By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, May 28, Mana: Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) says duty bearers including district council officers, laws enforcers, judiciary, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local leaders have the role and responsibility to abide by new Disability Act of 2024 for effective mainstreaming and implementation of programmes related to people with disabilities.

MACODA oriented Balaka District stakeholders on Disability Act on Wednesday as the organization’s Director General, George Chiusiwa, highlighted that previous Disability Acts had several gaps that prevented people with disabilities from receiving appropriate treatment and attention they deserve.

The Handicapped Persons Act which created Malawi Council for Handicapped (MACOHA) was charity and medical orientated and not in compliance with rights based approach to persons with disabilities hence not comprehensive enough.

"As MACODA, we understand the critical roles and responsibilities that local authorities have in implementing policies and programmes targeting persons with disabilities, The 2024 Act therefore demands them to put extra effort and resources on existing programmes in order to achieve inclusiveness on national development," he said.

Chiusiwa therefore said, MACODA through Section 37 of the 2024 Disability Act is mandated to empower people with disabilities to demand equal and fair distribution of services from all stakeholders at national, district council and community levels.

Balaka District Social Welfare Officer, Stanley Chisi said the orientation came at the right time, adding that the orientation will capacitate Balaka District Council to incorporate inclusive development programmes in planning processes.

Chisi therefore called on government to further capacitate the council and other relevant stakeholders with adequate knowledge on the new Act on top of allocating adequate financial resources to promote welfare of people with disabilities.

The 2024 Disability Act among others; promote provisions for parking areas designed for persons with disabilities in car parks, places obligations on the provision and promotion of rights to persons with disabilities, receive complaints, conduct inquiries, and also inspect institutions for non-compliance of the law.

MACODA organized the orientation meeting with stakeholders in Balaka District for the following sectors; police, judiciary, Balaka District Council and CSOs with ultimate goal of raising awareness among the duty bearers on the newly enacted Persons with Disabilities Act.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, May 28, Mana:  The Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) and Chewa chiefs from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia have expressed disappointment and outrage over a recent incident in Mangochi, where an individual dressed as Gule Wamkulu allegedly killed someone.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Lyson Banda, Deputy Director of Chiefs, Traditional and Cultural Affairs at the Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO), stated that the individual involved was not a legitimate Gule Wamkulu dancer, but rather someone using the identity to tarnish the reputation of the Chewa people while pursuing personal vendettas.

“Gule Wamkulu typically appears during specific ceremonies like traditional initiation rites (Chizangala), funerals of prominent figures or chiefs, and coronation ceremonies for new chiefs” he said.

Banda also emphasized the importance of following traditional procedures and protocols when invoking the Gule Wamkulu, to ensure that cultural practices are respected and not misused for malicious purposes.

Chief Chadza, Masumbankhunda, and M’bwatalika concluded that some individuals are impersonating Gule Wamkulu dancers with the intention of committing criminals’ acts.

By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, May 28, Mana: St. John of God Hospitaller Services is set to roll out a project aimed at enhancing the rights, inclusion and protection of children and youths with disabilities in Mzimba North.

Project Coordinator for St. John of God Hospitaller Services, Zakariya Kauteka revealed this on Wednesday during a District Executive Committee meeting

He said the 36 months’ project will be implemented in Traditional Authorities Mthwalo, Jalavikuba, Chindi and Mpherembe.

Kauteka said the project will empower care givers with knowledge and skills to transform the way children with disabilities are cared for, and easing the children’s access to modern health care.

He added that the project is challenging long held myths about disabilities while encouraging parents, primary school teachers and care givers to seek professional medical care for children and youths with disabilities.

“The project is called Enhancing the Rights, Inclusion and Protection of Children and Youths with Disabilities. Among others, the project will provide trainings for caregivers, parents or guardians and teachers, equipping them with necessary tools to play an active role in rehabilitation of children with disabilities.

