MANAonline
Neno Council pins hope on GESD projects
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, October 24, Mana: Neno District Council is pinning its hope on Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project to improve the standards of the social services in the district.
The council's chairperson, James Chiphaliwali, said this, Wednesday, during a joint monitoring exercise of GESD projects by the Civil Society Organizations and council officials.
Neno District Council is implementing three GESD projects worth K380 million in the 2023/2024 financial year, namely, construction of Chidokowe Classroom Block and staff house in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlauli, Rehabilitation of Nadzanga Classroom Block in T/A Chekucheku and construction of Mbemba Waste Yard in T/A Symon.
"Construction of classroom blocks will reduce the number of learners who learn under trees and when these classroom blocks are ready for use, we will also avoid injuries caused by natural disasters,” said Chiphaliwali.
He said shortage of teacher houses is a great challenge that makes teachers reluctant to come to the district which negatively affects the quality of education and hopes that the houses will motivate them.
Chiphaliwali therefore appealed to the communities to avoid vandalism of various development projects taking place in the district.
Lisungwi Ward Councilor, Mark Ngwangwa concurred with Chiphaliwali saying that the initiative will change the face of social services in the district.
"The waste yard which is being constructed will help reduce cases of the cholera pandemic in Neno. As a community, we will benefit more from this project," he said.
Ngwangwa pledged to work together with the council and the contractors in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness of the projects.
Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Neno, Russel Msiska commended the council for the significant progress made in implementing developmental projects under GESD.
He said successful implementation of the project will enhance education and sanitation infrastructure in the district.
GESD is a Government of Malawi initiative with support from the World Bank aimed at strengthening institutional performance of Local Authorities (LAs), their responsiveness to citizens and management of resources for effective service delivery.
Stakeholders call for stronger support for creative industry
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, October 24, Mana: Stakeholders in the creative industry have called for increased government support and collaboration to drive sustainable development through arts.
Chairperson for the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), Rev. Chimwemwe Mhango made the call Wednesday during the opening of a two-day conference on Chitoliro Music and Arts in Blantyre.
Mhango emphasized the need for government’s involvement in fostering initiatives that support the creative industry.
“Government and stakeholders need to make policies and programmes that focus on capacity building and investment in a serious way,” he said.
He stressed the importance of collaborations between artists, investors and policymakers to promote growth in the sector.
On his part, Director of Chitoliro Productions and Urban Music People (UMP) Festival, Ken Zizwa Limwame underscored the significance of the conference.
“This conference brings artists together to evaluate our gaps and learn from each other. We have participants from different countries, which will have a lasting impact on our local industry,” said Limwame.
He added that there is need for formal institutions dedicated to arts education in Malawi.
“Art can be inborn but we still need schools to teach techniques and foster creativity which in turn will improve the quality of artistic work produced,” he said.
The conference aims at exploring the pivotal role of the creative industry in driving sustainable development under the theme: “evolutionary exploration of creative industries’ role for sustainable development.”
CAVWOC fights deforestation in Chiradzulu
By Tisunge Mlenga
Chiradzulu, October 24, Mana: Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC) has embarked on sensitization campaigns in Chiradzulu District to raise awareness on the dangers of wanton cutting down of trees.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana), Tuesday, CAVWOC District Facilitator for Chiradzulu, John Sumani, expressed concern over the alarming rise in deforestation due to charcoal trade which has become a primary source of income for many people in the district.
"We organized this roadshow to sensitize the public on the importance of preserving our forests.
"Cutting down trees for charcoal is not only damaging the environment but also accelerating climate change, which is why our campaign focuses on 'climate justice,'" he said.
Sumani linked the recent increase in natural disasters, such as Cyclone Freddy, to rampant deforestation, urging community members to adopt sustainable practices.
"Our goal is to encourage tree planting and proper forest management while discouraging the harmful practices that lead to droughts, floods and low agricultural yields," he added.
He appealed to residents to explore alternative sources of income, such as small-scale businesses, instead of relying on charcoal production.
"CAVWOC is promoting the formation of Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups to help locals save money, invest in businesses and pay for essential needs like school fees,” Sumani said.
Chiradzulu District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Patrick Mulinga commended CAVWOC for the initiative, saying mindset change is crucial to addressing deforestation and its impact.
