Seventy-year-old Grenenger Banda is a retiree who lives in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Banda completed his secondary education in 1976. He worked briefly before attending college to obtain a certificate in forestry. He worked for the Forestry Department from 1979 to 2004. In 2009, Banda was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Kasungu constituency. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Water for 27 months. After his term as Deputy Minister ended, he focused on his farming venture at his 60-acre farm, growing tobacco, groundnuts, maize, and soya.
In 2016, Banda was appointed Ambassador to Japan, responsible for the South Pacific islands as well, and stayed there for almost five years. Upon his return to Malawi, he knew he would not return to formal employment, so he registered his own companies. His Mach Milk Company, based in Blantyre about 354 kilometers away, is fully functional, producing powdered milk and five different types of yogurt. The products have recently been introduced into one of the country's large retail shops.
Banda has big dreams as he plans to have at least 20 food product lines by the end of the year. His idea, learned from Japanese business models, is that of establishing many small businesses. He has already acquired fruit and vegetable drying machines, a peanut butter making machine, a cooking oil making machine, a fish feed making machine, and a non-alcoholic sanitizer making machine. During his free time, he visits his farm in Kasungu or his factory in Blantyre. When he is at home, he does not believe in being idle, so he tends to his garden, which is a few meters away from his house. He has planted maize, cassava, rice, some sweet potatoes, sugarcane, and bananas.
How does it feel to be 72?
Why did you retire or why are you still working?
Why did you retire?
Why are you still working?
In 2004 I wanted to retire. I was still very strong at that time. I felt that if I retired at 60, I would not be able to do other things, and I was proved right. However, my retirement did not last long as I was employed by University of Malawi in 2005 teaching Forest Engineering at Bunda College. I was there for 4 years, before joining politics.
What do you look forward to?
What is your biggest concern?
Life expectancy 2023
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