By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, July 31, Mana: Army Geospatial Center (AGC) High Resolution Three Dimensional (HR3D) program also known as BuckEye in Malawi which deployed a Beech King Air B350 to Lilongwe, Malawi in May this year has successfully mapped the country with 90 percent.

U.S government Lead for the HR3D program Jason Steers disclosed this on Wednesday in Lilongwe during a press briefing where Steers said the program has successfully mapped the country by providing detailed information instrumental for disaster risk management, infrastructure modernization and Agricultural development among other strategic initiatives.

“This advanced aircraft, equipped with state of the art geospatial surveying technology, marks a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts to enhance disaster management capabilities in Malawi.

“The high level of detail provided by the mapping significantly enhances shared understanding of the terrain through digital imaging which enables improved decision making for time sensitive response and large scale projects,” Steers said.

He said this collective approach underscores their dedication in supporting sustainable development and improving well-being of communities throughout Africa.

United States (U.S) Embassy in Malawi Charge D’Affairs, Amy Diaz said advanced geospatial mapping has a transformative role in enhancing disaster preparedness and supporting Malawi’s Vision 2063 development goals.

“The imagery, the BuckEye program compiles during their time in Malawi will be passed on in its entirety to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs for use in areas such as hazard assessment, improving early warning systems, optimizing resource management and informing recovery planning,” Diaz said.

She also said the data for disaster preparedness management will be a lifeline that will enable Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and communities to anticipate, mitigate and respond effectively to disasters.

In his comment, Department of Disaster Management Affairs Commissioner, Charles Kalemba said the department was previously lacking data to assist them in mapping the country’s topography and this prompted them to request this initiative from US government.

“We operationalised the new law and it requires that we do hazard map which helps in mapping the country in terms of risk areas, so we know how to locate places of high risk or not, regarding people living there.

“Now you cannot make these decisions without data. So we had requested the U.S Embassy to assist us and be able to map the country so that we are able to know the topography and geophysical setup of the country,” Kalemba said.

He said U.S government donated US$1 million to implement the initiative.

By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, August 1, Mana:  President Lazarus Chakwera has asked graduating students at Mzuzu University to live a life worth of their papers once they go to join the employment sector if they are to be of value.

Addressing the congregation of 6000 plus students, Chakwera said there are a lot of graduates out there who have papers but are of no worth because they did not translate their respective knowledge and skills to be useful.

“When you go out there you need to prove to the world how different you are after spending years at the university.

“The world needs intellects who know how to apply their knowledge, skills and capabilities not just making noise that you have a paper,” he said.

Chakwera further noted that what the country needs is people who can help boost the country’s industrialization and mechanization to help raise the country’s economic stance.

“It is a tragedy for a country to have graduates who have knowledge and skills but do not know how to use them with excellence and translate them into something worth appreciating,” he said.

Mzuzu University Vice Chancellor, Wales Singini said as an institution, they are aware of challenges of accessing employment out there, hence they have trained them to be self-reliant.

“We have deliberately linked all our programs with entrepreneurship so that when they go out there, they can be able to employ themselves,” he said.

He however appealed to them to desist from being corrupt and unprofessional.

“At Mzuni, we did not train you to use that knowledge and skills to steal public funds and property. Rather we expect you to be good ambassadors of this institution,” he said.

 Earlier, Mzuzu University Council Chairperson, Hawa Ndilowe said the university has embarked on an initiative to increase linkages with organisations and companies so that together they introduce programs tailored to address professional gaps in the respective industries.

“In the next 3 years, we are working at establishing linkages with the industry so that we offer demand driven programs,” she said.

The Theme for this year’s graduation ceremony was, “Increasing greatness, honour, relevance and impact of Mzuni”

2652 students have graduated in various fields; the highest number since the university opened its doors in 2001, with 11 graduating with PHDs for the first time.

Chakwera gave K350,000 each to students graduating with PHDs and K200,000 each to students graduating with distinctions.

By Patience Kapinda

Lilongwe August 1 Mana: Athletics Malawi will on Saturday host the senior and junior track and field regional championships across three venues: Chirunga Stadium in Zomba, Dedza Stadium in Dedza, and Thumbi ground in Mzimba.

According to General Secretary of the Athletics Association of Malawi, Nicholas Kanyenda, the championships aim to identify talent for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 games scheduled for May 2025 in Namibia and the Olympics 2027.

"Our main objective is to identify athletes who will be competing in AUSC Region 5 games and Olympics 2027.

"We have put in place committees in each region to supervise the events and partnered with the Malawi National Council of Sports to ensure the success of the championships." He said.

Athletics Malawi coach, Limbikani Chiukia, expressed confidence in the team's preparations, citing targeted interval training and strength conditioning.

"We have focused on building our athletes' endurance and speed, and I'm confident that our team will be competitive, especially in the sprint events."  He said.

However, Chiukia acknowledged the challenges facing athletics development in Malawi, including lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to coaching education.

