MANAonline
Artists use craft to address social issues
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, May 26 Mana: Music has become a powerful tool for youth empowerment, with emerging and established artists using their craft to address pressing social issues, such as unemployment, mental health, and civic engagement.
The music industry in Malawi is not only a reflection of the country's cultural heritage but also a driver of national development.
According to Vita Chirwa, President of the Music Association of Malawi, music plays a significant role in promoting tourism, creating jobs, and enhancing cultural diplomacy.
The Musicians Union of Malawi also supports emerging artists through mentorship, training, and performance platforms, helping them grow professionally.
However, the music industry in Malawi faces challenges such as limited funding and lack of exposure, according to Chirwa.
"Despite these challenges, many artists are using their music to raise awareness on social issues and offer youth a platform for expression and income," he said.
Robert Chiwamba, a well-known poet, uses his poetry to tackle social issues affecting Malawians, particularly the youth.
"I make it a point that my poetry should be issue-based," he said. "This is the only way it can make a difference."
Chiwamba's poetry has the power to educate, inform, and entertain, and he believes that art can mobilize people and influence them to take a new direction.
Merchah, a popular musician, agrees that music is a powerful tool for social change.
"Many people listen to music, and many young people are used to music," he said. "It's an easy way to reach out, because they're going to listen to the message and at the same time be entertained."
Merchah was inspired to use music as a platform because he learned a couple of things through music and the musician said he wants to continue what has been done by legends and great artists like Mte Wambali Mkandawire and Lucius Banda.
Through their music, these artists are not only entertaining but also educating and empowering the youth.
They are using their platforms to promote leadership, civic engagement and social change, and their efforts are making a difference in the lives of many young Malawians.
Chitimba communities in Rumphi fight climate change
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, May 26, Mana: Communities from Chitimba in Sub Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri in Rumphi have embarked on initiatives aimed at mitigating adverse effects of climate change under Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE- AR).
Acting Sub-Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri said on Monday his community has been experiencing frequent flooding, resulting in loss of crops and livestock due adverse effects of climate change.
“We have already started planting bananas and preserving forests under water and soil conservation where we are making swales and planting vetiva grass to conserve water and reduce soil erosion. This will ensure soil fertility, leading to better harvest,” said Chiwiriwiri, and that the traditional leaders have, also, put in place by-laws to fight deforestation.
He further said a hydrometric station constructed under the project will protect lives and properties through the flood warning system.
District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said, like many other districts in the country, Rumphi has been affected by climate change which has resulted in reduced agricultural production, to loss of soil fertility and other challenges.
“The council has come up with a number of interventions under LIFE AR Project to counter these adverse effects, including restoring degraded forests through forest regeneration, planting of trees and other water and soil conservation interventions.
“We are hoping these will reduce the adverse effects such as drought, soil erosion and others. The projects will also supply water to the communities in Chitimba, which will be tapped from Holy Water around Livingstonia.
A member of the community, Loveness Nyirenda, said other initiatives under the project, such as goat pass on, fruit trees and the water project, will enhance economic activities and also ensure safety from waterborne diseases in the area, as they will have access to clean water.
Desk Officer for the project in Rumphi, Gift Nyirenda, says the project has the potential to transform people's livelihoods through various interventions being implemented under the project.
"People in this area depend on fishing, but the catch is no longer the same,” observed Nyirenda. “They are catching less and less fish, but we hope that the goat pass-on programme, banana suckers, and fruit tree seedlings, will give them an alternative to fishing and enhance their resilience to climate shocks,” Nyirenda, added.
The project is being piloted in Rumphi, Salima and Mangochi with funding from the United Kingdom, Ireland and United States. Rumphi received K454million for implementation of various interventions at Chitimba in Sub Traditional Authority Chiwiriwiri.
MCGs impresses health authorities
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: Health authorities in Blantyre have commended mother care groups (MCGs) for bridging gap between communities and health workers, significantly improving male involvement in child health.
Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Women for Fair Development (WOFAD), and Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) jointly organized a tour to three MCGs to appreciate their advocacy roles in community mobilization on routine child vaccination.
Extended Project on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator at Blantyre DHO, Myless Mhango, commended MHEN for organizing volunteer mothers, working as MCGs in Blantyre, saying the MCGs act as bridge between communities and health workers in community mobilization on child health in hard to reach areas.
“The impact is evident: numbers of zero-dose children have decreased significantly in areas with MCGs. There is a dropout rates from 10 percent to 5 percent. For instance, Chiswe care group under Bangwe Health Center had 20 zero dose children, now they are all on vaccine,” she said, further acknowledging MCGs’ role in dispelling misconceptions about vaccines.
Mhango also expressed gratitude on MCG’s role in mobilizing men in become champions in child health.
