By Draxon Maloya
Illovo Dwangwa Sugar Estate has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting thriving communities through the production of food and energy, mobilizing resources for education, health, and sanitation initiatives.
The company’s General Manager, Mackean Debwe, emphasized this dedication during the prize presentation for the 85-kilometer Tour de Dwangwa charity cycling event.
This year’s event aimed to raise over K60 million for constructing a fence at Nkhotakota LEA Primary School, specifically supporting learners with special needs.
“We support thriving communities together with our corporate partners, improving livelihoods in all spheres of socioeconomic development,” Debwe said. “Healthy bodies contribute to national growth.”
Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc has invested significantly in community development projects, with a total of K635.4 million channelled in initiatives around Dwangwa Estate in Nkhotakota including the Tour de Dwangwa charity initiative.
This year’s Tour de Dwangwa event brought together over 250 cyclists from across the country showcasing the potential to boost tourism in the district.
Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Tonho appealed to other corporate partners to support this annual event, highlighting its socio-economic benefits.
“We must develop our district into a robust tourism destination, bringing together more than 250 cyclists from across the country speaks volumes to how best such events supports various activities in the economic sector,” said Tonho.
The cycling race was dominated as follows; Gift Nazombe and his father Stephen from the Blantyre Cycling Club shone in the drop hand professional male category, while Lloyce Phophiwa, Alinafe Banda, and Thandi Lazaro from Lilongwe Cycling Club excelled in the female category.
President of the Cycling Federation of Malawi, Malumbo Kayira, praised Illovo Sugar for increasing sponsorship and promoting women’s participation in the event which also featured live musical performances, entertaining the crowd, fostering a sense of community.
Illovo Sugar Estate’s commitment to community development is evident in their various corporate social responsibility projects, including a recent maize donation to hunger-stricken households surrounding their operations.
By supporting initiatives like Tour de Dwangwa, the company demonstrates another ray to dedication in creating a thriving communities through affordable food and energy.
