By Thula Chisamba 

Rumphi, March 2, Mana: A trail of destruction has been left in Rumphi district, following rainstorms that have ravaged crops, leaving countless farmers in despair. 

The relentless downpours on Saturday, coupled with thunderstorms, swept away entire farms, leaving farmers reeling and counting their losses.

Vitima Chikoza, a farmer from Mhuju, is one of the many victims of the rainstorms. 

"I have lost almost four acres of my maize farm. The rains were so fierce, they destroyed everything in my farm," said Chikoza.

The situation is equally dire in tobacco farms across the district.

Farmers in areas like Luzi, Luhono, Kamphenda, and Bolero have reported widespread destruction.

A farmer from Luhono, Ian Chipofya, said the rains have been heavier than anything he has seen before.

"It is heartbreaking to see our hard work go down the drain," said Chipofya.

Several farms in Chozoli, Buwira and neighbouring Vongo have also been destroyed, according to eyewitnesses. 

A resident of Buwira, Grace Gondwe, says she has seen farms that have been completely destroyed.

The rainstorms have also raised concerns about the livelihoods of farmers who financed their farms with loans in the district, as they do not know how they would service their loans.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture in the district were not immediately available for a comment on the disaster when we went to press. 

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, March 2, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare in collaboration with National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) have launched a political leadership manual, a tool of empowerment for women political aspirants.

The manual has been described as a step towards ensuring that women have the knowledge and skills to participate in political leadership.

Speaking during the launch on Friday in Salima district, Chief Gender and Development Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Chimwemwe Grace Hussein, reaffirmed government’s commitment to gender equality in politics.

"The ministry has put in place gender and development officers in districts to work with women aspiring to be Members of Parliament and councillors," she said.

Hussein added that government has collaborated with different stakeholders in engaging Malawi police to look into the issues of violence during political campaign and other activities.

"The main challenges which the ministry is facing on the implementation of political empowerment of women in politics programme are issues of coordination and funding; we don’t have enough resources for our partners and women participating in politics," she said.

The ministry developed the political leadership manual in partnership with NICE under a project called Nthawi Yawo, which is aimed at increasing women participation in politics.

In his remarks, NICE Executive Director Grey Kalindekafe said as one way of increasing participation of women in politics, they are focusing on building the capacity of women aspirants.

"We want the women to be able to analyze their constituencies and understand the voters’ needs and come up with comprehensive campaign manifestos," he said.

Kalindekafe said the major challenge that hinders women participation in politics is financial constraints, adding that is the reason they are equipping the women with skills for resource mobilization.

Malawi Congress Party female candidate who recently won primary elections as aspiring Member of Parliament for Salima Central East Constituency, Sakina Salim Chingomanje, commended NICE for encouraging them to overcome challenges and political violence.

Nthawi Yawo project is funded by UNDP and aims to increase female political representation in the targeted districts of Salima, Karonga and Neno by providing training and resources for aspiring candidates.

By Evance Chisiano

Blantyre, March 2, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has engaged civil society organisations (CSOs) in Blantyre to discuss the advocacy role of the CSOs on legislations that should protect consumers from cyber theft, bullying and other forms of online injustice that negatively impact on other people’s rights.

MACRA and the CSOs from the southern region met over the weekend at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel where the authority’s Director General Daud Suleman said there was need for the CSOs to understand digital laws so that they should push for policies for inclusive digital regulations to protect citizens against growing offences on various digital platforms.

“We have responsibility per law to take a leading role in creating stronger digital Malawi which protects its citizens.

“We will continue raising awareness on digital regulations and we will continue having such engagement with stakeholders,” Suleman added, emphasising the need to strive for cybercrime free Malawi.

Whilst welcoming the engagement meeting, Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement (AYISE) and other CSOs called for more public awareness on pieces of legislation on digital laws and rights, apart from digital literacy in schools, to ensure adequate knowledge on digital responsibility and rights.

