MANAonline
MACRA applause phasing out of airtime scratch cards
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, September 13, Mana: The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has endorsed the decision to phase out airtime scratch cards, calling it a significant step in Malawi’s digital transformation.
Speaking at an awareness campaign at Ligowe Market in Neno on Friday, MACRA Consumer Affairs Manager, Hatchson Mkwapatira said the move aligns with the authority's green initiative while supporting the country's push towards a fully digital economy.
Mkwapatira noted that telecommunications operators are not concerned by the transition, as they expect increased profits.
He added that previously, operators had to import scratch cards, adding mark-ups to cover costs but digital airtime sales are expected to be more efficient.
"We are here to inform the public about the elimination of scratch cards. We have agreed with telecom operators such as TNM and Airtel Malawi Plc that by December 31st of this year, scratch cards will no longer be sold. This is a move towards digital airtime purchases," Mkwapatira explained.
He urged Malawians to embrace digital methods for buying airtime such as TNM Mpamba, Airtel Money and other platforms offered by banks and mobile operators.
In May this year, MACRA pledged to collaborate with telecom providers to establish a widespread network of distribution points ensuring even the most remote areas of Malawi have access to digital airtime services.
The Authority assured that mobile money agents, community centers, retail outlets and other convenient locations would facilitate digital recharges ensuring that no one is left without essential communication services.
"The decision to eliminate scratch cards considered the geographical spread of users and we have ensured that everyone, whether in rural areas or urban centers can access airtime through mobile Apps or USSD codes which rely on GSM networks," Mkwapatira added.
In a related development, MACRA has cautioned consumers against engaging with unlicensed operators in the postal sector, warning that doing so could complicate the resolution of grievances.
Airtel Malawi Plc Managing Director, Charles Kamoto, speaking on behalf of the Association of Telecommunications Operators emphasized that the initiative was aimed at accelerating digital transformation and promoting financial inclusion for all Malawians.
When the phasing out of scratch cards was first announced in May, MACRA described the move as a significant leap into the digital age, underscoring the shift towards a more resilient, equitable and digitally empowered Malawi.
Motorcycle accidents kill 61 in Rumphi
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, September 13, Mana: Rumphi Police Traffic Office, Friday said about 61 people have been killed in motorcycle accidents in the district since January 2024.
Rumphi Police Station Traffic Officer (STO), John Nyangulu made the remarks in Rumphi when police trained motorcyclists on accident prevention.
Nyangulu said most of the accidents are caused by unlicensed riders, carrying passengers beyond capacity, speeding and riding while drunk.
"We have trained them to carry passengers according to capacity, avoid over speeding and ensure that their motorcycles are road worth. We have also tipped them to always wear long gloves, helmets and shoes to ensure their safety and passengers," said Nyangulu.
Chairperson for Rumphi Motorcycle Taxis Association, Wellings Chirambo said that the association will establish ways to enforce safety which they have acquired.
Earlier in September, District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu sounded an SOS asking stakeholders in the district to engage motorcyclists to tame increasing numbers of motorcycle accidents.
Police are expected to conduct the initiative in all major trading centers in the district.
Members of Parliament pass Bill of National Arts and Heritage
By Happy Milanzie
Lilongwe, September 13, Mana: Members of Parliament have today passed bill number 21 of 2024, National Arts and Heritage which aims at helping Malawian artists and Malawian cultural tribes opportunities to be recognized by the government.
In an interview, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Chimwendo Banda stated that the bill will play a critical role in unearthing the hidden Malawian talent hence promoting arts in Malawi.
"Sadly, Malawian artists have long overdue been underrated and given peanuts as compared to international artists that are given huge amounts when the events have been organized," he said.
"With this bill, the international artists will be allowed to register for about sixty days before events, but Malawian artists have unlimited time," he added.
Chimwendo emphasized that the cultural tribes must register with the government to avoid such groups that pretend as they belongs to certain culture.
Chimwendo highlighted that the registration will happen at one time and not every year and the government will not regulate the tribes.
"Sadly, members of Parliament are taking this bill for politics but the bill is going to build strong relationships between tribes across the country," he shared.
