The Eminence ll Feb 2015

7th Issue February 2015

www.theeminencemagazine.com

1

The Eminence

2

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

www.theeminencemagazine.com

3

The Eminence

4

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Editor’s Note Revision of Hotel Investment Incentives needs to widen net, expedite implementation It was a busy time for the hospitality sector last month as Addis Ababa played host to yet another African Union Summit. Hotels in Addis were booked at full capacity as usual, even crowding out residents that wanted to have their nuptials at such locations by the end of wedding season. It is the 34th time that the summit is taking place and by now hotel marketers that handle booking and reservations mark the date boldly on their calendars.

But even as this spells business, Addis is still struggling to live up to its name as the Brussels of Africa. The capital with the fourth highest number of diplomats only has three international hotels to its name, and three more local ones that are internationally branded. Together these hotels only provide 990 rooms. Compared to Nigeria’s offering of 40 international hotels with 6614 rooms and Morocco’s 29 hotels with 4828 rooms, it is clear that Addis has a long way to go.

Even with six more international brands expected to be operational by 2017, supply of highstandard hotel rooms is far shorter than the demand. A study by Awash International Bank, reveals that the gap in demand for a night’s stay at a hotel in Addis will be 1.3 million by 2015, and rise to 3 million by 2020.

Lack of adequate infrastructure was one of the shortcomings leaders like the late Muammar Gaddafi mentioned in their bid to move the seat of the AU to another country. Ethiopia luckily escaped that criticism by reminding Africa of its historical contributions to the organization.

However, it is a concern likely to rise again, unless something is done to bring in hotel investments.

Only recently did the government wake up to this concern. Fitsum Arega, head of the Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIC) announced at the beginning of February that incentives provided to the hotel sector are going to get a revision, pending a study. Following the decision made at the second official meeting of the Tourism transformation Council, improving access to land is the top agenda for the revision according to Fitsum.

While this comes as good news to hoteliers and potential investors who have long decried the red tape and lack of adequate space provided when they request to lease land, there are still other important revisions that should be included in the study.

One is extending the incentives for investments in supplementary services to the hospitality sector, including conference halls’; upscale shopping malls; training schools for hospitality service providers and hotel transportation services. Currently, the average stay of a tourist in Addis Ababa is 3.5 nights, a very low number, that can improve if such auxiliary services are abundant.

The second is fostering investments in the industry sector for the production of standard hotel materials. Most international standard hotels rely on imports to provide even the smallest amenities like soap; towels and bedspread. Accessing such things locally, would cut down investment costs and lag time in accessing such materials, as so often happens due to foreign currency shortage and delay in shipments.

Additional incentives like tax write-offs during the first few years of operation, similar to those provided in the industry sector, would come in handy. This is especially useful in attracting hotel investments outside of Addis Ababa at tourist destination sites, as all of the standard international hotels are located in Addis Ababa.

Finally, such a revision could not come sooner. It’s ratification and implementation should be expedited, unlike previous policy measures like the hotel grading and standardization project that took more than two years to bring to the ground.

The Eminence Magazine is published by Eminence plc.

It is registered by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority Registration No 207/2004.

Eminence plc. is registered by the Ministry of trade Business license No MT/AA/2/0001892/2004.

1st year January 2015 issue No 6

Editor-in-chief Mikias Merhatsidk mikias.m@theeminencemagazine.com N/Lafto s.c Woreda 06 H. No 843 Deputy Editor-in-Chief Elleni Araya Elleni.a@theeminencemagazine.com Senior Editors Bezawit Bekele Bezawit.b@theeminencemagazine.com Frehiwot Gebrewold Frehiwot.g@theeminencemagazine.com Kaleab Hailu Kaleab.h@theeminencemagazine.com Mandarin Editor Jiaqi Xie Copy Editor Nahusenay Aferwork Contributors Yibeltal Alemu Tigist Abera Simon Heliso Graphics and Layout Design Fikru Mengesha Photographer Sentayehu Bekele Sales and Marketing Manager Zemenu Tadesse Sales Executive Rahel Alemu Finance and Administration Zinash Habte Distribution Tariku Tessema Editorial Address Tel. +251- 118-637-089 +251-114-165-567 Fax. +251-114-165-557 P.O.BOX 794 code 1110 Web: www.theeminencemagazine.com Bole s.c Woreda 03 H.No 085 Cape Verde Street, off Africa Avenue in front of Sidama Lodge.

This edition is printed at Central PP Kirkos Subcity, Woreda 03 H.No 414 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. www.theeminencemagazine.com

5

The Eminence

News & Current Events

Cote D’Ivore clinches African Cup for Second Time [February 8, 2015] Cote D’ivore took home the trophy for the second time at the 30th African Cup of Nations, beating a strong Ghana side in a drawn out penalty shootout 9 to 8. The match was goalless and lackluster until the penality shootout, where Cote D’iVore’s goal keeper Boubacar Barry vastly improved form to save a miss, and then score the winning goal. Ghana were down on their luck despite enjoying a 54pc possession through out the 120 minute regular match. The competition was held from January 17 to February 8, 2015 in Equatorial Guinea, in a last minute change of venue after original host Morroco declined to accommodate the event due to Ebola scare.

Ethiopian population to reach 90 million [February 6,2015] The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) has projected that the Ethiopian Population will hit 90 million in 2015. Ethiopia is currently the second most populous state in Africa, trailing only Nigeria’s 164 million inhabitants.

Addis Ababa’s light railway train starts trial run [February 2, 2015] The Addis Ababa light rail network started a trial run at the beginning of February along the north south route from Stadium to Saris and Akaki Kaliti. The operation was launched in the presence of Ethiopia’s premier Hailemariam Desalegn, his deputy Demeke Mekonen, Tedros Adhanom, Foreign Affairs Minister, and Diriba Kuma, former Transport Minister and current mayor of Addis Ababa. Services are expected to begin in May 2015.

Addis gets repeat chance to host Africa Hotel Investment Forum [February 1, 2014] Africa Hotel Investment Forum announced via its website that it has chosen Addis Ababa as its host for the 2015 edition, to be held from September 30-October 1, 2014. Sheraton Addis will be the venue for the event. Ethiopia’s capital played host for the first time last year, after the event which saw 520 hotel investors and industry stakeholders was moved from Nairobi.

Investment Agency to Revise incentives for hotel investment, Improve Access to land [February 3, 2015]

Bureau to Develop Entoto Mountain as a Tourist Destination [January 26, 2015]

Fitsum Arega, director of the Ethiopia Investment Commission (EIC), announced that his Institution is conducting a study to revise and improve the previous incentives provided for hotel and tourism sectors. The findings of the study, which will be revealed in the near future, may lead to improvements in accessing land, Fitsum disclosed. The current incentive scheme allows investors to import materials duty free, and provides discount for spare parts.

The Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Bureau has set aside a budget of 30 million dollars to develop Entoto mountain as a tourist destination. The project will include establishing a cultural center showcasing the traditions of the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia as well as a visual and performing arts center. Because the climate of Entoto is suitable, the development will also include opening an Athletics training center, according to the bureau head Gebretsadik Hagos.

6

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe elected as AU Chairman for next year [January 25, 2015] Robert Mugabe was elected as AU chairman during the 24th AU Summit that took place from January 23-31, 2015. The election came amidst concerns about the negative perception in the west of his 28 year rule in Zimbabwe. Mugabe took over the rotating chair from Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania. Ethiopia’s Premier Hailemariam Desalegn held the post prior to the two leaders.

Turkish President Erdogan visits Ethiopia [January 21, 2015] The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Ethiopia for three days during his tour of Africa starting from January 21, 2015. He held talks with Prime Minister HaileMariam Desalegn and President Mulatu Teshome. The visit was hailed to be at high time when the partnership between the two countries has reached a record high with more than 350 Turkish companies operating in Ethiopia, according to Ewnetu Belata, State Minister of Government Communications Affairs Office.

Hotel grading for 600 hotels finally commences [January 15, 2015] After a two year lag, 600 hotels are getting grading and accreditation by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT). The project got a jumpstart after close to half a million dollars financing was secured from the World Bank, and a consultancy agreement signed with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Results are expected by September 2015.

Ethiopian Airlines to fly to Tokyo in April [January 12, 2015] Ethiopian Airlines is to commence the only direct flight between Africa and Japan. The flight from Addis Ababa to Tokyo Narita International Airport will begin on April 20, 2015 and there will be three flights a week. Ethiopian in association with Japan’s leading airline, All Nippon Airways will operate the flight through Hong Kong using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Tourism Transformation Council convenes for second time [January 15, 2015]

Three quarters of a million jobs created by tourism over the past four years, Ministry announces [January 8, 2015]

The Tourism Transformation Council headed by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn convened for the second time on January 15, 2014. The discussion focused on incentive improvements for those who want to invest in the sector, as well as the need for transformation to increase revenues generated from tourism.

Over the past four years of the GTP period, 783,638 jobs have been created, the Public Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced to journalists. This falls 11.5pc short of the target set. Training has been provided to 1.4 million people to work in the sector during this period as well.

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7

The Eminence

Facilities & Accommodations Review

Taitu’s Test Through Fire and Time

Since it was established in 1907, the first hotel in Ethiopia has had to endure obstacles. First it was lack of customers, because the culture of paying for food and lodgings had yet to take hold in feudal Ethiopia. Then it was the name change in the Dergue Era, to push imperial history into obscurity. And more recently it was the much talked about fire that caused damage to the rooms and destroyed Jazz Amba lounge. But the hotel that has provided service for a hundred and seven years, knows a little something about endurance. The manager and staff assure that Taitu will be up and running in a short time. It is already open for business despite the damage.

By Bezawit Bekele Staff Writer

Things did not go as planned for Habtamu Assefa (pictured below), on the morning of January 11, 2015. Normally Sunday morning is the only time the forty seven year old does not have to show up at work bright and early at 7:00am. He has instead developed a habit of exercising during this free time.

On that day however, he was not able to do so, since the night before he had been out with friends. So he headed to Taitu Hotel, where he has served as Head of the Food and Beverage Department for the past 13 years.

There, his first task was sorting a new order of meat which was delivered that morning.

So he went to the ‘meat house’ to talk to

8

www.theeminencemagazine.com

his colleagues Tewabech Tesfaye and Adanech Solomon.

Tewabech Tesfaye for her part arrived at 8:00 am to weigh and accept the meat delivery along with Adanech. But something smelt like it was burning, so she was uneasy.

“It smelt like burning tyres,” she told The Eminence.

She checked around the room but there was nothing. The smell grew stronger however, and she told Habtamu when he got in. They could also see smoke.

“Suddenly we heard something go off. It was the sound of an explosion” Aregash says.

Habtamu then ran out and went to the kitchen which has an adjoining door with Jazzamba Lounge. There, he saw the fire blazing. “At first I thought it was just the curtains which were on fire but when I noticed that it had in fact engulfed the walls, I went back to the kitchen and started taking out the gas cylinders,” Habtamu recalled.

Habtamu, Tewabech, Aregash and the other employees on duty that day then went upstairs and woke up the guests. At the same

7th Issue February 2015

time, people who noticed the smoke from outside the compound were also arriving to help, while others called the Addis Ababa Fire Department. It was this determination by the community and the removal of all the flammables from the kitchen that minimized the damage, according to Habtamu.

The news of fire breaking out in Taitu Hotel, the first hotel in Ethiopia established in 1907, was received with shock both locally and internationally.

Initial reports of 75pc damage however, were found to be untrue. The Jazzamba lounge, where the fire started according to police reports, has been completely destroyed. Translated as ‘a Jazz Fortress’, the place had breathed new life in the old ballroom of the Taitu, with Ethio-jazz performances since its opening in 2011.

From Jazzamba the fire moved up on the west wing of the building to the second and third floors. The second floor hall, which used to serve as a gallery, has sustained damage together with the artwork on display at the time. The 10 rooms on this floor are also out of service, includ-

ing the star attraction, ‘the Presidential suite’ of the Taitu which cost 1000 ETB for a night’s stay. This was the room where the founder of the hotel, Itege (Empress) Taitu Betul (1851-1918), wife of Emperor Menelik used to stay in. The third floor conference hall was also put out of service because of the fire. This was the same conference hall in which dignitaries and foreign diplomats used to assemble.

And yet, though threatened Taitu still stands, its structural foundation intact giving hope to its owner and employees that it will soon be back to form again. After all this is not the only obstacle it faced, during its century of service.

In a country where the habit of paying for food and lodging was unfamiliar, it was hard to cultivate such a culture and if it was not for Menelik’s innovative persistence for change, it might not have taken off. Menelik used to take his court to the hotel and invite them to dinner. The aristocrats felt obligated to return the King’s favor; so they went back to the hotel managed by the Frenchman Muse Frederic Hall. Even then, customers, including Lej Iyassu, grandson

Itegue Taitu’s old room sustained damage to the door and roof (left). The hall on the second floor leading to the different rooms is structurally sound, despite sustaining damage on the roof (middle). The doors to Jazz Amba lounge, where the fire reportedly started (right). www.theeminencemagazine.com 9

The Eminence

The back entrance to Taitu is untouched by the fire. In the hall through the entrance staff were setting up the vegan lunch buffet and fixing up the room, four days after the fire and heir to the throne, had to be discreetly reminded that they had to pay for food and beverage.

