Chisha Folotiya

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Chisha Folotiya
Chisha Folotiya.jpg
Born (1970-10-07) October 7, 1970 (age 53)
NationalityZambian
OccupationBusinessman, Chief Executive Officer
Spouse(s)Dr Jacqueline Jere-Folotiya
Websitefolotiya.com

Chisha Folotiya (born 7 October 1970) is a Zambian entrepreneur whose business enterprises have encompassed the fields of entertainment, media, publishing, retail and investments.

Early life

Chisha Folotiya is the first-born son of the late Mwansa Folotiya, a Zambian prominent Lawyer and Lydia Folotiya, a school teacher who founded a private school in Zambia, Rhodes Park School, in 1973.

Education

Folotiya attended the International School of Lusaka in his early years where among other things he developed a love for break-dancing and rap music. While still in his teens, his parents sent him to the United Kingdom to complete his education. From 1985 and 1989 he went to Stonyhurst College where he completed his O and A Levels and later a Civil Engineering Degree which he studied for at the University of Nottingham in 1992.

Folotiya worked for a financial services company before returning to Zambia after the death of his father. Within a year of his father's death, his mother also died, leaving Folotiya then aged 22 as the head of the household and family businesses. Under his leadership, the family businesses have grown into a diverse group with interests ranging across property, hospitality, trading and education.

Professional career

Folotiya became the Executive Chairman of Rhodes Park Schools Limited in 1993; a position he still holds. He entered the entertainment and media industry in Zambia as an investor and Director of Pageants Zambia Limited in 1995 and took up the position of Executive Director. Pageants Zambia is Zambia's Miss World licensee responsible for hosting the Miss Zambia Pageant.

He soon after established a publishing company called Panemba. The company published a glossy monthly lifestyle magazine called Tiyende, targeted at Zambia's middle class. At the time, it was the only magazine of the sort. The magazine was discontinued in 1997. At the time, Folotiya was in the process of establishing Mondo Music Corporation.

He formed Mondo Music Corporation in 1999 as Zambia’s first professional record company. The label signed among others Kalifunku, duo Black Muntu, Daddy Zemus, Jordan Katembula aka JK, Mainza Chipenzi, Joe Chibangu, Shatel, Chilu Lemba, Danny Kaya and Tribal Cousin among many others and over the next ten years released several albums. The company was credited as having resuscitated the Zambian music industry.

In 2007, Folotiya founded Laurence Paul Investment Services Limited, an Investment Management, and Corporate Finance Advisory firm licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. It operates Laurence Paul Unit Trust, which is among Zambia’s collective investment schemes. Having led Laurence Paul as Managing Director for its first five years, Chisha then stepped back into the role of Chairman. At the end of 2013, he sold his majority stake in Laurence Paul.

His main focus is now the overall strategic management and direction of the Rhodes Park Group of companies, especially as the education holdings go through a period of accelerated growth with the creation and development of EduCorp, its new schools and the planned future listing on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE).

Personal life

Folotiya is married to Dr Jacqueline Jere-Folotiya, a lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zambia.

External links

Related videos

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  • 2011: Zambia's Economic Outlook with Chisha Folotiya