MANAonline
Maranatha Academy lands scholarship with Shadah University
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, August 26, MANA: In an unprecedented collaboration, Maranatha Academy and Shadah University of India have unveiled a pioneering scholarship initiative, offering a substantial MK900 million to exceptional students from all corners of Malawi.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Maranatha Academy Managing Director, Enerst Kaonga, stated that this visionary program is designed to empower the brightest minds of the country to pursue advanced education in the bustling metropolis of Delhi, India.
While revealing that the initiative will commence from 2024 until 2027, kaonga said the project will see one male and one female student from both public and private education institutions benefiting. In addition to this, top-performing students from Maranatha Academy, will be granted a MK20 million scholarship to undertake their studies in Delhi.
Furthermore, Kaonga said the exceptional opportunity will grant Malawi's most gifted students access to top-tier education, unlocking their full potential and paving the way for a promising future.
"Maranatha Academy and Shadah University have pledged to evenly split the total scholarship fund, each contributing MK450 million.
“This extraordinary collaboration underscores a mutual commitment to investing in the human capital of Malawi and nurturing a culture of excellence" said Kaonga
He disclosed that the groundbreaking scholarship program signifies a significant milestone in Malawi's educational landscape, offering a ray of hope for students who may otherwise struggle to pursue their academic aspirations.
"As the future torchbearers of the nation, these scholarship beneficiaries will return home equipped with knowledge, skills, and expertise to instigate positive transformation and propel Malawi towards a brighter tomorrow," Kaonga said.
Nyokase Madise’s quest to revive Malawian music heritage
By Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, 26 August, Mana: Nyokase Madise, a former member of the Zathu band, is a talented artist who has music running through her veins.
Growing up in a family of passionate musicians, she was destined to make a name for herself in the industry.
"My grandmother was a DJ and journalist at MBC, and my father was into multimedia content and music distribution with the likes of the Blantyre duo Kapirintiya.
“My brothers grew up around studio equipment and would record tapes until they became music producers. I started recording with them, so I grew up in an artistic family, although nobody in my family can sing except my sister and I," Nyokase shared.
Her inspiration to make music came when she watched Ben Mankhamba's Chonde Musatelo video on Music Splash, a popular TV show on MBC.
"I was inspired to start making music when I was only nine years old. That song made me cry, and from that moment, I always wanted to make people feel connected with music," Nyokase added.
Nyokase's music journey began long ago. She started as a female rapper in 2020 under the stage name Young Jazmine, monitored by veteran producer and rapper Dominant 1 during her form four holiday.
"The first song I put out was ‘Glasses in the Air’ in 2010, produced by BFB, but the first one to get radio airplay was ‘Be Alright’, featuring VOR, produced by Skizzy," she said.
Although Nyokase hasn't been active in music recently, she has a competitive spirit and never gave up on her talent.
However, she has announced that she will be releasing an album, Katundu, meaning baggage, which will be released after some singles, Napolo 1 and Napolo 2 on August 30th this year.
"The album is very honest; I'm letting out all the baggage I've carried on my shoulders for so long. I'm getting it off my chest, and it's an album that the youth can relate to their experiences.
“I grew up on the adage 'katundu wa mu mtima tula,' so I get things off my chest through lenses of ancient storytelling and music," Nyokase explained.
The album promises to be a unique blend of modern soul music and ancient storytelling.
"Some songs are based on proverbs and legends, and for someone who has never had a chance to learn about local anthology, this is the opportunity to learn about our heritage through modern soul music," Nyokase further said.
Nyokase has assured her fans to expect the best from her new album.
"I want people to feel this album and not just hear it. They should expect to be shaken with a lot of honesty, and I'm hoping that people can listen to this album in their most secret times when they are scared to talk to themselves, and the music will talk to them," said Nyokase.
Among other songs in the album is Napolo, produced by That Guy and Black Eye, which tells the story of a woman going through heartbreak and seeking vengeance.
One of the artists she has collaborated with in the album is Hayze Engola, a hip-hop artist known for his poetic expressions.