Meanwhile, the representative of the United Democratic Front, Esther Jolobala said the government must concentrate on arts and not cultural tribes noting that they have potential to divide groups of people in the country.
"The bill is partially good to artists but harms and encourages segregation to the tribes as the groups of tribes will fight for superiority," she said.
However, Jolobala acknowledged that the bill will help to alleviate the challenges local artists are facing during performance in both local and international performances.
Minister calls for accountability on children’s issues
By Patricia Kapulula
Lilongwe, September 13, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, has expressed concern that the country continues to register cases of child rights abuse and violation despite having a lot of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders working in child rights.
She was speaking in Lilongwe on Friday during the swearing-in of commissioners for the National Children’s Commission (NCC).
She appealed to the newly sworn-in commissioners to ensure that there is accountability among stakeholders in safeguarding child rights and wellbeing.
“My message to you Commissioners is that; today you have assumed the overall coordination on all matters concerning children hence you are expected to hold different stakeholders accountable for failing to offer their services.
“I, therefore, expect positive action to achieve excellency in the provision of child rights,” she said.
She appealed to stakeholders implementing programmes related to children to ensure that resources meant for children’s programmes are put to good use and for the benefit of the children.
UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Gerrit Maritz, concurred with Sendeza saying despite having many institutions working on children’s issues and delivering great services, there has been no robust mechanism for accountability of institutions and the resources they receive.
He said the Commission will fill the existing gap of ensuring accountability towards the fulfilment of duties and obligations towards children.
“A dedicated body to coordinate actors working on children’s issues and monitor delivery of service is critical. The Commission is a very important body in as far as realization of child rights and promotion of their welfare is concerned,” he said.
The five-member Commission, which is chaired by Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, will co-opt two children.
One of the commissioners, Benedicto Kondowe, said the Commission has a role to ensure that services that support the needs of children across the country are meaningfully promoted.
He said they will make sure that institutions working in the children's sector implement their programmes to meet the best interest of children.
“We have a role to ensure that every stakeholder complies with provisions of the law under the NCC Act. We believe that we can contribute towards bringing sanity in the children sector by making sure that NGOs are coordinated and are complementing their efforts,” Kondowe said.
The Commission plans to develop a plan of action to define priority areas in the sub-sector and hold a series of consultations and discussions with stakeholders to understand their challenges and limitations.
In 2019, government through Parliament enacted and gazzetted the NCC Act to monitor the implementation of child-related activities, protect and promote children’s rights programmes in the country.
Museum department installs weather station at Chongoni Art Rock in Dedza
By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, September 13, Mana: The Department of Museums and Monuments has installed a K1.5 million weather station at Chongoni Rock World Heritage Site in Dedza District to preserve rock paintings by Akafula and the Chewa people dating back to 10- 12 AD.
Speaking Thursday, during a day-long disaster risk management training at the site Director of Museums and Monuments Lovemore Mazibuko said historical paintings and writings are among the popular tourism attractions worldwide adding Chongoni has received visitors from different parts of the world.
“The weather station will help us to monitor climatic condition of this area because weather has a direct impact on rock. Too much heat can cause rock participles to wear off especially when the heat is superseded by cooling within a short time,” he said.
He said the launch of the weather station and the training were part of the project called Community Involvement in the Management of Chongoni Rock Art supported by UNESCO, which enlisted Chongoni Rock as a world heritage site in 2006.
He said his department and communities will leave no stone unturned to preserve the 127 painting sites in Dedza and surrounding areas using a plantation of 2650 trees around the rock painting sites as an example.
Group village headman Chakachadza from the area of Senior Chief Kachere said the training will motivate people to appreciate the value of the sites and strive to preserve them.
He said he would sensitize fellow chiefs and communities to the importance of the sites citing job creation and trade among other benefits.
Headteacher for Chilamba Primary School Makaka Crifford Nkhoma hailed the initiative saying it plays a vital role in preserving the history of Akafula and Chewa people.
Other threats to the art rocks include deforestation, graffiti, birds dropping, animal grazing and smoke from fires made by communities in the curves.
The training focused on disaster preparedness, response, impact, recovery and mitigation.
