MANAonline
Mwanza District Council impresses EU
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, December 18, Mana: A joint delegation of the European Union (EU) and Ireland has expressed satisfaction with the progress registered by Mwanza District Council and its partners in the implementation of the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience Gear project being supported by the EU and Ireland.
The delegation expressed their satisfaction through EU Head of Cooperation and Delegation, George Dura, during a joint visit with Irish Embassy and UNICEF to Mwanza District recently.
The visit was aimed at monitoring the project’s activities on provision of social protection and access to social services to vulnerable households and children which is being supported by UNICEF and implemented by FIND Your FEET in collaboration with Mwanza District Council.
“We are grateful and particularly pleased with what we have been told by district council officials during a courtesy call on their commitment and support provided towards implementation of the project in the district,” said Dura.
Dura said the delegation was further impressed by communities to notice that they were constantly engaged in multiple activities of the project such as training to acquire various skills, formation of village savings and loans (VSLs) groups, saying this will help transform people’s livelihoods in the district.
The project is being implemented in nine districts of Mwanza, Balaka, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Neno, Nsanje, Zomba, Ntcheu and Mzimba for three years until December 2026.
The project is expected to be expanded to other districts based on communities’ needs in a bid to transform livelihoods of the vulnerable households in those areas to desirable levels.
The project has two strategic objectives of resilience building that seeks to economically empower social cash transfer programme (SCTP) beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries through gender transformative VSL groups and access to social protection and services aimed at addressing gender based violence and sexual and reproductive health issues with linkages to SCTP.
Chairperson for Mwanza District Council, Emmanuel Kapawe, commended the project for the VSL component.
Kapawe observed that provision of cash transfers alone to the underprivileged could not be enough to change people’s livelihoods but the literacy skills provided could be helpful because they will be able to run businesses that could be sustainable and be economically empowered.
“What is happening here is impressive because the communities are giving testimonies of the positive impact on the basis that their life will improve and they will graduate from the current status so that other people could be enrolled into the project,” said Kapawe.
FIND Your FEET Programmes Manager, Sain Muskambo, attributed the successful implementation of the programme to the good working relationship existing between the organization and its partners.
In an interview Tipindule VSL group Chairperson, Patricia Kwalimba, said she is now able to provide her household with basic needs because she runs a small business which she started with money realized from savings as well as a soft loan.
All set for Mighty Virus jam, the day for DJs to prove their power
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, December 18, Mana: Five 79 Association will on Christmas Eve hold a musical event dubbed; the Mighty Virus jam session at Blues Bar and Restaurant in Blantyre to showcase the power of Disc Jockey (DJ) in the music entertainment industry.
Mighty Virus jam session organizer, Francis Likongwe, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the event allow DJs to take centre stage giving them room to prove that they have the power and authority to keep dancers on their feet throughout with variety of flavors and elements of music.
“This event will prove that Disc Jockeys can be the best creators and innovators of great music. This is a vehicle that can boost the music industry in Malawi. The event is not limited to any specific element of music,” said Likongwe who is also a music promoter.
He, therefore, called upon entertainment lovers to come in their large numbers at Blues Bar, pledging that people will have good time and music expression.
He said the show will inspire other DJs to think beyond the entertainment journey.
DJ Mask, DJ Madball, DJ Superg, DJ Flame, DJ Shats and DJ Bad up Skillz, Dancing competition and parade for the best dressed person will be some of the highlights on the day.
One of the DJ to perform at the event, DJ Flame, hailed the organizers of the event, saying it will provide an opportunity for people to appreciate the power of DJs.
He appealed to DJ’s to use the opportunity to prove that they have magic and innovation and are capable of spinning and spicing up music to satisfy the body, soul and mind.
“The event has come at the right time. I feel like it is wise to use the Christmas spirit because naturally it brings together a good mix of people that wouldn’t otherwise be found in the same place.
“People should expect a lot of pimping music that will revive their souls. I am looking forward to the day where DJ’s will set an atmosphere ablaze with hot music,” said Flame.
The Mighty Virus jam session is an annual initiative by DJ Mighty Virus to introduce new artists, sound and genres to the masses.
BT Kabaza Association prays for safe festive season
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, December 18, Mana: Blantyre Kabaza Association is set to provide safety tips through a series of road safety awareness campaigns in the district in a bid to prevent road accidents involving kabaza motorcycle operators during festive season.
