MANAonline
Political experts welcome plane crash inquiry report
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, December 16, Mana: Governance and Human Rights Advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has underscored the importance of collectively acknowledging the recently released Inquiry report on the tragic airplane crash involved the Malawi Air Force Donier 228 and its contents emphasizing that the report's value extends beyond its findings, as it plays a crucial role in facilitating healing and closure of the chapter.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Mwakasungula noted that the report is thorough, encompassing all the essential areas outlined in the Commission's Terms of Reference.
"It offers a detailed analysis of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy that claimed the lives of the Vice President and eight other Malawians. While opinions on its findings may vary, it is indisputable that this report lays the groundwork for national progress," said Mwakasungula.
He highlighted that among its key conclusions, the report attributes the aircraft accident to a combination of environmental factors, such as adverse weather conditions, and human factors, including pilot errors saying the findings illuminate the tragic events and provide clarity on the accident's causes.
"The Commission has put forth several significant recommendations to address systemic deficiencies and prevent similar tragedies in the future. These recommendations entail the implementation of policies and procedures, as well as the enhancement of capacities within various government ministries and departments, including the Office of the President and Cabinet, the Army, Police, Civil Aviation, Health, among others.
“These lessons are vital for safeguarding the lives of Malawians and averting a recurrence of such an incident. We must ensure that the insights gained from this tragedy translate into swift and effective action to prevent history from repeating itself," urged Mwakasungula.
He called on individuals to refrain from politicizing the tragedy and instead utilize the report as a tool for national advancement.
In his assessment, Social and Political Analyst, Humphrey Mvula, mentioned that the report has addressed many pressing issues for most Malawians.
He said the inquiry engaged with all duty bearers and scrutinized the government administrative machinery and the events of that fateful day.
Mvula highlighted that the commission interviewed family members who shared their sentiments and perspectives on that day adding notably, Madame Mary Chilima provided a vivid account of the events and her decision not to board the plane.
"We lack the necessary procedures, equipment, and preparedness to handle such incidents. The absence of investments in equipment for intelligent rescue or accident prediction has left us vulnerable to tragedies," he said.
Bishop Stima encourages spiritual transformation
By Arnold Namanja
Blantyre, December 16, Mana: Bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Right Reverend Montfort Stima has encouraged Catholics to consider transforming their spiritual lives to be in line with other physical transformations taking place in different churches across the country.
Stima observed that while most institutions were undergoing various transformations in terms of infrastructural development such as the construction of state-of-the-art facilities including prayer houses and multi-purpose halls, the same was supposed to reflect on their spiritual life.
“Whenever I visit parishes in Mangochi Diocese and indeed in other dioceses, I see that most places have undergone complete transformation including here at Chilobwe Parish,” Stima said, adding that the same change should translate into people’s hearts.
The prelate was speaking on Sunday at Saints Peter and Paul (Chilobwe) Parish when he presided over an end-of-year thanksgiving Mass for Friends of Mangochi Diocese residing in the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
In his homily drawn from Luke 3: 10 – 18, Stima said the third Sunday of Advent is regarded as the Joyful (Gaudete) Sunday because Jesus Christ shared his earthly life with humankind so that people can rejoice in him while awaiting his second coming.
However, Stima said the message of Luke was coming to Malawians at a time when there was anxiety about the impending Cyclone Chido when memories were still fresh of the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which left untold damage in its trail.
“That notwithstanding, we have other serious economic challenges; others only earning just enough to buy two bags of maize in a month yet we have large households to support.
“Yet we also have other challenges like hatred, anger and infidelity. However, we should find solace in the fact that amidst all the challenges, Christ is with us,” he added.
Bishop Stima also said despite the challenges, the Catholic faithful needed to turn to God in repentance, noting that in all circumstances, people were supposed to seek God to be their light and serve him without any hindrances.
“God has the potential to heal us from our spiritual blindness, deafness and leprosy. We need to ask God to unlock all the chains restraining us from making any progress,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Father Superior for Chilobwe Parish, Fr. Simon Moffat thanked Bishop Stima for gracing the thanksgiving Mass irrespective of his busy schedules, noting that he had just returned from Lilongwe where he fulfilled a number of engagements at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
Moffat said inter-diocesan interactions are crucial in deepening the faith of church members while at the same time strengthening unity of purpose.
