Chilima disgusted with Malawi Institute of Management: Sends back boss over awful presentation

September 9, 2020 Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 57 Comments

Vice-President Saulos Chilima has expressed his deep disgust with management team of the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) calling their presentation the most uninspiring portrait of an organization since he resumed working on public sector reforms.

Chilima cancelled the discussion halfway through and sent the MIM team back to fully prepare and return when ready.

MIM’s poor show forced Chilima to cancel the discussion halfway through and sent the team back to fully prepare and return when ready.

Chilima, who is also Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, was meeting with MIM management team on Wednesday as part of his ongoing work of appreciate the strides they are making in the implementation of public sectors reforms aimed at making their institution efficient and effective.

Said Chilima: “If this is an institution that was established to train top civil servants then as it stands, the institution is not up to the task under its current leadership.

“Clearly, as of now MIM is an organization that is being run down. It is regressing. I told them I do not have time to waste and they better come again when they are ready and prepared for a discussion meant to perfect an organization.”

He noted that from their financial presentation, one can tell that the organization is on its deathbed.

“I have been told that the institution has experienced persistent cash flow challenges resulting into lawsuits; and suppliers refusing to offer them goods and services as well as accumulating arrears in taxes and pension contributions,” he explained.

The country’s second-in-command further noted that he expected the Executive Director to be in control of the situation and explain what has led to the current state of affairs and possible solutions being lined up to turn around the situation.

The Vice-President said: “However, it seemed the ED did not have any idea how the institution has found itself in this situation, three years after being at the helm,” he said.

Chilima  wrapped the presentation as it had no direction and it was difficult to offer input.

Said the Veep: “I therefore asked them to leave and prepare or if they are not up to the task, resign and go home.”

Chilima–who before joining frontline politics in 2014 worked as the first Malawian managing director for multinational Airtel Malawi– was the first to champion the public sector reforms when they were launched in 2015  before he was replaced. During the launch, heads of parastatals signed contracts of expected deliverables over a period of time.

University of Malawi’s The Polytechnic economics lecturer Betchani Tchereni has commended the move by Chilima to engage with parastatal heads, saying it is high time parastatal CEOs and the executive management were held accountable.

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57 replies on “Chilima disgusted with Malawi Institute of Management: Sends back boss over awful presentation”

  1. As for the 34 day leave that the ED has taken, what is the story there. I though he would have recalled his whole management team together to formulate strategies to rectify the existing issues. Assist me in understanding what is going on, please NYASA TIMES.

  2. Ndizomwe tikufuna ife a Malawi that institutiins should perform, delivering on their mandate. Not just occupying positions for personal gain.( kungokhala phwii nchito kukolola chuma cha mabungwe )

  3. Chilima this is not what we call management. Why shaming them like that? Do you believe your approach shall change the status quo? Do you want to use intimidation instead of motivating them and enthusing them to do more? Do you really think transactional leadership is the way to go instead of applying transformational leadership? Chilima, be careful.

    1. I support chilima on what he has done . It’s a lesson to others.,,,, May you visit our neighbour, Tanzania and see what is happening .,,,,,,eg scan machine were broken and no one bothered to have them repaired !!!! And the president visited the hospital and he kicked out the administrator!!!! Scans were repaired within a week and broken bed were replaced…. Everyone knows there is president who does tolerate stupidity !!!
      We can develop if people go to work to do their job not to sleep.,,,,we support people who destroy our country like traffic policemen

    2. I think SKC is not shaming anyone.
      If one dint do the
      Right job
      At a right time
      at a right place
      show professionalism
      wiork with the right people
      then he or she self shames.basi.
      If not then why did he take the job or else was just a friend of some lazy official.
      PANOTU TIKUFUNA MALAWI WANYAWANI OSATI ZA NDOWE ZINALI MBUYOZI.
      PSA KOKA SKC.
      MIM YOMWEYO TILI NAO MA DEDICATED OMWE ANAPHUZILA CIMODZI MODZI MA LAZY ONES OMWE ALIPOSO. SO emwe akungoti phwii pumping their pot bellies sorry kaeseni kwina

    3. Bwana time to spoon feed Management of parastatals is over.The Management shouldnt expect kids glove kind of treatment coz thats what has led the organisations like MIM to find themselves in unexplainable debts which even the Oga at the top of MIM cant explain

      If they cant deliver let them leave indeed and give room to performers

      Bravo SKC!!!!

