MANAonline
Ingwina of Karonga shine at home ground after beating FOMO FC
By George Mponda
Karonga, July 13, Mana: Fresh from knocking out Mzuzu City Hammers Football Club (FC) 2-1 in the FDH Bank Cup round of 32 the past week, Karonga United FC popularly known as Ingwina of Karonga seem to have struck the right chord again as they beat FOMO FC 3 nil.
The two sides were meeting for the first time in a TNM Super League fixture Saturday at Karonga Stadium.
Karonga did no waste any time immediately after the start of the game as their man on fire rookie, Blessings Mwalilino put them in front at two minutes from a pass by captain of the day Allen Chihana.
At 38 minutes, Chihana himself registered his name on the scoresheet after receiving a wonderful pass from Casto Kayuni concluding the first half ended 2-0.
Come second half, Mwalilino who was playing for the first time in TNM Super League got his brace as he scored another goal after 86 minutes with Kayuni again providing an assist and the game ended 3-0.
In post-match interviews, Head Coach for Karonga United FC, Oscar Kaunda was full of praises for the 2 goal hero Mwalilino.
"Although this is his first time to play in the league, he has settled in perfectly. He is a well disciplined guy and if he keeps this up, I see him having a bright future in football.
Today we played well and we will be returning to trainimg tommorow because we have another game against MAFCO at Chitowe Stadium on Wednesday," said Kaunda.
Head Coach for FOMO FC, Gilbert Chirwa acused officiating team for allegedly gifting the first goal to Karonga United FC thereby demoralizing his charges.
Currently, Karonga United FC have moved from position 13 on the ladder to position 10 with 15 points from 11 games played.
Captain for Karonga United FC Justin Banda, Kennedy Mwakabaghe, Lovemore Ngolombe and Alfred Chizinga were not available for selection as they are still nursing injuries.
Senior Chief Kameme ordained Pastor
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, July 13, Mana: Government has saluted faith community and organizations for complementing government’s efforts in promoting moral, physical and spiritual development of people across the country.
The remarks were made Saturday by Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda at Kameme in Chitipa during the ordination of Senior Chief Kameme as Pastor of Last Church of God and His Christ International.
He said that the ordination of Kameme as a Pastor brings excitement to government as the development builds on his current authority and jurisdiction.
“We are excited because God fearing chiefs carry their services with dignity and serve people with love and for that reason we are grateful as we wish Senior Chief Kameme all the best.
I came to represent and present gifts on behalf of President Dr, Lazarus Chakwera to the Senior Chief cum Pastor best wishes as you are today called to serve people from a spiritual point of view,” Banda said.
He commended the chief for being a hard working traditional leader who fosters development unity and peace amongst his subjects.
Archbishop, James Makwakwa of Last Church of God and His Christ International said the church was pleased to have a senior chief in the church’s leadership.
“This is a demonstration that the word of God is being spread without traditional and cultural affiliations and I advise him to a light guiding people to God’s kingdom,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa districts said that he was pleased that one of his Senior Chiefs has been ordained a Pastor thereby extending his shepherd ship’s role to everyone.
“I thank God, for this. This a new day and new dawn for us both traditionally, religiously and politically,” he added.
Wanderers hammered at home 1-2
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 13, Mana: Moyale Barracks Saturday rose to the occasion to collect maximum points after a sounding 1-2 win over second placed, Mighty Mukuru wanderers during the TNM Super League encounter played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Moyale’s second half substitute, Luke Chima provided the killer blow over Wanderers in the added time to inflict the first home defeat and a third for the season for the wounded Lali Lubani Boys.
Their first defeat was away against Silver Strikers 2-0 at Silver Stadium in Area 47 and another way defeat against Mzuzu City Hammers 2-0 at Mzuzu Stadium which prompted their Head Coach, Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan to throw the white towel.
His Assistant, Meke Mwase was elevated to take charge of the team and a stint three wins in a row for Wanderers, against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 3-1, Civil Service United 3-0 and Mighty Kau Tigers 1-2, before bowing down to the Lions of Kaning’ina.
The Visitors went into lead through Emmanuel Allen after 38 minutes and Isaac Kaliati cancelled the lead at 90+2 minutes before Chima turned out be match winner after 90+5 minutes.
With the win Moyale have 17 points, moved to position six from eight and Wanderers are still on second with 21 points.
At Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Mafco had to come from behind to win 2-3 over Tigers to move to position eight from 11 with 16 points.
Tigers have dropped to position 13 from 12.
The Kau-Kau boys opened the scoring sheet through Daniel Shadreck 36 minutes and Masambiro Kalua increased the lead to 2-0 after 45+3 minutes.
Mafco stage a comeback in the second half through Peter Kasonga after 64 minutes later Mphatso Philimoni leveled the scores after 83 minutes before Auspicious Kadzongola grabbed the winner after 84 minutes.
At Civo Stadium in Area 9, Lilongwe, Creck Sporting silenced Bangwe All-Stars with a 1-0 victory through Yamikani Tambala’s goal after 24 minutes,
Creck Sporting have moved to fourth position from six with 19 points while Bangwe remain on position 14 with seven points.
At Karonga Stadium, Karonga United reign supreme when they beat FOMO 3-0 and Blessings Mwalilino claimed a brace in the third minute and 86 minutes while Allen Chihana was on the score sheet after 38 minutes.
Karonga have moved to position 10 from 13 with 15 points while FOMO has dropped to position 12 from 10 with 14 points.
Jossam and Adam wins 2024 Mount Mulanje Porters race
By Innocent Chamtulo
Mulanje, July 13, Mana: Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Vera Kamtukule Saturday urged community members and other stakeholders surrounding Mulanje Mountain to conserve the environment in the mountain for it to maintain its magnificent beauty and as one way of promoting tourism in the district.
She said this in Mulanje when she graced the 2024 Mount Mulanje porters race.
Kamtukule said the Ministry would continue selling the beauty of Malawi abroad for the benefit of this country’s economy, adding that she has for the first time appreciated the beauty of the mountain during the porter’s race.
“Government is committed to supporting the tourism sector through such events like this one in Mulanje. We will bring more tourists through our marketing strategies as a ministry. I am urging all community members in the district surrounding the mountain to conserve the environment for it to continue attracting more tourists domestically and abroad," the Minister said.
On the other hand, one of the main sponsors, Malawi Gaming Lotteries Authority, through the Director of Finance and Administration, Dumbo Muwalo said in progressing with the Mount Mulanje porter’s race, they would build a sports complex at Likhubula where all the activities involving porter’s race would be held after the completion of the arena.
“As one of the stakeholders, we believe that we have sponsored the event for quite a number of times. However, looking at the area where all the activities are being held is not impressive, so as a board we thought it wise to build a structure here where all the activities will be held after the race and this is one of the our corporate social responsibility. We want to make the event more visible abroad,” he said.
In the lady’s category, Gloria Adam, 18 carried the day after covering 25 kilometres in two hours and 40 minutes 18 seconds while Jafali Jossam, 27 came out on top in the male category after covering 25 kilometres in two hours and nine minutes 11 seconds.
Both winners received K1, 000,000 each.
Adam expressed joy after being declared the winner of the female category, saying the prize would be used towards supporting and managing her school expenses.
“It has taken a year for me to prepare for this event and being declared the winner has always been my dream. I should say my dream has come true. The prize that I’ve received will be used to settle other necessities at home and school as well,” she added.
Runners up and third positions in both categories went away with K800, 000 and K600, 000, respectively.
Communications Officer for the 2024 Mount Mulanje porters race, Jimmy Maloya said organisers of the event were satisfied with how the outcome of the event in terms of patronage and other things.
NRB in registration awareness drive
By Patricia Kapulula
Dowa, July 13, Mana: National Registration Bureau (NRB) has embarked on a Short Message Service (SMS) campaign as one way of raising awareness on registration processes.
The SMS will allow an identity (ID) holder to follow processes regarding their national ID cards among other registration issues.
NRB Principal Secretary, Mphatso Sambo said this in Mponela Friday when NRB courted editors from various media houses across the country to appraise them on the Bureau’s implementation of its mandate that it was committed to ensuring that it delivers to the expectations of Malawians.
He said many people are not aware of the identification process hence the need to raise awareness on the matter.
“We would like to see that we are operating at all levels including traditional authority (TA) level to ensure that we reach out to as many people as possible,” Sambo said.
He appealed to journalists in the country to work with the Bureau in providing information to the public so that they are made aware of all registration processes.
One of the Editors, from Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Gabriel Kamlomo hailed NRB for the meeting saying such engagements are important in as far as disseminating information was concerned.
