MANAonline
Machinga Director of Education describes women as crucial agents for change
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, October 5, Mana: Women Legal Resource Center (WORLEC) and OXFAM engaged women drawn from 24 traditional authorities in Machinga at a Women’s Manifesto meeting to inspire those that aspire to contest in various elective positions in the 2025 general election.
Machinga District Council’s Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Nellie Kamtedza said women play crucial role in socio-economic development in Malawi hence the need to empower them in various ways.
Kamtedza made the remarks on Friday at Machinga Secondary School hall where she was a guest of honour at the Women’s Manifesto gathering organized by WORLEC and OXFAM with support from European Union.
“Women are crucial in socio economic development. They need to take part in any decision-making processes and not only to be involved.
“They need to be part of the process at all levels of decision making including being given opportunity in elective political positions,” she added.
The director observed that women have been left behind despite being in majority in the country’s population.
“Women have always been left behind despite the fact that they constitute a bigger portion of the population as compared to men. They have not been adequately represented at different levels,” said Kamtedza.
She also noted that women face various challenges that can only be addressed if they are part of the decision-making processes at all levels.
The Director of Education and Youth and Sports therefore applauded WOLRC and OXFAM for inspiring women in Machinga to contest and take up decision making positions in the society so that they should adequately represent women and other unserved population’s interests.
She therefore asked women aspirants that attended the meeting to compete in various elective positions in the 2025 general election.
“As women in the society, you have a role to play to level the ground during the forth coming general elections. You need to take part and contest. If you are not contesting then, make sure that you support women candidates,” Kamtedza said.
One of the participants, Beatrice Chisuse, who is also Director of Women Forum in Machinga, said the engagement meeting was held at a right time, as women aspirants need support ahead of elections in 2025.
Chisuse acknowledged that women in the district have always been left behind in most of the decision making positions, saying time has come for women to reclaim their positions in the society.
“We need to support women aspirants so that we should have more women in different elective positions. Once women are voted into such positions, we can achieve meaningful development at district and national level,” she added.
Machinga District Principal Gender Development Officer, Rita Sukasuka observed that a lot of women in the district have low self-esteem and need to be inspired to stand up to gain recognition in the society.
“These meetings will inspire women to contest in the general election. We have a critical task to ensure that more women take up decision making positions,” she added.
Women's Manifesto in Malawi is a collective agenda and advocacy document created by Malawian women to highlight their key demands and priorities related to gender equality, women’s rights and political participation.
It serves as a tool to influence policy and ensure that women's voices are integrated into the governance process.
NFRA, Mega Farm partnership instrumental in bolstering maize production
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: In an effort to transform agriculture production through large-scale farming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), George Macheka has expressed enthusiasm with NFRA and Mega Farm partnership describing the initiative as a milestone in enhancing maize production and farmer’s income in the country.
Macheka disclosed this development on Friday where he highlighted the significant successes of its partnership with the Mega Farms Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been instrumental in boosting maize production across Malawi.
He also expressed Malawi Government’s commitment in line with President Lazarus Chakwera’s sentiments made on 31st August 2023 during the official launch of the Mega Farm concept at Kanengo, Lilongwe attributing to the Malawi 2063(Mw2063) Agenda which describes Malawi Government’s aspirations to be accomplished before the nation’s centennial, specifying a need to develop mega-farms for an increased agriculture production, productivity and commercialization as well as contributing to urbanization and industrialization.
According to NFRA CEO, the project is aimed at the development of anchor medium and large-scale farms and youth incubator farms to accelerate agriculture commercialization. Previously President Chakwera highlighted that the Private Sector Mega Farms Program plays a very crucial role in revamping Malawi's agricultural sector. He also emphasized the necessity of supporting subsistence farmers in transitioning to agricultural mechanization to enhance crop productivity.
“This initiative has already generated MK11.8 billion in income for the contracted farmers and NFRA is pleased to confirm that all farmers have been paid in full for their deliveries and today marks another chapter in the Mega Farms journey as a total of MK6.052 billion has been paid to farmers at one go. This payment will likely have ripple effects in the economy and help to motivate farmers to participate in the initiative in the 2024/25 growing season,” he said.
As part of its continued partnership, NFRA has also entered into contracts for winter cropping, with deliveries from irrigated farms expected in December 2024. These contracts will further enhance the agency’s capacity to maintain strategic grain reserves during off-peak growing seasons, helping ensure food security all year-round.
Furthermore, Macheka has disclosed NFRA plans to sign additional off-taking agreements with mega farmers for the upcoming rainy season, expanding the scope of the partnership and further solidifying the maize supply.
“The agency remains committed to fostering lasting relationships with these mega-farms, ensuring that the initiative evolves into a sustainable, long-term collaboration that consistently benefits both farmers and the nation,” he added.
He also said that through the partnership with Mega Farms program, NFRA remains committed to champion local production, stabilize maize supply, and deliver substantial financial returns to farmers contributing to the growth and development of Malawi’s agricultural sector.
