MANAonline
PSEUCT empowering urban poor
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe, June 26, Mana: The life of a single mother, Hawa John, 60 has been filled with ups and downs.
Born in Chesomba Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chalazi in Mangochi district, Hawa has six children whom she failed to educate after her husband died seven years ago, leaving her in dare poverty.
Misfortunes overshadowed her happiness as all responsibilities fell on her shoulders.
Constantly worried about feeding her children, she started a small-scale business at Kawale Market in Lilongwe with the little money she had.
The profit from selling sugarcane and fruits helped her buy maize flour and relish for the day.
However, her business struggles intensified when the country’s currency was devalued in 2023, leaving her unable to find the remaining capital for her business.
She was lost until the Price Shock Emergency Urban Cash Transfer (PSEUCT) came to her rescue, enrolling her as a beneficiary.
With a chuckling face, Hawa disclosed that she received a message in her Airtel wallet, finding K150,000 in her account.
It was an incredible moment for her and immediately bought maize and reinvested the remaining amount in her business.
“I was hopeless about my future as prices of goods grew high. I was struggling to earn a living and continue my business, but the program has given me the opportunity to boost my business and alleviate the economic challenges I was facing,” she explained joyfully.
A businessman from Dambo Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kaphuka in Dedza district, Chipiliro Kamwaza, 51 is another happy beneficiary of the PSEUCT programme.
He faced numerous challenges paying school fees for his children and often borrowed money from colleagues to make ends meet.
The devaluation of the currency further strained his financial situation until he was registered with the PSEUCT programme.
He hailed the government for including him in the programme, which he believes would help his business grow and make his family happy.
“I am happy with the government’s decision to register me in this program. I was fearful with the rise in maize prices, but now I can buy maize in installments,” Kamwaza said.
The money has supported his family in buying basic needs, which he struggled to achieve without the programme.
“I have started using this money to buy necessities for my home. Some has been invested in my business to bolster it,” Kamwaza added.
A farmer from Area 25 in TA Chitukula in Lilongwe, John Judge, 42 expressed his satisfaction with the programme saying it was a relief after an uncertain growing season due to the El Nino weather condition.
The Previous season's poor harvest left him hopeless about sourcing basic needs for his five children and wife, and he was also struggling to buy farm inputs.
He believes the programme was a significant opportunity to improve his family's livelihood and economic standards.
According to a Press Statement dated June 20, 2024, signed by the Secretary for Economic Planning and Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, the PSEUCT programme targets ultra-poor households within city wards.
The payment process is conducted in three phases to ensure smooth and efficient fund distribution. Phase one involved distributing funds to 22,339 eligible beneficiaries.
The Statement said Phase two, focused on transferring funds to an additional 16,328 beneficiaries undergoing the Know Your Customer verification and phase three addresses grievances and unresolved issues.
It indicated that PSEUCT is an unconditional cash transfer programme providing a critical safety net for the most marginalized urban population, supporting their consumption needs.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Pauline Kaude said PSEUCT programme aims to alleviate immediate economic hardships caused by the devaluation of the local currency.
“The objectives of the programme are to alleviate the immediate economic crisis people face due to the socio-economic impact of the devaluation of the local currency, support the urban poor in meeting their basic food consumption and nutritional needs.
This include to strengthen the resilience of the urban poor by providing financial resources that protect them from engaging in negative coping mechanisms, and boost the local economy by injecting funds to stimulate demand and supply of locally desired goods and services,” she explained.
Kaude said the programme targets 105,000 beneficiary households in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzuzu cities.
The Programme is implemented with support from the World Bank Group and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) managed by City Councils with support from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), and Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).
The total investment in the programme is K17.1 billion (US$9.5 million).
Mother Group hailed for constructing an under-five clinic
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, June 26, Mana: Women for Fair Development (WOFAD) Executive Director, Apostle Lindiwe Matanya has hailed Mdeka Mother Care Group for constructing an under-five clinic for growth monitoring and immunization at Traditional Authority (TA) Chigaru in Blantyre.
She made the commendation on Wednesday during Mother Care Group Training at Mdeka Health Centre by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN).
