PRISM and Friends of Mulunguzi Dam once again rose to the occasion to care for nature on Mulunguzi Mountain. Following their significant contributions during the 2024/2025 tree planting season, the two organizations joined forces once more—this time to raise funds aimed at preserving the trees they had already planted.

The main goal of the initiative was to mobilize resources for the creation of firebreaks, which are crucial in protecting the growing forest from wildfire threats. To achieve this, the groups organized a fun walk on May 31, 2025, inviting individuals, institutions, and environmental enthusiasts to participate. The walk began at Gymkhana Club and ended at Trout Farm, where participants capped the day with the planting of 900 additional trees donated by Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) from its nursery.

The event drew participants from Zomba, Blantyre, and Lilongwe, including Blantyre Hikers, Chancellor College students, and representatives from First Capital Bank, Emmanuel International, and the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority.

Guest of Honor Rachel Mijiga, Director General of the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority, led a moving moment during the event by singing the renowned “Napolo Wachabe” by the Paseli Brothers—a heartfelt reminder of nature’s power and the importance of giving back to the environment. Reflecting on the devastating Napolo disaster of December 1946, where a flash flood and mudslides claimed 21 lives in Zomba, she stressed that protecting forests is not just about conserving water sources but also about shielding communities from future natural disasters. On behalf of the Authority, she contributed K5 million toward the firebreak initiative.

Also among the notable contributors was Hon. Grace Kwelepeta, Member of Parliament for the area covering Zomba Plateau. She expressed gratitude for the support the initiative had received and donated K100,000 to the cause. Local businesses, including CapeStars, Madula Butchery, and several food vendors, showed their support by paying vendor fees to provide services during the event.

In a panel discussion, SRWB Environmental Officer Steven James Minora explained the importance of firebreaks in forest management. He described them as strategically cleared or maintained strips of land designed to prevent the spread of wildfires by removing flammable materials.

Speaking on behalf of the SRWB Chief Executive Officer, Public Relations Executive Ritta Makwangwala extended warm thanks to all who took part, especially PRISM and Friends of Mulunguzi, whose combined efforts had already led to the planting of 4,000 trees earlier in the year.

As the sun dipped behind the tranquil hills of Zomba, one thing was clear: the spirit of conservation is alive, and the commitment to a greener, water-secure Malawi continues to grow stronger with every step taken—and every tree planted.