By Gift Chiponde

Lilongwe, August 19, MANA: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has commended Pope Francis for his exemplary leadership in addressing global issues such as climate change and economic inequality, as well as advocating a robust partnership between their respective States.

During his official visit to Rome, President Chakwera had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.

The discussions between the two leaders centered on the progress of bilateral relations between Malawi and the Holy See, drawing upon the historical connections between the two States and their shared distinction as the only Heads of State with formal training in Theology and Philosophy, transitioning from roles in the Church to positions of leadership in the State.

In his address to His Holiness, President Chakwera expressed his profound gratitude for the audience, emphasizing his representation of the Malawian people, a significant portion of whom are Catholics.

“I also positioned myself as a dedicated student and disciple eager to deepen my understanding of servant-leadership that I may continue prioritizes the welfare of the populace,” said Chakwera

President Chakwera extended his condolences to Pope Francis regarding the recent tragic loss of Former Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, who had previously met the Pontiff in 2016. Describing the late Dr. Chilima as a devout Catholic and a source of inspiration for millions of Malawians,

President Chakwera paid tribute to the exceptional leadership and ministry of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi during the mourning period.

In response, Pope Francis expressed immense pleasure at the encounter with President Chakwera, imparting his blessings upon both the President and the people of Malawi.

He pledged his unwavering support and solidarity towards Malawi's pursuit of enhanced prosperity and peace.

 Furthermore, the Pope arranged for a meeting between the President and the Vatican's Secretary of State to advance the strengthening of relations between Malawi and the Vatican, ensuring a private tour of St. Peter's Basilica for a moment of prayer dedicated to the flourishing of Malawi-Vatican relations.

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, August 19, Mana: Group Village Headman Chikololere in the area of Senior Chief Kachindamoto, Dedza has hailed the Malawi Girl Guide Association (MAGGA) for retaining girls in school through the UN-Joint Programme on Girls Education.

He made the remarks Saturday at Chikololere Admarc Ground during a K750,000 MAGGA Knock Out Football Bonanza aimed at bringing the organization’s messages to the communities.

Group Village Headman Chikololere said, in the past, the area witnessed rampant school dropouts due to early pregnancies and marriages including poverty that prompted some girls to venture into small-scale businesses.

“Through creation of different groups for girls, teachers, parents and others, today most girls are in school. Girls that stopped going to school due to pregnancy and various problems including menstruation issues, are back to school,” he said.

Councilor for Golomoti Ward, Martin Dengu, said girls in the area have gained knowledge and access to sexual reproductive health solutions leading to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies and early marriages.

Deputy Head Teacher at Tapezana Primary School, Etiace Katengeza, said through the project most girls have managed to report different abuses they face in the community.

One of the girls participating in the project aged 16, (name withheld) said three years ago she reported her parents to authorities for forcing her to get married while in standard five.

“I thank MAGGA because I was guided on how to address the problem.  Today, I am in Standard 8 and my dream is to become a nurse,” she said.

MAGGA Chief Commissioner, Getrude Binali Ndhlovu, said collaboration of different stakeholders has contributed to the success of the programme.

“We are involving each and everybody for this girl child to go back to school, not to get early pregnancy and not to go into early marriage,” she said.

Chikololere Admarc FC won the Bonanza and went away with K250,000 while Goshen Select became second and went away with K120,000.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, August 19, Mana: Four primary schools in Mchinji District have ranked among the top 10 public primary schools nationwide based on the accumulation scores of As and Bs in the recently released Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) results.

The primary schools are Mikundi, Kawere, Lameke and Mkanda.

Mikundi Primary School led the district and the nation, securing the top spot with 90.28 percent of its students achieving As and Bs.

Kawere Primary School came fifth in the top 10, with 82.86 percent, Lameke Primary School is at six with 79.27 percent, and Mkanda Primary School rounded out the district’s top performers with 76.89 percent on seventh.

In addition to these public schools, Sunrise Intensive School, a private institution in the district also made it to the top ten private schools in the country based on the percentage of As and Bs.

Commenting on the achievement, District Education Network Chairperson Davis Damson hailed the four schools for their outstanding performance, placing them among the best schools in Malawi based on the percentage of candidates with As and Bs.

"This achievement reflects the commitment, hard work and dedication of Mchinji District Council, the Director of Education, Youth and Sports, primary school education advisors, teachers, school governance structures, and all stakeholders.

"To sustain and build on these gains, we must continue to invest in teachers motivation, enhance learners support systems, and foster community involvement in education. With these efforts, Mchinji can become a leading district in examination pass rate. Let us keep up the great work and aim higher together," said Damson.

This year's PSLCE results saw 217,708 learners passing the examinations, with 97,874 being selected to start Form One in various secondary schools, representing 44.96 per cent of those who passed.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: As the Department of forestry continues working tirelessly, collaborating with local communities around protected areas and forest reserves to preserve natural and artificial forest and building resilient communities that can put environmental conservation at heart, unauthorized cutting down of trees and excessive charcoal production in protected areas without taking responsibility for planting trees continues to be reasons why Malawi still faces climate change induced challenges.

Prolonged dry spells, droughts and flush floods, among others, in some parts of the country is slowly turning into seasonal rhythm.

