MANAonline
Police arrest man for murder in Bangwe Township
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, May 22, Mana; Police in Limbe are keeping in custody a 35 year old man, Josephy Mpondaminga on suspicion that he murdered Young Bwanali, 37 at Monjereriwa Village in Bangwe Township in Blantyre.
Limbe Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sub-inspector Aubrey Singanyama said Bwanali was seen in the village with the suspect’s wife on May 20, 2025 at around 19:00 hours, as the two were suspected of being in secret love relationship.
“When Mpondaminga heard that his wife had been seen with Bwanali, he went after them. When he found the two together, a fierce fight broke out between the two men,” he added.
Singanyama said that in the process, Mpondaminga produced a knife and stabbed Bwanali on the left side of his neck and he died on the spot.
After being informed, Bangwe Police detectives rushed to the scene, arrested Mpondaminga, and took Bwanali’s body to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital for a postmortem.
Mpondaminga who comes from Chilambe Village, Traditional Authority Machinjiri in Blantyre will appear before court soon to answer murder charge.
Community care croups drive nutrition and hygiene improvements in Blantyre
By Gift Wahuta
Blantyre, May 22, Mana: Principal Nutrition and HIV and AIDs Officer at Blantyre District Council, Ruth Hara, has hailed community level care groups for carrying out interventions that are meant to improve nutrition levels in children and women.
Hara expressed gratitude over care groups this week when a team from Blantyre District Council, University of Malawi and UNICEF visited Tikondane Care Group in Chileka, at Traditional Authority, Kunthembwe to evaluated food preparation and sanitation practices in the area.
Using the community behaviour-tracking tool developed by UNIMA, the team evaluated households’ progress in balanced diet preparation, exclusive breastfeeding, iron supplementation for adolescent girls, and proper sanitation.
Before a feedback session held in the community, officials toured several households to observe best practices firsthand such that many households showcased well maintained backyard gardens, construction of livestock kraals and improved pit latrines.
Hara said, through the care groups, households adopted best practices to improve wellbeing of women and children.
“We are seeing real change; households are growing their own food and are following best practices. This help to reduce malnutrition and improve overall well-being,” she added.
Hara also called on traditional leaders to support care groups in reaching out to households that are still resistant to adopt best practices or lack accurate information on nutrition, exclusive breast-feeding and proper sanitation.
“We need chiefs to help us convince those who are still hesitant. The success of this initiative depends on community wide participation,” she added.
Group Village Head Makonje also commended the initiative after observing improved food preparations and sanitation and acknowledged misinformation, misconceptions and resistance to change as factors that contribute to low adoption of best life practices.
“There’s progress, we have seen a decline in number of girls suffering from anemia. I promise to continue supporting this work so that people understand and adopt best practices,” he said and pledged to support care groups in mobilizing communities to adopt best food preparation and good hygiene practices.
Cluster leader and beneficiary, Olivia Alfred said that backyard gardening and consumption of six food groups improved her family’s nutrition status and helped her cut food costs.
“We now know six food groups, and I have a backyard garden which has reduced cost of food. This intervention has truly changed our lives,” she added.
Care group members also demonstrated what they teach, showcasing homemade juices, various types of porridge and later in the afternoon, the visiting team held interactive sessions with adolescents on health and nutrition needs.
CAMFED Boosts Education for Girls in Salima Schools
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima. May 22, Mana: As one way of bridging educational gaps and encourage consistent school attendance, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) on Thursday distributed essential school resources to needy girl students across Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) in Salima District.
The distributed materials included exercise books, pens, and sanitary pads.
A teacher mentor at MAFCO Battalion CDSS, Esther Chimpeni, said the aid empowers students to participate in education without worrying about affording school necessities.
"These girls come from families that cannot afford to provide such materials, and such aid saves them from worrying about accessing these needs," she said.
Chimpeni also highlighted the school’s methods of ensuring that the resources are used effectively to bring about a positive impact among the beneficiaries.
"At MAFCO CDSS, we implemented a proactive follow-up strategy. We conduct periodic meetings with beneficiaries to motivate them to excel academically. We also engage their parents to encourage their children to fully utilize the opportunity," she added.
A teacher mentor at Parachute Battalion CDSS, Ethel Gondwe, underscored how the support directly tackles barriers to education.
