MANAonline
Ministry of education issues stern warning to private schools
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, September 8, Mana: Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning to private schools that have already opened for the first term, defying the harmonized academic calendar.
In a public announcement released on September 6, 2024, the ministry reminded all stakeholders that the first term of the 2024/25 academic year is scheduled to start on September 16, 2024, and ends on December 20, 2024.
The ministry expressed concern that some private schools had already begun classes, contravening the harmonized calendar.
In a statement, Secretary for Education, Dr Mangani Chilala Katundu, emphasized that all public and private schools must adhere to the set calendar.
"The Ministry would therefore like to request all schools to follow the 2024/25 Academic calendar or risk revocation of their licences," Dr. Katundu stated.
The ministry’s stand aims to ensure uniformity in the education sector and prevent confusion among students, parents, and teachers.
Meanwhile, the ministry's decision has been welcomed by many, who see it as a step towards maintaining order and standards in Malawi's education system.
By issuing the reminder, the Ministry of Education is reaffirming its commitment to enforce the harmonized calendar, ensuring that all schools operate within the set framework.
Karonga Town Water Supply Project near completion
By George Mponda
Karonga, September 7, Mana: Karonga Town Water Supply Project which is being implemented by the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) is now at 99 percent completion and President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to inaugurate it next month.
The 32 Million USD project funded by the OPEC Fund, BADEA and the Malawi Government is expected to boost supply of potable water to an estimated population of 184,000 people in Karonga where water demand is currently outpacing supply.
Speaking Saturday when she visited the project, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Kakhobwe said she was happy with the progress made so far.
"I am glad to announce that the project which started during tough times of Covid-19 is now almost finished and President Chakwera is expected to officially inaugurate it next month. The administration of President Lazarus Chakwera wants to ensure that all Malawians have access to potable water which is their right.
"We are promoting piped water supply even in rural areas as such this project once completed will serve 184, 000 people in Karonga which is a step in the right direction. People of Karonga will now have access to safe water and sustainable water supply which will ensure their good well-being," Kakhobwe said.
On her part, NRWB's Chairperson of the Operations and Projects Committee, Florence Nthakomwa said currently the board is disinfecting supply pipes before they start pumping water.
“We have laid 301 kilometres of pipelines, upgraded our treatment plant from pumping 12 million litres per day to 30 million litres per day including installing 45 communal water points and constructed three booster stations at Pusi, Mlare and Bwiba which will ensure that people even in rural areas have access to potable water,” said Nthakomwa.
According to Nthakomwa, the board which has also constructed a modern office at Karonga Town, is currently processing water connection applications for almost 10,000 clients who have so far applied for the service.
The project has extended water supply from Karonga Town to Nyungwe, Pusi and Mpata.
Salima people to benefit from bamboo
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, September 7, Mana: Christian Aid has shown interest and commitment to place value on the underutilized bamboo to economically empower and transform the lives of people in Salima through the production of materials from bamboo.
Speaking on Friday after engaging the District Executive Committee (DEC), Project Officer for Bamboo Value Chain Enterprise Development project, Mtendere Chitete said Christian Aid aims at promoting value addition of bamboo products.
“We are here to promote value addition of bamboo products some of which are already on the market and some that will be introduced via the same project. We want to assist the communities who are already in production of these bamboo products to improve the quality.” he said.
Chitete said the products that are already available on the markets are of low value, which makes people not to appreciate the value bamboos can have locally and internationally.
“Artisans that are already making bamboo products have a challenge of using low-quality products because they use hand-made tools. We want to assist them to start producing high-quality products which can fetch them higher income,” he said.
Chitete emphasized that the artisans have had problems to access better markets, which will be solved by the coming in of the project, as it will be a platform to promote their markets for them to sell more of the products.
The artisans will be organized in groups, given training and assisted to penetrate various markets through the introduced mobile app where the artisans will be able to market their products, how to access and press orders to increase their markets.
Director of Lands and Public Works at Salima District Council Harris Kumwenda said the bamboo products will be of value to the people in the district as they will be equipped with proper skills on how best they can utilize the products.
