LILONGWE, Malawi — Sana Restaurant is setting the trend in as far as providing quality food is concerned in Malawi.

The Food Court situated in Lilongwe adjacent to the Sana Mega Store is probably one of the best eating houses in the country.

The furniture is world class and the way it is set provides customers with an ambience to the extent that one can easily forget that they are in Malawi.

The food is very succulent and it satisfies each and every customer’s eating buds as the variety is very diverse and can suit each and every person’s pocket.

AfricaBrief’s Christopher Jimu (CJ) sat down with The Food Court Director Ahsim Shahzad to hear more from him what makes the Food Court a must visit.

CJ- Most customers claim that they prefer eating at Sana Food Court because of the quality of food on offer. What is your secret?

Ahsim- We always make sure that we have everything that every customer requires. Our food ranges from French fries with wings to ice cream, pizzas, burgers as well as fish to all kinds of vegetables which are fresh and halaal. On top of that our prices are very fair that every customer regardless of colour and creed can easily afford.

CJ- Some customers claim that some items on your menu are not readily available.

Ahsim- That is not true. What appears on the menu is always available. We have set our standards very high because we adopted international standards because we get all kinds of customers, some from abroad and we do not compromise on standards. Our staff are well trained and we regularly have internal training courses so that we maintain high standards because food is a must have for all.

CJ- Some customers are of the view that they would have preferred to pay at the table instead of paying at the till. Do you think this is feasible? Can you change this arrangement?

Ahsim- It is not feasible to change this practice because it is the standard practice everywhere. In all leading eating houses around the world customers pay at the till and we cannot change this practice.

CJ- Some customers are also of the view that they would love to bring their own drinks because they find your beverages a bit expensive.

Ahsim- We allow customers to purchase drinks from the mega store because we are the same institution. Our drinks are not expensive because we cannot be charging the very same prices as groceries. We need to cover costs of keeping the drinks in our big fridges. These fridges consume a lot of electricity and we pay huge bills so we have to cover the costs. We have on the other hand heard the concerns and we will sit down as management to see what we can do.

CJ- Most businesses like yours face challenges in retaining staff as most of the time staff are looking for greener pasture elsewhere. Is it also the case here?

Ahsim- Yes, most staff are looking for greener pasture and we also face the very same challenge. However we make sure that we make our staff happy because if we continue losing staff we lose experience which is very invaluable to us. We cannot function very well if we continue losing staff and our staff is our lifeline.

CJ- What is it that makes your place a must visit for customers?

Ahsim- This place is situated at a location where one can easily access as we are centrally located. The eating house is spacious and the inside and outside offers customers enough space both for their cars as we have ample parking space and our furniture is also very beautiful. On top of that our food is halaal and very succulent.

CJ- Any last words

Ahsim- We want to assure our customers that we will maintain our set standards so that we continue giving them the best. We want to encourage our customers to give us feedback whether positive or negative. We will always give them the best.

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Lilongwe, Malawi - Quality laundry services play a vital role in ensuring that individuals can present themselves in smart and well-ironed attire, reflecting their attention to detail and personal grooming, Christopher Jimu writes.

In the bustling capital city of Lilongwe, one laundry company, Lilongwe Steam Laundry, stands out for offering reasonably priced services and has ambitious plans to expand its reach across the country by 2030.

Founded in 2000 by Gift Justin, a former employee of Rapid Steam with a decade of experience, Lilongwe Steam Laundry started small.

Justin recalls, "I opened the first branch inside the Area 22 market in 2000, and in a week, we only had four customers. However, things started to change in 2007 when we began attracting about 15 customers per week. As our customer base grew, we moved to a larger and more spacious office in 2012, where we are still located today."

Since 2012, Lilongwe Steam Laundry has seen steady growth, and its customer count has now reached 100 and continues to rise.

Customers come from as far as Mzuzu and Mchinji, with the majority hailing from Lilongwe and its surrounding areas.

Quality is at the forefront of the company's values. Justin emphasizes, "We prioritize quality in our work, and we do not compromise on that. While challenges are part of any business, we ensure that our customers are consistently satisfied with the services we provide."

