Director of strategic planning in the Malawi Congress Party ( MCP) Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has officially welcomed Ralph Mhone and Ephraim Mganda chiume into the party.
Mganda Chiume and Ralph Mhone defected from Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) and Peoples Party ( PP) respectively.
The duo have been welcomed at a rally which Zikhale Ng’oma organised at Chilundu ground in Nkhata-Bay district.
Zikhale in Nkhatabay
Speaking at a rally, Zikhale Ng’oma said that many people are joining the party because they want to work with president Dr Lazarus Chakwera in developing the country.
Zikhale added that Chakwera has put in place various developmental projects in Nkhata-Bay district and across the country in order to improve people’s lives.
“We the Tonga people we have joined hands,so that Chakwera can win in the coming general elections.
We are very serious working on the ground and we are targeting to take all seats for members of parliament in the district,” He explained.
Meanwhile, Mganda Chiume and Ralph Mhone have vowed to support Chakwera and strengthen the party in Nkhata-Bay district and northern region as a whole.
Chiume and Mhone have joined MCP together with their district leaders in the northern region.
former DPP director of women in the central region Mariam Chimbalanga has also been welcomed at the function.
World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday donated to Malawi Government 48 kits of pediatric severe acute malnutrition (PEDSAM) worth MK62.2m to address challenges posed by pediatric severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the country.
WHO Country Representative to Malawi, Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, made the donation through the Ministry of Health at a ceremony which took place at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.
Kimambo described the donation as a crucial contribution to Malawi’s healthcare system, particularly in addressing the effects of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children.
WHO Country Representative to Malawi, Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo making the donation to Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda
She said the PEDSAM Kits are meticulously designed to provide essential supplies necessary for the effective treatment and care of children suffering from malnutrition, as well as malaria.
“Enclosed within each kit are vital resources aimed at reaching 50 SAM pediatric cases for three months. This provision ensures a sustained effort in combating malnutrition among our nation’s children, reflecting our commitment to their well-being,” said Kimambo.
She said the donation, valued at US$35,560.56, which translates to approximately MK62,230,980.00, underscores WHO’s dedication to improving public health and ensuring access to essential healthcare in the country.
In her remarks, Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda hailed WHO for the donation, which she described as timely and useful to Malawi.
The minister said the country continues to struggle with a high infant mortality rate, and that of late, saying of late, there has been progressive reduction owing to government’s collaboration with development partners.
“Currently, the infant mortality rate is at 31 deaths out of every 1000 births which represents a 4.2 percent decline from 2023 which stood at 33 deaths,” said Chiponda.
She noted that cases of severe malnutrition and malaria in children in Malawi highly contribute to the reported high infant mortality rates with malnutrition alone, accounting for at least 30 percent of the deaths.
She, therefore, said any efforts to stop the rise of the infant mortality rate, as WHO has done, is commendable and encouraged to save the lives of the children and the future leaders of Malawi.
In a bid to empower and improve self-esteem among girls, Life Coach, Kate Kujaliwa, has embarked on a girls’ empowerment initiative called ‘Girl Talk’ which happens once every year under different themes.
The 2024 Girl Talk seminar was held at African Bible College in Lilongwe under the theme “Cultural Shock”.
Kate Kujaliwa during the seminar
Speaking in an interview, Kujaliwa described the seminar as a good platform for young girls to get to express themselves and also seek knowledge from older women on a number of issues affecting their day to day lives.
“Information is traveling at a fast rate and young girls get exposed to different content that might affect them. I felt the girl talk seminar is a very good platform to offer spaces for young girls to express themselves and talk to older women who are experienced to offer them guidance on how to handle such issues,” Kujaliwa explained.
She said this year’s seminar will focus on empowering girls on how they can handle themselves in different areas of society, such as schools and work places in areas of self care and boundaries among others.
In her remarks, one of the mentors of the 2024 Girl Talk seminar and Managing Director of Optimus Solutions, Phyllis Manguluti urged parents to always send their young girls to such events when they are organized for them to acquire knowledge.
“In today’s seminar I taught about goal setting, keeping the momentum going as well as understanding passion because usually these are the areas which people have got a gap. Young girls should know and understand what they are passionate about and we should be able to grow and nurture that,” Manguluti said.
Another mentor, Wonanji Sande appealed to young girls to understand their environment when doing things and never to lose themselves in trying to please people as well as to embrace and nurture opinions that would build them and not destroy them.
One of the participants, Patience Mapemba called upon young girls to attend crucial seminars such as ‘Girl Talk’, saying it provides a platform for girls to build their self confidence and learn from others.
In a heartwarming gesture of generosity, former President of Malawi, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, distributed food hampers to thousands of people in Chisigele Village, T/A Mponda in Mangochi. The majority of recipients, who were Muslims, expressed their deep gratitude to Mutharika for his continued support in feeding the needy in their community.
“We are thankful to His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, for these hampers. As we break fasting this afternoon, we will enjoy because we normally starve,” said Fatima Ibrahim, one of the recipients.
Mutharika handing over food hampers
The people of Chisigele Village praised Mutharika for his ongoing efforts to assist those in need and called for him to continue serving the nation. The DPP regional governor for the Eastern Region also thanked Mutharika and assured him that votes are waiting for him next year due to his generous gesture.
In response, Mutharika reassured the assembly that he is determined to bounce back and liberate Malawi from its current challenges. “My people, don’t worry. Next year, I am liberating Malawi from hell,” declared Mutharika.
The meeting also saw the presence of former First Lady, Getrude Mutharika, and the Director of Women for the Eastern Region, Eluby Kandeu. Malawians from all walks of life expressed their desire for Mutharika to lead the nation once again and free Malawi from the struggles under the current MCP government led by Chakwera.
Chakwera had promised Malawians a bright future, likening it to the path to Canaan, but many now feel disillusioned and describe the current state of affairs as living in hell. Mutharika’s dedication to serving the nation and his track record of assistance to the needy have endeared him to many, who see him as the only hope for a better Malawi.
As the former president continues his efforts to support the disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Malawi, his popularity and support among the people remain strong. The food hampers distributed in Chisigele Village are just one example of Mutharika’s commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in society.
In the upcoming elections, Malawians will have the opportunity to choose their leaders once again. With Mutharika’s promise to liberate the nation and bring about positive change, many are looking to him as a beacon of hope for a brighter future. As the former president continues to demonstrate his dedication to serving the people, his actions speak louder than words, earning him respect and admiration from all those he has assisted.
The generosity and compassion shown by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in distributing food hampers to the people of Chisigele Village are a testament to his commitment to helping those in need. As the former president pledges to liberate Malawi from its current struggles, his actions resonate with many who see him as a strong leader capable of bringing about positive change.
Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, has reiterated government’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible internet connectivity to all Malawians.
Kunkuyu made these remarks today at the opening of a two-day International Communication Union (ITU) Regional workshop on cost models for data services and international internet connectivity, organised by Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) at BICC in Lilongwe.
Kunkuyu at International Communication Union (ITU) Regional workshop
The minister stated that the workshop will serve as a platform to address challenges that developing countries like Malawi are facing with internet connectivity services.
He highlighted that the government is committed to ensuring that Malawians have access to affordable internet services.
In his remarks, MACRA’s Director General, Daud Suleman, said that the workshop will help the regulatory body to ensure that Malawians can meaningfully connect to the internet, which is one of the enablers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), is made up of a membership of 193 Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.
