By Hope Chimwala

Blantyre, December 11, Mana: A Non-Governmental Organization called ‘Sorry I’m Not Sorry: We Are All Sick’ has for the first time organized a two-day mental health retreat that will be held in Zomba at Gymkhana hall from 20 to 21 December.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Wednesday, Founder and chairperson for Sorry, I’m Not Sorry: We Are All Sick, Joseph Daniel Sukali said the retreat aims to bring together all mental health advocates and youths from across the country and equip them with skills for enhancing mental health advocacy in their communities.

“This retreat will provide a safe and engaging space for all the participants to reflect, learn, and strategize on how to address mental health challenges effectively,” he said.

Sukali added that the retreat will provide the advocates with practical skills, knowledge, and emotional resilience to address mental health issues in order to minimize suicidal cases.

“Through collaboration, and creation of a network of support, we hope to strengthen the fight against stigma, promote awareness about mental health challenges and reduce cases of mental distress and suicide cases,” he said.

In a separate interview with a psychotherapist and mental health advocate, Catherine Thangalimodzi, said that the initiative is a good step as it demonstrates commitment to addressing the urgent need for mental health support in Malawi.

“By bringing together all mental health advocates from across the country and providing tools and resources, the retreat empowers participants to take action in their communities and create a more compassionate and understanding society through organizing awareness campaigns, providing peer support, and advocating for better mental health services,” she explained.

Thangalimodzi also highlighted that by empowering participants to combat stigma, the initiative is directly challenging the negative attitudes and misconception surrounding mental health.

They will also visit Zomba Mental Health Hospital to donate various items such as clothes, soap, and food worth MK300, 000.

The retreat has been organized with support from sponsors and partners such as Emmanuel Car rentals, Mango Lodge, Monnel Foundation, Ruyare Mental health organization, Empower Mind Counselling and Therapy, and Aerobics Arena and fitness Gym. Another retreat will be done next year in Lilongwe.

Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, December 11, Mana: As the 2024/2025 financial year is drawing closer to an end; Salima District Council has commenced developing the 2025-2026 annual budget, which has been described as a people-centred budget.

Speaking during the official opening of the 2024/2025 annual budgeting development plan in Mangochi, the Council Chairperson for the district, Councilor Ephraim Manthepa called on sector heads to prioritize activities that directly target communities.

"Developing an annual work plan should not involve duplicating the previous year's budget, there is a need to go back to the drawing board, looking at what worked and what did not work, so that moving forward improvements are made," he said.

He cautioned heads of sectors not to focus on expenditures such as administrative costs in the form of allowances and unnecessary travelling.

He added: "We want this budget to dwell more on issues that affect communities such as road networks, quality health care provision, provision of clean water and all issues that will improve people's livelihoods."

Manthepa warned that poor planning of the budget will lead to failure and therefore urged officials to analyze and conduct a needs assessment to come up with a proper budget.

District Commissioner for Salima, James Mwenda, concurred with Manthepa saying the duty bearers are in their positions to serve communities.

"We will ensure that we develop a budget that will focus on people's needs, our goal is to selflessly serve the people of Salima by putting them first above anything, we will be held accountable for failing to deliver what we planned because failing to plan is planning to fail," he said.

On this point, Mwenda affirmed the council's commitment to develop the district hence the annual budgeting plan sessions will solely focus on developing sector budgets that are people-centred.

Earlier this year, National Local Government Finance Committee hailed the council for its plans and tipped the council to aim at investing more in projects that will help in local revenue collection.

Salima District Council approved a MK24.7 billion budget for 2024/2025 financial year.

The 2025/2026 budget will be projected after the consolidation of sector budgets.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: Malawi’s development partners have expressed satisfaction with the progress in assessing the impact of the social protection programs they are funding.

Programme Manager for Social Protection of the EU Delegation, Arnold Chikavanga, said this on Tuesday at Mulinde Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority Malili in Lilongwe District.

