* Particularly supporting the theme; ‘Celebrating Our Heritage, Educating Our Girls and Building Our Future’
* A subject that is important not only to the Yao community, but to the future of Malawi as a whole
By Duncan Mlanjira
NBS Bank has sponsored K15 million towards the 2026 Chiwanja Ch’a Yao Festival and in particular recognising its theme; ‘Celebrating Our Heritage, Educating Our Girls and Building Our Future’.
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Presenting the sponsorship this Friday in Lilongwe, Head of Government and International Organisations, Mervyn Donga highlighted that this year’s theme “speaks to issues that are important not only to the Yao community, but to the future of Malawi as a whole”.
“Our culture gives us a sense of identity and belonging. At the same time, educating our children — particularly our girls — is one of the most important investments we can make in building stronger families, communities and a more prosperous nation.
“It is against this background that NBS Bank is pleased to support the 2026 Chiwanja Ch’a Yao,” said Donga, adding that NBS Bank’s contribution reflects on its commitment to supporting initiatives that preserve Malawi’s rich cultural heritage while creating platforms that inspire and empower the next generation.
The 2026 Chiwanja Ch’a Yao Chiwanja Festival will be hosted on October 10 in Salima and the organising committee’s chairperson, Abdul-Azizi Yasin said at a press briefing last month that Ayao’s commitment to girls’ education is not simply a message but a practical investment in the next generation.
He had emphasised that keeping girls in school is a community responsibility, which NBS Bank is amplifying: “We believe that our role extends beyond providing financial services,” said Donga.
“As a responsible and caring institution, we have a responsibility to support the communities we serve and contribute to initiatives that create lasting social and economic value.
“We are particularly encouraged by this year’s focus on educating our girls. When we invest in the education and empowerment of girls, we are investing in the future of our families, our communities and our country.
“We also recognise the important role that cultural institutions and traditional leadership play in preserving our heritage and passing our values from one generation to the next.
“Events such as Chiwanja Ch’a Yao provide an important platform for this intergenerational connection.
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“Our support today is therefore not simply a sponsorship — it is a demonstration of partnership and solidarity with the Yao community.
“It reflects our belief that we can celebrate where we come from while also preparing our young people for where we are going.
“This is consistent with our commitment at NBS Bank to ‘We Care A Little More’. We care about the communities we serve, we care about preserving our heritage, and we care about creating opportunities for the next generation.”
Donga thus commended the organisers, traditional leaders and all stakeholders “who continue to champion the preservation and celebration of Yao culture”.
“NBS Bank is proud to complement these efforts and to stand alongside the Yao community as we celebrate our heritage, educate our girls and build our future.”
Chiwanja Ch’a Yao festivals, celebrate the tribe’s rich cultural heritage through dances, food and several activities.
