By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 7, Mana: The 2023 edition of Umtheto Cultural Festival in Mzimba is slated for Thursday, August 10, 2023 with conferences on environmental management involving women and youth, one of the organisers of the festival, Mzimba Heritage Association (MZIHA) has announced.

In an interview on Monday in Mzimba, Publicist for MZIHA, Kingsley Jere said preparations for the event to run from Thursday till Saturday are on track.

‘‘We have helped in mobilising K53 million that we needed for the event. At local levels, each TA was tasked with raising funds for the event. We also held other fund generating initiatives to raise the amount. We are proud to say all is set for the event,’’ he said.

Jere said the event would reach climax on Saturday with day main event to take place.

‘‘Every year we come up with a topic to celebrate the festivities. This year we are talking about climate change integration into culture. So the conference on Thursday will be teaching the people about issues of climate change, environmental degradation and their effects on human kind,’’ he explained.

Jere added that on Friday morning they would visit Mzalangwe to pay respects at the place where Inkosi M’mbelwa 1 was buried before going on top Hora Mountain where people would be treated to meat and beers.

The Publicist said on Friday evening, Black Missionaries would be performing at Hora Heritage Centre.

During his recent tour to Hora Heritage Centre to supervise groundwork, Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V called on Ngoni people to preserve wildlife by wearing animal skins from livestock.

He said culture cannot survive without nature hence asked people to refrain from cutting down trees.

M’mbelwa said some of the disasters that have occurred in the country have occurred because of environmental degradation.

By Emily Kamisa

Mzuzu, August 7, Mana: Six men are in custody at Mzuzu Police Station for allegedly breaking into Loyal Gardens Lodge and robbed customers of their items valued at K7 million.

Assistant Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police Station, Constable, Rose Chipyola identified the suspects as Fadwick Chiwaya, 52 from Traditional Authority (TA) Mabuka in Mulanje, Sam Kagunda, 28 from TA Fukamapiri Nkhata Bay, Precious Jonathan, 31 from TA Likoswe in Chiradzulu.

The others are Issa Ibrahim, 39 from TA M’baluku in Mangochi, Stonard Nkhoma, 39 from TA Mtwalo in Mzimba and Titus Chirwa, 31 from TA Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba.

 “The six who were armed with panga knives and steel metal bars were part of an eight-member gang that broke into the lodge during the night of August 5, 2023.

They tied up the receptionist and later besieged 14 rooms which were occupied with different governmental and non-governmental officials and robbing them of their belongings,” she said.

Chipyola added that, “They broke into the lodge, tied up the receptionist and later besieged 14 rooms occupied with different governmental and non-governmental officials and robbing them of their belongings,”

She said following a tip from well-wishers, police launched investigations which led to the arrest of the six suspects and recovery of some of the items.

Some of the recovered items include six laptop computers, 19 mobile phones, and cash amounting to K 90.000.

She added that the Police have seized a vehicle, Suzuki Wagon registration number BZ 2156 which was suspected to have been used for the operation.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 7, Mana: Executive Director for Mzimba Youth Organisation, Moses Nkhana has said his organisation has procured 25,000 condoms valued at K1.5 million to be distributed at Umtheto cultural festival which will take place from 9 - 12 August 2023.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Nkhana said the move comes in the wake of recent records by Mzimba South District Health Office which showed that over 650 people contracted various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between January and March 2023 in the district.

Nkhana said as an organisation they believe some youths and people may take advantage of the gathering at Umtheto to indulge in sex.

‘‘Our office gives out free condoms and contraceptive pills but we have observed that trends have changed of late whereby more people are coming to collect pills than condoms.

"This is because more people are afraid of pregnancies than diseases that’s why we want to take advantage of the gathering at Umtheto to create awareness and also distribute condoms,’’.

Mzimba Heritage Association (Mziha) publicist, Kingsley Jere has welcomed the initiative by Mzimba Youth organisation to distribute condoms, saying it is prudent to put in place measures to protect people.

However, Chairperson of Mzimba Civil Society organisations, Christopher Melele said the records released by the district health office could not be directly linked to Umthetho cultural event.

‘‘The recent records of STIs were released by Mzimba DHO showed records of those at Mzimba boma so I don’t know how those records could be linked to Umtheto gathering,’’ said Melele.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 3, Mana: Water transport users in Likoma have expressed concern over the suspension of MV Ilala operations on Lake Malawi as it has to go for refit programme in Monkey bay.

Speaking in an interview Thursday, Director of Finance for Likoma District Council, Wilson Muziya said the suspension of the vessel will affect the council’s operations and transportation on the lake.

"Much as I appreciate that MV Ilala should go for service, transportation as well as our operations will be affected regardless that MV Chilembwe vessel will replace MV Ilala,

Almost 30 percent of our work is been done at the mainland. MV Ilala is the most reliable transport. But for it to continue operating, its maintenance is of more important for its effective and safe operations," said Muziya.

