In celebration of Malawi’s 57th Independence Day, we bring you our first ‘staff spotlight’. In this adhoc series we recognise some of the extraordinary talent that lies behind the CGA name making CGA what it is.
Martha Madziatera joined CGA in in December 2020. She is the first female member of our technology team based in Malawi, which, among other things supports the Social Cash Transfers Programme (SCTP) benefitting more than 300,000 families.
We asked Martha about her role and what Independence Day means to her.
What is your role? I am an IT consultant. I collaborate with the in-house technical team where we develop new systems for various clients as well as diagnosing IT systems problems, inefficiencies, and weaknesses. The goal is to implement the best system that meets the clients’ needs. I also analyse and determine security threats by providing advice on technology best practices.
What type of projects do you work on? I have been working mainly on the Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) which will revolutionise the education system. We have produced a tablet-based app to monitor pupil and teacher enrolment and attendance. The data collected will be used by the government to improve the quality and efficiency of Primary School education.
I also support SCTP and Leave No Girl Behind (LNGB). SCTP helps the underprivileged with cash transfers, which is having a great impact on a lot of people in the communities. LNGB targets adolescent girls who have never attended school or who dropped out to improve their lives through vocational and academic pathways. CGA developed the Team Girl Beneficiary Monitoring System, a tablet-based app to capture pupil enrolment and monitor each girls’ daily attendance. It will have a big impact by transforming girls that are in a bad situation and giving them the necessary skills and tools to change their lives. I am very proud to be part of it. I love all of our projects that are unique.
What do you like most about CGA? I love that everyone is very supportive and we work well as a team.
Tech/IT jobs are stereotyped as being for men. You are the first female tech member of staff at CGA in Malawi. How does that feel? Well, I think it’s a little bit of pressure for me, but I like that I was given a chance.
Do you think more women should work in the technology sector? Definitely! The future is EQUAL, I do wish more women are interested in the STEM fields to level with men. But I know that in a few years that will absolutely be possible.
Wednesday 7th July is Malawi’s 57th Independence Day. What does the day mean to you? Freedom. We were liberated from colonialism and am glad that we have a different life than our ancestors did. We live in a free democratic country now.
How do you usually celebrate Independence Day? (Apart from getting the day off work) We usually spend the day at the National stadium where there are different activities organised. I look forward to watching paratroopers and different live performances from our local artists. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to attend the celebrations so a braii (BBQ) with friends will do, looking forward to that.