MANAonline
MRCS makes strides in youth empowerment
By Willy Kadewere
Chikwawa, August 17, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) through community resilience project is making strides in ensuring that young people in Malawi are empowered.
This was disclosed in Chikwawa during the closing ceremony of a youth camp called: “Camp 24,” a meeting of all students on MRCS bursary scheme from Mangochi and Chikwawa districts.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, MRCS president, Innocent Majiya expressed satisfaction over this year’s camp as it shows inclusion, unlike in the previous camps which involved girls only, this year’s camp has been unique by involving both girls and boys.
“This year’s Youth Camp was special and shows inclusion as reflected under the theme: “United and equal partners in overcoming our challenges.” This theme gives an equal opportunity to both girls and boys in our society to be shaped and access services equally for a better future,” Majiya said.
Majiya said through the project, they are able to provide capacity building to communities so that they should be resilient to situations, as such youths are equally empowered to make informed decisions.
Chikwawa District Commissioner representative, Gertrude Jumbe applauded MRCS for organizing the activity which involved the youth, saying through the camp, sessions on life skills and mental health have been learned as such youths must support and transform their communities.
“We commend MRCS for organizing Camp 24 that supports inclusion, it is our hope that the knowledge that has been imparted to our learners will be used to support and transform their communities,” Jumbe said.
One of the Form 3 students who attended the training from Mitondo Community Day Secondary School, Catherine Gangu emphasized the significance of having youth trainings, saying by coming together, young people share problems they encounter in their communities and also provide solutions.
Gangu pledged to make use of the knowledge acquired during the training to achieve her goal in life.
The camp brought together 100 students from Mangochi and Chikwawa, each district represented by 50 students.
In Chikwawa, the project will be implemented for four years in Traditional Authority Makhuwira.
ACB opens office in Mchinji
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, August 17, Mana: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has opened its first district office in Mchinji with a call for a collective fight against corruption.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ACB’s Acting Director Hillary Chilomba said the fight against corruption should be a collective responsibility.
“Having ACB offices primarily in cities has given the impression that the fight against corruption is concentrated in urban areas. But now, with this office here in Mchinji, we hope that people will help the Bureau in our efforts to combat corruption," said Chilomba.
Chilomba expressed optimism that the presence of the ACB in Mchinji would empower local communities to take an active role in reporting and preventing corruption.
Traditional Authority Ndawambe, who was present at the ceremony, welcomed the establishment of the ACB office in the district.
“The Bureau has come to help people, and we must seize this opportunity to report any corrupt activities,” he said.
The new office in Mchinji marks the first time ACB has established its presence at district level.
The Bureau has also announced plans to open more district offices, with Karonga and Mangochi earmarked the next locations.
The launch was spiced up with a football match between Villa FC and Kanalero FC.
NICE tells teachers to be agents of change
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, August 17, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust in Zomba has urged secondary school teachers to be agents of change.
Speaking on Friday during a day-long orientation on mindset change, NICE District Civic Education Officer for Zomba, Kondwani Neba said teachers who are stakeholders have a crucial role of spreading messages that would assist in changing people’s mindset.
Neba said as the country is implementing various developmental programmes, it was important that issues of mindset change are popularized and adopted by the populace.
“The workshop is basically aimed at orientating teachers on various issues that would greatly promote mindset change.
“Our expectation is that after this training, teachers will establish civic education hubs in schools that will be responsible for the advancement and promotion of mindset change activities,” said Neba.
Some of the topics discussed during the workshop included corruption and integrity which were facilitated by officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Head teacher for Sadzi Community Day Secondary School, Rose Chizumeni commended NICE for the training, saying it was educative.
Chizumemi concurred with Neba that mindset change is a big challenge in the country and promised to use students and other school sessions to spread messages that would add value and change people’s way of thinking.
“Apart from introducing civic education hubs, we will also conduct sessions with parents through parent-teacher association meetings and discuss issues that are of national importance,” she said.
Head teachers and their deputies from various schools within Zomba urban attended the training.
GAYO collaborates with local organization for a healthier future
By Mtisunge Gwedeza
Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO) in partnership with Her Liberty Organization on Friday launched a new project called; enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Zomba to eradicate rising cases of unsafe abortions in the district.
This is due to about 300 - 500 cases of unsafe abortions reported by Africa Brief in 2023, alleging that Zomba District Hospital Office reports the figures in each quarter annually.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, GAYO Programme Manager, Gilbert Mbwana said his organization is targeting the area of Traditional Authority Malemia because of increasing numbers of cases, saying that from January to June, 2023 they had 62 cases while in 2024 in the same period, 73 cases had been reported.
According to Mbwana, a research found out that the problem is caused by limited understanding of reproductive health and rights, inadequate information and access to modern contraceptives, reluctance to open discussions of these matters, cultural beliefs and limited youth dialogues.
