By Promise Banda

Chiradzulu, February 2, Mana: Field Supervisor for Digital Financial Services (DFS), Esther Kambalame has urged communities in Chiradzulu District to embrace digital financial services as they are more secure and reliable.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Monday, during DFS awareness campaign currently underway in the district, Kambalame said digital financial services offer many benefits as compared to handling hard cash.

"DFS provides a fast, convenient, and secure way to send, receive, and manage money anytime, anywhere. They ensure instant payments, are cost-effective, and promote accountability and transparency in transactions," said Kambalame.

She said that this was the reason the organization decided to encourage people in rural areas to conduct their businesses digitally and engaging Village Savings and Loan groups to keep their money digitally instead of the wooden boxes where it is not safe and does not grow.

"For example, we are also encouraging them to open bank accounts where they can get an interest on the money they have saved unlike the boxed; if they keep K10,000 they will find the same K10,000," said Kambalame.

Chiradzulu District Council Acting District Community Development Officer, Lovemore Kachala hailed DFS for conducting the awareness campaign, saying will improve financial transactions in Chiradzulu by making them faster, safer, and more transparent.

"It will also enhance security, efficiency, and convenience for individuals and VSL groups in managing their savings," he added.

Margaret Bito of Jekete Village in Traditional Authority Mpama, supported the idea of using DFS because it has helped her in keeping her business funds safe.

“These services such as Airtel money and TNM mpamba help me to keep my money safe from thieves when I’m going to restock my goods since I no longer need to carry huge amount of cash around,” she said.

Another community member from the same area, Mustafa John concurred with Bito, saying that the use of digital financial services has made things easy for him in terms of accessing money.

“I no longer need to be worried about accessing money due to long distances since most Airtel money and Mpamba agents are readily available all the time,” he said.

DFS, with funding from the Reserve Bank of Malawi, is conducting a 20-day awareness campaign in Chiradzulu, running until February 7, 2025.

The initiative aims to reach all rural populations, with a special focus on women, youth, and people living with disabilities.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, February 3, Mana: Survival rate of the planted trees in Mchinji is alarmingly low despite the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) making notable strides in environmental restoration through extensive tree-planting efforts.

According to the CSEPWP Cluster Coordinator for Centre, Jalamthowa Mwale, many of the trees planted under the programme fail to thrive, highlighting the urgent need for improved post-planting care.

“A lot of the trees that have been planted in this programme have not survived. Participants know trees are essential, but no extra care is provided after transplanting. The focus is only on nurseries,” he explained.

Mwale emphasized the importance of collaboration between forestry and agriculture offices to provide participants with the necessary extension services.

“Forestry and agriculture offices need to step in and support participants. Their guidance is critical for ensuring that these trees grow to maturity,” he said.

In addition, Mwale proposed the introduction of bylaws.

Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Mchinji District Council, Martin Pindankono, acknowledged that while tree planting itself is a relatively simple task, the real challenge lies in ensuring that the trees survive.

“Planting trees is very easy, but the caring part has proved problematic. Even if we can raise and plant more trees, but if they cannot survive, we cannot say we did a good job,” he said.

Focal person for Thyolasanu Catchment Anne Ntiyesanji pointed out that the survival of trees hinges on community ownership and local regulations.

“The trees can still survive after planting when people own the initiative. The creation of bylaws has proven that trees can have a high survival rate,” said Ntiyesanji.

During the continuous implementation of the programme, tree planting has been emphasized in the fourth phase which has come during the rainy season.

CSEPWP is a government programme implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with support from the World Bank and the Multi Donor Trust Fund.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, February 2, Mana: District Project Facilitator for SSRLP in Dowa, Kingster Kathumba has said well-informed participants are crucial for the success of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Program (SSRLP).

He made the remarks on Saturday in an interview following an awareness exercise conducted by the Dowa District Council through the District Information Office. The event to raise awareness of the SSRLP, which is supported by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).

Kathumba said the aim of the exercise was to create knowledge of the SSRLP program dubbed Tidzidalire amongst participants, community members and stakeholders.

"We are explaining what the SSRLP is all about, the programs which are there like the Social Cash Transfer and Climate Smart enhanced Public Works Program, how participants are selected under the United Beneficiary Registry (UBR), and the new electronic mode of payment.

"Also, we wanted people to understand how participants are selected into the program, who qualifies, what are the benefits and what are the expectations from participants under the different programs," he said.

He said the exercise strategically targeted centers close to catchments and clusters.

These amongst others include Dowa boma, Mvera, Chezi, Chankhungu in Dowa east, and also centers like Mponela Chimwaza and Mponela in Dowa west.

Kathumba added that the response has so far been quiet overwhelming.

"We are impressed because people had an opportunity to ask questions which indicates the interest people have in these programs. We hope to have other similar activities in the future," he said.

Dowa CS-EPWP Desk Officer, Tammerson Mhone said the exercise also provided a chance to have community discussions on the new continuous implementation of the CS-EPWP, and community contribution towards the project.

Also, to clear myths surrounding payment delays some participants had faced.

The Tidzidalire program is a Malawi government program which is funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, February 2, Mana: Community members and leaders in Mchinji District have attributed hunger and poverty as a setback that is impinging survival and sustainability of community forests and other natural resources.

The sentiments came out during the district forestry season launch which was held at Khwawe Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi in Mchinji.

Parliamentarian for Mchinji Central Constituency, Jephter Mwale said farmers these days do not produce enough due to unfavorable climate conditions which forces some to enter forests for their survival.

