We Are Sethemba
A woman-led residence in Blantyre, built by Malawian hands and shaped by African storytelling, where luxury meets purpose, every detail honours local craftsmanship, and every stay ripples into community impact through the Sethemba Trust.
From a quiet dream to a residence built by Malawian hands.
Our Story
Sethemba Residence was born from a simple yet powerful belief: that luxury, community, and African craftsmanship belong together. Founded by a Malawian woman with a vision to create something that honours both heritage and hospitality, Sethemba is more than a residence. It is a statement.
The journey began with a question: what if we could build a space that feels world-class but is rooted entirely in Malawian talent? From that question, the foundation of Sethemba was laid, not just in concrete and timber, but in purpose.
Every corner of Sethemba tells a story. The vision was to create a place where guests do not just stay, they connect with the land, with the people, and with a Malawi that is often unseen by the world.
She made it because others helped. Now she helps girls make it.
Our Founder
Thembi Mdachi
Sethemba Residence was founded by Thembi, a Malawian woman who knows firsthand the power of someone believing in you. As a girl, she was helped by others who made her education possible. That gift never left her.
A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Columbia University, she spent years in finance before setting out to build something that would not only put Malawian craftsmanship on the world stage, but also open doors for the next generation of girls. Philanthropy is not an afterthought at Sethemba, it is the foundation.
A portion of every stay goes toward girls' education and skills development, ensuring that the same chance she was given reaches further. Thembi built Sethemba the way she leads: personally, meticulously, and with the belief that when you invest in a girl, you invest in a nation.
From foundation to final finish, crafted entirely by Malawian hands.
The Journey
Sethemba did not appear overnight. It was shaped by years of planning, late nights, hard conversations, and the unwavering belief that Malawi could produce something extraordinary.
From sourcing local materials to collaborating with Malawian architects, engineers, and artisans, the build process was deliberate. Every nail, every fabric, every furniture piece was chosen with intention. The residence was built by Malawian hands, from the foundation to the finishing touches.
The project brought together:
Artisans
whose hands shaped the furniture, fixtures, and finishes
Weavers and textile artists
who brought colour, pattern, and texture to the spaces
Builders and craftsmen
who turned raw materials into lasting structures
How You Give Back
Philanthropy
Sethemba is built to give back. A portion of every stay and partnership is channelled into the Sethemba Trust, supporting education initiatives for local youth, skills development and apprenticeships in the creative arts, and community infrastructure and wellbeing projects.
When you stay at Sethemba or partner with us, you are not just investing in a beautiful experience, you are investing in Malawi's future.