By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, September 16, Mana: Ifumbo Health Centre in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District has become the latest health facility to register two cases of Cholera with a district registering 27 cases so far.

Chitipa District Health Office’s Spokesperson Masida Nyirongo said that Ifumbo Health Centre needs a lot of support to prevent further spread of the disease.

In an interview on Monday, he said that Ifumbo Health Centre has five new suspected cases who have been admitted pending a rapid test.

“We have registered 27 cholera cases in the district with four health facilities affected, namely; Chitipa District Hospital, Kameme, Kapenda and Ifumbo Health Centres,” Nyirongo said.

Chitipa District Council, Director of Administration, Clement Gonthi, has disclosed that the District Council has prohibited preparation and serving of food during public gatherings like funerals, church and weddings.

He said that the district council has also prohibited sell of already prepared food.

Gonthi discouraged open defecation in the district.

“Every household must have its own latrine with drop hole cover and handwashing facilities. We are appealing to households to use treated water for all purposes including cooking and drinking. We are also appealing to public institutions like, offices, schools, markets to make available hand washing facilities,” he said.

Gonthi said that everyone has a role to play by practising and adhering to Cholera preventive and containment measures.

The district has registered one death so far.

By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, September 16, Mana: Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi, Alinafe Kalemba has expressed concern over the increasing number of divorce and suicide cases in the country.

He was speaking on Sunday during a sermon at St. Michael’s Anglican Church in Chiradzulu, where he among others, offered the sacrament of confirmation to 13 boys and girls.

Kalemba, who is also a marriage counsellor, said due to lack of communication, a lot of married people are committing suicide and marriages are breaking, leaving children without proper care, a situation he said negatively affects the church and the nation in the future.

He called on married couples to resist the temptations of rushing into divorce and encouraged them to resolve their differences amicably, acknowledging that squabbles are inevitable in relationships.

“When children grow up in unstable families, it’s like planting a bomb that will explode in the future. But when couples stay together and prioritize their children's well-being, it leads to a stronger church and a healthier nation,” Kalemba said.

The Bishop cautioned married couples and those preparing for marriage to make sure they are mentally mature, saying marriage is not without challenges.

“Every day, I meet families grappling with numerous issues due to the economic hardships we are facing as a country and I tell them that the key to a stable family is to communicate openly.

“Don’t bottle up problems, address them right away. Unresolved issues build up and become almost impossible to resolve,” Kalemba said, adding that it was also important for both couples in marriage to engage in economic generating activities to support their families.

Quoting Mark 10: 10-11, Kalemba reminded the congregation that God disapproves of divorce and warned that remarrying after divorce was considered adultery.

In his sermon, Kalemba took time to advise those who received confirmation to stand up and start taking responsibilities that would help the life of the Church.

“Confirmation is a commissioning service where we receive those that have been with us from 12 years that they have come of age and can participate in the life of the Church,” he said.

In his remarks, Chiradzulu Parish Priest, Rev. Harry Daniels thanked the Bishop for his visit and for confirming 13 young boys and girls into the Church.

He expressed disappointment that more children were not confirmed due to lack of commitment to attending confirmation classes.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, September 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will hold pilot voter registration in Nsanje Lalanje and Nsanje Central constituencies from September 18 to 19,2024.

District Commissioner (DC) for Nsanje, Dominic Mwandira has asked electoral stakeholders in the district to work together to ensure success of the vote registration.

He was made the call on Monday at the opening of a day long electoral stakeholders meeting ahead of voter registration pilot exercise.

Mwandira asked political party representatives to understand the process so that they should ably explain to the process to party followers.

MEC, Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the exercise was critical in preparing for the 2025 general elections, adding that the exercise would help to test the electoral process and equipment to appreciate challenges and seek solutions.

“This registration is not elections registration; it is just a pilot exercise. We therefore urge all eligible voters to participate in this pilot voter registration exercise and come back to register during actual voter registration exercise in the near future,” he added.

Mwafulirwa said the pilot voter registration in the district will commerce from September 18 to 19, 2024, in Nsanje Lalanje and Nsanje Central, adding that registration centres in the two areas will open from 8 am to 4 pm.

He disclosed that the pilot voter registration takes place in eight districts in the country, adding that this will only allow those that are eligible to register.