"Most children come from families that cannot afford school materials and sanitary pads. This contributes to their absenteeism and poor performance. This initiative helps tackle such issues," Gondwe explained.
Principal Education Officer for Salima, Eliam Banda, commended CAMFED for their continuous support to enhancing girl's education in the country.
"Girls face numerous challenges to stay in school and there is always a high number of dropout rates in girls education, such interventions help to keep girls in school," he said.
Desire Ngoma, a Form 4 student at Parachute Battalion CDSS, expressed her gratitude for the resources, highlighting how they keep her education afloat.
"The resources make it easy to complete tasks that we get from teachers, which would be difficult to achieve without books," Ngoma stated.
CAMFED's initiative provides crucial support to vulnerable girl students in Salima, fostering an environment where they can focus on their studies and pursue their educational aspirations without the burden of lacking necessities.
Malawi to increase tourism base through SADC TFCA Summit
By Mary Makhiringa
Harare, May 22, Mana: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair Patricia Nangozo Kainga says Malawi stands a better chance of increasing its tourism base through the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCAs) summit.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview at the end of the SADC TFCA Council of the Ministers meeting on Thursday, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Tourism, Kainga said, President Chakwera will be among heads of states to attend SADC meeting, which will among other things mark 25 years of TFCA fostering Regional Integration and Sustainable Development.
Said Kainga: “It is important for the State President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to be present at this very important meeting as Malawi is a senior member of the SADC and also it will enhance the bilateral cooperation and integration.
“The President will also hold several bilateral talks with fellow Heads of States to strengthen their cooperation and also the President will hold meeting with development partners who are already in here to have further talks on financing and other important issues that will benefit Malawi.”
Speaking earlier, Minister of Tourism Dr. Vera Kamtukule underscored the importance of tourism in Malawi saying the country has seen tremendous growth in the industry with more tourists coming.
Said Kamtukule: “This is one of the important meetings that Malawi as a country must attend. As you know when we talk about wildlife, they cut across the borders, animals do not see any borders or any lines, it can move from Malawi to Zambia, or vice versa, so it is important for our country to attend this meeting.”
He added: “60 percent of the tourists that come to Malawi are from SADC region, so it is important that we come to these regional block meetings where we can discuss several issues concerning our country.
“For example, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana are part of the Kavango Zambia (KAZA) Transfrontier arrangement which means, a visitor can come from Spain come into Zambia and pay $50 and visit all the countries, this is the coordination that we are talking about.”
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is among the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders attending the summit in Harare on Friday.
7 sentenced to 21 years imprisonment
By Santos zefania
Lilongwe, May 22, Mana: Lilongwe senior resident magistrate court Wednesday convicted and sentenced seven men each to 21 years of imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of robbery that occurred at Gravity Mall, SANA, and Asterik Systems Limited in Lilongwe.
According to state prosecutor sub inspector Felix William Senzani of Lingadzi Police Station, on May 3, 2025 during the nighttime, the convicts broke into SANA shop and went away with K20million cash, HP laptop, cosmetics, power banks and bricks of cigarettes.
Upon investigations, the seven robbers were arrested in various districts and the police recovered a pistol and a toy gun, which they used in the robberies.
The seven appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe where they pleaded guilty to the charges before the presiding magistrate, Shukran Kumbani, convicted and sentenced them to a 21-year jail term each.
The seven convicts are George Wells, from Nkumba Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Bwananyambi in Mangochi; Stanford Mulowa, from Ngomo Village, T/A Nkumba in Phalombe; Kennedy Maluwa from Senzani Village in T/A Phambala in Ntcheu; Mike Banda, from Makwete Village in T/A Mabuka in Mulanje; Weston Richard from Ndombo Village in T/A Nsabwe in Thyolo; and Kenneth William from Mpinganjira Village in T/A Chimwala.
Chakwera pledges stronger private sector support at 35th Malawi International Trade Fair
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, May 22, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera says his government has put in place strategies aimed at creating a conducive environment for the private sector to scale up their investment and increase production to promote economic transformation of the country.
Chakwera made the remarks on Thursday during the official opening of the 35th Malawi International Trade Fair at Chichiri trade fair grounds in Blantyre.
