By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, October 11, Mana: Director of Events for 2024 Likoma Island Cultural Festival, Patrick Chikoti, Thursday said that the district is set to hold its 2024 Festival which is scheduled to run from October 12 to 15.

In an interview, Chikoti said that all the preparations for the event are almost complete and we have already deployed a team of some members of organizing committee to welcome people from the mainland and are invited for the event,” said Chikoti.

“The festival which is held annually, to among others, market Likoma and Chizumulu islands which are tourists’ destinations and attract investors on the islands.

Increased investment in tourism in the district, will translate in job creation opportunities in the district,” said Chikoti.

He added that most people depend on fishing for their livelihoods and that the trend is slowly contributing towards depletion of fish in Lake Malawi, hence the need for alternative livelihood sources as employment opportunities.

“This event conforms with government tourism master plan which earmarks Likoma for tourism projects such as upgrading Likoma Airport into an international airport among others.

Secretary for Entertainment, Information and Protocol for the festival, Edwina Mseteka said that people should, among others expect to enjoy traditional dances, live music performances and dugout canoe paddling competitions.

“People will have fun as we will concurrently be promoting our culture spiced by our traditional dishes,” said Mseteka.

According to Mseteka, the festival will start with a parade from Likoma Airport to Likoma Community Hall where the festival will be launched, followed by other activities which will be held at Domino Coconut Resort as the main venue for the event.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, October 11, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries at Traditional authority Malemia in Nsanje have expressed gratitude to Yamba Malawi for mobilizing them into village savings and loans (VSL) groups that promoted a saving culture that in turn made them become financially secure.

A Nongovernmental organization, Yamba Malawi mobilized SCTP beneficiaries in Nsanje into VSL groups through Tikwere Project to encourage a saving culture.

One of the SCTP beneficiaries Danger Paulo from Mtemangawa Village at Traditional Authority, Malemia said this week when Yamba Malawi engaged the VSL groups in Nsanje to assess progress and economic impact.

He said through Tikwere Project, most of the beneficiaries embrace a saving culture that has improved household income as most households have livestock and were living in decent houses contrary to living conditions before the introduction of the project.

"The money I got from Social Cash Transfer Programme was not enough to support my family. I decided to join village savings and loan group. So far, I bought chickens and goats,” Paulo added and explained that the assets a security to his family.

“My plan is to build a house and l will roof it with iron sheet. At all costs this will happen," he said confidently.

Another SCTP beneficiary, Esther Woleni from Mphamba Village, Traditional Authority Malemia said her livelihood has improved after joining VSL group.

“Am now able to support my family with the money I put into a village bank. Yamba Malawi encouraged me to save and this strengthened my business through cash out amounting to K220,000,” she added.

District Social Welfare Officer in Nsanje, responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Abdulrazak Duwa said his office in collaboration with partners encourages communities to join VSL groups to be self-economically reliant.

Yamba Malawi implements Tikwere project in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Phalombe, and Mulanje.

By Isaac Jim & Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, October 11, Mana: Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders Association (MACOKASA) is conducting Kabaza awareness campaign on road safety following frequent road accidents in which motorcycle taxi operators are involved in.

MACOKASA initiative comes after Malawi Orthopedic Association (MOA) concluded similar awareness campaign for Kabaza safety on September 18 in Blantyre.

Speaking at Makheta Township in Blantyre on Thursday, MACOKASA, National Chairperson, Moses Michael Mwalabo said the association was compelled to organize the awareness campaign following frequent road accidents which are caused by motorcycle taxi operators.

“We felt the need to do this activity. As National Association for Kabaza, we have witnessed a lot of road accidents that were mostly caused by kabaza people,

“We also wanted to remind the Kabaza people the importance of following road safety rules and regulations like; carrying one passenger, wearing crash helmets, reflectors and safety shoes other than sandals or slippers,” he added

MACOKASA also assured motorcycle taxi operators that the organization was still engaging government to reduce registration fees and to provide trainings across the country for the kabaza operators.

“Government has given us four to six months to do registration of motorbikes and when this period ends, registration fee will go back to where it was. For example, Lifan motorcycles will be registered with K55,000 while larger motorbikes will be registered with K77,000 so that every operator should register,

“In conjunction with the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, we have agreed to work hand in hand with driving schools to help us in providing driving and road safety rules and training so that at the end of the day we should reduce the number of road accidents happening in the country,” Mwalabo added.

