Most people set up goals to realise while young which become guidelines and compass to take them through to their destiny in various aspects of their lives such as education and careers.
But for others, they end up going in different directions of their career paths and set goals, effectively failing to achieve their ambition.
Failure to achieve one’s goals, especially academic pursuit can be frustrating. This was the situation Joshua Chitseka was found in after failing to make to university in 2023.
It was a double blow for the Michiru Private Secondary School alumnus as it hurt his ambition of studying information communication technology-related course.
The 18-year-old ended up trading his dream ambition to study ICT for a lesser course Human Resources Administration.
They say where there is a will there is way. Despite enrolling for a Diploma in business administration, the embers of fire in his belly to pursue ICT-related projects were not extinguished.
He has created an online market place called Jimbomart where buyers meet sellers to transact in an easier manner on www.jimbomart.in
Said Chitseka: “I had the idea to build the platform back in 2023 while I was student at Michiru View Private School. So, I wanted to apply for software engineering inorder to build the platform, but with the points I got, it didn’t work.
“So, it’s when I started to gather programming books and other information to build the platform.”
His innovation is a stuff of what determination and drive can propel one to achieve one’s goals even after facing obstacles. Chitseka is a self-made ICT innovator.
“The innovation I have created doesn’t relate to what I am studying. During the day I would go to school and do Human Relations studies and when I got back home, I would study computer programming.”
With the advancement in technology, there are a number of such platforms. But he said his platform is unique as it guarantees users not to be at high risk of scammers.
Said Chitseka: “It is designed to connect buyers and sellers. It is secure as the buyers that are able to upload products on the platform are those that we have fully verified. We have partnered with some logistics companies to help us so that we can be able to track every order.
“We monitor everything that is happening on the platform. We have a unique escrow system to protect both buyers and sellers.When a payment is made on Jimbo Mart, the money does not go directly to the seller. The seller has to fulfill the order and to send the product to buyer through our recommended logistics company.”
He said their goal is to help small and medium enterprises increase their market reach.
For one to access the platform, Chitseko said sellers and business entities would be required a modest fee of K5,000 effective January next year. Currently, it is open for free.
He said: “So far, we have seen our objectives being accomplished. We have a Buyer to Seller chat on the platform. We have now 780 active users of the platform.”
Joshua’s mother says her son developed an interest in computers while he was young.
“I am not surprised that he has come up with this innovation because since he was young that is what he has been doing. I can foresee that he will come up with great innovations,” she said.
One of the platform’s users Grace Moyo, who runs Full of Grace shop in Blantyre, which sells mobile phones and accessories, said Jimbo Mart has boosted her business.
She said: “Jimbo Mark has been very good to me in many ways. It has connected me to my clients which has made me to sell a lot of phones.
“It has had a positive impact on my business. More customers find it easier to buy online because it is trustworthy in terms of payment method.”
Malawi University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Address Malata appealed to youngsters to embrace innovation and enterprenuership.
“All nations that have developed in the world such as China, Korea have a history in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. We must teach youngsters to be innovative and entrepreneurial while in primary school. We should not wait until they reach college or university to teach them these skills.”