  4. If only you knew who is leading the team at MIM, maybe you wouldn’t be writing rubbish about Chilima, who is on a mission to ensure parastatals live up to their mandates of being government para-business entities. The institution is supposed to lead by example, being one which must be in the forefront as far as Reforms, SKC’s passion, are concerned. What do you have instead, an institution that is disorganized.
    While at it, I fail to see any connection between Chakwera and Chilima leadership styles as far as this issue is concerned. Hate or like him, Chakwera is the country’s Leader at this point in time and, together with Chilima, is leading efforts in reshaping Malawi. Let’s respect him.

    1. Namaste you are missing the point. Mediocrity should not be protected. Malawi needs change and what Chiluba is doing is excellent.

  7. Well Done!
    It is high time all parastal og’s were transparent in how they were going to improve citizens’ lives…not just running down the clock and demanding hefty bail out funds from taxpayers.
    I would like to see that in getting each and every development project or tender bids with timescale for full pay back period. Malawi has been shortchanged by thousands of promised ‘mirage’ projects that never see completion despite costing taxpayers huge sums. These bosses should be held to account about their organizations will maintain a going concern…in the same manner a President can be expected to deliver during their term of office. This way it is easier to update citizens on project progress on a yearly basis.

    It is a good anti-corruption management process of checks and balances!

  8. He has a personal political haterade.Take people adiminstratevely.Osati ngati kubusa ng’ombe.Even Ku army munthu angachimwe bwa amasungirana ulemu .Sanenera ku mowa.

    1. political hatred????
      my foot. Malawi watsopano ndiemwe akupanga Chilima. ena anangozolow3ra kuk9lola posalima. Alezi
      bakavu.
      MUZISAZA

    1. Bachedwani ndi kudabwako koma this is how Malawians should be working focus on results not to please paymasters.
      Awachita bwino kumene they need to reorganise themselves.

      Reforms woyeeee!!!SKC woyeeeee!!!!

  11. Was looking for this kind of leadership in Malawi. People should not drive big cars have no idea on how to fill it up with petrol. Big organizations for nothing. Go home

    1. First find out why other CEOs have not been treated like this. Do you remember that they even failed to give a report last time when other directors were giving reports to the VP? do you know that MIM is an institution that teaches managers in Malawi?

    2. MIM should be the ones directing Management in Malawi, if they are challenged in that sense then they really need to be shown the exit door. Malawi walero nduyu

  13. MIM is an institution established by an act of parliament with clear management structures. Tonse government is yet to reconstitute the MIM board of governors. Do that first and not usurp powers you do not have under law
    It is you Chilima who is wasting people’s time. Don’t expect to hear good news from these instructions some have bad and sad stories to tell you. Hear them don’t shut them off. A good leader must be prepared to hear bad news. That is why we add Tsabola to delicious relish to remind is of realities of life

  16. What is the VPs take on the academic papers offered by MIM. Most bosses in the public and private sectors zawo nzankumeneku. MBAs shaaaa

      1. Kupupuluma. I didn’t say that his PhD is from MIM, rather I talked of MBAs that are offered at MIM

  19. Excellent! People are supposed to be doing what they r being paid for. It takes a person. Change start now

  21. Please thoroughly check MIM management. It is most likely infested with DPP cadets bent on discrediting the Tonse Alliance government. I mean, MIM is one institution which should have been in the forefront assisting government in its efforts to reform various sectors.

    1. So according to you, every problem in any parastatal is orchestrated by DPP Cadets? MIM had to present the real situation on the ground, and not doctor the figures or status. After all, these are situations which the veep need to focus attention and engage MIM fully to help the institution. It is not good to be descrediting an institution for the sake of gaining fame.

  22. Big up Chilima for sending back these useless educated people. These people are supposed to teach other people management and yet they can not manage themselves. Just go to the institution it is a good example of a run down instittution

  24. This is the man who wa supposed to be the president osati Mr Talk Talk. One can clearly see that it’s Chilima working and turning things around. GOOD JOB BWANA!!!

