AGP Executive Report

Dzaleka Tragedy: Six members of a Burundian family, including four children, died when a fire destroyed their home at Dzaleka refugee camp. Police are investigating; suggestions of arson remain unconfirmed. Heritage: Blantyre Synod is inviting Malawians to mark 150 years of Blantyre Mission with heritage tours, a city march and a thanksgiving service, celebrating its legacy in education, health and national life. Music & Tourism: Zambian group Organized Family is awaiting government approval to film its Scorchers tribute song at Malawi tourism sites, blending football, music and cross-border cultural exchange. Student Support: A foundation launched by MP Vitumbiko Mumba says it has provided K94 million in assistance to students across Malawi’s six public universities.

Faith and Heritage: Blantyre Synod is inviting everyone to celebrate 150 years of Blantyre Mission, with historic-site tours, a city march and a thanksgiving service from Friday to Sunday. The mission helped shape Malawi’s education, healthcare and economic history, and its St Michael and All Angels Cathedral remains a landmark. Live Music: Sand Music Festival returns to Mangochi this weekend after a two-year break, while Kumbali Live takes place in Lilongwe. Organisers say SandFest will pair established performers with emerging artists. Creative Exchange: Music Crossroads Malawi has selected Precious Kwenje for a cultural exchange in Brazil, and Maggie Kudambo and Happy Theo Shaba for Norway, with the artists set to travel in February. Learning and Safety: As temperatures threaten to reach 42°C, the Education Ministry has urged schools to adjust schedules, provide drinking water and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours. Inclusion: Three Blantyre residents learned sign language to communicate with a deaf friend, showing how learning a few signs can help make everyday conversations more accessible.

Heatwave Precautions: With temperatures forecast to reach 42°C, Malawi’s Education Ministry has urged schools to adjust timetables, provide drinking water and suspend outdoor activities during the hottest hours. Child Welfare: World Vision has transferred more than K250 million in assets to Chiradzulu District Council to help sustain child protection, health and education services; a new three-year partnership with the Gender Ministry also targets support for women, children and people with disabilities. Arts Exchange: Music Crossroads Malawi selected Precious Kwenje, Maggie Kudambo and Happy Theo Shaba for an international programme in Brazil and Norway, offering young artists a chance to build skills and share cultures. Live Music: Sand Music Festival returns to Mangochi after a two-year break, while Kumbali Live brings another major concert to Lilongwe this weekend. Inclusion: Friends in Blantyre are learning sign language to connect with loved ones, highlighting the value of making everyday communication more accessible. Families and Disability: A report from Mangochi describes the stigma and isolation faced by children with cerebral palsy and the heavy caregiving burden on their mothers.

Music and Festivals: Sand Music Festival returns to Mangochi this weekend after a two-year break, while Kumbali Live brings another major concert to Lilongwe. SandFest says its programme will pair established acts with emerging artists and support local tourism and vendors. Malawian Music: A renewed look at guitarist Dr Daniel Kachamba’s legacy challenges today’s artists to draw on global influences while creating a sound rooted in Malawi. Recognition: Malawian humanitarian Cha Cha will be honoured at the African Achievement Awards in December for her community service at home and abroad. Heritage: Mulhako wa Alhomwe celebrations showcased Lhomwe culture, with crowds gathering in Mulanje. Inclusion: Three Blantyre residents learned sign language to communicate with a deaf friend, highlighting the value of making everyday services and conversations more accessible. Women and Children: The Gender Ministry and World Vision Malawi have partnered to expand programmes addressing gender-based violence, child marriage and children’s welfare.

GBV and Child Protection: Gender Minister Mary Navicha says the government will intensify efforts to protect women and children from abuse. A new partnership with World Vision Malawi will expand support for women’s livelihoods, school feeding, child protection and efforts to end child marriage. The Legal Aid Bureau has also partnered with the Clooney Foundation for Justice to train and mentor young female lawyers working on cases involving women and girls. Cultural Identity: A reflection on Malawi’s music scene asks what makes music distinctly Malawian, pointing to guitarist Daniel Kachamba’s blend of South African influences with local rhythms as a model for originality. Heritage and Youth: Mulhako wa Alhomwe celebrations in Mulanje showcased Lhomwe heritage, with the festival also offering young people sexual health services. Creative Sector: The Copyright Fund has allocated K300 million to help spark growth in Malawi’s creative industries. Rights and Recognition: Malawi’s renowned intersex rights activist Samantha Sammie MacJessie has died.

