By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, February 28, Mana: Stakeholders in Mzuzu City have hailed youths in the city for agreeing to say no to political violence.

The youths expressed their stand against political violence by conducting a joint Peace Building Parade from Mzuzu Court House to Katoto Secondary School ground.

Program Officer for Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Madalitso Magelegele, noted that for years the call for youths not to be used by political leaders has been falling on deaf ears.

“For so long we have spoken of youths being used as vehicles for violence.

“But their coming out openly to denounce political violence is a sign that they desire change and we believe that since it’s coming from themselves, it will make a difference,” he said.

Magelegele further noted that young people are the biggest perpetrators of online violence.

“Posting of fake news and propaganda is one of the biggest tools that has fueled violence amongst youth.

“Therefore, if they can embrace the message of peace and act on it, there will be peaceful coexistence,” noted Magelegele.

Speaking on behalf of fellow youths, Martin Makwakwa, noted that while political leaders have for long been using youths to exercise violence, very few youths benefit from the same leaders once put into power.

“The leaders use youths to incite violence leading to them being on the wrong side of the law.

“As youths, we refuse to be perpetrators of violence. We want peaceful campaign, peaceful elections and post elections,” he said.

Northern Region Community Policing Coordinator Alexander Ngwala acknowledged that youths are amongst the groups of people that are mostly involved and affected by political violence.

“As Police, we are glad that the youths themselves are saying no to political violence because in the past, stakeholders have been saying it but the youths themselves have been silent.

“We are ready to support their stand because any form of violence robs them of a bright future. Our structures are present in their respective communities and are ready to sing the gospel of peace alongside them,” noted Ngwala.

According to Mzuzu City Youth Officer, Misheck Msokwa, the parade conducted under the theme “Peaceful steps; Powerful Change” which was a brain child of different stakeholders including youths themselves, was aimed at magnifying voices of young people on their stance to stay away from violence before, during and after the September elections.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, February 28, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, on Friday supervised various development projects in Kasungu District.

Chitsulo inspected the K230 million Kasungu District Council office complex financed under the District Development Fund and the K839 million paying ward at Kasungu District Hospital.

The ward has been constructed by the performance-based grant under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project.

The Deputy Minister also toured Lodjwa Health Centre in Traditional Authority (TA) Chisikwa where the Council has constructed staff houses as part of the K3 billion Health Rehabilitation Fund projects.

Chitsulo wound up her day visiting newly constructed K238 million Chikaka Primary School in Kasungu North Constituency.

In the 2025/2026 Financial Year, Kasungu District Council plans to spend K1.3 billion to boost agriculture productivity, K343 million to improve access to water and sanitation, K3.9 billion to fight morbidity and mortality and K3.2 billion to improve road network and information communication technology infrastructure in an annual investment plan that totals K9.8 billion.

It also plans to boost its locally generated revenue by diversifying revenue streams, digitising revenue collection and enhancing engagements and collaboration with businesses to help improve service delivery in the district.

By Lily Kampani in Windhoek, Namibia

Windhoek, February 28, Mana: Vice President Dr Michael Usi on Friday attended the memorial service, at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia  to honour Namibia’s first President and liberator, Dr Sam Nujoma.

In his remarks, Usi highlighted the importance of Malawi being part of the ceremony saying it honours late Nujoma’s legacy as a beacon and symbol representing patriotism, resilience and hard work.

Dr Usi is accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Nangozo Kainga.

Other world leaders attending the ceremony include current and former heads of state, vice presidents, prime ministers, heads of international and regional organisations, speakers of national parliament and foreign affairs ministers, among others.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, February 28, Mana: Since its establishment in November 2024, Nangafuwe Mother Care Group (MCG) at Kezembe Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Machinjiri in Blantyre has reached out to 223 parents through community mobilization with under five immunisation information to ensure child vaccine wider coverage.

Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) that facilitated formation of the MCG visited the MSG Thursday to appreciate its strides towards child vaccine wider coverage.

Nangafuwe MCG representative, Regina Chibwana, said through their community mobilisation the group reached to over 223; seven of them did not follow proper vaccine procedures and five were on zero dose.

“Our work is to advocate for child immunization through community mobilisation and other ways. Out of 223 children that started receiving vaccine, seven were receiving vaccine without following proper procedures while five were on zero dose, they have all started receiving vaccine,” she said.

Chibwana highlighted some of the challenges, citing reluctance of some parents to take their children for vaccination due to religious beliefs.

“We have encountered other scenarios where parents would agree to bring a child for vaccine but never show up at our vaccine site,” she said.

Village Head Kazembe called on MHEN and other partners to continue supporting MCG saying the groups lack resources for effective community mobilisation.

“We are operating in a damaged shelter. We have already identified the site to construct a decent shelter and we need construction materials. We also need t-shirt for identification,” she said.

