FAREWELL TO WILLIAM MWAYA AND NAISON MUMBA

WILLIAM Mwaya is calm, composed and was a very intelligent pillar at ATS where he created a strong legacy of himself that will always be remembered. He is the guru in the agriculture industry in this country.

Mr. Mwaya is the pioneer of ATS agro formerly AgriChem Technical Services from the year 1996 in conjunction with the gentleman known as Model Kanyimbo.  The two gentlemen were key in the formation of this company from inception as they handled both Technical and Sales duties.

During the infancy stage of the company, William managed the Southern region of the country while his counterpart handled the northern region. And the two did sales of the company until such a time that people started joining the company which led to very good growth of the company by 2002.

In the passage of time, ATS was acquired by new owners who changed the name to ATS Agro Chemicals.

These new owners embarked on an expansion programme meanwhile, William and Model were still in the company. And by 2004 the newly introduced expansion programme seem to have taken a very positive move.

As the hands of time kept on ticking and towards the end of 2019 management felt that William had done a lot for the company and embarked on a diversification programme.

Even in the newly introduced diversification programme, William chose not to lag behind but rose to the occasion where he was appointed to pioneer the retail business.

Due to his commitment and dedication towards work William grew the retail business to fourteen outlets throughout the country from a few shops at inception in Eastern province. William worked with all his passion to his newly given assignment and today the retail business has grown.  

Naison Mumba joined ATS as a Sales controller and also Counter Sales person. Naison was very passionate about his work and he was very judicious when it comes to stock count. And up to the time of his retirement after a career spanning over 20 years Naison remained committed and inspired about his job. As the adage goes a very good leader is known by the remarks of his colleagues.

Moses Zulu, Regional Sales Manager  

William to me is calm, composed and very intelligent man and I’ve known William for quite a long time almost 13 years from the time I’ve been working with ATS.

Remember William is a guru as far as agriculture is concerned especially in this country. We will definitely miss his knowledge about agriculture he spend a lot of time in AgiChem industry so over the years I’ve been consulting, I’ve been asking quite a lot of questions when I’m stuck he’s a person that I’ve always been going to so definitely I will miss that part.

Luka Phiri, Product Development manager  

I’ve known William for the past 15 years even before I joined ATS. William is one of the few best agronomist that we have and he has contributed much to the industry and ATS.

I’ve learnt a lot working with William, I consider myself to be one of the luckiest agronomist. He has mentored me in a lot. His leadership style and his sense of humor has really helped me. In short William has groomed me in this industry.

Mtaziwa Kumwenda, Sales Director

I think the key moment that I can remember is when we decided to bring in new molecules. William being very technical himself was very key in introducing new products which then saw us build a very broad spectrum of products for which now we can proudly say we are able to cover the entire crop requirements in Zambia. We are very strong on the grain market this is because of what William put to make sure we get very strong technical back up for our customers but also being there to groom people like myself to take on challenging Moments which have seen ATS to be where it is today.

We called Naison Mr. Mumba because he was one of the senior people in the company and from my recollection ever since I’ve been at ATS the last 20 years. Naison has been the face of the counter. Naison has been doing stock count and tirelessly so. Naison was very dedicated to his work, always on time and very energetic to think of a person who is hitting the knots of seventy and operating at that level. Naison is someone we all need to emulate his energies and dedication to work.

Chansa Malama, Accounting Manager

For me you were the most important part of my growth at my stay at ATS. I appreciated everything that you were for ATS and for every employee at ATS. You always tried to be the best leader, the parent and also the best support system.

I will miss you the most regards to support we got it be finance, it be sales you always found a way to make us work as a team and we will appreciate that I miss that the most about you.

Theone thing I’m going to miss about Naison is his ability to work as a Team player. He was efficient, he was dependable and reliable. And I wish him the best.    

Jardson Hara, FTC Operations Manager

I’m so proud to have been led by a person like Mr. Mwaya. He has been such an amazing boss. We have been working together at our AYS retail and we’ve been really working well as a team. Mr. Mwaya is a peaceful person, very understanding, he’s a very good person to work with. He has helped me particular in retail to be able to see how we can advance the retail. On behalf of the retail staff they’re all appreciative of what he has brought into retail. Mr. Mwaya is very committed and professional person. And from his professionalism I think I will miss that I think I’ve learnt something from the way he carry's himself and the way he does his work.

Bruce Mujibelo, Stores Accountant

I’ve known Naison since 2009. I’ve been working with Mr. Mumba both from Sales and also Stock. So, I know well Mr. Mumba to his dedication, his resilience in executing his duties. Mr. Mumba has been in the system for about fourteen years since I knew him.

Penelope Bowa, Purchasing and Logistics Officer

I enjoyed working with you Mr. Mumba you were one colleague who had a way of applying your best self to all the task even when faced with challenges. I’ll miss you greatly wish you the very best in all your endeavors.

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