Dalitso Kabambe, one of the presidential aspirant for the UTM party, has called on delegates to vote for visionary leaders at the upcoming elective conference.
Speaking to Bua Central Region delegates in Kasungu District, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory in the 2025 general elections.
“I’m very optimistic that if I am voted into the UTM presidential seat and win next year’s polls, my experience will help address the challenges Malawians face today,” Kabambe stated.
UTM Bua Central Region Governor Gerald Mbewe hailed Kabambe’s remarks, underscoring the need for intelligent leadership to ensure the party’s success.
The UTM party’s 2024 elective conference is scheduled for November 17.
Other news
- One Acre Fund Highlights the Importance of Tree Nurseries for Sustainable Agriculture in Ntcheuby By Suleman Chitera
By Suleman Chitera
Ntcheu, Malawi – One Acre Fund, a non-profit organization committed to improving agricultural sustainability, recently emphasized the importance of tree nurseries in promoting resilience and enhancing soil health in local communities. During a visit to tree nurseries in Kadzakalowa and Kam’bebe, both in Traditional Authority Kwataine, the organization underscored its commitment to empowering farmers with knowledge and resources to restore and protect their land.
Donald Chunga, One Acre Fund’s Agriculture Relations Assistant, shared that the organization manages 168 tree nurseries across six Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Ntcheu District, nurturing over 2 million tree seedlings. In addition to managing these nurseries, One Acre Fund offers farmers training on how to care for the nurseries and distributes seedlings free of charge.
Chunga explained that these initiatives align with the Malawian government’s Climate Smart Program, which advocates for reforestation and soil conservation practices to combat erosion. “Our efforts are aimed at helping farmers restore land by planting trees and building terraces,” he noted. By promoting these practices, the organization hopes to mitigate climate challenges that have impacted agricultural productivity in the region.
Community member Francis Milison praised the project, acknowledging its positive impact on climate resilience and soil health. “These tree nurseries are vital for building our resilience against climate change and ensuring that our soil remains productive,” Milison said.
In addition to tree nursery management, One Acre Fund is implementing its “Impact Venture Program” in areas under Senior Chief Njolomole, Ganya, Masasa, Kwataine, Mwakwangwala, and Champiti. Supported by USAID, this program focuses on planting diverse tree species, including Acacia, M’thethe, Nsangu, and Mtangatanga, to provide a variety of environmental benefits tailored to local conditions.
With these initiatives, One Acre Fund continues to work toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for Malawian farmers, empowering communities to safeguard their land and improve their livelihoods.
- MHRRC Urges Ntchisi Community Journalists to Promote Citizen Participation and Good Governanceby By Suleman Chitera
By Suleman Chitera
Ntchisi, Malawi – The Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) has called on community journalists in Ntchisi District to use their platform to encourage active citizen participation and foster good governance in their communities. MHRRC Capacity Development Associate Noel Msiska made this appeal during a recent training session aimed at empowering community journalists to cover stories that highlight local governance issues and promote engagement from citizens.
Msiska emphasized that community journalists play a crucial role in holding local authorities accountable and creating a demand for improved service delivery. “Community journalists are instrumental in addressing pressing issues within their communities. Through their stories, they can raise awareness and push for change where it’s needed most,” he noted.
One of the participants, Laston Kapatamoyo, expressed his appreciation for the training, acknowledging its potential impact on their work. “This training will equip us to better promote community involvement and bring attention to issues affecting Ntchisi,” Kapatamoyo said.
The training is part of MHRRC’s ongoing project titled Enhancing Citizen Participation in Local Governance and Development Processes, which targets Dowa, Nsanje, and Ntchisi districts. Funded by Norwegian Church Aid and Dan Church Aid (NCADCA), the project aims to strengthen the capacity of local journalists to foster transparency and accountability in local governance, ultimately empowering citizens to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities.
- 65-Year-Old Tingo Kapolo Grateful for Maize Relief Under DoDMA’s Lean Season Response Programby By Suleman Chitera
By Suleman Chitera
Machinga, Malawi – Tingo Kapolo, a 65-year-old man from Malunda Village in Traditional Authority Mgulumya, could not hide his joy upon receiving maize relief under the 2023-2024 Lean Season Response Program spearheaded by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). Kapolo, who faces physical challenges, expressed immense gratitude for the timely assistance as his family had been struggling to survive due to severe food shortages in Machinga District.
