Property owners in Lilongwe’s Malangalanga approve MHC’s significant redevelopment plan

* Malangalanga’s dilapidated staff quarters will be transformed into safe, decent, and affordable housing

* To include improved drainage, roads, lighting, and green spaces for families

* For years, our civil servants and their families have lived in aging houses — today, that story changes

By Duncan Mlanjira

After Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) unveiled its plans at a stakeholders meetings to give Malangalanga staff quarters a new facelift, the project has been approved by property owners, who bought land in the Capital Lilongwe’s Area 1 community.

When reached out, MHC Chief Executive Officer, Bob Chimkango expressed his satisfaction, describing the Malangalanga property owners’ response as speaking with one voice.

MHC decided to involve the property owners taking cognizance that the Malangalanga estate — which covers approximately five hectares — formerly had about 150 properties, but following demolitions and property sales, MHC now owns 102 houses.

Thus it was necessary to involve the property owners to move together to achieve the scale of development that is being envisaged.

“In a landmark unanimous decision, they have agreed to fully support the Government’s bold initiative to regenerate the staff quarters in Area 1 Malangalanga,” says Chimkango.

“The property owners made this groundbreaking decision at meeting held on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Simama Hotel in Lilongwe.

“The meeting was convened by the affected property owners and attended by local leaders — led by Member of Parliament for the Area, Hon. Lincoln Liwonde and their Councillors.

“The meeting, however, asked the authorities to ensure they conduct valuations for the properties at the earliest possible time so that they make informed decisions on whether they would take the compensation or go for a house swap.”

According to his presentation at the stakeholders meeting on Friday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe, Chimkango stated that property owners would be offered several options, including compensation following property valuation, house swaps, equity participation in the project or using compensation to construct alternative houses elsewhere.

The proposal seeks to consolidate land resources to unlock a development that individual property owners would struggle to undertake independently, adding that the project is designed to complement Lilongwe City Council’s development plan — which designates the area for commercial use with buildings of, at least, three storeys.

MHC, the only statutory landlord under the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, is leading the charge — and Chimkango says: “This is more than bricks and mortar — this is about dignity, renewal, and hope.”

The project includes:

* Modern homes — dilapidated staff quarters will be transformed into safe, decent, and affordable housing;

* Better communities — improved drainage, roads, lighting, and green spaces for families;

* Jobs & opportunity — construction and maintenance will create jobs for Malawians in Lilongwe;

* Partnership — Government, MHC and property owners working together for the people.

Why it matters

Chimkango maintains that “for many years, our civil servants and their families have lived in aging houses but going forward that story changes.

“To whom much is given, much is required. Much has been entrusted to MHC and with the support of Malangalanga property owners, we are ready to deliver.

“This unanimous agreement proves one thing: when a community unites, development follows. The future starts now and Area 1 Malangalanga is set to become a model for urban regeneration across Malawi.

“A place where government housing reflects the pride of the people who serve this nation. To the property owners of Malangalanga: Zikomo Kwambiri!

“Your unity and vision are building a new Malawi, one home at a time,” says Chimkango.

After the presentation at Crossroads Hotel, the property owners initially welcomed the proposed redevelopment and commended MHC for consulting stakeholders before implementation.

But they indicated that they would go back and study the proposal further and provide collective feedback as consultations continue — which was made just two days later.

Thus MHC applauding these essential stakeholders for their cooperation towards facelifting this aged community to transform the Capital’s facade.