Grace Kwelepeta

Last updated
Grace Kwelepeta
Nationality Malawian
Occupation(s)teacher and politician
Known forMember of the National Assembly of Malawi
Political party Democratic Progressive Party

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.

Life

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 (who 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 encouraged the girls to not just look for a job but to become entrepreneurs and create jobs. They were advised 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]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Grace Chisomo Shiera Kwelepeta". malawianparliament.com. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  2. 1 2 3 "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". 2014-06-06. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. 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)