By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, December 2, Mana: The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has advised lake users to take necessary precautionary measures due to the coming week of strong winds over water bodies and thunderstorms within vicinity.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Monday, Head of Public Weather and Aviation Services at DCCMS, Yobu Kachiwanda said from 2 to 8 December rough conditions will be experienced over water bodies of Lake Malawi and Lake Chirwa, as other parts of the country will experience partly cloudy and hot weather conditions with generally isolated showers.

“The people with small boats need extra care and if they observe an increase in wind speed they have to go offshore. Beach villages need to stay indoors, avoid open fields, tall trees and metal objects,” said Kachiwanda.

He added that Blantyre is expected to have more sun but on Thursday it will experience some changes of isolated rains, leading other parts of the district to face heavy rains on Friday.

Chairperson for Mangochi Sub Fisheries Association, Amidu Kalulu commended DCCMS for the weather forecast saying the message has come at the right time and it will help to reduce the increase of falling overboard cases.

“Fishing hooks and rods can be dangerous if not handled with care. As such, we as farmers must utilize the message provided by the department. As part of avoiding risks which occur due to climate change, we will involve our fellow farmers in sensitization,” said Kalulu.

According to the department, during the past week many areas experienced windy, overcast and hot weather, accompanied by thunderstorms which were locally heavy, resulting in significant damage in some areas with the maximum temperature reached 43.0 degrees Celsius at Ngabu in Chikwawa.

The most noteworthy rainfall over a 24-hour period was 181mm recorded at Mwaulambo in Karonga followed by Nkhatabay meteorological station which reported 113.3mm on November 30, 2024.

By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, December 2, Mana: Village Savings Loans (VSL) group and business persons in Traditional Authority Ndanga have hailed the use of digital financial services being promoted by the Reserve Bank of Malawi.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Monday, Chairperson for Talimba Group Chrissy Nyaka said in the past years they have been keeping their money in the house which was putting it at high risk of getting damaged or stolen.

“We appreciate government for the training that have been provided by the Reserve Bank of Malawi. We had little knowledge on modern ways of keeping our money safe but after this interaction we believe that we will make sure that we follow what have been learnt,” she said.

She further said the use of digital platforms will help to promote accountability and transparency in running affairs of their village savings group when it comes to management and safety of finances.

Oliver Selenje from Limbuli Market in Traditional Authority Njema said she noted that the use of digital platforms when facilitating business is ideal since it is less risky than keeping hard cash at home.

“We have warmly welcomed the initiative, I believe this will help us to make easy calculations on the profits that have been made on every day of business," she said.

Mulanje District Council Community Development Officer, Janet Nsongolo said financial literacy was one of the key areas they teach VSL groups during formation and as refresher trainings.

A 20-day campaign which started on 26^th November in Mulanje District is expected to reach out to the whole district mainly trading centers and secondary schools with road shows and sensitization meetings.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, December 1, Mana: President  Dr  Lazarus Chakwera has hailed the Chinese Government for the development assistance that it renders to Malawi.

Speaking Sunday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during an engagement meeting with a delegation from China, Chakwera said with the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy there is expectation that Malawi government will continue to get assistance from the people of China.

“I am extremely grateful for the assistance and we are looking forward for the government of China continued assistance,” he said.

The people of the Republic of China have donated to the Republic of Malawi 500 solar panels worth US$200,000.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, underscored the importance of the engagement saying  it will ensure that goods exported to China have Chinese standards.

“The objective of this meeting is to strengthen bilateral relation between Malawi and the people of the Republic of China. This will, going forward, ensure that Chinese standards and Malawi standards are synchronized when exporting goods to China,” she said.

She hailed the donation of the solar panels saying they will be useful in the rainy season since they will be placed in schools, hospitals or clinics which will help in time of power cuts and outages.

On Monday the Chinese team is expected to engage the Malawi Bureau of Standards, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and ensure that standards in export between the two countries are met, will be signed.

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, December 1, Mana: Youth for Success and Development (YASD) has encouraged youth in the country to take advantage of wastes by turning them into manure, wrist bands and other products that are user and environmentally friendly to all.

Chief Executive Director for YASD, Edward Msiska said this during a clean-up exercise at Wakawaka market in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Msiska said the exercise was meant to raise awareness of waste management, in line with the Lilongwe City Council's strategic plan, which states that the city should be free from poor waste management.

He said the initiative will help to promote proper waste management by encouraging the market owners to follow the right procedures when disposing of waste, which is one way of promoting hygiene and sanitation.

“Our youths will use the waste collected here at Wakawaka market to make manure, wrist bands and other products that can be used for agricultural purposes and others,” he said.

He said YASD believes in innovation by turning the wastes into other usable things which are also environmentally friendly.

