Mr. Dickson Kazembe, an Environmental Health Officer from Zomba District Health Office, is leading the way in offering creative sanitation solutions at a time when sustainable Environmental Health practices are becoming more popular worldwide. Mr. Kazembe has established a mobile toilet business to enhance sanitation and hygiene in his community by utilizing the knowledge he acquired while on a study trip to Zambia. His narrative demonstrates the potential of entrepreneurship in the field of Environmental Health, which might improve Malawi’s economy and public health.
Mr. Kazembe is one of the 25-member delegations from Malawi Environmental Health Association (MEHA) that traveled to Zambia in April 2024, a trip which was supported by the Nvumaranda Group of Companies. The visit was planned to enhance the professional network between Environmental Health Practitioners in Zambia and Malawi as well as exploring potentials for entrepreneurship in the field. “As Environmental Health Practitioners, we should not start thinking about business when we want to retire. We may use our Environmental Health experience to start up a business,” said Mr. Kazembe
During the visit, the delegation explored a variety of business places, including Nvumaranda Farm, Nvumaranda Hospital, Municipal Council, Nvumaranda Business Complex and other clinics. Particularly the most inspiring part was that the Nvumaranda Group of Companies was founded by a fellow Environmental Health Practitioner who had served different positions in the Government sector and started his private businesses. The lessons Mr. Kazembe learned during the trip inspired him to start his own mobile toilet business that could address the sanitation needs of Malawi while promoting Environmental Sustainability.
As a WASH Coordinator for Zomba District Health Office, he had witnessed immediate demand for proper sanitation at public and private events. He noted that the few available mobile toilets at the district were often in poor condition and not Environmental friendly. “I saw an opportunity to provide mobile toilets which are cleaner, more dignified and comfortable for guests,” He explained.
Through research and innovation, Mr. Kazembe developed his own design for mobile toilets. These toilets are built from locally sourced materials, including iron sheets, square tubes, flappers etc. The toilets are designed to be easy to transport by dismantling and assembling. The toilets are pour-flush toilets, they have a bucket of water, hand-washing facilities with soap, toilet paper and a personnel responsible for cleaning and managing the toilet.
Despite the good start in business, Mr. Kazembe faces several challenges in his business. One of the main challenge is transportation. Due to this challenge, he had to create a locally made trailer that he uses to transport the toilets to the desired location with the help of his personal car. “I had a challenge on the trailer to make it road worthy and issuing its insurance as well as its number plate to keep it running since this is rare in Malawi”, said Mr. Kazembe.
Additionally, since this is a new business for many people in Zomba, they do not have an idea of hiring portable toilets. But I believe the demand is there, and once people see the benefits, it will grow,” said Mr. Kazembe.
Currently four mobile toilets are in operation and Mr. Kazembe aims at having 10 mobile toilets by December this year. He envisions to expand his business to other districts in Malawi. He highlights that this is a starting point and this business will reach a point where it will be a system on its own. His ultimate goal is to become more diverse in entrepreneurship. Mr. Kazembe also sees opportunities to serve new markets, such as construction sites that lack adequate sanitation facilities. He envisions forming contracts with construction companies and institutions to supply mobile toilets for events like graduations and other public gatherings.
Mr. Kazembe’s transition to becoming a business owner highlights the potential that Environmental Health Practitioners have. It shows that they can not only protect public health issues but also create economic opportunities. “I believe that Environmental Health Practitioners in Malawi can take inspiration from ventures like Nvumaranda Group of Companies. There is so much we can do using the knowledge and experience we have in Environmental Health. We just need to start thinking beyond our government roles and explore the possibilities,” he concluded.
Mr. Kazembe’s mobile toilet business serves as an illustration that it is possible to be innovative and creative using the knowledge of Environmental Health to build a sustainable future. As his business grows, it will not only contribute to public health but also demonstrate the powerful role Environmental Health Professionals can play in driving sustainable development.
