Latest news with #Malawian
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
'I was sold into marriage for £7 aged 12 and by 13 I was a mother'
Tamara was born into a family that lived below the poverty line, like the majority of others in her rural farming community in Malawi. When both her parents died in quick succession, aged 13, she was sent to sleep on her grandmother's floor before she was sold into marriage for just £7 After losing both parents in rapid succession, a 13-year-old girl found herself sleeping on her grandmother's floor before being sold into marriage for a mere £7. Tamara was born into extreme poverty, mirroring the harsh reality faced by most families in her remote agricultural village. When both her mother and father passed away, Tamara moved in with her grandmother but this arrangement proved short-lived as she returned from school one day to learn of her devastating fate. A stranger in his twenties, who had never met Tamara, handed over 15,000 Malawian kwacha - roughly $9 or £7 - to secure her as his bride. Her grandmother had already traded the cash for maize to sustain the household, and the purchaser was eager for Tamara to abandon her education and relocate to his home, reports the Express. At just 12, Tamara discovered she was carrying a child. "She told me I had to get married," Tamara revealed to the BBC. "She had already received money from a man. "Life was difficult because the man was older," Tamara explained. "He used to physically abuse me by biting me every time I did something wrong." Following three months of torment, social services were alerted to her plight, prompting the man to flee and leaving Tamara to trek to her aunt's village. Though Tamara resumed her schooling, she soon realised she had missed several menstrual cycles, forcing her to confront the reality of motherhood at just 12 years old. By 13, Tamara was heavily pregnant, sleeping on the floor of her aunt's cramped dwelling whilst continuing her labour in the fields. In the end, Tamara delivered a healthy baby boy, Prince. A modest Malawian charity based in Blantyre, known as People Serving Girls At Risk, funded a cyclist to transport her to the neighbourhood health centre during labour. The charity also conducted routine visits with both her and her aunt. Fortunately, Tamara's delivery went smoothly, unlike many young brides who face complications, according to The World Health Organisation. "Tamara is back home and doing well with her young son, her family are very happy about his arrival," says Caleb Ng'ombo, executive director at People Serving Girls At Risk. "She has the support of the community and her aunt, but the real work starts now. It would be better for her to return to school but she also needs to support her child." Tamara expressed her wish that Prince will complete his education. The teenage mother now assists at her aunt's produce stand, which generates roughly £39 monthly. The stall sits just metres from their dwelling. Tamara contributes when possible whilst maintaining friendships with other young women in the settlement. Research suggests one in five girls globally are wed before turning 18, according to campaign organisation Girls Not Brides. Whilst some nations have legislation prohibiting child marriage, enforcement often falls short, though Malawi is beginning to witness early signs of progress. Child marriage has been outlawed in Malawi since 2017, yet it continues to be culturally accepted in rural communities such as Tamara's, home to approximately 85 per cent of Malawi's populace. Girls Not Brides reports that over 40 per cent of girls in the country are wed before they reach 18.
The South African
6 days ago
- Health
- The South African
'We can't be xenophobic': Health MEC says illegal foreigners pay for services
The MEC for Health in Gauteng, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, says that contrary to popular belief, illegal foreigners do pay in local hospitals. This comes after videos and images of individuals and groups against illegal immigration turning away foreigners in clinics and hospitals, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, have been circulating on social media in recent weeks. Anti-illegal immigration groups, such as March and March and Operation Dudula, who have been at the forefront of mobilising citizens to block undocumented immigrants in healthcare institutions, have argued that South Africans should be put first. The groups also say that illegal foreigners are a burden to taxpayers and that the immigrants should pay for the services they access, just like how any other person pays for health insurance when in a foreign country. On Wednesday, 16 July, Nkomo-Ralehoko told TV news channel Newzroom Afrika that it is painful that people are being blocked from accessing healthcare services, and she does not agree with it. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the constitution does not allow for illegal foreigners to be turned away when they are not well. 'I don't agree with it, and it's a painful story, but unfortunately, people feel that we're not supposed to do that, and my worry is if that person dies at the gate, I should stand there and clarify to the citizens. What will I say if a heavily pregnant woman was denied access to the institution and that child, including the woman, died? 'I have to explain to the citizens, it doesn't matter whether that person is a Malawian or Zimbabwean, when the person gets in there not well, that person must be treated. My head is the only one that is going to be on the block,' she said. In August 2022 violence flared up outside the Kalafong Tertiary Provincial Hospital between anti-illegal immigrants group Operation Dudula members and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from Gauteng. Operation Dudula members had been picketing outside the hospital and had been preventing immigrants from accessing health services, insisting they should be properly documented and should pay for the services. Then Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said that they will consult with embassies to find out if they can foot the bill for immigrants from neighbouring countries who access health services from public hospitals in South Africa. 'We will consult with embassies to see if there is a need for refunding or there could be some compensation,' he said at the time. During her interview with Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the importance of agreements between South Africa and other countries around how to deal with the pressure on the public healthcare system. 'Yes, we do have those agreements…some of those agreements, the countries are paying, but the individuals that come on their own accord in the hospitals, they do pay too. There's this notion that everybody who gets there who comes from foreign countries is not paying. It's not true, not everyone is not paying,' she explained. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport now, warns Home Affairs
