MANAonline
Senior Chief Ndindi laid to rest with a call for peaceful succession
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, April 3, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has urged for a peaceful transition in selecting a successor to the late Senior Chief Ndindi.
The late Ndindi died on Tuesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe where he was referred to from Salima District Hospital for further treatment after suffering from appendicitis.
Speaking during the funeral ceremony on Thursday at Chipoka, Ndindi Headquarters in Salima Chimwendo Banda emphasized the importance of chieftaincy in ensuring stability and development in the community.
“I urge you to have a peaceful succession and to present the rightful person to the Ministry as quickly as possible,” he said.
He warned against chieftaincy wrangles, highlighting that chiefs play a crucial role in bringing prompt assistance and fostering unity in their areas.
Banda described the late Ndindi as a humble and selfless leader who always prioritized the welfare of his people.
“He believed in peace and unity, and always worked to unite different religions and tribes. He was at the forefront of ensuring harmony and serving his people’s best interests,” he said.
He said Senior Chief Ndindi was an honest man, full of integrity, with no trace of corruption in his leadership.
"His exemplary leadership, free from corruption and misunderstandings, set a high standard for his successor. We now look forward to a smooth and peaceful transition to ensure that his vision for Salima continues to thrive," he said.
Speaking on behalf of Salima Chiefs, Senior Chief Kalonga echoed the Minister’s sentiments, acknowledging the late chief’s extensive knowledge and dedication to his role.
“He was very dependable and served as a court clerk here in Salima. He was well conversant with issues and willing to share his knowledge with everyone. In meetings, his input was always valued,” Kalonga remarked.
He added that the district will deeply mourn Senior Chief Ndindi, especially for his wisdom on various important matters affecting the community.
Member of Parliament for Salima South East, Joseph Manja, also paid tribute to the late chief, remembering him as a development conscious leader.
“Some major developments such as the Chipoka landing site and Chipoka Secondary City will forever be part of his legacy,” Manja said.
He praised the chief’s impartiality in conflict resolution, noting that he was a peace loving leader who mediated disputes without favoritism.
The late Ndindi, whose real name was Juma Matola M'bwana was born on July 12, 1948.
He was installed as a Traditional Authority on July 30, 2015 and elevated to Senior Chief on May 31, 2023. He is survived by a wife and ten children.
LWC organizes Youth Leadership seminar
By: Mirriam Bwanali
Blantyre, March 3, Mana: The Living Waters Church (LWC) is organizing a youth leadership seminar to take place at Chimwankhunda LWC in Blantyre on May 17 under the theme; Creating a Spiritual Life for Leaders of Tomorrow.
Chairperson for LWC Youth Ministry in the Southern Region, Takondwa Kambwiri told Malawi News Agency on Wednesday that the seminar will equip the youth ministry leaders in the southern region of Malawi with necessary knowledge and skills in their respective leadership roles.
“The world is very dynamic and the youths continue to evolve in the social space and, as a Church, we play a big role in the lives of the youths,” explained Kambwiri, adding: “It is, therefore, important that those trusted with leadership roles in churches should be well equipped with both spiritual and social skills to properly lead, and help, other youth under their care.”
Kambwiri added that the seminar will be day-long, with over 200 youth leaders from many districts in southern region in attendance.
“The seminar is for all leaders in the youth ministry at all levels, starting from leaders in branches, sectors, zones, districts and, ultimately, the region: Our doors are always open to every youth from other churches that wants to attend,” he added.
News about the seminar has since excited the youth who have described the development as an opportunity to connect and network with potential mentors.
“This seminar will improve my leadership skills in leading the youth ministry that I am representing,” Steve Kamwachale, a youth from Mulanje Living Waters Church, told Malawi News Agency in an interview.
“I will develop essential leadership qualities such as strategic thinking, effective communication, and problem solving on top of deepening my spiritual life” he added.
Living Waters Church is a charismatic Christian church founded by Apostle Stanley Ndovi in 1985, and it has grown over the years, with a lot of congregations in most parts of Malawi.
