Expatriate Spring Issue 2011

R 23,95

SA

Professionals

of

Foreign

Origin

&

Friends

Jumoke “Moky” Makura Searching for the great African story

U c h e Double

A million hits on You Tube

Lindiwe

Zambian star of Dreamgirls

Harry Chakhala

O W R23 N

Malawian Roots, Pan-African Investments

siv

W

E x cl u

9 as 2 ,95

,9 5

P r o f i l e

Ghanaian High Commissioner Pic courtesy of Moky Makura

Baana ba Kintu: Buganda alive in SA • Petit Cochon: Morningside’s slice of France • Kenya’s Upendo Women Investments • Jobs in the rest of Africa – Backpage! • Capitalist Nigger - Book Review Issue 4 . 2011

w w w. ex p a t ri a t e . c o. z a

e t o:

KELELE 001

If you’re thinking of taking your business into Africa, take us with you.

Expanding your business into Africa can be a very smart strategic move. Many of our clients have done the same and achieved successful growth. We believe they approached us because of our financial expertise and know-how combined with our knowledge of and network in Africa. Before you make your next move, speak to Pamoja Capital. Let’s put our expert entrepreneurial team on your team. They can help you navigate your way into Africa, providing necessary and sound advice on all your transactions and funding options.

Our Africa team is ready to embark on your next venture. For further information call Pamoja Capital.

PA M O J A

CA P I TA L Defining Patnership

P a m o j a C a p i t a l ( P t y ) L i m i t e d G r o u n d F l o o r, B l o c k B , P a r e t o B u i l d i n g N a n y u k i O f f i c e P a r k 6 9 N a n y u k i R o a d S u n n i n g h i l l J o h a n n e s b u r g S o u t h A f r i c a . Te l : + 2 7 1 1 2 3 4 7 6 4 1 F a x : + 2 7 1 1 2 3 4 7 6 4 3 E - m a i l : i n f o @ p a m o j a c a p i t a l . c o . z a . K e n y a O f f i c e : P a m o j a C a p i t a l L i m i t e d E x e c u t i v e B u s i n e s s S u i t e s 3 r d F l o o r, K - R E P C e n t r e Wo o d Av e n u e , K i l i m a n i P. O . B o x 5 1 7 1 8 - 0 0 2 0 0 N a i r o b i , K e n y a Te l : + 2 5 4 - 2 0 - 2 3 8 6 8 4 2 / 3 o r + 2 5 4 7 1 1 0 2 9 1 0 0 F a x : + 2 5 4 - 2 0 - 8 0 1 1 4 5 0 2 E - m a i l : i n f o @ p a m o j a c a p i t a l . c o . k e

“DONT BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD” Join The Expatriate Family Today!

www.expatriate.co.za

• Subscribe via the website and get 5 issues posted to you for R99 • Register on the website to receive updates and read online

Friend us on Facebook – facebook.com/expatriatemag Follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/expatriatemag Connect with us on Linked – In – Search in the groups for “Expatriate – SA Professionals of Foreign Origin”

Shutterstock.com

Giving

ccording to an old English saying, necessity is the mother of invention. Well, quite true.

The necessity: The need to provide her children with comfortable affordable seating at the dinner or study table. The mother: the world travelled and now Johanneburg based Liz Gakuo. The solution: The Enzi chair, a chair uniquely designed to be used by the child at the table from the age of six months up to 11 years old.

From old English sayings to vintage Swahili phrases; the word ‘Enzi’ means throne in this East African language. Liz says that when she became a mother to her two sons – Declan in 2004 and Aiden in 2006 – she took a look at them and decided that only the absolute best will do.

She embarked on a search for chairs

the

Little

suited for her little princes and on failing to find anything appropriate at the right price, she realised that there was a gap in the South African market for such a product.

“My husband and I initially bought the kids the conventional plastic high chair,” Liz explains, “It

be many parents out there who are experiencing the same problem,” Liz recalls, “especially seeing as meal and study times are extremely important to the child’s development and the whole family experience. Although the kids may not be able to participate in the conversation, these times need to be made as comfortable as possible for them so that they do not feel excluded. A fundamental example is the fact that adults can put their feet on the floor while many kids’ chairs do not provide a platform for the child to rest his or her feet on which causes discomfort and impacts on the child’s overall posture.”

Other than this platform for the child’s feet, the Enzi Chair has a number of other impressive features.

A complete set comes with a swing tray, guard rail and a five-point safety harness for the baby. As the baby grows, one easily adjusts the chair

“The conventional plastic chair worked for a while but I soon noticed how uncomfortable my kids were so I began the rigorous search for an alternative” worked for a while but I soon noticed how uncomfortable they were with their feet dangling and their arms failing to reach the table. I became worried that the slouching will eventually affect their posture.”

The search for an alternative was quite rigorous and Liz found the prices of good chairs quite unreasonable.

“I thought to myself that there must

One

‘The Best Seat in the House.’ by taking off the harness and feeding tray while systematically lowering the foot rest and increasing the seating area. This ergonomic design is carefully crafted to seamlessly accommodate the continually evolving needs of the child as he or she grows and develops. Unlike the plastic chair, it is made of solid wood with beautiful finishes. This makes it durable and aesthetically appealing.

The comfort provided by the chair ensures little ones are always keen to take their seat at the table.

Liz recently quit her job to focus on bringing the Enzi chair to the market. And she is causing quite a stir. She appeared in Elle Decoration magazine in 2009 as and the popular Your Baby magazine in 2010.

Her stand at the May 2011 Baby Expo held at the Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg was one of the more popular stops given the fact that it coincided with the launch of the much fancied mahogany stain. This is in addition to the Natural and Light Oak stains.

“The Baby Expo experience was a rousing success for us and we are certainly planning to be present at similar events across the country.

We are also keen on expanding our product range with a variety of stains,” Liz reveals.

Baby joins family at mealtimes with the Enzi Chair

Although based in Johannesburg, the Enzi chair is delivered across the country. The website www.enzi. co.za is a useful hub of information from which parents can make their selections and place their orders.

Contact details: Liz 083 987 4447 Proper posture is maintained at homework time

Table top activities are done at standard height & kids feet supported

Contents 6

Editorial

7

The Quest for Pandamonium

9

Expat-tivities

14

Jumoke “Moky” Makura

18

Harry Chakhala’s Umlilo Investments

22

Capitalist Nigger

24

Musa Kalenga - 3 Simple Promises

26

Baana ba Kintu

28

Ghanaian High Commissioner

30

Upendo Womens Investments

33

Ken Ayere: The Nigentrepreneur

37

Petit Cochon

41

Senkubuge: Citizens of the world

43

Charles Mugerwa: The Pied Piper of Pretoria

44

Uche Agu: A million hits on You Tube

47

Kakai: What the hell is Web 2.0?

48

Lindiwe: Zambia’s “Dreamgirl”

51

Kasirye : The sweet taste of a brother’s sweat

52

Peprah: Cast ye not the first stone

Pic courtesy of Moky Makura

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

WHAT’S IGBO FOR MUSIC?

Lazy editor. I gave this note that title and failed to research the answer. That said, it best captures the two themes of this edition.

There is a country north-west of here that is said to be the most populous in Africa with citizens scattered around the world, a good number who now call South Africa home. A country of vast resources whose people have a reputation that is equally profound. Yes, ladies and gents, our first area of focus is Nigerians in South Africa.

We profile Moky Makura, the author of Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs whose foreword was penned by Richard Branson.

We also chat to Ken Ayere, a community leader and entrepreneur whose eggs are placed in different business baskets. Our book review

is the controversial Capitalist Nigger authored by Nigerian writer Chika Onyeani while rising musical star Uche “Double” Agu talks to us about his road to a million hits on You-Tube.

Publisher: The Expatriate Forum and Magazine (Pty) Limited Reg. Number: 2010/012428/07 P O Box 4935, Randburg, 2125 Tel: +27 11 7917484 www.expatriate.co.za

Still in West Africa, we chat to Ghanaian High Commissioner, His Excellency Lee Ocran on his exploits in both the public and private sectors whilst our Ghanaian born columnist Yaw Peprah gives his opinion on the red-hot issue of land re-distribution.

Adjoa Ayivor tells us why ‘Petit Cochon’ is her favourite place in Johannesburg.

Director: Carol Malonza – carol@expatriate.co.za Managing Editor: KC Rottok – editor@expatriate.co.za Deputy Editor and Content Advisor: Leah Maina – leah@expatriate.co.za

Our second theme is music.

Other than Uche, we also profile Lindiwe Bungane, the Zambian born singer who starred in the musical “Dreamgirls” and Sheila Senkubuge interviews Charles Mugerwa, the musical genius behind PAMATA. Be sure to read about Harry Chakhala, a South African of Malawian origin who is taking the issue of African renaissance into his own hands and those of his Umlilo Investments team. Another investment group we feature is that of the Kenyan women in Johannesburg collectively known as Upendo. They are well known community organisers just like Baana Ba Kintu who are keeping the Buganda kingdom alive in the hearts of their people in SA. In other news: Hooray, we are in CNA, grab a copy and spread the word!

KC Rottok, CA (SA) Creative & Fin. Journalism (Wits University) Managing Editor.

06

EXPATRIATE

Publishing Executive: Sheila Lynn Senkubuge Advertising and Event Enquiries sales@expatriate.co.za or 0822146421 Edition Writers: Keith Kundai, Hannington Kasirye, Yaw Peprah, Musa Kalenga Contributors: Karabo Morule, Jumoke Makura, Dr. DJK Lumu, Dr. Binnas Lubega, Adjoa Ayivor, Andrew Kakai Art Direction, Design and Layout: Mike Obrien mike@obriendesign.co.za Studio Photography: Chris Moore (011 022 1597) Website: Drutech Media (0781121311) All rights reserved. Excerpts may be used as long as this magazine is credited as the source. Longer versions of our content may only be used with the written permission of the Publisher. Neither the publisher nor the editor accept responsibility for any of the information from edition writers or contributors.

Whilst we have taken care in preparing this publication, the publisher/editor does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The editor retains the right to edit all contributions. Advertisers are responsible for their material. © Expatriate SA 2011: ISSN 2218 – 757X

THE QUEST FOR

P A N D A M O N I U M

andemonium is defined in the English dictionary as a ‘grand state of uproar’. Next to this is panda, defined as a large black and white bearlike animal. Pandamonium is therefore the vision of our Group; the quest for a grand state of service-oriented entrepreneurship where innovative products are provided to our clients in unambiguous black and white.

The Panda Group began in 2006 as Panda Mortgage Financial Services, a property finance firm assisting clients with the acquisition of mortgages from lending institutions. We were in a difficult environment during our formative years dominated by large entities tied into deal agreements with estate agents. We quickly realized our relevance would only be assured through being innovative which lead to the introduction of the ‘Rent to Buy’ concept.

