The Government in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Union (AU), has embarked on the Country Structural Vulnerability Assessment (CSVA) process aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to withstand and recover from crises.
The process involves engaging with various stakeholders at the regional and national levels to understand the problems, challenges, strengths, and potential solutions.
The exercise is expected to conclude on December 17, with a comprehensive report outlining a mitigation strategy for long-term solutions.
Speaking in an interview with 247Malawi News, Head of Governance, Peace and Security for COMESA,Dr. Oita Etyang revealed that the exercise is a follow-up to the government’s request to undergo self-examination on challenges and strengths related to governance, climate change, gender, security, education, and development.
On his part,District Commissioner(DC) for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko, emphasized the importance of the consultative meeting in addressing critical challenges and understanding the risks and strengths that shape Malawi’s resilience.
Malawi has become the second country to undergo CSVA in the COMESA region, with similar meetings being conducted in the other two regions of the country.
Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda,on December 9,2024 launched the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy(NMEP), aimed at providing a framework for measuring the impact and effectiveness of government actions.
Speaking at the launch in Lilongwe, Chithyola emphasized the importance of evidence-based decision-making, stating that most government actions will now be based on research and data-driven evidence.
“We need to ensure that our planning is informed by evidence, and that we’re addressing the real needs of our citizens,” he explained.
Simplex Chithyola
The minister said NMEP provides a framework for tracking the progress and impact of government initiatives, enabling data-driven decision-making and transparency.
He noted that this marks a significant step towards transparency and accountability in government services.
UNDP Country Representative,Fenela Frost commended the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Every country has a responsibility to clearly communicate how public funds are being used to benefit citizens.
“This policy will enable the government to track progress towards Vision 2063 and identify areas for improvement,” she said.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Wing at the University of Malawi (UNIMA) has joined the party and the nation in congratulating Hon. Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba on his recent appointment as the Minister of Labour.
In a statement released by the UNIMA MCP Wing, members expressed their pride and support for Hon. Mumba, acknowledging him as a visionary leader and a role model for young Malawians, especially in pursuing careers in engineering and public service.
Hon. Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba, a distinguished engineer and dedicated public servant, assumes the Labour portfolio at a critical time. His appointment has been widely lauded as a step toward addressing challenges such as unemployment, workers’ rights, and job creation.
Mumba
The UNIMA MCP Wing noted Hon. Mumba’s impressive track record, stating: “We are confident that his expertise and leadership will bring meaningful reforms and innovations to the Ministry of Labour. His commitment to service aligns with the MCP’s vision of creating opportunities and improving livelihoods for all Malawians.”
As a leader with a background in engineering, Hon. Mumba’s appointment has been seen as an inspiration for young people, particularly students and professionals in technical fields. His rise to prominence demonstrates the possibilities for Malawians who are dedicated to excellence and service.
The UNIMA MCP Wing emphasized this in their congratulatory message: “Hon. Eng. Mumba embodies the values of hard work, determination, and service. He serves as a shining example for students at UNIMA and beyond, showing that the sky is the limit for those who work tirelessly to achieve their goals.”
The MCP has also celebrated Hon. Mumba’s appointment, with members expressing confidence in his ability to lead the Ministry of Labour with distinction. Across social media, messages of congratulations have poured in from various quarters, highlighting the widespread admiration for her achievements and potential.
As Hon. Mumba begins her tenure, expectations are high that he will bring a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to the labour sector. From tackling unemployment to improving conditions for workers, his leadership is anticipated to make a significant impact.
The UNIMA MCP Wing concluded its message by reiterating its support for Hon. Mumba: “We are proud to stand with Hon. Eng. Vera Mumba as he takes on this new challenge. Congratulations once again, and may you lead with wisdom and strength for the betterment of our nation.”
As Malawi continues to navigate economic and social challenges, the appointment of leaders like Hon. Mumba signals hope for progress and development.
World Vision Malawi has amplified the voices of the children on child hunger and malnutrition through nutrition dialogue workshops in some primary schools in Dowa. This is aimed at finding lasting solutions to help deal with hunger and malnutrition among children in the district.