Gender Justice Unit Launches Toll Free line
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, April 3, Mana: The Gender Justice Unit on Wednesday introduced a New Innovative project called Empower-line, that provides free access to legal information for survivors of Gender Based Violence.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency after the launch held at Nkhotakota District Council Chamber, Gender Justice Unit Project Officer Rosella Chibwana said that Empower-line Interactive Voice response aims at breaking the barrier for women and girls travelling long distances to seek help.
She added that the goal is to equip stakeholders with knowledge and skills to effectively utilize and to promote Empower-line as a legal resource for addressing Gender based violence in communities.
"We are introducing a Toll-free line where people can easily have access to basic legal information where they can simply call for free and listen to pre-recorded information on any issue, whether something related to the laws, or just to know their rights,” said Chibwana.
She added that there is also a mobile application which people connected to the internet can download and access the said information.
Speaking during the launch, Nkhotakota District's Principal Gender Officer, Alick Munthali, described the meeting as crucial as it brought together gender and child protection working groups, and provided key information that will contribute effectively to the efforts that the district is putting forth.
The project is supported by Segal Family Foundation, Embassy of Iceland and Procurement of IT Equipment and System Development.
MACRA connects Balaka CDSS students to ICT
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, April 03, MANA: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has said Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills among Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) students in Balaka will improve once Connect A School (CAS) Project is completed.
Speaking on Wednesday after touring Namikombe and St. Peters CDSS’s, where the two modern computer laboratories are being built respectively, MACRA's Board Member, Malla Kawale, expressed satisfaction with the work of contractors.
She said given the pace at which the world is developing technologically, MACRA will show its commitment to providing equal opportunities to both rural and urban secondary school students by enabling them connect with their peers globally.
"The workmanship of these laboratories is outstanding, and we hope that the finishing will also be good; As MACRA, we have adequate funds to complete this project and with what the contractors have told us, we are happy and optimistic that the work will be done within time," said Kawale.
She, however, said the project has faced some challenges such as devaluation of Kwacha which resulted in further evaluation of budget and negotiations with contractors.
Head teacher for Namikombe CDSS, George Chipawo hailed government through MACRA for rolling out this project, saying that the 62 computers that will be installed in the laboratory will compel students to pursue ICT courses in tertiary schools.
"Once this facility is completed, students will now have the opportunity to know the computers before going to colleges and this will also motivate them to further specialize their courses into ICT," Chipao said.
He added: "The community members will also benefit from the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network that will be available 100 metres around the laboratory.”
One of the Area Development Committee (ADC) members at Namikombe, Markford Mtemula said they are ready to provide tight security around the facility, adding that they would also help community members with civic education for them to own the project.
With financial support from Malawi Government through Universal Service Fund, MACRA is implementing CAS Project in 72 constituencies across the country, with each district getting two laboratories, in order to allow students to have ICT literacy.
Over 500 households affected by heavy rains in Mzuzu
By Augustus Nkhwazi, Dhumisan Khumalo
Mzuzu, April 3, Mana: Preliminary assessment by Mzuzu City Council has revealed that over 500 households were affected by heavy downpour that fell early this week in the city.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu City Council, McDonald Gondwe, said the affected areas include; Mchengautuba East, Chibavi West, Chibavi East, Chiwanja and Chiputula wards.
According to Gondwe, most of the affected households experienced run-offs, with one household completely damaged in Chibanja, while another house had its roof partly blown off in Chiputula.
"Majority of those affected need urgent support in areas of food items, beddings and kitchen utensils," said Gondwe.
He added that the council was set to submit the preliminary assessment report to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) for necessary action.
“Most of the affected households are those living along water ways, which makes them prone to disasters. The Council however reminds those staying in such places to relocate to safer places,” he said.
Last week the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services issued a statement highlighting heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms mainly over the North due to Equatorial Rain Belt.
Two nabbed in Karonga for illegal petroleum possession, transportation
By George Mponda
Karonga, April 3, Mana: Karonga Police have arrested Kenson Mwafongo and Lusubiro Mwenelupembe, both 30, for allegedly possessing and transporting 500 liters of liquid petroleum without a permit.