“Majority are experiencing hunger and poverty not because of laziness but because of the poor rains that contributed to poor farm produce in the last farming season. And as a result they are tempted to vandalize community forest and other natural resources for survival," Mwale said.

Mwale then, assured the gathering that he is going to facilitate the sourcing of farm inputs loan from National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) for the farmers to use in the coming irrigation farming season.

A representative of Traditional Authority Simphasi, Maureen Mwaza echoed the sentiments saying the situation was like that because farmer’s farm produce was not enough.

Speaking at the function, Mchinji District Council Chairperson, Dorothy Musa who was also the guest of honour at the function called government, community leaders and Non-Governmental Organizations to take part in the fight against cutting down trees carelessly.

“Considering the benefits of trees, I make a plea to all of you including NGO’s and the public sector to take a role in guarding against the malpractice and lobby for resources to reverse the situation,” Musa said.

Musa asked community leaders to encourage their subjects to start beekeeping in the forests near them and also to plant and care for trees along the river banks.

Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi launched this year’s National Forestry Season on 17 December, 2024 in Chitipa District under the theme, “Restore Forests and Land to Source Food”.

By George Mponda

Karonga, February 3, Mana: Salvation for All Ministries has donated maize to 3,500 families who were food insecure at Kambwe Village, under Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.

Speaking during the donation ceremony on Saturday, Apostle Clifford Kawinga emphasized that the initiative was motivated by the hunger affecting many Malawians.

"Our ministry’s support will extend beyond Karonga to other districts facing similar challenges.

"This support is not politically motivated rather it is an effort by the ministry to assist children of God going through hardships and we will continue reaching out to more districts, ensuring that those in need have food," Kawinga said.

Apostle Kawinga also announced plans to establish a branch of the ministry in Karonga citing multiple requests to do so from the local residents.

Paramount Chief Kyungu expressed gratitude for the donation, urging the ministry to continue supporting vulnerable communities.

He also took opportunity of the donation ceremony to advise youths to refrain from drug and substance abuse and to stop accusing elderly people of practicing witchcraft.

One of the beneficiaries, Joyce Mnthali encouraged fellow recipients to use the maize wisely and not to sell it.

"Our village is affected by floods annually which wash away our crop fields leaving us stranded so, we are very grateful for the maize donation which will helps us feed our families," Mnthali said.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, February 3, Mana: Police in Nkhata Bay District have arrested two men for allegedly producing and selling counterfeit maize flour, contravening the Malawi Bureau of Standards Act.

According to Nkhata Bay Police Publicist, Kondwani James, the two suspects, identified as Jona Mwale, 28, and Martin Soko, 35 were arrested following a tip-off on January 31, 2025.

James said that Mwale was found with nine bales of the fake maize flour, each containing 10 two kilogram packets labelled A1 Cream of Maize.

“Upon being quizzed further, he revealed that he produced the commodity with his accomplice Martin Soko, who resides in Mzuzu and later led the investigators to him,” he added.

The duo has been charged with manufacturing a commodity without authority, contrary to section 29(1) of the Malawi Bureau of Standards Act.

Mwale hails from Masautso Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mchinji while Soko hails from Mphwangwa Village, Traditional Authority Malengachanzi.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, February 2, Mana: At least three people have died and 48 others injured following floods that occurred in Mangochi District, affecting 1,156 households in traditional authorities Chimwala, Mapira and Mponda where affected people sought shelter in schools. 

Spokesperson for Mangochi District Council, Bishop Witmos, disclosed on Saturday that the floods have affected 20 villages.

He added that the flash floods have also affected infrastructure, such as health facilities, schools, livestock, crops like maize, rice and soya beans. among others.

“It is true the district has been affected by floods that occurred on 31st January 2025.

“We have established three camps at Mpinganjira Primary School, hosting 160 households with total population of 701 people, Nansenga Community Day Secondary School hosting 21 households with total population of 67 people and Changamire Primary School hosting 111 households with total population of 300,” said Witmos.

District Disaster Risk Management Officer Maria Phiri said the affected families are currently seeking urgent assistance, and he has asked government agents, the private sector and individuals of goodwill to provide food and nonfood items to be distributed to the affected households.

According to Phiri, such urgent assistance includes family tents, tarpaulins, basins, plates, pots, blankets, clothing, dignity kits, treated mosquito nets, sleeping mats and lamps.

“Food items like rice, maize, maize flour, soya beans, cooking oil, salt and sugar are also required urgently,” she added.

Phiri further said there was also need to provide anti-malarial drugs, first aid kits, chlorine, other essential drugs, mobile toilets and mobile clinics to avoid outbreaks such as cholera, diarrhoea and malaria.

This is the second time rains have affected people, livestock and infrastructure in the district since the onset of rainfall season.

Meanwhile, authorities have urged people residing in disaster prone areas to move to safer places for fear of possible floods caused by heavy rainfall.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, February 2, Mana: Malawi National Netball Team - the Queens - has today registered its first win at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup 2025 in England after defeating Uganda National Netball Team by 59 to 45 baskets.

The Queens, who were behind Uganda by 3 baskets (11-14) at the end of the first quarter, turned things around to lead 28-25 at half time and went on to win the match.

The Queens lost to England’s Roses 36-62 during their first match of the tournament on Saturday.

The tournament, which started on February 1, will end on February 9, and the participating teams include Malawi, Uganda, South Africa and England.