Creative Sector: Malawi’s Copyright Fund has distributed more than K300 million to 26 artists and organisations, supporting projects in music, film, fashion and community arts. Some recipients will also attend next year’s CANEX creative-industry gathering in Nigeria. Education: The government is moving towards diploma-level training for primary teachers, while education advocates say it must also address unemployment among qualified teachers. Faith and Community: World Mission Sunday fundraising is supporting construction of St Peter’s Nyamikuta school in Malawi, as well as food and learning materials for children. Cultural Heritage: Mulhako wa Alhomwe drew crowds to Mulanje for celebrations of Lhomwe heritage, held under a theme focused on preserving culture for future generations. Public Health: A heatwave warning remains in effect through October 23, with temperatures potentially reaching 42°C in parts of the South; officials urge people to avoid midday sun and protect children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. Culture and Education: Educationist Limbani Nsapato has been appointed executive secretary of Malawi’s UNESCO Commission, which works across education, science, culture and communication.

Creative Arts: Malawi’s Copyright Fund has awarded more than K300 million to 26 beneficiaries, including filmmakers, musicians and fashion designers, to support creative projects and industry growth. Lhomwe Heritage: Thousands gathered at the Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival in Mulanje to celebrate Lhomwe culture; the event also drew political attention, with several senior figures absent and organisers warning against partisan divisions. Education: Government plans to move primary teachers to diploma-level qualifications, while Mzuzu University’s library project cost has risen to K29 billion. Faith and Education: World Mission Sunday fundraising in Malta will help build a primary school in rural Malawi and provide pupils with food and learning materials. Public Health: Authorities have warned of temperatures reaching 42°C in parts of the South and urged people to protect children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. Rights: Malawi’s intersex community is mourning activist Samantha Sammie MacJessie, founder of the IVY Foundation and a prominent advocate for dignity and inclusion.

Faith and Public Life: Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa urged Malawians to speak out about economic hardship and public-service shortages, saying the Church will issue a pastoral letter when the time is right. Culture and Education: Educationist Limbani Eliya Nsapato has been appointed executive secretary of Malawi’s National Commission for UNESCO, which coordinates work in culture, education, science and communications. Lhomwe Heritage: Thousands gathered at Chonde in Mulanje for the Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival, featuring traditional Gugudela dance and cultural displays; young people could also access sexual health information and services. Rights: Intersex rights advocate Samantha Sammie MacJessie has died. She founded the IVY Foundation to promote understanding, inclusion and protection for intersex people; details of her death have not been announced. Extreme Heat: Authorities warn temperatures could reach 42°C in parts of the Southern Region through October 23, urging people to stay cool and take extra care of children, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.

Lhomwe Heritage: Crowds gathered in Mulanje for the Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival, where traditional dance and celebrations showcased Lhomwe identity. Youth groups also offered sexual and reproductive health information and services. Intersex Rights: Malawi’s intersex rights community is mourning activist Samantha Sammie MacJessie, founder of the IVY Foundation, who spent years advocating for dignity, healthcare and inclusion. Faith and Public Life: Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa urged Malawians to speak out about national problems, including shortages of fuel and medicines, saying citizens share a responsibility to demand answers. Child Protection: A law commission is consulting traditional leaders and activists on a standalone child marriage law, intended to close gaps that complicate enforcement.

Food and Water Safety: A study found 91% of raw milk samples tested in Lilongwe, Thyolo and Karonga were adulterated, while water shortages are disrupting daily life in Lilongwe. The findings raise fresh concerns about consumer protection and public health. Culture and Youth: Mulhako wa Alhomwe’s festival is pairing Lhomwe cultural celebrations with sexual health services and personal development talks for young people. Books and Faith: Prophet Hara thanked fellow religious leaders for backing his literary work after his Lilongwe book launch, where Shepherd Bushiri reportedly bought books for K8 million. Child Protection: A Law Commission consultation is gathering views on a standalone law to tackle child marriage and address gaps in existing legislation. Women in Sport: Activists condemned online body-shaming of Malawi’s Scorchers players, saying women should be able to compete without harassment over their appearance.

