National News

Chief tips Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries

Sub-Traditional Authority Chikwa of Kasungu has advised Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries to invest their money in income generating activities.

He said this on Tuesday during a media tour of the area to appreciate the initiative’s impact.

Chikwa said beneficiaries need to venture in livestock farming, grow crops and join savings and loans groups to save their money.

Ndawala admires pigs in a kraal

“If beneficiaries misuse their opportunity, they should know that there are other deserving people who need to be taken on board,” he said.

During the tour, it transpired that some beneficiaries had accumulated assets such as livestock while others constructed houses.

In random interviews, they said the programme helped them to cope with the rising cost of living in the country.

Maximo Ndawala of Bwanali Village said money from the programme  enabled them to buy basic necessities and support children in school amid economic challenges.

“However, I have joined a village savings and loans group to save money following advice from traditional leaders,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Milika Matewere, who stays with her grandmother, said she has ventured into farming.

“Traditional leaders tell us that the initiate will phase out, therefore, we need to invest the money to graduate from poverty. I grow vegetables which I sell to earn money,” she said.

Kasungu district social welfare officer Raphael Chitete said the programme has transformed people’s lives in the district.

“Most households are able to buy food and support children in school while some have accumulated assets,” he said.

The programme supports the ultra-poor and labour-constrained households with cash transfers, ranging from K4 000 to K8 000, depending on the number of people in a household.

Families with primary and secondary school learners get K1 000 and K2 000 as bonus.

The programme is targeting 17 176 households in the district.

Related Articles

Back to top button