By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, November 20, Mana: The Principal Secretary of Finance and Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Nwazi Mnthambala, has commended Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) for transforming lives of the programme beneficiaries.

Mnthambala made the remarks on Wednesday at Nkhwali, in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay, during a visit to households benefiting from the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) alongside officials from her ministry.

“It’s impressive to see beneficiaries having achieved financial stability in various forms including asserts. This development fits the goals of the programme,” said Mnthambala.

She then advised the beneficiaries against using the assets which they have accumulated as a tool for propelling gender based violence.

One of the beneficiaries, Timothy Mlauzi aged 58 testified that he is ready to graduate from the programme to pave way to others so that they also benefit from the initiative.

“I developed my exit strategy immediately I was enrolled into the programme in 2022 and I can say proudly that the strategy is working.

I now have five goats, 24 chickens besides purchasing 15 iron sheets and I am expecting to receive money from village savings and loans (VSLs) group bank which I will invest in farming,” said Mlauzi.

According to District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, Martha Mphopo, beneficiaries will continue being encouraged to be investing their stipends money in VSLs so that they develop a sustainable economic base.

SCTP is being implemented by Malawi Government through the National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from Multi Donor Trust Fund and World Bank and currently is benefiting 6,475 households in Nkhata Bay.