Black-listed and credit impaired individuals rent a property from us for about 12 months during which their credit and debt status is restored to a position where they can obtain mortgages to buy the rented property. The need for this product was further reinforced by the response of South Africans after an interview with Mr. Kibiego on Kaya FM on the “Stevie B” business show, especially considering there is over 7 million people currently blacklisted.

Riding on the successful response to this product, we set up Panda Property Developments, a residential housing development company with a business model focusing on the

acquisition of land (either through purchasing or land availability agreement), town planning, project management of civil infrastructure, services installation, and the construction and marketing of homes. The intention is for the entity to also provide Panda Mortgage with “Rent to Buy” property stock.

The group has further diversified by investment into the business communications sector with a business model similar to Postnet or Jetline through the establishment of Panda Comms to provide services such as small and large format printing, photocopy, laminating and binding, local and international courier services. We anticipate opening five stores in Johannesburg by the end of 2012.

Also imminent is the launch of Panda Wheel & Tyre with the intention to roll out four outlets in Gauteng and KZN in the next two years where we look forward to providing a variety of competitively priced wheel and tyre products and services matched by the same high level focus on service that has typified the various other lines that make up our budding group.

Finally, the Group intends to invest in a number of industries including energy, food processing and FMCG. This is in line with our growth plan of building cash positive businesses with strong brand equity. Panda Group’s mission is borne out of a love affair with Africa and an admiration of its tenacity, resilience

and promise of a bright future and we certainly look forward to contributing towards its socioeconomic liberation.

“The next phase of African economic prosperity will depend heavily on entrepreneurship and the role that small and medium enterprises play. The opportunities that Africa offers are immense and must be exploited by Africans to the fullest”

Contact details: mike@pandaproperties.co.za 0732403054

ExpaT-TivitieS

Expatriate Magazine Issue 3 Launch – Inkwazi Lodge Pretoria 1 – PAMATA dancers 2 – Martha Njeri Shidogo – raffle winner of a Mi-Fone phone and a hamper from Consolidated Financial Services. 3 – The MC - Sheila Lynn Senkubuge 4 – Key Note Speaker – AMB Founder Zenzo Lusengo 5 – Paul Osee of Ghanaian High Commission picks one of the raffle winners 6 – J-Max Band

04

01

03

05

02

06

More pics available at www.facebook.com/expatriatemag WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

09

ExpaT-TivitieS

Zambia Association AGM at Park Inn by Radisson

1 – The newly elected committee members. 2 – Zambian High Commissioner to SA Col. Nkunika checks out a copy of The Expatriate. 3 – Attendees taking a break.

4 – ZASA chair addressing participants. Association of Ugandan Professionals AGM 5 – New AUPSA Committee – From left - Ronald Kato (IT), Stephen Twinoburyo (Committee member), Fiona Katasi (Administration) , Emmy Muwonge (Chairman) Dr. Flavia Senkubuge (Public Relations), Allen Mutono (Treasurer) and David Rukanshonga (Marketing) 6 – Speech from sponsors.

05

01

03

02

04

06 More pics available at www.facebook.com/expatriatemag

10

EXPATRIATE

ExpaT-TivitieS

Precision Air Launching Joburg-TZ Route 1 – Ibrahim Bukenya, SA Country Manager conducting a raffle. 2 – Her Excellency Radhia Msuya, High Commissioner of Tanzania to SA 3 – Tanzanian Dancers.

Internations.org meeting at the Piano Bar, Sandton. Pics 4, 5 & 6

04

02

01

05

06

03

More pics available at www.facebook.com/expatriatemag WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

11

ExpaT-TivitieS

Kenya Diaspora Association of SA (KEDASA)

06

03

01

04 05

02

Kenya Diaspora Association of SA (KEDASA) 1 – Chair of KEDASA Dr. Chuma introducing His Excellency President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki to Charles Mwaura. 2 – Interim committee of KEDASA meeting at the Kenya High Commission. 3 – Dr. Elizabeth Muli, Vice Chair of Kenya’s Constitution Commission speaking at JD’s Bar – Bryanston.

4 & 5 – Participants asking questions at the Constitution Commission meeting. 6 – Meeting at Kenya High Commissioners Residence – Seated from left Trade Minister Amos Kimunya, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, President Mwai Kibaki, Ambassador Amolo, Dr. Chomba Chuma and John Githakwa.

More pics available at www.facebook.com/expatriatemag

12

EXPATRIATE

o.indd 30

S E RE N E • TR A N Q U I L • E XC LU S I VE

More than just somewhere to sleep, the Moloko Strathavon Hotel is a style statement.

It’s the future of the boutique hospitality industry which embodies all that is great in the modern luxury hotel market, and then takes it one step beyond. The exclusive hotel encompasses an award-winning organic spa, fine dining at the Ambassador Restaurant and the sought-after post-dinner night spot Off the Record cigar lounge. Taking its cue from Mother Nature, the hotel has been designed to blend seamlessly into the indigenous gardens surrounding it. Moloko Strathavon Hotel is a mere stone’s throw from Sandton, Johannesburg’s trendsetting business and shopping hub.

160 Helen Road (off Grayston Drive), Strathavon, Sandton, Johannesburg • +27 11 384 4900 reservations@strathavonhotel.co.za • +27 861 MOLOKO (66 56 56) • www.strathavonhotel.co.za

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

23 2011/06/20

Jumoke “Moky” Makura: Searching for the great African story 22

EXPATRIATE

Pic courtesy of Moky Makura

remember a very different Nigeria growing up, but I also remember when things started to go wrong.

In a way, I blame my father’s generation for letting the rot set in. They had the education and the money to change the course of the country and they chose not to. When the power cuts started, they bought generators. When water became scarce, they got trucks to deliver water to their door steps. And when the education system began to degenerate, they sent us abroad.

That is how I found myself in a British boarding school, age nine.

Jumoke was anglicised and quickly became ‘jew-mo-key’ and after a couple of years, simply Moky . I assimilated pretty quickly and got on well with everyone in spite of being the only black girl in the junior school.

I only became conscious of my colour when a white South African girl joined the school and for some inexplicable reason, we were put in the same dormitory. Coming from an apartheid South Africa dictated how she saw me, and being the proud Nigerian I was, I refused to be defined that way.

The resulting situation split my year down the middle – you were either for me or for her. It was my first real exposure to the power of ignorance.

Afterwards, I went to the University of Buckingham where I studied Politics, Economics and Law. It was a great general degree but it gave me little career direction.

My first job taught me perhaps the most valuable skill of my career - the ability to sell. I sold advertising space for a business magazine. I credit that time for teaching me how to close,

how not to take no for an answer and how not to take things like rejection personally. I truly believe that everyone should learn how to sell because at some stage in our lives, we will be selling something to someone.

I later worked for one of London’s top public relations (PR) firms. I really enjoyed it but soon realised that I would never run that

across an article in a magazine on black South African women in the new South Africa who were doing great things and thought ‘There is a place for women like me’. It took me well over a year to get here but I eventually got a job and moved to Johannesburg in 1998. This is where I met my Zimbabwean husband Stewart Makura to whom I got married a couple of years later.

“I am not the stereotypical ‘rags to riches African story’ but I have taken advantage of the privileges I was blessed with and remained totally driven....” company because of something that I couldn’t help or change- being black. I decided that it was time for me to go back home as I wanted to be somewhere where I was judged solely on my abilities. I was fortunate to get an offer to start a PR division for an advertising agency in Lagos. I chose to ‘test’ it out before I resigned from my job.

It was a culture shock for me. I was put in an office next to a lady who seemed to do nothing but read the Bible all day and when I asked to make a phone call I was told to lodge my call with the operator who would put me in a queue. The process could take up to three hours! Nigeria was a tough place under the era of its worst dictator Sani Abacha and I realised that I wasn’t ready for it.

But I was still frustrated with the UK and determined to leave. I came

When I turned 31, I decided it was time to start my own PR Company which is now called Redline. It had a pan African focus and one of my first projects was working with a company that brought the first lot of South African companies to Nigeria. I approached Draft FCB for a strategic partnership and they decided to buy my company outright. I stayed on for three years and left to pursue what I now call my media passions. I try not to have regrets but I wish I had retained a stake in Redline but it wasn’t really an option at the time.

While still at Redline, I had auditioned and secured a part-time position as a presenter and field reporter on MNET’s Carte Blanche Africa. I loved covering stories on Africa but sadly the Africa budget was very limited and I didn’t get to do as many stories as I would have liked. I also realise now, that the

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

15

Carte Blanche audience were not really that interested in the positive stories on Africa that I wanted to do which didn’t involve wildlife!

That’s when I realised that I had a passion for telling positive stories about Africa. It was clear that if we Africans didn’t tell our own stories and shape our own past and present, no one was going to do it for us.

My email signature bears a very profound African saying: “Until lions learn to write, hunters will tell their stories for them”.

Before being cast in the MNET drama series Jacobs Cross (my first ever acting

role), I had been pitching a lifestyle series to show “the other side of Africa” called Living It. I was tired of seeing Africans on TV with flies on their faces and other images of abject poverty and starvation. It finally got underway on DSTV years later featuring the lifestyles of Africa’s wealthy elite in an attempt to present a positive side of the African story. I had wonderful feedback on the series which proves that Africans really wanted to see themselves reflected in the media they consume.

It was the same reason I wrote Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs.

I have always seen myself as an entrepreneur. Prior to my PR company I had started a breakfast club at a restaurant in the UK and an African fashion business. They both did not last long but gave me lessons I have used in my other businesses. I battled to find a book on the many highly successful African entrepreneurs we have that would inspire me and give me insights, so I decided to write one.

I approached Penguin Books with the idea and got a publishing contract.

Writing the book was one of the toughest things I have done but sheer stubbornness and persistence got me through. There were many challenges including taking almost two years for one of the entrepreneurs to agree to an interview Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs was the impetus for me to start my own publishing business MME Media. South Africa’s Greatest Entrepreneurs, which was

Pic courtesy of Moky Makura

published in September 2010 was our first book, done in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Studies (GIBS). It made it on to the Exclusive Books’ best seller list and I am working on releasing Nigeria’s Greatest Entrepreneurs.

But my real passion has been Nollybooks, our low cost books written by South Africans and aimed at a young black South African audience that was recently featured on CNN’s Inside Africa. They are currently in Shoprite Checkers and C N A and retail for approximately R35 each. Like Nigeria’s movie industry Nollywood, the books are about telling modern urban African stories.

