By Austin Kananji

Lilongwe, November 19, Mana: UNDP’s HIV policy dialogue in Lilongwe emphasized the importance of law reforms to protect key populations at high risk, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to sustain Malawi’s HIV progress.

The dialogue attracted and brought together many organizations including, UNDP, CPO, UNRC, USAID, POM, and NAC to discuss issues concerning HIV and AIDS targeting key populations such as the prostitutes on law reforms for the good and benefit of all Malawians leaving no one behind.

Speaking in an interview on Monday evening, the Director of the HIV and Health Group of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Mandeep Dhaliwal highlighted the importance of organizing the dialogue as Malawi is making progress on HIV and AIDS to the key populations.

“It is essential to organize this event because Malawi has made such good progress on HIV, but also to make further progress Malawians need to watch more on the safety and security of key populations and improve the human rights environment in line with the constitution and the law and also make improvements in the law so that they can sustain the gains of HIV response,” she said.

Speaking on another interview, CEO of the National AIDS Commission (NAC), Beatrice Lydia Matanje underscored how candid the discussion was as it focused more on what was going on in the country, triggering future discussions because of the recommendations that were made.

“This dialogue is critical because within the general population, the risk is very little but in the key population groups it is over double or 7 times for example female sex workers have 7.7%, men who have sex with men it is about 0.4%, and people who inject drug it is about almost double, hence this shows that the key populations are still harboring the pandemic and if we ignore structural barriers that hinder them not to be identified and to access services then we are going to continue with this pandemic hence addressing the issue as these people do not live in isolation,” she said

On the other hand, the National Coordinator of the Diversity forum Dunker Kamba stressed that their organization as an umbrella body works with the Key populations hence citing the need to be involved in the dialogue.

“The dialogue is important because this is where we get to meet the key stakeholders, and the issues we relay with key populations which is at high risk of HIV therefore this space gave us time to connect but also to tell the responsible people on how our issues will affect us on day to day life, and helped us to share whatever challenges we encounter so that they are resolved,” he said.

The HIV Policy and Law Reform Dialogue held in Lilongwe marks a critical step forward in addressing the unique challenges faced by key populations at higher risk of HIV infection. Stakeholders, including UNDP, NAC, USAID, and the Diversity Forum, underscored the need for continued collaboration and reform to ensure that no one is left behind in Malawi's fight against HIV and AIDS.

By Yankho Kandio

On Monday, Salima, November 19, Mana: Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, underscored the need to adhere to railway safety rules and regulations to prevent accidents.

Hara made the remarks on Monday at Police Ground in Salima district, during the launch of Railway Safety Week, emphasizing that people need to respect rules governing railways and trains.

"Many accidents that occurred last year could have been avoided through awareness and compliance," he said.

Hara highlighted the importance of safety measures for pedestrians, drivers, and passengers who try to alter railway systems.

"We are intensifying awareness of the dangers of trains and building along railway lines. The rules and regulations should never be ignored, and anyone found constructing a long railway will be penalized," he said.

The Minister further called for collective action, urging all stakeholders to play their role in creating a safer environment around the country’s railway networks.

On this point, Hara revealed that government aims to expand and modernize the national rail network.

 "This investment will not only improve safety but also enhance efficiency, connectivity, and economic growth across the country," He said.

Central East African Railways (CEAR) Social and Community Relations Manager, Towera Ng’ambi, said they have intensified their efforts in sensitizing the communities on railway safety and regulations.

“We have also established Railway safety clubs in all primary schools along the railway line which help in sensitizing their fellow students in schools and at home about railway safety and regulations,” she added.

Ng’ambi also emphasized on collective responsibility in the communities to protect and safeguard rail materials saying replacing vandalized infrastructure is costly and impacts negatively on the country’s development.

The Ministry of Transport and Public Works through Malawi Railways 1994 Limited (MR94) is a member of Southern African Railways Association (SARA) at its first SARA Board of Directors meeting held in 2019 resolved to spare a week to commemorate railway safety.

This year's theme is "Love life, respect trains," an initiative that is part of ongoing efforts to reduce railway-related accidents and foster a culture of safety across Malawi.

By Happy Milanzie

Lilongwe, November 18, Mana: Malawi national team (Flames) beat Burkina Faso (Starriots) in the 2025 African cup qualifiers at Bingu national stadium in Lilongwe.

Despite the failure to participate in the 2025 African Cup of the Nations that will take place in Morocco, the Malawi team destroyed Burkina by three goals to zero in total energizes African Cup qualifiers.

Malawi secured a 3-0 victory with goals from Gabadinho Mhango in the 28th minute of the first half, Richard Mbulu in the 57th minute, and Loyd Banega Aaron in the 62nd minute.

