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Ministry Of Information, Private Bag 310, Capital City

08/06/2026

Chitipa Council applauds Mkumbilende community for self-help projects

Chitipa, June 8, Mana: Chitipa District Council has applauded the people of Group Village Head (GVH) Mkumbilende in Senior Chief Mwabulambya for their commitment to community development through self-help initiatives.

District Commissioner for Chitipa, Charles Mhone, has pledged to complete the construction of Mkumbilende Junior Primary School, a project that was initiated and funded by the local community.

Mhone expressed admiration for the community's dedication after the communities contributed K24 million towards the construction of the school.

Mkumbilende Village Development Committee Chairperson, Wisdom Mulungu, thanked Chitipa District Council for its commitment to completing the school block.

By Aliko Munde

08/06/2026

Thyolo District Council sets June 30 deadline for interns whose terms have ended

The Thyolo District Council has directed all interns whose internship periods have expired to leave their placements by June 30, 2026, a decision aimed at freeing up space and create opportunities for other graduates and students seeking practical experience.

District Commissioner Noel Dakamau announced the directive on Monday during an interface meeting with interns. He revealed that the council is currently accommodating 99 interns, while over 100 applications remain pending due to limited space.

Dakamau said that internships are intended for a fixed period of practical learning rather than permanent employment. He noted that some individuals remain far beyond their agreed terms, which denies others the chance to improve their employability.

While interns with running terms or special cases will remain unaffected, those with expired placements must leave, though they are permitted to reapply. Dakamau also encouraged the departing youth to utilize their acquired skills for self-employment, noting the intense competition for white-collar jobs.

Reacting to the news, Nelessi Mdala, an intern in the District Education office, admitted the announcement was initially a shock but acknowledged that leaving creates necessary room for others. She agreed that interns should use their experience to explore creative paths.

Similarly, Alex Maibeck, a Public Health graduate placed at the district hospital, described the decision as painful but reflective. He urged fellow interns to remain hopeful and consider entrepreneurship, farming, or other income-generating activities instead of relying solely on internships.

Yamikani Yapuwa

08/06/2026

Chitipa DC says PSLCE examinations started smoothly in Chitipa

Chitipa, June 8, Mana: Chitipa District Commissioner, Charles Mhone, says the 2026 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations have started smoothly in the district, with no major challenges reported.

Mhone made the remarks on Monday after inspecting several primary schools administering the examinations, which are being conducted from June 8 to 10, 2026.

“As a district, we have started the PSLCE examinations well, with no major challenges. MANEB did not deliver large print examinations papers and the learner used the standard examination paper with an additional 30 minutes to complete the examination,” said Mhone.

Supervisor for the Ngoya Examination Cluster and Head Teacher for St. Charles Primary School, Dominic Mbotwa, also said the examinations had commenced smoothly without any problems.

By Aliko Munde

08/06/2026

Youths urged to utilise low-interest loans, shun crime

Lilongwe, June 8, Mana: Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba, has urged young people to utilise government low-interest loans and youth empowerment programmes instead of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardise their future and national development.

Speaking in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, Namalomba, who is also the government spokesperson, said rising cases of youth involvement in crime are worrying and require collective efforts to address.

He said government has allocated about K100 million for youth empowerment from the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and job creation initiatives.

"The success of Malawi 2063 depends on the active participation of young people. They are key drivers of development and government is investing in their empowerment to accelerate the country's transformation agenda," Namalomba said.

The minister said government institutions, including the Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (MEDF), targeting over 250,000 beneficiaries this year, have begun disbursing loans, showing commitment to expanding youth economic opportunities and self-employment.

"Government always prioritises the youth. That is why, as a DPP-led government, we will never tolerate seeing young people starving and engaging in criminal activities such as stealing maize and potatoes. It is pathetic," Namalomba said.

Meanwhile, African Youth Employment Initiatives (AYEI) Executive Director Eric Banda has urged stronger coordination between government and youth structures to increase awareness of the empowerment loans and other initiatives.

He noted that that many young people remain excluded due to limited access to information and guidance systems.
“Government, office bearers and youth networks must work together to ensure that every eligible young person understands how to access and properly utilise empowerment funds," Banda said.

He applauded government for strengthening monitoring mechanisms in the utilisation of the CDF and other enterprise programmes, saying transparency is improving accountability and public trust.

“It is my plea that implementers such as MEDF officials should be accountable and transparent so that the intended beneficiaries of government programmes truly benefit from these developments,” Banda said.

The initiatives support Malawi 2063 pillars on inclusive wealth creation and youth empowerment, promoting access to loans and productive engagement to reduce crime and build sustainable economic growth for citizens and young people.

By Innocent Manda

08/06/2026

JCE candidates urged to remain focused

Likoma, June 8, MANA: Learners who have sat for the just ended 2026 Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) have been urged to remain focused on their education and avoid harmful behaviours that may affect their future.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, Likoma District Council’s Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) Desk Officer Margaret Chinthiti said the JCE is only a stepping stone in their long academic journey.

“Although the learners have completed their JCE, they still have a long academic journey ahead and need guidance during the long holiday to avoid behaviours that could derail their education.