“By working closely with community leaders and health workers, the MCGs have fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among men, as witnessed by high numbers of men bringing their children for Under 5 clinics,” Mhango said.
WOFAD Executive Director, Apostle Lindiwe Matanya, also hailed volunteer MSGs for contributing to Blantyre DHO’s drive for successful vaccination and immunization.
Apostle Matanya called upon the MSGs to continue engaging community leaders for impactful community mobilization.
“The community leaders easily identify zero dose and under-immunized children, they know which family has a baby, and the follow up is easier for them,” she said, adding: “The community leaders identify shortfalls at the facility and advocated for it.
“Some community leaders advocate for construction of houses for Health Surveillance Assistants, shelters, and refrigerators in health facilities,” she added.
Chairperson for Tikondane MCG, under Ntonda Clinic, Joyce Sajiwa assured Blantyre DHO and partners that the care groups at Ntonda Clinic, under Senior Group Head Kajombo, Traditional Authority Kapeni, will remain committed in promoting child health.
“Our children are not getting sick frequently, giving us a chance to concentrate on other things in our families. We have been taught to be self-reliant, and we also discuss business and how we can uplift the society,” she said.
Chairperson for Mbira MCG, Janet Bamu whose group operates at Group Village Head Mchere, Traditional Authority Kapeni (under Mlambe Hospital), said plans were there to mobilize more communities to go for family planning.
Apart from Tikondane and Mbira MCGs, Blantyre DHO, MHEN and WOFAD also visited Nkolesya MCG where the DHO and partners appreciated construction of shelters at outreach clinics, improved male involvement in health initiatives, decrease in zero-dose children, and drop in school dropout rates among others.
Youths salute DIGMAP for opening up doors for business
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: A group of young people has lauded Rydbery Starck Limited, an innovative engineering and technology company, for empowering them with computer and entrepreneurship knowledge and skills, including start-up business capital through Digital Skills Development Innovation Programme implemented under Digital Malawi Project (DIGMAP).
Ministry of Information and Digitalization officials had a tour of Rydberg Starck Limited’s offices at Mount Pleasant in Blantyre, recently, where they interacted with some of the youths that benefited from Malawi Digital Project to appreciate how youth digital and financial empowerment impacted on the trained youths.
Nellie Kamba, one of the ten young people, said she received K2 million start-up business capital from DIGMAP after undergoing a two-week training programme that also helped her gain computer and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.
She added that after presenting a wining business idea, she got the grant that enabled her to open Kuwala ICT Center at Lunzu, where she offers typing and printing, scanning, photocopying, laminating, binding, and graphic designing services, besides offering computer lessons to young people at the trading centre.
Under DIGMAP, Rydberg Starck Limited trained 635 youths (43 per cent males and 57 percent females) in Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa and Nsanje, where young people are in various income generating activities and other digital related employment for a living.
Another young lady, Happiness Douglas was trained by Rydberg Starck Limited on computer and entrepreneurial skills but she was not among the ten youths that received K2 million grants for business.
“I got business management skills; My business capital was the knowledge I got, and I am able to apply the knowledge such that I am in agri-business,
“I have got 22 goats and I grow a lot of onions and other vegetables, and I also support my siblings’ education,” she said, adding that she advertises her business on social media platforms to get more customers.
Douglas who looks forward to creating jobs, said she wanted to see her agri-business grow beyond what people see today.
Deputy Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Information and Digitalization, Bessie Msusa, called on the youths to venture into businesses with knowledge and skills they acquired from DIGMAP.
“Start from the scratch if you want to prosper; You have skills and we expect you to grow,” she said, adding: “We trained you to enable you attain sustainable livelihood.”
Rydberg Starck Limited, Communication Officer, Cuthbert Magawa, said the organization was pleased to be associated with young peoples’ successes out of entrepreneurial and digital skills training programmes.
“ICT mass literacy campaign and other digital skills training programmes are relevant to the young people. We are therefore impressed to see the young people we trained doing great things in their respective communities,” he added.
The communication Officer, said Rydberg Starck Limited will continue to empower young people with various digital and entrepreneurial skills, hoping that the skills will lead most young people to sustainable livelihood.
Luntha ndi Chuma, Digital Skills Development and Innovation Training Programme was being implemented by Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC) under DIGMAP with funding from the World Bank.
Chakwera challenges MUBAS graduates to focus on production
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, May 26, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has challenged the newly graduated students at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) to become producers, rather than consumers. choose between being consumers or producers.
Chakwera made the call on Monday in Blantyre during the second congregation at MUBAS, where about 344 students (237 males, and 107 females) graduated with certificates, diplomas and degrees from various programmes.
The President, who is also the Chancellor of MUBAS, observed that Malawi is at cross-roads where the people must choose between two paths.