"Raising awareness about the importance of tree planting and care is vital for mitigating the effects of climate change," Mulinga said, adding that the campaign also involves engaging local leaders to help spread the message.
WOFAD distributes goats to Blantyre women
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, October 23, Mana: Women Fair Development (WOFAD) has distributed 190 goats to 95 women at Katete and Somba Villages, Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre as one way of empowering them to be productive in their respective families.
WOFAD Executive Director, Apostle Lindiwe Matanya, said recently that the organization will continue helping women by proving them with livestock and other requirements to improve their livelihood.
“Women need to be empowered and this is why we distributed goats to improve their income status at household level for better living standards,” he said.
WOFAD distributed 190 goats to 95 women such that each of the women received two goats through a programme called, Giving Machine with financial support from Mentors International.
“Our target is to help 350 women from both Traditional Authorities Kunthembwe and Lundu in Blantyre. We are doing this with funds from Mentors International,” she said, adding that WOFAD has put in place door to door monitoring mechanism to see impact.
The organization trained the recipients for two months in business management and how to care for the livestock before giving them the goats.
WOFAD Executive Director, therefore appealed to the women to take good care of the goats, saying the goats will provide a sustainable livelihood if well taken care of.
“It is unfortunate that some people abuse such kind of gesture. I man sure the women will not sell the goats because this will contribute a better livelihood,” she said, adding that WOFAD intends to discuss with Mentors International to introduce the programme to other parts of Malawi to empowering more women.
Mentors International, Country Director, Lameck Chisale said the organization partners very well with WOFAD because of similar goals as both seek to empower women.
Mentors international and WOFAD provide women with business management training to better empower women and youth for self-economic reliance, according to Chisale.
“Our aim is to ensure women and youth are living better life. We provide them with livestock such as goats and pigs so that they should improve their income for better living standards,
“This is why Mentors International thought of having partnership with WOFAD,” he said, adding that they were targeting to distribute over 2,700 goats to over 1,350 families in other parts of Malawi.
He said the goats’ dual purpose will achieve greater things at household level where recipients expect to use manure as alternative farm input.
“As they rear the goats, they will also able to secure manure that will be applied in their gardens for improved crop yield. They can also sell the goats once they are multiplied to improve household income.
“With improved income at household level, they should also be able to pay school fees for their children,” Chisale added.
Sarah Chinsewu from Katete area said was grateful for receiving the goats, adding that this was the beginning of another way of living,
She said the goats were an asset and also looked forward to make compost manure out of goat droppings for improved crop production.
Government pledges improved education standards in Neno district
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, October 24, Mana: Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Neno district by addressing educational challenges, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, made the remarks Wednesday, after touring a number of primary and secondary schools in the remote areas in the district, assessing the conditions under which students and teachers operate.
During the visit, Mdooko, expressed concern over the long distances learners travel to access education which affects their overall performance.
"The purpose of this tour was to motivate teachers working in hard-to-reach areas and to understand the challenges they face. As a ministry, we have noted the difficulties experienced by both learners and teachers and we are committed to addressing them," Mdooko said.
She emphasized that government aims at increasing the number of teachers in Neno to achieve a better student-teacher ratio.
However, Mdooko bemoaned the low attendance of girls in schools and stressed the need for programmes that encourage girls to pursue education.
Neno District Council's Director of Education and Sports, Foster Magombo, acknowledged that while educational performance in the district is improving, several challenges continue to hinder progress.
"One of the major setbacks is the lack of running motorbikes for Primary Education Advisors (PEAs), who are tasked with supervising teachers. Without motorbikes, our PEAs cannot effectively monitor the schools, contributing to poor performance at the national level," Magombo said.
Magombo pointed out that many students travel long distances to reach school which affects their focus and energy levels in class.
Mdooko also toured ICT laboratories in the district, which, according to Magombo were vital to improving education standards.
"In today’s digital world, access to ICT labs allows students to explore beyond their immediate environment. It brings them closer to information and new learning opportunities," Magombo added.
Moses Beyard, a student at Ligowe Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), said some of the issues facing his school including a shortage of classrooms and a lack of laboratory chemicals and apparatus.
However, he acknowledged the positive impact of the school’s ICT lab, which helps students better understand what they are taught.