One of the main challenges faced by the company is when customers fail to collect their clothes within the agreed-upon time frame, which is typically three months. In such cases, Lilongwe Steam Laundry may need to sell the clothes to recover costs.

Affordability is another key aspect that sets Lilongwe Steam Laundry apart.

Their laundry charges are as low as K3,500, while other laundries in the area may charge as much as K7,000 per suit.

Looking to the future, Justin has a clear strategy in place to expand Lilongwe Steam Laundry's presence across Malawi by 2030.

He is confident that their commitment to professionalism and quality work will make this ambitious goal achievable.

Justin extends a challenge to residents of Lilongwe and the surrounding districts, saying, "I want to challenge any Lilongwe resident or those from the surrounding districts to try us, and they will never regret it."

Currently situated in Area 24 Mall, Lilongwe Steam Laundry employs ten dedicated professionals to provide top-notch laundry services to its growing customer base.

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Lilongwe, Malawi —Malawi's T-shirt printing industry is witnessing remarkable progress thanks to H2A T-shirt Printing, writes Christopher Jimu.

With a surge in clients on a daily basis, the company has established itself as a competitive player in the market.

Situated near the new Lilongwe Bridge, H2A offers printing services for all types of T-shirts at highly competitive rates, attracting customers from far and wide.

Maliko Green, the manager at H2A T-shirt Printing, cannot contain his excitement as the company's clientele continues to expand.

Reflecting on the company's journey since its inception in 2018, Green shares, "We were uncertain about how far we could go. Today, our customer base has grown significantly, but we always welcome more customers because, in business, you cannot turn them away."

In response to the increasing demand for their services, H2A T-shirt Printing has strategically planned to acquire modern machines.

This move will not only enable them to meet the growing need but also solidify their position in the industry.

Expounding on the company's growth trajectory, Green adds, "Our progress signifies positivity for us. As we expand, we will not only attract more customers but also increase our workforce. Notable among our advantages is our strategic and easily accessible location."

Currently consisting of a team of five dedicated staff members, H2A T-shirt Printing is ready to maintain its trailblazing reputation in the T-shirt printing business.

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Lilongwe, Malawi - Manager of Lilongwe-based company, B and Clutch Plate and Bonding, Chrissie Chanukha, has announced plans to expand her company to Mzuzu and Blantyre in the near future, writes Christopher Jimu.

This expansion aims to provide easier access to customers in the North and South regions of Malawi.

B and C is a company specializing in various vehicle parts, including brake bonding, clutch plates, brake pads, brake shoes, and more.

Currently located in Lilongwe old town, Malangalanga, the company is poised for growth.

Chanukha, a highly ambitious woman, is breaking stereotypes by thriving in this male-dominated sector.

She is determined to see her company make a significant impact in the motor industry sector.

"My passion lies in the motor industry sector. My dream is to expand to even larger towns because cars are no longer a luxury," she stated.

With five current employees, the expansion plans will likely result in more job opportunities, contributing to the government's efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment.

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We speak to Davie Nkhonjera, a Mzuzu-based MC, who discovered his passion for public speaking in college, where he served as the director of a mock wedding organized by a religious organization and as the president of the student union body.

Briefly explain more about your company. When did it come into existence?

Being an MC is something that comes naturally to me. I first discovered my passion for public speaking in college, when a religious organization organized a mock wedding to raise money for a good cause, and I was chosen to be the director of the ceremony. I also served as the president of the student union body, which helped me further hone my public speaking skills.

In 2019, a friend approached me to be the MC for their wedding, and although it was a new audience, I decided to take on the challenge.

The feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, and from that day on, I started getting booked for more events. In 2022, I decided to take my talent to the next level, and since then, I've received great feedback, and I intend to keep it that way in the future.

What do you love about your business?

I truly enjoy bringing joy to people's faces, and as an MC, it's easy to tell when an audience is enjoying themselves. Seeing the smiles and wrinkles disappear is incredibly fulfilling.

Additionally, receiving positive feedback from my clients is very satisfying. For me, being an MC is more of a hobby than a means of survival. Although I need the money, it's not worth it if I don't deliver a good performance. I always put in my best effort to ensure my clients are happy.

Who inspires you in this business?

