Malawi Congress Party (MCP) running mate Vitumbiko Mumba says they are engaging stakeholders on challenges within the tertiary education sector and proposing structural reforms.
Speaking during a professional interaction on Friday evening in Blantyre, Mumba—who also serves as Minister of Trade and Industry—fielded questions on how his administration plans to address obstacles facing college students.
He acknowledged that conditions in many institutions are poor, forcing students to divert time and energy from learning to address basic welfare needs.
Mumba said while the engagement has demonstrated that he is a leader willing to engage, the responses are not just empty promises as he already has had conversation with President Lazarus Chakwera on the same.
He said: ” A Vice-President is not supposed to have his ideas. A Vice-President is an assistant. He implements what the President wants him to implement.
“Unless you are a deputy president is when you can have your own vision. I will be implementing what Chakwera wants implemented.”
Mumba has since urged political leaders to harness the anger and energy of the youths for economic development, by among others, giving them finance for their innovative ideas and opening new opportunities for them.
“We need to look at how we can help our youths so that their energy is directed to the development of the country,” he said.
He cited the Youth Innovation Fund and National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) as some of the financing opportunities available for youths.
Chakwera launched the Youth Innovation Fund on July 2, and is aimed at supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs in the country.
On the other hand, Neef, previously known as Malawi Enterprise Development Fund (Medf), was incorporated as a limited company by guarantee in 2014 and rebranded to Neef in September 2020.
President Lazarus Chakwera recently announced plans to transform Neef into a K1 trillion bank to empower women and youths to access capital.
He said in the next five years, government will provide over K1 trillion in business capital to women and youths.
