A Wake up Call As An Amazing Young Mind Delivers a Powerful Message from Zimbabwe to Nairobi

By Mwangi Wanjumbi – Newtimes B. S. CEO & Chief Consultant/Trainer

Even as we pride ourselves of being one of the greatest importing nations in the East African Region; what can we ever dream of importing from Zimbabwe, a lowly placed Southern Africa Nation? Further, what leadership lessons can we even learn from modern day Zimbabwe? These were the two questions that kept lingering in my mind throughout the last week of August 2012. This was not because I was in any way destined for Zimbabwe, but something unusual was to happen on Saturday, the first day of September 2012.

During the preceding two weeks (before this Saturday), I was in constant online communication with one, Tafadzwa Chakaodza a citizen of Zimbabwe,  who I finally learnt was a 3rd year business student in a London based Business School. But what brought us together?

Through my online presence Chaky as he is fondly referred to, was able to identify and appoint a potential partner who could help him to move his great idea of transforming the entire Africa to the next level of development. With his two European friends and schoolmates Chaky founded Innovate for Africa  Ltd, a development initiative aimed at harnessing and helping execute great business ideas that would not only create youth employment and wealth, but also impact positively to social cultural dynamics.  This out rightly seems to be a utopian idea. Doesn’t it?

Not for Chaky though. He got hold of a number of European sharks, his parents and friends in Zimbabwe and all of them agreed to back his idea. Surprisingly, Chaky settled on actualizing his idea not in Zimbabwe but rather, in Nairobi, Kenya. Why? “Nairobi is a regional capital and well known for political and economic stability. Besides, its population largely comprises of educated elites whose ideas will easily be bought by a large majority of the global partners that I intend to work with,” volunteers Chaky.

Prior to the momentous Saturday, Chaky had in the course of the year been working with University Students networked within both public and private Kenyan universities. Willing participants were to initiate workable and prize tagged business ideas supported by convincing business plans. Many students participated in the competition either as individuals or teams of individuals.  The business plans were eventually vetted by the European partners of Innovate Africa Ltd. Various local university administrations had also been involved on this idea that is driven by young minds.

Luckily, the universities did not disappoint. Besides, even those who did not fully participate were aware and supportive of the idea, as it eventually emerged. Nevertheless, Daystar University went some steps further. It not only fully embraced the whole idea, but also agreed to host the annual Innovate Africa Ltd business plan competition and inaugural launch on the African soil.

Thus, the function at the Daystar Nairobi Campus was graced by the presence of Chaky for Innovate Africa Ltd, The Dean of Students Daystar University, Careers Counselor, Daystar University, Chairman, Department of Management Science, Nairobi University Business School and the CEO of Newtimes Business Solutions, who was not only the Chief Guest, but also a judge in the competition.

Others included the 3 finalist teams in the business plan competition as well as the Student leadership of Daystar University. The participating team members cut across Daystar University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi and Egerton University. Representatives from Strathmore and Catholic Universities were also present in the function. The whole group which also comprised of friends and relatives of the business plan finalists  was entertained by the powerful Daystar University based Afrizo  Choir led by Teacher Helen of Tusker Project Fame.

After lengthy presentations by the 3 finalists M- Shamba Mobile Ltd emerged the overall winner and will enjoy a cash prize of US $ 1500 and consultancy assistance worth US $ 2000. Basically, M-Shamba Mobile Ltd, an idea propelled by a JKWAT agricultural engineering student intends to revolutionize the delivery of agricultural information through mobile technology. The main difference with existing providers is that it will address an existing information gap.  Unlike others, it will provide information on the whole  agricultural value chain for any desired area within the country. We can only wish the innovative student all the best of luck.

Meanwhile, Chaky is also (since age 17) the president of the Board of Trustees of Young Minds International based in Zimbabwe, besides being the brains behind Innovate Africa ltd. But, even more interesting is that Chaky has (at 21 years) only recently become a young adult. Is Chaky not an inspiring role model to his Kenyan contemporaries? Ideally, he has at this tender age emblazoned the idea and thrown the spanners into the works of the continuing “World Order” of global employment and wealth creation through entrepreneurship development as espoused by the Chief Guest.

In the meantime, the ideas of Innovate Africa ltd seem to correspond with the business model of Newtimes Business Solutions.  That includes continually taking business through the paces of micro-entrepreneurship, medium enterprises, corporate entrepreneurship and eventually up-to public entities. We have been passionately  accomplishing this through providing innovative organizational development solutions. Finally, “brace for more Innovate Africa business plan competitions, which will in the future be spread across various African cities,” says an excited Chaky.

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