MANAonline
Mwanza Stadium constitution work progress impresses minister
By: Aquino Munthewe
Mwanza, May, 17 Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda has expressed satisfaction with progress of the construction of Mwanza Stadium worth K3.7 billion.
He expressed the satisfaction on Thursday when he toured the project site to appreciate status of the work after ground breaking ceremony by the President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera in January this year.
“I am satisfied with both progress and quality of the work and I believe this will continue to meet the target of February, 2025,” said Banda.
District Public Works Officer, Eric Nyekanyeka said that the work is on good course because the contractor. Bonongwe Construction has already finished constructing perimeter fence, toilets and ticket selling rooms and this gives hope to meet the dead line.
“All materials required were already bought and there is good coordination between the council and the contractor,” said Nyekanyeka.
One of the workers at the construction site, Chimwemwe Kadongo thanked government for the project which provided her employment opportunity to support her households.
Later Banda proceeded to Senior Chief Nthache Headquarters to appreciate construction work of the chief's house which is underway with government funding under Chiefs Housing Programme.
After touring the house project, Banda said government appreciates the role traditional leader’s play in the country, adding this was the reason government embarked of the programme.
“This facility is part of motivation to chiefs so that support provided to the government to achieve its development agenda is continued for the benefit of people in the country, “said Banda.
Senior Chief Nthache commended government for the house saying the house will be a decent one with spacious rooms to accommodate visitors.
"As chiefs we receive a lot of visitors. This house is going to solve accommodation problem here at the headquarters,” said Nthache.
President Chakwera calls on Malawians to expect more from his government
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, May 17, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is in Mangochi, to grace the enthronement of the Third Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire, Right Reverend William Mchombo at St. Peters and Paul Cathedral in the district.
Speaking upon his arrival at Mtakataka Turn off on Friday evening, the President said he was happy to be in the Eastern Region and asked people in the region to continue having hope in his government and his leadership, saying he is developing the country to the best level.
The Malawi leader said that despite external economic and weather challenges locking the country, his government is achieving tremendous developments that he promised Malawians.
‘‘I am happy to be back here, even though for a short time, as I am here to attend the enthronement of Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire.’’
‘‘I am urging you to continue supporting my government because what we are doing across the country is just a small portion of what we intend to do,’’ he said.
Chakwera added that his government has plans to develop the country and people are yet to see more development.
‘‘We have plans, and some of the plans are to initiate developmental projects that you are seeing across, therefore expect more from us.’’ the president added.
Amongst people who received the president included party officials, as well as Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters in the Eastern Region.
In his remarks, MCP, Deputy Secretary General, Gerald Kazembe thanked Chakwera for putting efforts to improve livelihoods of people in the country regardless of region.
“I have lived in Mangochi for about 50 years, but this is the year that I have started drinking piped water because of the Nkhudzi Bay Water Supply Project, which was commissioned by your administration. ‘’
As of now, we have witnessed the construction of Cape Maclear tarmac road, The Mangochi – Makanjira road has also started taking shape, all these project are implemented because of your commitment to development,” said Kazembe.
President Chakwera to attend enthronement of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire
By Bishop Witmos
Mangohi, May 17, Mana: Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire is set to enthrone Right, Reverend William Mchombo as the third Bishop of the diocese taking over from Brighton Vitta Malasa.
This follows close to one and half year as the diocese had no bishop, following disagreements between the faithful Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire leadership. Mchombo replaces Malasa who left office in October 2022.
Chairperson of the Bishop's enthronement organizing committee, Winasi Boma said in an interview that all is set for the enthronement of Bishop Mchombo as the next bishop of Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire
He disclosed that President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, his vice Dr. Saulos Chilima, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, and other top government officials are among those that will attend the event.
"Bishop William Mchombo will be enthroned tommorow (Saturday) to become the third Bishop of our diocese, at a function that will take place at St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral at Mpondasi in Mangochi, as of now all is set for the event," said Boma.
Boma added that Archbishop Dr. Albert Chama, who is head of the Anglican Province of Central Africa (APCA) in which Anglican Dioceses in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana fall, will preside over the enthronement.
Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire covers districts of Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Balaka, Ntcheu, Mwanza, Neno and part of Dedza.
Meanwhile, Anglican faithful’s, as well as all other Malawians are all over the streets of Mangochi to welcome President Chakwera and other dignitaries.
Born on August 21 1962, Bishop Mchombo is transferred to Malawi from the Diocese of Eastern Zambia.
