Tell us your background? Including age, family, education and qualifications
I am Rev and Mrs Jimu’s third born daughter, in a family of 5 children (4 Girls and 1 Boy). I was born at QECH on 14th December, 1980. I did my primary schools at Chimwankhunda Primary School, Misesa Primary School, Namiwawa Primary School and Namulenga Girls Boarding School. I was then selected to Stella Maris Secondary School, then to Chancellor College. I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities.
In 2006, I was privileged to be offered a scholarship by Casals and Associates with the assistance from United States Agency for Development (USAID) to attend a 12 months, Master of Science degree course in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management at Robert Gordon University in Scotland. I graduated in December, 2007.
Why did you join the public sector?
I never wanted to join the public sector. It was my father who encouraged me. I later on realised that the best way one can make a difference in the society is by working in the public sector.
I joined the public sector in 2004 by working as an Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Health. That was the period when the Malawi government was negotiating with donor partners to implement the Sector Wide Approach programme in the Ministry. One of the programme requirements was for the Ministry to establish a Procurement Unit. I was then assigned to be the procurement officer in the Procurement Unit. After working with the Ministry for 2 years I resigned and joined the Office of Public Procurement as a Review Officer.
And the road to being one of the first woman public procurement specialists? Any challenges faced on the path? Successes?
I am one of the few qualified women public procurement specialists. It’s not easy to be a woman in a field that is almost new and most of the people in that area men. However that does not stop me from working hard. The challenges broaden my understanding of procurement/purchasing and supply chain management.
What was life like in the UK compared to Malawi?
Life in the UK, particularly in Scotland was wonderful. The city I was in (Aberdeen) is the third largest city in Scotland. It was a quite city and the people were very nice. Everything was so organised. The technology is so advanced.
Do you have any role models?
My Parents, Dr. E. Kayambazinthu and Dr. A. Malata are some of the people who really inspire me and contributed to make me what I am becoming both in terms of my competence and profession.
What's a day like in the life of Manale jimu?
I’m not an outgoing person so I spend most of my time at home. I always make sure I start and end my day with a prayer. I can not afford to miss that dose!
How would your work colleagues describe you? your family? friends?
Colleagues at work would describe me as hardworking and humble, my family would say I’m reliable and my friends would say that I am friendly.
If you were president of Malawi for a day what would you do?
If I were a president of Malawi for a day…..I wish it would happen….however a day is too short to finish expounding what I could do in an ideal 5 year term.
What would find in your fridge? your wardrobe? sitting room?
There’s always a carton of apple juice, a cup of yogurt and a container of ice cream in my fridge. In my wardrobe, the basic cloths and sitting room, a bible, magazines CDs and DVDs.
Favourite local holiday destination and what is your dream destination?
My favourite local holiday destination is Club Makokola in Mangochi. My dream holiday destination is any of the national parks in Africa.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I don’t think people would be surprised to know anything about me, but they will be surprised seeing me because of my stature….
Any business interests?
I don’t have any business interest at the moment…but maybe in future…....a procurement consulting firm.
What are your current political views?
I am apolitical.
Where to for the next 10 years.
In the next 10 years I would want to be somewhere 10 times better that where I am now
Editorial: bestmalawian.com contacted some of Manale's friends and family in seperate interviews, asking them to describe Manale, and this is what they said:
Manale is calm, cool and collected but can be very secretive sometimes even to people she considered as her friends.
She is very lively, caring, easy going and a likeable person and doesn't like being pressured. She likes eating out ,enjoys
reading magazines and she is very proud of her country (Malawi) - Roselyn Itopa, Advance Supply Manager, Cummins Power Generation Ltd, Kent
As her sister, Manale is very reliable, loving and hardworking. She is also fun to be with - Rita Jimu
