Page 18 - WATER SECTOR MAGAZINE VOLUME 3

WASAMA JOINS BWB IN MOURNING

GODFREY BOTOMAN “ABOTO”

By STAFF WRITER accommodative, incomparable, humble, friendly and
kind.
On the evening of Monday 19th June 2017, the news
spread that Godfrey Mazembero Botomani was no On his part, Water Services Association of Malawi
more. He had died suddenly at Blantyre Adventist (WASAMA) Executive Secretary Ben Chakhamesaid
Hospital. Nobody, except a few work colleagues and he was shocked with the demise of Botomani who
family members knew that he had been sick. This is Chakhame described as a pillar not only to BWB but
because the previous Friday and Saturday, Godfrey also to the association. Chakhame said he shall always
had like on every other normal day presented himself remember the dedication that late Botomani showed
at work for duties. when WASAMA secretariat was operating from BWB
from May 2012 to September 2013 when Botomani was
Therefore, the news was received with shock and responsible for managing WASAMA accounts.
mourning for the loss of his hardworking spirit and
selfless nature. Hugs were exchanged in mourning “I have seen dedicated people in my life but Botomani
this great man and more importantly tears never was extra-ordinary and humble. I can foresee us having
stopped rolling down on people’s faces as it became of the Year Award after an outstanding challenges as WASAMA with his departure.” Chakhame
apparent that indeed he was gone. On 21st June professional discharge of duties in 2011. said.
2017 scores of people came to Mwambe Village, TA
Maganga in Salima District to bury one Godfrey Botomani’s impact on the Blantyre Water Aside from work, Botomani was a father and a church
Botomani. But who was Godfrey Mazembero Board’s community and business associates elder. In their eulogies, the family and church also
Botomani? cannot be quantified. He touched lives of many expressed great loss on the sudden demise of Botomani.
as an employee discharging his duties without They talked of how loving he was towards his family and
Botomani, who until his death on 19th June 2017 was fear or favour and playing different roles of relations, how he contributed to church matters in his
Blantyre Water Board’s Accountant responsible for advisor, fatherly figure and leader in a profound different capacities. To say he never left a big gap to fill,
Payroll, was mourned by many not because he was way. will be an understatement.
rich or a politician, but because of how he touched
lives of fellow employees, customers and business The sentiments can only be echoed by what We normally talk of the departed as having left a big
associates alike while discharging his duties as an Acting Chief Executive of Blantyre Water gap to fill, and to late Botomani this would be an
accountant at the Board and serving the society in Board Henri Bakuwa had to say on this man of understatement. Botomani was a selfless man, who was
general. integrity. hardworking, kind and an advisor to each and everyone
who crossed his path. He had a ready set attitude to assist
Botomani fondly called “Aboto” by BWB “Botomani was hardworking, dedicated, willing anyone junior or senior and most of all dedicated all his
employeesjoined the Board on 1st August1991 to sacrifice more for the company without time to his work at Blantyre Water Board and the society.
and rose through different ranks in the Finance necessarily asking for much. His demise is a He will surely be missed by all.
Department. He also served as Chairman of BWB great loss to the company,” said Bakuwa.
Welfare Committee, Chairman of BWB WETUM And indeed true to these words, several May Aboto’s Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
branch (2015) and Member of MCTU Electoral employees and business associates expressed
Commission (2016). He also won BWB Employee how they will miss a man who was quite unique,

WASAMA AND TEVETA IN JOINT TRAININGS FOR THE WATER SECTOR

By STAFF WRITER Trade Unions, Industrial Relations and Mangochi. The objective of the training was
Leadership Essentials and facilitators to improve plumbing skills among employees
The Water Services Association of Malawi included private legal practioners, within the water sector and drew participants
(WASAMA) in conjunction with Technical leadership consultants, and some from from Southern Region Water Board, Northern
Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education the Ministry of Labour and the Industrial Region Water Board, Lilongwe Water Board
Training Authority (TEVETA) held two Relations court. and World Vision International.
trainings aimed at equipping employees of
the members of the association with skills to The participants to the training Speaking during the opening of the training
improve operational efficiency. commended WASAMA for initiating the WASAMA Executive Secretary Ben
training and their employers for allowing Chakhame said the training was expected to
The first training to be conducted was for the them and supporting them to attend the perfect the work of the plumbers which at
executive members of the Water Employees training. times, when compromised, contribute to high
Trade Union of Malawi (WETUM) who levels of Non Revenue Water (NRW) through
got appointed recently and that WASAMA On her part, WASAMA Administrative leakages. Chakhame further said besides the
thought it would be proper to equip them with Assistant Chifundo Dimasi said her technical part of the training the trained staff
leadership skills and knowledge of Industrial organization is committed to continue should also improve on their interface with
Relations. organizing such trainings for its members. customers.
She further appreciated the support that
The Leadership and Industrial Relations TEVETA through its service centers is He further said that WASAMA will in the
Training drew participants from all the rendering to the association in promoting next financial year starting from July 2017
five Water Boards in Malawi and in total training in the country. This training was offer trainings for Water Plant Operators;
60 employees were trained at Blue Waters jointly supported with Central Region Area Borehole Mechanics; Water Monitoring
Hotel in Salima. It was thought that once the TEVETA Service Center. Assistants, Plumbing, Customer Care
new WETUM leaders know how to handle and Management trainings. He said that
industrial matters and are equipped with WASAMA also with support from these trainings will be taking place at the
leadership skills then workers will not waste TEVETA Southern Region Service Water Institute in Chigweje as WASAMA
much time in industrial disputes but rather Center organized a five-day training in is currently engaging partners to uplift the
dedicate the time to industrial production. Modern Plumbing Techniques which Water Institute.
was facilitated by SM Plumbing Services.
The training covered areas in Labour Relations, The training was held from 19th to 23rd
June, 2017 at Pamadzi Beach Resort in
17