MANAonline
Social support program beneficiaries urged to join Savings and Loan Groups
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, October 4, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare has encouraged beneficiaries of social support programs, such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), to form and join Savings and Loan Groups (SLGs) to strengthen their economic resilience.
Chief Community Development Officer, Samuel Ziwa, made the remarks Thursday in Thyolo during a sensitization tour on Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRLP), held in the areas of Traditional Authorities (TA) Ngolongoliwa and Nanseta.
"Beneficiaries should join SLGs to multiply the money they receive from social protection programs. This will help them remain resilient to economic shocks even after graduating from the programs," Ziwa said.
He said research shows SLGs have the potential to elevate livelihoods, as the money provided through these social programs alone cannot fully transform households.
"By joining SLGs, beneficiaries can save, borrow and invest in small-scale businesses to improve their economic standing," he said.
Ziwa noted that village banks, where SLGs typically operate, offer low-interest loans, unlike formal banks, making them more accessible and affordable to the beneficiaries.
Thyolo District Social Welfare Officer responsible for the SCT program, Madalitso Noah, emphasized that SLGs opens up opportunities to access loans from commercial banks, which would otherwise be difficult for individuals.
"SLGs allow beneficiaries to access financial resources, build economic stability and improve their overall livelihoods.
"Additionally, these groups serve as platforms where members share skills, knowledge and address various community issues," Noah said.
Tereza Chantha, a CSPWP beneficiary from Ntikhe Village, TA Ngolongoliwa, shared her success story after joining a village bank before being enrolled in the program.
"Through the village bank, I started a business that allows me to provide for my family basic needs. I have managed to build a house with iron sheets, something I couldn’t have achieved without the support of the village bank," said Chantha.
Chakwera describes USA visit as fruitful
By Arkangel Tembo in Washington DC, USA
Washington DC, October 3, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has ended his working visit to the United States of America (USA) where he attended the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
While in USA, President Chakwera undertook several engagements including taking part in the General Assembly debate, the Malawi partners conference as well as meeting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank officials.
Speaking to journalists at the end of his tour, President Chakwera said the visit has been crucial, particularly in engaging potential investors in the field of Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM).
Under the ATM strategy, Malawi prioritizes cooperation and investment in increasing productivity through commercialization and digitization, enhancing value through industrialization and promoting sustainability through climate-smart business practices.
He said to achieve food security, job creation, and wealth creation in the shortest time possible there is need to boost productivity in ATM strategy by bringing several investors.
“I am glad that I came here to represent the Malawi nation. Notable outcomes include discussing with investors, and taking part in the general assembly debate where I emphasized that climate change has heavily affected Malawi leading to food insecurity.
“On this, I said it will be difficult for countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This is where several other leaders complemented meaning that it is a global concern that needs to be addressed,” he said.
He further said that it is important for leaders to find solutions and resilient strategies as far as the effects of climate change are concerned adding that in Malawi over 5.7 million people are currently food insecure as a result of climate change.
He said: “All the meetings I have held with stakeholders and leaders look promising. Interestingly, this is my second time conducting Malawi partners conference on the sidelines of UNGA and the patronage has been very positive. We will continue to woo investors as one way of pushing our development agenda.”
Chakwera, therefore, emphasized the need for Malawi to break free from the shackles of poverty through strategic investments.
President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, commended Chakwera for his leadership saying he deserves some respect in as far as his governance style is concerned.
Tingathe empowers youths with vocational skills training
By Prisca Mashushu
Lilongwe, 3 October, Mana:Tingathe organization has stepped up efforts to empower youths to participate in vocational skill training to ensure they become independent and self-reliant.
Among other things, the organization is equipping the youths in carpentry and journey, tailoring and designing, and entrepreneurship skills.
Communications and Programmes Coordinator Martin Mbewe said the organization thought to introduce the initiative to equip vulnerable youths to gain skills that will enable them to be self-dependent.
“We prioritize those from vulnerable backgrounds who have demonstrated a strong desire for personal and community development. The selection process also ensures gender balance and inclusivity to maximize impact.