'We want to send a strong message to all who are illegally residing and working in the country that we are coming for them' Operation New Broom in Roodepoort in Gauteng on 7 July 2025. Picture: Home Affairs/X Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has warned those in South Africa without proper documentation to self-deport before his department reaches them. On Friday, Schreiber led Operation New Broom to conduct its first immigration enforcement raids in Nelson Mandela Bay. The operation led to the arrest for deportation of 95 illegal immigrants. Numerous operations have already been conducted in Cape Town and Pretoria. ALSO READ: Tip-off leads police to at least 90 illegal foreigners in abandoned Houghton property The latest operation took place in the Gqeberha Central Business District, where, according to Schreiber, a dilapidated warehouse was found to be housing numerous illegal foreigners. A Chinese-owned business was also found to be in contravention of a range of immigration laws. The Department will be in court today to confirm the deportation orders. 'Operation New Broom demonstrates our commitment to work in a focused manner to restore the rule of law. 'Our message to people who are in our country illegally is clear: voluntarily self-deport now, before Home Affairs deports you and bans you from entering South Africa altogether,' warned the home affairs minister. Gauteng operation On Monday, 7 July, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza led Operation New Broom in Roodepoort in Gauteng. The operation followed a tip-off from a community member. ALSO READ: SA taxi driver nabbed attempting to smuggle 25 illegal foreigners, gets R375k fine 'We encourage citizens to continue reporting suspected illegal activities. It would have been difficult for anyone to suspect that unlawful activities were taking place here because the managers and workers live and sleep in the factory,' said Nzuza. 'We want to send a strong message to all who are illegally residing and working in the country that we are coming for them. We found 21 illegal foreign nationals from Malawi, China and Zimbabwe. One Malawian had a visitor's visa but was found working in contravention of the conditions of his visa. All the arrested people are being processed for deportation.' Home Affairs' Operation New Broom Home Affairs launched Operation New Broom in May, as part of the department's drive to intensify enforcement operations in urban hotspots. The operation seeks to arrest, convict and deport illegal immigrants occupying public spaces. ALSO READ: Home Affairs committee raises alarm over border authority underfunding The first operation took place in District 6 in Cape Town, where 25 suspects were arrested while occupying land meant for restitution to the victims of forced removals. The operation utilises biometric technology to verify the immigration status of suspects, thereby eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents and strengthening legal cases. 'The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority at the borders and by Home Affairs inland,' said the minister. 'As with everything else we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law. It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance in the process.' READ NEXT: Schreiber explains persistent ICT failures plaguing home affairs offices
The Star
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Malawi opens National Cancer Center to ease burden of overseas treatment
LILONGWE, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Malawi's National Cancer Center officially opened on Wednesday, marking the end of decades of referring cancer cases to India, South Africa, Tanzania, and other countries for treatment that often came with hefty costs. Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera inaugurated the center in Lilongwe, the country's capital. The facility is expected to serve not only Malawi but also the southern African region. The new cancer center, the first of its kind in Malawi, features high-tech equipment, including six treatment bunkers, and will treat cancer patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The Malawian leader also described the facility as a "beacon of hope" that will enable the country to save millions of dollars and thousands of lives. According to Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, the Malawian government used to spend about 15,000 U.S. dollars per cancer patient for treatment abroad, excluding the costs of air tickets and accommodation for both the patient and their guardian. With the opening of the new cancer center, which can accommodate and treat up to 100 patients daily, Malawi will be able to provide free treatment to more patients, easing the financial burden on both the government and families of cancer patients. The facility was co-funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Malawian Government, according to the State House of Malawi.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Maduka takes charge at Magesi FC, vows to build on existing foundations
Former Royal AM coach John Maduka was unveiled as Magesi'snew coach on Thursday. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix John Maduka has described it as 'a special honour' to be appointed head coach of Magesi FC and expressed his satisfaction at working alongside long-serving assistant coach Jacky Ledwaba. Speaking at his unveiling in the Limpopo capital, the former Malawian international said there was no need to bring in his own technical team, as he did not want to tamper with a successful structure. 'You don't break something unnecessarily,' Maduka said. 'I strongly believe that the technical team here has been part of the club for a long time. They helped Magesi gain promotion all the way from the ABC Motsepe League to the PSL, so they are clearly capable and know their job. "If there's no need for me to bring in someone, why should I?' HE'S HERE ⚽📢🐊! Magesi Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of John Maduka as head coach. Welcome to the family!#DikwenaTsaMeetse 🐊#TheBlueNation#BetwayPrem — Magesi Football Club (@Magesi_FC) July 3, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Maduka takes over from Owen da Gama, who parted ways with the club after failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Club management believe that Maduka — previously in charge of Royal AM — is the right man to take the team forward. Curiously, the club declined to reveal the length of Maduka's contract, with general manager Hero Makgamatha implying it was effectively a 'pay-as-you-go' deal. 'But we can strengthen the technical team if the need arises,' Maduka added. 'This is a special moment for me, an honour to work for Magesi, which is a very good team. It's a team that always wants to compete, and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.' Maduka has set his sights on a top-eight league finish and hopes the club can retain the Carling Knockout title they famously won in their maiden top-flight season. He replaces Da Gama, who helped Magesi avoid relegation after joining in December as a replacement for Clinton Larsen. Larsen had guided the club to promotion and led them to Carling Knockout glory with a shock 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns, but parted ways with the club after a poor run of league results. While Da Gama's tenure did not yield dramatic improvements, Magesi managed to stabilise under his leadership. Their ability to avoid defeat at their new home, the Seshego Stadium — having previously used the old Peter Mokaba Stadium — proved crucial in amassing enough points to retain their Premiership status, finishing in 13th place.