And that is my story. I was born in Nigeria and that defined me. I was educated in England and it equipped me. I now live in South Africa and this country has given me so many opportunities. I am not the stereotypical ‘rags to riches African story’ but I have taken advantage of the privileges I was blessed with and remained totally driven.

If there is one thing that has been constant in my life, it is change. Today I live in SA; I am a publisher, actress, producer, author and entrepreneur.

Tomorrow, who knows? What I do know though is that I will always be passionate about telling stories and about Africa. I want to be the lion that learnt to write.

TTG/100/44

Accessibility.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

If buying and selling fashion is your business then shouldn’t you have access to one of the most fashion-centred cities in the world? With our fantastic fares to Sao Paulo, accessibility is not an excuse anymore.

Book your flight to Brazil at flysaa.com, call 011 978 1111 or contact your local travel agent today.

Fly South African Airways. Bringing the world to Africa, taking Africa to the world.

Umlilo Investments: Firing up the African Renaissance

“What Africa needs is to grow entrepreneurs . A country like Japan is surrounded by water with little natural resources and yet this is one of the top economies in the world. We on the other hand are blessed with vast resources and yet we continue to languish in poverty due to a lack of entrepreneurs in every sector.�

18

EXPATRIATE

eet Harry Chakhala, a man of versatility who is a Chartered Marketer with an MBA from Wits Business School, an electrical and electronics engineer with post graduate qualifications from The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and The Graduate Institute of Management and Technology. He is an ICT Strategic Consultant with certification in Project Management, ITIL and SAP. He has vast experience in marketing strategy, business development and contract management of Government, ICT, Engineering, Power Utilities and Airline sectors. He has travelled extensively in Africa and as if that is not enough, this CEO of Computek South Africa has recently embarked on a PhD in Leadership and Strategic Management.

then assessing issues relating to regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. Thereafter, consideration is given to the delivery structure by clearly defining the method of bringing the product to the ultimate consumer. The investment, finance structure and ownership structures are also defined with an emphasis on attracting significant investment without compromising the need to attract local participation.

Whilst Computek is a wellknown ICT organisation with 153 employees and a broad African footprint, Chakhala is more eager to talk to us about a new entity he has recently co-founded – The Umlilo Investments Group.

Umlilo incorporates indigenization policies by ensuring a long-term corporate social engagement and contribution towards real socio-economic initiatives with up to 20 percent of the group’s net return ploughed towards local communities in the areas of education, health, employment and Government programs.

“Umlilo was incorporated in 2009 and has since been working in identifying appropriate opportunities on the African continent,” Chakhala says. “Our goal is to lead change in expanding Africa’s renaissance. We believe that for Africa to become a success, the private sector needs to take a leading role in promoting business activities that add socioeconomic value to the continent.”

Umlilo’s business strategy involves identifying target opportunities on the African continent and

“Our aim is to empower Africans!”

Chakhala declares, “The African market is a pot for every forward looking individual or institutional investor. You will probably get non-risk real return of one to two percent on investment in most developed nations whilst Africa has potential to give double digit returns on a sustainable basis”.

Umlilo has identified three areas of focus – Infrastructure/Construction Development, Sustainable Power Development and Broadband ICT projects.

“Our plans around infrastructure and housing development include imminent plans

to invest in low income housing in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Our ability to interact with SADC Governments provides guarantees with appropriate mechanisms to secure this nature of investment for both rural and urban projects,” Chakhala explains.

Further plans in the construction sector include private public partnerships in extending the railway network among countries in the SADC region and also embarking on water scheme projects in South Africa.

Economic and population growth are having an effect on power supply in Africa. Lack of electricity is hampering economic development and in recognition of this, Chakhala indicates that Umlilo is embarking on geothermal power supply initiatives in Malawi and Kenya and is seriously looking to invest in this renewable energy across countries that have this natural resource opportunity.

“There is geo-thermal potential in all countries through which the Great Rift Valley runs including Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan and Zambia. We have done reconnaissance studies in some of these countries and collated a lot of data that indicates huge potential for geothermal power generation. In addition, we have acquired a stake in

a Malawian company, Geothermal Projects (Pty) Limited which has an exclusive licence for geothermal power exploration in the country.”

Umlilo’s ICT plans revolve around establishing a common broadband network for Africa and mobile platforms that provide value added services to consumers in health, education, entertainment, games, social networks etc.

Chakhala reveals that projects of these nature are already underway through subsidiaries in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya .

“We are also looking at implementing cheaper Community Data Centres.

20

EXPATRIATE

The idea is to have local data storage facilities in communities compatible with mobile technology through which communities can store their information and images for generations.”

Umlilo means “fire” in isiZulu and other bantu languages and Chakhala says that the term

captures how energised the brand is to transform the continent. It is also symbolic as it has predominantly positive connotations in many African cultures. He believes Africa and its people are changing with technology driving change. But he is under no illusions, that their Pan African initiatives will encounter challenges on the continent.

“Barriers to investment in Africa are many but the most significant is the self-interest of certain leaders who place unnecessary pressure to be included in business deals.

This behaviour is significantly defining the characteristics of doing business in Africa. We are mindful of some of these factors but will not

compromise our integrity to achieve our goals. Ridiculous demands by African leaders is prevalent; you may wish to construct a road and a leader insists that it must pass through his homestead irrespective of its economic viability!”

Chakhala notes that mining has been excluded from Umlilo’s immediate plans. This he says is due to its stringent requirements and the high possibility of failing to position oneself within the value chain after having invested large sums of money.

He is confident that the group has the right leadership to achieve its goals. A truly pan African board has members drawn from six different countries, all possessing a strong business sense to embark on the journey ahead.

“What Africa needs is entrepreneurs. As one learned Japanese person said ‘Africa has plenty of resources but its people need to replace the water in their brains with skills and determination to succeed.” Umlilo is inviting individual and institutional investors to embark on a partnership that delivers real sustainable value for a win-win rebirth of Africa,” he concludes.

For more information visit www.umliloinvest.co.za or email harry@umliloinvest.co.za - Keith Kundai

Harry Chakhala Expat-titbits: Hobbies: Loves to read; current read is the biography of Ernest Jabulani Mchunu “Cheeky Native”, an inspiration of dreams from childhood to corporate success .

Personal details: Age, 47. A South African of Malawian origin with a family of three children (daughter and two boys who are good golfers) .

Inspired by: Ernest Mchunu (leadership) & Mo Ibrahim – (African entrepreneurship success who prides in reinvestment into the African continent through the initiative Mo Ibrahim – Leadership Change for Good Governance)

CATALYST OF CHANGE...

AN INSURANCE BROKERAGE THAT IS TRUE TO ITS AFRICAN ROOTS Sankofa Insurance Brokers was founded on the old African adage that in order to forge ahead to what the future holds, we must first look to the past, gathering all its lessons in order to shape a prosperous future.

This is the ethos that drives our team of specialists in order to bring you affordable short term insurance, personal insurance, corporate insurance, commercial insurance and group schemes.

Whether looking for alternative quotes, starting out in business or require a full audit and review of your Short-Term Insurance arrangements, please do feel free to call us for a free quotation or presentation on +27 (0)11 025 6566.

Sankofa, your trusted broker in times of need. www.sankofaib.co.za

I n s u r a n c e

B r o k e r s

RAWTALK BY ROTTOK

Chika Onyeani’s Capitalist Nigger ou are unlikely to get a more controversial title than ‘Capitalist Nigger’.

The particular copy I perused declared that over 40,000 copies had been sold in SA; clear proof that controversy sells.

The paperback in question is the product of Chika Onyeani’s grip on current affairs and life experiences.

Although he began writing it in 1999, it has an almost prophetic feel to it when it talks of the oppression of the people of Southern Sudan who recently became the world’s newest nation.

Like the writer of a bad documentary, Chika Onyeani gets caught up in too much repetition.

I lost count of the number of times that he discusses the “Spider web doctrine” or explores the ‘consumeronly’ nature of the African continent.

The book could easily have been half its present size and still cover all the ideas.

Another issue I had with the publication was that of a myriad of unsubstantiated claims, some

on neighbourhoods. On page 60, Onyeani states that many Africans in America commonly bemoan the deteriorating state of the previously white only neighbourhoods that they now live in - “I was first to move into this neighbourhood and it was all white. Now look what has happened.” This is quite similar to what many people in SA say about areas like Hillbrow and Sunnyside.

On page 84, Onyeani observes the following: “Today in Africa.... being seen in the company of a Caucasian person accords you instant respectability. Bring in a Caucasian partner....if you are having difficulty securing a contract, send him in and you will have an easy ride.”

“Another issue I had with the publication was that of a myriad of unsubstantiated claims, some of which sounded somewhat exaggerated”

For me, reading the book was very similar to finally watching a much touted movie a couple of years after its release. The fact that so many people had recommended it to me heightened my expectation.

It is not surprising therefore that I was

disappointed by a number of aspects.

of which sounded somewhat exaggerated. Having visited both countries, I found it difficult to believe that Indians control 80% of the motel industry in America or that the Mercedes Benz constitutes 60% of all vehicles in Nigeria. These are a sample of the numerous statistics that Onyeani freely peddles without providing a source.

I know that I can be a little pedantic when it comes to detail but some of the errors in the book are simply unforgiveable given the fact that it was penned by the founder and editor of a seemingly respectable American newspaper.

There are several grammatical mistakes as well as some incorrect information such as his reference to Timberlake shoes when he probably means Timberlands.

But this book brings to the fore a number of home truths such as the potentially negative impact of race

Another interesting observation related to foreign names: “I have read through the Bible, and I have not found where it says that answering to a particular name is necessary to become a Christian. Today I see Christians, especially priests, insisting on foreign names in the belief that a person cannot be regarded a true Christian without answering to English or French names.”(pg 140) I also related quite closely to the advice given to readers regarding the need to convince family members

when pursuing money making opportunities and to be wary of the PHD (Pull Him Down) phenomenon that creeps up amongst one’s ‘friends’ when you begin to do well. This touches on what this book is essentially about; a challenge to people of negroid origin who are, for one reason or another, lagging behind, to step up their capitalist endeavours so as to collectively propel them as a race.

di Services: Logistics Freight Forwarding Packaging

The book was written by the founder of a publication for a particular expatriate grouping in a thriving economy. It is no wonder that despite not agreeing with a large number of his views, I had more than a personal connection to a number of his sentiments. The controversy definitely goes beyond the title.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an appetite for provocative thought. At the very least read Chapter 14 which is a clear summary of Onyeani’s recipe for becoming a “Capitalist Nigger”.

- KC Rottok

Contact Us for: Personalised Efficient & Prompt Services to Send Goods Throughout Africa and Around the Globe.