“Due to this, we aim to raise awareness on consequences of unsafe abortions to 2 000 young people by the end of 12 months, prevent unsafe abortions practices among 500 adolescents, women and girls, increase awareness among 1 000 to 5 000 people and youth access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services by 60 percent in 12 months.
“We are going to partner with Zomba DHO for the project’s success and involve the community, leaders and stakeholders. This also includes government line ministries (health, youth, gender education, information and police), civil society organizations and community development department,” Mbwana said.
Her Liberty Organization Project Manager, Kettie Mikwala told Mana that the partnership is to reach as many people’s lives in different districts.
“Our aim is to advocate for safe and healthier environment for women and girls by bringing out lived experiences of unsafe abortion practices and increasing awareness and to promote young people’s urgency to access reproductive health even after the project ends by building good relationships between them and health providers around them,” Mikwala said.
The partnership of Her Liberty and GAYO was inspired by similar priorities of both parties and long history of working together; thereby, teaming up to maximize each other and jointly tackle fundraising opportunities to help the society.
Makazi Foundation supports TFC survivors in Blantyre
By Mtisunge Gwedeza
Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Makazi Foundation, a charity organization has extended a helping hand to the communities at Chigwaja in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre with the aim of reducing the effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy (TCF) which disrupted livelihoods in some districts of the southern region last year.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, Makazi Foundation Head of Programmes, Tatenda Makondetsa said the initiative aims at providing support to the community which was greatly affected by TCF.
“We want to work with the community in areas of psychosocial support and holistic support whilst empowering them for the future.
“Last year we donated relief items to 192 families after the cyclone and now we plan to do another donation in September, tailored for 30 families and 700 students,” he said.
According to Makondetsa, his organization collects non-perishable foods, clothes, personal hygiene products, blankets and toys, among others from well-wishers to donate to the community.
Makondetsa also said collaborating with local leaders and chiefs has been helpful in coordinating the availability of different community members.
Chigwaja Village Development Committee Chairperson, Thomas Lembetu said Makazi Foundation has given the community hope to bounce back stronger after the cyclone.
“The Foundation is not only helping with relief items but also empowering us with entrepreneurial activities so that we don’t rely on donors alone but learn to be independent in such times; for example, now we have more than 20 carpenters just because of them.
“Being a rural area where education is a problem, the Makazi Foundation is also encouraging the youth to go to school, teach them preventive measures against HIV and AIDs and educating young adolescent girls on the dangers of early pregnancies,” Lembetu said.
The Makazi Foundation was founded in 2021 by Mwayi Diana Kalitera with the aim of providing psychosocial support, a holistic education and vocational skills training to shelter vulnerable youths and children from poverty.
Minister commends progress of Salima development projects
By: Golden Kang'oma
Salima, August 16, Mana: Minister of Local Government and National Unity, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of key development projects in Salima, including the construction of Kapiri ADMARC and Linthipe Secondary School.
The projects, funded by the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and empower local communities.
Speaking after touring some of the projects on Friday, Banda hailed the quality of work being carried out, stating that the contractors are doing an exemplary job.
He said: "The quality of work on the ground is solid. The contractors are not only meeting expectations but are also thinking about the needs of future generations. This is the kind of development President Lazarus Chakwera envisions for Malawi."
Chimwendo highlighted that these projects are creating employment opportunities for local residents, particularly the youth.
"When we talk about job creation, we do not only mean white-collar jobs. The construction projects you see here are providing employment for many young people, including young women. This is happening all over the country with other developments such as construction of roads, houses, and other infrastructures. These are tangible results of government's commitment to job creation," Banda said.
Banda also stressed that the projects should be completed on time as delays could jeopardize funding and ultimately hinder the development goals. He cited the Salima Community Ground, a project funded by the GESD, as an example where timely completion is critical.
"The GESD project requires that projects are completed within a specified period. Failure to do so could result in the cessation of funding. We have negotiated with the bank, and they have given us positive feedback. The project will continue and will be completed on time," he assured.
Salima District Council, Director of Public Works, Harris Kumwenda said the council will make sure that the projects are completed on time and are of good standards.
"The projects that we toured today are some of the projects which are underway. So far all the projects are progressing very well and I am very optimistic that most of the projects will be completed by November if there will be no setbacks," he said.
Member of Parliament for Salima South East constituency, Mike Ng'ombe Mawa said he is very excited with the construction of the secondary school as the area has had none since time in memorial and said that this will go a long way helping students attain good education within the area.
"This is one of the key projects that has embarked in this area and I am sure that the project will be completed within the fixed period so that it helps the community," he said.
The secondary school is being constructed to the tune of 494 Million Malawi Kwacha and the ADMARC at 44 Million Malawi Kwacha.
MANEB releases 2024 PSLCE and JCE results
By Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, August 16, Mana: The Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) has announced the 2024 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) results, with an impressive pass rate of 86.16%.
Out of 252,668 candidates who sat for the exams, 217,708 have passed, with females accounting for 106,907 (82.92%) and males accounting for 110,801 (89.54%).