“St. John of God Hospitaller Services is committed to strengthening the capacity of care givers and advocating for increased access to disability specialized services, ensuring that no child with disability is left behind,” Kauteka said.

He also said the project will see the creation of community based rehabilitation centres to ensure there is easy access to rehabilitation services by children and youths with disabilities.

“The centers will be providing essential services such as physiotherapy and psychosocial support, helping children with disabilities not only to survive but thrive in a more inclusive environment,” he said.

One of the DEC members, Hilda Gondwe from Malawi Council for Disability Affairs hailed the project, saying it will ensure that children with disabilities receive the protection and care they need.

Gondwe added that through the project, St. John of God is paving the way for a more inclusive society where every child, regardless of their abilities, has a chance to live a fulfilling life.

The project will be implemented with funding from Christian Blind Mission International.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, May 28, Mana: The Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has tasked duty bearers in Dowa to promote advocacy and implementation of the new Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024 in their programming.

Chief Disability Affairs Officer, Joshua Mkwehiwa, made the remarks on Wednesday during an orientation on the Act for Dowa District Council and other stakeholders, held at the MANAC Conference Centre.

Mkwehiwa said the orientation aimed at informing the council on the new Act, which has repealed both the Disability Act of 2012 and Handicapped Persons Act of 1971.

“The objective of the meeting was to promote understanding and comprehension of the Persons with Disabilities Act by key officials of the district councils and to aid duty bearers in understanding their prescribed obligations and duties in line with the Act.

“Also, to highlight rights of Persons with Disabilities covered by the Act, to strengthen advocacy work of District Disability Forums (DDFs) for effective utilization of the new disability law. So overall, it aimed at raising awareness and promoting implementation of the law,” he said.

The orientation also aimed at informing the council on the establishment, role, power functions of Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) under the Act.

He said the previous legislations have been repealed because of both administrative challenges faced and strides made in human rights issues.

“For example, The Disability Act of 2012 could not achieve its desired impact as the obligations to ensure the enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities was placed on the Minister responsible for disability affairs and not the appropriate duty bearers.

“The Handicapped Persons Act of 1971 was also outdated as it was enacted before the current Constitution was adopted. As such, the current practice of addressing disability matters from the human-rights and development approach conflicted this old Act, rendering it irrelevant,” he said.

Amongst others, the new Act aims at promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities, as enshrined in the constitution, and protecting persons with disabilities from inhuman and degrading treatment.

In an interview, MACODA District Manager for Dowa, Billy Maopa said the training was important in empowering stakeholders in the district.

The Act, he said has many benefits like enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities in social protection programs.

“There has been a cry that persons with disabilities are not adequately included in such programs like Social Cash Transfer.

“But now there is a provision in the ACT that mandates MACODA to ensure people with disabilities are well incorporated into these programs. So, it is a very welcome development,” said Maopa.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of Economic Planning and Development, Takondwa Katsabola said the ACT will enhance the already existing council’s inclusion strategies in place.

Also, that the council will make sure that the Act is adopted by all stakeholders in the district.

By chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, May 28, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, David Gondwe, has urged Clads Construction Company to expedite construction of an operation theatre at Chintheche at Chintheche Community Hospital.

Gondwe made the call on Tuesday during a visit to the construction site of the theatre, which is currently underway. He emphasized the need for the project’s timely completion to ensure that communities can begin accessing services right at their doorstep.

According to Gondwe, construction works were due for completion on March 31, 2025 but it is disappointing to see that it is still at about 80 percent completion level.

“We are not pleased with the progress because considering the project’s duration; it is way above the days this project was supposed to be completed.

“This is one of the big projects which has many components and community members are patiently waiting to see it completed, hence you must treat it with urgency,” said Gondwe.

“I therefore advise you to come up with a realistic revised work plan and to ensure that all works are completed by the end of June this year without compromising quality,” he advised.

