MANAonline
Mzuzu’s Chris Academy mourns 2 students
By Peter Mseteka & Tracy Mtegha
Mzuzu, March 21, Mana: Chris Academy students in Mzuzu on Wednesday held prayers for two students who died on Tuesday after a tree fell on them at Masasa in Mzuzu City.
Speaking Thursday in an interview, head teacher for the school, Adolf Kapondera, said Enock Mwenda and Joseph Gama, both 22, met their fate when they were playing pool game near Chibuku Beverage Company.
“The students gathered in a circle holding hands, praying, as one them preached about loving each other and being available for each other in time of need,” said Kapondera.
He added that the school’s management has since engaged licensed counsellors from other schools to offer psychosocial support to the students.
“With heavy hearts, the Chris Academy family mourns the loss of our very own, Enock and Joseph.
“Both will be remembered for the smiles they shared and the love they had for their friends and, in honour of the deceased, management has advised students, staff members to wear black clothes on Friday, March 22,” he said.
Councilor for Masasa Ward, Manson Waya, said that the trees which were five in number have been there since 1964 and that once they wanted them for timber for construction of bridges but were denied.
“Let me advise people to be careful in choosing the places where they ply their businesses to avoid similar incidents,” said Waya.
According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Rose Chipyola, on the day, besides the two deceased students, several people were injured during the tragedy.
The tragedy happened a few days after four members of a family - wife, husband and two children - died after a house collapsed on them, following a land slide in the same area.
WHH sets aside K85 million for Kachindamoto water supply
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, March 21, Mana: As Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Water Day on Friday, one of the country’s humanitarian organizations, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), has disclosed plans to provide safe and potable solar powered water supply to 11 villages under Nsungo area in Senior Chief Kachindamoto in Dedza District.
The organization’s Project Coordinator, Khumbo Munthali, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media tour to the area where he also said the intervention intends to benefit 400 households, approximately over 2,000 people.
He said: “As WHH through this initiative, we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Water Day which falls on March 22. This is one way to ensure communities are accessing safe and potable water close to their homes,” said Munthali.
He added that the development was also a response to the community members who approached his organization after noticing that most boreholes in the area were producing saline water.
“Having noticed that we were providing similar services to the communities under T/A Chauma, they wrote us a letter requesting for the same. We did our survey to see where we could get fresh water then we decided to erect solar powered water supply,” he said.
He further said that almost five water points will be constructed with one more at Nsungo Primary School, with an expectation that the communities will take care of the infrastructure through knowledge obtained from trainings they underwent on how to come up with a strategy for the sustainability of the water supply.
On her part, Ida Benard, one of the community members, hailed WHH for the intervention, calling it a timely relief from their struggle to access the precious commodity.
“Once this is complete, it will surely help us access water close to our homes. We used to go fetch water around 3:00 a.m. and come back around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., which also poses a risk on our families’ safety,” she said.
Taking his turn, Edward Matias, chairperson for the water point committee in the area, hoped the development will go towards uplifting their lives, saying communities drink water from unprotected sources which result in spreading waterborne diseases like cholera.
Loss and Damage funds an obligation, not a gift - Former President
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: Former President Joyce Banda has emphasized that the Loss and Damage funds sought by African nations from the Global North are not a charitable contribution but rather an obligation owed by the global community to support countries in the global south, as they confront the devastating consequences of disasters.
Banda made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 3rd African Regional Dialogue on Loss and Damage meeting at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
She stressed the importance of African leaders presenting a united front to advocate for justice and to ensure that the Global North fulfills its commitment to providing more financial support to countries in the global south for loss and damage mitigation.
"In providing funds for loss and damage, the Global North is not extending a gift, but fulfilling a responsibility.
"My advice to Africans is that we must persist in our advocacy efforts to increase these pledges. Heads of State must unite as a continent and demand what is rightfully ours to ensure that countries receive the necessary support,” said Banda.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Michael Usi underscored that loss and damage is not only an ethical and political issue, but also a developmental one.
He emphasized the need to hold the Global North accountable by presenting the reality of the situation rather than treating it as an academic debate.
"Instances such as Cyclone Freddy serve as powerful illustrations of the urgent need for climate justice. Fulfilling promises is not a favour but an obligation.
"It is imperative for Malawi and other affected nations to develop strategies to ensure that these promises are upheld," said Usi.
Board Chairperson for the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CSONECC), Gift Numeri, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change impacts, stressing that the suffering of communities, particularly women and children, cannot be ignored.
