Luanar learning environment worries SA diplomat

South Africa High Commissioner Mbuyane Mokone has expressed worry over students’ learning environment at Bunda College under the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) where students learn in tents.

Officials at the institution insist they are not tents, but marquees.

Mokone expressed the worry on Saturday during the commemoration of this year’s Nelson Mandela Day fun walk.

The walk, which aimed at supporting the building of temporary classrooms at Luanar, was held at the High Commissioner’s Area 10 residence.

Mokone said her government thought of assisting in building makeshift classes at Luanar because of the institution’s efforts in helping Malawians in as far as the agriculture economy is concerned.

She said: “We come together to create a better learning environment for Luanar and continue with the excellent work that is being done at the university by the students and academics. That is why the South African High Commission chose to commemorate Mandela Day by supporting the students.”

In his remarks, Luanar vice-chancellor George Kanyama-Phiri expressed worry over congestion at the university which he said is not good when it is hot and during the rainy season.

He welcomed the project to build temporary classrooms by the South African High Commission, saying it will help Luanar continue being drivers of the country’s economy.

Luanar is one of the country’s four operational public universities. It was created three years ago following the delinking of Bunda College from the University of Malawi (Unima). Other public universities are Mzuzu University and the newly opened Malawi University of Science and Technology.