MANAonline
SCTP restore hopes to Cyclone Freddy survivors
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, September 30, Mana: Communities in Nsanje are excited with Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) as beneficiaries recover from effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
A survivor, Alumenda Kushitera from Nthukuso Village Traditional Authority (TA) Malemia told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Monday that after receiving money from the SCTP, he bought iron sheets ready to construct a house.
“My house was completely washed away including all household items following Tropical Cyclone Freddy induced rains. Village committee offered me a temporally shelter for my family,” he added.
Kushitera said he lost hope of owning another house as he had no means of earning cash to build a house
“I am the source of income in my family. I am not employed as I rely on peace works,
“Due to the rising cost of building materials, I lost the hope of owning my own house,” he added.
Kushitera, a family man of five children was enrolled in SCTP and had received money twice amounting to K300,000.00.
“At least I have bought a goat and iron sheets. I am very optimistic that I will construct a house using the money from the government Social Cash Transfer Programme,” he added.
A female headed household survivor from Mtemangawa Village, Linily Richard said was grateful that she will own a decent house after being enrolled into the SCTP.
“It has not been easy to feed my children. I am now thinking of constructing a house to give my children decent accommodation. Our house was destroyed during Cyclone Freddy in 2023,” she added.
Another survivor, Mphatso Donsa, 32 from Mtemangawa Village intends to construct a house as he mobilizes iron sheets with money from the SCTP.
“My house was washed away by Cyclone Freddy in 2023. I want to build that will be roofed with 20 iron sheets as I have already bought 10 iron sheets with money from the SCTP,” he added.
Nsanje District Social Welfare Officer responsible for SCTP, Abdulrazak Duwa said the District Council was impressed with over 7,000 beneficiaries whose livelihood had improved after their enrollment into the programme.
Nsanje Secondary School alumni donates 50 mattresses
By Patrick Gulaye
Nsanje, September 30, Mana: Nsanje Secondary School alumni on Sunday donated 50 mattresses worth K 2.8 million to the school.
The development has come following challenges raised by students including lack of beddings which affects learners at the institution
The Alumni Interim Chairperson, Masauko Khembo said the donation was an appreciation to what the school did to them.
“We have been at school for four years and we thought of coming back to give thanks to the school. We managed to mobilize resources and we bought 50 mattresses which we have donated to the school,
“As an association of alumni, we have three objectives, infrastructural development, encouraging students to do better and security for the school, that's the area we want to work on at this institution,” he added.
Nsanje Secondary School, Head boy, Luka Mazonda said the school needs adequate girl’s hostels, adding that the school requires Physical Science laboratory.
“The Physical Science laboratory was turned to be girl’s hostel. We are appealing for companies and organizations for support for good hostels. As learners we are very grateful with the mattress donation,” the Head boy added.
Senior Chief Chimombo who attended Nsanje Secondary School from 1988 to 1992 appealed to individuals, corporate world and other and organizations of good will to support the school to address its various challenges ranging from infrastructure to teaching and learning resources.
The School opened its doors in 1964.
Silver, Wanderers meets again in Airtel Top 8 Semifinals
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, September 30, Mana: Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and National Referees Association (NRA) expect peaceful semifinals between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in this year’s Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 competition as opposed to a game of controversies.
The Bankers will once more play against the Nomads marking a second time in a row for Lilongwe and Blantyre based teams to meet in semifinals of Airtel Top 8 after meeting last year in Lilongwe in the match that ended prematurely due to misunderstandings between the Nomads and referee.
NRA, General Secretary, Chris Kalichero told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday in Blantyre that football lovers should not worry about this year’s semifinal, saying the match would not end prematurely as was the case before.
“Referees meet every week and they are being reminded of rules of the game and any amendments made regarding match officiation and many more. Everything will be OK as referees will do their job professionally,” he said.
FAM’s Competitions and Communications Director, Gomezgani Zakazaka explained that what destroyed the Airtel Top 8 game was not misunderstandings between Silver and Wanderers.
“It was not about the two teams but an issue on referee’s decision which can happen in any match. It should not be about Silver vs Wanderers but should be about ensuring that officiation is top notch,” he said.
Zakazaka added that the six games played in the competition indicate that the officiation was good and expressed hope that the same would happen in the remaining games including semifinal between Silver and Wanderers.
“So far six games played and we had good officiation and we expect that to continue,” he added.
The Bankers are through to semifinals after defeating Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 6-2 on goal aggregate on Sunday while Nomads defeated Bangwe All Stars 4-2 on post-match penalties on Saturday.
WVM for equal access to maternal health services
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, September 30, Mana: World Vision Malawi (WVM)has said every mother in the country deserves equal access to maternal health services
WVM Country Director, Francis Dube made the remarks Monday during the handover of a donation worth K 117 million Medical Equipment to Nation Publication Limited (NPL) as part of this year’s Mother Fun Run (MFR) at their Head Offices in Lilongwe.
He observed that a lot of mothers are facing a lot of challenges to access maternal health services hence their partnership with NPL to ensure that access to such service are provided.
