By Vinjeru Ngwira
Independent Member of Parliament for Mzimba Central Constituency, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, is set to launch the People Over Politics Foundation (PoPF) and its first major charitable initiative at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on 2 October 2026.
The foundation’s inaugural initiative, the Public Universities and Colleges Stipend Fund, will support selected students from disadvantaged backgrounds studying at public universities and colleges across Malawi.
Under the programme, the foundation plans to provide financial assistance to less-privileged students over a five-year period. The initiative is expected to provide a total of K1 billion in support to beneficiaries.
As part of the programme, 15 students from each of Malawi’s six public universities will receive K1.8 million per year as an upkeep allowance. In addition, six students from each of the country’s nine public colleges will receive K800,000 annually.
The launch will also feature guest speakers from the student leadership community, including Nkosinathi Mabilane, from the National Students Representative Council of the University of South Africa, and Lathita Mbuzwana, immediate past President of the Nelson Mandela University Students’ Representative Council.
The People Over Politics Foundation says the initiative is aimed at easing financial challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds and helping them remain in education despite economic difficulties.