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Articles by Mary Makhiringa
NEEF challenges youth in Balaka to take farming as a business
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, June 12, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) Zone Manager for Balaka Hamphrey Thondolo has challenged youth in Balaka to venture into productive farming if the country is to make progress in terms of food security. Thondolo said, NEEF is currently giving out loans to groups as well as individuals willing to do farming on a large scale, saying, this is the only way they can make headways and also pay back their loans without problems.
MEC engages aspiring contestants on peaceful electoral process
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, June 11, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Wednesday called upon all political parties in the country to help in fostering informed and peaceful participation of all people in the country during the forthcoming General Elections. Reading a speech on behalf of the Electoral Commission, District Commissioner for Balaka Tamanya Harawa, said, political parties are vital links in our democratic chain, therefore being the centre of it all.
SADC for science-based approach towards environmental conservation
By Mary Makhiringa in Harare, Zimbabwe Harare, May 23, Mana: Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson, Emmerson Mnangagwa who is President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, has urged SADC Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) member states to apply science-based approach towards environmental conservation. Mnangagwa said the region must also consider taking aboard the youth and women in this cause.
Malawi to increase tourism base through SADC TFCA Summit
By Mary Makhiringa Harare, May 22, Mana: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair Patricia Nangozo Kainga says Malawi stands a better chance of increasing its tourism base through the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCAs) summit.
Cyclone Chido survivors receives K180 thousand in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, March 21, Mana: The Malawi Red Cross Society on Thursday donated a once off cash of K180, 000 to 587 survivor households of Cyclone Chido in Balaka. Speaking on behalf of the Red Cross during the cash distribution in Nkaya Khwalala Village, Zomba District Coordinator, Tionge Luhanga, assured the community that they were not alone in their struggles and said despite coming in late due to logistical constraints, they were glad to reach out to help people.
Malawi set to get US$80 million from Kangankunde Rare Earth Mining
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, March 13, Mana: Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, says commencement of extraction of rare earth at Kangankunde Mining Site in Balaka has potential to boost the country’s economy as the mining site will be able to remit over US$80,000 annually to Malawi’s economy.
Government challenge councils to give standard projects
By Mary Makhiringa BALAKA, February 14, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Joyce Chitsulo on Thursday challenged all councils in the country to always strive to give outstanding projects. Chitsulo said, that giving to the community substandard projects is the same as denying the beneficiaries their right to development.
Maximize local revenue collection, councils tipped
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, January 28, Mana: Local councils in the country have been asked to fully utilize and maximize local revenue collection in their districts, which local business investors always bring as this will improve the financial status core at the councils.
Minister of Health launches OCV campaign in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, January 21, Mana: The Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Monday launched the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign at Dziwe Health Centre in Balaka with a call for all to embrace the vaccine. Chiponda said all vaccines are safe, well tested and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), hence the need for people to change their mindset towards vaccines and start utilizing them.
Council awards best performing teachers, schools
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, December 12, Mana: There was dancing and jubilation at Balaka Primary School Wednesday when Balaka District Council through the District Education Office awarded 167 outstanding teachers for their outstanding performance during the 2023 Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE). During the function, 17 outstanding schools which registered 100 percent pass rate were also recognized and awarded for their remarkable performance.
Council calls for concerted efforts in fighting GBV
By Mary Makhiringa Balak, December 5, Mana: Balaka District Gender Officer, Scolastica Datchi on Thursday called for concerted efforts from all sectors in the fight against gender based violence as the district joined the world and other districts in Malawi in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
CARD distributes relief food to 1,700 households in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, December 4, Mana: There was jubilation and dancing in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Nkaya on Tuesday when the Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) launched food distribution to families affected by El Nino. Many danced that they will now afford three meals a day as about 1,700 households in the area have been earmarked for the program and are expected to receive K90, 000 per month for a period of five months.
Destiny College of Leadership and Development graduates 196 students
By Mary Makhiringa Balak, December 1, Mana: Destiny College of Leadership and Development in Balaka on Saturday awarded 196 students with Degrees, Diploma and Certificates in various fields such as Leadership and Development Studies, Community Studies, Social Work and Advanced Community Leadership.
