MANAonline
Chakwera committed in empowering youths
Pempho Kantayeni
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday disbursed K600 million worth of cheques to beneficiaries of the Presidential Charity Initiative.
K300 million was presented to country’s six public universities of UNIMA, MUBUS, MZUNI, MUST, LUANAR and KuHes with each getting K50 million to cover tuition fees for needy students.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) received K300 million for the reconstruction of Muona Primary Shool in Nsanje which was washed away by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Chakwera emphasised his government’s commitment in empowering the youth.
He said the charity initiative is an investment that will enable youths to move from being dependent to self-reliant individuals.
“This is an investment necessary for the human capital development for enabling the achievement of an inclusively wealth and self-reliant nation hence an investment in education goes a long way in securing a sustainable future for the nation,” hhe said.
Minister of Higher Education, Dr Jessie Kabwila, said through the initiative the future of students is in safe hands emphasizing government’s commitment in developing youths in the county.
“The number of needy students receiving loans has increased from 13,000 to 33,000 in the past five years. This is evidence that government prioritizes the development of youth through education by making sure that no student is left behind,” she said.
A student from LUANAR representing fellow needy students, Tamanda Kumwela, said education is a right and financial barriers should not hinder anyone from achieving it.
She commended the President for stepping in to support underprivileged learners.
Kumwela expressed gratitude on behalf of all representatives of needy students from the six universities, thanking the president for the gesture.
“We do not take this for granted. Investing in students is investing in the country’s future,” she said.
The Presidential Charity Initiative raised K609 million through the golf tournament that was held at Limbe Country Club in Blantyre in October 2024.
Deputy minister touts irrigation farming in Rumphi
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, April 17, Mana: Deputy Minister of Agriculture Benedict Chambo has urged agriculture extension workers in Rumphi to help farmers venture into irrigation farming in order to avert hunger that the district is experiencing due to dry spells in 2024-25 growing season.
Chambo made the remarks on Wednesday when he visited Chipofya Irrigation Scheme under construction at Bolero in Rumphi, and he also engaged farmers around Bolero, Chinyolo, Bale and Mzokoto.
He noted that the dry spells in the district have affected at least 1,000 hectares of crops and that many people are at risk of experiencing hunger.
The Deputy Minister added that, while the irrigation scheme under construction is expected to be operational by August benefiting at least 300 hectares of crop fields, there is need to utilize all available water resources in order to fight hunger.
"Fortunately we have the South Rukuru River along the M1 Road which has been underutilized. We want to give farmers the necessary equipment such as solar pumps and access to farm inputs through NEEF loans so that by May they should start planting.
"The Ministry of Agriculture is also working closely with Ministry of Finance to make funds that support irrigation infrastructure available immediately so that they may assist with implementation of these plans," said Chambo.
District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said the district has mobilized farmers into groups and that it is also engaging NEEF to help farmers interested in irrigation farming with farm inputs loans.
"Most farmers along the M1 Road are ready and some have already cleared part of the land in readiness for irrigation farming. They are only waiting for our support in terms of irrigation equipment such as solar pumps and other equipment.
"Rumphi has over 10,000 hectares of land that can be utilized for irrigation farming and, currently, only 3000 hectares are used for irrigation," said Bulukutu.
Resident Engineer for Chipofya Irrigation Scheme Victor Mateveke said the team working on the project is optimistic that they will be able to make water available for farmers’ use by August.
One of the farmers from Chilengeska Irrigation Scheme in Senior Chief Mwankhunikira, Chance Nyirenda, said he has been supporting his family, including four children who are in secondary school, through irrigation farming.
"After harvesting I sell the surplus and use the money to pay for my children's school fees. Irrigation farming is lucrative and the deputy minister has just motivated us to do more. I am sure we will get modern irrigation equipment from the government to support us," said Nyirenda.
Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the scheme will enable farmers in his area to plant three times in a year, which will improve their household income through selling surplus.
Chipofya Irrigation Scheme is under Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE). Once completed the K11 billion project is expected to benefit 2,482 people from nine villages in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in the district.
It is funded by Malawi Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Government promotes 466 teachers in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, April 17, Mana: Government has promoted 466 primary school teachers across Chitipa District to grade K and J.
District Commissioner for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero, said the government has promoted primary school teachers who have stayed for more than 10 years without being promoted.
Magomero said this on Thursday during presentation of promotion letters to the teachers.
