Mangochi District
While a beautiful area, the Mangochi area has been decimated by Africa's nemesis - AIDS. Couple that with poverty, climate change and a severe lack of infrastructure and the scenario is desperate. It is a very beautiful place, full of natural minerals, loads of fish, for example chambo, and of course Nkopola Lodge, Sun and Sand Palm Beach and many more. In fact there are numerous lovely lodges along the Mangochi Road other than Nkopola Lodge. One of the finest is Club Makokola (Club Mac). There are beautiful tropical fish, mostly cichlids, to be seen while swimming. There are also many fabulous bird rookeries along the lake with fish eagles, the national bird of Malawi, a member of the same genus as the American bald eagle. Mangochi is well known with its lake that generates income in the tourism industry. Most of the indigenous people of Mangochi are the Yao people, and there are a few from other tribes. Lingamasa is known with its fresh rice that is sold in most parts of the country.
Demographics
At the time of the 2018 Census of Malawi, the distribution of the population of Mangochi District by ethnic group was as follows:
- 72.3% Yao
- 9.5% Lomwe
- 8.0% Chewa
- 4.2% Ngoni
- 3.1% Nyanja
- 0.9% Tumbuka
- 0.6% Sena
- 0.6% Mang'anja
- 0.5% Tonga
- 0.0% Nkhonde
- 0.0% Lambya
- 0.0% Sukwa
- 0.2% Others
Government and administrative divisions
There are thirteen National Assembly constituencies in Mangochi:
- Mangochi - Central
- Mangochi - East
- Mangochi - Lutende
- Mangochi - Malombe
- Mangochi - Monkey Bay
- Mangochi - Nkungulu
- Mangochi - North
- Mangochi - North East
- Mangochi - South
- Mangochi - South West
Since the 2009 general election most of these constituencies (except Mangochi Monkey Bay, which has been held by members of the Democratic Progressive Party) have been represented by politicians from the United Democratic Front.