By: Lloyd M’bwana
The 22 year-old Malawian Rose Sakala, a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management student at Bunda a constituent of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) beat all odds to emerge the overall winner of 2015 The Future African Leaders Awards FALA Organises every year.
The development comes barely four months after another Malawian a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism student, Faith Kamtambe at the Polytechnic (University of Malawi) won Future News Competition Awards in September, 2015 which the British Council organised held at Scottish Parliament in Edinburg Scotland aimed at supporting upcoming scribers with journalistic writings skills.
The Future African Leaders Awards is an initiative aimed at exploring and expanding the leadership potential in Africa and for Africa, by identifying and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment and through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future.
At the prestigious Gala at Love world Convocation Arena (LCA) in Lagos Nigeria on December 31st, 2015, Rose emerged as a Star Winner after beating 28 young African men and women nominees aged between 16 and 23girls and boys with 500 applications entry in the awards.
The Maravi Post (MP) Reporter in the capital Lilongwe, Malawi, Lloyd M’bwana caught up with Rose Sakala (RS) in an exclusive interview over the weekend after she returned home from the gala awards who emphasized the need for the country to invest a lot in a girl child education which according to her was a precious gift a responsible nation could do for youths’ empowerment.
MP: Congratulations, Rose for making Malawi proud upon attaining such a prestigious awards.
RS: You are welcome, and the pleasure is mine.
MP: Briefly, what is it all about this award?
RS: The Future African Leaders wards is an initiative aimed at exploring and expanding the leadership potential in Africa and for Africa, by identifying and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment and through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future. The initiative was established in 2013 by the president of the Believers Love world incorporated Rev Dr Chris Oyakholome who is also the founder for Christ Embassy Church.
At the end of each year 28 people aged between 16 years to 23 years are nominated from across Africa and 16 winners are announced depending on their achievements and eventually a Star Winner is crowned from the 16 where Malawi happened to be the winner through me Rose Sakala. This takes place every year on 31st of December during the New Year’s Eve service at the prestigious Love world Convocation Arena (LCA) in Lagos Nigeria. In 2015 the FALA office received more than 500 applications and I was among the 28 final nominees that were unveiled during a special nomination unveiling ceremony on 26th December 2015 which was broadcasted live in all nations of the world.
MP: How excited are you over this award and what does it mean to you?
RS: Wow! I’m very excited. This award is a national achievement for me. In the midst of the problems and challenges that Malawi is facing I am glad we are Number 1 in leadership. At least the world has heard something good from Malawi apart from hearing that we are one of the poorest countries in the world. Something good has come out of Malawi, this can be only God, and this is a seed that God has planted or sown in Malawi and will reap or produce great young global leaders. This award is also a good and great key in preaching the gospel even to sensitive places and mentoring young aspiring Malawians leaders. This award has also put Malawi on the map as this service was broadcasted live in all nations of the world. I am glad to be part of this. So, as
Malawians, we need to celebrate the award together and partner to make great impact in the lives of many citizens.
MP: There is a story behind your achievement which our readers want to hear from you, how has been the journey like to reach this far?
RS: I was born from Emily Manda with my two siblings my elder sister Baleke and younger brother Gift. I have a diploma in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management from Natural Resources College(NRC), a constituent of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) but currently I am in third year doing Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management at Bunda College another constituent of Luanar. In 2010, whilst at NRC I met Bishop Joe
Manguluti and his lovely wife Phyllis Manguluti who ministered to me and eventually gave my life to Christ. The decision which I will always cherish the rest of my life. Later in 2012 in my final year, I lost my mum who was the bread winner and this led to withdrawing from NRC because there was nobody who could pay for my school fees. I had to go back to the village in Karonga to stay with my uncle Mr Winston a widower with my other 10 siblings who were also orphans. Life was never the same again, I remember selling water to earn a living. People used to call me “Wamadzi” (A water selling girl) but I was never offended. Whilst there I started attending services at Christ Embassy and reading Rhapsody of Realities daily devotional books which are published monthly by Rev Dr Chris Oyakhilome. The messages gave me hope and courage to live.