The minister visited Chifunga CDSS, Domwe CDSS and primary school, Ligowe CDSS and primary school, Neno Mission CDSS and Chilimbondo Primary School.
MEC chairperson satisfied with voter turnout in Dedza
By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, October 24, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja has expressed satisfaction with the 2025 General Election voter registration turnout in Dedza district.
She made the remarks Wednesday, a day after National Initiative for Civic Education and the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice called for more voter registration awareness in the district after being concerned with low turnout.
“We have generally good turnout. In some centres, the numbers are very huge. We have had to deploy extra operators just to ensure that people are not queuing for too long,” she said after touring several centres in the district.
Justice Mtalimanja said MEC is confident that at the end of 14 days, Dedza district and all the phase one districts will have good registration.
The MEC Chairperson said though there were a few challenges with the deployment of materials, all centres were able to open by 8 o'clock in the morning.
She added that a contingent plan to ensure the availability of fuel for running generators also contributed to the effective implementation of the exercise.
Mtalimanja then downplayed claims that some people were sent back due to identification failure but pointed out that the challenge with QR code scanning on Monday was resolved by National Registration Bureau (NRB) technicians and everyone was able to register.
“No person has been sent back because of the challenge with an ID number. So far we have had no challenge that has affected the exercise,” she said.
She added that the new equipment is able to capture people faster and able to record bio-metrics which is critical for the credibility of the voter register.
NRB Principal Secretary, Mphasto Sambo said the bureau’s role in the registration process has started successfully.
He said the bureau has deployed at least an officer to each and every voter registration centre and has a pool of standby staff.
Sambo added that NRB’s role as stipulated by the law is to provide proof of identification right at the centre as the law requires only those with National Identity from NRB as eligible to register and vote in the general election.
“Anyone who registered with NRB is in our database. When someone has an issue they go to the NRB desk to report the matter.
“Such issues could be a broken ID or an ID which is not working with MEC equipment or maybe lost ID and many other things concerning the ID,” he said.
There are 266 registration centres in Dedza where registration for the 2025 General Election started on Monday, October 21, 2024, and is expected to close on November 3, 2024.
LWB pledges improved water supply among communities
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, October 23, Mana: The Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) has committed to tackling water supply challenges in the Mloza Water Users Association (MWUA) with focus on curbing vandalism and illegal water sales while improving access to clean water at the same time.
Zone Manager for the Lilongwe Water Board’s Southern Zone, Dan Kafuka, said this during the MWUA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday.
Kafuka said the board is working to ensure the community has access to quality water by expanding the number of water kiosks and constructing a new water treatment plant in Area 23.
"As the Lilongwe Water Board, we are constructing a new water treatment centre that will improve water distribution across the area. In addition, we are collaborating with the Malawi Police Service to reduce cases of vandalism and raise awareness about the impact of illegal water sales," Kafuka said.
He emphasized that the ongoing Salima-Lilongwe water project is also a significant step towards ensuring that all residents, including those in Mloza, have sufficient and well-treated water to promote hygiene and healthy living standards.
The Zone Manager said the AGM, held in Area 23, Lilongwe, highlighted the persistent challenges faced by the MWUA, which covers Area 23, Area 21, Chilinde 1 and 2, and Area 44.
In his sentiment, Senior Chief Tsabango, Chairperson of the MWUA, acknowledged that vandalism and misinformation continue to affect access to water, urging collaboration with local leaders and law enforcement to impose stiff penalties on offenders.
"We are facing vandalism of water meters and other water resources, but through our partnership with the Lilongwe Water Board and the police, we are determined to stop these activities," said Senior Chief Tsabango.
Chief Tsabango also encouraged community members to reject misinformation about water kiosks and to cooperate in protecting vital water resources.
Commission calls for collaboration in child protection
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, October 23, Mana: The National Child Commission (NCC) has called for collaborative efforts in child protection interventions saying a nation that does not invest in children does not have solid foundations for the future.
NCC Chairperson, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, made the remarks Wednesday in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana) after an extraordinary District Executive Committee meeting held to introduce the NCC and its Commissioners to the council and its stakeholders.
He said if efforts in child protection are to bear fruits, there is need for collaboration at all levels.