"YASD has partnered with the market committee on how best to dispose of waste to promote hygiene and sanitation since most of the goods that are sold at the market are foods that are used for consumption purposes," added Msiska.

Chairperson for the market committee, Matius Jiya, said the coming of the youth under the YASD organization to clean the market has opened eyes to many people in the market on the importance of hygiene and sanitation when buying and selling goods.

“The coming of the organisation has made our market smart since many people carelessly dispose of waste which was making the market unhygienic.

“I would like to take this chance to appeal to all well-wishers to provide the market with dustbins, gloves, and shovels so that they can be used for cleaning the market easily to promote hygiene and sanitation,” he explained.

One of the youths from Area 36 youth forum Kingsley Phiri hailed the organisation for involving them in different projects including the clean-up exercise at the market.

“The waste that we have obtained will be used to make manure for our agricultural purposes in our area which will help us to reduce the costs of buying fertiliser that is very unaffordable currently," he said.

YASD is working with several youths and women groups in different parts of central region as one way of promoting clean city campaign for all.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, November 30, Mana: Police in Limbe are keeping in custody, Patrick Banda, 24 for allegedly being found in possession of assorted medical drugs including Antiretroviral ARVs without license.

Limbe Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Chibisa Mulimbika, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Saturday that Banda was arrested on November 29^h, 2024, following a tip from the community that he was selling assorted drugs at Chiswe, Chigumula Township in Blantyre district.

“Police have since recovered different types of drugs ranging from contraceptives, (RVs), pain killers, ARVs, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and antibiotics,” he said.

Mulimbika added that Banda will appear before court soon to answer charge of; being found in possession of medical drugs without license.

Patrick Banda comes from Chiswe Village, Traditional Authority Machinjiri in Blantyre District

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, November 30, Mana: Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander, Paul Valentino Phiri has encouraged Junior Officers who have completed their course at Command and Staff College to maintain professionalism as they serve Malawians.

He made the remarks on Friday during the closing ceremony of Junior Command and Staff Course number 5 of the Malawi Defence Force academic year 2024 at the Staff College.

Phiri said upholding the core values that encompass military ethics should never be underemphasized.

He then emphasized that special military courses are essential for junior officers to gain new knowledge and skills as they serve as middle managers.

In his remarks, MDF Command and Staff College Commandant Colonel Enock Ntonya applauded the junior officers for their discipline and successful completion of the course.

Ntonya added that the military officers have been equipped with knowledge in different sectors of their daily work adding the junior command and staff course is essential as it plays a great role in decision-making.

"This course is specifically crafted to equip junior officers as they progress to higher ranks of serving in bigger roles. We have courses in decision-making, critical thinking and other important topics that shape military officers with integrity," he said.

He then commended stakeholders who supported in different ways to make the training a success.

The 5-month Junior Command Course drew 31 participants including those from Malawi and other seven from Zambia, Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana, and Tanzania.

By Aubrey Ghambi

Nkhata Bay, November 30, Mana: Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds which started Friday night, have caused widespread destruction in Group Village Head Kamoza in the area of Chief Mkumbira in Nkhata Bay, leaving numerous families homeless.

In an interview on Saturday, Councillor for Nkhata Bay Boma Ward, Cyria Adamana Nyamwera said over 18 families have been displaced with their homes severely damaged.

"Many of the families were caught off guard by the heavy rains and currently about 18 households have their houses and other properties destroyed,” said Nyamwera.

According to Nyamwera, no injuries have been reported yet, however people are in need of shelter as the rains continue.

Spokesperson Chisomo Kambandanga for Nkhata Bay District Council confirmed that the council has received reports of the damage and is in the process of conducting on-site verification.

“The rains have caused significant damage, including to kiosks at the new Nkhata Bay Boma Market, the council's car park, and the roof of Kalambwe CCAP Church, which was blown off.

“Once we are done with assessment and verification on the damage caused, a report will immediately be sent to relevant authorities," he said.

According to reports from the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Nkhata Bay will continue receiving rains throughout the day.

By Evance Chisiano

Chiradzulu, November 28, Mana:  A grouping of people from Namitambo in Chiradzulu called Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust on Thursday organised a career talk at Namadidi and Muhasuwa Community Day Secondary Schools in the district to give proper career guide to students.

Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust National Coordinator, Pacharo Namatumbo said the career talk was part of the trust’s school outreach programmes that are also meant to motivate students to aim higher in their education.

Zakwathu Ku Namitambo which has members in many parts of Malawi, started in 2017 as a WhatsApp group of people from Namitambo before it got registered as a trust in 2021, prompting the entity to offer bursary to needy students from schools at Namitambo area.

