Grace Kwelepeta (born ) became the Malawian member of National Assembly of Malawi for Zomba Malosa in 2019.[1] She was a teacher and she takes an interest in education and in particular the education of girls.

Grace Kwelepeta
NationalityMalawian
Occupation(s)teacher and politician
Known forMember of the National Assembly of Malawi
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Party

Life

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Kwelepeta studied linguistics and humanities and she trained as a teacher.[2] She taught in a secondary school[2] before she entered full-time politics. She joined the Democratic Progressive Party[1] and she became the representative member of parliament for the Zomba Malosa Constituency in 2019. This was a seat previously held by Joyce Banda. She became the President of Malawi.[3]

At the National Assembly Kwelepeta was an executive member of the National Governing Council and a Deputy Minister for Gender.[2] She took an interest in transport,infrastructure and women's rights in the National Assembly.[4]

Kwelepeta takes a continuing interest in education. She encourages students to study and she offers prizes to high performing students and teachers in her constituency.[5] She was invited to attend a girl's retreat for girls by Ulanda Mtamba who was the country director of Advancing Girls Education in Africa (AGE Africa).[6] The annual retreat is held in Zomba for 100 girls from a number of different schools. Kwelepeta and Ulanda Mtamba encouragedthe girls to not just look for a job but to become entrepreneurs to create jobs. They were told to prioritise study over romance. Kwelepeta was hailed as an inspiration by the girls.[7]

In January 2024, she spent a night outside blocking the way of a lorry load of maize in Zomba. The maize was intended for the poor and she wanted to ensure that her constituency was given a good share.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Grace Chisomo Shiera Kwelepeta". malawianparliament.com. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  2. ^ a b c "Grace Kwelepeta". www.wfd.org. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  3. ^ "Malawi's Joyce Banda and the rise of women in African politics - Reviews & Profiles - monitor.co.ug". web.archive.org. 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ^ "Grace Kwelepeta,". African Liberal Network. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  5. ^ Likaka, Raphael (2024-05-23). "Phungu wa Zomba Malosa afunira mafuno abwino ophunzira a Standard 8 Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. ^ "Ulanda Mtamba". avac.org. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  7. ^ concepcion. "AGE Africa hosts All Scholars Retreat in Zomba – AGE Africa". Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  8. ^ NyasaAuthor1 (2024-01-07). "Zomba legislator blocks truck carrying food - Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)