Social Entrepreneur Spotlight: Selina Mwenelupembe

Please tell us about your enterprise and what inspired you to pursue this work.

The name of my enterprise is Mptamlenje Foundation, Entrepreneurship and Education Institute. The idea for this project came to me in 2015, shortly after my father’s death. My late father left behind structures he had used for his private secondary school. I watched as these structures became vandalized and dilapidated. This brought to me an idea, to make use of these structures to benefit the community, and to bring life back into the place where he had worked.

In 2015 I learned about the Flame Tree Initiative when I saw an advert in the local Daily Times newspapers looking for Development Entrepreneurs. This interested me greatly because I hoped to use a social development approach in my new project. The DELab was eye opening and fulfilling. Encouraged, I began immediate renovations and maintenance of the dilapidated place.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from the Flame Tree Initiative?

The most important thing I have gained from Flametree is inspiration. I see how the organization members are determined to mitigate the social and economic challenges faced by many in my country. This motivates me as an individual to do more for my community.  

You recently received a grant through Flame Tree Initiative funded by the International Foundation to purchase 5 sewing machines. How do these sewing machines assist you and your work? 

The machines are at the institute for the community to use. These machines assist in our objectives of entrepreneurship, providing skill training that can be used for future businesses. The tailoring and design course which has now been launched at the institute is one of the many current projects we are working on. Other projects include detergent soap making, agribusiness groups in soya and ground farming, peanut butter production, and a catering group providing baking and snacks. We are also setting up a library and soon opening an early childhood learning center. 

What is your ultimate goal or dream for the Mptamlenje Foundation, Entrepreneurship and Education Institute? 

My goal is to have a stand alone enterprise which is self sustained and will reach out to the whole nation rather than just my community. I aim for Mptamlenje Foundation:

. To be a business incubation center for Entrepreneurial creativity and innovation 

. To be an information resource center (Library for Community ) 

. To have a model kindergarten where children outside of mainstream education will be introduced to entrepreneurship at a tender age.

Is there anything else you want to share? 

I am a lady entrepreneur who is trying to give back to my village in a special way. I know of male entrepreneurs and politicians who give back to their communities by sponsoring football tournaments, cash bonanzas, choir festivals etc. I have chosen to empower those who choose our Institute with lifetime skills so that they create self employment for social change. My institute is meant to take a holistic approach to reach out to all ages, regardless of age and gender. I know there is a big challenge out there, but with the help of other like minds I can assist those with dire need in my community.