Church Stands Firm Against Leaders' Order to Close.
A church in Malawi will not close its doors despite being told to do so. The Bangwe Seventh Day Adventist Church pushed back when leaders tried to close it down.
"We stay open," said Patrick Raphael, the church's senior elder, at a news meeting Sunday. He leads the branch that higher-ups want gone.
The South Malawi Conference, which runs many churches, told Bangwe SDA to stop all work. But church members said no.
"Our faith stays strong," Raphael said. He told the press that his group built the church themselves and plans to keep using it.
The church members trust they can go on without their leaders. "If they leave us, God will guide us," Raphael said. He speaks for many who...
Mourners Honor Former Malawi Vice President at Memorial Mass.
People came from far away to remember Saulos Klaus Chilima at Nsipe Catholic Church in Ntcheu. The former vice president died in a plane crash last June, along with eight others.
Family and friends knew him as "Bhiyeni." His wife Mary and daughter Elizabeth placed flowers at his grave first. Other guests, including UTM Party head Dalitso Kabambe and tribal chief Gomani V, followed with their own flowers.
The crowd prayed and sang as one. They talked about how Chilima helped build up Malawi. He gave much to those in need and stayed strong in his faith.
"He showed us how to live for others," said one person at the service. The words hit home with many who came to say...
Malawi Aids Mozambican Refugees Amid Election Crisis.
Malawi has begun helping people who ran from violence in Mozambique. The Department for Refugees joined with the UN refugee agency on Saturday to count and screen the newcomers.
"We need to know who needs help," said Hilda Katema Kausiwa, who manages operations for Malawi's refugee office. The count will last three days and end on December 30.
The government plans to move all refugees to one camp at Nyamithuthu. This will make it easier to monitor them and provide them with food and supplies. Right now, they live spread out near Chief Tengani's land.
More than 12,400 people fled to Nsanje after Mozambique's recent election sparked unrest. They live in three areas run by local...
Police Crack Down on Fake Fertilizer Ring in Malawi.
Police in Mzimba, Malawi, caught three men selling fake fertilizer to local farmers. The men targeted farmers during planting season when they needed fertilizer most.
Officers arrested Ajas Chinga, 40, Ali Salim, 33, and Kennedy Mbewe, 23. The three came from different parts of Malawi. Police found them selling their fake products at the Mzimba Boma market.
"We caught them selling worthless fertilizer to farmers who didn't know better," said Maria Banda from the Mzimba Police.
Sara Jere, a farmer from Manyamula, fell victim to their scheme. "I bought their fertilizer hoping for better crops," she said. "Later, I learned it was fake and wouldn't help my plants at all."
The case...
Zimbabwe Gospel Stars Ready for Big New Year Show in Harare.
Janet Manyowa plans a Thanksgiving night at Harare's big meeting hall on New Year's Day. This marks the fifth year of her special concert.
Many famous singers will join her on stage. The show brings Takesure Zamar, Bridget Ndanga, and other big names in gospel music. People from all over Zimbabwe come each year to start with prayer.
Janet's husband, Munyaradzi, who runs the show, says fans can expect something special. "Each show lets people meet God in a new way," he says. The team will add more worship time after the main show ends.
The show brings top stars together each year. Munyaradzi thanks God for helping him gather such talent. He wants people to buy tickets...
Church Leaders Seek Justice for Zimbabwe's Past.
Religious leaders want to tell President Mnangagwa what happened when British rulers took over Zimbabwe. They plan to write down how settlers grabbed land and animals from local people.
The group started working last fall. Mr. Mnangagwa backed their study about land grabs from 1890 to 1980. They want Britain to apologize and pay for what happened.
Bishop Felix Mukonowengwe leads the team. He spoke at a church event in Bulawayo. "The president told us to look deep into each area," he said. "We talk to wise people. We find proof to take to Britain."
Many people lost their cows and goats to white settlers, the bishop said. He thinks Britain should give money to make things right. The...
Zimbabwe Puts Food First, President Says.
Zimbabwe wants every home to have enough food. President Mnangagwa said the country will help farmers grow more crops through a special plan called Pfumvudza.
The weather has been dry lately. But the plan still works. It helps farmers grow food even when rain is scarce.
Mr. Mnangagwa discussed food at his office in Harare. He said each family must help ensure Zimbabwe has enough food. "When families can feed themselves, the whole country has food," he said.
The president said rain makes the biggest difference. Good rains let the government focus on other ways to feed people in cities.
The president farms his own land in Kwekwe, and his brother Patrick runs the farm. He tells Patrick to...
Zimbabwe's Leader Takes January Break at Home.
President Mnangagwa starts his yearly break today. He plans to stay in Zimbabwe during his time off.
When he rests, two leaders will run the country. Mr. Mohadi will take charge from today until January 19, and Dr. Chiwenga will lead until early February.
The news came from Mr. George Charamba at the president's office. He said Mr. Mnangagwa can still help with urgent matters, including his work as head of Zimbabwe and leader of Southern African nations.
The break lasts one month. The president wants to stay close to home. He returns to his full duties when February starts.
Each vice president gets time to lead. They split the work between themselves, which helps keep the country...
Zimbabwe Plans Big Push to Help Students Learn Better.
Zimbabwe wants to hire 8,000 new teachers next year. This will mean fewer students in each class. It will help teachers give more time to each child.
Dr. Torerai Moyo, who leads the country's schools, thanked President Mnangagwa for the money to hire teachers. The country hired 5,000 teachers this year. Next year's bigger group will let each teacher work with about 30 students.
Teachers who work far from home will get extra pay. The government wants rural teachers to have the same chances as city teachers. Many rural schools—150 of them — got solar power this year, and more will get power next year.
The country plans to build 2,800 new schools. This means kids won't have to walk...