The championships will also serve as a platform for exposure, allowing athletes to compete against top-level opponents and gain valuable experience.

With a long-term goal of identifying and developing young athletes, Athletics Malawi is committed to helping them reach their full potential and increasing participation in the sport.

The regional championships mark a crucial step towards achieving these goals and putting Malawi on the map in international athletics competitions.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, August 1, Mana: First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has challenged women in the country to take advantage of the available water bodies and land to make their homes food secure.

Chakwera said it is unacceptable to have perennial food insecurity when the country has abundant fresh water in lakes and rivers and plenty of fertile land.

She was speaking Wednesday during the opening of the 2024 National Women's Ministries Convention for Assemblies of God at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu.

"As women, we must be the backbone of our country, leading it with light.

"No woman must be hungry in this country. We must not lack anything. We are blessed with fresh water and good soils but we always face hunger. We must ask God to open our eyes," Chakwera said.

The First Lady also asked the women to use the convention to learn new things that would help change their lives and families for the better.

"This convention should teach us new things which we can practice when we go back home and improve our living.

"You must also take time to read the Malawi 2063 so that you can identify something you can concentrate on as a family to move forward," Chakwera said.

Madame Chakwera, who also donated K10 million towards the convention which runs from Wednesday to Friday, said the Assemblies of God Church values women and prides to be the first church in the country to ordain women pastors.

Deputy Director for the Women's Ministry of Assemblies of God, Queen Nkhata, said the convention is a good opportunity for the women to learn life changing lessons.

She said the church is committed to ensuring that lives of women change for the better.

The church's president, Andrew Dube, is expected to minister at the event that has attracted women members from all the church's five divisions in the country, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The event has been organized under the theme 'Trailblazers, finishing strong'.

By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, July 31, Mana: Airtel Malawi says it is committed to supporting Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) in addressing critical blood shortage affecting hospitals across the country.

This comes after the telecommunications company successfully conducted its annual blood donation exercise, which it organized in conjunction with MBTS on Wednesday in Lilongwe.

Speaking through a press statement, which Airtel Malawi released on Wednesday, Airtel Malawi’s Managing Director, Charles Kamoto, said his company is after the well-being of people hence its commitment to support in addressing the blood shortage in hospitals.

“We are deeply committed to the health and well-being of Malawians,” said Kamoto.

He added that the blood donation they conducted with MBTS recently portrays Airtel Malawi's dedication in improving people's welfare in the country.

In her comment MBTS Public Relations Officer, Upile Kaimvi hailed Airtel Malawi for its support towards addressing the blood shortage in the country's hospitals with annual blood donation drives.

“Airtel’s consistent support has been instrumental in addressing the blood shortage crisis in Malawi, their commitment to organizing this annual event for blood donation is an inspiration to other corporations,” said Kaimvi.

She also said that the country faces a persistent blood crisis, with many lives at risk due to insufficient blood supply and she said this year's Airtel Malawi blood donation drive was a crucial step towards mitigating this challenge.

According to her the blood units donated by Airtel Malawi will significantly bolster the nation's blood bank, ensuring timely and adequate supply of blood to patients in need.

By Edson Levison

Mzimba, July 25, Mana: A group of former students of Mzimba Secondary School calling themselves the “Mzimba Secondary School of 1970s” has urged people of good will and organizations to help the school with financial and material support.

A representative of the group led by its President, Joe Mtika, now based in American, expressed the concern on Wednesday during a handover ceremony of assorted learning and teaching materials worthy K8.6 million.

Mtika an alumnus of the school from 1977 to 1981 said over the years he and fellow alumni, have resorted to making contributions to the secondary school to make sure the current students are attaining quality education.

“I came to visit Mzimba Secondary School and saw the dilapidated buildings and lack of desks. It triggered our team to take action and start mobilizing resources to address such challenges.

“I thought seeing students writing their exams under a tree is history until I came to see it in this era. It is even heartbreaking to have students sleeping on the floor yet we can join hands with people of good will to make such a history,” said Mtika.

He therefore urged the school’s leadership, former students, stakeholders and other well-wishers to intervene in bringing back the beautiful image of the school in terms of infrastructure, saying such duties should never be left to government alone.

Parents Teachers Association chairperson, Pastor Thomson Chigomile Majawa praised the team for the materials offered.

“The materials that we have received are a great milestone in the development and implementation of a number of projects that the school’s management outlined. These materials will help our children to achieve their goals in a better way thereby uplifting the flag of Mzimba Secondary School,” he said.

Majawa said the school has been struggling with lack of desks, chairs, books, mattresses, beds and other learning materials.

Chief Quality Assurance Officer in the Northern Education Division, Vincent Kaunda applauded the Mzimba Secondary School alumni saying their donation has responded to the real challenges the school is facing.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, July 24, Mana: Chairperson for Kasungu District Council Heath Service Committee, Christopher Kamtambo has said the completion of six modern staff houses at Kasungu District Hospital should be a motivation for health workers to deliver quality services.

