By Alfred Zacharia
@The Respondent Online
At the
heart of Tanzania’s educational landscape, one woman’s story stands as a
shining example of resilience, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Ms. Aysha
Mzee, 64, recently recognized with the prestigious ‘Top Women Excellency Award’
by the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), has transformed herself from
a small business owner into a billionaire investor with a thriving educational
empire.
Her
inspiring journey began with a modest investment in cleaning services and now
spans three schools with over 1,000 students.
The
journey from a cleaning business owner to the founder of Premier Girls, Premier
Pre-and-Primary School, and Premier Boys School was far from easy, but Ms.
Aysha’s determination turned obstacles into stepping stones, and today she
stands as a beacon of success for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women in
business.
“I am
happy to have received this award, but it’s a reminder of my tough journey,”
Aysha shares during an exclusive interview with The Respondent Online.
Her voice
reflects both pride and humility as she recalls the many hurdles she overcame
to get to where she is today.
A humble
beginning
The mother
of three, who now runs one of the most successful educational chains in
Tanzania, didn’t begin her career with grand dreams of shaping the future of
education.
Aysha’s
journey began in 1999, when she resigned from her position as an administrative
officer at the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) after serving there for 11
years.
Despite
her stable government job, Aysha yearned for something more, a chance to build
something of her own.
“I knew I
had the skills and drive to create something, but leaving my job was a huge
leap of faith,” she says.
She
started small, opening a cleaning company that soon won tenders from major
clients, including the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Muhimbili National
Hospital (MNH), and Mzena Hospital.
The
success of her cleaning business laid the foundation for her future ventures.
As the company grew, so did her confidence.
She later
expanded into laundry services, employing more than 100 people across her two
businesses.
But it
wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“There
were many times when I faced doubts from people around me,” Aysha admits.
“But I kept pushing forward,” she adds.
In a
turning point that would change her life, Aysha won a cleaning service contract
for the Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, Mwanza, and Kampilimposhi train routes, which
provided her with the capital to take her next big step: starting a school.
A bold move
to education
In 2010,
with TZS 100 million saved from her side businesses and pension, Aysha bought
land in Bagamoyo, defying the skepticism of friends and family.
“People
laughed at me for investing in land for a school. Others mocked me as a woman
to dream for such investment,” she recalls.
“But I
believed in the vision I had,” she reveals.
With a
small amount of capital and a single classroom, she started Premier Girls High
School in 2012, initially enrolling just 15 form four repeaters—students who
had failed their exams and were retaking them.
The task
seemed daunting, but Aysha’s belief in education as a tool for empowerment
drove her forward.
The
breakthrough came when her first group of form four repeaters passed their
exams with Division One, a remarkable achievement that solidified Aysha’s
resolve.
“Seeing
those 15 students succeed gave me the hope I needed to build a real school,”
she reflects. “I knew that if I could start with just a few students, I could
expand and reach more.”
Despite
limited resources and a lack of financial support, Aysha's vision was clear.
She
focused on providing quality education, understanding that it was the key to
unlocking her students' potential and, ultimately, her own.
Overcoming
financial hurdles
The early
days were filled with challenges, particularly in securing the funds to expand
her schools.
Aysha had
to take bold risks, and it wasn’t until she received a TZS 90 million loan from
CRDB Bank that her dreams started to take shape on a larger scale.
“CRDB Bank
was my savior. Without that loan, I wouldn’t have been able to grow the schools
as I did,” Aysha says with gratitude.
The loan
allowed her to expand, but there were still struggles ahead.
“I faced
challenges with staffing, infrastructure, and building a reputation,” she
shares. “But with perseverance and hard work, I was able to get through it.”
Today,
Aysha’s schools are thriving, with more than 1,000 students enrolled across her
three institutions.
Premier
Girls, Premier Pre-and-Primary, and Premier Boys Schools have become known for
their quality education, and Aysha’s reputation as a leader in the education
sector continues to grow.
A billionaire
investor with a vision
Now, as a
billionaire investor with over TZS 13.5 billion in assets, Aysha continues to
focus on expanding her educational empire.
Her latest
project involves a TZS 5 billion loan from CRDB Bank, aimed at further
expanding Premier Schools. “The growth of my schools has been a journey, and
I’m not stopping anytime soon,” she says with conviction.
In 2022, she opened Premier Boys High School, a TZS 2 billion investment catering to form one to form six students.
The school
currently enrolls 370 students, with 22 teachers dedicated to providing a
high-quality education. Mr. Juma Mogela, the Headmaster of Premier Boys,
praises Aysha’s commitment to excellence, noting that the school is poised for
further growth under her leadership.
“She’s a
visionary who has invested not only in infrastructure but in creating an
environment that nurtures both students and teachers,” Mogela says. “Her
leadership has shaped this school into a beacon of hope for many young boys.”
Empowering
others
Through
her success, Aysha has become a role model for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
She actively works to empower other women through her role as Secretary General
for the Tanzania Association of Women Owners of Schools & Colleges
(TAWOSCO).
She uses
her position to advocate for greater representation of women in business and
education, ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities she
once had.
Her
message to young women is clear: “Believe in yourself. The road may be tough,
but perseverance will lead you to success.”
Looking
ahead
As Aysha
looks toward the future, her focus remains on expanding her schools and making
a difference in the lives of her students.
Her story
is not just one of personal success, but of dedication to creating a lasting
legacy in the Tanzanian education system.
Her advice
to other entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Success doesn’t happen
overnight. It takes hard work, resilience, and a willingness to take risks.”
From
starting with just 15 students to becoming a billionaire investor, Ms. Aysha
Mzee’s journey is a true testament to the power of determination, vision, and
the relentless pursuit of dreams.