Page 7 - 2021 SoMJ Vol 74 No 2

Editor’s Notes

Shortly after John Lwanda agreed to assume the managing editorship of
SoMJ, ably assisted by David Bone, upon my retirement from that post at the end
of this year, he introduced a conversation on the much neglected and largely
overlooked subject of the vital contribution that women have made, and continue
to make, to the growth (professional, academic, cultural and commercial inter
alia) of mai Malaŵi. A future book was mooted containing a collection of papers,
essays and articles on such women’s lives written by those identified as best able
to relate those narratives.
Never slow to identify an exceptional opportunity, I suggested that as
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part of the Society of Malaŵi’s 75 anniversary celebrations of 2021, the second
issue of the Journal for this year could entirely comprise a selection of such essays
and articles and be curated solely by Malaŵian guest editors whom John Lwanda
would lead.
I admit to a deep personal interest in the subject matter dating back to
1989 when, on behalf of the Malaŵi Hotels Group, I presented a cheque to Mama
C Tamanda Kadzamira to provide additional training opportunities in CCAM
(Chitukuko Cha Amai m’Malaŵi). Beneath a photo of the presentation which
appeared on the front page of the Daily Times, I am quoted as observing that
CCAM and Malaŵi Hotels shared a philosophy of the pursuit of excellence
through the education and training of women. Noting that throughout the world
women were playing increasingly significant roles at all levels, I stated that in
Malaŵi Hotels we looked forward to seeing women train, develop and progress
to the most senior management posts alongside their male colleagues. This entire
intervention was initiated to give credibility to my drive to alleviate if not
eradicate (clearly a long-term aspiration!) an endemic culture within the Hotel
Group, and doubtless widespread elsewhere, that women were routinely
overlooked for training and advancement despite the fact that the men who could
be promoted in their stead might possess few of their identified female
counterparts’ natural abilities, work ethic or potential. I see this issue of SoMJ as
a progression of that very ideal which I shared with Mama Kadzamira in Malaŵi
some 30 years ago.
See page iv for the Guest Editors’ Notes - Dr John Lwanda and Dr
Josephine Munthali.
Which leaves me, with 20 years and 42 issues under my editorial belt, to
thank subscribers and contributors alike for their continuing support of both the
Society and its Journal. I leave you in excellent hands and feel certain my
successors will take the SoMJ forward to exciting new, sunlit uplands of
excellence and innovation. Kutsanzikana.
David Stuart-Mogg.

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