MANAonline
SRPC purchased land; aspires for media financial improvement
Petro Mkandaiwre
Blantyre, January, 23, Mana: Southern Region Press Club (SRPC) has purchased a one-hectare piece of land worth K2.5 million as one way of establishing the club’s cooperatives.
The land, which is situated at Whayo Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Kapeni in Blantyre, will be turned into a poultry and piggery farm in order to improve living standards of media personnel.
SRPC President, Ronald Amos told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Monday that the vision of the club is to be innovative and create an environment where members of the press can attain economic growth and independence and be a vital link between financial stability and the ability of journalists to operate with autonomy and integrity.
“There is collusion between media freedom and lack of financial freedom because our media freedom is being compromised by lack of finances. As such, we want to empower journalists by having an entrepreneurship drive that would benefit them,” said Amos.
SRPC members will be able to buy shares from the cooperatives and the cooperative will create a comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for the group.
According to Amos, the more shares a member buys the more the dividends he/she gets.
SRPC was established with a vision to foster solidarity and collaboration among media. It is rooted in a profound understanding that economic empowerment is the cornerstone of journalists’ independence as it unifies force for the journalist community in the southern and eastern parts of Malawi.
One of the SRPC members, Britta Mpata, who is also willing to join the cooperative said farming is a potential pathway for smallholder producers to gain access to more lucrative market opportunities thereby improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
“As a member, this is my opportunity to acquire new skills. Through these press cooperatives journalist poverty will be mitigated as it will boost life standards as well as food security,” said Mpata.
Sports experts asked for football improvement
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, January 22, Mana: Sports analysts have asked Ministry of Youth and Sports to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Education in formalizing sports in the education system at all levels as a way of improving sports in the country.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, sports expert, Kim Kamau, said the country seriously misses grassroots football development as in the past football, and sports in general, was incorporated in the education syllabus which assisted in unearthing and building talent at the most critical aspect of the game.
"The state of Malawi football is a mixed bag. If we dissect into the technical and administrative angles technically the game has stagnated. If we are to do a proper comparative analysis of gains made at the national level and infrastructure we will find out that it has dwindled to worrisome levels," said Kamau.
He added that football commands a larger outcome than any other sport such that it has an ideal platform for creating market value for any product.
Kamau further explained that football generates revenue through gate collections and television rights and gives a platform for small and medium enterprises to undertake market activities.
In a separate interview Chairperson for Ngwangwa Wan Football Zone in Balaka, Vivah Mandala, appealed to government and other stakeholders to engage bonanza and leagues in local football communities because it is where talent and skillful people can be found.
“Gatekeepers should know that football starts from zones and it drives the economy. Lack of football resources hinders the improvement of football and the whole sports industry. Establishment of local sports from zones and districts can put Malawi on the map,” said Mandala.
He, therefore, said once vibrant structures which are an eyesore now like MDC, BAT, Nchalo, Zomba, Lilongwe Community Centre Ground and Mzuzu Stadium should be maintained they should be able to bring resources and boost the industry.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire said it is the ministry’s responsibility to make sure that resources are available for the elevation of sports in the country.
He said the ministry is working with other stakeholders to improve sports in the country.
"The industry has tremendously grown, with more stakeholders involved, including women administrators, and of course players. Our large focus is on the game to grow and provide all football necessities,” said Mkandawire.
ECHO Africa supports students with note books
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, January 21, Mana: Encountering Christ Helping Others (ECHO) Africa has donated 5,000 noted books to student at Nyambadwe Primary and Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Ndirande as one way of promoting primary and secondary education.
Speaking in an interview after the donation recently, Pastor Saphina Fletcher said ECHO Africa focuses on preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, organising sports bonanzas as one way of preaching the gospel and also providing Bibles and notebooks to needy students that cannot afford to buy.
‘Nyambadwe is our first school since it’s a new project but we will go to other schools,” she said observing that not all the students received the notebooks.
Fletcher, therefore, said ECHO’s target was to provide the note books to students in Form 2 and 4 and learners in Standard 8.
Nyambadwe CDSS Headteacher, Alex Sambo encouraged the students to use the notebooks for the intended purpose other than selling them.
“I appreciate this gesture. This has motivated students to work hard in class,” Sambo said.
Meanwhile, Nyambadwe CDSS and Nyambadwe Primary School are the only schools in Blantyre that received notebooks from ECHO Africa. Other school will receive their part.
104 students at Nyambadwe CDSS received the notebooks in Forms 2 and 4 while over 3,000 note books were divided among Standard 8 learners at Nyambadwe Primary School.
Ministry, MIE engage public in curriculum review
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, January 21, Mana: Ministry of Education, through Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), is engaging the public in reviewing education curriculum for pre-school, primary, secondary and teacher training education institutions to ensure that they align with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063).
