The two bring extensive economic and public sector experience to the new administration.
By The Forum
Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika continues to methodically expand his cabinet, appointing Roza Fatch Mbilizi and George Partridge as new ministers, the State House announced Friday.
According to a statement signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Adack Saidi, Mbilizi has been named Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, while Partridge assumes the role of Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism.
The latest appointments bring to five the number of cabinet members announced so far, following earlier designations of Alfred Gangata as Minister of State, George Chaponda as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Joseph Mwanamvekha as Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
Mbilizi, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member and newly elected legislator for Mangochi Central Constituency, brings extensive experience from the public sector. She previously served as Deputy Commissioner General for the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) from 2014 to 2020 and earlier as Head of Policy, Planning and Research from 2000 to 2012.
Before joining MRA, Mbilizi worked as a Senior Economist in the Department of Environmental Affairs and earlier as an Economist in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.
Partridge also arrives with strong economic credentials. He was Group Chief Executive Officer of Press Corporation Plc from 2016 and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Malawi for a decade. Before that, he held senior roles at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, where he rose to the position of Director. Over the years, he has served on several public and private sector boards and national economic advisory committees.
Observers have described the new appointments as “solid and strategic,” apparently reflecting Mutharika’s intention to blend political loyalty with proven professional competence.
Partridge expressed gratitude in a social media post following the announcement:
“I am truly humbled by the appointment and by your congratulatory messages. The task ahead is enormous, and expectations are high. Thank you.”
Mutharika was sworn in on October 4 after defeating incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera. This marks his second time in office, having previously served as Malawi’s president from 2014 to 2019.
