South Africa High Commissioner to Malawi Cassandra Mbuyane-Mokone has expressed worry for students at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar), especially Bunda campus, who are learning in tents.
She expressed her concern during this year’s Nelson Mandela commemoration day fun walk on Saturday, held at the South Africa high commissioner’s residence in Lilongwe’s Area 10 residential estate.
The embassy organised the fun walk to support the building of temporally classrooms for Luanar.
The high commissioner said as it commemorates Mandela day, her government thought it wise to help build makeshift structures at the Luanar because this is the only university that is trying to help Malawians in as far boosting the country’s agri- economy is concerned.
She said: “Unless we come together to create a better learning environment for these students, it stands to impede and possibly even derail work that is being done at the university by the students and academic.”
Mbuyane-Mokone said that supporting Luanar is the best her government can do so that agriculture remains the bedrock of Malawi’s economy, further noting noting that agriculture in Malawi represents the strongest solution to fighting against hunger and poverty.
In his remarks, vice-chancellor for Luanar professor George Kanyama-Phiri expressed worry over the congestion at the university, noting that the challenges include uncomfortable heat and great inconveniencies during the rainy season.
He welcomes the project of the building of temporary classrooms by the South African High Commission, saying this will help Luanar to continue being drivers of the country’s economy.
In coming up with the project to ease the suffering of the Luanar students, the South African High Commission engaged the college staff and management regarding the congestion under the marquee and was able to share this matter with several members of the South African business community in Malawi who then wanted to be part of the solution to assist our students.
People have hailed the fun walk as representing the spirit of volunteerism and acting together, in response to societal challenges by people who are concerned and show love because they live and work in Malawi.
The reception that followed the fun walk brought added bonding between Malawian nationals and the other nationals who were extending their assistance in solving the college’s woes.
