MANAonline
Traditional leaders in Zomba urged to woo people for voter registration
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, November, 5 Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has called upon traditional and community influential leaders to mobilize subjects to register during second phase of voter registration in Zomba in readiness for the September 16, 2025 General Election.
Commissioner, Francis Kasaila made the call at Senior Chief Chikowi headquarters on Tuesday during an interface meeting the leaders to discuss on the second voter registration exercise scheduled for this week.
“I have observed that most people queue for registration on the last days of the exercise. Let me appeal to you leaders to encourage your people to register. The danger about one not registering is that they won't be eligible to cast their vote,” he added.
During the meeting, the commissioner took the participants that included religious leaders through the process of voter registration to make them conversant with the process.
He assured the leaders that voter registration will consider every eligible voter disregarding any type of disability or levels of literacy.
“We have entrusted the supervisors to handle unique scenarios. People with no hands, those that do not know how to read and write, will be assisted accordingly,” Kasaila said.
Senior Chief Chikowi hailed MEC for organizing the interface meeting and for clarifying on a number of issues making rounds.
The Chief assured the commission that the messages will be disseminated to subject and she assured MEC that there will be a good turn up of people during the voter registration period.
Phase of one of the voter registration ended on November 3 and the second phase begins on November 9 up to November 22
Structures that are a lifeline
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, November 5, Mana: Every smallholder farmer’s wish is to have a bumper yield but for Phelire Alick from Malizani Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Nyoka in Mchinji this opportunity has eluded her for years.
Alick has had a favourable crop field with favourable soils and mostly the area receives good rains but she faces problems with water runoff which has threatened both the fertile soil and the crops in the field.
During the 2023/24 farming season, a fair share of her groundnuts field was washed away which drastically reduced her yield.
“The water from the Mchinji Hills rapidly descends downhill and ends up washing away our crops. Even the soil now is also degraded because of the water,” complained Alick.
Alick’s case is not isolated as most of the areas in the Mchinji district face similar devastating challenges.
The negative effects of water runoff in the district include the carrying of pollutants to crop fields, destroying the fields, and eroding of fertile soil.
This has left most of the land in the district degraded which is a threat to food security.
Luckily, community members now have come to realise that there can be some soil and water conservation structures that can help correct some of the problems by reducing the speed of water and helping it infiltrate into the soil.
The introduction of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) in the local councils has helped communities to come up with soil and water conservation interventions that smallholder farmers feel will be a lifeline.
The programme which is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP Tidzidalire) is being implemented by the Malawi Government through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and is being supported by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund
The overall objective is to create visible, durable and quality assets within micro catchments that will improve household resilience to shocks, increase impact on household-level income and food security and reduce household exposure to risks associated with climate change and other disasters.
CSEPWP is a social protection programme however, its implementation has made sure that the participants gain dual benefits in restoring their degraded land through soil and water conservation interventions and also earning wages after doing these interventions.
A foreman in one of the micro-catchments in Mchinji called Luzale in the same TA Nyoka, Vincent Phiri, said the programme has introduced to the area check dams that control the speed of water in the process reclaiming the big gullies that carry water downhill to the people’s fields.
“The water for a long time has created gullies but with the stone check dams the water is being controlled which helps the fields downhill to be protected,” said Phiri.
Mchinji has 25 micro catchments that have all come up with several water and soil conservation structures.
Of significant note are contour marker ridges, stone bunds, semi-secular bunds, dykes, infiltration pits, and swales.
Apart from these, there is also natural regeneration management and tree planting to replenish green cover.
The designated desk officer for Puye Micro-catchment in TA Matuwamba, Jeremiah Chafukira, said the structures have helped a lot and give hope for bumper yields.
“The semi-secular bunds, swales and infiltration pits help hold the water and help the water to infiltrate into the soil which is important even during the dry spells as the soil still contains moisture for a long time,” said Chafukira.
Chafukira said in the fields there are also contour marker ridges that help hold water for the survival of crops.
Catchment management committee (CMC) chairperson for Guillime Micro-catchment Felix Bazale said the people are now realizing the importance of these structures in their fields.
“Last farming season was a learning point and now many farmers are asking us to make these structures in their crop fields in readiness for this season,” said Bazale.
CSEPWP Mchinji District Project Facilitator Thandi Sukali said the programme has brought some significant changes in the district and as a social protection programme there are dual benefits.