Speaking on Tuesday during a nutrition dialogue workshop at Kasangu primary school in Kasangadzi area programme-Dowa, the organisation’s Advocacy Campaigns and Safeguarding Manager, Lizzie Lombe said nutrition dialogues help allow children to speak out about issues that affect them such as child hunger and malnutrition and suggest solutions within their understanding.
“We expect that with these dialogues, we will not only amplify the voices of the children so that they can be heard, but also contribute towards increased investment in school feeding programme as well as other necessary actions at policy level,” said Lombe.
She said they had also decided to involve different stakeholders like parents, faith leaders and chiefs to take part because they have crucial role to play in helping fight hunger.
“While we acknowledge that it is an issue that has been there for sometime, we are mindful that as we inculcate these discussions, we will stir urgent attention from these stakeholders,” she said.
Mayeso, a standard 8 learner at Kasangu Primary school said the nutrition dialogue have helped equip them with information to help fight hunger and malnutrition.
“We will relay the same message in our school clubs that we have so that we fight hunger and malnutrition together,” he said.
He said the initiative will help reduce absenteeism among fellow learners and also help fight the tendency of engaging in promiscuous behaviour among some girls to get food.
The school’s headteacher, Catherine Kapapa said the dialogues will help promote nutrition among learners and pupils and leads to improved learners’ performance.
“When learners attend classes on an empty stomach, most of them sleep during classes and they do not pay attention thereby leading to poor performance and subsequent dwindling standards of education in most primary schools,” she said.
She said with the initiative, parents will be able to have small vegetables and fruit gardens in their homes and also children will be able to hunt for some locally available foods that were often being overlooked to boost nutrition ,” she said.
Nutrition dialogues are part of the organisation’s Enough campaign launched in August this year to help end hunger and malnutrition among children.
The Bingu National Stadium in Malawi will host a thrilling friendly match between Flames Legends and Chipolopolo Legends on December 28th, marking a return fixture following Zambia’s visit last year. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, bringing together some of the greatest footballers from both countries.
According to Jim Kalua, founder and board chairperson of the Football Legends Association, the Chipolopolo Legends have accepted the invitation extended by the Football Association of Zambia. Kalua appealed to all football enthusiasts to support the fixture, emphasizing the importance of patronizing the match and celebrating the legends of the beautiful game.
The Zambian delegation includes experienced players such as Felix Katongo, Clifford Mlenga, and Ignicious Lwipa. Malawi’s Flames Legends will be represented by a star-studded lineup featuring Russell Mwafulirwa, Moses Chavula, Fischer Kondowe, Jimmy Zakazaka, Joseph Kamwendo, and Peter Mponda, among others.
This friendly match serves as a testament to the growing camaraderie between Malawi and Zambia’s football communities. The encounter provides an opportunity for fans to relive the glory days of their favorite players, who have contributed significantly to the success of their respective countries.
The match is also expected to attract a large crowd, with fans from both sides eagerly anticipating the chance to see their heroes in action. The Bingu National Stadium, with its state-of-the-art facilities, promises to provide an ideal setting for this festive football encounter.
Football Legends Association’s efforts to promote friendly matches between regional teams have been instrumental in fostering unity and cooperation among African nations. By organizing such events, the association aims to celebrate the rich football heritage of the continent, while also providing a platform for legendary players to give back to the game that has given them so much.
Kalua expressed his excitement about the upcoming match, stating, “We are thrilled to host the Chipolopolo Legends and look forward to a thrilling encounter. This match is not only about football; it’s about celebrating the legends who have made significant contributions to the game. We urge all football lovers to come out in numbers and support their legends.”
The match is set to be a memorable experience for fans, with the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite players, as well as participate in various activities and competitions organized by the Football Legends Association.
In conclusion, the Flames Legends vs Chipolopolo Legends friendly match promises to be an unforgettable event, bringing together football enthusiasts from both Malawi and Zambia. With a talented lineup of players from both sides, the match is sure to be an entertaining and nostalgic experience for all involved. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the legends of African football!