Events @ Southern Sun Grayston From R695 per person Zimbabwe business luncheon 08/09/11 Africa Exchange conference 27/10/11 DRC business luncheon 11/11/11 Ambassadors & CEO’s luncheon 07/12/11 Email: Arlene@africaexchange.co to book

No. 5 Sim Road, Pomona, Kempton Park, 1619 Johannesburg P.O Box 2707, Houghton 2041 Johannesburg R.S.A Tel: +27 83 321 2853 Fax: 086 514 0128 E-mail: info@dolphininitiative.co.za Web: www.dolphininitiative.co.za

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

23

ExpaT-Talk

Three simple promises to myself recently felt compelled to make some new promises to myself. They are informed by my observations on recent occurrences in the world . Feel free to tweet me (@musakalenga) and we can take this discussion online.

GO BIG OR GO HOME Michelle Obama who visited recently is a special woman who delivered an energy that revitalized many young women in South Africa and Africa as a whole.

I was in Botswana at the time and was shocked to see two massive army issue aircraft parked at the Sir Seretse Khama airport. I was informed that 187 soldiers, cooks, entourage and “support personnel” had been flown to Botswana in preparation for the arrival of the US first lady.

the capture and murder of one of the most wanted men in America was rather dramatic. The lesson that we can all draw from this event is that we have choices based on our beliefs.

If we all aligned our beliefs around positive and constructive ideas, imagine what we could achieve?

Osama was a man who committed many crimes and I believe karma and justice have been served. The bottom line is that he believed in something.

Can you say you believe in anything worth dying for?

and society. Have you ever asked yourself what will be said about you when you are gone?

Michelle Obama asked – what are we as young people doing to leave behind a positive legacy? She emphasized the importance of leaving behind something tangible that will impact those that come after us.

I believe this is a pertinent question in Africa given where we are as a continent. At the moment we, poor little Africa, are being considered as the last investment frontier and the world is watching us. Talk about pressure, but in the same breath, what an opportunity!

“I was informed that 187 soldiers, cooks, entourage and “support personnel” had been flown to Botswana in preparation for Michelle Obama’s arrival. Americans – they can therefore they do!”

The fear of Botswana’s food and water is laughable. However, the principle here is that they can and therefore, they do. One of our challenges as Africans, particularly those from my home country Zambia, is that we do not know how to set standards high.

Americans on the other hand act as a sterling example of how to do this.

Whatever the endeavour, they go all out.

Promise 1: For the rest of 2011, for every small venture I pursue, I will either go BIG or go HOME..

RATHER DIE ON YOUR TWO FEET THAN LIVE A LIFE ON YOUR KNEES. After being awarded the “hide & seek” award for a record seven years,

Promise 3: Creating a legacy in Africa - I am going to do something about it!

- Musa Kalenga is a Chartered Marketer heading up the I Hop division of the Brand Leadership Group.

Email musa@kalenga.me

Promise 2: I will seek knowledge in the things I believe to be able to create dialogue with those that have different beliefs from mine.

THINK LEGACY. Recently statesman and global political icon Nelson Mandela turned 93. In commemoration, there was a highly visible “67 minutes campaign”; to commit 67 minutes of your time as a person to doing good just as he had committed 67 years of his life in service to his country and mankind. The campaign was a resounding success and an inspiring way of leaving behind mechanisms that will forever be etched into local and international calendars, cultures Pic by Paul Shiakallis

24

EXPATRIATE

Baana Ba Kintu - The Kingdom of Buganda Alive in SA The Buganda have always been fiercely loyal to their King whom they call Kabaka. This devotion is a direct result of the system of governance implemented by Kintu. Buganda is a land of equal opportunity where everyone has a sense of belonging. No individual or clan feels discriminated against, dominated over or unduly favoured. It boasts a system of Government where, apart from the Kabakaship, any person can ascend from the lowest to the highest office in the land, based solely on their ability. aana Ba Kintu - “the Children of Kintu” - is a fitting tribute to Ssekabaka Kintu who, in around 1300 AD, together with a group of fourteen wise men, presided over a conference at a place called Nnono and founded the Kingdom of Buganda.

Buganda - which means ‘Bundles’ - is now a 700 year old Kingdom. It is aptly named as it bundles together the 50 odd clans that form the Kingdom. It was from Buganda that the State of Uganda was created by the British about a century ago.

The reigning King, Mutebi 11 is the 36th in a direct line descendent from Kintu. The first Katikkiro or Prime Minister was called Kakulukuku and to date, there have been 78 Prime ministers.

Living in the Diaspora, one is far from family and faces many challenges such as migration issues, unemployment, new languages, cultures and values. It is easy to feel lost and perturbed by the ‘loss’ of identity as other realities of life including birth, marriage /divorce and sickness set in. As one ages, the search for a cultural identity inevitably takes place as if one is crying out: “I am somebody not just anybody!”

Baana ba Kintu was founded as a cultural group to fan the flames of the 700 year old fires that have kept our Kingdom alive, and to continue our forefathers’ notion of assimilating new ideas without betraying old ones. It is a Gauteng based non- profit organisation with no political or religious affiliation.

The organisation is founded on the principles of cultural norms, values and the tradition of a people. We recognise that culture is an integral part of humanity and civilization and believe that the preservation of the culture, tradition and identity of our people requires a conscious effort both individually and collectively to guide, strengthen and unite our people in pursuit of their rights and interests.

Our membership is based on voluntary non-profit making activities to support and draw together Baana ba Kintu for their own improvement and that of our kingdom.

The association is geared towards providing education on the origins of the Buganda, our history, language and overall cultural identity. Our emphasis is on word “culture” because we believe that all values and strong principles in life and humanity like respect, kindness, thoughtfulness and caring are based on culture.

The organisation aims to : • Encourage and help members and friends of Baana ba Kintu to promote and sustain their cultural traditions and values • Educate members and friends of Baana ba Kintu about Buganda origin, history, language and value of clans (Bika)

• Raise the consciousness of all people regarding the importance of freedom, autonomy and justice • Mobilize available resources to develop Baana ba Kintu, South Africa and the kingdom of Buganda • Encourage engagement in lawful activities • Promote mutual understanding amongst members and friends of Baana ba Kintu in South Africa • Provide and assist in recreational and leisure activities to mark our

enabled us to organise a successful Tabamiruka (convention) in October 2010. We also donated academic attire to Muteesa 1 Royal University in Uganda earlier this year. The next Tabamiruka will be held at Inkwazi Country Lodge in Pretoria on 24th September 2011. This date was chosen to coincide with South Africa’s Heritage Day. We would like to salute and thank the executive committee and other members for the excellent voluntary work and commitment.

Kintu presided over that momentous Constitutional Conference at Nnono 700 years ago.

Dr. DJK Lumu is a gynaecologist based in Parktown, Johannesburg. He has been working in South Africa since 1982 and is the former president of Baana ba Kintu.

Dr. Binnas Lubega is an anaesthesiologist based in Vereeninging. He has been working in South Africa since 1988 and is the current president of Baana ba Kintu.

“We would also like to acknowledge our sister associations in the Eastern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa as well as the rest of the Diaspora including Swaziland, Botswana, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Sweden. Let us never tire of promoting our culture.” heritage We are encouraged by the charters of both the United Nations and the African Union on human rights and other International Conventions and laws that provide for the protection of culture, human rights and democracy.

Our achievements thus far include improving our visibility through the association’s activities.

The activities undertaken in 2010 gave us the opportunity to reach out to many prospective members.

The response was overwhelming and

We would also like to thank members and friends of the organisation for their financial, material and other contributions.

Additionally, we would like to acknowledge our sister associations in the Eastern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa as well as the rest of the Diaspora including the United Kingdom, the United States, Swaziland, Botswana, Ireland and Sweden. Let us never tire of promoting our culture.

It is our hope that centuries from now, Buganda may feel as young and vibrant as she did when

Know Your Envoy

LEE OCRAN: GHANAIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER “There are several Ghanaian associations in the country. In fact, the chief architect of Pretoria was Ghanaian.” escribe your background leading up to becoming a diplomat in South Africa?

I undertook my university studies in the 1960’s in the then Soviet Union before pursuing postgraduate education at the Harvard Business School. I returned to Ghana and worked in the banking sector before joining the government. At the end of 1981, there was a coup in Ghana and I left for the UK where a Greek friend and I set up a company shipping oil to West Africa. I later returned to Ghana where I served as CEO of Pepsi for nine years before

890,000 cases a year over a span of just two years. The brand began to compete effectively with Coca-Cola and I received an award from Pepsi for my efforts.

How does your work as a diplomat or minister compare to the private sector?

The slow pace of decision making in the public sector is frustrating for me. At Pepsi, I could take decisions and deal with the consequences whereas as a diplomat or government minister, you have to go through the political processes to

Ghanaians began immigrating to South Africa during apartheid as teachers and lecturers in institutions in the then Homelands. Now there are several Ghanaian associations in the country. Other than those in academia, there are numerous Ghanaians who are professionals, some holding very key positions in companies in the country - in fact, the chief architect of Pretoria was Ghanaian. We also have Ghanaians who do such jobs as hair dressing.

Part of my role is to advise all Ghanaians to obey the law because when you come to someone else’s country, it is your duty to behave yourself. My door is always open to those who are on the right side of the law. We need to preserve the good relationship Ghana has always had with SA. Our country was at the forefront of supporting the liberation struggle in this country and many of those in the ANC had Ghanaian passports.

What are you passionate about and what are your plans for the future?

assuming the role of Minister of State for the Environment. I was a Member of Parliament before coming to South Africa.

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

Being a member of a team of nine charged with forming the Social Security Bank was very exciting.

We worked late hours to create something that did not exist before.

I also thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pepsi. As the chief decision maker, I managed to move the company from selling 300,000 cases a year to

28

EXPATRIATE

get things done. But my role here has had its highs including the visit of the Ghanaian President to Cape Town in August. I am also charged with facilitating relations and business between the two countries. There are many South African companies that have invested in Ghana and we need Ghanaian entities to start doing the same here. A Ghanaian bank is actually set to open its doors in Alexandria, Johannesburg soon.

What is your view of Ghanaians in South Africa and their engagement with the High Commission?

I am an occasional golfer and love all kinds of music including country, pop and rap. I also love to read political literature as I am a politician at heart. I was the vice-chairman of the current ruling part for five years and the chair of the committee that drafted the manifesto of the party that is currently being implemented.

Ghana has now started producing about 120,000 barrels of oil which was discovered in the constituency I used to represent. My plans are to end my tour and to go back to take part in the upliftment and progress of our people back home as that is where the action is. .

- Carol Malonza

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

23

S T O K V E L S U C C E S S : U P E N D “A group like Transcentury Limited which owns various companies across th Stokvel is a South African term for an investment group where members contribute a certain amount to a central fund. We chat to Nanzala Mwaura; the newly elected chair of the Gauteng based Upendo Women Investments.

