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Feature: Chibungo CDSS – GESD’s answer to longstanding gap
By Kondwani Magombo
Lilongwe, November 04, Mana: Fourteen-year-old Tadala James, from Nkhata Village, Group Village Head (GVH) Chibungo, Traditional Authority (TA) Kalolo in Lilongwe, is among scores of learners that are proud to be part of the genesis of their school.
The learners are the pioneers of Chibungo Community Day Secondary School, located in TA Kalolo, Mapuyu North Constituency.
The school just opened its doors for the first time on September 16, 2024, at the onset of the 2024/25 academic year, upon the completion of the second phase of the construction of the infrastructure, sending the entire community delirious with excitement.
"I'm very excited to be among the first learners to be enrolled at this new school: this will go down in the history of the school, and my education!" Exclaims the teen student, beaming with pride.
The feeling is common among more than 60 learners in Tadala's Form One class - the only class, so far, at the new institution.
The construction and opening of the new school has muted the long-standing cries of the community of Chibungo, and surrounding villages.
For ages, long distance to available public secondary institution, Katsuma CDSS, had always been a challenge with no solution in site, leading to high dropout rates among learners.
But a glimmer of hope came in 2017 when Lilongwe District Council embarked on the first phase of construction, whereby a block of two classes was erected using Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The second phase of construction of Chibungo Community Day Secondary School came in 2019, and it saw the construction of another 2-classroom block and VVIP toilets, using Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project funds.
The year 2024 saw the construction of administration block, water system aided by solar pump – all completed, and teacher's house, which was still under construction at the time of compiling this article.
Thus, with two complete classroom blocks, working water system, VVIP toilets and administration block ready for use, Chibungo CDSS became ready to admit the first intake of learners to start form one as the 2024/25 Academic Year rolled out.
The opening of the new CDSS has also ignited interest in those boys and girls who dropped out of school due to other reasons, including long distance to Katsuma, the 'nearest' CDSS then.
The returning of the dropouts is plainly evident at a glance as one can easily spot a number of 'older' learners in the pioneer class.
Among the back-to-school lot are Goodwill Kadeluka, Ganizani William, Mateyu Chipiliro, Hassan Chiwambo, and Denis Phiri, aged 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, respectively, who dropped out and stayed for 1 - 2 years before enrolling at the new school.
"We were all at Kachiswe Primary School and we dropped out due to either lack of fees, or long distance to Katsuma CDSS," explains 20-year-old Denis Phiri.
"The coming of the school within walkable distance has enabled not only those who dropped out due to long distance to Katsuma CDSS to return to school, but it has also stimulated the parents and guardians of those learners who dropped out because of financial challenges to strive and source funds to send their wards back to school," adds Phiri.
It’s the ease with which the ‘older’ and ‘younger’ students mingle and accommodate each other that leaves a bystander in awe.
This is what they have been taught – to respect and treat each other equally, according to Willard Chirwa, one of the teachers at the new school.
"As a teacher, nothing excites me more than seeing learners who dropped out returning to school," Chirwa explains, and he adds: "So, other than being happy for being one of the pioneer teachers of Chibungo CDSS, seeing the dropouts back in class is so ecstatic for me."
Chirwa describes the enthusiasm among the pioneer Form One students at Chibungo CDSS as so encouraging that he is hopeful that a solid foundation for the school, regarding performance, is successfully being laid.
The new CDSS was long overdue in the area and its coming has made the community heave a sigh of relief as students from the surrounding areas will no longer have to travel long distances to Katsuma CDSS, as it was the case before.
This is why the community rose to the occasion when the Lilongwe District Council sought land for the construction of the new school.
“A total of 13 hectares of land was allocated to the school – enough for all needed infrastructure, including staff houses, and other facilities, such as school ground and wood lot,” explains Goodwin Chithengo, Chairperson for the School’s Committee.
Chithengo adds that members of the community treasure the new school very much and they stand united, and ready with any required support to ensure that the institution's operations run smoothly.
Such is how GESD project is changing people's lives through Performance Based Grants (PBG) that councils get from the National Local Government Financing Committee (NLGFC), the constitutional body that is mandated to mobilize, distribute and ensure efficient and effective utilization of financial resources among local authorities.
NLGFC provides councils in the country with additional financial resources for public investments based on individual council’s achievement of results.
Lilongwe District Council has had GESD PBG for three phases, with the funding of MK527 million; MK1.4 billion; and MK2.7 billion, respectively, according to the council’s Director of Public Works, Sydney Chiphaka.
