By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, May 31, Mana: Centre for Agriculture Transformation (CAT) says farmers in the country should adopt more modern farming practices, including improved seed technologies for them to realize high yields and value for their crops.

CAT Agronomist Philip Mpauka said this on Friday during a farmers' field day held at Katutu Ground in Msenjere Extension Planning Area (EPA) in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota district.

Mpauka urged more smallholder farmers to embrace resilient crops like cassava, especially in Nkhotakota to boost yields amid climate change challenges.

Meanwhile, Nkhotakota District Council Director of Agriculture Services, Dennis Zingeni, commended the field day where Kamphoni farmer club displayed different varieties of cassava they are cultivating.

“I pledge continued technical support to stakeholders working with farmers in the district for the benefit of the farmers and communities,” said Zingeni.

Chief Executive Officer of Africa Agriculture Holdings Limited (AAHL), Olipa Nyasulu Thole, said government should consider directing the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) towards cassava farming in districts like Nkhotakota citing its flexibility and year-round planting potential.

By George Bulombola

Mana, Mzuzu, May 31: Chairperson for Nyika Media Club, Feston Malekezo, has urged members of the club to be disseminating information that is true and factual and to not propagate malice amongst electoral players ahead of the September 16 General Elections.

Malekezo was speaking on Friday in Mzuzu during the Club`s Annual General meeting at which media practitioners under the club voted for an officer to fill a vacant post of the grouping’s vice chairperson.

The meeting   also reviewed the club’s performance during the previous year, besides making some amendments to some clauses of the club’s constitution, among others.

He said people’s trust will be on the mainstream media for credible and factual information as the nation prepares for the General Elections.

“There are rumours and fake news peddlers who utilize various social media platforms, so as journalists, we should prove to be professional so that the society distinguishes between a real journalist and social media fanatics.

If we spread information that will promotes malice, our work would comprise efforts by electoral stakeholders to have credible, free and fair elections, as such, lets write our stories as they are,” said Malekezo.

NICE Trust Programmes officer for Mzuzu City and Mzimba North, Freency Mapanga advised the journalists to refrain from spreading news before fact checking and analyzing.

“Journalists are conspicuous people in the society therefore, you should make sure that you do away with fake news when disseminating information especially this time when the nation is heading towards general elections,” said Mapanga.

On elections for the post of vice chairperson of the club, Towera Katswiri scooped 87 votes against her contender, Isaac Chawinga who secured 16 votes, hence emerging the holder of the mantle.

The meeting was spiced up by presentations by University of Livingstonia (Kaning’ina Campus) and Mzuzu University.

By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, May 31, Mana: Blantyre District Council has called for concerted effort among school authorities and parents to ensure that adolescent girls do not drop out of school or fail to attend classes due to menstrual hygiene issues.

Blantyre District Council Chairperson, Elson Mdumuka made the call on Friday at Chikuli Primary School at Senior Chief Kunthembwe’s area during the commemoration of 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day organized by Israeli development partner, IsraAID.

“It is by nature that every girl child has to pass through this stage, but what matters most is for mother groups, school authorities, parents, and guardians to help them understand this biological stage and how they can take care of themselves both at school and home,” he said.

Mdumuka encouraged people, irrespective of gender, to dispel myths and misconceptions associated with menstruation.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) Officer for IsraAID, Vitumibiko Mbulo, said the organization will continue to promote best menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls through awareness campaigns.

“We believe that by encouraging girls practice menstrual hygiene will help to promote their health, well-being, and dignity, thereby boosting their self-esteem and confidence,” she said.

A standard 6 girls at Chikuli Primary School, Chisomo Mseko, said she was among many girls that used to be absent from school every time she was menstruating.

She said the awareness during the World Menstrual Hygiene Day changed her perception and built confidence in her that menstruation should not prevent girls from attending classes or be a demotivating factor to girls’ overall well-being.

At the function, IsraAID and Malawi Red Cross Society donated plastic buckets and sanitary pads to learners at Dzunga and Chikuli primary schools.

By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, May 31, Mana: Police at Jenda in Mzimba have arrested Genesis Mtonga on suspicion that he is connected to his father's death, Langson Mtonga, after being assaulted during a fight at Luwerezi in the district.

According to Jenda Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub Inspector Macfarlen Mseteka, the arrest on May 29, 2025, followed series of investigations conducted by the station saying following the death of his father, the suspect went into hiding.

"It has been established that on May 13, 2025, Genesis Mtonga went to a drinking place in the village where he got into a quarrel with another man which led to serious confrontations and physical assault. Later, the man went into Genesis's house ransacked it and damaged some utensils.

"Up his return, Genesis was angered by the condition of his house and accused his father of allowing an unknown man into their village to damage his property,” he added.

Mseteka said that the suspect later assaulted his father who fell unconscious on the ground while bleeding heavily adding the father died on the way to Luwerezi Health Center, where he was being taken for treatment.

Upon noticing that his father had died, Genesis left the village and went into hiding until his arrest on May 29, 2025, at Mpondagaga in Nkhotakota.

Meanwhile, Genesis will soon appear before the court to answer charges of murder which is contrary to section 209 of the Penal Code.

Genesis Mtonga hails from Nkhoma village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mabulabo in Mzimba district.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, May 31, Mana: Chitipa United Football Club on Friday bid farewell to their patron and District Commissioner for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero who has been posted to Mulanje.

General Secretary for Chitipa United, Watson Mwaisen Kabaghe said the team appreciates the unwavering support and guidance Magomero provided.

