Social Entrepreneur Spotlight: Mozesi Mwakhwawa

Mozesi Mwakhwawa is the founder of Mangoni ARTS Studio in Enukwenu, Mzimba. Mangoni ARTS seeks to alleviate poverty by empowering youths and providing skills in arts and promotion of local culture. Mozesi works with young people, both in and out of school, giving them access to audio-visual technologies for music and video production, as well as training in carpentry, textile design, and fashion. Through various forms of art, Mozesi is teaching key entrepreneurship skills and providing community opportunities for economic growth. 

Mozesi, what first inspired you to do the work that you do? 

When I started working as a teacher in the public schools, I was exposed to the problems that young people, especially in rural areas, meet. As an arts teacher, I started using theatre for development as part of extracurricular activities to help the students identify problems in their communities and find ways of solving those problems. Since then, an idea was born to try using art as a vehicle for community change and youth development.

How has your time with the Flame Tree Initiative helped your enterprise?

Before joining the Flame Tree Initiative, I had no idea how I could work out my idea into a business Enterprise. But through DELab and DEStudio, I have managed to build and shape my idea into a practical social enterprise. The DEStudio has also connected me with individuals and organisations that are doing something similar to what I am doing.

Have you already seen changes in the lives of the students you work with? 

My programs have impacted the lives of a number of young people so far. We've provided skills as well as business opportunities to youth in the arts. For example, eight young people so far use our youth hub as their working space in music production and theatre arts. Five of these youths are still in school while three are out of school. So for the out of school youths, the hub is their source of living income.

What growth or changes do you plan to work towards with your enterprise in the future?

I hope to expand the concept of Mangoni Arts. I would like to establish similar Youth Hubs in Community schools  in our district and further.

What is your favorite part of your work?

Skills Development. I love this part because it answers the call for solutions to many problems that young people face like unemployment, gender based violence, early marriages etc. As an artist, I see how skills of arts can economically empower young people if properly exploited.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your work in Malawi?

Arts and Cultural tourism are underexploited in Malawi but they have a potential of changing communities, especially in rural areas. Many young people who drop out of school wallow in poverty, early marriages, prostitution and crime, yet they have artistic talents which, if exposed and trained, can change both the individual and the community. So my social enterprise would like to take this opportunity to explore this challenge.