MANAonline
CDF has potential to transform rural areas – Mwalwanda
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 15, Mana: Member of Parliament (MP) for Karonga Central Constituency, Leonard Mwalwanda, says proper utilization of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has potential to bring modern structures in rural areas.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday at Mlare Primary School where a K15, 000,000 headteacher’s house was constructed using CDF, Mwalwanda commended government for CDF which, he said, has transformed rural areas.
He, therefore, called upon leaders to make diligent use of the funds in order to improve people’s lives.
“If some constituencies are lagging behind in development it is due to bad leadership. Government is giving us enough resources for development of our constituencies which is very commendable,” he said.
He appealed to community members to be active in demanding development projects they want.
According to Mwalwanda, having a good working relationship amongst MPs, ward councillors and the community is vital for the successful implementation of CDF projects.
Headteacher for Mlare Primary School, Golden Mwenelupembe, said construction of teachers houses is a motivating factor which will improve results.
"Most teachers live in dire conditions, but with the construction of houses such as the one I am living in now, we will strive to give back to the community by ensuring learners get quality education and good results," Mwenelupembe said.
School Management Committee Chairperson, Mapunda Mwalwanda, said a lot of MPs had been in the area but most of them never used CDF to construct modern structures.
"We helped bringing sand, water and clearing the land where this house was built. As you can see, this is a very beautiful house which is a great improvement at our school,” he said.
Each constituency is allocated K200,000,000 for implementation of various projects.
Chakwera appeals for prudence in social protection initiatives
By Salome Gangire
Neno, October 14, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Monday launched the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) for the 2024/2025 farming season in Neno District with a call to beneficiaries of various social protection interventions to utilise the initiatives with prudence.
Speaking at Dzundu Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Symon, Chakwera said this year’s programme targets small holder farmers who have land and are productive.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure Malawians are food secure by supporting them with affordable inputs; hence, the continuation of the programme.
“In the past the programme was targeting people randomly and was not achieving its purpose as some of the people that were benefiting had no land and were selling the farm inputs,” he said.
He said the programme will from now onwards be targeting productive small holder farmers who have labour and can produce more food.
Chakwera said those without labour and land will be incorporated in other government safety nets according to their abilities and those not benefiting from AIP will benefit in other programmes.
He said government is aware that some Malawians are facing hunger as they did not harvest enough food due to the dry spell induced by climate change.
“No one should cheat you that Chakwera will not help you. Government will help you as some have benefited from AIP, others are benefiting from Social Cash Transfer and NEEF loans,” he said.
He, therefore, asked Malawians to love one another and not be greedy by benefiting from multiple programmes but give a chance to others to also benefit.
Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, said everything is in place for this year’s AIP, as the ministry has contracted 77 transporters to ferry the inputs to different selling points across the country.
Kawale said each constituency will have two selling points with each having mobile satellite depots across the constituency.
“On network, we are working with ESCOM to make sure fibre is working properly so that the programme doesn’t face challenges in its implementation,” Kawale said.
He said government through other partners has mobilised over K1 trillion for agricultural development to ensure the country achieves the Malawi 2063 of having productive and commercially driven agriculture sector.
Kawale said government is taking AIP as a first step towards mega farms where they expect a person who has received two bags to multiply it using Mbeya manure so that they transition from AIP to mega farms.
A total of 1,048,445 productive farmers nationwide are expected to benefit from AIP in the 2024/2025 season with each benefiting with farming inputs of 50 kilogrammes of UREA and CAN of which 6,500 farmers are benefiting with livestock (goats).
DC appeals for dedication to public service
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, October 14, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko, has appealed to staff at Blantyre District Council to embrace team work and hard work in order to effectively serve the public in the district.
He was speaking Monday at Palm Valley in Blantyre during a five-day review meeting for district planning and implementation support team and departmental heads for the Council.
Mdooko said team work and hard work are key to achieving the country's development aspirations.
"All sectors should be able to ask themselves if they have delivered as we are reflecting what every sector has done. At the end of every month, ask yourself if you have done well or not.
