MANAonline
MANEB releases MSCE results
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe September 16, Mana: Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has announced the release of Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) which has registered the pass rate of 54.79 percent.
She made the remarks at Golden Peacock Hotel in which she described the development as a milestone marking the fifth time for Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) to register lickage free examinations.
Wirima has commended Board members for ensuring efficiency and effectiveness during the administration of 2024 MSCE examination.
She applauded MANEB for the timely release of the results stating that the development would give ample time for parents and students to prepare for the next academic seasons.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with 2024 examination results highlighting poor learning and teaching materials and poor education infrastructures as other key challenges contributing to poor performance which Malawi Government through her Ministry of addressing.
MANEB Board Chairperson, Prof. Samson Sajidu applauded all MANEB Board members, various security agencies and its stakeholders for ensuring there is a successful administration of examinations.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MANEB, Prof. Dorothy Nampota has commended online registration and effective collaboration from its stakeholders emphasizing that these have necessitated the efficiency and timely release of the examination.
"Top 10 performing education districts in descending order in the 2024 MSCE examinations comprises of Zomba Urban with 61.97 percent, Mzuzu City with 61.87 percent, Karonga with 61.13 percent, Dowa with 60.05 percent, Chitipa with 59.81 percent, Nkhotakota with 59.07 percent, Dedza with 58.94 percent, Phalombe with 57.05 percent, Ntchisi with 57.02 percent and Nkhata Bay with 56.71 percent," she stated.
Nampota advised teachers, parents, guardians and students that this year's examination results would be accessible via online registration portals until September 22. 2024 further saying that by September 23 online registrations for the 2025 examination would commence.
Government applauds WVM for support
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, September 16, Mana: Government has applauded World Vision Malawi (WVM) for commendable work in ensuring that learners with disabilities access quality education.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri said this Monday during the handover of Assistive Technologies (AT) to Ministry of Education by WVM at their National Offices in Lilongwe
She said the interventions of WVM towards learners with disabilities stress the need for such efforts.
Phiri noted that WVM has flourished in the implementing of “Able the thrive project specifically in the districts of Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi, Dowa and Dedza.
The Principal Secretary It was worth noting that the project has empowered school governance structure including parents and learners on inclusive education.
“The supplies being handed over to support the education of learners with special needs are a great demonstration of WVM’s dedication to Inclusive Education,” she pointed out.
Phiri added that this project demonstrates the full commitment of the organization to help the Ministry of Education in its endeavors towards the achievement of the ambitions expressed in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4 as well as in the Malawi 2063.
She viewed that the project which was still running from October 2023 to October 2025, is indeed a great testimony of the organization’s achievements to the Ministry and the nation at large.
“We take note of the fruits of this project through the inclusive education supplies that WVM is handing over to the Ministry to support the education of learners with special educational needs in primary and secondary schools,” Phiri stated.
She urged all stakeholders to emulate the gesture displayed by WVM in supporting the efforts of the Government to ensure that learners.
Country Director for WVM, Francis Dube said their mission, as WVM, focuses on leaving no one behind, particularly the children with disabilities, contributing to the achievement of SDG 4-Inclusive Education, SDG 3-Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10-Reduced Inequalities.
He said WVM appreciates the government of Malawi and all partners for the support in promoting inclusive development, aligning it with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the SDGs.
WVM’s Able to Thrive Project handover; 342 wheelchairs and two boxes of spare parts, 50 reams of Braille Paper, 113 Orbit Readers, 150 papyrus, 50 pico projectors, 300 Cubarithm, 50 Bluetooth speakers, 38 magnifying glass, 12 SD Cards, and 75 Braille slates all valued at K 332 million.
Wesnet sets to host WASH innovation fair
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 16, Mana: Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (Wesnet) is set to host its annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) innovation fair and symposium from September 19-20, 2024 at Crossroads Hotel and Gateway Mall in Lilongwe.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Wesnet Communications Officer, Angella Phiri said among other things during the upcoming event participants will appreciate various WASH innovations and technologies.