“Our vocational training program equips youth in Lilongwe with practical skills like tailoring and fashion design, carpentry and joinery, and leadership and entrepreneurship, enabling them to start businesses or secure employment," said Mbewe.
Mbewe added to say youth from peri-urban areas in Lilongwe face barriers such as limited access to education, information, unemployment, and lack of resources due to poverty which often leads to early marriages, crime, and dependency.
He said the presence of vocational training will help to curb the challenges by giving them something to rely on.
Mbewe said this will not only benefit them as individuals, but the skill development will bail out their poverty struggles and improve their socio-economic status.
One of the beneficiaries of the training, Ronald Gondwe, said many youths face significant challenges due to poverty and limited access to quality education.
He said about 70 percent of youths lack formal training and the presence of the organization has helped youths to learn practical skills like computer and waste management initiatives to enable them to secure jobs or start their businesses.
Gondwe said this has led to greater financial independence and community improvement amongst the youths in Lilongwe.
Teacher arrested for having sexual intercourse with a form one student
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, October 3, Mana. Police at Chimwala in Mangochi District have arrested a 33-year-old teacher, lsaac Mathipa of Chiunda Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old form one student.
Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, said that Mathipa allegedly committed the offence on September 30, 2024, around 2:00 p.m. when he met the victim coming back from her way from her friend's place at Njaidi Village.
The suspect offered the victim a ride on his motorcycle as both were going in the same direction, according to Mangochi Police Station publicist.
“The suspect cruised past the victim's place straight to his house claiming that he wanted to give her some books to study promptly. He took her to his bedroom and forced himself on her.
"After the act, he dropped the victim near her house around 4:00 p.m. Parents questioned the girl for coming home late and this prompted the victim to narrate what happened to her,” added Daudi.
The matter was reported to Chimwala Police Unit where it was referred to Mangochi District Hospital for medical examination.
“Results indicated that she had sex, and this led to the arrest of the teacher on Wednesday, October 2,” Mangochi Police Station Publicist added.
Meanwhile, Mathipa is expected to appear before court to answer charges of; Having sexual intercourse with a minor which contravenes section 138 of the Penal Code.
Mathipa comes from Kalembo Village, Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka District.
Kuchene Women Forum tips women to demand their rights
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, October,3 Mana: Executive Director for Kuchene Women Forum in Nsanje Mary Namalomba has challenged women in the district to demand their social, political and economic rights to ensure they actively contribute to national development.
The Director challenged the women on Wednesday at Nyamadzere Teachers Development Centre at the end of a day-long Women’s Manifest meeting organized by Women Legal Resource Center (WORLEC) and Oxfam Malawi to discuss women’s political aspirations.
Namalomba added that women need to understand their rights and demand their rights and to be heard and explained further that once women's rights are respected, they will positively and actively contribute to Malawi’s socio-economic development.
The meeting provided a platform that allowed women to discuss issues that affect their political aspirations which Kuchene Women Forum said will present to the district authority for actions that should address the challenges that deny them opportunities to fulfill their aspirations.
“This meeting helped women to bring out all issues that affect their political aspirations. The concerns will be presented to those in authority,” added Namalomba.
She said the meeting also helped other women to think of contesting in key political positions in the 2025 tripartite elections.
“The meeting empowered women so much and we want women to understand that they too have potential in political spheres," Kuchene Women Forum Director added.
Nsanje District Council, Chief Administrative Officer, Rotina Mlombwa said the women's meeting was crucial as it will inspire more women to aspire for key elective positions in the 2025 general election
"As a district we are not doing good in terms of women's participation in various interventions for example we only have one female ward councilor out of 10. We have two women parliamentarians out of five,” she added.
Mlombwa therefore applauded WOLREC and Oxfarm Malawi for organizing the meeting and expressed hope that the meeting will produce good results in women's participation in governance structures
The Women's Manifesto in Malawi is a collective agenda and advocacy document created by Malawian women to highlight their key demands and priorities related to gender equality, women’s rights, and political participation.
The Women’s Manifesto reflects women's vision for social, economic, and political reforms aimed at promoting gender equality.
