MANAonline
Old Mutual Pension Services advocates for voluntary pension schemes
By Arnold Namanja
Blantyre, July 13, Mana: Old Mutual Pension Services Company has urged Malawians to consider joining voluntary pension scheme services for a better future.
Old Mutual Pension Services Manager, Taonga Manda made the call during a half-day media training held in Blantyre, jointly organized by the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi, Association of Women in Media (AWOME) and Old Mutual.
Manda emphasized the benefits of voluntary pensions under Malawi’s Pension Act of 2023.
He observed that the majority of Malawians are not in formal employment settings that would cover them under mandatory pension schemes; hence, they should take advantage of the new arrangement that gives them the liberty to decide how much they want to save for the future.
“These savings will help you and your dependents in the future when they retire. We have a large population that is not covered in formal employment settings thereby creating the need to sensitize them about planning for their future from the little they earn,” he added.
Manda also pointed out the importance of journalists in disseminating the information to the masses, noting: “Journalists are a reliable tool for spreading information of this kind, so we thought of engaging them to ensure they understand the basics of the law for effective presentation of facts.”
MISA Malawi National Governing Council Member, Chikondi Mmanga Kasambara expressed hope that the media will benefit from the training both in providing accurate information to their audience and in their own future planning.
“As a governing body of journalists in the country, we are glad that our members are among the first beneficiaries,” said Kasambara.
“If they are well-informed, they will be able to send out accurate information. We know Old Mutual cannot disseminate this information on its own; they will rely on the media,” she added.
Statistically, 90 percent of the country’s population is not in formal employment, underscoring the need to adopt voluntary pension schemes.
District Information Officers, PROs key to Reforms Agenda
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, July 13, Mana: Director of Information, Communications, Education, and Public Sector Reforms Management Department, Suzgo Khunga, has emphasized that Public Relations Officers (PROs) and District Information Officers (DIOs) are crucial to the reforms agenda, as they play a vital role in publicizing progress initiatives within various ministries and parastatals.
Khunga expressed the sentiments at Crossroads Hotel on Friday during an orientation meeting with PROs and DIOs on Public Sector Reforms.
She highlighted the importance of these officers being well-informed about institutional activities, particularly reforms, to effectively communicate and track progress.
"As a starting point, we thought it necessary to meet the team, so they are aware of the Public Sector Reforms, their origins, and our current communication level. Public Sector Reforms is a government initiative and a recurring effort at every stage and level of government."
Spokesperson for the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, Kate Kujaliwa, echoed Khunga's views, stating that the meeting was critical for the Public Sector Reforms.
She emphasized that DIOs and PROs are key stakeholders in information dissemination and public awareness.
However, Kujaliwa pointed out that many institutions have information and PR officers in low-ranking positions, with decisions being made at the management level.
"We believe that through these reforms, communications and PR specialists should also be placed at the management level," she said.
"This will allow them to contribute their input when programs are being developed, ensuring they are not just involved at the end. Their skill set is essential for creating content, managing crises, and crafting impactful messages for Malawians," she said.
Government Hails Tourism Lab Meeting
By Sellah Chunda
Mana: July 11, 2024, Lilongwe: The government has described the full lab on Tourism meeting as successful, highlighting its potential to boost the tourism sector in Malawi.
Speaking at the end of the meeting in Lilongwe, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Chauncy Simwaka, noted that the areas tackled during the meeting would enhance service delivery across all sectors of tourism.
"The stakeholders discussed the bottlenecks hindering the growth of the tourism sector and proposed possible solutions to these challenges.
"Tourism Expo is just a small component of the many activities needed in tourism, but in this lab, we addressed issues of product development and connectivity, which were extremely beneficial to the industry," Simwaka said.
Director of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Dr. Enwell Kadango said during the three days’ lab, the Presidential Delivery Lab (PDU) tackled issues related to policies and legal framework to level the playing field for all operators in the tourism industry.
“We also focused on product development to ensure Malawi has products that attract visitors." Kadango said.