“This meeting is aimed at bringing awareness to the council about the newly instituted NCC. Also, council coordinates and works with various players, institutions organizations in child protection. And for us to monitor, supervise and coordinate these players up to the grassroot level, we need this council as an entry point.
“We also wanted to appreciate the status and map out how the NCC can work with the council, and enhance coordination and collaboration in child related issues in the district,” he said.
Mwakhwawa highlighted that this effective collaboration can lay good pillars in protecting children and a strong foundation for the future of this country.
He said the meeting also provided a chance for stakeholders to provide what he said was advice to the NCC.
“Some of the takeaway points include that we should not take this as business as usual. But we should adhere to independence and avoid outside influences, be aggressive and innovative, and work in our mandate as people are waiting for a lot from the commission,” he said.
Amongst other things, he said the NCC will enhance monitoring to bring discipline, accountability and transparency in child protection related activities.
Mwakhwawa said the NCC was working towards resource mobilization to work and support institutions and also setting up structures to fully institutionalize the commission.
Chief Administrative Officer for the council, Mathews Mkandawire, said the meeting was fruitful as it adds an extra gear in child protection related activities.
“What all of us here want is to improve the lives of our children, whether in education, health, their rights and other issues. This meeting opens doors to better engagements between the council and its partners, and the NCC.
“Above all, you are also welcome in the district at any time to monitor our activities which we do in regard to protecting, supporting, developing and investing in our children,” he said.
Kasungu farmers encouraged to use goat farming as a business
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 24, Mana: CML Farm Enterprise on Wednesday donated 240 goats to smallholder farming households at Katenje, Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu District to build their livelihood resilience and improve their economic status.
Founder and Director of the Agronomic and Horticultural Crops off-taker Chifundo Chiphazi said the communities in the area have for a long time concentrated on crop farming; ignoring livestock, which she said, has great potential to boost their economic status.
“We wanted to encourage our farmers whom we work with to also consider goat farming as a business and not just concentrate on crop farming as we have been doing.
“The idea is that we want to uplift the livelihoods of the rural communities. It’s also an incentive to the farmers that we have been working with over the years,” Chiphazi said.
She said as an off-taker in the horticulture and agronomic value chain operating in the area, the entity supports the farmers in various ways including provision of farm inputs and training in business management.
“So we want to incentivize our relationship with farmers by providing these goats which we have distributed to the first cohort of the beneficiaries.
“The expectation is that this initiative will also boost crop farming. The manure from goats will make us go fully organic,” she said.
At least 48 households received five goats each in a pass-on arrangement that will benefit 200 families.
Group Village Simphasi expressed excitement with the initiative saying it will boost the community’s economic status and help families to support their children’s education.
She appealed beneficiaries to take care of the livestock so that those on the waiting list can also benefit in fulfillment of the project’s objective.
Valued at K14.7 million, the goats were sourced from Mentors International, an organization which focuses on business training for smallholder farmers to lift them from poverty to sustainable self-reliance.
Samson Moyo, a mentor at the organization said the goats were supplied under the institution’s Giving Machine Project with financial assistance from the Church of Jesus for the Latter Day Saints.
“We will supply a total of 400 goats in two of the district’s extension planning areas.
“Our expectation is very positive because the farmers have been mentored and will operate as a business so we expect to see a huge impact on the economic status of the beneficiary households,” Moyo said.
Traditional Authority Kabuthu hails impact of E-payment for SCTP beneficiaries
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, October 23, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Kabuthu of Chizumulu Island in Likoma District, Tuesday, applauded government for introducing E-Payment system for transferring stipends to beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in the district.
Kabuthu was speaking during an extra ordinary full council meeting where Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare briefed stakeholders on the development.
He said that the transition of transfers payment system from manual to E-payment will ensure that beneficiaries access their money with ease.
“On behalf of the people of Chizumulu Island and the district as a whole, I thank government for this initiative. This has put us at par with other districts which embraced E-payment system sometime back,” said Kabuthu.
Chairperson for Likoma District Council, Barnabas Sambamo said that the new payment system is in line with digital era which he said is being embraced worldwide.
He then assured the beneficiaries of the effectiveness of E-payment system saying it is a secure and faster means for payment.
Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Gilbert Kaponda then advised stakeholders to sensitize people in their localities on the initiative.
“It is our responsibility to inform people about this system so that they embrace,” said Kaponda.
