Zimbabwe: Entrepreneurship as a Pathway Out of Poverty

Locadia Mukwapuna’s journey begins in a small rural village in Zimbabwe, where opportunities were scarce and the odds were stacked against her from childhood. Growing up in a community with limited access to quality education, resources, and financial opportunities, she could easily have followed the predictable path of hardship that defined many lives around her. Instead, she chose a different road one built on resilience, vision, and a determination to break generational barriers.

Currently, Mukwapuna stands as a kindergarten owner, a poultry entrepreneur, and the head of a local high school an extraordinary transformation that has reshaped not only her life but her entire community. Her story is widely described as the embodiment of the famous words she often shares with young people: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” – Mahatma Gandhi. 

Her first major step toward transformation was establishing a kindergarten in Redcliff. What began as a modest initiative has become a thriving centre where young children receive quality early childhood education something she herself never had access to. Parents in the community speak of the school with pride, noting the improved learning outcomes, confidence, and enthusiasm they now see in their children. 

Her commitment to education did not end there. Mukwapuna went on to become the head of a local high school, where she introduced innovative learning programs, strengthened discipline systems, and created opportunities that inspired students to dream beyond the limitations of their environment. Her leadership has led to improved academic results and renewed motivation among learners. As she often reminds them: “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein

Beyond education, Mukwapuna also ventured into poultry farming, a decision that brought food security and income opportunities to families around her. Through chicken rearing, she provides fresh eggs and poultry to local households while creating employment and imparting practical skills. Her workshops have empowered local women and youth to start their own small businesses, strengthening financial independence within the community.

Her impact is visible in many ways children thriving in school, families accessing nutritious food, and community members gaining hands-on training during her poultry workshops. During a community clean-up exercise she led at Batanai High School, one learner captured the spirit of her work with these words: “Change is the end result of all true learning.” – Leo Buscaglia. 

Before her interventions, the village faced limited educational opportunities, low academic performance, scarce sources of income, and poor nutrition. Today, the community speaks openly about the transformation: improved access to early learning, better student performance, new job opportunities, and a renewed sense of hope and empowerment.

Mukwapuna’s journey is sustained by strategic planning, community engagement, and her belief in shared ownership. She trains teachers and staff, mentors youth, and builds systems that ensure her initiatives continue with or without her. Her vision for the future includes expanding enrolment at the kindergarten and high school, introducing vocational training for youth and women, and establishing cooperative poultry projects in neighbouring villages.

The evidence of her impact is abundant: children who perform better academically, families who now enjoy better nutrition, local youth who have acquired skills for employment or entrepreneurship, and a community that takes pride in its collective growth. Mukwapuna’s story is a powerful reminder that greatness can emerge from the humblest of places. Through education, entrepreneurship, and a heart for her people, she has proven that transformation is possible when courage meets opportunity. Her life stands as living testimony that real change does not begin in institutions or policies, it begins with one determined individual who dares to rise.