MANAonline
Project transforms lives of people with disabilities
By Dalitso Kampira
Thyolo, September 17, Mana: Disability Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Willards Muwawa has said the Sparkling Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation (SPARK) project has significantly improved the lives of people with disabilities in Thyolo District.
He disclosed this on Monday during the project's exit meeting with the District Executive Committee (DEC).
“The project’s main objective was to ensure that all International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-funded projects are inclusive of people with disabilities. It assessed whether people with disabilities were participating in development activities across the district,” Muwawa said.
She added that the SPARK project had made remarkable strides, ensuring that many individuals with disabilities are now actively engaged in district projects.
“The initiative targeted over 400 beneficiaries across nine traditional authorities, including Nchiramwera, Khwethemule and Chimaliro.
“Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has ensured that individuals with disabilities are actively included in various development projects across the district,” he said.
Assistant Social Welfare Officer for Thyolo District, Catherine Kalata expressed gratitude for the project’s positive impact.
“Initially, people with disabilities were often sidelined in community projects. However, the SPARK project has brought about a significant change and these individuals are now making a meaningful impact in their communities,” she said.
Kalata encouraged local leaders and community members to continue supporting the participation of people with disabilities, emphasizing that: “disability is not inability.”
He urged everyone to create opportunities for people with disabilities for them to thrive in all aspects of life.
Funded by IFAD, the SPARK project has been rolled out in four districts in Malawi including Chitipa, Nkhata Bay, Kasungu and Thyolo with the goal of promoting disability-inclusive development.
MEC committed to free, fair and credible elections
By Salome Gangire
Neno, September 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible general elections scheduled for September 2025.
Speaking on Monday during a briefing to the District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST), Multi-Party Liaison Committee and media on the pilot voter registration, MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja emphasized that MEC would operate strictly within its legal framework.
She pointed out that the commission would follow electoral laws and regulations to ensure the integrity of the election process.
“We will engage stakeholders to ensure that all our processes are transparent. This will help stakeholders understand what is happening and why, enabling us to deliver free, fair and credible elections,” Mtalimanja said.
She said the briefing was aimed at informing stakeholders about the pilot voter registration exercise which is scheduled for September 18-19, 2024 in two constituencies of Neno South and Neno East but to addresses concerns about how data from the pilot registration would be managed.
“There are fears from some stakeholders that data from the pilot might be transferred to the final voter register. I want to assure you that MEC has established clear protocols on handling pilot registration data and it will be deleted from the system,” the Chairperson said.
She explained the commission's decision to move away from biometric voter registration kits, which have become obsolete since their acquisition in 2017 for the National Registration Bureau (NRB), stating that MEC has now adopted Election Management Devices (EMDs) which are more efficient and technologically advanced.
Secretary General for Umodzi Party in Neno, Matias Kayele expressed gratitude to MEC for the briefing and requested continuous engagement on important developments to foster collaboration and transparency.
MEC is conducting pilot voter registration in eight districts of Balaka, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Chitipa, Neno, Dedza, and Nsanje.
The exercise which began on September 13, 2024, aims at identifying and rectifying potential issues with the new voter registration equipment.
New school block motivates learners
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, September 17, Mana: Head-teacher for Mlodzezi primary school in Traditional Authority Chadza, Rapheal Nyondo has hailed Lilongwe district council for constructing a modern school block at the school worth K37 million saying this will help to increase enrolment at the school.
Nyondo was speaking on Monday, when officials from Lilongwe district council and the media visited the project to appreciate its progress.
“This school was constructed a long time ago. Some of the old school blocks were constructed by parents from this area. So, having this modern school block here is a morale booster to our learners,” he said.
He further said before the new school block was constructed, the enrolment was very low, but now the school has over 1500 learners.
The head-teacher, however, asked other well-wishers to continue assisting the school saying it still needs additional blocks and teacher’s houses.
Speaking in a separate interview Chairperson for Mlodzezi primary school, Jim Kabekele said the classroom block has come at the right time when the learners were learning under trees due to lack of school blocks.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank government for the different developments that it is undertaking in the area, including at this school. This is what we have been looking for, for so many years,” he said.
