MANAonline
Thyolo Public Works Committee impressed with the progress of development projects
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, September 6, Mana: The Public Works Committee at Thyolo District Council has expressed satisfaction with ongoing and completed development projects in the district, which are being implemented with World Bank-funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).
During a two-day supervision visit this week, the committee assessed various projects, including the newly constructed Ntambanyama Market and the Namatuni Health Post, where work is underway.
Apart from the marketplace and health post, the committee also visited Limbe bridge project, Thyolo Boma Primary School, and Chilengo Health Post.
Chairperson of the Public Works Committee, Hudson Ovira, and Senior Chief Mphuka said they were impressed with the distribution of the GESD projects in the district and anticipated that the health facilities, the market and the bridge would have a positive impact on the communities' livelihood.
The committee was particularly pleased that the interventions were in key sectors citing education, health, transport and trade.
“These are projects that will significantly improve the lives of the people in Thyolo. We are impressed with the pace at which the projects are progressing,” added Ovira.
Senior Chief Mphuka also said he was pleased with how the council utilized funds meant for GESD, describing the usage as prudent and observing that the resources were being utilized for their intended purposes.
“The council has shown commitment and accountability in the management of GESD funds, which is evident in the quality and timely delivery of the projects,” Mphuka added.
Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, expressed optimism that the ongoing projects will be completed ahead of schedule, saying the health and educational infrastructures plus the bridge is meant to serve the people of Thyolo better.
“We are working hard to ensure that these projects are not only completed on time but also meet the needs of our communities. Our focus is on delivering quality services that will have a lasting impact,” said Kuphanga.
Youth Response for Social Change took child marriages head on
By Martin Chiwanda and Mike Nambwale
Machinga, September 5, Mana: Youth Response for Social Change organization (YRSC) says it nullified 320 child marriages through a project called Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriage implemented in Machinga District with stakeholders.
YRSC disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting in Liwonde, Machinga where the organization shared a progress report of the project, which ends in November this year.
YRSC Programs Officer, Prisca Inani, said the project has been successful following good working relationship with Machinga District Council, other collaborating organizations such as FOYODE, NANES and development partner, USAID/
She the organizations worked together in the targeted areas which includes Traditional Authorities of Chikweo, Nyambi, Mizinga, Mulimba, Mchinguza and Kawinga where cases of child marriages were common.
Inani said apart from nullifying 320 child marriages, girls have returned to school while 65 of them were taught vocational and soft skills like art and designing, tailoring and farming to sustain their livelihood.
“We have done a recommendable job with partners. We have managed to end marriages, send children back to school as well as providing the much needed skills to some of the youths. It worked well because of the collaboration efforts by different stakeholders including the traditional authorities,” she said.
A girl who came of out child marriage, (name withheld) from Traditional Authority Chikweo, will shortly enter form 4 on September 16 and shared her story of being abused, beaten and isolated from other people in her marriage.
“I got married early because of poverty and my family thought marriage would be the best way to solve problems,” she added.
Traditional Authority Mizinga who spoke on behalf of the other traditional authorities hailed YRSC for implementing a project that nullified child marriages saying this was a positive thing in the right direction as the project helped to reduce the numbers of child marriages in Machinga including his area.
He has vowed to continue the fight even if project phases as long as child marriage continue in the district.
Machinga District Commissioner, Rodrick Mateauma, said child marriages were still a concern in Machinga and acknowledged the role YRSC’ and its partners played in dealing with the problem
“Before the project, we weren't doing well as a district. The situation was bad as figures show that we were even above the national figures on child marriages,” he added
Mateauma said the project brought good results and also observed the greater role traditional leaders and other area and village level structures played to fight child marriage in the district.
“Going forward, we will rely on the same structures, local leaders, and our extension”, the District Commissioner added.
Among the guests was Senior Chief Kachindamoto, of Dedza who is a national champion in ending child marriages.
She however faulted some parents and guardians who facilitate child marriages on the assumption that they benefit from such forced marriages.
With funding from the American Government through USAID to the tune of 490,000 USD, the Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriages in Machinga Project started in 2021 and will end in November this year.
First Lady attends meeting on women’s education
By Chikondi Chimala, in Beijing, China
Beijing, September 6, Mana: First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera Thursday morning attended a meeting on China-Africa women’s education at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing as part of the meetings of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
During the meeting, Madam Chakwera and the other African spouses reaffirmed their commitment to women's education and empowerment by publicly appending their signatures to a board themed “China-Africa join hands for women’s empowerment through education.”