This comes barely a week after Malawi Police Service in Karonga arrested Robert Mwangaju for allegedly being found in possession of 420 liters of petroleum without license.
On Tuesday, a similar case prompted Chitipa Resident Magistrate Court to sentence Watwivwa Kayola, 41 to pay a fine of K1.8 Million or, in default, serve a 12-month jail term.
Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe were apprehended on Tuesday at the Rukuru roadblock in the district.
According to Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska, the two were in a Toyota Probox from Karonga Boma heading towards Songwe Border and they were stopped by officers manning the roadblock.
"A search in the vehicle established that the car was loaded with 25 jerry cans filled with liquid petroleum. When they were asked for documents of the petroleum, Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe failed to produce any to support their possession and transportation of the liquid petroleum, hence they were arrested and the product was seized," said Msiska.
Mwafongo and Mwenelupembe hail from Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga District.
Secondary schools applaud government’s ICT lab initiative
By Rosalia Kapiri
Kasungu, Mchinji, April 3, Mana: Students and teachers from various secondary schools in Mchinji and Kasungu have hailed the Malawi government for the construction of ICT laboratories across the country under the Connect A School (CAS) project.
CAS is a Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) project funded by the Authority’s digital inclusion arm, Universal Service Fund (USF), and currently, there are 75 ICT laboratories under construction nationwide, with many at 90 percent completion.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency during a tour of the ICT facilities in the districts on Thursday, the students and their teachers expressed joy and thanked government for the development.
Fungisai Kandaya, A Form 2 student at Misale Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Mchinji, said the ICT labs will play a crucial role in bridging knowledge gap among the students.
“I am happy that this facility is being established at my school: It will help me research on various topics related to my studies, moving beyond just reading books, and this will enable me and my fellow students excel academically,” she said.
Another student, Praise Chiponda, from Mtunthama All Saints CDSS in Kasungu, said the ICT laboratories in secondary schools will prepare students for higher education.
“It is high time all secondary schools had ICT labs. With this knowledge, we will enter college already familiar with computers and the internet, making our transition much easier,” Chiponda said.
Similarly, Head teacher at Misale CDSS, Aaron Masaile, commended the government for the CAS project, noting that it comes at a crucial time when technology is advancing rapidly.
He noted that students from remote areas will now have the same access to ICT resources as their counterparts in urban schools.
“This facility will benefit both students and the wider community by providing essential computer skills,” he said.
Ronald Tembo, USF Head acknowledged some challenges faced during the implementation of the project but he expressed satisfaction with the progress.
The project started in June 2024 and it is expected to end in June 2025 and, according to Tembo, four to five ICT labs are expected to be constructed in each constituency by 2030 under the project.
“This [2024-2025] is just the first phase, and soon we will commence Phase 2, which includes the construction of another 120 labs across the country,” Tembo explained.
Each lab will be equipped with 60 computers and free internet access, to ensure that students and communities benefit from digital learning opportunities.
MRA donates to DoDMA for Cyclone Jude victims
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, April 2, Mana: The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has made a K60 million donation to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in response to the devastating effects of Cyclone Jude.
The donation is part of MRA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) which aims to support communities in times of need.
Speaking Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, MRA Commissioner General Daniel Daka said the CRS policy is guided by five key pillars, with a focus on communities, staff, clients, government and the environment.
Daka said the donation to DoDMA falls under the first pillar which emphasizes supporting communities during natural disasters.
“The recent cyclone left many families homeless and without essential supplies prompting MRA to take action.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, MRA has pledged to work closely with relevant authorities to alleviate the suffering of disaster victims,” he said.
He said the donation demonstrates MRA’s dedication to its CSR policy and its role as a responsible corporate citizen in Malawi.
Director of Preparedness and Recovery for DoDMA, Rev. Moses Chimphepo, said the donation will provide essential food and non-food items to those in need.
He said the support will enable affected families to rebuild their lives, providing them with crucial assistance during the challenging period.
