Kalinde hands over Rotary presidency to Chris Kapenda

Deloitte Partner Chris Kapenda is the new president for Rotary Club of Lilongwe (RCL), having taken over the mantle from Ambassador Sophie Asimenye Kalinde, whose year-long term expired on Tuesday, June 30, 2014.

The official induction ceremony for the new Rotary president took place last week at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, where Guest Speaker Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Lucas Kondowe spoke highly of the noble services being rendered by Rotarians.

“There will always be people in our society who will find themselves in less fortunate circumstances for different reasons. Rotarians have been there complementing government’s efforts in improving the welfare of such people.

“Your motto- Service Above-Self speaks volumes about the Rotary movement. In my understanding, service above-self means showing empathy, helping others become better in life, sharing with others, helping somebody before you serve yourself, just to mention a few,” said Kondowe.

The ACB boss urged the Rotarians to continue partnering with government in serving the under-privileged and addressing some social ills.

“Our country is going through a lot of hardships such as poverty, unemployment, rampant corruption, natural calamities and many other problems. As Rotarians, you have a duty to help addressing some of these problems,” he said.

A chartered accountant by profession, Kondowe said he had full confidence in incoming president, who he described as a man of high integrity.

Kapenda assured the gathering that would perform his tasks to the best of his ability and hailed Kalinde for taking the club to another level.

“I know I am taking a huge responsibility because Rotary Club of Lilongwe is the biggest in District 9210. This year will also be unique- all the spotlight will be on our club as we are the sponsoring club for incoming District Governor Dean Lungu. I will make sure we do not let down the District Governor,” he said.

On her part, Kalinde said she had a wonderful time serving as RCL president and pledged full support to Kapenda.

She said during her term, the club fulfilled a number of projects such as planting 3,500 trees, sponsoring medication for 100 women suffering from fistula, donating mattresses to three mission hospitals, chartering the Rotaract Club of Lilongwe, holding career talks for secondary school students, holding fundraising events like golf and bed race and building classroom blocks at Chitipi LEA with the financial backing of Rotary Club of Northampton Becket.

Amongst the guests that graced the Induction Dinner included MCP Member of Parliament Juliana Lunguzi and Independent MP David Bisnowatty.

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