Stallone Phiri, from Malawi, is a humble young man who arrived on campus in 2019 with a clear desire to learn and become a transformational leader. It didn’t take long for him to identify a skill aligned with his passion. Soon after arriving, he decided to pay his way through college by working at Locavore Market as a food engineer.
Locavore Market is a self-sustainability initiative at African Christian College that produces and sells baked goods, homemade products, poultry, and organic fruits and vegetables. Stallone’s role involved producing baked goods and creating homemade products like ice cream.
“I had worked at a hotel before as a waiter, and that’s when I fell in love with the food business. But I had no experience producing food,” he said.
Despite this, Stallone excelled in his role, performing his tasks with dedication and passion.
He learned many aspects of running a kitchen. “I got the opportunity to hone my baking skills and learned to make new things like muffins, homemade banana and pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, various ice cream flavors, and many other products,” he recalls.
From time to time, Locavore Market hosted farmers markets on campus, attracting customers from across the Kingdom of Eswatini. These events gave Stallone exposure to customer service and sales. He personally interacted with customers and sold the products he had made, gaining valuable experience in marketing and customer relations — all while continuing his academic studies toward a degree.
I got the opportunity to hone my baking skills and learned to make new things like muffins, homemade banana and pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, various ice cream flavors, and many other products.
Stallone Phiri, 2021 Graduate.
In 2021, Stallone graduated with a Bachelor of Theology Degree and a CV full of hands-on experience from Locavore Market. Upon returning home to Malawi, it didn’t take long for local hotels and restaurants to notice him. Thanks to his combined academic credentials and practical experience, he was soon hired as a cook at a local restaurant. His work ethic and skills quickly stood out, and he was promoted to Supervisor—a position he currently holds.
“My boss was amazed at how I could transition from cooking and baking to managing customer interactions and assisting with sales,” he recalls. Stallone now focuses on mentoring his team, helping them improve their skills and become well-rounded professionals, contributing to the business’s overall success.
The work-study programme at ACC is not just a means for students to afford tuition and accommodation; it is a platform for acquiring practical, replicable skills to use back home.
In today’s world, success requires more than just a certificate — it demands a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and real-world experience. At African Christian College, these are embedded in everything we do. Learning doesn’t happen only in the classroom; on our campus, every moment is a learning opportunity.
Let’s explore together!
We are very proud of you Mr Phiri. Exciting and interesting story,
Congratulations!