I draw inspiration from individuals who have become experts in leading ceremonies, such as Chisomo Mwamadi, George Adams, Chris Loka, Gomegzani Nyasulu, and many others whom I hold in high regard but did not mention.

What are the three tools you couldn't do your business without?

A wristwatch (since time is crucial), a high-quality microphone (for well-balanced sound), and an engaged audience are essential.

What is your secret to the success of your business?

I firmly believe that God is the key to success. As a devout believer in Jesus Christ, I believe that He came and died for my sins. I consider this to be a precious gift that not everyone possesses. Being an MC comes naturally to me and I find myself effortlessly flowing in the role.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

One day, I attended a birthday party for a business leader in the city of Mzuzu, who also happens to be my boss at work. Upon arrival, I was unexpectedly asked to host the event, and to my surprise, I was dressed appropriately for the role. I saw smiles on the faces of the audience, which made me feel good.

I was proud of myself for being able to perform incredibly well even when caught off guard. From this event, I was highly recommended to a client for whom I later hosted a wedding event, another business leader in the city of Mzuzu. I truly enjoy hosting events at all costs.

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

I would like to start by thanking God for the gift of being able to host events. I am also grateful for my late mother, who worked tirelessly to raise me to be a noble gentleman and is the reason why people are smiling today.

My wife deserves a special mention as well.

I would also like to mention Mr and Mrs Abel Kaludzu who believed in me and gave me my first business opportunity in 2019.

They deserve special recognition. I could go on and on mentioning names such as Mr Kenneth Malema of Double M Motors, who has believed in me since then and has highly recommended me to esteemed clients.

What are your future plans?

I aspire to become the epitome of excellence in my side hustle as an MC. While I have a full-time job and significant responsibilities, being an MC is a side hustle that brings me joy. My goal is to become the talk of the town and to be able to dine with kings and queens in their pavilions.

To achieve this, I will put my best effort into every job I am given. In a world where many people aspire to become an MC, I want to surpass them all by delivering eloquent, simple, top-notch, and sensational services. My goal is to become a brand that people can relate to.

How can people find you?My contact information is as follows: Cell: 0996769446 Email: davienkhonjera@rocketmail.com Facebook: Davie Nkhonjera (search for me).

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We had an opportunity to talk to BM Sofa Designs Executive Director Peter Kasewe about his fast-growing business.

Briefly explain more about your company. When did it come into existence?

BM Sofa Designs is a furniture company that was founded in Karonga in 2002 and was incorporated on December 1st, 2017. Our main goal is to provide every Malawian with durable furniture right in their own country, rather than having to order from countries like China.

What do you love about BM Sofa Designs?

What I like about BM Sofa Designs is the impact we're having across the country, not just in terms of providing durable furniture, but also in terms of providing job opportunities and free carpentry skills to many.

Who inspires you in this work?

My fellow Malawians behaved in such a way that the majority of Malawians ordered furniture from other countries such as China, which inspired me to start something that will attract people and provide them with easy access to durable furniture right in their own country.

What are the three tools you couldn't do your business without?

People( our customers)

Resources ( our production material)

The government’s support

What is your secret to the success of your business?

Hard work and passion for the larger vision we have as a company are what drive me the most.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

Seeing the company making progress

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

Thank you for your support, Malawians everywhere; we are here to make your homes as beautiful and colourful as possible with your help; and thank you to my staff for always being available when needed.

What are your future plans?

We hope that in the coming years, every Malawian will have our long-lasting furniture in their homes and that those with low incomes will be able to afford good furniture by paying in instalments of up to 12 months.

How can people find you??

We have the main branch in Mzuzu at Lusangazi, as well as branches in Rumphi, Mzimba, and Jenda.

- I'm available at +265995212466, ±265986213305

info@bmsofadesign.com

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AN INTERVIEW WITH….Gilbert Nkhwangwa, Operations Manager of the Institute of Heavy Equipment in Malawi (IHEM)

Tell us a brief background about your business.

The Institute of Heavy Equipment in Malawi is a legally registered institution with the Malawian government and primarily focuses on providing operators with knowledge and skills, as well as certification. IHEM has been in operation since June 2022.

What do you love about your business?

It is an innovation created by young people that has not existed in Malawi for the past 58 years of independence.

Who inspires you?