The initiative has seen 183 mega farmers signing contracts to supply maize to NFRA. To date, the farmers have collectively delivered 13,882 Metric Tonnes of maize, with deliveries still ongoing.
SMEDI to empower women in business
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, October 4, Mana: The Director of Small and Medium Enterprise Development institute (SMEDI) Lydia Ngondo Kadzongwe, has underscored the importance of the She Leads Business Breakfast Meeting saying it will empower and network women in shaping the future of business in Malawi.
Speaking during the meeting on Friday at Ufulu gardens in Lilongwe, Kadzongwe said the aim of gathering these business ladies was to let them share experiences and opportunities so that they can collaborate and do business together.
“As SMEDI we are trying our best to get these ladies together so that we can give them an insight of how they can be exposed to different types of businesses,” she stated.
Meanwhile Head of legal and governance at Standard Bank, Norah Msanja, said they are focusing on how women grow into leadership position and the challenges that were highlighted were around the structural challenges.
“As a woman for starters you need to be able to believe in yourself and your capabilities and be able to invest in yourself and get mentors that actually guide you and help you grow in the right direction,” she said.
One of the participants, Towera Chirwa, Owner of Jet General Dealers, said the meeting was very beneficial to women since its focus was on financial muscles and gaining experience from other women.
“As women we are facing a lot of challenges like financial capital, which is the main challenge we are facing so these kind of meetings will help us to grow,” said Chirwa.
Chikwawa DC calls for increased NEEF beneficiaries, urges loan repayment
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, October 5, Mana: Chikwawa District Commissioner, Nardin Kamba called on the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to increase the number of beneficiaries in the district.
Kamba made the appeal on Friday during a consultative meeting organized by NEEF in Chikwawa.
He emphasized the importance of expanding NEEF’s reach to more underserved people in the district, highlighting the positive economic impact it has had on people’s livelihoods.
Additionally, Kamba urged current beneficiaries to promptly repay NEEF loans to ensure that others should access the loans.
In his remarks NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni said after accessing the loans people should treat the funds as a loan not a gift or a grant and should remember to pay back to NEEF.
Mdyetseni further explained that the consultative meeting was convened to report on NEEF's performance in Chikwawa and share plans to improve service delivery in the district.
NEEF held similar consultative meetings in Zomba, Blantyre, Mwanza and other districts in the south.
President Chakwera arrives from USA
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe October 5, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday afternoon arrived in the country after attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The plane that carried President Chakwera landed at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe at exactly 4:05 pm.
The president was welcomed by several people including Vice President Michael Bizwick Usi, Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire, Minister of Homelands Security Ken Zikhale Ng'oma, Deputy Secretary to the Office of President and Cabinet Janet Banda, Senior government officials among others.
Speaking after his arrival, the Malawi leader said the USA journey was significant to the country's development as he represented Malawi and stated challenges that Malawi is facing as one way of opening opportunities for people to support the country.
"The UNGA that I attended opened several opportunities for donors as well as investors to come forward and support our vision,” said the president.
MACRA donates 15 computers to Blantyre TTC
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, October 5, Mana: Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Friday donated 15 HP brand computers to Blantyre Teachers College whose computer lab had three computers against 540 students.
Receiving the new computers, Head of Language Department, Charles Office thanked MACRA for donating the computers saying this was a timely gesture when the college was in dire need of computers.
“We only had three computers in our lab against 540 students. Our present curriculum emphasizes computer use,” he said, adding that the situation denied many students the opportunity to computer literacy which is key in the modern teaching profession,” he said.
The donation of computers to Blantyre Teachers Traning College (TTC) was the last in the series of donations after similar donations to ten TTCs that included, Phalombe, Karonga, Machinga, Chiradzulu and St. Joseph in Dedza.
President of the Students Representative Council at Blantyre TTC, Prince Kwabwere also thanked MACRA for the computer donation and pledged that students will take good care of the computers considering that the college had an acute shortage of computers at the expense of students' ICT knowledge.
He however called on other organizations to donate more to satisfy the need for computers at the college.
“We thank MACRA for providing us with the computers. We however appeal for other organizations to come in because demand for ICT knowledge is still there,” he added.
A second-year student, Martin Chikumba recalled that it was difficult to use the three computers that were in the computer laboratory such that most students were denied an opportunity to acquire computer knowledge.
“Things will now improve with this donation. Let us graduate with computer knowledge because some primary schools have computer gadgets and it will be unfortunate if we go to such schools while computer illiterate,” he added.
MACRA Procurement Officer, Alfred Chibwana said Connect a TTC initiative was part of MACRA’s commitment to roll out ICT in education institutions.
The Connect a TTC initiative was implemented with support from Universal Service Fund which enabled the communication regulatory authority to donate 150 computers to 10 teachers' training centres across Malawi.
“Computer knowledge among the teacher training college students will now be transferred to primary schools,” he said and disclosed that Blantyre TTC was the last teacher's college to receive computers through the Connect a TTC project.
On January 18 2024, Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu presided over the donation of 15 computers to Phalombe Teachers College as part of the Connect a TTC initiative.
