MANAonline
MPUC engages leaders to promote peace ahead of 2025 general elections
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, October 22, Mana: Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) has pledged to continue engaging with the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), a grouping of all political party secretaries-general on the importance of promoting peace as the country prepares for the 2025 general elections.
In an interview on Tuesday with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), MPUC Chairperson Bishop Mary Nkosi said the commission has started meeting with various political leaders to raise awareness about the need for peace during the election period.
Nkosi emphasized that the commission will continue to engage with leaders, as they have the power to influence their followers and condemn any misconduct.
“Leadership is crucial because followers often take direction from their leaders. That’s why involving leaders is one of MPUC’s key initiatives. We believe that by educating and engaging with leaders, the commission can help end the spread of hate speech and tribalism, which can incite animosity among their followers,” she said.
Nkosi added that the commission will also engage with media houses to help curb the violence that occurs on social media platforms.
“The digital space seems to be filled with conflicts. So, we plan to involve the media in spreading accurate information to promote peace during this election period,” she said.
Nkosi stressed that the commission will continue working with the police and judiciary, not as a replacement for their roles, but as a mediator in conflicts.
She also assured the nation that the commission’s efforts will extend beyond the election period to ensure peace is maintained in the country.
In a separate interview with Mana, political analyst, Victor Chipofya observed that violence often begins when ideas run out in a society.
“People at the grassroots fight for those at the top, not for themselves. Leaders should be involved in everything their followers do to maintain peace during the 2025 elections,” he said.
Chipofya added that leaders should be the standard-bearers of peace by disciplining their followers when any issues of violence arise.
“Leaders must act to discipline their followers. Most political leaders rely solely on press statements when violence occurs, rather than using the law to discipline the perpetrators. As a result, people continue to engage in violent acts because they go scot free,” he said.
Chipofya also said most violence can be minimized during the election period if campaigns focus on issues rather than castigating each other.
“If rallies and campaigns address issues that affect people’s daily lives, we are most likely to avoid violence. The issues of tribalism and gender, which often arise during this period, cause resentment and anger,” he said.
PAC engages KK Council on reform progress
By Wongani Mkandawire & Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, October 22, Mana: Chairperson for Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), Mark Botoman has asked Nkhotakota District Council officials to seek financial assistance from big companies that are present in the district for them to fulfil some of its public reform aspirations.
Botoman said this at an engagement meeting aimed at appreciating various matters at the council regarding public reforms that the council is undertaking.
He expressed satisfaction with the council's public aspirations saying they are in line with Malawi's 2063 vision agenda.
Botoman asked the district council to utilize the opportunity of having big companies like Illovo Sugar, Ethanol, and African Parks among others in the district by teaming up with them to contribute funds intended to fulfil the council's public aspirations.
"We are very satisfied with the council's vision, and we have been briefed on many things including the establishment of mega-farms, and tourism parks among others, however, we can say there is a gap since the council is not utilizing the companies that are here in Nkhotakota making a lot of money through tourism attraction and sugar,” said Botoman.
Nkhotakota District Commissioner, Ben Matengeni Tohno commended PAC for visiting the council expressing hope that the committee will sell Nkhotakota district public reforms to other partners and relevant government boards to financially support the council in implementing its reforms.
Tohno hailed the Committee Chairperson for encouraging the council to engage with big companies available in the district saying the district will call an engagement meeting with those companies to discuss the matter.
“This is very crucial, and we should be able to organize a stakeholders meeting where we are going to engage our partners such as Illovo, Ethanol, African Parks, and other organizations in the district,” said Tohno.
Nkhotakota district Flagship projects include the establishment of mega-farms, a tourism park, fish farming, and industrial park development focusing on sugar, fertilizer, and textile production.
Kasungu District Council in MK839 million-hospital project
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 22, Mana: Kasungu District Council has invested MK839 million Performance Based Grant (PBG) funds into a paying clinic, which authorities say, will help to plug funding gaps for the district’s health sector.
