovery Officer, Ollings Mghandira said this Thursday at Ligowe during a training of DRMCs in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli on disaster risk management cycle awareness and sensitisation and participatory monitoring and evaluation training on sector policies, gender and climate resilience.
Mghandira said each and every area has specific hazards and as such, they should take measures that will protect them to the effects of the emerging disaster.
“Disaster risk management cycle is step likewise system, where there are different aspects to consider whenever managing disasters before and after they hit as such duty bearers in communities need to know them and disseminate the information to their colleagues; thereby, reaching a wider audience,” he said.
He said human activities have to a large extent contributed to the severity of climate change as such communities need to be taken on board to conserve the environment by planting trees as well as taking precautionary measures which are aligned to the hazard they are exposed to.
Chairperson for Mlauli Village Development Committee (ADC), Yasintha Kafaniza said the committee will mobilise communities to plant more trees to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We are going to meet village heads and sensitise our community to plant trees so that more trees are planted in the area,” Kafaniza said.
Kafaniza, therefore, thanked CISONECC for the training, saying it has equipped them on disaster risk management cycle which will enable them to avert some disasters as they will be preparing in time and change their community.
The [Civil Society Network on Climate Change] CISONECC and the Evangelical Association of Malawi with financial support from Christian Aid are implementing the Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Energy in Malawi: Investments for prevention of loss and damage in Malawi project in Neno.
The project aims at developing anticipatory, absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities in Neno while financing risk reduction measures to prevent, minimise and address loss and damage ultimately strengthening national and local resilience to disaster risk and promoting sustainable development.
Chakwera arrives for DRC, Mozambique meet
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Lusaka, March 22, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has Friday afternoon, arrived in Lusaka, Zambia for Southern Africa Development (SADC) Extraordinary Summit on SADC Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) contributing countries’ meet.
Arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 15:30hours Chakwera was welcomed by Zambian Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba, Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia Margaret Kamoto, High Commissioner of Zambia to Malawi Colonel. Panji Kaunda and Malawi Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire.
At the meeting which is taking place on Saturday at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, countries contributing to the SADC Missions in Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to among other things deliberate over challenges faced while executing their missions.
The member states contributing to the SAMID and SAMIDRC are Malawi, Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Blantyre registers 353 cases of pink eye disease
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, March 22, Mana: Chichiri Prison has reported 61 confirmed cases of viral conjunctivitis also known as pink eye disease among the inmates, totaling 353 cases registered so far in Blantyre.
This was disclosed on Friday in Blantyre during a community awareness meeting organized by the Blantyre District Health Office [DHO] at Chichiri Prison.
Speaking during the meeting, Blantyre DHO Health Promotion Officer, Chrissy Banda said it was worrisome that the disease was spreading very fast at the prison, appealing to its partners to support the prison in providing hand-washing facilities to ensure that the inmates wash their hands with soap and clean water regularly.
“As of yesterday, March 21, Blantyre DHO had cumulatively registered 353 cases of pink eye. These cases were reported from Chichiri Prison, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and other health facilities. However, efforts are being made to prevent further spread of the disease in the district.
“Currently, we are doing active surveillance of cases and disseminating messages through health workers in communities. Today, we are at Chichiri Prison and we are yet to solicit more support from partners to do similar awareness meetings in different places,” she said.
Banda, therefore, advised the public to follow all the preventive measures that have been instituted to protect themselves from contracting the viral infection.
“The public is advised to avoid using unprescribed medications, herbs and other things, touching or rubbing eyes, sharing personal things like eye glasses and towels that can transmit the infection if used by an infected person and also avoid handshakes and overcrowded places to prevent transmitting the infection to others,” she said.
Banda also encouraged people to report to the nearest health facility for supportive treatment once they start experiencing signs and symptoms of the disease.
In his remarks, Chichiri Prison Assistant Superintendent, Thomas Katambo hailed Blantyre DHO for taking the messages on pink eye disease to the prison and also for rapid response after being notified of the disease outbreak.
Pink eye disease transmits rapidly due to poor hygiene and its symptoms include but not limited to eye itching and discharge.