AYISE head of programmes, Monica Makeya Dzonzi, who was one of the participants, observed that the MACRA-CSOs engagement was ideal, saying the engagement raised the much needed awareness on digital laws that protect rights of consumers on various digital platforms.

“We advocate for human rights and there is need for us to understand issues of digital rights in this digital era where we have various digital platforms,” Dzonzi added, observing the growing cyber bullying that infringes on other people’s rights and increased money related cyber crimes.

MACRA also held a technical meeting on the same Friday with such stakeholders as Telekom Networks Malawi, Aitel Malawi, National Registration Bureau, and Directorate of Road Traffic to discuss SIM Card registration integration.   

By George Mponda

Karonga, March 2, Mana: Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga has ordained Deacon David Harvey Chipeta to priesthood during a Eucharistic celebration which took place Saturday at St Joseph the Worker Cathedral.

The rite of ordination to priesthood ceremony for Father Chipeta, which brings the total number of priests in Karonga Diocese to 40, was attended by priests from Tanzania, Mzuzu Diocese and hundreds of faithful from across the Karonga diocese.

In his homily, Bishop Mtumbuka advised families, whose sons become priests, to realise that it is a calling to be a true servant of the Lord and be dedicated to serving the people of God.

"As priests, our role is to guide the flock in the ways of the Catholic Church. While our work is spiritually rewarding, it is not financially lucrative, and our greatest benefits are those we will receive in heaven. Therefore, when your child falls ill, please do not expect the diocese to fund overseas medical treatment, as our resources are limited," Mtumbuka said.

“Priests take care of each other with the little we get and when we fall ill we go to the same hospitals like Karonga District Hospital, Nkhatabay District Hospital just like the rest of you so you should not dictate to us where to take your sons for treatment," Mtumbuka said.

The Bishop further advised the newly ordained priest to be disciplined, obedient and be faithful to God and the Catholic Church.

Father Chipeta was born on 30 July 1998 to Michael Chipeta and Teleza Ng’ambi from Mweningolongo Village in Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga. He is the second of seven siblings, with six brothers and one sister.

He attended Ntchowo Primary School and was later selected to study at St. Patrick’s Minor Seminary in Rumphi. From there, he went to Peramiho Major Seminary in Tanzania, where he studied philosophy, before moving to Bidasoa International Seminary in Spain in preparation for his ordination.

Father Chipeta was also motivated to pursue priesthood during his time at St. Patrick’s Seminary, where he became captivated by the priestly life.

"I overcome my challenges by meditating on them and seeking God’s guidance and my favourite quote is from St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Meditating upon how Christ has suffered for me, what shall I offer to him,” said Chipeta

The newly ordained Father Chipeta will start his work at St John Paul II Parish in Kapoka, Chitipa.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, March 1, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) on Saturday planted 20,000 tree seedlings at Zomba Plateau to improve vegetative cover around Mulunguzi Dam catchment eventually stopping siltation which compromises water level.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia joined the SWRB in the tree planting exercise and hailed the board for planning to plant the 150,000 trees in the current 2024/2025 forestry season.

Mia observed that there had been serious deforestation of Zomba plantation in recent years, saying SRWB’s afforestation drive was commendable as it will improve water flow into the dam hence the need to restore the plateau’s past glory of thick vegetation.

“I am glad to learn that the board will plant 150,000 trees this year of which 100,000 will be planted in the Kuchawe catchment. This is the way to go,” the minister added.

Mia further observed that there will not be fear of Mulunguzi dam drying as has been the case in recent years following irresponsible tree harvests.

“Few weeks ago, I came here to see the status of the dam. It was so disheartening to see the low water level in the dam.  Although water level has now improved but we need more trees so that the dam should have water all year round" she said.

Mia appealed to various stakeholders to embrace tree planting.

SRWB, Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Chimbamba said 98 per cent of trees which the board planted around the dam and other parts of the plateau survive due to a number of interventions among them; monitoring tree seedlings growth and caring, protecting the seedlings from factors that contribute to destruction.

