People Over Politics Foundation Chairperson Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has raised concerns over what he describes as delays and inefficiencies in the registration of organisations in the country.

 

Mumba says his foundation applied for registration in January but remained unregistered for eight months, with progress only being made after the matter was reported in the media.

He was speaking in Lilongwe on Friday during the launch of the People Over Politics Foundation, where he also unveiled a K1 billion University and College Students Stipend Fund.

 

“It’s been eight months since we started asking to register this foundation. We only saw progress after a newspaper reported on the matter,” Mumba said.

 

Mumba says the experience raises questions about the systems governing the registration of organisations and the ease of establishing initiatives intended to support communities.

 

Meanwhile, South African Union of Students Treasurer General Nkosinathi Mabilane has challenged Malawi to assess the sustainability of its student financing system, particularly the use of loans.

Mabilane says although student loans enable young people to access higher education, they can leave graduates with significant debt after completing their studies.

 

He has therefore called for a broader assessment of how students can be financed without creating a long-term financial burden for graduates.

 

The People Over Politics Foundation says its K1 billion stipend fund is aimed at supporting university and college students with their educational needs.

 

By Monica Chinyama Lipiya