Fischer appointed GBV ambassador

Former Flames international and Nyasa Big Bullets player Fischer Kondowe was on Friday evening unveiled by Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama at Crossroads Hotel as brand ambassador for Madolo Ojaka programme

The programme is an initiative of National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCM)aimed at engaging boys and men in communities to fight the ills of gender-based violence (GBV), teen pregnancy, defilement and early marriages.

Msungama unveiled Kondowe in absentia because he missed the event following the death of his father.

The minister said the former Flames star can help in the fight gender-based violence because of his popularity.

Said Msungama: “The war against gender-based violence, teen pregnancy and child marriages can best be won if we involve men and boys in the fight; hence, the Madolo Ojaka programme will be helpful. We are happy this evening to announce our brand ambassador and Mr. Fischer Kondowe is one of them.

 “Our brand ambassadors are men holding different portfolios united to ensure that boys and men are engaged to play a role to ensure that girls and women are protected.”

Kondowe joins, Inkosi Goman V, Lulu, Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Civic Education Timothy Mtambo and Pastor Humphreys Mkandawire as faces of Madolo Ojaka campaign which is, among others, supported by Plan Malawi International.

Kondowe, who watched the ceremony virtually, said he could not attend the function physically as he was in mourning.

However, he said he was honoured to have such a responsibility and he is committed to the cause.

NYCM chief executive officer Dingiswayo Jere said the involvement of public figures as ambassadors will enable the youth to get the message and take responsibility to protect girls and women from issues of violence, rape and defilement.

“It is high time we as men tackled the ills of violence against women head on. We believe with a united front led by these ambassadors we can mobilise boys and men countrywide to stand up and say enough is enough,” he said.