Kabekele then urged parents and learners to take good care of the infrastructure so that it benefits even the generation to come.
He then urged other well-wishers to emulate what the council has done through District Development Fund (DDF) by supporting the council so that it achieves its dream of transforming the learning environment in different schools in the district.
Lilongwe District Director of Public Works Sydney Chiphaka said it is the wish of the council to transform the learning environment of many schools in the district by constructing modern infrastructure.
“I can assure you, we will reach out to all schools that do not have proper structure suitable for learning through different interventions,” he said.
The K37 million Mlodzezi classroom block has been constructed with District Development Fund (DDF).
MCC demolishes illegal business shelters
By Stella Mwalwanda
Mzuzu, September 16, Mana: Carpentry and joinery business owners operating along the Mzuzu –Lubinga M1 Road near Zigwagwa Market, Monday morning woke up to their surprise finding their market shelters and products destroyed by the Mzuzu City Council (MCC) for operating at the premises illegally.
Following the directive from the Town and Planning Committee, the MCC has been demolishing business properties which are elected in illegal places within its jurisdiction and the council has vowed to continue with the exercise.
In an interview, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for MCC, McDonald Gondwe said the council was just doing their job to ensure sanity in the city.
“As a council, we promote responsible development in the city according to Local Governing Act, which allows all business operators including Small and Medium Enterprises to engage with the council for proper market space allocation and any develop on such spaces must be line with our urban structure plan and acquire proper certification of occupation once everything is settled,” he said.
Gondwe added that the council followed proper action plan and communication to notify and warn the owner of the place through written notices and some public announcements but the owner did not make any communication to the tenants.
One of the carpenters who is affected the development, Benson Mthini said that the carpenters wished they were notified either by the council or their landlord.
“We clearly don’t know what to do next, our businesses are destroyed and neither do we know how to replace the damaged pieces of furniture destroyed in the demolition exercise,” he said.
The business operators who sell carpentry products such as chairs, tables and sofa sets among other have since requested the council to relocate them a proper and permanent place for their operation.
MANEB releases MSCE results
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe September 16, Mana: Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has announced the release of Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) which has registered the pass rate of 54.79 percent.
She made the remarks at Golden Peacock Hotel in which she described the development as a milestone marking the fifth time for Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) to register lickage free examinations.
Wirima has commended Board members for ensuring efficiency and effectiveness during the administration of 2024 MSCE examination.
She applauded MANEB for the timely release of the results stating that the development would give ample time for parents and students to prepare for the next academic seasons.
The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with 2024 examination results highlighting poor learning and teaching materials and poor education infrastructures as other key challenges contributing to poor performance which Malawi Government through her Ministry of addressing.
MANEB Board Chairperson, Prof. Samson Sajidu applauded all MANEB Board members, various security agencies and its stakeholders for ensuring there is a successful administration of examinations.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MANEB, Prof. Dorothy Nampota has commended online registration and effective collaboration from its stakeholders emphasizing that these have necessitated the efficiency and timely release of the examination.
"Top 10 performing education districts in descending order in the 2024 MSCE examinations comprises of Zomba Urban with 61.97 percent, Mzuzu City with 61.87 percent, Karonga with 61.13 percent, Dowa with 60.05 percent, Chitipa with 59.81 percent, Nkhotakota with 59.07 percent, Dedza with 58.94 percent, Phalombe with 57.05 percent, Ntchisi with 57.02 percent and Nkhata Bay with 56.71 percent," she stated.
Nampota advised teachers, parents, guardians and students that this year's examination results would be accessible via online registration portals until September 22. 2024 further saying that by September 23 online registrations for the 2025 examination would commence.
Government applauds WVM for support
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, September 16, Mana: Government has applauded World Vision Malawi (WVM) for commendable work in ensuring that learners with disabilities access quality education.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri said this Monday during the handover of Assistive Technologies (AT) to Ministry of Education by WVM at their National Offices in Lilongwe
She said the interventions of WVM towards learners with disabilities stress the need for such efforts.
