MANAonline
Stakeholders agree to protect Zomba and Malosa forest reserves
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, September 19, Mana: Different stakeholders in Zomba have agreed to take a decisive step towards protecting Zomba and Malosa forest reserves which are under threat from encroachment.
The two forest reserves are being encroached as well as being attacked through charcoal production and illegal harvesting.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting held at Malosa in Zomba, Assistant Forestry Manager for the Eastern Region, Blandina Manda said the rate at which people are encroaching on the two forest reserves and illegally harvesting pine trees posed a big threat to the district and the country at large.
Manda said despite efforts by the forestry department, the problem continues to grow and getting out of hand.
“People no longer worry about the effects of depleting the two forest reserves. However, our concern is that, due to climate change, we might face another calamity like that of Mulanje,” she said.
Manda, therefore, appealed for concerted efforts to arrest the problem.
First Grade Magistrate for Domasi Court, Eric Mchosa promised to give stiffer punishment to charcoal producers and everyone involved in the illegal harvesting of the forestry products in the two reserves.
Mchosa said having given a fine to some offenders, the practice continues and change seems inevitable.
“I am concerned as well and let me promise that from now onwards, I will not give lenient punishment,” Mchosa said.
On his part, Senior Chief Malemia pledged to deal with chiefs who are allowing people to settle in illegal and reserved places.
He said he would use his authority to evict all those who are farming and settling in reserved places.
“It is about time that we protected the two forest reserves,” he added.
During the meeting, stakeholders agreed to also work with cooperatives managing the forest and collectively deal with charcoal producers, encroachers and illegal forest timber producers.
Money-Men Club to host feasts of Flavours Food Festival
By Vida Msiyo
Blantyre, September 19, Mana: Money-Men Club in Blantyre is set to welcome the Feasts of Flavours Food Festival, an exciting event designed to celebrate food, culture and community.
The festival is scheduled to take place on September 21, 2024.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Co-organizer, Wilbes Kalima, said the festival aims to provide a unique platform for local vendors and entrepreneurs while creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
“This festival will feature a variety of local and international cuisines, live cooking demonstrations and vendor exhibitions, we also have live music performances and activities for children, along with photo booths and themed entertainment,” he said.
Kalima added that the festival promises a full day of engaging activities and culinary experiences, saying attendees should look forward to exploring a rich array of food options, enjoying live performances and participating in family-friendly activities.
“The event is designed not only to entertain but also to support local businesses and celebrate Malawi’s cultural heritage, festival-goers will have the opportunity to interact with local vendors and learn more about their products.
“The festival’s layout will ensure easy access to various attractions with clear signposts and accessible facilities,” he said.
One of the performers, Oath Chimphambano will be performing an acoustic set during the event.
“I have been preparing a great line-up of songs with my guitarist, attendees can expect a fantastic performance that will match the vibrant atmosphere of the festival,” Chimphambano said.
Entry fees are set at K4 000 for adults, K2 000 for children while kids under the age of three will walk in freely.
All set for MISA Fundraising Fun Run
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, September 19, Mana: in a significant way to raise awareness for the coming General Elections, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has organised a fundraising Fun Run on September 23 in Lilongwe.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Chairperson for MISA Malawi Golden Matonga said the aim of having the Fun Run is to promote peaceful coexistence between people of different political backgrounds.
“The public should know that as much as we can have different political opinions we are all Malawians and elections should not divide us,” said Matonga.
He added that, as MISA Malawi they hope that the election will be conducted in a free and fair.
“This Fun Run will mark the launch of the Chapter’s activities on elections that is why we have opened it to all politicians, journalists, communications and public relations practitioners, electoral stakeholders and ordinary citizens/voters so that we can come together and work for better elections,” he said.
Matonga further added that, MISA Malawi is currently constructing a training centre and through the Fun Run they want to raise funds to go towards the completion of the centre.
“We aim to raise K30 million so that it can help us to complete the training centre at Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe,” he stated.
Minister of Lands Deus Gumba who is scheduled to be part of the event said, the Fun Run is important as it will help to disseminate information about the general election to the politicians and all citizens of the country.
“As we know media is the fourth arm of government and it plays a vital role in giving information, so coming in of this event it will help us as politicians from different parties to come together to ensure that the elections should be free and fair,” said Gumba.
The fun run will be held under the theme “Support media freedom: Claim your right to free speech and make the 2025 Elections free, fair and citizen-centred.
Umunthu drills Officers on Disaster Stores Management
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, September 19, Mana: Umunthu Plus, a non-governmental organization has conducted training on Strengthening the capacity of council officers and other stakeholders on store management of relief items, in preparation for emergency disasters in Nkhotakota District.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency on Wednesday after a three-day session, Umunthu Plus Organization Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Lumbani Mvula explained that they aim to impart skills and knowledge to officers at the district level so that they should be aware and know how to handle items properly when disaster strikes.