President Lazarus Chakwera established the Presidential Delivery Lab as an indicator of projects and progress in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
SGVH Ntotela hails DAYO for Timveni Amayi Project
By Alex Kachingwe
Blantyre, July 13, Mana: Senior Group Village Head Ntotela of Traditional Authority Makata in Blantyre has expressed satisfaction with Domwe Active Youth Organization’s (Dayo) continued campaign dubbed: Timveni Amayi which is aimed at raising awareness on abuse against women in the area.
SGVH Ntotela disclosed that most of the women in his area have been facing different kind of abuses from their husbands like being denied access to family planning services and participation in business activities.
“It is true that most women in my area have been facing these challenges which is a total violation of their rights. But the introduction of this campaign has made a lot of men to realize their roles and responsibilities in protecting and respecting the rights of women in a family,” said Ntotela.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Dayo Executive Director, Kachale Kainga said after conducting a study, the findings indicated that many women from villages under T/A Makata are facing abuses on issues concerning business participation and accessing family planning services.
Kainga said the organization decided to provide counselling services to all men who did not understand the rights of women in order to allow women, pursue business activities and access family planning services in Domwe, Namwalisiyo and other surrounding villages.
A beneficiary of Dayo interventions, Pinna Manduwa said initially her husband could assault her for trying to access family planning services, but that such is no longer the case because Dayo intervened to make her husband understand the importance of allowing her to access family planning services and conduct a small business of Mandasi.
Blantyre District Gender Officer, Stephano Joseph stressed that the Constitution under Section 24, emphasizes on the freedom of women in the decision-making processes especially on matters that affect their wellbeing.
“Thus restricting women from taking part in socio-economic activities and access to family planning services is an absolute violation of their rights,” Joseph said.
He urged men to always respect the rights of women, saying anything that infringes on the rights of women is an offense punishable by the laws of Malawi.
Apart from raising awareness on abuses against women, Dayo is also providing entrepreneurship skills to women in T/A Makata such as sausages making in an attempt to make them self-reliant and improve their livelihoods.
Top TNM games on card
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 12, Mana: Following a FDH cup break, week 12 of 2024 TNM Super League takes a centre stage with promising intriguing fixtures for the weekend and battle for maximum points will be order of the day.
One of the interesting encounters of the weekend involves third placed, Kamuzu Barracks, the “Yellow Submarine” aka Chiwoko boys against League Leaders, Silver Strikers, genuine residents of Bwandilo “City” at Civo Stadium in Area 9, Lilongwe on Sunday.
However, it be interesting to watch as both teams are debasement from the wounds of their exit in the 2024 FDH Cup.
The lower division teams, Iponga and Blue Eagles had the guts to hold the bull by horn to the surprise of many as the fixtures looked too soft on paper.
The Chiwoko boys need to pick up pieces and stood firm to face a new challenge after six days of agony and have a task ahead of them.
They have very crucial mission on top of their heads and the adventure is to become the first team in the elite league to stop and dent Silver Strikers winning record of the season.
One paper, the head to head stats favours the Bankers but under ration can be recipe for disaster if not handled in the rightful manner and 90 minutes plus will be verdict of the real giant.
A win to them it will help them narrow points gap which is pegged at nine.
Silver have to forget their dismal performance and forge ahead to battle for maximum points away from as they did with the bitter rivals, Civil Service United with 0-2 beating.
Kamuzu Barracks have 20 points while Silver Strikers have 29 points from the same number of games played 11.
Another Saturday battle pips, second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, with 21 points against eighth placed, Lions of Kaning’ina, Moyale Barracks with 14 points at Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre.
Both teams had wonderful results from FDH Cup and the odds looks promising and entertaining counter will ensure to consolidate points collection at all cost.
Wanderers using the home ground advantage are favoured to collect maximum points but on bad in office, the Mzuzu Brothers could be stubborn before family and friend alike.
It a must watch as both teams are in search for points in order to get closer to mantle holder.