After the initial cultural coup, Taitu began giving service both to local and international guests. In addition to hosting tourists from different countries, Taitu has been an inspiration for renowned author Evelyn Waugh’s book ‘Scoop’, published in 1938. Waugh, who has written classic books like ‘Brideshead Revisited’, came to Ethiopia and stayed at Taitu Hotel, then known as Itege (Empress) Hotel during the Ethio-Italian war in 1935, as a reporter for the Daily Mail. The main character in ‘Scoop’ William Boot was sent to Ishmaelia (a fictional version of Ethiopia) and stayed with other correspondents at Hotel Liberty, a parallel for Taitu Hotel. It was not only in the fictional realm that the hotel did not bear the Empress’ name or title. When the military government, Dergue, came to power in 1974, it wanted to get rid of any reminders of the Imperial Era and had decided to change the name to ‘Awraris (Rhinoceros) Hotel. Despite undergoing such changes however, the hotel had endured for over a century, attracting a niche customer base of backpack tourists and Addis residents with a penchant for culture and jazz.

After the initial shock of the fire to this historic hotel, the question many had was whether

10

www.theeminencemagazine.com

the hotel would be restored to what it was before and resumes its services. Ato Ayalew Taddesse, General Manager of the hotel, believes it may be sooner than expected. He hopes the restoration, which will begin as soon as the initial assessment of damage and insurance claims with Nyala Insurance are settled, will be completed before the beginning of the Ethiopian rainy season.

The hotel, designed by Armenian Minas Kerbegian, is one of the registered historical heritages of Addis Ababa. Despite the fact that it was acquired by Fitsum Zaeb Asegedom for $425, 000 when the Privatization & Public Enterprises Supervising Agency (PPESA)put the hotel for a public auction at the turn of this century, any restoration work can’t be undertaken without the participation of stakeholders, according to Ato Messay Demissie, Deputy Head of the Addis Ababa Tourism Bureau and Tourism Development and Heritage Administration Core Process Leader.

With this in mind, an 18-person-committee has been established. The committee is chaired by Gebretsadik Hagos, Head of the Tourism Bureau and Yonas Desta, Head of the Authority for Research and Conservation of the Cultural Heritage serves as its Secretary. The other members of the committee comprise of officials from PPESA, the Mayor’s Office, the media, tour operators and famous

individuals such as Fasil Giorgis, an Ethiopian architect who has worked on the study and preservation of architectural heritages for 20 years as well as Habte Sellasie Tafesse, former minister and father of Ethiopian Tourism. The committee which will be supported by a technical team aims to restore the hotel using the original materials and shape before the fire. It is also expected to come up with the financial sources for the restoration from insurance, sponsors and public funds.

An authorization has already been made for the roofing of Jazzamba to prevent damage because of rain.

The hotel has already begun giving its restaurant services. On Wednesday January 14 it served its famous vegan buffet during lunch and at dinner the restaurant has also featured the legendary Steinway piano, which played its part in ‘Scoop’ to entertain the 6070 guests in attendance. Although the rooms in the main building are no longer available, those in the annex are still giving service.

On Thursday January 15 when The Eminence talked to Habtamu, he was just returning from Arat Kilo, where they have set up another kitchen. He says, with the highly lucrative main fasting season (Lent) coming up, having this space is a blessing until the old kitchen is restored to full function.

“I’m a happy man” he told The Eminence

7th Issue February 2015

Business

The Serious Business of Love Cut Flower Market on Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day does not just bring good tidings to lovers. It is serious business for flower retailers and exporters.

Therefore, all hands are on deck for stakeholders in the floriculture industry, as they gear up towards the busiest season of the year for which they started preparation as far back as November.

By Elleni Araya Staff Writer

Senay Ephrem is responsible for delivering flowers to different homes and offices upon order. He does this at Roseland Flowers Shop, a retailer on Africa Avenue his family operates. The job can get tricky sometimes, especially on Valentine’s Day, especially when secret admirers place anonymous orders.

“Last Valentine’s a guy paid us to deliver a bouquet to a girl he liked anonymously. The moment she saw the flowers, the girl jumped with joy and kissed me instead, thinking I was the secret admirer,” Senay recalls with the shock still evident on his face a year later. The twenty-seven-year old also gets into embarrassing situations when girls refuse to accept the bouquet and rudely demand that he return it.

“I’m just the messenger,” Senay says. Later these awkward encounters turn into amusing anecdotes. But behind the hilarity there is serious business to be done for Valentine’s Day. The celebration of love in memory of the 15th century saint, who reportedly performed wedding ceremonies in secret for soldiers that were forbidden to marry, is slowly gaining recognition in Ethiopia. So are several of it’s observances like sending flowers, cards and gifts to loved ones as well as wining and dining them.

“Ordering red roses for loved ones on Valentine is a trend that has slowly been growing

in the past five years in our shop,” Senay told The Eminence.

For flower retailers, this means business.

They get their largest volume of orders from individuals, offices, and hotels, even exceeding the business coming from wedding season in January and April.

At Roseland, Senay’s brother Henock, who’s been managing the shop for the past 8 years, keeps a stock of around 5000 roses, 65pc of which are red. But come Valentine’s the number of red roses in stock rises close to 15,000, to match the orders that are coming.

There is a hike in prices as well. Henock who buys roses from wholesalers for 1.5-2.00 ETB a stem usually sells them for 3-5 ETB each.

For Valentine’s however retail prices can hike to as much as 10 Br a stem and above, starting from a week before the celebration.

Roseland doesn’t take orders for other kinds of flowers during this time. Delivery is only for Addis Ababa and prices range from 50 Br to 300 Br depending on distance.

Luckily there is supply enough to match the demand. Due to agricultural incentives and foreign direct investment, flower farms have flourished in Ethiopia over the past decade.

“There was scarcely a farm to be found ten years ago,” he says. “Then we used to get flowers from Legetafo.” Roseland was his parents’ business and was the first flower shop on Africa Avenue (then Bole Road)

when it started in 1983.

Today Henock can get a variety of rose species from six or seven farms, brought to his shop by wholesale distributors. One farm can have at least five or six varieties, according to him.

There are currently more than 84 flower farms in Ethiopia, more than half of which are foreign owned businesses by Dutch, French, German, Indian and Israeli entrepreneurs who chose the country for its suitable climate and incentives like cheap land and labour as well as easily accessible loans.

It’s popularity has recently spurred former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), General David Petraeus to buy an Ethiopian Rose farm, through a private equity firm he heads called KKR. Flower farms in the country exported 44.7 billion stems for the 2013/14 fiscal year bringing approximately 200 million dollars in foreign currency for the country. This is an increase of 5pc in volume and 7pc in foreign currency earnings when compared to the previous year.

For these flower farms, business blooms even more during Valentine’s.

At the outskirts of Bishoftu town, 47 km from Addis, nearby the well known Air force Officer’s club, a single lane gravel road leads to no less than fifteen flower farms.

In the middle of the row on the left side of www.theeminencemagazine.com

11

The Eminence

gravel when coming from the main road, lies the 12 ha rose farm of Dutch breeder Olij Rozen International. The company, which bought the farm from previous growers Avon three years ago, currently exports roses for the European market. It also propagates different breeds to sell to local growers. Daily, it exports 40,000-60,000 stems of which 25pct are red roses. For Valentine’s however the share of red roses to total exports reaches 40pct, according to farm manager Harry Lek. To increase production to this level, the Senay (left) and Henock Ephrem (center left) handle the business end of their red roses are pruned nine to ten weeks in advance of Valentine’s. The Rose leaves are Monte Carlo, one of the varieties ready for export at Valentine’s lies on 0.625 ha land inside one of also cut at the shoot to get more stems. The the green houses at Olij Rozen farm in Bishoftu (Down) only other time that pruning is done is when the flowers have been harvested several times and the stems get thinner with less branches and unsatisfactory bloom. When The Eminence visited the farm in late January, four breeds of roses that belong to Olij, named Red Express; Monte Carlo; Red label; and rather aptly Love letter, each growing on 0.625 ha of land, have already been pruned and readied for harvest.

These were housed in two green house tents. For each breed there are around 3000 plants, each yielding 8-10 stems of roses.

Once planted a rose can continuously yield harvest for up to five years.

After harvest these roses will be flown to Liege, Belgium and then will be taken by train to Holland where they are sold to wholesalers to be distributed all over Europe via Aalsmeer Market 13km Southwest of Am- Inside the pack house, kept at a cold temperature of 10 centigrade, nearly 60,000 roses are packed daily (Down). sterdam. This is the biggest flower auction market in the world, where more than half of the flower volume exported from Ethiopia ends up.

Olij’s headquarters are located near Achterweg, with 16 more farms around the world.

Normally the average price of roses at the European market is 0.2 Euro cents, but rises to 0.6 to 0.8 Euro cents when Valentine’s is around the corner, according to Harry.

Some farms even change their usual export destination during this time.

Ethio Passion Agro PLC, a French owned farm in Alemgena, 16 km from Addis Ababa, caters to a different market.

Exclusive wholesale distributors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE receive most of these exports. Peak seasons include Muslim

12

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

family’s flower shop Roseland located near Bole Rwanda on African Avenue

Aalsmeer flower auction market (down), 13 km from Netherlands is the largest flower market in the world. This is where more than half of Ethiopia’s flower exports end up, to find wholesale buyers within minutes, who later distribute them all over the European market. The auction system is called a Dutch Auction, as the prices go down instead of up. Bidders are given a few seconds to offer prices, and lose out if the clock runs out or if somebody else bids first at the stated price while they wait for prices to lower still. Giant clocks display the dwindling seconds and prices at the market.

Daily, 20 million flowers and over two million plants are sold through 13 clocks. On Valentines the amount of flowers sold increases by 15pct.

holidays like Eid-Al-Fatir and Mawlid, where white and red roses are in high demand according to Ermias Argaw, production manager. The 8-10 ha of land that is under production yields about 23,000 stems on average for daily export. Of these 35pct are red roses.

Usually, the deal with the distributors may consist of exporting 10,000 red and white roses each regularly. But come Valentine’s shipment of red roses to such companies decreases to 1,500. Instead the stems are exported to different markets in Europe like England and Italy. Production of red roses increases to 60pc, during this time. Beginning from January 10 up to February 14, the company exports 650,000 red roses alone according to Ermias.

Business is also ripe for cargo fleets like Ethiopian Airlines and the gulf. Due to the large volume of flowers however, the flower farms can hardly find space.

The Ethiopian Horticultural Producers & Exporters Association established in 2002, which has 111 members, around 50 of which are flower exporters, has proved to be a powerful lobbying power in the flower industry. Following complaints of space shortage during Valentine’s over the years, EHPEA had negotiated with Ethiopian Airlines for two additional cargo planes to handle flower exports in February 2013.

Efforts are underway to do the same this year according to Tewodros Zewde, director of EPHEA. “We will ensure that there are no hiccups logistically to hinder business during this peak season.”

Already, the signs have popped up announcing different programs to celebrate Valentine’s. At Alem Building on Africa Avenue, Haile Resort Hawassa asks lovers to enjoy the day with dinner and music and an overnight stay for 2000 ETB via a big banner hanging outside. Asham Africa Logde has also arranged a program and was busy calling flower farms to place an order for the delivery of 10,000 stems when The Eminence contacted them on February 4, 2015.

Retailers in Addis Ababa are also in preparation. Henock and Senay, fresh off wedding season, are gearing up towards this holiday with all hands on deck. This is peak season and they have rolled up their sleeves to do serious business with some fun and surprises on the side www.theeminencemagazine.com

13

The Eminence

Architecture & Interior Design

A House on the Hill: Recapturing the ruins of Addis

By Bezawit Bekele Staff Writer

14

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Sitting high upon a hill and in apparent contrast to the condominium complexes across the street, this house located around Eyesus Church belongs in an episode of MTV’s extreme cribs.

The magnificent structure as it stands is quite different from the aluminum-laden buildings one is used to seeing in modern Addis Ababa. It instead takes one back in time to the Turkish, Armenian and Indian designed old houses during and after the reign of Emperor Menilik.

The house in addition to belonging to an older era in Ethiopian architecture, is also trying to preserve the old Addis in another sense. The materials used in the construction, with the exception of the foundation structure, the roof and the bathrooms, are all recycled from demolished houses. The stone and bricks, wooden structures, all the doors and windows were collected by the owner over a period of five years, scavenging sites of demolition and at times negotiating with the owners once the houses have been marked for tear-down.

The house was designed based on the already collected materials, deciding how and where a certain piece of material would best fit, as opposed to the normal course of choosing materials based on the design of the house, according to Ahadu Abayneh, the architect who designed it. It is also unique that the architect was involved in the construction process from the design up to its completion. There were no contractors or consultants involved, with the architect employing and controlling the laborers directly. This, according to Ahadu, contributed to the final outcome resembling the initial plan.

The house took four years to complete with the owners moving in last August.

The interior of the house, inspired by the owner’s passion for light, a sense of green and communication without barriers, is mesmerizing.

On the first floor of the house where the family room, the dining area, kitchen, music corner and office are located, there are no walls. Instead the partition of space is achieved by using different levels. Standing anywhere on this floor, two or more levels are perceived. The breakfast room, with its high ceiling, open roof and plants, gives the sense of being outside while inside.

The floor made up of tree barks and manure is a thrill for the eye.

The beauty of the house for Ahadu is in its ability to glorify nature with long windows used as a picture frame for the view outside. In fact, each room in the house opens out to the garden, at times creating private enclosed spaces where one can take in the sun or the cold breeze as at the time of The Eminence’s visit around 5:30

pm on Friday January 23, 2015. The second floor where the master bedroom is located has an open terrace in addition to the wider terrace which encompasses the whole of the third floor.

The house also envisages the concept of a gallery with the personal collection of paintings, photographs, materials of cultural importance such as old cooking pots and a large kettle used for ‘tej’, a traditional Ethiopian drink. Books are displayed at almost every corner of the house, along with magazines and periodicals. A wooden piano sits at one end while a ‘masinko’, an Ethiopian string instrument hangs on the wall.

These surprises are put there to get rid of any sense of monotony in addition to the purpose of self-expression, Ahadu explained. The smell of the house coming from the flowers and plants as well as the distinct wood aroma adds to the charm.

