MANAonline
Tropical Cyclone hits Kalungu
By Paul Madise
Kasungu, December 16, Mana: Classes at Kasungu Teachers Training College (TTC) have been disrupted following the devastating impact of the cyclone.
The cyclone, arrived in the district on Sunday, 15th December, 2024 and has left roofs of some structures blown off.
College Principal, Ndamyo Mwanyongo has confirmed that strong winds and heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the college's infrastructure including classrooms and other infrastructures leaving roofs of some of the buildings completely blown off.
Mwangongo said the college's administration is currently working to assess the extent of the damage and come up with a plan to repair the damaged structures.
“The disruption of classes has affected over 659 students who are currently enrolled at the college. The students are in the middle of their academic semester and some are sitting for end-of-semester examinations. However, the college's administration is working tirelessly to ensure that the academic programme is not disrupted for too long,” Mwanyongo added.
The impact of the cyclone has not only affected the college but also the surrounding community as many homes in the area have been destroyed, leaving families without shelter.
Meanwhile, the district's authorities are on the ground working to provide relief to the affected families.
Earlier, the Ministry of Education in a statement signed by Rachel Chimbwete, Principal Secretary for Basic and Secondary education announced the suspension of classes for primary and secondary schools in Machinga, Mangochi, Zomba, Phalombe, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Neno, Mwanza, Balaka, Ntchewu and Dedza to ensure safety of learners and teachers.
Irrigation key to achieve food security
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, December 16, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Dalitso Kawale has urged people that surround Chilingali and Bua Irrigation Schemes in Nkhotakota to use such places wisely for them to have multiple harvests in a year.
Kawale said this after visiting the places that were affected by floods to appreciate the current state.
He said the visit aimed to inspect the two Irrigation schemes that were damaged and to see the way forward on how the government can rehabilitate them in order to ensure food security.
The Minister encouraged farmers who have access to the Irrigation systems to use it wisely and focus on commercial farming as President Dr Lazarus Chakwera encourages all farmers to generate more income from their farming.
"We will continue to visit all irrigation Schemes that have been damaged as we source funding to rehabilitate them and increase the hectarage that is currently underused in the country,” said Kawale
President of Water Users Association Twaibu Maulana said Chilingali Irrigation scheme has been beneficial to the public as they can generate money for school fees and feed their families, hoping the visit by the Minister will help to address and fix the problem.
"We want the president to fix our Chilingali Scheme and we need protection bands that protect the water from Kaombe River into our scheme,” said Maulana.
Director of Irrigation System Geoffrey Mwepa said the Irrigation Schemes are beneficial to the district because they provide sources of food and income; however, it continues to face problems of droughts and flooding that affect Irrigation farming and need addressing.
Dwangwa Round Table 69 cheers Nkhotakota special needs learners
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, December 16, Mana: Dwangwa Round Table 69 has cheered learners with special needs at Nkhotakota LEA School Resource Centre with a pre-Christmas luncheon and donation.
The event took place at the campus where the organization also donated food and non-food stuff, which includes rice, cooking oil, a bale of sugar, and soap worth over K810, 000.
Speaking after the activity, Chairperson for Dwangwa Round Table 69, Dyson Mpeketula said they decided to celebrate with the special needs learners to promote the spirit of oneness and inclusivity.
Mpeketula added that, as an organization that supports the school in various aspects, they also decided to make the donation to enable learners celebrate Christmas and New Year as the communities around the facility will be celebrating the same with different food and other activities.
"These activities are meant to strengthen the relationship between these special needs students and the entire community by promoting the spirit of togetherness. We do not want them to feel segregated from other learners but they must feel the love from those around them," Mpeketula said.
In his remarks, Nkhotakota District Principal Education Officer, Willard Magunda commended the gesture saying it will go a long way in changing the mind-set of the people who discriminate and violate their rights due to the forms of disability.
Magunda further appealed other organizations to join forces in assisting the special needs students with different kinds of donations.
"The facility, the only one in Nkhotakota, accommodates a total of 25 special needs learners but lacks many infrastructure needs including hostels, and security fence as you are aware that we keep children with albinism whose security is of paramount importance," Magunda said.