“The first day will be a symposium at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe where various papers on WASH would be presented and participants will be able to ask questions and learn more from the researchers.
“The second day we will have a Fair/ Exhibition at Gateway Mall car-park where various innovations and technologies in the WASH sector would be displayed for people to appreciate,” she said.
Phiri added that with the event they are targeting the country’s WASH players including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the academia and research institutions, the private sector, the media as well as the public.
Wesnet in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation organizes WASH innovation fair and symposium every year with the aim of promoting innovation and knowledge exchange within the WASH sector.
Wesnet Communications Officer expressed hope that this year’s event which would be held under the theme “Harmonizing Wash Efforts for a self-reliant Malawi” would help her organization to realize its goal.
“Wesnet does exist to promote research and knowledge exchange within the sector aside our core pillar on collaboration.
“Therefore it is our hope that by the end of this fair we would achieve this goal and that we will continue to make sure that knowledge is exchanged within the WASH sector,” she said.
WASH Media Forum Chairperson, Meclina Chirwa hailed Wesnet for organizing the event saying that it would help her organization to market its works.
She said the upcoming event would assist WASH Media Forum to build good relationship and connection with organizations that are in the country’s WASH sector.
MRCS intensifies Cholera fight
By George Mponda
Karonga, September 16, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) through its Cholera Preparedness project has intensified efforts to eliminate a Cholera threat in Karonga district after one patient was diagnosed at Mlare Health Centre in the district.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, MRCS District Coordinator in Karonga, Reuben Malema said they are supporting the district with a number of activities to make sure the disease does not spread further.
He said that, "We are supporting the District Council with Cholera case investigation and contact tracing ever since the district registered a case under Mlare health facility.
We are supporting the delivery and distribution of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies which include pot to pot chlorination of the whole catchment area under Mlare health facility which contains 11 villages in Paramount Chief Kyungu's area.
“Community engagements with gate keepers at Mlare health facility and the activation of Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) and health promotion campaigns are being supported by us."
On his part, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Officer for Karonga District Health Office, Raymond Jereni said the environmental health team managed to identify eight direct contacts to the patient who are being monitored for signs and symptoms of cholera for 10 days.
"The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition. However, information obtained has shown possible consumption of contaminated food and contacts to people from outbreak area in Tanzania specifically Mwambani and Illeje where the patient attended a funeral as the risk factors," he said.
Jereni has since recommended that more support should be readily available in form of finances and fuel.
"The readily available and easily accessible resources will facilitate timely response then reduce morbidity and mortality,” he explained.
MEC calls for sensitization on pilot voter registration
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, September 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has appealed to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Political parties to sensitize youth and person with disabilities in Chitipa District to participate in pilot voter registration.
Commissioner for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Rev. Phillip Kambulire made the appeal on Monday during stakeholder meetings aimed at sensitizing CSOs, political party and faith leaders on the pilot voter registration, which starts on September 18 to 19, 2024 in the district.
He said that experience has shown that youths and persons with disabilities turn up to the exercise is very low.
“It's our plea to all stakeholders to make sure that youths and persons with disabilities are mobilized and they take part in this exercise because they are also very important. They are the citizens of Malawi and they need to participate in every electoral process and they know their responsibility,” Rev. Kambulire appealed.
Chairperson for Chitipa CSO Network, Patrick Ziba has assured MEC that they would go flat-out and sensitize the masses including the youths and persons with disabilities to participate in the pilot voter registration exercise.
He said that youth play pivotal role in the country hence the need for them to take a leading role in the exercise.
On his part, Sheik Mambo of Chitipa mosque, thanked MEC for considering faith leaders and other electoral stakeholders for the exercise.
“We are going to sensitize our members to participate in the pilot voter registration exercise. We will make sure that we also reach out to persons with disabilities and youths to take part in the exercise,” he said.
MEC has procured 6,500 Elections Management Devices in readiness for the forthcoming general elections which is slated for 26th September, 2025.
Voter registration for 2025 General Elections starts on October 21, 2024 and Chitipa District is one of the districts included in the first phase of the registration.