“Will follow elections laws and those who are citizens of this country and those that have been in the country for five years are eligible to register. Those that have reached 18 years or those that will be 18 years old by September 16, 2025 will also be allowed to register,” the Director added.

He asked Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and party representatives to mobilize communities to take part in the exercise

By Bishop Witmos 

Mangochi, September 16, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) has provided the grants to ensure that communities within Shire River Basin in Mangochi have other alternative means of income other than encroaching forest reserves to degrading the environment for a living.

The matching grants are amounting to K557 million to farmer groups and agri-enterprises in Lower Lingamasa catchment to improve people’s livelihood through participating in cash for work catchment management and other climate smart agricultural related activities.

MWASIP which is being implemented to restore environment within the Shire River Basin has also provided support towards extension services, including provision of five new motorcycles amounting to K 70 million to extension workers in the catchment.

Handing over the funds and the motorcycles over the week end, MWASIP Deputy Director, Joseph Kanyangalazi said that, ‘‘Shire River is one of the important water bodies in the country and this was where electricity was generated apart from pumping of water for irrigation and consumption. We want to help communities to conserve the basin.

‘During the initial implementation of the project, we however observed that some communities resorted to exploit natural resources to earn a living. This is why we thought of addressing the challenge by giving community members alternative source of livelihood, hence the grants.’’ 

MWASIP intends to restore over to 4,500 hectares of land in Mangochi through afforestation, construction of stone bands amongst other water and land conservation measures in several catchments.

Chairperson for Mangochi District Council, Councilor, Yusuf Abdullar commended government for introducing MWASIP in the district and acknowledged the positive impact of the project.

He said the project helped in mobilizing communities to restore the environment apart from transforming communities’ livelihood.

‘We are thankful to government for the grants because this will help communities in Mangochi to engage in farming and other lawful income generating activities.’’

 ‘‘I am sure the assistance will encourage communities to find alternative ways of generating income other than degradation the environment for survival,’’ Abdullar said.

With support from the World Bank, MWASIP is working in Lower Lingamasa catchment, for integrated catchment conservation and management following serious degradation of land due to irresponsible cutting down of trees for charcoal production and timber, among other human activities that negatively impact on environment.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, September 16, Mana: Area and Village Level Development Committees at Nsanama in Machinga have acknowledged significance of women and young people and people with disabilities holding key decision making positions as the country expects to go for General Elections in 2025.

Members of Nsanama Area Development Committee (ADC) told Malawi News Agency Sunday after a two days training on Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi organized by Women Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam with support from European Union (EU).

A participant, Bertha Kaunda, acknowledged that most of the vulnerable groups in their area have not been given decision making positions, saying the society believe that women and youths were not capable to make right decision when elected in key position in the society.

She said the training had been informative such that the ADC and Village Development Committees (VDCs) have realized the need to champion mind set change in the society to allow more women and youth to take up key positions of influence.

“Let’s accept that these people were being left out as most of the people have had a feeling that women, youths and people with disabilities have nothing to offer and this is the reason they have not been considered for decision making positions,” Kaunda added.

She pointed out that, “As leaders, we have even failed to understand that people women, youths and people with disability are capable to leading in our society. The training was relevant and has prepared us well to sensitize communities so that they should start appreciating the potential in women, youths and people with disabilities.”

Makumba VDC Chairperson, Annie Adam observed that electing women, young people and people with disabilities in leadership positions was a reflection of inclusivity.

“Women, young people and people living with disabilities’ participation in decision making positions is e not just a right, but also key to sustainable development. We need to do more to ensure that they attain decision making positions as we are preparing for the 2025 general elections,” she added.

Machinga District Council, Principal Gender Officer Rita Sukasuka commended WORLEC for providing the ADC and VDCs capacity to raise awareness on the need to elect women, young people and people with disability in decision making positions ahead of the 2025 general elections.

She expressed optimism that Nsanama ADC would reach out to wider area with the right message that shall improve women, young people and people with disability representation in the full council and national assembly.

“WORLEC has taken a good decision to train the committees. We are very optimistic that these committees will assist in disseminating necessary information to the masses so that the marginalized should actively participate decision making processes,” Sukasuka said.

