By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe November 18, Mana: Parliament Week aims to highlight the vital role that parliament plays in fostering democracy and enhancing the connection between citizens and their elected representatives.

This was said during the official launch of the Parliament Week on Monday in Lilongwe.

Speaker of the Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara, said the launch underlines members of parliament's dedication and constitutional commitment to represent the aspirations of the people of Malawi while also promoting democracy.

“We believe we cannot effectively represent the people if the people themselves are not engaging and understanding how their representatives works in parliament.

“The Parliament Week will also address misconceptions concerning members of parliament and the parliament at large by answering all questions people have concerning the parliament,” Hara explained.

Representing the Leader of the House, Minister of tourism Vera Kamtukule said the Parliament Week will help people to be aware of significant issues that members of parliament discuss and implement on the ground.

“This will help people to observe, understand and gain knowledge on what members of parliament discuss and also help them to see how their leaders make laws, policies on different issues of the country,” she explained.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adda Dontoh explained that the parliament week will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers and the change makers.

“We call on young people to become more politically engaged by actively seeking ways to shape the future and advocate for policies that reflect their values,” she said.

The parliament week commenced with the parade from area 18 interchange and ended at parliament building where the rest of the activities took place.

The Week is held under the theme ‘know your parliament’ and is aimed at enhancing public awareness of the functions and operations of Malawi Parliament.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, November 18, Mana: Machinga District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere, has said disaster contingency plan is crucial in the management of disasters as it enhances the district’s preparedness and response capacities.

Jere made the sentiments during the district’s disaster contingency plan review workshop at Liwonde Community Development Centre in Balaka.

He said the disaster contingency plan is crucial, as it is a management tool used to analyze the impact of potential disasters and ensure that adequate and appropriate arrangements are made in advance to respond in a timely and appropriate way to the needs of affected population.

Jere reminded those taking part in the review that failing to complete a contingency plan renders the whole exercise fruitless.

“Effort should be made to finalize the contingency plan during the review workshop and clusters should ensure that they have collected all the required data before they start holding review workshops.

“Machinga District is yearly affected by disasters such as floods, dry spells, strong winds, Cholera and crop pests. We have since started registering some cases in some of the traditional authorities. Some communities have already started experiencing the effects of strong winds,” he said.

He observed that their district has experienced damage and losses on people’s livelihoods, adding that Machinga has been suffering losses and damages affecting agriculture, water and sanitation, education and trade.  

Jere, therefore, asked district stakeholders and communities to make use of the plan during or before disasters, noting: “It should not just gather dust in shelves but rather help us as DDRMC members to timely respond and assist the affected population within the required 24 hours of responding to a disaster.”

He also appealed to all sectors to have a disaster risk management to mainstream disasters in their programming of interventions and provide a report of what has been implemented in the contingency plan.

However, Jere urged reviewers of the disaster contingency plan to make realistic assumptions and budgets but also to involve communities and civil protection committees in all the processes including dissemination of the plan to enhance ownership and smooth implementation.

Machinga District Principal Nutrition, HIV and AIDS Officer, Autile Sanyira who is involved in the review meeting, said the plan is a benchmark for effective management of disaster preparedness activities and response.

“This review helps the district plan and allocate resources needed to prepare, respond and also recover from disaster when they occur. Therefore, it is right that every year we review the plans in accordance with the year’s weather seasonal forecast,” said Sanyira.

By Evalitso Kapesi

Mzuzu, November 18, Mana: Commissioner for Operations and Security Services in Malawi Prison Service, Aaron Kaunda, on Sunday said that sport has transformative impact in uniting communities and supporting rehabilitation of offenders.

Kaunda was speaking during wrap up of Northern Region Prisons’ two-day sports tournament at Mzuzu Prison Ground.

Sporting disciplines on the day included football, netball, volleyball and tag of war.