Mvula added that they will also conduct the same training in Nkhatabay and Karonga and have mainly targeted front-line officers from the secretariat council.
He said this has been done because they are the ones who are greatly involved in handling stores and distribution of items when an emergency comes.
“These officers at the council are more like the first responders to disaster scenarios and as such it is of utmost importance that they have proper technical knowledge of important aspects of stores and items management for smooth operations of relief materials,” said Mvula.
District Disaster and Risk Management Officer for Nkhotakota district George Zibophe said such training is important and is coming at the right time hence it is important to have members well equipped for smooth responses.
Umunthu Plus conducted the training with financial and technical support from the World Food Programme.
Feeding programme keeps learners in school
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, September 19, Mana: Quality Assurance Officer for Chankhanga Education Zone in Kasungu District, Kelvin Chima says school feeding programmes are crucial in ensuring high school enrollment and class attendance in the face of food insecurity amongst some households in rural communities.
Chima said this on Wednesday when Mary's Meals launched a school feeding programme at Kadula Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Mwase in Kasungu.
"I am glad that the feeding programme in Chankhanga Zone has been extended to Kadula and four other primary schools. This initiative is vital to schools like this one in that, some of the learners here come from poor families that cannot provide food for their children.
"We are aware that most learners prefer going far away schools that have feeding programme leaving behind schools that are close to them but do not have the programme," Chima said.
He appealed to the community members in the area to show ownership of the initiative by taking good care of the stuff that Mary's Meals brought and participating in the programme activities.
Group Village Head Chinkhobwe expressed excitement with the commencement of the programme at the school, describing it as a step towards achieving good education outcomes on the part of learners.
"We have been looking for a programme like this one at our school. We expect learners to perform to their best now that they will no longer complain about being hungry while in class," he said.
School Feeding Manager for Mary's Meals (Malawi), Jacob Khumalo said his organization is expanding the programme by adopting more schools to reach out to more learners.
"Currently in Malawi, we are reaching out to over 1 million learners but our aim for the expansion is to reach out to 1.4 million.
"In Kasungu we had 16 schools but now we have added six more. We aim to end hunger and promote education, especially in lower classes in primary schools," Khumalo said.
The school feeding programme by Mary's Meals in Malawi started in 2002 with 200 learners.
Minister impressed with progress of Lilongwe-Salima Water Project
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, September 19, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, on Wednesday, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on Salima-Lilongwe Water project.
Mia made the remarks after touring Khato Civils Water Treatment Plant in Lifuwu in Salima, along with the project sites, to inspect and appreciate the commencement and progress of the project.
She said the project has started on a high note and soon, the public will witness significant progress.
Mia however acknowledged that the project has faced challenges, particularly supply chain disruptions that contributed to the delays over the years.
"The project will improve water supply to the people of Salima, Dowa and Lilongwe. It is a huge milestone in solving water challenges." She said.
Mia pointed out that fast tracking the project will ensure that beneficiaries should start enjoying the fruits of the project without further delays.
Chief Executive Officer for Salima-Lilongwe Water Project Valentine Kaupa echoed Mia sentiments saying the project is making headway because all the machinery needed for the smooth execution is on site.
"Specialized machinery designed specifically for the water project is being used this shows our commitment to the level of precision and innovation being employed to ensure efficient delivery of the work," he said.
Member of Parliament for Salima Central Constituency, Gerald Kapiseni Phiri said he is happy that the project has commenced, saying it has a huge economic impact on local communities.
"The start of this project will bring various employment opportunities to the people, and I urge Khato Civils to prioritize hiring locals to ensure they are among the first to benefit from this development," Phiri said.
The project is being implemented by Khato Civils and has been pegged at over 500 billion Malawi Kwacha (USD 315,000,000).
30 percent of the amount will be funded by the government of Malawi and 70 percent by private institutions.
MV Chambo to resume services on Lake Malawi
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, September 19, Mana: Public Relations Officer for Ministry of Transport Watson Maingo says MV Chambo will soon resume its services on Lake Malawi.
In an interview Wednesday, Maingo said MV Chambo which is a Mozambican registered vessel is expected to resume its services on September 26, 2024, to reduce water transport challenges being encountered on the Lake.
"The resumption of this service will ease passenger congestion on the Likoma Island - Nkhata Bay stretch. Malawi stand to benefit as most of the traffic is from the Malawi side but we do not have enough fleet to service the traffic," said Maingo.
He said MV Chambo used to provide passenger service sailing on the lake but stopped in 2019 due to Covid 19 when the country borders were closed adding that since its launch in 2013, the vessel was being operated by Malawi Shipping Company.