Outside, the slopped landscape is expertly utilized. The garden with its beautifully cut green grass, more than 300 species of plants, the fountain and the sound of the water hitting stones on its way down watering plants to the reservoir and recycling back, and the wooden bridge across the garden all give a serene sense.

The garden also has swings at one end and swing-benches all around. At the back there is an outdoor kitchen in line with Ethiopian traditions for baking bread and a vegetable garden with a window seemingly giving the impression that there is a house behind it. There is also a stone-enclosed fire-place set for camp-fires.

The wooden outside door, taken from the once famous Blue Tops Restaurant, adds to the grandeur of the house.

This house is not the only innovative architectural work designed by Ahadu, 43. In 2006, he brought to life his final year project as a student of Addis Ababa University School of Architecture and Urban Planning ten years prior. The project was a tree house using living trees as the basic load bearing structure of the house with mud walls and was featured on Phaidon, an atlas of architectural works around the world. He plans to use this as a pilot project and actually implement it as an environmentally friendly solution to the housing problem in the country.

Ahadu is of the view that it is cost effective to build a house using recycled materials. Even though it requires labor to modify and fix the materials, the price is less than half compared to new materials of similar make and quality.

Ahadu has also taken the inspiration of using recycled materials and used it in the construction of Areque, a guest-house he owns around Imperial Hotel www.theeminencemagazine.com

15

The Eminence

Life Style & Health

Sun Mon Tue Thu Fri Sat

@ Project Wednesday

By Frehiwot Gebrewold Staff Writer

It has recently become common to see people exercising at Meskel Square, especially during mornings. Some people like to exercise on their own while others enjoy working out in groups. If you go there on a Wednesday morning you will see a group of expats and some Ethiopians exercising.

They are participating in Project Wednesday, Addis Ababa, a free fitness group started by Luke Warford and Lucy Dunderdale.

“Our goal is to help people be happier and healthier through participating in a totally free and fun fitness group,” said Luke when talking about the main objective of their project.

For Luke and Lucy, there is nothing like working out in groups. “Wednesday is the halfway point in the week, and you are often the most tired on that day. So Wednesday is the day that can be difficult to motivate yourself to get out of bed and go running. So we want to keep people accountable and motivate them to exercise even on the toughest day. Plus, with jobs or vacation requiring travel, this is often the best day for people,” explained Lucy.

The group meets at 6:30 AM at the square.

The workouts last for about 45 minutes.

They usually consist of fun activity, short warm-up, about 30 minutes of cardio with some ‘spice’ (push-ups, box jumps, other exercises) mixed in, and then a relay race or game. The workouts are designed to be super fun to encourage people jump in and sweat harder.

Lucy relates how the project started, “Luke and I decided to start the project because

16

www.theeminencemagazine.com

we love running and working out. We wanted there to be a place where we could share that love with anyone who wanted to join. It doesn’t matter if you are fast or slow; and it’s free! Plus, getting up in the early morning is not easy, and we wanted to make it as fun as possible. I have been involved with other running groups, but nothing this organized. It’s exciting to be a part of it!”

People had already started using Meskel Square as an exercising spot even before the Wednesday project. Besides, being one of the iconic places in the city, Meskel Square is convenient for many people as it is one of the biggest and safest public places for dawn trainers. This was the main reason for Luke and his friend Lucy to choose the square to gather their group and workout.

Some people are pretty good at talking themselves out of exercising, which is probably why they hit the gym alone. However, once a person joins the workout group, no one wants to be that person who flakes out on the rest of the group.

Joanna is a regular with the group. She learnt about it through social media. She recounted, “I wanted to join the Wednesday Project as a way to keep fit whilst meeting some new people”.

I ran quite a bit when living in London, and having just moved to Addis has been a fun way to make new friends while embracing Ethiopia’s love of running. I first saw the group mentioned on Facebook and encouraged my house mate to get up

The work out includes intense exercises like the box jump routine pictured above

7th Issue February 2015

Luke wearing a green jacket (left) was leading the cardio workout from the back when The Eminence visited on the morning of January 14, 2015 at 6am the next Wednesday to investigate it with me! I’ve been [here] every week since. It’s a fun way to get some free exercise before work, and everyone’s very welcoming, especially Luke who runs the project. Everyone runs at their own pace and hence it is super encouraging for everyone involved. Definitely come along and try it!”

The Wednesday Project is unique because it is a place where anyone can go and work out together for free, regardless of your athletic ability. “It is special because it is a welcoming place where you get what you put in: the more you come and the more excited you are, the more fun you will have,” said Luke.

Studies on the psychological effects of exercise have found that regular physical activity can improve your mood and the way you feel about yourself. Exercise is likely to reduce depression and anxiety and help you to better manage stress.

The benefits of exercise extend far beyond weight management. Research shows that regular physical activity can help reduce your risk for several diseases and health conditions and improve your overall quality of life. Regular physical activity can help protect you from health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity among others.

For Luke it is not his first time to involve in such projects. There was a similar group that he did when he lived in Washington DC, which is part of a global network and a free fitness group. “We were inspired to start the Wednesday Project by a global

movement of free fitness groups around the world, including Seoul, Korea; London, UK; Edmonton, Canada; and Washington DC. The Wednesday Project is the first group we know of this kind in Africa,” added Luke.

There are about 10,425 fitness meet up groups in 2,162 cities from all over the world. About five of these groups are in Africa and the Wednesday Project aims to become the sixth one shortly.

There is no requirement to join the group.

According to Luke all an interested person should do is just to be at Meskel Square on a Wednesday morning. “As you pass other participants, you are encouraged to offer words of support and high fives. All of the workouts are also designed to work for people of all athletic abilities, from those who have never run a 5K to people training for a marathon. They are also all self-contained in a certain space (in this case, Meskel Square) so that no one gets left behind,” said Luke.

The group has been running workouts since late October. They have had anywhere from 2-14 participants, including both Ethiopians and expats. They have plans to try and grow the group as big as they can. For people who love to work out with others and not alone, joining this project can be ideal. “We are trying to grow. I want to get 50, 100 or even 200 people. Honestly, the more people you get the more fun it is and the harder you push yourselves. It is also a great opportunity to meet people,” explained Luke www.theeminencemagazine.com

17

The Eminence

Art & Literature

Paulo Coelho

Adultery’s Letdowns Translated by Margaret, Jull Costa and Zoe Perry (Knopf publishing, 2014)

By Bezawit Bekele Staff Writer

Paulo Coelho writes fairytales for grown-ups.

They speak of an enchanted world with alchemy, magic, omens, re-discovering past lives and the feminine face of God. This could be the reason why Amazon has classified his books in the category ‘Magical realism’. In his latest book Adultery, however, you don’t find shepherds in search of dreams, spiritual pilgrimages, modern day witches connecting with their ancestors or warriors of light. Adultery is the story of an ordinary woman, Linda.

The book begins narrating the rather lucky ‘misfortunes’ of this woman, a respectable journalist in her 30s. She and her husband, one of the richest men in the country, live in Geneva with their two children. Ten years on, they still love each other.

If perfection ever existed, you would think this would be it. Paulo,however callously, doesn’t give us much space to envy Linda. By her own admission, she is ‘tired of leading such a happy, perfect life’ despite having no real problems to speak of. If she hadn’t asked whether this was a sign of mental illness, you would presume it was. ‘Is this it?’ she asks a question we all ponder even more than the legendary ‘to be or not to be’.

Linda’s woes begin with an interview she conducted with a writer, who might quite possibly be Paulo Coelho himself. He tells her, “I haven’t the slightest interest in being happy. I prefer to live life passionately, which is dangerous because you never know what might happen next.”

She deduces from this conversation that what her life lacks is this sense of risk. The risk she decides to pursue is an affair with an ex-lover, Jacob König who is now a politician. Although he is also married, they found common ground in their apathy leading to the usual wining and dining, one or two intense and meaningful conversations and a few racy scenes.

18

www.theeminencemagazine.com

Because the story is written by Paulo Coelho, the man can romanticize even a dark subject such as suicide (Veronica decides to die) it becomes more than just two people who are unfaithful to their spouses. Fidelity itself is questioned along with the duality of the human character. Aren’t all of us capable of doing anything if a woman like Linda can approach a drug dealer on the street (who just happens to be the wittiest character in the book) with the sole purpose of framing her lover’s wife? Robert Louis Stevenson may have written ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ in 1886 but it is still a very relevant theme to the modern age.

In terms of message, Adultery is a sequel to all the other books Paulo has written from the Pilgrimage in 1987 to his last book before Adultery, Manuscripts Found in Accra, which was published in 2013. Recurring themes from Paulo Coelho’s books including the kind of love that can ‘transfer slavery into freedom’, a life accepting of risks, the path of finding, losing and rediscovering ones dreams find themselves in Adultery as well. In terms of other traits, however, Adultery is far behind masterpieces such as The Alchemist, The Zahir, Eleven Minutes and Aleph.

The characters lack detail and are not really relatable to the reader. Of course, as a narration in the first person, readers may feel a connection with the main character Linda until they think back and realize that they don’t even know her second name, her husband’s name or how old her children are. The characters that are named such as Linda’s lover Jacob or his wife Marianne are flat with just one or two of their personality traits on display.

It is Switzerland that comes out as the most glamorous character in the book. Its fame for neutrality, referendums (such as on the color of trash bags), classic watches

7th Issue February 2015

credit : amzon.com

Paulo Coelho and the shortest term of presidency (only a year) are only a few of the things you learn about the country of the Alps. In fact Adultery can serve as a source for an anthology of fun facts about Switzerland.

Also interesting to read is the financial aspect of adultery. Infidelity is a multi-million dollar business. In Europe alone 80 million dollars is spent yearly by people who hire detective agencies to investigate a spouse they suspect is cheating. It is also profitable for hotels and mobile application developers who play both sides of the field providing virtual tools on how to get away with infidelity and how to catch one at it.

The poor characterization is accompanied by a mediocre plot which borders on the implausible at some points. From the start it seems farfetched to believe that a simple cliché speech would send a previously grounded woman to questioning everything she held dear. Then we are forced to swallow this same woman falling in love with a man with whom she shares neither physical chemistry nor a deep emotional connection. Then she believes it is just a fling; or is that because her love is unrequited? Paulo revived our belief in soul mates in By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept and The Zahir but he committed blasphemy against his own religion when he created an affair born in boredom.

Perhaps the most intriguing story in the book is one not conjured up by the writer. It is inspiring to encounter the British poets Lord Byron and Percy Shelly who made a bet in Geneva to write a book within a year but soon forgot. Percy’s wife Mary who was not in on the bet, however, decided to follow through and she delivered one of the classics, Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus. Ironically Mary pursued Percy Shelly who was married when they met.

Despite its disappointments in story line, the book does raise very recurring themes in con-

temporary life: dissatisfaction; depression and the many solutions each of us devise to get through it; misconstrued culture of philanthropy where the benevolent is not concerned with where the money goes; and the decline of community values. In that sense it is more pragmatic than any of Coelho’s works without disregarding the main idealistic ‘Love Conquers All’ percept.

Paulo Coelho is not Charles Dickens, so the 272page book in hardcover is an easy read. The language is simple but engaging. Here credit should be given to Margret Jull Costa who translated the book from Portuguese to English with Zoe Perry. Margaret has also translated all the previous 15 published books by Coelho.

The Alchemist remains to be the highest selling book by the Brazilian author with over 65,000 copies sold worldwide. Adultery was released in Portuguese on April 10th, 2014 followed by the English and Spanish versions on August 19th, 2014. The release prompted a lot of hype on social media with people from all over the world posting pictures of themselves reading the book.

Paulo has led a far from ordinary life in his 67 years on this earth (not counting his claimed reincarnations) and that is reflected in his works as well. Whether it is an autobiographical piece like the Pilgrimage, which narrates Coelho’s journey through the spiritual path, the Road to Santiago or others like the Valkyries and the Witch of Portobello in which he draws stories from his experiences as a Magus, the appeal of his works is in their transcendence from the mundane everyday affairs to exploring the mysteries of the world, some that lie within us.

Adultery only achieves a friction of this but if this was Switzerland and we were holding a referendum on whether the book should be read, the vote is in favor of reading it and judging with individualistic taste and valor www.theeminencemagazine.com

19

The Eminence

20

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Yeshih Gabicha Coming Soon www.theeminencemagazine.com

21

The Eminence

Interview

Hospitable Haile Running a Different Kind of Race

For many he is the legendary athlete that made Ethiopia a household name when it comes to long distance running. But Haile has more things to talk about these days, other than world records and gold medals. With more than half a billion Br investment in three resorts, and a small share in Yaya Athletics village, Haile is now a hotel magnate with plans to expand his Haile Resort chain throughout the country, in the same manner as his role model Bekele Molla. He shared his thoughts on the hospitality sector with The Eminence’s Elleni Araya, inside his office on the eighth floor of Alem Building. Excerpts:

22

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

The Eminence: I’m here to talk to you about the hospitality sector. But in-light of our recent swoop of the top twelve spots at The Dubai Marathon Men’s race, I can’t help but ask, have you ever encountered anything like it during your life time?

No. It feels like Dubai is an Ethiopian state now (laughs). We have not encountered such a thing before. However, even in the past Dubai Marathon usually includes many Ethiopians. Almost 90pc of the major athletes participating in the Dubai Marathon are our citizens. To begin with, the organizer is fond of Ethiopians. Second, most of the foreign residents in Dubai are Ethiopians, more so than Kenyans or other citizens. Moreover, the transport to get there is cheap. So we’ve made back-toback wins before, but this is the first time that we have nabbed the top 12 spots.

Even in the women’s race only the second and third runner ups are Kenyans, the rest are ours.

You were seen serving as commentator for the event.

Yes. Adidas is a sponsor of the event, and as I’m an Adidas ambassador went there. I will also be there for the Milan and London Marathons.