“As they are correcting the degraded land the people also earn something which they use in their households. The money they get as wages through the consumption support component is helping them send children to school, and buy food, fertilizer and other needs,” said Sukali.
Over 27000 participants who are labour-capable have been enrolled in the programme in Mchinji.
Currently, participants work on the sub-projects for 30 days and are given K1600 and this is a shift from the 24 days they were working in the previous cycles.
As the participants work hard to restore their environment in the district, they are filled with hope that their farming fields will have improved yields.
The interventions have also seen the planting of vetiver grass along contour ridges, the production of manure for soil improvement, the establishment of tree nurseries ready for planting during this rainy season, and the care of naturally regenerating trees.
BCC geared to transform Mibawa Bus Terminal
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, November 5, Mana: Blantyre City Council (BCC) is currently constructing a minibus terminal at Mibawa as part of a broader urban development plan to provide convenient public transportation.
Director of Engineering Services at BCC, Chimwemwe Mndelemani told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the council is utilizing the Infrastructure Development Fund to rehabilitate the Mibawa minibus depot, aiming at improving its ambience and reduce inconveniences for minibuses during the rainy season or any other season.
"The major hindrance before was that many minibuses were avoiding the depot due to its poor condition. Now, we are making it more conducive for minibuses to operate from," Mndelemani said.
He added that there are multiple reasons why the council decided to undertake this construction, primarily to benefit Blantyre City residents.
"The purpose of constructing the depot is to assist residents in easily accessing transportation. Additionally, there were issues with traffic management, as minibuses were parking randomly around the city. We believe this will bring order and sanity to the city," he said.
Mndelemani added that the council is liaising with its development partners to install better shelters and solar street lights to enhance security and vibrancy at the terminal after the construction is completed.
He disclosed that BCC is conducting extensive stakeholder engagement with users, the public and the Malawi Police Service to foster a sense of ownership among residents in a bid to encourage them to take care of the facility for its longevity.
"This sense of ownership will help uplift city facilities and in turn, support business growth and attract both foreign and direct investors," he said.
He also disclosed that the entire project will cost BCC K108 million, funding from the Malawi Government through the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF).
Mndelemani, therefore, assured the public that the construction works which commenced in August 2024 will be completed and officially opened by the end of November this year.
In a separate interview, the Chairperson of Mibawa Bus Depot, Ackim Yuda commended the council for the long-awaited construction of the minibus terminal.
"We are happy that the council is constructing the depot here at Mibawa. This will help us manage the movements of minibuses that often plies business within and outside the city," Yuda said.
He added that the depot would accommodate many minibuses and vehicles currently parked along city streets.
Yuda assured his committee is ready to work with the council to ensure the depot’s goals are achieved. However, he appealed to the council to consider erecting additional toilet blocks at Mibawa to address issues of sanitation and hygiene.
Women and youths urged to lead in peacebuilding
By George Mponda
Karonga November 5, Mana: The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission believes women and youths are powerful change agents who can contribute to maintaining peace in the country.
Commissioner for the entity, Professor Francis Mkandawire said this Monday in Karonga during a sensitization meeting for the reconstitution of the Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee (DPCU).
Mkandawire observed that although Malawi has enjoyed peace through the years, there are some pockets of violence, which if left unchecked might escalate into bigger conflicts.
"Women are mostly victims during conflicts while youths are mostly used in violent acts. Therefore, women and youths should be used to create an inclusive approach in peacebuilding since they have the energy and idealism which is essential for sustainable peace," said Mkandawire.
He further said as the country is preparing for next year’s general election, there are a number of issues, which need to addressed especially political violence and DPUC's should be instrumental in maintaining peace.
Acting District Commissioner for Karonga Frank Mkandawire expressed optimism that there will peaceful coexistence among political parties on the road to next year’s general election.
"Karonga used to be a conflict hotspot but as of late, the situation has changed drastically in part due to the existence of the DPUC which is working tirelessly in all six Traditional Authorities in the district," said Mkandawire.
On his part, Desk Officer for the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Karonga, Cuthbert Mkandawire observed that solving the economic challenges being faced by youths is a sure way of ensuring they are not involved in acts of violence.
According to the Peace and Unity Act of 2022, DPUCs will be established in all District Councils as pillars for promotion of unity and peacebuilding in their areas of jurisdiction and Karonga was one of the districts where it has been piloted since it was identified as a conflict hotspot.
