Saenda wins ‘innovator of innovators’ award at MBC event: Mutharika hails Malawi Queens coach

Griffin ‘Zagalu’ Saenda, the man who led Malawi netball team, the Queens to overcome England to finish third in World Fast5 games and made the national side finish third, has won this year’s prestigious MBC Innovations overall winner award after successfully beating nine other people who had won on various categories.

Mutharika with all innovators
Mutharika prresents cheque to Saenda
First Couple and Second couple take to the dance floor
Mutharika presents trophy to Saenda

President Peter Mutharika handed over a K2 million cheque on top of another K1 million cheque which he received on sports category, certificate and a trophy for the job well done.

Mutharika speaking at Kamuzu Palace on Friday  where he hosted the second edition of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s (MBC) Innovations Awards, 2016 urged Malawians to be innovative saying only people of innovative minds can develop the country.

Emphasising on the three pillars of hard work, patriotism and integrity, President Mutharika recognised Saenda and the, as an example of how far Malawi can go in achieving its goals if determined.

Said Mutharika, “A team of netball girls who defeat mightier countries tells us how much we can conquer with patriotism, integrity and hard work. It takes love of one’s country to fight for it, and it takes innovative thinking to win. This is the spirit that we need to tell the world that we are a nation of achievers.”

The Head of State has since challenged Malawians to embrace belief in oneself and use whatever one can, to make a positive difference.

Last year Sautso Ndalama, who  won on the disability category award for his breathtaking skill in the music industry working as a DJ by using his feet since he does not have hands, won the innovator of innovators award.

Speaking at the event earlier, MBC’s Director General, Aubrey Sumbuleta disclosed that inspiration to hatch the idea of the awards was drawn from President Mutharika’s pro development philosophies, including the three pillars.

Sumbuleta also explained that the awards were designed to compliment MBC’s quest of inspiring the nation, and in the same spirit, the state broadcaster has donated K 5 million to the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA).

Each one of the 10 awardees walked away with a certificate of recognition, a trophy and a K 1 million cash prize.

The awardees will also each be flown to China on a month long fully funded educative tour to have them exposed and hopefully borrow a leaf on how their fellows apply their respective skills and innovations.

The function was made possible with funding from MACRA, Khatu Civil Engineering, Track Malawi, Beata Investments LTD, Vega, University of Science and Technology, DSTV and many other companies. –Additional reporting by James Ndalama, Mana

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Sam Bandawe
Sam Bandawe
7 years ago

Netball coaching becoming innovation. Chamba….. chani. I am not surprised that MBC itself is led by some uneducated Director General. I am not surprised further that the head of the institution does not hold any college certification.

ineyo
7 years ago

who were other awardees?

Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee
7 years ago

Sure innovator is not a befitting title in this situation ……. may be achiever. Innovation is for people like William Kamkwamba etc

uchi
uchi
7 years ago

koma president mutharika ndi mkazi wake anatchena2 guys

That's not innovation
That's not innovation
7 years ago

How is that an innovation? No wonder we remain mediocre in our endeavors. This should have been an award for inventors not coaches and DJs. Choncho tizatukuka a Malawi?

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
7 years ago

Pretty okay but am just wondering if the words Innovator and innovation have changed their meanings. It would be more appropriate to call Sayenda an achiever than an innovator. Some of these are simply entrepreneurs aswel. Such things make wonder kuti koma akuluakulu aku MBC ndi kwinako amakhala serious???

tough
7 years ago
Reply to  Chilungamo

inenso wasn’t impressed with this title…abale what a mix up of things… other categories u could see two different people competing.. what a joke…

Patriot malawian
Patriot malawian
7 years ago

Netball coach innovator of innovators………….. osh Malawi .. what has he innovated??

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