Renowned philanthropist and founder of First Capital Bank, Hitesh Anadkat, has issued a bold challenge to Rotary leaders across Southern Africa: dismantle bureaucracy and leverage their elite influence to safeguard the vulnerable.
Speaking Thursday at the opening of the Rotary District 9210 Conference in Salima, Anadkat urged a transition from “routine charity” toward high-impact, system-strengthening interventions.
“Rotarians sit at the heart of the elite,” Anadkat remarked.
“We must use that proximity to enforce checks and balances on donor, government, and private-sector projects. By demanding rigorous monitoring and accountability, we don’t just give—we deliver better outcomes.”
the vulnerable
Rotary District 9210—spanning Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—is shifting its focus toward self-reliance.
Anadkat emphasized the importance of locally-driven solutions, urging Rotarians to build the capacity to mobilize domestic resources rather than relying primarily on foreign aid.
“We must raise funds locally to complement offshore support; that is how we truly own our projects,” he stated.
Highlighting the power of advocacy, Anadkat shared how his own efforts helped secure the release of over 200 destitute prisoners who lacked legal counsel.
“We believed their lives could be transformed outside of prison, and this is exactly the kind of impact Rotarians can replicate,” he said.
In his remarks, Rotary District 9210 governor Marshall Chilenga noted that the conference will focus on peace-building, water and sanitation, and strengthening health systems to combat disease outbreaks.
“Rotarians have made significant strides through service projects that promote development and peace,” Chilenga said.
“We have expanded access to clean water, improved maternal health pathways, and supported the construction and rehabilitation of schools.”
He added that environmental conservation, particularly tree-planting initiatives, remains a priority in the effort to mitigate climate change.
The Rotary International President’s representative, Ahmed Saad, urged members to scale up their investment in humanitarian work.
“Rotarians have done commendable work for communities, but more must be done to sustain and expand that impact,” he said.
The conference also reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio through continued vaccination campaigns across the region, including Malawi.