Will you not run at these Marathons?

No. I’m running towards a different direction these days. Totally different. Now I am in the business race.

You’ve made many investments in Ethiopia, the hotel sector being one of them.

Consequently, you were invited as the keynote speaker at the African Hotel Investment Forum, where you said this was a ripe time to invest in the Hotel sector in Africa and Ethiopia. Why do you think the sector is so ripe?

One of the reasons I said that is because the rest of the world has been built already.

There is nothing more to add. But Africa and Ethiopia are still under construction.

Here you can build many things. The continent was sleeping for a long time. But now, It is at the take off point. Even tourism is at the initial point of development. The second reason is that there are some initiatives being taken in the tourism sector in recent years. There are encouraging signs.

However, I must say here that there is a lot to be done. They say tourism is a smokeless industry but I don’t agree. It has created many bust ups. Chief among these is lack of much needed co-ordination between different institutions. In tourism, all things are a factor starting from the origin point when a tourist books a ticket, to the service he gets in the airplane, to the check-in process at the airport, all the way to his travels in the country side. We have to co-ordinate all these things. If the tourist has a positive experience, then he will give positive feedback and bring more people in. But if he encounters an obstacle at any point in his journey, if for instance he was pick pocketed, or harassed on the street, or was asked to pay inflated prices, or given shoddy service then forget it. He will not come again.

“People have to come. Otherwise, the hotels I built in different places are in vain” That’s why co-ordination is important. If you are going to ask ‘how much money are you bringing in?’ when, a tourist comes through the airport, or prevent camera equipment and other materials from entering, it will have an impact. Some things are unique to Ethiopia. For instance, asking somebody if he has brought more than the allowed sum of money into the country.

This doesn’t make sense. If he wants, why not let him bring a billion into the country.

We have to make things free. I say this out of self-interest. People have to come. Otherwise, the hotels I built in different places are in vain. I’ll have no choice than to pray for people to come.

The government has recently established the Ethiopian Tourism Organization and the Tourism Transformation council, all in the hopes of bringing about this coordination you mentioned. They have also

set an ambitious plan to be a top five tourist destination by 2020. Have you been asked to join these institutions, or approached to provide an opinion?

As a matter of fact, I am a member of the tourism institution that the government established. However, I don’t think setting out plans is our problem. What is scarce is implementation.

Even if you look inside my office, there are piles and piles of future plans on my desk.

When I ask for feasibility studies to venture into new businesses, I get a thousand proposals. But this is a dream. It’s the same with tourism. After the institutions have been established, what has been done so far?

For instance, it has been years since plans were made to issue a set of standards for star-rating hotels. Does it really take this much time to provide standards for hotels? This is the problem.

You just mentioned feasibility studies.

Are there plans for additional hotel construction included in these?

Yes. Plenty. But you have to consider what goals you have to achieve in the future, and what you need to reach them. There are many big hotels here, aside from Sheraton, Hilton, and Ghion. But If you’ve noticed, most of them are near the main road and don’t have much space. It is hard to conclude that guests staying at such hotels will have a restful night. This is the feedback I got when talking to tourists and foreigners. They always say that the noise of cars or some other thing has disturbed them including the noise from religious institutions.

Is this the reason why you have built your hotels in places like Hawassa, Zeway, and Shashemene outside of Addis ?

Well I’m still looking for suitable space in Addis Ababa. All available land which is 3000sqm, 4000sqm or 5000sqm are by the main road. How am I going to build a hotel there? Like I said a lot of upscale hotels have been built here in Addis Ababa. But if these hotels had a little more space, it would have been useful not just for the owners, but for us too. If for example they had 1000sqm to build the hotel, and another 1000sqm infront, and it is some distance away from www.theeminencemagazine.com

23

The Eminence

the main road, it would be much better. By the way this will help us when hosting major international events or hold Championship sporting events here. It is one of the evaluation points.

When aiming to the host African championships, availability of hotels is important even more so than stadiums. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the greatest obstacle Equatorial Guinea [host of the current African Cup of Nations] faced is scarcity of hotel rooms for people to stay in. So things like this can ruin a country’s good name.

When did you first entertain the idea of becoming a businessman. Was it during your running days?

Well you know, essentially, running is also a business. Don’t be fooled.

In my case, whenever I competed abroad I always had this wish for the facilities I see there to be brought to Ethiopia. I would think “I wish I had this” or ‘I wish I had that in Ethiopia’. Initially there was this ground plus two building I built and sold. Then a year later, I built the Haile Gebreselassie building near Waryt. Finally, I constructed this building in 1988EC. [Alem Cinema Builing on Africa Avenue.] And we [Haile Alem International] has been in business since 1990 EC. What made you decide to enter the hospitality sector?

This one time I went to South Africa and stayed at Kruger Park for business. I can’t describe to you what I saw there. Then the same year, I went to Spain in Triana for an Adidas campaign and saw that you had everything in that place once you check in. And big personalities were there too, be it formula one drivers, or tennis players. They spend their summer working out.

I was envious. I started wishing that we had these kind of places in Ethiopia. Then I heard that there was some space in Bahir Dar and when I saw it, I thought we can actually make this a reality. We can expand. So I participated in the auction there. That did not work out, though I had saved money. Then I asked for the 5000sqm space I was awarded in Hawassa after I got back from Sydney Olympics. [Haile won the 10,000m race there]. They were surprised and said “you haven’t claimed it until now?” So I told them my plans and said they should give it to me. But even that was not enough, and I asked for an additional 6000sqm space right next to it, which they told me to lease. So I said, ‘never mind let’s just first build the structure, but this won’t be enough.’ They said it was a risk. But we are slowly expanding, and now that space [for Haile Resort Hawassa] is no less than 30,000sqm. The [business] activity is good.

The hotel in Shashemene [was built] because

24

www.theeminencemagazine.com

tourists visiting the South have to go see everything before they stay in Hawassa. But now they can stay in Shashemene. After that we started a third Hotel in Zeway. When we opened for business in Zeway we had around 12,000sqm. We slowly expanded. But still there wasn’t enough space. So now I have bought a neighboring property from another person, and it’s going to be big. If you check it out in June, it will have excellent facilities. So that’s what I want. Building on large space so that people can relax, children can play, and people that come for conferences are comfortable.

“Whenever I competed abroad I always had this wish for the facilities I see there to be brought to Ethiopia.”

Do you think that it has turned out the way you dreamed at first, similar to those resorts abroad you were envious of?

Well Tinchel Bakemua Tagetalech. [You do things according to your capacity] I was at Jumeira beach in Dubai recently. We can build something similar here. But the question is, how many people can afford it in Ethiopia?

When I build a hotel in Ethiopia, I first have to assess the business we can generate here.

How many people in Ethiopia will pay me 2000 to 3000 ETB a night? How many will pay 1000 or 500 ETB if we go to Hawassa, Shashemene or Zeway? One person may pay you a sum of 2000 ETB or 3000 ETB two or three times. But after that a few people would pay and you will close it off for the rest. So, in the end it all comes down to the business we can generate.

Are there plans for expansion in the future?

Of course.

How many rooms?

In Hawassa for instance we currently have 112 rooms. Plus we have added 14 summer houses.

We are just finishing that up. These 14 are family houses. They have a living room, kitchen etc…

In Zeway, we have 62 rooms, including our current expansion. In Shashemene, you may not be able to expand that much because it’s in a town. We have built our hotel a little way off the main road. It has 52 rooms. We can also add

to that vertically. There is some space left. But that in itself is no less than 7000sqm.

How much has being athlete Haile Gebreselassie helped you in attracting customers? Do people come on purpose, because you are a celebrity?

It has it’s pros and cons. The down side is that people come with big expectations when they hear ‘Haile has built a hotel’. I get loads of comments like “why didn’t you do this?” “Why did you not add that?” And I mumble to myself, ‘are they going to provide me money to do all these things they say?’ (laughs) The benefit is that people come because I’m there. But the responsibility is also heavy. I have to be very careful to keep my reputation. A little mistake can be exaggerated and reported everywhere because of who I am. And in the hotel business not everybody is innocent. There are many things you pass through on a daily basis.

But of course I have benefited greatly as well.

It is rewarding because most people visiting go away happy. They come and say ‘thank you.’ So that has given me a moral boost. You see, you have to know the things to focus on to attract tourists. For example in Shashemene, tourists come to rest after touring around the south.

The first thing that they do when they come is use the lavatory and bathroom facilities. I think we overlook that part when building hotels.

We build nice hotels all the time. But we don’t pay proper attention to the bathroom facilities.

Especially, when we go outside of the city. For example, we are currently organizing the Youth Championships here in Addis. Guess what the major renovation work involved? Fixing bathroom facilities. Seriously. It is something that we have not even paid attention to in each of our homes. We have to provide a clean bathroom that people can use. Most people think it’s a waste of time to invest in clean toilet facilities. They tell you ‘what are you doing? Invest more on the restaurant, and the reception and the façade’, because this is our culture.

So far you have mentioned lack of space, inadequate provision of facilities, and lack of awareness as major challenges in the hospitality sector. What other obstacles have you faced?

Let me put it simply. Ethiopians should bring out the hospitality with which they accommodate guests in their homes to the hotels.

That’s it. How do you treat a guest in your home?

Even if you don’t have that much money, you are very hospitable So Ethiopians can do this for a salary. That is what I tell my employees at work. Labour over the service the same way you do for a house guest. Then It will be perfect.

Have your fellow Kenyan competitors and

7th Issue February 2015

friends visited? Paul Tergat for instance?

Well Paul has not only visited, but he has stayed in my hotel for two days. Over there, it is very difficult for them to enter the business world.

It’s very competitive in Kenya to break into the industry dominated by foreign businesses. So they have to be perfect. As a matter of fact, this may also be the case in Ethiopia in the future. I may also hold my tongue in a few years.

You see I am working to improve myself and make my business stronger. But, I also want to ask the government to protect local businesses.

It has to enable them to become strong. We have to be encouraged to grow. Otherwise there will be a gap that will be filled by either the Turkish or the Chinese or other foreign businesses. They will dominate and the bigger fish will swallow the smaller one. So I want to use this platform to appeal to the government to work on strengthening local businesses.

How can it do that? The doors have been

opened already. During the African Hotel Investment Forum, six international hotels have announced their plans to enter the Ethiopian Hospitality market. Radisson Blu is talking about building several other hotels in the country. So it’s inevitable that foreign investors are coming.

If we’re speaking honestly, the privileges provided to foreigners and Ethiopians are not the same. There is an issue of trust. Sometimes foreign investors would come and ask for land, and it is granted easily no matter how large. We have to admit this. The government should work to foster the growth of big local investors. Because after all, they are Ethiopian. Foreign investors are interested in making profits to take back home. Of course anybody who does business does so for profit. That is the main focus. Ethiopian businesses are the same in this regard. But when Ethiopian businesses make profit, they spend it here. They invest here.

The incentives provided to foreigners should also be provided to Ethiopians. Is that what you’re saying?

Yes! You know what I actually like the Chinese model. What China did first was locally create big companies using her own people. If you look at the Chinese companies that come here to work, they were ones that did not have anything a few decades back. One of the road companies working here, is supported by the [Chinese] government.

Of course, it may be hard to provide such support here, as all of the government’s resources are being spent on infrastructure development.

But there are some incentives the government can provide. It should not just expect gratitude for importing hotel items duty free. If we sit down and calculate benefits, the government is also benefiting from thriving businesses via profit tax. It has to take that into account.

For instance, not one has approached me to ask about my challenges an offered to improve them. In fact, I am more grateful to the regional governments who have provide me with land immediately after I asked them. They process your request quickly. Moreover, we incur a lot of cost because hotel amenities are not found in the local market. We do not even produce soap that is up-to-par for hotel service. We have to import all these from abroad. So the government has to work on cutting back the red-tape when it comes to things like this. Free it up a little bit.

Of course I understand the government’s predicament. The developers also have many problems. They take shortcuts and steal. Those that have honest dealings have become few. That’s why the government has tightened the laws a bit. But you have to improve some services at the same time.

Of all the business ventures you are involved in, which one is the easiest in-terms of operation and returns?

Are you seriously using the word ‘easy’? [laughs].

Well relatively. Actually which one is easier Haile? Running or doing business?

Sitting down [laughs again].

It’s because I have heard you mention once that running is easier because the rewards are immediate?

Yes. Actually running is easier. You know why? In business you have to deal with and go to a lot of people. Your partners are many. The government is my partner more than anybody else. We have a 30pct share profit partnership right? Because I pay 30pct taxes from my profit. That is why I tell the government, ‘you are with us more than anybody else, that is why you should support us and stand beside us.” www.theeminencemagazine.com

25

The Eminence

How about from your businesses? Which one will you chose to involve yourself in if you get more money?

Well so far, building office space and renting it is easier. You only incur losses once in the beginning. If you work through that challenge and construct the building, it’s easy after that. But hotels are hard.

It is very difficult business, hotels. A person who wants to make profit off of the hotel industry must first have a big commitment. That is because you can’t easily get out of it once you enter.

The returns take a while?

Not only that. Other businesses consume your money, but the hotel business consumes you and your time too. You know why? It needs constant attention. After I opened the hotel, I am not Haile anymore. I used to have a get together, Mahiber, every Sunday, especially when I used to live in Bole. I had good fellowship with them.

But now that’s gone because I have to attend to Hotel matters.

But you have plans to build additional hotels.

Yes. Because I am stubbornly ambitious for success.

Where?

Well the fourth one is going to be in Addis Ababa.

But I am also thinking about going to the Arba Minch. I am looking at Mekelle and Bahir Dar as well.

Which one has seen progress so far?