He said that the tournament aimed at fostering good working relationship among prison officers, stakeholders and members of the public while providing prisoners with opportunities to reintegrate into society.

“Such sporting activities ensure officers’ physical and mental fitness and spiritual growth. I thank the Department of Prisons for the ongoing transition from punitive to corrective service models, including restorative justice programs,” said Kaunda

He then thanked Malawi Police Service Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization, Centenary Bank, Pinnacle Financial Services, Mukuru, NBS Bank and NICO for supporting the tournament.

Mukuru Regional supervisor for the north, Wanangwa Kazeze said the company supported the tournament because it believes that their services have no boarders and service people of all carders.

Rumphi Prison emerged winners in Football while Mzimba Prison emerged champions in Volleyball, as Mzuzu Prison were best performers in Netball and Tag of war.

Coach for Rumphi Prison Football Team, Kennedy Mphaninga attributed their victory to disciplined officers and collective commitment to success.

The tournament which started with big walk from Katoto Ground to Mzuzu Prison was held under the theme ‘Promoting Community Participation in the Reintegration of Offenders’.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, November 18, Mana: The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has terminated the contracts of its technical team coaches, stating that the decision was made to ensure that the national teams are prepared to achieve optimal fitness and performance levels.

NAM General Secretary, Yamikani Kauma, disclosed this on Monday through a press statement.

He stated that NAM has terminated coaching contract for Joana Kachilika and Eleanour Mapulanga as Coach and Vice Coach of the Malawi Queens, with one month notice effective 19th November, 2024.

“This termination comes as NAM wants to make sure that national teams are performing well in all international tournaments,” said Kauma.

Kauma further said that NAM has appointed Peace Chawinga and Mary Waya as Co-Head Coaches for the senior National Netball teams effective November  19, 2024.

“NAM believes that being the highest qualified coaches in Malawi, their experience in coaching and development of players, and having performed as players, the two are best suited to steer the senior National Queens and oversee the development of the Under 21 and Under 19 teams, as we Rebuild the Team,” he explained.

He said Joana kachilika has been re-appointed  as Head Coach for Under 21 National Team until September  30, 2025 on conclusion of the Netball Youth World Cup.

Meanwhile, NAM has also terminated the contract for Christina Mkwanda who has been coach for under 21 and she has been re-appointed as vice coach for Under 21 National Team effective November 19, 2024 until September 30,2025.

The statement further confirms that NAM has also terminated the contract for Triza Chipolopolo who has been Vice Coach for Under 18 National Team.

In his remarks, a Sports analyst Edwin Mbewe has described the newly appointed National coaches as fruitful saying they are people with experiences as they have previously coached and played for the national team.

“The performance of the national team recently has dropped on the international scene so coming in of Peace Chawinga and Mary Waya will bring significant change to the Malawi Queens,” said Mbewe.

The Malawi Netball team is currently on position six on the world netball ranking.

By Alinafe Kapatamoyo

Lilongwe, November 18, Mana: The TNM Super league is heating up with excitement matches this coming Wednesday as league leaders Silver Strikers are set to take on Mafco FC at Civo Stadium, while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are currently second on the log table will play against Bangwe All Stars at Kamuzu stadium.

Silver strikers will be looking to maintain their top spot, but Mafco FC will undoubtedly provide a tough challenge as they are also looking to finish at a good position in the league, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will be seeking to close the gap with the leaders and cement their position in second place.

On the same Baka city who are already relegated in the league will play against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at Karonga Stadium, while Fomo who are also in relegation zone will play against Creck Sporting Club at Mulanje stadium.

The matches are expected to be highly competitive, since all teams are looking forward to secure all the points by the end of the games.

By Salome Gangire

Neno, November 18, Mana: Participants in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) in Neno District have described the initiative as transformative, bringing positive change both to the environment and their financial status.

The project funded by Malawi Government through the World Bank and by the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) programme aims at mitigating climate change effects while boosting local livelihoods, has had tangible impact in communities heavily reliant on subsistence farming.

