MANAonline
Wanderers progress through penalties
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, September 29, Mana: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have progressed into the semifinals of Airtel Top 8 Cup after defeating Bangwe All Stars 4-2 on post-match penalties after the game ended 1-0 in favor of Bangwe All Stars in regulation time making it 1-1 on aggregate.
The game played on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre promised to be a tough contest from the first whistle as both teams played a very physical game and the first half ended goalless.
At half time both teams made changes with the hope of finding the back of the net such that in their attempt to outshine each other, Wanderers brought in Wallace Adam and Thierry Tanjong Sama replacing Misheck Botomani and Gaddi Chirwa while Bangwe introduced Felix Dumakude in place of Lyton Chinong’one.
The host who looked a changed side in the second half, found their goal and the only one of the game in the 55th minute through Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer who headed in Richard Lapson’s free kick making it 1-0 on the day.
With both teams searching for a goal to avoid going into post-match penalties it was Wanderers who came the closest to scoring in added time when their left back, Timothy Silwimba produced a powerful shot but Bangwe All Stars goalkeeper, Elias Missi responded with a fantastic save and the game went into post match penalties.
Wanderers goalkeeper, William Thole was the hero of the day as he denied Bamgwe side two penalties and scored one himself to help his team reach the next stage of the competition.
The nomads scored their penalties through Isaac Kaliati, Wisdom Mpinganjira, William Thole and Thierry Tanjong Sama while for Bangwe’s Innocent Msowoya and Clever Chikwata scored while Felix Dumakude and Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer saw their spot kicks saved by nomad’s goalkeeper.
After the game Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Head Coach, Meck Mwase, praised his charges for reaching another stage.
“We congratulate the boys for working very hard, we are happy that we have progressed to the semifinals,” he said.
On his part, Bangwe All-Stars Head Coach, Trevor Kajawa, accepted the defeat saying that penalties can go either way.
“It was like we won in 90 minutes and it come into penalties which is rotary and luck was not on our side so we have to congratulate Wanderers for winning the game,” he said.
Wanderers will face the winner of the semifinal game between Silver Strikers and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos.
Community hail rehabilitation of health facility
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, September 29, Mana: Communities around Nalunga, Traditional Authority (TA) Chiwere in Dowa have hailed the rehabilitation of Nalunga Health Centre saying it will improve health service delivery in the area.
In an interview, Lines Faidon from Mawende Village, TA Chiwere said the old, small and worn-out structures challenged service delivery to the people.
"It was a challenge because the structure was not safe as it was too old. There was congestion as the number of service seekers was high compared to the capacity of the facility.
"Also to admit patients, and even expectant women, was a problem. As such some people used to travel to other facilities which was also expensive and time-consuming," she said.
However, she said the construction of the new structures has improved health service delivery.
"A lot of people can now easily access medical help when needed. We also expect to have enough health workers, drugs and equipment. This means a healthier community which can effectively engage in socio-economic activities," she said.
Through the Health Rehabilitation Fund, Dowa District Council has also constructed a new under-five clinic, out patient department and a modern maternity wing to replace the old structures at the hospital.
The maternity unit, amongst other facilities, has a delivery room, examination rooms, reception, offices, waiting room, drug store, sanitary facilities and also prenatal and postnatal services.
Chikondi Hamadi of Gooke Village said the new maternity wing will enable expectant women to access maternal services within their localities.
"On the other hand, the under-five clinic will also enable children to have their own separate section where they can effectively be helped by health workers," she said.
Carolyn Ignatious Maida, nurse and midwife technician at the hospital said the facility serves around 22,667 people.
"This is a considerably big number. We are happy that we now have these new structures which have improved our work.
"We also believe, once the new maternity facility is operational, expectant women will have the best services they can because it will have almost all essential equipment," she said.
Senior Group Mafika commended government, through the district council, for what he described as a significant development in his area which he said will help save lives and also foster development.
CBEs urged to encourage more people to vote
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, September 29, Mana: Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has asked its Community Based Educators (CBEs) to help deliver accurate information to citizens of Malawi to reduce voter apathy during 2025 general elections.
CHRR District Coordinator, Smith Movete, said this Friday during a one-day training workshop for CBEs in the district to sensitize them on the forth coming general elections.
Movete said if the CBEs have accurate information about the forthcoming general elections, they will be able to encourage people to participate in the electoral process.
"If eligible citizens have been well encouraged with accurate information concerning 2025 general elections, more people will be able to register and vote as a result voter apathy will be reduced," said Movete.
Movete added that CHRR expects CBEs to deliver what they have learnt during the training so that people should register and vote in large number without being hindered because of misinformation.
"We also expect more aspirants to take part in all the electoral processes in which they deserve to participate as citizens.
"When citizens are well aware of what to do and are patriotic, it helps to promote democracy, good governance as well as human rights. This results in more developments in the country," Movete said.
One of the CBE from Mweneuluma Village in Senior Chief Mwenewenya, Bridget Nyondo, thanked CHRR for conducting the training which, she said, has equipped them with appropriate information concerning elections.
