By Eranivey Temani

Lilongwe, May 19, Mana:  The Lilongwe District Council’s Gender Officer, Lirani Hanna Katutu, has urged women and girls to report GBV cases to relevant authorities as a way of curbing the malpractice.  

The Gender Officer made the call at Nsundwe Trading Center on Saturday during the commemoration of Women’s International Day at district level.

She said the council has an obligation of making sure that women and girls are free from any sorts of violence in the district, and that they are empowered and supported for national development.

“Women are vital for the development of this country; They need all the support they can get from authorities and the community at large, including empowerment and appointment to decision-making positions,” she said.

Katutu further outlined the council's initiatives aimed at promoting women's rights and participation in leadership roles, such as councilors and members of parliament.

She added that the council has already created a supportive environment where women can thrive and report cases of violence without hesitation. 

A local businesswoman from the area, Aness Chiipira, hailed the council for the initiative, saying it will bring positive impact on women's economic empowerment.

 “We thank them for encouraging us that we can rise to any positions in life, and also that we can venture into small businesses and farming, “said Chiipira.

A learner at Mdzobwe Primary School in the area, Alepha Phiri, who participated in a competition during the event, also hailed the council for the awareness on reporting GBV cases.

Phiri said, as a girl child still in school, she found the awareness vital and timely.

“This initiative will help us successfully achieve our dreams, and I am happy that the council officials identified relevant authorities, to champion this initiative, because we need unity in this fight,” she said.

The event was spiced up with several performances such as dancing competition, drama and Coca-Cola drinking competition among others.

This year's International Women's Day was commemorated under the theme “All Women's and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment.

By Patience Kapinda

Lilongwe, May 19, Mana: The Malawi film industry has experienced a significant shift in recent years, with sound design emerging as a crucial element in storytelling.

Sound engineer, Miracle Ndonani, who worked on the popular film "Welcome to Maula Prison," told Mana in an interview that sound design is no longer just a background element, but a powerful tool that enhances emotional depth, realism, and audience engagement.

"When working on a film project, my sound design process typically begins with reading the script and understanding the director's vision," he said. "I identify key sound elements that will enhance the storytelling, such as dialogue, sound effects, and music."

Ndonani emphasized the importance of sound design in shaping the emotional impact of a film. "By carefully crafting the sound elements, I can create a sonic landscape that evokes emotions, builds tension, or creates a sense of unease."

He added that in 'Welcome to Maula Prison,' he used sound effects and music to create a sense of foreboding and tension, which heightened the audience's emotional response to a key scene.

However, Ndonani noted that limited access to high-quality equipment and software is a significant challenge for sound designers in Malawi.

President of the Film Association of Malawi (FAMA), Dorothy Shonga, has since acknowledged the contribution of sound design to the industry's growth.

"Sound design is crucial to Malawi's film industry growth, enhancing storytelling, emotional resonance, and overall production value," she said in an interview. "Quality sound design can elevate Malawian films, making them more engaging and competitive globally."

According to Shonga, FAMA is committed to supporting the development of sound design in Malawi's film industry, with initiatives that include workshops and training programs for sound design and post-production; collaborations with industry experts and international partners; and providing resources and mentorship for emerging sound designers.

A film enthusiast, Madalitso Tukula, has also commended the role sound design plays in how the public regard Malawian films, adding that sound design helps bring scenes to life and makes them feel more engaging.

“When the sound is clear and well done, it pulls you into the story more deeply," said Tukula in an interview.

By Mirriam Bwanali

Blantyre, May 19, Mana: Living Waters Church has engaged the youth through a seminar on effective leadership under the theme: ‘Creating a spiritual life for leaders of tomorrow.’

Speaking at the seminar at Chigumula Living Waters Church in Blantyre over the weekend, Pastor Adam Gondwe, said leadership is not only about being in charge but also taking care of others.

“Leaders are both made and born. Moses wasn't born a leader but he was made and learned to be a leader,” he said.

He, therefore, called upon youth in the church to learn and be ready to take up leadership roles.

