In Victoria Falls. This town used to be teeming with adventure-types from all over the world. Back in 1995, just out of university I was one of those backpacker types. It was like I was in another country.
Now...all that is gone. The recent Zanu conference spooked many people too, I am told.
But I met a man whose story is worth telling...a good man in Africa. Let me call him Mr B, an unassuming man who was happy to share his life story. He started as a waiter at a regional franchise restaurant in the early 2000s. He was so driven that he believed that in 10 years' time he would own that franchise. Today, he holds it against all odds. But this is a country whose economy is stuttering again and holding such a franchise is like having a cow that one day might give milk. One day. Try operating a spaza / tuck-shop in Zimbabwe, probably one of the most hostile business environments globally, and you will come up against inflation and deflation, unpredictable political and economic decisions, corrupt officials...and everything in between. As Mr B says, he should be thriving but he is only just keeping his head above water, hoping that the country will turn the corner. Yet, he talks about the lessons he has learnt and how he has grown agility in his business thinking, nimbly building a portfolio of businesses to support his dream.
And about that corner...we all have been waiting too long for that corner. The ones who thrive in Africa are those who have cronies in government while those who try to work hard are always fighting against the system. But if we need to change this, we cannot continue to be spectators...there can be no spectators in this game. If one wants honest people to thrive on this continent, then one must begin to think seriously about being on the side of those people. Time to put on the soccer boots and start the warm up...
Now...all that is gone. The recent Zanu conference spooked many people too, I am told.
But I met a man whose story is worth telling...a good man in Africa. Let me call him Mr B, an unassuming man who was happy to share his life story. He started as a waiter at a regional franchise restaurant in the early 2000s. He was so driven that he believed that in 10 years' time he would own that franchise. Today, he holds it against all odds. But this is a country whose economy is stuttering again and holding such a franchise is like having a cow that one day might give milk. One day. Try operating a spaza / tuck-shop in Zimbabwe, probably one of the most hostile business environments globally, and you will come up against inflation and deflation, unpredictable political and economic decisions, corrupt officials...and everything in between. As Mr B says, he should be thriving but he is only just keeping his head above water, hoping that the country will turn the corner. Yet, he talks about the lessons he has learnt and how he has grown agility in his business thinking, nimbly building a portfolio of businesses to support his dream.
And about that corner...we all have been waiting too long for that corner. The ones who thrive in Africa are those who have cronies in government while those who try to work hard are always fighting against the system. But if we need to change this, we cannot continue to be spectators...there can be no spectators in this game. If one wants honest people to thrive on this continent, then one must begin to think seriously about being on the side of those people. Time to put on the soccer boots and start the warm up...
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