Blessing Nduku

Young entrepreneur Charlene Muguti has been recognized as the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Best Young Entrepreneur for her innovative work at Mckingtorch Zimbabwe, transforming waste into valuable products and creating economic opportunities.

Muguti’s award acknowledges her efforts to promote recycling, environmental protection, and community-based waste management while building a business that creates employment and supports livelihoods. Reflecting on the moment her name was announced, she described it as emotional and humbling, saying the award represented years of hard work, sacrifices, and determination.

“Hearing my name called was a reminder of the journey, the sacrifices, the difficult decisions, and the many moments when I had to keep believing in an idea that was still taking shape,” she said.

Muguti emphasized that this recognition was not just a personal achievement but also an important milestone for Mckingtorch Zimbabwe, as it would enhance the company’s visibility and credibility within the business community.

She highlighted that the award showed how environmental solutions could become profitable businesses that create jobs, generate income, and support economic development.
The inception of Mckingtorch Zimbabwe was inspired by a traumatic experience when Muguti witnessed a child get injured at an unauthorized dumpsite.

This incident made her realize that poor waste management posed not only an environmental concern but also a threat to community safety and livelihoods. After completing her master’s degree, she was unemployed and unsure of her next steps.

With support from family and friends, she began organizing community clean-up activities. However, they quickly realized that collecting waste alone, without sustainable disposal or processing solutions, wouldn’t address the problem. This realization led them to experiment with eco-bricks and explore ways to convert waste into usable products.

What began as a community clean-up initiative has now evolved into an enterprise focused on recycling, innovation, and circular-economy solutions. The company produces a variety of products from recovered materials, including EcoStep shoes, EcoCarry bags, EcoBins, and plastic lumber furniture.

Additionally, Mckingtorch Zimbabwe collaborates with communities through waste collection systems, buy-back initiatives, and partnerships that connect households with waste collectors and recycling markets.
One significant development has been establishing a recycling hub in Masvingo, which provides a structured market for recyclable materials.

Muguti noted that innovation is central to the company’s operations, emphasizing that effective solutions do not always require expensive technology; rather, they often come from finding practical and affordable answers to everyday challenges.

Muguti’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2010, when she was still in high school, inspired by her mother, also an entrepreneur.
She initially sold Avon products and later launched her first business, Miss Chax Cosmetics, while attending university.

Although the cosmetics venture collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic, she learned valuable lessons about financial management, resilience, and the realities of running a business.

Among the biggest challenges faced in building McKingtorch Zimbabwe have been limited financial resources, particularly the need for machinery, equipment, and infrastructure to expand operations. Other difficulties include foreign currency shortages, power outages, high transportation costs, and limited access to markets.

Despite these obstacles, the company has created five full-time jobs and established a network of around 70 volunteers who support its activities.

Through its recycling hub in Masvingo, the business is also creating income-generating opportunities for households, women, and young people who collect and sell recyclable materials. Muguti said the company is helping communities see waste as a source of income rather than something to discard. She credited partnerships and continuous learning with helping the business overcome some of its challenges.

Winning the Tony Elumelu Foundation grant was another significant milestone, allowing the company to strengthen its operations and establish its recycling hub in Masvingo. Looking ahead, Muguti hopes to expand Mckingtorch Zimbabwe nationwide and tap into regional and international markets.

She envisions fully equipped recycling and manufacturing hubs that can process larger volumes of waste and produce high-quality products for local and export markets.

She also aims for the company to serve as a platform for young people to engage in the growing green economy through employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development.

Muguti encouraged young aspiring entrepreneurs not to let a lack of money or connections prevent them from pursuing their business ideas.

“The myth I want to dispel is that you need money, connections, or everything figured out before starting a business,” she stated. “Sometimes, all you need to do is identify a problem, have the courage to take the first step, remain willing to learn, and be resourceful with what you have.”

She pointed out that McKingtorch Zimbabwe’s journey demonstrates that businesses don’t have to start big to make a meaningful impact.
She emphasized that purpose, consistency, and a willingness to grow are essential for building successful enterprises.