Phiri noted that WVM has flourished in the implementing of “Able the thrive project specifically in the districts of Mzimba, Kasungu, Ntchisi, Dowa and Dedza.
The Principal Secretary It was worth noting that the project has empowered school governance structure including parents and learners on inclusive education.
“The supplies being handed over to support the education of learners with special needs are a great demonstration of WVM’s dedication to Inclusive Education,” she pointed out.
Phiri added that this project demonstrates the full commitment of the organization to help the Ministry of Education in its endeavors towards the achievement of the ambitions expressed in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4 as well as in the Malawi 2063.
She viewed that the project which was still running from October 2023 to October 2025, is indeed a great testimony of the organization’s achievements to the Ministry and the nation at large.
“We take note of the fruits of this project through the inclusive education supplies that WVM is handing over to the Ministry to support the education of learners with special educational needs in primary and secondary schools,” Phiri stated.
She urged all stakeholders to emulate the gesture displayed by WVM in supporting the efforts of the Government to ensure that learners.
Country Director for WVM, Francis Dube said their mission, as WVM, focuses on leaving no one behind, particularly the children with disabilities, contributing to the achievement of SDG 4-Inclusive Education, SDG 3-Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10-Reduced Inequalities.
He said WVM appreciates the government of Malawi and all partners for the support in promoting inclusive development, aligning it with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the SDGs.
WVM’s Able to Thrive Project handover; 342 wheelchairs and two boxes of spare parts, 50 reams of Braille Paper, 113 Orbit Readers, 150 papyrus, 50 pico projectors, 300 Cubarithm, 50 Bluetooth speakers, 38 magnifying glass, 12 SD Cards, and 75 Braille slates all valued at K 332 million.
Wesnet sets to host WASH innovation fair
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 16, Mana: Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (Wesnet) is set to host its annual Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) innovation fair and symposium from September 19-20, 2024 at Crossroads Hotel and Gateway Mall in Lilongwe.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Wesnet Communications Officer, Angella Phiri said among other things during the upcoming event participants will appreciate various WASH innovations and technologies.
“The first day will be a symposium at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe where various papers on WASH would be presented and participants will be able to ask questions and learn more from the researchers.
“The second day we will have a Fair/ Exhibition at Gateway Mall car-park where various innovations and technologies in the WASH sector would be displayed for people to appreciate,” she said.
Phiri added that with the event they are targeting the country’s WASH players including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the academia and research institutions, the private sector, the media as well as the public.
Wesnet in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation organizes WASH innovation fair and symposium every year with the aim of promoting innovation and knowledge exchange within the WASH sector.
Wesnet Communications Officer expressed hope that this year’s event which would be held under the theme “Harmonizing Wash Efforts for a self-reliant Malawi” would help her organization to realize its goal.
“Wesnet does exist to promote research and knowledge exchange within the sector aside our core pillar on collaboration.
“Therefore it is our hope that by the end of this fair we would achieve this goal and that we will continue to make sure that knowledge is exchanged within the WASH sector,” she said.
WASH Media Forum Chairperson, Meclina Chirwa hailed Wesnet for organizing the event saying that it would help her organization to market its works.
She said the upcoming event would assist WASH Media Forum to build good relationship and connection with organizations that are in the country’s WASH sector.
MRCS intensifies Cholera fight
By George Mponda
Karonga, September 16, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) through its Cholera Preparedness project has intensified efforts to eliminate a Cholera threat in Karonga district after one patient was diagnosed at Mlare Health Centre in the district.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, MRCS District Coordinator in Karonga, Reuben Malema said they are supporting the district with a number of activities to make sure the disease does not spread further.
He said that, "We are supporting the District Council with Cholera case investigation and contact tracing ever since the district registered a case under Mlare health facility.
We are supporting the delivery and distribution of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies which include pot to pot chlorination of the whole catchment area under Mlare health facility which contains 11 villages in Paramount Chief Kyungu's area.
“Community engagements with gate keepers at Mlare health facility and the activation of Case Area Targeted Intervention (CATI) and health promotion campaigns are being supported by us."
