Newton Kambala’s tenure at MCCCI expires Friday

The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) is Friday expected to go to the polls in Blantyre to elect office bearers to guide the chamber in the next two years. However incumbent president Newton Kambala will not seek a second term as the MCCCI constitution does not allow someone who is not a councillor to stand for presidency. Kambala’s second term of councillorship ends Friday.

In an interview Thursday, Kambala confirmed the development, saying the Constitution does not allow him to stand again.

“But even if I was eligible, I would not have run for presidency because it has proven to be a very expensive position for somebody running

a small business like me,” said Kambala.

Asked on whether he is satisfied with his contribution at the helm of the chamber over the past two years, Kambala said the MCCCI membership would be the best judges.

“But I would be surprised to hear that I did not do a good job because I executed the position to the best of my ability,” he said.

MCCCI Chief Executive Officer Chancellor Kaferapanjira could not be reached to indicate who has shown interest to lead the chamber in the next two years.

Apart from the presidency, other positions up for grabs at today’s Annual General Meeting include that of vice presidency and councillors.

MCCCI has been in the forefront of Malawi’s private sector development efforts for over 100 years.