Khumbo Banda: Illovo Sugar Malawi human resource director

Khumbo Ntambo-Banda is Illovo Sugar Malawi human resource director spearheading an initiative called Women Inspire under Illovo Women in Leadership (I Wil).

It involves holding career talks in primary, secondary schools and universities.

Growing up in Ndirande Newlines, Khumbo didn’t have a clear career path mapped out.

Despite excelling in science and maths, the conventional routes of medicine or accountancy didn’t resonate with her as she aspired to make a meaningful difference in her community and family.

“After graduating from Chancellor College [now Unima], my journey to finding my true calling was anything, but straightforward. I embarked on various roles—from research assistant and payroll clerk to sales and marketing jobs in diverse industries, including alcoholic beverages and telecommunications.

“It wasn’t until years later, when I embraced a position as a management trainee in human resource that I felt I had truly discovered my niche,” she says.

That is the reason Khumbo says career talks aim to inspire the next generation of female leaders by sharing insights and skills from their personal career journeys.

Ironically, Illovo has only 18 percent women representation in leadership positions out of 334 managers.

But Khumbo believes in the power of visibility—showing young women that success is attainable by seeing other women succeed.

She observes that successful women serve as a powerful motivator for young women, instilling in them the belief that they too can become great leaders.

“By preparing them for the industry, we hope to instill confidence in these young women as they embark on their own professional journeys,” she says.

The mother of three observes that career motivation plays a crucial role in attracting young talent to their business.

She adds: “Our university career talks serve as a platform to introduce our company to these talented individuals, showcasing Illovo as an inclusive workplace with opportunities for women.”

In additional, she says their female leaders have the opportunity to extend their impact beyond our business by sharing their stories.

Khumbo says engaging with students directly; I Wil provides insights and support that may not be readily available to them otherwise, thus fostering a pipeline of future talent.

Their initiative has engaged and inspired over 2 000 young women and girls across various schools and universities.

According to the human resource director, I Wil has through these interactions, provided insights into life after school, imparted valuable life and work principles.

Witnessing other women succeed serves as a powerful motivator for young women, instilling in them the belief that they too can become great leaders. Additionally, our female leaders have had the opportunity to extend their impact beyond our business by sharing their stories.

Of course, Khumbo recognises I Will’s deficit and aims is to achieve a representation of 30 percent women in leadership by 2026.

“We have implemented strategies, policies and processes to advance women within our organisation. These include creating a supportive work environment conducive to women’s career growth and actively recruiting and promoting women into leadership roles as opportunities arise,” she adds.

In addition to career talks, Illovo supports educational initiatives such as the Malawi University of Science and Technology endowment fund to provide opportunities for girls who lack access to funding.

Internally, it offers educational loans and sponsorships for professional development.

Mentorship programmes and proactive recruitment efforts further empower women to excel in their careers.

Khumbo recently told female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers during an inspirational talk that she you rose to her position on merit and not using her body.

She tried to motivate the girls to excel academically and in their after school based on the same terms.

“While I have been fortunate to have supportive male allies in my career, I have also faced challenges. For instance, early in my career, I encountered situations where advancement seemed contingent on inappropriate requests.

“However, I stood firm in my principles and declined such opportunities, believing that merit and integrity should be the basis of success,” she says.

Media reports were awash about ‘sexually transmitted grades’ at universities in the country.

Khumbo said there are two aspects to consider in this regard; coercion and consent.

She says for those coerced into compromising situations, it’s essential to empower them to speak out and expose such misconduct.

She adds that this behaviour has no place in academia.

“For those who willingly engage in such practices, it’s important to emphasise that there are no shortcuts to success. Upholding integrity and hard work is paramount, as taking the easy route often leads to eventual downfall,” she says.

Throughout Khumbo’s career, she has had unwavering commitment to learning and personal growth.

She approached each role with enthusiasm, striving to be the best version of herself and leaving a positive impact wherever she goes.

“My guiding principles—founded on the pillars of growth, optimism, and self-awareness—have steered me through life’s twists and turns,” she beams.

For those aspiring to follow a similar path, she offers two pieces of advice.

Firstly, embrace uncertainty and remain open to unexpected opportunities.

“My journey has been far from linear, but by seizing each opportunity that came my way, I’ve been able to carve out a fulfilling career,” says Khumbo.

Secondly, prioritise personal growth and self-awareness. Embrace feedback and use it as a catalyst for improvement, understanding that success is not just about reaching a destination but also about the journey itself.

Khumbo observes that your path may diverge from others, but staying true to yourself and your aspirations, you can achieve great things.

She is married to Chikondi Kaphweleza-Banda and blessed with boys; Adrian, Daniel and Luca.

Her professional journey spans various roles in human resources and management.

Before joining Illovo, she contributed to transformative initiatives at Unilever, where she led significant changes in the supply chain function, including the establishment of a Robertson’s spice factory and the restructuring of the Unilever Tea Factory in South Africa.

“My experience also includes serving as a human resources business partner for Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’ve had the opportunity to work with esteemed organisations such as Airtel Malawi and Carlsberg in Malawi, enriching my expertise in HR and management,” she adds.

She has a master’s degree in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Malawi, alongside a social science degree.

Khumbo is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of People Development.

Outside the boardroom, she find joy and fulfillment in diverse hobbies.

She admits that cooking ignites her creativity and allows her to savour culinary delights.

“Exploring wine pairs beautifully with my passion for understanding different cultures and traditions. Immersing myself in literature or exploring new subjects satisfies my innate curiosity and broadens my worldview.,” she says.

As a devoted Christian, Khumbo cherishes opportunities to contribute to her faith community, including lending her voice to the choir when time permits.

“Above all, my passion lies in empowering people and enriching their lives, both personally and professionally,” she concludes.