By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 10, Mana: National Director for Malawi Human Rights Youth Network, Weston Msowoya has commended Nkhata Bay District Council for tackling harmful cultural practices that perpetrate Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls in the district.

Speaking in Nkhata Bay on Wednesday during a Spotlight Initiative Project exit meeting, he said it was encouraging to note that harmful cultural practices arebeing eradicated and local structures capacitated to own interventions that have been happening under the project.

Msowoya said that, "The way local structures have been revamped and strengthened, the platforms women and girls have been provided with to voice their issues and the knowledge they have been given to be part of decision makers on when to get married could never be overemphasized.

“I urge the council and all its stakeholders to build on this and continue fighting GBV in areas where there are gaps," he said.

United Nation Development Programmes (UNDP) Focal Person for Spotlight Initiative, Juliet Sibale said formulation of community GBV technical working groups using local resources was an amazing observation in Nkhata Bay.

She disclosed that UNDP and other stakeholders are developing a proposal for a follow up project considering that Spotlight Initiative was a pilot project.

"As the project is phasing out, all councils and local communities are being encouraged to follow strategic ways they have put in place for sustainability and make their communities a level playing ground for everyone," Sibale added.

District Commissioner (DC) for Nkhata Bay, Rogers Newa said the council would continue encouraging coordination among all stakeholders, adding that GBV issues would be among priorities in the council’s work plans. 

Spotlight Initiative Project was aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls and was being implemented in six districts in the country namely, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay, Dowa, Ntchisi, Nsanje and Machinga with funding from European Union (EU).

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 10, Mana: After the phasing out of its project in Chikwina-Mpamba Area Development Programme in Nkhata Bay, World Vision Malawi (WVM) Wednesday handed over six motorcycles to Nkhata Bay District Council.

Nkhata Bay District Programmes Manager for WVM, Elarton Thawani said that they decided to donate the motorcycles to the council as one way of sustaining the project’s interventions in the area.

"We have working in the areas ofagriculture, child protection, education, health among others in Chikwina-Mpamba area using multi-sector involvement approach; hence these motorcycles would be allocated to the relevant sectors.

We know that after leaving the area, the District Council will continue working with the communities where we have stopped," he said.

Thawani cherished cordial relationship between his organization and the council throughout the project’s implementation period.

Receiving the motorcycles, District Commissioner (DC) for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa commended WVM for the donation, saying it would go a long in addressing mobility challenges faced by extension workers there by ensuring sustaining of the project’s gains.

"The council has a number of field officers who do not have adequate transport are the most viable means of transportation considering terrain of the district," he said.

Newa added that the gesture was a true reflection of what partnership is all about, saying very few organizations donate their equipment to the council when their projects phase out.

The DC urged the sectors where the motorcycles have been allocated to put them into good use and have a sense of ownership so that they serve the intended purpose.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, August 31, Mana: Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara has disclosed that government will rehabilitate all railway lines in the country to resume rail transport network as was the case in the past.

During inspection of construction work on Nsanje-Bangula-Marka rail line on Thursday, the minister said the rail transport will facilitate transportation of goods into Malawi from neighbouring countries.

“This government is committed to make sure that all means of transport are improved to facilitate the movement of goods in and out of the country.

He said was impressed with progress work on Bangula-Marka railway line adding that this is the beginning of rail rehabilitation in other parts of the country to ensure smooth movement of rail cargo and passengers. 

“I am impressed with the progress of railway construction works at Bangula- Marka railway. This railway has been given the capacity to load heavier goods than the railway line we had. Government plans that all railway lines should be revamped and be in operation,” he said.

He said the project stalled for a few months but all the challenges that were there have been addressed, adding the contractor has also been paid part of the money and is back on site

The Minister also praised the contractor for setting up slipper production plant in the district which has created jobs for some people in Nsanje.

“Out of 70 people employed at the slipper production plant site only one is Chinese while the rest are Malawians and this means that people will be able to get something at the end of the month,” he said.

Recently Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira said once the railway is completed a lot of people will find economic opportunities.

He also expressed hope that prices of some commodities are likely to come down in the boarder district as the railway transportation is cheaper than road.

Mana/rcn/ewc/sbn

By Prince Justice Banda

Lilongwe, August 31, Mana: At least 58.8 percent of Malawians are yet to break multidimensional poverty chains with the rural population dominating the list, second national Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report has revealed.

The report, which is based on the findings from Integrated Household Survey (IHS) of 2019/2020 by National Statistical Office (NSO) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), was launched Thursday in Lilongwe to aid developmental planning both at regional and national levels.

Speaking during the launch, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Sosten Gengwe said a lot needs to be done to improve the livelihoods of Malawians on top of monetary measures.

Gwengwe said: “The report has suggested a number of areas in education, work, environment as well as health which needs to be prioritised in order to rehabilitate and improve the livelihoods of Malawians instead of just focusing on monetary policies.”

According to the report, Southern Region has the highest incidents of poverty at 61.3 percent while Northern Region registers the lowest at 45.6 percent.