"My government is here to provide policy direction to the wishes of the private sector to expand their businesses and attract foreign investors in order to contribute to the country's earnings," he said.
President Chakwera stated that his administration is committed to supporting youth and women in investing in various businesses. He added that over the past four years, the government has provided K300 billion, which has enabled the establishment of approximately 100,000 businesses across different sectors of the economy.
Chakwera further revealed that an additional K1 trillion from the African Development Bank, channeled through the National Economic Empowerment Fund, will be made available to youths and women over the next five years.
The Malawi leader also stated that his government is also promoting agriculture commercialization and that the world bank has supported Malawi through Agriculture and Commercialization (AGCOM) with K600 billion to support the farmers to scale up their production.
"In the same spirit, we have already secured markets for the produce in Europe, China, India, Dubai and Africa. Additionally, through mega farms unit, we are committed to fast track all the processes to increase the mega farms and also ensure that each mega farm has a factory for agro processing within it," said Chakwera.
In the energy sector, Chakwera said World Bank has also supported the construction of the USD 350 million Mpatamanga hydro power plant to support power generation which is essential for promoting industrialization.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba noted that the increase in the number of exhibitors at this year’s fair—from 142 last year to 191—demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for the private sector to drive industrialization in the country.
He said the Trade and Industry ministry is implementing a suite of strategic interventions to support industrialization and export growth such as establishment of special economic zones, promotion of agro processing and value addition, empowering innovation and entrepreneurship among others.
"With such initiatives, I believe it is possible to transform the country into an inclusive, wealthy, and self-reliant, industrialized upper-middle-income nation," he said.
President of Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Dr. Wisely Phiri, hailed President Chakwera for presiding over the event, saying the gesture indicates government's commitment to having a vibrant and dynamic private sector.
The trade fair is conducted annually to provide a platform for local and international delegates and exhibitors to connect, collaborate and explore new business opportunities.
This year's event, which will run until May 29, is being held under the theme: 'promoting economic transformation through private sector-led industrialization'.
Approximately 191 exhibitors from Malawi and countries such as Zambia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Tanzania are participating in the fair.
NYCOM challenges youth in Balaka to utilize Youth Innovation Fund
By Steve Lingamawa
Balaka, May 2, Mana: The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) has urged youth-led organizations in Balaka District to take full advantage of the K2 billion Youth Innovation Fund established by the government to support youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
NYCOM Executive Director, Rex Chapota, made the call during Youth Impact Tour this week in Balaka where he appreciated vocational and agribusiness activities that a youth-led organization, Springs of Hope Youth does.
Chapota said economic hardships hinder young people from engaging in various business innovations that would help achieve Malawi 2063 agenda.
“What we have seen today at Springs of Hope is a sign that we have a lot of youths that have great ideas that can help this country to develop. We have witnessed the construction of a modern agro-products warehouse, which will facilitate the storage of crops such as soya beans and sunflowers, as well as tailoring products,” he added.
Chapota therefore hailed Spring of Hope for implementing various projects and he urged the organization to dream big and think outside the box to meet their aspirations.
Springs of Hope Executive Director, Kumbukani Mamba, commended NYCOM for recognizing their efforts through various activities. He stated that the initiative will be a game changer for the organization, which aims to pursue further innovation and agricultural mechanization.
“Youth Innovation Fund has come at a right time, we are really excited about this fund,” he said and expressed hope that the 65 member-organization will grow in number for great ideas.
NYCOM is currently touring the country to appreciate and assess the various entrepreneurial activities being implemented by young people.
The tour also provided youth-led organizations opportunity to present challenges they face when implementing various enterprises.
Government introduced YIF through NYCOM, to accelerate agriculture; tourism and mining -ATM implementation, a strategic multisectoral initiative that seeks to empower young Malawians to become drivers of innovation, productivity, and economic transformation towards the country’s development aspirations, Malawi 2063.
Chitipa Police against political violence
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 22, Mana: Officer-in-Charge for Chitipa Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Morgan Dzonzi, has cautioned people in the district against indulging into political violence during the forthcoming general election on September 16, 2025.
Dzonzi issued the caution on Wednesday during a community gathering at Seventh Day Adventist church ground in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa district.
He urged the communities to refrain from holding illegal demonstrations, damaging and stealing government property, saying the tendency derails development of the district and country as a whole.
