Mchenga Online

FREE EDUCATION BUILT ON SHAKY GROUND BY ADRIAN SIMANGO (OPINION STORY) Malawi is making a big change by offering free education to community day school students. This sounds like a good idea to help everyone get an education.  However, there is a problem that many children in Malawi are not learning much in school right now. According to budget 24/25 brief written by UNICEF Malawi   found that Only 19 out of 100 children aged 7 to 14 can read well, and only 13 out of 100 can do basic math. This means that even if children go to school, they might not be learning what they need to. So, the big question is, will free education truly make things better, or will it just add more problems? Linga community students: looking surprise for the change in syllabus| curtesy UNICEF Just like with taxes, simply giving free education to everyone in the same way won't work perfectly. Malawi's schools are very different from each other. Some have more supplies, better buildings, a...

  Mzuzu City Faces Waste Management Crisis by Adrian Simango Mzuzu market vendors have raised concerns over uncollected garbage, which they say is creating a health hazard and an unsightly environment among them. One of disposal site in Mzuzu: creating bad environment | Adrian simango One of the vendors Chimwemwe Saidi said “the piles of waste that have been left unattended for an extended period of time continue to bring frustration among business operators and their customers. If this continues it might bring some health-related problems hence called upon relevant stakeholders to quickly on the matter. "she said. In response to these concerns, MacDonald Gondwe, spokesperson for the Mzuzu City Council, acknowledged the issue saying “We are aware of the problem this is happening due to a critical shortage of functional waste collection vehicles.one operational refuse collection truck serving a large population, the council is struggling to keep up with demand. We ha...

    PETER PHIRI CAPTURING  REALITIES   THROUGH STREET PHOTOGRAPHY     By ADRIAN SIMANGO Peter Phiri a photojournalist and founder of Curiosity Diaries is proving that young people can turn simple ideas of street visuals into impactful business. with passion for photography through his street photography.He is quickly becoming prominent a figure in the photography industry as  he captures honest moments, emotions, and stories from everyday people. Because of this, modern art becomes more real, relatable, and connected to society instead of being only about perfection. He has    captivated attention to his peers, celebrities and professionals alike with his unique capturing. Balancing storytelling with art in photography is a challenge but Phiri embraces it Wholeheartedly. “Balancing storytelling with art in photography is not easy, I  focus on telling the truth first, I try as much as possible to not alter any part of the sc...

  MZUZU PRISON INMATES CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY WITH GENEROUS DONATION  BY ADRIAN SIMANGO Nyika Media Club donated essential items to female inmates at Mzuzu Prison as part of celebrating this year's Mother's Day. The journalists donated     items like sugar, wrappers (Zitenje), writing materials, Sanitary Pads, Soap, Salt and Soya pieces.  This initiative not only highlights the spirit of giving but also emphasizes the resilience of these women as they strive to create better futures for themselves and their families. Reflecting on her journey one of beneficiaries Anne Sungani who is also inmate  at Mzuzu Prison shared her thoughts on Mother's Day, highlighting the lessons she has learned during her time behind bars. “As we celebrate Mother's Day, I reflect on my journey and the lessons learned during my time here. This event reminds me that I am not defined by my past mistakes but by my ability to rise above them for my children and my future...

         FAWEMA Encourages Teachers to Lead the Charge on Sexual Health Education BY Adrian Simango Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWEMA) has urged teachers in Dowa to take an active role in promoting the dissemination of accurate information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in their schools. Dowa District Innovations in Health, Rights and Development (iHEARD) Project Officer, Clement Kwaule, made the appeal on the sidelines of an engagement meeting with matrons and patrons from Chinkhwili Zone held at Ndebvu Hope Community Day Secondary School in the district. “We are prioritizing on sharing of accurate SRHR information as it is essential in bridging knowledge gaps among adolescent girls and boys.We want teachers to be vehicles of change by ensuring that SRHR information reaches as many learners as possible.”he said  Patricia Chikumbutso, a matron from Ndebvu Hope Community Day Secondary School, shared her insights on the...

 MALAWIAN BOXER WILSON PHIRI SET FOR INTERNATIONAL SHOWDOWN Malawi's national super middleweight champion, Wilson "The Bronze Boy" Phiri, is poised to take on Tanzanian boxer Richard Mtangi in an international boxing match tomorrow, October 10, 2025, at a venue in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Phiri, who holds a record of 6 wins and 1 loss from 7 bouts, is riding high on a recent victory against Simion Tchetha, which secured his national super middleweight title. He will face a stiff challenge from Mtangi, a seasoned boxer with 11 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw from 13 bouts, and currently ranked 56th worldwide in the super middleweight category. Phiri | Am ready to compete | curtesy of Phiri In a pre-match interview, Phiri expressed confidence in his preparations, thanking Kuhes Sports Complex, Swed General dealers, and AMG global for their support. "I am excited to have this opportunity and know I am meeting a tough boxer," Phiri said. "Mtangi will give me great exp...