Thoko Chizinga Mwale, a second-year student from the University of Malawi who is studying Bachelor of Laws, has invented a cassava milling machine.
The machine converts fresh cassava into flour commonly known as kondoole in vernacular.
Aged 23, Mwale, said he was inspired after observing hunger problems in the country is caused by over-reliance on maize as a staple good.
Mwale said: “The challenge we have as a country with processing cassava flour is that there are a lot of processes needed to come up with the final product. For example, cassava has to be peeled then put in water and then dried for several days.
The process include chopping cassava into smaller pieces, then the heater evaporates water content out of the chopped cassava pieces and then comes the crusher which crushes those dried cassava pieces into flour.
Mwale told ProjectM that the milling machine can convert fresh cassava directly from farm into flour without waiting for many days or other processes.
But he said funding, which is one of the challenges facing many people in the country to boost their businesses, is also affecting him.
In a step towards fostering entrepreneurship, Mwale has encouraged up-and-coming entrepreneurs to be innovative.
“We live in a world where innovation drives progress and a generation that views wealth creation. It is time for the youth in the country to broaden their horizons and consider a legacy they could build through business and entrepreneurship. Therefore, we need to have the willingness to take risks.”
His determination to foster a culture of creativity and innovation continues to inspire many young and up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the country to forge a stronger more secure future.
Mwale is available on: +265 997 48 29 58 .