“We don’t just plant and abandon the trees, we care for them and we make sure we have fire breaks in all our catchments in the region,” Chimbamba added.

Various stakeholders took part in the SRWB tree planting, among them; the Malawi Defense Forces, the Malawi Police Service, Raiply Limited, Malawi Housing Corporation, and learners from various schools in Zomba.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, March 1, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has appealed to Blantyre-based journalists to utilise their profession by promoting peace and democracy in addition to discouraging handouts, politics of regionalism and tribalism, ahead of September 16 general elections.

NICE Trust, Blantyre District Programme Officer, Glory Maulidi made the appeal on Friday at Limbe Teachers Development Center (TDC) during a meeting with Journalists aimed at sensitizing them on how the Trust operates and the role of the media in promoting democracy and good governance.

Maulidi said the media is crucial in discouraging violence and raising awareness through information dissemination on electoral processes.

She said NICE Trust through Boma Lathu project has lined up a series of activities meant to ensure a peaceful and successful electoral process, adding the Trust is currently focusing on mobilising voters to update their registration details.

“The voter registration process, which took place in three phases from October to December, has been completed.

“Currently, the voter transfer process is underway, also in three phases with the second phase, scheduled for March 5th to 7th covering Blantyre rural and city, we are encouraging all registered voters to update their details” she said.

One of participating journalist, Wisdom Chirombo from the Nation Newspaper said the meeting was crucial as it reminded the media of their role and how it can work with NICE Trust.

"This is a crucial engagement considering that we are going towards a campaign period where people need timely information. As journalists, we are committed to ensure that we give people correct information," he said.

By Bazilio Chingoli

Ntcheu, March 1, Mana: Ntcheu District Council through its district education office has awarded best performing teachers for 2024 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE) in the district.

Speaking during the award presentation ceremony, Acting Director of Education and Sports in the district, Julius Kamwaza, said the awards are a token of appreciation to the teachers’ good work.

"As one way of motivating and appreciating the work that our teachers are doing, we thought it wise to recognize their great effort in this special gesture," said Kamwaza

While commending the teachers for the great work, Kamwaza also advised them to work extra hard in order to make Ntcheu one of the best performing education districts.

On his part, Yusufu Kamwana who topped the list of the best teachers attributed his secret to team work and collaboration with his fellow teachers and students at his school.

Kamwana, a teacher at Ntcheu Roman Catholic primary school topped the list with 73 students passing with grade A in his Chichewa subject followed by English teacher, Peter John with 48 students getting A’s and Social and Bible Knowledge teacher, Davis Moyo with 36 of his learners in his subject getting A’s.

In 2023-2024 PSLCE results, Ntcheu as a district produced 1039 grade A student with each one going out with a K1500 prize money from the council.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, March 1, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, has challenged councils not to go easy on errant contractors who fail to respect contractual deadlines and standards.

Chitsulo has since advised the councils to terminate contracts for non-compliant contractors saying their conduct has potential to deny communities development initiatives that facilitate delivery of services.

She was speaking on Friday in Kasungu at the end of her tour inspecting various government projects being implemented in the district.

“We must get hard on contractors that fail to deliver their contracts within agreed periods. Actually we should just terminate their contracts because the more they delay, the more the projects become expensive.

“The other thing is that communities must not be denied an opportunity of having these projects just because a contractor was non-compliant. Do not tolerate this,” Chitsulo said.

Summing up her tour which took her to Traditional Authorities Kaomba, Chisikwa, Kaluluma and Chisemphere, Chitsulo said she was impressed with the projects being implemented in the district.

“I am impressed with the projects we have seen, specifically the council office, the paying ward at the district hospital and some concrete bridges. These are quality projects.

“However, some projects are behind schedule and I am worried if they will be finished within time. At the same time some projects are completed but not in use, although we got an assurance from the District Commissioner that necessary steps will be taken on these projects,” she said.