Interim Head Coach for Malawi national team, Kalisto Pasuwa, said the win has come such that players responded from the advice that he told them at the dressing room as well as during the training.

"The players utilized the advice that was given at the dressing room and the coordination that players portrayed today has revealed that Malawi can have a strong team that can compete with strong national teams in Africa, and winning Burkina Faso is a great sign that the country has good materials in football," he said.

According to Pasuwa, Burkina Faso's defensive gaps allowed the Malawi national team to capitalize on those opportunities and score three goals.

Meanwhile, coach for Burkina Faso, Brama Traore, welcomed the defeat and said it has happened because of some injuries that the Starriots faced during the training.

"We did not underrate the Malawi national team but the problem is the injuries that have been happening during the training when we were making some preparations for the game," he said.

Traore further said Malawi is a good team despite being unqualified for 2025 African Cup of the nations.

The Malawi national team finished in fourth place in Group L with four points, having lost four games, secured one win, and drawn a match against Burundi in Ivory Coast.

BY: Nandie Magomelo

Dedza, November 18, Mana: Dedza Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been urged to contribute resources towards the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence event scheduled for November 28 this year in the district.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, the district’s CSOs Chairperson, Osborne Nyirongo, who is Project Coordinator for Eagles Relief, emphasized to the Malawi News Agency (MANA) that CSOs have a duty to lend a hand towards resource mobilization in terms of financial aid as well as human resource.

“CSOs should set aside funds for such events to honor their obligation to the community, because that is where we work and events like these are an opportunity to contribute resources towards our shared goal of reducing incidents of gender based violence,” said Nyirongo.

He further called on the CSOs to take part in such events, as they are extremely important in protecting all citizens through mindset and behavior change.

“It is crucial that we spread awareness about this issue in order to sensitize the public on the damage GBV causes and prevent these incidents from happening altogether,” he stated.

According to Dedza District Council’s Gender and Development Officer, Lisnet Kathyole, there are several partners that have already pledged resources including PA systems, transport, allowances and other partners continue to pick items they will support from the budget pegged at over MK6 million.

“It is important that CSOs assist in carrying out this event. That community outreach, helps in quickly spreading awareness to a large group of people at the same time,” Kathyole asserted.

The 16 Days Against GBV is a global event commemorated annually from November 25^th to December 10^th.

In Dedza, the event will be commemorated under the theme ‘Unite to end violence against women and girls in Malawi’ and will be spiced by several activities including a football match involving Dedza Dynamo.

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe November 18, Mana: Parliament Week aims to highlight the vital role that parliament plays in fostering democracy and enhancing the connection between citizens and their elected representatives.

This was said during the official launch of the Parliament Week on Monday in Lilongwe.

Speaker of the Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara, said the launch underlines members of parliament's dedication and constitutional commitment to represent the aspirations of the people of Malawi while also promoting democracy.

“We believe we cannot effectively represent the people if the people themselves are not engaging and understanding how their representatives works in parliament.

“The Parliament Week will also address misconceptions concerning members of parliament and the parliament at large by answering all questions people have concerning the parliament,” Hara explained.

Representing the Leader of the House, Minister of tourism Vera Kamtukule said the Parliament Week will help people to be aware of significant issues that members of parliament discuss and implement on the ground.

“This will help people to observe, understand and gain knowledge on what members of parliament discuss and also help them to see how their leaders make laws, policies on different issues of the country,” she explained.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adda Dontoh explained that the parliament week will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers and the change makers.

“We call on young people to become more politically engaged by actively seeking ways to shape the future and advocate for policies that reflect their values,” she said.

The parliament week commenced with the parade from area 18 interchange and ended at parliament building where the rest of the activities took place.

The Week is held under the theme ‘know your parliament’ and is aimed at enhancing public awareness of the functions and operations of Malawi Parliament.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, November 18, Mana: Machinga District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Shepherd Jere, has said disaster contingency plan is crucial in the management of disasters as it enhances the district’s preparedness and response capacities.

Jere made the sentiments during the district’s disaster contingency plan review workshop at Liwonde Community Development Centre in Balaka.

He said the disaster contingency plan is crucial, as it is a management tool used to analyze the impact of potential disasters and ensure that adequate and appropriate arrangements are made in advance to respond in a timely and appropriate way to the needs of affected population.

Jere reminded those taking part in the review that failing to complete a contingency plan renders the whole exercise fruitless.

“Effort should be made to finalize the contingency plan during the review workshop and clusters should ensure that they have collected all the required data before they start holding review workshops.

