By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: One of the Malawian ladies based in the United States of America, Chawezi Banda popularly known as "Chacha", has offered to pay school fees to an 18-year-old girl, Thokozani Monjeza.

Banda said she has decided to bail out Thokozani as part of her 50th birthday celebration this year.

The young girl was on the verge of dropping out at Mwanza boarding Secondary School.

Recently, social media was awash with news about some students, including the girl, who is one of the outstanding students at Mwanza, that they are on the brink of dropping out of school.

After learning about the news in the media, Chacha has offered to pay school fees and other expenses for Thokozani Monjeza from form 1 to form 4.

In an interview, from Singapore, Chacha said,” I am committed towards improving the girl child education in Malawi, hence this gesture.

Chacha has promised that she will continue rendering support to the marginalized people in the country.

Recently, Chacha donated various food items to Queens and Kamuzu Central Hospital to celebrate her new age.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: World Vision Advocacy and Communications Director, Charles Gwengwe, has appealed to Government and the private sector to invest in early childhood development in order to enhance national productivity and economic growth thereby breaking the poverty circle.

Speaking during the Enough Campaign policy briefing in Lilongwe, Gwengwe emphasized the need for government and developmental partners to embark on deliberate attempts in addressing disparities and gaps prevailing in the country.

Gwengwe highlighted that the campaign remains crucial in addressing child hunger and malnutrition in over 100 countries globally focusing on root causes and building sustainable community centered framework for change.

“Enough Campaign believes that we have enough policies, enough resources, enough political will, enough Non-Governmental Organizations, enough companies that can enable us to make sure that at least every child in Malawi has food,” he said.

He expressed the organization’s commitment in investing more resources in early childhood education stating its scientific and economic authenticity of investing more money in childhood education whose economic returns remain huge.

“The programs we are implementing as World Vision are in 19 district, but we are now sharing experiences, encouraging stakeholders, more importantly government, to lead by example to say enough is enough,” he said.

According to Enough Campaign policy, Malawi faces a national crisis in child development rooted in early childhood malnutrition, health disparities and inequities in education access

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: World Vision Advocacy and Communications Director, Charles Gwengwe, has appealed to Government and the private sector to invest in early childhood development in order to enhance national productivity and economic growth thereby breaking the poverty circle.

Speaking during the Enough Campaign policy briefing in Lilongwe, Gwengwe emphasized the need for government and developmental partners to embark on deliberate attempts in addressing disparities and gaps prevailing in the country.

Gwengwe highlighted that the campaign remains crucial in addressing child hunger and malnutrition in over 100 countries globally focusing on root causes and building sustainable community centered framework for change.

“Enough Campaign believes that we have enough policies, enough resources, enough political will, enough Non-Governmental Organizations, enough companies that can enable us to make sure that at least every child in Malawi has food,” he said.

He expressed the organization’s commitment in investing more resources in early childhood education stating its scientific and economic authenticity of investing more money in childhood education whose economic returns remain huge.

“The programs we are implementing as World Vision are in 19 district, but we are now sharing experiences, encouraging stakeholders, more importantly government, to lead by example to say enough is enough,” he said.

According to Enough Campaign policy, Malawi faces a national crisis in child development rooted in early childhood malnutrition, health disparities and inequities in education access.

By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, March 14, Mana: Members of Parliament (MPs) have been called upon to support construction of Chigumula Industrial Site which, currently, requires additional K5.6 billion to be completed.

The call was made Thursday in Blantyre when Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, and Parliamentary Committees on Trade and on Media and Information visited Chigumula Industrial Site to appreciate progress.

Mumba said by timely financing the project, the country will start realizing billions of Kwachas that will come from the site.

"Apart from creating jobs, these industries will help in bringing forex from exports. Industry is the backbone of any economy hence we need to speed up this project," he said.

Mumba, therefore, lobbied MPs to support the initiative by approving the requested K5.6 billion.

Board Chairperson for Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), Godwin Ng'oma, said Chigumula Industrial Site has made  progress compared to the other four sites.

"Chigumula site has progressed a lot because it was taken as a pilot where we should learn from. We need K2.8 billion for the roads and K2.6 billion for the sewer and all finishing works. If we are given the money, come June 31, 2025, this site will be completed," he said.

Chairperson for the Industry, Trade and Tourism and Media and Communication Cluster of Parliament, Paul Nkhoma, who is MP for Kasungu North East said they needed to inspect the site.

"Despite allocating a lot of money towards industrial sites for the past two years, we haven't been seeing convincing progress," he said.

He said they are now convinced with the progress made and will recommend extra finances for the project so that it is completed and handed over to investors.

By Gift Chiponde

Mzuzu, March 13, Mana: Teachers working in rural and hard-to-reach areas of the northern region have praised government for introducing Teachers Reform Hardship Support Scheme, saying it has significantly improved their livelihoods and well-being.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency, teachers from various districts shared their experience of how the initiative has eased the challenges they face in remote schools.

Lusungu Chimaliro, a teacher at Changasi Primary School in Nkhatabay District, said the scheme has been a game-changer, allowing him to focus more on his work without constantly worrying about financial struggles.

"Teaching in a rural area has always been challenging due to poor infrastructure and lack of resources. However, with this support, I can now afford better living conditions and transportation, making it easier to deliver quality education to my learners," he said.

Another teacher at Chirembe Primary School in Nkhatabay, David Tembo said that the initiative has revived the working spirit among teachers, stating that the scheme has boosted teachers’ morale for hard-to-reach areas in the region.