"I have known Hayze for a very long time; we have worked together music-wise. He is very poetic in the way he writes his music and uses metaphors.
The first song is very melodic, so together with my co-executive producer, we thought of adding a hip-hop punch in part 2 from someone who understands the music, and he delivered beyond expectation," Nyokase added.
Hayze Engola one of the artists which she has collaborated with says the album is very natural, classy and traditional that the fans will enjoy.
“Nyokase is an amazing artist with a unique touch of music, for instance this new upcoming album is very natural, traditional and classy with stories that speak for themselves and it has deep messages with unique titles, catalogue and track list,” he said.
The album's executive producer, That Guy, praises Nyokase's unique talent, saying her music stands out from the crowd.
"Her music has that element of narrative and storytelling that is missing in most of the music that artists in today's world are producing. The album is actually a tribute to the fallen musical heroes; it celebrates Malawian culture, our folktales, et cetera.
“You can see this in songs such as Napolo, where she talks about a brief history of Napolo that came down the mountains, but she did it in an artistic narrative, which is impressive," That Guy said.
Although the production process was fun, the producer noted that they lacked equipment for the album to be fully functional as planned.
Kelly Chikoko, one of Nyokase's fans, expects the album to be exceptional, with a touch of storytelling and excellent vocals.
"Knowing Nyokase's vocal abilities and her pen brilliance, I am expecting a creation that is different and amazing. Her patience in music creation and the thorough research she has been doing, I believe, will produce an album one needs to listen to," Chikoko said.
Before the artist releases the album, she will host listening party sessions on dates which are to be communicated later.
Police urges compliance to curb road accidents
By Mwai Likhomo
Zomba, August 26, Mana: Deputy Public Relations Officer for the Malawi Police Service, Harry Namwaza has urged all road users to adhere to traffic laws and regulations as the country continues to record high rates of road accidents.
According to Namwaza, non-compliance by drivers and motorcyclists is the leading cause of some of the accidents, with common violations including over-speeding, reckless overtaking, overloading, drunk driving and general disregard for road safety rules.
Namwaza disclosed that while the total number of road accidents has decreased slightly compared to last year, the situation remains worrisome.
He said of all the accidents, pparticularly alarming was the rise in motorcycle-related accidents, which also pose a significant threat to pedestrians.
“Last year, we recorded 2 627 road accidents in the first six months of which 466 involved motorcyclists. This year, from January to June, we’ve recorded 2 024 accidents, with 485 involving motorcyclists. Although the overall number of accidents has decreased, motorcycle accidents are on the rise, which is troubling,” Namwaza said.
He attributed the increase in motorcycle accidents to lack of proper training on the high way code among motorcyclists.
“The problem is that many motorcyclists are not adequately trained. They often just learn the basics, get on the road and pose a danger to themselves and other road users,” he added.
Namwaza, however, advised the public not to fear the law simply because of police enforcement but to view it as a protective measure for everyone’s safety.
“People tend to follow the rules only when they see a police officer nearby, instead of consistently observing the rules as a precaution to ensure their own safety and that of others, including pedestrians,” he stated.
He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that road accidents are a major cause of death in the country. Namwaza, therefore, called on all Malawians to join forces with the police to reduce road accidents figures.
“The laws are there for everyone’s protection, yet some people end up resenting the police when these laws are enforced. I urge everyone to cooperate with us so that we can end road accidents in Malawi,” he said.
Namwaza added that the police are actively engaging the public, enforcing traffic laws and using the media to educate citizens on road safety.
“These efforts will only be truly effective if we all work together to address this issue,” he said.
CorpsAfrica hailed for community support
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, August 26, Mana: Group Village Head (GVH) Huwa, under Senior Chief Kachindamoto in Dedza district, has hailed CorpsAfrica for providing facilities and services that he said will enhance the quality of life and well-being of his subjects.
He made the sentiments on Monday during an interview after the organization donated 14 water pumps on Saturday worth on K10.5 million.