Kabaghe said that Magomero’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the team's journey, and his dedication to ensuring the completion of Chitipa Stadium has given the team a sense of pride and belonging.

“We want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions he has made during his tenure as patron of the Chitipa Football Club.

“We wish him all the best in his new role and assure him that he will always be remembered as a true friend and patron of Chitipa United Football Club,” Kabaghe said.

He then welcomed the incoming District Commissioner, formerly of Karonga District, Frank Mkandawire.

He said the team is looking forward to work with him and continuing the good work that Magomero started.

“As a family, we are grateful for the legacy that Mr Magomero has left behind, and we pledge to continue striving for excellence in all that we do,” Kabaghe said.

On his part, Magomero said that he will continue being part of Chitipa United despite moving out of the district.

He said football is part of development hence his support to Chitipa United and other sports disciplines.

“Football is part of development. I was trying to develop the sport. I will continue supporting the team. Chitipa is my home. That's why we made sure to complete the stadium and that the team start using Chitipa Stadium as its base,” Magomero explained.

As patron of Chitipa United Football Club, Magomero managed to source

35 sets of jersey, 36 pairs of boots amongst others from NBS Bank.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, May 31, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr Jessie Kabwila, has commended the Malawi School of Government (MSG) for its pivotal role in strengthening Malawi’s human capital and contributing to the Malawi 2063 vision—a transformative agenda aimed at inclusive wealth creation and national self-reliance.

Speaking on Friday during MSG’s second graduation ceremony held at its Kanengo Campus, Kabwila hailed the institution for its strategic focus on human resource development for the public service and private sector. 

She acknowledged MSG’s proactive collaboration with government departments to develop capacity-building programs aligned with national priorities.

“My Ministry recognizes the significance of this institution in capacity building and promotion of continuous learning for persons employed in the public service and private sector. This is the main reason why this institution was established and should be its main focus,” Kabwila explained.

Highlighting the importance of ensuring academic quality and integrity, Kabwila commended MSG for its accreditation by the National Council for Higher Education.

However, Kabwila urged all institutions of higher learning to maintain quality assurance standards, further warning against academic mediocrity and stressing that the credibility of academic qualifications must be preserved at all costs.

Director General of MSG, Professor Asiyati Lorraine Chiweza, stated that MSG is committed to enhancing service delivery through a hybrid higher education system driven by innovation and research, among other strategies.

She highlighted that, under the directive of His Excellency the President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, MSG has developed numerous programmes to improve operational efficiency.

Professor Chiweza announced the establishment of the MSG Research Fund and the recruitment of additional staff to enhance service delivery.

She also emphasized the institution's compliance with tax and labour regulations.

The 2025 MSG graduation ceremony was celebrated under the theme “Celebrating Professionalism and Excellence: Shaping Ethical Leaders for a Better Malawi”.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has urged students in the country to take spiritual discipline seriously to avoid being ruled by evils of the world which has affected many.

The Minister said this on Friday when she attended prayers for secondary school students organised by Women’s Day of Prayer at Mbidzi  Secondary School, an event which attracted participants from over 15 public secondary schools from Lilongwe.

Wirima said it is important for students to nurture the soul and not only focuse on academic journey adding that when one walks with God everything falls in place.

“The students need to be engaged in spiritual conversations where they can have preaching sessions,” she said, adding: “Some of the problems, like mental health, which children are experiencing these days, are because we have left out spiritual nourishment for the learners.”

She further stated that government is committed to ensuring that they are providing quality education for all students in the country.

Lilongwe District President for Women’s Day of Prayer, Alice Majankono, said such prayers help students grow  in spiritual life and morals.

“We wanted to instill the spirit of faith in the students that they should depend on God in whatever they are doing in their lives such that they should be able to develop the nation as they have good spiritual connection,” said Majankono.

In her remarks, Coordinator for students’ prayers, Rose Kalizang’oma, said they organised the event to spiritually support the students as they are in adolescent stage, with many challenges facing them in society.

“We thought it important to organise these prayers as they bring together people from different religious backgrounds to gather in unity just to pray ,”

One of the students from  Bwaila  Secondary School, Regina Dumba, expressed gratitude for the prayers, saying beside working hard in class. they will always put God first as that’s what they have been guided to do.

The prayers. which were held under the theme; “I Made You Wonderful,” aimed to mould students spiritually and prepare them for the Junior Certificate Examination (JCE), and Malawi School Certificate Examination (MSCE).

By Thom Ali

Lilongwe 31 May Mana: The Roads Authority (RA) on Friday launched it's 2025-2030 Strategic and Business Plan to improve and sustain a smart road network in the country.

Speaking during the launch, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, said the launch of the newly developed Strategic and Business Plan signifies governments commitment in improving the country's road infrastructure.

Hara indicated that government will ensure that an enabling environment is created for the Authority and other stakeholders to achieve their intended goals of the plan.

The Minister also urged all stakeholders involved in the transport sector to further extend the development of road networks in rural areas to drive towards a connected Malawi.

Chief Executive Officer for Roads Authority Eng. Ammiel Champiti, said the Strategic Plan will, among others, improve the operations and efficiency of RA activities in the next five years, which is in line with Malawi's National Development Plan, MW2063.

RA Board Chairperson, Rev Matilda Matabwa, added that the initiative will also improve trade systems and assist in unlocking the country’s economic potential through safe road networks.

The RA Strategic and Business Plan outlines a clear direction for RA and all stakeholders involved in the transport sector, as well as to outline strategic priorities and collaborative roles necessary to deliver a resilient road system, which is capable of supporting both the present and future generation.