The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CRA) has urged all players in the construction sector to strictly adhere to established laws and professional standards to ensure safe, durable and sustainable infrastructure development across councils.
CRA Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Gerald Khonje, made the remarks during an engagement meeting with contractors, construction stakeholders and council officials from Dedza and Ntcheu districts, held at Mapiri Lodge in Dedza.
Engineer Khonje said failure to follow approved procedures and the absence of proper technical supervision in development projects have resulted in weak and unsafe structures, exposing councils and the nation at large to serious risks, including loss of life.
He emphasized that CRA has the legal mandate to halt or demolish any construction works found to be flouting regulations, noting that the authority will not hesitate to take such action in order to protect the public and enforce professionalism among contractors.
Khonje
Speaking after the meeting, Dedza District Council Assistant Director of Public Works, Emma Makutu, described the engagement as timely, saying it has strengthened oversight of construction projects being implemented in various parts of the district.
On his part, Ntcheu based contractor and proprietor of Kumpenyera Civil Engineering, Ferguson Kumpenyera, said the meeting had equipped contractors with clearer guidance on regulatory expectations, which will help improve the quality of their work.
The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority replaced the former National Construction Industry Council (NCIC), which was dissolved as part of reforms aimed at strengthening regulation and accountability in the construction sector.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has announced plans to connect 235,000 households to electricity over the next five years through a new initiative known as the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transmission (ASCENT) project.
The power utility says the programme is aimed at expanding access to reliable and clean electricity, particularly in areas that are currently not connected to the national grid.
In a statement released on the project, ESCOM highlighted its recent achievements under the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP), which ended in December last year.
According to the statement, ESCOM successfully connected 191,000 households to electricity through MEAP, surpassing its initial target of 180,000 connections.
The corporation described the achievement as a significant milestone in efforts to improve electricity access and support socio economic development across the country.
ESCOM further noted that the success of MEAP has provided a strong foundation for the rollout of the ASCENT project.
The first phase of the ASCENT project is expected to commence in February this year, with implementation activities already at an advanced planning stage.
The utility indicated that the project is projected to reach its peak implementation phase in May, marking a critical period for network expansion works.
ESCOM believes the project will play a key role in supporting small businesses, improving service delivery, and enhancing the quality of life for many Malawians.
The World Bank is providing financial and technical support for the ASCENT project, underscoring international confidence in Malawi’s energy sector reforms and development agenda.
Salima Sugar Company has assured consumers that the price of its sugar remains unchanged, despite recent price adjustments by other players in the sugar industry.
The company’s statement comes at a time when households are facing rising living costs, prompting concerns over possible increases in the prices of basic commodities.
Speaking on the matter, Salima Sugar official Charles Thupi said the company has not revised its sugar prices and has no immediate plans to do so.
Thupi explained that the company’s position remains firm even after other producers, including Ilovo Sugar, raised their prices to around K4,600 per kilogram.
He said Salima Sugar understands the pressure consumers are going through and is committed to ensuring its products remain affordable.
According to Thupi, maintaining stable prices is part of the company’s broader effort to support Malawians during the current economic challenges.
He added that Salima Sugar continues to monitor market trends and production costs while prioritizing the interests of consumers.
The assurance has been welcomed by some consumers who had feared that price increases by one producer would trigger similar moves across the industry.
Economic analysts say price stability by some manufacturers can help ease inflationary pressure, especially on essential food items like sugar.
As the situation unfolds, Salima Sugar says it will keep the public informed should there be any changes, but for now, consumers can expect prices to remain the same.
In a recent visit to the Alhus Sunnah Foundation (ASF) in Lilongwe, Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah SC, JA, (Retired) was inspired by the organization’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities.
The ASF’s focus on providing quality education, scholarships, and promoting Islamic values to underprivileged Muslim students resonated deeply with Dr. Ansah’s own mission to empower vulnerable populations.
