MANAonline
One Acre Fund set to conduct soil health campaign in Chiradzulu
By Yanjanani Mendulo
Chiradzulu, June 20, Mana: A non-governmental organisation in the agriculture sector, One Acre Fund, is set to conduct a soil health campaign in Chiradzulu District to promote compost manure making and green residues management among farmers to help improve soil fertility for good crop production.
The activity is scheduled to begin on June 23, 2025 and will be implemented across all six Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in the district, according to One Acre Fund, publicist, John Matemba.
He told Malawi News Agency that One Acre Fund intends to raise awareness among farmers on sustainable soil management practices across all EPAs in the district.
“We are targeting one EPA per day over three days, starting with Mombezi, Mbulumbuzi, and Thumbwe,” said Matemba and further explained that the campaign will focus on encouraging farmers to adopt best agricultural practices, burying crop residues as a way of replenishing nutrients in the soil to improve crop production.
Chiradzulu District Council, Land Resource Conservation Officer, Chimwemwe Hara, hailed the initiative, saying it is timely and aligns very well with the council’s efforts of promoting sustainable land management.
“This is one of the best approaches as it will remind farmers the importance of taking care their land. We will be going around with the public address system to reach them,” added Hara.
With many farmers relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, One Acre Fund and the District agriculture Office said there is a need to improve soil fertility without overdependence on chemical fertilizers.
“The campaign is expected to contribute significantly to improved crop yield and address food insecurity,” he added.
One Acre Fund also carried out the same campaign in Blantyre recently.
Castel Malawi announces Adventure Festival on June 28
By Nellie Nyirenda
Blantyre, June 20, Mana: Castel Malawi is set to bring the excitement with its upcoming Adventure Festival under the theme; ‘Sip the Adventure, to take place on June 28 at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Sports Complex in Blantyre.
Castel Malawi Digital Community Manager, Gary Sanati told malawi News Agency (Mana), that the event promises a star-studded night of music, drinks, and unforgettable vibes.
“The Adventure Festival is our way of celebrating life, music, and the Castel experience with our loyal consumers. It’s more than just an event it’s a toast to Malawian talent and unforgettable moments,” added Sanati.
He said performance lineup include some of Malawi’s biggest artists; Saint, Zeze Kingston, Onesimus, Tay Grin, Kell Kay, Skeffa Chimoto, Gibo Pearson, Fada Moti, and the legendary Zembani Band.
“Gates will open at 4:00 in the afternoon and entry is simple: purchase any three Castel beers and you are in,” he added.
One of the headline performers, renowned award-winning singer and songwriter Zeze Kingston, said people should expect nothing short of an amazing experience.
“This will be a night full of surprises, high-energy performances, and pure enjoyment. Our whole team is ready to perform and bring excitement to all the people who will come to the festival,” he said.
Looking forward to the event, Chifundo Yasin expressed excitement and said was ready to have extraordinary experience at the upcoming festival.
“I am looking forward to vibrant performances, cultural exhibition and the opportunity to connect with fellow music and entertainment lovers,” he added.
Two arrested for possessing unlicensed illicit drugs
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, June 20, Mana: Police in Balaka district have arrested Malita Panyasa, 47 and Daniel Mkwatulo, 35, for allegedly possessing Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Chamba, without a licence.
The two were arrested on Thursday evening at Likudzi and Mkando Trading Centres, located in Phalula area.
According to Balaka Police Spokesperson Gladson M'bumpha, the arrests were made following a tip from a well-wisher that the suspects have been selling the illicit drug in their shops.
"Following this tip off, detectives from Phalula Police Post, led by Detective Sub Inspector Andrex Ziba, made a follow-up which led to the arrest of the suspects and seized the drugs," said M'bumpha.
He said Panyasa was found with 12 twists and loose Cannabis Sativa in her shop, while Mkwatulo was found with a black plastic bag and a sack of Cannabis Sativa, including 22 twists of the illicit drug in his shop.
Social Cash Transfer registers success in transforming livelihoods
By Eunice Disi
Lilongwe, June 19, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza has said the Social Cash Transfer Programme (STCP) has made a lot of positive strides in the livelihood of over 381, 000 households across the country since its inception in 2006.
Sendeza made the remarks on Thursday during the launch of the results of a survey on “Dissemination of Social Cash Transfer Programme impact evaluation 2024 midline,” which was conducted in Nkhata Bay, Dedza and Balaka.