MHEN Assistant Project Officer, Helbert Chakwawa, encouraged the group to continue working hard and to use the knowledge imparted in them when they face challenges in their line of duty.

Nangafuwe MCG operates under Makhetha Clinic in Machinjiri and has over 20 members.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, February 28, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the need for Malawians to encourage each other to follow the laws of the country, saying this will help ease the work of the Malawi Police Service and accelerate development in the country.

He made the remarks Friday during the 14^th intake prison recruits pass-out at Mapanga Prison Staff Training School in Blantyre.

Chakwera noted that the prison profession is often undermined in the country, adding that no one has ever complained about improving services in prisons.

“This is one of the key indicators that show how serious a country is about national development. If we don’t give attention to this sector, it shows that we don’t care about the laws and security of our nation,” he said.

He observed that most Malawians do not know the laws of the country, emphasizing that this is not the fault of any governing regime but rather an issue of negligence.

“This has been demonstrated in the recent incident in Nkhata Bay where people were building houses on land designated for this year’s Martyrs’ Day commemorations. As a result, the military has been forced to restrict access to the area, but unfortunately, this action has come too late,” he explained.

The President reiterated the need for prisons to provide a safe environment for rehabilitation of inmates so that they are encouraged to reform and not condemned.

He congratulated the recruits, urging them to provide exceptional service to the country’s prison system through honesty and transparency.

Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Peter Ching’oma, said the Ministry has identified a rehabilitation strategy aimed at improving conditions in the prison, which will contribute to achieving the Malawi 2063 through improved service delivery.

Ching’oma advised the new recruits to uphold professionalism and apply the skills they have acquired, cautioning them against engaging in politics.

“Work with the mission to develop the country and nothing else. Use this qualification to develop yourself and those around you,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the trained recruits will enhance transparency and security in prisons across the country.

Ching’oma expressed gratitude for government’s promising budget allocation to the Ministry, saying it will help address some of these challenges.

Some of notable guests at the event included Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu; Deputy Chief Justice, Lovemore Chikopa SC; Blantyre City Mayor, Councilor Joseph Makwinja, Senior Chief Kapeni, Minister of Interior for the Republic of Mozambique, Paulo Chachine.

The initial intake comprised 1,000 recruits, but 15 were dismissed due to misconduct. 985 recruits graduated, including 410 females and 575 males.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, February 28, Mana: Chia Fish Cooperative from Mtanga 2 Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kalimanjira in Nkhotakota District boasts to have dealt with fish post-harvest losses under the support from Sustainable Fisheries Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management (SFAD-WM) Project by the Malawi Government.

Secretary for Chia Fish Cooperative, Shabani Mtira, was speaking Thursday during a media tour organized by the Department of Fisheries in Nkhotakota aimed at appreciating the impact the project has rendered to the community.

Mtira revealed that the project has provided them with modern infrastructure which, among others, houses fish processing rooms, cold rooms, market shed and a refrigerated van which ferries processed fish to various markets.

“With these facilities, we can process, store and ferry fish to designated markets within and outside the district, a development which has increased profits and minimized post-harvest losses,” Mtira said.

Chairperson for Mtanga 2 Beach Village Committee, Jane Tambala, concurred with Mtira, adding that apart from being equipped with skills in fish management best practices, they have also been provided with materials to help execute their operations effectively.

Nkhotakota Principal Fisheries Officer, Symon Ngwira has commended the project saying it has contributed to improved living standards among the cooperative members and dealing with illegal fishing on Lake Malawi.

“Fish processors can supply processed fish with high quality to outlet sellers and consumers, and this is benefiting the whole fish supply chain,” Ngwira said.

Senior Deputy Director of Fisheries responsible for Outreach and Training, Jacqueline Kazembe, asked the project's beneficiaries to be organized and focused in their operations to ensure that the fruits continue to ripen beyond the project’s timeline.

Malawi Government is implementing SFAD-WM project through the Department of Fisheries with financial assistance from the African Development Bank.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 28, Mana: Contractors working on Chitipa Community Stadium, have assured government and Chitipa District Council that they will complete the construction works within the specified period of 90 days.

Twende Contractors representative, Cheyo Chiona, who spoke on behalf of all the four contractors, said there is good progress in the construction and will beat the 90 day target.

Chiona made the assurance on Thursday during a site meeting between contractors, Chitipa District Council officials and communities to appreciate progress and challenges faced in the works.

He said Twende Contractors who are doing drainage system and terrace construction are at 60 percent, Mazagala Building Contractors who are doing ablution block and ticket office are at 50 percent, Tiyesenawo Construction Company who are doing dressing room are at 97 percent and Bonongwe Construction Company who are constructing Very Important People (VIP) stand are at five percent completion.