"This gathering is pivotal for Africa to take proactive steps in addressing climate change impacts," remarked Numeri, adding, "We must devise our own mechanisms to tackle these challenges before seeking assistance from external parties."
MACRA engages communication practitioners on Data Protection Act
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, March 21, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has engaged communication practitioners, among them public relations officers (PROs) of ministries, departments and agencies, on the newly assented Data Protection Act.
At the opening of a two-day training workshop at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre on Wednesday, MACRA Board Chairperson Bridget Chibwana said the Authority saw it necessary to raise awareness of the Data Protection Act among the communication practitioners because they deal with people's personal data in the course of their duties.
PROs from Malawi Institute of Education, Department of Disaster and Management Affairs, Southern Region Water Board, and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, among others, attended the Data Protection Act and Digital Profiling training.
During the training, the PROs were taken through various topics revolving around the Data Protection Act.
“Under the new Act, MACRA has been given a mandate to protect personal data and safeguard individual's privacy,” she added.
President Lazarus Chakwera assented the Data Protection Bill into an Act on February 1, 2023.
MACRA Director of Legal Services Thokozani Chimbe said Malawi's Data Protection laws will align with the international best practices.
“This will help to safeguard people's right to privacy,” she said, adding that MACRA will hold more awareness initiatives with various stakeholders on the new data protection laws.
She said the communication practitioners training was part of the Data Protection Act awareness.
MEJN to fight GBV in Mangochi
By Shaffie Bakali
Mangochi, March 21, Mana: Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), a Non-Governmental Organization on good governance issues, is set to implement a one-year pilot gender-based violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) project in Traditional Authorities Namkumba, Mponda, Jalasi and Chimwala in Mangochi.
Introducing the project to gender technical working group and stakeholders on Wednesday, MEJN Executive Director Bertha Lipipa Phiri said Mangochi continues registering high cases of harmful cultural practices and alcohol and drug abuse, which accelerate GBV.
The project is budgeted at K120 million with funding from Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid and aims at fighting against inequalities to protect women and girls from the four T/As against GBV and other harmful social cultural practices.
“We noted that women and girls in Mangochi are not empowered to build their self-esteem and to realize their health, social, and expression rights.
“Through this project, we intend to increase ability to identify, counsel, care for and refer gender based violence victims to service providers. We will also enhance the role of media in preventing violence cases and amplifying the voice of women and girls to live their dignified lives,” she said.
Phiri added that the project is expected to directly benefit 200 females and 50 males from the four targeted T/As.
In his remarks, chairperson for Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network for Mangochi, Joseph Makwakwa, hailed MEJN for the project, describing it as timely intervention.
"The project has come at the right place and at the right time. Mangochi is associated with various social economic activities like tourism and fisheries activities that drive GBV cases,” he said.
Makwakwa, therefore, assured MEJN that civil society organizations in Mangochi will fully support the project to ensure its successful implementation.
52 illegal immigrants netted
By Blessings Preston Memena
Mzuzu, March 20, Mana: Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Tuesday arrested 52 Ethiopian nationals, on suspicion that they entered the country without travel documents contrary to Section 21(1) of the Malawi Immigration Act.
Confirming the development, Public Relations Officer for Regional Immigration and Citizenship Services Office for the north, Francis Chitambuli, said the suspects who are all male, were intercepted around Mkombezi area in Rumphi District following routine checks by the officers.
According to Chitambuli, the officers also impounded a 20 tonner Van motor vehicle, suspected to have been used in ferrying the arrested suspects.
“The vehicle with registration number NE 9315 belongs to Skylight Logistics. The vehicle was found abandoned in a bush, with the illegal immigrants inside it, leading to their arrest,” Chitambuli said.
Meanwhile, the suspects are expected to appear in court soon to answer charges levelled against them.
The development comes barely after 12 days when immigration officials in the north also arrested 28 Ethiopians for a similar crime.
CCAP needs k250 million for grand celebrations
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, March 20, MANA: As Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) is clocking 100 years of service this year, CCAP General Assembly General Secretary Reverend Mwawi Chilongozi has asked all Synods in the country to help the church raise funds for the celebrations.
Briefing the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Chilongozi said the centenary celebrations slated for August 24-25 this year at CIVO stadium in Lilongwe is pegged at K250 million.
Chilongozi further said, the church is hopeful that members of CCAP will contribute generously towards the event.
“We have proposed a budget for the celebration amounting to k250 million. Some of the funds will be raised from the cloth that will be printed for the celebrations and other fundraising activities.