The GVH told Malawi News Agency (Mana) in an interview that the socio-amenities, CorpsAfrica has been providing them with, has transformed his area.
“This water project is a landmark to our area but this is not the only development we have witnessed from CorpsAfrica. The organization has also constructed an under-5 Clinic, a bakery plant, a nursery school and a soap processing unit in the past four years that has improved our lives,” he stated
A Community Health Surveillance Assistant (HAS), from the area, Esther Mussah, described the water project as timely saying it will improve health status of the community.
"While the organization is doing its part, we will continue conducting sensitization meetings basically on water treatment strategies,” she added.
On his part, CorpsAfrica, Project Facilitator, Osman Moyo, said it is their wish to ensure that communities are getting things they need without travelling long distances.
He further said the handing over of the water pumps will reduce the challenges, community has been facing due to insufficient sources of potable water.
"Additionally, Huwa community has close to 8,000 people and has been relying on six boreholes. As a result, there has been pressure on the precious commodity and they have been struggling with sanitation issues resulting in waterborne diseases,” he said.
He however expressed hope that the project will be sustainable saying communities have been taking a lead in every stage from project identification, design as well and implementation based on CorpsAfrica's Community-Led Development approach.
"Among other sustainability strategies, we have trained 10 community members including a government community mechanic on how to repair the water pumps and we have built capacity of management committees of these facilities with good practices." Moyo added.
CorpsAfrica supports implementation of diverse projects identified by communities with the help of project facilitators who are recruited as volunteers every year.
Clergy urged to raise awareness on public health emergencies
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, August 26, Mana: Kasungu District Council health authorities, have appealed to religious leaders to take the lead in disseminating information about health emergencies, including the newly declared MPox viral disease.
The Kasungu health promotion committee has been engaging stakeholders in the district, including members of the clergy to raise awareness on various public health emergencies such as measles, Covid 19, cholera and recently MPox disease.
Speaking in an interview, the Health Promotion Officer for Kasungu District Health Office (DHO), Catherine Yoweli, said religious leaders are key stakeholders in health promotion.
“We targeted them, considering that they command respect and that they have a large following. That alone is an important aspect, which we need to ride on to take messages to people.
“The other issue is that; challenges we face in dealing with these health emergencies borders much on beliefs. Therefore, if we empower the religious leaders with correct information, we believe we will be able to deal with these challenges,” Yoweli said.
Kasungu registered five cases of measles between April and June this year, and the district has been on high alert over the threat of Marburg viral disease which was reported in Tanzania last year and cholera which devastated neighbouring Zambian districts.
Yoweli underscored the importance of preparation, saying despite the district not registering any MPox cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared it a public health emergency.
On his part, Sheikh Hamdan Umari said religious leaders have a big role to play in raising awareness of health issues.
“We have a responsibility, to take part in promoting the health status of our people,” Umari said.
Sheikh Umari, further condemned religious leaders who prohibit their followers from getting immunization, saying physical health and spirituality must go hand in hand.
Malawi has had health emergencies such as Covid-19 and Cholera and now faces the threat of MPox, an infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus.
So far, Malawi has not recorded any MPox cases, but 13 other African countries have reported the disease, with the Democratic Republic of Congo being the most affected.
Military officers called to uphold culture
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, August 26, Mana: Malawi Defense Force (MDF) Command and Staff College hosted a cultural day event on Saturday under the theme "Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Wisdom in Fostering Military Leadership."
The event that took place in Salima brought together military officers from over five African countries, including Mozambique, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa, to showcase their diverse cultures and traditions.
Colonel Enock Ntonya, Commandant of the MDF Command and Staff College, emphasized the importance of cultural understanding in every day’s military leadership.
Ntonya noted that for military leaders to operate effectively in any environment, it is crucial to understand and respect the cultural contexts of the communities they serve.
He said: "Without knowing the culture, it is going to be very difficult to win the hearts and minds of the people. Understanding culture allows for easier integration, respect, and support from the communities."
The cultural day highlighted the role of military culture, which, according to Colonel Mtonya, is unique, standardized, and promotes discipline while respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of military personnel.