Meanwhile, Nkhotakota LEA School Deputy Head Teacher, Bosco Bright Manyoni, while commending the donation, urged stakeholders to bail the facility out of its food shortage problem.
"The number of special needs learners keeps on increasing but resources are becoming scarce. We are appealing for more aid to assist our learners," Manyoni stressed.
During the ceremony, Dwangwa Round Table 69 disclosed that it will soon; bring the contractor to the site for the commencement of a perimeter fence construction project.
Catholic Health Commission donates bicycles to three facilities in Mchinji
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, December 15, Mana: Catholic Health Commission has donated 12 bicycles to community health volunteers at St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital to ease transportation during health monitoring in their communities.
The donation comes as a result of issue identification by community health action groups (CHAGS) who raised the problem of mobility, as it was difficult to reach other areas during health monitoring.
Speaking on Friday with Malawi News Agency, Sister Margaret Lupiya, Acting Assistant to the Director of Social Services and Development of Lilongwe Archdiocese, at St Michaels Guilleme Hospital said the bicycles will be of great help to community health volunteers.
"It is hard to ascertain health problems in the communities if there is no data, as the number of health problems collected by data collectors help in coming up with interventions," said sister Lupiya.
Ellen Sinjani a Community health nurse was grateful for the donation made.
"I am happy with Catholic Health Commission for this donation and we would like those who have received the bicycles to put them into great use and that the bicycles should serve their purpose,” she said.
Richard Salijeni Chairman of St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital said he is thankful for the donation that the facility has received, as the bicycles will shorten the distance to go for outreach programmes, health monitoring and meeting defaulters of treatment.
"I would also like to call upon well-wishers be it governmental or Non-governmental organizations to help with raincoats, boots and umbrellas during this rainy season so that health monitoring can be done easily," Salijeni added.
St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital has received 12 bicycles while Chipumi will receive eight and Kazyozyo 18 as part of the donation made by the Catholic Health Commission.
The donation is being made through Community Led Monitoring Project funded by the Global Fund with help from Action Aid.
Panthers finish in semis
By Wishes Matchaya
Lilongwe, December 15, Mana: Area 49-based football team, Layman Panthers have finished in the semi-finals of Castel Challenge Cup after failing to defeat Blantyre giant, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on December 15, 2024, at Kamuzu Stadium.
Panthers reached the semi-finals of the Castel Challenge Cup after beating four TNM Super League teams namely Silver Strikers, Chitipa United, Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO), and Civil Service United.
On December 15, 2024, it was a different and bitter day for the Layman Panthers to cruise into finals as they were denied by the Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
Panthers suffered three goals to nil allowing Mighty Wanderers into a finishing line.
Clement Nyondo scored the first goal for Wanderers in 56 minutes before Blessings Singini with a second goal in 67 minutes, while Gaddie Chirwa finished everything with a third goal in 87 minutes.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ victory takes them into the Castel Challenge Cup finals and will be waiting for the winner between Mzuzu City Hammers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Mwanza District Council in Cyclone Chido awareness
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, December 15, Mana: Mwanza District Council is raising awareness on impending Cyclone Chido, which is projected to make a landfall in neighbouring Mozambique.
Mwanza District Disaster and Risk Management Officer Ivy Cham'mudzi said on Sunday during a meeting that there is a need for joint efforts between the district and area-level disaster risk management structures.
She said joint cooperation by the District Disaster Risk Management Committee, and village-level committees with the support of traditional leaders, village volunteers and partners is crucial for successful disaster preparedness and response.
“The messages of precautionary measures have already been sent to churches. Jingles have been produced which are being played in strategic places such as bars and bottle stores including marketplaces to raise awareness,” added Cham'mudzi.
Mwanza is raising awareness after the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) issued a warning on impending Cyclone Chido, which was expected, to land in Mozambique on Sunday, December 15. 2024.
According to the DCCMS, the possibility is high that the effects of Cyclone Chido will affect Mwanza and other districts in the Southern Region of Malawi.
Given the DCCMS’s warning, the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA) has advised the general public to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of life and property.
People in flood-prone areas are advised to relocate to safer areas and the general public is also advised to follow weather updates through various communication channels and platforms.
Communication from DoDMA further cautioned people to avoid crossing flooded rivers and running waters among others.