He said this on Tuesday when he led the Council’s Health Service Committee members inspecting various development initiatives in the district.

Kamtambo acknowledged that there was a shortage of staff houses in the Council’s health facilities saying the problem leads to shortage of staff especially in rural facilities.

“We know the need that is there regarding proper housing for health workers. It is this shortage of houses that is also largely contributing to shortage of staff in rural areas. 

“Let me assure everyone that government, through the Council, is committed to building as many houses but it cannot be at once. We have started and we have to keep the momentum,” the Chairperson said.

District Medical Officer for Kasungu, Ulemu Zulu hailed the Council for the project which would ease the challenges being faced by health workers.

He said that, “The housing challenges are not only here at the main facility but also across the district. It is one of the hindrances to quality service delivery.

“When sending our staff to various facilities, we know they will need good security and accommodation but this lack of houses prevents us to send adequate numbers.”

Zulu said for quality service delivery, more health workers must be housed within the facility premises so that even if one is off duty, they could be called to fill gaps that may arise in the course of service delivery especially at night.

Apart from the houses, there is construction of a maternal and child health block, maintenance of existing offices and construction of a pharmacy, all being done by Tabitha Development Construction Limited.

Operations Director for the Firm, Julius Kamanga, said it was pleasing that the project has been delivered within the prescribed contractual period.

The Houses are part of the K3 billion Health Infrastructure Rehabilitation Fund which has helped to complete a total of 18 health staff houses that were abandoned under the Umoyo Housing Project in 2012 at Kasungu District Hospital, Lodjwa, Kaluluma, Wimbe, Bua and Chamwavi Health Centres.

In the 2023/24 financial year, Kasungu District was allocated K3 billion to pilot the health infrastructure rehabilitation project which was being piloted in Mzimba, Dowa, Balaka, Chitipa and Likoma.  

By Leonard Masauli

Lilongwe, July 24, Mana: Scores of people living surrounding the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), government officials among other stakeholders gathered to witness the inauguration of the first block train carrying 640,000 litres of fuel from Nacala Port to Lilongwe in Malawi.

The inauguration marks exactly 21 years after such services came to a halt in 2003.

However, the revamp of the train operated by Central East African Railways and Nacala Logistics has made history for the first time, traveling 988 kilometres from Nacala in Mozambique, carrying 640,000 litres of oil to Malawi.

Secretary to President and Cabinet, who is also NOCMA Board Chairperson, Colleen Zamba said the inauguration of the block train was a dream come true for the country after 21 years.

“We are very excited as government but as the Board. Today, we have witnessed the first block train carrying 16 tanks docking at the reserves in Lilongwe. This reduces costs and coincides well with the President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s transformation agenda.

“This calls for Malawians to take good care of the infrastructure, as it is for the good of the country,” she said.

Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola said the development would improve availability of fuel and reduce on costs.

“These are the fruits from Chakwera’s visits to Mozambique, which he undertook after taking over the government,” he added.

Speaking at the same function, Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe said the development would improve on transportation access and boost industries in the country.

“Chakwera is a silent performer. He promised to revamp the rail transportation and today we are here to inaugurate. This is a big vision foe the National needs, aside the ATM strategy which talks of Agriculture, Tourism and Mining,” he pointed out.

NOCMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Clement Kanyama said the restoration of the rail services would bring about efficiency in fuel transportation and ensure speedy delivery of goods in the country.

According to the General Manager for Nacala Logistics, Chandra Mohan Singh said in three months the train would bring 1 million to 4 million litres of fuel.

“We are happy to contribute to the growth of Malawi as Nacala logistics. We are planning electrify the rail as well as extending the rail services and connect with Zambia,” he said.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, July 19, Mana: Marine Police in NKhata Bay have arrested four fishermen for allegedly fishing in Lake Malawi using illegal fishing gears.

Spokesperson for Nkhata Bay Police, Sergeant Kondwani James said the suspects were arrested on Thursday July 18, 2024 by Nkhata Bay Marine Police who were on patrol together with fisheries officers.

James identified the suspects as William Kondowe, 26, from Mwale village, Pyson Mpauka 38 from Jumbo village, Madalitso Nyirenda 37 from Mphatso village and Brian Mphasi 23 fromTchulitchuli village all in the area of Traditional Authority Chapindika in Rumphi District who came to Nkhata Bay to do fishing.

"The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of using illegal fishing gears which is contrary to section 3 (1) of Fisheries Act," said James.

NKhata Bay District Fisheries Officer, Dellings Kamenya said the monofilament fishing nets are not allowed because they are so destructive to fish and at the same time none biodegradable once left in the water.

"At first we were just confiscating these gears without arrests but we have now taken an extra step to arrest those found using them because they are a threat to water bodies and the environment," Kamenya said.