How was the group formed?

There were initially two groups. One was based in Pretoria and used the ‘merry go-round’ model whereby women would contribute a certain amount every month and the funds would be given to a different member. A similar group consisting mainly of the wives of expatriates who worked for the International Finance Corporation was based in Johannesburg. In early 2006 both groups met at the house of Betty Amunga who was familiar to both groups and a decision was taken to merge them. We were initially 12 women then four others joined. Due to work commitments, two women left and we have now settled at 14.

We named the group Upendo which means love in Swahili because we did not want to be like most investment groups that are just about making money. We wanted to emphasize love and commitment to each other.

What is the structure of the group and what activities do the members engage in?

The group is aimed at long term investment with members contributing a standard amount monthly. Initially, we paid the monies into one members account but we later registered a close corporation

30

EXPATRIATE

which we are in the process of converting into a private company.

We have elections every two years to elect the chair, secretary and treasurer as well as their deputies.

Membership is restricted to Kenyan women mainly because we would like our families to share in our heritage. When we have our monthly meetings, our husbands and children join us for a day of fellowship where we eat Kenyan food and socialize.

For that day of the month we get a sense of the Kenyan community which is important, particularly for the children who we would like to connect as much as possible to our home country.

those in their fifties with different skills set. In fact, two members of the group have since relocated to Kenya and participate in our group meetings via nominated proxies. They have been remitting their contributions to South Africa but we recently registered a Kenyan company known as ZA Upendo Limited which they will be managing. We are a knowledge based organization. We listen to each other and rely on the knowledge of the member who is familiar with a particular area. Additionally, we carry out our own research and also invite experts to talk to us on various issues depending on the subject under discussion.

What types of investments do you pursue and how do you decide on these?

What are the basic rules of the group?

We have property investments in both South Africa and Kenya and have also invested some funds in the South African money markets. We were initially very risk averse but over time our appetite for risk has grown.

Other than property, we also have Upendo Events. This is the division responsible for organising the annual Kenya Night evening. We also offer events management services on behalf of corporate entities. Just this year we successfully managed two events in Johannesburg; one for Kenya Commercial Bank and the other for the property development Migaa.

Most investment decisions are made by consensus which we are able to achieve because of the flexibility and diversity of the group. The women range from those in their thirties to

We have a constitution which we drafted and improve upon from time to time. When a member joins, we do a valuation of the business and they are required to make certain payments to catch up with the individual investments of other members. Likewise, when a member leaves, we perform a valuation and pay them out over a period of about three months. We are however keen on keeping the group at its current number of members simply because it is easier to achieve consensus when the group is small. We have been approached by several women who would like to join us and we encourage them to form their own groups and are happy to offer guidance.

We have strict rules including monetary fines for missing a meeting or coming late as well as charging

Dhe continent O Wbegan O asMan Einvestment N Igroup.

N VIf they E Scould TM E N T S do it, so can we.” interest for late payments although these rarely occur. The constitution includes decision making modalities as well as how to deal with situations such as when a member is having difficult circumstances that prevent her from making her contributions.

What have been the successes of the group and what are your plans for the future?

We thank God that He has enabled us to pay off of our property in a record three years and enabled us to diversify our investments. We have held two successful Kenya Nights. As our families regularly meet and make merry in the Kenyan way, we thought it would be a good idea to organise something similar for the broader community. The first dinner was organised at Killarney Golf Club in 2009 and was attended by about 350 people. Last year the event was held at Indaba Hotel and was attended by approximately 500 people.

This year we plan to hold it at a bigger venue in the

same hotel on the 5th of November.

Through God’s Grace, we have been able to achieve cohesion, preserve our unity and remain focused on our goal. As God has blessed us, so have we also extended our blessings to others by supporting the education of two visually impaired students at Vrendrust High School in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.

With regards to our plans for the future, we have certain long term projects we are looking to embark on. We are ambitious and confident that we can do great things. A group like Transcentury Limited which owns various companies across the continent began as an investment group. If they could do it, so can we.

Our mission is to vigorously and prudently pursue investment income generating opportunities, locally, regionally and internationally while believing that all things are possible through faith in God and prayer.

Standing (from left): Helen Kabuya, Mary Maina (immediate former chair), Beatrice Akala, Grace Karanja, Betty Amunga, Mildred Sitati, Roselida Aluha (secretary) Seated (from left): Nanzala Mwaura (chair), Lynette Sunguti (treasurer), Mary Ndung’u, Dr. Nelly Mary Mwaka (founding chair).

Other members: Mary Liaga (based in Polokwane) Catherine Oduor & Waturi Matu (based in Kenya).

www.upendoinvestments.com Carol Malonza

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

23

International capability.

Local Focus.

RSM Betty & Dickson form part of the 6th largest auditing network in the world.

As a medium sized firm with international alliances, we are able to offer companies and individuals a full range of tax, audit and accounting services without losing the personal touch.

For any enquiries, please contact: Cape Town +27 21 686 7890 mail@ct.rsmbd.co.za Durban +27 31 266 9222 mail@dbn.rsmbd.co.za Johannesburg +27 11 329 6000 mail@jhb.rsmbd.co.za Tshwane +27 12 460 5241 mail@ts.rsmbd.co.za RSM Betty & Dickson (Johannesburg), RSM Betty & Dickson (Durban), RSM Betty & Dickson (Cape Town) and RSM Betty & Dickson (Tshwane) are each independent member firms of RSM International, an affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms. Each member firm of RSM International is a separate and distinct legal entity. No member firm of RSM International is a partner or agent of the other.

RSM International is the name given to a network of independent accounting and consulting firms each of which practises in its own right. RSM International does not exist in any jurisdiction as a separate legal entity. Reference to the words “RSM”, “RSM Betty & Dickson”, “we”, “us” and “our” are used to refer to each member firm of RSM International. © 2010 RSM Betty & Dickson

www.rsmbettyanddickson.co.za www.rsmi.com

KEN AYERE, THE NIGENTREPRENEUR instead purchased a Caltex garage in Krugersdorp in the West Rand which I have been running to date.

Is it difficult to operate a garage in that area?

Not at all. People frequently ask me that question particularly because it is a predominantly Afrikaans neighbourhood. I have never heard of any patron driving into a garage and enquiring as to the nationality of the owner before purchasing

and tasted food from all regions, I found this unacceptable and my wife and I embarked on setting up our first restaurant at Brightwater Commons in 2003. It took us a year to draw up the menu and for the first year she ran the kitchen herself.

What makes Homebaze different and why has it been successful?

The Homebaze menu is truly African. This is what has enabled us to expand to Village Walk Mall in

“Illegal business does not make sense because the energy one dissipates in doing negative things is the same energy that is required to do something positive and achieve the same monetary rewards.” f Nigerians are consummate business people, then Ken Ayere is as Nigerian as can possibly be. After numerous phone calls and various attempts to meet, we finally managed to squeeze ourselves into his busy schedule and get our questions answered.

Tell us about your background and how you ended up in South Africa.

I was posted to Johannesburg as the Southern Africa bureau chief of the state owned News Agency of Nigeria in 1996 and worked here for about four and a half years before returning to Nigeria. During that period, I had given thought to owning a McDonald’s franchise and so I returned to South Africa in 2002 after having retired from journalism.

The franchise opportunity did however not materialise and I

whatever number of litres of fuel they require. In business, as long as you are providing a good service at a fair price, people are rarely interested in finding out more. The same applies to all other business interests that my wife and I are pursuing.

What are these other business interests you are pursuing?

We own a 20 room guest lodge known as The Golden Rose in the Ferndale area of Randburg. We also run a chain of three Homebaze restaurants in Gauteng. These are eateries dedicated to serving African food in a respectable environment. Having travelled the world as a journalist, I noted that the establishments that serve authentic African food are almost always located in backstreets or other dodgy areas. Having traversed the continent

Sandton and to Arcadia in Pretoria.

We do not garnish any of our dishes simply because when you cook at home at your African kitchen you don’t make sadza in the shape of Africa and put flowers around it. We don’t really have competitors because other restaurants that purport to deliver the African experience only do so in terms of the music and decor. They take advantage of those consumers who do not know African food by serving Mediterranean dishes and giving them names like ‘Serengeti’ or ‘Kilimanjaro’.

It has not been easy though.

Some of the spices we use in our food are not available at the local supermarkets and have to be imported from West African villages.

In addition, it is difficult to cook some foods like chapati which we have outsourced to a Kenyan lady.

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

33

In fact, our 67 members of staff are drawn from different parts of Africa.

What plans do you have for Homebaze going forward?

We would like to take the brand national. It would be good to find people in other parts of the country who share the same vision and put some capital in their hands

34

EXPATRIATE

to open up branches there. The big companies today did not do it alone.

They engaged others with similar interests. We are careful to find people who have the same passion as we wouldn’t want someone to come and ruin what years of sacrifice and commitment have built. We took a big risk in venturing into the untried area of establishing a classy African restaurant and breaking the mind-set

that our food does not belong in up market areas.

With all these ventures, do you find time for anything else?

Yes I do. I have learnt how to delegate which enables me to manage my time and do many other things. I was recently heading the committee that organised the

Nigerian achievement awards at Gallagher Estates attended by the then Nigerian President and the then Deputy President of SA. I am the leader of the men’s group at my church and also a founding member of SA’s Patriots Club of Nigeria. I am on the Board of Trustees of the SA-based Nigerian Union and the acting president of the Diaspora Organisation of Nigerians in South

Africa. We have many different groups because we are a varied people with varied interests. Some may find it difficult to interact with the Nigerians based in Hillbrow for example. I am involved in an initiative to counsel those who are conducting illegal activities and ruining our reputation. We organise workshops where we explain that the same energy one dissipates in doing

negative things is the same energy required to do something positive and achieve the same monetary rewards.

- Keith Kundai

Don’t let retrenchment catch you off guard, says Old Mutual Karabo Morule, Strategy and Marketing Executive at Old Mutual, explains:

Although South Africa is sheltered from the worst aspects of the global economic recession, some local companies, like their foreign counterparts, are being forced to lay off workers.

Unfortunately, job losses often result in consumers cashing in on their retirement savings to carry them through until they find a job again. This is not an ideal solution as it may result in people being ill-prepared once they reach retirement.

“More and more employees are being forced to accept that their careers may be interrupted. Lifelong employment with the same employer is becoming the exception – not the rule. All of us need to review our financial plans accordingly,” says Faan Fourie, Regional General Manager for Personal Financial Advice at Old Mutual.

Spending retirement money to meet short-term commitments may worsen your situation over the long term.

But are there any steps you can take to protect your financial plans?