“It is a good technology because bamboo is highly versatile, highly comparable if we talk of steel and they are equally strong that it can be used as a building material or other purposes that can withstand the forces that we go through,” he said.
He said as a district they have welcomed the development with the availability of bamboo in the district that mostly mismanaged and misused by various members of the communities.
People from the Thuma area as well as along the Salima-Lilongwe road at Katengeza will be the ones to benefit from the training first-hand.
Christian Aid aims to start producing bamboo bee hives, and energy sources among valuable products it plans to introduce in due course.
Dodma reaches out to 30 households in Senior Chief Kalolo
By Martha Simchimba
Lilongwe, September 7, Mana: People of Senior Chief Kalolo in Lilongwe district have expressed excitement over the timely donation of relief items by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma).
Dodma donated to 30 households whose houses and property were destroyed due to chieftaincy wrangles between the people of Masula and Mvuto villages in Lilongwe district.
Speaking on Friday at Chalimba primary school ground during the distribution exercise, an 80-year-old man Selemani Sikelo from Masula village said he had nothing at home, as everything got burnt.
“I am thankful to the government for this timely donation, as I will be able to live a normal life again,” he said.
The Disaster Risk Management Officer for Lilongwe district, Anganire Kalonga said it is their duty to oversee and support people whenever they face any disaster.
"As a department, we are geared to offer our support whenever people in the district have encountered any form of disaster and we are expecting the beneficiaries to use the relief items for the intended purpose,” she said.
The relief items distributed include bags of maize, cooking pots, blankets, wooden sticks, plates, roles of plastic sheets to be used for roofing their houses and plastic buckets.
Mzuzu ADD rolls out Rabies Vaccination Campaign-targets 9,000 pets
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, September 7, Mana: Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (MZADD) is expected to administer rabies vaccination to 9,000 pets, which include dogs and cats in Mzuzu City during the current mass sensitization and vaccination campaign.
In an interview Thursday alongside the ongoing Rabies vaccination campaign within the ADD, Chief Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer for Mzuzu ADD, Dr. Michael Luwe, said rabies vaccination campaigns are conducted annually in countries including Malawi where Rabies disease is common.
He added that rabies disease is deadly but a highly preventable disease that poses a significant threat to the public in areas where vaccination coverage is low.
“Globally, Rabies kill one person every nine minutes hence I advise all people who own pets either dogs or cats to ensure that their pets get the vaccine,” said Luwe.
“So, it advisable that people should have their pets vaccinated and avoid interacting with suspected dogs,” added Luwe.
He then commended Community Health Coalition (Florida-USA) for supporting the initiative in the city with its associated logistics and vaccines.
“Similar efforts are being made in other areas under MZADD with support from government and other partners,” he said.
One of the people who took her dogs to a Rabies vaccination site within the city, Jean Kaunda commended MZADD for conducting the campaign saying if not careful rabies can be a public health concern.
“I am also pleased with the initiative which includes Rabies awareness messages. People should know why they have to vaccinate their pets thereafter they will be seeking such services hence the success of the campaign,” said Kaunda.
Chakwera arrives from China-Africa Summit
By Arnold Namanja
Blantyre, September 7, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday arrived in the country from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, which was held in Beijing, China.
The aircraft carrying President Chakwera and the First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera, touched down at exactly 2:55pm.
The first couple were welcomed on arrival at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre by different senior government officials, traditional leaders as well as political leaders.
Some of the notable people who welcomed Chakwera at the airport included Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi; Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Janet Banda; Army Commander, Major Velentino Phiri; Inspector General of Police, Marylene Yolamu and Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima.
Speaking to the media, Chakwera said the tour to China was successful because he had an opportunity to negotiate a number of trade deals with the host country as well as other countries, which participated in the summit.
Chakwera disclosed that some of the benefits of the working tour to China, which has been very crucial partner to Malawi's development programme, include signing of a US$200 million construction of a judicial complex in Lilongwe and reduction of export duty on agricultural produce.
"It is quite pleasing that we have successfully struck two major deals; one of which is the grant for the construction of a court complex at City Centre, Lilongwe and that most of the crop produce from Malawi be exempted from export duty.