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, delivered the keynote speech during the meeting that was attended by over 20 spouses of African leaders, including Madam Chakwera, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Said First Lady Peng Liyuan: “China and Africa belong to a community with a shared future. Women from China and Africa through their hard work, wisdom and dedication, have written a remarkable chapter of unity, cooperation and progress and must ensure that they continue on that path to remain key influencers in their spheres of operation.”
“Despite the long distance between us, China and Africa have always been friends and reliable partners.”
She noted that Chinese and African women, through their hard work, wisdom and dedication, have written a remarkable chapter of unity, cooperation and progress declaring that in advancing women's education and moving toward a brighter future, China and Africa are aligned in their goals.
First Lady Peng Liyuan, who is also a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education said the meeting was of great significance as knowledge and education can open great paths for many African women.
Other speakers during the meeting included, Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of Senegal, Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya, wife of Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Many participants delivered speeches and thanked the Chinese host for their outstanding contributions to promote education of African girls and women and praised China's long-standing support and assistance in related fields.
The spouses were treated to great performances from children's singing and a Peking Opera and visited exhibits showcasing China's traditional culture and achievements in women's education.
Karonga DC pledges to support youths in accessing SRH services
By George Mponda
Karonga, September 6, Mana: Karonga Acting District Commissioner (DC) Frank Mkandawire has assured youths that the council will support them in accessing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Services.
Mkandawire said youths constitute a majority of the country's population and they are the ones who will help achieve Malawi 2063 hence they need support to be healthy reproductive citizens.
He was speaking Thursday in Karonga at the end of a three-day sexual reproductive health and rights conference for youths from Senior Chiefs Mwirang'ombe and Wasambo, which was organized by Kachila Youth Initiative (KAYI) with funding from Amplify Change.
"The council has strategies to increase the number of youth SRH providers and we will train as many health workers as possible for them to deliver the services effectively. Number two, we will construct youth corners within our health facilities because this is one of the biggest barriers for youths in accessing SRH services, lastly, we want to increase the network of Youth Community Based Distribution Agents (YCBDA) who we will train them to reach out to their fellow youths, “Mkandawire said.
The DC further pledged to ensure that a Youth Centre, which will contain rooms offering health services, indoor games, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) room and business advisory services for economic empowerment, will be constructed at the Boma.
On his part, Executive Director for KAYI, Matchona Ngwira said they are implementing a 'Tubapoke Project' which aims to help remove barriers which youths face in accessing SRH services.
"We want youths to highlight issues which make them fail to access SRH services so that at the end of the day we should make a road map to ensure that the barriers are removed and our youths are free to access these lifesaving services,” Ngwira said.
"We are trying to make sure that more youth-friendly health services providers in the district are trained and health facilities should create special rooms for youths to access these services," he added.
Francis Nhlope Chairperson of Wasambo Youth Network from Senior Chief Wasambo said youths were unable to access SRH services before the inception of the project in the area.
"Cultural beliefs, long distances to health facilities and lack of information on where to access the services were some of the challenges which caused this but at least now with the project, things have improved a lot as youths in our area are now accessing the services, “said Nhlope.
The conference was held under the theme "Breaking the barriers on sexual reproductive health and rights for young people".
Chirimba to have a health centre
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, August 6, Mana: State Vice President Dr. Michael Usi promised people of Chirimba Township in Blantyre that construction of a health centre in the area will start soon after identifying a site.
Usi said this on Thursday when he toured the township saying that Chirimba, a highly populated area, deserve its own healthy facility.
“All bags of cement needed for the construction of a hospital are readily available. We are waiting for the chiefs to identify a place accessible to all villages.
“After being given a place that should be central to Maela, Namatete and Chirimba, construction work shall start,” he said.
The Vice President therefore advised local leaders and their subjects to avoid putting politics on issues to do with development.
“The hospital should not be a political thing but should be there to help people to access health services,” he said.
On his part, Michiru Ward Councilor, Uche Yesaya, commended the Vice President for always helping the area.
“You don’t forget us, I remember when we were affected by Cyclone Freddy, and you were the first person to visit our camps. Whenever I knock on your door, you always come to assist,” he said, adding that people in Chirimba area will always be grateful to Usi’s gesture.
Group Village Head Suya expressed optimism that the Vice President’s visit will provide solution to some of their problems in his area.
“Your visit has given us hope. Seeing you here means that some of our problems will be solved,” he said.
He appealed to the Vice President to consider constructing roads in his village stating that roads in the area become impassable during rainy seasons.
“Roads in this village are not good. We use them today because this is dry season but come rains, the same roads are impassable,” group village Suya added.
Usi toured Chirimba to interact with township residents to appreciate their life challenges.
He already visited Bangwe and Ndirande townships.