Council plans to construct boarding facility for disaster affected learners
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, May 17, Mana: Zomba District Council says it is planning to construct boarding facility at Chisi Island to accommodate learners whose classes are mostly disrupted in times of floods on Lake Chilwa as was the case with Tropical Cyclone Freddy disaster.
Speaking during the Full Council Meeting, Chairperson of Development Committee, Macferson Sulumba said due to continued disruption of classes at Chisi Island the council would like to have a boarding facility that would accommodate learners in times of disasters.
Sulumba cited Tropical Cyclone Freddy as the case of concern which disrupted classes at schools Chisi, Chinguma and Ngotangota schools when rising waters in Lake Chilwa forcing total closure of the schools.
He added that rising waters in the Lake Chilwa heavily affected learners especially those in Standard 8 who were preparing to sit for Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations.
“The facility is meant to accommodate learners only in times of disasters. The decision is as a result of the experience during tropical Cyclone Freddy. Learners were accommodated at St Michael's Primary School to prepare for their examinations," he said.
Member of Parliament for Zomba Lisanjala. Dr. William Susuwele Banda while acknowledging the importance of the facility asked the council to critically look into what the Education Policy says about establishment of boarding facility in primary schools.
Dr. Banda further said the council should also look into who will be responsible for feeding learners at the proposed boarding facility.
“Boarding facility is expensive to manage and this is why some schools are struggling to keep learners in such facilities. Will parents going to bear the responsibility, have we done research on that,” the MP asked.
Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Thomas Mbwembwe said although there is no policy on boarding facility for primary schools, the case of Chisi Island is exceptional especially considering access to quality education.
“Much as we know there is no policy but this issue has to be carefully looked into. In terms of who will be responsible… obviously parents will be responsible unless a partners come in to support," he said.
During Tropical Cyclone Freddy schools on Chisi Island were disturbed and this compelled school authority to closure the schools for learners’ safety but at the expense of child education.
Standard 8 learners at Chisi were affected for about three months and were forced to leave their homes and join the other school upland to prepare for PSLCE examinations.
Chakwera for climate resilient communities
By Patricia Kapulula
Lilongwe, May 17, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized on the need to enhance climate smart agriculture in order to build self-reliant and climate resilient communities to address effects of climate change amongst communities.
He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday during the launch of the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) 2024 Flag Week.
He said climate smart agriculture that includes winter cropping through the use of irrigation technologies are important in addressing climate change related shocks.
“Presently, Malawi is in the midst of the state of disaster which I declared almost two months ago in 23 districts of the country on account of El Niño weather conditions that have destroyed much of the country’s food crops adding to the already acute food shortages caused by Cyclone Freddy last year, cyclones ANA and Gombe a year before,” he said.
The cyclone has left a total of nine million Malawians in need of food assistance this year.
President Chakwera, therefore, called upon Malawians to support MRCS whose work, he said, is important in the advancement of the welfare of Malawians.
“MRCS is an indispensable player with operations worth of our support. There is need to enhance response to humanitarian aid as implications of food crisis on public health are enormous and demand collaborative efforts to ensure that every Malawian household is reached with the necessary humanitarian support,” said Chakwera.
The President made a donation of K2 million towards the Flag Week.
Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, appealed to Malawians to join hands in helping MRCS raise funds for its humanitarian activities.
MRCS President Innocent Majiya, said the society is expected to raise K160 million that could see them having readily available funds in their reserves for emergencies.
He, therefore, appealed to well-wishers and the corporate world to support them with donations towards the cause.
“With so many global challenges competing for attention and resources, the Red Cross movement is committed to addressing the forgotten crises around the world.
“Beyond borders and amidst our diverse backgrounds, the unity of our movement lies in shared commitment to humanitarian action,” he said.
As part of activities to raise funds during the week, MRCS has organized a Cycling for Humanity which aims to raise K100 million for disaster response.
Two cyclists, Dziwani Mwachumu and Kenneth Chikazunga will, on Monday, cycle from Lilongwe to Blantyre on voluntary basis.
It is expected that Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima will send off the cyclists from Lilongwe whose cycle will take two days.
MRCS Flag Week, which is held to raise funds for various activities, follows commemoration of the Red Crescent Day which falls on May 8 every year.
CSAT Advocates for community radios to report Parliamentary proceedings
By Lyte Ali
Mangochi, May 17, Mana: Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has appealed to community journalists in the Eastern Region to write stories focusing on parliamentary proceedings to keep communities aware of issues good governance.
Citizen Engagement Manager for CSAT Moffat Mphweya Phiri said CSAT established that community radios do not focus on what Members of Parliament (MPs) discuss when parliament is in session.