The funding for the three phases has enabled the council to implement over 50 projects, among them, school blocks, health facilities, bridges and market shelters, across the district.
“We implemented 16 projects in Phase 1 with MK527 million funding; 20 projects in Phase 2 with MK1.4 billion funding; and 17 projects in Phase 3 with MK2.7 billion funding, explains Chiphaka.
He continues: “With the completion of these GESD projects, we have seen an increase in pupils’ enrolment in schools where we have constructed classroom blocks; reduced distances to the nearest health facility, following new health infrastructure; and increased revenue collection due to the market shelters that we have constructed.”
The 50-plus projects that the Lilongwe Council has implemented include bridges which, according to Chiphaka, have seen farmers transporting their produce to markets with ease.
The Director of Public Works further observes that, other than bringing the needed development to the community, GESD projects have created jobs for many in the rural areas where most projects are implemented.
But that’s not all: GESD’s PBG has stimulated the councils to compete in service delivery in pursuit of highest score, for yet highest funds and this, in turn, is helping the public get quality services.
Digital financial services to reduce theft in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, November 4, Mana: Communities in Nsanje District have hailed digital financing services, noting that such services will help to reduce incidents of theft.
Speaking on Sunday during a Village Savings and Loan (VSL) sensitization meetings on digital financing services, Eliza Ken from Ndenguma Village in Traditional Authority Malemia said the digital financing will help to protect money from armed robbers.
Ken said the digital financing services will also help to secure money for VSL groups.
“Nsanje borders Mozambique and the issue of theft is on the rise and it has been a threat for me to keep huge sums of money in my house,” she added.
Daniel Chabuka from the same village also praised the digital financing services, adding that it is instant and convenient.
"You can withdraw money at your own convenient time," he said.
Chabuka said the digital financing service is very crucial to Nsanje communities considering that the district has one commercial bank only and during month end, the bank gets congested.
"Through digital financing there is no more queuing at the bank. You can do the transaction at your own pace," he added.
The digital financing campaign in Nsanje is implemented by AC Consulting with support from the Reserve Bank of Malawi and Ministry of Finance.
AC Consulting Nsanje District Team Leader, Bridget Mhango said they are conducting road shows, meetings with area development committees and VSLs with an aim of encouraging communities to embrace digital financing services.
Mhango said the exercise is aimed at encouraging communities to make payments and sales through mobile money, online, ATM transfers and mobile banking.
“The digital financing services are cheaper and efficient. The services are also easy, faster and are available any time of the day," she added.
Mhango, therefore, encouraged communities to embrace digital financing services as the world is going digital.
Over 30,000 households targeted for lean season response in Mchinji
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, November 4, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) is distributing maize to communities in Mchinji District to help them through the lean season period.
The efforts are aimed at combating food insecurity for households in the district and each household will be receiving a bag of maize each month for the next four months, as part of the 2024/25 National Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), the Mchinji District Disaster Risk Management Officer (DDRMO), Jonathan Kapatsa, said the aid targets ultra-poor households, especially homes that cannot afford food starting with those on the social cash transfer programme (SCTP).
“A total of 30,523 households are being targeted for this year’s lean season response in Mchinji. Out of that, 14,875 are those under the SCTP and 15,648 households are to be targeted using Joint Emergency Food Assistance Programme (JEFAP) guidelines,
"I am asking the beneficiaries to use this maize for the intended purposes only and not for sale," Kapatsa said.
Elisy Masulani from Saili Village Traditional Authority (T/A) Nyoka, commended DoDMA for the food aid saying her home will now manage to have three meals per day.
“I look after my grandchildren, whose parents died and I only manage to provide for them by doing small piece works. This food aid will go a long way, at least we will have three meals per day,” Masulani explained.
Alick Makiyi, a committee member from the Masegwe cluster, in the same area of T/A Nyoka, expressed his gratitude to DoDMA for the relief food items, and called the distribution as a success because all identified 136 households from his T/A received the relief food items.
"The aid has come at the right time because our community is battling with food insecurity, we did not receive enough rains last year, affecting almost every household in my area,” said Makiyi.
Kayelekera Uranium Mine to reopen in 2025
By Ephraim Ngwira
Karonga, November 4, Mana: General Manager for Kayelekera Uuranium Mine owned by Lotus Africa Limited (LAL), Theo Keyter, has revealed that production at the mine will begin in the second half of 2025.
Speaking during the press conference in Karonga Sunday, Keyter said at the moment, Government of Malawi owns 15% of the shares while LAL owns 85% of the shares and there are plans to float some shares on the Malawi Stock Exchange also.
