[{"id":"22","title":"ZA CREATIVE CONSULT STRENGTHENS TIES WITH NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF MALAWI","author":"Daniel Creflo Mtonga","content":"Za Creative Consult recently held an engagement with the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCoM), building on earlier youth-led collaborations. The meeting created space for dialogue on creativity, research, and cultural heritage as drivers of social transformation.\r\n\r\nOn 9 December, our team paid a courtesy visit to NYCoM following the Youth-Led Organisations Tour at Youth Wave. We presented our program portfolio, which includes Social Change Design, MERLA (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning & Accountability), Media and Arts Development, Policy Analysis, Project Implementation, Human Capital Management, and Strategic Communication.\r\n\r\nAmong the initiatives shared was the Pamudzi Initiative, which nurtures hidden visual arts talent and fosters community togetherness through storytelling. Achievements from its pilot phase include mentoring young artists in Lilongwe, facilitating their participation in major festivals, and supporting them to secure formal business registration. We also highlighted our flagship research project with Leaders Africa Institute, investigating how individuals living with bipolar disorder access mental health treatment in Malawi\u2019s primary healthcare system.\r\n\r\nNYCoM\u2019s Executive Director, Rex Chapota, commended Za Creative Consult for its timely contributions to the creative industry and emphasized the importance of evidence-based strategies for youth-led institutions. The Council recommended exploring opportunities in Culture & Heritage, such as a Cultural Heritage Weekend to showcase food, traditions, and performances aligned with tourism promotion. They also encouraged the introduction of a Creative Sector Track at the National Youth Summit, documentation of youth economic projects, and collaboration on webinars, abstracts, and academic publications.\r\n\r\nThe meeting was enriched with memorable quotes. Rex Chapota reminded participants that \u201cStart small\u2014don\u2019t wait until you have a million dollars in your account.\u201d Meanwhile, Wanthaza Mughogho emphasized that \u201cThe creative sector in Malawi has huge potential; if well harnessed, it can meaningfully contribute to the national economy.\u201d\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, Za Creative Consult is eager to register as an affiliate of NYCoM and position itself as a creative research hub supporting youth development. We plan to co-develop research papers and publications, explore joint implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on Cultural Diversity, and support NYCoM\u2019s upcoming webinar entitled \u201cFrom Demographic Pressure to Demographic Power.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt Za Creative Consult, we remain committed to empowering communities through creativity, research, and strategic innovation. Together with NYCoM, we aim to amplify youth voices and unlock the potential of Malawi\u2019s creative sector.","date_created":"2025-12-16 13:28:22","excerpt":"This engagement marks a milestone in positioning creativity and evidence\u2011based research at the heart of Malawi\u2019s youth development agenda.","image":"\/uploads\/news\/69415e76ed931.jpg"},{"id":"19","title":"STRENGTHENING MALAWI'S YOUTH ECOSYSTEM: REFLECTIONS FROM THE NYCOM INSTITUTION TOUR","author":"Daniel Creflo Mtonga","content":"Za Creative Consult was honoured to take part in the recent institutional tour organised by the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) on 25 November 2025. The invitation, extended through Youth Wave Malawi, provided an important platform for discussing how youth-led institutions in Malawi are governed and how the national ecosystem can continue to nurture youth innovation, leadership, and development.\r\nThe discussion emphasised a key message: effective youth development demands collaboration and strong institutional systems. Participants highlighted major gaps in access to scientific data and research\u2014tools essential for organisational growth, evidence-based programming, and donor compliance.\r\n\r\nLimited online research repositories continue to challenge Malawi\u2019s youth sector. As UNESCO notes, Sub-Saharan Africa contributes less than 1% of global research output, underscoring the need to strengthen knowledge access and research-driven planning.\r\n\r\nThe NYCOM tour provided valuable space for sector-wide reflection on how Malawi can improve its knowledge infrastructure, strengthen youth institutions, and prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing digital world. It also reinforced the urgent need to build systems that support young people not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders, creators, and innovators.