By Innocent Mphongol:o
The People over Politics Foundation (PoPF), founded by Mzimba Central Member of Parliament Vitumbiko Mumba, has provided K94 million in student support since its launch on October 2, 2026.
Communications director for Mumba, Blair Mhone, said the foundation was stepping up its operations, including recruiting staff for its secretariat and pursuing government registration.
“As for where we are with the registration at the moment, we will advise soon. But everything is under control,” Mhone said.
He said PoPF had engaged independent consultants and other experts in the non-governmental organisations (NGO) sector to oversee recruitment, ensuring transparency and merit rather than favouritism.
“We should be the first ones to advertise positions and we have [therefore] engaged independent consultants and others in the NGO space to handle the entire recruitment process for us. This is in line with the spirit of ‘people over politics’,” Mhone said.
He added that the recruitment was expected to be completed in time for staff to take over the foundation’s projects from trustees in January next year.
Since its launch, the foundation has provided financial support to students at all six public universities of Malawi University of Science and Technology, University of Malawi, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Mzuzu University and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“It has also supported students at three public colleges, namely Malawi College of Health Sciences, Domasi College of Education and Nalikule College of Education,” Mhone said.
The foundation plans to extend support to students at seven technical colleges, namely Soche, Nasawa, Namitete, Lilongwe, Salima, Mzuzu and Livingstonia, at the start of the new academic year in January.
“We, as PoPF, are happy that we have managed to bring a few students back to college. For some who are not on the government’s student loan scheme, the support has gone towards their tuition,” Mhone said.
According to its website, PoPF was established to harness the energy and intellect of Africa’s youth and channel them towards Malawi’s economic development.