“We will start exploration of minerals mid-2025, and we have not restricted any one nor any local company from investing in our shares. Those who want to are most welcome,” Keyter explained.
Keyter also said that, not only will business people benefit but also local people in Karonga will have a share of the cake.
"The company will undertake sustainable development that will continue even if mining stops.
“0.45% gross revenue will go back to the community every year through an account which we are going to open for them. The money will be used for the development works of which the communities will choose to be done.
“This will start the first 12 months of our sales. Lotus believes that the community must be better off because we are there,” he explained.
On her part, acting Director of Planning and Development for Karonga District council Khumbo Mkandawire praised the company for adhering to government laws and following a humanitarian approach.
“Following the bottom-up approach on development of communities is very good. Unlike the previous miners, Lotus goes to the community so that the community can choose the development they want.
“We will also make sure that the Community Development Agreement which they will sign with the communities is done accordingly,” Mkandawire said.
Ministry takes digital financial education to rural masses
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, November 4, Mana: Communities in Traditional Authorities Mtwalo, Jaravikuwa and Kampingo Sibande have applauded the Ministry of Finance for taking digital finance services education to their door steps.
The seven-day exercise which began on 29th October has seen ministry representatives in partnership with Mzimba North District Information Office conducting interactive road shows in the district’s main trading centers.
In separate interviews, business people and individuals have expressed gratitude for the exercise, which they say, has helped reaffirm their trust towards use of modern digital financial service tools.
Mary Msachi, from Madang’ombe village in the area of Traditional Authority Mtwalo who plies her trade at Chambo Market, said even though she had heard on radio about use of modern digital tools to keep her money, she never had the confidence to do so.
“I have learnt that keeping money in my phone is safer. For example, we get our goods in Mzuzu. Traveling with cash that far is risky, rather, I will travel with my phone and cash out right there where I am ordering the goods,” said Msachi who is a second hand clothes seller.
Kenneth Msime a trader at Enyezini Trading Center in the area of Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande said the coming of the civic education message to the area is an answered prayer because in most villages people keep money in their homes.
“Enyezini is one of the areas where people are still keeping money in their homes. Like this time when farming season is beginning, many farmers get robbed of cash as they travel to the city to purchase fertilizer and other farm inputs.
Memory Chiwowa, a trader at Area 1B market in Mzuzu City said use of modern digital financial tools has eased challenges faced by people living with disabilities because instead of traveling long distances to access services, they are able to get the services through phones.
“Through mobile services, I am able to pay bills and send money wherever I want without traveling long distance,” said Chiwowa who is leg amputee.
Esther Mbalame, Digital Finance Education Field Supervisor for Mzuzu City said the program came about after noticing some gaps in use of modern digital financial services.
“The main purpose of coming up with the campaign was to encourage masses to embrace digital financial tools that are available and ably use them to their advantage.
“We believe that after the exercise more people will see the importance of using these tools to access digital financial services,” said Mbalame.
Amongst other areas, the campaign was also done at Nkhorongo, Zolozolo, Chiputula, Mchengautuwa, Chiwavi and Masasa in Mzuzu City, and Bwengu, Enukweni, Ekwendeni, Jombo in Mzimba district.
Muslim youths must prioritize unity and education, Ayami
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, November 3, Mana: At the Muslim Youth United get together at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre on Sunday, a renowned Islamic scholar who was also guest of honour, Sheikh Mustahab Ayami, urged the youths to embrace unity, uphold justice and seek knowledge that should serve as foundation for a brighter future.
Ayami emphasized that unity is a divine command from Allah, not just a concept, and that the youth serve as the foundation of society and the promise of a brighter future.
“Islam encourages our youth to work towards positive change because they have the power to transform society, uphold justice, and seek the truth. Prophet Muhammad united the youth with purpose, teaching them honor, discipline, and the pursuit of knowledge,” he said.
Ayami also stressed that seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim and that knowledge should be used wisely to benefit the community and the country at large.
“Knowledge shapes our souls, empowers our communities, and serves humanity. Through knowledge, we draw closer to Allah, and through education, we can uplift our society,” he said.
Ayami pointed out that education is central in Islam and should be used to advance human knowledge to build a just, prosperous, and peaceful society.
“Education is an act of worship when done with the right intention to please Allah and benefit His creation,” he added while encouraging the youth to pursue various professions while remaining deeply rooted in Islam and upholding integrity and passion for knowledge.
