‘Rotary clubs demand strict ethical values’

Having served under various positions on the Rotary board which included membership director, director of administration and as secretary, renowned legal practitioner 46 year old George Mchuka Mwale has now risen to the presidency of the Lilongwe Rotary Club for the year 2018-19. Ahead of his coronation this evening [Saturday], our reporter FATSANI GUNYA engaged the president-elect on his aspirations for the club. In this interview, the two also discuss the emergence of Rotary Clubs in the country, and what they represent.

Congratulations on your election to the presidency of the club. How does it feel to you as a person?

Thank you.  I feel humbled to be able to play my part as president of the club, to serve those in less fortunate circumstances than myself and to be an inspiration to others to do likewise in the hope of making this world a better place.

But just who is George Mchuka Mwale?

I am a legal practitioner in Malawi and also qualified to practice as an Advocate of the High court and Supreme Court in Zambia.  I am 46 years old, married to my lovely wife Fiona who is a High Court judge and together, we have two children in Christine and Eitan. I graduated with an Honours Degree in Law at Coventry University in the United Kingdom [UK] in 1996, thereafter, I studied for the bar. I was admitted to practice in the year 2000. I am currently running a firm under the name of Messrs Nicholls and Brookes which has been operational for about 14 years. Apart from the legal practice, I sit on the council for Legal Education in Malawi and lecture at the Malawi Institute for Legal Education, the Bar School. In my free time I like reading, farming, watching football, playing basketball and practicing Shotokan Karate for which I hold a 1st Dan Black Belt.

Briefly take us through your journey as a Rotarian?

I joined rotary in 2007, having served before as a member of Lions Club since 2000.  As a Rotarian I have served under various positions on the board. But initially, I started my journey in service to humanity firstly as a lions club of Capital City sometime in 1999 where I served as a secretary of the club. Thereafter, I took a break due to my busy schedule.  However, in 2007 a friend of mine, Joe Pegas, convinced me to join Rotary. It didn’t really take much convincing though, as at the time my father and father in law were Rotarians too. So I had all the information on what the Rotary club is all about at my fingertips. At the time I was inducted into the club, I was probably the youngest in the club. However, there was no stopping me as all I wanted was to contribute in one way or another to society; to do my bit as you may say. I have never looked back since. I was further awarded with a Paul Harris fellow which is an award given to Rotarians for contributing to rotary.

What do you think qualified you for the presidency to the club?

In the Rotary world, we vote in presidents in an open and democratic manner.  It therefore pleased the membership of the club to vote me as such. I believe my skills and experience were vital for the position of president to the club.  The position calls for someone with significant amount of high level experience in the Rotary family.  I have been a Rotarian for over 10 years, and have attended several training seminars which have equipped me with knowledge of rotary ideals and values.

What specifically is the role of a Rotary Club president?

Among others, a Rotary president presides over a board, and club meetings, creates and manages club finances, further works with the district governor in achieving all the Rotary goals. For me personally, it has been a pleasure to serve in the board that was presided over by president Dan Kuwali. I have learnt a lot on leadership skills and achieving set goals and I believe as the immediate past-president, he still has a role to play within the Club as an adviser.

Now as you take up the leadership mantle of the club, what difference do you plan to make in your tenure, which also would be your preferred legacy when your time is up?

The Rotary Club thrives on continuity, so far the club has various projects that are already under way however as I continue with the projects, my aim is to build on the membership and developing the youth as future Rotarians.  We further intend to work on projects which will see Lilongwe having a rehabilitation centre to help children with disabilities.

Would you say that the Rotary club has been well-presented to the ‘outside’ world over the years since the club was first introduced in the country?

I think to a point, Rotary Club has not really been well presented to the outside world.  The club has been in existence since 1969.  There is need for a lot of publicity for the public to know what Rotary is all about and what Rotarians do as a service to the community.  We intend to make sure of that. I admit there have been a lot of misconceptions about the Rotary clubs, not only here in Malawi, but also across the borders. But I’m glad it now looks positive, and we are certain that with time, people will know more of us, and eventually choose to join us for the greater good.

Why would anyone opt to join a Rotary Club?

If one enjoys serving others, then Rotary is their home. If they really want to help people and are looking for an organisation that will spend 100 per cent of funds raised on tangible and intended  projects, then Rotary is truly their destination. This is where positions are made accountable for project funds. It also links people around the world who, otherwise are strangers to each other but are unified through various projects aimed at helping vulnerable communities. Personally, I feel inspired to see that my little contribution to the efforts of many like-minded individuals has made a difference to someone’s life.

Apart from being a service organisation, in Rotary, one acquires leadership skills and is able to network with a lot of individuals the world over.  Further, being party to the club encourages Rotarians to maintain high ethical standards in business and professions, and advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through world fellowship amongst its other objectives.  Moreover, Rotary Clubs play an important role in the socio economic development of the global community, especially in providing health care, clean water, food, education and other essential needs required in the developing world.

Rotary has put a huge investment towards eradicating polio in the world and will remain a number one priority until the job is done.  In Malawi, Rotary has been involved in building classroom blocks, clinics, borehole drilling.  We have just completed a dental camp at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe where close to 1 000 patients have received dental treatment. Would one therefore not want to join the Rotary!

This year’s International theme for the Club is ‘Be the inspiration’. Just how best do you plan to harmonise this in influencing positive change for a Malawi seemingly in dire need of it, taking into consideration that club members subscribe to the ‘Service above self’ creed?

It is the club’s plan in keeping with this year’s international theme “Be the inspiration” to inspire the members of the Club to contribute more to the Club in both monetary and service hours with the hope that achievements of the Club will inspire others to join Rotary or help with the Rotary efforts.  The more hands that are on deck, the more we can achieve and create change to our communities and hence becoming better for it ourselves.