In the heart of the University of Zambia (UNZA), where ideas are born in lecture halls and dreams are debated over meals, one youth flipped the script on what it means to be a student.
While many worried about grades and graduation, Caristo Mumba was busy cooking up a vision that would one day feed hundreds of UNZA students and employ dozens.
28 year-old, Caristo has defied the odds to become one of Zambia’s most promising young entrepreneurs.
His journey from struggling academically to launching a Sharwana business under the umbrella 9 to 9 with 16 employees is a powerful reminder that passion, resilience and a bit of spice and salt can go a long way.
Despite a rocky academic start, Caristo’s determination saw him excel, scoring over 800 marks in Grade 7 and earning the title of Best Student in Mpatamatu Zone.
His success continued through Grade 9, eventually securing him a place at the prestigious Hillcrest National Technical School in Livingstone, where he embraced leadership roles and academic discipline.
“I pursued my higher education at the University of Zambia (UNZA), where I discovered my passion for writing,” he recalls.
And the passion eventually paid off as Caristo won several essay competitions, including those organized by the High Commission of India to Zambia, the Indo-Zambia Bank, the Amini Centre for Policy Research, and UNZABECA.
He also ranked among the top four in the BeRelevant Africa essay competition.In 2023, his talents landed him a spot on The People’s President show on Diamond TV, where he won 10,000 Kwacha.
“Using that money, along with earnings from other contests, I started a microfinance business called Carihsto Loans,” he says.
But entrepreneurship is never a straight path.After a business partner pulled out, Caristo faced setbacks.
Yet instead of giving up, he pivoted to launching a shawarma business that would later become 9 To 9 Shawarma, a brand tailored to students’ needs and budgets.
Though financial challenges eventually cut short his academic journey in his fourth year, Caristo saw an opportunity in UNZA’s vibrant student market.
“Shawarma is a common food option among young people, and I wanted to create a long lasting and nationally recognized food brand,” he explains.
Caristo grew 9 To 9 Shawarma into a thriving business with 16 employees. He prioritizes staff motivation, offering daily transport allowances and other incentives.
“I believe 9 To 9 is one of the few businesses that gives workers cash transport money daily. It encourages them to report early and work hard,” he says.
His friend, Albert Manjulunji describes him as humble yet driven.
“He knows what he wants and always follows his vision. He’s the best CEO and the business has grown tremendously under his leadership,” Albert says.
Co – written by Maimbo Cheembo