The report also suggests that the current national poverty levels of 58.8 percent shows a slight improvement compared to the previous MPI report of 2015/2016 IHS which suggested national poverty levels at 61.7 percent.

With emphasis on the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Freddy and the Russia-Ukraine war on Malawi development, UNDP Resident Representative for Malawi, Fenella Frost said UNDP and other development partners are still eager to support Malawi in pursuing its Sustainable Developmental Goals as encapsulated in the Malawi 2063.

“Besides other development partners, UNDP will always support Malawi to achieve its sustainable goals with regards to the impacts of Cyclone Freddy which has, by far, affected the economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, NSO is reportedly conducting another research following Tropical Cyclone Freddy to understand it’s impact on national development.

Mana/pjb/pk

Glory Msowoya                  

Blantyre, August 30, Mana: Tropical Cyclone Freddy survivors in Lunzu Township have appealed to organizations and individuals of good will to support them with soft loans that will assist them to fully recover from the effects of the cyclone that hit most of the southern part of Malawi.

The request came on Tuesday when Kachere Progressive Women Group in partnership with Umodzi Youth Organizations donated clothes and shoes to the survivors.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Village Head Manja Mtendere Nyali said currently his subjects are failing to make ends meet due to a lack of humanitarian support hence the need for the loans.

“Before Tropical Cyclone Freddy the people were doing a lot of entrepreneurial activities but after, they lost most of their businesses,

“Now that people are back in their homes, it is very difficult for them to catch up with life and this is why I'm calling on well-wishers to help with soft loans which will help them start doing small businesses, “he said

Former secretary for Likulu camp, Charity Mangawa, said the flood survivors are willing to do business which will help them to recover fully from the effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

She therefore called on all well-wishers to continue supporting those that were affected by the cyclone saying after the devastation many people are failing to make ends meet apart from being food insecure.

“People here love doing business but now people are failing to do that due to lack of capital.  If we can have soft loan opportunity, we can start again our businesses and manage to pay back,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the two organizations, Umodzo Youth Organisation. Programs Coordinator, Shy Ali said the donation is in response to the Tropical Cyclone Freddy devastation, adding the donation is made to provide clothing to the survivors who lost most of their property including clothes and shoes.

One of the beneficiaries, Maria Phiri 39, from Manja Village described the donation as timely   saying the clothes and shoes donation will assist them as they are still struggling to cope with life.

Mana/gm/ewc/sbn

By Lemison Nsona

Salima, August 29, Mana: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has urged media practitioners to help the organization in the fight against corruption in the country.

Speaking during a media workshop involving journalists from Salima, Nkhotakota and Ntcheu districts on Tuesday, ACB Principal Public Relations Officer, Egritta Ndala said most people are not fully aware of the dangers of corruption.

"We need to make people fully understand their role and how ACB operates to relieve the institution from high public expectations which results into outcry when some corruption cases and investigations end up contrary to what the masses expect." She said.

Ndala observed that the media is the biggest tool that should be utilized to assist in raising awareness so that the majority understand how ACB operates.

She said proper reporting of corruption cases with facts and objectivity will help in deterring the public from indulging in corrupt practices.

On National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 (NACS 2), Ndala said there has been some improvement in terms of outcome of the strategy's operation as compared to the previous one, adding she hoped the media will assist in bringing a much better outcome.

One of the participants to the workshop, District Information Officer (DIO) for Salima, Fostina Mkandawire expressed pleasure with the direction the ACB has taken by involving the media observing journalists can play a big role in the fight against corruption.

She urged the media to put into practice every information about fighting corruption acquired during the workshop.

NACS 2 serves as the blueprint for Malawi's aspirations for corrupt free society and takes holistic approach that involves all sectors of the country to fight against corruption as it strengthens the rule of law.

The strategy further seeks to end corruption in public institutions at the point of service delivery and empower citizens and other public service users to identify, resist and denounce corruption.  

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By Manasse Nyirenda

Johannesburg, August 21, Mana: President Chakwera has urged Malawian professionals and investors in diaspora to invest back home and contribute to development of the country.

The president was engaging Malawian professionals and investors based in South Africa on Monday as part of his side engagements at 15^th BRICS Summit which officially opens on Tuesday August 22 at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

In an interview after the meeting, Minister of Finance, Sosten Gwengwe said the investors showcased their investment interests to the president.

“These investors  are making it big in number of sectors including telecommunications and construction in South Africa among others.

“The good thing is that a number of them are already active in a number of investments back home. The president has just emphasized that Malawi will only develop if Malawians take the lead in championing development,” he said.

Representative of Malawian investors and professionals in South Africa, Fumu Msiska said they had a very fruitful meeting with the president and the team is ready to invest back home.

The president will also meet South African investors on Tuesday.

The president arrived in South Africa on Sunday to attend  BRICS Summit, a grouping of five countries comprising of Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa on invitation by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Among key topics at the summit will be expansion of BRICS to include more members.

A number of African countries have expressed interest to Join which include Egypt, Nigeria and Zimbabwe among others.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Johannesburg, August 22, Mana:

President Lazarus Chakwera has assured South African investors of the Government of Malawi’s support in clearing all bottlenecks that stifle investment opportunities into Malawi in order to accelerate economic growth in the country.