“Let me assure government and all stakeholders that we are going to complete all the construction works within 90 days. Bonongwe Construction Company has assured us that they are going to speed up the work,” Chiona said.

Chiona asked communities in Chitipa not to be worried, saying they have competent contractors.

“We have contractors who are committed to work. We assure communities in Chitipa that they are going to get the project done within the 90 days specified in the contract,” he assured.

Chitipa District Council Director of Public Works, Engineer Misheck Gondwe, said his office organised the site meeting to see how contractors are faring.

“So far progress is very good and if this pace continues then the construction works will be completed on time or even before the completion period of 90 days,” Gondwe said.

He said they have intensified supervision and monitoring of the projects so that they are completed on time.

Senior Chief Mwabulambya applauded the contractors for doing a good job on-site.

The construction works are being financed by the World Bank funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project amounting to K720 million.

Chitipa District Council hired four contractors to speed up construction in readiness for the 2025-2026 TNM Super League which commences on April 5, 2025.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, February 28, Mana: Police in Dowa have arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion that he murdered his three year old step son.

The incident happened on February 25, 2025 at Kamankodola Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa in the district.

Dowa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Alice Sitima, has identified the suspect as Gerald Tchalesi and the deceased child as Witikala Steven.

Sitima said on the day, the child's mother, 24-year-old Ethel Kambitsani, left home around 9am to attend a funeral ceremony at a nearby village, leaving her son who was at the time in good health, under Tchalesi’s care.

"When she returned home around 5pm, Kambitsani found Tchalesi locking the house and preparing to leave but without disclosing his destination. When she entered the house, she noticed a foul odor coming from the bedroom and after checking, found her son lying unconscious under a blanket.

“Kambitsani alerted village elders, who rushed the child to Msakambewa Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead," said Sitima.

She said when Tchalesi was informed of the incident he did not return home.

The matter was reported to Dowa Police Station, who visited the scene and transported the body to Dowa District Hospital for examination.

"Postmortem revealed that the child died from hypovolemic shock due to ruptured internal organs. Currently, Tchalesi has been arrested and will soon appear in court to face a murder charge," said Sitima.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, February 28, Mana: Mother Care Groups (MCG) facilitated by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) are making strides in improving vaccine coverage of under five children in Blantyre.

This was disclosed Thursday, when (MHEN) toured Chiswe MCG in Bangwe Township in Blantyre to monitor some of the initiatives that MCG is doing.

Speaking at Nachamba clinic which is under construction in Bangwe Township, Assistant Project Officer for MHEN, Helbert Chakwawa, commended Chiswe MCG for showing great impact within a short period of time.

“What you are doing here is very impressive; it was only in October when we formed this group but you have managed to lobby authorities for the construction of a clinic,” he said.

Chairperson for Chiswe MCG, Alice Kumbaya, expressed satisfaction saying they are happy that their effort is bringing positive results to the community.

“Since the establishment of Chiswe MCG in October last year, we have managed to open a health post for under five children vaccination,” she said.

Kumbya said despite facing several challenges while carrying out their duties they have seen a significant change in under five vaccine distribution.

“We have managed to reach 392 children in total, where 66 were not able to receive the whole required vaccine and 20 were on zero dose but after sensitizing them they have all understood the importance of under five vaccine and the dangers of not vaccinating children,” she said.

Group Village Head Chiswe hailed MCG citing that they have helped to reduce diseases among children hence contributing to development of the area.

“In the past parents complained of long distance to Bangwe Health Centre. With the coming of Chiswe MCG, parents are able to access services at the nearest place,” she said.

Chiswe MCG is under Bangwe Health Centre and covers four villages namely; Chiswe, BCA, Chilumba Ngangala and Nachamba

By Lily Kampani

Windhoek, Namibia, February 27, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi arrived in the Republic of Namibia, Windhoek on Thursday through Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Usi is set to attend the memorial and state funeral services of the late former president and founding father of the nation, Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma, who passed away on 8 February, 2025 at the age of 95.

Upon arrival at the airport, the Vice President was welcomed by the Attorney General of Namibia, Festus Mbendeka, Deputy SPC, Dr. Janet Banda, High Commissioner of Malawi to South Africa, Her Excellency Stella Chiripo Hauya Ndau and Secretary to the Vice President of Malawi, Dr Luckie Sikwese.

The Vice president will join mourners from across the nation and worldwide to pay homage to the legacy of the freedom fighter who led his country to independence and later served as its first president for 15 years.

Usi described Nujoma as a true African legend, adding that he feels honoured to represent Malawi at the funeral.

Nujoma's memorial service will be held on Friday, 28^th February at the Independence stadium while the burial service will take place at the Heroes Acre monument on Saturday, 1 March, 2025.