MANAonline
Mikozi creates space for creatives
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre 23 August 2024, Mana: In a space of two year’s co-founder of Mikozi Network, an online entertainment platform, Bright Chiligo has built Mikozi Creative Studios at Chigumula Township in Blantyre, a facility which will help create globally competitive content.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Chiligo said they needed space for artists to create content of high standard.
“There is a high potential for growth in Malawi’s music industry but the only set back we had was production tools that can help Malawian artists shine out there. In the digital era, it is easy to penetrate the global market and we believe this studio is the solution”, he added.
Award winning artist Onesimus was the first artist to perform at the studio on August 21, 2024.
Meanwhile several artists have thrown their weight behind the new studio describing it as a gift to the art industry.
On his Facebook post founder of HD plus Creations Gift Sukali popularly known as Sukez praised Chiligo for the facility.
“Congratulations Bright Chiligo and the entire Mikozi team, your journey of putting art at the forefront of business and elevating the entertainment industry is truly commendable. I remember when you first shared the vision, and seeing it come to fruition is incredibly inspiring”, read part of the post.
In 2020, Mikozi Network organized studio live sessions to bridge the gap between arts and the corporate world, this initiative saw various artists signing ambassadorship deals among other opportunities.
Aspiring marginalized groups say time is now to rise up in politics
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, August 23, Mana: Marginalized groups that aspire to contest in elective positions in the 2025 General Election have called on electoral stakeholders including Women Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam to play a role in raising awareness on the need to vote for more women, young people and people with disabilities for inclusive democracy and governance.
The aspiring contestants made call on Thursday in Machinga when WORLEC and Oxfam held an engagement meeting with the women, youth and people with disabilities who are aspiring for positions of ward councilors and members of parliament in the 2025 elections.
Umali Sumani who is an aspiring ward councilor Chikweo Ward in Machinga South East Constituency said most of the electorates feel that marginalized population including people with disabilities cannot represent them well in parliament or in the full councils.
“We have been disregarded whenever we declare our interest to contest in elective positions. Most people feel we have nothing to offer by simply looking at our disabilities,
“These people need to know that people with disabilities, like me have the constitutional right to participate in politics and people with disability can also contribute to any development. We therefore need stakeholders to sensitize the electorates so that they should understand our potentials despite us having physical disabilities,” Sumani adds.
The aspirant reminded people that attended the engagement meeting that people with disabilities are capable of bringing positive change to their communities once voted into the elective position.
“We are capable of bringing development to community even more that those that are seen to be physically abled. There is a need to engage the electorates, traditional leaders and political structures so that they should recognize us,” he says and observes that most of the leaders and political structures fail to provide fair level playing field for marginalized groups due to stigma.
Jane Mandeule, an aspirant Member of Parliament for Machinga Likwenu on Democratic People’s Party (DPP) ticket said the stakeholders’ engagements were crucial platforms in preparing women, youths and people with disability to contest in 2025 elections.
She bemoaned negative attitudes of some political party leaders towards the marginalized population, saying they defeat women, youths and people with disability’s desire to contest in elections.
Mandeule also said that women, youths and people with disabilities can ably contribute to meaningful development of their respective areas as well as the country once given right platforms and resources and opportunity to contest in elections.
“We are mostly challenged on the part of resources. Political campaign needs a lot of resources and this is a limiting factor for most of the marginalized groups,” she adds.
WORLEC Executive Director, Maggie Kathewera Banda acknowledged the concerns raised by the aspirants and said WORLEC has already started engaging political parties to open up for the marginalized groups for support.
“The issues raised are genuine. WORLEC has already started engaging top political party leaders to give room to the women, youths and people with disabilities. We want to work with the media so that the information we have should be disseminated wider to ensure that things change for the better,” she says.
WOLREC in partnership with Oxfam is implementing a project called; Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi with financial support from European Union and Oxfam Ireland 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 positions in Malawi.
The project is being implemented in seven districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, Salima, Dedza, Machinga, Mulanje and Nsanje targeting 42,768 women, 15,724 young people comprising of 9,434 females and 6,290 males of 18 to35 years and 4,403 people with disabilities comprising of 2,642 females and 1,761 males.
The project seeks to reach 314,474 community members across the seven districts as the consortium intends to work with six major political parties with representation in parliament, namely Malawi Congress Party, DPP, United Democratic Front, United Transformation Movement, Alliance for Democracy and Peoples Party.
Promoting Gender Transformative and youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi project will also engage with traditional leaders, male champions, Departments of Disability, Ministry of Gender, Community development and Social Welfare Ministry of Youth among others.