MAIIC renovates and donates health items to Bwaila Hospital
By Martha Simchimba
Lilongwe, October 3, Mana: Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC), has renovated three under-five clinic rooms at Bwaila district hospital.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the facility on Wednesday at Bwaila, Deputy Mayor for Lilongwe City Ruth Chingwalu Njirayafa thanked MAIIC for taking up the initiative of renovating the hospital, which she said, was not conducive for under-five services.
"It is an honour to stand before you as we officially hand over the renovated and refurbished under-five outpatient clinic at Bwaila Hospital and this moment marks a significant milestone in the collective effort to improve health care services for the youngest members of the community," she said.
She added that children are future leaders and their health is the most valuable asset saying the improved clinic will ensure that children have access to quality medical care in a clean, modern, and well-equipped environment.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer for MAIIC Lloyd Banda said issues of good quality health delivery services in the country need a collaborated effort, hence the initiative.
"MAIIC as a company that is operating in Malawi, has the responsibility of supporting the community that we are working in. We asked the hospital about their need and they told us that the under-five clinic was in a dilapidated state, so we decided to come in,” he said.
Director of Health for Lilongwe district council Dr. Wilson Ching'ani expressed his gratitude to MAIIC for renovating three under-five clinic rooms which were in bad shape.
"The renovation of this facility means that we will be able to provide primary and secondary care to all the children seeking health services here.
Apart from renovating the three rooms, MAIIC has also donated furniture such as chairs, office desks, beds, mattresses, drip stands and drug storage equipment to the tune of K10 million.
Bwaila Hospital has a catchment area of 38,000 children and per day 500 to 600 children seek medical services from the facility.
Chitipa United assistant coach dies
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 3, Mana: Assistant Coach for Chitipa United Football Club, Gift Mkamanga died suddenly on Thursday during a CAF B Coaching Course in Blantyre.
In an interview, Chitipa United FC General Secretary, Watson Kabaghe confirmed the death of Mkamanga who until his death was assisting Chitipa United Coach, Christopher Nyambose.
He said the club has lost a dedicated Assistant Coach who led the team from SIMSO Northern Region league to promotion into the elite TNM Super League.
“It is with profound sadness that we inform the football fraternity of the sudden passing of our beloved assistant coach, Gift Nathaniel Mkamanga, who tragically collapsed this morning at an ongoing CAF B Coaching Course at Chiwembe in Blantyre,” Kabaghe added.
He said that Mkamanga’s body is currently at the College of Medicine for a postmortem, adding that further details would be shared in due course.
Chitipa District Sports Officer, Rowland Harawa, has described the death of Mkamanga as a blow to the football fraternity in Chitipa and the country as a whole.
“Mkamanga was a great coach who promoted football in Chitipa district by nurturing young talent,” he said.
Gwengwe tours Pharmavova Malawi Limited in Blantyre
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, October 3, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe on Thursday toured pharmaceuticals, Pharmavova Malawi Limited in Blantyre where he said government is committed to support local manufacturers amidst economic situations where only a few pharmaceutical companies are remaining.
Gwengwe said for government to move forward, there is a need to pay more attention to local manufacturers in line with the Malawi Vision 2063 agenda.
“We should stop thinking that Malawi needs to be importing Aspirin or Panado. We need to build our pharmaceutical industry so that once we capacitate it with the local market it should grow big,
“One day we should be talking of Malawi producing a vaccine for viruses and in this regard, we cannot ignore the pharmaceutical industry,” he added.
The Minister said government, medical stores and other stakeholders need to work together to ensure that the Buy Malawi Strategy (MBS) becomes a reality and doing so could encourage local medicine producers to do more and satisfy the market.
“We have the Buy Malawi Strategy and within it, there is also the Buy Malawi Pharmaceutical chapter and there is a whole section that deals with how to procure locally.
“We used to have six vibrant producers in this sector but we are now remaining with two or three medicine producers,” he added.
He therefore called on government institutions to look into ways of promoting the pharmaceutical industry in line with development aspirations outlined in the Malawi Vision 2063.
“We really should pay attention because we do not want a situation where we have nobody producing even aspirin in a country of 20 plus million Malawians. This will not be a good situation for our country,” Gwengwe said.