The scholar further urged Muslim youth to reflect on the roles they wish to play in the Ummah (community) and to strive to help each other, building strong bonds of unity.
Regional Manager for Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational, and Educational Training (TEVETA), Malingose Kafuwa Banda, said it was important for youths in Malawi to be innovative.
“You must have the spirit to continuously seek ways to develop yourselves so that this country can progress,” she said.
Banda also encouraged young women to embrace technical, vocational and entrepreneurship other than leaving young men to advance in the three areas.
“Females, you must also be at the forefront in matters of both education and development; your involvement does not undermine the role of males but instead represents a partnership for change,” she said.
Banda therefore urged the youths to consider technical and vocational training as means of acquiring skills that should help them to reduce unemployment rates in the country.
At the gathering, the youth were informed about various technical, vocational and entrepreneurship opportunities offered by TEVETA and how the authority track their students' progress to ensure they remain relevant with skills they have gained from various training institutions.
Maize distribution expedited in Salima
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, November 4, Mana: Lean season response of maize distribution has commenced earlier than expected in Salima District due to the severity of the hunger situation, a development which has been commended.
Speaking on Sunday during an inspection of maize distribution exercise in the areas of Senior Chiefs Makanjira and Khombedza, Member of Parliament for Salima North West, Enock Phale commended government for the swift response, describing it as timely.
He said this on Thursday, November 1, when State President's Dr. Lazarus Chakwera had a whistle stop at Siyasiya trading centre in his area. He requested that there should be an expedition of maize distribution in his area, because the hunger situation had worsened.
"Barely after a day when we requested for commencement of maize distribution, today about 5, 403 households are receiving maize, this is the relief that is needed at the moment, to have productive citizens," he said.
Phale urged beneficiaries not to sale the relief maize and advised them to avoid food wastage so that the maize should take them to the next phase of receiving another bag of maize.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Salima, Gloria Chinangwa said maize distribution in the district was supposed to commence in December, fortunate enough maize has started trickling in the district early.
"For the next three months families will be receiving a bag of maize monthly, this is under the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee response, so far the exercise is going on well, we have not met any challenges, eligible households are receiving the maize," she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Rose Phiri, from Odala Village in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza, said she was heavily affected by El Nino and she did not harvest well.
"We do not have enough food at home, this bag of maize will go a long way in alleviating hunger in my house for the next four months until we harvest in the next farming season," she said.
Another beneficiary, Peter Chimchere, from Senior Chief Khombedza, said his household has been struggling to find food and he can hardly feed his six children.
"Receiving a 50kg bag of maize is such a relief, because it will go a long way in feeding my family, I am grateful to have benefited from this response, seeing how badly the El Nino affected us to the extent of failing to harvest even after ably farming," he said.
A total of 37, 750 households from Salima District will receive a bag of maize monthly for the next three months until February 2025.
Adult Education through vocational training helping people-DVV
By Pickson Chipeso.
Lilongwe, November 4, Mana: DVV International Organization says that adult education through vocational training is helping people in many ways for them to be more self-sufficient.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Communication Officer Dyson Nthawanji, mentioned that the participants are benefiting through vocational training because they are getting much needed skills.
He added that people are dedicating themselves, starting from entire communities to chiefs who are in the fore front in supporting the project because they are the ones who provide the infrastructure for learning centres. He also said that after graduating they can be independent and buy tailoring machines for business purposes.
“In implementing the project, we don't choose the infrastructure ourselves; it is the communities, particularly the chiefs, who volunteer to provide it. They also include members of the committee that oversees the activities of these classes. This commitment and dedication from the community have been key to the progress in all the projects that integrate adult education and other interventions through Community Learning Centres.
“For your own information, soon after tailoring training they are also given entrepreneurship skills in order to conduct tailoring as a viable business, so that they should make profits and be able to market the products which they make,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that these vocational training skills are in line with the Malawi 2063 because this program is targeting communities and they want to see that our country will be better than before.
“So, by acquiring vocational skills, it will help those people who were just idle in the communities to start engaging in income activities. If they engage in income activities, they will be able to raise money to support their family and community, as a result, many communities will be developed and this will be a great contribution from community initiatives to the Malawi 2063, which is a development blueprint for the country,” Nthawanji explained.
In his remarks, education expert Dr. Limbani Nsapato said adult education is critical because it is part of human capital development and it ensures that relevant skills are imparted on people especially communities in rural areas.
He added that, remote area communities have a lot of challenges such as poverty, diseases and other issues that need to be addressed by interventions like literacy programs. DVV international is supporting adult literacy and vocational training as one way of promoting quality education, human capital development and contribute to the Malawi 2063.