    By the way, who’s the Executive Director of MIM?

  25. Tiyeni bwana Chilima Don’t pay attention to the Karonga campaign noise by Harry MupangaNoise. You’re not a politician but a smart technocrat. You’ve all ammunitions at hand in tackling the available reform task. May the institution that now is in the ICU be resuscitated. So many times the soul of these parastatal organizations has been sold to the parties in power today it’s hard to pick out the party in power.
    For too long Malawi has been cocooned in corruption by appointing semiliterate cronies into management. The nation must walk on its feet not moving on knees this economic stagnation is hurting all the people at the grassroots

  28. MPH = MERITOCRACY PRAGMATISM HONESTY. This is Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore. Though Malawi will never be Singapore, but we can at least be ‘PRAGMATIC’ in what we do and in management!

  29. Im glad Chilima was disgusted and had to send MIM top mgmt back. These Managers shld be prepared for a meeting especially when they meeting the Vice President of the country. However, I find Chilima’s actions questionable here? Why did he post the outcome of this failed meeting on his Facebook page? What was the purpose? Did he intend to embarrass MIM managers? Was it just a publicity stunt? Doesn’t he know the proper channels on how to communicate his frustrations and how to get the desired feedback or response without the whole world knowing whats goin on in their bedroom? His professionalism and conduct leave a lot to be desired.

      1. You don’t report via FB. That’s just a publicity stunt. Chilima needs to follow proper laid down protocols and procedures. What about him and his govt, are they performing? Nop. Kwacha is losing value daily. No elderly has received their K 15,000 monthly allowances. Passports r still expensive. We still paying for water connections. No one has been employed yet in their one million job creation project. The list is endless. Uku ndi kuchotsa chisoso mmaso mwa nzako mwako muli chi mtengo.

        1. Inu so u were expecting all those to happen in a blink of 2 months?? Moreover these guys provided a provisional budget while waiting for the main budget that will address the whatever ur talking about here… SKC sanalakwise posting as Malawians we need to kno what is happening,, who is compitent and not.. We nid pipo Hu can perform not stupid ass niggas who only knows kudya ndalama zathu…. Bravo Mr VP long live

    2. You didnt question the VP when he posted all his previous meetings, he will give credit where credit is due.

  30. Probably the management is the reason things have deteriorated. They can’t talk of their own shortfalls. It needs an independent auditor or business analyst whilst they are all sent on forced leave. Good job Mr VP for shaking up things. We can’t be doing business as usual and expect change, no way

  31. Bambo a Chifundo, monse munayambila kutinyoza ife pakhomo. Kutisititsa masheti achikasu mumvekele ndine bwana, ndine bwana……lelo siizi Chilima akuti ntchito simumathanso!!

    Ma meeting kuleki munawonjeza. Chisoso munatitikagule dzana chija mwachipeza lelo. Tidzilemba ziganizo zakuntchito limodzi.

    1. Dr Chilima, bravo! I encourage you fully on what you are doing to reform the public sector. Remain focused on the goals. Can I assist the MIM management to turn around this institution for free!?

      1. I would like to commend the VP for the exercise he is doing to bring sanity in the public sector. But I have one concern in how the exercises are being handled, picking out the issue in this article.

        1. He should know that he may have the principles of reform but is not the gold standard.
        2. He should know that as a good leader listens to hear what others are prepared to say and not what he is prepared to hear.
        3. He should know that the team that was presenting had to brainstorm and come up with a presentation, fully convinced that it is a good presentation and throwing them out the way the writer has put it is an embarrasment one would would want to be spared from.
        4. That he would have taken it as an opportunity to prove to the group that he can advise and make things move unless he already advised them and there was no change.
        5. That he should not expect something tangible from the same group that produced the ‘awful’ presentation unless he want to pick an issue of dissolving the management.

        My take is that he can achieve the same result or even better if the approach is good and not harsh and humiliating.

      2. Am not surprised that am not surprised by the action taken by our son of the soil Dr Chilima. Bwana Chilima is right; MIM requires deliberate decision; either serious overhaul or allow it to die in peace.

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