MANAonline
Eliza Mponya to perform at Blantyre Crusade
By petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, October 7, Mana: A renowned Blantyre-based award-winner gospel artist Eliza Mponya will on 12 October perform at a Blantyre Crusade at Mbayani Primary School ground under the invitation of Prophet Ezekiel and Ruth Angel.
Some artists to spice up the event include The Great Angels Choir, Neligo Women’s Choir, Francis Khembo and Cok Melodies whereby Prophet Daniel Moto and Pastor L Yadidi will grace the event.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Monday, Eliza Mponya said this Saturday’s crusade promises to be glorious as all church believers must repent and accept the mighty Lord as their savior.
“Let’s attend to renew our faith in God. The communities should come in large numbers to witness God's good gospel in consideration that my team is geared and well prepared for this crusade,” said Mponya.
According to one of the devoted worshippers Alick Lungu, Mbayani is one of the communities that hosts few gospel events, as such he expressed gratitude for the crusade.
“We have welcomed the crusade, we don’t take it for granted that the crusade will be hailed in our community,” said Lungu.
Christ our King Church event planner, Susan Mphatso Kumbambe said events like these provide an opportunity for people to follow God, improve their spirituality and be uplifted with the feel of the Holy Spirit.
“The crusade will be conducted under the theme of ‘Chipulumutso’ to win lost souls to Christ and make people understand the glory of God.
“I am urging people from different communities to come in large numbers to witness the flow of the Holy Spirit which will heal those who are sick, make people repent and relieve their problems to God,” said Kumbambe.
Christ our King Church is a deliverance and prophetic ministry founded by Prophet Ezekiel Angel in 2000 to spread the word of Jesus Christ.
Government Calls for Community Action in Maintaining Livelihoods through Clean Environments
By Sellah Chunda.
Lilongwe, October 07, Mana: The Government has called on citizens to take proactive steps in maintaining clean environments for improved livelihoods, as the country joins the global commemoration of World Habitat Day.
During a clean-up exercise at Chilima Mpunga ground in Mtandire, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Dr. Elizabeth Chindevu, emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in ensuring hygienic living conditions.
"As Malawians, we need to take care of our surroundings and communities because we are directly responsible for our livelihoods. Keeping our areas clean reduces the risk of diseases linked to poor sanitation," said Dr Chindevu.
The Ministry is aware of the challenges associated with waste management, as noted by Dr Chindevu, and is working with local councils to provide designated areas for waste collection and proper disposal.
Member of Parliament for the area, George Zulu, echoed this sentiment, expressing the community's readiness to keep the area clean but highlighting a shortage of cleaning materials. "We are committed to maintaining cleanliness, but we need support from city authorities, especially in providing adequate cleaning tools," Zulu stated.
Victor Mhango from Habitat for Humanity Malawi also weighed in, warning of the challenges ahead as the rainy season approaches.
"Malawi faces significant issues in cities and towns due to flooding and poor infrastructure. Blocked drainage systems during rain make maintaining hygiene even more difficult,” she said.
World Cities Day 2024 focuses on youth-led climate action, underscoring the role of young people in fostering sustainable urban living, enhancing sanitation, and addressing challenges for a livable future.
MACODA warns against mistreating persons with disabilities
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, October 7, Mana: The Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) has warned parents and guardians who have persons with disabilities not to prevent them from accessing schools, churches, and other public spaces saying this is against the law.
Speaking in Salima district when Action for Progress donated 24 tricycle wheelchairs to people with disabilities, Director General of MACODA, George Chiusiwa emphasized that it is against the Persons with Disability Act, to conceal or lock someone with a disability inside the house.
"The implications of hiding someone with a disability are very severe, especially to their rights and health. Persons with disabilities have the right to enjoy every right that everyone enjoys, it is a serious contradiction to the law," he said.
He said denying people with disabilities the enjoyment of their basic rights should be condemned and as MACODA they are continually raising awareness against such acts.
On the tricycle wheelchair donation, Chiusiwa said MACODA is legally obliged to ensure that persons with disabilities are enjoying their rights, especially the right to mobility, because for them to ensure that they access other amenities mobility is very important.
Chiusiwa said: "Assistive devices are very important to ease challenges that persons with disabilities face. Persons with disabilities must live an independent life, they must access education, health services and also participate in developmental activities in society”.
Chiusiwa further urged guardians and caretakers to ensure that the wheelchairs are maintained and repaired to serve longer periods.
On this point, he said persons with disabilities continue to face mobility challenges therefore assistance from different organizations is highly appreciated and he called for more support towards the donation of wheelchairs.
