NPL’s manager, other inducted as Rotarians

Nation Publications Limited (NPL)’s Marketing Manager Albert Banda became the latest employ to join a rotary club after he was inducted on Friday night into Bwaila Rotary Club.

His induction comes barely months after the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mbumba Banda was successfully inducted as a member of Lilongwe Rotary Club earlier in the year.

But on Friday, Albert was inducted alongside Lilongwe-based agri-businessman Charles Prince at a colourful ceremony held at Woodlands Lodge near Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary in the capital.

Club President Vijay Mittal welcomed the two, saying the new additions will help consolidate the club’s resolve to serve the underprivileged in society.

Said Mittal, “Among the so many reasons why we feel people have to join rotary clubs, that include professional networking and personal growth and development, I take the opportunity to serve as paramount of them all. We should be proud to see these two new additions tonight to join the movement for such a noble course.”

He added that as part of the club’s plans for the current fiscal year, Bwaila wants to continue implementing internationally and locally sponsored projects with strategic partners for greater impact.

“And also, we noted that there is still some gender parity in the club. It would have been better if we induct five more members before the turn of the year, this time focusing on younger members and gender equality. After all, great things happen to those who don’t stop believing, trying, learning and being grateful. Together we can, and we will. He said.”

But the dinner could not go without some drama as the actual induction ceremony of the two was preceded by some power blackouts, to what some members joked about it as a bad omen for the two; much to the laughter of many delegates present at the induction dinner.

However, Banda said he thought of joining the club owing to its vast projects that continue to help alleviate the challenges most of the people do face socio-economically.

“Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived. I chose to live the good things through this Rotary Club. I hope to make a difference in society at large and also to others around me. Luckily, I have the support of my family.”

He since expressed his gratitude for joining; pledging to accord more of his time and resources towards the noble course of the club.

And speaking as he presented Banda to take his pledge of allegiance, past President of the club Patrick Mhango, who ‘scouted’ Banda into the club, had a word of encouragement for the two recruits by saying: “When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard work, perseverance and self-belief there is no limit to what you can achieve.”

Bwaila is one of the four rotary clubs in the country with Limbe, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu the others. The quartet are part of internationally marked District 9210 which comprise Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the northern part of Mozambique.