Monica Kholomana Unyolo

She is a determined woman who despite having no experience in managing a company has steered Nali Group of Companies since 1997 and the company has made a name on the international market. She is bent on taking the different flavours of Nali sauces into Europe, Asia and America. PAIDA MPASO gets to know this humble but successful woman.

Tell me about yourself? I come from Mangochi, but I have lived much of my life in Luchenza, Thyolo. We were nine in our family, but one died so we are eight–two boys and six girls, and I am the first born.

So, practically your siblings looked up to you?

Yes; since we were growing up in the village, life was better compared to now. Back then, we had our own food and everything seemed easy. Of course, as a firstborn, I knew I had a big task of not only taking care of my siblings but also making sure I guided them. Village life could be tempting, for example, it was easy to rush into early marriage.

What were your parents professions?

My father was an Anglican priest. His name was Emmanuel Mtupila and my mother was a house wife. We were brought up in the Christian way.

What were the challenges you encountered while growing up?

The main challenge was simply life in the village. We walked long distances to school. While we struggled to cover long distances and learn while tired, some of our friends were dropping out. Peer pressure was high, but I had to go on. Nevertheless, what was important was that we had basic needs.

Which schools did you attend?

I started with St Martins Primary School in Malindi, Mangochi before going to Likuni Girls Secondary School. I finished my secondary education in 1970. In 1971, I went to Kamuzu College of Nursing. In those days, it used to be known as National School of Nursing. We had our training at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where the college was. I studied both nursing and midwifery. I graduated in nursing in 1974 before graduating in midwifery in 1975. I qualified as a State registered nurse.

Where did you work?

I was posted to Top Hospital in Lilongwe from September 1975. I worked there for six months before getting married in 1976. I moved to Thyolo District Hospital where I worked till 1978. After I gave birth to my second child, I found it tough to work and take care of my family at the same time. So, I resigned from my job. In 1987, when my five children had grown up and were in school, I started secretarial studies. I did an 18-month secretarial course. After I had completed the course, I joined Nali as a secretary and was stationed at one of its branches called clinical industries. After working there for about two years, we had an opportunity to go to the United Kingdom (UK). My late husband went to study business studies; so, our family moved to the UK. We stayed in the UK from 1989 to 1997. The latter is the year my late husband died.

How did Nali Group of Companies start?

We bought a farm and grew coffee. Since my husband was a business-minded person—after reading a business magazine that illustrated how lucrative chillies were outside Africa—he made it a point to venture into this business. So, the company started between 1974 and 1975. He grew the chillies at the farm. He used to sell it in small quantities such as two tonnes or three tones. When the demand became high, he gave seed to farmers so that we would buy the chillies from these farmers. In those days, it was only Nali Group of Companies that was selling chillies on a large scale. However, the supply was too much for us considering that we only needed 10 tonnes for our production. As such, we used to export the unprocessed excess.

Why the brand name Nali?

Nali is my late husband’s name. When he was born, he was given the name Nalilo. When he formed the company, he just used the first part of his name.

How many flavours does Nali come in?

There is Mild, Hot, Garlic, Ginger, Chicken BBQ, Beef, BBQ Masala and Gold.

So, how did you rise to the position of managing director?

After the death of my first husband, I had to manage the company because Nali is a family business. I started off as a secretary on a payroll like everybody else, working for my late husband.

How difficult was it to fill your late husband’s shoes?

There were a lot of challenges because he died at a time when he had not prepared me fully for this job. I had to learn the ropes of the business. My two sons were also with me working in the company. We made a good team and it worked out.

How old was your last-born child when your husband died?

The last born was 16 years old. After two years in the UK, my late husband returned to Malawi, but I remained there because I had to look after our children. When I heard that he was sick, I rushed back home to take care of him. We went to South Africa for treatment. Unfortunately, he died upon our return.

What has been your secret to success?

Well, it hasn’t been easy. Sometimes I look back and wonder how I have managed to get the company to where it is. But when you know God, all things work out. Prayer and hard work has been my secret and this has really helped me. Without those two I don’t think I would have survived. I have encountered and overcome a lot of obstacles.

As a single mother, how did you manage to run the company?

I had to sacrifice a lot of things. For instance, we were living in Luchenza while the head office was in Limbe. I would make sure I am there where they are mixing the Nali recipes in Luchenza and try to be at the head office while taking care of my children. I would move to and fro supervising all departments. There were times I felt like I was not going to succeed. But with the grace of God, we have survived. I asked my children to help me fulfil the vision that their father had which was to expand the family business.

Didn’t your late husband’s relations want to take over the company?

No, they are the ones who actually supported me. Actually, they were the ones who asked my children and I to run the company. In 2005, I remarried Justice Unyolo who has been very supportive.

Where do you want to take Nali?

I want Nali to be a model Malawian company on the international market. Our sauces are in high demand even outside Malawi. When we started making the sauces the factory was just a small building. But we have just completed building a big factory. We are waiting for machinery to come in. We want to automate the production processes since demand is high. We are following standards that are required for us to export outside Africa. We want to start exporting our products to Europe, Asia and America.

Approximately, how many employees do you have?

We have 99 men and 45 women. Sometimes the number goes up to 200 because we engage seasonal workers to grade the chillies. We have a department that makes Nali sauces and another one that exports whole chillies, and this calls for more workers.

Is there any charity work that you are involved in?

I belong to a group of 30 women farmers that have farms (small or big) and are serious about farming. We grow soya, pigeon peas and sunflower. I like farming because I have spent many years on the farm.