By Lyte Ali

Mangochi, February 21, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is set to roll out a community brand band network known as Yathu data across the country as one way of ensuring that Malawians have access to reasonably priced data.

MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman, disclosed this in Mangochi on Tuesday during a training of community broadband operators.

The operators will help the Authority in providing a test to the new model on a pilot phase in eight districts across the country.

Suleman said the coming in of Yathu data will help to bring a competitive market on data thereby allowing Malawians access to affordable data bundles and access to internet.

“Very soon people will see a network on their mobile phone called Yathu. Click that network, as it will connect and direct you to buy a bundle electronically. This is an affordable bundle compared to other data available in the country.

“This means that on top of the mobile data provided by TNM and Airtel networks, there is an alternative which a customer can choose from. We hope that the coming in of Yathu network brings competitive markets, pricing and affordable networks for access to data bundles,” he said.

Yathu data will be operated by cooperatives in order to allow rural and hard to reach areas across the country access the network service.

So far we eight cooperatives have been registered and will start operating the network in the piloted districts. 

“This will help to test the model where we want to ensure that even rural and hard to reach areas have access to internet,” said Suleman.

Chairperson for one of the licensed cooperatives, Click and Connect Cooperative, Kettie Kamwangala, commended MACRA for the initiative saying it will help create more jobs in the digital industry.

“Apart from that, more Malawians, mostly in the rural areas, will now have access to data. This service has already started creating employment to most people in the digital industry.

“As such, we will make sure to bring the service closer to people that do not have enough money to spend on data,” said Kamwangala.

In Malawi, 80 percent of the population live in rural areas where internet penetration is a challenge.

By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: The Greenbelt Greenhouse Limited (GGL) says it has now started reaping fruits of agriculture commercialization after exporting 70 tons of bell pepper to South Africa since November 2023 and realizing about US$65,000.

According to Sales and Marketing Manager Tamandani Chanza, the company is making significant strides that will go a long way to contributing to forex generation for Malawi.

Chanza said: “Today we are exporting three tons of bell pepper to South Africa where we have secured markets. This trip is the 26th in four months. And that should show you that we are quite serious with the venture.”

Asked on how GGL managed to stay competitive on South African Market, considering that South Africa is a major food and vegetable producer and exporter globally, Chanza was quick to point out that as a company they are very serious on quality control, starting from the greenhouses to processing and packaging.

“Everything is precise and regulated in the pump house, starting from the amount of water, fertilizer, and pesticide that each plant gets.

“And even the amount of light that the plants get is regulated to make sure the plant gets only what it needs to have quality produce; that way, no market would reject our product,” she explained.

Commenting on the development, Agriculture Production Manager for the Greenbelt Authority (GBA), Mesiah Moleni, disclosed that at first they had challenges with securing markets, as they were only supplying to local markets.

“With the South Africa deal, we are hopeful to penetrate more external markets. We are in talks with Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana. I must say as an authority we are satisfied with what GGL is doing,” said Moleni.

Apart from forex, GGL has also contributed to job creation in the country, having employed about 130 Malawians.

This development comes barely days after President Lazarus Chakwera delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address where he emphasized that agriculture commercialization was one of the sure ways of getting Malawi out of the economic challenges experienced in 2023.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, February 20, Mana: TNM Super League’s Bangwe All Stars Football Club has organized a fundraising dinner and dance on February 24 at Sogecoa Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre to raise funds for the team’s operations.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, the club's Chief Executive Officer Chikumbutso Mathumba said they have decided to host the dinner after the team’s assessment on what resources the team would require in 2024 season.

He said the team developed a number of fundraising activities to help prepare for the 2024 football season, adding the club thought of starting with the dinner which was seen as a great opportunity to raise more funds to help in smooth running of the club.

“It is the first time our team decided to organize such kind of fundraising event because with the experience that we had in the previous season, we have established that we may not have sufficient funds to enable us to run the team throughout the season,” said Mathumba.

Mathumba further said the team realized they have resources equivalent to 50% of the team’s total budget, adding they are now fetching for the remaining 50%.

However, Mathumba expressed optimism that stakeholders and other well-wishers will support them with the remaining amount.

The event charges have been split up for entry into various categories which include single entry at K25,000 and double entry at K40,000, adding they have organized special tables like Platinum which is at K3 million, Gold at K2 million while Silver Table is at K1 million.

He said the event will be spiced up with different well-known musicians like Skeffa Chimoto and Gibo Pearson, among others.

Speaking with sports analyst Kim Kamau, he commended Bangwe All Stars for the initiative, saying the team has developed a good source of income, as it will help to minimize challenges faced by the club, pointing out that it is not easy for a football club to organize such kind of event.

