I have a dream for women in my country

Her political background notwithstanding, Emma’s biggest wish has been to serve her country. Her father Rashidi Mfaume  Kawawa ,  was the prime minister of Tanganyika in 1962 and Tanzania in 1972 to 1977. He also served as defence minister from 1977 to 1980.

“I want to contribute to my country,” she says. “This includes leaving a legacy that I made changes in the community, particularly in the lives of women, who so far have limited resources and options.”

Despite her late father’s position in the country, Emma says she was raised just like any other child and she has worked hard to package herself.

“My father was a man of principles, he made sure that we never used the family name to get special treatment or help in any way and this is something which I am very proud of till today. He did forbid us to take advantage of the fact that we are children of a national leader. That has helped us to break out on our own,” she explains.

She has been a civil servant, tried her hand in real estate, worked in the tourism sector, petroleum companies and has even been a board director of Tanzania Investment Centre.

Explaining her experience when she was employed in the government she says, “I was still very young and surrounded by people who have worked there for a long time and they were much older than me. I had to work extra hard to prove my abilities, but that didn’t last long as I decided to resign,” she says.

Emma joined the world of business and for the past 25 years, has been learning from the best and successful business figures across the continent, and working with local governments to promote women’s entrepreneurship in the country, particularly in Mtwara Region.

“Life is getting busy every day. There is no time for gossiping; women should focus on more productive things,” says the alumni of Dar es Salaam University. Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Public Administration.

She has done several courses in diplomacy, marketing and leadership.

To date, Emma has managed to establish her own consultancy company called Entango Investment Limited.

“I am happy that I have worked with several institutions and people, but mostly with Mr Dangote, the Nigerian business magnet in Mtwara,” she says,

Emma says she saw the missing link between the Mtwara people and the opportunities from the rest of the world and went in to fill the vacuum.

“When my consultancy contract with Dangote Cement was over, I made a decision to make Mtwara my new home and with 10 young graduates I employed to carry out a feasibility study, we created a platform for women to develop entrepreneurship skills,” she says.  “I move around talking to women especially in Mtwara. I encourage them to join groups so that they can have their own businesses.

What I do is offer the expertise.”

Her intention right now is to create a business directory for Mtwara to assist investors and other stakeholders who want to come and invest.

“Though it wasn’t easy at the beginning, as some locals thought I was doing it because I wanted to become a member of parliament, with time they understood my motives. I learned a lot from Nigerians especially their aggressiveness. The positive things I picked from them will help me prosper in my business and career.”

Nigerians employ themselves and they would rather look out for in house experts and train them instead of employing people outside the country, Emma says.

Reaching out to others

Working in the informal sector, Emma has learned that women are always disadvantaged, especially those in rural areas, because there are fewer opportunities. Those in urban areas get all the benefits such as training.

“Women living in towns benefit a lot and we forget that farmers and traders are up-country- based. At Entango Investment Limited we give entrepreneurial support and offer education especially to ensure women don’t lag behind.”

As the country’s head of African Business Round table and NEPAD Business group, Emma continues to work with the business community to promote   a more friendly business environment.

 “Women are active entrepreneurs,” says Emma. “I think helping those who do business and trying to create opportunities for them is the best option,” she says. “My target will be met only when I see that women have become very successful in their businesses. I want to bring key players in the business sector, but above all I want to do mentorship and mind-set change, especially to women who only think of sitting at home, waiting to please and cook for their husbands.”

Part of her ambition is to own a hotel, in fact she already have an architectural plan which is being  worked on.

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