Key Business Points
- Investing in human capital is crucial for both organisational success and achieving national development goals, such as Malawi Vision 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Effective people management is essential for building strong organisations and nations, with key human factors including integrity, ethical values, competence, accountability, and leadership by example.
- Collaboration and learning are vital for advancing HR practices across Malawi, with events like the IPMM Annual Conference and HR Excellence Awards providing platforms for knowledge sharing and recognition of outstanding contributions.
The African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (AFIIA) Chairperson, Thokozile Kuwali, has emphasized the importance of well-managed people in building strong organisations and nations. Speaking at the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) Sponsors Gala Dinner, Kuwali highlighted that personnel are the "guardians of integrity, stewards of accountability, and the heartbeat of every control environment." She stressed that while policies, procedures, and systems are important, they cannot function effectively without competent, well-managed people.
Kuwali linked the importance of people management to national development goals, noting that past efforts often fell short due to weak institutional capacity, skills gaps, poor accountability, and underestimation of the people factor. She emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Malawi Vision 2063 place people at the centre of progress, emphasizing decent work, quality education, strong institutions, and ethical leadership. As Kuwali said, "A control environment does not fail because systems are weak — it fails when people are unprepared, unsupported, or unmanaged."
IPMM President Frank Sabola hailed the 2025 Annual Conference, themed "HR Re-Imaged: Shaping the Future of Work," which drew over 564 delegates and speakers from Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia. He also highlighted the inaugural HR Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in people management. Sabola added that with ongoing sponsor support, IPMM aims to further strengthen HR in Malawi, reinforcing that investing in human capital is key to both organisational success and achieving Vision 2063 and the SDGs. As he said, "The gala was more than a celebration; it was a platform for collaboration, learning, and advancing HR practices across Malawi."
IPMM Secretary General Grace Nyambo thanked sponsors for their continued support, noting that their backing ensures the smooth running of IPMM events. Nyambo’s sentiments were echoed by Kuwali, who emphasized the importance of sponsorship and partnership in driving the success of IPMM events. With the Chikwambo cha kugwira ntchito (power of working together) and ubale (partnership), Malawian businesses can work together to achieve greater success and drive economic growth. As the business community in Malawi continues to grow and develop, it is essential to prioritize investing in human capital and effective people management to achieve long-term success and contribute to the country’s development goals.
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