Press Trust handover dispensary in Lilongwe
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has stressed the need for different stakeholders and implementing partners to collaborate with government by constructing health facilities across the country for better health service delivery.
Chiponda made the call Friday during the official handover ceremony of Milamba dispensary in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mazengera in Lilongwe district.
She said on its part, government is geared to construct 900 health facilities across the country, of which 200 of them, have already been completed to reduce time and distances people cover to access health services especially in rural areas,
“Let me take this opportunity to thank Press Trust and all other implementing partners who have a keen interest in improving health service delivery in the country. Let me also appeal to the private sector, for your businesses to thrive, you need healthy people. So let us work together,” she said.
Chairperson for Press Trust, Engineer Wilson Chirwa said the institution will continue complimenting the government’s efforts in improving the living standard of the people.
“We have many projects throughout the country, we aim to see lives of people more especially in the rural areas, have access to education and health care services,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma, Collins Kajawa thanked Press Trust for constructing the health facility in the area saying it will go a long way in reducing the challenges people were facing in accessing health services.
Kajawa then asked Press Trust and other partners to add a maternity wing at the health post so that expectant women should not be walking long distances to access maternity services.
He then urged people in his area to take care of the facility and avoid vandalizing it.
Milamba dispensary is expected to serve a population of over 30,000 in the area.
ADMARC to increase crop value addition
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, October 5, Mana: Government through Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has expressed interest to start processing and add value to various farm commodities it buys from farmers.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, ADMARC’s Public Relations Officer, Theresa Chapulapula said the government’s main objective of transforming the country’s economic landscape by moving from an importing to an exporting nation is among the reasons for the new development.
“ADMARC has found out that customers often buy maize to process at mills. Recognizing the higher demand for maize flour, we aim to directly fulfill this consumer need,” she said.
Chapulapula added that the initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security including providing economic benefits to the local farmers in the country.
“This initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security by increasing access to locally produced nutritious foods, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting local farmers. Maize flour that will be sold will be fortified which will assist in the nutrition value of the maize consumption.
“This will help to increase income for farmers by providing them with a stable market for their crops, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce,” she added.
Agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula supports ADMARC's decision, stating that selling raw products does not provide much value to the company.
“Value-added products like maize flour will be easier to sell and can reach a wider market,” he said.
St Charles Lwanga Catholic Choir to launch album
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, October 5, Mana: St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Choir under St Charles Lwanga Parish in Zomba Diocese will on Sunday launch an audio album titled Pitani Kalalikileni at Banja Loyera, Chilinde Parish in Lilongwe.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Edward Lino Kalemba, who is the choirmaster, said preparation are underway for the worship day.
“As a choir, we are preparing for this very important day because we want to make it unforgettable. We are happy because the guest choir on this day will be St Johns Msamba Choir 1,” he said.
Kalemba said they have decided to name the new album Pitani Kalalikileni to inform other gospel singers and all people to go in different parts of the country to preach the gospel of the Lord.
“There may still be other areas where people have not heard the gospel, that is why we are telling our fellow choristers and other gospel singers to continue preaching the word of God,” Kalemba said.
The album, which has 12 songs, will be available in CDs and flash discs with Ndikupembedza inu, Mulungu wathu wopatsa, tiimbire lero, Mkulu wa Ansembe onse, and Miphakati as some of the songs.
“Some of the songs are from our Catholic hymn and prayers book. We are hoping that these songs will lift up the hearts of listeners,” he said.
He said the choir is launching the album in Lilongwe because they wanted to engage people from the district and to open up new relationship.
Supporting choirs that will be present on the day are Chanco Alumni, Bunda CSO, all choirs from Mtima Woyera Deanery and others from Lilongwe Archdiocese.
Ministry to provide mental health professionals in education institutions
By Prisca Mashushu
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Ministry of Health is set to provide mental health services and professionals to primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions as one way of dealing with mental health issues in the country.
Ministry of Health Public Relations Officer, Adrian Chikumbe, said in an interview that the Ministry has decided to provide the service in education institutions due to the increased number of mental health cases in the country.
He said there is a great need for psychosocial support and government intends to identify primary and secondary school teachers that should be able to provide counselling and physiology first aid if an unusual behaviour is noted on children.
“Government is already providing counselling services to people in different health centres in the country and materials have already been distributed in all these centres to help people in dealing with mental issues.
“We are also doing mental health awareness in different parts of the country. For example, on October 10 every year, the country commemorates mental health awareness day,” he said.
Mental health expert, Chiwoza Bandawe, commended government for the positive attitude towards mental health in the country.
“Government attitude towards mental health has shifted greatly recently, a development which can help to construct more health facilities, train more qualified mental health professionals and introduce more faculty that deals with it to ensure more health professionals in schools, churches and hospitals.
“There is need for awareness starting from community levels to help people understand that it’s ok to have mental issues and open up to the right personnel to avoid increase in number of suicide cases in the country,” said Bandawe.
He, therefore, encouraged government to work with stakeholders such as community and church leaders as well as the media by introducing more mental health programs that can help people to be understood, obtain knowledge and be aware of mental health issues.
