MANAonline
Vulnerable groups benefiting from SCTP in Nkhotakota
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, November 11, Mana: Communities in Nkhotakota district have hailed the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) for improving the livelihoods of elderly and child-headed households in the district in order for them to manage a decent and safe life.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Sunday, Mervis Chimangeni, from Kapiri cluster in traditional Authority Nkhanga in the district, said her living surroundings have improved since she was able to buy iron sheets to roof her house and secure her windows to sleep in a safe space.
‘I used to dwell in an almost incomplete house. To imagine that I have now roofed the house is a testimony I will live to tell, thanks and praises to the Ntukula Pakhomo savings,’ says Chimangeni.
She said when she joined the program she managed to start a small business selling free-range local chicken and joined a village savings and loan group which saw her being assisted in buying the necessary tools to roof and secure her house over time while still rearing free-range local chicken.
Another beneficiary, Thoko Kumbanga a sole breadwinner from Mkaika cluster Traditional Authority Kalimanjira in the district says she is now able to support her siblings who are aged 7 and 8 through school as she does small business to keep life going.
“As soon as my sisters are in school, I spend the day at the market selling fizzy drinks, eggs, and water to sustain our home as our mother passed away in 2021,” explains Kumbanga.
McDonald Mpichi, District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhotakota says his office is delighted to note that the program is benefiting the vulnerable groups and that it is benefitting and transforming their lives for the better.
The World Bank and multi-donor-funded resilience program target 10 percent of ultra-poor households in all districts of the country giving each beneficiary household an average of Mk14,000 per month through the E-payment system.
Mlowe cultural arts festival to combat mental health and GBV
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, November 11, Mana: Pamoza Social Enterprise Malawi has organized an arts festival called Mlowe Cultural Arts Festival at Mlowe Village, Rumphi District, scheduled for November 16 to 17, 2024.
The art festival will mainly focus on; Harnessing the Power of Local Culture to Address Mental Health Challenges and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Issues.
Pamoza Social Enterprise Malawi's founder, Peace Kalua, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Sunday that the motivation behind the festival is to open the Mlowe Community Center.
“The festival also aims to launch the community center in Mlowe, which will operate based on three pillars: creating employment, promoting environmental conservation, and raising awareness on mental health.” he said.
Kalua added that the festival also aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and educate the public on other crosscutting social issues.
“These should not be sidelined,” he said, adding that the festival focuses on social issues after observing increased prevalence of child marriages, school dropouts, and associated wide range of gender based violence in the Mlowe area.
Kalua explained that the festival will primarily be a local arts contest, featuring local art from across the northern region of Malawi.
“The groups will present their cultural artifacts and compete for prizes. The prizes will include three goats and this is intended to empower them and provide sustainable funding for their groups,” he said.
Kalua encouraged people from across Malawi to attend and participate in the arts festival and was hoping to make the Mlowe Cultural Arts Festival an annual event with plans to rotate it to different areas within the district.
Clinical psychologist and festival organizer, Annabel Jaccard said the festival uses traditional Malawian arts and dances to communicate effectively to the people of Mlowe.
“Everything is related to art because we believe that through art, we can raise awareness of the pressing issues. Cultural and traditions have significant impact on people as they can easily be understood and can relate to the people,” she said.
Jaccard added that local counselors and psychologists will be present at the festival to provide guidance on mental health and GBV.
She emphasized the festival’s focus on GBV, noting that November coincides with the 15 Days of Activism Against GBV, in addition to the center's opening and celebration of local culture.
She urged the public to engage in open dialogue around mental health and GBV issues, saying the issues have higher potential of impacting on individual wellbeing and national development.
Jaccard also appealed to well-wishers and donors to support Pamoza Social Enterprise in bringing the Mlowe Cultural Arts Festival’s awareness on mental health and GBV across Malawi.
Activities at the festival will include traditional dances, wellbeing workshops, local music, poetry, theater, and more.
Engineer Mumba uses sports to woo young people to go for voter registration
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, November 11, Mana: Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, has urged young people to be registered in the ongoing voter registration exercise for them to vote for political leaders of their choice in the 2025 General Election.
Mumba was speaking on Sunday at Katoto Basket Ball Court in Mzuzu when he launched the Northern Zone Basketball League, courtesy of his K45,000.00 sponsorships which is expected to run the league for three consecutive seasons.
