Please Tell us your background? family, education and qualifications
I am Mbuya Isaac G. Munlo, the last but one in a family of originally 7 siblings. I was born on 12th March 1956. I am married to Teresa Chemus and I have five children, two of which are identical twins.
I studied General Agriculture at Bunda College. I then went on to do the following Degrees: M.sc Extension and Rural Development (University of Reading, UK.); MA (Distinction) Management Systems (University of Hull, UK); Ph.D Management (Critical Systems Thinking; University of Hull, UK).
Why and when did you join MPP? And the road to being the Programme Coordinator? Any challenges faced on the path? Successes?
I joined the Micro Projects Programme in 2004. This was on my return from a series of engagements abroad since 1987. The position of National Programme Coordinator for the Micro Projects Programme was an ideal entry point into the Malawi job market. I would also like to add that in Malawi I have worked as Programme Manager
for Concern Universal's Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods Programme. At MPP, I deal with people at many levels; community, district, government ministries, donor agencies, traditional and political leadership. We implement our activities through the private sector. I always find myself in situations where I have to apply both my technical and social skills.
In the Micro Projects Programme we are trying to put people ahead of development, to encourage initiative, ownership and sustainability. We are trying to promote the concept of the common good. We also try hard to instill in staff the practice of targeting interventions. More often than not, this requires a change of world views and takes time. It is therefore always a challenge.
The successes in the MPP include rallying staff behind the vision of teaching people to fish other than giving them fish for the day. We have infused cost effectiveness and quality in the projects we support. We have implemented since 2005, 800 projects in five result areas. In three years we have committed more than 80 percent of the total project investment of 35 million Euros. We have instituted a progressive culture in contract management and we have supported development initiatives by communities in all the districts of Malawi.
Any other positions held elsewhere?
Among the positions held outside Malawi are: Senior Consultant; Rural Development; Pan African Institute for Development, East and Southern African region. Lecturer in Decision Making; School of Business; University of Lincolnshire, UK. Advisor on Development, Decentralization and Empowerment Ibis, Denmark. Lecturer (part time) MA course in Management Systems; Department of Management Systems and Sciences, University of Hull Planning and Development Advisor, Ireland Aid/Government of Mozambique Cooperation.
What is life like where you did your PhD compared to Malawi?
I did my PhD in Hull, UK; which at that time was to me the most peaceful and affordable place in England. During my time the crime rate was very low and race relations were good. Life was a challenge as it is in Malawi the difference is that the prevailing culture there was that of self belief and working for what one wants. Of course there were more opportunities for one to realize his/her potential and there were viable alternatives to Government. While there I was aware of the work ethic, the respect for systems, the rule of law and due process as a means to social justice and some sense of the common good.
For me Hull occupies a special part in my heart. This is because I went there to do a masters degree by invitation while on a sabbatical leave from the Pan African Institute for Development. I did not have to pay for my tuition, I only incurred maintenance costs. At the end of my masters degree the university prevailed upon me to do a Doctorate Degree. I was paid a full lecturer’s salary as sponsorship. I was teaching on an MA course four hours a week. My Department also put me on a 15 months consultancy on improved management of social services for elderly people in two local authorities. I was also able to publish. While in the first year of my doctorate programme I won the very competitive three year scholarship for overseas students. I became, by invitation, a committee member of a Baptist church (I am CCAP), and through our participation at that church we acquired so many family friends. If it were not for the cumbersome procedure of obtaining visas I would be going on pilgrimage to Hull every year. I am however in touch with the University and they have used me as alumni in the assessments that are done by the university council.
Do you have any role models?
I have many role models to list here. Some of them are:
- My brother, Justice Lovemore Munlo; a solid professional of immense intellect who has been a referent person for me. He taught me how to ride a bicycle when we were both in primary school.
- Honourable Goodall Gondwe – He is an effective member of a winning team at the political level. He makes it his duty to motivate young professionals in this country and of course by pushing the frontiers of his career to become what he was at the IMF he put Malawi on the map.
- President Bingu wa Mutharika, he is proving to the Malawi nation that good formal education and exposure are essential for effective leadership.
- Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. He played a crucial role in the democratic transition of his country but moved on to other roles without brooding over the presidency.
- Thabo Mbeki for exhibiting intellect, leadership and assertiveness that has destroyed stereotypes about Africans and their ability to lead.
- President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique for guiding his country towards stability and knowing when to leave.
- Kofi Anani for being the best of the best from Africa.
- Dr Lewis Mughogho, the first Malawian principal of Bunda College. He articulated a clear vision of what a relevant university agricultural education should entail and applied himself fully in putting this vision into practice.
How would your work colleagues describe you? your family? friends?
My colleagues, family and friends would probably describe me as “a prisoner of clear objectives and elaborate methodologies”.
If you were president of Malawi for a day what would you do?
If I were the President of Malawi for a day I would facilitate Malawians to articulate what Malawi they would like to have; to state how they are going to contribute to that vision of Malawi and state what support they would need and account for, in contributing to that vision.
What would we find in your fridge? your wardrobe? sitting room?
Fridge: Natural juices, a lonely carlsberg green for a special occasion, traditional vegetables, mangoes, pawpaw and of course chambo.
Wardrobe: A lot of casuals, African attires especially tops and few western suits for occasions that prescribe attires.
Favourite local holiday destination and what is your dream destination?
For short holidays - Any of the forest lodges, particularly the one in Ntchisi, Mulanje. The Nyika Plateau
For long holidays – Lake Malawi, any part of Mozambique and the much publicized Kenyan Resorts.
On holidays, I would like to differ with those who believe that the problem of tourism in Malawi is simply that of inadequate infrastructure; we simply do not have the numbers, the variety and the quality when it comes to wild
animals and crafts. There are aspects to be addressed with respect to relationship between communities and the environment. The discipline to live for tommorrow.
What's a day like in the life of Mbuya?
On average however a week day would encampass the following:
A simple 10 minute exercise
A meeting with heads of departments at the office
Attending to appointments
Checking mail, reading documents, answering to communication, meetings with
stakeholders
Writing proposals for management improvements
Catching up with developments through internet and other means
Going home and doing some exercises with my wife: jogging, yoga, or skipping
the rope (i am not good at this)
Dinner with family
Catching up on events of the day
Watching TV
What would people be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know that I am addicted to music; music from different countries/continents. I cannot complete a month or visit a country without buying music. Though I do not play any instrument I am a competent arm chair critique of music and I can easily write lyrics. I am fluent in Portuguese. I can read and write as well.
Any business interests?
I have registered a business company - I do farming and African Arts and Crafts. I am eyeing opportunities in real estate but access to urban land seems to be so difficult for ordinary Malawians – even those with resources.
What are your current political views?
My current political view is that as Malawians we seem to be generally in agreement that our big challenge is the economy. Let us focus on this challenge other than investing all our energies into politics which majority of our people do not comprehend. Make strides on the economic front, invest in people, reduce poverty. This will eventually clean up our politics. The Japanese, the Chinese, the Arabs and the Asian tiger states are respected not because of their politics but because of their economies.
Where to for the next 10 years.
Next 10 Years As an international Consultant contributing to authentic policies, strategies and practice in development management.