“Yes,” says Fourie. “An important consideration is to add retrenchment cover to your life disability and severe illness cover.”

Should you become retrenched, Old Mutual’s GREENLIGHT Retrenchment Benefit will give you peace of mind, by ensuring that you have a monthly income of up to R30 000 per month while you seek alternative employment. This benefit acts as an income replacement and is also tax deductible if you have a taxable income.

“Adding retrenchment cover means that your life disability or severe illness premiums will be paid for at least six months after retrenchment, giving you a valuable financial breather while you get back on your feet,” explains Fourie.

He says consumers need to make informed choices when choosing risk cover with the assistance of a financial adviser or broker, adding that it is important to make provision for the unexpected – such as retrenchment.

“When times are tougher, it is vital that we reassess our priorities. Importantly, consumers should not lose sight of vital aspects such as taking out risk cover at a minimal monthly premium that provides you and your family with necessary protection. At the same time, this will ensure that you preserve your provision for retirement.

Financial advisers or brokers will help to structure an action plan that addresses your needs and creates a healthy financial portfolio that will enable you to face the storm with a stress-free conscience,” explains Fourie. ”At Old Mutual we believe that sound advice is essential to financial wellbeing. Risk cover that provides essential financial protection for yourselves and your dependants will provide you with financial security and peace of mind For more info on getting expert financial advice, contact Karabo Moleke , Manager: Regional Marketing, Personal Financial Advice: Johannesburg Region, Tel: 011 217 1316, Mobile: 082 758 3196, Email: kmoleke@oldmutual.com

ExpaT-Tastes

Petit Cochon: MORNINGSIDE’S TASTY SLICE OF

etit Cochon or “Little Pig” is a restaurant in Morningside, Johannesburg started by three French menChristophe, Gerald and Stephan. Their passion for traditional charcuterie (a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products) and the appreciation of their friends motivated them to start one of my most favourite places. They have succeeded in bringing French delicacies to a rapidly growing customer base of both locals and expats. There are few places where you can go to on a Friday night and meet people from all over the world. It’s like the FIFA World Cup happening all over again...... without the vuvuzelas.

Johannesburg anymore. It is great to find an establishment where you just feel at home (picture the cool side of your family, not the ones who make you take your shoes off at the door or wear a tie!).

What really impresses me is the fact that almost all of their products are made on site, even their own sausages. They have what they call La Salaison (dry products) and saucisson, a very famous air dried delicacy.

“An interesting comment was made by a visiting French national who said that even in France, you will struggle to find a place this authentic!”

The venue...

In summer it feels like you may be outside because of the airy room, cobble stone floors, wooden ceilings and large tables. As the temperatures have started to drop they have somehow managed to create a cosy atmosphere. My first impression was the feeling of not being in

The food...

Pâté is a meat spread made of lean fat, liver or veggies. Rillettes on the other hand has a meat fibre texture and is cooked in fat whilst Mousse is made exclusively from liver and has a very smooth texture.

Petit Cochon has a mix of what one would typically expect in French recipes (pork, duck and rabbit), but have introduced a bit of a South African flavour by stocking some local delicacies such as springbok, impala and kudu.

There are a number of les Plats Cuisinés (cooked dishes) such as Toulouse Sausage, Cassoulet, Choucroute Alsacienne, Petit Salé in Lentils, Bœuf Bourguignon and rabbit in mustard.

In cold weather, try raclette which is a hot cheese fondue.

Their products are 100% natural with no colorants or artificial flavouring. The best part is that you can buy your favourite cheese or pâté and take it home with you to indulge in a bit of French cuisine on your own terms.

The people...

The people can be divided into two categories, the regulars (who walk in the door with a smile because they know from past experience that a wonderful evening lies ahead of them) and the ‘first timers’, who you can see are a little shy and are

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

37

ExpaT-Tastes

38

EXPATRIATE

ExpaT-Tastes

experiencing that ‘am I really still in Johannesburg feeling’.

It appears to be a favourite for the French expat community and other expats who have made Johannesburg their home, but there is definitely rapidly growing local support.

The music...

French music greets you as you open the door and at some points during the night as you indulge in their delicacies a favourite song will come on and the dining room will spontaneously sing along (or clap for those of us who don’t know the words).

The dancing...

So no, it is not a club, but the dancing somehow happens organically at some point in the evening. When bellies are full with wine glass in hand, patrons will dance to their favourite song when it comes on. Don’t worry by the end of the evening you will definitely have a favourite song!

My favourite time to indulge...

Definitely on a Friday evening for the full experience, but I’ve been known to sneak over during the week for some pâté and cheese when I just could not bear to wait until Friday.

Pennies and cents...

The food is good, but will not blow your entertainment budget for the month. A platter for 4 people is approximately R200 (with an unlimited supply of bread to go with it). A good bottle of French wine will set you back R120.

Where to find it: Codfather complex, corner Rivonia Road & 1st Avenue, Morningside Time: Monday to Thursday 8am – 5 pm (the deli) Friday 8am – late for a night of good food, wine and dancing!

Website: www.petitcochon.co.za - Adjoa Ayivor

What makes it special...?

I actually don’t know where to start; I guess perhaps the fact that it is truly owner managed, by owners who make an effort to get to know their guests and ensure that they are having the full French experience in Africa. An interesting comment was made by a visiting French national who said that even in France, you will struggle to find a place this authentic!

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

39

22

EXPATRIATE

ExpaT-TalK

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD e are the children of expats who arrived a long time ago.

Nowadays when people ask where we’re from, our reply is “we’re citizens of the world”.

A number of my friends and I are of foreign decent. Our parents came from other countries while we were either born and bred in South Africa or born in those countries and raised in South Africa from a very young age, making it the only home we know. Due to our foreign surnames and exotic looks, we are constantly asked where we are from. We find ourselves constantly explaining our origin and slowly enunciating the way our surnames should be pronounced.

At some point we meet the authentic product. These are people “from home” who kindly inform us that we are mispronouncing our own surnames! This makes us wonder who really needs the phonetics lesson more, us or the local bank teller?

Meeting “people from home” leaves us with the same feeling African Americans get when they

arrive in Africa – “the motherland”.

We finally meet people who can pronounce our surnames; people who look like us and can verify all the stories our parents told us. Yet our friends from home sometimes receive us with a touch of scepticism partly because we know so little of our culture. We are stunned that just by hearing our surnames, people can tell whether we are from the same clan or whether we are related. But perhaps the most shameful thing is that some of us cannot speak our home languages. It is quite common for a ‘citizen of the world’ to be able to understand the language, and speak it to a certain extent to others who also grew up here. The fear of speaking the mother tongue to an ‘authentic product’ with an accent has a way of creating a state of muteness.

Once initial introductions are done and the excitement of bonding with people from home has passed, a deep sadness may settle in. That’s due to one thing, the desire and hope that we will one day return home. That desire and hope is often squashed once we realise that there are cultural and social barriers

“People from back home tell those of us who grew up here how to pronounce our own surnames.

Turns out we need the phonetics lesson as much as the local bank teller!”

dividing us. Things that citizens of the world may consider acceptable and normal are often considered outlandish and unacceptable by friends from home. There are things that we hear about home that make us realise going back would be a greater challenge than just hopping onto a plane and relocating. That makes you start to wonder whether you’re not already home.

But again all it takes to dispel that thought is for a citizen of the world to enter a shop here and be unable to speak the local language comfortably. Or someone in the street to look and ask: “Where are you from? You don’t look South African”. Although we’re grateful for opportunities and privileges we’ve been afforded, we are acutely aware that many things, such as cultures and traditions we know nothing about, may have surpassed us.

We don’t belong to the people of the land we’ve grown up in, and yet, we don’t belong to the people of our land of origin either.

We’re the ultimate product of the global melting pot. We’re the personification of the cosmopolitan lifestyle. We fit in everywhere we go, and yet we don’t belong anywhere at all. We’re a generation that could’ve been lost, had we not found our place, defined it and owned it. Our place cannot be pinpointed to a specific geographical location; our place cannot be limited or defined.

Our place is vast. Our place is large and has no boundaries. Our place is the entire globe and that makes us… citizens of the world.

Sheila Lynn Senkubuge

ExpaT-Tunes

C H A R L E S M U G E RWA : THE

PIED

gandan Charles Mugerwa arrived eight years ago in South Africa as a postgraduate student of Music Education at the University Of Pretoria (UP).

PIPER

OF

PAMATA was established as a Close Corporation in 2009 with startup capital from two Ugandan medical doctors, Dr. Wasswa and Dr. Lubega. Mugerwa would teach the children all forms of arts, dance, drama, music, poetry and folklore at a friend’s venue in Kameeldrift, Pretoria. Transport continued to be a challenge until John Kyobe, the founder of HTC Colleges in Pretoria, offered the group a more accessible venue in Pretoria CBD without cost.

PRETORIA He is a post-graduate music student at UP currently on an exchange programme in Finland for which he was selected in recognition of his special talents. ”In the span of one year, he has lifted performance standards and proved himself as an exceptional trainer and mentor to the PAMATA children,” Mugerwa says.

The UP Music Department was investing in finding appropriate methodologies for implementing South Africa’s new Revised National Curriculum. Mugerwa and one of his lecturers Professor Kwami Mugerwa handles PAMATA in his embarked on research studies to spare time. He holds teaching “We are now in the process of gather in-depth knowledge of how to positions at both UP and Pridwin changing PAMATA into a non-profit integrate African indigenous music Preparatory School in Johannesburg. in classrooms.

He does not “The PAMATA children have gone for auditions to perform on They targeted view PAMATA schools in Ga- TV and were involved in the production of a new movie starring as something Rankuwa and from which to Gerard Butler entitled Machine Gun Preacher” S o s h a n g u ve make money organization and later a School of townships where they had an seeing as what it gives him is much Performing Arts,” Mugerwa reveals, overwhelming response from many more fulfilling than Rands and Cents.

“It is important that we continue children. teaching these children music as it “So many of these children had lost keeps them grounded. They learn The musical projects were progressing focus and some had started taking special skills that enable them to well until funding became a problem. drugs and considering dropping out get jobs to sustain themselves and In addition, Kwami passed away of school. My satisfaction comes their families. Some have even gone leaving Mugerwa alone in pursuit of from seeing them grow to their for auditions to perform on TV and their vision. He had started teaching potential and find their purpose in PAMATA has just taken part in the at the university and township life,” he concludes.