He said whatever takes place in the country in various aspects such as politics affects every citizenry including the youth themselves, hence the need for them to participate in all affairs such as politics.
“Let me urge young people in the country to develop interest in contesting for political leadership positions at all levels,” said Mumba.
Commenting on the league, Mumba said he was pleased with the high turnout of people, mostly the youths who came to witness the leagues launching ceremony.
“I never expected that Basketball is so popular and that people can love it so much. We normally focus on Football and Netball but sporting activities such Basketball, Volleyball and Table Tennis and are left out,” said Mumba.
He added that the sponsorship of the league will enhance talent nurturing that some of the players in teams participating in the league can rise and play at national and international levels.
Chairperson for Northern Zone Basketball League, Chakufwa Chihana Junior, said he was pleased with the sponsorship of the league.
“We are excited with this development and appeal to other well-wishers, companies and individuals to emulate Mumba’s gesture. This will go a long way in contributing to the development of Basketball in the country,” said Chihana.
The launching ceremony of the league was marked by a game between Mzuzu University Panthers and Nkhandwe Basketball Team.
Mabedi to sue FAM
By Charles Nkhoma
Lilongwe, November 11, Mana: Former Malawi National Team (Flames) coach, Patrick Mabedi is considering taking legal action against Football Association of Malawi (FAM) after his contract was unceremoniously terminated.
His lawyer, David Kanyenda, confirmed of the development in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday that he has requested compensation from FAM.
“We have received and accepted instructions from Mr. Patrick Mabedi to represent him in a matter regarding his employment relationship with FAM,” Kanyenda said.
Kanyenda noted that if FAM does not compensate Mabedi, he will take legal action through the Industrial Relations Court.
"Our client’s contract was set to expire in November 2025. Unless FAM compensates him for the remaining salary and benefits, we will be left with no option but to litigate at the labour tribunal, the Industrial Relations Court.
“Our initial calculations indicate that our client would have received a substantial amount in hundreds of millions of kwachas, covering salaries and benefits,” Kanyenda said.
When asked about the compensation, FAM General Secretary, Alfred Gunda said they would not pay Mabedi, citing an exit clause that had been activated in his contract.
He said: “FAM had a contract with the coach, and based on the contract provisions and the exit clause, we reached this decision.”
Mabedi signed a two-year contract with FAM in October 2023, after serving as interim coach for five months.
Football analyst George Chiusiwa warned that FAM risks another legal dispute with a former coach, observing that Mabedi was evaluated on a single target only.
Mabedi was tasked with qualifying for the 2025 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), reaching the semi-finals of the 2024 Cosafa Cup, and finishing at least second in FIFA 2026 World Cup Group L.
Malawi withdrew from the Cosafa Cup in June as the country mourned the tragic passing of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a military plane crash in Thungwa, Nkhata Bay.
The Flames have since been eliminated from the 2024 Afcon qualification, currently sitting last in Group L, after losses to Burundi, Burkina Faso, and twice to Senegal.
Winning the remaining two matches against Burundi and Burkina Faso would not alter their standing.
However, Malawi is still competing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Flames are currently fourth in Group H with six points, following wins against Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, but suffered a loss to Equatorial Guinea.
Earlier this year, the Industrial Relations Court ordered FAM to compensate former coach Meke Mwase, also represented by Kanyenda, for unfair dismissal. Another former coach, Ernest Mtawali, similarly won a lawsuit against the association for unfair dismissal.
DZ Head teachers for improved education standards
By Timothy Peter
Dedza, November 10, Mana: Primary School Head teachers in Dedza have agreed to perform their duties diligently as one way of improving education standards in the district.
This was revealed at the first ever two-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Malawi Primary School Head Teachers Association (MAPSHA), Dedza Chapter that took place at Dedza Government Primary School under the theme, "Working together for quality education".
Speaking after the first day’s meeting on Saturday, President for MAPSHA, Dedza Chapter, Vincent Kalitsiro, said the meeting is crucial, as it has brought all of them together in ensuring that quality education is achieved in the district.
He added that as an association, they wish to collaborate with all primary school teachers to enhance their profession.
However, Kalitsiro asked government through Dedza District Education Office to provide them with necessary resources such as teachers, teaching and learning materials as well as teacher's houses.
