The Salima–Lilongwe Water Supply Company (SLWSC) recently hosted third-year engineering students from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at its project sites in Salima. The educational visit offered students a rare opportunity to witness first-hand the engineering processes behind one of Malawi’s largest and most transformative infrastructure projects. 

 The Project Manager for the contractor, Khato Civils, Eng. Tinofirei Mawanza, briefed the students on the progress of construction works, which have now reached 35 percent completion. He explained that the project has been progressing steadily without major setbacks, citing strong government support as a key factor in maintaining momentum, particularly through the provision of the necessary foreign exchange for imported materials. “We are pleased with the pace of work and the level of collaboration among all stakeholders involved. The government’s continued support has been instrumental in keeping the project on track,” said Eng. Mawanza. 

 The visiting students, who are pursuing degrees in Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Engineering, and Environmental Engineering, expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation for the experience. One of the students, Cuthbert Khunga, described the visit as “an eye opener,” noting that it helped bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application. “Seeing how large-scale engineering projects like this come together in the real world has deepened our understanding and inspired us to contribute to Malawi’s infrastructure development,” said Khunga. The visit reflects SLWSC’s ongoing commitment to knowledge sharing, capacity building, and youth engagement in Malawi’s infrastructure sector.