On her part, Regional Community Policing Coordinator for the South West Region Police, Superintendent, Memory Mgeni, said was happy with MACOKASA’s initiative and expressed hope that the awareness campaign will help to remind Kabaza operators about traffic rules and regulations to protect their lives, passengers and other road users’ lives.

“We felt it was important to help MACOKASA in raising awareness on traffic rules and regulations considering high rate of road accidents that are mostly caused by Kabaza operators,” she added.

The police also reminded the motor bicycle taxi operators to avoid operating at night, saying operating at odd hours put their life at risk of being attacked by robbers that pretends to be bonafide passengers.

“Investigations are showing that some Kabaza operators are fond of doing business during odd hours which leads to theft of their motor bicycles, sustaining severe injuries and even loss of life. They are enticed with huge sums of money to carry a person at odd hours not knowing that the person is a criminal,” Mgeni said

Kabaza Association, Chairperson in Blantyre, Kondwani Jimu also hailed MACOKASA and the police in the South West Region for raising the awareness among the motor bicycle taxi operators.

He said this was timely as motorcycle taxi operators contribute to road accidents at an alarming rate.

“We are very happy with this initiative, and it is encouraging that MACOKASA has taken a big step in reducing road accidents. The awareness will make kabaza motorcyclists realise they have a responsibility to prevent and reduce road accidents.

“I have witnessed some serious road accidents happening and visited injured people at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital who are still in pain while some reached a point when doctors decide to amputate their legs. Some broke their spinal cord, meaning that they can no longer do things on their own,” he said.

MACOKASA signed an agreement with all the cities and district councils in the country to limit areas where motor bicycle taxi operators should not operate as a measure to reduce motor bicycle accidents.

By Linda Likomwa

Phalombe, October 11, Mana: Phalombe District Council has introduced the harmonized e-payment system for Social Protection Programme.

Speaking during a Full Council Meeting on Thursday at Phalombe Teachers Training College (TTC) Ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare, Chief Social Welfare Officer Chifundo Namchikwa said the system has more benefits compared to manual payment.

"The system is timeless and convenient as all beneficiaries would be receiving their money at once. We will also reduce delivery cost and increase efficiency and transparency among others," she said.

Nachikwa said manual payment had challenges which included failure to pay beneficiaries in time during disasters as some roads would become impassable and council works get paralyzed during payment time as all vehicles are in use for the programme.

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) official Ellen Mpira during her presentation said the e-payment system is timeless and beneficiaries are assured of the security of their money.

“Cashing out is easy as Mpamba agents are everywhere. This payment system also promotes saving and it is also easy to track how the money has been used,” said Mpira.

She added that all beneficiaries would be serviced on time because they would assess to find out areas that have few agents to add more.

Currently, the district has 1,964 Mpamba agents with 131 super agents and one shop at the boma.

The e-payment system started in 2013 with Balaka and Ntcheu and some districts were enrolled in 2022 with the rest of the districts being enrolled this year except Ntchisi and Nkhatabay which would be enrolled next year 2025.

Phalombe District has 11, 099 beneficiary households on SCT.

By Towera Kumwenda

Mzuzu, October 11, Mana: Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Thursday emphasized the importance for citizens to be knowledgeable of first aid skills as important requirements in saving lives and preventing further harm in life-threatening situations.

The remarks were made by Civil-Military Cooperation Officer for MDF, Lieutenant Tiyamike Yotamu when MDF soldiers trained students at Katoto Community Day Secondary School (KCDSS) in Mzuzu of first aid skills.

 According to Yotamu, the training was part of the pre-deployment training program, which among others involves community engagement in preparation for some soldiers to be deployed to Peace Keeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"We always conduct such training because first aid provision is one of the initiatives that we undertake during Peace Keeping Mission take in protecting civilians in war ton countries, and we can ably achieve our mandate if we engage civilians themselves for them to understand that we are there for them,” said Yotamu.

He added that the initiative also aims at building stronger and positive ties between the public and MDF, thereby counteracting the misconception that soldiers cannot interact with civilians.

“The misconception that soldiers cannot interact with the citizenry has been there for Longwe are people of Malawi and such meetings with the citizenry are held to enhance this coexistence," said Yotamu.

 Yotamu added that the training was crucial for the students to acquire such skills for them to use the same in assisting and passing on the knowledge to others.

Deputy Head Teacher for KCDSS, Zelipha Kumwenda commended MDF for imparting first aid skills to the students and pledged that the students will put the knowledge and skills gained into practice.

 “Management of the school will provide all necessary materials to ensure that the students practice what they have acquired. The students learn first aid in class and this initiative will complement what they learn theoretically in class," said Kumwenda.