"Let's dedicate ourselves to duty by making sure all projects are implemented on time. Projects should not take longer than expected; we should not deliberately delay them, let's work hard in unity to serve the people," he said.
BCC Director of Planning and Development, Melayi Mhone, said the meeting is important as it will help in assessing progress, identifying gaps and plan for areas requiring improvement.
"Every head of department is presenting what they have done, challenges faced and lessons learnt. By the end of this meeting, we will be able to know achievements and challenges by departments. Moving forward, we will be able to know what needs to be done," she said.
Blantyre Desk Officer for Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE), John Nyangu, said the meeting will assist in getting insights from members, developing a work plan and plan for the next implementation period.
The review meeting has been financially supported by TRADE.
Blantyre City Council call for action against street vending
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre October 14, Mana; Blantyre City Council (BCC) has called upon residents and stakeholders to join hands in combating street vending in the city.
BCC Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Chinsewu, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday that there is excessive street vending in the city such that the Council consistently enforces relocation of street vendors to market places.
He, therefore, asked residents to desist buying from street vendors if the city is to be kept clean.
“In addition, people that are selling items along the roads do not have passion for their city because most of them end up littering as well as causing congestion,” he said.
Chimseu said there is enough space to accommodate every seller at Blantyre Market and it is unfortunate that street vendors choose to sell along the streets.
He disclosed that the Council is losing a lot of revenue because of Peak Street vending in the city.
Blantyre Central Market Chairperson, Black Binya, told MANA in a separate interview that the rise in street vending is killing business in the main market.
Binya added that vending outside the market is “unfair trading technique” that the street vendors employ to capture buyers before they go into the main market.
He believes that there is enough space in the market to accommodate every seller including those doing business in the street.
“It is surprising that some people choose to sell outside the market. The Council should use its powers to bring the vendors back to the market,” he said.
Binya feared that more vendors will opt to sell along the streets if the Council fail to move them from streets.
One of the street sellers, Elitaniya Ntawali from Mbayani Township said she opted to sell along the streets to capture buyers before they chose to go to the main market.
Ntawali explained her reluctance to relocate to the market, believing she sells more along the streets that in the main market.
“Most people don't go to the main market. l experienced this when I had a stall there. I, therefore, decided to move my business to the roadside to increase sales,” she explained.
MEC orients media on electoral matters
By Tikondane Vega
Salima, October 14, Mana: Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Information and Digitalization Baldwin Chiyamwaka has called on journalists in the country to continue writing human interest elections-related stories, saying this has the potential to inspire people as the country is heading towards 2025 General Elections.
Chiyamwaka said this on Monday in Salima during the electoral orientation of editors from the Ministry of Information and other media houses.
He said as Malawi is fast approaching the elections, the media need to concentrate on positives to create long-lasting memories for themselves and the public at large.
“As media, we need to know that fake news has been monetized hence such trainings by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) are made to equip journalists with relevant information for them to be ahead of everyone and report accurately as well as responsibly.
“When writing news, go beyond to analysis and give people gratification to learn. By bringing news to the community you are enhancing transparency and accountability for the elections,” said Chiyamwaka.
The PS then promised MEC that Malawi News Agency and all media houses would continue to work with the commission while maintaining integrity and avoiding spreading fake news.
MEC Chief Elections Officer, Andrew Mpesi reminded the media that electoral processes are only regarded as transparent, fair and credible when the media reports responsibly on the processes.
Mpesi then urged journalists to counteract fake news by telling stories and giving people a voice to promote inclusivity.
He said,” It is no secret that fake news, misinformation and disinformation undermine elections, so MEC recognizes media as an important tool that shapes people’s perceptions, this is the reason we are here interacting with media today.
“We will keep fostering good relationships with the media by giving relevant information to avoid spreading of fake news,” said Mpesi.
He urged the media to avoid biased reporting by observing and maintaining its operations values.