"Farmers will now have a readily available market for their produce in China which is a very significant milestone for the Malawi 2063 whose pillars are agriculture, tourism and manufacturing," he said.
Meanwhile, Chakwera is scheduled to fulfil a number of engagements while in the southern region such as inspection of some development projects in Nsanje and Chikwawa districts.
Legislator commits to boost agricultural production in Neno
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, September 7, Mana: Member of Parliament (MP) for Neno North Constituency, Thoko Tembo has launched a K3 million worthy climate resilience initiative in his constituency, which will see 150 farmers using drip irrigation technology to improve agricultural production in the area.
On Friday, Tembo partnered with an organization, Circle of Umoji to donate drip irrigation kits, seeds and pesticides to 150 farmers in the northern part of Neno.
Speaking after the launch, the legislator highlighted the importance of the partnership in addressing food insecurity in the district as a result of the effects of climate change, adding that the launch of the K3 million initiatives was ideal as it will empower women and the youth through sustainable agricultural practices.
“We aim to reach as many farmers as possible. Climate change is increasingly affecting our traditional farming methods and irrigation farming is one of the viable solutions,” Tembo said.
He expressed his commitment to continue supporting local farmers particularly women and youth to improve their capacity of supplying both local and broader markets.
“I am eager to ensure that women and youth farmers in Neno are given the support they need. We want to see them achieving bumper harvests and supplying markets in Neno and beyond,” the MP added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mayamiko Simphani of Muonekera Club praised Tembo for the timely intervention stating that the donation of irrigation kits will significantly improve food production.
“This support is something we have long waiting for. We have received drip irrigation kits and seed items we could not afford on our own. With this, we are ready to move forward,” Simphani said, adding that irrigation farming is the key solution to deal with the effects of climate change,”
Circle of Umoji, a women and youth empowerment initiative in Neno focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices among marginalized groups.
The organization provides climate-smart agriculture training, inputs and innovations to help farmers improve yields, increase incomes and enhance resilience to climate change.
Umoji also offer inputs and extension services to encourage cultivation of high-value, nutritious horticulture crops.
NAS to boost national development-MACRA
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, September 7, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) said the National Addressing System (NAS) is a transformative initiative, which will greatly improve service delivery through standardized physical addressing across the country.
MACRA’s Director of Postal Services and E-Commerce Kondwani Kachika said this on Friday during full council meeting in Thyolo adding that the NAS project will boost national development.
“The National Addressing System is a comprehensive system that will facilitate better planning, enhance business operations, and improve access to government services,” said Kachika.
He added that NAS will play a critical role in the socio-economic development of communities by providing a reliable addressing framework that will improve health service delivery, utility management and facilitate navigation for both residents and visitors.
Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga welcomed the initiative, noting that NAS will significantly improve the district services delivery.
“With the National Addressing System, we can now address many of the challenges especially in identifying precise locations for service delivery.
“This is a major step forward in modernizing our district and ensuring that all residents can be easily located for any services they may need,” said Kuphanga.
He appealed MACRA to consider recruiting work force within Thyolo when implementing NAS.
“It’s crucial to involve people who are familiar with the area, understand the terrains and know where people reside.
“This local knowledge will ensure the addressing system is accurate and effective, leading to better outcomes,” added Kuphanga.
Thyolo District Council Chairperson, Councilor Petro Charles Bowman hailed MACRA for spearheading the project, stating that this demonstrates that Malawi is moving forward.
“The introduction of the National Addressing System is a clear sign that we are progressing. Apart from modernizing our infrastructure, this initiative will also enhance service delivery for all Malawians,” the council chairperson added.
Bowman therefore assured MACRA of the council’s full support and emphasized the importance of community involvement in protecting the resources that will be used in the project.
“Local leaders will work together to ensure that people in the villages refrain from vandalizing MACRA’s resources used in the addressing system. We all have a role to play in safeguarding this vital infrastructure,” he added.
MACRA has already introduced NAS in other district in the southern region such as Mulanje, Machinga and Neno.
