By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, June 3, Mana: Communities in Nsanje have hailed government for introducing digital payment in social Cash Transfer (SCT) in the district.

Charles Theka, Chairperson for Chilumba Social Cash Transfer Cluster said in an interview on Monday that communities were excited because the initiative was convenient.

“This transition to digital payment will allow recipients to receive their payments securely and conveniently, directly to their mobile phones,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Tobias Thenford from Mphamba Village praised the initiative saying it will help to reduce challenges related to time and cost beneficiaries incur when travelling to payment points.

“The shift to mobile payment will help us not to walk long distances to access payment points,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Chrissy Maseya from Jim Village, Traditional Authority (TA) N’gabu said he was relieved from the fear of being attacked by thugs as now the money will be in her wallet without the knowledge of other people including thugs.

“We had to go through the village forest which poses a great risk to the money we receive because mostly people are attacked by criminals.

“During payment, I could go with someone just to feel secure when walking back home after receiving cash from the payment point,” she added.

Falls Msambalima from Chiudzireni Village, TA N’gabu expressed hope that the introduction of social cash electronic transfer will help beneficiaries to receive cash every month unlike in the past where they could stay for months without receiving cash.

Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer for Nsanje, Abdulrazak Duwa confirmed that beneficiaries started receiving cash through mobile wallet and this will help to cut operation cost.

“The cost to pay beneficiaries will be reduced and communities will be able to get their money at once unlike the manual payment whereby we could spend so many days making payments,” he said.

Duwa said the initiative will also promote mobile money business opportunities for local people in the district.

Social cash transfer is a social protection program targeting ultra-poor and labour constrained household whereby beneficiaries receive cash with no strings attached to meet their needs.

Nsanje has more than 7000 beneficiaries under the program.