Turning maize husks into dreams

By Rebecca Chimjeka Matemba:

In the heart of the Mitundu Lilongwe urban district, a quiet revolution is taking place—one woven strand at a time. Here, amidst the vast maize fields, Mai Lucy Banda is transforming what many see as agricultural waste into stunning, durable and environment-friendly products. Through her resourcefulness and dedication, she has turned maize husks into a source of livelihood, crafting carpets and baskets that are not only cherished locally but are beginning to gain recognition beyond her village.

For Mai Lucy, weaving is more than just a craft—it is a means of survival, empowerment and transformation.

“I started this business to support my family,” she says, her hands skillfully braiding maize husks into intricate patterns. “It began as a small idea, but now it has grown into something I never imagined. Through this, I’ve managed to build a home for my family and send my children to school,” Banda said

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Mai Lucy’s journey into weaving was not entirely her own idea. She inherited the skill from her late husband, who introduced her to the craft. When he passed away, she faced a difficult decision—to either abandon the trade or embrace it fully.

Despite the hardships, she chose to continue, not just because it was her only source of income but because she had developed a passion for it.

“This is all I know,” she explains. “After my husband died, I had to take over. There was no other choice. I had to provide for my children, and weaving maize husks into carpets and baskets became my lifeline.”

Her resilience and determination have turned her small weaving business into a thriving enterprise.

Today, she produces carpets as long as six metres and intricately designed baskets, each carrying the story of her journey and the spirit of sustainability.

While the idea of using maize husks might seem cost-effective, Mai Lucy still faces financial challenges.

She buys each bag of maize husks at 3,000 Malawian Kwacha, storing them for future use. The process of drying, treating and weaving the husks is labour-intensive, requiring patience and skill.

“People think maize husks are just waste, but for me, they are gold,” she says with a smile. “It takes time to prepare them, and the weaving process is not easy. But when I see the final product, I know all the effort is worth it.”

Her products have gained popularity in local markets, where people appreciate their durability and beauty.

However, Mai Lucy dreams of expanding her business beyond Malawi’s borders, where eco-friendly products like hers fetch high prices.

The success of her business has not only sustained her family but also enabled her to pay for her daughter’s school fees.

“There were times I worried about how I would afford my daughter’s education, but this business has changed everything. Every sale I make is an investment in her future,” she says.

By reinvesting her profits wisely, Mai Lucy has ensured her daughter receives a quality education, breaking the cycle of poverty for the next generation.

As the years go by, Mai Lucy has found support in her daughter Ruth, who plays an active role in the business.

“I help my mother collect the materials and put everything together,” she explains. “She is ageing now, and this job is not easy. I step in to help her weave because I want to see this business grow,” she said.

The young blood’s involvement brings hope for continuity. With the right support and recognition, Mai Lucy’s enterprise could evolve into something much bigger—possibly even a nationally recognised brand for sustainable products.

“I want to see my mother’s business flourish,” her daughter says passionately.

“Now that the government has banned plastic bags, I hope they will promote alternatives like bags made from maize husks. These products are not only environment-friendly but also support local artisans like my mother,” she adds.

What started as a small business in Malawi has now reached customers at Brazil, Zimbabwe and South African embassies, where her maize husk carpets are highly sought after for their uniqueness and eco-friendliness. Through word of mouth, social media and support from friends and well-wishers, Mai Lucy has expanded her reach beyond borders.

Her story is a testament to resilience, creativity and the boundless potential within Malawi’s small-scale entrepreneurs.

However, Lucy Banda says if only she had more awareness and access to better markets, she could do much more.

“I hope one day, our government and other organisations will see the potential in what we do and help us grow,” she said.

Mai Lucy’s story is testament to resilience, creativity and the power of sustainable entrepreneurship. Through her hands, maize husks—once discarded as waste—are transformed into beautiful, practical and eco-friendly products.

And through her vision, she is weaving not just carpets and baskets, but dreams of a better future for her family and community.

Despite her success, Mai Lucy faces challenges in accessing larger international markets. The government can play a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurs like her by facilitating export opportunities, providing easier access to export licences and trade fairs to showcase her products internationally.

She says she is aware that there are organisations that are offering small business grants and low-interest loans to expand production capacity, but with my irritation, I don’t know where I can go.

She says she would like to partner with foreign trade organisations and embassies to connect her with more buyers abroad because I hear my products can fetch more money.

Lucy’s success story has resonated with many diplomats residing in Malawi, underscoring how grassroots entrepreneurship can create tangible change—helping artisans support their families and communities.

United States (US) Embassy Chargé affaires Amy Diaz explains how she bought a rug at Mai Lucy Banda and has made it a conversation piece during official receptions and private gatherings at her residence, consistently earning praise.

Inspired by Lucy’s talent, the US embassy team featured her story and her craftwork on their Facebook page, which generated significant response.

According to Diaz, what made her happy was seeing how much more business such attention brought to Lucy.

“Supporting entrepreneurs like her is just as vital as the large-scale development assistance we provide to Malawi,” Diaz said

“People may struggle to grasp the scale of foreign aid figures,” the diplomat added. “But they can easily understand the impact of one woman supporting her daughters, building a business and preserving Malawi’s cultural heritage.” She said,

She said the growing recognition of Lucy’s work is now encouraging more Malawians to purchase local artisan products, sparking hope for a broader revival of the country’s rich artistic traditions.

Economic commentator Velli Nyirongo said all the women need is training and capacity building; that is, equipping artisans with skills in branding, marketing and e-commerce to strengthen their businesses.

Meanwhile, chairperson for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Malawi Chapter, Sellina Mwenelupembe, has expressed the organisation’s commitment to promoting women entrepreneurs, particularly those who are in the arts and crafts sector, which she says is a key source of foreign currency earnings.

“There is potential in arts and crafts businesses run by women, who can contribute to Malawi’s economic growth and job creation agenda.

“Arts and crafts is one of the best-performing sectors within COMFWB, in terms of foreign currency generation, especially among women entrepreneurs,” she said.

She said the organisation is currently seeking to connect with promising artisans such as Mai Lucy so that “we can provide training opportunities and source funding to help boost their businesses”.

Mwenelupembe emphasised that empowering women entrepreneurs remains key to sustainable economic development across the region.

COMFWB, an initiative under Comesa, aims to support women-led businesses through capacity building, networking and financial support.

Mwenelupembe further said the global market for eco-friendly products is expanding, and in some countries, items made from maize husks are highly valued and fetch good prices.

Mai Lucy believes that with the right support from the government and local business stakeholders, her craft could become a significant contributor to sustainable development in Malawi.

“With the right support, Mai Lucy’s journey can inspire many more Malawian entrepreneurs to turn local resources into globally admired products—generating forex for the country while empowering community members,” Nyirongo said.

The Daily Times wanted to know what the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (Smedi) is doing to help SMEs like Mai Lucy’s.

Francis Mwamadi, an official from Smedi, said their interventions focus heavily on facilitating market access for MSMEs.

“We facilitate participation in exhibitions organised by our partners, host our own fairs and promote MSME products through our website and social media platforms. Additionally, we have established fora in all regions where small businesses can share information on opportunities and connect with potential buyers.

“We actively facilitate interactions of buyers and sellers to help small businesses minimise the costs of prospecting for clients,” Mwamadi said.

As she continues her journey, she says women, whether educated or not, should not look down upon themselves.

One thing remains certain: Mai Lucy Banda is not just crafting products; she is crafting a legacy—one maize husk at a time.