Dowa, May 30, 2025— The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has inaugurated the Bio-Energy from Electrical Energy in Schools (B-EES) Project, a groundbreaking initiative integrating renewable energy into primary education. Launched at Kaungwe Primary School in Dowa, the project introduces solar-powered technologies, including a mini oil expeller, to give students hands-on experience in sustainable energy solutions.
Minister Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, who officiated the event, emphasized the project’s role in sparking student interest in science, technology, and engineering.
“This is more than just a project—it’s an opportunity for learners to gain practical skills that support Malawi’s vision for sustainable development,” she said, urging students to explore careers in renewable energy.
Kambauwa and Belgian Ambassador Peter Huyghebaert
Belgian Ambassador Peter Huyghebaert highlighted the strong partnership between Malawi and Belgium, noting that the initiative aims to improve energy access and education in rural communities.
Funded by a €700,000 grant from Belgium’s FINEXPO and an additional €159,321 from the Walloon region (AWEX), the B-EES Project is implemented by G-HiTech in collaboration with the Malawian government.
The initiative complements other educational reforms, such as the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) programme, reinforcing Malawi’s commitment to innovation-driven learning.
By combining clean energy solutions with education, the project not only powers schools but also empowers the next generation of Malawian scientists and engineers.
Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, on Thursday presided over the distribution of maize to vulnerable households in Bvumbwe, Thyolo District, as part of the government’s Lean Season Response Programme. The initiative targets 70,000 food-insecure households, including 17,000 enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), locally known as Mtukula Pakhomo.
Sendeza emphasized the programme’s goal of supporting the most vulnerable, such as the elderly, disabled, and labor-constrained families, while warning against misuse of resources. “This aid is a lifeline, not for sale or diversion,” she stated, urging transparency in distribution . Thyolo District Commissioner Hudson Kuphanga reported smooth progress, noting the dual impact of maize aid and SCTP’s electronic cash transfers in uplifting livelihoods .
Beneficiaries like Teresa Nakali, a mother of eight, shared how SCTP’s monthly K10,000 allowance and maize rations have eased food insecurity and school expenses . The lean season response, running from October 2024 to March 2025, follows President Chakwera’s disaster declaration due to El Niño-induced hunger affecting 5.7 million Malawians .
The event highlighted synergies between immediate food relief and long-term social protection. Sendeza commended partners like the World Food Programme and donors for scaling up interventions, ensuring timely deliveries amid climate shocks .
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has invited all teachers in Mangochi district for a meeting with him on 31st May, 2025 at Chikoko-bay, the meeting which bring joy and excitement to teachers as they will be meeting with the President face to face.
Just like other visitors that have been going to State House, they don’t come back empty –handed, they come back to their respective homes with memories of the State House for honoring them with K50,000s and left-overs food to carry home.
First to open the doors of State House in Lilongwe, were all teachers from Nkhotakota joining others who have visited the State House such as women and youth groups, church leaders, activists and other politicians.
These people going to the State House are going with them national Identity Cards and Mec registration voter certificates, this has been a national worry by Malawians that many have linked the MCP to rigging scheme.
Mrs. Elizabeth Kaliza Banda of Area 51 in Lilongwe, has appealed to all teachers in Mangochi meeting President Chakwera to tell him nothing but the truth that teachers across the country are in pain and suffering and this has demoralized their teaching performances.
Kaliza has asked the teachers to represent all the teachers in Malawi to report to President Chakwera that previous teachers’ promotions from 2022 were being done basing on corruption, connections and those who even not attended the interviews, were the ones picked.
He has asked teachers to feel free at the Chikoko-bay, it is not their wish to be invited to State House but President Chakwera has invited them and as such, no one must not block them from airing their concerns to the number one citizen.
“Do not allow anyone, be the PEA’s, District Education Manager and other education officials to block you for only singing songs of praising Chakwera,” said Kaliza Banda.
She has even reported to Mangochi teachers that there are some teachers that have worked for over 10 years, but have not been promoted and others, have worked for over 20 years, have been forgotten on the list of promotions.
Kaliza said the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) has failed to represent them and as such, teachers out there, are calling for the dissolution of this teachers’ body for a new one on the claims that the office bearers are the ones benefiting on behalf of all teachers in Malawi.