“STCP has significantly improved the economic situations of beneficiaries by enhancing their ability to meet basic needs and improving food security, families are also able to send their children to school but also accessing health services,” she said.
Sendeza added that government will continue to support the programme, pledging government’s commitment towards scaling up the programme so that it can accommodate more districts as currently Thyolo is the only district which is supported by the government.
German Ambassador to Malawi, Ute Konig stressed the need for the programme to improve the livelihoods of the ultra-poor, saying the programme has had a positive impact on the beneficiaries; hence, the need for the government to invest more in social protection as it is an engine for economic growth.
As one of the recommendations from the results of the survey, Konig appealed to government to consider revising the value of the STCP to align with the current economic challenges.
Unicef Chief of Social Policy, Matthew Tasker commended the Minister of Gender for launching the Midliner as it is an important evidence as it shows the positive impacts of the programme of the most vulnerable in Malawi.
“It’s really promising to see how much this programme is generating positive outcomes for women and children in particular. I think it is crucial that we keep this programme as part of the political agenda and we seek more support from the Ministry of Gender,” he said.
He added that UNICEF will continue to support the programme as it is an investment for the future and to ensure that it remains a positive social protection tool.
The SCTP has been providing monthly unconditional cash grants to ultra-poor and labour constrained households since 2006 with the aim of reducing poverty and hunger, improve health and nutrition in vulnerable households and increase school enrollment by the end of 2024.
According to the survey which was conducted, STCP has reached approximately 381, 735 households and over 1.7 million individuals, including 600,000 children which is an estimated 10 percent of the total country’s population by 2024.
Over 200 learners receive re-useable sanitary pads for menstrual hygiene
By Mtisunge Gwedeza
Blantyre, June 19, Mana: A local organisation, Flying Girls Malawi in collaboration with Catholic Women Association (CWA) in Blantyre has distributed 400 re-useable sanitary products to 200 girls at St. Pius X Girls Primary School in the district to promote menstrual hygiene best practices.
Chairperson of CWA at St. Pius, Leah Mwangomba said the gesture was done as part of educating girls on menstrual hygiene best practices, empower girls to break stigma associated with menstruation on top of imparting to them essential hygiene knowledge.
The Flying Girls and CWA joint initiative was done as an outreach under the theme: ‘Together for a period friendly world.’
“A survey report states that girls stay away from school when they are menstruating and that experience alone has a toll on their mental health well-being,
“We donated 400 re-usable sanitary towels to 200 learners and we are hopeful for more projects together with Flying Girls Malawi in the future to sustain what has built today,” she added.
A member of Flying Girls Malawi, an organization of young leaders and initiatives that advocate for girls empowerment, Naledi Kamndyaya hailed Flying Girls Malawi – CWA partnerships, saying the collaboration has potential to make a difference among female learners that have limited resources for menstrual hygiene management.
“Similar partnerships have shown potential in making a difference as such this collaboration can provide menstrual hygiene education, promote awareness and offer accessible products,” she added.
Flying Girls Malawi and the CWA believe that there will be long lasting impact in promoting menstrual hygiene whilst reducing stigma associated with menstruation.
Kansengwa equips Mana reporters with photojournalistic standards
By Austine Kananji
Lilongwe, June 19, Mana: Renowned freelance and award-winning photojournalist, Ras Peter Kansengwa has emphasized the need for photojournalists to be equipped with the knowledge of professional digital camera to stand out as the world is advancing in terms of technology.
Kansengwa made the remarks on Thursday during the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training at the Malawi News Agency (Mana) Headquarters Offices in Lilongwe.
He noted that for a photojournalist to create and compose a good, appealing image needs to differentiate an image captured by a mere phone camera and a digital professional camera as these items produce different products.
“In this modern world of photojournalism, in the newsroom there has been a disregard tendency whereby other journalists go with a mere phone camera to capture images, while others take a digital professional camera the results of which are different as the image produced by digital camera will stand out for a long time professionally,” he observed.
Kansengwa emphasized that the rules applied in digital professional camera, including white balance (WB), and ambience aspect, which promote the background of an image help in enhancing image creation by composing a well-stood-out photo.