Phiri made the call on Thursday in Mangochi at the end of a media training on Access to Information Law under Parliamentary Support Programme.
"As CSAT, we saw a gap that most of the community radios in the country do not pay attention on parliamentary reporting. We note that the proceedings are mainly covered by few national radio stations,” he added.
He said that CSAT therefore felt the need to engage community radios to raise awareness on the need to adequately report on parliamentary proceedings.
“We felt it necessary to empower community journalists so that they should have knowledge on Parliamentary Support Programme and how to access as well as report parliamentary proceedings," the Citizen Engagement Manager said.
Phiri added that the media training was aimed at identifying and addressing barriers in accessing parliamentary information to reach communities in rural areas.
In her remarks, Head of News at Dzimwe Community Radio in Mangochi, Maureen Kawerama commended CSAT for the training which she described as an eye opener.
She said that for a long time Dzimwe Community Radio were left out in parliamentary reporting, adding that her media house did not know procedures to follow in accessing parliamentary proceedings.
"As community journalists, we felt left out on parliamentary reporting as we did not know how to access information in parliament. This training has helped us know procedures to follow when accessing information on parliamentary proceedings,” she added.
Kawerama therefore said that community radios will be able to cover parliamentary proceeding to keep communities well informed on issues of national importance.
Journalists from different community radio houses based in Mangochi, Balaka and Machinga attended the training.
Nice, Thyolo Police Encourage Peace and Harmony during the General Election Campaign
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, May 17, Mana: Thyolo National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust and Thyolo Police have urged political party’s followers in the district to maintain peace and harmony during 2025 general elections campaign to ensure violent free and credible polls.
The appeal was made on Thursday, during a stakeholder engagement with Thyolo Multi-Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) on a peace building organized by the Trust in the district.
NICE Trust. Programmes Officer for Thyolo and Chiradzulu, Moses Kaunda stressed the importance of peace and harmony in electoral process, saying political parties in the district should refrain from confrontational politics that often lead to burning of party campaign materials and other party properties.
"Peace is paramount. There is need to ensure that the peace is maintained. Political violence only illustrates immature democracy," said Kaunda, adding that party representatives need to convey to their followers’ the importance of maintaining peace during campaign.
Thyolo Police Officer In-Charge (OC), Francis Chisoti said the engagement with the MPLC was the most effective way to deal with political violence among party members.
“The meeting has provided room to strategies how the district should handle issues of political chaos if they erupt,” said Chisoti, adding that it was important for leaders of political parties in the district to work together and share strategies that should help in preventing violence during political meetings ahead of the general elections.
“As police, this committee is a security strategy, any problem emanating from the ground regarding disagreements can ably be resolved by the committee.
“We have proposed that party representatives should conduct joint sensitization meetings in trading centers that we are one in principle despite having different political parties,” he said.
He further warned perpetrators of political violence that police will arrest and take them to court, saying crime and disorder in society affect development.
A MPLC member, Charles George said the engagement meeting was relevant and timely, saying it provided a forum that promoted a spirit of coexistence among political parties.
Political party’s representatives, Thyolo MEC officials, CSO representatives among others attended the MPLC engagement meeting.
MHRC moves to safeguard refugees
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, May 17, Mana: Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has underscored the importance of addressing issues of lack of information sharing which has potential to misinformation and lack of action in some important issues which is affecting the rights of refugees in the country.
Speaking in Salima district during a capacity building workshop for commissioners and staff on refugee’s related laws, policies and international best practices, Commissioner Andrew Kavala highlighted that lack of coordination among stakeholders is a big challenge.
"We want refugees to live their lives like any other citizen in the country with their rights protected and promoted and those undermining their stay in the camp are taken into task, no one should feel more important and violate the rights of refugees,” he said.
“As a commission we look at a number of areas which require immediate interventions by government and various key players on issues about safety of the refugees, status and overcrowding. We will make sure that these issues are addressed by various stakeholders,” he added.
Kavala said the interface meeting will help the commission to develop a way forward, on what should be done and what strategies should be put in place to address various issues faced by the refugees in the camps.
In her words, Programmes Manager at European Union Delegation, Atiji Nuka highlighted the importance of coordination among stakeholders and the need to review refugee act of 1989 which is outdated.
“We have an outdated legislation, there is coordination among main stakeholders, lack of knowledge sharing and the need to discuss and review all issues happening with refugees and come up with solutions,” he said.
Nuka added that complaints handling mechanisms in the refugee camps is not working due to lots of trust issues between refugees and organisations working in the camps.
