Bpam President Maureen Masamba Steps Down, Calls for New Leadership

Maureen Masamba, President of the Book Publishers Association of Malawi (Bpam), has announced that she will not contest in the upcoming elections, stating that she has done her part and it's time for others to take over. The elections are scheduled to take place on March 28, 2025, with all positions, including the presidency, up for grabs.

Masamba expressed her satisfaction with the progress made by Bpam during her tenure, highlighting achievements such as audited and certified financial accounts, and securing funding for anti-piracy symposiums. She also mentioned her election to the African Publishers Network (Apnet) board alongside John Yohane ¹.

Despite the progress, Masamba acknowledged the challenges facing the publishing industry in Malawi, including book piracy, which she described as "killing the industry." She emphasized the need for continued efforts to sensitize the public about piracy and respect copyright laws.

The Bpam leader also highlighted the challenge of funding the organization's operations, relying heavily on membership subscriptions, which are often inadequate due to a lack of publishing business and defaulting members.

As Bpam prepares for the transition, Masamba expressed her optimism for the future, stating that the new leadership will drive the organization forward and continue to promote reading and writing culture in Malawi.

The virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections will take place on March 28, 2025, marking a new chapter for Bpam.