Former High Court of Malawi judge and diplomat Tujilane Rose Chizumila has launched her debut books titled From a Refugee Girl to a Judge (Volume 1) and A Journey of Statelessness (volume 2) chronicling her journey from displacement to becoming a judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In the first book, she traces her life from birth in Zomba in 1953 to Malawian parents Gomo Mpilisi Michongwe and Tsalauzione Rita Michongwe, through a childhood disrupted by the 1964 political crisis that forced her family into exile, eventually living as refugees in Tanzania after passing through the United States.
Despite the challenges she faced with her family, she pursued education with determination, later studying law at the University of Dar es Salaam in Ttanzania before advancing her studies in England and Germany.
The book also reflects how education became a turning point, opening doors that eventually led her into public service, diplomacy and international legal work.
The second volume, on the other hand, focuses on her experience of statelessness after returning to Malawi, where she lived for about six years without formal citizenship recognition despite her Malawian roots, navigating both personal and professional uncertainty for herself and her family.
In an interview after the launch held on Friday at the Moroccan Embassy in Lilongwe, Chizumila said she was inspired to write to give hope to refugees and young people and show them that adversity does not define destiny.
“The stories seek to inspire individuals, refugees and young people, including those going through hardships or any form of hopelessness, to never give up,” she said.
Chizumila said resilience, education and determination can transform lives regardless of background, especially for those facing hardship or displacement.
The event also served as a fundraiser to support the author’s charity programmes under Tujilane Chizumila Foundation, which focuses on women and youth empowerment in Africa.
Former president Joyce Banda, who was the guest speaker, said refugees continue to face harsh realities, including limited access to equal opportunities, urging young women especially those in Dzaleka Refugee Camp to remain focused and resilient in pursuit of their goals.
“You have to decide to live an extraordinary life through hard work and resilience. It will not be a walk in the garden, you have to fight. Challenges will always be there, but you can overcome them and achieve what you want,” she said.
Banda said Chizumila’s journey is proof that even those who start from difficult circumstances can rise, noting that her return to Malawi as a demonstration of patriotism and commitment.
“She went through these difficulties and still came back home. That shows a patriotic heart. She rose above the challenges and became the first female lawyer to open a law firm,” said Banda.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Coorperation George Chaponda commended Chizumila for documenting her experiences, saying many people go through struggles but rarely take time to write them down for the benefit of others.
“Many people do not think to write about what they go through. But your story shows that being a refugee does not make you any less of human, you can still achieve great things through determination and hard work,” he said.
Chizumila became the first female lawyer in Malawi to open her own law firm, the first female Ambassador to Zimbabwe, the first female Ombudsman and later served as a High Court judge before her current role at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