Pharmanova Malawi Limited, Quality Assurance Manager, Tawanda Musasa said is impressed with government’s commitment towards local pharmaceuticals, adding that local manufacturers look forward to the government’s support.
He said government support in the pharmaceutical industry will help to create more job opportunities as the industry grows.
" We can produce 4.4 billion tablets, 207 million capsules, 27 million sachets of dry powder, 11 million units of liquid orals for non-beta lactam products,’ he added.
Musasa said Pharmavova Malawi Limited can do more to satisfy the market.
Communities intensify land restorations interventions
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, October 3, Mana: Communities in Mzimba are hoping for a better agricultural season in the 2024/2025 farming season as they have intensified works to restore degraded lands through the enhanced public works interventions taking place in 19 catchment areas of the district.
A farmer, Grace Nyirenda from Msipazi Catchment Area in Traditional Authority (TA) Kampingo Sibande said land degradation has made her realise low yields in recent years.
‘‘The major problem was run off water but we have created swales in the gardens and contour ridges. We hope this will help hold both water and soil’’, she said.
Another farmer, Laston Nkunika from the same area said soil erosion was a challenge in the area, leading to loss of soil fertility.
‘‘Last growing season we planted vetiva grass. We also planted trees as part of reclaiming back the land. In addition to that, we have been working on gullies; patching them up and also creating trenches. We hope this will do the trick and enable us harvest more in the coming year,’’ he said.
M’mbelwa District Council Land Resources Conservation and Desk Officer for the Programme, Olive Nyalira said enrolled farmers and community members are coming out to take part in the works that aim at restoring fertility to the lands through climate-smart interventions.
‘‘The second phase started over three weeks ago and is progressing well. We are delighted that farmers have also contributed to the community works that precede the paid work interventions. This is phase two of the program and all is on track,’’ she said.
The Community members are participating in making stone bands and contour ridges, digging deep trenches, installing check dams, and making swales to control runoff.
According to one of the extension workers for Msipazi Catchment Area in TA Kampingo Sibande, Joseph Chawinga, community members have embraced the public works program as a means of solving perennial problems of land degradation.
He cited poor crop yields registered by the farmers due to runoff water which erodes soil fertility as some of the problems the programme is trying to solve.
‘‘For the farmers that know the consequences of runoff water, they know the importance of coming to take part in these works. Since we started these works have been overwhelming and by the end of 24 working days a lot will be done,’’ Chawinga said.
Assistant Extension Development Officer for Vibangalala Extension Planning Area (EPA) which oversees Chiputa catchment in TA Mzukuzuku Kennedy Malumbi expressed hope that farmers would have improved crop yields.
Over 12 000 people are taking part in the climate-smart interventions funded by the World Bank and multi-donor trust fund.
The programme is under the social support for resilient livelihood projects.
Dwasco Sacco commissions office building
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, October 3, Mana: Dwasco Savings and Credit Cooperative (Sacco) has emerged as one of the top 10 best-performing Saccos in the country, according to the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (MUSCCO).
MUSCCO Executive Director, Ezekiel Thindwa said this in Dwangwa on Wednesday when Dwasco Sacco commissioned their Newly built Main Office at the Dwangwa Illovo Estate.
“Dwasco Sacco’s success can be attributed to its robust governance and effective management of the Sacco because good governance and management discipline are what propel organizations to the top in this business,” he said.
Thindwa added that Dwasco Sacco continues to thrive well in the business adding that owning assets like the office building is a sign of positive growth for the Sacco.
Dwasco Sacco's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abel Musopole expressed optimism about the expansion of their Sacco saying they were exploring new markets and increasing the presence of the Sacco in other districts.
“We have extended reach and opened offices in Salima, as well as Nkhatabay, and have invested K130 million Kwacha in our main office building here at dwangwa to make sure our money is safe and we intend to grow our presence in the industry,” he said.
Managing Director of Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc, Lekani Katandula encouraged individuals to join thriving Saccos like Dwasco noting that Supporting well-performing Saccos contributes to countyr’s economic growth.
