Athena

This interview was conducted by the Pencils for Africa Deputy Editor Athena Manthouli, with Pencils for Africa co-founder, Allan Schwarz

Athena: From what I have understood by looking at the Mezimbite website, Mezimbite is a full-service operation focused on community-based sustainable development and design, that sells the goods made by the people that live in the forest. I read that they use all forest products to produce a wide variety of products.

How did you get involved in the Mezimbite Forest Centre?

Allan: I went to Mezimbite in order to look at building a very fancy hotel, which we never did, but while I was there, discovered a whole lot of things which were really interesting, and a whole lot of wood which was the same wood I learned to use when I used when I was a boy. And so I decided that it would be appropriate for me start working with what I actually knew in an area and what I really enjoyed. I was also was in the process of transforming out of my professional life as an architect because it was stressful and not really rewarding.

Athena: The company was founded in 1994 and finally legalized in 1996. What has changed since then in the company? What where the challenges of getting the project started?!

Allan: Well, the project didn’t start with a big vision, it actually started as a little wood working business. And the idea was it would be a little wood working business and we would make nice things. And it was logical for us, having a wood working business that you would have to cut trees down to make wood items. Having this knowledge also meant that you would also plant new trees back. I mean that is something you would think is the norm, but in fact, it is quite unusual, most people are pretty greedy and nasty and they don’t put anything back. So, I started to do that and the business grew from there.

Athena: How did the forest get it’s name? Is the Mezimbite name the name you will be using to sell the wood products? How and where do you sell your wood products?

Allan: The name Mezimbite means iron wood in Sima. Mezimbite was a village which supplied the wood. The only thing that remains today is the sign. And when I went to Mezimbite, I bought the only property, which was the old village. We sell at the market within Mezimbite and within the neighboring countries. We have also started selling things in America, like into New York as well.

Athena: How did you and Karim meet? How did you know that you could be partners?

Allan: We were in the same class at MIT in one of the subjects. We were both doing a filmmaking course. Which we got to from rather different origins, but we both were African and we were the only Africans who where in the class. What is quite interesting is that we have a culture being African, which is closer to each other, even though he is of South Asian origin, and I am from a European origin. But being from Africa we had more in common than we had with the Americans who were studying with us

Athena: What is it like being a founder of Mezimbite?

Allan: It’s cool!!

Athena: What is it like being a founder of Pencils for Africa?!

Allan: Well, Pencils for Africa is a fun project. I mean the whole idea is really simple, meaning really simple and straightforward.

Athena: How do you view the world now doing the Mezimbite project? How has the project personally changed you?

Allan: I think one of the things which is really different is that I came from a society which was very concerned with material things and money. And I think that one of the things that has changed for me is that we now use the wood for making items and replenish our material by replanting.

Gloria: As a child did you see yourself in this position, as a business man?

Allan: No. When I was fourteen I entered a apprenticeship as a carpenter, but I never thought of it as a career. It was just something I really enjoyed!