Estate management

The management of estates is an exciting career that young people must look out for, says Earnest Chirwa, estate management officer at the Ministry of Lands and Housing. He explains more about the career in this interview with our reporter BONIFACE PHIRI.

Who is Ernest Chirwa?

I am a third born in a family of five and my home village is Mtepelera, Traditional Authority, Malanda in Nkhata Bay. I am currently working as estate management officer at the Ministry of Lands and Housing (South).

What is your educational background?

I graduated from Mzuzu University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Land Management –Estate Management.  I received secondary education from Bandawe Secondary School. I was selected to Mzuzu University and Malawi Polytechnic in 2006, but I decided to study land management at Mzuzu University.

Who is an estate manager?

An estate management officer is a person who is concerned with the ownership, management, valuation, disposal and development of urban land and property

What does this actually involve?

It is best evaluated and understood when referenced to a certain outlined position. For example, in public sector this may involve monitoring of covenants (plot allocations, initiation and supervision of developments, rent review and negotiations, fixing and reviewing developments and other charges and management of government properties). Somebody in private industry may be involved with management of corporate properties that is, property maintenance, rent review, collection and negotiation, project planning, control, appraisal and property developments.

How long have you been in this profession?

Three years. I spent the first two years in the private sector working as a part-time lecturer at Natural Resource College and property officer at TG Msonda & Associates. Then I joined the Ministry of Lands and Housing in November last year.

Who inspired you to join this field?

Nobody. I joined it by chance; I wanted to become an electrical engineer, but the dream died out after I was offered to study mathematical sciences at The Malawi Polytechnic. This forced me to go for estate management at Mzuzu University.

Is the career rewarding

The career is worthwhile and I don’t regret joining it. I found the field to be so interactive, enabling one to make money through private consultancies. All one needs is to be both associative and creative. But even for lesser creative people, there is great market; it’s a new programme in Malawi and deals with precious resources of companies and organisations, so you know what it means!

What other jobs can an estate managers do?

An estate management professional can also work in government as an lands officer and valuation officer and can also work with any institution that is working on, in and under land or under roof as estate manager, property manager, facilities manager, valuation officer, asset manager, risk and investigation manager, infrastructure and development manager; project manager, controller of properties, bond origination manager and more. Some may indeed be property agents and auctioneers.

What challenges do you face in your work?

Limited and untimely availability of land resource against the demand for it coerces smooth delivery of services. Secondly, the general concern is that most employers have not opened up yet; they still engage other professionals for the skills that require attention of estate managers.