“We started small but we’re growing big to do more for this area. We provided bursary to needy students. We also planted trees in three primary schools here at Namitambo in the previous forestry season,” the National Coordinator added.

During the career talk, Nursing and midwifery technician, a police officer, journalist and a teacher provided career guide to the students at Namadidi and Muhasuwa secondary schools where the interaction enabled the students to learn more about the professions.

He said Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust will continue to motivate students in the area to see children in the area succeed in secondary and tertiary education.

The trust also gave out MK20, 000 to each of four best students at Namadidi and MK10, 000 to each of eight best students at Muhasuwa to motivate them further.

A form 1 student at Namadidi CDSS, Maureen Kachingwe said was grateful for being recognised as best performing student in her class, saying this was a great recognition and honour.

Namadidi CDSS Head Teacher, Mavuto Kachingwe hailed Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust for organizing the career talk which he said was ideal for the students at Namitambo and called on the trust to keep on providing career guidance to students to motivate them further.

“Give us the energy, we will not be the same. You are a friend in need, you’re a true partner,” the head teacher added.

Namadidi CDSS has an enrollment of 195 students.

Muhasuwa CDSS Deputy Head Teacher, Mercy Macheza also thanked the trust for organising the career talk to students, noting the talk provided enough guidance and also provided motivation to the students.

Muhasuwa CDSS has 400 students in the mainstream and 250 students in the open section.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, November 29, Mana: Beneficiaries of Affordable Input Program (AIP) in Machinga have described the initiative as the best approach that government has used to bail its people from poor harvest and food insecurity.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, a 46 years old beneficiary from Traditional Authority Sitola, Damson Baton said he is pleased with the program saying it has reduced chances of poor harvest which he mostly faces as a result of poor crop nutrition due to lack of fertilizer.

Damson said he possess a very big land and buying fertilizer to much up the whole land was very difficult considering the prices of the commodity.

"The programe has seriously come as a savior considering that we are living in a time where most prices of goods have gone very high. I have a very big land and I always come with very low outputs despite my efforts.

"But with the AIP, it’s a sigh of relief knowing I stand a chance of having more harvest this season,” he said.

William Magombe is another beneficiary from Poteya village who has also hailed government for the AIP saying he will be able to produce more harvests and avert hunger this coming year.

Magombe said being one of the beneficiaries; he will utilize the opportunity in investing in farming so that he could produce more, to differentiate himself from those who have not had the opportunity.

"I will surely use the opportunity that I have for being in the programme. All I need is to use it in doing more in farming this year so that I should produce more harvest,” he said.

Machinga district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources (DAENR), Isaac Alli, said he is happy to see beneficiaries having great plans for the inputs they are getting.

"I will be very happy if these farmers use the inputs to improve their lives. I do not expect them to sell the inputs instead of applying them to their fields," he said, urging all beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and use the fertilizer on their own land.

Machinga has 27, 697 beneficiaries who are expected to benefit from the program.

According to Ali, the distribution of AIP to beneficiaries began in hard-to-reach areas, especially given the challenges of the rainy season. As a result, Ngokwe, Chikweo, Nampeya, Nayuchi, and Sale were prioritized, and bags of fertilizer have already arrived in these locations, where beneficiaries have begun purchasing them.

By Leah Malimbasa

Mulanje, 28 November, Mana: The Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Mulanje District Osmound Chapotoka has advised farmers benefitting from the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) to refrain from selling their subsidized inputs.

Speaking on Thursday, Chapotoka emphasized the importance of using the fertilizer as intended, to improve household food security and boost agricultural productivity.

“Farmers should prioritize their crops, the subsidized fertilizer can ensure better harvests and reduce reliance on food aid,” he said.

He added that if well managed, just one hectare of land can produce 100 bags of maize, ensuring the farmer has enough maize for food and sell some for their other basic needs.

The call resonated with farmers who pledged to make the most of the inputs. One of the farmers from Kumwambe village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mabuka in Mulanje who was not a beneficiary last year, shared her optimism about the program.

"Last year, I was not on the list of beneficiaries, and I only managed to harvest six bags of maize. This year, I am hopeful I will yield more because I have bought the subsidized fertilizer and plan to use it well," she said.

Another farmer from Wasi Village, TA Mabuka, Dorothy Mazima recounted her struggles in the last growing season, which were compounded by dry spells and an army worm infestation.

"I didn’t have fertilizer last year and only harvested one bag of maize to feed my family of five. Now, we rely on my husband doing piecework to buy food. I am hopeful the fertilizer I’ve bought through AIP will improve food security for my household this season," she explained.

AIP is a government initiative which provides subsidized fertilizer and seeds to smallholder farmers to enhance food production across the country.