The march—which started at 8am at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital through Mandala, Mibawa to CI and back to the hospital —was also part of the fundraising activities lined up for the students’ symposium scheduled to take place later this year. 

Speaking in an interview, one of the big walk organisers, Zikomo Tukula, explained that, as students, they desire to become responsible and productive citizens and that the right time to start doing that is while they are still in college. 

“We thought of using the knowledge gained over the years and help the general public in Blantyre’s Ndirande Township as part of giving back to the community which has served us for a long time. We have come up with a design which will be implemented into a K54 million health clinic to be built in the township,” said Tukula.

He said, so far, they have managed to raise K532,000 in cash and pledges.  

“The students had to use their money to make banners as well as book the police and the public address system, among others. We did not expect to make much money this time, but what we wanted most was to create public awareness,” Tukula said.

According to him, the students have already approached PLASCON Company which has promised to provide paint while SAFINTRA will provide iron sheets. Horizon B, CEC Constructions and Einstein Constructions Company have contributed towards the symposium.

This is not the first time the Built Environment students have carried out similar work. In 2016, they came up with a street cleaning campaign in Blantyre Market and in 2017 they mounted a ‘Keep the City Clean’ campaign.