Addis Ababa. But the problem is all the land I find in Addis Ababa is very small. And price is costly. When you do find suitable space that is around 10,000sqm the asking price is in millions and you begin to think, ‘What am I going to build the hotel with?’ One day it will work out. My father used to say, ‘Mistna bet Yedenegetubeten new”, [‘When you choose a wife or a home, you chose the one you have fallen for]. The one’s I have built so far are good.

Are you actively involved in the day-to-day aspect of the business or do you have managers for that?

I have managers. But I follow up actively.

How often do you go there on a monthly basis?

I go weekly. I rotate between the hotels every weekend. Last Sunday it was Zeway. I will go again the day after tomorrow.

Since they are all in the same direction, God bless Bekele Molla [a pioneer hotelier who had a chain of hotels along southern Ethiopia[smiles], it’s easier to visit.

I follow his principle. He was very wise. When hotels are all in the same direction it is not difficult to reach all of them. I even transport hotel materials in my van, if the hotel cars are unable to take them. It’s not bad.

26

www.theeminencemagazine.com

What’s your involvement in Yaya athletics village? It’s up your alley because it ties in together both athletics and hospitality.

I am an advisor. The major shareholder is one of my very good friends. I used to know him a long time ago, when he used to run for Canada.

So when he came and said he wanted to do this and asked for advice, I gave him some. When he asked me to be his partner, so I bought a small percentage.

He’s doing really well now. He’s very smart. He has garnered business on that route. I admire him so much. He has labored over it. Of course when the foreigners come, they ask for ‘Haile’, so I go there and oversee things sometimes. Tell them to improve some things.

It has become a good facility and he has brought in qualified people. Now there is no space for athletes, it’s fully booked. Surprisingly Athletes, train here. In-fact Kenenisa has also built a similar training center. Mo Farah came recently to train, and couldn’t find space in Yaya so he is staying at a hotel now. He is doing training here.

So in the future there is a lot of demand.

Do other athletes ask you for advice? Kenenisa for example?

We talk sometimes. Not just about hotels but business in general and other things. Athletes usually meet when there is some occasion. Then we sit down and talk about what we are doing and exchange advice. But more than what you tell them, they mostly observe what you have done and follow your footsteps.

Our generation and the one’s that came after are in a good place. They have invested their money prudently. They have all created work opportunities for their compatriots.

It’s not about what you get. It’s about what you have done with it. I usually tell my friends. I know Worku Bikilla, [an athlete who owns a hotel at Dukem]. In his running career the highest amount of money he got paid was 20,000 dollars

as my pacemaker in Zurich in 1995. After that he used to get some money here and there, be it $3000, $5000, $10,000.

Today, his employees in Dukem are no less than 150. If you’ve seen him, he has expanded and branched out several times. I used to tell him “Worksha do something. Invest”. I think he is a good example. So I tell all the young athletes about Worku all the time. If you’ve noticed the money [athletes] win is a lot. In Dubai the award money is 200,000 dollars. That is more than 4 million ETB. It can build a factory.

How old is your eldest daughter?

Eden is sixteen now.

And the youngest?

Nati is 9.

Are they going to be athletes or do business?

What advice do you give them?

I don’t think you can inherit running talent. In fact I think success in sports, running especially, has to do with hardship. The difficulties and hardship you encounter growing up, shape you into becoming a good athlete. I don’t just think, it’s a fact.

The background of 99pc of athletes in Ethiopia, is from rural areas. It is a hard life, and most of the daily activities require running around.

It’s hard to find good athletes in Addis Ababa.

In the history of Ethiopian athletics, we have found two very good athletes from Addis Ababa.

Meseret Defar and Million Wolde. And both of them have lived a life equally as hard as those of us who grew up in the countryside.

Seriously. If you ask Mesert about her life, you would be surprised. It is similar to the life we lead in the countryside.

What lessons from your success on the track have you applied to your business?

Winning. Coming out on top and continually improving. That is what’s similar about running and business. So I fight very hard in business as well. I don’t know when. But what matters the most I guess is coming out on top in the end.

All is well that ends well. Even in running that’s what you do. You stay a few distances back and then overtake the other runners during the last lap to reach the finish line. So I think I may surpass and come out on top, yet. Who knows.

I only started being engaged in business full time this year. Until now I’ve been dividing my time fifty-fifty.

So you won’t run again?

I will run. I just won’t compete. Actually I will participate rarely, on the sly (in a joking manner).

Maybe try the Dubai Marathon again next year.

You’ve won it three times already.

No! No! No!! Not Dubai. There are twelve athletes that came out on top. You want me to be 13th?

7th Issue February 2015

www.theeminencemagazine.com

27

The Eminence

History and Diplomacy

Long and Checkered

Ethiopia & Portugal Throughout the Years The Portugal embassy was celebrating the anniversary of an impressive 500 years diplomatic relationship between Portugal and Ethiopia last February. However, little can be inferred about this long history from the state of the current cultural and social exchange between the two countries. The Eminence refers to history and the expert reasoning of Isabel Bovida, to reconstruct the 500 years and understand how the current situation came to be.

By Elleni Araya Staff Writer

Less than Twenty. That’s the number of Portuguese nationals currently residing in Ethiopia.

One of them Isabel Bovida, cultural attaché for the Portuguese Embassy and a Professor of Lusophone studies at Addis Ababa University told the Eminence this, while laughing at the shock the information caused.

“It is a small number,” she admits sitting at the stone steps inside the compound of the National Museum where an Art Exhibition depicting the diplomatic relations of Portugal and Ethiopia was open for viewing on January 24, 2015.

Just how small it is becomes magnified, in light of another figure that is thrown around when speaking of Ethio-Portuguese historical ties : Five hundred years.

Half a millennium ago, Eleni, queen regent of Ethiopia, sent an Armenian born in Egypt by the name of Matewos as an Ambassador to Portugal’s King Manuel I and Pope Leo X. She was seeking the Christian empire’s support to counter the growing Ottoman influence in the region.

Eleni, the wife of Zara Yacob who later served as the queen mother to his son Bede Maryam and Naod, was influential in the politics of the time which saw many wars between the Christian kingdom and surrounding Muslim Sultnates. She herself was born Muslim and converted to Christianity upon her marriage to Zera Yacob. Her influence continued during the reign of Lebena Dengel, which was when she decided to send an emissary to Portugal for help. She was advised to do so by Pêro da Covilhã, a Portuguese who was sent to explore the source of cinnamon and other spices in East Asia and Africa who later ended up to Ethiopia in 1494.

28

www.theeminencemagazine.com

With a piece of the true cross at hand, and his wife, brother- in- Law and servants in tow, Matewos set sail. The trip was filled with adventures like robbery and detainment, which he overcame to reach Goa, India in 1512, then a Portugese province. There he was received with honor by Portugese governor Afonso de Albuquerque. This was because by then Western Europe has heard of a Christian Kingdom in the east led by a king, Prester John, which they have long believed was Ethiopia’s king Zerea Yakob. Some however were suspicious thinking him to be a spy and a Muslim.

In 1514 he went to Lisbon, where the letter by Eleni was received well by king Manuel. The monarch sent an embassy along with Mateos to establish the diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.

Included in this retinue sent to establish an embassy was Rodrigo De Lima and Francisco Alvares, the Jesuit missionary later known for his detailed account of Ethiopian life in the book The Prester John of the Indies. The trip was a long one, with the delegates arriving in Ethiopia in 1520.

It is the start of this diplomatic relationship that the Portugal Embassy is currently celebrating in Addis Ababa, through Piano recitals, musical drama and art exhibitions held at the National Theater and National Library.

Part of the paintings at the exhibition in Addis Ababa national museum are contributions from Ethiopian artists who were asked to depict their conception of Mateos. Some portray him as a priestly figure with a long turban, extended white beard and a majestic looking staff. Others have magnified his Armenian looks painting a dark moustached man with brown complexion, while one picture depicts him with an upturned moustache.

During his visit to Portugal in July 1959, Emperor Haile Selassie greets Antonio Salazar, then Portugal’s prime Minister When this picture is pointed out to her, Isabel laughs and says “Yes. Yes. He looks quite Turkish.”

The initial contact so celebrated in the exhibition did not last long. If the Portuguese Ethiopian, relationship is marked by longevity, it is also one that is marred by discontinuity, experts like Isabel agree.

After the Portuguese arrived in Ethiopia, it was discovered that they did not fully understand why their help was solicited, according to historical documents. Lebne Dengel felt that Matewos did not properly present his case to the Portugese.

7th Issue February 2015

One of the portraits displayed at the national museum, depicts mateows to be a scholarly middle eastern figure with upturned mustache (left) Antonio Cortim, Ambassador of Portugal to Ethiopia opens the piano recital and musical drama program that took place at the National theater on December 8, 2014, in commemoration of the 500 year anniversary Instead of political alliance the Portuguese focused on missionary work during their stay, which was viewed suspiciously by the people.

They did help however in holding the powerful force of Ahmed Geragn’s (Ahmed the left handed) army which almost spelt the end of the Solomonic dynasty at bey in 1541during emperor Gelawdios’ reign. Tensions escalated further during Susenyos’ reign when the monarch converted to Catholicism with the advice of the Portuguese. This created several rebellions forcing Susenyos to first announce that conversion to Catholicism was no longer mandatory and later to hand over his throne to son Fasiladas, who reinstituted Orthodox Christianity as a state religion and later expelled the Jesuits from his kingdom in 1633.

That was the first expulsion of the Portuguese from Ethiopia, 103 years since the first delegation arrived.

The next diplomatic contact happened three centuries later during emperor Haile Selassie’s time. In 1923 the Portugal republic, along with France, backed Ethiopia’s request to join the League of Nations. Though an autocratic regime later would vacillate between support for Mussolini, during the second Italo-Ethiopian war, Portugal requested to establish an embassy in Ethiopia at the end of the 1940’s. The reason offered was the presence in Ethiopia of a community from Goa (still a Portuguese protectorate).

Thus an Embassy opened in 1954 only to be closed ten years later because of Portugal’s refusal to drop her Colonial interests in Angola, Guinea and Mozambique and repression of the freedom movements.

Prior to that however, Haile Selassie had

visited Portugal in July 1959 in hopes of strengthening foreign relationships in an increasingly polarized world. He was received with great pomp and circumstance by Portuguese prime minister Oliveira Salazar. The latter himself showed off Haile Selassie as ‘the Prester John king’ to emphasize Portugal’s half a century presence in Africa and reinforce the argument that Portugal held territories in Africa were and not colonies but provinces, according to historical documents from the exhibition.

However with Haile Selassie being viewed as a model for newly emerging African leaders, and following the anti-colonial resolution ratified by Summit Conference of African States in 1963,the relationship became strained.

Haile Selassie entreated Prime Minister Salazar in writing to grant freedom to it’ colonies, sending Mamo Tadesse as Emissary to deliver the letter dated June 17, 1963.

The Portuguese however refused to relent and the relationship ended.

Though there was no contact between the two nations, they shared a similar fate in 1974 when a revolution deposed of emperor HaileSelassie in Ethiopia and the ‘new state’ established by Salazar was overthrown in Portugal, though Salazar himself had died two years prior.

It was only in the late 1990s that an attempt was made at bilateral relations yet again. A Portuguese researcher came to Ethiopia and contacted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with an interest in conducting a Conference on Ethio-Portugese ties. The government showed interest. Later in 2002, an Embassy was opened in Ethiopia.

This Embassy’s small and unassuming presence belies the long and checkered relationship the two countries share. Unlike the highly secured spacious compounds with neatly manicured lawns that serve as headquarters for other Embassies, the Embassy of Portugal keeps a small suite of offices on the top floor of a building in Gerji.

The focus right now is on Education and Cultural exchange according to Isabel. “That is where we utilize the funds.”

Due to the small number of Portuguese nationals, the Embassy provides services to all Lusophone countries, (Portuguese speaking countries) according to her.

The recent celebrations of 500 years of history are an attempt to further strengthen cultural exchange and increase contact between the two people.

“We hope to start an education exchange program where students from both countries can travel and study the history” Isabel says.

“We are also working on encouraging tourists from both countries to visit and learn more about the history.

One of the ways she plans to do this is by establishing a travel route that traces the path taken by the Portuguese delegates when the came to Ethiopia, and the course Matewos took when he traveled to Goa and Lisbon 500 years ago. Tourists can take this route to get the full experience of the arduous journey by diplomats of both countries.

This Isabel hopes would help lessen the incongruity of how such a long historical relationship, translated into so little a cultural and economic exchange that currently exists between modern day Ethiopia and Portugal www.theeminencemagazine.com 29

The Eminence

Thousand Words

Sudden Epiphany

Every year Federal Police are deployed around the city to keep order on Ethiopian Epiphany as the streets are teeming with followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church who accompany the Tabot (replica of the ark of the covenant) to and from the church and wrestle to get a sprinkle of holy water, as is the custom. It was the same on January 20, 2015 at Jan Meda where the largest Timket gathering congregates. Amidst the hustle and bustle one officer gets a sprinkling himself much to his enjoyment.

Photo By: Sintayehu Bekele-Eminence staff

30

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

www.theeminencemagazine.com

31

The Eminence

MR. SPOKESPERSON

Dina Mufti, 51, is a career diplomat who is currently finishing his term as government spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and preparing to take a post as Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya.

As a spokesperson, the former Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Sweden was known to open up doors for the media, giving journalists a look into an institution that was previously hard to penetrate. The Eminence’s Elleni Araya sat down with the Ambassador for a farewell interview. Excerpts:

32

www.theeminencemagazine.com

Interview

The Eminence: As a career diplomat you’ve worked in many countries. But the past four years you have served as spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia. Which one is easier, dealing with foreign diplomats or dealing with journalists?

Dina Mufti: Well, I think relationships are very difficult with anyone because you are dealing with human behavior.

