Minister dares Esami alumni

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba has asked graduates of the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (Esami) to use their expertise to help Malawi address pressing challenges, including food insecurity, corruption and economic stagnation.

The minister said in Lilongwe on Friday night during the launch of the Esami Malawi Alumni Chapter that academic qualifications have little value if professionals did not translate their knowledge into practical solutions.

“We must not just learn, but we must learn to lead,” he said.

Namalomba (2nd R) and Kiuluku (L) applaud

the launch of the association.| Emmanuel Mainje

Namalomba wondered why Malawi continues to face food insecurity and economic difficulties despite having a large pool of highly trained professionals.

“Why should we be complaining about food insecurity in this country when we have graduates, MBAs? What about the challenges that we have in the economy? Why should we be complaining? You are part of the solution,” he said.

The minister said the newly established alumni chapter should go beyond networking and social activities by becoming a platform through which professionals develop and implement solutions to national problems.

Namalomba also challenged the professionals to take a stronger stand against corruption, saying the vice cannot be blamed solely on politicians because professionals can facilitate fraudulent transactions, falsification of documents and irregular payments.

The minister also called for greater collaboration among Esami alumni across the region, including those in Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya, saying Malawi could benefit from the collective expertise of professionals trained by the institution.

Esami director-general Professor Peter Kiuluku said professional education should be viewed as a responsibility to society rather than merely a personal achievement.

“Malawi’s transformation would require professionals willing to assume leadership roles and make their knowledge and experience available for national development,” he said.

More than 400 Esami alumni attended the launch.

Esami is a pan-African regional management development centre owned by 10-member governments from the Eastern and Southern African region, namely Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.