“We have been in partnership with NPL during the implementation of MFR and what have been sources from various well-wishers has been used in various health facilities in the country for the past years,” Dube said.
He said as WVM they focus their work mostly on vulnerable communities which include women and children that’s why they part of the process in helping mothers and children in various health centres to have right access to health services.
Dube commended NPL for MFR initiative saying it has helped to improve access to maternal service to most rural women in the country who were faced with a number of challenges.
“We wish many partners would join the cause and help NPL to improve health delivery of services at most health centres in the country,” the Country Director wished.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NPL, Mbumba Banda appealed to organizations and individuals to make positive contributions to help health facilities to lessen their plight.
She said some of the challenges the health facilities are facing might be small or big but with collective responsibility this could be resolved.
Banda thanked WVM for the donation saying health facilities in Chikwawa would greatly benefit from the donation which has come at the right time.
The initiative aims at promoting maternal and neonatal health outcomes by providing essential medical and services.
The main Mother Fun Run was at Mkumaniza Health Centre which is 26 kilometres way from Ngabu Trading centre in Chikwawa and it currently facing shortage of water supply, food supply, no electricity at maternity wing and no stationed ambulance.
Some of the donated items included delivery beds, mattresses and protective equipment’s.
Man in custody for stealing livestock as other suspects got burnt to death
Kondwani Alfonso
Nsanje, September 30, Mana: Nsanje Police have arrested Seka Mkupira Zeka, 29, for allegedly stealing three herds of goats in June and 22 goats in September this year as angry mob in the district burnt two other armed robbery suspects to death.
The Nsanje Police Spokesperson, Agnes Zalakoma said the suspect stole all 22 goats from Mozambique and was on the run.
He said police intensified investigations that led to the arrest of the suspect at Chilanga village in Traditional Authority Ndamera’s area in Nsanje where the suspect comes from.
Meanwhile, police said Zeka will appear in court to answer three charges levelled against him.
In another development, Police in Nsanje have instituted investigations to apprehend suspects that attempted robbery with violence on the night of September 29-30 September 2024 at Sorgin Trading Center in the district.
According to Zalakoma, officers from Sorgin Police Unit received information from reliable sources that a gang of unknown criminals were armed with offensive weapons and wanted to rob well-known businessperson, John Maya who owns a shop of assorted groceries.
“In the process, the owner of the shop shouted for help. An angry mob came out and apprehended two criminals and burnt them to death.
“Following a report, Chilomo Police Post detectives joined Sorgin Police Unit in rescuing the other two unknown criminals who were heavily assaulted,” Nsanje Police publicist added.
She added that the police took the victims to Nsanje District Hospital where they have been admitted.
Zalakoma said the gang was travelling in a blue Toyota Land Cruiser whose registration number was not yet known.
Postmortem report has indicated that death of the two suspects was due to severe burns, she added that investigations are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.
Four arrested for possession of forest produce without permit in Nsanje
By Patrick Gulaye
Nsanje, September 30, Mana: Police in Nsanje on over the week end arrested four suspects for being found in possession of forest produce without license and entering into protected area without authorisation.
Nsanje Police Public Relations Officer, Agnes Zalakoma said the four committed the offence at Kalulu, Masenjere Forest in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in the district.
Zalakoma identified the suspects as Ellen Mwakha aged 27 from Bandazi village, Funny Mwakha aged 39 from Mkweza village, Davies Kauluka, 30 years old of Ng'ombe village and Daison Malemu, 18 years old from Malema village, all in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo in the district.
Zalakoma further told Malawi News Agency that the suspects entered into a protected area and cut down indigenous trees and produced charcoal, adding that forestry officers reported the matter to police.
“Police in conjunction with forest officers carried out an operation and intercepted 25 bags of charcoal,” she added.
Zalakoma said all the suspects will appear before court soon to answer charges labeled against them.
Meanwhile Police in the district said will continue with the operation and warned that those involved in the malpractice will face the law.
Chimwendo advocates for ceasing political violence
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, September 30, Mana: The Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda has urged supporters of the party to refrain from retaliating against the actions of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Addressing the media during a press briefing on Monday at the MCP Headquarters in Lilongwe, Chimwendo emphasized the party's commitment to peace over violence.
He highlighted that President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the entire Malawi Congress Party prohibits any form of violence by party members.
"If I receive reports of any party member engaging in inappropriate language, I will take immediate action without waiting for the party's intervention," he asserted.
Chimwendo has also emphasized that the Malawi Congress Party embraces unity, as demonstrated in the recent rally in the Northern region, which was free of violence.
He has called on President of the DPP, Peter Muthalika, to publicly denounce the statements made by members of the Democratic Progressive Party regarding their malicious intentions towards MCP supporters.
In addressing the incident at Mbowe filling station, Chimwendo referenced the unfortunate events involving Honorable Brown Mpinganjira at Crown Hotel, stating that the Mbowe saga was an internal conflict between two factions within the DPP.
He also underscored the importance of all Malawians embracing unity and refraining from political violence, emphasizing the significant role such initiatives play in the country's development.
Nkhata Bay registers increased unsafe abortion cases
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, September 30, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Hospital Nursing Officer, Khumbo Nyasulu, on Monday said the district has registered 91 unsafe abortion cases from January to August 2024.