You deal with egos. But dealing with the media is a bit more difficult than dealing with diplomats. There’s what you call diplomatic niceties whenever you deal with diplomats. In fact there are areas where you agree to disagree and it does not matter. It may not be reported [in the media] though the diplomat reports back home. But at times dealing with the media could be a bit difficult because the media are always looking for the angle of the story they are covering. Whatever you tell them, however you tell them, as long as the guy has the interest of telling the story from his perspective, there could always be a disparity there. However, it’s possible to deal with both.

As a spokesperson, you’ve been known to make the Ministry more open and accessible. We [the media] have had no trouble knocking on your door and you granting us an interview or a sound bite. Do you think this trend will continue now that your replacement is coming? Has it become an institutionalized set of standards you’ve set for this office?

I wish the latter is the case: that this is an institutional thing. It’s in the nature of the job to be open to the media because they need quick responses.

If news becomes history it does not help the media, so I think timing is very important. I was trying to do my best so as to correspond with that need. In fact it’s not only my interest, but also the interest of my institution, and that of the leadership. There are a lot of incredible things that are being done in the ministry here. But they are not sufficiently told. Even as a country, I personally feel that there are a lot of incredible things that are happening,

7th Issue February 2015

but are under told. And the culture of telling stories, the culture of telling things as they are, has limitations in our case. This is a sociological problem as well.

The way we grew up is fundamentally imbued with feudal culture where silence is taken as a virtue, and there are a lot of proverbs that discourage talks from childhood days. Despite all these limitations, I think the institution has tried to speak about what it is doing and we have been speaking modestly. I wish, I hope and believe that this will continue. That it’s going to be an institutional thing Is it known yet who your replacement is going to be?

Not yet. He’ll be there very soon.

Could you take us a little bit through your career journey?

Well, when I graduated from Addis Ababa University I was retained as an assistant graduate, following the faculties’ choice. Because of my GPA, my class participation, my academic excellence and everything else they retained me. Normally assistant graduates or lecturers are retained by the choice of their teachers. However, I was rejected by the president of the university office on the basis of allegations from some corners. Those allegations were political Then I was forced to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was examined for it, I passed and joined. After serving in the Ministry in the African department, then Asian department, I was posted abroad in Canada where I served for almost six years. I was then transferred to Washington, I was a counselor of the embassy where I served for about two years. Following that I served in the Ministry for about two years, before I was appointed ambassador of Zimbabwe. From Zimbabwe I was in charge of other countries like Zambia, Mozambique, Mauritius and Angola. After four years of service, I was cross-transferred to Scandinavian countries, being based in Stockholm, while serving as an Ambassador to Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. Then four years ago I came back to the Ministry. Now it seems I am heading to another post as Ambassador to Kenya.

Are you looking forward to it?

Yes. Sure. Definitely.

It seems to be a busy time for Ethiopia’s foreign relations. Be it Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, or with what’s going on in South Sudan, the country needs a good spokesperson to represent it to the rest of the world. So wouldn’t it be more practical to have an experienced hand at this job instead of bringing someone new?

No. Normally it’s the nature of the job to move from

one position to another. move from one position to another. I’ve been here enough.

So hopefully somebody competent, even more competent than I am will be here. As I have already said, it’s going to be an institutional thing. And the leadership will do that and it will be taken care of. Definitely somebody who will be in this position will be an outgoing person who is proactive; who can meet media guys; who talks on behalf of his country; who talks positively and who talks strongly.

What are the things you are looking for as an Ambassador to Kenya?

Serving my country as I used to serve it. I was serving my country as a spokesperson.

There also I will be continuing to serve my country as much as I can.

What do you think will be the major diplomatic issues that you will be dealing with?

Kenya is a neighbor country; it is also a strategic partner. We also have what we call a special status agreement with Kenyans in all areas of co-operation. It is the only neighboring country where we have special status agreement. We have to cooperate in the areas of economy, politics, security, tourism and the like. The areas of cooperation will be very vast, wide, and it should be widened [and] strengthened. The level of relationship should be strengthened as well. Therefore, the task is so immense and huge. I’m looking forward to dealing with it.

You mentioned tourism. Currently Ethiopia is positioning itself to be a top five tourist destination by 2020. However, it has not yet utilized its potential resources, so there’s a lot to learn from Kenya and its booming Safari tourism. Is that something you will be actively working on?

The potential for cooperation, particularly in tourism is very vast. The tourism potential in Ethiopia is huge and we have not exploited it enough. So we have to draw lessons from other countries like Kenya who are good at tourism. You know in the embassy there are Ethiopians who deal with business, with economy; and diplomats who deal with tourism as well. So I will capitalize on the expertise of our tourism organizations and individuals as well. Definitely, everybody will be enlisted. Tour operators

will be enlisted [as well as]tourists themselves and other institutions. All will in fact be galvanized.

Would it not be difficult watching sporting events like track and marathon running races in Olympics during your new post?

We compete and complement each other in that area as well. We compete positively and we learn from each other. That’s also another interesting area to see.

You’ve been around the world. What’s your favorite cuisine so far?

Chinese.

You think that would be accessible in Kenya?

I hope so. I don’t know, but I think they have some there.

How is family life when you work in diplomatic circles?

Wherever I go my wife and children are with me. So the same trend will continue.

How many children do you have? How old are they?

Two Boys and one girl. The youngest one is 18 Would they be traveling with you?

Not all but some of them. The girl will be with us. She is in the university.

When did you get married?

Oh. That was thirty years ago. As soon as I left the university.

When was the first time you came to Addis Ababa?

I came to Addis in 1981 or 82, because I graduated in 1983 GC. I joined Addis Ababa University from the province.

Before then, you attended school in Arsi?

In Assela, yes.

What type of student were you?

I was a very good student, from the elementary days. In fact I have had so many double promotions. For example I covered grade one and two in a single year and similarly four to six. I have not attended grade seven. I’ve never been in grade 11 as well. I was fast tracked. (smiles) How old are you Ambassador?

Now, I am 51 www.theeminencemagazine.com

33

The Eminence

Sport

The Culture of YMCA

Thriving to Restore the Glorious Past

By Bezawit Bekele Staff Writer

On the afternoon of Wednesday January 14, 2015 the wide-eyed and petite Ismael Shiferaw, 19, was enjoying a table tennis match with Meskerem Adenew, 17. From watching the game, it is hard to tell that Ismael is a professional who plays for Commercial Bank of Ethiopia sport club and has represented the Ethiopian national team in the African Youth Games held in Rabat, Morrocco in 2010. He was downplaying his talent in order to train Meskerem, a grade 11 student at Balcha Abba Nefso school, who describes her skills as “medium,” although she has stood second in the Kifle Ketema (district) tournament held this year.

Since Ismael turned professional, he volunteers two times a week training young boys and girls at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) located in Addis Ketema in front of Josh Hansen Building. He has developed his talents playing at the same center since he was seven. He says table tennis and

the YMCA saved him from heading to the wrong path of addiction like so many of his peers.

The table tennis program is one of the many physical fitness programs that the YMCA runs for the youth at the center. There are also trainings for badminton, boxing, mini-football, basketball and acrobatics.

The trainings are set up as after-school programs, each running three times a week. A rather longer 2-month training is available during the school break in summer.

Here in the vast compound where one is transported back to the past with abandoned cars lying about, stone-walled buildings reminding one of forgotten architectural designs of the imperial era and signs of the YMCA dating back to the same time, young and old men alike come, not just to exercise but to get a sense of community.

The YMCA in Ethiopia is a member of the World Alliance of YMCAs. When the first

YMCA was established by George Williams in 1844 in London, its main aim was to alleviate the problems faced by immigrants who were flowing to cities following the Industrial Revolution. It soon took on the objective of improving the spiritual, mental, social and physical condition of young men. Currently there are 121 YMCAs with 45 million members in countries around the world, 26 of which are in Africa.

In Ethiopia, YMCA was officially established in 1951 under the patronage of Emperor Haile Selassie. The association managed to establish 25 branches in 14 regions of the country and the number of volunteers reached 3 million. Following the coming into power of the military government (Dergue) in the country, the YMCA was dissolved in 1977 for not being compatible with socialist ideologies. All its property was confiscated and distributed to different government ministries. It was only re-opened in 1992 by

Emperor Haileselassie enjoyed a tennis match with his son, crown prince Asfa Wosson at the YMCA centre

34

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Ismael Shiferaw (left), was teaching seventeen year old Meskerem Adenew (right) his skills during a table tennis match the Transitional Government of Ethiopia. social life, adding that there are some full potential and is struggling to live up to The name Young Men Christian Association people who have met at YMCA, fell for each the ‘golden age’ before it was closed by the isn’t however a correct representation of other and tied the knot. Adult members Derg, the Secretary Ato Tezera disclosed to the institutions as they exist now. They can also make use of the gymnasium The Eminence. give their services to young men and facilities for a monthly payment of 100-150 “The YMCA used to assess the individual women of all religion and creed. Although birr. health status of members, who wanted to the programs are youth oriented, adults Coaches like Yoradanos Tesfaye, 42, also engage in sport activities, and give advice are also allowed to be members and use have a YMCA background. Yordanos has on nutrition, which is no more,” Ato Molla the facilities, according to Ato Tezera played table tennis at club and country recalls.

Gebremichael, General Secretary of YMCA level. He also played football at club level Ato Tezera makes note of the experience Ethiopia. for Harar Beer and Ethiopian Insurance of other countries such as Liberia where This was apparent on The Eminence’s visit Corporation back in the late seventies. President Ellen Johnson is a member to the center on Wednesday afternoon. On He says the YMCA contributes almost all and other members holding positions the badminton field, Ato Girma Bekele, 54, members of the national team in table in the parliament. Such a culture should and Ato Takele Gebre, 62, were warming tennis and badminton and boxing sports. develop in our country as well, Ato Tezera up prior to their match. Throughout the The youth at YMCA had people to look up commented. years they have developed this fast and to, such as the legendary boxer Sebsibe One of the challenges is going about the witty banter which they shoot, along with Zewde, who now lives in the USA and new Charities and Societies Association shuttlecock, at each other without missing has given material support for the center Proclamation No.621/2008. Although the according to Ato Molla Derebe, sports YMCA is called an association in common a beat, which is entertaining to observe.

Ato Takele is a veteran of YMCA. He program coordinator at the Addis Ketema parlance, it is registered as a charity. If an remembers coming to the center as a branch of YMCA. organization wants to be registered as an young man to play ‘taser ball’ and lift The YMCA currently has branches in Ethiopian association, it should get only weights as early as 1963 (EC). He was proud Nazareth, Mekelle, Adwa, Hawassa, 10% of their finance from external sources. to demonstrate that his biceps and chest Wolayita and Bahir Dar and Debre Markos, For Ato Tezera, depending on internal muscles are still in place. Now he comes on top of the three centers in Addis Ababa. sources for 9pct of finance is not a plausible three times a week (Monday, Wednesday It has around 3700 members registered in plan in a country where the culture of and Friday) from his house in Gofa to play all of its centers and 2700 of these are male. voluntary contribution has not developed. badminton which he says is a game that In addition to the sport and physical fitness The YMCA only charges a membership develops not just muscles but also reflexes. training which has reached 2416 youth fee of 8 ETB a year for the youth. It is also Ato Girma was not a member of the YMCA in 2013/14 (1763 male and 653 female), struggling to get back its Arat Kilo property when he was young, but he has been the association is involved in other social which was nationalized decades ago. playing badminton at the center for the programs such as reproductive health and Despite these challenges, however, the past 15 years. A financial consultant by HIV/AIDS prevention, character building YMCA is trying to create an environment profession, he drives from Ayer Tena to and life skill training, vocational and basic where young boys and girls like Meskerem the center three times a week unless he is skill training and foster family support. The have a place to spend their free time. dealing with a serious issue. He said that youth are also involved in music, theatre Those who make the best of its services are in addition to the physical benefits of the and art. enjoying the benefits both physically and sports, he comes for the fellowship and However, the YMCA is not operating at its mentally www.theeminencemagazine.com

35

The Eminence

Legal Corner

Investing in Ethiopia

By Kaleab Hailu Staff Writer

The Laws of the Game

The economy of a developing country like Ethiopia depends on the amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flowing into the sector. Ethiopia has been following an open-door policy for domestic and foreign investors laying down different incentives in the registration, follow-up and operational phases. Before tapping into the numerous incentives in the country for foreign investors, it is vital to discuss the conducive investment environment present in the country.

Ethiopia is favored as an investment destination because of abundant resources and relative stability when compared to other countries in East Africa.

The availability of cheap labor also plays a great role in attracting investors. The present Ethiopian Investment Commission, formerly known as Ethiopian Investment Agency. Upon establishment, it was mandated to register and follow up on any investment activities in Ethiopia. However, with the adaption of proclamation no. 769/2012, the commission was directed to only administer foreign investors, joint domestic and foreign investors, and a few other exceptional investment activities. This shift has made the operation of the commission more refined and efficient to accommodate foreign investors that may only have a few weeks to stay in the country on their initial visit. Moreover, it has made the commission provide speedy and fast tracked services to its clients including registration and issuance of licenses within a week. All of these factors have made Ethiopia increasingly attractive for investors from all parts of the world.

Investment incentives are provisioned

36

www.theeminencemagazine.com

in regulation no. 270/2012 defining the different tax havens and duty free privileges that are given to investors operating in the country. The first incentive the regulation sets forth is exemption of income taxes upon opening up a new enterprise. The schedule attached to the regulation states investors engaging in different sectors ranging from agriculture to manufacturing will receive an exemption of income tax for a period of one to six years. This period depends on the sector and chosen region of investment. The attached schedule defines in detail and provides for each area of investment and the region the investor plans to start operation.

Ethiopia is a country with diversified topography and climatic conditions which at times may not be equally favorable.

