A Different Lens on Malawi
PROJECT
Climate | Sustainable Communities | Health | Equality | Economic Growth | Responsible Production
Commissioned by Rotterdam Academy (Netherlands), Capa Capa created the photo series Malawi: A Different Lens — a visual exploration of how Malawi perceives, adapts to, and engages with seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Together with Blantyre-based stylist Alfred Chado, we produced this series of four images, each telling a multi-layered story on two different SDGs. The photos highlight personal narratives, connect them to broader societal challenges, and offer a hopeful perspective.
To capture students’ attention, we chose a fashion-driven approach. This not only enhances the creativity and strength of each individual but also makes the themes more engaging and accessible.
Tech girl flies Malawi into the future
Katie Khethiwe Mtambo programs drones to deliver medicine to remote areas in Malawi where ambulances can’t reach.
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But that’s not all. Katie also uses drones to monitor farmland from the air. This helps farmers quickly detect diseases or drought issues and take action immediately.
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Malawi is a true agricultural country: 70% of the population works in farming and lives on less than one euro per day. Because Malawi exports little, currency value fluctuates a lot, leading to sky-high prices in stores.
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A strong agricultural sector means more raw materials, new businesses, and more jobs. This way, Malawi can gradually build its own manufacturing industry. But this is only possible if wealthy countries in the Global North are willing to share the market fairly.
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Learn more about the use of drones in Malawi.
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Clothes: locally made dress of chitenge
Afro-Modernism meets sustainability
Fashion designer Wenafwi Mwase turns second-hand denim into one-of-a-kind garments. She draws inspiration from traditional prints, adds a modern twist, and combines it with Japanese anime. She calls this unique style Afro-modernism.
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Art Malawi, together with WASTE advisers, is also focused on recycling. The colorful, dotted background? Those are tabletops made from recycled plastic, salvaged from polluted rivers in Malawi. They are now used in schools to teach children that waste can have a second life.
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Watch the video about Art Malawi and WASTE Advisers project here.
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Follow Zanji on Instagram @zanji.co
She's about to open her webshop. ​
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Credits
Models: Edwin Edwart Jr Nsapato and Jon Matechanga
Clothes: Zanji
Tabletops (at the background): Art Malawi
From charcoal to clean energy
Malawi is a country where community plays a big role. Families live close to each other and are deeply involved in each other’s lives. Sharing meals is an important part of that.
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More then 80% of the people cooks with charcoal, which is not only harmful to health but also to the environment.
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To produce charcoal, forests are cut down, leading to higher temperatures, increased risk of flooding, and landslides during heavy rains.
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Fortunately, more alternatives are emerging, such as reforestation and relatively affordable cookstoves that run on cleaner energy sources like gas, solar power, and ethanol.
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Credits
Models: Thokozani Peter with her children Michael, Naomi and Misheck
A teacher's fight
for equality
Change starts with yourself. Georges' blind uncle inspired him to become a teacher for children with disabilities. Now, he teaches sign language at the university and works three days a week as a volunteer at a primary school.
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One of his students is Maria Paulo. Her mother didn’t initially understand what Down syndrome meant, but thanks to teacher George’s advice, she can now better support Maria. Maria receives extra lessons and is gradually improving at school.
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You can follow Maria on TikTok at @ga.bonomali
