At the heart of great leadership lies not only knowledge and service, but wellness, joy, and peace of mind.
Malawi’s population is predominantly young, and with persistent economic challenges and a saturated job market, young people face immense pressure as they strive to build their futures. For young professionals in public service, this pressure is compounded by the responsibility of leading and serving communities.
On March 20th, as the world observed the International Day of Happiness, Malawi was ranked the fourth least happy country globally by the United Nations, landing at position 144. Behind this ranking is a deeper story: a youthful population facing immense social and economic pressure, silently navigating anxiety, burnout, and psychological fatigue.
The Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) of Malawi understands that young public servants are not immune to these challenges. They carry the hopes of the nation while often suppressing their own struggles. EPL Malawi believeS that a public servant should not only be competent but also resilient, exuding hope, peace, humility, and compassion. Mental wellness is fundamental to nurturing such leadership.
As part of a broader responsive training for the Public Service Fellows, EPL Malawi hosted an entire day dedicated to mental wellness, self-care, and psychological resilience.
The day kicked off with a deeply impactful session led by Dr. Chiwoza Bandawe, a seasoned clinical psychologist from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. With calm clarity and powerful insight, Dr. Bandawe guided the fellows through a journey of understanding stress, overcoming self-doubt, and replacing destructive habits with healthier patterns. It was more than a workshop—it was a healing space.
In the afternoon, thanks to the generous support of Medhealth, the fellows dove into a vibrant wellness festival: group aerobics, swimming, football, dance, gym workouts, and games filled the schedule. As music played and laughter echoed across the venue, Medhealth was also on-site, offering health check-ups to make sure the fellows’ bodies were just as cared for as their minds.
This was not just about taking a break. It was a celebration of balance. A recognition that good leaders need more than skills, they need clarity, and a calm connection with themselves.
EPL Malawi is cultivating a new kind of public servants: ones that bring a full, healthy self into the service of others.