Vice Chairperson for Blantyre Kabaza Association, Mussa Magombo, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday that the association will visit kabaza ranks around the district to ensure roads safety tips reaches every operator.
“We need to remind each other that a lot of things happen in December. Kabaza operators should follow traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents. Riding motorcycle while drunk and riding without helmets is another area of concern. For us to be safe we need to abide by the rules,” he said.
Magombo said the association will also sensitize their members to observe operating times, citing latest incidents of thugs attacking operators in late hours.
“Operating in odd hours is risky as many have lost lives after being attacked by thugs. We need to be knocking off at least by 6:30pm and avoid riding through shortcuts,” he said.
Public Relations Officer for Southwest Region Police, Beatrice Mikuwa, commended the association for the campaign saying the idea complements police’s efforts in ensuring safety of motorists during the festive season.
She said traffic police officers will be on the road throughout the festive season to enforce road safety rules day and night.
“We have put in place necessary measures to avoid road accidents not only for motorcyclists but for everyone traveling on the roads,” she said.
Mikuwa, therefore, urged road users to take responsibility by adhering to road traffic rules.
“Those that are driving and riding should be sober because driving or riding while drunk is an offense and it causes accidents. This is why we want to make sure that riders are adhering to road safety rules,” she said.
From January to June this year, the country recorded 2,024 road accidents with 485 involving kabaza motorcycle operators.
During the 2023/2024 festive season, 31 accidents were recorded with nine deaths, compared to 56 accidents and 20 deaths during the 2022/2023 festive season.
NBM donates to Chitipa Model Primary School
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, December 17, Mana: National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has donated school items worth K10 million to Chitipa Model Primary School in Senior Chief Mwabulambya's area in Chitipa District as one way of promoting quality education in the district.
The items include 2000 notebooks, 50 desks and 400 textbooks.
Speaking Tuesday during the donation, Chitipa NBM Team leader, Auckland Mjima, said the donation is in line with the bank's corporate social responsibility.
"The bank understands that school children need to have a conducive learning environment for them to succeed in education and build a better Malawi," Mjima said.
He urged the school authorities to make sure that the donated items are well secured and utilized so that they can last longer and serve the intended purpose.
Kawale Zone Primary Education Advisor (PEA), Jane Mukumbwa, thanked NBM for the donation saying it will help provide a conducive learning environment for the school.
"It was a big challenge for girl learners to fully participate in the learning process while sitting on the floor making it difficult for them to perform well," Mukumbwa said.
She said with the donation of desks, girls will now be free and be motivated to participate in learning processes just like boys so that they all succeed in education.
A Standard 8 girl learner, Prosper Ngwira, commended NBM for responding to the challenges that they were facing.
She explained that the donation, especially desks, will help woo learners who had earlier dropped-out of the school and be re-administered to continue with their studies.
Minister impressed by Bencal Technologies, RUDEVIT
By Vida Msiyo
Blantyre, December 18, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, has expressed satisfaction over Bencal Technologies specialization on a number of areas, emphasizing the importance of local expertise in reducing reliance on foreign services.
Bencal Technologies is a firm, which specializes in the calibration of industrial plant instruments, laboratory equipment and medical equipment to appreciate local expertise.
Gwengwe made the remarks in Blantyre on Tuesday during a tour of local companies in the city.
He said firms such as Bencal Technologies are important in imparting skills especially to young people.
“We see young people here with skills, calibration of equipment which is something we always source from the region. Having young Malawians who are able to do this work and are properly certified locally saves a lot of time and money for our business community,” he said.
Bencal Technologies Managing Director, Sinai Mwagomba, hailed the minister’s visit a saying it is a sign of growing recognition for their services.
“The visit means that our services are being recognized in the country. We have substituted a lot of services that we used to import from other countries and now we are saving forex by doing this work locally,” he said.
The Minister’s tour was meant to spotlight on local businesses that are driving innovation and contributing to Malawi’s economic growth.
Apart from touring Bencal Technologies, Gwengwe also visited Rural Development Investment Initiative Trust (RUDEVIT) at Chileka in Blantyre where he appreciated construction of an organic fertilizer plant.
Gwengwe observed that, upon completion, the plant is expected to make organic fertilizer from industrial and other waste materials.