Nyondo said the training has helped them gain skills and knowledge about the 2025 general elections as some electoral laws have changed.
REFRESH hands over vehicles, office equipment
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, September 27, Mana: Director of Fisheries, Dr Hastings Zidana, has emphasized the significance of Refresh Project, stating that it is closely aligned with the department’s strategic plan known as the Chambo Restoration Plan.
Addressing attendees during the handover ceremony on Friday at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Zidana said due to the diminishing fish stock in Lake Malawi, the Department strategically identified key fish species for focused management, particularly those of economic importance.
“We have meticulously developed the Chambo Restoration Plan, and in our quest for support we engaged the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which subsequently initiated the project aimed at rejuvenating our fisheries resources,” he articulated.
Zidana disclosed that the equipment received is valued at US$190,000, constituting a fraction of the overall project cost of US$18 million.
The Department has committed US$190,000 towards procurement of the necessary equipment, which has been instrumental in its operations over the past four years.
Refresh Project Chief of Party, Dr Daniel Jimu, lauded the past five years as remarkably fruitful, underscoring the strong partnership and collaboration with the Department of Fisheries.
He underscored that the project, a bilateral agreement between the United States government and Malawi government, was designed to address critical issues within the fisheries sector to bolster economic prosperity, food security and the livelihoods of Malawians.
Migration of parents to SA affecting education in Mzimba
By Lommah Jelome
Mzimba, September 28, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Jalavikuba says migration of parents to South Africa (SA) is affecting education in Mzimba district by increasing school dropout rate in the district.
TA Jalavikuba said this Friday during commemoration of Day of the African Child at Eswazini in TA Kampingo Sibande in the district.
He said migration of parents to South Africa is also leading to a decline in moral values due to lack of parental care.
“Parents play a significant role in the academic journey of their children. They also play a key role in encouraging positive attitude towards education of their children and this has become a challenge since many parents are far away”, Jalavikuba said.
District Social Welfare Officer for Mzimba South, Benard Nangwale, said migration is a big issue in Mzimba and has lead into poor parenting that has resulted in other social problems in the district.
“It has resulted into juvenile delinquency, child marriages, school dropout and teenage pregnancies because children lack care,” Nangwale said.
Director of Education and Sports for Mzimba South, Bridget Nungu, expressed concerned with the increase in school dropout rate.
The day was commemorated under the theme ‘Promoting Quality and Inclusive Education’.
Karonga registers three new Cholera cases
By Mary Sichali
Karonga, September 28, Mana: Karonga District Health Office (DHO) has registered three new Cholera cases a week after reporting a single case from Mlare in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.
In an interview Friday, Karonga DHO Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Officer, Raymond Jereni, said the three confirmed cases have been registered in Mwamunyira and Mwamasapa villages in the district.
"Through our case tracing mechanisms we have established that one of the patients started exhibiting Cholera signs after travelling to one of Cholera prone areas in Tanzania," said Jereni.
He added that another risky factor for the outbreak is consumption of contaminated water from Rukuru River along which the two villages are.
"The patients are currently receiving treatment at the Cholera Treatment Unit at Karonga District Hospital.
“We have intensified case investigation and patients’ contact tracing, house to house water chlorination and community engagement and sensitization on how to curb the outbreak,” said Jereni.
He said the office has partnered with Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Momentum Tikweze Umoyo Project in implementing the district’s Cholera Intervention Plan.
MRCS Project Officer for Karonga, Ruth Jere, said the organization is supporting the DHO in tracing cholera suspects and providing cholera supplies in all health facilities around the affected areas.
"We have also deployed volunteers who are supporting health surveillance assistants in a mass Cholera vaccination and raising community awareness on the outbreak,” Jere said.
Currently Karonga District has eight cumulative confirmed cases of cholera.
Don't politicize distribution of relief items-DODMA
By George Mponda
Karonga, September 28, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has warned politicians to stop allocating beneficiaries of mobilised resources for the implementation of recovery and resilience after a disaster or any related emergency along political party lines.
DoDMA Chief Disaster Resilience Officer, Sam Gama, issued the warning Friday in Karonga during an orientation of council members on the Disaster Risk Management Act which was organised by the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi.
Gama said: "Councillors and Members of Parliament have a mandate so that people in their wards and constituencies receive adequate and quality national services such as security, electricity and relief in major disasters.
"According to section 50 of the Disaster Risk Management Act, anyone found guilty of deploying equipment being used in search and rescue operations or provision of relief assistance to other tasks shall, upon conviction, be liable to a fine of K10,000,000 and imprisonment for three years."
Karonga District Council Chairperson, Bellium Msukwa, said there is need for proper coordination between politicians and the council secretariat when responding to disasters.
"Politicians should not interfere in the distribution of relief items but instead, we should act as watchdogs to ensure those who are affected by disasters are benefitting from the resources mobilised despite their political affiliation," Msukwa said.
Paramount Chief Kyungu said eversince Malawi became a democratic nation in 1994, alot of politicians became very corrupt and are derailing development.
"We have tolerated corruption for too long and in the process government has lost alot of money. We need to stop being selfish and change our mindset inorder to develop our districts," Kyungu said.
