The African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (AFIIA) Chairperson, Thokozile Kuwali, has said that strong organisations and nations are built on well-managed people.
Speaking on Friday at the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) Sponsors Gala Dinner at Mount Soche Hotel on Friday, Chairperson Kuwali said personnel are the “guardians of integrity, stewards of accountability, and the heartbeat of every control environment.”
The gala was held to honour sponsors who have supported IPMM in promoting human resources (HR) excellence in Malawi.
She emphasised that while policies, procedures, and systems are important, they cannot function effectively without competent, well-managed people.
“A control environment does not fail because systems are weak — it fails when people are unprepared, unsupported, or unmanaged,” she said.
Kuwali highlighted key human factors such as integrity, ethical values, competence, accountability, and leadership by example as central to effective governance and organisational performance.
The AFIIA Chair also linked the importance of people management to national development goals. She noted that past efforts, including the Millennium Development Goals, often fell short due to weak institutional capacity, skills gaps, poor accountability, and underestimation of the people factor. She said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malawi Vision 2063 place people at the centre of progress, emphasizing decent work, quality education, strong institutions, and ethical leadership.
IPMM President Frank Sabola hailed the 2025 Annual Conference, themed “HR Re-Imaged: Shaping the Future of Work,” which drew over 564 delegates and speakers from Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. He also highlighted the inaugural HR Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in people management.
“The gala was more than a celebration; it was a platform for collaboration, learning, and advancing HR practices across Malawi,” he said.
Sabola added that with ongoing sponsor support, IPMM aims to further strengthen HR in Malawi, reinforcing that investing in human capital is key to both organisational success and achieving Vision 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
IPMM Secretary General Grace Nyambo thanked sponsors for their continued support, noting that their backing ensures the smooth running of IPMM events.
