The family of business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira has donated K100 million to Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) to aid repatriation of Malawians fleeing anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa.
In an interview after a symbolic cheque presentation in Blantyre yesterday, he said as a family, they were deeply touched by the situation in South Africa; hence, they decided to make the donation.
Mpinganjira, who was accompanied by his wife, Triephornia, said the anti-immigrant attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa warrants concerted efforts, stressing that government alone cannot handle the situation.
“As a family, when we sat down and discussed, we thought that maybe we should do something to help, no matter how small. We are not daunted by the figure that is required [to repatriate Malawians]. But I think if we all do small bits and pieces, we will probably get there,” he said.
Dodma needs K24.6 billion to repatriate about 15 000 Malawians who are currently stranded in South Africa.
Mpinganjira said it would be imperative for the corporate sector to support the repatriation efforts as part of taking care of the very people it benefits from in numerous ways.
He further stressed that assisting through such initiatives is not losing out, but rather, doing a good cause for the greater good of the country.
In a separate interview, Dodma Commissioner Wilson Moleni described the Mpinganjira family donation as timely and impactful; especially considering the financial challenge the government has before it as regards repatriating the Malawians.
“We have enormous need of resources and, therefore, this is a very great show of kindness that Dr. Mpinganjira has manifested,” he said, while calling for more stakeholders to emulate the gesture.
Moleni said that Dodma is nearing K5 billion in its expenditure towards the repatriation exercise.
Meanwhile, other private individuals, notably through social media influencer Onjezani Kenani have also been mobilising resources which they are sending directly to South Africa.
Anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa have in recent weeks been escalating with the number of Malawians voluntarily expressing interest to return rising from 10 000 to 15 000.