Director of Health Services for the district, Emmanuel Golombe said on Monday that apart from being an income generating activity for the council’s health sector, the project is also a response to people’s demand for paying services to suit their interests.
“We want to generate revenue as a sector because this time, we have no means of raising funds apart from the subventions from the central government.
“We sometimes have funding gaps which compromise service delivery. So this initiative will help us raise resources to buy important items like fuel, critical drugs and others,” Golombe said.
He said the district has many clients who have been requesting to have pay services.
“Kasungu District Hospital serves over 300 clients a day. Those rushing to work, or are on medical schemes or can just afford to pay for private services find it difficult to wait for long hours.
“So this project properly responds to their needs. Actually, it is for everyone that can afford, including those coming outside the district,” he said.
Kasungu has a population of about a million people and its district hospital receives clients from communities such as Jenda in Mzimba and Malomo in Ntchisi.
Touring the construction works on Monday, Senior Planning Officer for National Local Government Finance Committee, Charity Kaunda expressed hope that the contractor will deliver a quality structure and within the agreed project timelines.
“This trip is about supporting the district council to ensure that they are delivering on the projects as per the agreements. It’s a spot check exercise whereby we check on the council on how they are delivering on the PBG funded projects.
“Our desire is to see that councils are able to utilise the resources that they get under this fund to address the community service gaps by implementing projects that can stand the test of time and implemented to the desired quality by adhering to specifications and completed within the given timelines,” Kaunda said.
Funded by the World Bank through the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd) project, PBGs are given to well performing councils identified through the Local Authorities Performance Assessment.
According to Kaunda, Gesd is about enhancing inefficiencies in the delivery of services in the councils.
She said: “So it’s not just about the projects. It’s about supporting the councils to embrace a performance culture in every area of their intervention.
“The good thing with Kasungu is that they comply with the principle of delivering a complete service package which we have always encouraged. This entails that once projects are completed, they should be functional.”
The paying clinic which is expected to be completed by December 31 this year, will have an Out-patient Department and an admission ward replete with self-contained rooms, laboratory, staff lounge, pharmacy, radiography and a car park, among other specifications.
CDF classroom block improves education delivery in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, October 22, Mana: Councilor for Nyachilenda Ward in Nsanje South Constituency, Fellix Round has said the newly constructed classroom block at Mtowe Community Day Secondary School has improved learning environment at the school.
Round made the remarks on Monday in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), saying the school block is the first one constructed for teaching and learning at the school.
"The structures at this school were constructed to host refugees. After the war in Mozambique, the structures were handed over to government and it was decided that it should be used as a community day secondary school," explained Round.
He said the old structures posed a great threat to the learners as some had developed major cracks.
Round, along with the Member of Parliament for the area, agreed to construct a new classroom block to reduce the risks faced by learners at the institution.
"Through Constituency Development Fund (CDF), we have constructed the state of the art classroom block and fully furnished it with desks. The new school block has electricity," he added.
One of the learners, Mary Saini said the classroom block encourages learners to work hard.
“The new classroom block has electricity which empowers us to study even at night and we believe we are going to pass our exams with good grades," she added.
Head teacher for the school, Aron Malikinzi said the construction of the school block has positively contributed to education delivery at the institution.
"As you might have heard, these structures are very old and they leak when it is raining, ending up disrupting the learning process," he said.
Minister Kunkuyu calls for unity at the funeral of MCP Youth Chairperson
By: Vida Msiyo
Blantyre, October 21, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Youth Chairperson for Ndirande Malabada Constituency, Mavuto Chimwaza was laid rest on Monday at HHI cemetery in Blantyre.
Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu condoled with the bereaved family, MCP members, the youths and all that befriended Chimwaza popularly known as Shushe.
He thanked the MCP leadership for its support during the funeral of Chimwaza who was found dead at his house on Saturday.
There was somber mood as the body of the deceased arrived at Nyambadwe School Ground for prayers.