Administrative Officer at Action for Progress Grivin Kasalika, stated that the donation aims to alleviate mobility challenges being faced by persons with disabilities.
"We hope that the donation will assist these individuals to participate in community development, and for others, they will be going to school and become productive citizens, in the country, we will continue distributing the wheelchairs across the country," he said.
Chikondi Samson, a Form One student at Salima Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting how it will assist him in his school activities.
"I was struggling to attend classes in the absence of a wheelchair, therefore this donation will go a long way to help me enjoy my right to education and access education without fail," he said.
Action for Progress has donated 120 wheelchairs in Salima and a total of 3,000 wheelchairs across the country, significantly impacting the lives of persons with disabilities.
Dedza women hail SCTP
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, October 7, Mana: Some beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), in Dedza district have hailed the intervention saying it has enabled them to move from poverty to better living conditions.
Speaking during a tour conducted to appreciate the progress of SCTP, beneficiaries in Chief Chilikumwendo said they have made strides since they started benefiting from the programme.
Edna Henderson from Mphizi Village said unlike in the past, her family can now breathe a sigh of relief as they can eat good food and that hunger is a thing of the past.
“From the money I received from the programme, I invested some through joining the Village Savings and Loans (VSL) group. With time, my money multiplied which saw us opening a grocery shop and venturing into the sale of farm produce mainly maize,” said Henderson.
She added that from the proceeds, her family has managed to purchase two pieces of land where they are doing their farming activities.
Another woman, Ida Moffat from Chimutu Village said the programme moved her family from a grass thatched house to a better house she constructed on top of having livestock.
“We have a cow, goats and local chickens. These are proceeds from the cash we received. My husband is a butcher man and all this is possible because we utilize the cash we received properly,” said Moffat.
Nyadei Julius, plying restaurant business at Kabwazi Trading Centre in the district said she started with tomato business and that she can support her children’s education.
“For example, when I put in K20,000 I would get K15,000 profit while during market days I can get up to K120,000 after investing K50,000. I can confidently say that I am better than before,” she said.
In his remarks, Emmanuel Khumba, Social Cash transfer officer at Dedza district Council who is also desk officer for the programme said several beneficiaries will be graduating from the initiative after achieving the intended purpose.
“The over-role objective of the programme is to get the vulnerable families out of poverty. We believe that by the end of four years, there will be a great change in their socioeconomic status. We thank the government through other initiatives that are being implemented by FARMSE and other partners who are championing the graduation models. We hope that by the end of 4 years, 1500 households will be officially assisted by government to get out of the programme,” he said.
19,555 household beneficiaries are on the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Dedza district.
The program is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) through the district council with funding from the Social Protection, Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.
Lean Season Food Insecurity Programme targets 13,803 households in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 7, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Officer for Karonga District Council, Humphrey Magalasi, Monday said that 13,803 households are expected to benefit from2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
Speaking when he briefed Karonga District Disaster Risk Management Committee on the initiative, Magalasi said each household will receive a 50-kilogram bag of maize for three months each month.
"These 13,803 households represent a population of 62,114 who have been identified from senior traditional authorities Mwakaboko, Kilupula, Wasambo, Mwinuka, Mwilang’ombe and Paramount Chief Kyungu.
They will receive relief assistance from December 2024 to February 2025," Magalasi said.
He highlighted that prioritized in the initiative are child-headed households, homes with malnourished children and people with disabilities and the elderly among others.
Group Village Head Malema under Paramount Chief Kyungu hailed government for the initiative, which he said, would go a long way in addressing food insecurity in the district.
"A lot of people were affected by floods which hit the district early this year and they lost their household properties including foodstuff, so this is a very welcome development which will ensure households are food secure for the stated three months.
As traditional leaders, we will corroborate with village civil protection committees to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries are registered to benefit from this humanitarian intervention,” said Malema.
According to the 2024 Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report, about 5, 700,000 people are expected to experience acute food insecurity with 553, 000 of these residing in urban areas from October 2024 to March 2025.
Government lauds Oxfam for promoting access to markets
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 7, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola has commended Oxfam for promoting women's participation in agriculture and ensuring access to profitable markets for their produce.
Chithyola was speaking at Chaima in Kasungu District during activities that Oxfam and its partners organized to raise awareness of women's rights to agriculture.
The activities were part of the project called ‘Enhancing access to profitable and inclusive agriculture markets for smallholder farmers in Kasungu District’ being implemented by Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD) and the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) with funding from the Flanders Government through Oxfam.