TA Mtumbwinda applauds government for its speedy food response
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, September 6, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Mtumbwinda of Machinga District has applauded government for moving with speed to provide food support to hunger-affected families in his area some of whom were seen surviving on itching beans (chitedze).
The traditional leader expressed appreciation in an interview with Malawi News Agency Thursday when Machinga District Council with support from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) distributed maize to 100 households that depended on wild beans and other plants for survival.
He said his subjects have been relying on wild plants for survival, adding that it was impressive that government responded quickly after the council reported the food situation.
“I am happy that government has provided my subjects with this food support. It has been a quick response after reporting the case just few days ago. People that received the maize really appreciate government’s quick response.
“As a traditional leader, I appreciate the government and the council’s prompt response. My people have something to rely upon,” said TA Mtumbwinda.
He therefore asked the recipients to consume the food per government intention rather than selling the relief it.
Hunger situation in Machinga was known through a video clip that circulated on social media showing Margaret Pepe picking itching beans (chitedze) to make food.
Pepe was one of the recipients after DODMA came to Mtumbwinda for maize distribution to the hunger-affected households and thanked government for coming to the community rescue, saying there was relief after the food support.
“We appreciate the timely support by the government. We did not know that one day, we will receive relief food from the government,” she said.
Machinga District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere said government came in after realizing that some people were food insecure in the area.
Jere added that the food provision came barely a few weeks after government also provided once-off maize flour to about 4,000 households in the district.
“Government is trying to provide food support to people in Machinga so that they should have something to eat while they are waiting for the start of the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) response,” he added.
Malawi government through DODMA distributed the once-off maize flour recently in the country including Machinga District such that about 4000 households in the district benefited from the support.
Thyolo DC concerned with delays in completing Namalowa Irrigation Scheme
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, September 6, Mana: Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, has expressed concerns over delays in constructing Namalowa Irrigation Scheme's multipurpose dam, a K1.4 billion project funded by the World Bank.
The dam, which has been constructed at Chalingana Village along the Mkama River, is intended to support irrigation, water supply, and fishing activities for the local community.
During his visit to the site on Thursday, Kuphanga faulted slow pace in the construction, warning that further delays could jeopardise the entire project as the rainy season approaches.
"The work is going at a snail's pace, and as council, we are worried. If they don't work with speed, the site will be flooded with water, resulting in starting all over again,” added Kuphanga.
He urged the contractor to put in strategies that should help to speed up the construction without compromising on quality.
“We need to ensure that the project is completed on time so that the community should start benefiting from it,” he added.
Kuphanga also highlighted the council's ongoing engagement with development partners for support in implementing various projects listed in the District Development Plan (DDP) and Social Economic Profile (SEP).
“We have projects of this nature in the DDP and we would like to see similar initiatives across the district. Many people do not have farm land as the land was taken by estates, so promoting irrigation in their communities is crucial,” he added.
Responding to the concerns, SICO Civils Engineer, Precious Chamasowa acknowledged the delays and attributed them to changes in the construction site, which he said necessitated a redesign of the dam.
However, the contractor assured Thyolo District Council that measures have been put in place to accelerate the work to ensure successful completion.
“We had issues because the current construction site is not the initial one, so we had to rework the design. But that has been resolved and we are committed to completing the project by October 30," said Chamasowa.
Secretary for Malowa Irrigation Scheme, Vincent Mulume expressed optimism about the project's impact.
”At first, we built our dam using the little resources but the water wasn't enough for all of us. Once completed, we will be able to plant three times a year, which will alleviate hunger in our homes and improve our income levels."
Once completed, the multipurpose dam is expected to benefit over 90 smallholder farmers in the Malowa Irrigation Scheme area.
One God Decade in Africa to hold gospel crusade
By Alex Kachingwe and Isaac Jim
Blantyre, September 6, Mana: One God Decade Africa in coordination with Blantyre City churches on Thursday held a Jesus march from Blantyre City Old Town Hall to Nyambadwe School ground to inform people in the city about their gospel crusade scheduled for September 5 to 8, 2024.
One God Decade Africa, an international ministry under the leadership of Seigfried Tomazsewski from the United States of America will also be a guest preacher at the crusade.
He has joined hands with Blantyre City churches to host what is described as a mega gospel crusade at Nyambadwe School ground running from September 5 in the afternoon to Sunday September 8.
During the Jesus march, Country representative of One God Decade Africa, Prophet, Maxwell Juwao, told Malawi News Agency that the right time has come to proclaim the word of God to the people in Blantyre city.
He described the four-day Gospel crusade as an important celebration to Christians from different denominations, saying this will be the right time to share their Christian life experience.
Pastor Linda Mumbulu of Kingdom Christian Church from Bangwe believed that the four-day gospel crusade will also provide opportunity for many people to get transformed from sin.
