Chikondi Mpokosa: Keeping the spirit of Ubuntu alive

At a time many Africans worry that the spirit of Ubuntu is fading, recognition for those who continue to embody its values has become increasingly significant. Ubuntu—the African philosophy that emphasizes humanity, compassion, shared responsibility and collective progress—has for generations been the bedrock of African societies. It is the belief that an individual’s wellbeing is inseparable from that of the community.

Yet rapid social change, economic hardships and growing individualism have led many to question whether those values still hold the same influence. In communities grappling with poverty, unemployment, inequality and social exclusion, the need for leaders who place people at the centre of development has perhaps never been greater. For Chikondi Lisimba Mpokosa, Ubuntu is more than a philosophy.

It is the principle that has guided a career spanning over 26 years in international development and humanitarian work. Long before she became a recognisable political figure in Malawi as National Development Party vice-president and running mate to Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo in the 2025 General Elections, Mpokosa had built a reputation as a development practitioner dedicated to improving the lives of marginalised people. At the heart of that work is Youth Action for Sustainable Development (YA4SD), an organisation she founded to address challenges facing young people, women and vulnerable communities.

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Through YA4SD, Mpokosa champions inclusive education, girls’ education, disability rights, gender equality, humanitarian assistance and community empowerment initiatives across numerous countries in Africa and Asia. Its programmes target communities that often fall through the cracks of conventional development interventions. These include girls denied educational opportunities, children affected by conflict, persons with disabilities, women excluded from economic opportunities and young people struggling to find pathways to productive livelihoods.

The philosophy behind the organisation is simple: sustainable development cannot be achieved if large sections of society remain excluded. Its impact mirrors the broader mission that has defined Mpokosa’s professional life. Her development journey has taken her across continents and into some of the world’s most challenging environments. One of her notable assignments was with Unicef in South Sudan, where she served as deputy chief of education emergencies.

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