By Chiyembekezo Kapitapita
The college that God loves the most is probably the only higher learning institution that has its own news website in the country. Today we are chatting with Ulemu Mbengwani, the founder of Chanco News. He is taking us through the development process, the motivation all the way to the current status of the platform.
- Tell us about yourself
I am Ulemu Mbengwani Banda, a fourth year student pursuing Bachelors of Arts, Media for Development at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. I am the founder of Chanco News and I was the Director from its inception in May, 2019 to September, 2020.
- Tell us more about Chanco News
Chanco News is an online publication that started its operations in May, 2019. It was initially designed to be covering issues from Chancellor College and surrounding areas. However, lately we have started publishing articles from anyone interested to publish on the platform to help passionate writers and mass communication students who need a platform.
- What motivated you to come up with the platform?
I wanted to get an internship after finishing my second year but to my surprise, I discovered that even internships needed connections. I came up with the idea of Chanco News to help students like me who do not have connections but need experience to be competitive on the job market after graduating.
- Take us through the development process of your brainchild
I’ve always been fascinated with the internet and eventually I became passionate about website designing. I started researching on how I can be writing stuff online and after that I started downloading books and tutorials. In 2018, I designed my first website but I didn’t like it. Thereafter, I started working on another one, Chanco News, but it needed a good sum of money for it to be operational. Lucky enough, I was doing business at the time so I got the money from the business and paid for the website. We conducted interviews and started operating in May 2019.
- Did any registration process happen and why?
Yes! Like any other organization on campus, the platform was registered with the Dean of students through SUCC to ensure smooth running of our operations. Consequently, I would like to commend Jeromy Chisikwa, the former Vice General Secretary, for working tirelessly during the time we were registering the platform.
- How did you balance being the Director of Chanco News and school?
Honestly, it was a daunting task to balance the two during the first days. In addition, thought of representing the College that God loves most was nerve-racking. Lucky enough, the Chanco News team has equally capable people and roles are properly delegated to the extent that everything runs smoothly even when I am not around.
- Take us through the challenges and successes you have encountered
The major challenge is that Malawi lags behind technologically and this presents numerous challenges. It is difficult to access many services and sometimes we miss out on opportunities. For instance, Malawi does not have a postal code yet it is a crucial element when making international online payments. I struggled during my first payment and I almost gave up until I found a way to improvise.
Our major success came during the 2019 SUCC elections. We provided a platform where contestants shared their profiles and detailed manifesto with the Chancellor College community. This was a game changer to the Chancellor College politics since prior to the development of the platform, contestants never had a chance to fully express themselves because the pre-policy speeches are usually dominated by Biafra and Darfur in the Great Hall.
- How has the long holiday affected you as a student and former Director?
In my experience face to face meetings are important but that was not possible. However, we tried our best to communicate through WhatsApp and we continued updating the Chancellor College community especially on school reopening and the subsequent arguments among the different concerned parties. As a student I have benefitted a lot from the holiday though I was supposed to be done with school by now. The holiday gave me a last chance to organize where I will start when I graduate. During this period, I have obtained a certificate in Website programming and another one in Business/Project Development and Management. I have also co-founded Malawi Diabetes Foundation.
- What is your advice to students as an innovator?
The internet has a lot of opportunities, spare some time and see what you can find. Secondly, if you are passionate about something, follow it and do whatever it takes until you succeed.
- Best moment?
In January this year, I discovered that our readership extends beyond Malawi. Actually, we have readers from all over the world; Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, France, China, USA among many others.
- Any last words
The platform is where it is today because of team work and I thank God for the Chanco News family. I thank all my friends and family for their support, I can’t mention everyone by name but I truly appreciate the support. I would also like to thank the “Beauty of the Week” team for their amazing work. Finally, I would like to thank Thandizo Mbeza, the current Director, He is a talented and hardworking person who has and continues to contribute significantly to the platform.