Speaking during the consultative meeting on curriculum review in Blantyre on Saturday, Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, observed that existing curricula have become long overdue for review to respond to the current needs of Malawians and aspirations of the MW2063.
“Education curricula drive socio-economic development by setting education standards that aim to equip learners with knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for personal and national growth. To achieve this, the curriculum has to regularly be reviewed so that education contents and goals align to economic prosperity and technological advancement for wealth creation,” she said.
Wirima expressed optimism that the input from the public presented in the consultative meeting will assist in developing a balanced, realistic and relevant curriculum to achieve high standards of education in the country.
In his remarks, MIE Executive Director Frank Mtemang’ombe shared similar views with Wirima on the need to review the curricula to respond to the needs of today, tomorrow and also ever-changing socio-economic landscape.
According to Mtemang’ombe, the curriculum for primary school is reviewed every eight years but the current one has passed over the stipulated years since it was last reviewed in 2007.
“Similarly, secondary school curriculum was last reviewed in 2015, yet it is supposed to be reviewed every four years. Likewise, teacher training curriculum is reviewed every two years, but since 2018 it has never been reviewed again,” he said.
Educationalist Andy Manyondo hailed government for the exercise and urged the authorities to include in the new curriculum inclusive education to enable learners attain full potential in life.
The consultative meeting attracted academia, business tycoons, parents and faith leaders among others.
Program impressed with bee keeping in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, January 20, Mana: Ministry of Trade and Industry has expressed satisfaction with the progress of bee keeping initiatives in Nkhata Bay as evidenced by increased number of people joining and embracing new bee keeping technics.
Community Specialist for Honey for Transforming Agriculture, through Diversification and Entrepreneurship Program, Arthur Ngwende made the remarks on Friday in Nkhata Bay during a consultative meeting with relevant stakeholders on bee keeping.
"Bee keeping in this district is on track as more and more small holder farmers are joining the venture. Currently, Nkhata Bay has 3,500 farmers and a good number of them are using modern technics to maximize honey production,” said Ngwende.
He hinted on the need for the bee keepers to put what they learn, through various capacity building trainings, into practice if they are to boost their honey productivity and income.
"Bee keeping has the potential to enhance households’ economic sustainability if farmers apply the knowledge they acquire through trainings for improved livelihood," he added.
In his remarks, Acting Director of Trade and Commence for Nkhata Bay District Council, Thanira Gondwe described the meeting as crucial in reviewing honey markets establishment strategies.
"The farmers need access to good markets where they can get good prices. We have very few markets and we need more outlets," said Gondwe.
Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Disability Forum, McDwelings Nkhoma appealed for increased participation of more people with disabilities in bee keeping saying, currently, there are only a handful people involved in the initiative.
Lilongwe farmers laud Public Works Programme
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, January 20, Mana: Farmers in Lilongwe district have commended Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) for equipping them with climate smart agricultural technologies which have helped restore degraded land.
Speaking on Friday during a media tour at Linthipe Catchment Area in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chitekwere in the district, one of the farmers Damiano Chauwa said many people are now able to do their agricultural activities on the pieces of land which were abandoned for some time because of lack of fertile soil due to degradation as a result of run-off.
“We are happy now that we are able to use the farms that were abandoned many years ago because of run-off water as we were not able to harvest enough maize as most of the crops were being washed away,” he said.
He said his farm and others have benefited stone bunds and swales which were constructed and vertices grass was planted in his field which has helped mitigate the run-off.
Through the project, penetrating pits were also constructed which has helped reduce soil erosion as run off has completely been controlled.
According to Chauwa, the farmers are optimistic to have bumper yield this year.
Another participant from Kavunde Catchment Area in the area of Traditional Authority M’bang’ombe, Lex Kapaza, said the programme has assisted farmers to embrace new farming technologies which has dramatically helped them change their livelihood for the better.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank government for introducing CS-EPWP which is changing the lives of people. If you can go around, you will see that many of us have livestock because of this programme,” he said.
Lilongwe District Desk Officer for CS-EPWP, Setrida Mlamba, said it is interesting that communities in the district have embraced the programme and expressed optimism over the success of the programme citing current progress in the restoration of the degraded landscapes.
CS-EPWP is a component of Social Support for Resilience Livelihood Project (SSRLP), which is being facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with financial support from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund including the World Bank.
Mining, exploration company launched in Malawi
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, January 20, Mana: A Tanzanian based mining, exploration, oil and gas company, Azurite Management and Consultancy, has been launched in Malawi with an aim of giving professional and technical assistance to the mining industry in the country.
Speaking during the launch at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday, Minister of Mining Monica Chang’anamuno, hailed the launch of the company saying it will boost the mining sector in the country as it will be working with different companies in the mining sector.