“We thank the government for promoting 466 teachers across the district, and I believe it's not only Chitipa. The promotions were targeting those serving 10 years below to grade K and J.
“Our teachers are happy because others overstayed on the same grade. This is motivating to teachers so that they can work diligently and be dedicated,” Magomero said.
The DC noted education as the backbone to every development across the country, adding that promoting the teachers was an achievement in the sense that it will impact on their retirement package as others are about to retire.
He then warned teachers who abscond from work, drink alcohol during working hours, and those who misbehave at workplaces, saying once found the laws and regulations will be applied.
“We have to go back and work not as business as usual but work with dedication,” he appealed.
Head teacher for Naching’anda Primary School, Nebert Mulungu, thanked the government for the promotion which he said has boosted his morale.
“I have stayed for 13 years without being promoted. I thank this government for considering me and my colleagues to be promoted,” Mulungu said.
Head teacher for Chitipa CCAP Primary school, Suten Kitamula, was also grateful to the government for the promotion which she said was long overdue.
The government has promoted 320 primary school teachers to grace K and 146 to grade J.
Chihana granted bail
By Augustus Nkhwazi and Dhumisani Khumalo
Mzuzu, April 17, Mana: The Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has granted Mzimba North Parliamentarian, Yeremiah Chihana, bail on three counts related to corrupt practices.
Chihana was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Blantyre on Tuesday.
Principal Legal Prosecution Officer at ACB, Daniel Nyasulu, said the state brought the accused before the court to formerly inform him why he was arrested.
He said Chinana was arrested and has since been charged with three counts, two of which are abuse of office contrary to section 25B (1), read together with section 34 of the Corrupt Practices Act, and failure to declare interest contrary to section 25D(2)(a) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
Nyasulu stated that, although the ACB is ready with the case, it did not proceed with plea taking because there are other suspects waiting to be brought before the court on same charges.
Applying for Chihana’s bail, his lawyer Wapona Kita told the court that the accused is a well known person and a Member of Parliament for Mzimba North.
He added that currently his client is not feeling well due to high blood pressure, evidenced by his being rushed to Wezi Clinic upon his arrival in Mzuzu from Blantyre Wednesday night.
He showed the court a cannula on Chihana’s left hand through which he is being treated for his condition.
Kita, among other reasons, said Chihana will abide by all bail conditions the court imposes.
Responding to the bail application, Principal Resident Magistrate, Clemence Chamwenda, granted the accused bail on conditions that he deposit to the court one million Kwacha cash, surrender all travel documents to ACB, including passport, and that he should not interfere with witnesses.
The court has also asked Chihana to provide one surity bonded at K10 million, and that he should be reporting to the ACB office in Lilongwe every fortnight on Mondays.
Chihana’s lawyer expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case, saying it was rare to have bail given on the same day of application.
He added that conditions for the bail were fair, however Kita expressed displeasure over the state’s failure to proceed with hearing.
Man sentenced to 21-year jail term for sexual intercourse with a minor girl
By Augustus Nkhwazi
Mzuzu, April 17, Mana: Principle Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu, Tuensday convicted and sentenced Moja Shaibu, 65, to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for having sexual intercourse with an 8 year-old girl
Shaibu committed the offence on April 11, 2025, at Kalama in Enukweni in Mzimba District, where both the accused and the survivor’s parents live as tenants.
Police Prosecutor, Samuel Juzwell, told the court that Shaibu used to entice the girl with fresh maize each time he forced himself on her.
In mitigation, Shaibu pleaded guilty to the charge before pleading for leniency, saying he fends for his family.
However, Juzwell prayed for a stiffer punishment on grounds that the accused had planned to commit the crime, and that as the girl’s neighbor, he had responsibility to protect the girl, which he failed to do.
Passing the sentence, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda, concurred with the state saying the convict had committed a serious offence and ought to be isolated from the community, and he handed the convict a 21-year jail term
Shaibu hails from Ngwale Village in the area of Traditional Authority Nyambi in Machinga District.
Journalists told to promote women aspirants
By Linda Likomwa
Phalombe, April 17, Mana: NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has appealed to journalists to write positive stories about women aspirants as Malawi heads to September 16 tripartite election.
The NGO-GCN made the appeal on Wednesday when they engaged journalists in Phalombe on gender issues ahead of the general election.