"Many teachers previously refused postings to remote areas because of the harsh conditions. But now, with the government’s support, we feel valued and motivated to continue serving our communities," he stated.

Another teacher from Lwambo Primary School Dyton Hara from Chitipa highlighted how the initiative has helped retain teachers in rural schools.

"Previously, many teachers would request transfers after just a short time in rural schools due to financial hardships. This program is ensuring that we can stay longer and focus on improving education for our learners," he said.

Agness Mwanyongo, a teacher in Mzimba, said the hardship scheme has transformed her life, enabling her to pay school fees and support her household.

 "This program has been a blessing," she said. "It has relieved my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my work and provide for my family," said Mwanyongo.

In his remarks, Director of Education and Sports for Chitipa District Council, McGiven Chinyamula urged teachers to make use of the opportunity while assuring them of continued support in addressing rural education challenges.

The Teachers Reform Hardship Support Scheme was introduced to provide financial and material assistance to teachers posted in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts through the Malawi Education reform Programme, aiming to improve education standards and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students, regardless of location.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, March 13, Mana: Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, says commencement of extraction of rare earth at Kangankunde Mining Site in Balaka has potential to boost the country’s economy as the mining site will be able to remit over US$80,000 annually to Malawi’s economy.

The Minister disclosed this in Balaka on Wednesday during the launch of Lindian Rare Earth Mining activities and construction of a tar mark road from the M1 Road to Kangankunde Mining Site to improve transportation of various items to and from the site.

“I am grateful to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera for initiating the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) Strategy. Out of the mining sector, the country’s economy will grow.

“What Lindian Associates has done here in Balaka is commendable; with their deposits of 600 million out of the mining sites. This will turn Malawi to a better place,” he said.

He asked the company to look after the environment, observing that most investors leave out big trenches when leaving mining sites.

He, therefore, expressed hope that the mining activities will also provide employment to young people and women in the area.

“The impending transition from exploration to mining brings forth significant opportunities including employment creation, skills transfer and capacity building for Malawians, infrastructure development as well as revenue generation, among others,” he said.

Lindian Associates Executive Chairperson, Rob Martin, said the road construction will create economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

“Lindian is committed to provide job opportunities to communities, support local business and enhance local infrastructure which will help develop the area through several activities,” he said.

Martin made an assurance that his company will continue supporting government to accelerate the country’s economy.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, March 13, Mana: Kawale Police is keeping in custody a 32-year-old witch doctor, Thomson Benson, for having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old step daughter contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.

According to Kawale Police Spokeperson, Precious Mabvuto Phiri, the suspect got married to a woman who had a girl child from another man.

The couple was staying with the daughter in Area 24 in Lilongwe.

Phiri said investigation has shown that Benson started sleeping with the child in 2023.

“The suspect used to send his wife for farming during rainy season creating an environment suitable for him to have sexual intercourse with the child.

"In February, 2025 the victim realized that she was pregnant of his step father and decided to reveal the ordeal to her mother. Further, a report was formerly made at Area 24 Police Unit where detectives swiftly arrested the suspect," he said.

Benson, who hails from Khoswe Village, Traditional Authority Kalolo in Lilongwe District, will appear in court soon after completion of paper work.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, March 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has called on agriculture frontline workers to be aligned with new agricultural reforms for them to transform the country’s agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial farming, saying this is the only way to address hunger and boost productivity.

Agriculture frontline workers include extension development officers, crops officers, veterinary officers and irrigation officers.

Kawale made the call on Wednesday in Salima during an interface meeting with Salima and Nkhotakota agriculture frontline workers, where he also acknowledged that the success of the reforms depends largely on the alignment and support of frontline workers.

"We are engaging the frontline workers today because we acknowledge their essential role in the reforms, because they are responsible for executing agriculture programs on the ground," he said.

The minister said better coordination between the Ministry and its frontline staff, remains important, stating that communication would be a fundamental principle in achieving the sector's goals.

Kawale further said farmers must transition from depending on the Agricultural Input Programme (AIP), which has limited success in helping farmers thrive.

He added: "While AIP is important, it cannot be the sole solution to the challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Instead, there is a focus on providing farmers with more sustainable and efficient access to farm inputs and pushing them towards mechanization,” he said.

"We are engaging with organizations like the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to provide additional support for smallholder farmers looking to scale up their operations," he added.

The Ministry is further urging frontline workers to engage more actively with farmers, helping them understand the benefits of commercial farming and how it can lead to long-term development and prosperity.

Agriculture Extension Development Officer who also represented Technicians Union of Malawi, Rahaby Whayo Gama said the meeting with the Minister is an eye opener for them to have a better understanding of the ministry's shifting of focus from subsistence farming to commercial farming.

"We have been aligned with the plans of the Ministry, we are on the same page and when meeting farmers from our communities we will take a message that is in line with government's reforms and that they are going to be assisted with necessary skills and inputs," he said.

She however highlighted some of the challenges they are facing for them to be efficient in their work, such as mobility challenges, and lack of protective gear.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni said they have loan packages that aim at improving the productivity of farmers.

“We are a nation that still depends on agriculture, our path to development lies in commercial farming, and that is what we are pushing for. If we can get the frontline workers to fully support and align with these reforms, we will see real progress in our agriculture sector," he said.

The meetings will take place in all Agricultural Divisions in the country, and NEEF is supporting the series of meetings with financial support and technical expertise.