Sheila Lynn Senkubuge production of a new movie starring parents would approach him for Gerard Butler entitled Machine Gun music lessons for their children. These Preacher.” children would come through for classes weekly but as they were not In collaboration with UP, PAMATA university students, UP was not able was invited to perform in a joint to provide them with the full support program with the Edu-Cantare choir needed. These challenges prompted at a recent international conference Mugerwa to source funding as in Botswana. Furthermore, the group many learners were struggling with has been invited to similar events money for transport to and from overseas; California in 2012 and the university. The process of finding Alabama in 2013. private funding resulted in the birth of PAMATA - Pan African Music and Another Ugandan, Julius Kyakuwa, Theatre Arts. assists Mugerwa as artistic director.

ExpaT-Tunes

UCHE AGU, THE ROAD TO A absolutely love this country,” Uchechukwu Agu confesses. “I have found the people here to be very welcoming and have fallen in love with the place. I will not leave unless it is God’s will that I do. The culture, the food, and the people - I feel quite at home here. I am always surprised that people expect me to have a long list of complaints particularly given that I am Nigerian but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Uche(as he is more commonly referred to) came to South Africa in 2003 as part of a group of singers and preachers on a tour of the country and neighbouring Lesotho.

They had the opportunity to sing at various venues including Soweto.

Shortly after the tour, Uche enrolled at the World Harvest Bible College in Germiston and completed a qualification in theology.

As a result of the qualification and serving in Christian ministry, Uche is now a pastor at Lyndhurst based Hallelujah ministries. His most notable achievement is perhaps his hit track, “My God is good oh”.

With over a million hits on the online video portal You Tube, the song has had phenomenal success with listenership across the African continent and in other parts of the world.

“I performed the song with Joyous Celebration, a choir headed

by Mthunzi Namba, Lindelani Mkhize and Jabu Tshlongwane. The song incorporates various African languages including bits of pidgin, Swahili and Lingala. This is part of the

44

EXPATRIATE

reason that it has become so popular on the continent and I have been invited to a number of countries to perform for large audiences including the 50,000 who showed up for the New Year Eve party in Kenya last year.”

Other than countries in Africa, Uche has also had an opportunity to travel to a number of international destinations promoting his music and spreading the gospel. In particular, he makes frequent trips to the United Kingdom.

“What really strikes me about places like the UK is the simplicity of the people in spite of being in a first world economy. This differs from places like Nigeria where people are quite extravagant. A man will have several cars and live in a really big mansion in spite of having only a wife and a couple of kids whereas in the UK people think of investing their money rather than making a statement. They are not that interested in expensive new stuff but spend wisely.”

He takes a moment to shut down his Samsung notepad and places it next to his brand new iPod. I smile broadly and he immediately picks up on the irony.

“Hey, am Nigerian, have to keep it real!” he giggles.

I ask him about being Nigerian given the fact that most of the stories you hear about his country men are lacking in the sort of praise he has come to be associated with.

“Well our reputation is like a perfume that follows us everywhere we go,” he elucidates, “but every country on earth has good and bad people but it is Judas who is the most well-known amongst all the disciples.

Our people are all over and are quite aggressive, particularly in business. If you go to any country and you don’t find Nigerians doing their thing, you need to leave immediately. There is no money to be made there!”

I laugh. Perhaps encouraged to expound, he continues.

“A Nigerian does not sit around and wait for government to give him money to start something. He sells his shoes and starts small and before you know it he is a millionaire. We are very creative but one of our problems is bad governance. Hopefully with the election of Goodluck Jonathan things will change and our leaders will become responsible. Our country is full of of potential.”

We come back to discussing Uche’s own potential. He scooped two honours at the Crown Gospel Awards late last year: Best DVD and Best Praise Album, and on the morning of this interview, he was on his way to a rehearsal to perform at the South African Music Awards. In addition to performing at the awards, he was nominated for two awards at the most prestigious multi-genre musical award event in the country.

He views these nominations as the beginning of great things to come.

“It was more than an honour just to be nominated. I plan to continue serving God and look forward to

ExpaT-Tunes

MILLION HITS ON YOU TUBE more of his blessings. I am close to dropping my second album and I am also working with others in creating a platform for talent from all over Africa.”

Although Uche is a gospel artist, he is also able to perform inspirational and promotional music.

He would however not record music that is contrary to his beliefs.

“I don’t think it is wrong to sing or appreciate music

that is not bona fide Christian. The Songs of Solomon is a chapter in the Bible made up of mainly love songs. So I am definitely open to collaborating with a secular artist as long as it is not vulgar or distasteful.”

Uche says that as a result of his recent publicity, he now gets recognised in public places. However, he does not consider himself a celebrity and has therefore not let the attention get to him. He does however find it difficult to have to stop and chat to strangers and smile even when he is tired or in a hurry.

He is still single but lets me in on his imminent plans to tie the knot.

When I ask about his hobbies, U c h e

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA

23

ExpaT-Tunes

insists that he is a good cook and an excellent swimmer. He doesn’t fit the profile of an onion chopping Michael Phelps but as he is a man of God, I accept it and we part ways.

- KC Rottok

ExpaT-Talk

What the hell is Web 2.0? s this just fancy marketing speak or is it the techies trying to sound cool? Is it a new technology, programming language or an industry standard?

So-called experts will each give you their own version of what they understand the phrase to mean, which merely serves to confuse you even more. Well, here is a much easier and simpler way to understand it.

You may remember the infamous “dot-com bubble” that many considered a turning point in the Web Development arena.

For the few companies that survived, they almost had to revamp their service offering in order to stay afloat. It became more of what can you offer that doesn’t exist, rather than what you have done in terms of your portfolio. Gradually some of the bigger blue chips began to crumble while others invested all their revenue into research and development.

Every developer, designer and programmer was pulling their hair out trying to come up with new ideas and gradually, the web began to evolve.

wanted them to do more for them than just present information. They wanted to engage their viewers, interact with them and get a return on the massive investment that was web development.

Web applications were born, content management systems popped up and e-commerce websites became basic necessities for companies selling products. Blogs appeared and became a cool thing to have followed closely by email, photo galleries and discussion forums. Then came the big boy – Social Media.

We need to embrace social media as it is one of the cheapest, quickest and most effective ways to sell your brand. Say your website has 100 registered users and each of these users has a Facebook account with 300 friends. Assuming no mutual friends, if you do the math, you can see that this translates to 30,000 potential targets. So if each one of your users was to share a link on their wall or with their 300-odd friends, you have already opened up your brand to 30,000 potential customers.

In conclusion, Web 2.0 has opened up the internet so much that there is almost no limit as to what functionality you can offer on your website or the level of interaction you can give, or better yet, how far information on your site can travel and be shared over the internet

“If your website has 100 users, each with 300 unique Facebook friends - this translates to a potential 30,000 customers for your brand!”

Change started to creep in when companies and users realised that they wanted more than just a brochure-style website. They wanted more from their website than just a ‘pretty face’ on the internet. They

Web 2.0 was well and truly born.

In a nutshell, Web 2.0 became about interactivity more than content presentation.

It became about “letting go” of your website and almost giving it a life of its own.

Some large corporate entities have refused to embrace it and instead want to stick to brochure-style websites. Or so they think.

In more ways than one, approximately 70% of the websites online at the moment have embraced the Web 2.0 craze by using simple tools such as feedback or enquiry forms.

“Web 2.0 means social and open (or at least it should be). It is letting go of control over your data and mixing the global with the local.

Web 2.0 is about new interfaces - new ways of searching and accessing Web content. And last but not least, Web 2.0 is a platform - and not just for developers to create web applications like Gmail and Flickr. The Web is a platform to build on for educators, media, politics, community..... for virtually everyone in fact!” – Quote from ZDNet Andrew Kakai is a Johannesburg based IT Professional.

Email andrew@drutech.co.za

WWW.EXPATRIATE.CO.ZA Shutterstock.com

47

ExpaT-TainerS

Lindiwe: Zamb hen my significant other asked me to take her to watch the musical “Dreamgirls”, I had the perfect answer: “That’s a dream, girl!” After receiving the cold shoulder for two days however, I quickly realised that she had not found my response as amusing as I thought it was and needless to say, I found myself seated in the fourth row of the Teatro at Monte Casino the following Sunday. To my amazement, I was on my feet clapping like a two year old at Bible school as the actors took their final bow.

At the centre of the breath-taking performance was Lindiwe Bungane, the Zambian born singer who played the role of Effie. You may remember her from the show Project Fame which aired on M-Net in 2004 where amateur singers from several African countries competed for an array of lucrative prizes including a recording contract with Bertelsmann Music Group, (BMG).

“I was the eventual winner of the show,” Lindiwe recalled when we caught up with her recently. ”Unfortunately, the life I was promised was not to be. I was spending my own money to sustain myself in South Africa trying to get the recording contract underway.

I attended meeting after meeting but there seemed to be absolutely

no commitment to get me to record my first album. Jonathan, who came second, had already been recorded and I began to realize that it was not going to happen for me.”

Lindiwe gave up on pursuing the contract and things in her personal life became equally difficult.

Being away from then husband Joseph Alam and pursuing auditions in South Africa put a strain on their marriage.

“He was a mechanic in Zambia and had just got a promotion. In spite of this, he wanted to come to SA to join me which I thought was a bad idea because I was struggling here yet we had just had a child and needed the financial stability. His friends speculated as to what I was up to in SA and this precipitated our breaking up.”

Lindiwe found difficult to get as an artist in partly because of her identity.

With her own singing career

it very work S A

ExpaT-TainerS

bia’s Dreamgirl having stalled, she began auditioning for various roles in performing arts.

“My late father was from Transkei and was in exile in Zambia where I was born and raised. To this day I actually only have Zambian identity documents...my South African name and surname got me into auditions but as soon as the organizers discovered that I cannot khuluma, I was out of the running. Being unable to speak any South African language is a big disadvantage,” Lindiwe revealed.

She decided to go back to school which i s where she met her current husband,

“Before Dreamgirls, I had gone on a global tour with the musical The House of the Holy Afro. I was mainly required to sing on that “It’s funny that I have been show so Dreamgirls was my first married to two different Josephs. real acting performance. When I I make jokes with my mum that I read the script, it was like they had married Joe A then Joe B. It seems ‘googled’ my story and written it like I am slowly going down the for me. The similarities between the alphabet!” role of Effie and my life is actually scaring, particularly the significance We took a moment to laugh of the seven years since she fell out then got down to discussing the of the limelight then came back in serious business that was her role in a big way. That is the same period Dreamgirls.

Her luck had from the time I won Project Fame to begun to turn the time I starred in Dreamgirls. In as she was cast playing Effie, I felt like her experience i n various with Curtis her manager who threw stage her out was like my experience with roles. the failed success story that was meant to come out of Project

Fame.”

Lindiwe’s connection with

the role was obvious to all that watched the play resulting in rave reviews from the media who had nothing but praise for her performance.

Cameroonian-born Joseph Bizeng, who was her lecturer.