A participant from Mtungamowa Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli, Wyson Ndapita expressed gratitude for the dual benefits of the programme.

Mtungamowa said the programme has introduced an alternative, offering participants a reliable income source while simultaneously promoting environmental stewardship.

“This project has brought hope to many of us. In the past, we only depended on our small farms which barely produced enough food for our families,” he said.

Ndapita said with the income realized from participating in the programme, they afford other basic necessities they couldn’t before.

He said the work has helped them foster a sense of responsibility toward the environment.

“We are beginning to see that our survival is connected to how well we care for nature. Our children are also learning from this and I hope this project will continue so we can build a better future,” he said.

Another participant from Chapita Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli, Lonely Boti resonated similar sentiments, noting how the initiative has reduced poverty while restoring degraded landscapes.

“Through this project, we are not just earning money; we are contributing to conserving the environment which is our lifeline. The reforestation and soil conservation activities have revived barren lands around here and we hope to see even better results in the coming years,” she said.

Boti said through the money they receive after working under the project, women are now economically empowered as they have ventured into village savings and loans groups, while others have started small businesses which help them support their families.

CS-EPWP Project Facilitator for Neno, Chrissy Kamanga said the programme has produced good economic results apart from communities’ adoption of sustainable catchment management as well as improving livelihood of the participants.

Kamanga said participants work for 30 paid days and 10 days for community contribution; thereby, receiving K48, 000 after a cycle.

“The programme is empowering participants economically through wages they receive to buy food and other basic necessities,” said Kamanga.

The programme involves participants in a range of activities including promoting natural regeneration, tree planting, constructing soil and water conservation structures like swales and stone bunds in attempt to curb soil erosion, enhance water retention and promote biodiversity, all crucial for communities facing erratic weather patterns and soil depletion.

The CS-EPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP), a Malawi Government project funded by the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and the World Bank and is being facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee in all the 28 district councils.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, November 18, Mana: Christos Ambassadors Students Ministries (CASM), a branch of Christos Ambassadors Ministries International (CAMI), hosted a conference at Malawi College of Accountancy (Blantyre Campus) over the weekend aimed at enhancing the spiritual and academic lives of university and college students.

Speaking at the conference, Founder of CAMI, Kennie Mulinde emphasized the importance of involving God in every aspect of life, as the future, though unseen, can be shaped through faith.

“Our future is entrusted to God and can only be navigated by the Holy Spirit through the gospel. The destiny of your life has already been planned by God,” he said.

Mulinde discouraged the tendency to blame misfortunes on one’s background or country of origin, reminding attendees that being born in Malawi is not a mistake but an opportunity to be fruitful.

He also encouraged students to engage in self-reflection and not let others define their self-worth.

“Develop a habit of looking in the mirror and telling yourself positive words that build confidence and positivity in your life. Self-affirmations shape how you see yourself and influence how others perceive you,” Mulinde said.

Mulinde outlined the challenges he faced when starting his ministry during his college years, including facing ridicule and mockery from fellow students.

“I have faced the worst mockery than I expected, but I have learned not to argue with people who have no contribution to my future,” he stated.

Tickson Kondowe, a Malawi College of Accountancy alumnus and a member of CAMI, urged students to take responsibility for shaping their lives and not remain stuck in unfavorable situations.

“Do not rely on complaints alone when things go wrong. As students, you must explore different ways to achieve your goals,” he said.

Kondowe also advised students to be content with what they have and use it as motivation to strive for greater achievements.

“Dedicate yourself to the small things you have; big accomplishments often originate from humble beginnings. Learn to value what you have,” he added.

He, however, encouraged students to acquire additional skills to supplement their education and to surround themselves with a positive and supportive social circle.

During the conference, it was announced that next year’s event will be held at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) with the specific date to be advised later.

The conference was attended by alumni and students from various universities and colleges around Blantyre.