Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah SC, JA (Retired), personally oversaw the distribution of food aid to families struggling with hunger in the Senior Chief Kalumbu area of Lilongwe.
She highlighted that the programme is being implemented under the direction of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, aiming to reduce the hardships faced by households affected by food shortages.
Dr. Ansah stressed that development at the family, community, and national levels cannot progress if citizens lack sufficient food to meet their basic needs.
Jane Ansah
She pointed out that the 2024/2025 farming season was heavily impacted by the La Niña weather phenomenon, which delayed rainfall, caused inconsistent showers, and led to flooding in several areas.
The Vice President further noted that rising commodity prices, crop-damaging pests, and broader economic challenges have intensified the country’s food insecurity.
Citing data from the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC), she revealed that over four million Malawians are projected to experience food shortages between October 2025 and March 2026.
Dr. Ansah explained that the President had declared all 28 districts and four cities as food-insecure, prompting a nationwide distribution of relief supplies to ensure vulnerable populations receive support.
She expressed appreciation to development partners, local councils, and organizations for their commitment to ensuring timely delivery of food assistance to those in need.
The Vice President urged the country to embrace modern and irrigated farming methods rather than relying solely on rain-fed agriculture, emphasizing this as essential for long-term food security.
In closing, Dr. Ansah appealed to beneficiaries to use the maize responsibly, report any fraudulent practices, and reminded the public that the law will hold accountable anyone who seeks to compromise the integrity of the programme.
Senior Chief Kalumbu welcomed Vice President Jane Ansah
Castel Malawi Limited has reinforced its dedication to supporting government efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS through a partnership with the Malawi Business Coalition on Health (MBCHealth) during this year’s World AIDS Day commemoration.
The event, held on Monday (1 December) in Makata, Blantyre, ran under the theme ‘We Remember, We Lead, We Rise to Transform the Response.’
Castel Malawi Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Linda Kolomba, said the company remains deeply invested in strengthening the country’s HIV/AIDS response through strategic collaborations.
“As Castel Malawi, we recognise that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires unity and consistent action. This is why we continue to stand side by side with organisations to ensure that communities have access to the support and information they need. Our role is to uplift, empower, and contribute meaningfully to a healthier Malawi,” said Kolomba.
Kolomba further emphasised that, as a company, Castel Malawi places high importance on health and wellbeing, not only within the communities it supports but also among its own employees.
“At Castel Malawi, we believe that a thriving workforce starts with a healthy workforce. This is why we prioritise health initiatives internally and extend the same support to the communities we operate in. When our people are healthy, our nation is stronger,” she said.
In her remarks, MBCHealth Chairperson, Gloria Zimba, thanked Castel Malawi for joining hands with the coalition, adding that the health sector is currently facing significant financial constraints.
“We have lost partners from abroad, and we are very grateful to Castel Malawi and others for stepping forward to support us. We now depend heavily on such partnerships for financial assistance. Their involvement shows how dedicated they are, and as MBCHealth, we are honoured to have this collaboration,” said Zimba.
Other partners for the commemoration day included National Bank of Malawi plc, MASM, ESCOM, and Blantyre Water Board (BWB).
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc, in partnership with the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, The Scorchers, have donated assorted food items to Mai Mbambande Shelter Home for the Elderly in Lilongwe as part of the Bank’s corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives.
The donation, made on Monday, include, bags of maize, rice, beans, sugar and cooking oil, items identified as essential for the daily care of the elderly residents.
NBM plc, the official sponsors of the tournament and the Scorchers, made the donation alongside the Three Nations Women Football Tournament underway in Lilongwe where the teams also took part.
Speaking after handing over the items, South End Service Centre Manager, Nguwachi Selemani, said the initiative demonstrates the Bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and strengthening community welfare.
“As a Bank, our partnership with the Scorchers goes beyond football. It is about impact, community, and ensuring progress reaches every Malawian, especially the most vulnerable,” said Selemani.
She added that the donation addresses the home’s pressing needs and reminds the elderly that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
Selemani also commended the shelter’s founder, Deborah Mbale, who established the home in 2020 at the age of 25, describing her as a shining example of youth leadership and compassion.
“The Scorchers represent strength and unity, and their presence here shows that women can inspire change both on and off the pitch,” Selemani added.
The Scorchers were represented by Jetu, whose song ‘Ona Pangolin’ is NBM plc’s Women’s Championship theme song.
Receiving the donation, Mbale expressed gratitude to NBM plc and the Scorchers, noting that the support would greatly improve the welfare of the residents.
“These food items will go a long way in supporting the elderly under our care. We also call on other well-wishers to offer support,” she said.
Scorchers Captain Tabitha Chawinga also thanked NBM plc for the gesture, highlighting the importance of collaboration in uplifting communities.
“We thank National Bank for remembering the elderly. As Scorchers, we are proud to stand with partners who uplift our communities,” said Chawinga.
The Vice President’s journey to the Lower Shire took an unexpected turn on Tuesday afternoon when Justice Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah SC, JA (Retired) halted her convoy at the Department of Disaster Management Affairs warehouse in Nsanje.
