Entrepreneur
Name
Mabel
Member since
March 2018
On-time repayments
146 installments • 62%
About Me
My name is Mabel Mwanza and i am a hardworking mother of two children. I am a businesswoman and i trade mainly in fish products from the lake to the market. I have a business called Lake Farms where i sell mainly Tilapia Fish, Bream and Crayfish. In my country this business is mainly dominated by men but because of the perseverance i have managed to overcome some of the challenges i have faced when setting it up.
Every day i got out to the lake and welcome the wild catch of local, independent fishermen. My goal is to make their delicious, sustainably-caught and reared fish available to everyone. I have spent years developing relationships with fishermen and docks around Lake Kariba, and i support traditional fishing communities that take pride in feeding their fellow fish fans. My business is built upon transparency, so you always know where your fish comes from and the short trip it takes to your table. Almost as if you caught it yourself.
Lake farms is committed to the idea that we can, and should produce more fish in Zambia. This fish should be free of hormones, antibiotics, and industrial pollutants; it is our responsibility to provide the consumer with a healthy product. And this product should be produced in a way that does not do damage the local environment, respects our gift of water, and enhances the local social system that produces it. here the lake is vital to the local culture and economy, and we are committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people for whom the lake is a source of livelihood and so we see a need to diversify traditional small-scale fisheries which are fundamental to the livelihoods and food security of many of the people around this area. Yet marine ecosystems and the fisheries they support are facing unprecedented pressures.
My Business
the primary product that i sell is Nile Tilapia and crayfish which is found in Lake Kariba and caught wild. I discovered the Crayfish was being caught in the fishing nets and cages with the fish but the fishermen and women were throwing it back into the water because they didn't know that it could be eaten or that there was a market for it and yet this is a delicacy in other countries that can earn up to $20 a kg, so i organised the women in the community to be collecting and harvesting the crayfish as another source of income. Bream fish, popularly known as tilapia, is one of the most known members of the tropical and subtropical freshwater fishes. It is recommended as a culture fish species because of its importance in aquaculture and its capability in contributing to the increased production of animal protein in the world. Tilapias are successful aquaculture fish because they are hardy and easy to grow, white-fleshed, mild-flavoured, and appeal to the palate of consumers.
Because of this business i am able to pay for a small oulet where i sell fresh fish and live crayfish to my customers. The crayfish is highly profitable and very much feasible for surrounding shrimp cultivation areas. Also, the market is very smooth and linked with international market. The project will support many households for the fishermen who harvest the tilapia crayfish. With Zidisha Lenders support we want to increase our sales of crayfish and set up a floating cage on the lake.
Loan Proposal
I plan to use the loan to buy 200kg of Crayfish for sell to a major client of mine who has a restaurant in Kitwe. I will buy the Crayfish from the fishermen who live near my place. The client wants live Crayfish so I will buy the Crayfish early in the morning and pack them in styrofoam boxes and then load them in my refrigerated truck for delivery. When the client pays me I will use the money to clear off my loan.
Income Source
The Health Authorities have lifted the ban on operating restaurants so my business is not affected by the COVID-19 crisis. I am operating my business and delivering the Crayfish to my clients.
My Videos
Jan 29, 2021: To buy styrofoam boxes
May 30, 2024: Live crayfish
Jun 1, 2024: Harvesting crayfish
Feedback
Positive
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$288.00
Date disbursed
Jul 15, 2020
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
2 months
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Ronald Oct 27, 2021
Ed Feb 26, 2021
David Jul 14, 2020
Erik G Jul 12, 2020
Eric Albert Jul 12, 2020
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