The high profile Nyamuka Zambia Business Plan Competition was launched on the 17th of March this year, bringing with it a dynamic platform for Zambia’s most innovative entrepreneurs to showcase their business talents. The competition which will see its final 20 contestants receive a total prize fund of just over K2 million shared among them with the overall winner walking away with over K250, 000, is working to stimulate economic growth by creating an entrepreneurial culture in Zambia and unlocking the enormous enterprising potential of people from all walks of life.
Nyamuka Zambia seeks to unearth a new generation of local business heroes and help them put into place a game plan to grow their enterprises and tap into new markets that the Zambian economy needs. Advancing the Nyamuka cause are five Champions: Oscar Chavula, Emmanuel Chiliufya, Mawano Kambeu, Miyanda Maimbo and Cathy Phiri. All highly successful local entrepreneurs and go-getters, these Champions took investment risks in virtually unexplored areas and have risen to make great strides as well as leave indelible marks in their respective business fields. They are true inspirations for any aspiring Zambian entrepreneur and ideal choices to spread the Nyamuka message.
Cathy Phiri
Media 365 has produced award-winning campaigns for leading organisations and academic institutions including UNICEF, Johns Hopkins University and the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Prior to founding Media 365 Cathy co-founded Youth Media, which, like Media 365 is a cause-based initiative that focused on disseminating information on HIV/AIDS. Youth Media produced the widely popular magazine Trendsetters.
Cathy has extensive experience in strategic communications campaigns for behavioural change for numerous global brands, including MTV International in London where she worked as Vice President of Social Responsibility. While at MTV, Cathy also worked as Executive Producer of Shuga, a Kenyan TV series which was part of a campaign to spread messages about positive sexual behaviour.
In 2013, Cathy was appointed Zambia Chair of the Twenty Ten Club, an organisation that focuses on empowering black female entrepreneurs and budding young entrepreneurs. A true social entrepreneur, whatever venture Cathy embarks on there is a consistent goal of creating positive social change and bettering society.
Emmanuel Chilufya
Not one to limit himself, Emmanuel serves in a number of other portfolios. He is a partner at BHB Contractors and serves on the board of the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Additionally, he is a mentor for a joint programme of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) and the Chamber Trade Sweden. As a mentor, Chilufya uses his business expertise to help mentees improve their business performance and develop their leadership skills.
Emmanuel has a vast and varied career history. Before delving into the world of business he worked in various positions in a number of organisations including Dunavant Zambia Limited, World Hope International Zambia, Starvrou Transport Limited and National Milling Corporation. He holds a diploma in Business Administration and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship. He is completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of South Africa.
Mawano Kambeu
Under Mawano’s leadership Dot Com Zambia was recently named the 2015 New Venture Winner at the 17th Annual Africa Business Conference held at Harvard University. As part of this award Dot Com Zambia received $15,000. In 2014, Mawano came second in the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) competition. This award was for Bus Tickets Zambia, which operates under the Dot Come Zambia platform. He came up with the idea of a service that allows passengers to buy bus tickets and select seats online after experiencing first hand the frustrations of bus travel within Zambia. Through his frustrations Mawano saw a business opportunity and a challenge worth taking on.
Mawano holds a Masters Degree in Finance from Fairfield University in the US. This was a hard earned degree as Mawano worked full time during the day and attended night classes. Before relocating to Zambia to run Dot Com Zambia, Mawano worked for Prudential Financial, one of the largest financial companies in the world, as an Investment Management Specialist. His return has no doubt been good for Mawano but also Zambia’s e-commerce industry.
Mawano is also the founder of Zambian Entrepreneur, an organisation committed to small business development that links entrepreneurs and investors. In addition to this he works with Bongo Hive to mentor entrepreneurs. Additionally, he is a Trustee of the Lusaka Chapter of The Awesome Foundation, a global network of philanthropist offering small grants to people with ideas that can contribute positively towards society.
Miyanda Maimbo
By going into business for herself, Miyanda found a way to help others along the way. For over a decade Miyanda has offered invaluable guidance to people in need of employment. Through her company she links job seekers and prospective employers, offers training in the writing of CVs and in job interview skills.
The company has continued to grow and Prosoft Human Resource Solutions has become one of the country’s top recruitment agencies. Under Miyanda’s management, Prosoft has won a number of awards. From 2009 to 2011 and in 2014 Prosoft was presented with the Gold and Diamond Arrow for the Best HR Company in Zambia by PMR Africa, an independent South African company.
Miyanda is also an image consultant and has opened her own clothing store, Dressed by Miyanda, which focuses on helping women learn how to dress for the corporate environment and their body shapes. In addition to all her corporate interests Miyanda is also a columnist for one of Zambia’s leading newspapers. Through her column, Human Resource Talk, she shares her business expertise and tips for both business and personal development.
Miyanda sees this as a form of community service. Through her column she offers guidance to Zambian jobseekers, including some that are struggling to deal with unemployment, especially long-term unemployment. She also offers advice for personal and career development.
Miyanda has long been actively involved in charity work and her desire to give back led her to start her own charity, The Miyanda Maimbo Foundation for Hope and New Beginnings which focuses on employment creation.
Oscar Chavula
Oscar holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Studies with a Major in Software Design & Development. He’s a qualified systems engineer and has experience in advanced network systems design and implementation and coding. Before Hot FM Oscar developed his leadership skills working for Goebel & Partner at senior management level. Goebel & Partner’s portfolio includes BMW, Honda and Toyota.
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