He, therefore, urged photojournalists to be active and vigilant when sent to events, citing the need to manage time effectively to capture images for news articles, saying: “This is particularly important when covering online events, as it is crucial not to miss important scenarios as the event unfolds.”
Speaking in a separate interview, Managing Editor for Mana, Tione Andsen underscored the need for photojournalists to be equipped with the requisite knowledge of photojournalism as the world is evolving every day in terms of technological advancements.
“This is an eye-opener, it has have refreshed other people’s minds, while others are getting this information for the first time and also it is an opportunity because nowadays we are combining writing and taking of photos in the news room segment.
“So when you are equipped with both writing and taking photos you are better placed in a news room setup as it makes gives you an edge over others in this digital era,” Andsen said.
Malawi intensifies efforts to end child labour
By Rosalia Kapiri
Lilongwe, June 19, Mana: Minister of Labour, Peter Dimba has called for urgent action to eradicate child labour, describing it as a national crisis that demands collective responsibility.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing ahead of the commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour set for June 21 at Madziamera Primary School in Machinga, Dimba said despite registering some progress, the country is still far from meeting Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which aims at ending child labour in all its forms by 2025.
“Have we achieved Target 8.7 to eradicate forced labour and the worst forms of child labour? The answer is No. Children in child labour are denied the right to education, physical and mental well-being,” said Dimba.
Dimba disclosed that 38 percent of Malawian children aged 5 to 17, about 2 million, were still in child labour, mostly in agriculture and domestic work.
He said Malawi has ratified key international labour conventions and joined global partnerships such as Alliance 8.7 and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection to intensify its fight against child labour.
The minister also announced that a toll-free line for reporting child labour cases will soon be launched to promote public involvement in combating the malpractice.
Executive Council Member of the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM), George Matipwiri emphasized the role of employers in ending child labour.
“As employers, we have been engaging in intensive civic education. We are making sure that every employer appreciates that child labour is an evil that should not be condoned in any employment.
“We are working together with government and the Malawi Congress of Trade Union to ensure that we eradicate labour for these children,” said Matipwiri.
Activities to raise awareness during the commemoration will include drama, poetry, traditional dances and speeches.
This year’s commemoration theme is: ‘Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts.’
MACRA Urges Government to Safeguard Personal Data
By Innocent Manda
Lilongwe, June 19, Mana: Government institutions have been urged to assume full legal and operational responsibility as data controllers under Malawi’s Data Protection Act of 2024, which is now in force to standardize the lawful processing of personal information across the public sector.
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) made the appeal on Thursday during a strategic Data Protection Authority Awareness Workshop at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The workshop was designed to enhance institutional compliance with the Act by outlining legal obligations, ethical standards and technical requirements related to data protection.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), MACRA Member of the Board of Directors, Isaac Nkhono Songea noted that the enactment of the law is both timely and essential given the increasing sensitivity and economic value of personal data in today’s digital environment.
“Inappropriate handling of personal data leads to serious challenges including identity theft, misuse of information and a complete loss of public trust,” Songea said.
Songea emphasized that public institutions, now formally designated as data controllers, must implement robust data governance frameworks that ensure data is processed lawfully, fairly, accurately and in a transparent manner.
“Those who collect data must understand that it is not just a task, it’s a responsibility. The law is clear and MACRA is committed to enhancing data protection by providing the necessary guidance, tools and enforcement mechanisms,” he said.
The Act introduces core principles such as lawfulness, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, integrity and confidentiality, mandating that data must only be processed with legal justification and limited to clearly defined and legitimate purposes.
MACRA’s Head of Data Protection, Daniel Chione underscored the importance of implementing technical and organizational measures including access controls, encryption and secure storage to mitigate risks of data breaches and unauthorized access.
“All entities collecting personal data must register with MACRA and implement strong security measures to ensure that data is protected from unauthorized access and breaches,” said Chione.
Chione said any institution processing data for over 10,000 data subjects would be subjected to a K20 per individual regulatory processing fee, designed to fund monitoring, enforcement as well compliance mechanisms.
“The money collected will help MACRA monitor and enhance the data protection framework so that citizens’ rights are respected and institutions remain accountable,” he added.
Among the participants were officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and key players from the financial and healthcare sectors, all of whom handle large volumes of sensitive data on a daily basis.
Mark Chonde from the National Bank of Malawi hailed the workshop as highly relevant in today’s data-driven economy.