Nyasulu who is also Sexual Health Reproductive Services provider added that they recorded 79 cases during similar period in 2023 and the current figures indicate that there has been 15 percent increase, a development which she said is worrisome.
He was speaking during a meeting on addressing post abortion challenges which was organized by Hope for Relief Malawi through My Future My Rights Project which focuses on informing girls and young women the dangers of unsafe abortion.
“Increased number of young girls seeking post abortion care services is due to unplanned pregnancies signifying unprotected sexual activities,” said Nyasulu.
He then said that her office is working with various stakeholders in enhancing sexual reproductive health and family planning services awareness campaigns to address the challenge.
Program Manager for Hope for Relief Malawi, Glory Nyasulu said her organization works with some civil society organizations, young girls and female sex workers and called for well-coordinated efforts in addressing the life threatening development.
"My Future my Rights Project commenced in the district in July 2024 and is expected to wind up in July 2025.
Community in Balaka embrace ES-GEAR
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, September 30, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Program SCTP beneficiaries in Balaka have hailed government for the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilient (SP-GEAR) component.
In the component, SCTP beneficiaries are taken through financial literacy trainings with formation of Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups to instill beneficiaries’ saving culture for better livelihood.
The beneficiaries are also taken through the Early Childhood Development (ECD) component with child corners that are meant to provide safe space to play, relax, have fun and socialize.
A 52 years old beneficiary, Raphael Maselema from Ndoya village, Sub Traditio9bnal Authority, Kapalamula told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday that VSL groups have helped beneficiaries to improve their household income, adding that they were into small scale businesses courtesy of the savings.
“Apart from the financial part, we are also encouraged to refrain from any form of gender based violence (GBV). We used to have cases of men that could spend cash on beer at the expense of family welfare.
“We always meet on Monday afternoon and we are encouraged to plan and budget together (as a family) on important things that should help our family grow. We are further encouraged to prioritise on buying food, sending our children to school if we have any,” added Maselema
Another SCTP beneficiary from the same area, Benson Kakhome, 48, said that beneficiaries were advised to refrain from GBV and that they should report any form of GVB to relevant authorities.
“We are aware that we are supposed to give feedback on corruption, GBV or anything to do with the programme to a special committee that has been instituted in our area on the harmonized grievance redress mechanism,” explained Kakhome who has been in the programme since 2022.
On his part, District Community Development Officer (DCDO) for Balaka, McDonald Nyaka disclosed that his office registered more VSL groups since the onset of SP-GEAR.
“So far, we have mobilized 464 VSL groups out of SCTP beneficiaries and others that are not SCTP beneficiaries. Out of 9,341 beneficiaries, 8,819 are those from the SCTP which is encouraging and my office is hopping to enroll more as the registration is continuous,” he said.
Social Welfare Officer responsible for SCTP, Mphatso Chisepa said her office has the duty to monitor SP-GEAR activities.
“SP-GEAR activities are complimentary to SCTP. We will be monitoring number of GBV cases reported. This will help us to measure if people really grasped the concept and in the same way by the end of this year, we will also know if all SCTP beneficiaries have registered in VSL groups,” she added.
Church given ultimatum to observe children’s right to education
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, September 30, Mana: Stakeholders in Nkhata Bay have given members of Seventh Day Adventist Country Living Church in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Zilakoma an ultimatum until October 10, 2024 to start sending their children to school and allowing them access medical services or else they will face eviction from the area.
TA Zilakoma said much as there is freedom of religion, communities should ensure that child rights are protected at all cost.
He was speaking on Sunday at Chingathole during an interface meeting with community members and members of the church which was organized by Livingstonia Synod Aids Program (LISAP) through Help a Child Project,
He added that infringing children of their right is uncalled for as it would lead to unproductive future generation that will result in limiting development of the area and the country as a whole.
“It is shocking to see the church’s members denying their children access to social services as we agreed during similar engagement meetings.
"We cannot be playing a hide and seek game on child rights to education and access to health services. Our decision is final and come October 10, we will take action if you will not abide to this," warned Zilakoma.
One of the church members, Andrea Chinyama, argued that he teaches his children God's school which recognizes that man was created by God unlike the content of public school curriculum which says man came from a monkey.
On a contrary note, another church member, Everson Kayira said that he has sent back his children to school after understanding the bible well and takes them to hospital when they fall sick, hence calling fellow church followers to follow suit.
District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, McSencie Chagomerana said that he was concerned over lack of commitment by some community members in observing child rights, adding that such malpractices do not align with country's Malawi 2063 goals.
Chagomerana however pledged that the council will strive in making sure that children access education and medical services as enshrined in the Constitution of Malawi.
"Section 23 of the Constitution states that parents should be in the forefront in safeguarding children rights in which rights to education and medical services are among them," said Chagomerana.
Executive Director for LISAP, Jonathan Vumu commended local authorities and the council for engaging each other in addressing the problem.
Members of Seventh Day Adventist Country Living Church deny their children from accessing education and medical services basing on their religious beliefs.