“However, as a church, we are requesting all CCAP members in Malawi in all three Synods namely Livingstonia, Blantyre, and Nkhoma to contribute generously towards the celebrations. We are requesting that each member in rural congregations contribute K500 while congregations in urban areas to pay K1000 each,” She said.
Chilongozi also said, as a part of celebrations, CCAP through a research conference conducted at Zomba Theological University will publish a book with a foreword written by the President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.
In his remarks, General Secretary for Nkhoma Synod, Vasco Kachipapa said CCAP members in Malawi should be excited with the event saying the celebrations could have happened in other countries but instead the celebrations will be held in Malawi.
“As a Synod, we have been honoured that the celebrations will take place in our territory. The event could have been done in Blantyre, Livingstonia even Zambia or Zimbabwe. But the event will be held here in Lilongwe at CIVO Stadium, it is like a home ground and we are really excited,” He said.
Meanwhile, CCAP General Assembly has extended invitation to the heads of States in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The CCAP was established in 1924 as a result of the work of the Scottish and Dutch Missionaries in the last quarter of the 1800s.
Mzuzu City ready to roll out Price Shock Emergency Urban Cash Transfer
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, March 20, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) says it is geared towards rolling out implementation of Price Shock Emergency Urban Cash Transfer after thoroughly going through all stipulated processes.
According to a communication released by the council to Ward Development Committees, Community Disaster Risk Management Committee and block leaders, all processes that delayed the implementation of the safety net intervention have been resolved.
“Implementing partners who include the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in liaison with the development partners have resolved that the implementation of the programme should commence immediately with identification of beneficiaries,” reads part of the communication.
The programme is designed to support poor and vulnerable households within Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Zomba and Blantyre City Councils with 105,000 households targeted beneficiaries out of which 12,000 are allocated to MCC and each household is expected to receive K150,000.00.
The communication which is signed by MCC’s Acting Director of Planning and Development, Agness Malota, further indicates that all procedures should be adhered to in identifying beneficiary households to ensure transparency and fairness during the implementation of the programme.
Some of the requirements for a household to benefit from the initiative include households with elderly member with ages from 64 and above and person with disability.
Other criteria stipulate that a household must be headed by a 50-year old or above female, including child headed ones.
Commenting on the development, Chairperson for MCC Disaster Risk Management Committee, Katsilizika Mwale, said the intervention will beef up Lean Period Emergency Food Support Programme in the city.
According to Mwale, the programme is being implemented following devaluation of the Kwacha and socio-economic destabilisation.
When potable water becomes an epitome of conflict resolution
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, March 20, Mana: As is common and a cultural norm in Mzimba District, Mateyo Ndhlovu Village is named after Mateyo Ndhlovu, the Inkosana (traditional leader) in the area – following the area’s Ngoni Tribe lineage.
Perched on the outskirts of Ekwendeni Trading Centre, the village sits just a kilometre away from Lunyangwa River, which is the main raw water source for Ekwendeni and Mzuzu City.
Until 2022, Lunyangwa River provided a lifeline for the village and surrounding areas, albeit at a cost with numerous sanitation and hygiene challenges plaguing the village as the community members drank the raw water from the river.
“We didn’t have safe drinking tap water. Lunyangwa provided water for all our needs from drinking to cooking and bathing. While the water was free, that freeness came at a cost.
We lost lives to cholera and other waterborne related diseases from drinking raw water from the river as the water is unsafe,” explains Inkosana Mateyo Ndhlovu.
According to the traditional leader, during the rainy season, the situation worsened as the water in the river became inconsumable as it was infested with mud, following environmental degradation in the upper areas including its catchment.
“The water was muddy. We could use it neither for drinking nor bathing. Now it became a hustle of walking long distances to look for water as we did not even have a borehole. This greatly affected my community as productivity dropped,” he narrated.
The Inkosana added that his village relies on farming and absence of water meant community members spending a lot of time looking for water instead of tending to their fields of crops.
“And there was one more troubling thing,” he laments with a somber face, “we are farmers and naturally with a lot of livestock. So we were sharing our only source of water with cattle, goats, dogs and wild animals.”
According to Ndhlovu, that brought conflict in the village as his subjects blamed each other for the unhygienic conditions and rising cases of water borne diseases.
“My prayer was always for government to at least give us a borehole. At least, that would have pacified my village,” he lamented.