Authorities in Balaka hail AIP, urging government to speed up the process
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, November 28, MANA: Authorities in Balaka District have commended government for rolling out 2024/2025 Affordable Input Programme (AIP), expressing hope that farmers will harvest more yields this farming season.
Communities vow to restore the environment in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka November 19, Mana: Community members around Chimpakati in Balaka pledged to commit themselves to restoring the environment under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP). Visiting the area, one can easily see the urgent need for restoring the environment for vegetative cover after deforestation and the need to improve soil fertility as the landscape is largely barren and dry making it vulnerable to natural disasters due to irresponsible human activity.
Police decry mob justice as Lindian Resources Limited unveils new police unit
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, October 3 Mana: Lindian Resources Limited, a company which is currently doing rare earth mining in Balaka handed over a newly constructed police unit to Malawi Police Service for effective safety and security services to people at Chanthunya area that struggle to access police services.
Balaka shines as it tops MEC registration
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, October 25, Mana: Commissioner for the Malawi Electoral Commission, Francis Kasaira on Thursday commended Balaka District Council, for what he described as servant dedication for the overwhelming registration that the district is recording. Kasaira made the remarks at Zammimba Primary School in the district after conducting a two-day tour to registration centres.
Balaka rolls out voter registration on a high note
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, October 23, Mana: A random survey conducted by Malawi News Agency (MANA) Tuesday revealed that despite the communication gap that most communities have expressed on the voter registration currently underway in Balaka district, more people are flooding registration centres to register.
Community in Balaka embrace ES-GEAR
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, September 30, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Program SCTP beneficiaries in Balaka have hailed government for the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilient (SP-GEAR) component. In the component, SCTP beneficiaries are taken through financial literacy trainings with formation of Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups to instill beneficiaries’ saving culture for better livelihood.
51, 800 households in Balaka benefit from lean season relief food
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, September 18, Mana: At least 51, 800 households in Balaka district stand to benefit from the 2024 – 2025 lean season programme, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has revealed.
Women and girls in Balaka encouraged to embrace cervical cancer self-test
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, August 29, Mana: Young girls and women in Balaka can breathe a sigh following the introduction of a cervical cancer self-testing initiative which is being championed by the Women Coalition Against Cancer (WOCACA) in some hospitals in the district. Speaking during a media orientation on Thursday, WOCACA Project Officer, Easter Nyirenda said a lot of women and young girls are afraid to have cervical cancer testing because of shyness, as well as fear of the process.
Chakwera launches MK350bn NEEF phase II
By Mary Makhiringa BALAKA-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday, July 25, 2024 launched the second phase of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) at a function held in Balaka District. Speaking when he presided over the MK100 billion loan disbursement milestone event, Chakwera disclosed that one year into his term of office, he went in Parliament and disclosed that he has three things that he wants to do to turn Malawi’s economy around.
Chakwera reaffirms commitment to uplifting welfare of chiefs
By Mary Makhiringa MACHINGA-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera has reaffirmed governments commitment in uplifting the welfare of the chiefs in the country. Speaking on Tuesday when he toured the newly constructed Paramount Chief Kawingas house at Nanyumbu Headquarters in Machinga, Chakwera said uplifting and giving chiefs in the country their respect is one of his adminsitrations ideologies.
NGO reaches out to 1, 000 food insecure families in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 13, Mana: At least 1, 000 families from the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Nyanyala in Balaka can afford a smile and rest assured that they have a week of three meals per day all thanks to Design OutReach, a local Christian organization. In their lamentations, the people indicated that they are surviving on sweet potatoes, some on seasonal fruits like Masau, which they buy after enduring hard labour in other people’s irrigation fields.
Call for increase in the health sector funding
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 4, Mana: Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Balaka District Council, Dr. Chimwemwe Thambo, has disclosed that Balaka District Hospital was struggling with a number of challenges to provide quality health care service owing this to the devaluation of the Kwacha which has resulted into rising cost of most of the commodities.