He stressed that while military culture fosters unity, it also preserves the unique identities of soldiers from different tribes and nations.
This diversity, he argued, enriches military leadership by providing a broad spectrum of cultural perspectives.
Executive Dean of the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage at the Malawi University of Science and Technology Dr. Atikonda Mtenje Mkochi, also underscored the significance of cultural exchange in fostering unity across the continent.
She observed that, despite cultural differences, there are numerous similarities that bind African nations together.
"In the differences that we have, there is beauty. We must learn from each other to build a better continent," Mkochi said.
The event served as a platform for participating countries to share their cultural practices, including traditional dances, music, and culinary traditions.
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Amoah from Ghana, who chaired the organizing committee, highlighted the importance of such events in promoting cohesion among military personnel from different countries.
He expressed concern over the loss of cultural identity due to globalization and emphasized the need to preserve African values through such cultural initiatives.
The cultural day not only celebrated the rich diversity of African cultures but also reinforced the idea that cultural awareness is integral to effective military leadership.
As African militaries continue to work together in peacekeeping and other joint operations, such cultural exchanges are vital in building the mutual respect and understanding necessary for successful collaboration.
Mzimba ADCs told to monitor construction projects
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, August 26, mana: M’mbelwa District Council construction supervisory team member Adini Phiri has appealed to members of Area Development Committees (ADCs) in the district to be vigilant in monitoring various construction projects the council has embarked on for contractors to achieve high-quality work.
Phiri made the appeal on Saturday during the supervisory and monitoring tour of Euthini and Mbalachanda GESD construction projects.
Phiri said when contractors are given work to do they are supposed to be monitored regularly and supervised by council staff as well as members of area development committees to avoid shoddy work.
‘‘Both council staff and members of ADCs hold the key in ensuring that these contractors come up with strong and durable structures. But for them to deliver quality works they need close supervision’’, said Phiri.
He added that vigilance is needed among ADCs to ensure quality is achieved at construction sites.
‘‘These construction companies are hired to construct these structures but they don’t live here. Once they finish they will go.
” The beneficiaries of these structures will be members of the communities who will suffer if contractors come up with substandard structures and because these structures belong to community members, ADCs should be critical in monitoring how works are being done on site to ensure quality’’, he said.
M’mbelwa District Council has pumped K132 million into the construction of the Mbalachanda Police staff house.
The contractor, Spectrum Construction Company, will also build a toilet and do maintenance works for the Mbalachanda Police Unit.
The Council has also funded the construction of Euthini Rural Hospital’s laboratory and laundry to the tune of K169 million.
Both projects are under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) which is a performance grant funded by the World Bank.
In his remarks, Euthini ADC member responsible for projects, Julius Nyirenda said they will be vigilant to ensure the community benefits from the structures being constructed.
In an interview, hospital In-charge Steve Manda hailed the council for the construction of the laboratory saying it will enhance laboratory services at the facility.
Couple Arrested for Strangling Child to Death in Ritual Murder Plot
By Sellah Chunda and patience Longwe
Lilongwe, August 26, Mana – Police in Nathenje have arrested a couple accused of strangling their two year-old son to death in a gruesome plot to use his body for charms to gain wealth.
The incident occurred in Chikuwa Village, Traditional Authority Chitekwere, Lilongwe District.
The suspects, identified as Ivy Elinati (25) and Mphatso Nalinde (25), the child's mother and stepfather, are alleged to have conspired to kill the boy after striking a deal with an unidentified Mozambican witch doctor. The witch doctor had reportedly promised the couple wealth if they provided him with their son's dead body.
According to Lilongwe Police PRO Hastings Chigalu, the couple bade farewell to their relatives and friends at the husband's home village, claiming they were traveling to Mozambique to visit other relations.
However, their true intention was far more sinister— they planned to kill the child en route to Mozambique to fulfill the witch doctor's demands.