She observed that Mdeka Mother Care Group has shown commitment and dedication by constructing sheds for an under-five clinic for monitoring child growth and immunization in Malifa and Masinde Villages which would help in immunization activities in the area.
“What Mdeka Mother Care Group has done gives a clear indication that there is very good coordination between the group and the health surveillance assistants (HSAs),” Matanya said.
One of the members of Mdeka Mother Care Group from Yesaya Village under Group Village Head Nthache in TA Chigaru, Elube Bisaye said the group has managed to source money through chiefs, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) which operate in the area for construction of the sheds.
“We have achieved to build a brick shed which is used for under five clinics for growth monitoring and immunization in Chelifa and Masinde Villages and currently we have moulded bricks for two sheds which will be constructed soon in Grant and Mtambalika Villages,” she added.
“When construction of these sheds are complete, as a group we request District Health Office (DHO) through Blantyre District Council to send us some Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) to assist us with the required immunization services,” Bisaye said.
A member of the group from Chelifa Village, Esther Chisangazi said the construction of the under-five shelters by M'deka Mother Care Group was a big relief to communities, mothers in particular.
“We are able to get Tetanus Vaccine and all routine immunizations for our children, we used to travel very long distances to Mdeka Health Centre and because of the long distances many mothers were failing to attend these clinics and caused the skipping of immunization,” she said.
MHEN project started in 2015 as a pilot and currently targets Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu and Mzimba with the aim at promoting health issues including Expanded Programme on Immunization.
It was funded by Global Alliance Vaccine immunization (GAVI) through the Ministry of Health.
Fountain of Victory to host Women’s summit conference
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, June 26. Mana: Fountain of Victory Church International has organised a Ladies Day of exemption with the aim of allowing all women to have meaningful understanding through the word of God.
The Conference will be held at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, formerly the College of Medicine in Blantyre on June 29,2024.
One of the organizers of the Event, Pastor, Priscilla Ziba said this was one of the best conferences that the Lord has honoured them with, adding that the day offers an opportunity for revival in their land amongst women and salvation.
“I am anticipating seeing the Lord working wonders in our lives and answering our call to him,” she said.
Ziba said that the conference was one the platforms where believers, as children of God, would have a chance to speak and announce that they were born from.
“Above everything else, this will be spirit filled and exempted and separated by the blood of Jesus Christ who died for us and redemed us from all the evil around the world.
“Just like the same way the Lord put a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites in Exodus 11:7,” she added.
Ziba said it was important for every woman in the country to be liberated because nowadays women and girls are passing through different type of problems, like barrenness, various diseases including cancer, tumours, fibroids and economic hardships.
“During the conference, every lady will stand and pray to stop and announce a new life and walk with God again because only God is the source of peace and victory,” she said.
The Pastor added that they would have time to share the word of God; apart from training them through his Word on how they can walk in this new covenant of Christ in order to live exempted and exemplary.
“We will hear beautiful testimonies of how other ladies conquered the same problems others are passing through today. We will have time to celebrate the faithfulness of God in praise and worship,” she said.
Ziba said they would have other churches coming to perform like from Ndirande and a performance by guest artists, Allan Chirwa from Lilongwe, Fountain of Victory Worship Team and many more and Apostle Ziba would teach the word of God.
“We know the enlightenment of the word of God brings such understanding that now we can enjoy the life without hardships, sickness and diseases, poverty because that’s what Jesus came for,” she added.
One the ladies’ eager to attend the conference, Florence Masamba said the day was very important for women; urging women to attend since they would be delivered from evil forces and that they would be equipped with the word of God.
“I’m very excited about the ladies’ exemption happening this coming Saturday, I will stand with Apostle and Pastor Ziba to pray against all healthy conditions that affect women,” she said.
Nyasulu elected Mayor for Mzuzu City
By Tawonga Moyo
Mzuzu, June 26, Mana: Councilor for Songwe Ward in Mzuzu City, who is a member of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), Kondwani Brian Nyasulu was on Wednesday elected a new mayor for Mzuzu City after defeating the incumbent, Gift Desire Nyirenda.
