Winning HIV, Aids fight with former sex workers

A group of former sex workers in Mangochi are eager to be counted for making a difference in HIV and Aids. Research shows that, with a 21 percent HIV prevalence rate, the district is one of the hardest hit areas in the country. The country’s prevalence rate currently stands at 12 percent.

Detained in the line of duty

When journalists went marching on May 3, World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), they were a poster short of last year’s haul—one calling on government to "open advertising in all print media". Its absence was a testimony to the commendable step Malawi President Joyce Banda took by scraping off the ban his predecessor, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, imposed on some media institutions. Also abolished with the flags of Mutharika’ draconian rule is value added tax (VAT) which government imposed on newsprints as well as a law giving the Minister of Information powers to ban any publication deemed offensive and undesirable by government.

Slow connection, please wait…

Last year, the US-based World Internet Stats released figures of Internet users which left many feeling wow!

Behind artificial fertilisers

Through the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp), government is promoting use of artificial fertilisers in crop production. ALBERT SHARRA explores the challenges such fertilisers pose to the nation.

Which way with cotton pricing?

Fredson Chalira of Kasokeza Village, T/A Makhwira, Chikhwawa was a happy cotton farmer in 2011.

Labour gaps: System error?

March 31 2013 was meant to end a long wait for better pay, but April 1 turned out to be the fools day that it was for Hamilton Viyaje and his colleagues—they did not get their pay.

ICT: Good or bad for road safety?

To most of travellers on Malawi’s roads, gone are the days they could throw their hands in the air and look up to the sky in search of an answer in times of accidents, breakdowns and other unforeseen setbacks. Nowadays, common sights of such scenes are never short of people tapping their phones, sending the message to their beloved family friends or asking for a way out.

Power for economic rise

Mining can be offered all the political will it requires—but unless electricity supply improves, it won’t be worth much. JAMES CHAVULA tracks the power blights in commemoration of the International Energy Day today (Friday).

Putting subsidy future in mobile phone

The United States Agency for International Development (USaid) Malawi office is working on enhancing the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) by using mobile phone technology.

Is a cash-free Malawi viable?

Along Chipembere Highway in Blantyre, there are bus stops that invite passersby to stop relying on coins and banknotes.

"Let’s make Malawi cash-free," proclaim the establishments branded by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) to market its mobile banking technologies—the internet-based Banknet, phone-aided MO626Ice and card-and-swipe visa point of sale (POS).