Mwawi is Airtel “It’s Now” ambassador

Malawi netball export Mwawi Kumwenda has replaced Cote d’Ivoire international football star Yaya Toure as an ambassador for Airtel “It’s Now” campaign in the country.

Speaking at Protea Ryalls in Blantyre on Wednesday during launch of the thematic campaign, which aims at articulating vision to empower individuals and communities to achieve their dreams, Airtel Malawi’s acting managing director Charles Kamoto said Kumwenda has taken the mantle from the Manchester City midfielder, who featured in the initial phase of the campaign last year.

“Unlike the inaugural phase of the campaign, which featured Yaya Toure as its ambassador, the second phase is wearing a domestic face and this local icon is none other than the legendary Malawi’s first and only netball export Mwawi Kumwenda,” said Kamoto.

According to Kamoto, Kumwenda was chosen after a thorough consultation with Airtel’s 3.5 million-plus customers, most of which said the lofty Malawi Queens shooter inspires them through her passion and determination to overcome all odds so as to live her dream.

“At Airtel, we believe that despite the various challenges Malawians face, we can beat the odds and unleash our power of potential to conquer endless possibilities,” he said.

On her part, Mwawi, who is expected to return to New Zealand next week for her professional netball career with that country’s outfit Tactix, said she was very excited to have been recognised for her achievements.

“I would like to humbly thank Airtel for choosing me to be the ambassador for this wonderful campaign,” said the former Escom Sisters (now Kukoma Diamonds) shooter.

Blantyre City mayor Noel Chalamanda was guest of honour at the event also witnessed by Business Consult managing director Henry Kachaje.

Among the success that Mwawi has attained on the global netball scene is becoming the Player of the Tournament during the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia.