MANAonline
NICE calls for a vibrant CSO
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, February 25, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has challenged Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Salima to be vigilant in providing checks and balances to the district council as one way of enhancing transparency and accountability.
The call was made Friday during the Salima District CSOs monthly meeting organized by NICE Trust through Boma Lathu, a European Union funded programme.
NICE Trust District Civic Education Officer, Queen Mataya, underscored the need to have an active CSO network that will speak for the marginalized saying the majority of the community are not involved in decision making processes.
She appealed to CSOs to take extra steps to ensure that they follow and are up to date with council decisions and processes such as budget consultations, procurement and contract awarding.
"There are some decisions that district councils make that directly affect citizens; it is such decisions that have to be keenly followed and where they observe an error they should voice out their concerns," she said.
She, therefore, said for efficient service delivery, there has to be a good working relationship between the council and CSO network at all times.
Salima CSO Network Chairperson, Paul Duncan, said it is their duty and responsibility to ensure that the district council is held accountable.
"Monitoring that resources are channeled towards development and for the betterment of people's livelihoods should be prioritized. If we fail in our duty of serving people of Salima then we need to re-strategies our plans," he said.
He complained that CSOs are not involved in procurement issues, bid opening and contract awarding hence called for their involvement in such important processes.
Salima District Council Chief Planning Officer, Lonia Mwiyeriwa, said for the council to achieve maximum efficiency CSOs have to be involved in most decisions made by the council.
"As advocates, on behalf of the government, they assist us in various areas such as policy change and raising awareness. They are also our source of information and communication with the community.
To complement government’s plans outlined in the Malawi 2063, NICE Trust is implementing Boma Lathu with funding from European Union to address democratic and governance issues.
K7.6 billion Nyika water project ready by June
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, February 25, Mana: Contractor for Nyika Water Project, which will tap water from Runyina River in Nyika National Park and distribute to communities around Nyika/Vyaza conservation area, says the project will be ready by June, 2024.
Regional Manager for the contractor, HE Jackson Engineering, Timothy Bertrand, said this during a joint monitoring visit by Department of Parks and Wildlife and Rumphi District Council officials on Friday.
Bertrand said there has been some delays in the project due to importation challenges which has seen some pipes for the project stuck at Dar es Saalam Port for a month because the port was too busy to clear them.
He said, once completed, the project will be able to provide water to at least 18,000 people in 2024 and up to 33,000 by 2044.
District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said the project is one of the major water projects being implemented in the district by Malawi Government and its development partners.
He was optimistic that access to water will significantly improve in the targeted areas.
"We cannot talk of achieving the Malawi 2063 aspirations of becoming a self-reliant wealthy nation without water provision. These are the projects that will take us there. This will provide portable water for our people.
"We also had many Cholera cases around Kamphenda, Lusani, Mwazisi and Kazuni due to lack of access to clean and portable water. That will soon be a thing of the past," he said.
Principal Parks and Wildlife Officer in the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Catherine Chunga, was impressed with the quality of works and was optimistic the project will be completed within the revised timeframe.
Senior Chief Mpherembe of Mzimba, whose area will also benefit from the project, said people in the targeted areas were struggling to access clean and portable water, with some using untreated water from Rukuru River, increasing health risks such as Cholera outbreaks.
The US$4.5 million (approximately K7.6 billion) project, which is funded by the Republic of Germany through KFW and is managed by Peace Parks Foundation, was launched by Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule in April 2023, was initially expected to be completed by March, 2024.
Government launches food distribution exercise in Dowa
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, February 25, Mana: Government, through the Department of Disaster Management (DoDMA) on Saturday started distribution of maize flour assistance to 132,000 people in Dowa with a call for the country to do away with dependence on rain fed agriculture.
Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, made the remarks in Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa when he launched the exercise which aims to cushion persons facing food shortages from hunger during this year’s lean season.
The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) 2023 annual report projected over 4.4 million people to be food insecure during the 2023/2024 consumption year and recommended provision of food assistance to the affected population in 28 districts and four cities of the country.
Kawale said in response, government, through DoDMA and in collaboration with humanitarian partners, facilitated the development of the 2023/2024 LS-FIRP to mobilize resources and effectively coordinate the humanitarian programme to address needs of the people facing food insecurity.
“As the state president said, he will not let anyone die of hunger. As such we are commencing this exercise here in Dowa to reach out to the affected,” he said.
He said it is high time the country started relying hugely on irrigation agriculture.
Kawale said government is, for this reason, allocating a lot of resources towards the development of irrigation farming to, amongst other things, resuscitate irrigation schemes and create new ones.
“We also want you to start irrigation farming in areas where there is water and moisture all year round so that you may also be able to harvest two or three times a year. As government, we are evaluating on how best to help you on this,” he said.
DoDMA Director of Preparedness and Response, Reverend Moses Chimphepo, said around 29,333 households translating to around 132,000 people have been affected in Dowa.
“Beneficiaries are receiving a 50 kilogramme bag of maize flour. As a department, will make sure we reach out to everyone who is at risk of food shortage,” he said.