Said the minister: “I am impressed that this project has some focus on establishing market linkages to ensure that our farmers have access to profitable markets which is key to ensuring that they benefit from their work.
“As government, we are responsible for looking for off-takers that can provide profitable and inclusive markets. We will do everything to ensure they are good markets for our farmers.”
He encouraged farmers to get into cooperatives to increase their bargaining power for better prices of their produce.
“If you make cooperatives, you are better placed to bargain for good prices from off-takers and make more profits.
“We commend Oxfam for promoting this kind of approach to agriculture and we are aware of the huge impact this project has had on our farming households,” he said.
Gender Coordinator at Oxfam, Lindiwe Jere said there is a need to raise awareness of women’s rights by focusing on gender-based violence, child labour and social norms that affect women’s participation in agricultural production and access to profitable and inclusive markets.
“Apart from enhancing the capacity of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, to produce marketable and profitable agriculture commodities, we are also promoting gender transformative approaches to enhance equal participation.
“We are conducting campaigns to end violence against women and the use of child labour in the target extension and planning areas [EPAs],” she said.
Through the project, which is being implemented in Santhe, Chamama, Mtunthama and Chulu EPAs, farmers have been trained on new agriculture approaches, and marketing and have been given warehouses.
Government distributes relief maize in Thyolo
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, October 7, Mana: The Government of Malawi, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), has distributed 12,000 bags of maize to households affected by hunger in Traditional Authority Nanseta, Thyolo District.
Speaking to the Malawi News Agency (MANA) during the distribution exercise at Luchenza Primary School on Sunday, Thyolo District Commissioner Hudson Kuphanga said the hunger situation in the area is dire.
“This maize distribution is a response to our request to DoDMA for food relief in Luchenza and Mangunda, areas heavily affected after our assessment,” Kuphanga said.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the maize wisely and not sell it to vendors, as this would send a wrong message to the government.
“The government is here to help, and we urge you to be responsible with this relief. Selling it to vendors undermines these efforts,” he added.
Kuphanga further revealed that the government plans to distribute lean season relief maize to 58,000 people in the district.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for the South Eastern Region, Stain Chaima, condemned the practice of selling relief maize, warning that those caught engaging in such activities would face legal consequences.
“It’s unacceptable for vendors to buy maize intended for the needy. We all know the acute hunger we are facing, particularly in this area. Selling relief maize is strongly discouraged,” Chaima warned.
One of the beneficiaries, Gine George from Chilomo Village in Traditional Authority Nanseta, expressed her gratitude for the timely aid.
“The devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy and the severe drought have left our community struggling with famine. This maize brings much-needed relief and hope,” George said.
“I’m so thankful for this support,” Agnes said. “The cyclone and drought have been a double blow, and we desperately need continuous support from the government to ensure our survival,” she pleaded.
Thyolo District has approximately 70,000 people in need of food items.
Chomanika calls for cultural unity at Gonapamuhanya festival
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, October 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika has urged different cultural groupings to promote their cultural heritage as it plays an important role in unifying tribes and the country at large.
Chomanika made the remarks during Gonapamuhanya cultural celebration on Saturday at Kadumulira in Bolero in Rumphi district.
He said politics and even religion at times fail to unite the people, but culture may fill that gap and unite people.
"Chiefs are responsible for development of their communities and also enhancing peace and unity in their communities and culture.
"The country is made up of clans and tribes and we need to be united, even first as Tumbukas. When we are united as Tumbukas we cannot be divided along religion and so on because culture and tribes bring us together," said Chomanika.
Chomanika also hailed the contribution of Tumbukas during the fight against colonialism and for their contribution to various sectors of the country.
He also applauded Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe for leading in empowering women and youth by among others promoting education.
In an interview, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the country cannot develop without participation of women and youth.
He added that the celebration's theme of promoting youth and women for development is aimed at ensuring that youths and women take active roles in developing the country.
He also urged people under his reign to observe peace and unity for the country to develop.
National Coordinating Committee Chairperson for Tumbuka Heritage Foundation described the ceremony as the best because for the first time they held the function at their cultural heritage site at Kadumulira.
Some of the notable guests at the function were former President Joyce Banda who unveiled a MK10 million scholarship for girls in the district, Aford President, Enock Chihana, UTM presidential aspirant Mathews Mtumbuka among others.
The function also attracted Paramount Chiefs Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa and Kiyungu, senior chiefs, Traditional Authorities (TA) and many other chiefs from Malawi and Zambia.
It was celebrated under the theme Youth and Women Empowerment for Development.