One of the organization’s members, Olive Mpina, said the media has a role to play in promoting women aspirants through stories that should explain women’s capabilities in participating in meaningful politics.
“Media in Phalombe should also be covering women aspirants’ meetings to write stories about women’s capabilities in politics, in addition to their daily duties,” she said.
Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) reporter based in Phalombe, Thumbiko Nyirongo, hailed the engagement, describing it as timely, considering that Malawi has few months remaining to hold the election.
He added that knowledge on gender issues will help journalists improve skills in writing stories that will promote women aspirants as they prepare to compete in parliamentary and local government elective positions in Phalombe.
The meeting observed that some women shun the media due to negative perception about the media, thereby missing opportunities for adequate coverage at the time of stiffer competition.
NGO-GCN implements a project to do with political empowerment of women in Malawi to enhance media’s fair, accurate, and gender sensitive reporting.
The project is being implemented in Phalombe, Balaka, Nkhatabay and Ntchisi districts, with support from UN Women through Malawi Electoral Support Project under the basket fund supported by the EU, FCDO, UK Government, Irish Embassy and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Burn Manufacturing Company promotes modernized cook stoves in Malawi
By: Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana; Burn Manufacturing Company has embarked on an initiative to promote modernized charcoal and wood stoves in Malawi.
The company’s Project Manager, Stanley Kahira, announced this on Wednesday in Lilongwe, during a local stakeholder Consultation meeting for Gold Standard Voluntary Project under Effective Clean Cooking Biomass Solutions Program for Africa.
Kahira said the initiative aims to reduce air pollution, promote energy efficiency, and create economic opportunities for people in the country, especially the youth.
"The stove will help Malawians save money and time spent on traditional charcoal stoves, while reducing air pollution,” he said, adding: "The project has created jobs and economic empowerment for the youth, with some employed at the factory in Blantyre and others are working as sales agents, which is vital for the community.
Kahira further acknowledged government’s efforts in finding other means of energy, apart from using charcoal, but he said the carbon used in the company’s stoves is below 2.5 which is not harmful to one's health.
Commenting on the development, Operations Manager for My Community My Responsibility Organization, Glory Chisunkha, welcomed the project, saying it is good for the development of the country.
"We are satisfied with the collaborative effort towards climate change, and it's a development that will help reduce carbon emissions," she said.
Councilor for Njewa ward in Lilongwe Gift Mtolongo expressed satisfaction for the project, saying it will assist in terms of conservation of the environment.
"The project will help conserve our environment and reduce carbon monoxide emissions compared to traditional charcoal burns. This is a great initiative which members of the community must embrace,” he said
To date, the Company has sold over 14,000 stoves at K10,000 each, targeting primary charcoal users. The company aims to reach over 250,000 households with modernized cook stoves, according to Kahira.
The Kenyan company has a track record of promoting fuel-efficient biomass solutions, and it has reportedly sold 4.8 million appliances in East Africa, since 2013,
President Chakwera urges Malawians to invest in businesses
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has urged Malawians to be patriotic by investing in businesses that will increase incomes, and contribute to the country’s economy.
The President said this on Thursday during the launch of the Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Line in Lilongwe, where he commended the company for its contribution towards Malawi’s economy.
He said the establishment comes at a time when Malawi is looking at its efforts in achieving Malawi’s 2063 Vision of industrialization.
“Let me encourage all Malawians to take an example from the company, let’s invest in businesses that will generate incomes and contribute to the economic development of the country,”he said.
The Malawi Leader has expressed concern over misuse of public funds by some citizens, saying it is crippling the country's economic growth.
In his remarks, Managing Director for Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited, Neil French, said, they have invested about $14.9 million for the PET line, which produces 19,200 bottles per hour, to create job opportunities and help on foreign exchange challenges.
He said the PET line will help the company stop importing products from other countries as they now have the source to manufacture in the country.
“Establishing a local bottling line will help us to save on importing plastic bottles as we previously used to import them from Zambia; but now the costs have been reduced because we are going to be producing ourselves ,” French said
He added that the newly opened investment will create more jobs for youth and women as a way of improving the economic environment of the nation.
“The introduction of new technologies at the plant has created opportunities for Coca-Cola staff to be trained as our goal is to create opportunities across the value chain,”said French.
Minister of Trade and Industry Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba, has described the PET line as a significant step in promoting local made products.