The president said this on Tuesday at Davinci Hotel when he met South African investors with diverse investment interests.

One of the investors, Natal East India said the company which deals in rice farming, milling and distribution in South Africa has committed about U$20million dollars towards establishment of a rice mega farm in Malawi.

This was disclosed after the investor and other South African investors met president Chakwera Tuesday to discuss investment opportunities.

In an interview after the meeting, the company’s representative, Thami Shande said the company targets production of up to 100, 000 tons of rice on 10,000 hectares of land.

He said the meeting was very important as they were able to inform the president and his team about the rice specifications their clients want in South Africa.

“This will make Malawi the Champion of rice production not only in South Africa, but also the whole SADC region.

“The president has assured us that in terms of licensing it will be completed within this quarter and we will be able to start implementing before the end of the year,” he said.

Another investor, Blue Energy representative, Marcel Steinberg said he was encouraged by the government of Malawi’s commitment to economic growth and industrialization and identifying the link between energy security and economic growth.

He said his team will be in Malawi from September 5 for site visits to at least 10 areas and also to do feasibility study.

He added that his company has already identified customers in Malawi and a lot of ground work has already been done.

Minister of Finance Sosten Gwengwe said the introduction of more energy investors in Malawi would lessen the pressure on the grid and create a conducive environment for economic development.

He further said that investment in rice mega farms will give an opportunity to local farmers in districts such as Nkhotakota and Salima among others to benefit from the available south African market.

He said the president has urged his team to clear all investment blocks in order for Malawi to develop.

The president also met other investors who are interested in investing in hospitality and tourism, among others.

The Malawi leader is in South Africa to attend the 15^th BRICS summit currently underway in South Africa at the invitation by South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa.

By Lawrence Chilomo and Noel Chimwala.

Chikwawa, August 25, Mana: Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera National Coordinator Dr. Brighton M’baya has commended authorities in Chikwawa District for their efforts in cholera response.

M’baya hailed the authorities Thursday during a joint inspection tour of Chipwaila Health Center, which was organised by Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) and the presidential taskforce.

“What we have observed here is quite impressive and commendable in terms of ending cholera. The majority of cholera cases being registered at Chipwaila Health Centre are actually coming from Mozambique,” said M'baya.

Chief Preventive Officer for Chikwawa District Council, Veronica Mkukumila, attributed the success to collaborative efforts by the district health sector, partners and local leaders.

“We joined hands to fight the vice from all levels and as health practitioners, we are doing our part while the traditional leaders are also playing their role in the community,” she explained.

One of the local leaders, Group Village Head Khilisimisi of Traditional Authority Ngabu said his goal is to ensure that cholera is completely eliminated in his village.

“I make sure that every household in my village has a toilet and everyone is following what health personnel are teaching us.

“We have also constructed a toilet for visitors and when a person is caught defecating in the open, that person pays a fine of K3,000,” he added.

MRCS Head of Health and Social Services Daniel Kapombosola Banda hailed the good working relationship that exists among the stakeholders in the district.

By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, August 23, Mana: Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sili Mbewe said his institution is optimistic that it would manage to deal with the issue of water loss caused by illegal water connections, pipe leakages and vandalism of water supplying equipment among others.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during Project for Strengthening the Capacity of Non-Revenue Water Reduction for Lilongwe Water Board (LiSCaP) 9^th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting which was held in Lilongwe.

Mbewe said that as water board they are looking forward to reduce the issue of water loss in a range of 25 percent reaching the year 2025.

“If we are to ask our customers they will say we want 0 percent nonrevenue water, but unfortunately the reality is we cannot have zero percent across the globe even in Japan where we are learning the experiences they still have non-revenue water within 10 percent.

“For us when we look at our annual targets we are looking at least managing 35 percent but in terms of our strategic plan we are looking at 25 percent by the year 2025 specifically in June,” Mbewe said.

LWB is currently losing about 38 percent of water that it produces annually which translates to the money loss of about K15 billion, according to the CEO.

He further expressed confidence that through various interventions that are implementing which include; replacing old water supplying equipment with new ones among others would help them solve the issue of water loss.

“Under the Lilongwe Water and Sanitation Project we actually have a specific component to look at non-revenue water reduction so it looks at the whole essence of replacing the aged pipe line but again within the project we are also implementing what we are calling District Metered Areas (DMAs).

“The DMAs allow us to demarcate supply areas into manageable areas where we are able to measure how much water has gone into a particular DMA, how much water has been lost and where we have higher incidences of nonrevenue water, therefore we are very optimistic that we should be able to reduce nonrevenue water,” he said.

He also hailed Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) for assisting LWB in dealing with the issue of nonrevenue water through the LiSCaP which is scheduled to phase out in December 2024.

In his comment, JAICA Chief Representative, Kazuhiro Tambara said that as JAICA they are committed to providing LWB with different support such as the latest equipment and capacity that would assist in dealing with the issue of nonrevenue water.