“This dialogue can come up with a set of either an independent organisation, commission or a forum that the refugees can feel comfortable with but also trust that their issues can be handled properly,” she said.
Law Commissioner Rosemary Kanyuka, who is one of the commissioners reviewing the Refugee Act of 1989 said it is important to review the Act to accommodate the current situations being faced by the refugees.
“We are reviewing the act because it is long overdue, we want to incorporate current issues such as overcrowding and relocation of the camp. This meeting will provide us information about these issues and will tell us what will be made so that when reviewing we should include them in the new act,” she said.
MHRC is implementing a two year “promotion and protection of rights of refugees and other migrants in Malawi” project with funds from the European Union to enhance alignment of national legal frameworks and policies and to improve equality, inclusion, respect and engagement of refugees in the country.
WVI graduates 97 Ntchisi youths in tailoring
By Maria Tembo
Ntchisi, May 17, Mana: At least 97 youths from Senior Chief Vuso Jere, Chikho and Kalumo have graduated from a tailoring course which World Vision Malawi (WVM) in collaboration with Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) conducted in Ntchisi district.
World Vision Project Officer in Ntchisi Lewis Chiwanga said these 97 youths have been equipped with all the required knowledge and skills about tailoring and hopes for high quality products to be produced from them.
Speaking on Thursday, during a graduation ceremony of youths at Chipokosa Youth Resource Centre in the area of Senior Chief Kalumo, He said with the tailoring skills the youths have acquired, they will be able to act as role models in their communities, create jobs to fellow youth and train others on the same.
“We expect these tailors to be productive members of the community and Ntchisi as a whole and that we are planning on training other youths in the district with different vocational skills in future,” Chiwanga explained.
In his remarks, Regional Service Centre Manager for Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) Josephy Sambaya said with the startup toolkits the youths have received from WVM, they will be able to start small scale businesses.
He said these youths have also been empowered with entrepreneurship training and hopes for some of these youths to get employment from different organisations in the district.
“These youths have not only been given startup toolkits from WVM but have also received certificates from TEVETA and this is very huge as they will be able to get employment from different organisations within the country as well as outside Malawi,” said Sambaya.
Arnold Kapolo who is Ntchisi District Council Chairperson applauded WVM and TEVETA for empowering youths with tailoring skills, saying they will be reliable citizens of the community and will help in developing the country.
One of the graduates, Memory Chimombo said the vocational training is coming at the right time, as most youths in the district are jobless and advised fellow graduates to take good care of the given startup toolkits.
The trainings and startup toolkits that have been given to youths in the district are worth MK52 million.
Mana nr 1Microfinance institutions urged to support women
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 17, Mana: In an effort to promote financial inclusion and equality, Microfinance institutions have been urged to develop policies that ensure that women have access to financial services.
Reserve Bank of Malawi Executive Director, Mercy Kumbatira, made the call on Thursday, and during an inaugural ‘Women in Microfinance Meeting’ organized by Malawi Microfinance Network, in Salima district.
Kumbatira said it is unfortunate to note that women are preferring informal financial institutions popularly known as "bank nkhonde" a development that is putting them at risk of financial insecurities, adding that most of these groupings are not registered.
"These women groupings where money is kept are not registered therefore if money is misappropriated it is difficult to lay claims to recover the loses," she said.
She said the higher percentage of women accessing and using informal financial services, specifically village banks, is an indication of a high and unmet demand for financial services and products by women.
On this point she said it is important for financial institutions to revisit their policies so that women should move from preferring informal financial services to preferring formal financial services and create demand for women to have access to financial services.
She therefore said Microfinance Institutions should continue challenging traditional gender norms by promoting financial inclusion adding that when women gain control over financial resources, they make financial decisions which positively impact their families and communities.
Kumbatira said the Reserve Bank is complimenting efforts made by Microfinance Institutions such as development of a Gender Inclusive Finance Roadmap to address the gaps hindering women from accessing formal financial services.
Concurring with Kumbatira, Malawi Microfinance Network Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Phulusa said bringing together women in Micro Financing will help in bringing solutions to challenges that women are facing when trying to access financial services.
Phulusa said the meeting provided networking and mentorship opportunities for building professional networks among women working in the financial services.
"This conference has provided an opportunity and a platform for all stakeholders to engage and chart a way for leadership, empowerment and embracing talent in the microfinance sector, as in doing so, plays a crucial role in shaping the industry and promoting financial inclusion," he said.
Malawi Microfinance Network acts as a resource Centre for Microfinance Institutions and other stakeholders to access a wide range of information on Microfinance within and outside Malawi.