“The cyclone’s impact was severe, with approximately 7,600 households affected, translating to around 32,000 people.
“As the city continues to recover the support will play a vital role in bringing relief to those affected,” he said.
Chimphepo said the donation will be used to procure essential items, including food and non-food supplies, which will be distributed to affected households.
He, therefore, said as the community continues to recover from the cyclone’s impact, the support is instrumental in bringing hope and relief to those affected.
Government committed to improving higher education standards
By Thom Ali
Lilongwe, April 2, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr Jessie Kabwila, has reiterated government’s commitment to improving higher education standards in the country.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe, Kabwila said fake degrees and poor education standards are like cancer that eats away the fabric of society, eroding the value of hard work, excellence, meritocracy, integrity and accountability that are essential for the development of the nation.
“The fight against fake degrees and low standards of higher education is a fight for the soul of our nation which requires collective efforts from various stake holders to uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and excellence that are important for the achievement of the country’s development plans,” she said.
She said government has set up steps to deal with fake institutions, fake degrees or papers, and quality education issues, by among others ensuring that all higher education institutions are registered with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), conducting quality assurance audits to detect low higher education standards, as well as developing a higher education bill that will institute inspectors in higher education institutions.
She, therefore, urged all higher education institutions and employers to audit certificates of their employees and where in doubt contact NCHE or relevant authorities for verification.
Chief Executive Officer for NCHE, Dr Ambumulire Phiri, said the institution is geared in improving quality of education in the country by taking broader steps in sensitising the masses on suitable standards of higher education systems in the country through various platforms.
Phiri advised all higher learning institutions in the country to set up quality assurance standards to avoid being deregistered by the council.
Finance Minister takes a swipe at non performing SOEs
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, April 2, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has taken a swipe at some State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for performing below expectation and has since assigned the Secretary to Treasury to facilitate performance assessment to see how best to position them.
The Minister made the sentiments Wednesday at the Bingu International Convention centre (BICC) in Lilongwe when presiding over the signing ceremony of shareholder’s Letters of Expectations.
Banda noted that there are some SOEs that are performing below expectation hence the need for initiative to allow them sign letters of expectations for them to work hard.
“The signing letters of expectations will help SOEs to be on their toes in terms of performance and be able to generate revenue. This is a framework under which the ministry monitors their action, work and performance.
“This is the second time. Last year we did the same and some SOEs were able to pay government some dividends and remittances but still some are still struggling. This is a wake up call for SOEs to work extra hard and be able to share experiences for improved performance,” said Banda.
He said some SOEs are still a burden for implementation of the national budget because they still come forward for bail outs, an indication that they are not performing well.
He said the state is doing assessment through a monitoring framework to appreciate SOEs challenges and environment to ensure they are working within their plans.
“Some of the challenges that we have seen are that some SOEs are too ambitious, and they operate outside their approved budget.
“These are some of the things that we needed to share with them such as compliance to the approved budget and to live according to their Key Performance Indicators that they shared in their letters of expectations and these will be used to measure their performance,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer for National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), named as one of the best performing SOE, Humphrey Mdyetseni said the letters of expectations are a pathway on how to travel in the next 12 months.
“What is key is that in the key performance indicators are deliverables that are expected of us as SOEs to deliver to Malawians for better service delivery and at the end of the day, make an impact in the lives of Malawians.
“It's significant because the resources we receive from government are not just there to be spent for purposes of spending, but to spend them with the aim of transforming lives of Malawians,” said Mdyetseni.
Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Peter Simbani, said he is going to monitor SOEs to ensure they achieve results.
“The state corporations or state enterprises have signed these letters of expectation which are going to outline what government expects from each one of them in terms of the targets, on revenues, on expenditures, but also on the dividend or surplus which they are supposed to give to government.
“So, as comptroller corporations, I will be there to monitor implementation of the KPIs that are going to be developed so that they are assessed using that and my office is there to monitor the implementation to make sure that they achieve whatever they have agreed with the Treasury,” said Simbani.
