In a bid to address the rising cases of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people in Kasungu, Umunthu FM, in collaboration with the Youth Action Movement (YAM), has launched a powerful awareness initiative. The call to action follows a sensitization event held in Mbeta Village, aimed at encouraging young people to prioritize their health by seeking medical assistance and adopting family planning practices.
The event highlighted the impact of the M1 road construction project, which has brought an influx of people and created an environment that has led to a rise in such cases. In response, Umunthu FM and YAM have stepped in to provide critical information and resources, especially targeting youth in the area.
Collings Kalivute, Umunthu FM’s field officer, elaborated on the station’s “Inclusivity Our Priority” project, which seeks to make sexual and reproductive health services more accessible for young people across three traditional authorities in Kasungu. This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a supportive environment where youth can make informed decisions about their health and futures.
“The ‘Inclusivity Our Priority’ project is about reaching out to the young people who need it most, especially those who are vulnerable to the pressures and challenges brought on by rapid changes in their community,” Kalivute explained. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that youth are not only informed but also have access to vital health services, which can be life-changing.
Grace Ngulube, a representative from the Kasungu District Health Office, revealed concerning statistics: only 10% of the district’s 340,256 youth currently access sexual and reproductive health services. Between July and September alone, the district recorded 2,529 cases of adolescent pregnancies, underscoring the urgent need for better access to health resources.
Ngulube emphasized that without access to family planning and reproductive health services, Kasungu’s youth face significant challenges, which impact not only their personal lives but also the socio-economic development of the district. “We are concerned about these numbers and the potential consequences if no action is taken. Working with partners like Umunthu FM and YAM is crucial to reversing these trends,” she said.
The campaign calls on young people to take proactive steps in their health journey by using available health services and family planning options, which are crucial to reducing rates of early pregnancies and STIs. Through community sensitization events, Umunthu FM and YAM aim to shift attitudes and encourage open discussions, addressing both cultural taboos and lack of information that often prevent youth from seeking help.
By making sexual and reproductive health services accessible, Umunthu FM and YAM are not only advocating for the health of Kasungu’s youth but also for their empowerment and brighter future.
Member of Parliament for Salima North West, Enock Phale, has praised the government for its proactive approach in launching maize distribution earlier than anticipated in Salima District. The early distribution effort aims to address the food security challenges faced by many households in the region due to the recent poor harvest season.
Phale commended the government’s initiative, highlighting that the early distribution will provide much-needed relief for vulnerable families who might otherwise struggle to secure enough food in the coming months. According to Phale, the timely intervention shows the government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its citizens.
Phale engaging constituents
“By starting maize distribution ahead of schedule, the government has shown responsiveness and dedication to the needs of our communities,” Phale said. “This action will go a long way in reducing the stress and hardship that many households would have faced.”
Local authorities have confirmed that the distribution process is designed to reach the most affected areas of Salima North West, with a focus on transparency and efficiency. This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring food security and supporting local communities in their time of need.
Kondwani Chilembwe scored in the 76th minute as Bangwe All Stars secured a significant 1-0 win over Moyale Barracks at Balaka Stadium to move out of the TNM Super League relegation zone.
The visitors started the game very well, dominating possession the good part of the first half but they were not clinical in front of goal with Emmanuel Allan and Raphael Phiri among the culprits.
Bangwe on the other hand visibly missed the services of their key attackers Shukurani Goba and Richard Lapson as they took too long to settle into the game forcing coach Trevor Kajawa to make a number of substitutions right in the first half.
Bangwe All Stars
In the 6th minute, Bangwe were forced to make an early substitution following the injury of their captain Fanizo Mwansambo who was replaced by Kumbukani Manto.
In the 35th minute, Kajawa made a double substitution, bringing in the fresh legs of James Msowoya and the Nigerian Ojumu Gibulohani for James Tambwali and Clever Chikwata.
The Blantyre-based side made another substitution in the 56th minute, bringing in Beston Jimu for Patrick Phiri.
Moyale on the had made all their substitutions in the second half as Mphatso Kasonga replaced Khumbo Mhone, Luke Chima for the injured Chifundo Damba and Jimmy Viyuyi for Charles Nkhoma.
Following the substitutions, both sides created a number of scoring opportunities but it was Bangwe who made use of one of those chances as Chilembwe beautifully finished Beston Jimu’s pass to give the home side the much needed lead.
In the last 10 minutes, Moyale huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but it was too little too late as Bangwe’s defence led by Asuman Julius and Gabihno Daudi made everything possible to defend the lead up to the final whistle.
Following the win, Bangwe are on position 13 with 24 points, two points above 14th placed FOMO FC but the Mulanje outfit have two games in hand.
Despite the loss, Moyale Barracks remain 7th on the log table with 36 points after playing 26 games and they are followed by Creck Sporting Club who have so far accumulated 35 points from 24 games.
In other Super league matches played on Sunday, FOMO FC lost 2-1 at home against Civil Service United while Mzuzu City Hammers hammered Chitipa United 3-1 at Karonga Stadium.
Silver Strikers remain top on the log table with 54 points from 24 games followed by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have so far accumulated 47 points with the same number of games as the league leaders.
Kondwani ChilembweMoyale BarracksKondwani Chilembwe receiving the man of the match award from SULOM Official
Brian Kabisala, a bright young student from Gogodela Village, Traditional Authority Kaduya in Phalombe District, is reaching out to compassionate individuals for help in covering his tuition fees at Robert Blake Secondary School.
