The Malawi Network of Older Persons’ Organisations (MANEPO) says older persons need to be reached with health services in the closest places possible if the country wants to achieve a better quality of life for them.
This has been singled out as the organization implements the BMZ Project, which aims to provide age-appropriate and integrated health services to older men and women in Zomba, Balaka, and Machinga districts, especially those afflicted with HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
BMZ project manager Maria Masiye says they have already trained healthcare workers, health surveillance assistants, and community volunteers to enhance health monitoring, including blood pressure checks in older people.
She says that through the promotion of inclusive healthcare policies, the establishment of community-based support networks, and attention to their unique health requirements, the project is improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare for older persons as one way of helping them live happily.
Masiye further states that this is one way of addressing challenges such as travel distance for those in need, citing long distances to health facilities in most areas.
The project which started in 2023 receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Help Age German.
Malawian minerals continue to attract investors, as Chilwa Minerals Limited, an Australian exploration minerals company has expressed its interest in rolling out its mineral exploration project in the country.
This has come out during a meeting which the founder and Managing Director for the company Cadell Buss hailed in Mzuzu with the Minister of mining Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma.
According to Buss, the company is centered around Chilwa Basin.
Buss also revealed that his company has a laboratory where some tests of the minerals will be happening.
He said: ” the discussions with the government of Malawi, through the ministry of mining are at an advanced stage, adding that there are prospects that the exploration of the minerals can start by August this year”.
On his part, Mining minister Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma expressed optimism that the country will benefit a lot with the coming of Chilwa Mineral Limited.
“Chilwa Mineral Limited has an established mineral lab in Zalewa which will help to reduce cost as for a long time the country has been doing its mineral test and analysis outside the country,” He said.
Chilwa Minerals Limited is advancing the Chilwa project in the southern Malawi , focusing on heavy minerals sand and rare earth elements and it is covering over 800 square kilometers.
Lilongwe City Mayor Esther Sagawa has emerged as the winner of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections for the Chipala-Nafisi Constituency.
Sagawa defeated the national director of political affairs in MCP Maxwell Thyolera, Gersom Stephano Banda and Nolia Kachali.
Esther Sagawa Right, Gersom Stephano Banda middle and Nolia Kachali left, before elections
Sagawa secured 519 votes, Maxwell Thyolera came second with 297 followed by Nolia Kachali who got 63 votes while Gersom Stephano Banda got 27 votes.
Delegates casting votes
Full of joy after being declared the winner at Civo Stadium on Tuesday 04 March 2025, Sagawa refused to speak to our reporter Jonathan Mzumazi while rushing to her supporters.
Sagawa Supporters celebrating
“I cannot manage to talk as of now,” she said.
Reacting to the outcome, MCP national director of political affairs Maxwell Thyolera accepted the defeat and congratulated Sagawa for her victory.
“Yes, it was a good fight, and I wish her well,” he said. “As a strong member of the MCP, I will continue to support the party, the delegate has decided,” he added.
Elections in progress
During the poll, Elifala Kasumbu has been elected to represent MCP as wars councillor for Mgona Ward while Partrick Makumba will represent Saint Chimoka Ward.
The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has called upon well-wishers and Catholic faithful to contribute towards the upcoming first National Eucharistic Congress, scheduled for August 2025.
Bishop President for Evangelization and Catechists (Pastoral Commission) at the MCCB, Right Reverend Alfred Chaima, made the appeal during a press conference at the Catholic Secretariat in Lilongwe on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Bishop Chaima emphasized the scale of the event, stating that, “it’s going to be a very big gathering and therefore we also need resources for the same. And for that reason, we are estimating that our budget may be about 112 million Malawi Kwacha.”
To finance the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress, His Lordship Chaima added that the Catholic Church in Malawi is implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes the sale of commemorative merchandise like cloths, mugs, and dishes, the collection of special offerings within Catholic parishes and dioceses, and direct appeals for donations from individuals, families, and corporate entities, all aimed at reaching the required budget.
Bishop Chaima also extended an appeal to individuals and corporations. “But besides that, too, we will continue to make appeals for people of goodwill who can make personal donations or family donations, or maybe even people in the corporate world who can come up with any amount and say, we want to assist in this noble cause. We will gladly receive those donations.”
Right Reverend Alfred Chaima calls for support during the press briefing
Bishop Chaima emphasized the profound significance and rarity of the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress, stating, “This, indeed, is a very rare moment in the Catholic Church.”
His Lordship explained that the congress serves as a dedicated period for in-depth study, worship of the Eucharist, and catechesis, aimed at strengthening the faith of attendees.
Drawing from Romans 5:5, he highlighted the congress’s focus on encountering the living Christ in the Eucharist, reinforcing hope and sustaining faith, especially for those facing daily challenges.
In his remarks, National Pastoral Coordinator, Father Joseph Sikwese, confirmed that preparations are progressing smoothly.
Father Sikwese stated that the church is distributing educational materials to prepare members for the Congress, anticipating a large attendance and hoping for spiritual healing during the five-day event.
“There will be some lessons, catechetical lessons that we’ve got to prepare the people for the Christ Congress. So, the resources have been prepared by the National Theological Commission and will be sent to all parishes now.”
Father Joseph Sikwese faces the press and outlines preparations: Materials distributed to parishes
The Congress will focus on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, with catechetical lessons and worship.
A Catholic priest, Father Francis Damaseke, has urged choir members to always remember their crucial role in leading the congregation to actively participate during the Eucharist celebrations.
In a day-long retreat organized by St Patrick’s Parish (area 18) Choir Council, Fr. Damaseke highlighted the power of music in worship and the responsibility which choir members bear in bringing divinity to the people.
During his presentation, Fr. Damaseke emphasized that singing, when performed with respect and skill, can elevate the spiritual experience of the congregation, at the same time warning that poorly sung hymns can have the opposite effect such as dehumanizing the congregation.
He further encouraged choir members to incorporate local tunes into their performance while maintaining the church’s Gregorian chanting tradition.
He among others reminded them of their role as agents of love, to always work as a team while ensuring proper coordination between the choirs and the parish priest.
St Patrick’s Choir Members attending the retreat
Acknowledging the challenges that choir members face in their calling, Fr. Damaseke emphasized the need for perseverance and reflection on their spiritual lives.
He called on them to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper faith.
Some of the keyboardists during the ceremony
Speaking after the retreat, Chrissy Makhambera, Chairperson of the Parish Choir Council, shared that the event was one of several initiatives planned this year to foster spiritual growth and unity among choir members as they prepare for the upcoming Lenten season.
Some of the Choir Members during the retreat
The retreat, which was followed by a self-reflection Mass, united all six choirs of St. Patrick’s Parish, offering choir members a chance to renew their spiritual journey and deepen their dedication to their calling through choral music.
