Located approximately 70 kilometres from Namwera Turn-Off, Majiga Market hosts around 2,000 traders on market days.
The market generates about K1.2 million per week during its two designated market days.
Despite this revenue, Majiga Market does not have a single toilet.
Christopher Juma, the market chairperson for Majiga in Machinga District, expressed concern.
“As management, we have tried to address the issue and explore other options. We once constructed a toilet, but it is now in a dilapidated state. We’ve done all we can to resolve the situation, but we’ve failed. We are desperate,” Juma said.
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But what is it like for the traders at the market?
A tomato vendor Violet Austin describes it as frustrating.
“We are going through difficult times here at Majiga Market. Obviously, after eating, one needs to use the toilet. But we don’t have one here. We are forced to return home to answer nature’s call. This is unacceptable,” Austin said.
Several attempts have been made to improve sanitation at the market.
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However, all efforts have so far failed.
It has now been two years since the only public toilet at the market became unusable.
This means that over two years, Machinga District Council has collected approximately K125 million in market fees from Majiga Market, yet no new toilet has been constructed.
Residents from around 32 villages are asking how the issue will be resolved.
Juma has no immediate solutions.
“We appeal to the authorities to intervene. It is with deep concern that we ask for public toilets to be constructed here at Majiga Market,” he said.
A group known as Chamba Advocacy Team has campaigned for the construction of toilets at the market but is close to giving up.
Unique Viano, secretary of the group, says they took the matter to the district council, but nothing was done.
“We followed up, still nothing. We even wrote to the Director of Planning and Development, yet there have been no public toilets built at this market,” he said.
Machinga District Director of Planning and Development Noel Dakamau acknowledged sanitation challenges in several markets, including Majiga, which is in Senior Chief Chamba’s area.
However, he declined to provide further details.
The Daily Times has seen the council’s budget, which shows that Machinga District has allocated K400 million under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery initiative to construct toilets and improve sanitation in markets across the district.
Aaron Kandiwo Mtaya, National Programmes Officer for the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), described the situation as alarming.
He said the lack of basic sanitation forces traders to endure unsafe conditions, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
“This is a place where many people spend much of their time. After harvesting their crops, they come here to sell. Yet there is not even a water tap, let alone a single toilet. This is not improving their lives. Something needs to be done,” Mtaya said.
Cadecom is one of several non-governmental organisations advocating for better conditions in Malawi’s rural markets.
Mtaya said the findings from the media tour will help inform advocacy efforts aimed at promoting inclusive and effective climate action in Malawi.
These community-led efforts form part of a broader project funded by Cadecom with support from Irish Aid through Trócaire.
Cadecom recently organised a media tour of Balaka, Machinga and Chikwawa to highlight grassroots responses to the climate crisis.
Mtaya said the initiative aims to build resilience in communities, particularly among women and youth, by empowering them to engage with decision-makers on climate issues.
“This project is about climate justice. We’ are seeing how local advocacy can drive real change. Communities are standing up for their rights and demanding inclusive and effective climate action,” Mtaya said.
He added that the stories gathered during the tour will shape ongoing efforts to ensure that Malawi’s most vulnerable are not left behind in the climate conversation.