“Machinga District is yearly affected by disasters such as floods, dry spells, strong winds, Cholera and crop pests. We have since started registering some cases in some of the traditional authorities. Some communities have already started experiencing the effects of strong winds,” he said.

He observed that their district has experienced damage and losses on people’s livelihoods, adding that Machinga has been suffering losses and damages affecting agriculture, water and sanitation, education and trade.  

Jere, therefore, asked district stakeholders and communities to make use of the plan during or before disasters, noting: “It should not just gather dust in shelves but rather help us as DDRMC members to timely respond and assist the affected population within the required 24 hours of responding to a disaster.”

He also appealed to all sectors to have a disaster risk management to mainstream disasters in their programming of interventions and provide a report of what has been implemented in the contingency plan.

However, Jere urged reviewers of the disaster contingency plan to make realistic assumptions and budgets but also to involve communities and civil protection committees in all the processes including dissemination of the plan to enhance ownership and smooth implementation.

Machinga District Principal Nutrition, HIV and AIDS Officer, Autile Sanyira who is involved in the review meeting, said the plan is a benchmark for effective management of disaster preparedness activities and response.

“This review helps the district plan and allocate resources needed to prepare, respond and also recover from disaster when they occur. Therefore, it is right that every year we review the plans in accordance with the year’s weather seasonal forecast,” said Sanyira.

By Evalitso Kapesi

Mzuzu, November 18, Mana: Commissioner for Operations and Security Services in Malawi Prison Service, Aaron Kaunda, on Sunday said that sport has transformative impact in uniting communities and supporting rehabilitation of offenders.

Kaunda was speaking during wrap up of Northern Region Prisons’ two-day sports tournament at Mzuzu Prison Ground.

Sporting disciplines on the day included football, netball, volleyball and tag of war.

He said that the tournament aimed at fostering good working relationship among prison officers, stakeholders and members of the public while providing prisoners with opportunities to reintegrate into society.

“Such sporting activities ensure officers’ physical and mental fitness and spiritual growth. I thank the Department of Prisons for the ongoing transition from punitive to corrective service models, including restorative justice programs,” said Kaunda

He then thanked Malawi Police Service Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization, Centenary Bank, Pinnacle Financial Services, Mukuru, NBS Bank and NICO for supporting the tournament.

Mukuru Regional supervisor for the north, Wanangwa Kazeze said the company supported the tournament because it believes that their services have no boarders and service people of all carders.

Rumphi Prison emerged winners in Football while Mzimba Prison emerged champions in Volleyball, as Mzuzu Prison were best performers in Netball and Tag of war.

Coach for Rumphi Prison Football Team, Kennedy Mphaninga attributed their victory to disciplined officers and collective commitment to success.

The tournament which started with big walk from Katoto Ground to Mzuzu Prison was held under the theme ‘Promoting Community Participation in the Reintegration of Offenders’.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, November 18, Mana: The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has terminated the contracts of its technical team coaches, stating that the decision was made to ensure that the national teams are prepared to achieve optimal fitness and performance levels.

NAM General Secretary, Yamikani Kauma, disclosed this on Monday through a press statement.

He stated that NAM has terminated coaching contract for Joana Kachilika and Eleanour Mapulanga as Coach and Vice Coach of the Malawi Queens, with one month notice effective 19th November, 2024.

“This termination comes as NAM wants to make sure that national teams are performing well in all international tournaments,” said Kauma.

Kauma further said that NAM has appointed Peace Chawinga and Mary Waya as Co-Head Coaches for the senior National Netball teams effective November  19, 2024.

“NAM believes that being the highest qualified coaches in Malawi, their experience in coaching and development of players, and having performed as players, the two are best suited to steer the senior National Queens and oversee the development of the Under 21 and Under 19 teams, as we Rebuild the Team,” he explained.

He said Joana kachilika has been re-appointed  as Head Coach for Under 21 National Team until September  30, 2025 on conclusion of the Netball Youth World Cup.

Meanwhile, NAM has also terminated the contract for Christina Mkwanda who has been coach for under 21 and she has been re-appointed as vice coach for Under 21 National Team effective November 19, 2024 until September 30,2025.

The statement further confirms that NAM has also terminated the contract for Triza Chipolopolo who has been Vice Coach for Under 18 National Team.

In his remarks, a Sports analyst Edwin Mbewe has described the newly appointed National coaches as fruitful saying they are people with experiences as they have previously coached and played for the national team.

“The performance of the national team recently has dropped on the international scene so coming in of Peace Chawinga and Mary Waya will bring significant change to the Malawi Queens,” said Mbewe.

The Malawi Netball team is currently on position six on the world netball ranking.