Brian’s academic journey began at Dzenje II Primary School, where he excelled with six As in his final exams, earning him a place at Robert Blake. However, due to his family’s financial struggles, he is now facing the possibility of being withdrawn from school. His mother, who is unable to afford the school fees and additional expenses, is the sole provider for the family.
With an outstanding balance of K330,000 required for this term, Brian’s future hangs in the balance. Nelson Jobe, a member of the school’s PTA, has spoken highly of Brian’s intelligence and potential, emphasizing that he is a dedicated student who deserves the opportunity to continue his education.
Those willing to support Brian can reach out to the school’s headteacher, Ellard Msumba, at 0884 56 23 85, or contact his mother directly at 0981 72 03 07.
Welcome to this special edition of Hard Talk. Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Lloyd Kaisi Phiri, Chairperson for the renowned Chilobwe SDA singing group, Joyful Souls, based in Blantyre. Joyful Souls has recently released their highly anticipated single, “Anandifera.” Lloyd Kaisi Phiri, thank you for joining us.*
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: Thank you so much.
Twink: Lloyd, congratulations on the release of “Anandifera.” What inspired this single, and how does it reflect the group’s musical journey?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: As a Gospel Music group, our inspiration always comes from the scriptures. This time around, it was particularly John 3:16-17 which says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
However in the song, this bible verse is being told in a simple way that an ordinary musical ear can easily understand or relate to issues happening today in our daily lives.
In terms of our musical journey, we believe it reflects on the group’s growth because technically, in terms of the harmonic structure, it is something we have never done before. It’s a strange arrangement with some simplicity to allow even the children to sing along. Therefore, this song is marking a slight departure from the sound we have been associated with for some time.
This time around, we also tried our best to have a blend of Malawian/Afro and Western touches in one song. The latter can specifically be noted in our lead vocals, mainly in the choruses.
However, it has been done in a way that anyone playing the song globally will surely point to Africa, and Malawi in particular, as its origin.
Additionally, we have also incorporated some elements and tastes of both old and new generations or indeed the conservatives and the radical music minds. All that is aimed at accommodating the tastes of both young and old in this one piece.
Twink: Your group, Joyful Souls, has been around for some time. How do you maintain your relevance in the ever-changing music industry, especially in the gospel genre?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: We always try to put all our eyes on the ground to ensure we notice any remarkable developments unfolding both on the local and international music scenes. With God’s guidance, this has enabled us to maintain this relevance; perhaps, to a certain extent, whenever we are producing new songs. Even when we are performing the old songs, we always try to make some changes to ensure they still appeal to the current music tastes.
Twink: How do you balance your faith with the commercial aspects of music, considering that gospel music is often expected to be non-profit driven?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: In whatever we do; commercial aspects of music, inclusive, we always ask for God’s guidance. With such guidance, if the commercial interests are in collision with our faith, we drop them. We have done that for times without number, which Ofcourse, is not easy though. We therefore thank God for being with us in decisions we have been making over the years.
Twink: What sets Joyful Souls apart from other gospel groups in Malawi, and how do you envision your music impacting the local and international music scenes?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: On what really sets Joyful Souls apart from other gospel groups in Malawi is something we have never thought of, because we believe that gospel music is primarily to there for purposes of ministering God’s work or word to the masses and bringing hope to the hopeless, among others, and not necessarily for setting the group apart from others. We are all doing God’s work. We therefore expect that our music will continue to spiritually change people and bring hope to the hopeless.
*Twink:* “Anandifera” has received mixed reviews. Some critics argue that the song’s production quality is not up to par with international standards. How do you respond to these criticisms?
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri: Well!! It is normal for people to look at things differently. Nothing wrong with that. Just to say this is one song on which we have spent more time and resources than ever before, just to ensure that its production quality is of international standards.
You can imagine its recording and production being done by OBK and Arthur Chidothe, who are two of the finest producers locally.
Later the song had to be mixed and mastered by one of the finest producers in the US Marcello Penell, who has produced a number or widely celebrated artists, including Brian MacKnight, Steve Wonder, Cece Winans, George Benson, Al Jarreau and Take 6.
With that, what else would you want. So if the production is not of international standards, in the view of some people ……well!!! We are in a free world where everyone sees things in their own different way. There is absolutely nothing wrong, whatsoever, with that.
Lloyd Kaisi Phiri
*Twink:* Looking ahead, what are Joyful Souls’ plans for future projects, and can we expect collaborations with international artists?
*Lloyd Kaisi Phiri:* As we speak, we are in the studio, cooking more songs for our fans. So they shld expect more singles to come before the end of this year, and at the start of next year. Most of these songs will be big surprises to our fans for they are collaborations with artists they might not have expected ever before. All these, is happening as we prepare for our 30th Anniversary Concert, to be organized next year
*Twink:* Lastly, what message do you hope listeners take away from “Anandifera,” and how do you see this single contributing to the group’s legacy?
*Lloyd Kaisi Phiri:* It is simply a message of Hope to everyone, that after erring, God gave us a second chance, by allowing Jesus, his only begotten son, to die for us. Today, as ever before, He is ready to make us new, for His grace is sufficient.
So the message contained in this single is an emphasis and reminder of the message we, as a group/ministry, have been preaching to the masses through music.