“We are so grateful for this opportunity. This crusade will help people to transform as they seek to walk in the light of the Lord,” she said.
Mumbulu added that lessons and prayers at the crusade will play a significant role in reducing the number of children in conflict with the law in the city and dealing with corrupt practices that are common in society.
“I feel like Malawi as a country we are also going to benefit because when the country is led by the divine power of God it conquers bad practices,” she added.
At the end of the crusade, there will be a raffle draw where the lucky winners will be awarded with various prizes like; King Lion's motorbike, push mountain bicycles, smartphones, and a TV plasma screen among others.
President Chakwera satisfied with FOCAC 2024 outcomes
By Chikondi Chimala, in Beijing, China
Beijing, September 6: Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has described the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as a highly successful Summit.
Chakwera said the 2024 Summit exceeded his wildest dreams as it produced tangible results that would help transform Malawi in areas that need support including infrastructure development, trade and agriculture among others.
“It was pleasing and exciting to note that China has opened up its huge market with 1.4 billion people as Malawi we will take advantage of this with our Agriculture, Tourism and Marketing (ATM) key priority areas to get a slice of the cake to achieve our much-needed development goals.”
We will take up the initiative focusing on agriculture mechanization, modernisation, industrialisation, and value addition to create a base for driving up our export potential,” said Chakwera.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), President Chakwera said he was going back to Malawi a happy person and would not rest on his laurels but make sure that Malawi claims a fair share of the cake as promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Delivering his keynote address during the opening session of the Summit, Xi Jinping, promised that China would open up its huge market to African exports and also provide support to Africa in 10 technical areas to help improve trade and cooperation between China and Africa as well as offering over $51 billion to support implementation of the specified areas.
Said Xi Jinping: “To implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion yuan of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB210 billion yuan of credit line, RMB80 billion yuan of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB70 billion yuan of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.”
The president also met the management of the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) at their headquarters in Beijing who he requested to consider investing in Malawi’s energy sector.
“Malawi has enormous potential to generate more energy from solar, wind and geothermal sources,” said President Chakwera, who is in China to attend the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit.
“Your expertise could provide us with the alternative sustainable power sources that we need. We believe that partnering with GEIDCO is crucial for Malawi to further develop the energy sector by utilizing clean energy sources,” he added.
President Chakwera emphasized that energy is critical for Malawi to realize its Vision 2063, which is being driven through the ATM strategy (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining). He stated that a minimum electricity demand of 2,200 megawatts for mining, manufacturing, and domestic consumption is necessary.
GEIDCO Chairman and President of the China Electricity Council Xin Baoan said his organisation is ready to collaborate with the Malawi government to create a better future.
Baoan said his organization is already exploring opportunities to develop Malawi's energy interconnections to foster integrated growth across the “power-mining-metallurgy-manufacturing-marketing” sectors.
Meanwhile, President Chakwera and the First Lady, Madam Monica Chakwera, have left China through Beijing Capital International Airport and are expected to arrive in Malawi on Saturday.
Government urged to enhance Buy Malawian Strategy Campaign
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, September 5, Mana: An entrepreneur, Anna Keys has asked government to enhance its efforts of promoting ‘Buy Malawian Strategy Campaign’ saying it has the potential to accelerate the achievement of Malawi 2063.
Keys who is Founder of Maloto, a parent organization to Mzuzu International Academy, Kwithu Kitchen and Kwithu Community Based Organization was speaking Thursday when she opened a two-day Business Concert for youths at Mzuzu Stadium.
Keys said encouraging youth to embark on entrepreneurship without readily available markets is retrogressive and young people can be motivated to hatch entrepreneurial ideas if Malawians support the strategy.
“Most small businesses including those owned by youths have no market linkages.
“For instance, the number of fashion designers is increasing among young people, but the second-hand clothes market makes it hard for their businesses to survive. We have to slow down on importation products,” said Keys.
Director of Enterprise Development at Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute Lydia Kadzongwe said efforts are being undertaken to enhance the promotion of youth enterprises by ensuring that their products are of high quality and desired standards.
“Young people are producing goods and high standard products that can beat most of the imported items, hence we must always allow them by providing a conducive business environment,” said Kadzongwe.
Founder of Njera Processors which produces soya bean porridge flour, Maggie Njera urged government tailor-made interventions so that youth enterprises’ products are easily certified.
“Most young people are growing into producers, however very few of them meet registration and certification standards because of exorbitant costs associated with the processes,” said Njera.
Chief Executive Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Gomezgani Nyasulu said the concert is one of the council’s way of getting closer to the youths and understanding their needs for the council to deliver young people’s expectations.