“The first path before us is to become a nation and a people that produce more than they consume, and the second path is to remain a nation and a people that consume more than they produce,” he said.
The Malawi leader said it was surprising that many citizens claim to believe in production, yet their behaviour shows that their “true religion” is consumption.
“Such people act with entitlement with resources that belong to others, waiting around for good things to come magically or miraculously, instead of using the opportunities and resources God has already given them to create value,” said Chakwera.
He continued: “They spend hours online consuming data, reading useless posts designed to turn you into a hopeless and angry person, instead of spending hours online setting up businesses on websites like Stan Store, where thousands of other young people all over the world are turning their content into millions of dollars in the bank.”
Chakwera said his government expected to see the newly graduated students turn the tables and focus more on production.
He urged them to orient their livelihoods towards production, and start spending time researching what areas of production are most lucrative, and what markets are available in that area, creating innovative solutions that are tailor-made to meet the needs of that market.
He further encouraged the graduates to forge partnerships with people who would open doors to enter the market with the ideas and solutions in a win-win arrangement.
“On top of this, stay away from masters of kulubwalubwa and kuwuwawuwa and clinging to those Malawians who are creating solutions and making change happen,” he advised.
MUBAS Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, said the institution has produced a number of innovations to contribute to Agriculture Tourism and Manufacturing (ATM) strategy, and she advised the newly graduated students to produce impactful innovations for the nation and beyond.
"It is not only the knowledge they have gained, but also practical experience in research, innovation, and production," she said
McHurrington Phiri, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce Taxation, said the knowledge he has acquired throughout his studies will be pivotal in his career.
"I will use the knowledge gained from MUBAS to help clients navigate complex tax-related issues," he said.
MUBAS offers over 115 programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
NEEF committed to curbing hunger in Kasungu
By Gracious Phiri
Kasungu, May 21, Mana: The National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) continues to provide micro-irrigation loans to farmers’ clubs in Kasungu District, enabling smallholder farmers to access modern farming techniques and technologies and boost crop yields to curb food insecurity.
Speaking when he handed over irrigation equipment and farm inputs to Ntanga Women Irrigation Club, in Traditional Authority Njombwa, NEEF Zone Manager for Mponela, Lloyd Nyakamera, said the loans will avert hunger created by harsh climatic conditions, which affected harvests in this year’s farming season.
He said NEEF is committed to supporting government efforts to attain food security through irrigation agriculture to enable farmers to cultivate crops such as maize, at least twice a year.
“The programme is meant to curb hunger and boost the economy of the country through contributions by smallholder farmers.
“These smallholder farmers will be able to have enough food for themselves and sell the remaining for the continuation of the programme,” Nyakamera said.
He urged beneficiaries to make good use of the loan so that they are able to repay it, adding that as NEEF, they are not just looking for loan repayment but, also, improving the economic status of the beneficiaries.
Senior Chief Njombwa thanked NEEF for the loan saying it is in line with government’s efforts to have a hunger free country.
Chairperson for the Club, Matren Phiri, also expressed gratitude for the loan, saying it will help the group to cultivate crops on a large scale.
“We have been waiting for this opportunity because ever since we started in 2018, we have been doing irrigation on small scale, using hired water pumps at a high cost.
“This is why we are excited that we now have our own pump, which uses solar energy, meaning that we will save a lot of money that we used to spend on hiring pumps and buying fuel,” Phiri said.
The loan package included solar powered water pump, maize seeds, and 100 bags of fertilizer, all valued at K30million.
Kasungu communities urged to adopt fish farming
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, May 26, Mana: District Fisheries Officer for Kasungu, Ignatious Lipato, has urged communities in the district to diversify their farming activities by adopting green businesses such as fish farming.
Lipato made the call on Saturday, when Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED), handed over fingerings to Chisamba Village, in Sub-Traditional Authority Ndume, to mark the launch of a community owned fish pond.
“As a department responsible for aquaculture, we are seriously encouraging fish farming in rural communities, especially now that we are faced with the challenge of climate change.
“Fish farming is one of the best green businesses, communities can adopt for their nutrition and income security and, today, I’m happy to witness one of the milestones in the promotion of aquaculture in the district,” Lipato said.
He said Kasungu District has over 1,000 farmers spread across all Extension Planning Areas (EPA’s), producing around 15.5 metric tons of fish annually.
The Fisheries officer described the launching of the pond at Chisamba as a huge development that would boost production and he challenged the surrounding communities to construct more ponds.
Director for JCED, Reuben Nazombe, lauded the commitment shown by the community by manually constructing the pond, which is 375 square meters in size.
“Our interest is to work with rural communities so that they withstand the impact of climate change which is mostly affecting their livelihood.