Chairperson for Dowa District Council, Mayamiko Kambewa, thanked government and all implementing partners for the timely intervention for those facing hunger in the district.
Group Village Head Thotho said, as traditional leaders in the district, they are ready to dedicate land to irrigation-based initiatives.
Farm Radio International urges media houses on agricultural programing
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, February 25, Mana: Farm Radio International has urged community broadcasting media houses to prioritize more on agriculture related programs, adding that farmers are not fully adopting modern farming technologies due to information gaps in the country.
Consultant for Farm Radio International Dr. Patrick Mphaka said this on Saturday during a presentation of the George Atkins Communication Award to Umunthu FM's Programs Manager and Agricultural Producer, Victor Asumani in Nkhotakota district.
Mphaka emphasized the need for broadcasting houses to incorporate beyond their limit agricultural related programs in their media outlets, saying the country survives because most of the population is dependent on agriculture.
"We are able to survive because famers are feeding and bringing forex to the country since 80 percent of the country's population depends on agriculture and the media industry should strive for impactful agriculture related programs", said Mphaka.
He said the award needs radio producers of agriculture programs to include all reliable information which farmers might need in their farming business.
In his remarks, Victor Asumani encouraged other radio producers and reporters in various media houses to strive for teamwork if they are to scoop more international awards in the country.
"Media practitioners in the country should learn from what I have done this year to continue putting the country on the map in terms of international awards", said Asumani.
Representative for District Coordinator for CISP organization Alifeyo Mwalukomo, described the award as a success story for implementing partners on Climate Smart projects being implemented in the district.
Since the award started in 2001, media practitioners in the country have scooped the award twice first by Gladson Makowa who won in 2009 for Story Workshop, seconded by Sakina Majawa of Chanco Community Radio in 2023 and now Victor Asumani is the third winner in 2024 with a certificate and 500 Canadian dollars.
George Atkins Communication Award focuses on awarding outstanding individuals who have achieved excellence in rural radio broadcasting houses globally.
Lions Club plants 1200 trees in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, February 25, Mana: Chitipa Lions Club on Saturday planted 1200 trees at Chitipa Secondary and Namuyemba Full Primary Schools in Senior Chief Mwabulambya’s area in the district.
Vice President for Chitipa Lions Club, Fidelis Kambalame said the club decided to plant trees at the two schools in view of the national forestry season which is underway.
“We are in the national forestry season and as one way of taking part in the tree planting exercise we decided to plant trees with the learners at Chitipa Secondary School and Namuyemba primary,” Kambalame said.
He then asked school management, learners and communities to take a leading role in conserving the environment by planting trees and managing them.
“We want to make sure that all the trees we have planted today survive. We have planted fruit trees for nutrition, the trees that restore fertility in the soil and natural trees,” Kambalame said.
Head teacher for Chitipa Secondary School, Mapopa Shaba noted the need to plant more trees and conserve them, saying trees produce oxygen which human beings need and trees need carbon dioxide which human beings produce.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Mwabulambya said he wanted 99 percent survival rate of the trees hence he would be making regular visits to the schools to monitor how they are being managed.
The country is expected to plant 34 million trees in the 2023/24 National Forestry Season under the theme ‘Forest innovation in action: Reforestation for sustainable tomorrow’.
25,000 Kasungu families receive relief maize
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, February 25, Mana: At least 24,760 families in Kasungu district have received relief maize from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) under the Lean Season Response Plan for the 2023/2024 period.
The programme has planned to meet the January and February food deficits for a total of 31,778 families with each household receiving a 50 kilogramme bag of maize each month.
Disaster and Relief Management Officer for Kasungu, Tiwonge Msowoya, said in an interview on Saturday after the maize distribution exercise in Traditional Authority (TA) Simlemba in the district that the response team has so far reached out to 24,760 of the targeted households.
She said: “The programme has a combination of beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer Programme and those that are targeted using the Joint Emergency Food Assistance Programme guidelines and, currently, we are responding to the January deficit.
“The activity is ongoing until we reach our target. We just want to advise the recipients that the maize must be used to alleviate their food needs. It is not for sale.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Jere, thanked government for the relief saying it has come at a time when most households had run out of food stocks.
“We don’t have food here. No one has maize. We were relying on piece work in farms to buy food but you can see that the farming season has almost ended and there is no where we can find piecework,” Banda said.
Senior Chief Simlemba commended government for the maize saying people in his area were starving with hunger.
“The community is excited that finally the maize has reached us. Some people had doubts that the maize would come because the famine had reached bad levels. Our expectations are high that the second lot of the maize will find us soon,” Simlemba said.
According to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report, at least 4.4 million people countrywide are food insecure with food deficits ranging from two to six months.
In Kasungu district alone, hunger has affected at least 143,000 people.
President Hage Geingob Laid to Rest at Heroes Acre
By Linda Moyo in Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek, February 25, Mana: Namibias late President, Hage Geingob, a revered figure in the nation's history, who died on February 4 at the age of 82 while serving as President, has been laid to rest at Heroes Acre in Windhoek.
Heroes Acre is a memorial site constructed in 2002 to honor those who fought for Namibia's independence, freedom and democracy.
