President of Poetry Association of Malawi (PAM) Robert Chiwamba has expressed gratitude for being re-elected as head of the body saying the opportunity will help him to finish his first term projects.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Chiwamba said he was delighted to lead PAM for the second term.
“I am happy because I will finish all the projects that I started in my first term. We are working with the Cooperate Fund with which we are helping primary school leaners to write poems about natural disasters.
“In this term of office, I will be able to finish this project,” he said, adding that his first term in office was meant to set up this office in order as this was also the time which saw PAM amending its constitution.
He expressed optimism that PAM will achieve all planned activities for the good of poetry in Malawi.
“This time around, we will use this second chance to achieve all that we planned in the first term. Our first assignment is to rebrand the PAM as we are in the digital technology era.
“We are planning to open up accounts on You Tube, Facebook and all places people are found so that people can recognise PAM, “he said, adding that the association also contemplates on entering into partnership with private sector to organise series of poetry competitions.
Chiwamba however stated that PAM meets a number of problems including limited financial resources due to minimal resource mobilisation means.
“We don’t have any sponsor; we rely on membership fee which is K5, 000. This is not enough but let me thank Reunion Insurance, Copyright Fund and others for supporting the association,” he said.
He therefore encouraged youngsters who joined poetry to be active and that they should promote their poems by putting them on different social media platforms and on radios for people to appreciate their work.
PAM Vice President, Daniel Zabuloni said he will collaborate well with the President to serve the association and the interest of the poets in the country.
In other positions, Arthur Muongola was elected PAM General Secretary as Chikumbutso Kaliyati took the position of Vice General Secretary,
Charles Membe was elected Treasurer General, Raphael Sitima, Director of Fundraising, Kenneth Khondiwa, Director of Publicity while Milca Kanyenda is Director of Women Affairs.