By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, April 5, Mana: Orant Charities Africa and Opulence, two of the established Non-Governmental Organizations in Dowa, have entered a one-year partnership with an aim of maximizing impact on the communities they serve.

Speaking after the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday at Kasese in Senior Chief Chakhaza in Dowa District, Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Opulence, Hugo Ngwira, said the collaboration comes after realizing that the two organizations serve similar purposes.

This, he said, has been coupled to enhance resource mobilization and utilization.

"The most important thing is that we will be sharing expertise. As Opulence, we know what we are good at, and we also know the strengths of Orant Charities Africa. So when we join hands and share expertise, we will be able to bring tangible change to our communities.

"It also gives us the ability to reach more people. If individually you reach 1, 000 people, you can double or triple the figure through collaboration. So this is a very important development," said Ngwira.

Opulence comes into the agreement with knowledge in education, Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), economic empowerment, and permaculture, which has been deemed as crucial in averting the effects of climate change on agriculture and its potential in maximizing productivity at low costs.

Orant Charities Africa, on the other hand, also established interventions in five key thematic areas of education support, healthcare, WASH, agriculture, and business development programs, where it supports local entrepreneurs.

In his remarks, Country Director for Orant Charities Africa, Gabriel Kapanda said the signing of the MoU is significant and will kick start various collaborations between the two organizations.

"In this partnership, we will be working together to implement various projects in education, agriculture, economic empowerment and other areas.

"We are also going to do joint grant writing, looking for other partners out there, including sharing data to ensure that we all understand various aspects of program implementation as well as ensure we help each other in capacity building," said Kapanda.

He said that through the collaboration, there will be a greater impact on the communities they serve.

"We also foresee sustainability of projects because when one organization is having challenges, it will be able to draw strength from the capabilities of the other," he said.

District Commissioner for Dowa Stallichi Mwambiwa described the agreement as a milestone.

He said, basing on their interventions, these are some of the big organizations in the district and the council anticipates a lot from the collaboration.

"If you notice, most of their thematic areas are almost common. Now, when people are doing common issues and come together, it entails there will be kinds of economies of scale in terms of knowledge, expertise, resources and other things.

"As a council, we will still be there in helping and guiding them where necessary, but most importantly, seeing to it that their interventions are completely aligned to the aspirations of the district,” said Mwambiwa.

District Monitoring Officer for Non Governmental Organizations Regulatory Authority, Dan Kumbalika commended the partnership, saying it will help empower the two organizations.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, April 5, mana: A mudslide that occurred on Thursday and Friday due to heavy rainfall in Chitipa has damaged crops belonging to 27 households at Kasambara Village in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in the district.

In an interview, Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chitipa District, Mphatso Nedson

said the mud resulting from the disaster blocked Katete River flow, causing flooding in nearby crop fields.

“The mudslide is expected to exacerbate due to the continuous rainfall experienced in the area,” Nedson said.

He further said that the Area Disaster Risk Management Committee (ADRMC) is on the ground conducting preliminary assessments to establish the extent of damage.

ADRMC Chairperson for Misuku, Cecilia Simwela said that crops like maize, beans, sweet potatoes, amongst other crops have been damaged by mudslide.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, April 5, Mana: The Malawi Roads Authority has announced closure of the M005 Road in Nkhata Bay due to heavy rains that have made the road impassable.

The affected section is located at Tukombo in the area of Traditional Authority Zilakoma.

According to a press release signed by the Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Ammiel Champiti, the Armco Pipe Culvert at Tukombo has been washed away at a distance of 76 Kilometers from Nkhata Bay towards Dwangwa Trading Centre.

Motorists travelling between Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay are advised to take Nkhotakota-Kasungu-Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay (M018), (M001) and (M005) Roads accordingly.

The statement says efforts are underway to restore the situation.

By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, April 5, Mana: Chawezi Banda, popularly known as "Chacha", has offered to pay school fees to 14-year-old Chirimba-based young comedian Ndaziona.

This comes a few weeks after she also started supporting an 18-year-old girl, Thokozani Monjeza, who was on the verge of dropping out at Mwanza boarding Secondary School.

Ndaziona, who trades under the banner Makiliyombe Comedy, stays with her grandmother and is in Standard 7 at one of the Private Schools in Blantyre.

“However, l feel that it is proper if l send her to a boarding school, where l will be providing all the support. I am very happy because last month l also adopted another girl from Mwanza Secondary School, for whom I am paying her school fees as well,” said Banda.

On her part, Ndaziona said she is grateful to Chacha because she has been lacking support since she has no one to support her education.

“I never had a dream of learning at a boarding school, but now l just say thank you, God. To Madam Chacha, l say God bless you because out of millions of girls in the country, to be chosen by you is not a small thing. I promise to work very hard,” she said.

Recently, Chacha donated various food items to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital to celebrate her new age.

By Winfrida Kamwana

Mchinji, April 5, Mana: Students who have completed their studies at Mchinji Teachers Training College (TTC) have been urged to serve with integrity in the various schools they will be assigned inorder to develop and grow the education sector.

Mchinji Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Joyce Hamusini said this during a send-off ceremony organized by Mchinji TTC for its outgoing students under IPTE 18.

Hamusini said there is a challenge of teacher-pupil ratio as most schools have a few teachers compared to the number of pupils attending classes.

"The teacher pupil ratio has always been a challenge, but we expect that this is the beginning of a solution to the problem as we have witnessed 573 outgoing students today and we know it is a gradual process but the graduation of these students is one step closer to handling the problem," said Hamusini.

She further said the education department is pushing to train more teachers in the special needs department, so that learners who have special needs should not be left out in the process of inclusive education.