Donors from the EU, Iceland, Ireland and Norway visited to appreciate, the first-hand impact of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project as well as the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP).

“We are so much impressed with what we have seen. Beneficiaries are explaining what they are expected to do to improve their livelihood. This is quite encouraging,” he said.

Chikavanga then applauded government for the effective implementation of the programmes, which he said are making a positive impact on the targeted households by contributing to their sustainable economic development.

One of the beneficiaries, Samalani Chimsoko, applauded the government for introducing the Social Cash Transfer Programme saying it has assisted in transforming many lives of the people in rural areas.

“Before this program, I was failing to provide basic needs for my family such as food and school fees for my five children, but now I can pay school fees for my children and I also started keeping pigs as a source of my income,” he said.

Lilongwe District Principal Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Sarah Chimodzi said it is encouraging that many beneficiaries can invest in livestock, such as chickens, goats and pigs.

Chimodzi further said the programme has also assisted in reducing negative risks such as withdrawal of children from school and absenteeism among others.

Social Cash Transfer Programme in Lilongwe is being managed by the Malawi Government with support from the World Bank. It targets ultra-poor and labour-constrained households by providing them support in the form of cash.

The programme covers 22 Traditional Leaders and has a total number of 29, 512 beneficiaries.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, December 11, Mana: Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations (MACOKASA) has warned its members in the country to be cautious about unauthorized registration of Kabaza operators.

The warning comes after noticing that some people in Blantyre District are conducting registration for kabaza motorcycle operators without MACOKASA’s consent.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, National Chairperson for MACOKASA, Moses Mwalabu said that individuals who are conducting the registrations are not affiliated with the coalition and are operating unlawfully.

“As the mother body for Kabaza we have not yet made the mandate to produce Identity Cards (ID) for our members, we will do that together with the registration of motorcycles which will start soon,” he said.

Mwalabu added that carrying out programs for Kabaza motorcycle operators without notifying MACOKASA, which is the mother body, is unlawful and it brings disorder.

“It is not right for individuals or associations to be doing projects for Kabaza without notifying us. They have to let us know about what they are doing and what is their aim because we are the ones who control everything about Kabaza across the country,” he added.

He therefore urged kabaza motorcycle operators to always verify with their leaders before participating in different activities and to continue adhering to road safety rules.

“They should first seek for clarification from their associations when someone approaches them with a project that is suspicious,” he said.

In a separate interview, Vice Chairperson for Blantyre Kabaza Association, Mussa Magombo denounced the registration saying that it is a way of stealing money from Kabaza operators.

“That registration is invalid. We do not know those people and what they are doing is bad because it will tarnish the reputation of MACOKASA,” he said.

In a related development, last month police in Blantyre arrested two men for posing as officials from Kabaza Union and demanding money from Kabaza operators claiming to be enforcing road regulations.

By Christina Mkutumula

Chiradzulu, December 10, MANA: Graduating students from DAPP Mikolongwe vocational training have been urged to be job creators and not job seekers.

The call was made by National Project Coordinator for the Global Program on Skills and ProAgro Youth Project Malawi, Patrick Makondetsa at DAPP Mikolongwe Vocational Training in Chiradzulu on Tuesday when he presided over a graduation for students who have completed their training in crop and animal production but also in re-cycle, re-use and repair trainings.

He said the International Labour Organization (ILO) looks at improving quality apprenticeship so that they promote creation of jobs among the young people in both wage and self-employment.

“Now that you have finished your internship training expect us to follow you up and see what you are doing in your various communities and how you are applying the skills and knowledge acquired here. Make sure you bring an impact and change in your communities and display the skills and knowledge gained here at the institution.

“I am encouraging you that you need to get organized in groups so that you can tap whatever resources is coming your way. Usually it is easy to be supported when you are in groups other than individuals,” said Makondetsa.

He further explained that his organization expectations from the graduating students is to ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired would help them start their own businesses so that they be self-employed and self-reliant.

