Thyolo

Thyolo is a town located in the Southern Region of Malawi. It is the administrative capital of Thyolo District. The current President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, was born in Thyolo.

Economy

There are several tea estates that are found in Thyolo. Tea has been grown in this area as early as 1909 that was when Malawi used to be colonized by the British. Upon arriving in Malawi the colonial rulers thought that the weather and climate of Thyolo was conducive for tea growing; therefore they acquired land from the kings who had resided in these areas for a very long period of time. This forced people to move and stay close to the mountains. Some of the famous estates in Thyolo are Naming'omba, Makandi, Satemwa, Eastern Produce, Nchima, Nansato, and Conforzi.

This estates are of great importance to the people of Thyolo and Malawi as a whole. First, tea is among the biggest foreign currency earners in Malawi, which has agricultural based economy. Tea estates also render valuable services to the people of Thyolo as well as other surrounding areas. Local people are able to get employment opportunities as tea pluckers even though their earnings are not enough to meet their day to day requirements. These estates also have small dispensaries that provide cheaper health services to local people.

Tourism

Thyolo Forest Reserve and Thyolo Mountain are great places for keen walkers and birdwatchers to visit.

Demographics

References

http://www.safaridrive.com/destinations/malawi/malawi_thyolomulanje.htm