People urged to embrace and support persons with albinism and the elderly
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, September 12, MANA: The Department of Civic Education has challenged people to embrace the importance of promoting the well-being of persons with albinism and the elderly citing that they are entitled to the same human rights like everyone else.
Speaking on Thursday during a public engagement at Chipoka Trading Centre, Principal Civic Education Officer in the Department of Civic Education Chrispin Kalaya echoed that persons with albinism and the elderly receive different forms of abuse from relatives, friends and other people instead of being protected.
"We noted reports from the media that Salima is registering cases of abuse of persons with albinism and the elderly. We felt the need to come here to engage people so that we raise awareness for the people to understand that even when people grow older they are still entitled to the very same rights that everyone enjoys”, he said.
Kalaya emphasized that their department aims to raise awareness for people to realize the need to respect and appreciate the presence of persons with albinism and the elderly instead of abusing or ill-treating them.
"We would like people to realize that even when someone grows old or if they have any sort of disability, in this case albinism, we are still entitled to the very same rights that every person enjoys so there is nothing special about them they are human beings, they are there to enjoy the very same rights that everyone enjoys," he added.
Kalaya further explained that when people are empowered with useful information cases of abuse against people with albinism and the elderly will be put to stop and things will be smooth for them just like anyone.
He said: "We want to empower people with this information so that they should act responsibly against potential victims of abuses.
On his part, an elderly man, Joshua Mwenye from Chilambula village in the area of Senior Chief Kambalame, said it is unfortunate and very sad that the elderly are neglected and abandoned by their children and relatives.
"We face many problems from our children, they always say we should help ourselves as they can't help us. For this reason, we lack support as you know we grow weak each day we can't work as we used to but instead of our relatives of children to help us some of them abandon us." He said.
Mwenye said it is sad to hear your child or relative calling you a witch because such allegations lead to abuses of the elderly in many ways that affect their lives.
"When we are called witches, it affects us in many ways. If we were witches, could we have managed to raise them to the levels they are today? I feel sorry for the mindset that young people have towards the elderly or persons with albinism because we are people who need their assistance more but instead, they torture or abuse us." He cried.
The Department of Civic Education is running a series of awareness campaigns across the country to mitigate abuse perpetrated against persons with albinism and the elderly.
Mangochi DHO Registers 52 Cases of Measles
By Prisca Mashushu
Lilongwe, September 13, Mana: Mangochi district has reportedly registered 52 cases of measles in just two days after suspected cases tested positive for the disease.
The District Health Surveillance and Response Coordinator, Stanley Rashid, confirmed that the cases are primarily among people below 20 years of age.
Rashid told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday that interventions are yet to roll out to prevent further spread of the disease and isolate affected communities.
“We are planning to have campaigns, but as of now, we are still conducting active research and implementing measures on the ground. So far, new cases are 23 compared to yesterday, where 29 cases were recorded, making it 52 in total,” he said.
Rashid cited low vaccine coverage as a factor fueling the rise of measles in the district, especially due to limited access to medical interventions in rural communities.
He encouraged people to participate in vaccination campaigns and to isolate themselves from those affected by the disease in their communities.
The Executive Director of Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), George Jobe, attributed the rise in measles cases to vaccine hesitancy among some people.
“Misinformation and conspiracy theories that arose around the COVID-19 vaccines have negatively impacted the acceptance of vaccines, including routine vaccines for children in certain areas. This is unfortunate, as vaccines are meant to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles.
“There is a need to continue educating people on the importance of vaccines. Chiefs, religious leaders, and other local leaders must join these efforts,” Jobe explained.
However, Malawi recorded 173 measles cases in 2023. So far this year, only Mangochi has been affected by the disease.
Mangochi Village head electrocuted on ESCOM powerlines on failed theft
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, September 13, Mana. A village head in Mangochi, identified as Stand Ayami has died after being electrocuted as he attempted to steal from an Escom powerline at Chipunga Estate at Senior Traditional Authority Bwananyambi’s area.
Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the death of Ayami who was Village head Assani who died while climbing a pole and cutting a stay wire at the estate.
