Author: Alinafe Comms

The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe today celebrated 180 years of its existence worldwide, as well as 25 years of sisterhood for Sister Jenipher Machemba.

 

The celebration also included the first profession of vows for Sister Triza Kumbanda, Sister Rosaline Kanjeli, and Sister Prisca Letiyas at St. Joseph (Ludzi) Parish in Mchinji district.

 

The ceremony was led by the Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata Diocese of Zambia, Bishop Gabriel Msipu, who commended the sisters for their dedicated service in the Archdiocese.

Bishop Msipu emphasized the importance of recognizing the sisters’ contributions in various sectors of life, especially in Malawi, as the congregation marks 180 years of service.

 

“We should appreciate the sisters for their valuable work, such as in hospitals, schools, and other initiatives that greatly impact people’s lives,” he said.

 

His Lordship also encouraged the newly professed sisters to remain committed and contribute positively to the congregation’s mission.

In her remarks, Regional Animator of the congregation in Malawi, Sister Adelaida Jere, reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their work based on the congregation’s charism, which is Love and Compassion.

 

Sister Jere urged the sisters to stay dedicated to their chosen path in serving the Catholic Church.

 

“Let us remain focused on our mission and adhere to the congregation’s charism so we can serve the church effectively,” said Sister Jere.

During the ceremony, Sister Rosaline Kanjeli Wanga has been assigned to support development projects at St. Louis Convent, Sister Triza Kumbanda has been assigned to assist in hospital services at Holy Family Convent, while Sister Prisca Letiyas has been assigned to help with parish activities at Guilleme Parish.

 

The Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Ottawa was founded in 1845 and arrived in Malawi in 1946, establishing themselves in Guilleme Parish, Mchinji.

 

Currently, the congregation has 58 sisters serving in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, particularly in the Mchinji deanery.

By Titus Jata Phiri

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala has emphasized the importance of prayer for the nation as Malawi prepares for elections this coming September.

His Grace made the plea today, 15th April 2025 at Maula Cathedral after Chrism Mass.

Archbishop Tambala highlighted the need for spiritual intervention to foster good leadership, combat corruption, address social development challenges, and ensure peaceful elections in September.

“The house we are trying to build here is Malawi, in terms of economic and social development issues, as well as leadership issues. We pray that God will give us a good leader and that come September, we will have peaceful elections,” His Grace explained.

In his remarks, Chairperson of the laity council of the Archdiocese, Mr. Patrick Liphava, stressed the responsibility of the laity to coordinate efforts among Christians, including those in Small Christian Communities, to ensure they pray with the intention of achieving peace as the elections approach.

“As the Laity, we need to coordinate all Christians from family to Small Christian Community up to parish level to make sure that we have a focused intention to pray for peace in this country,” said Liphava.

Malawi will hold the Tripartite Elections on 16 September this year, to elect new office bearers in the office of the President, Members of Parliament as well as Ward Councilors.

By Monica Chinyama

Minister of Mining Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has revealed that his ministry is actively working towards finalizing the Mining Development Agreement (MDA) with the Australian mining company Lindian Resources Limited, aiming to commence mining operations at Kangankunde in Balaka district.

Speaking in Lilongwe after a meeting with Lindian representatives, Ng’oma stated that expediting the signing of the MDA would allow the investor to begin work before September this year.

“We are committed to hastening the signing of the MDA so that mining activities can kick off by September.

This initiative will enable the country to reap benefits from the mining sector, including job creation for local communities in Balaka district.” said the Minister.

On his part, Lindian’s country manager, Trevor Hiwa, said that the company has made significant progress in constructing the access road.

Hiwa expressed confidence that discussions with the Malawi government regarding the MDA would advance, as it is crucial for the company’s operations to commence.

The rare earth deposit at Kangankunde is valued at approximately US$ 1 billion for its initial mining phase and has the potential to establish itself as a leading producer of rare earth elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lotus Resources Limited, an Australian mining company, has announced plans to resume operations at the Kayerekera uranium mine in Karonga district in June. The mine has been closed since 2014 due to consistently low uranium prices.

 

This was disclosed on Wednesday during a meeting which Lotus Resources Limited officials held with the Minister of Mining Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma at the ministry’s offices in Lilongwe.

 

Lotus Resources Limited Managing Director Greg Bittar, said the company is on the right track to resume mining operations and processes within the third quarter of the year.

 

Bittar further said the company has already employed over 300 local workers at the site.

 

“Operations will resume in June 2025 with production of the first product expected one or two months after the resumption of production,” he said.

 

Bittar added that the company signed the Community Development Agreement (CDA) in January, 2025 for the company to provide a broad support to the local communities.

 

Bittar highlighted that the company is working on environmental assessment issues as currently a draft on the same has been submitted to Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA).

 

In his remarks, Mining minister Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma underscored the importance of community participation in the Mining activities, which is essential for the country to achieve its flagship ATM (Affordable Technology and Mining) strategy.

 

He expressed the government’s commitment to collaborating with the company to facilitate mining activities.

 

Meanwhile,the Minister expressed optimism that the economy will improve, considering that the closure of the Kayerekera uranium mine had a detrimental impact on the country’s financial health.

 

Lotus Resources Limited owns 85% of the Kayerekera Uranium project in Malawi.

The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has launched the Global Money Week which seeks to raise financial literacy among young and to help them gradually acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to make wise financial decisions and eventually attain financial resilience and well-being.

 

Speaking during the launch on Monday at Bangwe Secondary School in Blantyre, RBM’s Chief Examiner – Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy Madalitso Chamba urged the young people in the country to embrace the culture of saving money saying it is critical for their future.

 

“We may say children have no money, but these children, they manage money. They have pocket money, and how they are spending that pocket money matters,” she stated.

 

She added that, “What is important for them are the resources. If somebody has 10,000, out of that 10,000 is a child able to serve. And whatever amount the child is serving, what are they doing with the savings? So those are the resources that we are teaching, that we are incorporating, so that when these students graduate from school, they are able to use those resources in their lives.”

 

A form-four student at Bangwe Secondary School, McCollin Petro discusses what he believes to be a crucial component of saving money.

 

“These messages are very good, in my opinion. I have been motivated because I believe that I have used money excessively in the past. However, I am determined to use money properly moving forward, especially since we will be going to the world after the exam” he explained.

 

According to the central bank, a number of activities have been lined up targeting students across the country to sensitize them on financial literacy.

 

This is the 13th edition of Global Money Week which is taking place from March 17-23, 2025. It began in 2012 and has now expanded to 176 countries, reaching over 60 million children and youth.

 

The week is being commemorated under the theme, “Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow”.