Managing Director of Clads Construction Company, Daniel Phiri, attributed the delay to procurement of treated timber and rains, which affected some of their operations but was quick to pledge that the project will be finished by the new deadline.

The K365 million Chintheche Community Hospital operation theatre is being constructed by Nkhata Bay Distric Council with funding from National Local Government Finance Committee.

By Dhumisan Khumalo

Mzuzu, May 28, Mana: 17 individuals, including three women have been arrested following violent incidents that occurred during demonstrations in Mzuzu on Tuesday.

According to Northern Region Police Public Relations Officer, Maurice Chapola, the arrests were made after a group of individuals broke away from the main body of peaceful protestors shortly after delivery of a petition to the office of the District Commissioner.

“After detaching themselves from the main group, the suspects began stoning motorists, damaging police and civilian vehicles, and erecting roadblocks where they demanded money from passersby,” said Chapola.

He added that all 17 suspects were apprehended on the spot by law enforcement officers and are currently in police custody.

The suspects are expected to appear in court by the end of the day to face several charges, including vandalism, unlawful gathering, malicious damage to property, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Police urges the community to maintain law and order, advising the public to exercise their right to protest in a peaceful and lawful manner.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, May 28, Mana: Director of Education and Sports for Rumphi District Council, Fides Msowoya has said that community participation in Building Education Foundations Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) Programme is crucial for its sustainability in the district.  

Msowoya was speaking on Tuesday during the council’s review meeting of the programme with primary education advisors (PEAs) among other stakeholders.

She said the programme has improved learner enrollment, enthusiasm, and interest of the learner in education.

“Community participation is very important for the sustainability of any programme. So far we have already witnessed community members contributing resources toward wage payment of security guards in schools.

“We are also considering incorporating activities from the programme into our council-level budget as a way of sustaining the gains achieved through the intervention,” she explained.

Coordinator for BEFIT in Rumphi, George Mlowoka said the project has improved reading and numerical skills besides reducing absenteeism among learners.

He added that he was optimistic that the programme will be sustained due to the involvement of various stakeholders at both council and community levels.

A head teacher of Lwatizi Primary School, Alice Mkanadango said the learners who have been benefiting from the programme in the last two years have developed an increased interest in learning.  

Learners under the programme use tablets to learn numerical and reading skills at their own pace of comprehension.

BEFIT is a government of Malawi owned and led programme aimed at enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills among learners in standard 1 to 4 across all public primary schools in Malawi using specialized applications on android tablets.

By Francisco Hermes

Balaka, May 28, Mana: The Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC), in collaboration with Oxfam Malawi, has oriented key stakeholders in Balaka District—including the police, judiciary, health officials, social welfare officers, and the media—on the implementation of mobile courts to enhance justice delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV).

CAVWOC held a two-day workshop in the district where its Programmes Manager, Treassar Msokera, expressed hope for effective delivery of justice in Balaka after orienting the stakeholders, saying the training equipped the stakeholders to handle GBV cases using survivor-centered approach.

“This training has highlighted several systemic obstacles that have been preventing sexual and GBV survivors in rural communities from accessing justice. We therefore hope that this transformative approach will help law enforcers and courts to deliver justice conveniently.

“We expect that all stakeholders will now collaborate using skills and knowledge they have gained during the training plus their existing expertise. We believe this will help them to handle cases related to GBV in their respective sectors and in the community," she added.

Msokera said the training also enlightened stakeholders on how they should expand GBV survivors legal services access through mobile court systems.

Officer In Charge for Utale Police Unit, Inspector Chrispin Gondwe hailed CAVWOC and Oxfam for orienting the police and other stakeholder, saying this will improve collaboration among all structures in delivery of justice on GBV survivors.

“We need to be together as one team for us to proceed with the cases until justice prevail,” he added.

Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter, Hellen Luwayo, said the training was crucial as it enabled her to understand how the media should report objectively on GBV issues in relation to delivery of justice.