A business woman of Likoma, Ireen Mdewa who is a fish seller said her business will be affected in the absence of MV Ilala since MV Chilembwe capacity and space is limited to carter for larger quantities of goods.  

"I rely on Ilala to transport fish from Likoma to the mainland because it is the most reliable transport and it has adequate space.  In this case, I will have to halt my business until Ilala is back after being serviced," said Mdewa.

She said that she stands risking losing her fish if he uses other vessels apart from MV Ilala as her merchandise can easily be destroyed due to limited space.

Confirming the development, Spokesperson for Mota- Engil Malawi, Thomas Chafunya said the vessel will undergo refit programme which he said is a normal routine.

"The vessel will undergo a refit programme, it a normal routine service which every vessel under goes but I cannot say how long she will be out of the lake," said Chafunya.

According to Chafunya, MV Chilembwe is expected to replace MV Ilala's schedule effective this week.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, August 2, Mana: Chitipa Development Trust (CDT) has asked the government to develop an exit strategy of managing refugee camps in the country by among others, integrating refugees with locals.

Chairperson for CDT, Austin Musyani made the remarks on Tuesday at a Press briefing at Chitipa Boma where he  asked government to stop its proposal to relocate refugee camp from Dzaleka in Dowa to Kayilizi in the area of Senior Chief Mwenewenya in the district.

He said that the government needs to listen to concerns from people of Chitipa District and not just a few individuals.

"There is a need for the government to have an exit strategy in the management of refugee camps in the country. A person who has been in a refugee camp for 30 years needs to be integratedand naturalized into the community.

It's inhumane to have someone born in the refugee camp and 30 years still staying in the refugee camp as a refugee," Musyani said.

The Chairperson suggested that government should decommission refugee camps and integrate the refugees with communities before repatriating any foreigner coming in the country illegally.

He said that CDT believes in contact and dialogue hence the call to government to discuss the issue before it goes further with its plan to take the refugee camp to Kayilizi.

When contacted, the Ministry of Homeland Security, Patrick Botha said that there are durable solutions when it comes to refugees’ management, citing repatriation, integration and resettlement.

"But the Refugee Act of 1989 stipulates that refugees be kept in a camp. So, until this Act is reviewed, it remains a guide in how we should manage refugees in the country. Processes for review are still underway.

That leaves us with voluntary repatriation as a durable solution. But even with voluntary repatriation, you cannot force a refugee to return to their home country. It has to be the refugee actually deciding to return and not to force them," he explained.

By Beni Bamusi

Thyolo, August 2, Mana: Thyolo Police Station has embarked on sensitization campaign aimed at creating awareness among communities in the district on the negative impacts of committing crimes.

Speaking during the campaign on Tuesday in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) January, Thyolo Police Officer in Charge, Isaac Norman said it was high time people in the district should refrain from breaking laws saying Police would continue to arrest people involved in different crimes.

He said it was pathetic that Thyolo continues to record high cases of crime like homicide and theft hence the need for everyone to take full responsibility of making sure that their homes and community resources are secured.

“Security entails safety of a person and one's resources. If one's life and resources are safe, family and community development will be attained with much ease.

“Some crimes are committed by children, we need to train them discipline so that they can become productive citizens,” he said.

TA January has since commended police in the district for the timely sensitization saying it would reduce crime rate since the law enforcers are equipping community with relevant knowledge.

“This gathering has enlightened people and I believe there is going to be a positive change because other people were committing crimes out of ignorance,” he said.

Among other things, Thyolo Police is conducting the sensitization campaign to address issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and road safety use.

In the first half on 2023, the district registered 20 cases of homicide which is higher comparing to 2022 during the same period where the district recorded 11 cases of homicide.

By Wakisa Myamba

Karonga, July 29, Mana: Malawi Diaspora Network from the United States of America (USA) on Friday donated assorted relief items worth K5.5 million to 102 households,

The Households were affected by drought which destroyed crops in the 2022/23 growing season in Lupembe area in Karonga.

The items included bags of maize, beans, packets of sugar and cooking oil.

Speaking when he presented the donation, a representative for the Network, Michael Mapundi said Malawians living in USA decided to donate the items because the district was hit by a dry spell which left a majority of households and farmers with limited harvest.

He advised the beneficiaries of the donation against sell out the items as doing so would demotivate the network from supporting them.

Chairperson for Lupembe Area Development Committee, Orwin Ndovie thanked the Malawi Diaspora Network for the donation saying it has come at the right time when the people in the area are in dire need of food.