\r\n\r\nZa Creative Consult remains committed to supporting Organisations that are building a stronger, more evidence-informed youth development ecosystem. The insights gained will guide our future programmes, research initiatives, and collaborative partnerships designed to uplift Malawi\u2019s creative and digital economy.","date_created":"2025-11-30 19:21:14","excerpt":"Youth Leadership Needs Evidence: Key Takeaways from the NYCOM Institutional Tour","image":"\/uploads\/news\/692c992a36c90.jpeg"},{"id":"10","title":"PURPOSEFUL PATHWAYS: INSIGHTS FROM UMP FESTIVAL 2025","author":"Daniel Creflo Mtonga","content":"The energy from the UMP Festival in Mangochi (21\u201327 October 2025) still lingers. What began as a creative exploration transformed into a week of powerful lessons, meaningful connections, and deep reflection on Malawi\u2019s creative landscape.\r\n\r\nThey say there are no coincidences in life, and truly, crossing paths with inspiring leaders and artists at this year\u2019s UMP Festival felt purposeful. Every conversation became a class of its own, filled with lessons that continue to shape how we at Za Creative Consult envision creativity, innovation, and inclusion.\r\n\r\nOne memorable exchange was with Dr. Cranston Haankwenda, a visionary creative leader from Zambia, who reminded us not to \u201cgive away our power too easily.\u201d He emphasized that growth happens through micro actions and that time is the most valuable resource we have. He also highlighted the importance of embracing technology: \u201cIf you\u2019re not using AI, you\u2019re not growing your brand.\u201d\r\n\r\nAs Za Creative Consult, we were privileged to present possible solutions to increase women\u2019s participation in the creative sector. Responding to the Department of Arts\u2019 observation of low female representation, we emphasized the need for data-driven and needs-based interventions designed from the ground-up rather than imposed from the top. This aligns with our expertise in Gender Transformative Programming, where evidence and lived experiences guide innovation.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, we introduced Pamudzi Arts, one of our flagship projects working with talented youth from Area 25 in Lilongwe. The initiative focuses on training and creating market opportunities for young creatives at both national and regional levels.\r\n\r\nThis resonates with global efforts to utilize the creative and heritage industries as key drivers for socio-economic development, as underscored in the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and Malawi 2063.\r\n\r\nWe extend our sincere appreciation to the Department of Arts and UMP Festival organizers for this opportunity to share, connect, and learn. The experience reaffirmed our belief that creativity thrives where collaboration, inclusion, and innovation meet.","date_created":"2025-10-30 10:23:21","excerpt":"Za Creative Consult on Collaboration, AI, and Gender Equity in the Arts","image":"\/uploads\/news\/692c7cfdccf72.jpg"},{"id":"9","title":"ZA CREATIVE CONSULT JOINS UMP AWARDS TO CELEBRATE MALAWI'S CREATIVE EXCELLENCE","author":"Daniel Creflo Mtonga","content":"We are delighted to announce that Za Creative Consult will be participating in this year\u2019s Urban Music People (UMP) Awards. The festival will run from 21st to27th October, 2025 in Cape Maclear, Mangochi, Malawi.\r\n\r\nThe UMP Awards form part of the broader UMP Festival, a flagship cultural event in Malawi that celebrates music, fashion, arts, film and media. Organized by Chitoliro Productions, the festival recognizes and promotes outstanding achievements within Malawi\u2019s creative industry.\r\n\r\nTraditionally, the UMP Festival runs over several days, featuring concerts, fashion shows, film screenings, exhibitions, and other artistic showcases. It stands as one of the most significant platforms for artists, innovators, and creative entrepreneurs to share their work and engage in meaningful collaborations.\r\n\r\nThis year\u2019s theme, \u201cThe Elevation,\u201d resonates deeply with one of our program\u2019s objective under Pamudzi Arts, where we envision to foster creativity, innovation, and cultural expression through the arts.\r\n\r\nAs Za Creative Consult, we are proud to be part of this year\u2019s festival, showcasing our artistic skills, creative products, and design concepts while strengthening our network within Malawi\u2019s growing creative economy and the globe.\r\n\r\nStay connected and follow our news updates to learn more about our ongoing initiatives and contributions to the arts and creative industries.","date_created":"2025-10-10 06:06:55","excerpt":"Za Creative Consult Shines at UMP Awards, Elevating Malawi\u2019s Creative Scene","image":"\/uploads\/news\/69415edb24daf.jpg"}]