MANAonline
Tsangano EPA of Ntcheu learns from Nkhate Irrigation scheme in Chikwawa
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, October 12, Mana: Ntcheu District Irrigation Officer Limbani Mzembe has said the council appreciate the efforts by the Malawi WaterShed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) for building the capacity of farmers through Water Users Association (WUA) development.
Mzembe made the remarks on Friday after Tsangano Extension Planning Area (EPA) farmers of Ntcheu district, made a learning visit to Nkhate Irrigation Scheme in Chikwawa.
"From this MWASIP-funded visit to Chikwawa, we have learnt among other things that the scheme inclusively manages to support the marginalized communities and the vulnerable.
“The economic empowerment is also guaranteed through improved productivity of the irrigation scheme such as Nkhate," said Mzembe.
He commended the project for promoting food security, which is also one of the priority areas in Ntcheu District Development Plan (DDP).
For his part, Chikwawa District Irrigation Officer Stewart Chibwana said the biggest challenge for Nkhate farmers has been climate change.
"The water flow is now less to suffice the hectarage of the scheme due to climate change," said Chibwana.
Thava Water Users Association President Joy Sitima assured stakeholders that his association will use the knowledge gained from the Nkhate Irrigation scheme.
"There are a lot of things that we have learnt which are commendable to replicate," said Sitima.
Crops including rice, maize, beans, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes are grown in the 243 hectares Nkhate irrigation scheme.
Nkhoma synod to distribute food items in Salima
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, October 12, Mana: The Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma synod has disclosed that 1700 households affected by El Nino in Salima district will receive food assistance for the next five months.
Speaking on Thursday during a District Executive Committee meeting, the synod's General Secretary Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said the church will from October to March 2025 be distributing the assorted food items in the areas that were affected.
"The areas that have been identified to receive food assistance are those that have been heavily affected by food shortage so that they should be relieved," he said.
According to Kachipapa, the church has received funding from their partners World Renew and Canadian Food Grain Bank amounting to K869 million which will be used during the exercise.
He said as a church they believe in helping the needy so that they can see the love of God through the good deeds of the church.
"The Malawi Vulnerable Assessment Committee report over 5.7 million people in the country are likely to be food insecure in the next few months, therefore we are collaborating with the government to alleviate the hunger that most families will face before the next harvesting season," he said.
Meanwhile, Salima district's Disaster Risk Management Officer Gloria Chinangwa said what the CCAP church has done is worth emulating.
Chinangwa said the district appreciates collaboration from stakeholders in lessening the effects of El Nino since most families are food insecure therefore more assistance is needed.
"We will also start maize distribution in all the 12 Traditional Authorities in the district, this is meant to ensure that families are cushioned," she said.
World Renew and CCAP work together to improve local healthcare systems through maternal and child health programmes and help families achieve long-term food security.
Deputy IG Chalera laid to rest
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 12, Mana: Deputy Inspector General of Malawi Police Service responsible for operations Late Casper Chalera has been laid to rest at his home in the area of Senior Chief Lukwa in Kasungu District.
Aged 59, Chalera succumbed to a heart attack on Tuesday in Lilongwe.
At exactly 1:35 pm on Friday, Chalera's casket was lowered to the ground with fanfare and a gun salute in a police funeral drill.
Representing President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi Congress Party Regional Chairman for the Centre, Zebron Chilondola described the late Chalera as an asset in the police who ensured that there is a cordial relationship between the service and communities.
"The President is saddened by the demise of Mr Chalera and extends his condolences to the family and the entire Malawi Police Service.
"The country has lost a humble and hardworking man who could relate well with everyone and was a bridge between the public and the police service," Chilondola said.
In his eulogy, Senior Chief Lukwa said the Late Chalera was a role model to the youths in Kasungu.
"As a son of Kasungu, he was a pride for us and a role model to boys and girls because of his exploits that saw him rise and attain a senior managerial position in the police.
"We thank the Inspector General for the love and the good work you showed and did to our son. We know the President also loved him," Lukwa said.
He appealed to the chiefs in the area and family members to ensure that the widow and the children are protected and own the deceased estate.
Representatives of the family and Malawi Police Service described the Late Chalera as a loving and hard-working person.
Police Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo, Kasungu District Commissioner James Kanyangalazi, chiefs and political party functionaries attended the ceremony.
Born in 1965, the Late Chalera joined the police service in 1988 and was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police responsible for operations in 2022.
He is survived by a wife and three children.
