By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, February 8, Mana: Cluster Coordinating Office in the Southern Region took a monitoring tour of activities under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) at Traditional Authority Changata in Thyolo to guide the programme’s participating communities on how best they should implement the social protection intervention.

 In the week, CS-EPWP, Southern Region, Cluster Coordinator, Henry Hunga, was at Chidzimbi and Nkoma catchments where he said there was need to monitor the activities to ensure high-quality work implemented by programme participants.

He noted that regular supervision helps to guide beneficiaries, Catchment committee and extension workers in their daily activities, ensuring that activities are implemented effectively and according to social protection guidelines.

“Supervision is key to achieving quality work. It also allows us to provide guidance, address challenges, and ensure that activities are being carried out correctly,” he added.

Hunga said monitoring projects during the rainy season aligns well with forestry season thereby offering participating communities chance to acquire better knowledge on environmental conservation.

 “The participating communities plant trees along riverbanks to protect water sources threatened by soil erosion. It is therefore crucial to assess progress and provide technical support where needed,” he said.

He urged the Thyolo District Council to continue regular supervision, emphasising that knowledge and best practices evolve over time.

CS-EPWP District Desk Officer in Thyolo, Francis Yohane, expressed satisfaction with the participants’ efforts in tree planting, describing it as a significant step toward land restoration.

“We are impressed by the collaborative efforts in restoring degraded land. The quality of work being done is commendable,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Chifuniro Manuelo from Chidzimbi catchment, said the CS-EPWP had been life-changing and that supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainability.

 “Through the programme, we had gained valuable knowledge on conserving the environment, including protecting river banks. This will ensure that the project benefits future generations,” she said.

A foreman from Chidzimbi Catchment, Lucius Million, expressed optimism that planting trees along riverbanks will help prevent further land degradation along the river banks.

Nkoma Catchment Committee, Chairperson, Kingston Makuka, said CS-EPWP has positive impact, adding it improved soil fertility thereby revitalising banana cultivation in the area.

He therefore called on the CS-EPWP regional coordinating office and Thyolo District Council officials   to continue providing guidance in the programme implementation activities.

Chidzimbi and Nkoma Catchment Areas fall under Masambanjati Extension Planning Area (EPA) and have 1,298 and 500 participants respectively.