By Peter Mawindo
In today’s economy, a growing number of young people in the country are awakening to a hard truth as traditional employment is no longer the guaranteed path to success that it once seemed to be.
The mindset of “go to school, get a degree, get a job” is being challenged by the realities on the ground today by rising unemployment, underemployment, and a shrinking job market.
Yet many youths continue to cling to the belief that the white-collar path is the only one worth pursuing.
But as Patrick Kabambe, former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, boldly stated in 2016:“We can’t move forward as a country if we all depend on white collar jobs. This is a fact.”
This statement should not just be remembered it should be acted upon.
THE DANGER OF DEPENDENCE
There is nothing wrong with being employed.The problem is when employment becomes the ceiling of one’s ambition and the only vision of success.
Many young people graduate only to join long queues chasing limited job opportunities, often putting their talents, ideas and dreams on hold, indefinitely.
The overdependence on formal jobs has created a nation of dreamers trapped in waiting rooms.
‘Don’t Be an Employee’ is not a call to abandon work, it is a call to awaken potential.
It is a challenge to young Malawians to think beyond titles and salaries and start seeing themselves as creators, innovators and leaders.
There is a growing global economy powered by ideas, digital skills and entrepreneurship.
The youth of Malawi must begin to participate in it, not just as employees, but as owners, builders, and contributors.
The question is no longer if you should leave your job to pursue your dream, it’s when. And even more urgently, why not now?
The best investment you will ever make is not in a car, not in a plot of land, and not in a job application but it is in yourself.
Start learning new skills.Start solving problems in your community. Start small businesses. Collaborate. Take risks. Fail fast and learn faster.
Success today doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from doing.
Behind every cubicle and every corner office, there lies a question many are too afraid to ask: Is this all there is? Beyond that question is a world of limitless possibilities, where you are not confined by job descriptions, but defined by your contribution.
‘Don’t Be an Employee’ is more than just the title of a book. It is a message for every young Malawian who feels stuck, tired of waiting and ready to create a life that reflects their full potential.
Your life. Your rules. Your legacy. It’s time to stop waiting. It’s time to start building.
Peter Mawindo is an author and youth empowerment advocate passionate about helping young people unlock their full potential and design lives of purpose and impact.
His latest book ‘Don’t Be an Employee’ is a bold challenge to conventional thinking on success and employment in Malawi.
Other books by Mawindo include ‘Unlocking the Nation’s Economy’, ‘Promises vs Realities: Unpacking Chakwera’s Campaign Promises and Presidential Realities’, ‘Beyond the Lost Years’ and ‘The Empty Seats’.