Thousands of Namibians, alongside Heads of State from across the globe, gathered to bid farewell to the late President, reflecting on his pivotal role as a freedom fighter and Pan-Africanist.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera was among the dignitaries who attended burial of the fallen leader.
Chakwera highlighted Geingob's tireless efforts in advocating for freedom, peace and prosperity in Namibia and Africa.
The ceremony was marked by sorrowful faces and tears shed by Geingob's close relatives and children as his casket was lowered into the ground.
Geingob was honored with a 21-gun salute and other ceremonial honors reflecting the profound impact he had on the lives of many.
His final resting place is in a specially constructed Mausoleum at Heroes Acre, a fitting tribute to his legacy as a visionary leader.
In recognition of his contributions, the Namibian government declared Monday, February 26, as a public holiday.
President Chakwera, whose presence to the ceremony symbolized solidarity and respect shared among African leaders in honoring the memory of a remarkable leader, departed Namibia immediately after the burial ceremony.
The event served as a reminder of Geingob's significant contributions to Namibia's liberation struggle and his lasting impact on the continent.
World Vision applauded for improving literacy levels in primary schools
By Margret Praise Kalua
NKhata Bay, February 25, Mana: Education stakeholders in Nkhatabay have commended World Vision for improving learner’s literacy levels through the Spelling Bee initiative which they are, currently, implementing in the district.
This was said at Sanga Community Day Secondary School ground in the district on Saturday where 74 learners from 15 schools were engaged in a Spelling Bee competition.
Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for St Maria Gorreti Zone, Adrian Kalengo, said there is improved performance of learners in schools that are participating in the competition.
"When we compare schools that are participating in the competition such as Chikale, Bwerero, Kachenga and Lisale, they are performing much better than those that are not part of the area program in Nkhata Bay," Kalengo said.
He has since asked World Vision to train teachers in the initiative for its sustainability and incorporate more schools in the programme.
Secretary for Sanga Area Program Education Taskforce, Alick Manda, said Spelling Bee has boosted focus and activeness of leaners on education as most of the times they put effort in mastering spellings and pronunciation.
In a separate interview, World Vision Education Project Officer for Nkhata Bay and Mzimba, Faith Nyirenda, said the programme is achieving its intended purpose as there is an improvement in vocabulary, reading and communication skills.
"Considering the positive impact of the programme, we are already working on its sustainability through imparting skills and knowledge to taskforce teachers so that they can continue drilling learners even when the programme phases out," Nyirenda said.
NRWB to revamp water supply system in new project
By George Mponda
Karonga, February 25, Mana: Northern Region Water Board Chief Executive Officer, Francis Munthali, has revealed the board’s plans to revamp water supply systems in all northen region districts through a European Investment Bank (EIB) funded project.
In an interview on Saturday on the sidelines of a media tour for Karonga Town Water Supply Project, Munthali said the Board wants to achieve increased access to safe water for everyone and improved sanitation and hygiene services.
He said at the moment, the Karonga Town Water Supply Project is at 92 percent completion rate.
“Another milestone we have achieved is that we had successful discussions with EIB to improve water supply by dealing with reliability of power.
"The bank has agreed to allocate us €47 million (approximately K90 billion) which we are going to use to implement this project. We will install solar plants in all our pumping stations to ensure that people have un-interrupted supply," he said.
Munthali said the use of solar panels will reduce the cost of production hence making water available to customers at fair prices.
He said, through the project, NRWB will also raise the height of the dam at Lunyangwa in Mzuzu by 1.5 metres for it to produce more water for Mzuzu residents.
He added that the existing water treatment plant in Mzuzu will be upgraded from the current capacity of 21 million litres per day to 30 million to cater for the ever growing demand for water in the city.
NRWB Board Chairperson, Frank Mwenifumbo, said the Board is fulfilling its mandate of implementing government’s water and sanitation policy.
Rotary Club of Lilongwe-Lingadzi to plant 100, 000 trees
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, February 25, Mana: Rotary Club of Lilongwe-Lingadzi is on a mission to plant 100,000 trees this year in schools and communities, among other places, across the country in order to address deforestation in the country.
The club’s President, Giorgia Prizzon, made the remarks Saturday when her club, in partnership with Youth Progressive Environmental Solutions (YPES) and Ladder to Learning, planted 500 trees at Kambewe Primary School in Lilongwe.
“We are planting trees in partnership with local organisations that have capacity to take care of the trees. A lot of trees are planted but survival rate is very low,” Prizzon said.
The club has been implementing the tree planting project for three years now and in the first year they planted 11,000 trees with 20,000 in the second year.
Prizzon said this year they are looking forward to work with communities in developing tree seedlings nurseries to ensure that there are enough trees to sustain the tree planting exercise.
Kambewe Primary School Head Teacher, Sanudi Mzini, commended Rotary Club of Lilongwe-Lingadzi for planting trees at his school.
“We are grateful to Rotary Club of Lilongwe-Lingadzi for the initiative. Trees are very important and I hope those planted at our school will benefit both the school and the community in future,” he said.
He said the school will take care of the newly planted trees by, among other things, watering them during the dry season.