With financial hardships preventing him from purchasing maize, Kapolo explained that his family had resorted to relying on mangoes for sustenance. “My family and I were surviving on mangoes daily due to financial difficulties. A 5-liter bucket of maize costs MK4,500, which is unaffordable for me,” he said. For Kapolo, the food donation represents a much-needed lifeline in a period of uncertainty and hunger.
Another beneficiary, Fanny Frank from Mpango Village in Traditional Authority Nkula, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the impact of the DoDMA relief on families and school-going children who had dropped out of school due to food scarcity. “This support has truly brought hope to our community, especially for children who need consistent meals to focus on their education,” she noted.
The Lean Season Response Program, overseen by Machinga’s District Disaster Risk Management Officer Shepherd Jere, aims to assist 80,368 households severely affected by hunger in the district. The program is set to run for five months, with the World Food Programme (WFP) providing support for the first two months.
Machinga District has experienced significant hardship due to drought, leaving residents dependent on green mangoes, wild tubers, and buffalo beans—locally known as chitedze—to stave off hunger. The relief effort provides a measure of security for residents like Kapolo and Frank, ensuring access to basic food as they navigate one of the toughest lean seasons in recent years.
- Dalitso Kabambe Calls on UTM Delegates to Elect Visionary Leaders at Upcoming Elective Conferenceby By Suleman Chitera
By Suleman Chitera
Kasungu, Malawi – Dalitso Kabambe, one of the presidential aspirants for the United Transformation Movement (UTM), has urged party delegates to choose leaders with a clear vision at the party’s upcoming elective conference. Speaking to delegates from Bua Central Region in Kasungu District, Kabambe expressed his confidence in leading the UTM to victory in the 2025 general elections.
Kabambe, who has previously held prominent roles within Malawi’s banking sector and government, conveyed his optimism regarding his potential to bring positive change to Malawians. “I’m very optimistic that if I am voted into the UTM presidential seat and win next year’s polls, my experience will help address the challenges Malawians face today,” Kabambe stated.
His remarks received strong support from the UTM’s Bua Central Region Governor, Gerald Mbewe, who emphasized the importance of wise leadership to guide the party through the complex socio-political landscape and into a position of power. “The UTM needs intelligent, future-focused leaders who will put Malawians’ interests at the forefront,” Mbewe commented.
The UTM party’s 2024 elective conference, set to take place on November 17, is expected to be a pivotal event, as it will shape the party’s leadership for the next election cycle. As competition among aspirants grows, Kabambe’s commitment to addressing Malawi’s challenges could resonate with delegates eager for a fresh direction.
- TIKUMA Programme to Improve Education For Vulnerable Children’sby By Suleman Chitera
Principal Secretary responsible for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, says the newly launched TiKuMA Programme will contribute towards the advancement of children’s rights, particularly their right to education.
Dr. Phiri made the remarks on Thursday during the programme’s launch at Mduwa Primary School under Traditional Authority Mduwa, in Mchinji District.
Funded by the government of Norway through its development arm, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), to the tune of K18 Billion, TiKuMA will be implemented in three Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Mchinji and six TAs in Balaka.
The goal of the programme is to ensure that all children enjoy their right to education and are protected through strong community and government systems by 2028. Save the Children is a key programme implementer and will collaborate with local Non-Governmental Organisations in the implementation.
The Principal Secretary expressed optimism for achieving the desired results, owing to the achievements registered through other programmes where the Malawian government partnered with Save the Children with Norway providing financial support.
“Today, I stand here on behalf of the Ministry of Education, reflecting on the valuable work we have achieved together with Save the Children and with the generous support of the Government of Norway and Norad.
“Our partnership with Save the Children has demonstrated remarkable results over the years. For instance, the Malawi Inclusive Education Programme was implemented in Mangochi, Lilongwe Urban, and Mzimba South with funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This initiative has improved access to education for children, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds,” he said.
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