Hamusini further asked the students to respect one another and act as role models to their learners as well as people in their communities.

Concurring with her, Mchinji TTC Principal, McLoud Nkhata said witnessing the students' sendoff is a sign that their work has paid off and hopes that as they leave the college, they will be able to excel to greater heights.

"We expect that these students will not only stop here but will have the heart to go further with their education, such as pursuing degrees or PhDs, so that they can serve the nation in many ways as possible," said Nkhata.

Nkhata said the event was not only to celebrate the students but also as a way of reminding them that they have accomplished so much despite the challenges they faced, and believe that they will continue to excel even when they leave the college.

President of the Student Representative Council, Peter Kalonga, said the sendoff will act as a reminder to them to always work hard to achieve the goals they have set in life.

"As we go out, we will apply all the lessons we have learnt at the college and will engage one another in trying to build a better educational sector for both learners and teachers," said Kalonga.

About 573 students have graduated from the college, with 291 of them being female students and 282 being male.

The sendoff is the first of its kind at the college.

By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, April 4, Mana: Betway Malawi, a leading gambling company, on Friday renewed its three-year partnership with Silver Strikers Football Club, increasing its kit sponsorship from K65 million to K335 million.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Betway Country Director in Malawi, Charles Phiri, said the company got motivated by the team’s performance in the last season when it emerged champions of the TNM super league.

“When the team won the league, we were excited and it was an affirmation to us that the team is serious about being in partnership with Betway. We are motivated to invest more into a long-term relationship as Silver Strikers is also one of the most organized team in the league,” he added.

Phiri added that Betway expects the team to perform well and defend the season as well as in the coming seasons.

He further encouraged Silver Striker players to work as a team and perform with high standards as the team had done well in last season.

Silver Strikers FC Board Chairperson, George Kaudza Masina told Mana of Friday that the club was overwhelmed by the renewal of its partnership with Betway.

“As a club, we are excited that Betway continues to trust the association with Silver Strikers and we are thankful for the renewal. We believe Betway will also thrive in their business through this sponsorship,” he added.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 4, Mana: In a bid to promote accountability and responsible mining practices, Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma, Collins Kajawa, has urged the Minister of Mining to designate formal and official miners in Nkuza Ward.

Speaking during a supplementary question on Friday in Parliament, Kajawa said, the move aims to facilitate gazetted mining in the area, which is rich in gold deposits.

“By formalizing the mining process, the government seeks to ensure that the extraction of this valuable resource benefits local communities and the nation as a whole”, he said.

He emphasized that currently, illegal gold mining activities are prevalent in Malawi, with individuals engaging in unregulated mining practices and that formalizing the mining sector is expected to curb such malpractices and promote sustainable mining practices.

“The designation of formal and official miners in Nkuza Ward is a significant step towards realizing the government’s vision for a responsible and sustainable mining sector in Malawi “, he said.

In his response, Minister of Mining Zikhale Ng,oma said government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackle illegal mining activities in Malawi.

“This comes amidst concerns over the environment and economic impacts of unregulated mining. Government is developing a strategic plan to address the issue. The plan will involve increased engagement with law enforcement agencies to control and prevent illegal mining,” he said.

He added that government has also imposed restrictions on small-scale mining, which have been in place for 21 days now.

“This move aims to review and regulate the sector, addressing concerns over the export of minerals and the loss of revenue for the government.

“Efforts are also underway to formalize the mining sector, with the government working to attract investment from reputable companies. This includes the recent conclusion of deals with international companies, which are expected to generate significant revenue for Malawi, “he said.

Ng’oma, therefore, said government’s push to regulate the mining sector is driven by the recognition of Malawi’s vast mineral wealth, with an abundance of gold, minerals, oil, and gas adding government is determined to ensure that the resources are being used responsibly and sustainably.

“As the government finalize its strategic plan, it is clear that tackling illegal mining activities will be a top priority.

“With a focus on regulation, investment, and environmental protection, Malawi is poised to unlock the full potential of its mining sector, “he said.

By Leonard Masauli

Lilongwe, April 4, Mana: Lilongwe Water board has bailed out needy students as well as awarded best performers at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) with tuition fees and book allowances worth K14.2 million.

Speaking during the ceremony on Thursday afternoon, the Board Chairperson, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa, said LWB thought it wise to bring an incentive to support best performing students as well as the needy, with tuition fees as well as book allowance.

“We signed a Memorandum of Understanding where the LWB would like to use Luanar in terms of managing the catchment area.

“We thought to bring an incentive to support the students with tuition fees, but also book allowances. We are not only looking at awarding the best students, but we are also supporting the needy students. This year, support is K14.2 million for students who have performed well, but also those who are needy,” said M’mbelwa.

Inkosi M’mbelwa said the Board feels the support is going to motivate the students, but also bring out a positive energy so that every student should aim high in their education.

Chairperson for LUANAR Council, Professor Zachary Kasomekera, said the awards will bring about competition and encourage students to work hard and, in the end, have students who are more knowledgeable to assist the agriculture sector.

“As you know, the agriculture sector right now is being troubled, or having a lot of problems, because of the way that our environment has changed.

“These are the students who will come up with innovations to do mechanization and improve agricultural output, and indeed, the scarcity of water, or the unreliability of water that we see now. Some of these students are taking irrigation engineering, and this will be vital, especially in our mega farms,” said Kasomekera.

The eight awardees went away with tuition fees of K995,000 as well as a K200,000 book allowance, while the four needy students were given tuition fees of K995,000 and a K180,000 book allowance.

Since 2021, the Board has assisted about 65 students with both tuition and book allowances.