“Although climate change affects everyone, our understanding is that it affects vulnerable communities more than others. That’s why we are working with them to build and strengthen their resilience,” Nazombe said.
He added that with the unreliability of rains, communities have to diversify the sources of their livelihood by venturing into green businesses that protect the environment, and enhances the biodiversity of the place and, at the same time, contributing to their livelihood.
“Our motivation is to see a resilient household and a resilient community,” he said.
Chairperson for Chisamba Village Pond, Kamwenye Vito, expressed gratitude to JCED for supporting the 54-member group with training and resources to start the fish farming project.
“Our dream is to make it big, and we will add more ponds both as a group and at individual level to increase production,” he said.
The faith-based organization has also supported the venture with fingerlings and feed.
Government pledges support to people of Chatata
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 25, Mana: The Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda, who is also the Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, has assured the people of Chatata that government is set to distribute relief maize to the area as soon as possible.
In his remarks made on Saturday at Chatata ground in Lilongwe, Banda said the government will provide direct support to the area.
"We have made a promise that the government will support them, and we will ensure that they receive the assistance they need," he said.
Banda also emphasized the need for peace and unity during the upcoming general elections.
"Malawians need to move in unity to ensure peace, so as a party, we are committed to promoting peace and stability and will not tolerate violence in this country," he said.
Director of Youth to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who is also the Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works, Baba Steve Malondera, highlighted the act of violence and challenges faced by women and young men who have their goods taken away by city officials.
Malondera added that it is time for city officials to have a human face and allow small-scale businesses to thrive, and taking goods from vendors is unfair and affects their livelihoods. These small-scale businesses need support, not harassment. He said they will engage with city officials to find a solution.
"We need to put in place a proper system to help city officials clean the city while also supporting small-scale businesses," Malondera explained.
Malawi determined to end new HIV/AIDS infections by 2030
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Deputy Director for HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Health Rabson Kachala says government through Ministry of Health, is geared to eliminate new HIV/AIDS infections by 2030.
Kachala made the assurance on Friday during the commemoration of a Joint International World AIDS Day and Candlelight memorial event, which took place at Lilongwe Technical College.
He said the country is doing all it can to achieve the deadline (2030), which was set by SADC member countries.
Kachala also urged the public and key stakeholders to work together to achieve the set goal.
"Let's work together to create a future where everyone can live without fear or any kind of stigma. For your information over 996,000 people are still receiving HIV/AIDS treatment and this is still a huge number and we are monitoring our health facilities to provide the best services," he said.
Speaking earlier, Y- Plus Organization member Innocencia Kachitsa, a young woman living with HIV/AIDS, bravery shared her emotional story, saying stigma still remains a big challenge among the people living with HIV/AIDS due to misinformation.
"Stigma is still one of the factors affecting us as people living with HIV/AIDs, because when you share your status to your friends, they begin to discriminate you even disincline you from participating certain activities.
“Let me encourage my colleagues who are facing stigma like me, to never give up but stay determined and become what you want to be in life,” she said
Lilongwe Principal Nutrition and HIV/ AIDS Officer, Edna Mwangonde, commended different organizations that made the event a success.
"It was a very important day for us, and a colourful event. As a district we are glad to have organized such an event, because it created a platform for us to reach out and provide information on HIV/AIDS," Mwangonde said.
The event which was commemorated under the theme: “Take the right path, together we remember, together we end AIDS”, was financially supported by Jhpiego, World Vision, UNC project, Mothers to Mothers, National AIDS Commission (NAC), MANASO, AHF Malawi, COWLHA just to mention the few.
Low turnout for voter verification exercise in Dowa
By Tamala Kamanga
Dowa, May 23, Mana: An inspection exercise for the verification of names in the voter’s registry, which MEC conducted in Dowa district, has shown a low turnout for the verification of names in the voter’s registry.
Speaking on Friday after an inspection exercise at five verification centres, MEC’s Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano attributed the low turnout to mobile verification, which MEC established to ease the verification process.
"Out of the five centres we visited, only one centre had 72 people verifying their names, despite thousands of people registering to vote in the district.
"A lot of people are verifying on phone, and I believe that is the major factor in the low turnout, this way is easier than physically going to verification centres," he said.
However, Fabiano urged political leaders to take a major role in encouraging people to go for verification, to enable them to choose their preferred leaders in the forthcoming elections.
One of the potential voters who on the day, Jailos Amos, said the mobile platform that MEC has established has allowed many people to verify their names through their phones.
"The coming of this kind of technology has made things simpler. You all know that we are in tobacco season, and many people here are farmers, hence they are finding it difficult to go to the centres, and are verifying through phone," said Amos.
In Dowa district, the verification of names in the voter’s registry commenced on 21 May and ended on 23 May 2025.