"There are some challenges that hinder our performance in national examinations as a district.
"The most challenging problems include lack of teachers, decent teacher's houses and limited teaching and learning materials," Kalitsiro said.
In her remarks, one of the participants at the meeting, Sarah Ajawa who is Head teacher for Mapuyu Primary School under Chitundu Zone concurred with Kalitsiro saying teachers walk long distances to and from school due to lack of teacher's houses in different primary schools in the district.
"As a result of this, we do not properly discharge our duties as head teachers," she said.
However, Ajawa said she will encourage her subordinates and learners to be dedicated and work very hard for a common goal.
In his speech, Dedza District Council, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Julius Kamwaza, described the meeting as a platform for encouraging teachers to continue working hard in improving learner performance during national examinations.
"We have plans to work towards a common goal and we wish to achieve a 100 percent pass rate at each examination centre.
"We also want Dedza to become an A-type: where every learner sitting for Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination should get an A grade," stated Kamwaza
Responding to the concerns, the CEO said government has put in place several measures to address different challenges affecting education in the district.
"We have projects such as the Malawi Education Reform Program (MERP) which is constructing over ten thousand classroom blocks and teacher's houses but also we have another project called Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) that aims to construct teacher's houses," he added.
Kamwaza has since called on the communities in the district to join hands and be able to contribute locally towards teachers’ welfare where need be, so that they stay closer to the schools and help learners perform much better.
Dedza moved from position 9 in 2023 to position 5 in 2024 out of 34 education districts in the country during PSLCE examinations, a thing which has been described as a success in as far as achieving quality education is concerned in the district.
Efforts to prevent Fistula gain ground
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, November 10, Mana: Adolescent girls and young mothers can prevent obstetric fistula, a serious childbirth injury, if they are informed about the condition and its warning signs.
This was revealed on Friday when Freedom From Fistula Foundation (FFFF), with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), hosted a two-day training in Mchinji and Dedza, focusing on educating patient ambassadors on preventing, identifying, and supporting those affected by fistula.
Zione Moyo, FFFF's Psychosocial Officer, encouraged the patient ambassadors to work directly with communities to raise awareness of fistula, encouraging early education for young girls on the importance of avoiding early marriage and teenage pregnancies.
“By educating girls early, we can help them make informed choices that protect them from the risks of fistula,” said Moyo.
Participants learned to recognise fistula symptoms, understand preventive measures, and promote effective use of healthcare resources.
According to recent data, Malawi’s Bwaila Fistula Centre treats between 300 to 350 women with fistula annually.
Coordinator at the Fistula Centre Margaret Moyo said, as of November 2024, the centre has already registered and repaired 310 cases, a figure expected to match last year’s numbers by December.
“This shows that fistula remains a serious issue in Malawi. In Mchinji alone, we have only registered 15 cases, but there are undoubtedly many more affected women who lack information and support,” said Moyo.
Moyo also stressed the urgency of targeting younger women, as fistula cases are particularly prevalent among girls aged 15-24 who often face early marriages and pregnancies.
She encouraged adolescent girls and young mothers to consider family planning options to complete their education and plan for healthier pregnancies.
Liness Chikumbutso, a fistula survivor from Traditional Authority Magomero in Dedza, described how, following her surgery, KOICA provided her with a solar unit to help her generate income.
“I used the solar to start charging phones, which enabled me to buy two acres of land and six pigs. I now have a stable income and am able to participate fully in community life,” she shared.
Rose Gogoda, the fistula coordinator at Mchinji District Hospital, reported that seven cases this year involved girls under 20.
The FFFF which is working closely with the Ministries of Gender, Social Welfare, and Youth, continues to champion awareness efforts across Malawi, aiming to integrate fistula prevention into community health initiatives.
MANEB examination remark turns MSCE highest to 7 points
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, November 10, Mana: Maranatha Academy has announced that this year's Malawi School Certificate of Education achieved a score of 7 points out of 8 after a remark by the Malawi Examination Board (MANEB).
In interview with the Malawi News Agency, the Executive Director of Maranatha Academy, Ernest Karonga, expressed his satisfaction with this outcome.
He emphasized the institution's commitment to upholding excellence in education.
Karonga affirmed that Maranatha Academy will continue in delivering high-quality education to both male and female students, in alignment with the nation's educational goals.