Ministry of Agriculture aims at increasing Macadamia nuts production
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, October 11, Mana: The Controller of Extension and Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Alfred Mwenifumbo, has stressed the need for increased productivity and commercialization of Macadamia for the country to fulfill the Malawi First Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1).
He made the remarks on Friday, during the commencement of the macadamia nuts training organized by Mega Farm Support Unit in partnership with the Malawi Macadamia Association (MMA) in Lilongwe.
The training was organized to introduce farmers, under the Mega Farms Project to agronomic practices involved in macadamia production, as well as provide them with tools to evaluate their financial and archaeological suitability for cultivating Macadamia.
Mwenifumbo stated that government through the Ministry of Agriculture, will work towards ensuring that macadamia farmers harness their benefits to the fullest, as this cultivation has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
He pointed out that Malawi ranks among the top three macadamia producers globally, holding the seventh position worldwide, saying this marks a significant milestone in the agricultural transformation of the country.
He urged farmers to utilize irrigation system on a minimum of five hectares of land and to exercise patience in macadamia cultivation.
MMA Executive committee member Henry Mdyetseni hailed the collaboration between Ministry of Agriculture and the Association in providing farmers with knowledge in macadamia farming.
Gwengwe holds Strategic Bilateral Talks with WTO Leadership
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, October 10, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe has said that Malawi’s strategic goal is to build a resilient industrial base to address macroeconomic instability that will effectively address foreign exchange shortages in the country.
He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which focused on enhancing Malawi’s role in the multilateral trading system and addressing the country’s trade-related challenges.
The Minister stated that Malawi is committed to diversifying its economy through industrialization and increasing its participation in regional and global value chains.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala commended Malawi for its efforts in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement and its proactive engagement in WTO negotiations.
She acknowledged Malawi’s leadership in chairing the working group on trade, debt, and finance and its constructive role in Least Developed Countries (LDC) negotiations on trade in services.
The Director-General assured the Minister of the WTO’s continued support, specifically through technical assistance to strengthen Malawi’s capabilities in trade regulations and notifications.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala urged the Minister to engage with the World Bank to explore opportunities for Malawi to be included in the Digital Trade for Africa initiative.
The discussions also touched on the importance of integrating Malawi into the broader digital trade ecosystem in Africa.
Scorchers expected to defend Cosafa Cup-Sports Analysts
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, October 11, Mana: Sports analysts in the country have expressed optimism that Malawi Women's National Football Team, famously known as Scorchers can defend the Hollywood Bets Cosafa Cup to be played from 22nd October to November 2nd in Gqeberha in South Africa.
The Scorchers won their first Cosafa Cup in 2023 after defeating Zambia 2-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Sports analyst, Phillip Pasula in an interview on Friday said according to women's football ranking, scorchers are in a fair group despite mounting pressure being the defending champions.
“Being defending champions, it should be an encouragement to players that they should be more prepared to defend the cup as pressure is high since other teams are also preparing to win the same cup.”
“Other teams now are watching the highlights of our last games to see how we were playing, identifying our strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, Malawi scorchers should be more prepared and stronger to make sure that the cup is retained back home,” he said.
He therefore, advised the team to be fully prepared and be mindful that they are representing the country.
“Fazili and his backroom staff, Captain and players should be aware that they are representing the country and people will be happy if the cup is defended and retained back home.”
“As the team they must be psychologically prepared and have self confidence that it is possible to defend the cup. Tactically, the coach knows what to do but he should also find out strengths and weaknesses of other teams,” Pasula added.
Another sports analyst, Kim Kamau concured with Pasula saying there was nothing that can stop the Scorchers from defending the cup considering the selected squad.
“With qualities of players that Fazili selects, there are chances of defending the cup as the majority of them are playing football outside this country that is different from other countries like Zambia and South Africa who do not include professional players in their squad.”
“So, for every coach with the squad he is having he must defend the cup. Failing that the coach should resign because it’s only us who are going to use a strong squad in this competition. So there are no excuses for failure to defend the cup,” Kamau said.
However, Kamau said Fazili must be careful with player selection as using many stars in the game sometimes spoils the performance of the team.
“Being defending champions means that every team that is going to play against us will be fully prepared. So, the coach and his backroom staff must be careful with the squad because sometimes using too many stars in the game may lead to poor performance as every player wants to shine,” he added.
The Malawi National Women’s Football Team is in group B of 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship alongside Mauritius, Madagascar and Botswana.
Likoma to set for its cultural festival
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.
SCT beneficiaries hail Yamba Malawi
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.
MACOKASA in kabaza awareness campaign
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.
Phalombe District Council adopts e-payment for SCT beneficiaries
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.
