WOMEN DOCTORS OF MALAWI
DR BRIDGET MALEWEZI
Dr Bridget Msolomba Malewezi is a medical doctor, public health practitioner, motivational speaker, activist & health columnist. A graduate of College of Medicine, University of Malawi & Emory University, Atlanta USA where she did a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on Global Health. She is currently a visiting Scientist & Harvard LEAD Fellow in the Department of Global Health & Population at Harvard T.H Chan School & Harvard Global Health Institute. She is also Vice President of the Malawi Chapter of Women in Global Health (WGH) as well as Acting Chair of the taskforce for the establishment of the Women Doctors Association of Malawi (WDAM). She is one of the founding members and former executive member/ chairperson of Public Relations and COVID Public Awareness for the Society of Medical Doctors Malawi (SMD).
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS WOMEN
JOYCE BANDA
Joyce Evercie Banda is an entrepreneur Managing Wijays Enterprises (a local soap and detergents producer based in Kanengo) and Corporate Partners (a Cleaning, Landscaping and Interior decoration service provider). She is a consultant, business coach and mentor. She is also passionate about helping startup's with business management ideas/skills. She is the Chairperson of Sustainable Livelihoods for All Cooperative, which is into herbs and agro processing production. She is an MBA holder and left formal employment in 2015 to explore her entrepreneurial dreams. She is championing women empowerment as a facilitator and Trainer of Gender Makes Business Sense concept by GIZ, which is being rolled out in the country. Joyce is a passionate farmer. She grows fruits like Bananas, vegetables and now pursuing fish farming.
MALAWI LAW SOCIETY
INNOCENCIA OTTOBER
Innocentia Ottober is a Managing Partner of Lloyds and Associates with 27 years’ experience. She holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Malawi and a Master’s Degree in International Economic Law obtained from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. She is a Legal Advisor for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Diocese of Dedza. She chairs the Boards of Old Mutual Pension Services Company Limited and Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Malawi) Limited and sits on the Boards of the following institutions: - Old Mutual (Malawi) Limited, Medhealth Limited, Centre for Social Concern among others .She is also a member of the Police Service Commission. She provides free legal assistance to vulnerable women on a wide range of legal issue and she is the only female lawyer among the 12 lawyers who represented the two Petitioners in the presidential elections case.
MALAWI ENGINEERING INSTITUTION
PR. ENG. JACQUELINE DIAS
Pr. Eng. Jacqueline Dias is a Director of Infrastructure Development for Southern Region Water Board with over 20 years of experience in water supply and sanitation sector. A holder of MSC. in Integrated Water Resources Management from University of Zimbabwe and BSC. in Civil Engineering from University of Malawi, The Polytechnic. A first lady Engineer to register with Malawi Board of Engineers. Currently serving as a Board Member for Malawi Engineering Institution. Also served as a Board Member for Malawi Board of Engineers heading examination committee, second vice president of Malawi Institution of Engineers. Dias has wide experience in planning, designing, implementation and supervision of various projects which are still sound to date.
MALAWI INSTITUTE OF PURCHASING AND SUPPLY
ALINAFE BANDA MALISAWA
Alinafe Banda Malisawa is a competitive accomplished chartered Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner with over 11 years industrial experience. She is a full member of the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and attained the MCIPS status. She is the current President for the Malawi Institute for Procurement and Supply (MIPS). She holds a Master of Science Degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Bolton, United Kingdom and Bachelor of Arts Public Administration with credit from the University of Malawi. She is the current Head of Procurement and Disposal Division at the National AIDS Commission (NAC) and serves as a member of the Technical Committee for the Central Medical Stores Board of Trustees. Alinafe facilitated setting up a functional Procurement and Disposal Unit of the Office of the Director of Public Officer’s Declarations (ODPOD) between 2014 and 2016.
INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI
DR DOROTHY CHAPEYAMA
Dr. Dorothy Chapeyama is the Reunion Insurance Chief Executive Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy) degree, Master of Business Administration (University of Malawi) and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Honoris Causa. She is a Chartered Insurer by profession and an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK). Dr Chapeyama has held various positions in the insurance industry including president of the Insurance Institute as well as the Insurance Association of Malawi. She was the first female president for both the Institute and the Association. She is former chairperson of the Council of Bureaux of the COMESA Yellow Card Insurance Scheme. Apart from the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Honoris Causa, Dr Dorothy Chapeyama is a recipient of several other accolades like, 2016 Country, Regional and Continental winner of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government by CEO Global (RSA). Dr Chapeyama was named by Reset Global People as one of the 2019 Top 100 Women CEOs in Africa; a ranking which highlights and recognizes the accomplishments of women CEOs from across the continent.