A member of Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Mwanza Division, Blessings Mazonde said the organization will continue to complement Mwanza District Council’s efforts in providing necessary information about Cyclone Chido and safety tips to communities in the district through MRCS volunteers.
“With limited resources, we have deployed volunteers with megaphones to disseminate messages that have precautionary measures as provided by DoDMA,” said Mazonde.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Chido is yet to bring the long-awaited rains in Mwanza.
President Chakwera commends religious leaders for instilling hope in people
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, December 15, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has commended religious leaders in the country for instilling hope in the citizenry.
President Chakwera said this on Sunday during a church service at Katoto Assemblies of God Church in Mzuzu City, where the First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera, was also present.
The President said the church is the only place people seek help and consolation without fear of reprisals.
“You are doing a great job by encouraging people especially the youth to remain hopeful regardless of hard situations which they may face so that they grow into productive citizens,” said President Chakwera.
The Malawi leader who earlier led the congregation in reading the Books of 2 Kings 7:1-11 and Matthew 20 verses 1-7 from the Bible reminded the congregants to live in harmony as God himself is not discriminatory.
On this, Reverend Raphael Ndewere encouraged the congregants that God will not allow his people to suffer continuously without intervening hence they need to remain hopeful in all situations.
“As a nation, we need to understand that our God is not a God that will neglect us, rather he will always respond to everyone’s situation,” said Ndewere.
The preacher further reminded that in history, it has been learnt that God’s intervention has never been too late hence; people should believe and expect God to intervene in every situation.
“We need to understand that things will always not be working to our advantage today, the future will always be good.
“There may be no food, no rain, no jobs today, but tomorrow, God will change the stories,” he said.
Inquiry report says bad weather caused the aircraft accident
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, December 14, Mana: The inquiry report on the aircraft ML Air force Donnier 228 crash that killed eight people including the late Vice President Saulos Chilima in Nthungwa Pamphara hill Nkhatabay has revealed that bad weather was the greatest cause of the accident.
This was disclosed on Saturday at a press briefing organised by the appointed aircraft crush commission of inquiry at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe.
It was revealed that the pilot on the day did not consult Kamuzu International Airport to find out how the weather was.
Justice Jabbar Alide, Chairperson of the commission of the inquiry stated that the weather was bad in Mzuzu as it was foggy, causing poor visibility and very cold and it was getting worse despite that the plane had already took off from Kamuzu International Airport.
“The commission found out that the pilot did not have any weather information about the day which was supposed to be obtained from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services before commencing to Mzuzu for the funeral of the late Kasambala.
“Based on the evidence, the commission found no proof of technical issues that caused the accident that claimed the lives of the vice president and other eight lives,” Alide read the report.
The Commission further stated that the Malawi Air Force Dornier 228 aircraft was in good condition a day before and on the actual day of the accident and that the aircraft had been duly maintained by the Malawi Air Force.
According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the plane is supposed to cover 29,000 flying hours and the one, which crashed at Chikangawa, had completed only over 3,000 hours.
The report alluded that the cause of the crash was due to environmental factors, which includes bad weather that led to poor communication while the plane was in the middle of the journey.
The commission of inquiry made its recommendations after conducting a thorough investigation. This included examining the actual site of the accident, consulting the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force, and gathering information from all relevant sources connected to the incident.
“The commission of the enquiry visited Chikangwa forest and all places surrounding the place, Mzuzu airport, Mzuzu police and Malawi a defence Force from Mzuzu as the first hand witness of the accident.
“The commission also engaged with the Zomba Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and interviewed the deceased’s family before proceeding to Lilongwe, where it interacted with the President, the Secretary to the Office of the President, the MDF, the Malawi Police Service, Airtel Malawi, MACRA, and other stakeholders,” reads part of the statement.
The commission of inquiry concludes that the plane crash was caused by a combination of environmental and human factors, based on evidence gathered from various individuals, institutions, and stakeholders.
Neno District Council raises Cyclone Chido awareness
By Salome Gangire
Neno, December 14, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Office has called on communities living along Shire River, Nkulumadzi, Lisungwi and Kholombidzo Rivers to relocate to higher grounds for safety following an impending Cyclone Chido induced rains as announced by Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS).
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Neno, Brighton Mphinga made the call on Saturday as he engaged communities to raise awareness of the impending rains.