Area Development Committee Chairperson for Likoma North, Frank Mkali said the coming in of MV Chambo will be a relief to the passengers as it will reduce congestion and other problems being faced on the lake.
“It is pathetic that other people are unable to walk properly because they were injured in the process of boarding the ship due to congestion and others have been losing their goods,” said Mkali.
He added that some people have been rejecting offers to work in Likoma due to the challenges encountered on the water, the situation he said has been affecting the workforce on the island.
Recently there have been an outcry from various stakeholders asking government to intervene by adding additional vessels on Lake Malawi hence reducing water transport challenges.
Mchinji gears up for continuous public works programme
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, September 19, Mana: As the Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) transitions into a continuous mode of implementation, participants have geared up for the implementation by doing community contribution activities.
Initially, CSEPWP was implemented in a partially planned three cycles of 24 days with breaks in between but now councils will continuously implement four phases of 30 days adding to 120 days.
A visit to some of the 25 catchments in the district, on Wednesday, revealed that participants have done community contribution activities which is a requirement in the programme before they work on the 30 paid days.
According to the designated Desk Officer for Katchato Catchment, Kephas Chakhumbula, people were enthusiastic to do the self-development works for free before starting paid activities under the programme.
“There are several activities under community contribution like road maintenance and rehabilitation and tree nursery establishment that they are doing here,” said Chakhumbula.
As part of community contribution, the participants can do road maintenance and rehabilitation, establish nurseries for tree or vetiver grass, and also make manure.
Mchinji CSEPWP Desk Officer Rhoda Njikho said CSEPWP has progressed well in the district with the catchments’ community contribution works being implemented.
“The participants worked for 10 days as community contribution and this will be preceded by paid 30 days.
“Participants will prioritise on construction of soil, water harvesting structures and tree planting during the continuous implementation of CSEPWP,” Njikho said.
CSEPWP is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP Tidzidalire) a government programme implemented through NLGFC and supported by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
Local musician inspires and entertains Karonga prison inmates
By Felix Katemula
Karonga, September 19, Mana: Youths in Karonga led by Matthews Munyangu Banda, a musician known by the stage name Mtemi Blue Nyt on Wednesday brought entertainment, joy, counselling and inspirational messages to inmates at Karonga Prison.
Mtemi Blue Nyt, who is one of the upcoming musicians based in the district said that inmates should not be deprived of entertainment and psychological counselling considering the place they live in.
“We have brought the message of togetherness, hope and inspiration to our brothers here in prison, they don’t have time to celebrate life the way people out there do. As a musician I am happy to have come here and be with them in this special way today,” said Nyt.
Counselling Psychologist at Karonga District Hospital, Joy Mkandawire who was part of the team that took part in the activity said most times inmates suffer from psychological disorders due to many factors that they go through while in prison.
“Most inmates think the world is collapsing on them and they become hopeless. Our coming here has brought an opportunity to our brothers who cannot access psychological counselling in most cases,” he said.
Station Public Relations Officer for Karonga Prison, Samson Chavunguma commended the youth saying most people just bring items to the prison.
“You have bought items for them and you have also brought the aspect of psychological counselling which we believe will go a long way in preparing our inmates emotionally as they prepare to integrate with the communities they were coming from,” he said.
The function was spiced up by musical performances by Mtemi Blue Nyt and other artists including motivation speeches.
SEC hails Dedza Police on crime prevention
By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, September 19, Mana: Dedza Station Executive Committee (SEC) Chairperson Peter Msukwa has hailed Dedza Police for reducing crime rates by 12 percent in 2024 saying its sharing boundaries with Mozambique comes with complications of cross-border crimes.
He said this on Wednesday following a SEC meeting which brought together police officers, community policing members as well as traditional and faith leaders to intensify crime prevention measures in the district.
Msukwa observed attributes such as strategic planning, coordination and community engagement among those that have helped the police to counter theft, child trafficking and other crimes.
"A bigger portion of the district shares boundaries with Mozambique. Police deal with crimes that can be influenced and delicate because of these boundaries. News of reduced crime is therefore worth celebrating,” he said.
Officer-In-Charge for Dedza Police Station Dr. Gift Chiundira said effective crime prevention, trust and public safety are possible because of a good working relationship between police and communities.
He hailed Senior Chief Chilikumwedo who mobilized money through a football bonanza in consultation with the District Commissioner’s office to buy two motorbikes to assist mobility in crime prevention.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Chilikumwendo said leaders have a task to identify problems faced by communities and find solutions.
Meanwhile, people in the district have commended increased police visibility at the Boma and enforcement of the speed limit along the M1 Road using speed traps.
SEC is composed of district police station officer in charge, chiefs, faith leaders and local people to ensure quality provision of security in a district.
