Earlier this year, I secured funding from the Mastercard Foundation via its partnership with the African Leadership Academy-Scholar Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) to kickstart “Safe Space: The Care Shop”. This venture was born out of the desire to support young people aged 12-25 years old residing in Cameroon that experienced mental health breakdowns and lack of psychosocial support.
An important requirement of my funding partners was that I would take up a professional development opportunity to support my entrepreneurial journey. I had been keeping an eye on opportunities to deeply immerse myself in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, knowing that simply attending a conference wouldn’t satisfy my thirst for a truly enriching learning experience. In my search, I reflected on my original motivations for entering this world, and the answer became clear.
During my undergraduate years, I attended an entrepreneurship event in Zimbabwe, which was one of the key inspirations for embarking on my own entrepreneurial journey. It was organized by the Imani Foundation in partnership with the Stanbic Bank Business Incubator in Harare. The founder of Imani foundation, Dr Faith Nyamukapa was also the acting president of the Africa University Alumni Association by then. I connected with her and was invited to the event while on attachment in Harare.
After every entrepreneur meetup that she convened, she added the participants to a forum where they could connect and network to support each other's growth. She equally shared funding and business development opportunities on such platforms. Fortunately, I got added to one of such forums and I followed up on her journey.
I was going through a communication she made, and I reached out to her to share about my entrepreneurship journey so far and thank her for the virtual mentorship she provides to all the entrepreneurs she has had workshops with. I mentioned the professional development requirement of the SEF program and I told her I was willing to use my annual holiday leave to work with her on developing my venture.
She gave me approval to spend a couple of days in September shadowing her in Harare and assisting her in the planning and preparation of the activities she had within that period. I saw this as a great opportunity and conducted some research on the cost of the trip, which I included in a proposal submitted to the Mastercard Foundation. It was approved, and that’s how I had the privilege of benefiting from the invaluable experience of such a remarkable serial entrepreneur.
What was my time in Zimbabwe like? Oh well, aside from savoring the delicious meals (I had missed sadza 😂& boerewors cooked on charcoal or firewood), reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying a much-needed break from the usual pressures of my work, I gained a better understanding of the daily routine of someone who has mastered an impressive balance between their career, entrepreneurial pursuits, and personal life.
On the first day we met, I was quite nervous and unsure of how to act when I finally met her in person for such an experience. I woke up early and prayed for God’s help as I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about stepping into unfamiliar territory. Although I had met her before, this felt more personal. I couldn't help but think, "God must really love you to bless you with the opportunity to spend time with such an astounding person in her private space for a few days."
We had spoken the previous day to plan where and when we would meet, and I made sure to arrive early. She was going to pick me up so we could travel to Chitungwiza, a suburb on the outskirts of Harare. When I spotted her car and she stepped out, to my surprise, she greeted me with a hug. I was speechless—most of my anxious thoughts melted away, replaced by a sense of ease. Her warm words, asking how I was and her humble demeanor, immediately set the tone for a relaxed day. It really left a mark on me, though I tried my best to contain the excitement that was bubbling up inside. We began the day by visiting ZimFresh, a leading fish wholesale and retail company in the country, owned by Chinese investors but employing locals. She explained that we were there to purchase fresh breams for her canteen business in Chitungwiza, and I quickly realized that this was the reason for our trip to the suburb. After securing the fish, we set off to Chitungwiza, transporting it in a container with ice for preservation.
Along the way, she shared that she visits her canteen 2-3 times a week for accounting and to review reports. The business provides employment for about three locals who work in day and night shifts, including a security officer. Strategically located, the canteen offers nutritious traditional meals at affordable prices 24/7. What truly struck me was how hands-on she is with the business. She’s physically present and often helps her staff with customer service, hygiene, and general resource support. It was heartwarming to see her level of involvement, and I even joined in to assist the staff myself.
She went on to explain that before every trip to the area, she compiles a list of supplies needed for the business and sources them herself, which is why we visited both the meat and fish markets. Entrepreneurs who truly understand their market stand out, and Dr. Dr Faith Nyamukapa is a perfect example. She provided detailed insights, explaining why she chooses to buy meat from Koala Butchery. She mentioned that pork is more palatable based on the quality of the feed. Unlike other local suppliers who use dry feed or whatever is available, Koala takes pride in sourcing cattle from rural areas, feeding them properly before they enter the supply chain. This ensures that the meat is not only of high quality but also affordable.