“Well-wishers and other stakeholders can influence the circumstances of football here in Malawi. There is need for funds for our football clubs to grow, so it’s a good move by Bangwe All Stars, as this will boost the team’s performance,” said Kamau.

By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, February 20, Mana:  Lack of disability friendly structures at Kalambwe Primary School in Nkhata Bay is said to be preventing learners with disabilities from performing to their full potential.

The school's head teacher Florida Kampira made the revelation on Monday when Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) donated writing materials to 60 learners with and without disabilities, as one way of promoting inclusive education.

Kampira said the school is also grappling with lack of teaching and learning materials for learners with disabilities.

"Our school is a combination of learners with and without disabilities. However, the environment is a bit challenging since there is inadequate teaching and learning materials and disability unfriendly infrastructure which is negatively impacting learners with disabilities.

"Learners with disabilities are capable of achieving great things but they are often bullied and suffer from inferiority due to discouraging sentiments regarding their disabilities. We are thankful to Macoha for always remembering them,” Kampira said.

In his remarks, a 12-year-old standard seven learners with disability, Hope Phiri, said they fight for the available little resources, such as braille books and some struggle to enter classes that have stairs instead of lumps.

Assistant Rehabilitation Officer for Macoha in Nkhata Bay, Matatiyo Chirambo, said they are advocating for community based inclusive development in which education is one of the components and they are set to assist about 200 learners with disabilities in the district with writing materials.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, February 20, Mana: Senior Chief Santhe of Kasungu says the five houses that have been constructed at Santhe Health Centre will help to reduce the long standing problem of staff shortage in rural health facilities.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Santhe said rural health facilities have for long been facing shortage of health workers, owing to shortage of staff houses.

“Lack of staff houses has a huge impact on healthcare service delivery. It’s either the healthcare personnel’s morale will be low or the staff will not be interested to be deployed to a facility that has no houses.

“This is why we are excited that our staff houses here are nearing completion, meaning soon they will be occupied. This now means more staff for the facility and consequently improved health service delivery,” she said.

Santhe said the houses should now be a motivation to healthcare workers to be interested to work everywhere in the district and help towards ensuring that every person has access to quality health services.

The houses are part of the K3 billion Health Infrastructure Rehabilitation Fund which will also help to complete 18 other health staff houses that were abandoned under the Umoyo Housing Project in 2012 in various health facilities.

Director of Public Works for Kasungu District Council, Davie Chigwenembe, said he is impressed with the quality of the structures being constructed under the project.

He said: “Apart from the Santhe houses which are at 90 percent completion, we are also finishing staff houses that were abandoned in 2012, specifically at Kasungu District Hospital, Lodjwa, Kaluluma, Wimbe, Bua and Chamwavi health Centre’s.

“Some of the funds have been used to rehabilitate a walkway corridor at Kasungu District Hospital, and the rehabilitation of a solar power water supply reticulated system and supply of solar power to staff houses at Ofesi Health Centre.”

Chigwenembe said it is pleasing that most of the contractors have delivered within the stipulated contract period, giving an example of the Santhe houses which will be handed over at the end of February – a month earlier.

“Another good thing to note is that all the structures under this project have been delivered within the contract price despite that there was devaluation of the Kwacha.

“Additionally, we have saved some money for additional work like construction of a maternal and child health block, maintenance of existing offices and construction of a pharmacy at Kasungu District Hospital,” he said.

In the 2023/24 financial year, Kasungu District was allocated K3 billion to pilot the health infrastructure rehabilitation project which was also being piloted in Mzimba, Dowa, Balaka, Chitipa and Likoma.

By Vincent Khonje

Chiradzulu, February 20, Mana: A new era is about to dawn in Chiradzulu, where hope has been offered to young people who never considered starting an enterprise.

Like in most other parts of the nation, the district's youths live in poverty with hope fading quickly.

A new story is beginning to unfold, as young people are rising and taking advantage of an opportunity that has heightened expectations.

Guided by COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited's Youth Skills Challenge (YSCS) Programme, young entrepreneurs in Chiradzulu are forging their paths, transforming dreams into reality.

YSCS is a programme which COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited, through the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) Tidzidalire, is implementing in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Training Authority (TEVETA).

Rabson James, 25, from Jekete Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpama and a member of the Mwaiwathu COMSIP cluster, symbolizes the spirit of seizing the opportunity.

Reflecting on his past, James said he grew up in impoverished conditions, struggling to find food and decent shelter.

Relying on piecework, he could not even dream of a brighter future someday.