SURVEYORS INSITUTE OF MALAWI
FELICITY CHIUME
Felicity Chiume is a founder in the establishment of F&W Partnership, one of the leading professional quantity surveying, construction cost and advisory consultancy, which helps to provide clients with services commensurate with ‘value for money’, ‘quality conscious’, ‘integrity’, ‘service delivery’, ‘independent thought processes’, ‘flexibility’ and ‘innovation’. She has over 43 years of extensive experience and knowledge of all sectors in the building industry. She has been privileged to perform project management, watchdog and client representative roles on initiatives across sectors such as Commercial, Retail, Industrial, Infrastructure, Health, Education, Hospitality, Residential, Telecommunications and other special projects. She has worked on a myriad of projects with the most notable being joint Project Manager for the construction of GAME Store, Chichiri Shopping Centre, Blantyre. Felicity’s motto in life is “He who always strives to carry out everything he does as well as possible will be able also to master what otherwise is far removed from his accustomed work – Lao Tse.” She is excited to bring value to each venture she undertakes
ICT ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI
GIFT A. KADZAMIRA
Gift A. Kadzamira works as the Director of Documentation and Information Systems for the National Commission for Science and Technology and is responsible for the management of information and knowledge through the multidisciplinary approach such as ICTs to achieving the best use of knowledge and information in the Science, Technology and Innovation sector. She holds an MSc Degree in Electronic Information Management from the Robert Gordon University; Scotland and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Demography from the University of Malawi; Chancellor College. She also holds Certificates from the Southern African Research & Innovation Management (SARIMA) Association in Fundamentals of Research Management, Intellectual Property; Technology Transfer and Commercialization; and Gender in Science, Technology and Innovation. She worked for the US Embassy in Malawi as an Information Resource Centre Director. Gift has also worked for the University of Malawi. She sits on the governing Board for the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens of Malawi and is also the current Secretary General for the ICT Association of Malawi.
INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS
THOKOZILE KUWALI
Thokozile Kuwali, head of Internal audit at NBS Bank ,has a wealth of professional experience having worked for Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) for 15 years in Internal Audit, finance, and as an external auditor with KPMG in early years of her career. Holds a Masters in Banking & Finance from Moi University (Kenya), Bachelor of Accountancy Degree (BAcc) from the University of Malawi. A Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) and also a Fellow with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA). She is the Vice President of African Federation of Internal Auditors (AFIIA) Responsible for southern Africa and the Past President of the Institute IIAM (Institute of Internal Auditors in Malawi).
ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI
LAURYN KHANGAMWA NYASULU
Mrs. Nyasulu is an Economist and the current President of ECAMA. She also served as the Treasurer General of ECAMA, from 2017 to 2020, prior to becoming President of the Association. A former Public Sector Economist, she is currently working as Policy and Partnerships Development Specialist at USAID and she is passionate about Inclusive Development. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics (2010) collaboratively offered by University of Malawi and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and is a certified Data Analyst and Monitoring and Evaluation practitioner. Mrs. Nyasulu has superior leadership skills which have taken ECAMA to greater heights. She is serving as a Board Member for the Malawi Civil Aviation Authority and , Member of the Palladium Traction Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) among others.
MALAWI INSTITUTE OF ARCHTECT
CATHERINE SANI
Catherine is an Architect who attained her Postgraduate Degree in Architecture (B. Architecture) and BA (Hons.) Architecture at the University of Liverpool (UK) and has been living in Lilongwe since 2003. Faced by tragedy with the sudden loss of her parents in 2003, Cathy deviated from Architecture to Education Management, to ensure a legacy of the school her mother founded in 1995. Cathy has been the Education Director at Good Shepherd International School for 18 + years, where she has been blessed to play a part in the education of thousands of children. She continues to hold this role. Having deviated from Architecture for some years, in 2007 Cathy returned to practice, employed by Norman + Dawbarn and professionally registering as an Architect in 2009 with the Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. She is a member of the Malawi Institute of Architects.
INSTITUTE OF MARKETING IN MALAWI
GLORIA KANYUKA
Gloria is a seasoned Marketing Executive who is well conversant with Business Management, Accounting and Administration. A holder of Masters of Communications Management from The University of Strathclyde Business School, Scotland, Gloria is also a Chartered Marketer by profession, with the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK. Gloria has more than 30 years’ hands-on marketing and sales experience in the private sector. Some of her achievements in the industry over the years include establishing a Marketing Department at Chibuku Products Limited and the successful research and launching Mahewu nutritious drink. She headed the managerial team that established and launched Celtel Malawi Limited an organization that pioneered the first ever pre-paid service in Malawi.
PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF MALAWI
EGRITTA NDALA
Egritta Ndala is credited with improving the relationship between the graft-busting body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the media and other stakeholders. She is a seasoned internal and external relations expert who mentors other PR youngsters and has been pivotal to the development of the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) since its formative stages as a member of the PRSM Ethics subcommittee. She is a self-made PR professional who has risen to be where she is today. She is proud to have taught some in secondary school, who are now her peers in the PR sector. Instead of relying on experience alone, she upgraded her knowledge in PR first by obtaining a diploma in Public Relations at the Polytechnic, Centre for Continuing Education with the London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in 2004-2005 and later a Masters’ Degree in Public Relations from Cavendish University, Zambia obtained in 2018.
AMBASSADOR SUSTAINABLE PHILANTHROPY FREETOBEONLINE
HER HONOUR MADAME MARY CHILIMA
Her Honor Madame Mary Chilima, the Second lady of the Republic of Malawi is an entrepreneur with various business interests in the retail, education and mining sectors, as well as a seasoned banker. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, a PgDip in Marketing and an MSc in Strategic Management. Madam Chilima is currently studying for an MPhil in Evidence Based Management at the University of Pretoria. Her driving passion is sustainable philanthropy based on a strong desire to elevate the education, health and welfare of rural children through technology. As a young at heart spouse to Malawi's Vice President, she identities strongly with the plight of Malawian girls and the challenges they face such as GBV, child marriages, teen pregnancy and recently online harassment and cyber bullying She is a founding member of the Children First Trust which promotes good health, education and nutrition for Malawi's underprivileged and disabled children. She recently piloted a self-empowerment program for mothers of children with various disabilities in Ntchisi district and hopes to emulate it across the country.
LIFE TIME ACHIEVER
HON. PATRICIA KALIATI
Honourable Dr Patricia Kaliati is a Malawian seasoned politician and currently the Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social welfare. She is a long serving Sr. Public Service Government Official who has previously served as minister for information (2009-2010), Minister for Gender (2007 to 2009) and also a former member of parliament. She is a holder of a PHD in Development Studies, A master’s Degree in Counselling and Guidance, a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Investment, An Advanced Diploma in Community Development and a Certificate in Education. She started her carrier in the field of Education and so she not only understands the Education system in the country, but the challenges girls and young women face from a very young age. She further has passion in supporting vulnerable people especially children, the elderly and people with disabilities. She has so far managed to end numerous child marriages through engaging to traditional chiefs in different communities Hon Dr Patricia Kaliati is a strong voice in the nation, a strong advocate for gender justice and equality who wants to put an end to GBV at all levels in the country. She is very passionate about girls, young women, women and men. Her Passion has driven her work for over 30 years and continues to drive her work to date. When you Meet Hon Dr Patricia kaliati, you will no doubt understand how skilled she is at challenging the status quo regarding gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful social and traditional practices, a role she takes on in a blended manner that instantly helps shift mind sets positively. She is a wonderful public speaker that has represented the country in a number of regional and international platforms. She has made a mark in her generation as a strong woman of substance and value. She has made a foot print in the sector that NOT EVEN THE LAPSE of time can ever take way.
LIFETIME ACHIEVER
SENIOR CHIEF TEREZA KACHINDAMOTO
SENIOR Chief Tereza Kachindamoto is the first female chief in her clan. She is a Secretary by professional at Zomba Theological College. She ascended to the throne in 2003 after the death of her father. She started her journey of terminating children’s marriages when she noted at a meeting that a number of little girls had children. When she inquired the whereabouts of the mothers of the children? she was shocked to learn that the 11 to16 year old girls were the mothers on 27 February 2004. She called for her chiefs’ council and asked why the situation is like that and she was informed that some married the girls after initiation ceremonies, others as payment for a debt and others just to get help from someone who is well to do. She advised her chiefs that from that time on wards no child will be married before the age of 18. She also advised them that any chief in whose village girls’ marriage or get pregnant before the age of 18 shall be dethroned. She holds regular councils and visits to her chiefs’ places. She has also removed more than 45 chiefs from their thrown after marring or giving underage girls into marriage. She has terminated over 2,545 children’s marriages. She also works with mother and father group to follow up girls who are withdrawn from marriages. She is commonly known as a terminator of marriages.