"We are dedicated to offering the high-quality standard in the education sector to contribute to the country's advancement,” stated Karonga.
He further highlighted that the student who achieved 7 points is Owen Jelasi Chalela, who underwent a reassessment by MANEB, resulting in a revision from 8 points to 7 points.
Likoma DC encourages men to register
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, November 10, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Likoma Abubakar Nkhoma has asked men to register in large numbers during the second phase of the Malawi Electoral Commission’s voter registration exercise taking place in the district.
The DC said this Sunday after supervising six registration centres in Likoma where he noted that more women had so far registered in large numbers than men on day one of the registration exercise.
“Generally, the turn up of day one was impressive especially women. We have seen more women have registered. We only had one centre where more men registered than women.
“Of course as a district we have more women than men but still more I would encourage men to go and get registered inorder for them to vote during 2025 elections,” said Nkhoma.
The DC noted that there was need for adequate publicity to let everyone know that voter registration is taking place in the district.
Supervisor at Likoma Youth Hall, Micheal Kanjaya said the exercise was going on well as people were turning up for registration since the commencement of the exercise.
“Today being a Sunday, people have been showing up here and there, as you may know many of them are attending church service but as of yesterday we registered about 79 registrants which is a good start,” said Kanjaya.
The registration exercise, which commenced on 9th November is expected to end on 22nd November and Likoma has six centres while Chizumulu has four centres.
Northern region commemorates Remembrance Day
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, November 10, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale on Sunday joined people in the Northern region for Remembrance Day, a ceremony to remember soldiers who died in service to humanity in the two world wars and other armed conflicts.
The ceremony took place at Mzuzu Cenotaph.
Kawale who laid his wreath at 11:09 AM was followed by a representative of Malawi Defense Force Brigadier General Swithan Mchungula of Malawi Marine Forces and Commissioner Dennis Chipawo of Malawi Police Service.
Other notable figures who laid their wreaths were City Mayor Councillor Kondwani Brian Nyasulu, Member of Parliament for Rumphi West Yona Mkandawire who represented Speaker of the National Assembly, Justice Kishindo representing the judiciary amongst others.
Remembrance Day, also known as, Poppy Day falls every second Sunday of November and in Malawi, this day is also commemorated to honor militants who gave their lives in subsequent peacekeeping missions notably in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ivory Coast and Mozambique.
During the ceremony, members of the clergy from different faith groups shared prayers of hope and comfort for the survivors of the wars and conflicts and for protection upon militants still in service.
Chakwera leads Malawians in War Remembrance Day
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, November 10, Mana: President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera Sunday led Malawi nation in remembering fallen veterans of two world wars at the Zomba War Memorial Tower.
President Chakwera arrived at the Zomba Memorial Tower, Cobbe Barracks at exactly 10:58 two minutes before the hour of eleven o’clock, which is the hour that the Second World War ended in 1918.
The Malawi leader was welcomed by the Malawi Defence Force, Army Commander Dr. Paul Valentino Phiri and Deputy Inspector General of the Malawi Police service responsible for administration, Happy Mkandawire.
War Remembrance Day was also held in Lilongwe and Mzuzu where the nation paid homage to those that fought in two World Wars under British Colonial auxiliary forces and other peace keeping missions, according to Director of Events, Malawi Defence Force, Public Information Officer, Major Kelvin Mlalemba.
He added that the day is also set aside to appreciate the role that the living and serving soldiers play in safeguarding their countries.
Mlelemba explained that the Remembrance Day is also meant to remember all the contributions that the departed as well as ex-service soldiers made in all the country’s major operations and different operations outside the country citing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Remembrance Day is globally celebrated on November 11 to mark the very day that the Second World War ended. The day is also described as the 11,11.
President Dr Chakwera was the first to lay a wreath followed by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Madalitso Kazombo and Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Lovemore Chikopa.
Member of Parliament for Zomba Chisi, Mark Botomani laid a wreath representing opposition parties in parliament.
During the ceremony a living war veteran, Warrant Officer Class 1, Frank Masiano represented all war veterans who took part in wars by laying a wreath.
Tanzanian Ambassador to Malawi, Agness Kayola represented members of the Diplomatic Corps in laying wreath.
In Zomba, the ceremony also marked 100 years since the establishment of the war memorial Pillar.
