By Tiwonge Ndau
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) 2018 Innovations Award winner in environment category Gertrude Mlanga came back from China Wednesday where she went for a month-long training on environment and climate change.
Mlanga, 25, was the first one among all 2018 winners to travel to China for the training as part of her prize package.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) upon arrival at Chileka International Airport, Mlanga said her trip to China was wonderful and worth it.
“China is the most innovative country in the world; so one thing I have learnt is that I should be innovative enough and implement the ideas I have on issues to do with the environment,” she said.
Mlanga said she will use the expertise she got from China to help Malawi develop.
“I will teach my fellow youths on how best to recycle various used products. China is not afraid of innovations so I will make sure Malawian youth become innovative as the Chinese.
“In China everywhere you go you see multiple beans, one for plastics and others for different wastes, a thing which does not happen in Malawi; so I will implement that,” she said.
Mlanga also commended MBC for the Innovations Awards saying it was a great initiative and they should keep the fire burning so that many innovative Malawians can be promoted through this platform.
Chairperson for the MBC Innovations Awards Vincent Khonyongwa said, as MBC, they were happy and encouraged that the innovator they sent to China was back with new knowledge.
“The training she got will not only help her but the country at large as she will employ even more youth in her recycling business; in the course, being economically viable,” he said.
Khonyongwa said they are proud that their brainchild awards are yielding and achieving their intended goal. He said MBC will continue ushering such awards to best innovators.
He also said the next 2018 award winners will leave for China soon but did not disclose which winner would go next.
Mlanga, who is a Chancellor College Bachelor of Arts in Humanities graduate, hails from Traditional Authority (TA) Njema’s area in Mulanje District.
MBC Innovations Awards takes place every year and the winners from various categories under the China sponsorship go to China at random to learn extended skills for them to excel in their various fields.