This visit marked an important milestone in Dr. Ansah’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with like-minded organizations and individuals to drive positive change in Malawi.
Through her foundation, Dr. Jane Ansah Foundation, she has been supporting a range of initiatives aimed at education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The foundation’s flagship program, “Reaching Out, Lifting Up,” is a testament to Dr. Ansah’s unwavering commitment to addressing poverty, hunger, and inequality.
By providing sustainable solutions and opportunities, the program has transformed the lives of countless Malawians, offering them a chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.
From scholarships for deserving students to healthcare initiatives in rural areas, the Dr. Jane Ansah Foundation has been a beacon of hope for many.
Dr. Ansah’s tireless work and passion for social welfare and community development have inspired a new generation of leaders and change-makers, and her foundation continues to be a driving force for positive change.
As Dr. Ansah continues to champion social welfare and community development, her foundation remains committed to empowering vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable development in Malawi.
The Dr. Jane Ansah Foundation invites you to join them in their mission to create a brighter future for all Malawians – through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts.
Education does not only happen in classrooms. It happens wherever people are supported to learn by doing, where knowledge is tested against reality, mistakes become lessons, and confidence grows through contribution. On this International Day of Education, a powerful example of this truth is taking root across South Africa, where farms are being transformed into vibrant learning spaces through the Social Employment Fund. In a country where youth unemployment persistently cripples potential, these fields are sowing something new: hope, skill, and dignity.
Through Solidaridad’s SEF project, more than 1,700 unemployed young people are engaged in work-based learning across agricultural value chains. On active farms and food gardens, participants gain hands-on experience in everything from soil preparation to enterprise development, guided by experienced farmers and technical staff. This model directly confronts a brutal reality. “Most SEF participants are unemployed youth who have been locked out of both education and work,” says Sade Balogun, Programme Manager at Solidaridad. “Learning on farms connects knowledge with purpose. They don’t just acquire technical farming skills. They learn communication, teamwork, planning, and responsibility. This learning is tied directly to real production and real outcomes, which is what makes it transformative.”
Award winning Tonic Moshobane
The transformative journey is embodied by people like Tonic Moshobane. Her path was marked by severe setbacks, including theft that left her to farm a hectare alone, on her hands and knees. The continuous support and mentorship from Solidaridad through SEF became her anchor. “I cried out to Solidaridad, and instead of being left alone, I was encouraged,” she recalls. That support led her to win a local farming competition, register her own farm, and now, as a certified farmer, she hosts 10 SEF participants on her land, planting thousands of seedlings and facilitating learning for others. “The real change came from skills transfer, mentorship, and continued support. Even after I graduated, SEF did not leave me,” Moshobane states.
For others, like Lethlogonolo Mnguni, a postgraduate in Crop Science, SEF provided the practical bridge between theory and viable enterprise. He now farms at scale on leased land, supplying major retailers. “SEF taught me to be detailed,” he explains. “The stipend was never my main motivation. I joined SEF to gain skills, mentorship, and the discipline required to succeed.” His mentor from Solidaridad, Dumisani Ngonyama, continues to provide weekend guidance, a testament to the programme’s enduring commitment.
It is this ongoing partnership that fuels systemic change. “It’s not enough to teach people how to grow crops,” says Ngonyama. “We help SEF participants work together, pool produce, and access markets. This is how social employment strengthens food systems, not just individuals.” The social value multiplies as participants contribute food to households and schools, farmers become mentors, and youth move from exclusion to active participation.
On this International Day of Education, the message from these South African fields is clear. True education can flourish anywhere there is a chance to contribute, to persevere, and to grow. It is found in the resilience of a farmer like Tonic, the precision of an entrepreneur like Lethlogonolo, and the quiet dedication of mentors standing in the soil. Sometimes, the most powerful lessons are not written on boards, but are nurtured in the earth, cultivated through work, and harvested in the form of renewed purpose and community strength.