If no strict measures are implemented soon, Malawi will be playing for excessive and unauthorized charcoal burners despite President Dr Lazarus Chakwera stressing the need for taking care of existing trees and also encouraging collaborative efforts from communities to combat climate change and curb its impacts.

"Tikuchitapo chani posamala chilengedwe?"

Malawi News Agency (MANA) journalist, Paul Madise, captured a site close to Simama Hotel in Lilongwe where chunks of wood are sold throughout the year.

By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, August 18, Mana:  Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi has said that administration of National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans should be apolitical for fairness in accessing the facility.

Usi was speaking Sunday when he addressed a gathering of people mostly UTM members at the ShopRite Roundabout in Mzuzu on his arrival in the Northern Region where he is expected undertake a number of official assignments.

He acknowledged that most people are going through economic hardships, hence the need to ensure that all deserving individuals should access the loans regardless of their political affiliation.

“NEEF is meant for the benefit of all Malawians and I hereby pledge that vendors plying their businesses will access a minimum of K 250, 000.00 each to grow their businesses for improved economic status at household level.

I urge management of NEEF to provide loans to everyone who is in need of the service regardless of their political affiliation and background because the challenges being faced are affecting everyone, hence vendors should expect to access the loans starting from next week,” said Usi

Usi who is also President for UTM, said the face of the party should reflect what people are experiencing in their households adding that strength of the party should grow from economically empowered households.

“Let me appeal for unity within the party rank and members of UTM saying this is not the time for politicking, propelling wrangles and backbiting as this only compromises peace which is a vital catalyst for development. The country cannot develop without people,” he said.

He then described the late Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima as a peace loving person and urged all Malawian to emulate his life by promoting peace at all times.

Earlier, Usi and the gathering observed a minute of silence in paying tribute to the late Chilima who he said was an influential person and advised Malawians to follow and respect his values.

Speaking earlier, UTM Regional Governor for the north, Bridget Nengezi applauded Usi for paying a visit to Mzuzu City where through interactions with various stakeholders will appreciate challenges which people are facing in the region.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, August 18, Mana: Youths in the country have been encouraged to participate in active politics.

The call was made on Saturday during the just ended National Youth Conference organized by the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) which took place at Limbe Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Blantyre.

Making a presentation on the topic of promoting catholic youth’s understanding of and active participation in politics, Monsignor Henry Chinkanda of Dedza Diocese, said many youths do not understand what politics is all about and the role of the youth in politics.

“Because of lack of proper understanding many youths think that politics is a dirty game,” he said.

Chinkanda added that in the past the youth participation in politics has been bringing negative results saying that they were used as agents of violence.

“Unfortunately, in many parts of Africa including Malawi youths have been abused in the dirty game of politics, but for things to change it depends on you the young people,” he said.

He, therefore, advised the participants to the conference to practice democratic politics which looks at the good of all people in the country to bring the desirable change.

“Politics is about making policies and safeguarding the same, it is a competition of ideas because you believe that your idea is better placed to achieve the common good,” he said.

Chinkanda, therefore, urged the youth to consider taking leadership roles in active politics that will ensure human development and progression.

“The youth need to take part as agents of good politics,” he added.

Another facilitator, Boniface Chibwana, concurred with Monsignor Chinkanda, saying the youth have a role to play and should join politics to bring change and help in decision making.

“Let us bring positive politics, challenge the leaders by telling them that what they are doing is not good,” he said.

Chibwana advised the youth to register when voter registration starts so that they will be allowed to vote in next year’s general elections.

One of the youth representative, Steven Junior Chikwapula, from Holy Trinity (Matawale) Parish in Zomba Diocese, commended ECM for organizing the conference, describing it as an eye opener.

“We are learning a lot of things both spiritual and physical, like today, we have learnt that our role in politics is not to dance for political leaders but we can also take leadership positions,” he said.

Some of the topics that were discussed at the national gathering included; appreciating, promoting and defending the catholic faith and the church, the four principles of the church’s social teaching and tapping available opportunity in society.

The conference which involved youth delegates from all the eight Catholics dioceses in Malawi started on Wednesday August 14^th and ended on Sunday August 18.

By; Abel Ikiloni, Rome, Italy

August 18, MANA: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is expected to hold official engagements in Vatican City State from, Monday with the highlight of the visit being his meeting with Pope Francis.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA), Malawi’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany and also accredited in the Vatican City State and the Holy See, Joseph Mpinganjira said that the President will arrive in Rome, Sunday and is among other assignments expected to meet the head of the Catholic Church and Leader of the Vatican, Pope Francis, on Monday.

Pope Francis invited President Chakwera to discuss pertinent issues affecting the two states.

The Catholic Church has been working with Malawi in areas of health, education, social services, governance as well as pastoral services.

Mpinganjira said the church leaders face persecution in some countries, but this is not the case in Malawi.

"As President Chakwera meets the leader of the Vatican City and head of the Catholic Church, it is very important to express an appreciation to the Catholic Church on what it is doing to the Malawian people as well as the country in spreading development and protecting the rights of people" he said.

After meeting Pope Francis, President Chakwera is also expected to hold discussions with Secretary of State of the city state, and key on the agenda will be on how to strengthen the cordial relationship between the two countries.

Vatican City state is the smallest state in the world, covering an area of 49 hectares and has a population of 749 inhabitants. 

The Vatican state seats in Rome, which is the capital city of Italy.