In act of benevolence necessitated by a urgent need for Community Social Responsibility (CSR) Illovo Sugar Malawi Plc has donated Maize flour worth over K439 million to 16,000 hunger-stricken households in the area of Paramount Chief Lundu in the Lower Shire district of Chikwawa.
In his remarks, during the distribution exercise at Chief Lundu headquarters, Illovo Sugar Malawi’s Nchalo Estate General Manager, Ricky Pillay said the donation was a evidence of Illovo’s limitless commitment to help in alleviating the suffering of people around the estate.
“This donation, totaling 16,000 bags of 25 kgs each, is a testament to our unwavering dedication to alleviating the suffering of those affected by food scarcity and the total cost of this donation is MK439.7 Million,” said Pillay, adding;
“Our decision to make this donation was guided by a sense of duty and compassion for our fellow Malawians. We recognize that access to basic necessities such as food is a fundamental human right, and it is incumbent upon us as a business to do our part in ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.”
Pillay, however, further assured Paramount Chief Lundu’s community residents and the wider Chikwawa district catchment area of continued support.
He said: “I want to assure you that Illovo Sugar stands in solidarity with you during this challenging time as we have done previously for example when the District was hit by the devastating twin Cyclones Ana and Freddy.
“We would like to reiterate our commitment to extend a hand of support to the communities in times of need. As our purpose states we are committed to the creation of Thriving Malawian Communities wherever we exist.”
Paramount Chief Lundu in his remarks commended Illovo, saying his subjects are in dire need of food.
Traditional Authority Lundu promised Illovo management that he would ensure that there is transparency in the distribution exercise and that everyone will get the supplied maize.
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Plc is a leading producer and supplier of sugar in Malawi with a history of over 100 years, the company has grown to become one of the largest sugar producers in the country and beyond.
Illovo Sugar operates two sugar estates, Dwangwa and Nchalo, and a refinery in Limbe, producing high-quality sugar products for domestic and export markets.
Illovo Sugar is listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange with 76% of the issued share capital held by the Illovo Group and the balance by public and other institutional investors.
The company annually cultivates around 1.8 million tons of cane which together with approximately 350 000 tons produced by Malawian smallholder farmers, results in the production of about 250 000 tons of sugar.
Illovo Malawi, which is one of two sugar producers operating in the country, supplies more than 60% of its total sugar sales into the domestic consumer and industrial markets, and a portion of the balance exported regionally within the sub-continent.
In support of similar Government-aligned initiatives in both Zambia and Mozambique, direct consumption sugar produced at Zambia Sugar and Maragra in Mozambique is also Vitamin A- enriched.
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc, listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange in September 1997 (incorporated 31 May 1965) and employs 11, 800 permanent and temporary people.
More than 2.8 million people will face hunger in the coming months in the worst food crisis in a decade in Malawi, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The floods early this year were the worst in living memory in Malawi, washing away homes and food stocks, and ruining fertile land.
“We would like to reiterate our commitment to extend a hand of support to the communities in times of need.”
Ricky Pillay
Illovo Sugar, Nchalo Estate General Manager