MANEB Executive Director, Professor Dorothy Nampota, revealed the results, highlighting the board's efforts to ensure efficient examination administration.
Earlier, MANEB Board Vice Chairperson, Lonely Magareta, commended relevant stakeholders, including teachers, security agencies, and private school associations, for their support in successfully administering the 2024 JCE and PSLCE exams.
Magareta also acknowledged MANEB's adoption of technology, including E-registration and E-payment, to enhance examination administration.
Notably, Magareta assured that the results for both exams are credible, stating, "The results for the two exams are clean."
MEC expresses confidence in EMDs
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, August 16, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has expressed confidence in its newly introduced Electoral Management Devices (EMDs) which the commission is expected to use in conducting electoral processes including voter registration for the upcoming 2025 general election.
Speaking on Friday during an engagement meeting which MEC organized to interact with development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media on electoral processes, MEC Chairperson, Annabel Mtalimanja said the newly introduced EMDs are reliable and secure.
“The assurance is that the machines are secure and all the data will be secure because one of the issues that raise concern is the issue surrounding security and I can assure Malawians that the machines are secure and the system is secure,” Mtalimanja said.
She added that the machines would be used anywhere in the country including in the remotest areas regardless of power challenges saying the machines come with the power banks that run the devices in the areas where there is no electricity.
She also said MEC has introduced the machine to ensure that every eligible voter with national ID card or proof of National Registration Bureau is able to register and take part in voting during the upcoming general election.
She further said MEC will soon embark on voter registration exercise using the EMDs and appealed to the CSOs and the media to help in raising awareness to the public about the voter registration processes in order for eligible voters to be able to register and vote.
“Our encouragement to the CSOs and the media is to help us sensitize the public to ensure that every eligible voter has taken the time to register with NRB because every potential voter without a National ID will not be able to register,” she said.
In a separate interview after MEC's engagement with development partners, CSOs and the media, Women Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) Executive Director, Maggie Kathewera hailed MEC for introducing the EMDs.
“We are living in a technologically advanced world and the adoption of EMDs by MEC is something that has to be commended,” Kathewera said.
MEC engagement meeting with the development partners, CSOs and the media among others attracted representatives from various CSOs including; WOLREC, Oxfam Malawi, Cise Malawi as well as representatives of media bodies such as Media Council of Malawi and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi.
NEEF loans excite Mlolo farmers in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, August 16, Mana: Farmers in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in Nsanje have expressed satisfaction after government provided them with loans through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to improve on agricultural production.
Area Agriculture Stakeholders Panel Chairperson, James Khisimisi told Malawi News Agency on Thursday that for a long time farmers have been struggling to harvest enough due to a lack of agricultural inputs such as seed and farm equipment necessary for irrigation.
“We have bought water pumps for irrigation farming. We have also bought original seeds from well-known agro-dealers,” he added.
Khisimisi said most farmers used to buy poor-quality seeds at on market adding that the farmers were tempted by low seed prices.
He explained that farmers were delighted with the loan and looked forward to buy original seed that assures high yield.
Nsanje North legislator, Enock Chizuzu said NEEF loan will empower farmers in the area to produce more for consumption and for sale.
“We are a hard-working community but we fail to produce more due to lack of resources,” he added, and was hopeful that majority of farmers in the irrigation schemes within Nsanje North constituency received the loan.
Chizuzu further hailed President Lazurus Chakwera's administration for putting much effort into agricultural production, saying this was a crucial area within Malawi 2063 development agenda.
He therefore advised the farming community to use the loan for the intended purpose and encouraged them to pay back the loan.
NEEF Field Officer, Stevie Chavi said NEEF disbursed loans amounting to MK169 million to farmers in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo only.
Man axes wife to death, hands himself over to Lilongwe Police
By Sellah Chunda
Lilongwe, August 16, Mana: A 42-year-old man, Isaac Patisi, is in police custody at Area 3 in Lilongwe after allegedly killing his wife, Azefa Kasamanda, 36, by hacking her in the chest with an axe at their home in Malingunde on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
According to Lilongwe General Inspector, Hastings Chigalu, the incident occurred around 2:00 A.M. The couple, who had been arguing throughout the day over suspicions of the wife’s extramarital affair, continued their quarrel in bed.
The argument escalated until Patisi allegedly took an axe and struck his wife multiple times in the chest, leaving her in a pool of blood before fleeing the scene.
Patisi later called his sister-in-law, urging her to visit the couple's house to witness what he had done. Afterward, he walked from Malingunde and turned himself in at Area 3 Police Station around 6:30 A.M, where he confessed to the crime.
A postmortem conducted at Kamuzu Central Hospital confirmed that Kasamanda died from internal bleeding caused by the wounds inflicted during the attack.
Patisi, who hails from Chilipatali village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Njewa, Lilongwe, will be charged with murder once all necessary procedures are completed. The deceased was from Chakulirapati village, T/A Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe district.