After witnessing the high levels of youth unemployment, we’re encouraged a lot…and this inspires us, too.

What are three tools you couldn’t do your business without and why?

Machines, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), and Fuel

What is your secret to success?

Concentrate on vision, risk-taking, and hard work.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

The first cohort ran from July 7th to August 7th, 2022. And seeing the first students operating the machine under IHEM made me happy.

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

Yes, my boss Madalitso Lazaro (IHEM CEO), Acram Training Manager 123 Mulani Investment RSA for accrediting IHEM, and everyone who believed in us for the first time.

What are your future plans?

We are aiming to build a large heavy equipment plant in Malawi so that, in addition to training operators, we can hire them out and establish other IHEM subsidiary companies.

How can people find you?

We have our headquarters in Malosa, Zomba, but we also have branches in Lilongwe, Area 1 Malangalanga, and Mzuzu, Katoto Secondary School ( October only then will relocate).

Email: heavytrainingschool@gmail.com, nkhwangwag@gmail.com

Website: www.ihem-mw.com

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AN INTERVIEW WITH….Pakachere Backpackers Lodge

Tell us a brief background about your business.

Pakachere in Zomba is a social business. It is all about job security for the employees, buying local, and offering a nice place for people to stay.

What do you love about the hospitality industry?

We love Malawi and want to share this beautiful country with other people. It is satisfying to give people a good time, a nice place to relax and meet other people. We like sharing our knowledge with others; continuing professional development of staff and travel info for guests. Seeing happy people at our lodge makes us happy!! And at the same we stimulate the local community through employing people, buying our produce at the local market, paying taxes, and giving extra work to taxi drivers and tour guides.

Who inspires you in the hospitality industry?

Many people all over the world have influenced us; from the guy who walked from Cape to Cairo to the volunteers who work in hospitals. Our guests are our inspiration; we love to hear their stories. We also get a lot of inspiration from our colleagues in Zomba like The Chocolate Factory for a great lunch, Maipai Treats for cake and coffee, and Casa Rossa for Italian pasta. Our fellow lodge owners in the country are always ready to help with advice.

What are three tools you couldn’t do your business without and why?

Tools we couldn’t do without are our mobile phone, internet, and our (paper) diary. Our most important resource is our staff who run the place independently and are always ready to welcome visitors.

What is your secret to success in the hospitality industry?

Our secret? The best possible service for a reasonable price. We continuously work on improving the lodge. The main thing is that we want to create a social meeting place in a clean & safe environment. “At Pakachere you never have to eat alone”.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

We have many moments when we feel proud. It can be challenging to run a business in Malawi, but together with our team, we manage.

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

We like to say thank you to our staff, who work hard and are loyal. We have the best team in the world!!

What are your future plans?

Our future plans are solar power, hopefully, a borehole and more events where Malawians, travellers, tourists, volunteers, and expats come together. From the occasional barbeque with live music on a Saturday afternoon to karaoke or a quiz night on a Friday. And we will keep working on new dishes on the menu (for vegans, meat-eaters, vegetarians, and people with other dietary requirements). Always freshly made with local products.

How can people find you?

You can find Pakachere in Zomba, close to town on the golf course behind Zomba Police Station. We are walking distance of the banks, the immigration office, botanical gardens, supermarkets and the market with a big variety of fruit & veg. We are at the foot of Zomba Mountain where you can hike, cool down at William’s Falls and enjoy the viewpoints. Unfortunately, you will also see the devastation of deforestation.

Online you find us on Facebook.com/Pakachere and www.pakachere.com. info@pakachere.com or call 099468593. On our site, you find a lot of information about things in the region and a travel guide with tips for the whole country.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH….Baobab Holiday Resort

Tell us a brief background about your business.

I have always harboured ambitions of doing something for Africa, but could not figure out what it really was. I have always wished to make a difference in people’s lives in a special and unique way that no one else has done to a targeted community. It has been difficult to identify one such project and particularly that type of targeted group which I have always envisioned that would feed into my dreams.  As I believe that tourism includes cultural exchanges, I discovered that the Malawian culture could easily be forgotten as modernity and urbanization creeps in. I found Salima, and particularly Chipoka, to be the best place to market the culture and as well as impact the community. It was fulfilling to realize that the community were equally excited about the concept. So we agreed with the community that cultural festivities will be the mainstay of the project.