Call for discipline in utilizing and repaying NEEF loans
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, September 16, Mana: Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi has called for upon beneficiaries of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans to exercise discipline when utilizing funds accessed from the Fund.
He made the call on Monday, during a consultative meeting organized by NEEF held to solicit views from Senior Chiefs and Traditional Leaders from Salima.
Usi said loans accessed from NEEF are meant to impact the lives of beneficiaries economically through channeling the resources enterprises such as farming, establishing businesses and any other ventures that are profitable.
"The aim of NEEF loans is to give people their dignity, respect and sense of purpose, if one accesses a loan we expect that their lives should be transformed for the better, therefore I am urging proper utilization of these loans," the Vice President stated.
He said the loans are being disbursed with no consideration of one’s background or political affiliation because the aim is to reduce poverty every region across the country.
"What we want is to have hardworking and zealous Malawians to access these loans so that they can be able to employ others to break the chain of poverty in the country," Usi added.
The Vice President called on NEEF authorities to streamline the loan application process by removing barriers such as collateral and facilitating access for all individuals.
He encouraged NEEF beneficiaries to prioritize loan repayments and uphold discipline, emphasizing their contribution to the progress and development of the country.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NEEF, Humphrey Mdyetseni highlighted that the Fund was committed to ensuring that the loans benefit the intended Beneficiaries, stating that the institution was expected to disburse K 70 billion this year.
Council Chairperson for Salima District Council, Ephraim Manthera recognized government’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Malawians.
He anticipated Salima's transformation through the NEEF programme, empowering its people to enhance their livelihoods effectively.
"It is our hope that through the farm input loans, many people from Salima will continue benefiting from the loans," Manthera noted.
Speaking on behalf of Traditional Leaders, Traditional Authority (TA) Maganga commended government for establishing NEEF, which has proven to be advantageous to many people in Salima District.
She urged NEEF to actively involve more women and youth in their loan programmes, asserting that such initiatives would mitigate poverty levels among communities in the district.
Government to enhance job creation
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, September 16, Mana: Minister of Labour, Agnes Nyalonje has underscored the importance of employment impact assessment saying it was the key for sustainable development and achieving the objectives of Malawi 2063.
Speaking during the Employment Impact Assessment Workshop on Monday at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, she said the employment impact assessment aims at building a critical mass of knowledge and skills to allow the country adopt coordinated strategies to large scale job creation.
NyaLonje highlighted the workshop was a significant initial step towards building national employment impact assessment capacity and institutionalizing employment impact assessment process in bringing together players from across public sector, private sector, academia and civil society.
“We need to leverage employment impact assessment to promote the creation of more and better jobs in the country and through the same tool, be able to make quality decisions about big investments that are employment-intensive,” the Minister stated.
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, Rune Skinnebach has reiterated its commitment to providing financial support for country to realize Malawi 2063.
“We are deeply committed to supporting efforts to reduce unemployment, our investment of over six million euros in the strengthen two projects demonstrate this commitment we are dedicated to ensuring that decisions made in meetings like this translate into tangible support for employment and job creative,” she said.
Chief Technical Advisor, Ralf Kruger said United Nations (UN) and international Labour Organizations (ILO) are to support and the tools offers significant opportunities for informed decision making through evidence- based policy making.
“As a technician, I believe this tool is vital for everyday decision making related to employment, regarding the importance of job quality I think it is essential to consider that sometimes people might be employed without the necessary skills for the job,” he said.
Chitipa registers 27 Cholera cases
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, September 16, Mana: Ifumbo Health Centre in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District has become the latest health facility to register two cases of Cholera with a district registering 27 cases so far.
Chitipa District Health Office’s Spokesperson Masida Nyirongo said that Ifumbo Health Centre needs a lot of support to prevent further spread of the disease.
In an interview on Monday, he said that Ifumbo Health Centre has five new suspected cases who have been admitted pending a rapid test.
“We have registered 27 cholera cases in the district with four health facilities affected, namely; Chitipa District Hospital, Kameme, Kapenda and Ifumbo Health Centres,” Nyirongo said.