Pastor Gondwe added that good leaders are able to effectively communicate with others which leads to building positive relationship with others.

Chairperson for Living Waters Church Youth Ministry in the southern region, Takondwa Kambwiri, said the seminar was necessary for youths as it provided an opportunity for young people to get insight on leadership roles.

One of the participants, Lucy Malefula from Mulanje Living Waters Church described the seminar as insightful saying she learned leadership skills that she will apply when leading fellow youths in Mulanje.

“I have learned that being a leader is not only being in that position but also bringing solutions to problems,” she said.

More than 65 youths representing Living Waters Church in Chikwawa, Zomba, Thyolo, Blantyre, Mulanje and other districts in the southern region attended the seminar.

By Santos Zefania

Lilongwe 18 May Mana: Police in Dowa have arrested a clinician, Isoken Bond aged 33, for allegedly stealing medical supplies from Dowa District Hospital.

According to Dowa Police Publicist Alice Sitima, said authorities at the facility told the Police that the suspect stole the medical supplies while on night duty with the male ward in charge, Gloria Mwanyari.

"At the time of incident, the suspect (Bond) had locked himself inside the drugstore, a scenario that raised an alarm to Mwanyari.

"After checking in the drugstore, Mwanyari found a bag containing medicines allegedly packed by the suspect," Said Sitima.

Bond is expected to appear before court soon to answer a charge of theft by the servant.

By Gift Wahuta,

Blantyre, May 16, 2025, Mana; Blantyre District Council and Blantyre City Council jointly commemorated World Aids Day and International Candlelight Memorial with a series of activities to raise awareness on HIV prevention, with the main event at Lunzu Market where HIV testing and condom provision took place.

Held under the theme: Take the right path; Together we remember, together we can end AIDS, the event over the weekend began with roadshows from Chemusa Township through Chilimba to Kameza Roundabout.

Principal Nutrition, HIV and Aids Officer at Blantyre District Council, Ruth Hara, said World Aids Day is officially commemorated on December 1 every year, but the council decided to hold it on May 16 due to logistical constraints.

 “The national commemoration took place in Zomba on December 1, but each district is required to conduct its commemorations. Initially, we had planned to hold the event on March 14 at Lunzu Community Ground, but due to limited financial resources, we opted for a roadshow format to make the most of what we had,” she added.

Hara said the candlelight memorial was an important event, adding that it provides an opportunity to remember people who died with HIV and Aids and provides room to reflect on ways and means to end HIV and Aids.

“It is a time to honour those we lost and renew our commitment to ending this epidemic. We observed a minute of silence to remember those who died of HIV and Aids,” she added.

Programme Officer for IMPACT Project under Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organisation (MACRO), Louis MKwatula, said the organization remains committed to support the Ministry of Health, through Blantyre District Health Office, in the HIV and Aids response.

“MACRO has been a key player in the HIV response in Malawi since the early days of the epidemic. Through our CDC-funded Co-IMPACT Project, we provide community-based HIV testing, with a focus on reaching men.

“We currently operate in seven health facilities across Blantyre, including Mlambe, Chilomoni, Mankheta, Mpemba, Bangwe, Zingwangwa.” Mkwatula added.

He said MACRO uses mobile vans, evening outreach programmes, and social network strategies to reach people who may not easily access health facilities.

“We offer comprehensive services, including free STI screening and HIV testing. These efforts are all part of our contribution towards achieving an HIV-free generation by 2030,” added Mkwatula.

Y-plus Coordinator for Blantyre District, Hope Banda encouraged young people to get tested to know their HIV status.

“I have lived with HIV since I was a child, but today I’m a university graduate and pursuing my career, HIV is not a death sentence. With proper treatment and support, life goes on.” she said.

The event included various traditional dances, drama performances, and speeches highlighting key topics such as PrEP, PEP, and condom use as HIV prevention strategies.

The World Aids Day commemoration and candle light memorial were held with support from various partners, among them; MACRO, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Medical Aid Society of Malawi, and Development Aid from People to People in Malawi (DAPP).