The NICO Group, which includes NBS Bank and ERIS Properties, is pleased to announce the sponsorship of Georgia Chirombo, a journalist from MIJ FM, to attend the prestigious Sanlam Summer School for Financial Journalists 2025, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The annual training programme brings together budding financial journalists from across the continent for a week of intensive learning, skill enhancement, and networking. This year’s theme will discuss the significance of the G20 and the B20 and the role South Africa, in concert with the African Union, can fulfil to make a lasting impact for the Global South and the world economy.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, NICO Group Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Lorraine Mlenga, emphasised the Group’s ongoing commitment to media development and financial literacy.
“We are proud to support Georgia Chirombo’s participation in this important training programme. Her dedication to covering business and financial stories makes her an excellent choice for this opportunity. At NICO, we value our partnership with the media and recognise its critical role in informing the public and shaping financial understanding”, Mlenga said.
Georgia Chirombo is the 12th journalist to be nominated and fully sponsored by NICO Group to attend the Sanlam Summer School. Her selection follows a track record of insightful business reporting and a growing profile in Malawi’s media landscape.
Georgia Chirombo expressed gratitude, adding that this is a great opportunity for her to grow in the field.
“I am honored and excited to represent Malawi and MIJ FM at the Sanlam Summer School. This opportunity means a lot to me professionally, and I look forward to learning from fellow journalists and experts from across Africa”, Chirombo said.
All costs associated with her participation—including travel, accommodation, and allowances—have been covered by NICO Group and Sanlam, as part of their joint commitment to supporting journalism excellence in Africa.
The Sanlam Summer School continues to be a key platform for developing the skills and knowledge of financial journalists across the continent. NICO Group remains dedicated to supporting this initiative as part of its broader media engagement and development strategy.
Additional Facts of Training
• This program has been run by Sanlam since 2013, while NICO started sending local journalists in 2014. It is a week-long training scheduled from 25 May 2025 to 31 May 2025.
• The training will be hosted at Pecan Manor in Hartbeespoort, outside Johannesburg.
• To date, NICO has sent 11 candidates; the one going this year is the 12th.
• Georgia is the fourth female journalist to attend, following the first female in 2014, the second in 2023 and the third in 2024.