'Soldier’ Lucius Banda laid to rest
BY Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 4, Mana: Remains of the late’ Soldier’ Lucius Banda who died last Sunday at a hospital in South Africa while receiving treatment for a kidney ailment has been laid to rest at his home Sosola Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka. Thousands of Malawians across the country led by the President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera thronged the village to pay their last respects to the fallen music icon.
President expected to attend burial of legendary ‘Soldier’
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 2, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is expected to lead Malawians in paying their last respects to legendary musician ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda on Thursday who died Sunday in South Africa while receiving treatment. According to the funeral programme that Malawi News Agency (Mana) has seen, officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet are scheduled to visit the late Banda’s residence to plan for the Presidential visit.
President expected to attend burial of legendary ‘Soldier’
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is expected to lead Malawians in paying their last respects to legendary musician ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda on Thursday who died Sunday in South Africa while receiving treatment. According to the funeral programme that Malawi News Agency (Mana) has seen, officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet are scheduled to visit the late Banda’s residence to plan for the Presidential visit.
‘Sojah’s` burial, Thursday, as people continue pouring tribute
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 2, Mana: People around Balaka Town on Monday described the fallen musician Lucius Banda as a strong and patriotic son Balaka has ever produced. Walking around Balaka Town, Monday, Malawi News Agency noted that most people plying business around the town, opted to playing the late Banda’s music with some singing along with the music.
Finance Minister Chithyola Banda urges NEEF loan defaulters to pay back
By Mary Makhiringa BALAKA-(MANA)-Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has urged all people owing National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to pay back their loans so others to benefit from the same. Chithyola made the remarks in Balaka on Sunday during the official handover of 10 boreholes that NEEF has drilled in the district as corporate social responsibility for emerging as the best loan repayment district.
Finance Minister urges all NEEF loan defaulters to pay back
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, May 20, Mana: Minister of Finance, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has urged all people owing National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to pay back their loans for others to benefit from the same. Chithyola made the remarks in Balaka on Sunday during the official handover of 10 boreholes which NEEF has drilled in the district as a corporate social responsibility for emerging the best loan repayment district.
Food insecure families being assisted by CARD
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, May 16, Mana: Churches Action in Relief and Action (CARD) Executive Director, Melton Luhanga on Wednesday said the launch of the Enhanced Climate Resilience for Improved Income and Food Security Project will help in alleviating serious food insecurity people in Balaka area facing.
Committee satisfied with progress of SCTP
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, May 16, Mana: Parliamentary Committee on Governance Assurance and Public Sector Reform, Chairperson, Noel Lipipa said the committee was satisfied with the way Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) yielded its intended purposes after observing that the programme improved beneficiaries’ livelihood.
Council increases revenue base through GESD
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, May 10, Mana: Since introduction of the Performance Based Grants, under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), tremendous transformation can easily be noticed in councils as valuable assets are being created with some helping to change the face of an area and others helping in revenue collection.
Community members describe new health facilities as game changer
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, April 23, Mana: People in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka have applauded Balaka District Council for constructing the K93 million health post and described this as game changer. Since time immemorial, people from Nkaya, used to walk over 42 kilometres for medical help at Balaka District Hospital, or chose to go on 20-kilometre journey to Phimbi Health Centre.
Ministry of Education donates bicycles to female teachers in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, April 19, Mana: Ministry of Education, through Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP), has donated 20 bicycles to 20 female teachers in Balaka District as one way of motivating them to teach in the hard to reach areas. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Balaka District Principal Education Officer, Baxter Chakwera, said government has made the initiative as one way of easing mobility challenges teachers in hard to reach areas face when discharging their duties.
Ngunga Foundation donates electrical fans to Balaka District Council
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, April 3, Mana: A Malawian businessman based in South Africa, Idrissa Ngunga, who is founder of Ngunga Foundation, on Tuesday donated 11 electrical fans to Balaka District Council. Speaking after handing over the fans, Ngunga said he made the donation in response to the council’s need of office equipment. Said Ngunga: “I asked the DC to give me immediate need of his office considering that this was a very big office which offers services to a lot of people.