In addition to meat and fish, she also sells beverages and is versed with finding cost-effective suppliers in the area, which streamlines her operations. She carefully considers factors like fuel, transport, and hiring staff who live nearby to minimize costs. The canteen even features a pool table where customers can pay to play, making it a clever side revenue stream, even for those who aren’t there to eat. I believe that every entrepreneur will agree that ventures are not a smooth ride in the park and this applies to Dr Faith Nyamukapa as well. In terms of challenges, she had to let go of two staff because of theft cases.
While we were still in Chitungwiza, Dr Faith Nyamukapa was also preparing for meetings in Harare, where she trains school directors in capacity building and assists those looking to open schools. Despite her busy schedule, she ensured we had time to discuss a wide range of business topics throughout the day. I shared some of the challenges faced by SMEs in my country and across the continent, noting how many of the issues were strikingly similar.
Interestingly, my skin complexion seemed to be quite foreign to the area, and we attracted a lot of attention from clients curious about the “difference.” This sparked several engaging conversations with the locals and customers, further highlighting the community’s friendliness. Dr Faith Nyamukapa has a loyal clientele in the area, a testament to the rapport she’s built, which helps her business thrive despite considerable competition.
At one point, she encouraged me to focus on expanding my work by supporting more young people, even virtually, and suggested that I consider implementing a similar program in Zimbabwe and beyond. I appreciated that her advice never felt condescending—she even referred to me as her mentee, which was both humbling and motivating. There’s so much grace in her humility, and it made the experience even more enriching.
On the second day we met in Harare, Dr Faith Nyamukapa had initially mentioned she might not have time to meet again, as most of her clients were private. However, she surprised me by texting earlier, inviting me to a training session with one of her clients at the Newlands Country Club. This gesture demonstrated her deep commitment to my growth and her dedication to providing a holistic mentorship experience.
As usual, I arrived before the scheduled time, but I wasn’t sure where we would meet. Since she wasn’t online, I gave her a call to request directions, which she kindly provided. The reception helped me find her, and we met at the members’ lounge of the country club, where she gave me a quick briefing. Her client, as expected, was a school director, and about seven minutes after our meeting time, they arrived. Dr Faith Nyamukapa introduced me as her mentee, and the client shared the gaps they were hoping to address through the training.
During the session, I learned about the laws and regulatory instruments governing educational businesses in Zimbabwe. Dr. Faith Nyamukapa's depth of knowledge was awe-inspiring. She guided the session effortlessly, rarely needing to reference her computer, showcasing her complete mastery of the subject matter. It was truly impressive to witness her in action, embodying the expertise and confidence of someone deeply immersed in their field. My key takeaways were:
A school director (or entrepreneur) must be a solutions provider in a community.
It is okay to be unconventional, what makes you stand out could simply be what others in your same domain are not doing.
You attract people by what you offer and as such you ought to always offer the best.
Brainstorm over the things you can do to add value to what you offer
Value stakeholders, engage with people who are versed with what you do.
I basically received a free glimpse into a paid training session, which was incredibly valuable for me. I gained insights into the creation of boards in both corporate and non-corporate sectors and learned the importance of avoiding close relatives on your board (after all, you can’t easily sue family members, lol).
The lessons I gained during this journey are countless, and I might not be able to fully capture the extent of my shadowing experience. However, before I wrap up, let me share what happened on Day 3. We connected with Dr Faith Nyamukapa’s Rotary satellite group, and the welcome was nothing short of epic. Everyone was incredibly warm and excited to meet me. I had the chance to connect with exceptional professionals who have been in the fundraising space for years, allowing me to learn directly from their expertise.
I also met inspiring individuals who work for organizations like the World Bank, UNFPA, and other international bodies. Many of them had spent time abroad and eventually chose to return to Zimbabwe to put their skills to work in service of local communities. It was both humbling and uplifting to meet people so committed to making a difference in their homeland.
I can’t wrap up my reflections without mentioning how I observed Dr Faith Nyamukapa’s incredible ability to connect with everyone around her. At networking events, even as a guest, she doesn’t just sit back and give instructions, despite having the power to do so. You’ll rarely find her sitting alone; instead, she actively engages with others, chatting and getting to know them while understanding their work.
I set out to follow the path of a successful entrepreneur with a measurable impact, yet I find myself questioning whether it’s truly possible to quantify the reach of someone as selfless as Dr Faith Nyamukapa, who is always engaged in efforts to support larger groups.
To my terrific mentor, I am immensely grateful and feel truly honored to have been a part of your journey. I’ve approached many people in the past, but you are exceptional in everything you do. I tried to be an early bird like you this week, and 😂 I must say, from my brief experience, you are incredibly strong. I hope to apply all that I’ve learned, not just to scale up my venture but also to enhance my own personal growth holistically.
Maita Basa 😀
Merci infiniment!
Salamat!
Thank you so much
Joyce Dingue Ngaha
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