One factor is a region’s proximity to the nation’s capital. If a region is farther away from the capital it becomes more unfavorable due to increase in running and transportation costs. Considering this, the Ethiopian legislature has laid down provisions with additional incentives for investors engaging in remote regions or areas having less favorable climatic conditions. The regulation in article 5 provides for an income tax deduction of thirty percent for three consecutive years in addition to the general exemption of income taxes given in the regulation to investors engaging in the Gambela, Beninshangul Gumuz, Afar, Somali and certain parts of the Oromia and SNNPR regions.

One of the biggest challenges in the investment sector is custom duties imposed upon imported goods from abroad. The Ethiopian legislative has

tried to curb this challenge by providing different kinds of duty free privileges for investors operating in the nation. Article 13 of the regulation provides that an investor engaged in sectors specified in the attached schedule with four exceptions will have duty free privilege to import capital goods and construction materials necessary for the establishment of a new enterprise or the expansion and upgrade of an existing enterprise. The article provides for further reimbursement of duty taxes if the purchase is conducted in Ethiopia.

Even though the main intention of these tax havens and duty free privileges is to promote and increase the flow of direct foreign investment, the legislative has still restricted foreigners from engaging in certain sectors of the economy. The regulation lays down investment areas reserved for only domestic investors in article 3(1) including banking, insurance and micro-credit and saving services and broadcasting and mass media services and more. Global reports have shown that the amount of Foreign Direct Investment Ethiopia attracts has increased over the years. In 2014, FDI to Ethiopia amounted to 953 million dollars in 2014, increasing from 279 million dollars in 2013, according to United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD). In 2013, Ethiopia was the third largest recipient of FDI, according to the same report.

This fast paced growth could have been triggered by the legislative effort in the policies adopted in the nation. However, efficiency in implementation of the policies in the federal and regional bureaus is open for discussion

Commentary

7th Issue February 2015

Leading by Being Simon Heliso is a Country Representative for Ethiopia at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs and author of the book “Yemeri Yaleh” (In Search of a Leader).

He also served in leadership positions with World Vision International in Ethiopia, Burundi and South Sudan and the American Refugee Committee International in South Sudan. He has occasionally lectured leadership courses at the International Leadership Institute (ILI), the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) and at the Full Gospel Graduate Seminary (FGGS). He can be reached at simhelkuk@yahoo.com

One of the most enduring discussions on leadership is the character of a leader. For most, what or who the leader is often outweighs what the leader does. Character is but a value laden construct, open to interpretations and often narrowly conceived as reflecting integrity. However it is defined, the quest for upright leaders is ubiquitous, transcending the traditional domains of leadership in churches and other religious institutions. The rising hunger for character heroes in every field however is unsettling rather than reassuring.

This is not without reason. Just to take one example; a recent hindsight review by the Economist (September 7, 2013) on the financial crisis that dimmed the new millennium in more ways than one blamed the combined folly of irrational housing policies; unchecked exuberance of financiers; and credit regulators that slept while piloting the plane, conveniently overlooking corporate scandals such as Enron and similar other Wall Street malpractices that eroded investor trust.

In short, character flaws in the market and regulatory bodies delivered pain to multitudes.

Instances such as the challenges faced by high profile leaders like the former President Bill Clinton, former US Spy Chief and retired Army General David Petraeus and former IMF Chief Strauss-Khan on charges of personal indiscretion are too many to list. Character deficiency does seem to surround us. Is it then rational to ask for integrity from people? What would a healthy, balanced, regenerative, positive, exemplary leadership look like? In today’s world, are there states, places, sectors or industries where we could see such a leadership in practice?

Humanity is lost if the appetite for veracity is neglected and the penchant to slip up is left to burst asunder. Building character is a desirable ideal. In fact, it is something one can learn in formative years, according to Dr. Joeseph M. Hoedel, father of the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum used in schools across the USA and author of the book entitled ‘Role Models: Example of Character & Leadership.’ A few of us will be challenged with this view but at least two implications can be considered relevant.

First, Hoedel, rather correctly, expands character from the traditional connotation of ‘integrity’ to multiple dimensions, illustrated in his book by stories of 17 people whose individual and separate exploits are considered worthy of emulating. These include atti-

tudes, preparation, perseverance, respect, honesty, courage, appreciation, composure, empathy, gratitude, tolerance, sacrifice, loyalty, responsibility, leadership, compassion and of course integrity. Daunting for one person to measure up to but the list may even be expanded.

Secondly, our rather compartmentalized view of success in personal life and work or business may be a false dichotomy. The reason is clear, even if hard to swallow a millionaire thief is still a thief. A clarion call for integrating being and doing – the person and the practice – is fitting. This will bring leadership into sharper focus. Success in leadership should include what the person reflects in life in addition to accomplishments at work.

Luckily, the quest for character knows no boundaries of age, ethnic background, gender or religion. Every person expects to be treated with respect, equality and integrity. Reciprocity is the demand. The action, as ever, requires a conscious choice.

Such a choice sometimes determines not just business success but the difference between life and death.

A story from Hoedel’s book illustrates how one of the heroes, aircraft pilot Chesley Sullenberer (Captain Sully), integrated thorough preparation in life as one reflection of his personhood. The memories of the “Miracle on the Hudson” on January 15, 2009 are fresh in our minds. Captain Sully pulled miraculous emergency landing of a commercial jet airliner in the Hudson River with 155 passengers and crew surviving the ordeal.

As it turned out, some miracles have contributors.

Studying the events and the participants involved revealed that both the outcome and the one piloting the plane were providential. Captain Sully was a trained and experienced pilot, like most, if not everyone. But, handling the emergency, the decision-making skills and the calmness to pull off such a landing is possible only when the person becomes the training and experience. Indeed, the humble captain later reflected on the incident saying “I think, in many ways, as it turned out, my entire life up to that moment had been a preparation to handle that particular moment.”

A call to build character is a call to greatness that aspiring leaders can ill afford to ignore www.theeminencemagazine.com

37

The Eminence

Commentary

Ethiopian Tourism Organization Claims and Strategy in 2015

This article was written by Heran Mesfin, tourism marketer for the Ethiopian Tourism Organisation (ETO). The ETO has agreed to write regular commentary pieces that highlight current policy and strategic issues concerning the tourism sector. Heran can be reached at heran.mesfin@googlemail.com

38

In 1950, 25 million tourists traveled internationally.

Last year that number hit one billion: one billion international tourists traveling the world in a single year.

Around 5 billion more traveled domestically within their own countries. Even in Ethiopia alone, the number of tourists has tripled since 2005. These tourists generate over US $ 1 trillion in exports for the countries they visit, close to 6pct of the world’s exports of goods and services, and 30pct of exports if we consider services alone. One in every 12 jobs worldwide is connected to the tourism sector.

Keeping abreast with the trend the Government of Ethiopia proclaimed a Federal Regulation in August 2013 establishing the Tourism Transformation Council, the Ethiopian Tourism Organization and the Tourism Board: a new institutional framework to take tourism to a new level. The ETO is playing the catalyst role in transforming the sector and thereby helping Ethiopia achieve her plans to become a middle-income country by 2020.

Based on international best practices, the ETO is now the National Tourism Organization and its mandate includes fostering competitiveness and sustainability of tourism destinations and products; marketing Ethiopia as a tourist destination; and ensuring collaboration and alignment.

It has now been over a year since the Ethiopian Tourism Organization was established. Since its establishment, the organization has been working relentlessly on setting up an organizational structure as well as developing itself to be a truly transformational organization. This included hiring staff as well as getting plans and budgets approved for 2015.

Within destination development, the organization has finally approved the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, financed and executed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

www.theeminencemagazine.com

and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which will guide the country in terms of developing the tourism sector in the next 10 years. In addition to that, the ETO has also prepared a more detailed 5-year destination development plan which includes specific interventions such as building rest areas on two tourist routes, conducting a destination audit on the Northern Route and identifying specific conditions at the national parks.

In terms of tourism marketing, the organization has hired a team of consultants, through the Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Development Program financed by the World Bank, to come up with a national marketing and branding strategy. This will be followed by a second team of consultants that will implement parts of the strategy and deliver promotional items and a promotional system to the ETO. In the meantime, ETO continues to promote the country strategically to the outside world. The organization has been participating in major trade shows such as the World Travel Market in London (United Kingdom) as well as the International Tourism Fair in Berlin (Germany).

Other markets like China, South Korea and Japan will also be targeted this year.

The organization recognizes the importance of different stakeholders in the tourism sectors and is working hard to foster collaboration and alignment throughout the public and private institutions. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority as well as with the Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage. Many other MoU’s with different organizations such as Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association and the Ethiopian Hotel Owners Association will be signed to ensure deeper collaboration and more efficient and effective results in 2015

7th Issue February 2015

It’s all in the Culture Yibeltal Alemu is a Human Resources Development Manager and ExG/Manager of the Addis Ababa Hotel Owners Association, Yibeltal has been engaged in the hospitality sector for the last decade. He can be reached at ya_yibe@yahoo.com

How can a hotel deliver consistent service? What needs to be done to increase the motivation of employees and keep them happy? How do we improve the association between employees and an employer? How can a hotel stand out from amongst its competitors? How can we improve productivity as well as quality?

For all these questions the remedy revolves around one major concept - developing a strong organizational culture. In plain terms, an organizational culture is portrayed as a set of beliefs, values, and behavior patterns that characterize an organization.

An organizational culture stands out as one of the components that are important to sustaining performance, and competitive advantage.

Leaders in most organizations have to wrestle with a number of ethical questions. One of the significant ways in which they may change their organization’s culture and embed their values is through the process of selecting, retaining, and promoting the right people.

A well planned careful recruitment and promotion process nourishes the organization. Reputable employees may come through recommendations or can be handpicked.

Within a competitive business environment, companies increasingly recognize the need to establish a culture that fully leverages the skills of their employees. By creating cultures in which employees feel valued, companies can better drive business results through their human capital.

A company’s organizational culture must put into consideration employee motivation and loyalty, internal communication patterns, methods of decision-making, operating styles, organizational philosophy, and organizational structure.

An organizational culture where management has an appreciation and acceptance for diversity; treats employees fairly; and provides morale and monetary rewards for good performance is said to be positive.

Between employees, professionalism; punctuality;

attention to details; synergy; and a sense of ownership & belongingness, make up a constructive organizational culture.

Undoubtedly, Ethiopia has a rich and diverse culture.

The people are hospitable. As a result, blending in an organizational culture could be assumed to be simple.

However, at times it could be very difficult to break old habits. Organizational culture is the most difficult attribute to change according to Edgar Henry Schein, a former professor at MIT’s school of Management. It outlasts products, services, founders, and leadership.

Therefore cultivating a positive culture from the outset is better than trying to change an already established status quo. If however one does have to undertake the arduous task of changing the status quo, there are things that must done and others that need avoiding.

Setting a clear vision, coming up with a management plan to implement that vision including defining roles, outlining clearly measurable tasks, having a sound monitoring and evaluation in place as well as rewarding good performance will lead to positive results.

However, using too much power and coercion prior to implementing these things is a fast track to employee disenfranchisement and discontent. Introducing single fixes, like bringing in new employees, or changing working hours, or introducing new rules, will also be futile in a short while because they do not put into consideration the overall dynamics of an organization.

By all means, employees must take a part in drawing up the vision for the organization, and the accompanying culture that is needed in order to make it a success. Understanding the previous culture and why it is ingrained as a value will also help towards changing the status quo.

The leader who understands his organizational culture, and takes it seriously, will be capable of predicting outcomes, and making decisions to counter anticipated consequences

www.theeminencemagazine.com

39

The Eminence

Mandarin

铁路轨道上 Rail on Track

By Bezawit Bekele Staff Writer

亚的斯亚贝巴轻轨（LRT）是一条由中国进出口银行（EXIM）贷款以及中国建筑公司合力修建的铁路交通项 目。34公里长的铁路线路预计在试运行的三个月内将缓解城市的交通拥堵问题。这条轻轨将在地图上把从撒 哈拉以南的非洲国家与埃塞俄比亚的铁路服务连接起来，这条重要的铁路枢纽将在五年内由中国铁路工程建 设有限公司和深圳地铁集团共同建立起来。 2015年2月1日周日上午，所有目光都 集中在亚的斯亚贝巴新建成的轻轨 （LRT）试运行仪式上。本次活动在 Kality Depot举行，诸多政府高级官 员出席了这次活动，其中包括总理海 尔马里亚姆德萨莱尼和亚的斯亚贝 巴的市长Drirba Kuma以及交通部长 Workneh Gebeyehu。他们坐着轻轨从 Kality到Meskel Square,亲身体验了 这条新的轻轨线路。众多媒体前来采 访，并由国家媒体电视直播了这场盛 世，很多群众都亲眼看到了埃塞俄比 亚铁路（ERC）的完工，并拍照留念。 本次轻铁的试运行将连续进行三个

40

www.theeminencemagazine.com

月，用于检测铁路和列车的可靠性和 安全性，当列车正式投入运行时，将 会成为首个建设在撒哈拉以南的非洲 国家的轻轨线路。 首个完工的34.25千米的轻轨项目是 亚的斯亚贝巴两条轻轨计划中共计75 公里总工程的第一阶段。16.9公里线 路跨越南北，途径Kaliti, Saris, Gotera, Meskel Square, La Gare 和 Tor Hailoch。东西方线路全长17.35 公里，从Ayat到Tor Hailoch，途径 CMC, Megnagna, Haya Hulet, Urael 和 Meskel Square。该线路由23公里 地上路程，7.33公里桥梁，0.9公里的