The training was meant to prepare ADC and VDCs for intensified community awareness on the need to elect women, young people and people with disability in decision-making democratic structures as Malawi prepares for 2025 general elections.

WOLREC in partnership with Oxfam is implementing a project called; Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi within a period, November 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027.

The Project seeks to enhance meaningful participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in political processes and decision-making in the country.  

The Project is being implemented in seven districts; Rumphi, Mzimba, Salima, Dedza, Machinga, Mulanje and Nsanje with focus on 42,768 women, 15,724 young people aged between 18 to 35 years and 4,403 marginalized people mainly concentrating on persons with disabilities.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, September 16, Mana: Community members have been hailed for actively participating in Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) community contribution exercise which is underway in Likoma District.

Speaking in an interview Monday, Group Village Headman (GVH), Chiunda from Chizumulu Island said community members have shown ownership by taking part in the exercise saying that through the programme, roads have been maintained and preparation of tree seedlings gardens is underway.

“I am glad that everyone is taking part in the 10 days’ programme because it is for the benefit of everyone. For example, the roads which are being maintained they are accessed by everyone and the trees being grown will help combat climate change,” he said.

GVH Chalunda of Mbamba in Likoma asked government to continue with the CS-EPWP so that the island district should completely transform.

“People are now convinced about the importance of the programme. Previously, we used to face some challenges because most people never showed interest. We then started to engage them in awareness meetings on the importance of the programme,” he added.

Land Resource Officer for Likoma, Arthur Machila said community participation was vital because it creates sense of ownership among community members and it would sustain assets created.

“I am encouraging them to be taking part in any development activities in their respective areas. Community members are primary beneficiaries of any development projects in the district,” he said.

CS-EPWP is a component under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) funded by the Multi Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.

By Martin Chiwanda and Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, September 15, Mana: People in Machinga over the weekend applauded Government for continuing with the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), which will enable them to buy food as most households did not harvest enough for the past two years due to rainfall pattern that was characterized by too much rainfall and El Nino induced drought.

Recent SCTP payout took place in many places including Mlomba and Chiwalo headquarters where beneficiaries received the amount of cash from K8,500 above depending on the number of people in a family and number of school-going children and other social determining factors. 

42 years old SCTP beneficiary from Sale Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo, Grace Wyson, told Malawi News Agency that she struggled to feed three children, at the same time paying their school fees and providing other family necessities.

“I am a widow and my husband died, leaving me with three children, I have to look after them as there is nobody at home who has the capability of helping,” said Wyson, in charge of a female-headed household.

She thereafter commended government for introducing SCTP in her area saying the cash is providing food apart from supporting children's education.

A 37-year-old Eliza Anafi, from Saka Village, Traditional Authority Chiwalo said was grateful to be an SCTP beneficiary saying the monetary support will enable her to buy food for the family.

“I was worried as to how and where to get money to buy food to support my four children. I have a daughter at Mbenjere Secondary School, who needs school fees for her education,

“The assistance has come at the right time. Schools have just opened and will be able to pay school fees,” she added.

District Social Welfare Officer for Machinga, Lawrence Matiti urged SCTP beneficiaries to invest the money for the good of their families.

Matiti also advised the beneficiaries to learn from those who have been receiving the cash for some time and have their livelihood improved for the better citing expansion of their businesses, rearing of livestock, construction of decent houses and supporting child education.

Government introduced the SCTP under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRL) funded by the World Bank and the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and is coordinated by the National Local Government Finance Committee.

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, September 15, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Director of Electoral Services Hastings Botha has hailed people of Dedza for their active participation in the 2025 Tripartite Election pilot registration phase declaring it a success.

Speaking in an interview Sunday, Botha commended political parties and all stakeholders that played a role in mobilizing people to participate.

“What we can tell people of Dedza and all Malawians is that the exercise has gone on well. Through this pilot phase people have shown interest that they want to participate in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

He said the pilot registration was key to assessing the effectiveness of new equipment and processes.

Botha added that information from all eight districts in the pilot phase will be consolidated to have an overall picture.

In Dedza the pilot phase took place in 12 centers.

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) volunteer Sevelia Manuel at Kalinyeke Primary School centre said the process went on well.

She however observed that besides radio, more people needed to be reached using traditional means of communication.