Another top billing game will be on Sunday, as TNM Defending Champions, FCB Nyasa Bullets who are fifth of the table, are set to correct the wrongs when they face one of the top Lilongwe, giants, Civil Service United, lying ninth of the log at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Both team has smart wins in the FDH Cup encounters and they are bubbling with confidence that victories are on sight but the better team will carry the day.
Bullets have 16 points while the Servants have 14 points and are playing catch up with runaway leaders if their title dreams are to be realized.
The following are full fixtures for week 12 and kick is 2:30 pm
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers vs Moyale Barracks @ Kamuzu Stadium
Mighty Tigers vs MAFCO @ Mpira Stadium
Creck Sporting vs Bangwe All Stars @ Civo Stadium
Karonga United vs FOMO @ Karonga Stadium
Sunday, July 14, 2024
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Civil Service United @ Kamuzu Stadium
Kamuzu Barracks vs Silver Strikers @ Civo Stadium
Mzuzu City Hammers vs Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos @ Mzuzu Stadium
Chitipa United vs Baka City @ Karonga Stadium
Thyolo farmers urged to adopt catchment management to improve livelihoods
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, July 12, Mana: Farmers in Thyolo have been urged to embrace Integrated Catchment Conservation methods to improve their livelihoods and mitigate effects of climate change by promoting stability in the eco-system of catchment areas.
Thyolo District Council Chairperson, Rhustin Banda made the appeal at Maonga Primary School ground in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Mlenga in the district.
Banda said effects of climate change can not be overemphasized, saying people need to restore the environment.
“The district has recently experienced drought which has affected our harvests, if we are to follow catchment management initiatives, we can multiply our harvests,” he said.
Thyolo District Council Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa said the campaign will enhance good agricultural practices to farmers and villages as a whole so they can do everything with environmental conservation in mind.
“We are experiencing climate change due to environmental degradation. So, we need to plant trees in mountains, start gully reclamation which will rejuvenate the environment,” Kafuwa said.
Kafuwa urged all agriculture extension development coordinators from all the extension planning areas (EPAs) to emulate what is at Thyolo Central EPA where the launch has taken place.
Chief Land Resources Conservation Officer from Blantyre Agriculture Development Division, Medson Thole urged the farmers to conserve their fields using an integrated conservation method, particularly by planting trees in the upper catchment and practicing agroforestry to enhance crop production.
He said land is a very scarce resource in Thyolo, advsing farmers to restore the eroded soil, saying it is a big challenge to open up new farms.
Thole encouraged farmers to use fertilizer multiplication methods like Mbeya, noting that the inorganic fertilizer cannot be affordable to everyone in the country.
In his remarks, Sub Traditional Authority Mlenga thanked the district agriculture office for considering his area to host the launch, saying it shows that his area is working hard to restore degraded pockets of land and deforested areas.
Sub T/A Mlenga encouraged farmers in his area to emulate what other farmers were doing so that the area will be food secure.
Team Leader from Lujeri and Nchima Tea Estates, one of Thyolo District Council’s stakeholders, Hannock Maluwa, said it is high time farmers and people in Thyolo start to conserve natural resources in the district, noting that this will ease pressure on natural resources.
“We highly encourage farmers to start planting trees in their farms and along river banks. This will reduce the malpractice of people stealing logs of trees from tea estate forests, even encroaching company land and opening up farms because their fields cannot give enough yields since the soil has been eroded away,” he said.
Expert say high prices; ignorance hinders Malawi’s shift to gas
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, July 12, Mana: Environmental activist, Matthews Malata says mindset change remains key if Malawi is to thrive in the switch to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) campaign.
Malata made the sentiment with the background of some business owners still resorting to using charcoal as opposed to gas.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, Malata said there are different perceptions that people have towards gas but the benefits of using it outweigh the dangers.
“We need more awareness on gas so that people have the right information because most of the reasons being advanced are that gas is expensive and that it is dangerous so there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
He said a recent survey by the Ministry of Energy has found that only 0.3% of Malawians use gas while only 1.7% using electricity.