She has wished all the teachers in Mangochi meeting President Chakwera for K50,000s that this should not make them to forget the long path they have walked for 5 years of President Chakwera that teachers are angry and hungry.
China’s transformation from a poverty-stricken nation to a global economic powerhouse is one of the most remarkable development stories in modern history.
Just a few decades ago, China was grappling with widespread hunger, poor infrastructure, and heavy reliance on foreign aid and loans.
Today, it stands as the world’s second-largest economy, a manufacturing hub, and a rising political superpower with global influence.
This transformation did not happen by chance, but through deliberate policies focused on self-reliance, long-term planning, and massive investment in productivity.
After the economic failures of the Maoist era, China began serious reforms under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s.
One of the key strategies was shifting from a closed, centrally-planned economy to an open, market-oriented one.
This allowed China to tap into global trade while maintaining strong state control over strategic sectors.
The country prioritized industrialization, starting with basic manufacturing and gradually moving up the value chain into advanced technology and innovation.
This was supported by heavy investment in infrastructure, education, and research and development.
Unlike many African countries, China did not allow itself to remain trapped in a cycle of dependency on foreign aid.
Instead, it used aid and loans as transitional tools, not permanent solutions.
China focused on increasing domestic productivity, enhancing exports, and gradually building a strong tax base that would reduce reliance on external donors.
The country also emphasized discipline, planning, and leadership accountability at every level of government.
Corruption was treated as a national threat, with countless officials disciplined or prosecuted over the years.
China’s success came from the belief that development must be driven from within — by its own people, institutions, and ideas.
Today, China is not just a former aid recipient — it is now a major donor, lending billions to other countries through initiatives like the Belt and Road.
This turnaround offers critical lessons for Malawi and the broader African continent.
Firstly, Malawi must embrace the idea that development begins with mindset change.
The country must stop celebrating aid as an end in itself and start using it as a bridge to long-term self-sufficiency.
This requires building strong, accountable institutions that can design and execute development plans with minimal donor interference.
Secondly, Malawi needs to prioritize productivity over consumption.
Too often, aid money is used to pay salaries, buy fuel for government vehicles, or fund trips, rather than investing in areas that generate wealth such as agriculture, industry, and innovation.
Thirdly, education and skills development must be at the heart of Malawi’s transformation.
China’s rise would not have been possible without investing in human capital — training engineers, scientists, teachers, and entrepreneurs to drive growth.
Fourthly, Malawi must tackle corruption with urgency and sincerity.
No country can progress while its wealth is being siphoned off by a few at the top.
Anti-corruption efforts must go beyond speeches and manifest in arrests, prosecutions, and institutional reforms.
Fifth, long-term national planning must override short-term political interests.
China’s five-year plans guided consistent development over decades.
Malawi must learn to plan beyond election cycles and pursue goals that serve the nation, not just political parties.
Finally, Malawi should take advantage of its youthful population.
With the right investments in education, technology, and job creation, the youth can become the drivers of a new economic era.
China’s story proves that no country is doomed to poverty.
With discipline, vision, and a focus on self-reliance, even the poorest nation can rise.
Malawi and other African countries must stop looking at donors as saviors and start believing in their own capacity to succeed.
The future of Africa does not lie in foreign aid — it lies in African hands.
The Association of Muslim Journalists Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been rescheduled to June 14th, 2025, at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre.
This change was necessary due to unforeseen delays in receiving promised sponsorship funds.The initial plan was to hold the AGM on the last weekend of May.
However, the delay in funding forced the organizing committee to reassess their timeline.
The committee chairperson, Cassim Aubi, explained that the delay in receiving funds hindered their ability to confirm the new date earlier.
The decision to reschedule the event was made to ensure sufficient time for preparations.
The committee wanted to avoid any last-minute rush that could compromise the quality of the event.
Additionally, the new date was chosen to avoid conflicts with the upcoming Eid-Ul-Adha celebrations.
The AGM organizing committee is grateful to the sponsors who contributed to the event. Despite not receiving support from all potential sponsors, the committee is pleased that they were able to secure enough funding to proceed with the event.
The AGM provides a platform for members to come together and discuss important issues affecting the organization. It is an opportunity for members to shape the future of AMUJO and make key decisions that will impact the organization.