“With this programme we have reached out to 1,400 youths and our target was to reach about 1,500 youths, this means that we have almost reached 90 percent of our intended target,” he said.

Makondetsa said the International Labour Organization, Malawi office, works with different partners and are currently running two programmes namely; Global Program on Skills and Lifelong learning which is being funded by NORAD and the ProAgro Youth, which is being funded by IFAD.

“What we are doing now is a pilot program, we are trying to understand how we can reach out to communities and also for people who cannot go through the normal TEVET training programs.

“The main purpose is to ensure that youth and young people are able to gain the skills that will result in worth creation through wage or self-supporting employment,” explained Makondetsa.

Speaking in an interview, Country Director for Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi, Moses Chibwana said the trainings that the students undergo are vital for their communities and the country at large in as far as improving the country’s economy is concerned.

“The skills acquired here will not only accord the students wage employment or self-employment but also help in conserving the environment, looking at what they have gained from their Agriculture training. As DAPP we are honoured to be assisted with resources from ILO to train these youths. There are so many institutions who could have done this but we were chosen and do not take it for granted,” he said.

One of the students who was trained in crop and animal production, Brazio Manyamba, said the knowledge imparted to him in class was different from what he learnt at the farm. He said he has learnt a lot of skills on how to care for both crops and animals and that he will change and showcase his skills in his community.

“Before this training I used to help my parents in the farm and also run their business, but now once I get home I will concentrate on applying the skills I gained here. The good thing is that there is already land at home and will utilize it,” he said.

About 50 students graduated from the crop and animal production training and about 40 students graduated from the reuse, recycle and repair training. Youths from different districts of Nsanje, Phalombe, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Dedza, Thyolo and Mulanje were trained.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, December 10, Mana: Group Village Heads (GVHs) in Blantyre have expressed gratitude with the establishment of Customary Land Committees (CLCs), noting that it is a tool to enhance transparency and accountability during the registration process of land parcels.

CLC is a committee consisting of six members established at a village level to oversee the land registration process, alleviate and regulate customary land-related disputes, ensure land security, and develop development plans, among others.

Speaking during sensitization on CLC law and establishment of CLCs at Majora, Gwadani and Imbwa in Senior Chief Kunthembwe’s area on Tuesday, GVH Imbwa said each week he receives four land-related cases; as such, CLCs will help to reduce land disputes, as people will know their land boundaries.

“When it comes to land-related issues people think that traditional leaders are prone to corruption, as such the introduction of CLCs in our communities will promote access to land-related justice which will improve all customary land-related disputes and it will lead to satisfaction during the registration process,” said Imbwa.

On his part, GVH Majora concurred with Imbwa, saying it is good that surviving family members will not be able to sell their parents’ plots, adding that the development has come at the right time when he receives about 12 land-related cases per month.

“I am happy that people will be able to elect their representatives who will assist them in the land registration process, a registered land is insured against illegal encroachment, as such I will urge my fellow community members to take the initiative seriously,” said Majora.

Over 50,000 land parcels have been registered in Chingale, Zomba since it started in 2021 and the registration is expected to register more land parcels by the end of the Malawi Watershed Service Improvement Project (MWASIP).

Deputy Commissioner for Lands, Anthony Tchokola Nzima said during the registration process the committee will act as a bridge between the Department of Lands and the land owners to avoid encroachment and provide an opportunity for people to legally own their land without conflict.

“I am encouraging all community members to register their land for security reasons since land is a key asset for sustainable livelihoods and economic development across the country. If people sell their ancestral land it means that they are putting the young generation at risk,” said Nzima.

According to Nzima, through CLCs over 45,000 land parcels for Nkaradzi catchment area at Kunthembwe are expected to be registered, adding that registration of customary land is free.

The initiative is being undertaken in Mangochi, Ntcheu, Machinga, Balaka, Zomba, Neno and Blantyre through the Ministry of Lands with support from MWASIP.