Member of Parliament for Kasungu North Constituency, Mike Bango, expressed gratitude to government for initiating various projects in the area and increasing the Constituency Development Fund which he said is enabling change in communities.

He also hailed Bonongwe Building Construction Company which has constructed the K238 million Chikaka Primary School in the area within a record 14 days while the contract period was for three months.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Kasungu, James Kanyangalazi said the council will strive to deliver quality projects for the benefit of the people of the district.

Among others, Chitsulo toured the K839 million paying ward at the district hospital built under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), the K230 million council office complex constructed under District Development Fund, GESD funded Chikaka School and some CDF bridges.

In the 2025/26 Financial Year, Kasungu District Council has proposed a K9.8 annual investment plan to improve agriculture productivity, water and sanitation, fight morbidity and improve road network.

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, February 28, Mana: Government of Malawi, through Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi(ESCOM), has signed an agreement with Aspin Energy Limited that aims to supply 142 megawatts of electricity in the country in order to reduce persistent electricity blackouts in the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday, Chief Executive Officer for Aspin Energy Group, Emillio Paul Masumbi, explained that the signed agreement of the 142 megawatts gas power generation will be the largest single power plant in Malawi.

He said this will play a crucial role in supplying electricity in all parts of the country in order to reduce blackouts.

“This is the beginning of our journey to supply more powered energy in the country as we are intending to add about 152 megawatts of electricity once the first phase has been completed.

“The investment of the energy will use about US$210 million and prioritise in boosting the ATM strategy which focuses on Agriculture, Tourism and Mining sector by generating more forex and fueling it behind the scenes of the strategy,” he explained.

Chief Executive Officer for ESCOM, Kamkwamba Kumwenda, concurred with Matumbi saying the country needs to diversify sources of electricity without solely relying on EGENCO for the distribution and supply of electricity.

He said the coming of Aspin Energy Limited marks a great milestone in supplying the much needed electricity.

“As a major supplier of electricity, we need to inject more systems in electricity generation in the country as the demand is increasing day by day hence alternatives should be brought forward and be actualised on the ground.

“We expect the company to start it’s operations within the next twelve months once everything is sorted out,” Kumwenda said.

Board Chairperson for ESCOM, Gospel Kazako, commended Aspin for stepping out to help in boosting the energy sector with an alternative way of supplying electricity through gas that is also environmental friendly.

Aspin Energy Limited commenced in 2018 and is targeting to distribute energy in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia while using alternative sources of energy including gas.

By George Mponda

Karonga, February 28, Mana: Residents of Karonga have expressed concern over unbecoming behaviour by some youths in the district, who are forming gangs posing a threat to security.

Secretary for the Peace and Unity Committee for Karonga, Aaron Mwenelupembe, was speaking Friday during an engagement with local leaders on peace building organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM).

"The gangs, mostly comprising young people are very common at Songwe Border where they are involved in human trafficking business. Rival gangs have been witnessed fighting each other, some are terrorizing residents, especially at night," said Mwenelupembe.

This has sparked concerns not just among residents but also among business owners and law enforcement agents.

Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa bemoaned the tendency saying steps must be taken to eliminate the gangs before things go out of hand.

"Karonga is too small to be having gangsters around terrorizing residents. We are not New York, London, Moscow, Beijing or even Tokyo so, why should we allow gangster-ism in our district? Young people should know that there is a way of doing business legally not engaging in these gangs.

“This tendency brings lawlessness, destabilizes peace and, therefore, we need to work together to make sure there is peace and unity in our district," said Kyungu.

EAM Advocacy Officer for Karonga, Fumbanani Mwale, said collaboration is key to ending various violent acts and disputes which are happening in Karonga.

"We need to come together so that we can address these issues and chiefs have a big role to play because they are the gatekeepers and they can help increase awareness on the dangers of conflicts," Mwale said.

Officer-in-Charge for Karonga Police Station, Kelvin Mulezo, said they are working hard to address the problem.