“Media is a platform that needs to be taken on board. We need to be incorporated on issues that would make the public aware of the Bureau’s mandate,” he said.
Chief Registration Officer, Rhodric Langwe said registration was important and has to be done in real time in order for the Bureau to provide up to date data.
Over 12 million people have been registered and issued with a unique ID number since 2016.
NGO reaches out to 1, 000 food insecure families in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, July 13, Mana: At least 1, 000 families from the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Nyanyala in Balaka can afford a smile and rest assured that they have a week of three meals per day all thanks to Design OutReach, a local Christian organization.
In their lamentations, the people indicated that they are surviving on sweet potatoes, some on seasonal fruits like Masau, which they buy after enduring hard labour in other people’s irrigation fields.
Before presenting the food relief, beneficiaries were taken through prayers where messages of hope and repentance were given, with each getting a book with stories from the Holy Bible to remind them that they are not forsaken but that God is in control regardless of their situations.
Regional Director for Design OutReach, Dr. Beatrice Chisinga said the organization’s core duty is technology innovation for developing countries whereby their main focus is in an ultra-deep hand pump which extracts water at a very deep depth.
However, Chisinga said due to the dry spells that have hit most parts of Malawi, they thought of reaching out to their donors in the United States of America (USA) to intervene and donate food to some of the affected households.
“We are providing 20 tonnes of maize flour, five tonnes of soya flour, two tonnes of beans, one tonne of cooking oil and one tonne of salt, with bails of soya pieces and these will be distributed to 1, 000 beneficiaries where each person will get a 20 kgs of maize white flour, two kgs of soya flour, a one litre bottle of cooking oil, one kg of salt and 10 packets of soya pieces,” Chisinga said.
“We hope that in October, we might come back as our donors are very positive that we should give at least twice during this dry spell,” she added.
Sub Traditional Authority Nyanyala advised his subjects to prudently use the food items, reminding them of how tough the situation has been in the area.
“I have never witnessed this kind of a donation in my area, let all the food be utilized within our households. I know we will rest for a few days as most of us are relying on doing some piece works for money to buy food,” he said.
“Let these days remind us of the word of the Lord we have heard here. We all have been told messages of hope and repentance,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Bephia Samson, 43, could not hide her happiness. She said the food will serve her and her six children from starving.
“I literally harvested a half 50 kg bag this year. From the harvesting month to date, I have been surviving on grace, these days we could sleep on Masau, sometimes on an empty stomach; to see all the food today and especially that we will prepare with cooking oil is a blessing to me and my family,” Samson said.
Earlier this year, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera declared state of disaster in 23 districts in the county of which Balaka is included, calling upon local and international development partners to come forward and assist the Malawi nation during this period.
PIH donates three ambulances to Neno DHO
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, July 13, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), a global health and social justice organization, popularly known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo on Friday donated three ambulances to Neno District Health Office (DHO) as one way of improving the referral system.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony at Neno District Hospital, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema said the gesture reaffirms PIH’s commitment to supporting Malawi government’s efforts in strengthening health systems.
Nhlema said the move is one way of improving the referral system; thereby, improving health status especially maternal and neonatal health outcomes for the district.
She said it is the mandate of PIH to work and support the Ministry of Health and the donated ambulances will help to curb negative patient outcomes that are recorded in Neno due to delayed transfer of patients from primary health Centre’s.
“All this is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services right here in the district,” said Nhlema.
She, therefore, appealed to Neno District Council to take ownership of the vehicles and ensure that they are used effectively and sustainably to address patient referral needs in the district.
Neno District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Enoch Ndarama commended PIH for the gesture, saying the support has come at the right time.
“We are happy for the donation and this is what collaboration is all about. We have been working with Partners in Health for a long time and they have been supporting us for quite an extensive time including this year’s donation,” he said.
Ndarama said the three ambulances will bridge the gap that existed in transferring patients from different health facilities to the district hospital and from district hospital to central hospital.
“This donation has come at the right time because we have been facing challenges in transportation and we are grateful for the support that PIH has rendered to us,” Ndarama said.
All three ambulances were purchased at an overall combined cost amounting to $123,963.92 (equivalent of K214, 919, 922.50).
From the three ambulances, one was procured with support from Global Affairs Canada and it has been in the district since 2020 operating under PIH, particularly in Lower Neno at Lisungwi Community Hospital.
