By Dumisani Ndlovu
Claire Chaseya Makuyana, a young and ambitious Zimbabwean entrepreneur and Mandela Fellowship alumna, is poised to make a significant impact on her country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
After completing the prestigious 6-week training program in entrepreneurship, Claire returned home with valuable insights, skills, and a renewed passion for driving positive change.
During her time in the United States, Claire learned from diverse entrepreneurs, gained a comprehensive understanding of business development stages, and developed a valuable professional network. She was particularly inspired by the success of family-owned enterprises in Indiana, which scaled up through shared vision and hard work.
Claire expressed gratitude to her church leader, Prophet Luke Chivasa, for his care, concern, support, and prayers throughout her journey. “His guidance and encouragement played a significant role in my success,” she said.
The fellowship program had a profound impact on Claire’s perspective on entrepreneurship and leadership. She emphasized the need for thorough research, inclusive leadership, and the importance of involving qualified family members in business.
Claire plans to apply the skills and knowledge she acquired during the training to grow her startup, BlitzAgroTech, which develops sustainable agricultural solutions to help Zimbabwean farmers adapt to climate change. She also aims to share her insights with fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange and collaboration.
When asked about the challenges entrepreneurs face in Zimbabwe, Claire highlighted the struggle to secure capital. However, she learned about bootstrapping from her mentor, Mark Lowe, and plans to apply this approach to help startups thrive despite financial constraints.
Claire’s experience living and learning in the United States was eye-opening, exposing her to diverse cultures and perspectives. Yet, it reinforced the importance of her roots in Zimbabwe and inspired her to value her own heritage.
The lessons Claire learned from the Mandela Fellowship can be applied to address socio-economic challenges in Zimbabwe, such as improving startup survival rates, reducing unemployment, and boosting the economy.
To young Zimbabweans who aspire to become entrepreneurs or apply for similar fellowship programs, Claire advises embracing a mindset that prioritizes contributing to the community’s well-being over personal wealth. This perspective, she believes, will drive meaningful impact and success.
In a recent interview, Claire shared her vision for applying the lessons she learned from the program to drive positive change in Zimbabwe.
She emphasized that the skills and knowledge she acquired can be leveraged to tackle pressing socio-economic challenges, ultimately improving startup survival rates, reducing unemployment, and boosting the economy. Claire’s commitment to using her experience to make a meaningful impact in Zimbabwe is truly inspiring, and her dedication to driving positive change will undoubtedly inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