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officially launched the 2025 General Election on Friday, 2nd July 2024, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The event, which marked the beginning of the election cycle, was held under the theme: “Promoting Democratic Leadership Through Your Vote.”
Malawi General elections are due to be held in September 2025.
Machinga based journalists reach out to Nayuchi mothers as part of Mother’s Day celebrations
By Mike Nambwale
Machinga, October 13, Mana: Journalists from different media houses in Machinga on Sunday donated assorted items to mothers that gave birth at Nayuchi Health Centre in the district as part of this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations, which falls on October 15.
One of the journalists, Eamon Piringu of Zodiak Broadcasting Station, said they felt obliged to donate to the mothers to appreciate their role right from the beginning of human life.
“Many people think that we only write news stories. We felt that we need to celebrate with our mothers,” he said.
The journalists donated maize flour, cooking oils, salt, soya pieces, laundry soap, baby powder and mother's day wrappers, among others, to four women that delivered and one still expectant at Nayuchi Health Centre.
“We did this as part of social responsibility," Piringu said and appealed fellow media practitioners and other professionals to also reach out to mothers as they celebrate their day.
Journalists that contributed towards purchase of the items were from Malawi News Agency (MANA), Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), Nation Publications, Times, 101 Power and Mibawa.
Speaking on behalf of the mothers that received the gifts, Esnart Kachepa, thanked the team for the gesture, saying the items came at the right time when most of them failed to make ends meet.
“We are very thankful for the gifts and we will use them accordingly. The soap will be used to wash clothes and linen for our children," she said.
Nurse and Midwifery Officer at Nayuchi Health Centre, John Msiska, was thankful for the donation.
He said the items will help mothers in their day to day life as most households in Nayuchi, and other surrounding areas, have no food.
"Machinga is also affected by hunger such that the donated items will help them and their new babies," Msiska said.
Blantyre District Council launches construction of Kadidi Health Post
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, October 13, Mana: Blantyre District Council has launched construction of Kadidi Health Post at Mtema Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Kapeni in the district.
Blantyre District Council Director of Health Services, Dr. Gift Kawalazira, expressed gratitude over the facility saying it will improve health delivery services in the area.
Health services at Mtema Village are currently being offered from rented premises due to lack of proper facilities with recommended standards and people in the area to walk about 11 kilometres in search of better health services.
“The new health post will improve health delivery as it will lessen the burden of preventable diseases. The facility will serve over 65, 000 people which means that Blantyre District Council is moving in line with Malawi 2063 development aspirations,” he said.
According to Blantyre District Council, construction of the facility will cost K700 million.
Kawalazira said in any process of sustainable human development, people's health must be the first priority hence the new facility.
Senior Chief Kapeni called on his subjects that stay closer to the project site, to safeguard construction materials.
He said theft of project material will not be tolerated as it is a major hindrance to development and compromises quality of infrastructure meant to serve people better.
“The new health post is strategic and a significant milestone in as far as provision of health services is concerned in this community. I would like to encourage communities to participate in supervising the project,” said Kapeni.
Blantyre District Council Chairperson, Elson Dumuka, said people in the area have been aspiring for a health post since 2011.
“The launch of this project has impressed me. As a council, we have finished our preparations and am happy to announce that the contractor will be on site soon to start construction,” he said.
Construction of Kadidi Health Post, which will be done through the World Bank funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project, is expected to be completed in six months.
Government warns against corruption in lean season food distribution
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, October 12, Mana: Government has warned that it will not tolerate corruption in the lean season food distribution across the country.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General, made the remarks Saturday at Nsanje Prison ground where he held a rally.
He said food distribution is meant for people affected by hunger in the country, including Nsanje District, as such government will not entertain any corrupt practice in the course of the programme.
“Government is committed to provide food to the affected households in Lower Shire and Malawi as whole regardless of political affiliation," he said.
The minister, therefore, urged communities to report any suspected corrupt practice during the distribution exercise and on all other government social protection programmes.
According to Chimwendo Banda, close to 40,000 people will start receiving maize for four months from next week.