“The children will be on holiday for a long time; but they must remember that they are still learners and avoid harmful behaviours that may affect their future,” she said.

Chinthiti urged parents to closely monitor their children and encourage them to continue reading and remind them that there is still a long journey ahead.

“JCE is only part of the process and there is MSCE [Malawi School Certificate of Education] to prepare for,” she said.

Chinthiti further called on non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the district to engage young people during the holiday through awareness activities that promote positive behaviour and continued interest in education.

Deputy Chairperson of the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) at Wisdom Private Secondary School, Cuthbert Mjima, concurred with Chinthiti saying parents have a crucial role in guiding and protecting learners during the break.

“As parents, it is our responsibility to constantly remind our children that they have not finished school.

“We must protect girls from early marriages and boys from being persuaded to abandon school for fishing because of the money involved,” said Mjima.

A total of 349 learners sat for this year’s JCE in Likoma District, an increase from 319 candidates who sat for the examinations in 2025.

By Kennedy Minjale

08/06/2026

SADC dialogue on disaster loss and damage opens in Lilongwe

Lilongwe, June 8, MANA: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Dialogue on Disaster Loss and Damage opened in Lilongwe on Monday with Malawi calling for strengthened regional cooperation and improved access to climate financing.

The five-day conference has brought together delegates from SADC member states, development partners and climate experts to discuss strategies for addressing climate-related loss and damage in the region.

Officially opening the meeting, Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi, said the gathering provides a platform for member states to forge a common regional position that will help shape policy, mobilise international finance and ensure equitable access to the Loss and Damage Fund.

Saidi said countries in the SADC region continue to face increasing climate-related disasters, including droughts, floods and cyclones, which have strained national budgets and undermined development efforts.

He said the countries often struggle to secure adequate resources to respond to disasters and expressed hope that the dialogue would help establish mechanisms for mobilising support for affected countries.

“We are trying to assess what has been happening because every year we end up looking for resources, yet we do not receive adequate support to address issues arising from floods and other disasters.

“We believe this dialogue will help develop plans and identify resources that can support countries facing such challenges,” said Saidi.

He added that the region needs to prepare for climate-related shocks, including the anticipated effects of El Niño, which could result in floods and droughts.

Speaking in an interview, SADC Project Coordinator for Disaster Risk Management, Multilateral and International Engagements, Pumeza Tyali, said the meeting aims to strengthen mechanisms for collecting and managing data on loss and damage.

Tyali said one of the expected outcomes of the conference is the development of practical recommendations that member states can adopt to improve disaster-loss data collection and support risk-informed planning.

“One of the critical gaps is data management. Information is fragmented across different sectors, making it difficult to have a common database.

“We need to ensure that we collect data from various sources so that we can effectively plan for any eventualities,” she said.

Tyali further said that support for disaster response is not always limited to financial assistance but can also include technical and other resources that strengthen mitigation measures within communities.

The regional dialogue is expected to generate recommendations aimed at strengthening climate resilience, disaster preparedness and sustainable financing across the SADC region.

By Maryam Ibrahim

08/06/2026

Mchinji derby lives up to billing during CRFA Chipiku League launch

Mchinji, June 8, Mana: The 2026 Chipiku Central Region Football Association (CRFA) League was officially launched on Sunday at Mchinji Community Ground, with a call to safeguard one of Malawi's longest-running football sponsorships.

A highly anticipated derby between bitter rivals Mchinji Villa FC and Mchinji Boma Strikers spiced up the launch, living up to its billing as fans witnessed a fiercely contested encounter that ended in a goalless stalemate.

The Mchinji derby, which marked the launch of the CRFA Chipiku League, failed to produce a goal despite providing plenty of excitement for the large crowd in attendance.

Both teams displayed flashes of brilliance and came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions providing plenty of excitement for the large crowd in attendance.

In the second half, an effort by Mchinji Villa FC was cleared off the line, while Mchinji Boma Strikers struck the upright.

Both coaches said they are targeting promotion to the NBS National Division League.

Mchinji Boma Strikers coach, Richard Fosco praised his players saying they performed well despite failing to find the net.

"The players followed the instructions and we could have scored, but we missed good chances. We have a good team and we are geared to play in the NBS National Division," said Fosco.

Mchinji Villa coach, George Masito also said his side is focused on returning to the NBS National Division League.

"It was a derby, and derbies are always difficult. We will work hard and our focus is returning to the NBS National Division League. We will score goals, I am sure," said Masito.

The league has attracted sponsorship amounting to K30 million this season.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Vice President, Christopher Madalitso Kuyera hailed Chipiku Stores for its unwavering commitment to football development through its 25-year sponsorship of the league.

"We should jealously guard this sponsorship because it is not easy for a company to remain committed to a football competition for 25 years. This partnership has benefited football development and it deserves our collective support," he said.

He urged football lovers to support Chipiku Stores by patronising its shops saying such support would enable the company to continue investing in football.

Chipiku Regional Sales Manager for the centre, Brown Nkangama said the company was proud to continue sponsoring the competition and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting football as part of its corporate social responsibility.