He, therefore, commended RUDEVIT for its innovation and intention in granulated organic fertilizer manufacturing saying this will reduce over dependency on imported chemical fertilizers.
“This is impressive. When we start making fertilizer locally, it will have huge impact on our deficit because we spend a lot on importing fertilizer.
“The more we produce fertilizer that suits our own soils the more we reduce our appetite for imports and this will be a good thing for Malawi,” he said.
He observed that reducing fertilizer imports will allow the country save its foreign exchange for other critical purposes.
RUDEVIT Executive Director, Hastings Bofomo Nyirenda, said the organic fertilizer plant will use locally sourced waste materials, adding that this will make the fertilizer both affordable and accessible to farmers.
“Since the fertilizer will be made from materials sourced within the country, it will be affordable to farmers. Once completed, the machinery will be able to produce 60 bags of fertilizer per hour,” he disclosed.
The granulated organic fertilizer project at Chileka is expected to boost agricultural productivity while contributing to Malawi’s economy.
IOE set to host Phyzix's Birthday Bash
By Milcah Mathias
Blantyre, December 18, Mana: It's Only Entertainment (IOE) is set to host a music show dubbed; Phyzix's Birthday Bash, on December 21 at Blues Bar and Restaurant in Blantyre to celebrate with Phyzix’s fans in the festive season.
IOE Chief Executive Director, Noel Chikoleka, popularly known by stage name, Phyzix, said December 21 will be a weekend of two events with the second one taking place on December 22 at Flamingo Lounge and Night Club in Lilongwe.
He said the event will bring out a series of interactions with fans, surprise performances and dancing performances.
He explained that some of the proceeds from the birthday bash will be channeled to a newly established Phyzix Cares Foundation (PCF).
In turn, PCF will cheer up children on Christmas Day at an orphanage in the spirit of sharing and giving.
“We recently launched the foundation. We are trying to lend a helping hand to orphans and the elderly. Our focus is also in the sectors of education, health, environment and youth development in general,” added Phyzix.
The Cholapitsa hit maker said he has released lots of songs this year such that he has not been able to perform of late.
“Fans will get the opportunity to listen and dance to new hits. This will be a good opportunity to see me performing,” he said.
Award winning lyricist and renowned hip-hop artist, Slessor Munthali, popularly known by his stage name, Slessor, said fans should expect a satisfying performance at the birthday bash.
“I intend to perform an exciting live show to bring out the real art behind the Hip-hop genre. I have recently released a project titled, ‘Did You Miss Me’? I intend to perform songs from this project,” said Slessor.
Phyzix is brand ambassador to a betting company, 888bets Malawi, which will give out prizes and other forms of giveaways to fans and best dressed male and female in Hip-hop street wear.
First 20 ladies at both events will enter free, according to the organisers.
Insurance Act to provide more opportunities for policy holders
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, December 17, Mana: The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda has expressed satisfaction over the Parliamentarians positive nod of the Insurance Act of 2024, which aims to provide regulation of the insurance industry to promote safety and protection of the policy holders.
The minister said this on Tuesday during the Parliamentary session in Lilongwe.
He said the Act will help to bring sanity in the insurance industry and wipe tears of business people who have been crying for so long due to poor laws concerning the insurance policy.
“The Act will ensure transparency and accountability by providing opportunities for collaboration between policy holders and insurance company owners.
“The Act will also apply to insurers, insurance brokers , insurance agents, loss assessors, loss adjustors and claims settling agents as entities who do not comply with this risk having their licenses revoked,” said the minister.
The Act repeals and replaces the Insurance Act (Cap. 47:01) to address “emerging issues” in the insurance industry after having consultations with all key stakeholders prior to passing it in parliament.
“It will provide the Ministry with powers to criticise all properties that can be allowed under the insurance from the public,” he added.
Reacting to the passing of the Act, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Shadreck Namalomba expressed concern that the Bill had several gaps that would ultimately benefit insurance agents at the expense of policy holders and Malawians.
NGO intensifies environmental conservation campaign
By Tisunge Mlenga
Chiradzulu, December 17, Mana: Energetizing Development Malawi (Endev MW), a non-governmental organization working to promote clean energy has touted the significance of using Chitetezo Mbaula in conserving the environment.
The organization’s Project Coordinator, Issa Bakili said apart from combating deforestation, it is cleaner, safer and portable to use.