Chang’anamuno emphasized the importance of having such companies saying they are well experienced in the mining sector thereby helping in economic development.
“We are happy to launch this company as it will be giving services to large scale businesses that are into mining. Azurite Management and Consultancy is a company that is heavily grounded in the mining sector. The company aims to provide unparalleled expertise and support to mining companies,” Chang’anamuno said.
She added that Malawi Government is trying its best to give the private sector a conducive environment for them to come in with their different businesses.
Azurite Management and Consultancy Business Development Manager, Siziwe Mkandawire said Azurite saw that many people in the country lacked a professional advisor in the mining industry hence the launch of the company.
“We are here to explore possibilities in the mining industry like mining in Karonga and Balaka. As such, we want to give solutions to the problems which clients face in this industry,” she said.
Azurite Management and Consultancy will be working in collaboration with Malawi Government to create a productive mining industry.
Mzimba residents hail council for intensifying garbage collection
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, January 17, Mana: Mzimba residents have applauded M'mbelwa District Council for embarking on a special garbage collection operation which has resulted in clean residential and business environments.
A resident of Chanthomba location, Maxwell Banda said for a long time he has been observing trends of uncollected garbage around Mzimba Boma which was giving bad image of the town.
"Coming in town to do business, one could see mountains of uncollected garbage, but for the past one week the town looks great and nice," said Banda.
Banda wished the Council could be clearing garbage often so that the trading centre should not be a host to uncollected mounds of garbage.
Another resident, Alison Gondwe of St Pauls location said councils should not wait for garbage to mount for them to move in.
"We pay taxes and councils should ensure that citizens live in good environments. Now the council has cleaned most areas where was stinking smell due to rotten materials," said Gondwe.
General Secretary for marketing committee in the district, Julious Dongo Zgambo said the markets have a lot of areas that need cleaning.
"We have seen the Council deploying a tractor to clear most garbage which is commendable but there are still some areas the Council should still do the clear up exercises including a section where young people operate barbershops,” said Zgambo.
He said there were broken toilets and water pavements which the Council needs to repair.
In a separate interview, Principal Environmental Officer for Mmbelwa District Council, James Pelani, acknowledged that the Council has been unable to collect garbage but has started to clear up garbage to its dump site.
"The works will continue and we will do it in almost all trading centres. Last week we collected at Jenda Trading Centre and now we just completed Mzimba Market.
"Our aim is to ensure traders operate in good environments but let them also take care of their environment by avoiding dumping wastes anyhow. Together we can achieve the cleanliness of our trading Centre’s", said Pelani.
CS-EPWP economically empowering Ntchisi rural livelihoods
By Maria Tembo
Ntchisi, January 17, Mana: Participants to the World Bank-funded Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) in Banja micro-catchment in Senior Chief Nthondo, Ntchisi district have applauded the project saying it has brought developmental benefits.
One of the participants in the micro-catchment, which falls under Kavuma catchment area, Tiberia Nsungwi, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) during a media tour over the weekend that apart from the 10,000 tree seedlings that are meant to restore forest cover, the locals were also provided with fruit seedlings which have been transplanted in households of all the 99 participants.
“We have so far transplanted at least three personal paw-paw trees for each household some of which, when they are fully grown, will be consumed by our families while some will be sold and ordered out to other fruit selling business people. We have all hope that this will economically empower our households.
“We plan to plant more varieties of fruit trees through the same initiative and we believe that, going forward, more people will benefit from the same,” said Nsungwi.
A foreman for Kavuma catchment area, Angel Sauzande said, through the project, participants are able to support their families with basic needs through the monthly K28,000 payments they get for their participation.
Sauzande said when the tree nurseries grow into forests, they will serve multiple benefits in the catchment area including reversing climate change woes that have hit the district in the recent past due to land degradation.
“We have also suffered demolition of houses due to strong winds that often hit our catchment area and the forest will serve as a wind breaker to shield our houses” explained Sauzande.
The CW-EPWP is a government initiative being implemented in ten district councils by the National Local Government Finance Committee to enhance climate resilience.
Pictorial: Life at Chiitana Primary School
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, January 17, Mana: Standing in a hard to reach area and at a distance of about 56 kilometers from Dedza Boma, Chiitana is a full primary school under Group Village Headman Mwenje in Traditional Authority (TA) Kasumbu and boasts about over 800 learners.
The school, with insufficient desks, has only two temporary classroom blocks which were made possible with support from community members and other well-wishers of Indian origin.
The rest of the classrooms are improvised grass thatched posing threats to learners especially when the weather is not favorable. No wonder, for the past two academic years, when it turned into a full primary school, no learner has been sent to a national let alone a district secondary school.
Malawi News Agency (Mana) photojournalist, Steve Chirombo, captured the highlights.