“I need to extend my gratitude to the Malawians who reside in the USA for their support. The donation will help reduce the impact of the dry spell on the people. About 38,635 households were affected drought in Karonga,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Jenala Gondwe prayed to God to continue blessing the network for continued charity works in the area and the district as a whole.

By Shaffie Bakali

Mangochi, July 20, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza on Wednesday encouraged men to work collaboratively with their wives as a way of ensuring good welfare and healthy growth for children in their respective homes.

The Minister said this at Chiwaula village, in the area of Senior Chief Katuli in Mangochi district during the official handover ceremony of Chiwaula Community Based Child Centre (CBCC), one of the CBCCs in the district constructed with funding from the World Bank, through the Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP).

She said good welfare of children includes sending them to CBCC, hence opening of the place.

Sendeza encouraged parents to be on forefront ensuring that the place is protected for the benefit of all children in the area.

The minister called on the community members to engage in a strong fight towards ending early marriages, child labour and discrimination of special groups of people such as elderly, handicapped and people with albinism.

"The ministry has launched National Men Engagement Strategy aimed at including our men to take part in all works deemed female dominated and also take a leading role against issues such as Gender Based Violence’s and Sexual Harassment" she said.

Member of Parliament for Mangochi East, Francesca Masamba commended the ministry for its support towards early childhood development, saying this is the only way to go in as far as education is concerned.

She said the newly constructed CBCC in her area will act as a motivation for more children to attend early childhood education.

Chairperson for Mangochi District Council Ivy Sande expressed gratitude to the ministry of gender for uplifting education in Mangochi through infrastructure development.

So far 15 CBCCs have been constructed in Mangochi under the 5 year IEYP which is coming to an end this year.

By Robert Nayeja in Dar-es Salaam

Dar-es Salaam, July 25, Mana. Minister of Labour, Agnes NyaLonje has expressed government commitment to eradicating social evils that hinders Human Capital Development to Malawians.

She made the remarks in Dar-es Salam Tanzania after the Vice President of the United Arab States of Tanzania officially launched African Human Capital heads of state Summit taking place at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.

NyaLonje said gender inequalities, gender based violence, sexual violence, discrimination on other groups of people, and other social ills are among the social norms that are pulling back human capital among the youth and women in Malawi.

“This summit is very crucial to Malawi as it is looking at how we can address all these issues together, including widening economic opportunities to promote economic development for Malawian youth who forms large population,” she added.

The Minister called for the concerted efforts among various sectors in order to address all social ills to unlock human capital potentials to all groups of people regardless of their status.

“For Malawi to develop there is need to have educated people with good health and so invest in skills and development. Government is doing a lot to end social ills but there is need for concerted efforts and holistic approach in all spheres of life in order to unlock the Human Capital Potential among Malawians.

“The summit is looking at all angles of human life so that African countries including Malawi can put in place and shape services that will  promote good human capital,” NyaLonje added.

She assured commitment to creating a conducive environment in order to promote human capital Development.

During the opening of the summit Vice President for the United State of Tanzania Philip Isdor Mpango said Africa needs to review its policies in order to promote positive thinking, competitiveness to become job creators and not job seekers.

He urged African countries to unlock human capital potential by improving education and health services and concentrate of talent and skills development.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is expected to deliver his speech at the summit.

Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit comes in response to engagements with government focal points on the need to draw attention to the role of human capital in economic growth.

The Summit will be held under the theme, “linking investments in human capital to economic growth and harnessing the demographic dividend, by addressing learning poverty and the skills gap for youth and women.

By Shaffie Bakali

Mangochi, July 22, Mana: Mangochi District Council Saturday elected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Councillor for Malindi Ward, Hassan Chikuta as the new chairperson of the council, and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councillor for Mulimba ward, Adams M’Bwana as vice.

Chikuta who was vice chairperson of the council in the just ended term emerged winner after beating his predecessor, Ivy Faith Sande of Maiwa ward.

Vice chairperson, Councilor M’Bwana was elected after beating other four fellow councillors.

Speaking soon after taking oath, the newly elected Chairperson expressed gratitude for being entrusted with the chairmanship and appealed members of the council to continue working as a team in fostering development in the district.

“I am so humbled for being entrusted with this position, and as such, I can assure members that during my period, I will ensure that chiefs, councillors, members of parliament and the secretariat should continue being in good term to achieve the needed progress,” Chikuta said.

The Outgoing Chairperson, Councillor Sande congratulated the newly elected team, and advised the new leadership to maintain unity as well as strive to meet the goals of the council.

“The election was solely to change the leadership not the council, as such, new leaders are urged to work well with the full council for the benefit of Mangochi district,” she said.

District Commissioner (DC) for Mangochi, Dr. Smart Gwedemula commended the outgoing chairperson for the progress the council registered during her tenure of office.

He encouraged the new team to continue working as a unit.