27 hectares of maize dry in Balaka
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, March 28, Mana:At least 109,340 farmers are likely to be in critical food insecurity in Balaka following the 33-day dry spell the district has experienced due to El Nino weather pattern which affected most districts in Malawi. Since the onset of the rainy season, Balaka has been receiving erratic rainfall which negatively affected maize production, the main food crop, and alternative food crops.
Council lauded for constructing state of the art guardian shelter
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, March 9, Mana: Balaka District Council has been applauded for constructing a K38 million guardian shelter at Balaka District Hospital. There was jubilation when Member of Parliament (MP) for Balaka North, Tony Ngalande officially commissioned the state of the art guardian shelter constructed through the District Development Fund.
Department of Forestry calls for collaboration to restore environment
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, February 28, Mana: Deputy Director of Forestry, Ted Kamoto, on Tuesday called for concerted efforts in the fight against deforestation and further asked people in the district to embark on restoration of the environment, as Balaka plans to plant 1.5 million trees this forestry season. Kamoto said the Department of Forestry alone cannot manage but different players and sectors need to join hands towards the course so that the country’s environment is restored.
Destiny Church celebrates with people with special needs
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, February 11, Mana: Destiny Church in Malawi on Friday hosted luncheon to over 80 people with special needs in Balaka district as a way of showing love to the people. Speaking during the event, Reverend Patricia Mankhanamba said people with special needs are equally human beings who need to be loved and given a chance to showcase their talent.
World Bank pledges more support to Malawi
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, February 6, Mana: World Bank, Program Leader for Human Development in East Africa, Aneesa Arur, on Monday reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to continue supporting Malawi Government to achieve its development goals. Arur made the remarks in Balaka during her official visit to Nanjiri catchment where she appreciated a number of environmental restoration activities supported by World Bank and implemented by Balaka District Council.
Prison Fellowship graduates 53 ex-prisoners in various vocational skills
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, January 27, Mana: Prison Fellowship in Balaka on Thursday graduated 53 residents with certificates after completing six months vocational training in various programmes at Balaka Half Way House. Speaking during the graduation, Commissioner for Prisons responsible for Administration and Finance, Clement Kainja said, Malawi Prison Services realizes that Malawi aspires to attain 2063 Agenda through various ways and means such as skills development among others.
Government calls for concerted effort in corruption fight, as ACB clocks 25
Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo on Saturday presided over the International Anti-Corruption Day and Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)’s silver jubilee in Balaka where he called for concerted effort from all partners in the fight against corruption for the attainment of Malawi 2063 agenda. The minister made the call at Balaka Stadium during the International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration and 25 years of ACB’s existence.
Council lobby for more NGOs into child protection
Balaka District Social Welfare Officer, Nellia Kumalele has asked for more Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) to venture into child protection if Balaka, in particular, and Malawi as a whole are to win the battle against different kinds of violence against girls. She made the appeal Kankao School ground in balaka on Friday during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child which was commemorated under the theme ‘My Voice Our Equal Future’.
MEC adopts 50+1 as electoral law
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, July 15: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Commissioner Francis Kasaila has disclosed that several changes have taken place in the electoral laws with one being the adoption of the 50+1.
MEC ADOPTS 50+1 AS ELECTORAL LAW
By Mary Makhiringa MANA Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Commissioner Francis Kasaila Friday disclosed that several changes have taken place in the electoral laws with one being the adoption of the 50+1.
Over US$200 million to be invested in Kangankunderare earth mining
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, Mana: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Lindian Resource Limited, Alistair Stephens has disclosed that the company would be investing over US$200 million (an equivalent of K203 billion) in the exploration and extraction of rare earth minerals at Kangankunde mining site in Balaka.
World Vision Malawi hailed for child protection, livelihood resilience programs
By Mary Makhiringa Balaka, Mana: World Vision Malawi has been hailed for child protection and livelihood resilience programs that the organization implemented in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka.
Stakeholders discuss rampant child prostitution in Balaka
Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Balaka, on Friday convened a meeting with various stakeholders across the district to discuss ways of ending high cases of child prostitution being recorded in the district. The meeting targeted bar owners, rest houses owners, sex workers’ association, political party representatives, government departments, the police and judiciary at Zembani lodge.
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