Child Protection: Malawi’s Law Commission is consulting traditional leaders and child-rights groups on a standalone child marriage law, saying clearer rules could help close gaps in enforcement. Women in Sport: Advocates have condemned online body-shaming of the Scorchers after their 7–0 win over Zimbabwe, warning that gender stereotypes should not drive women out of sport. Culture and Heritage: Chibuku Products has donated K3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, continuing its support for cultural celebrations and traditional institutions. Food Safety: A study found that 350 of 384 raw milk samples from Lilongwe, Thyolo and Karonga contained added water and chemical neutralisers, raising concerns about consumer safety. Young Malawians: Miss Teen Universe Malawi Leonorah Cooke is drawing strong online support as she prepares to compete in Cambodia.

Food Safety: A study of 384 raw milk samples from Lilongwe, Thyolo and Karonga found nine in 10 were adulterated with water or chemical neutralisers, raising concerns about nutrition and consumer health. Youth & Culture: Teen queen Leonorah Cooke is leading Miss Teen Universe’s online challenge, with thousands of Malawians rallying behind her as she heads to Cambodia for the competition. Women in Sport: Activists condemned body-shaming directed at Malawi’s women footballers, warning that policing players’ appearance reinforces harmful gender stereotypes. Education: First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s trust gave Unima student Joseph Nenani a laptop and essentials after financial distress threatened his studies. Accessibility: A deaf woman’s experience struggling to communicate with hospital staff during surgery has renewed calls for sign language access in health care and education. Cultural Heritage: Chibuku Products donated K3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, continuing its support for Malawi’s cultural celebrations and traditional institutions. Girls’ Education: Plan International Malawi welcomed K103.8 million from Fam and NBS Bank for a solar-powered boarding school initiative in Mzimba.

Student Support: First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s Beautify Malawi Trust has donated items worth K5 million, including a laptop, to University of Malawi student Joseph Nenani, who said debt had left him struggling to continue his studies. Cultural Heritage: Chibuku Products has given K3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, renewing its support for traditional celebrations and cultural ties. Girls’ Education: Plan International Malawi praised FAM and NBS Bank for a K103.8 million donation to support the Green Girls Boarding School initiative in Mzimba, including a solar-powered kitchen. Food and Farming: A new ActionAid report says agroecology can improve yields, cut costs and strengthen climate resilience, drawing on examples from Malawi and nine other African countries.

Cultural Heritage: Chibuku Products has donated MK3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, supporting the festival and its work with traditional communities; the company also backs Maseko Ngoni and Mzimba heritage events. Books and Ideas: Prophet Justice Hara launched four books in Lilongwe and urged Malawians to embrace reading. Festival Update: Likoma Island Festival has been moved to November 6–10 after chartering a vessel became too costly. Women and Girls: Funding shortages are delaying responses to child-marriage cases, with police and child-protection officers struggling to reach communities. Cost of Living: World Vision estimates it takes a Malawian about 20 days of work to afford a basic basket of food. Water Access: Some Lilongwe residents have gone up to seven days without running water, raising concerns about sanitation and disease.

Food Affordability: Malawians need about 20 days’ work to afford a basic basket of 10 foods, among the longest waits recorded in World Vision’s 62-country survey. Girls’ Rights: Funding shortages are delaying responses to child marriage cases, the Gender Minister says; 38% of girls are affected, with Kasungu reporting more than 5,000 cases this year. Public Health: Water shortages have left some Lilongwe townships without running water for up to seven days, raising fears of unsafe water and disease. Culture and Reading: Prophet Justice Hara launched four books in Lilongwe and urged Malawians to embrace reading. Cultural Events: NBS Bank is contributing K200 million to this weekend’s Mulhako wa Alhomwe festival, strengthening support for one of Malawi’s major cultural gatherings. Children’s Health: WHO warns lead exposure causes irreversible harm and is linked to millions of deaths globally; Malawi is among six African countries receiving support to improve blood-lead testing capacity.

Books & Reading: Prophet Justice Hara launched four books in Lilongwe and urged Malawians to embrace reading for knowledge and inspiration. Women & Work: Airtel Malawi marked Mother’s Day by highlighting its investment in women’s learning, career growth and leadership. Cultural Festivals: Chibuku Products has donated K3 million to Mulhako wa Alhomwe, backing the festival’s role in preserving Malawi’s traditions. Faith & Leadership: Former president Lazarus Chakwera joined church leaders at the World Assemblies of God Congress in Ghana, where President John Mahama urged churches to mentor young people. Creative Voices: Malawian poet Q Malewezi will represent the country at an African storytelling conference in Kenya, while designer Chisomo Chavula is preparing for fashion showcases in New York and Milan after placing second in Paris.