The project has four outcomes which are; Increased commitment and action to adopt and enforce legal and policy frameworks related to women, youth and other marginalized groups’ participation in politics and decision making, inclusive and gender transformative political party regulations and practices that include women, youth and other marginalized people’s representation
The four outcomes also include equal participation at all levels of women, youth and persons with disabilities to ensure they have capabilities and empowered to participate in politics, governance processes and decision-making positions apart from ensuring that women, youth and persons with disabilities have improved access to economic opportunities that enable them to contest and be viable for decision making positions.
Undermining court judgements fueling conflicts in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, August 23, Mana: Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee (DPUC) has raised concern over the growing number of conflicts in the district emanating from undermining of court judgements.
Speaking Thursday during a media peace building engagement meeting with Karonga media fraternity organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Karonga's DPUC Secretary Aaron Mwenelupembe revealed that since November 2022 to April 2024, the district has recorded almost 100 conflict cases.
Mwenelupembe said; "There are individuals who are showing a culture of disrepect to the rule law since when the courts pass judgements on cases of land disputes, chieftaincy wrangles and witchcraft accusations, they still go on to act in defiance of the judgement leading to conflicts."
"We recorded 16 cases of conflicts due to this in the area of Senior Chief Kilipula, 14 in Senior Chief Mwakaboko, 20 in Senior Chief Wasambo and 16 cases in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu. Mostly, they involved property grabbing by the deceased relatives, chieftancy wrangles and witchcraft accusations," he added.
Mwenelupembe emphasized that fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law is crucial in maintaining peace and stability in the district and he called on the journalists to help in this endeavour.
On his part, Chairperson of Karonga Press Club Adams Wundaninge pledged to make sure that journalits in the district help encourage communities to embrace court rulings as a means to resolving disputes amicably.
"Journalists have the power to use the media as a peace building tool by reporting factually without sensationalising issues which in most cases mislead the people. We have to be impartial and maintain media ethics when reporting on peacebuilding and conflict-related issues," said Wundaninge.
On his part, Fumbanani Mwale EAM’s Advocacy Officer for Karonga, said the media has an important role to play in maintaining peace as we approach next years general election.
“This peacebuilding meeting was very essential for Karonga district which is very volatile and the media should play a major role raising awareness about peace and the consequences of conflicts in communities,” Mwale said.
The meeting was organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi under the 'Churches United for Peace and Justice and Electoral Governance' project with funding from Bread for the World-Protestant Development Service.
SDG Acceleration Fund project targets Youth and women in Nkhotakota.
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, August 23, Mana: The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission says the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Acceleration Fund phase 2 project, called Border Districts and Community-Based Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding is targeting the youth and women because of their vulnerability to conflicts in the district.
Speaking during a training session for officers in the district on Thursday, Commissioner for Malawi peace and Unity Commission, Bishop Mary Nkosi said, the project puts much effort into the youth knowing that young people are instrumental in bringing development projects and that they need to be oriented on the important strategies which bring peace and unity in their communities.
"The youth are future citizens of Malawi, they are very instrumental in bringing peace to their nation but can also be easily deceived especially during political campaign times, as they vandalize and bring confusion and violence, so we want to make sure that the youth are engaged in knowing their role in peace and building the economy of Malawi," said Inkosi.
Nkosi stressed that women have more responsibilities to shoulder in their families as such when conflicts erupt in the communities, women are mostly affected both psychologically and physically.
Malengachanzi Area Development Committee Vice Secretary, Juma Kaipa commended the Commission following the initiative and said peace and unity is a major pillar of development in any economy.
In his closing remarks, Traditional Authority Kalimanjira of Nkhotakota encouraged participants to fully utilize and apply the knowledge that they have acquired to conflict situations happening in their areas saying this will assist in bringing peace and unity in their real-life community situations.
Government is implementing the SDG Acceleration Fund phase 2 project targeting 1100 community members in Nkhotakota district with financial aid from the Irish government through UNDP.
Police unit construction excite communities in Mzimba
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, 23 August, mana: People at Kapopo in Traditional Authority M’mbelwa in Mzimba district have expressed excitement with construction of Kapopo Police Unit in the area, saying it will help alleviate challenges of insecurities communities were grappling with due to the absence of police.
Speaking in an interview, group village head Kakomba Nkhata said for a long time people in the area have been living in fear.
‘‘So when we heard that M’mbelwa District Council will construct a Police unit here at Kapopo we were all gripped with a sense of excitement.
“This would mark an end to the long travels we were undertaking to report suspects of various crimes to Jenda Police or Mquocha which lie very far from here, costing one way over K10, 000,’’ said Nkhata.
Village headman Mdolo Zunza said cases to do with rape, theft, and assaults rank higher in the area hence the construction of a police office has given communities hope that they will be secure and safe.
According to Kapopo Community Policing Forum secretary Redson Kamanga, Kapopo communities have been losing a lot due to the absence of a police unit in the area in terms of security.