After walking several kilometers, the couple reportedly lured their son into the bush, where they strangled him to death. However, when they contacted the witch doctor to inform him of their actions, he refused to proceed, claiming they had failed to perform certain rituals, making the body useless for the intended charms.
Fearing the consequences, the couple returned home with the deceased child, attempting to cover up the murder by claiming that the boy had suddenly become unconscious and died while strapped to his mother's back. However, the village elders grew suspicious of their story and alerted the police.
A postmortem examination conducted at Nathenje Health Centre confirmed that the boy had died from suffocation due to strangulation.
The couple has been charged with murder and will face trial in court.
The suspects, Ivy Elinati, hails from Chimbwala Village, T/A Mlonyeni in Mchinji, while Mphatso Nalinde comes from Chikuwa Village, T/A Chitekwere in Lilongwe District.
NWRA dates southern region media managers
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, August 26, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has challenged editors and media managers from various media institutions to make deliberate efforts that would change people’s mindset on issues around water resources management in the country.
NWRA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dwight Kambuku gave the challenge on Monday in Blantyre during the high level engagement meeting with editors and media managers from the southern region.
Kambuku said the significance of editors and media managers in any set up could not be overstressed as they are the cardinal point on which success or failure of any institution rotates.
“It is for this reason that we ask for your support. Help us persuade the citizenry towards involvement in matters of managing water resources and avoidance of any water related catastrophe,” he said.
Kambuku said he is optimistic that through the interaction, NWRA and media managers would share notes on how best they could sustainably manage and regulate water resources at the same time and also jointly implement strategies of averting any water related catastrophe among the citizenry.
“I believe the outcomes will resonate well with the Malawi 2063 Agenda as it focuses on jointly contributing towards achieving country’s long term development plans,” he said.
Meanwhile, NWRA has penalized councils and companies for contravening water resource Act and regulations during their operations.
“As you are aware, no one is allowed to drill a borehole without obtaining a license from the authority, no one is allowed to extract water from the rivers for irrigation or domestic use, no one is allowed to use the water resource for generation of hydro-electric power not even discharging effluent into water bodies without the permit from the Authority.
“So, those that were penalized, in a big way they violated these conditions as captured in the water resource Act of 2013 and also the regulation of 2018,” he said, adding that some of the councils that have been penalized include Zomba, Lilongwe and also Mount Meru.
On his part, Secretary General for Malawi Editors Forum, Gracian Tukula described the meeting as crucial in ensuring that manager and editors understand better the mandate of the NWRA for them to ably disseminate messages to the masses to save life and property.
“Water is life because we cannot talk about sustainable life without water. Therefore, this interaction is of paramount importance and it remains our responsibility to use the information we have gathered regarding to water resource management for publication through different platforms,” Tukula said.
NWRA was established by the Act of parliament in 2013 and it became operational in 2019. Among other things, the authority is mandated to control, regulate and conserve water resources.
First Lady advises women on fistula prevention
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, August 26, MANA:First lady Madam Monica Chakwera, has called on women and girls in the country to work hard in preventing fistula by avoiding situations which leave them vulnerable to the disease.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Fistula Day at Mkaika Community Day Secondary School in Nkhotakota on Monday, Madam Chakwera said fistula can be prevented by among other things avoiding underage pregnancies in girls.
Madam Chakwera encouraged women to take their time and focus on education until the right age where their bodies are matured enough to reproduce without negative side effects on their health.
Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud said her ministry is working tirelessly to make sure information as well as contraceptives are made available to women and girls living in hard to reach areas to fight unintended pregnancies in communities as one way of preventing fistula cases.
She called upon chiefs, church leaders and community leaders to encourage those suffering from fistula in their communities to get medical treatment noting that fistula is a treatable condition and as such should not be a source of shame and embarrassment.
Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson Charles Chimzukuzuku, commended the government and it's partners for intensifying the fight against fistula
Freedom from fistula in collaboration with UNFPA is implementing a three-year project called empowering empowering women with obsteric fistula to ensure access to quality obsteric fistula care and social reintergration in nkhotakota with funds from the government of Iceland.