He was, however, blessed with a little knowledge of tinsmithing, but he was not fully skilled to earn from it. Furthermore, he had no tools.

"I always had the ability for tinsmithing, but without proper training and equipment, it remained just a hobby,” he narrated.

In 2018, he was enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme, a sub-component of SSRLP Tidzidalire where the ultra-poor households are provided with monthly cash to address their needs.

James's journey was one marked by hardship and uncertainty, but as beneficiaries of the programme, they were introduced to savings and loans by COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited.

However, through COMSIP, an opportunity arose to participate in the YSCS programme, and James seized it with determination.

“Being chosen for the programme was a game-changer for me,” James said.

“Through the programme, I have not only honed my skills but also gained invaluable knowledge in business management," he added.

For four months, James underwent training in tinsmithing and, after completing it, he was not only armed with newfound expertise but also given tools for his trade.

The trainings are conducted by TEVETA-certified craftsmen from the communities the youths come from.

After the training, James embarked on his entrepreneurial journey and, today, his tinsmithing business thrives.

"Life has taken a turn for the better," James said. "I am standing on my own two feet, providing for my family and contributing to the economy."

He is now running a tinsmithing business which fetches over K20,000 a week and he can give quality life to his family of six.

Rosicky Magombo's narrative is reminiscent of James' in its tenacity and willpower.

Through the YSCS programme, Magombo found a lifeline - a chance to pursue his passion for welding and fabrication.

"The programme opened doors I never thought possible," he reflected, "For the first time, I had access to proper training and equipment.”

Magombo, just like James, is from a poor background, struggling to find food and other necessities.

The news about the YSCS programme to Mombezi Cluster, which Magombo belonged to, was welcomed by the young people who realized hope had come.

“It was like a dream come true because I knew I would hone my skills in a trade that I have wanted to do,” said Magombo.

He also underwent four months of training, coming back fully equipped with skills in welding and fabrication, on top of being given start up tools for his trade.

Since opening his shop in January 2024, Magombo has seen his business steadily grow, providing a stable income for his family.

"For me, this business is more than just a source of income," Magombo shared. "It is a lifeline and a pathway out of poverty. With hard work and dedication, I believe I can build a better future for myself and my family."

He said in the first month of his business he made about K22,000; however, he said he was hopeful that the business would be established.

The story of Gloria Maulana, 29, and Tiwonge Chisale, 23, provides a new dimension to Chiradzulu's young entrepreneurs' tale.

Enrolled in the SCT programme, they still faced difficult challenges in their quest for a better life.

When the opportunity arose in the form of the YSCS programme in their respective Ntchema and M’bawa Clusters, they also embraced it.

They chose hairdressing as a skill to be very well conversant with and underwent training for four months.

After COMSIP gave them start-up tools, precisely on December 18, 2023, the two girls pondered on a partnership to enable them to grow before they could pursue solo businesses in the future.

"Partnering with Tiwonge to establish our hairdressing salon was a dream come true. With the skills and equipment provided by the programme, we have been able to build a thriving business, supporting our families and empowering ourselves," said Maulana.

Chisale echoed her partner’s sentiments: "We have come a long way from where we started. With hard work and purpose, we have been able to overcome our circumstances and build a better future for ourselves."

Their hair-dressing business made K58,100 the first month and they are happy they can support their families’ needs.

The stories of the four young people are a testament to how young people in Chiradzulu have taken entrepreneurship after being equipped with the YSCS programme.

COMSIP district coordinator for Chiradzulu, Chisomo Selemani, said the youths under the programme have done very well and picked up different trades and skills.

Selemani said most of them have also received equipment and set up their small businesses that are doing well.

“Those that have started their businesses are progressing and able to make money that they are also saving in their COMSIP clusters. Their lives have taken a new turn, which shows improvement to lives,” said Selemani.

According to COMSIP development communication officer Mercy Kayuni, among other things, the young people are learning about cosmetology, tailoring, tinsmithing, bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and welding, and by the end of the SSRLP in 2027, COMSIP would have trained 4,300 youths under this initiative.

Kayuni said upon finishing the skills training, the youths are supported with start-up tools and financial linkages where they get support for loans to kick-start their businesses.

“Those that are getting start-up tools are getting loans averaging K300,000 from COMSIV Limited, a finance subsidiary of COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited, to establish them in business and are signing community bonds to be operating their businesses within their communities,” she said.

The first trained cohort had 721 youths from Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Phalombe, Balaka, Dedza, Lilongwe, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Nkhatabay, Karonga, Rumphi and Chitipa, and the second cohort targets 1,789 youths.

YSCS is implemented under the SSRLP Tidzidalire with funding from the World Bank and Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.