Lessons Conversation

The Voice of Development: What Works, in What Context, under What Conditions, and Why? In conversation with @NthandaManduwi

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

I pull at these threads further in Book #2 of the Lessons series [you will enjoy!] It is deeper than present-day phenomena, tracing patterns that predate even colonization.

P.S. you can get free copies of the books by simply subscribing to @LessonsCon via https://t.co/KXn9b2dHK6

[University of Malawi Economics (DOE) @unimaecon]

DoE alumna Nthanda Manduwi continues to make waves in international development scholarship and thought leadership with the publication of "The Lessons" series, a collection of seven books that critically ...

#AlumniSpotlight #DoE #SLEG #UNIMA
@HappyKayuni @Gowokani11

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

It’s been a while since I re-introduced myself. Hi, I’m Nthanda 👋🏽📚🤍

A big thank you to @GJU_Malawi, and all the incredible journalists who have profiled my work over the past decade for making my [+ other women’s] work discoverable through @Wikipedia | https://t.co/kYjWih81wP

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

It never quite gets old 🩵🤍 https://t.co/kxyrCaxCXN

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

“We are saved by only love - love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share: being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend.

We live in a perpetually burning world, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.” 🤍

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

Seeing people newly RT this from 2 years ago.

I wrote this tweet after I had spent a year piloting @LessonsCon within @UNDP_Evaluation.

As my contract came to an end, I asked if I could take the podcast with me. The answer was a yes.

Two years later: https://t.co/KXn9b2dHK6 ♥️

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

The first 10 years of my career 🫶🏽♥️
https://t.co/hdREGWp8AE

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

1,000+ views in <72 hours. Thank you!

Fun fact: the #TEDx coaching team was amazing, and insisted on us speaking from memory [no notes].

The result: I may have forgotten 4+/- minutes of what I wanted to say, so I did what any creator would do ↓ [1/2]:

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

I guess I can finally say “Thank you for coming to my #TEDTalk!”

One of last things I was quite glad to do before I left @MichiganStateU: "WORLD 2.0: Smarter Machines, Faster Evidence, Same Egos." 

Talk[s]: https://t.co/6F5EQPMkIj
Books: https://t.co/6GGkrwzcBR

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

I just finished reading the book #AppleinChina: and more than my appreciation of the incredible storyteller that is @PatrickMcGee_, the book also got me thinking about how China ideally ‘won’, but also specifically how @Apple built @Huawei, all other competitors, and really... China.

The [not so] common narrative is that Apple built the #iPhone in China, but the book delves deeper into the more interesting story: that China used companies like Apple as classrooms. In many ways, Apple helped build the ecosystem from which competitors like #Huawei would eventually emerge.

Today, Chinese companies are setting the pace in industries ranging from telecommunications and EVs to batteries and AI.

One of the best books I have ever read, and I share in my most recent podcast episode more insights on a few things the global south can learn from China’s journey towards global domination.

Have a listen: https://t.co/2IwbFwqXnD

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

Thank you so VERY much for honoring my work, and pivoting with me, through the years. To know that my simple existing, and my choice to build publicly inspires you to step just a little bit further is the gentlest honour.

Zikomo kwambiri. 🌟🏆♥️

[Kwathu Kollective @KwathuKonnect]

You voted [again], and it counted [again]: the 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 in Malawi—our founder Ms. @NthandaManduwi 🙌🏽💛 #ConsumerChoiceAwards | https://t.co/mUozaC8Gns

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

Started my day with @theICHADProject in Lagos, having a conversation with Africa’s youth.

I spoke on the topic of ‘Predictive Production’ as a possible next frontier for Africa: how we can get crystal, build technical skills, and leverage 4IR technologies to build what Africa truly needs.

There’s a specific focus on ‘Industries Without Smokestacks’ in my writings, and I truthfully hope the next generation of young Africans can lock in.

My full reflections: https://t.co/hQFlPXRGpA

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

If you are reading this, it means that it is officially the last day of my postgraduate studies at the @MSUBroadCollege. I have officially completed 62 of the 61 credits required to attain my MBA, 2 months ahead of schedule.

As my time at MSU comes to a close, I am joyful for one of my 'last's to be on the @TEDxMSU stage this March, sharing a talk aligned with my upcoming book series [https://t.co/1dcRgV3g9h].

I came to MSU with two goals in mind: to learn more about business [read Entrepreneurship], and to write.

I have wrecked my beautiful mind over the past two years, conquering business analytics and marketing research methods, as I on the side dissected international relations and quite the complex shared histories we have. It is my greatest joy to launch these books this coming July.

Ahead of the launch of the books, I am deeply excited to deliver my first ever TEDx Talk, and I cannot think of anywhere better to do so, that at the school that has been my heart: @MichiganStateU.

The theme of my talk: '𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴? 𝘐𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵? 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴? 𝘈𝘯𝘥... 𝘸𝘩𝘺?'

The ambiguous questions that continue to guide everything I do.

[Ntha Foundation @NthaFoundation]

In October 2025, the government of 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙞 — under President Prof. @PeterMutharika — declared a “state of disaster” for 11 of its 28 districts, responding to an assessment that projected roughly 4 million people would face acute food insecurity in 2025/26 (October–March).

[Ntha Foundation @NthaFoundation]

We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Inkosi Theresa Kachindamoto.

Until her passing, she was not only a cherished partner of the @NthaFoundation, but also one of Malawi’s most powerful voices for justice, dignity, and opportunity.

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

As I write my second book: ‘𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲’, I reflect a lot on where and how I grew up: in a space where I could… just be.

The fight for 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 is to me something that is rooted deeply in responsibility: the awareness that a better world can (and does) exist, as I have lived it.

Have a listen to the full @EqualityNow podcast: https://t.co/e3iCBe0LOg

[Ntha Foundation @NthaFoundation]

Our founder, Ms. @NthandaManduwi joins @EqualityNowAfrica's Communications Expert Michelle Tuva, and Human Rights Lawyer Gicuku Karugu in the second episode of the SOAWR Coalition led series exploring the role of the Maputo Protocol in Ending Violence Against Women in Africa.

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

In 2003, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼 — the youngest of 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 in a family of traditional rulers in Malawi’s Dedza District — was chosen as the next 𝗦𝗲��𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 of the district.

She became the first female chief, leading over 𝟵𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 around Lake Malawi.
https://t.co/78UDrA1od9

[Nthanda Manduwi @NthandaManduwi]

We are going to 𝘉𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘵á!

Very very excited to launch @LessonsCon in this way very soon 🔗 https://t.co/D8oNEKna3P