Nyasulu amassed 9 votes out of 16 votes that were cast whilst Nyirenda got 7 votes during the voting process which took place in the Mzuzu City Council Chamber.
On the position of Deputy Mayor, Councilor for Katawa Ward, Monica Simwaka grabbed the seat, becoming the first female deputy mayor after amassing 10 votes against councilors Tony Mwenitete of Mzilawaingwe Ward and Hiwett Mkandawire of Chiputula ward who got three votes each.
There was however commotion before the commencement of the elections after one of the councillors, Pellie Chiumia questioned why Councilor Gift Desire Nyirenda was competing for the mayorship position despite having a pending court case.
However, after discussions amongst officials from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the council, Assistant Registrar for Mzuzu High Court, Matthews Msiska who was among those facilitating the process, explained that Nyirenda was fit to stand as the court was yet to declare him guilty.
In his acceptance speech, Nyasulu pledged to use his position to uplift the city, saying he was going to be the mayor of the people.
"I thank my fellow councillors for believing in me and I will ensure that the implementation of the Mzuzu Development Urban Plan comes to life.
We need to carry on the Tonse Alliance plan at the city level so that it matches that which our government is advocating for," said Nyasulu.
He said among others plans is to woe investors into the city to enhance the city's growth and development.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Gomezgani Nyasulu said the council will render all the necessary support to the new mayor in the execution of his duties.
"As secretariat, we are happy that the elections have gone on smoothly and we will support our new mayor to see to it that the plans we have as a council are fulfilled.
Besides that, having the first female deputy mayor is a positive development for the council because it means that we are achieving the 50:50 gender representation in senior positions," said Nyasulu.
In her remarks, Simwaka said she was excited to be the first female deputy mayor and pledged to work hard in rendering support to the mayor as they drive the cities development agenda together.
Notable people at the event included Member of Parliament for Mzuzu City Bennex Mwamlima and Traditional Authority Thula, among others.
NRWB embarks on Catchment Based Climate Resilience Project
By chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, June 26, Mana: Northern Region Water Board with support from African Development Bank (NRWB) through Catchment Based Climate Resilience Project has trained communities surrounding Nkhata River which flows into Lake Malawi in climate smart agriculture interventions with the goal of conserving the river’s catchment.
Speaking during a media tour at Chilerawana area, Community Mobilization and Training Manager for NRWB, Gerald Ngulube said well protected catchment of the river will lead to sustainable potable water provision in the district.
“These agricultural interventions would assist communities living along Nkhata River catchment to observe soil and water conservation practices so that we have clean water in the lake especially close to where NRWB abstracts water,” said Ngulube.
He said the intervantions was introduced because the board understands that water pollutants in the lake come from upstream the river resulting from human activities along the river’s catchment.
“We are working with Nkhata Bay District Council and communities on best ways of conserving the river catchment. This will help NRWB to minimize water treatment costs,” he added
Ngulube said through the project which is also running in Rumphi and Chitipa district, NRWB provided 158 000 community members with seedlings of fruit trees to be planted along buffer zones for both soil conservation and economic gains for households.
Land Resource Conservation Officer for Nkhata Bay, Davison Kaonga said land degradation is rampant in the district hence the need for such interventions.
“We are thankful to NRWB for equipping communities with smart agriculture interventions such as deep bed farming and construction of contour marker ridges, among others," Kaonga said.
One of the lead farmers, Akunanga Chirwa said he was optimistic that the interventions will meet desired goals of the project.
Malaria cases on the rise in Zomba
By Emily M’mangisa
Zomba, June 26, Mana: Authorities in Zomba have expressed concern with the rapid increase of malaria cases this year in the district.
Statistics made available to Malawi New Agency (Mana) indicate that from January to March this year, malaria cases have reached 13, 930 compared to 7, 861 recorded in the same period last year.
Zomba District Malaria Coordinator, Saidi Ndawu said proportion of malaria cases in all ages is at 37 percent implying that 37 out of every 100 people seeking treatment in all out-patient departments are malaria patients.