Bakili made the remarks at Madidi Primary School in Chiradzulu District during a football bonanza aimed at encouraging people to use the stoves.
Bakili has since encouraged communities in the district to buy Chitetezo Mbaula, disclosing that they intend to sell 110, 000 stoves by June 2025.
“Let me encourage people who overlook the use of Chitetezo Mbaula because there are some benefits from these stoves. I can just highlight how important they are in saving money.
“Most households are fond of using charcoal that is currently very expensive, so with this use of stoves they just use less firewood in the process saving money and also conserving the environment,” Bakili said.
Speaking in an interview, one of the community members, Rose Benala of Phandaphanda Village in Traditional Authority Nkalo’s area in the district, commended the organization for introducing Chitetezo Mbaula.
“This Chitetezo Mbaula will be helping us in the rainy season because we can move with it from one place to another. And also these Chitetezo Mbaula serves energy since it uses less firewood,” she said.
A Chitetezo Mbaula was being sold at K1, 500 and lucky buyers were able to win prizes like a 2 kg of maize flour and 2 tablets of U-fresh soap.
The project, which is also being implemented in the districts of Blantyre, Balaka, Thyolo, Phalombe and Mulanje to the tune of K3.5 million with financial support from Self Help Africa.
Minister of Transport assures of district roads completion
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, December 17, Mana: The Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, has assured Malawians that government is working hard to make sure district roads across the country are completed on time to ensure improved transport services.
Hara made the sentiments in Parliament on Tuesday when he was answering questions from Lilongwe central and Zomba Thondwe , Michael Gadama over the delay in construction of the Tsangano road in Ntcheu, Salima, Machinga, Mangochi , Mzimba and Dedza roads.
The Minister said the projects are still under consideration as the ministry aims to make the roads of high quality just like in cities in order to help people when it comes to transporting goods and services.
“I can assure the citizens that all protocols are in the process and some roads have been completed for example in Mangochi, Machinga and Kasungu and the last phase will tackle roads of Mzimba , Dedza, and Salima district.
The project in Tsangano road that is in Ntcheu has been delayed due to hiccups faced between us and the contractors but soon all documents will be completed in order to continue with the project at hand,” explained Hara.
He also pointed out that the project was stopped in the middle of construction due to the incapability of the contractors to finish the roads and also some minor disagreement that arose but all were resolved in time.
The minister has assured citizens to practice patience when it comes to road projects as it requires a lot of processes before it is implemented on the actual ground.
“We understand people are desperate for the completion of the roads as promised but our ministry is trying to normalise the problem by making sure that all proper protocols are being followed.
“As much as we prioritise the interest of the citizens, I can assure all people concerned that the project has been actualised on the ground,” said Hara.
Club 24/7 to host pre Xmas concert
By Ivy Yohane
Blantyre, December 17, Mana: As a way of heightening festive season mood, Phindu Promotions has organized a music event, dubbed Kabula pre-Christmas Concert which will take place on December 21, at Club 24/7 Kameza Roundabout in Blantyre.
Director for Phindu Promotions, Sibongile Kumwenda told Malawi News agency (Mana) that they decided to organize a music concert to bring together music enthusiasts into a festive mood as the year closes.
“People should expect a memorable concert with a lineup of legends and upcoming musicians in the country. There will be some fireworks as well.
“The concert is part of our 11th anniversary celebration and we decided to celebrate it people in Blantyre during this festive season,” she said and assured those that will attend the show of safety and security.
She said Phindu Promotions have engaged the Malawi Police Service to provide necessary security to guarantee the end of the year music entertainment.
Local reggae outfit Black Missionaries confirmed their performance at the Club 24/7 on December 21.
Band leader, Anjiru Fumulani said that the band has been preparing for the show and assured music entrainment lovers an astonishing performance.
“We are well prepared for the concert and our fans should expect fireworks because it will be a massive concert ever.” he added.
Another sensational artist, Jetu who has just released a hit song called Waimanya will also be at the Club 24/7 Kameza Roundabout to spice the show.
Other artists to perform on the day include; Alleluya Band, the Evergreen Band, Joe Gwaladi, Giddes Chalamanda, GIbbo Pearson, Mr. Cool, Fada Moti, Trappy Beats, Santy, Kommuniq, Paul Subili, and Sean among others.