“We are all deeply disturbed by what has happened, but I assure you that the truth will be uncovered,” Kunkuyu said.
He likened the situation to the biblical story of Jesus, where people only recognized his true identity after his death.
The Minister further condemned any celebration over the tragedy, stressing the importance of maintaining humanity, despite political or religious differences.
“We are losing our humanity when we celebrate the suffering of others because they belong to a different political party or religion, it is inhumane to be happy in such circumstances,” he said.
Kunkuyu urged all Malawians to embrace love and unity, regardless of their political affiliations.
He also thanked the various political parties that were present at the funeral for showing support.
Speaking at the same funeral, Director of Youth and Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South East, Steve Baba Malondera described the death of Chimwaza as a shock.
“It is a shock to the party and I urge all party followers to remain calm up until everything is sorted out,” he said.
Chimwaza was born in 1975 and was said to have served MCP with dedication and passionate.
Call for improved hygiene practices
By Zexon Yohane Banda
Lilongwe, October 22, Mana: Government has communities needs to adopt improved hygiene practices and construct improved latrines and use them.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia made the remarks Monday during the launch of Sanitation week and commemoration of Global Hand Washing Day at Chinsapo UNICEF ground in Lilongwe.
She said communities need to install had washing facilities, use them and manage their waste properly.
Mia noted that for the past two years, the country struggled to contain Cholera and one of the solutions to combat such diseases was washing hands.
“Most places have turned into solid waste dumpsites, this put all in danger of getting Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related diseases,” she observed.
Mia called for massive investments to enhance progress in sanitation and hygiene.
The Minister appealed all communities to join hands in observing this week and there.
“There is need for intervention that will ensure increased access to safely managed sanitation for all Malawians,” she said.
Mia said good sanitation and hygiene practices should be lifestyle both during the week and beyond.
She disclosed that during there would be several activities aimed at raising awareness
WASH Non- Governmental organization (NGO) representative, Willies Mwandira promised to work together with the Ministry in order to improve sanitation and hygiene activities in the country.
He said good sanitation and hygiene translates into proper development agenda hence the need for collaborative efforts in strengthening them.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe city west, George Zulu asked for proper waste management saying others are making a living from waste products.
He encouraged the communities to make sure that their waste products are managed in such a way that they can be turned in to manure.
Zulu advised them that, “You should wash your hands with soap before eating and not washing hands with soap after beating. The most important things to do away with germs is before eating you need to clean your hand with soap.”
Traditional Authority (TA) Malili said washing hands remains essential to every community in order to avoid the further spread of WASH related diseases.
He said during this season of Mangoes, there was need to trade carefully saying washing them before eating would remain ideal.
Every year the world commemorates Global Handwashing Day on October 15.
DODMA Calls for Precise Targeting and Transparency in Lean Season Response Programme
By Daniel Siame
Lilongwe, August 29, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) Commissioner Charles Kalemba has emphasized the crucial need for accurate targeting and integrity in the distribution of aid under the Lean Season Response Programme on Thursday at Bwaila Secondary School. The program is set to benefit 5.7 million people in September.
Speaking at a training session for beneficiary targeting, Kalemba highlighted past errors in the misallocation of resources and stressed that the program must prioritize the most vulnerable individuals.
"We want the beneficiaries to be those that are vulnerable, we have had situations where well-to-do individuals have received relief items instead of those in need and that's a problem”, he explained.
Kalemba also addressed the importance of integrity among leaders involved in the distribution process.
"We don't want leaders stealing from the poor, it's wickedness. We must uphold honesty and transparency to ensure the program's success", said Kalemba.
Logistical efficiency was another key point discussed, with the program utilizing a combination of resources, including its trucks and hired transportation, supported by the World Food Programme.
CEO of Lilongwe City Council, McCloud Kadammanja, echoed the program's significance.
"This program is crucial for our communities, especially during the lean season. By properly targeting the most vulnerable, we can make a significant impact on reducing hunger and poverty”, he stated.
