By Burnett Munthali
Vitumbiko Mumba, the running mate of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has addressed ongoing debates about the nature of employment in Malawi.
In a recent post, Mumba challenged the notion that self-employment should not be considered a form of employment, calling such a view rudimentary.
He illustrated his point by describing a common scenario where someone takes a loan from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) or a bank to purchase a motorbike for use as a transportation business.
According to Mumba, this person is clearly earning a living through this enterprise, and therefore, it qualifies as a legitimate job.
He further explained that while the government cannot employ every citizen, it plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for the growth of diverse industries.
These industries, in turn, generate employment opportunities across various sectors, including self-employment and small businesses.
Mumba highlighted that under President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership, funding to NEEF was increased to empower Malawians to start and grow businesses, thus boosting job creation.
He criticized those who dismiss jobs created through NEEF loans as ridiculous, emphasizing that such jobs are vital components of the nation’s economic development.
Mumba concluded by saying that expecting the MCP to apologize for recognizing this truth is futile, likening it to chasing the wind.
He encouraged followers to watch a clip in which he explains the second pillar of the MCP Manifesto, which focuses on job creation.