‘‘The whole idea behind the formation of Kapopo Community Police Forum was born after looking at the volume of crimes the area was registering. Since we have had no Police officers we decided the best way was for us to join hands and start providing security on our own’’, said Kamanga.
Member of Parliament for the area Raymond Nkhata expressed excitement with the construction of the Police unit saying it will boost security in the area.
According to M’mbelwa District Council director of Public Works Allan Chitete, the construction of the Kapopo Police Unit aims to address security lapses in the area to ensure that communities are living in a safe and secure environment.
‘‘We want people to be living in a secure environment and conduct their businesses without fear of robberies’’, he said.
M’mbelwa Council has used K167 million to construct a Police unit, one staff house and two toilets using funds from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).
Mchinji council awards best performing schools
By Lynnette Chataika
Mchinji, August 23, Mana: Mchinji District Council has awarded the best performing schools in the 2023/2024 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education Examination (PSLCE).
The District Commissioner (DC) Lucia Chidalengwa, called on school inspectors, Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) and teachers to continue working as a team in promoting education in the district to produce and maintain the best results beyond the current performance.
“You have made us proud by putting Mchinji on the spotlight with such amazing results. Let us work together to grow these results across the district,” Chidalengwa said.
The call was made at Mikundi Primary School where Mikundu, Kawere, Lameke and Mkanda Primary Schools received monetary prizes for being in the top 10 of public primary schools with percentage of As and Bs.
The Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Joyce Hamsini said she was overjoyed with the results amid all the challenges that the schools are currently undergoing.
“It is our job to empower learners to maintain such results, let us work together to maintain such results," said Hamsini.
Representing all the Head teachers in the four schools, Stanley Nyembe of Mikundi Primary School, called on the corporate world and organizations of goodwill to assist financially students that have been selected to secondary schools, but may not afford the fees and other necessary materials.
“Having 63 students selected to National schools, 33 students to conventional schools and 24 to CDSS’, we will surely need your assistance in continuing to educate these students because some of them are considered needy students,” he said.
Deputy Minister calls for collaboration in service delivery
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, August 23, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika has called for collaboration amongst local assemblies, their staff and development partners to enhance service delivery.
Chomanika said at Chikho Hotel in Dowa during a two-day Quarterly Coordinating Meeting organized by the ministry.
He said people expect a lot from government through the local assemblies, but this cannot be achieved if there is lack of collaboration amongst service providers.
"If the Community Development Fund is not working somewhere, it means somewhere there is a problem, whether at the Secretariat or with the Member of Parliament (MP). If health, education, agriculture, and deceased estate services are not working, it means there is a problem to be dealt with.
"So after doing an analysis, we discovered that one of the challenges is coordination. That is why we conduct these quarterly meetings and bring together District Commissioners, MPs, councilors, and council directors to reflect on our work, learn from each other and improve our service delivery," he said.
Chomanika also spoke against the tendency of absenteeism amongst council staff saying this contributes to delay in service provision.
"You find sometimes directors are not in office for three days, they have been taken somewhere by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which is not even doing anything tangible.
"That is why our NGO board is here to make sure that we at least discuss all these things and properly align issues," he added.
Chomanika then asked NGOs to align their activities with their respective councils' Social Economic Profiles (SEP) to ensure maximum project impact and avoid duplication of work.
On the issue of resources, Chomanika urged councils to use and allocate prudently and avoid underutilizing the resources.
In his remarks, Board Chairperson for Malawi Local Governance Finance Committee Commissioner Richard Chapweteka, said one of the challenges in local councils is the low rate of absorption of resources.
"We noted that usually councils wait until funds are in their accounts to start the procurement processes. But going forward, we have told them that they need to be starting procurement processes before the money is in because they already know their budgets.
"However we should commend councils because now, all have done well in audits. This means the abuses which were there are now being eradicated. This must continue," he said.
Hadrod Zeru Mkandawire, Executive Director for Malawi Local Government Association also urged councils to coordinate effectively with development partners at the local level.
He however acknowledged that sometimes development partners dictate on how and where resources are to be utilized, which sometimes render other areas with more interventions than others.
"For fear of losing resources or to be seen as putting spanners to development, councils submit to the demands of development partners through the NGOs, which in ideal situations is not supposed to be the case.
"Councils are supposed to stand their ground and guide according to their SEP, District Development Plans, mapping, that this is an area much concentrated with resources, and probably ask for an initiative to move to another area," he said.
However, he said they are working hand in hand with the Non-Governmental Organizations Regulatory Authority to see how best issues like these can be addressed.
CS-EPWP enhances participants’ well-being in Machinga
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, August 23, Mana: Machinga District Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resource (DAENR) Thursday said Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) has enhanced both participants’ economic and social well-being while promoting sustainable practices that are crucial for long-term resilience.
Isaac Ali made the observation in an interview during the launch of the districts participants pay parade for third phase of the works in Likwenu micro-catchment in the area of traditional authority Nkula.
