Kondwani Robert Mphande

Kondwani was born on 19 March 1983 to Victor Alufeyo Mphande and Priscilla Carol Mphande in Blantyre, Malawi. He had two sisters, Lizzy (Kaingira) Mphande and Chisimphika Margaret, and a deceased brother, Tamika Aubrey Mphande.

Kondwani held an associate degree from the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic, and a Bachelor of Information Science from Mzuzu University. He later pursued a Master of Science in Cyber Security Management at Columbus State University in Georgia, USA where he graduated in May 2024. He harbored dreams of pursuing a PhD in the field and was looking forward to commencing these studies in 2025. He started his career in 2006 as a systems administrator at Manica Malawi and worked as a senior IT engineer at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation until 2009.Kondwani subsequently made significant contributions to Malawi’s health sector.Between 2011 and 2019, he served as a Hardware Maintenance Engineer and Team Leader at Baobab Health Trust, overseeing a team of 10 engineers in designing and rolling out a 12 million-dollar CDC-funded project to install information and communication systems in public health facilities in Malawi, together managing a wide area connection of over 400 EMR sites.

Working as Project Manager of the National Registration Bureau in Malawi from 2021 to 2021, he also oversaw the deployment of integrated maternity and birth registration systems in 12 health centers and connected the Ministry of Health systems with the National Registration Bureau. He would later contribute to Malawi’s development in his area of passion, agriculture, having served as ICT Manager for the Green Belt Initiative, where he played a key role in designing and installing the ICT systems for this cornerstone initiative in Malawi’s agriculture. He was proud to serve as a Graduate Administrative Assistant at Columbus State University. At Columbus State University, Kondwani found a family away from family. He spoke very highly of his Supervisor and Team members, who showed him extreme kindness and love like a brother.

Outside of formal work, Kondwani was a proud Lion who actively engaged to organize fundraising events to impact the underprivileged. Kondwani was instrumental in organizing a boat cruise on Lake Malawi to raise funds for child cancer patients at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. He spent many voluntary man-hours to recruit and onboard new members to the Lion’s Club as he sincerely believed in its cause.He was an avid supporter of Manchester United Football Club. Humorously standing by the club even in the past years of declining glory. He enjoyed engaging in social media banter, notably with rival supporters of the Arsenal Football Club each weekend on Facebook. He enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen, taking on a range of cuisine. His culinary taste buds ranged from his favorite ethnic food of pap (kondowole), small fish and greens to international cuisine, particularly shrimp alfredo pasta and salmon.

Given the time and opportunity, he dreamed of extending his reach into farming. Taking a keen interest in innovative farming techniques and climate adaptive ideas. He loved to travel and see the world. This passion would take him to various parts of Africa, Europe and America, with ideas to see all continents.

Kondwani was married to Alinane Mildred Ligoya Mphande in March 2013 until July 2017 when Alinane went to be with Lord. Kondwani and Alinane had their beautiful and beloved daughter, Michaela Mphande who is now ten. He adored his baby girl more than anything in the world and never missed an opportunity to reiterate his unconditional love for her. Following a chance encounter in July 2018, Kondwani entered into a relationship with Grace Karen Mganga. At the time of his demise, they were in the midst of planning their wedding scheduled for late 2025.

Kondwani was raised in the Anglican Church. As an adult, he was a born-again member of Capital City Baptist Church in Lilongwe, Malawi where he served in the audio-visual or AV ministry, assisting with praise, worship and ministration of the Word. Despite his cancer diagnosis, he remained deeply spiritual and dependent on God, marked by his constant dedication to prayer in his last few weeks. During this difficult time, he constantly reiterated the need to – pray… keep praying. The Lord is in control…. the Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.This faith held him through the difficult last month and he lay unwavering in Gods promises, overcoming his pain to make a last request for administering of holy sacraments. He died peacefully moments after being administered this rite and lays peacefully in Gods arms with no more pain, secure in God’s love through eternity.

Kondwani was a lovable person who touched the lives of many, as evidenced in his last moments. He was a loyal and loving son, brother and friend, ensuring he stayed in touch with all those he held dear and going out of his way to help those in need. His big smile and bigger personality laminated light everywhere he went. He was very easygoing, gentle and kind to numerous people he encountered. He always sought peace and solutions to any challenges faced. His numerous brothers and sisters have lost their “Ada Nkhoswe” as one who could always be available and be relied on to come through for others.

Kondwani, fare thee well for now until we meet again…

A Visitation for Family and Friends for Kondwani will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A Funeral Service will occur Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907.