By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 11, Mana; District Community Development Officer for Nkhata Bay, Jacob Moloko, has urged village banks under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) to save their money with a purpose by investing in group businesses for sustainability.
Moloko made this call on Saturday at Bwelero Cluster in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Mndola during a monitoring visit of cash disbursement to beneficiaries covering April, May and June 2025.
According to Moloko, it has been observed that some groups share all their money at the end of the year, which hinders growth.
"We are glad that about 5,000 of the total 6,475 beneficiaries have joined village banks under SCTP.
"For these groups to continue beyond the four years, members should consider sharing profits at the end of the year and keeping shares to grow their groups," he said.
He emphasized that members can invest in big projects for the group using shared funds as they grow personal businesses through profits and loans from the group.
Moloko also highlighted that beneficiaries have been given cash covering three months to give the council ample time to prepare for the transition from manual to electronic payment, which will be implemented in due course.
"We are impressed that in all clusters visited, payment protocols are followed, and all beneficiaries have managed to collect their money, which is encouraging," he added.
In her remarks, Secretary for Bungulu Village Bank, Dalitso Manda from Chijere village who received K65, 000.00 said she was grateful for the saving tips given.
"I am happy that we have been encouraged to save our money as a group. We will consider businesses like buying a maize mill, among others.
"This will help us to be independent even after the program ends,' she said.
Another beneficiary Alenifa Phiri said joining the village bank has given her access to loans, which he used to expand her business.
SCTP is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee across the country with financial support from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