“All the critics said I did well perhaps with the exception of one lady who said my inexperience showed on the first night. That was family night and I was quite happy that I was able to perform well because five days before that I had lost my voice and had to visit the doctor everyday to get injections. I am a very soft spoken person while Effie is very loud. Her role has only been played by four people, one of which is the Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson so I am in very good company!” she beamed.

23

ExpaT-TainerS

Having been taught by American teachers in Zambia when she was younger, Lindiwe had a slight advantage over the rest of the cast when receiving coaching on the accent. The actors were also required to get the movie out of their heads as it was a pop version of the original play.

“In fact we were told to watch Aretha Franklin as the directors were adamant that we should not come across as singing pop.

Unfortunately they decided to end the shows quite abruptly in spite of improved ticket sales

22

EXPATRIATE

towards the end. I remember the final show was bitter sweet for us.

We were so emotional and I actually was unable to finish the song in the last scene.”

Dreamgirls was a big break for Lindiwe who feels that the role changed her as a person by helping find her strength. She is hopeful that the show will go on tour with her reprising her role as the central character. Additionally, she has recorded an album, live DVD and stars in Vodacom’s new TV advert where she repeats the line “Warra Warra What Wat” in a comical talent competition.

- KC Rottok

Hanging on with Hannington

The sweet taste of a brother’s sweat. rowing up in Uganda, it had been my childhood dream to go to a faraway land where beaches are turned into bedrooms. Where you could sleep naked in the sand sipping orange juice and have no fear of a small-winged animal singing the same song in your ears.

But did you know that your best friend is likely to replace your efforts once you decide to pack your bags for another country?

In a way, I blame the subsequent bedding of my girlfriend on things like mosquitoes and pit latrines because one day I almost fell into one while chasing a neighbour’s dog in Kabuusu! Such things made me think of leaving the country.

But what hurt me the most is that my best friend did not allow me to even first unload my rags from my father’s car. I suspect that because they had both escorted me to the airport in the same car, it is quite possible that they just parked alongside the old airport road and “fired” each other as I boarded the plane to Johannesburg.

A week later I heard the news and picked up the handset to phone the guy. As the voice connected, I was seized by this paroxysm of hysterical giggles which quickly dried into tears.

An ineffable heartache is what I lived to feel later.

But that pain was my fault!

I had been presented with same opportunity earlier while at Makerere University to square with his girl Istockphoto

while he was away in the United States. Although circumstances were perfect for me, I failed to act and today I rue that missed opportunity.

Amazingly or rather strangely, this guy is still a great friend and there is nothing dissembling about it.

But the question is - why do some friends find embarking on your old territory so easy and noble? I guess, it is the same as asking why some people kill.

Why even date your friend’s ex?

Why even look inside her cleavage yet you are my “buddy” and we drink together? Why even follow her to the ladies while we are seated together at Cubana?

Here in South Africa, even where girls are so many like fallen autumn leaves, this disease is rampant particularly in many expatriate communities.

Why oh why? Could it be laziness? Or maybe it is a case of “we can’t all work, some have to enjoy each other’s sweat”. This is quite possible because finding a woman and taking her to bed is not easy. It requires determination, courage, wit, luck, confidence and the effort to tell lies.

But that’s the price of the guava.

It demands some sacrifices like this one time when I used my rent money to organise transport for a girl to my place. When she left two days later, I had to put up a vigorous fight with my landlord.

It is a sad fact but today real men have no problem spending their children’s school fees or medical aid premiums on taking care of their pants.

But for me the ultimate sin is getting action at another man’s expense particularly when that man is your best friend! It not only shows a disturbing lack of judgement but also a complete absence of character.

Hannington Kasirye.

“Having an affair with the ex of a friend shows a disturbing lack of judgement and complete absence of character.”

The Last Word

CAST YE NOT THE FIRST STONE.

“Many years ago these lands were expropriated by people carrying guns without any compensation. And yet, when

people talk of corrective expropriation now, we say no no no like Amy Winehouse to the suggestion of attending rehab” lot has been happening lately including the loss of one Amy Winehouse.

A lovely talent gone too soon. I guess her job here was done and her maker was calling her home.

Then there has been a lot of talk surrounding a certain politician who apparently should be earning something in the region of R20,000 but allegedly has managed to begin construction of a multi-million dollar house. You have all heard about these trust funds being used to conceal wealth. Before we begin to cast the first stone, let’s be honest.

How many fine citizens of good standing have set up trusts to dodge the tax man or whip up some other cunning scheme?

Still on the proverbial first stone, I have been very fortunate to be residing in the tranquil suburb of Bishops Court in the Western Cape for the last few weeks. There hasn’t been a day when I haven’t been gob smacked by the vastness of the enclosed areas around some of these houses. Insane I tell you. I wondered how many informal settlements can fit into one of these plots because that’s how big these places are.

That got me thinking. A good few years ago, these beautiful lands at the base of Table Mountain and those lucrative ocean facing lands on the Atlantic Seaboard had some thriving communities. Then one day someone, in their infinite wisdom decided to pull up with a truck and a gun and tell all these communities to vamoose to outlying areas. And that was that. No compensation, no

52

EXPATRIATE

alternatives provided, just see you later! Yet there is talk of expropriation of lands with no compensation and we all lift up our hands and wave them wildly chanting no no no as if reciting the recently deceased Amy Winehouse’s response to a suggestion of attending rehab.

There is a complexity in solving the issue that is South Africa, make no bones about it. Our checkered past has been built on forcible removals at no compensation because it served the purposes of a few. Time has passed and we have realized that these ‘ill gotten’ gains and the ramifications on the vast majority of the population were unjust.

And yet we are hesitant to entertain corrective measures.

There has been years of talk of compensation for certain lands in dispute but very little agreement seems to have been reached on a number of these lands.

What is next? I pray not a Zim style expropriation because that my dear friends does no one any good. So my suggestion is that before we point fingers and wax lyrical in racial and unconstructive ways, best we start engaging each other.

We should do this with the s o l e aim of

finding an amicable solution. We should speak to each other not at or past each other. Because these rules were created many years ago and we best all learn to play with them or find new rules that will work for us all.

Yaw Peprah is a self employed entrepreneur pursuing interests in business advisory, consultancy and commodity brokering. www.mondaymail. blogspot.com

Opportunities in Africa Uganda

Pan African

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER:

FINANCE DIRECTOR:

US$7 000 – US$8 500

US$10 000 – US$11 000

NGO

Working with families and children.

Full nance function for region.

Ref: JB001

Tanzania

Financial Services

Coordinate and optimise nance functions within African operations.

Ref: CF001

Zambia

Nigeria

FINANCIAL PLANNER: Construction

GROUP REPORTING MANAGER:

FINANCE MANAGER:

Financial planning, assist the business in decision making and risk management.

Ref: BC002

US$10 000 – US$11 000

US$4 000 – US$5 000

Financial Services

US$4 000 – US$6 000

CA with minimum 5 years in group function, strong reporting skills.

Ref: CF004

Kenya US$5 000 – US$7 000

Finance

Hospitality Business - Mombasa.

Ref: JB003

US$6 000 – US$8 000

Must have credit card experience and be able to speak French/Arabic.

Ref: AT002

FINANCE MANAGER: Pharmaceutical

US$5 000 – US$6 500

Minimum 2 years experience in commercial eld. Full nancial management function.

Ref: BC001

FINANCE DIRECTOR: US$7 000 – US$8 000

CREDIT CARD FINANCE MANAGER:

Hospitality

Strong Treasury experience as well as team management experience.

Ref: AT004 Security

Egypt

INTERNAL AUDITOR:

Security

Angola FINANCIAL ANALYST:

Manage a team of 6, overseeing bank reconciliations, months end reports, reporting into the UK. Ref: AT005

FINANCE MANAGER: Security

US$4 000 – US$5 000

Must have strong nancial experience. Undertaking of the reconciliations of monthly nancial statements.

Ref: AT003

Banking

Malawi

US$6 000 – US$7 500

Analysis of market trends, interaction with senior employees, custodian of calculations and insights, nancial reporting, forecasting and revenue management. Maintaining strong relationships with clients. Must be able to speak Portuguese.

Ref: DM001

FINANCE MANAGER: Logistics

US$5 000 – US$6 500 Based in Lilongwe.

Ref: JB004

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT: Manufacturing

US$5 000 – US$6 000

Responsible for full accounting function inclusive of budgeting and reconciliations.

Ref: BC003

Mozambique FINANCE MANAGER: Logistics

US$7 500 – US$8 500

Congo FINANCIAL PLANNER:

HEAD OF FINANCE: Agriculture

US$7 500 – US$8 500

Full control of nance function, 3 direct reports. Must have some operational experience.

Ref: BC005

Agriculture

US$5 000 – US$6 000

Full nance function for small but growing business.

Ref: CF003

FINANCE MANAGER: Agriculture

US$5 000 – US$6 000

Optimise nance function as well as manage operations.

Ref: CF005

Oil and Gas

FINANCE MANAGER:

Preparation and nancial planning to assist the business in decision making and risk management.

Ref: BC002

US$5 000 – US$6 000

US$4 000 – US$6 000

Mining

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER:

CA from a mining background.

Involved in the operational side of the business as well as risk management.

Ref: BC004

US$10 000 – US$11 000

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT:

Oil and Gas

Namibia

Zimbabwe FINANCE MANAGER:

Manage a team of 3, French language is preferable, strong analytical and team player skills required.

Ref: JB002

Swaziland

Telecommunications

US$5 000 – US$6 000

Provide input regarding IFRS statements, technical advice for nancial reports, managing and controlling nancial reports of the business.

Ref: DM002

Portuguese speaking CA with experience in import/export.

Ref: CF002

FINANCE MANAGER:

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER:

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT:

FINANCE DIRECTOR:

US$8 000 – US$9 500

Providing insight and advice to nance team. Must have management experience, assist with month-end and year-end nancial reporting processes, assisting with budgeting and forecasting process.

Ref: DM005

US$7 000 – US$8 000

US$5 500 – US$6 500

Agriculture

US$10 000 – US$11 000

Northern Mozambique – must speak Portuguese and be able to understand the local tax and nance laws.

Ref: AT001

Manufacturing

Banking

Commercially-minded individual with strong technical skills, must have sufcient management experience. Provide training to nance staff, cost reports, budgets, forecasting, reporting. Knowledge on IFRS is required.

Ref: DM004

Banking

Producing monthly management information reports, involved in budgets and forecasting sessions, producing monthly budgets and forecasts, cost accounts, variance analysis. CIMA preferred. Must be able to speak Portuguese.

Ref: DM003

Send your CV to you@antonapps.com quoting the relevant reference 0861 788 788

www.antonapps.com

073 788 7880