Stranger in her own skin

William Khalipwina Mpina is an economist and data analyst at the Malawi Revenue Authority, where he applies his expertise to drive data-informed decision-making. Beyond his professional career, Mpina is a talented literary figure, celebrated for his contributions to poetry and literature. He co-edited Walking the Battlefield (2020), a bilingual anthology of poems reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, and authored Mooning the Morning (2022), a poetry collection published by Montfort Media. His commitment to nurturing young minds is evident in his children's book, Kamwala Kodabwitsa (2024), created as part of the Invisible Child Project funded by Pen International. Mpina's literary influence extends to his role as a judge for the 2024 IHRAM SADC Literary Prize in Poetry, where he helps recognize and celebrate emerging talent in the region. He is also deeply involved in the literary community, serving as Treasurer General for the Malawi Union of Academic and Nonfiction Authors and as an Executive Committee member of Pen Malawi, a local center of Pen International. Through his work, Mpina continues to bridge the worlds of economics, literature, and advocacy, leaving a bright stain on Malawi's cultural and intellectual landscape.