He, therefore, encouraged all those from Mangochi to consider joining their colleagues.
Chairperson for Friends of Mangochi Diocese in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Rose Kazombo Mwale said the thanksgiving Mass was meant to thank God for all the blessings bestowed upon the membership as the year draws to the end.
Mwale disclosed that the grouping was established in 1984 by someone from Utale Parish in Balaka following the death of a child at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital who needed the support of friends from the diocese
“It is pleasing that the association which traces its roots from Ndirande Parish has now clocked 40 years since it was established and still growing with its footprint in almost all parishes in the Archdiocese of Blantyre,” she said.
Chairperson for Chilobwe Parish Council, Harris Kachale said Bishop Stima was no stranger as he served at Chilobwe when it was an out church of St. Pius Parish sometime back before it was elevated to the status of a parish.
“We are proud that we have contributed to your success both as a priest and a bishop,” Kachale said, adding that the two dioceses of Mangochi and Blantyre enjoy a very cordial relationship on the basis that Bishop Stima hails from the Archdiocese of Blantyre while Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa comes from Mangochi.
Kachale, therefore, thanked Friends of Mangochi Diocese for their contributions to various church activities.
DC urges sector heads to make realistic budgets
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, December 16, Mana: Ntcheu District Commissioner George Ngaiyaye has urged directors and sector heads at Ntcheu District Council to make realistic budgets.
Ngaiyaye made the remarks on Monday at a budget preparation meeting in Liwonde, Machinga district.
"The budgets should be formulated to address the goals of the council, they should be able to have meaningful work plans and activities," said Ngaiyaye.
Ngaiyaye added that the budgets should look at what the council want to achieve in the 2025-2026 financial year.
"When you poorly plan, it means the budget will also be poor in terms of implementation, therefore we will not realize what we intend to achieve as a council," highlighted Ngaiyaye.
On his part, Chief Education Officer for the district Julius Kamwaza said the education sector has located more resources to the supervision of teachers.
"If teachers are constantly checked, education can improve in the district," said Kamwaza adding that they have put in some money meant to motivate teachers and strategies to increase time for teacher-learner interaction.
He further highlighted that the sector will have a curriculum tracking whereby all the educational zones will be planning together and provide standardized tests.
Ntcheu District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer Walusungu Mwafulirwa said his sector has lined up various activities including capacity building of disaster risk management committees at all levels.
"We are going to conduct participatory vulnerability assessment in all the traditional authorities across the district.
"We are going to conduct camp management as we know that during disasters people seek refugee in schools, churches and other places but they do not know what to do," said Mwafulirwa and added that the whole essence is to build resilience among the communities.
Tropical Cyclone hits Kalungu
By Paul Madise
Kasungu, December 16, Mana: Classes at Kasungu Teachers Training College (TTC) have been disrupted following the devastating impact of the cyclone.
The cyclone, arrived in the district on Sunday, 15th December, 2024 and has left roofs of some structures blown off.
College Principal, Ndamyo Mwanyongo has confirmed that strong winds and heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the college's infrastructure including classrooms and other infrastructures leaving roofs of some of the buildings completely blown off.
Mwangongo said the college's administration is currently working to assess the extent of the damage and come up with a plan to repair the damaged structures.
“The disruption of classes has affected over 659 students who are currently enrolled at the college. The students are in the middle of their academic semester and some are sitting for end-of-semester examinations. However, the college's administration is working tirelessly to ensure that the academic programme is not disrupted for too long,” Mwanyongo added.
The impact of the cyclone has not only affected the college but also the surrounding community as many homes in the area have been destroyed, leaving families without shelter.
Meanwhile, the district's authorities are on the ground working to provide relief to the affected families.
Earlier, the Ministry of Education in a statement signed by Rachel Chimbwete, Principal Secretary for Basic and Secondary education announced the suspension of classes for primary and secondary schools in Machinga, Mangochi, Zomba, Phalombe, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Neno, Mwanza, Balaka, Ntchewu and Dedza to ensure safety of learners and teachers.
Irrigation key to achieve food security
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, December 16, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Dalitso Kawale has urged people that surround Chilingali and Bua Irrigation Schemes in Nkhotakota to use such places wisely for them to have multiple harvests in a year.