The Act stipulates that the DPCU is supposed to have a balanced representation of men and women with an equal number of each.
Malawi Queens to participate in African Cup Championship
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, November 5, Mana: Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has announced that following an invitation from African Netball, Malawi Queens will participate in the upcoming African Cup Championship scheduled for December 9 to December 14 in Swakopmund, Namibia.
In a press statement on Monday, November 4, NAM stated that the championship cup will feature both women’s and men’s netball teams across Africa.
Number of teams across Africa such as Tanzania, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Uganda and South Africa have confirmed their participation in the African Cup Championship.
According to the press release, NAM will only send Malawi Queens to compete in the competition due to financial challenges, but NAM said is working extra hard to source money so that Malawi men’s netball team can also take part in the competition.
Sports analyst, Lester Banda said NAM had made the right move to allow the Queens to compete in the competition but added that there was a need for the team to prepare well for the best results.
“We need to have good preparations by having a quick friendly game before the time. This will make the team fit enough for the competition,” he added.
Banda added that the competition will be important for the queens as this will provide a good opportunity to build a strong team for other games ahead.
“This should be a stepping stone for upcoming competitions. I hope the coach will use local players and other professionals who are playing outside the country to make a good combination,” he said.
Banda therefore asked government and companies to support Malawi Queens with funds so that the team could have good preparations for the tournament.
Malawi Queens recently lost all three matches in the Spar Challenge International Netball Taste series in South Africa.
Man dies in Dowa road accident
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, November 5, Mana: A man in Dowa on Monday died after being hit by a minibus along Dzaleka - Dowa turn off road, police have confirmed.
Dowa police Public Relations Officer Alice Sitima has identified the deceased as Jackson Banda, an adult male whose age has not yet been confirmed.
"The incident involved a Mazda Bongo (registration CK 8664) traveling from Dzaleka towards Dowa Turn-off which hit Banda, who was walking in the opposite direction at an area near Cilcon.
"Banda sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Dowa District Hospital," said Sitima.
She said the driver whose identity currently remains unknown, sustained head injuries and as we went to press remained unconscious and admitted at the hospital.
Police in Dowa have since urged the public to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent accidents.
Nkhotakota battles malaria with mass net distribution
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, November 5, Mana: Nkhotakota district health office says over 80% of Nkhotakota District's population is hit by Malaria, prompting urgent action to curb the spread of the disease.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of a mass net distribution campaign, District Health and Social Services Director Dr. Jacob Kafulafula said they have initiated a mass distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs). This move is part of a broader effort to implement the national malaria prevention and treatment policy.
“Malaria remains a significant health challenge in Nkhotakota where for every thousand people, 823 are affected and this underscores the urgent need for effective interventions.
“The district has previously employed indoor residual spraying as a preventive measure, however, the distribution of ITNs is seen as a crucial additional step in the fight against Malaria,” said Kafulafula.
Principal Education Officer in the district Willard Magunda, speaking on behalf of the district commissioner, expressed optimism about the impact of the ITN distribution. He urged the community to use the nets correctly and avoid misusing them for other purposes like fishing.
“It’s disheartening to see that people misuse these nets, we need everyone’s cooperation to ensure the success of this initiative,” pleaded Magunda.
Madalitso Kafelemu, a resident and beneficiary, welcomed the distribution of the ITNs saying the nets will undoubtedly help reduce Malaria cases in their community.
The ITN campaign, funded by the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI/USAID), is being implemented across five districts in Malawi namely; Balaka, Mangochi, Nkhotakota, Nkhatabay, and Salima.
Popularize contingency plan -DC
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, November 4, Mana: District Commissioner for Zomba, Reighngard Chavula has appealed to the disaster office to disseminate the district’s contingency plan for proper coordination with stakeholders that take part in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The District Commissioner made the call Monday at Liwonde in Machinga during a contingency plan review meeting and said having a plan is one thing and disseminating what is in the plan is another.
“After developing our plan, let's make sure that we popularize it so that everyone is involved and take part.
“Sometimes we don't get the necessary support during disasters because people are not aware of what they are supposed to do, where to report and how to effectively coordinate to address issues at hand,” Chavula added.
The District Commissioner described the contingency plan as proper and guiding tool in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
“Let us avoid shelving the plans developed because that is our main challenge. I am sure that this time around we will coordinate properly because we have a plan,
“It is always sad to see people doing things the way they want despite the availability of the plan,” she added.