The Scriptures changed my mentality that gave me grace and favour above my peers. In the process of selling water I got the a temporary job with FOCUS for a year a local NGO in the Karonga office, later worked with Self Help Africa doing survey where I was privileged to travel to Lilongwe and spend my days at the Manguluti family. That was the time when they decided to adopt me and I’m happily their second born daughter up to this very day. I have 5 siblings now in my new family and we live happily and in love. During the same period they helped me seek assistance at World Vision who offered a temporary job and start saving money for fees. During this period FOCUS decided to offer me a scholarship to finish my education at NRC due to excellent performance during the time I worked with them.
MP: Wow, very exceptional and touching story. So, besides what you went through to reach this far, any secret behind your successes?
RS: Very good question. The only motivation and secret behind my achievement is GOD. Pastor Chris has also played a big role in my life, I am a product of his teachings and success, and he always says that he believes in your future. He always advices us to invest in our personality, look out for a need and provide solution. He tells us no government or system in this world was designed to make you rich. So look around for a need and you will get it! He tells us to be relevant in our nations and to the world. He always encourages the youth to attain great education, be entrepreneurs and global leaders. Then, my
Family (Manguluti) have always been there to support me, they always guide and counsel me, I also salute my local pastors; Pastor Sammy and Miriam Anistar and Pastor Paulaw Kitheka.
MP: Sounds interesting. Now, studying at Luanar isn’t a joke based on module system of learning, how do you combine your studies and various projects you are implementing?
RS: Very simple. I can bodily say I am a hard worker who produces positive results in my education. Luanar courses are not easy but I thank God. He has given me the grace to excel in my education. My parents also offer guidance in whatever I do and are always there to control my movements and my concentration in school. My Aunt Christina Manguluti and my Pastors are also the people that are always helping me to balance my studies and projects. All in all I depend on the Holy Ghost and wisdom of God also plays a major role in my life.
MP: You are a genius, indeed! What should a child in a remotest area or village in Malawi and beyond read on your life journey and successes?
RS: Being a girl does not make you less your dreams and visions. Being in the remote area does not make you less than an urban girl. Give your life to Christ; abstain from sex and from early marriage. Let your future be core and not relationships. Your future can not and will never wait. So, set your priorities right now, God number one, then your future number two and marriage last. Look out for a need and meet it right in your local area. Pastor Chris always tells us that you might have been born poor but you’re responsible of your current poverty and success.
He always says you cannot do anything that might change yesterday but you can do something today that will change your life forever. I was born and raised in the remote areas of Malawi but today I am a Global ambassador. So, don’t be discouraged with challenges one faces in life. You can do something in your community that will change the nation and the whole world. Start with small. Learn to share your few and limited resources and God will bless you with more. Great and influential leaders sacrifice a lot. Please keep in school and in church, God will reward you for he is not man that he can lie to you.
MP: Rose, you might have compelling ambitions want to achieve, what is it you want to become?
RS: It’s nice and good for one to have ambitions in life. My vision is to become a professor and the UN Secretary General by 30 years. Locally, I want the government to have zero tax rates on sanitary pads so that every girl in Malawi can have access to a pack of pads and go to school. This will reduce drop outs of girls in primary and secondary school. Secondly there should be a clear policy for the youth and entrepreneurship. Youths should be incorporated in national programs and policies. The youth together with women should be involved in commercial business.
MP: Finally, what word can you leave us with?
RS: I would like to thank God for bringing me this far and I have trusted him with all my life and future. To my fellow Malawians, let’s not point at each other; let’s not blame each other for the previous mistakes committed by others but let’s together join hands in bringing solutions to the current challenges that we as a nation are experiencing. To the youth, look out for a need, hear the cries of people and provide a solution. Start now, start small the Lord will magnify you and your work. Be relevant to the nation. To Pastor Chris and Christ Embassy thank you so much for giving my life a meaning. To
My family thank you so much for seeing a daughter in me and raising me in this way and to Luanar, I say thank you so much for making me a relevant graduate and special thanks to Mr Kafakoma the coordinator for TEST Scholarship. Bravo to FOCUS and my Uncle Mr Mpinganjira.
MP: Good luck and wishing you well in your future endeavours.
RS: You are welcome. Hoping to engage Malawian media including The Maravi Post, in my 2016 activities.
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