Mchinji
| Mchinji | |
|---|---|
 Mchinji
|
|
| Coordinates: 13°49′S 32°54′E / 13.817°S 32.900°ECoordinates: 13°49′S 32°54′E / 13.817°S 32.900°E | |
| Country |
 Malawi
|
| Region | Central Region |
| District | Mchinji District |
| Elevation | 3,875 ft (1,181 m) |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 25,184 |
| • Languages | Chichewa |
| Time zone | +2 |
| Climate | Cwa |
Mchinji is a district in the Central Region of Malawi. As of 2008 estimates, Mchinji District had a population of 458,556. The area's economy is sustained by rain-fed agriculture. Mchinji Boma, located at 12 km from the Zambian Border and 109 km from Lilongwe the Capital City of Malawi, is the major hub of government and general business. It has a major railroad junction, being the railhead nearest to Zambia.
Mchinji Boma was formerly known as Fort Manning, after governor William Manning. Fort Manning was called a "fort" because the local government offices (the "boma") were once fortified.
In 1930, Fort Manning was attacked by a lion that caused over thirty-six deaths over a five-month period.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Mchinji on 10 March 1989. At least 9 people were killed, 100 injured and about 50,000 left homeless in Malawi. It was also felt in Zambia.
American pop singer Madonna adopted 13-month-old David Banda from Mchinji in October 2006. This generated international controversy because Malawian law stated that one year of residence was required of potential adoptive parents. The effort was highly publicised and culminated in legal disputes.
On 19 June 2008 Gillian Merron, the British Minister for International Development, responsible for Africa, visited Mchinji and spoke about maternal health and the challenges faced by residents.
Mchinji Boma lies at an elevation of 3,877 feet (1,182 m), 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the Zambian border. It is situated 7.7 miles (12.4 km) away from Katambo, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) away from Kadulama Lambo, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) away from Daka and 2.8 miles (4.5 km) away from Tsumba.
Chichewa is the main language spoken in Mchinji. Senga is spoken by some quarters of the population and
Ngoni is also spoken by some major population surrounding Mchinji Boma
Mchinji is described as "dirt poor" by The Times. Harvesting rain-fed agriculture is the main occupation in Mchinji, with groundnuts, tobacco, soya and casava beans being the primary cash crops. Maize, yams, velvet beans and pumpkin are prominent food crops. During the dry season, secondary activities are pursued, such as brick-making, beer brewing, bicycle repair and carpentry. Due to a food shortage partially caused by the region's many droughts and partially caused by poor government planning, a UNDP rural development program was established in Mchinji. Mchinji is currently the location of a pilot project of a social cash transfer to benefit very poor members of rural areas.
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Wikipedia