On his part, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Officer for Karonga District Health Office, Raymond Jereni said the environmental health team managed to identify eight direct contacts to the patient who are being monitored for signs and symptoms of cholera for 10 days.
"The patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition. However, information obtained has shown possible consumption of contaminated food and contacts to people from outbreak area in Tanzania specifically Mwambani and Illeje where the patient attended a funeral as the risk factors," he said.
Jereni has since recommended that more support should be readily available in form of finances and fuel.
"The readily available and easily accessible resources will facilitate timely response then reduce morbidity and mortality,” he explained.
MEC calls for sensitization on pilot voter registration
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, September 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has appealed to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Political parties to sensitize youth and person with disabilities in Chitipa District to participate in pilot voter registration.
Commissioner for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Rev. Phillip Kambulire made the appeal on Monday during stakeholder meetings aimed at sensitizing CSOs, political party and faith leaders on the pilot voter registration, which starts on September 18 to 19, 2024 in the district.
He said that experience has shown that youths and persons with disabilities turn up to the exercise is very low.
“It's our plea to all stakeholders to make sure that youths and persons with disabilities are mobilized and they take part in this exercise because they are also very important. They are the citizens of Malawi and they need to participate in every electoral process and they know their responsibility,” Rev. Kambulire appealed.
Chairperson for Chitipa CSO Network, Patrick Ziba has assured MEC that they would go flat-out and sensitize the masses including the youths and persons with disabilities to participate in the pilot voter registration exercise.
He said that youth play pivotal role in the country hence the need for them to take a leading role in the exercise.
On his part, Sheik Mambo of Chitipa mosque, thanked MEC for considering faith leaders and other electoral stakeholders for the exercise.
“We are going to sensitize our members to participate in the pilot voter registration exercise. We will make sure that we also reach out to persons with disabilities and youths to take part in the exercise,” he said.
MEC has procured 6,500 Elections Management Devices in readiness for the forthcoming general elections which is slated for 26th September, 2025.
Voter registration for 2025 General Elections starts on October 21, 2024 and Chitipa District is one of the districts included in the first phase of the registration.
Call for discipline in utilizing and repaying NEEF loans
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, September 16, Mana: Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi has called for upon beneficiaries of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans to exercise discipline when utilizing funds accessed from the Fund.
He made the call on Monday, during a consultative meeting organized by NEEF held to solicit views from Senior Chiefs and Traditional Leaders from Salima.
Usi said loans accessed from NEEF are meant to impact the lives of beneficiaries economically through channeling the resources enterprises such as farming, establishing businesses and any other ventures that are profitable.
"The aim of NEEF loans is to give people their dignity, respect and sense of purpose, if one accesses a loan we expect that their lives should be transformed for the better, therefore I am urging proper utilization of these loans," the Vice President stated.
He said the loans are being disbursed with no consideration of one’s background or political affiliation because the aim is to reduce poverty every region across the country.
"What we want is to have hardworking and zealous Malawians to access these loans so that they can be able to employ others to break the chain of poverty in the country," Usi added.
The Vice President called on NEEF authorities to streamline the loan application process by removing barriers such as collateral and facilitating access for all individuals.
He encouraged NEEF beneficiaries to prioritize loan repayments and uphold discipline, emphasizing their contribution to the progress and development of the country.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NEEF, Humphrey Mdyetseni highlighted that the Fund was committed to ensuring that the loans benefit the intended Beneficiaries, stating that the institution was expected to disburse K 70 billion this year.
Council Chairperson for Salima District Council, Ephraim Manthera recognized government’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Malawians.
He anticipated Salima's transformation through the NEEF programme, empowering its people to enhance their livelihoods effectively.
"It is our hope that through the farm input loans, many people from Salima will continue benefiting from the loans," Manthera noted.
Speaking on behalf of Traditional Leaders, Traditional Authority (TA) Maganga commended government for establishing NEEF, which has proven to be advantageous to many people in Salima District.
She urged NEEF to actively involve more women and youth in their loan programmes, asserting that such initiatives would mitigate poverty levels among communities in the district.