BICO campaigns for children eye health
By Ivy Yohane
Blantyre, September 28 Mana: Blantyre Institute for Community Outreach (BICO) is making strides in promoting eye health among learners in Blantyre through a campaign under the theme; Children, Love Your Eyes.
BICO Optometrist, Hendrine Nyondo, said on Friday during the campaign at Catholic Institute (CI) Primary School that children need to be taught ways of caring eyes and sign and symptoms of eye infection.
“Itching of eyes, white or yellow sticky discharges, difficulties to see at a distance, difficulties with near vision and headaches during the day are some of the signs that your eyes have been affected.
“Washing your eyes will help to reduce itching in the eyes. You should be more hygienic so that you can avoid eye diseases. For those who have difficulties to see at a distance and difficulties with near vision l advise you to visit a doctor so that you can be given glasses,” she advised the learners.
In line with the theme, BICO is selling glasses to children at a reduced price of 50 percent discount.
CI Primary School teacher, Angella Kachoka, said most parents have no time to know their children’s eyes to detect problems associated with eyes.
“It is very important for organizations like BICO to teach children how to take care of their eyes, as many of them do not have information about health and eye care,” she said.
Apart from CI, BICO had already held mobile eye talks to school such as Blantyre Girls and Zingwangwa.
Govt pushes for local content on Chinese StarTimes satellite TV project
By Kondwani Magombo
Lilongwe, September 28, Mana: Malawi Government has asked Chinese company, StarTimes Media to consider inclusion of local channels for viewers in the country's rural areas to have access to local programs, in addition to foreign content provided under the project.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Ministry of Information and Digitalization, Baldwin Chiyamwaka, made the call in Lilongwe on Friday when he received equipment for Phase II of the ChinaAid's Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages, and officially opened the project.
Chiyamwaka hailed StarTimes Media for the project which will see 200 villages across the country access satellite TV and have their knowledge broadened regarding what is happening around the world.
However, the PS said much as the foreign content is necessary for the viewers to appreciate the broader picture of the world, local content on the service provider’s list of programs would allow Malawians have a wider spectrum of events happening across the globe.
“So, just like we now have some channels on DSTV, we would like, also, to have local channels like Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Zodiac Broadcasting Services (ZBS), Times, and other channels on Start Times – and that's the agreement,” he said.
The PS described the Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages as an enabling tool for Access to Information, one of the legislative provision that government is advancing to ensure transparency and accountability between duty bearers and the citizenry.
“It's a very, very good source of information for people in the rural areas: We're expecting them to follow current affairs, apart from education and entertainment,” said Chiyamwaka.
He also asked the Chinese company to consider increasing the number of villages to benefit from the second phase of the project so that as many Malawians as possible should access the satellite TV services and be connected to the world.
StarTimes Media Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Pan, said his company would consider the PS’s appeal and that the requested local TV channels will be included on the ‘free-to-air’ list.
On the need to increase the number of villages to benefit from the project, the CEO said the proposal “is under talks” and he hoped for the better.
“We’re in talks with officials from the Chinese government, through the Chinese Embassy, and for me, I believe that we might have some updates on this point,” said Pan.
The second phase is building on the first phase that saw successful installation of the satellite TV sets in 500 villages across the country in 2019.
By the end of this year, StarTimes Media is expected to have installed 4,000 digital decoders, 400 solar projection satellite TV systems, and 200 digital TVs for free in public institutions and households under the second phase of the project.
Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages project is a ChinaAid initiative that was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015, and Malawi is among the countries benefiting from the project.
Social Media tinkles Namadingo
By Albert Mulizakamba
Balaka, September 28, Mana: Renowned Malawian musician Patience Namadingo has announced via social media that he will only perform at one final live show in 2025.
Recently, Namadingo posted that he would dedicate the entire year of 2025 to practice for this singular event and the poster for the performance would be released on October 25, 2024, saying: “This will be my last performance”
Following this development, many fans have stirred their emotions including those in the music industry fear the end of an era for the celebrated artist.
Evanz Musiq, a prominent Malawian artist, Evanz Musiq told Malawi News Agency (Mana) in Blantyre Friday of the importance of discerning the truth behind social media posts.
He noted that Namadingo made many promises in the past, some of which were not fulfilled, such as a planned performance in two Malawian cities that never happened.
Therefore, he advised not to take everything Namadingo says seriously and suggested waiting to see if his latest announcement is true.
Meanwhile, some of Namadingo’s fans have expressed their gratitude for the joy and inspiration his music brought into their lives.
One of his top fans, Fortune Singini from Blantyre said, “As a top fan, I am not happy with the announcement, and I hope that other fans are also not happy and Namadingo's post is just a stunt.”
Patience Namadingo, born on May 28, 1989, in Kapalamula Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Nsamala in Balaka District, begun his musical journey at a young age.
He released his debut album, Goseni in 2007, but it was his second album, Tili ndi Yesu, in 2010 that catapulted him to fame with the hit song, Mtendere.
As fans eagerly await the final performance, the music industry reflects on Namadingo’s contributions and the legacy he will leave behind.