Ndawu said out of the 37 percent, children under the age of five are topping the list with 24 percent, followed by pregnant women at three percent with others at ten percent.
“The surge of malaria cases in the district is due to lack of mosquito nets and failure to adhere to malaria drugs by pregnant women,” he said.
Zomba District Health Promotion Officer, Arnold Mndalira concurred with Ndawu that the situation is getting worse due to stagnant water in urban areas which create breeding spaces for mosquitoes.
He however, said the health office is currently implementing some interventions that will help in fighting the disease.
“We have trained health personnel in all 60 health facilities on how they can diagnose malaria and we are making sure that treatment is available in all the facilities in the district,” he said.
Mndalira, therefore, warned communities against the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets for fishing, lamenting that such conduct undermines efforts to fight malaria.
Malaria continues to be one of the killer diseases in the country. However, government through the Ministry of Health intends to eradicate malaria by 2030.
Paramount Chief Kyungu urges Malawians to mourn Chilima in peace
By George Mponda
Karonga, June 26, Mana: Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa has called on Malawians to peacefully mourn late Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others who died in a plane crash.
Kyungu who is also Commissioner for the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission was speaking Monday in Karonga during the opening of a two-day training on conflict prevention and peace building, organised by the Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture.
"Late Chilima was a leader who loved peace and the best way to honour him and the others who died in that plane crash is to preach peace. I would like to advise Malawians especially youths to desist from violent acts which may lead to unnecessary loss of lives," said Kyungu.
"Youths should not be used as perpetrators of violence in our communities, instead, let us use them as building blocks for peace in our country," he added.
In his remarks, chairperson for Mbande Youth Network, Walusungu Kabaye called on youths to be making decisions based on facts.
"There are people who want to deliberately mislead the public especially the youths with false information concerning the death of Chilima but I would like to advise my fellow youths to use information that is coming from government officials who have this responsibility," Kabaye said.
"As youths, we really need to be very careful especially this period as we are going towards the next general election to avoid being used by politicians to advance their own selfish agenda," he added.
The training has brought together chiefs, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth and political party representatives.
MRCS distributes K190m to flood affected households in Mangochi
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, June 26, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) with financial support from the Danish Red Cross has embarked on distribution of cash to households in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Nankumba in Mangochi who were affected by floods following the rising levels of water bodies in the district as well as dry spells that occurred later.
The initiative is under the El Nino response programme and 718 households are expected to receive K50, 000 per month up to September this year.
Speaking during the launch of the distribution exercise at Nankhwali Primary School on Tuesday, Director of Programmes at MRCS, Prisca Chisala said the initiative aims at improving livelihood of households as most of them were rendered food insecure following the flooding and dry spells.
“The rising levels of water bodies rendered households in T/A Nankumba destitute. We want to provide them with a start-up, so that their lives should return to normalcy.
“We are implementing this programme from this month up to September where 718 households will receive a K50, 000 on a monthly basis and today they have each received K100, 000 for the first two months,” said Chisala.
He said the initiative will complement other interventions already being implemented on the ground such as distribution of food, hygiene and sanitary facilities to the affected households in the area.
Over 3, 000 households were affected by flooding due to rising levels of water bodies in Mangochi this year.
Acting Country Manager for Danish Red Cross, Nuria Beneitez said that their organization values collaboration in assisting the marginalized.
He assured MRCS of continued support in the work of creating resilience of communities against climate shocks.
One of the beneficiaries, Atupele Jali hailed MRCS for the support, saying the money will help her family recover from the hunger situation.
“The money is enough for my family to alleviate the situation which we were in and as such I am thankful to the Red Cross,” Jali said.
NPC, NSO releases 2023 multi-dimensional child poverty report
By Mayamiko Mwikhoma
Zomba, June 26, Mana: National Planning Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Tuesday launched the 2023 Multi-dimensional Child Poverty Report with a call for the prioritization of children welfare.
Speaking in Zomba during the dissemination of the report, Head of Research at NPC, Dr. Andrew Jamali, pointed out the critical need to prioritize children in development of the country to achieve the Malawi 2063 Vision.