“Looking at the practical issues on the ground, we need to ensure that cylinders are available, affordable and of good quality so that people can be motivated to buy. On the other hand, we are aware that the Ministry of Energy is in talks with Tanzania and Mozambique so that they can supply gas to Malawi. I believe this will address the pricing concerns being raised,” Malata said.
However, Mana engaged some of the women plying restaurant businesses in Blantyre to find out why they do not use gas, whereby some cited lack of awareness and some pricing as major setbacks.
Thokozani Sapangwa said she has never used gas before and would not consider doing so because she feels it is expensive and unprofitable for her business.
“I have heard that gas is expensive and for a business like mine, I doubt if I will be able to get a return on investment. For instance, when I cook nsima I leave it on the charcoal burner until lunch hour so that it stays warm, I do not think I can do the same with gas,” she said.
Emily Wilson, another restaurant business lady said she does not even know that gas exists since all her life she has cooked on firewood and charcoal burner but if given a chance, she would want to learn more about gas.
“I have never used gas before and I am not sure how it works but if the information is available it would be good to know what gas is all about, where we can access it and how we can use it, that would be helpful,” Wilson said.
Some gas users have, however, indicated that gas is efficient and reliable and those that are not using gas are missing out.
“I have been using gas for six years now and I must admit it is fast and reliable. I have a 6 kgs cylinder that sustains me for at least 3 months so it is quite fair,” one of the gas users Mervis Makwinja said.
The current price for Liquefied Petroleum Gas is K3, 245.00 which may not be affordable for the average Malawian.
Reacting to the concerns, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), Consumer Affairs and Public Relations Manager, Fitina Khonje said the pricing is influenced by global factors and exchange rate and all other costs along the supply chain.
Khonje said the issue of sensitization is not MERA’s responsibility alone, acknowledging the work that the Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, LPG importers and non-governmental organizations are doing to promote the use of alternative sources of energy.
“There are currently 114 outlets from less than 30 selling points that were there in 2021 with some more applications being assessed and if more entrepreneurs join the LPG sector it will help ease access,” Khonje pointed out.
Drought and flooding affecting access to water in Thyolo
UTM Pulls out of Tonse Alliance
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, 12 July. Mana: UTM party Publicity Secretary, Felix Njalawa has announced that his party has officially pulled out of the Tonse Alliance.
He made the announcement during a press briefing which the party organized at its headquarters in Lilongwe on Friday.
Ndawala also disclosed that the party will hold its conversation in October for its members to elect its torchbearer for the forthcoming 2025 general elections.
He has however advised UTM members to remain steadfast and vigilant whilst embracing unity in order to carry on the legacy left by the party's founder, Late Right Honorable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima.
Minister urges action against drug theft
By Naomi langisi
Lilongwe, 12 July, Mana: Minister of health Khumbize Chiponda, has issued a stern warning to those engaging in drug theft, calling law enforcement agencies to impose stiffer penalties on perpetrators.
Chiponda made the remarks on Friday in Lilongwe during the handover ceremony of drugs by World Health Organization (WHO) to Malawi health ministry.
The plea comes as the country struggles to contain the theft of essential medicines which has compromised health care delivery services.
“We have put computers and CCTV cameras in central referral hospitals for us to be able to know what has come in and out and we are asking all Malawians to come together to address this challenge, “she said.
She further vowed to take a tougher stance on drug theft by urging the judicially to prosecute offenders so that they face the fullest extent of the law.
Speaking at the event, WHO country representative Dr, Neema Kimambo, said that they want to make sure that everyone has access to health services through the availability of essential medicines.
“For everyone to have access to health care it means you need to have availability of essential medicines and this is part of strengthening the health services,” said Kimambo.
“We have brought different medicines based on the needs of health system in Malawi and as WHO we come to support Malawi as part of our emergency program, “she said.
The world Bank provided financial support through WHO for the total amount of $ 9 million from the Malawi COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health systems preparedness project for the emergency procurement of vital medicines and other medical supplies during the period of disaster in 2022 and 2023.