Daudi said the deceased, who was a well-known tinsmith, left his house on the night of September 12, 2024, to an undisclosed destination but did not return till he was discovered dead.
“His body was discovered under an Escom power line at Chipunga Estate, with severe burns covering his body.
“Police, medical personnel, and Escom officials arrived at the scene where they found Assani dead. He held a hacksaw in his right hand with a piece of ESCOM wire and fragments of the hacksaw scattered around him,” she added.
Meanwhile, Police in the district warned the public against tampering with Escom property and urged the public to report anyone found stealing Escom property and related crimes.
Chitipa police take crime fight head-on
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, September 12, Mana: Chitipa Police Station has launched a community neighborhood watch programme to help fight crime in the district.
Speaking during the programme launch on Thursday in Chitipa, Chitipa District Commissioner, MacMillan Magomero hailed the station for launching the programme saying it will help enhance community safety by fostering a strong partnership between law enforcers and the residents.
Magomero said the neighborhood watch programme is vital as it empowers communities to take part in protecting their areas.
"The initiative is important as it empowers residents to take an active role in protecting their neighborhoods. We will be excited to see the positive and fruitful impact the initiative will bring after this launch," Magomero said.
The station’s officer-in-charge, Senior Superintendent Joshua Mazengera said communities needed to be vigilant in helping curb crime in the district.
"This programme aims at fostering a sense of collective responsibility among neighbor’s, promoting the safety and security of the entire community and as such being vigilant and supportive, participants can help deter criminal activity and enhance the neighborhood’s overall objective," Mazengera said.
He also said working together and being vigilant would help create a conducive business environment which would eventually help spur development in the district.
On his part, Senior Chief Mwabulambya said a strong partnership between the community and law enforcers is key to maintaining a safe and secure district.
He then appealed to the selected neighborhood members to work professionally and be exemplary.
The neighborhood watch programme is a community-driven programme where residents work together to monitor and report any suspicious activities to the police.
About 60 neighbourhood watch members were selected in 20 villages with each village contributing three neighbourhood representatives under the area of GVH Mkombanyama in Senior Chief Mwabulambya.
Thyolo consulted on regulations to operationalize Disaster Risk Management Act
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, September 13, Mana: As one way of enhancing disaster preparedness and response in Malawi, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) held a consultation meeting on Thursday with the Thyolo District Disaster Risk Management Committee (DRMC) to gather input for developing regulations to operationalize the Disaster Risk Management Act.
Chief Disaster Resilience Officer Samuel Gama said the consultation aimed to gather views and recommendations from stakeholders on what should be included in the regulations, as the government moves towards operationalizing the Act to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across the country.
"We are here to ensure that the voices of local stakeholders are heard and reflected in the regulations. Their insights will help us create robust guidelines that address the realities on the ground," he said.
Gama noted that DoDMA intends to develop regulations starting with establishing a Disaster Risk Management Trust Fund (DRMTF) to ensure timely and efficient disbursement of resources to victims during emergencies.
“We want to make sure that when disasters strike, funds are available and reach those in need without unnecessary delays,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the department aims to create a code of conduct for assisting actors involved in disaster response to ensure accountability and coordination.
“Having a clear code of conduct will streamline operations and ensure all actors work together effectively”, added Gama.
Furthermore, Gama said DoDMA is focusing on managing high-risk areas by developing guidelines to prevent disasters and reduce vulnerability, along with setting clear regulations for the implementation of relocation and resettlement programs to ensure the safety and well-being of communities at risk.
"The views from stakeholders will provide crucial guidance to the department in drafting these regulations. By incorporating local insights and expertise, we can develop regulations that are not only comprehensive but also practical and tailored to the needs of our communities," said Gama.
One of the committee members Gerald Zgambo described the engagement as crucial because it ensures that local realities are considered.
"We are the ones on the ground, dealing with disasters firsthand, and our input is essential for creating practical and effective regulations," said Zgambo.
Zgambo added that involving district councils and communities ensures that the regulations will not only be comprehensive but also practical and adaptable to the specific needs of each district.
"It is not just about creating regulations; it is about making sure those regulations are grounded in the experiences and needs of our communities”, he added.