隧道组成。轻轨设有39个火车站，东 西线站间距离0.8公里，南北线站间距 离越0.78公里。 该轻轨总承包商为中国铁路工程总公 司（CREC），约投入建设成本4.75亿 美元。中国铁路工程总公司 是一家 成立于1950年的国有建筑公司，旗下 有多个子公司，组成中国中铁集团， 并于2012年成为世界收入最多的建筑 公司。除了埃塞俄比亚的铁路项目( 共计64327公里)，中铁集团还在坦桑 尼亚，赞比亚和委内瑞拉开展了大型 的铁路项目。该公司共计280000名员 工，从事工业制造，房地产开发，金

7th Issue February 2015

融投资和矿物采集等行业。 该轻轨项目于2009年签署，2011年 项目投资公布，由中国进出口银行 （EXIM Bank）担保贷款该项目的85% ，剩余15%右埃塞俄比亚政府承担。中 国进出口银行（EXIM Bank）成立于 1994年，总部设立于北京，是一家由 中国政府控有的国有银行。 纵观轻轨的运行，列车由金属工程公 司（MetEC）组装的41对75伏特的电 动力支持，车厢长30米，宽2.65米， 最高时速可达80公里每小时，但在正 式运行时为保证安全速度将会控制在 30-40公里每小时的运行速度。每节

车厢配有64个座位，整部列车可容纳 286至317名乘客。火车颜色通过社交 媒体进行群众投票，最终选择为绿色 和白色相间的车厢。轻轨的建成将把 运输服务业从每小时15000人次提升到 60000人次。 同时埃塞政府决定，未来的五年内列 车日常运营和维护将外包给CREC和深 圳地铁集团，其成本约为1.16亿美 元。深圳地铁集团运营在中国深圳地 区，其将帮助埃塞轻轨实现和中国相 同的技术。该公司将从中国带来290名 专业人员协同400名埃塞俄比亚员工 进行维护工作。同时中国铁路工程建

设公司也派出了257人到中国进行为期 十个月的培训，其中136人已经完成列 车驾驶员的培训成为合格的列车驾驶 员，40人成为列车调度员，其余将分 配于维修和基础建设等工程中。 中国铁路工程建设公司还承接了700 公里的埃塞铁路工程，该项目将从 亚的斯亚贝巴延伸到吉布提，并将于 2016年正式开工。该项目预计投入40 亿美元，并以由中国铁路工程建设有 限公司（CREC）和中国土木工程集团 （CCECC）合力动工完成，据悉现已投 入预计成本的70%作为启动资金。 www.theeminencemagazine.com

41

Entertainment

The Eminence

HEY HEYKIDS. KIDS. HOW HOWWAS WASYOUR YOURDAY DAY

??

ARAR HEHE UU T YO T YO N’N’ !! CA !! CA N!N! RERE ILD ILD CHCH !! !!

Y?Y? DADA URUR S YO S YO WA WA WW HO HO

HEY HEYKIDS KIDSHOW HOWWAS WASYOUR YOURDAY!!

DAY!!

HEY HE YOY YO

ISISSU S

Tourist Corner

The American ‘Habesha’

It is often said that Ethiopians are vocally patriotic about their country. Until meeting Phillip Harrington at Efoy Pizzeria on Mike Leyland Street, The Eminence had no reason to question this statement. But the American’s enthusiasm and passion about Ethiopia forced us to rethink our own appreciation for our country.

to come here for five years but with the work over there and bills it’s difficult. Finally this year, I’ve been able to do it. Anksti who’s been my girlfriend for nine years said “do it” and I came over here. I spend the days eating and I go to the small non-ferenji areas and watch them prepare the food so that I can learn.

An Ethiopian concept /way of thinking/ I don’t understand I’ve lived with Habesha for so many years so I understand a lot. But we still have problem when we walk down the streets. [He is referring to his Ethiopian girlfriend sitting next to him at Efoy, who accompanied him on this trip.] They make rude comments to her because Habesha and Ferenji you know….

That’s the only thing I don’t understand about Ethiopia.

Name: Phillip Harrington Age: 35 I’m from upstate New York, USA. I’m a corporate pastry chef.

I’ve been in Ethiopia for one week. It’s my first time.

I’m in Ethiopia because my adopted family [during my adult life] is Habesha. I’ve kind of lived with them in Washington DC for a few years. So for me it was something I had to do, since I have a lot of friends here, and I’m training to be a Habesha chef. I’ve been trying

42

www.theeminencemagazine.com

Habesha men don’t make bunna. But they just see me as ferenji.

My favorite Ethiopian cuisine is …it depends. My ‘family’ is Ghurage, so kitfo [steak tartar] and Gored Gored [raw meat glazed with butter and spice]. I love dulet [minced lamb or beef intestine and liver]. I wish more places would serve genfo [porridge with a thicker solid consistency]in the morning.

Most places here serve only tibs firfir in the morning. Nahhhh! 8 o’clock I want genfo and I want bunna.

My most memorable lost in translation moment is sometimes when I want to order enkulal firfir, I say it the wrong way and it sounds like I say something which is embarrassing.

The Precise European

Something that has been hard to find here The Eminence met Anna Virolainen and her that I would normally find easily in my Ethiopian based compatriot at People Café and home country Restaurant Though she deplores her ability to speak English, The Eminence found that she See in America we have everything, but you had a precise way of speaking the language, in become focused on needing more. Here a brisk and meticulous manner, making sure you have everything you need and that’s that she provides accurate information. it. Here, we walk down the road, we get the bunna [coffee]. Next we get the firfir and the chai [tea], we get the tibs [chopped and fried meat], all from one lady. I tell her that this is the best country! The best Country!!

Something that has been easy to find here, but hard to find back home is good Injera [Ethiopian flatbread]. Here the injera is good, it’s teff. Back there our injera has white flour in it. To me, I’m Habesha back home.

My least favorite thing about Ethiopia is like I said before people’s trouble with seeing Ferenji and Habesha together. All day we get the look and they say bad things. I can make bunna better than most Habesha. And most

7th Issue February 2015

Magic Eye

Name: Anna Virolainen Age: 35 I am from Finland .

I’ve been in Ethiopia for since end of November.

I’m in Ethiopia because I wanted to visit my friend [sitting next to her]. Next I’m traveling to Thailand, and Ethiopia was an interesting country, so….

An Ethiopian concept /way of thinking/ I don’t understand is how traffic works here. It amazes me how it’s so chaotic but still works, you know.

But it makes me happy that I don’t drive.

Something that has been hard to find here that I would normally find easily in my home country is good cheese.

Something that has been easy to find here but hard to find back home is good vegetarian food.

My most favorite thing about Ethiopia is the food culture.

SUDOKU

My least favorite thing about Ethiopia is air pollution in Addis Ababa

Discover the 3D image within Unlike the way you normally see images by directly looking at the surface, aim your lines of sight in the middle, right before the image or aim your lines of sight in parallel direction beyond the picture. See answer on page 45

My least favorite thing about Ethiopia is the traffic and the dust in the air.

My favorite Ethiopian cuisine is fasting food. I don’t eat meat, I’m vegetarian.

My most memorable lost in translation moment is …. one day I invited in my driver for coffee and he kept saying ‘no problem’. Assuming that means yes, I went inside, waited for him but he didn’t come. ‘No problem’ I guess meant the opposite. [Usually when Ethiopians say ‘no problem’ it means ‘don’t inconvenience yourself’ It’s declining politely so that people don’t go out of their way to accommodate the other person].

Place the digits 1-9 exactly once in each horizontal row, each vertical column and each sub grid region. See answer on page 45 www.theeminencemagazine.com

43

N

The Eminence

44

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

Classifieds Police Stations Police Information Federal Police Commission AA Police Commission Fire Brigade 1st Station Menilik II square 2nd station Addisu Kera 3rd station Mekanisa 4th station Nifas Silk 5th station Akaki 6th station Megenagna 7th station Bole Phone Service Toll Free Information Service Federal Police Commission National Operator Fault Report Dial Up Internet Pre Paid Mobile Service/Bill Inquiry/Lost Mobile Registration/ Number Change Information Broad Band Customer Service PSTN Service Voice Mail Hotels Sheraton Hotel Hilton Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel Marriott Hotel Intercontinental Hotel Courier Service DHL EMS(Ethiopia) Federal Express TNT Skypok UPS Trans Express Ethiopia Tour and Travel Eminence Social Entrepreneurs Koreb Tour Operators Kibran Tours Plc Rainbow car rental and tour services Art Gallery Asni Gallery Ersas Art Studio Goshu Art Gallery Gigi’s Afro Asian Design& Fine Interiors Makush Gallery Guest House Molla Guest House Sheba Guest House Meskel Flower Hotel Weygos Guest House T.D.S Guest House Saron Guest House Addis Sun Rise Guest House Bar, Caf & Restaurant Yosam Bar & Restaurant Zenny Bar & Restaurant Turaco Bar & Restaurant The Mask Bar & Restaurant Zola Caf & Restaurant Zhonghua Restaurant Zemenawi Restaurant Yars Caf & Restaurant Museum Institute of Ethiopian Studies (IES) The Modern Art Museum/Gebre Kirstos Desta Centre

011 156 70 40 011 466 34 20 011 276 91 46 011 442 55 63 011 434 00 96 011 663 03 73 011 664 85 80 997 916 998 994 900 994 980 980 908 011 517 17 17 011 517 00 00 011 515 76 00 011 663 05 00 011 518 04 44 011 662 16 00 011 515 20 72 011 618 63 83 011 551 41 54 011 662 13 09 011 551 41 54 011 823 71 82 011 662 3179 011 662 62 14 011 371 79 40 011 123 32 44 0913 66 02 30 011 661 03 97 0912 20 43 37 011 552 68 48 011 663 35 82 011 618 85 56 011 467 01 26 011 515 49 66 011 662 35 95 011 618 90 66 0911 20 94 88 011 338 01 23 011 416 89 06 011 111 19 11 011 663 11 02 011 663 25 20 011 618 32 06 011 440 20 90 011 123 73 24 011 123 10 68 011 122 14 69

011 663 35 82 011 518 40 00 011 551 72 00

Airlines British Midland (BMI) Egypt Air Ethiopian Airlines Emirates Kenya Airways K.L.M Royal Dutch Lufthansa Saudi Airline Yemen Airways Hospitals Private Addis Cardiac Hospital Addis Hiwot Hospital Bete Zata Hospital Landmark Hospital Hayat Hospital Kadisco Hospital Public Black Lion (Tikur Anbessa) Hospital Cultural Centre Alliance Ethio Francaise British Council Goethe Institut Italian Cultural Institute Russian Center for Science & Culture Ethio-France Friendship and Research Centre Library Academy of Ethiopian Languages Alliance Ethio-Française British Council Economic Commission for Africa(ECA) library German Cultural Institut Italian Cultural Institute J.F Kennedy (A.A.U) A.A Municipality Library National Libraries & Archives Online Classifieds What’s Happening in Addis Ababa?

BUY AND SELL (Ethiopia) Kaymu 2 Merkato Latest Ethiopian Tenders and Bids Gulit online market Mekina online car market Lodges Kuriftu Resort And Spa Omotic General Trading Plc Green Land PLC Safari Lodge Semien Park Lodges PLC Pharmacy Abader Pharmacy Bata Pharmacy Ethio German Pharmacy Banks Abay Bank Addis International Bank Awash International Bank Bank of Abyssina Berhan International Bank Buna International Bank Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Construction and Business Bank Cooperative Bank of Oromia Dashen Bank Debub Global Bank Development Bank of Ethiopia Enat Bank Lion International Bank Nib International Bank Oromia International Bank United Bank Wegagen Bank Zemen Bank Cinema Edna Mall Matti Multiplex

011 665 04 94 011 156 44 93 011 665 66 66 011 518 18 18 011 551 42 58 011 552 55 41 011 551 56 66 011 663 81 37 011 551 50 76 011 663 47 20 011 618 04 49 011 551 41 41 011 552 62 29 011 662 44 88 011 629 89 04 011 551 12 11 011 155 02 13 011 155 00 22 011 124 23 45 011 111 36 55 011 155 34 27 011 551 62 47 011 551 59 26 011 155 02 13 011 155 00 22 011 551 72 00 011 155 28 88 011 111 34 27 011 111 04 33 011 155 01 11 011 551 62 47 www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.2merkato.com/ tenders www.gulit.com www.mekina.net

011 662 36 05 011 850 09 01 011 433 27 14 022 112 20 11 011 552 47 58 011 662 43 97 011 655 21 34 0911 20 94 88 011 552 88 51 011 557 0502 011 557 00 00 011 551 41 30 011 618 57 32 011 158 08 67 011 122 87 55 011 551 23 00 011 552 27 59 011 467 18 03 011 467 40 87 011 551 11 88 011 550 49 48 011 662 60 00 011 550 32 88 011 557 21 13 011 465 52 22 011 552 38 00 011 550 11 11 011 661 68 69

Sudoku Solution

Answer for The Magic Eye

UN United Nations Development Program United Nations Children Education Fund United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

991 916 011 157 21 21

www.theeminencemagazine.com

45

The Eminence

46

www.theeminencemagazine.com

7th Issue February 2015

www.theeminencemagazine.com

47

The Eminence

The bank ThaT is accessible anyTime anywhere.

Mobile banking

aTM service • Transfer funds • Access your account and cash with your reliable visa card 24 /7.

• Make payments and more.

inTerneT banking

• Check balance • Transfer funds • Make payments and more.

pos service

• View balance, • Transfer funds • Make payments and more.

• No need to carry cash; and it’s safe from theft.

• You can buy and pay anywhere.

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

The Bank You Can Always rely on !

48

Address: Gambia street, P.O.Box 255, Addis Ababa, ethiopia Tel: +251-551–50–04, Telegram: ethiobank sWIFT Code:CBeTeTAA Fax: +251–11–551–45–22 / +251–11–122–86–06 www.theeminencemagazine.com e-mail: cbecomu@combanketh.et Website: www.combanketh.et