“As a participant, this training is a game-changer for us. It will clearly show the difference between collecting data and protecting it. Our bank deals with sensitive client information daily, now we know exactly what is expected of us,” Chonde said.
The Data Protection Act was enacted in 2024 to safeguard individual digital privacy, harmonize Malawi’s data protection standards with international legal frameworks and entrust MACRA with the mandate to regulate, monitor and enforce best practices in data handling across sectors.
Government pumps K5 billion for rehabilitation of MUBAS hostels
By Santos Zefania and Patience Longwe
Blantyre, June 19, Mana: Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has saluted government for providing resources that have enabled the institution to rehabilitate five hostels at a cost of approximately K5 billion, which was provided through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
Speaking to the team of journalists that visited the school on Wednesday, PSIP Team Leader at MUBAS, Dr Rodwell Bakolo, said the hostels were in a dilapidated state that could not fit a higher education institution standard.
Dr Bakolo said the full refurbishment that has been done could not have been possible without support from the government, adding the exercise has improved living standards for students at the school.
“The rehabilitation went as far as procuring new beds and mattresses, more or less like bringing everything new in all five hostels, knowing that students also need good accommodation. We assure government that we will take care of these hostels.
“As MUBAS, we are thankful to the government for the support we have been receiving. I must say we still need more hostels, as only 11 percent of our students stay at the school-owned hostels. Government cannot do this alone; we need more sponsors, and the school is open for negotiations,” said Dr Bakolo, who is also head of the electrical engineering department.
He said the school will continue providing students with improved living conditions that will enhance their academic experience.
Bakolo added.” The institution has considered the needs of students with disabilities, incorporating special facilities and well-designed rooms to ensure equal access to education. The University's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility reflects its dedication to providing a supportive learning environment for all students.
Secretary for Higher Education, Dr Levis Eneya said government appreciates and fully supports the ongoing efforts by universities in addressing the critical issues of student accommodation.
Dr Eneya commended MUBAS for its initiative to rehabilitate existing hostel facilities, saying the undertaking is not only timely but also essential in creating a safe, comfortable, and conducive environment for academic success.
“As part of the Ministry’s broader commitment to promoting girls’ education, we are especially pleased with the refurbishment of female hostels at MUBAS. This marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to empower young women through access to quality education.
“The Ministry remains firmly committed to support the construction of additional hostels in all public universities in the country. We are also calling upon the private sector and individuals to come forward, taking advantage of the government's deliberate policy to waive duty on construction materials for hostels in higher education institutions. Our objective is to alleviate the accommodation challenges experienced by many students while ensuring that student welfare and safety are prioritised,” he said.
He said his Ministry will continue to work in close collaboration with universities and other stakeholders to guarantee that every student—regardless of background—has access to a secure, dignified, and supportive educational environment.
Mic Mash releases Mental Health Awareness song ‘How Are You’
By Nellie Nyirenda
Blantyre, June 19, Mana: Daniel Tadala Kasinje, popularly known by his stage name; Mic Mash, has released a new mental health awareness song titled ‘How Are You.’
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday, Mic Mash’s Manager, Review Wasema described the song as a powerful tool for raising awareness about the importance of mental health in everyday life and its role in suicide prevention.
“The song emphasizes on how important it is to seek help during difficult times. It also encourages us to check on one another when things get tough. Our mental health is not only vital to our individual well-being but also to the health of the nation,” said Wasema.
Wasema added that the accompanying short film serves as a reminder that behind every smile, there could be a hidden struggle.
“Don’t just say you’re fine. Open up, its okay not to be okay. Vulnerability is not weakness,” he added.
The song was produced by Manifest and the short film was shot and edited by Seanyfilm Production. The project features guest artist Quest MW.
Mic Mash, known for his collaborations on tracks such as ‘Mtima’ by Praise Umali, ‘La La’ featuring Tay Grin and Charisma and ‘Drug’ featuring Kell Kay is also the founder of The Broken Crayons, a mental health advocacy initiative.
One of Mic Mash’s top fans, Joseph Maombe, praised the song for addressing a critical societal issue.
“This is a great song. People are going through a lot; sadly, some are taking their own lives. This is the kind of music we need to remind everyone that they are not alone and that mental health matters,” said Maombe.
“There is no complete health without mental health. Let’s take care of our mental well-being and check on each other, just as the song encourages,” he added.