Jamali said findings of the report, for instance, revealed significant challenges faced by children, emphasizing the need to urgently address such shortfalls.
“According to the survey children are faced with various socio-economic deprivations, lacking essential needs due to factors such as inadequate sanitation, housing and education,” Jamali said.
He added that the Malawi 2063 Vision is youth-centric with a primary focus on the children who will shape the future over the next 40 years.
“We must implement direct interventions to address these deprivations such as enhancing access to education and tackling multi-dimensional challenges to improve human capital in the coming years,” he said.
According to the report, poverty in Malawi has increased from 60.5% in 2017 to 69.6% in 2020, a decline that has both multiple and overlapping deprivations. Across all age groups (0-17 years), the single deprivation analysis reveals that deprivations were highest in sanitation (64.7%), followed by housing (47.9%) and education (46.7%). The lowest deprivation rate was in protection (11.5%).
Notably, the spike in the deprivation rate of sanitation between 2017 (21.9%) and 2020 (64.7%) was mainly on account of a definitional change that has been adopted in the report.
The multi-dimensional headcount was highest in children aged 15-17 years (72.9%) and lowest in children aged 0-23 months (52.9%).
Children residing in rural areas were more deprived in all dimensions than their urban counterparts. For instance, 76.6% of children living in rural areas were multi-dimensionally poor, compared to 26.4% in urban areas. This is true for dimensions, as about 70% of the children residing in rural areas were deprived of sanitation compared to 35.1% of those in urban areas.
Jamali, therefore, appealed to district councils including Zomba to take the necessary steps and address the findings of the report.
A statistician from NSO’s Industry Section responsible for household surveys, Isaac Mwale said the report provides a comprehensive overview of areas requiring attention.
“The report offers guidance for developing an integrated approach, addressing all dimensions simultaneously and creating policies that focus on specific areas of need,” Mwale said.
He observed that the Malawi 2063 Vision’s emphasizes on improving children’s welfare that aligns with the report’s objectives.
Director of Planning and Development for Zomba District Council, Precious Kamtsitsi acknowledged the report’s insights and supported the NPC’s recommendation for an integrated approach to solving the socio-economic challenges faced by children.
“Various development partners in health and education must collaborate and pool resources. Our council is designed to work in a multi-sectoral manner and with our partners in Zomba, we will address the challenges highlighted in the report,” Kamtsitsi said.
Ntchisi elderly persons hail social cash transfer
By Maria Tembo
Ntchisi, June 25, Mana: Some elderly beneficiaries of government’s Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Senior Chief Kasakula and Chikho in Ntchisi have applauded the programme, saying it is improving their everyday livelihood.
Speaking in an interview during a media tour Sunday, Mary Goma, 72, from Chiwoza village, Senior Chief Kasakula, said through the programme she has managed to buy goats and has built a house.
She said she could barely afford a basic need before she got signed up for the programme.
“I would like to advice those that are on the programme to use the money received wisely. I also want to thank the government for the programme as it is helping many poor Malawians like myself,” she said.
Another beneficiary 78-year-old Jenipher Sanjeni of Chanje village in Senior Chief Kasakula, said through the programme she can now take care of her six children as it was very hard for her in the past years.
"The money I received in the first month was MK40, 000 and I used part to buy a goat which has multiplied to eight. I also deposited some money in my village loans and savings account.
"I used the remainder to venture into three small scale businesses; selling bananas, sugarcanes and local flitters. I am able to feed my family through the money I get from my businesses,” said Sanjeni.
Kazipatile Chilowosi 75, from Ndendele Village in Senior Chief Chikho said he has also benefited a lot from the programme, as he is able to pay school fees for his grandchildren, bought goats and chicken through the same.
“I have MK37, 000 in my village and savings account and I believe that this money will help me and my family once I receive my shares,” Chilowozi explained.
The programme is funded by Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank, and is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with the objective of cushioning poverty shocks among the elderly and the ultra-poor.
According to Principle Social Welfare Officer for the district Chimwemwe Manyozo, 7, 625 households are benefitting from the programme in the 51 clusters across the district.