While the other two ambulances were procured in March 2023 with funding from WYSS Medical Foundation which will also support the rehabilitation of a High Dependency Unit at the DHO which is yet to be commissioned and is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services in the district
Apart from donating the ambulances, PIH has also granted scholarships to health workers in the district as one way of ensuring that there is continuation of the medical education and training programmes to improve the overall quality of health services.
Communities urged to observe hygiene and sanitation
By Mwai Kumanda
Lilongwe, July 13, Mana: Councilor for Chiwamba Ward in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu, Hardwell Jani has urged people in his area to observe hygiene and sanitation for them to avoid contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera.
Jani made the call on Friday during the clean-up exercise at Chiwamba market, which was organized by the Lilongwe district council.
He said members of the community can end diseases like cholera in their communities if they continue observing hygiene and sanitation on daily basis in their homes and public places such as markets.
Jani further said people should stop thinking that the clean-up exercises that President Chakwera introduced are for the officers only saying it is for every person even those who are not employed in government agencies and departments.
“Cholera is a result of poor sanitation, so the only way of preventing it is to observe hygiene. I am encouraging people of this community to take these clean-up exercises seriously,” he said.
Health Surveillance Assistant for Chiwamba Health Centre, Francis Mdzinga thanked the council for the initiative saying it has been an eye opener to the members of the community on the importance of keeping their surrounding tidy and clean.
Mdzinga further said good sanitation and hygiene practices can also boost people’s mental, emotional well-being and energy to tackle their daily activities.
Lilongwe District Council Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Blessings Makhilinga said the council will continue working hand in hand with members of the community in promoting hygiene and sanitation to prevent diseases.
Makhilinga said it is the wish of the council to end the spread of the cholera outbreak in the district, hence adopting the initiative.
MACRA embarks on digital rights and responsibilities campaign
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, July 13, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has embarked on a campaign to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities in the communication sector.
This sector includes essential services like broadcasting, mobile telecommunications, internet, and courier provision.
The campaign aims to ensure that consumers are well informed and effectively engage with service providers.
Hutchson Mkwapatira, MACRA's Consumer Affairs Manager, said the importance of the initiative is for people to be enlightened.
"People need to understand what is expected of the service providers and what is expected of them. This knowledge will empower consumers to demand better services and hold providers accountable," Mkwapatira stated.
Part of the campaign is also informing the public about the upcoming phase-out of airtime scratch cards.
He added: "We are moving towards using electronic platforms for purchasing airtime. This transition is necessary to modernize our communication infrastructures."
Bornface Maigwa, one of the consumers who attended the sensitization event at Mchinji boma, expressed happiness with the campaign.
"This campaign is important as it has enlightened us on our rights regarding the consumption of communication services. There are obligations that service providers must honour, and if they fail, we need to report them to MACRA. At the same time, we also have to take care of the equipment they use to provide us with services," said Maigwa.
Maigwa also welcomed the move to phase out scratch cards saying it is a good move to prepare consumers so that they can adapt to new methods and ensure a smooth transition.
During the event, most consumers complained about poor telecommunication services especially those using cellular phones and slow internet connection and on the other hand, service providers complained of infrastructure vandalism.
Minister applauds efforts to improve menstrual hygiene for girls
By Lynnette Chataika
Mchinji, July 13, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, has expressed satisfaction with organizations working towards enhancing sanitation for young girls and women by creating reusable and reliable sanitary pads.
Speaking at Pinda Primary School in Mchinji on Friday during the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Mia encouraged mothers, communities, and schools to support girls in continuing their education regardless of their menstrual periods.
“I commend you all for what you are doing and as government, we will build toilets around schools, create changing rooms, and ensure there is access to water in many schools,” said Mia.
Also speaking at the event, Executive Director for Water Environmental Sanitation Network Willies Mwandira emphasized the need for affordable and effective menstrual products.
He praised Water Aid Organization for training primary school girls and women to make reusable menstrual pads.
“I think that should be the way to go,” Mwandira stated.
Eziz Hellenov, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, highlighted the importance of education for girls and the role of the community in providing essential menstrual hygiene products.
“The future of the country lies in educated girls. The community should build towards providing essential menstrual hygiene products so that girls can attend school without fear or shame,” said Hellenov.
The commemoration brought together various development partners such as Norwegian Church Aid/Dan Church Aid, Plan International, and other organizations that promote the rights of children and women.