Her appearance caught staff off guard, as no advance team had alerted local officials about her intention to inspect the facility.
The surprise check allowed the country’s second-in-command to assess how emergency supplies were being secured and managed before distribution.
She moved through the warehouse slowly, pausing to ask questions about stock levels, dispatch timelines, and the condition of stored items.
Officials on duty briefed her on ongoing challenges, including transportation constraints and the high demand for relief materials across disaster-hit communities.
The Vice President listened attentively, occasionally issuing directives aimed at tightening accountability and speeding up the logistical chain.
Her visit was neither ceremonial nor scheduled; it was a hands-on inspection designed to ensure that government assistance reaches households without unnecessary delays.
After concluding the warehouse tour, she resumed her travel to Chikwawa, the main destination of her mission.
There, she is expected to distribute food parcels and other essentials to families whose livelihoods have been disrupted by recent disasters.
The broader tour underscores her continued push for a more responsive and transparent relief system in Malawi.
By choosing to appear unannounced, she sent a strong message that oversight of humanitarian operations remains a priority at the top levels of leadership.
Her actions also highlighted the urgency with which government intends to address the needs of vulnerable communities in the Lower Shire.
Many local officials interpreted the move as a call for greater discipline and readiness across all disaster management structures.
As she heads to Chikwawa, anticipation is growing among affected families who hope her visit will translate into timely assistance.
The Vice President’s engagement in the region signals a renewed emphasis on both accountability and empathy within Malawi’s disaster response framework.
Her commitment to directly inspecting operations marks a shift toward more active leadership in times of crisis.
Teachers at Lilongwe Private School continue to voice serious concerns about alleged mismanagement, favoritism, and poor working conditions in the primary section.
According to reports obtained by this publication, board member Mr Bedha and primary head Ms Maria Asghar are largely responsible for declining standards at the school.
Staff claim that raising issues with Mr Bedha yields no meaningful response or solution.
When complaints involve the primary headteacher, teachers allege that Mr Bedha frequently shouts at them in his office and redirects them back to the same headteacher, leaving problems unresolved.
One incident involved Ms Sonya, who was reportedly insulted by a student of Pakistani origin.
When the matter was brought to Ms Maria for disciplinary action, teachers claim no steps were taken, allegedly because the student belonged to a specific national group.
Educators describe this response as symptomatic of a dysfunctional administrative system and question Ms Maria’s competence as a headteacher.
Teachers further reported that a recent interface meeting organized by the school board failed to address their concerns effectively.
They said the meeting started under an intimidating atmosphere when Mr Bedha, the Vice Chair of the board, instructed all primary teachers to switch off their phones.
Several coordinators present were reportedly aligned with Ms Maria and allegedly provided biased accounts favoring her administration.
Teachers allege that Mr Samuel Kameza, who lacks formal teaching qualifications, merely read instructions from Ms Maria rather than sharing his own observations.
Similarly, Mr Prince Nebert, while having privately raised concerns about Ms Maria’s management, reportedly presented a supportive stance during the meeting.
Staff say Mr Nebert’s position during the meeting followed private conversations with Ms Maria, despite his history of being wrongfully accused of theft on two occasions.
He was previously accused of stealing money from Ms Maria’s handbag and a cell phone from the primary reception office, but both allegations were later disproven.
Teachers also claim Ms Maria obstructed Mr Nebert’s access to sit for scheduled college examinations, forcing him to reschedule with authorities.
Educators describe Mr Nebert’s conduct at the board meeting as an attempt to shield Ms Maria despite her alleged mistreatment of staff.
Staff further report that they could not speak freely during the interface meeting because the coordinators acted as informants for Ms Maria.
The presence of Mr Bedha at the meeting was also cited as an obstacle, as he is perceived to consistently defend the primary head.
Sources allege that Mr Bedha, Ms Maria Asghar, and another administrator, Latif, share a common regional background in Pakistan and promote one another in school affairs, prioritizing nepotism over merit.
Teachers have submitted multiple reports to the school board, urging urgent intervention to address these governance and management issues.
They claim the board chair, Mr Kalaria, must recognize that Mr Bedha’s actions are actively undermining the school alongside Ms Maria Asghar.
Teachers also allege that Mr Bedha openly encourages corruption, citing an incident where he reportedly told a staff member, Mr Francis, that he could not afford legal action.
Educators note that only independent media coverage has provided them with a platform to voice their concerns safely.
Staff further reveal that Ms Maria has been calling and shouting at teachers suspected of sharing information with the media.
Consequently, teachers chose to remain silent during the board-organized interface meeting for fear of losing their jobs.
They also expressed distrust toward the coordinators, claiming that they had held secret meetings with Ms Maria and had been bribed to speak in her favor.
For the board to uncover the true situation at the school, teachers suggest that the next interface meeting should be organized differently.
They recommend that the meeting involve all board members, excluding Mr Bedha.
Coordinators should also be excluded from attending the next session.
Teachers propose a final, more productive meeting with the board chair alone, conducted one-on-one with primary teachers behind closed doors.
They stress that teachers must be assured protection from dismissal to speak freely about the administration and workplace issues.