Balaka MWASIP beneficiaries urged to be game changers in catchment conservation
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, October 5, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) on Friday handed over MK38 million through Community Environmental Conservation Fund to 21 village level committee that restored 72 hectares of degraded land in Balaka district.
Project Technical Team Leader, Oswald Mulenga therefore urged MWASIP participating community members to be game changers in catchment conservation by adopting prudent use of financial gains beside practicing climate resilience and modern farming practices.
Mulenga, made the call on Friday at Group Village head Chiyembekezo, Traditional Authority Nsamala when handing over the MK38 million.
The project team leader expressed optimism that the MK38 million shared among members of the 21 committees will help members to generate more money by venturing into small scale businesses and organizing themselves into Village Savings Loans (VSLs) groups that will empower them economically other than indulging in charcoal production and other human practices that are not environment friendly.
“Research shows that every year we lose over 30 tons of fertile soil per hectare as evidenced by water gullies that are all over our fields and siltation in our rivers. All these are signs of deforestation and poor farming practices.
“Balaka is also one of the districts in the country that frequently experience dry spells and it is our plea that farmers here should use these funds prudently to get alternative sources of income rather than destroying the forests," he said.
He added that apart from the financial component in MWASIP, the project also provided extension officers with motor cycles to address mobility challenges during their extension work.
One of the Catchment Management Committee members from Namikombe area, Steven Banda, said that it was pleasing that MWASIP mobilized communities to adopt climate resilience and modern farming practices citing marking of swales, box ridges and check dams as measurers to regulate water flow.
“Chiyembekezo village level committee is among the 21 structures that managed to appreciate importance of restoring over 72 hectares of degraded land, We have received MK4.3 million and we pledge to use money prudently,” he said.
Chairperson for Balaka District Council, Pharao Kambiri, said was delighted to see active community participation in catchment conservation and applauded MWASIP for empowering the community members financially.
He said Balaka District Council will work closely with community leaders to enforce laws that shall stop further environment degradation.
MWASIP was introduced in Balaka in 2022 to restore over 10,000 hectares of degraded land in the Shire River Basin.
Chitipa United Football Club Assistant Coach laid to rest
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 5, Mana: Chitipa United Football Club (FC) Assistant Coach, Gift Nathaniel Mkamanga, has been laid to rest on Saturday at his home Kanyenjele village in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa district.
The 35-year-old Mkamanga died on Thursday in Blantyre while attending the ongoing CAF B coaching course at Mpira House.
Relatives and football fraternity gathered at Chitipa Stadium in the morning for body viewing before a church service at Kanyenjele CCAP Church, which was followed by the burial ceremony in the afternoon.
In his eulogy, Vice Chairperson for Chitipa United (FC), Mike Yobe, described the death of Mkamanga as a loss to the team.
Yobe said that they are speechless as he was a talented coach with bright future.
“Everyone has a talent. We can find someone but not the same talent as that of Gift. So it's a loss because he was the backbone of the team. He has been with the team from SIMSO up to the TNM Super League.
We will remember him as developmental coach of Chitipa United. He nurtured young talent and most of the players in Chitipa United FC are his brain children whom he coached from SIMSO,” Yobe said.
He said that Mkamanga will be remembered in many aspects such as personal character, behavior adding that to say it all, Mkamanga was a good person.
“All remaining games in the league will be played in memorial of Gift. And you will see the team winning all the remaining games,” he said.
Vice Chairperson for Coaches Association of Malawi, McNebert Kazuwa, said that the association is deeply touched with the loss of Gift Mkamanga.
Kazuwa described late Gift as somebody who had the potential of propelling in his coaching career.
“Gift was somebody who knew his work and losing him is a big blow to us. We would rather urge upcoming coaches to learn from what Gift was doing.
He has been a very good coach and he was somebody who was dedicated to duty and with his experience he would have been a very good coach not only for Chitipa but for the country as whole,” Kazuwa said.
Notable faces who attended the funeral ceremony among others were Director of Administration for Chitipa District Council, Clement Gonthi, Vice President for Football Association of Malawi, Dr. Lameck Zetu Khonje, FAM Technical Director, Benjamin Kumwenda,
Others were Super League of Malawi Vice General Secretary, Donnex Chilongo, Northern Region Football Association General Secretary, Masiya Nyasulu, Former Chitipa United Coach, Macdonald Nginde Mtemetera, Karonga United FC General Secretary, Ramsey Simwaka.
Mkamanga, Born on March 19, 1989, has survived with a wife.