Equipping Pastors Worldwide trains 87 pastors in Zomba
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, September 7, Mana: Equipping Pastors Worldwide (EPW) has trained 87 pastors drawn from various churches to understand the Bible and preach the gospel of salvation without fear or favour.
EPW, Head of Trainings, Dave Holdt said on Friday at Reformed Presbyterian Church Theological College in Zomba where the faith based ministry trained the pastors, that some pastors did not go through theological schools to understand the word hence the training.
He further called on the newly trained pastor to proclaim the living word in their respective churches and communities but cautioned those in Malawi to stay away from political especially as Malawi heads to general elections.
“Go and proclaim living word, as men of God we preach Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. Don't be afraid to say that even louder," Holdt told the trained pastors, adding that time has come for the flock of God to know reality and make decisions without any influence.
Some of the trained pastors are from; Baptists Convention, Ethiopian, Church of Christ, Holy Ghost and Evangelism, (HOGEM) Assemblies of God, Living Waters, Samaritan Church. Zambezi Evangelical Church and Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP).
Holdt who is also narrator of audiobooks underscored the need for pastors that preach the gospel to fully understand the Bible, observing that some pastors use the Bible without deeply understanding the divinity in it.
EPW, Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Dr. Joster Jumbe also said of the need for the pastor to understand the bible in its fullest context, adding that some of them read the Bible as a collection of stories without understanding what the Bible says.
He also called on fellow pastors to avoid manipulating folks into following political beliefs against their will.
During the five days training, participants were taken through 19 sessions that discussed topics such as: What is the Bible, How to understand the passage, Teach the Bible, What we are and what we practice and Preach the word.
One of the participants, Steven Josee of Mozambique’s Zambezi Evangelical Church said time has come for pastors to understand the Bible fully and its contents.
“We preach yes, but this training is an eye opener. I can now relate stories in the Bible, teachings of God and reality on the ground,” he added and urged Malawian counterparts to exercise caution when ministering during elections.
At the end of the five days training, each of the 87participants received a certificates and a bible and among them, one participant was from Mozambique, two from Zimbabwe.
EPW is an international provider of quality training for pastors who would like to be faithful in serving the Lord, Jesus Christ but are lacking the training and resources to minster.
NICE equips women with political leadership skills in Salima
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, September 6, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) has equipped female political aspirants with political leadership skills to boost their confidence ahead of the 2025 general elections.
Speaking on Thursday during a three-day training called “Campaign School Training” organized by NICE together with the Centre for Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS), District Civic Education Officer, Queen Mataya highlighted that the training is aimed at sharpening the female aspirant's political skills.
Mataya said their goal is to see female political aspirants succeeding in the 2025 general elections through their training and enable them to have better chances of overcoming difficulties they will encounter within the country's political landscape.
"The training will strengthen aspirants whether they are beginning their career, or are more experienced and looking to sharpen their skills or generally interested in learning more about political participation and leadership," she said.
She said young women leaders have been excluded from key political and decision-making spaces and the situation can be attributed to challenges they face.
"Women face many limitations within political parties and communities to attain positions and to be voted for during elections. In Salima, there is zero presentation of a female Member of Parliament (MP), we want to change this anomaly by encouraging women to contest as MP's," she said.
Programmes Officer at CCSS, Mercy Chikadza said female aspirants need to be supported for them to build the much-needed confidence.
Chikadza underscored the importance of collaboration between Civil Society Organizations to rally behind women as one way of ending some of the gaps that are hindering women to go for positions of power.
"We established that financial challenges continue to hinder women from contesting for political positions. The training will equip women with public speaking and campaign development skills and further for them to do a needs assessment in their communities,” she said.
Member of Parliament aspirant for Salima South Constituency, Alice Kumanda said the training is timely as she is geared to put up a fierce fight against male contenders in her constituency.
She encouraged other women to be bold enough and contest in upcoming elections saying anything is possible, so long as there is focus and resilience.
35 female aspirants have shown interest in Salima district to contest in the 2025 elections and seven out of the 35 will contest as Members of Parliament while the rest as Ward Councilors.