"We do business in the districts and it is only proper that we give back," he said.

CRFA Chairperson, Goodall Chinjoka, expressed gratitude to Chipiku Stores for maintaining the partnership over the years.

"For a sponsor to stay with us for 25 years, it means there has been mutual trust and cooperation. We value this relationship and will continue working hard to ensure that it grows from strength to strength," he said.

By Vincent Khonje

08/06/2026

TiKuMa project promotes inclusive education in Mchinji and Balaka

Lilongwe, June 7, MANA: The Tikwaniritse ndi Kuteteza Maufulu a Ana (TiKuMa) project has called for stronger collaboration among communities, traditional leaders and education stakeholdersq to improve access to quality education and strengthen child protection systems in Mchinji and Balaka districts.

Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Parents of Disabled Children Association of Malawi (PODCAM) Project Officer for Mchinji, Chikondi Chitaukali, said the project has helped improve identification and support for learners with disabilities in targeted communities.

"The screening exercise has helped us identify children who were previously hidden at home due to stigma and lack of support, and we are now ensuring they access appropriate education services within inclusive learning environments," said Chitaukali.

He said the provision of assistive devices and referrals to specialised learning institutions has improved participation of children with disabilities in formal education.

"We have provided assistive devices such as glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs and crutches, while some children with profound disabilities have been enrolled in schools for the deaf so that they are not left behind in the education system and learning opportunities," he added.

Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO) Project Coordinator for Mchinji, Isobel Jere, said the project is also addressing challenges affecting school attendance and learning outcomes among vulnerable learners.

"The assessments we conducted revealed low enrolment rates and poor learning outcomes, especially among children with disabilities, which requires urgent and coordinated intervention from all education stakeholders," said Jere.

She stressed the importance of sustained community participation to ensure long-term impact beyond donor support.

"We are working closely with communities, teachers and learners to build ownership so that these interventions continue even after the project phases out and external support reduces," she said.

The TiKuMa project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through Save the Children and is being implemented by organisations including PODCAM and GAYO.

Since its inception in January 2024, the project has facilitated the re-enrolment of more than 1,040 children into school and is expected to run until December 2028.

By Gladys Mwale

08/06/2026

Youths empowered to champion reproductive health rights, prevent GBV

Mchinji, June 6, Mana: Young people in Mchinji District have been equipped with knowledge and skills to promote sexual and reproductive health rights and prevent gender-based violence (GBV) through a training conducted under the Empowered Project, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The training brought together youth club leaders and representatives from government departments and health organisations to strengthen their capacity in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), advocacy, and peer education.

Speaking during the training on Friday, SRHR Alliance Programme Officer, Vanesseh Katsilikiza, said the initiative aims to empower young people to become advocates for positive change in their communities.

“Young people need accurate information and access to services to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing,” said Katsilikiza.

She said the Empowered Project seeks to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services while contributing to efforts to prevent gender-based violence among young people.

Mchinji District Youth Officer, Ian Sukali, said empowering young people with knowledge is key to addressing challenges affecting their peers.

“This training has equipped participants with information and skills that they can share within their communities to promote positive behaviour change and improve access to essential services,” he said.

The Empowered Project is being implemented in selected districts, including Mchinji and Nkhata Bay, through partnerships with government departments and community-based organisations.

By Taonga Chiwowa

08/06/2026

DODMA provides relief aid to households affected by June storm

Dowa, June 8, MANA: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) on Sunday distributed relief items to households affected by unexpected heavy rains and strong winds that damaged homes and infrastructure in Mponela, Dowa District.

The affected households are from Kashangula Village under Group Village Head Gawamadzi in Traditional Authority Mponela.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, DODMA Director of Preparedness and Response Charles Matabwa said government moved in to assist affected people following reports of widespread destruction in the area.

“According to the reports we received at DODMA, about 100 people have been affected,” said Matabwa.

He said DODMA had reached out to all affected people with relief assistance to help them recover from the disaster and avoid further hardships.

“We are reaching out to all of them. We have brought assistance for them to move forward with their lives and avoid further disruptions,” he said.

Matabwa said the heavy rains and strong winds caused extensive damage to houses and some business premises.

“A lot of houses had their roofs blown off, while some walls crumbled down. Some business premises were also damaged,” he added.

The relief items distributed included maize, beans, Likuni Phala, soya pieces, salt, tablet soap, cooking oil, blankets, 20-litre buckets and rolls of plastic sheets for roofing.

Dowa Central Member of Parliament Annie Chibwana commended government and DODMA for the support rendered to affected households, describing the disaster as unexpected because it occurred outside the normal rainy season.

“It is a huge disaster and something we never expected because we are now in June, outside the rainy season. Nobody anticipated that this could happen at this time,” said Chibwana.

She said about 74 households and Champions Stadium were affected by the heavy rains and strong winds.

Chibwana further expressed gratitude for the relief assistance distributed to affected families.

“We are very grateful to the government for the support rendered through DODMA. The affected households have received essential items that will help them during this difficult period,” she said.

By Adson Nthenga

Malawi News Agency

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