He assured people of Nsanje that government has put resources to transform people’s lives in the Lower Shire districts.
“We are constructing the railway line from Marka to Bangula. Soon, we will start construction of Gwanda Chakuamba Highway,” he disclosed.
Minister of Information and Digitilisation, Moses Kunkuyu, urged people in Nsanje to support the Chakwera led administration saying it has the welfare of people at heart.
Senior Chief Chimombo appealed to government to reduce maize price in ADMARC markets, saying a lot of people are failing to buy the commodity due to high prices.
Chimombo, however, hailed government for proving relief maize to households affected by hunger in the district.
Over 36,000 households are expected to receive one bag of 50 kilogram maize, per month for four months.
Chakwera attends service of worship at RFP
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, October 13, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera joined Sunday worship service at Raised for a Purpose Ministries (RFP), KCA Dawn Auditorium near Robbins Park in Blantyre.
Addressing the congregation, Chakwera called upon believers to put God in everything they engage themselves in.
“Many people are taking their lives. Some are blaming others for their bad choices. We should know that there is someone bigger than everyone. Thus God; Our God reigns,” he said.
In his short address, Chakwera acknowledged people that always pray for the country and the leaders for prosperity and good life.
“Prayers are instrumental for a productive nation. Malawians need to know that God exists and is within us,” he said.
RFP Ministries Founder and President, Pastor Audrey Mwasinga, said Christianity should be an agent of positive change and Christians should always strive to succeed wherever they reside.
“Always believe you can succeed whether in Malawi or elsewhere. Moving out of Malawi does not guarantee success. It is important to recognize you can prosper. Plant the seed of hope and change your mind,” he said.
Mwasinga explained that RFP exists to contribute to national development with a belief that government cannot work on its own without the church.
He called upon faith based groups to work hand in hand with government for prosperity of the nation.
“Much of our preaching aims to encourage congregants to meaningfully participate and contribute to the country in a Godly manner,” he said.
Mwasinga based his preaching on Fundamental Principles of Faith and encouraged congregants to be aware of various weapons and tribulations that come to shake one’s faith during their Christian journey.
President Chakwera arrived in Blantyre on Friday for a number of official engagements. Among others, he will launch the 2024/2025 Affordable Input Programme at Zalewa in Neno on Monday.
Chakwera also participated in the Presidential Charity Golf tournament at Limbe Country Club on Saturday.
China Company resumes distribution of satellite TV sets to communities in Mangochi
By Nephtali Kalumbi
Mangochi, October 12, Mana. China’s Star Times Group has resumed distribution and installation of television satellite dishes and decoders to public places and rural households in Mangochi, to provide access to local and international channels via satellite TV.
The initiative which is called Malawi-China Satellite Television Connection Project saw thousands of communities in Mangochi in 2018 receiving free solar-powered digital TV sets with decoders as well as projectors.
Speaking on Friday during an assessment exercise of communities to receive the sets, Starsat Sales Manager for Malawi, Precious Banda said they will resume installing dishes and decoders in 10 villages across Mangochi, as well as in public hospitals and schools to provide rural communities with easy access to information through starSat Satellite TV.
“As a Star Times Group, we are happy to resume the installation and distribution of satellite dishes as well as decoders to community members and public institutions in Mangochi.
‘‘Through the project, we believe that we will help to promote access to information to 20 households in 10 villages in Mangochi,” he said.
Banda added that once the installation of the gadgets is done, beneficiaries will be provided with a two months’ free subscription and after the grace period expires, they will start paying for the service.
In his remarks, Group Village head Makwinja of Traditional Authority, Chowe welcomed the development and expressed gratitude saying the project will help community members to watch TV programmes.
"Am delighted that the project has finally come back, I hope that this time around my subjects will be part of the beneficiaries. In the past, we were admiring other villages that benefited from the initiative,” said Makwinja.
Initially, the project was launched in August 2018 as part of China-Africa Cooperation initiative to provide satellite TV reception to 10, 000 African villages.