“Let me encourage traditional leaders and your subjects to love one another. It is bad to indulge in political violence. Let's promote dialogue if differences arise in order to foster tangible development,” Dzonzi appealed.
He then assured people of Chitipa of his office's commitment to working with the communities to make the district a crime free zone.
“I am overwhelmed with the large gathering today. This symbolizes unity, vibrant community policing activities and commitment by the community in the fight against crime,” he said.
Station Executive Committee (SEC) Vice Chairperson for Chitipa Police Station, Yotam Kabaghe, pledged his commitment to working closely with the law enforcers to ensure that community-policing activities are taking the right direction in the district.
Group Village Head Mkombanyama thanked the Officer-in-Charge and some senior staff from Chitipa Police for sparing their time to visit Mkombanyama area.
He assured the police that traditional leaders and their subordinates will work around the clock to prevent political violence, and foster peace.
Chitipa Police Station has intensified sensitization campaigns in the district on dangers of political violence.
Daudi asks SCTP beneficiaries to invest for multiplication
By Linda Likomwa
Phalombe, May 22, Mana: Deputy Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Halima Daudi has appealed to Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) beneficiaries in Phalombe to invest and multiply the cash from the social protection program for sustainable and meaningful livelihood.
Daudi made the appeal Wednesday during 2024/25 lean season food distribution at Masangano Community Based Organization (CBO) at Paramount Chief Kaduya’s area, adding that the money under the SCTP might look small, but it wound yield more benefits once invested into business.
She added that the money was meant to improve households’ livelihood by buying livestock, while other part could be used to support children education through provision of basic needs.
The Deputy Minister also advised the beneficiaries not to sell the relief maize, describing hunger situation in Phalombe as bad due unfavorable weather condition for three consecutive years.
Plan Malawi International Programs Area Coordinator, Jane Mweziwina, said her organization had reached out to more than 44,000 households in the district with three bags of 50kg maize each in the current lean season.
She described the relief maize distribution program as a success, as the food goes to deserving households and that there are no incidences of beneficiaries selling the maize food.
One of the beneficiaries, Caroline Phaleya, from Mampinga Village, who receive maize on behalf of her 86-year-old grandmother, said the relief food kept the grandmother and six children going.
“My grandmother is among Social Cash Transfer Program beneficiaries and the money she receives helps a lot in our family, otherwise, we would not have made it this far,” she said.
Phalombe District Council, Chairperson, Agason Sompho, asked the SCTP beneficiaries to work hard in their fields to produce food other than, solely, depending on relief items, adding that the people needed to find other means to improve their livelihoods.
Phalombe District has 44,696 households benefiting from the lean season food distribution program, with 10,248 households under SCTP and, apart from the World Food Program relief maize; the beneficiaries received K70, 000 cash.
MPUC trains Phalombe people on conflict management
By Elias Masamba
Phalombe, May 22, Mana: Malawi Peace and Unity Commission (MPUC) on Wednesday sensitized stakeholders in Phalombe on conflict management as one way of ensuring peace and unity ahead of September 16 tripartite election.
MPUC Commissioner, Symon Munde, urged participants to take full advantage of the training opportunity, saying this was a rare opportunity meant to provide knowledge and skills in peace building and conflict resolution.
He added that the trained participants have duty and responsibility to bring peace and harmony using the newly acquired knowledge and skills in conflict resolution within their respective communities.
“As a Commission, we believe that this training will greatly improve Phalombe District’s capacity in managing conflicts. We sincerely hope to see peace and unity committees established from village to district level to reinforce community cohesion,” said Munde, during the opening of the training.
He also appealed to leaders to make use of knowledge and skills gained from the training to sustainable use, especially as Malawi draws closer to the general election.
The 3-day training is conducted with support from OXFAM and it is expected to equip stakeholders, including youths and local leaders in the district, with knowledge and skills to manage conflicts peacefully.
Traditional Authority Phweremwe expressed gratitude to MPUC for organizing the training, saying it has provided them with fresh insights on managing conflicts in his area.
“This is a timely initiative for community leaders. We are committed to ensure that peace and unity committees are established and sustained,” he said.
Phalombe Youth Network Chairperson, Fadweck Namacha, also called on young people in the district to lead by example in maintaining peace and unity.
