Chartered Accountants votes Kapito Most Influential Person: Chikaonda on third
The Institute of chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) has voted human rights activist, John Kapito as the country’s Most Influential Person of the year for his leading role on issues of economy ahead of renowned economists and entrepreneurs.
Kapito, Executive Director for Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama), received more nominations from ICAM members published in the institution’s 2014 Magazine first edition issued last week beating entrepreneur Henry Kachaje on second position.
Chartered accountant Thom Mpinganjira and economist Mathews Chikaonda were tied on third position.
According to the magazine, Kapito who is also Nyasa Times-leading online publication- 2013 Person of the Year outclassed the three top-notch players in the economic and business sectors, on his ability to champion consumer rights in Malawi, and for his uncompromising fight against looting of public funds at Capitol Hill in Lilongwe christened as Cashgate scandal.
“With more nominations that anyone else and as the near-universal choice for the top spot, John Kapito has remained a dominant figure in the Malawi economy. The consumer rights activist has to most people been the last man standing amongst all civil rights activists who were once outspoken,” explains the magazine.
Kapito received more nominations from the chartered accountants for his role to organize peaceful demonstrations on several issues including the increasing high cost of living as well as the sale of country’s presidential jet, but also his influence to make government listen when he speaks.
“Other commentators say that they give credit to Kapito as he earlier on saw that the Malawi economy was heading for a slump at a time when most economic commentators had hope for the economic recovery as projected by government,” further explains the magazine.
It adds: “In 2014 the Kapito factor is likely to be tapped on by some politicians as we are heading towards tripartite elections. He is likely to remain a government’s watchdog both before and after elections. He remains a force that any government in power has to watch with keen interest, fear and love as well.”
Kachaje, Chief Executive Officer of Business Consult Africa has been nominated on second position for his guileless talk on Malawi’s ailing economy and citizen’s free enterprise, and his ability to win hearts of many Malawians despite the country continue to bask in economic turmoil and disorder.
Thom Mpinganjira, outstanding entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer for FDH group of companies, is on third position for his role to ensure his business FDH bank continues to grow as evidenced by increasing capital base by US$4.3 million in readiness for the rollout of Basel II, which was to become effective on January 1st, 2014.
Mpinganjira is joined by Mathews Chikaonda who is the Chief Executive Officer for Press Corporations Limited. Chikaonda’s leadership at the institution has resulted into major annual turnovers with the corporation registering a K17 billion profit.
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