LIFEIME ACHIEVER
DR MARY SHABA
Dr. Mary Shawa is a retired Principal Secretary who has served in Ministries of Health, Office of the President and Cabinet, Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare; and Transport and Public Works. She has been instrumental in the review and development of laws that protect children, girls, women and the vulnerable. She has mentored many people and acted as a role model. She has fought for nutrition, education, HIV and AIDS; elimination of GBV, the, empowerment of women and girls. She is currently the President of the Legion of Mary; and honourary president of Chanaza. She has negotiated for nutrition, gender and HIV in the country, SADC, AU and UN
MEDIA
MBUMBA BANDA
MBUMBA BANDA is the Chief Executive Officer of Nation Publications Ltd (NPL), a newspaper publishing and printing company that she established in 1993 and has since built. NPL produces five national newspapers that include on daily, two weeklies, a bi-lingual fortnightly and online newspaper. She is an experienced administrator and her skills lie in leading innovative initiatives that have consistently kept NPL Print Media House of the Year and have ensured that NPL products remain the highest circulating and most referenced of print media products. Prior to the establishing of NPL, Mbumba worked as a Sales and Marketing Manager for Xerographics Ltd, leading a sales and marketing team in the introduction of Xerox office equipment, which became the lead office equipment brand. She also established office service centers in the major cities of Malawi providing people office support services in a manner previously non-existent in Malawi. Mbumba is a recipient of the Lifetime Achiever award: MISA Malawi and many other awards.
OUTSTANDING WORK IN GIRLS EDUCATION RESEARCH
MS. ESME KADZAMIRA
Ms. Kadzamira holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Statistics and Psychology of Education from the University of London and a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Malawi. She is currently working as a Research Fellow at the Centre of Education Research and Training (CERT) of the University of Malawi, Chancellor College since July 1993. Between 1984 and 1993 she worked as a Research and Test Development Officer at the Malawi National Examinations Board. As Research Fellow, she has conducted numerous policy-oriented research in education and education policy analysis. She has extensive experience in conducting research on girls’ education as well as gender and education. Throughout her career, she has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and practice around girls’ education and the intersectionality between gender and schooling.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE
EDITH JIYA
Edith Jiya is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK), a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and holds an MSc in Strategic Management from the University of Derby (UK). She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic. She has over 20 years’ experience in management, 12 of which has been spent in the financial services industry. She has also spent over 10 years in the oil industry. Edith Jiya is currently the Group Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Malawi Ltd, a leading financial services group in Malawi with business interest in Landed Property Development and Management, Asset Management, Life Insurance, Pensions Management and Banking. Edith was on 27th April 2019, awarded the Africa Impact Leadership Award by the SADC Women Leadership Forum, at an event held in Gaborone, Botswana.
ARTS AND CULTURE
ETHEL KAMWENDO BANDA
They call her a song bird and her name is Ethel Kamwendo Banda.She is a renowned artists in the music industry and has released thirteen albums. She started singing in 1981 in the Kamwendo Brothers Band and released her first solo album in 1996. In 1992, Copyright Society awarded her an outstanding female artists Award. I n 2006 received an award at the MBC Entertainers of the year in the Gospel Music category with the famous song ‘’Ndiumboni’’. She is the first Musician in Malawi to record and Launch a double audio CD and the first female to do a DVD live recording. In 2009, she was presented with a GLAMA (Good Love Ambassadors Music Award) in UK, in 2011; Malawi Award awarded her the best female vocalist. In 2011 on 6 July, His Excellency Ngwazi Dr. Bingu Wa Munthalika honoured her with a Senior Achiever of the Malawi Order of the National Achievement, during our commemoration of forty – seven years of Independence among other.
HUMANITARIAN WORK
TEMWANI CHILENGA
Temwani Chilenga ,a humanitarian from lilongwe. I was born on june 25 1995 in a family of 6. I attended my primary school at kachanga primary school in blantyre and our lady of wisdom secondary school. I attended my tertiary education at DAPP Dowa teacher training college and after finishing my training I was posted at chambu primary school in 2018 where I identified some homeless orphans and with my salary, I was helping them with a little something every month until I managed to source some funds from well wishers and we built some houses for them up to now. I have 95 orphans 55 girls and 40 boys and we registered as a charity organization and it's called Zoe foundation.
EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS
THEANA MSOLOMBA
Theana Is obsessed with Money Education and wellness. She is a financial educator, wellness advocate and currently holds the Regional Savings Manager Role for Finca Malawi. Under Theana Ana Msolomba Ltd, she has championed Financial Education using her platform Financial wellness with Kuwala and Body goals with Kuwala which has a combined following of over 10,000 people. Her main goal is empowering citizens in a quest to eradicate poverty and promote wellbeing. Theana has trained in person over 150 soldiers, over 300 students, over 200 women, teachers, kids, and people with disabilities. She holds MA in International relations and Development- Development Finance 2015 Italy, Bachelors in Education UNIMA 2008, Certification in Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Financial planning and currently undergoing Executive Leadership training. Lastly, Theana is a YALI RLC fellow in Entrepreneurship and Business Management UNISA 2016.
MALE CHAMPION AWARD
INKOSI YA MAKOSI MBELWA
Inkosi Y Makosi Mbelwa is a banker by profession and he ascended to the throne in 2013 in October after the death of Inkosi Ya Makosi Mbelwa IV his father. According to Ngoni culture girls and boys are expected to be equal in principle and are supposed to be given equal opportunities. Unfortunately, patriarch took its tall which sew many girls being impregnated and dropping out of school while some senior chiefs married girls under the age of 18. Being the overseer of all the chiefs in Mzimba he informed his chiefs council that wife inheritance is prohibited because it is the one which forced under 18 years girls to go into early marriage. Marriages of girls and children under the age of 18 are prohibited. Any chief who marries under 18 children must be removed from the chieftaincy. In 2020 he dismissed 20 chiefs for marrying school girls and making them drop out of school. He advised all the chiefs to ensure that the girls who drop out of school due to marriage and pregnancy are taken back to school and followed. He worked very closely with mother and father groups to ensure this is fulfilled. By 2021 he had rescued 2,000 girls from marriages and followed them to enroll back into school. Every ADC, VDC and Chiefs Council the agender of retaining and supporting girls in school is on the agenda and he demands reports from all the chief. HE IS DETERMINED TO PROTECT THE GIRLS AND PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY IN THE NEW ERA
MALE CHAMPION AWARD
SENIOR CHIEF SUTANA CHOWE
Sutana Chief Chowe is an Agriculturist by profession. He was enthroned as chief a Yao chieftaincy. He got concerned to note that after initiation ceremony as part oof the passage of rights to adulthood for girls many of them dropped out of school, teenage pregnancies was the highest in his district and area in particular; and child marriages were common. At a chiefs’ council in the district and during the COVISD 19 period he voiced his concern on the negative impact of early and force marriages and teenage pregnancies. He was also concerned with the initiation of young children. He has worked very had to withdraw over 600 girls from child marriages; he follows them to enroll back into school. He is one of the upcoming male champions on terminating child marriages and promoting girls’ education.
POTHUMOUS AWARD
HON. ROSE LOMATHINDA CHIBAMBO
She is the woman on the Malawi K200 note and she earned her spot in the history of Malawi. she started and led a women’s independence movement against imperial Britain. She forged a path in politics for many men and women to follow. She made history in Malawi she was Malawi’s first Permanent Secretary of Natural Resources. She was a prominent politician in the British protectorate of Nyasaland in the years leading to independence as a state of Malawi in 1964. She was a Parliamentary Secretary for Community and Social Development in 1964.he was born on 8th September 1928 and died on 12 January 2016 at the age of 87 years. Her name Lomathinda means snatched from the grave embodies the odds she defied from surviving a difficult birth to forging a women’s movement. She resisted personal and political restrictions. She was a freedom fighter and became the first female cabinet Minister in Dr. Kamuzu Banda’s 12 Ministers of independent Malawi. she was a very strong woman. She organised women in their political fight alongside their male counterparts as a force to reckon. She formed the African Women’s League and joined with Vera Chirwa. Her position was that women must not dance but be part of decision making and running the country. Her group was arrested in 1956 after protesting state of emergency and it paid. On 23 March 1959 two days after giving birth to a girl she was arrested and taken to Zomba Prison. Her fellow fighters including DR. Kamuzu Banda were arrested earlier on 3rd March. She was committed to build a post colonial nation which made her pay a heavy price. In 1964 there was cabinet crisis and she fell out with Hastings Banda. She was forced into exile in 1965 for 30 years. She returned after the restoration of democracy. She was a prominent business woman in Mzuzu; member of Church Action relief which assisted orphans; member of Christian Services Committee and interdenominational support group which supported prisoners. Her legacy a road is named after her and she is on the K200 note.