“As you know that in Malawi 2063, human capital development is imparting the skills for development, so the training that have been done under the adult literacy and education programs as well as vocational training help to give the capacity of the communities’ skills in a way of enhancing the capital development in the Malawi 2063,” said Nsapato.
DVV international has Community Learning Centres in Dowa and Ntchisi and tailoring training in Zomba Central Prison.
International Organization for Immigration commits to ICT training for immigration officers
By Happy Milanzie
Lilongwe, November 4, Mana: The International Organization for Immigration says is committed to training ICT specialists among immigration officers to enhance the capacity of immigration services in the country through digital systems.
This comes following the training of 16 ICT immigration officers to operate the system called Migration and Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS), a system that enables data keeping, tracking and other security issues across the country.
In an interview Nomagugu Ncube, Chief Mission for IOM-Malawi revealed that the training will mark the vision of MIDAS deployment that will help ICT officers to use digital systems by highlighting data, identifying secondary inspection that requires real time reporting.
"We are looking at the vision that the country has in gearing the trade, so the coming in of this initiative will play the pivot role as our immigration officers will be trained on how they can operate the gadget to serve the country," she said.
Ncube emphasized that the system has capacity to address problems that the department was facing and fill the gap of manual data capturing.
In his remarks, Hastings Ngoma, Project Manager in the Ministry of Transport and Trade said the project will help to address the cost of doing business, address some of the major challenges that are in borders across the country and enable smooth running of business.
"The digitalization will soften up the challenges that were being faced by officers to know the numbers of transporters including the goods and services that have been passed in the boarders,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Vivian Kasambo, Commissioner Responsible for Administration in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said the MIDAS project marks the sign of relief as the project will help in data preservation and ensuring smooth operation of services that are offered timely.
"Immigration is impressed to have this initiative such that will build strong trust worth to the country such that the data can be stored for long period of time," he said.
Police decry mob justice as Lindian Resources Limited unveils new police unit
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, October 3 Mana: Lindian Resources Limited, a company which is currently doing rare earth mining in Balaka handed over a newly constructed police unit to Malawi Police Service for effective safety and security services to people at Chanthunya area that struggle to access police services.
To this effect, Eastern Region Police Commissioner, Babra Mchenga Tsiga called the people in the area to desist from mob justice, saying the tendency frustrates police investigation into crime cases.
She made the call at Chanthunya in Balaka over the weekend during inauguration of the new police facility that the Australian mining company constructed as a way of giving back to the community.
“We have come from afar, from a situation that the people of this area were walking from here to Balaka town to access police services.
“As police we don’t condone mob justice. This is why I am calling upon people of this area and the country at large to always desist from this behavior immediately,” she added.
Mchengha Tsiga therefore commended Lindian Resources Limited for constructing the police unit at Chanthunya, saying this was a good gesture.
“This symbolises collaboration and commitment to security to the people of Chanthunya area. Let me urge the community here, to always take care of the structure and let them work hand in hand with the officers that will be here.
Lindian Resources Limited Chief Executive Officer, Alwyn Vorster said corporate social responsibility is the company’s policy, saying the company felt obliged to construct the police facility following concerns of increased crime in the area.
He said the company approved construction of police post, which the community once started but could not finish because of limited financial resources.
“We offered technical and financial resources for the construction of this police unit, and we are very proud to be part of this story, and we still have strong dreams for this area, for example schools, clinics just to give examples,” Vorster added.
He disclosed that the company will be present in the area for a long time, remitting taxes to government plus ploughing back to communities through various corporate social responsibilities ways and means.
“We estimate that this beautiful mountain that we will be mining on will have more than 200 years of mining reserves available, we are not talking about 10 to 20 years project, so this is for generations to come.
“The value on an annual basis could be in the order of 100 million USD revenue, 50 million USD of profit under the current pricing, so we feel that there are significant royalties and taxes that will go to the Malawi community,” he added.
Senior Chief Inkosi Chanthunya, hailed the company for responding to the community’s need for a police facility as they mostly failed to access police services within reasonable distance at the wake of increased crime in the area.
“We have had serious crimes in this area, a lot of robbery in our communities, this beautiful police unit will go a long way in solving these problems, and we are grateful for this,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Balaka West Bertha Ndebere said Lindian Resources Limited also provided jobs for people in her area apart from constructing the police unit.
Lindian Resources Limited is currently mining rare earth at Kangankunde hills in the district.
