This article argues that while social entrepreneurship shares concerns similar to those of social justice activism, the corporate and business ethos in the idea of entrepreneurship is not suited to the social concerns that teachers and other educators deal with in their everyday lives. The article points out characteristics of social entrepreneurship that are shared with the concerns of peace and social justice, but cautions against a rush to blur the distinctions between social entrepreneurship and education. Based on fieldwork conducted in four Malawian schools in 2004, this article places the historical context of peace and social justice activism in Malawi in the struggle for independence, and in the theoretical concept of "uMunthu." Using autobiography as a research methodology, the article discusses the approaches and implications for promoting teacher independence and activism to make teaching relevant to social change and innovation in Malawi. (Contains 2 notes.)