Kawale said this after visiting the places that were affected by floods to appreciate the current state.
He said the visit aimed to inspect the two Irrigation schemes that were damaged and to see the way forward on how the government can rehabilitate them in order to ensure food security.
The Minister encouraged farmers who have access to the Irrigation systems to use it wisely and focus on commercial farming as President Dr Lazarus Chakwera encourages all farmers to generate more income from their farming.
"We will continue to visit all irrigation Schemes that have been damaged as we source funding to rehabilitate them and increase the hectarage that is currently underused in the country,” said Kawale
President of Water Users Association Twaibu Maulana said Chilingali Irrigation scheme has been beneficial to the public as they can generate money for school fees and feed their families, hoping the visit by the Minister will help to address and fix the problem.
"We want the president to fix our Chilingali Scheme and we need protection bands that protect the water from Kaombe River into our scheme,” said Maulana.
Director of Irrigation System Geoffrey Mwepa said the Irrigation Schemes are beneficial to the district because they provide sources of food and income; however, it continues to face problems of droughts and flooding that affect Irrigation farming and need addressing.
Dwangwa Round Table 69 cheers Nkhotakota special needs learners
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, December 16, Mana: Dwangwa Round Table 69 has cheered learners with special needs at Nkhotakota LEA School Resource Centre with a pre-Christmas luncheon and donation.
The event took place at the campus where the organization also donated food and non-food stuff, which includes rice, cooking oil, a bale of sugar, and soap worth over K810, 000.
Speaking after the activity, Chairperson for Dwangwa Round Table 69, Dyson Mpeketula said they decided to celebrate with the special needs learners to promote the spirit of oneness and inclusivity.
Mpeketula added that, as an organization that supports the school in various aspects, they also decided to make the donation to enable learners celebrate Christmas and New Year as the communities around the facility will be celebrating the same with different food and other activities.
"These activities are meant to strengthen the relationship between these special needs students and the entire community by promoting the spirit of togetherness. We do not want them to feel segregated from other learners but they must feel the love from those around them," Mpeketula said.
In his remarks, Nkhotakota District Principal Education Officer, Willard Magunda commended the gesture saying it will go a long way in changing the mind-set of the people who discriminate and violate their rights due to the forms of disability.
Magunda further appealed other organizations to join forces in assisting the special needs students with different kinds of donations.
"The facility, the only one in Nkhotakota, accommodates a total of 25 special needs learners but lacks many infrastructure needs including hostels, and security fence as you are aware that we keep children with albinism whose security is of paramount importance," Magunda said.
Meanwhile, Nkhotakota LEA School Deputy Head Teacher, Bosco Bright Manyoni, while commending the donation, urged stakeholders to bail the facility out of its food shortage problem.
"The number of special needs learners keeps on increasing but resources are becoming scarce. We are appealing for more aid to assist our learners," Manyoni stressed.
During the ceremony, Dwangwa Round Table 69 disclosed that it will soon; bring the contractor to the site for the commencement of a perimeter fence construction project.
Catholic Health Commission donates bicycles to three facilities in Mchinji
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, December 15, Mana: Catholic Health Commission has donated 12 bicycles to community health volunteers at St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital to ease transportation during health monitoring in their communities.
The donation comes as a result of issue identification by community health action groups (CHAGS) who raised the problem of mobility, as it was difficult to reach other areas during health monitoring.
Speaking on Friday with Malawi News Agency, Sister Margaret Lupiya, Acting Assistant to the Director of Social Services and Development of Lilongwe Archdiocese, at St Michaels Guilleme Hospital said the bicycles will be of great help to community health volunteers.
"It is hard to ascertain health problems in the communities if there is no data, as the number of health problems collected by data collectors help in coming up with interventions," said sister Lupiya.
Ellen Sinjani a Community health nurse was grateful for the donation made.
"I am happy with Catholic Health Commission for this donation and we would like those who have received the bicycles to put them into great use and that the bicycles should serve their purpose,” she said.
Richard Salijeni Chairman of St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital said he is thankful for the donation that the facility has received, as the bicycles will shorten the distance to go for outreach programmes, health monitoring and meeting defaulters of treatment.
"I would also like to call upon well-wishers be it governmental or Non-governmental organizations to help with raincoats, boots and umbrellas during this rainy season so that health monitoring can be done easily," Salijeni added.