Chitipa District Council, Director of Administration, Clement Gonthi, has disclosed that the District Council has prohibited preparation and serving of food during public gatherings like funerals, church and weddings.
He said that the district council has also prohibited sell of already prepared food.
Gonthi discouraged open defecation in the district.
“Every household must have its own latrine with drop hole cover and handwashing facilities. We are appealing to households to use treated water for all purposes including cooking and drinking. We are also appealing to public institutions like, offices, schools, markets to make available hand washing facilities,” he said.
Gonthi said that everyone has a role to play by practising and adhering to Cholera preventive and containment measures.
The district has registered one death so far.
Church concerned with rising divorce and suicide cases
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, September 16, Mana: Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Alinafe Kalemba has expressed concern over the increasing number of divorce and suicide cases in the country.
He was speaking on Sunday during a sermon at St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Chiradzulu, where he among others, offered the sacrament of confirmation to 13 boys and girls.
Kalemba, who is also a marriage counsellor, said due to lack of communication, a lot of married people are committing suicide and marriages are breaking, leaving children without proper care, a situation he said negatively affects the church and the nation in the future.
He called on married couples to resist the temptations of rushing into divorce and encouraged them to resolve their differences amicably, acknowledging that squabbles are inevitable in relationships.
“When children grow up in unstable families, it’s like planting a bomb that will explode in the future. But when couples stay together and prioritize their children's well-being, it leads to a stronger church and a healthier nation,” Kalemba said.
The Bishop cautioned married couples and those preparing for marriage to make sure they are mentally mature, saying marriage is not without challenges.
“Every day, I meet families grappling with numerous issues due to the economic hardships we are facing as a country and I tell them that the key to a stable family is to communicate openly.
“Don’t bottle up problems, address them right away. Unresolved issues build up and become almost impossible to resolve,” Kalemba said, adding that it was also important for both couples in marriage to engage in economic generating activities to support their families.
Quoting Mark 10: 10-11, Kalemba reminded the congregation that God disapproves of divorce and warned that remarrying after divorce was considered adultery.
In his sermon, Kalemba took time to advise those who received confirmation to stand up and start taking responsibilities that would help the life of the Church.
“Confirmation is a commissioning service where we receive those that have been with us from 12 years that they have come of age and can participate in the life of the Church,” he said.
In his remarks, Chiradzulu Parish Priest, Rev. Harry Daniels thanked the Bishop for his visit and for confirming 13 young boys and girls into the Church.
He expressed disappointment that more children were not confirmed due to lack of commitment to attending confirmation classes.
MEC holds pilot voter registration in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, September 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will hold pilot voter registration in Nsanje Lalanje and Nsanje Central constituencies from September 18 to 19,2024.
District Commissioner (DC) for Nsanje, Dominic Mwandira has asked electoral stakeholders in the district to work together to ensure success of the vote registration.
He was made the call on Monday at the opening of a day long electoral stakeholders meeting ahead of voter registration pilot exercise.
Mwandira asked political party representatives to understand the process so that they should ably explain to the process to party followers.
MEC, Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the exercise was critical in preparing for the 2025 general elections, adding that the exercise would help to test the electoral process and equipment to appreciate challenges and seek solutions.
“This registration is not elections registration; it is just a pilot exercise. We therefore urge all eligible voters to participate in this pilot voter registration exercise and come back to register during actual voter registration exercise in the near future,” he added.
Mwafulirwa said the pilot voter registration in the district will commerce from September 18 to 19, 2024, in Nsanje Lalanje and Nsanje Central, adding that registration centres in the two areas will open from 8 am to 4 pm.
He disclosed that the pilot voter registration takes place in eight districts in the country, adding that this will only allow those that are eligible to register.
“Will follow elections laws and those who are citizens of this country and those that have been in the country for five years are eligible to register. Those that have reached 18 years or those that will be 18 years old by September 16, 2025 will also be allowed to register,” the Director added.
He asked Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and party representatives to mobilize communities to take part in the exercise