Amongst the attendees, Ward Chairperson for Kayiliyeka 1, Lilongwe, Agatha Agustino Chitengu highlighted the program's importance for local communities.
"Many families struggle to put food on the table during the lean season. This initiative will bring much-needed relief to those who need it most. We're grateful for the focus on integrity and proper targeting," she said.
She then added that this training will help the representatives not to repeat the same mistakes made in the previous years due to lack of training.
With 70% of the required resources already secured, Commissioner Kalemba expressed confidence in the program's ability to provide timely assistance and mobilize additional resources as needed.
SCTP migrates embraces E- payment in Likoma
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, October 21, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in Likoma has migrated from manual to electronic payment with the aim of ensuring that all beneficiaries of the initiative receive their stipends in time.
Speaking Monday when he briefed District Executive Committee for Likoma on the development, Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender who is responsible for manual and electronic payment in the SCTP, Gilbert Kaponda said the development will be effective immediately.
“We want to introduce electronic payment so that all the beneficiaries of the program start receiving their stipends electronically
We are also introducing to you TNM Plc as a service provider through E- Payment Platform who has taken over payment activities from the council because of their mobile money solution and soon they will start registering the beneficiaries,” said Kaponda.
He said Likoma as a district has enrolled 303 beneficiaries saying their cohort was on-boarded in December 2023 hence the program will take them through for four years until December 2027.
Director of Education, Youth and Sports (DEYS) for Likoma District Council, Zimulange Mhango welcomed the E-Payment initiative saying it will curb some of the challenges, which were encountered during manual payment.
“This is a welcome development, as you are aware that this district consists of two islands Likoma and Chizumulu and people were served at different times because we could not cover both islands at a single pay palade.
With this development all the 303 beneficiaries will be accessing their money at the same time besides that the intervention will also address security issues, the money will be secured as it will be going directly to the beneficiaries,” said Mhango
TNM Plc Acting Regional Manager for the north, Bright Banda pledged that his company will ensure that the initiatives never face network and theft involving e-transaction challenges.
“We will make sure that the program is implemented smoothly without any problems, our agents will be placed in all areas across the district so that our services are easily accessed,” said Banda.
Chitipa registers no voter registration-related challenges
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 21, Mana: Voter registration exercise in preparation for the 2025 General Election in Chitipa District has rolled out on a good note with no challenges registered so far in all the 183 registration centres.
District Commissioner for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero said that he is impressed with the operations of voter registration centres, which he has been to, saying everything is going on well.
“As a district, we have started well. And we have not had any challenges so far. Though we have noted low turnout, we hope this will improve since is this is the first day of the exercise good,” Magomero said.
Chitipa Model Primary School Centre Supervisor, Gloria Mbotwa said she is optimistic that more people will turn up for the exercise in the coming days within the registration period.
“People are coming at a slow pace because it is the first day but all in all we have started well without any challenges,” Mbotwa said.
MANAD to open a sign language training centre in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, October 21, Mana: Acting Director of Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD), Malonje Phiri has said the organization plans to open a sign language training centre in Nkhata Bay to address challenges encountered by deaf children in the district.
She was speaking on Monday in Nkhata Bay when she closed a three-day training for parents and Nkhata Bay District Council officials on sign language.
Phiri said that most teachers and other stakeholders in delivery service setups cannot communicate through sign language, hence the idea to open the centre.
"We have trained various government departments such as Health, Education and Police on how they can serve the deaf through effective reciprocal communication.
We, therefore, invite those interested to attend sign language classes once the centre is opened next year so that we minimize communication barriers with deaf people," said Phiri.
Chairperson of Parents of the Deaf in Nkhata-Bay, Jonathan Hara commended MANAD for the training.
“We are however waiting for the centre to be opened as this initiative will ensure that our children access education, health and other social services that will make them become reliable citizens of this country, " Hara added.
Director of Administration for Nkhata Bay District Council, James Tembo said the training has been an eye opener to many, attributing to be a catalyst towards achieving inclusive development.