Contingency plan is reviewed annually depending on the seasonal weather forecast.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Zomba, Violet Jimu said her office already started engaging stakeholders and community members on the seasonal forecast.
She added that series of awareness will be conducted to popularize the plan to ensure members of the community understand it.
“Of course, we involve community leaders when developing our contingency plan. However deliberate efforts will be made to ensure community members are aware of the plan,” Jimu said.
According to the seasonal forecast released by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Malawi is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall and Zomba is one of the districts that will receive normal to below normal rainfall.
First Lady officially opens Jalira Girls National Secondary School
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, November 4, Mana: First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has officially opened Jalira Girls National Secondary School at a ceremony held at the school premises at Jalira in Rumphi.
In her remarks, the First Lady has praised the founder of the school Sister Ruth Baek for her unwavering desire to serve other people.
She added that the opening also indicates the commitment to empower girls through education for them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
"You could have chosen to enjoy your money in retirement, but you have chosen to continue serving others by constructing this magnificent school.
"This institution will be a stepping stone for so many girls in the years to come who will go on to develop this country," said Chakwera.
The First Lady also presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the school construction in June 2022 and has also broken ground for construction of a Women College at the school.
Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima said the school will increase the number of girls attending secondary school since it is an all girls secondary.
She added that the school will also give the girls even in the rural communities a chance to access high quality education.
"When we talk about equitable access to education this is what we mean. It means students in the rural communities should also have access to high quality education from infrastructure to learning materials.
"This also means that we are bridging the gap between girls and boys in terms of access to education," said Wirima.
The opening of the school has now increased the number of all girl’s government run secondary schools to eight in the country.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the school has transformed the face of the district and increased access to high quality education for girls.
The school's head girl, Grace Mwandira said the school has given the girls at the school an opportunity to achieve their dreams through access to well-equipped laboratories and other learning aids.
She added that she will work very hard to achieve her dreams.
Member of Parliament for the area, Yona Mkandawire thanked the First Lady for linking up with Ruth Baek and her friends to construct the school.
He also urged business people in the area to keep their liquor shops away from the school so that the girls at the school should concentrate on their studies.
The construction was funded by SEEDS Missionaries from Korea and the United States led by Sister Ruth Baek.
Millennium University to host Youth Mental Festival
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, November 4, Mana: Millennium University has organized a Youth Mental Festival, which will be held from November 9 to 10 at the Blantyre Youth Centre.
The festival is essentially a vibrant gathering for young people, their friends and families to converge and celebrate life, community, connection and positive change through good mental health.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday, Dr. Sandra Jumbe a senior lecturer and lead researcher in mental health said on the day there shall be different activities that will spice up the day and make the day unforgettable.
“We have a dynamic programme featuring activities like football and netball tournaments, music, dance and theatre. Alongside that we have inspirational talks, interactive workshops and panel discussions with mental health experts, our stakeholders and other local celebrities,” Jumbe who is also a health psychologist said.
Jumbe added that the festival is part of a bigger research project that she is leading called ARISE, which focuses on improving mental health literacy among the youth using education settings.
“The bigger goal is to work with ministries of education and health to roll this out across the country and create a national framework that embeds mental health into our education system. We also want to reach young people that are not in college or university so they can also learn about mental health,” she said.
She added that this festival is very important to the youth because it gives a chance to educate the youth in masses about what mental health is, how to manage it and also for them to help others.
“As a psychologist, I have always wanted to remove the taboo around mental illness and encourage people to open up when facing challenges. I see this festival as a great way to reduce stigma surrounding mental health,” she said.
In a separate interview, Executive Director for Drug Fight Malawi, Nelson Zakeyu who will be the guest of honour during the event, said this is a very important event especially to the youth because it will help them receive advice from experts on how to desist from drug and substance abuse.
“Drug and substance abuse is very dangerous among the youth as it leads to delinquency; therefore, I’m asking all the youth to take care of their health by doing physical exercises. I also urge all the youth to come in large numbers so that they can receive advice from the experts,” Zakeyu said.
This is the second festival. The first one was held last year at the same venue during World Mental Health Month in October. On the day, there will be other celebrities such as Piksy, Patrick Mabedi, Mary Waya, Hazel Mak and Nicole Kamwendo, among others. This year’s theme is: healthy mind, healthy body.
