Trailblazing Journey into Chocolate Making
Wezi Mzumara, the founder of Kwanza Cocoa, has carved a niche as Malawi’s sole craft chocolate company and the country’s first and only female chocolate maker.
Her journey into the world of chocolate began unexpectedly when her parents encouraged her to take up farming upon her return from the fashion and entertainment industries in the UK.
Mzumara recalled, “My parents said you can do all the entertainment stuff, but you need to farm. I like my mascara, eyeliner and makeup.” Despite her initial hesitation, she ventured into cocoa cultivation, discovering a small cocoa farm with about four trees on her family’s property.
Overcoming Doubts and Challenges
In 2013, Mzumara expanded the cocoa farm, planting 30 more trees. Although she initially planned to grow and sell cocoa beans, she pivoted to chocolate-making in 2017 when the trees matured. However, the process wasn’t without its challenges.
“My first slab of chocolate was horrible. And when I say horrible, I mean bitter!” Mzumara recalled. Undeterred, she honed her craft through education and personal development, earning the title of “cocoa farmer, chocolate maker, and chocolatier-in-training.”
Kwanza Cocoa’s Growth and Success
Mzumara’s perseverance paid off as Kwanza Cocoa, formally registered in 2022, now employs nine people. She recently acquired her first chocolate-making machine, marking a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial journey.
Describing the intricate chocolate-making process, Mzumara explained,
“Making chocolate is a lot of hard work. They need to reach an optimum temperature in the fermentation process. After they are fermented, they are dried for about six to seven days, depending on what the weather is like. After that, they are roasted and then they are cracked and they need to undergo winnowing, which is removing the shells from the cocoa nibs.”
Expanding Product Line and Future Plans
Kwanza Cocoa currently offers four standard chocolate varieties: dark chocolate, demarche, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, primarily supplied to individual clients. Mzumara plans to expand her distribution to retail establishments in the future.
Beyond her chocolate-making endeavors, Mzumara co-founded Mzuzu Fashion Week, providing a platform for designers, models, and artisans to showcase their products. After managing the event for five years, she plans to take over again in 2025.