At the turn of 2022, him and his subjects got more than what they had bargained for – a sustainable piped water system powered by clean energy at Ekwendeni. It was a turning point for Ndhlovu and his subjects as they now started enjoying their full right to safe drinking water.
The Malawi Government, through the Northern Region Water Board, has implemented the Malawi NRWB Water Efficiency Project with €24.6 million financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Among other interventions, in Ekwendeni, the project has constructed a concrete weir across Lunyangwa River, which has increased the raw water supply available from the river from 1.3 million litres to 8.1 million litres per day; upgraded the water treatment from a paltry 800 000 litres per day to 6.6 million litres daily capacity and upgraded 5.5 kilometres of transmission line to Bobo and Chinungu tanks.
In addition, the project has upgraded 13 kilometres of water distribution network, including extending supply to Mateyu Ndhlovu Village on the outskirts of the town. At the village, the Board installed one of the communal water points as part of the project.
According to Inkosana Ndhlovu, the safe drinking water has not only helped improve water supply and reduce cases of water borne diseases but has also helped his community dodge bullets of conflicts.
“Imagine sleeping peacefully knowing that we will not work up in the middle of the night to take someone to the hospital because they are sick from drinking unsafe water from the river.
Imagine sleeping knowing that tomorrow, the first thing we will do is to go and tend to our gardens not the previous daily routine of walking a distance to access water before we go to our gardens already tired.
“Imagine sleeping knowing I will not wake up to mediate or resolve water related conflicts where someone has taken his cattle to the same spot we were drawing water from. This water has brought peace in my community,” Ndhlovu explained, beaming with joy.
Today, Inkosana Ndhlovu has moved from the communal water tap to his own prepaid connection at his house where he can easily buy water units with no threat of disconnection.
“Instead of drinking from a public tap, I wanted this feel-good life close to me with this new technology of prepaid meters where I can buy water units without being worried of a disconnection” he says with a grin.
Now, a number of individual prepaid connections are dotting the village, accelerated by Malawi Government’s free new water connection programme - with each household keen to have water at their doorstep.
“We are steadily running with government’s vision of ensuring that everyone has access to potable water by year 2030 and that no one is left behind in line with Sustainable Development Goal no six, which calls for potable water and sanitation for all by year 2030,” chipped in Francis Munthali, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Region Water Board.
Over 15,000 new prepaid connections now dot Ekwendeni Town and Mzuzu City, including Moyale Barracks, as part of the project.
“With prepaid meters, the project has greatly improved our relationship with customers and improved water use efficiency as customers are now able to closely monitor their usage. Constant fights and disagreements over water bills is now history with customers on prepaid connections,” added Munthali.
This peace and tranquility can be felt as the sun sets on Mateyo Ndhlovu Village with its fading orange hues serenely calling it a day on the village – with members of the village calmly sharing last stories of the day in their groups.
The EIB financed water supply project has transformed Ekwendeni from a perennial water stressed area to one with plenty and a happy people.
SCTP hailed for uplifting livelihoods in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, March 20, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries in Karonga have hailed the programme for reducing poverty and hunger in their homes, as well as helping them attain various assets.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Awetu Zimba from Fashoni Village in the area of Senior Chief Kilipura, said since she was enrolled in 2018, hunger is no longer an issue in her home.
"I have been investing the money which I get from the programme into various businesses. As we speak, I have bought a cow, constructed a house, I pay school fees for my children and I am also taking care of my elderly mother," Zimba explained.
Zimba said that before joining the programme, life was difficult for her family, as she was living in a poorly constructed hut and poverty and hunger were leaving her children malnourished.
Another beneficiary, Clement Chiwatu from the area of Senior Chief Kilipura, said through SCTP, he has been fending for his five children and an orphan, as well as building a house with electricity connection.
On his part, Assistant Social Welfare Officer for Karonga District Council, Chrispin Chikakula, said SCTP beneficiaries are encouraged to join village savings and loans (VSL) groups where they make savings and are able to access soft loans for starting up small businesses.
"We currently have 7,480 beneficiaries in Karonga but we have plans to increase to 8,080. Transfer amounts vary by household size and number of school-aged children, and on average, K4,000 is given to a single person household per month.
"The programme has three main goals, which are to improve school enrollment, improve nutrition and improve household wealth. Through the programme, households have managed to buy assets and the human development of children has also improved," he said.
SCTP is government’s social support scheme targeting rural ultra-poor and labour-constrained households.
In Karonga, the World Bank is funding the programme with coordination from the National Local Government Finance Committee.