St Michael's Guilleme Community Hospital has received 12 bicycles while Chipumi will receive eight and Kazyozyo 18 as part of the donation made by the Catholic Health Commission.
The donation is being made through Community Led Monitoring Project funded by the Global Fund with help from Action Aid.
Panthers finish in semis
By Wishes Matchaya
Lilongwe, December 15, Mana: Area 49-based football team, Layman Panthers have finished in the semi-finals of Castel Challenge Cup after failing to defeat Blantyre giant, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on December 15, 2024, at Kamuzu Stadium.
Panthers reached the semi-finals of the Castel Challenge Cup after beating four TNM Super League teams namely Silver Strikers, Chitipa United, Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO), and Civil Service United.
On December 15, 2024, it was a different and bitter day for the Layman Panthers to cruise into finals as they were denied by the Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
Panthers suffered three goals to nil allowing Mighty Wanderers into a finishing line.
Clement Nyondo scored the first goal for Wanderers in 56 minutes before Blessings Singini with a second goal in 67 minutes, while Gaddie Chirwa finished everything with a third goal in 87 minutes.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ victory takes them into the Castel Challenge Cup finals and will be waiting for the winner between Mzuzu City Hammers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Mwanza District Council in Cyclone Chido awareness
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, December 15, Mana: Mwanza District Council is raising awareness on impending Cyclone Chido, which is projected to make a landfall in neighbouring Mozambique.
Mwanza District Disaster and Risk Management Officer Ivy Cham'mudzi said on Sunday during a meeting that there is a need for joint efforts between the district and area-level disaster risk management structures.
She said joint cooperation by the District Disaster Risk Management Committee, and village-level committees with the support of traditional leaders, village volunteers and partners is crucial for successful disaster preparedness and response.
“The messages of precautionary measures have already been sent to churches. Jingles have been produced which are being played in strategic places such as bars and bottle stores including marketplaces to raise awareness,” added Cham'mudzi.
Mwanza is raising awareness after the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) issued a warning on impending Cyclone Chido, which was expected, to land in Mozambique on Sunday, December 15. 2024.
According to the DCCMS, the possibility is high that the effects of Cyclone Chido will affect Mwanza and other districts in the Southern Region of Malawi.
Given the DCCMS’s warning, the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DoDMA) has advised the general public to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of life and property.
People in flood-prone areas are advised to relocate to safer areas and the general public is also advised to follow weather updates through various communication channels and platforms.
Communication from DoDMA further cautioned people to avoid crossing flooded rivers and running waters among others.
A member of Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) Mwanza Division, Blessings Mazonde said the organization will continue to complement Mwanza District Council’s efforts in providing necessary information about Cyclone Chido and safety tips to communities in the district through MRCS volunteers.
“With limited resources, we have deployed volunteers with megaphones to disseminate messages that have precautionary measures as provided by DoDMA,” said Mazonde.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Chido is yet to bring the long-awaited rains in Mwanza.
President Chakwera commends religious leaders for instilling hope in people
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, December 15, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has commended religious leaders in the country for instilling hope in the citizenry.
President Chakwera said this on Sunday during a church service at Katoto Assemblies of God Church in Mzuzu City, where the First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera, was also present.
The President said the church is the only place people seek help and consolation without fear of reprisals.
“You are doing a great job by encouraging people especially the youth to remain hopeful regardless of hard situations which they may face so that they grow into productive citizens,” said President Chakwera.
The Malawi leader who earlier led the congregation in reading the Books of 2 Kings 7:1-11 and Matthew 20 verses 1-7 from the Bible reminded the congregants to live in harmony as God himself is not discriminatory.
On this, Reverend Raphael Ndewere encouraged the congregants that God will not allow his people to suffer continuously without intervening hence they need to remain hopeful in all situations.
“As a nation, we need to understand that our God is not a God that will neglect us, rather he will always respond to everyone’s situation,” said Ndewere.
The preacher further reminded that in history, it has been learnt that God’s intervention has never been too late hence; people should believe and expect God to intervene in every situation.
“We need to understand that things will always not be working to our advantage today, the future will always be good.
“There may be no food, no rain, no jobs today, but tomorrow, God will change the stories,” he said.
