Mukuru’s Strategic Investment In Malawi Netball’s Developmental Pipeline
The Mukuru-powered Malawi Under-23 netball side has underlined its long-term vision by including a 17-year-old duo in its squad for Telkom Netball League (TNL) Power Week 1 in Durban.
The Queen Cubs, backed by leading financial services platform Mukuru, arrived in Durban on Tuesday ahead of the tournament with teenage talents Grace Mwanza and Lukia Thonje, both aged 17.
Power Week 1 got underway on Friday, 24 April at the Durban University of Technology, with a youthful squad assembled to fast-track the next generation of Malawi Queens stars.
Vice President of the Netball Association of Malawi, Tadala Billie, confirmed the deliberate shift towards youth, revealing that the squad includes players as young as 17.
“This is an Under-23 developmental squad, and we’ve intentionally included girls as young as 17,” Billie told Sportswire.
“As we rebuild the Malawi Queens, we are looking ahead to major tournaments like the World Cup. Starting with them at this age means they’ll grow into the system with the energy and readiness we need for the future.”
Head coach Joanna Kachilika emphasised that the tour is less about immediate results and more about exposure and progression to the senior national team.
“This is a development team, so it’s important for them to showcase their talent,” Kachilika told Sportswire.
“Some of these players could soon be called up to the Malawi Queens. Playing in the Telkom League—even in friendly matches—gives them invaluable exposure against strong South African opposition.
“The goal is to see these players transition from this level into the senior squad. That would make both me and the nation proud.”
The opportunity to compete in South Africa has been made possible through Mukuru, whose support has enabled the team to test themselves in a high-performance environment.
Team captain Mphatso Banda acknowledged the significance of the experience.
“We’re a group of young players passionate about the game, and for Mukuru to do this for us really means a lot,” said Banda.
“We’re taking this competition seriously because it will help prepare us for future assignments and expose us to top-level opposition.
“For some of the players, this is their first trip outside Malawi—it’s making a huge difference.”
The Queen Cubs began their Durban campaign with a clash against KD Queens on Friday and now prepare to face Baobabs on Sunday. In total, they will play eight fixtures during Power Week 1.
Meanwhile, Mukuru’s Marketing and Partnerships Lead, Taleetha Jussab, highlighted the broader impact of the company’s investment in netball, particularly in a historically underfunded space.
“Netball doesn’t receive the same level of funding as football, but through our sponsorship we’ve seen a meaningful shift. It has helped open doors for other organisations—beyond the financial sector—to come on board and support the game,” said Jussab.
“We’re now seeing increased involvement, with some banks even running their own netball leagues. That kind of momentum shows that more stakeholders are recognising the value of investing in women’s sport.”
Jussab also pointed to the social impact of the initiative in Malawi, where the programme extends beyond sport.
“In Malawi, challenges such as early marriages and high dropout rates remain prevalent. Initiatives like this give young girls something to focus on—a sense of purpose,” she said.
“It’s not just about developing athletes; it’s about empowering them. These girls are not only uplifting themselves but also supporting their families, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds.”