What do you love about the hospitality industry?

Hospitality, as the name says, is about healing, relaxing and recuperating from busy schedules. It feels good to see people relaxing and especially being I provide that facility. It also creates a sense of connection and belonging. The community develops the sense of feeling of not being left behind.

Who inspires you in the hospitality industry?

I have been inspired by most hotel staff where I have stayed for longer than three days across the globe. Usually, I get the sense of a place being hospitable the first day I check-in. Several times, I have left the hotels or holiday places the same day or the next day and demanded my money back because of the negative attitude by the staff. So, where I have stayed for longer than three days, has all inspired me.

What are three tools you couldn’t do your business without and why?

Business is about relationships. I could not do without getting ideas from other people, but without necessarily duplicating them but blending them with my original dream of contributing to the social, cultural and economic development of our continent.

I would not have come this far without the support of Chipoka community, the women and the youth, including the traditional leaders in Chipoka, They have embraced the project as their own and they are so proud and protective of the project.

What is your secret to success in the hospitality industry?

The secret to success in the hospitality industry is to meet the aspirations of all guests by blending all cultures more importantly the African culture for which people travel from different places to experience. Guests should feel the uniqueness to go back and tell a story about one’s place.

Greetings is a very powerful tool in this context of business. Saying hello to the guests and checking if their needs are being met and requesting feedback periodically are key to success.

Connecting to the media can tell stories of the experiences of the guests in a way that attracts others to come and experience the same.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

The moment I put my dream of developing a lodge on to paper as a plan, gave me a great sense of achievement. I am very proud to start something at the local level where everybody can have space for communal engagement. Involvement of the youth and women in the hospitality industry and seeing them acquire new skills and economic independence- meeting community aspirations is my pride. For example, right from the start, some women have been able to buy blankets and pots, and send their children to school with little money that they received from the project. This small contribution makes me proud that we as the community are mutually benefiting from each other.

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

The local community and traditional chiefs, the government of Malawi and the relevant government ministries have been very supportive, including the Salima Local Government in providing guidance.

What are your future plans?

Our future plans are to host daily events and provide a decent nightlife ranging from dinner on the houseboat to cultural exhibitions and introduce jazz nights. We also plan to introduce speed boat races and other water competitions. We plan to sell Baobab Tree products, too.

How can people find you?

You can find Baobab Holiday Resort, in Salima,  Chipoka, Nazareth, a few meters away from Chipoka police post and the clinic. WhatsApp +265991330791 for details.
Online you find us www.baobab.holiday.resortchipoka.

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B.M Sofa Designers and General Dealers, a Mzuzu-based company that has three other branches in Rumphi, Mzimba, and Kenda, has today, September 17, 2022, unveiled its two ambassadors, Wikise and Daniel Thom (DT), a TV personality of Mibawa Television.

The two were introduced during a press conference at which the B.M Sofa designer informed clients and the general public about the introduction of credit-based access to their products for a period of twelve months.

Guest of honour at the event, Moses Mkandawire, the Chief Executive Director for Church and Society, praised the B.M Sofa for creating jobs for youths.

Malawians must understand that the days of rushing to buy goods from China and Dubai are over, he said.

"Let us support each other as a country, and let our money stay here," he added.

In a special interview with THE BUSINESS SIDE, Doc Peter Kasewe, Executive Director for B.M Sofa Designers and General Dealers stated that they chose Wikise and DT because they are young.

"They have a great voice in informing the entire public about our goods because Wikise is a musician and DT is a TV personality," he said.

Doc Kasewe went on to say that the company's launch of credit purchases to its customers was one way of reaching out to every Malawian who wanted good furniture for their homes or offices.

According to Geoff Kalele, operations manager, the B.M sofa designers began in Karonga in 2002, was registered in 2017 on December 1st, and has been in operation for more than 18 years.

After the project was completed, a large number of girls were left on their own.

So far, the company employs 75 people, 42 of who are women and 35 of whom are men.

Finally, Wikise thanked the B.M sofa for selecting him as an ambassador and promised to work harder to market the brand throughout the country.

The brand that the two signed will be valid for a year.

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