Ali said apart from the program generating employment opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups, including women and youth, and contributing to the local economic development, the participants’ household income has improved.
“By providing wages after working, it has improved household income, allowing for better access to food, healthcare, and education. For instance, this time around when most of the people have no food and cannot be able to find money to buy food for their families, participants of the programme will be able to buy food with what they have received. This will lessen their food and economic challenges,” explained Ali.
Fifty-two year old Chrissie Madona acknowledged that their participation in CS-EPWP has brought about several positive impacts, including receiving wages that supplement their household income and food security.
Madona said with the current hunger situation which has hit hard most of them, the money they have received will caution the situation.
“I am happy that I participate in this work and be able to get money in the end. For your information, the money which I have received will assist me to buy food though the money is not that enough,” she said.
Another participant Elita Abasi of 41-years-old with six children who comes from Kaphuka Group Village Head said the money she has received has come at a right time.
“Although the money is not enough, it has come at a right time as part of it will be used to buy writing materials for my children as school is about to open,” she narrated.
Abasi however urged the authorities to think of adjusting the amount they receive as wages to make sure that they afford to buy a bag of maize which is now expensive.
“I want also to beg that if possible government should also be providing us with a bag of maize during the working period apart from the wages. I am asking this since working needs energy,” she urged.
The CS-EPWP is being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from the World Bank and aims to provide social protection through labor-intensive public works.
NRB for enhanced collaboration- Sambo
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, August, MANA: Principal Secretary for the National Registration Bureau (NRB), Mphatso Sambo, has emphasized the need of strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the efficiency of the registration exercise across all districts in the country
His statements were made on Thursday, during a Press briefing held at the Bureau's headquarters in Lilongwe, with the aim of updating Malawians on the current status of NRB registration process in the country.
Sambo highlighted that Malawi has attained the highest global ranking among nations undertaking registration, boasting a registration rate of 75 percent.
He indicated that the Bureau is committed to promptly assisting those requiring registration, with intentions to establish service centers in all traditional authority headquarters for expedited citizen support.
Sambo underscored the Bureau's mandate to execute registration nationwide, acknowledging the steadfast backing of the Malawian government in facilitating the operations of the National Registration Bureau.
"In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Bureau consistently engages diverse stakeholders to provide insights into its operations" Sambo Said
While giving an overview on ID registration, Acting Chief Registration Officer responsible for IDs, Mbawaka Mwakhwawa, provided an update on the Citizenship registration exercise, revealing that the Bureau has conducted mass registration from 2016 to 2023, with some individuals yet to be registered due to various challenges.
He stated that currently, the Bureau is undertaking a Mop Up Exercise to finalise the registration process, showcasing commendable performance throughout these exercises.
It was revealed that 12.3 million individuals aged 16 and above have been documented.
Furthermore, Mwakhwawa pointed out that the current projections from the National Statistics Office and NRB indicate a significantly high population in terms of registration in Lilongwe, with Likoma below the list.
Chief Registration Registration responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, Rhoderic Langwe, stated that 3.5 million children have been registered since the inception of the exercise.
"Despite these efforts, a substantial gap remains due to unregistered individuals" Langwe said
He reiterated the commitment of the National Registration Bureau to ensuring the registration of every Malawian.
Langwe emphasized that through the issuance of birth and death certificates, the government can enrich its database by recording causes of death, aiding in identifying prevalent diseases, and enhancing service delivery while supporting research initiatives.
Police engage community leaders on security matters
By Rennie Tembo
Lilongwe, August 22, Mana; Lingadzi Police station has called on community leaders in Area 18 to be in the forefront by making sure that security is not compromised in their localities.
Speaking Thursday during a stakeholders meeting in Lilongwe, Lingadzi Police Assistant Commissioner Edwin Magalasi stressed the need to promote a strong relationship between the police and community leaders to effectively enhance security and safety.
''A secured community is not just the responsibility of law enforcement alone, it requires a collaborative effort from everyone by working together. We can share knowledge, resources, and expertise to prevent and address crimes,'' he said.
Magalasi further commended the role women are playing in supporting security initiatives by among other things giving tips to the women and men in uniform.
He then proposed the construction of a waiting shelter at the police station office to accommodate people who visit the police for different reasons.
"I would like to thank women who are playing an active role in supporting our security efforts, their commitment is greatly acknowledged and we are optimistic that their continued involvement and contributions will significantly enhance our ability to build a safer and more secure community for all,” said Magalasi
Block leader for area 18, Gogo Steven Sandram, thanked Lingadzi Police Station Management for working with members of the general public in tightening security in the area.
Sandram then pledged to work closely with police officers by among other things encouraging members of community policing to promote security.
''As leaders we must encourage our people on how important this partnership is. I am happy to know how men and women in uniform are committed to creating a safe environment,” he said