Speaking during an awareness organized in partnership with Beyond Our Hearts Foundation (BOHF), Mphinga warned that Cyclone Chido was expected to bring heavy rains to the Southern parts of Malawi from Sunday through Tuesday, according to projections by the DCCMS.
“All those living along these rivers should move to upland areas and avoid crossing flooded rivers to prevent deaths,” he added, and therefore urged communities along the rivers in Neno to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines and cooperate with local authorities to minimize the impact of potential flooding.
Ministry of Water and Sanitation through the Department of Water Resources also cautioned that heavy rains due to Cyclone Chido were likely to cause high water levels in major rivers across the central and southern regions, leading to flooding.
In a press statement released on Friday, the DCFCMS warned that between December 15 and 21, 2024, Malawi may experience significant rainfall due to Cyclone Chido, which has developed in the Indian Ocean.
The DCCMS forecasts that Cyclone Chido induced rains had potential to increase risk of river flooding.
The statement noted that flood forecasting models have identified several rivers likely to experience high water levels during this period and these include Nkula, Linthipe, Lingadzi, Lipimbi, Lifidzi, Nadziphuru, Livulezi, Nasolo, Mudi, Lilongwe, Diamphwe, Likangala, Thondwe, Namadzi, Phalombe, Namphende, Sombani, Likhubula, Mwanza, Lisungwi, Mkulumadzi, Mkombedzi wa Fodya, Nyachipere, Thangadzi, and Thuchira.
Beyond Our Hearts Foundation is implementing a transforming local institutions through empowerment for disaster management and climate resilience with funding from Save Children International, Italy.
The project aims to enhance local governance and institutional capacities for effective, efficient and inclusive implementation of disaster risk management and climate adaptation initiatives.
Communities praise project for restoring degraded landscapes
By Salome Gangire
Neno, December 14, Mana: Communities at Traditional Authority Symon in Neno District commended Climate Just Communities (CJC) project implemented by Link Community Development Malawi, for its efforts of restoring degraded landscapes to improve livelihoods.
During a monitoring visit to Nkhombe in Group Village Head Symon’s area, participant Filipo Kwezalamba highlighted the project’s impact, emphasizing interventions such as the construction of swales, the establishment of stone bunds, and the planting of vetiver grass to mitigate land degradation and reduce runoff.
“Most of our land was severely degraded, with deep gullies caused by runoff which also affected food production. However, these interventions are making a difference and we are hopeful these issues will soon be history,” he added.
Kwezalamba also noted that the project improved livelihoods by providing participants with a steady income saying the income they receive helps to meet their household needs while enabling them to contribute into restoring the environment.
Chairperson for Mwingitsa Village Natural Resources Management Committee (VNRMC), Ben Dimba said his committee plans to plant 5,000 trees this rainy season as one way of restoring the environment.
Group Village Head Symon praised the initiative complimenting climate-smart agriculture practices, which he said would boost food production from higher yields.
“Farmers are constructing swales, check dams and box ridges. These techniques not only restore the environment but also ensure sustainable farming,” he said.
Link Community Development Malawi’s Project Manager, Clement Mwazambumba, said the two –year Climate Just Communities Projects being funded by the Scottish Government through the Climate Justice Fund aims at addressing challenges affecting communities resulting from the adverse impacts of climate change.
He said the project's objectives include empowering local communities to identify and prioritize climate-related challenges, enabling marginalized groups to take proactive measures in tackling these issues and fostering community advocacy for sustainable change.
“The project operates across five thematic areas: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Resilient Schools; Loss and Damage, Disaster Risk Management and Livelihood Security,” Mwazambumba added.
He said under the disaster risk management theme, participants were constructing flood control or protection bunds, swales and planting vetiver and placing sand bags on the streams to prevent land degradation and manage flooding.
The Project Manager said the project has engaged 500 participants under the disaster risk management thematic area that were working in Nkhombe under Group Village Head Symon and Ngaiyaye villages under Group Village head Mtengula.
“Participants work for eight days, six days for constructing bunds and swales and two days for planting vetiver grass, which will be done once adequate rains fall to ensure the grass survives. Each participant will earn K1, 600 per day, totaling to K12, 800 for the duration of the work,” he said.