“While others claimed that investors would not come to Malawi due to unstable economic environment, Coca-Cola has invested in this plant and it is on course to create jobs for Malawians," said Mumba.
The minister further said the recent import restrictions imposed by the government over the past two months has helped much in improving the local market as suppliers are securing local food supplying contracts.
Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited (CCBML) is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa. CCBA operates in 15 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, Lesotho, Malawi among others.
Crime drops in Mzuzu, sexual offences and mob justice raise concerns
By Dhumisani Khumalo
Mzuzu, April 16, Mana: Mzuzu Police Station says it has registered a decline in overall crime and traffic incidents in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to a similar period in 2024.
According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police Station, Cecilia Mfune crime has decreased by 6.4 percent with 367 cases recorded in 2025 against 692 in 2024.
Mfune said that breaking and burglary cases have dropped by 39 percent from 98 cases last year to 60 in the current reporting period.
She attributed the achievement to increased police patrols and enhanced community involvement in promoting safety and security in the city.
"The police patrols promoted police visibility hence making it easier for them to apprehend suspected offenders and deter other suspected criminals from committing offences, since we were always on the ground.
On community engagement, we worked closely with local leaders in crime reporting, which improved trust and communication between law enforcers and residents within the city,” said Mfune.
She also hinted on improvements in the judicial system saying that most cases were promptly presented in court and adjudicated adding that the development also contributed to efficiency and strengthened public trust in law enforcement system.
Mfune however, expressed concern over an increase in sexual offences saying cases involving sexual intercourse with girl children rose from 16 in 2024 to 19 in 2025 within a similar period.
“Underreporting and efforts to resolve such matters within families of the suspects and survivors continue to exacerbate the vice, hence, we advise people to be reporting all cases of rape and sexual abuse to police, rather than handling them as private family matters,” said Mfune.
Murder cases saw a slight increase from four in 2024 to five in 2025, with police identifying mob justice as a growing concern.
She said that most of the murder cases emanated from mob justice and urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
In contrast, road safety has improved markedly, with traffic accidents decreasing from 51 in 2024 to 26 in 2025.
Youths in Neno receive start-up package to boost businesses
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, April 16, Mana: Government has disbursed start-up packages worth over K38 million to 111 youths in Neno District to help them establish small scale businesses after completing three months training in piggery, crops and poultry production under the National Youth Service (NYS) programme.
The start-up package includes: 40 piglets, 200 bags of maize bran, 400 black Australorp chicks, 200 hylines chicks, 80 bags of chicken feed, potatoes and maize seeds.
Speaking on Tuesday during the youth graduation and handover of the packages, Neno District Commissioner, Rosemary Nawasha said the initiative aligns with Malawi’s Agenda 2063, adding that this also reflects government commitment in building sustainable livelihoods for young people.
“We believe the start-up packages will empower our youths to become productive and self-reliant. Our hope is that their enterprises will not only thrive but also create jobs and contribute to national economic development,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Madalitso Namaona thanked government for providing the startup packages saying the items will uplift their livelihood.
“This is a turning point for us. With the skills and resources, we are ready to start businesses and even employ fellow youths,” she said.
She therefore asked government to continue with the programme, saying this will allow more youths in the district to become economically self-reliant.
Neno Integrated Youth Development Centre Manager who is also the District Youth Officer, Ian Sukai, said the programme was meant to empower youths with relevant skills to contribute to personal, community and national development.
The trained youths are also expected to roll out community programmes to fellow youths in various communities.
He therefore said the 111 beneficiaries comprising 67 males and 44 females, were part of the first NYS cohort, which initially enrolled 118 youths.
Upon graduating, the youths formed eight business groups: YOLISFA, Tingathe, Look Sharp, Muwale, Rise and Shine, Mindset Change, Chikumbe, and Miracle which are currently involved in various agribusinesses such as crop production, piggery, and poultry farming.
Sukali explained that the beneficiaries were expected to operate as cooperatives to ensure collective management of the resources before sharing outputs.
“We want them to understand agribusiness as a sustainable livelihood. By working together first, they can multiply what they have and pass it on to others,” he said.
He therefore, asked the youths to use the packages for intended purposes, saying meaningful investment for sustainable economic empowerment was the right way to go.
The NYS, a flagship government initiative implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports was officially launched in July 2022 by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera at the Neno Integrated Youth Development Centre.
The initiative is meant to equip young people with technical and vocational skills for them to become economically productive.