Emmanuel Mkandawire who is in Form 4 at the school said he will use the knowledge gained to help students and other people who may require such services.

By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, October 11, Mana: Tongole Foundation has donated four reconstructed school blocks and a new teacher's house to Mwala wa Tongole Primary School in Nkhotakota District.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Thursday, Tongole Foundation National Director Bentry Kalanga said the initiative aims to address the challenges faced by learners in remote areas who have to travel long distances to access education.

He emphasized the need for concerted efforts from stakeholders to support the school with desks and other learning materials.

"Quality education can only be achieved with quality infrastructure and teaching materials and that is why we have contributed our part, but more needs to be done. The classrooms lack desks, so we urge community members and partners to help fill this gap," said Kalanga.

Senior Group Village Headman Mchambwi, representing Senior Chief Mphonde, commended the project and called on the Department of Education to increase the number of teachers at the school to address the teacher-pupil ratio challenge.

Nkhotakota Principal Human Resource Management Officer, Francis Lwanda, said the department is working to address the teacher-pupil ratio problem throughout the district but was quick to commend Tongole Foundation for the infrastructure stating it is such support that the sector needs.

"We are aware of the teacher-pupil ratio problem not only at Tongole Primary School but throughout the district and as soon as the government authorizes us to employ more teachers, we will try our best to post some to Tongole Primary School,” said Lwanda.

The project, valued at K42 million, is part of the Tongole Foundation's efforts to improve education standards in the area.

By Catherine Chikopa

Thyolo, October 10, Mana: People working under the Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CSPWP) in Thyolo on Thursday praised the programme for creating much-needed employment set up for them.

A participant from Thangadzi Catchment in   Traditional Authority Nsabwe, Loveness James said in an interview that she takes her daily working in the programme as a job.

"Before CSPWP, we were sitting idle at home, not knowing how we would meet our daily needs.

"Now, we are working to restore the environment and, at the same time, earning K1600 per day that helps us live better. I can now buy essentials like food and soap," said James.

Another participant,  John Makalani also applauded the programme for helping him expand his business.

"The money I received allowed me to boost my business. I have paid my child’s school fees, renovated my pig house, and bought feed for my pigs. The program has truly changed my life," he said.

At Chimvu Catchment, Jame Mangani, a young man who had struggled to find work due to a lack of formal education, sees CSPWP as a lifeline.

 "We used to stay idle because jobs in town were out of reach for us. But now, CSPWP has given us a chance to work for 30 days and earn wages.

“It’s been a huge help, even reducing theft in the community since people now have something to do," said Mangani.

For Mary Kapeni, the program has lifted her out of a life of uncertainty with reliance on piece works from people.

"I used to go around begging for piecework and food. Now, I have a job in CSPWP as well as an income. This has brought dignity back to my life," said Kapeni.

Acting Director of Environment and Natural Resources for Thyolo District Council, Mirriam Yona, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the program’s impact.

"CSPWP is providing vital jobs for communities, allowing participants to earn wages while restoring the environment.

"These wages are helping households meet their daily needs, pay school fees, and invest in their futures," she said.

She added that with the programme running in 90-day phases, the CSPWP is giving Thyolo residents the tools to rebuild both their environment and their lives.

By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, October 11, Mana: Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) with funding from Caritas Korea, through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi on Thursday disbursed cash to 432 families that were affected by hunger in Traditional Authorities Mulilima, and Katunga in Chikwawa District.

The cash disbursement comes as a response to the negative effects of the El Nino weather patterns that affected many farming families across Malawi.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana), Director of Social Services in the Diocese of Chikwawa, Fr. Mathews Semba said the 432 families in Traditional Authorities Mulilima and Katunga have received K100,000 each and the total budget for the cash transfer was K60 million.

Through Chikwawa District Council, the diocese used the Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR) to identify vulnerable people who did not benefit from other social protection programmes.

Chikwawa District Council, Disaster Risk Management Officer, Charity Machika commended CADECOM for complementing government’s efforts in providing relief to vulnerable households in the current lean season.

Machika therefore, appealed to all beneficiaries to make use of the cash to buy food for their families and other good intentions.

Patricia Diverson from Kajawo Village, Traditional Authority Mulilima appreciated CADECOM’s gesture, saying she would use the money to buy food for her family.

“I am happy with the money that CADECOM has given me. I will feed my five children," added Diverson.

Apart from the cash transfer programme, CADECOM, through Chikwawa District Health Office will also provide fortified Likuni phala to malnourished children in the district.