ExpaT-Talk
Three simple promises to myself recently felt compelled to make some new promises to myself. They are informed by my observations on recent occurrences in the world . Feel free to tweet me (@musakalenga) and we can take this discussion online. GO BIG OR GO HOME Michelle Obama who visited recently is a special woman who delivered an energy that revitalized many young women in South Africa and Africa as a whole. I was in Botswana at the time and was shocked to see two massive army issue aircraft parked at the Sir Seretse Khama airport. I was informed that 187 soldiers, cooks, entourage and “support personnel” had been flown to Botswana in preparation for the arrival of the US first lady.
the capture and murder of one of the most wanted men in America was rather dramatic. The lesson that we can all draw from this event is that we have choices based on our beliefs. If we all aligned our beliefs around positive and constructive ideas, imagine what we could achieve? Osama was a man who committed many crimes and I believe karma and justice have been served. The bottom line is that he believed in something. Can you say you believe in anything worth dying for?
and society. Have you ever asked yourself what will be said about you when you are gone? Michelle Obama asked – what are we as young people doing to leave behind a positive legacy? She emphasized the importance of leaving behind something tangible that will impact those that come after us. I believe this is a pertinent question in Africa given where we are as a continent. At the moment we, poor little Africa, are being considered as the last investment frontier and the world is watching us. Talk about pressure, but in the same breath, what an opportunity!
“I was informed that 187 soldiers, cooks, entourage and “support personnel” had been flown to Botswana in preparation for Michelle Obama’s arrival. Americans – they can therefore they do!”
The fear of Botswana’s food and water is laughable. However, the principle here is that they can and therefore, they do. One of our challenges as Africans, particularly those from my home country Zambia, is that we do not know how to set standards high. Americans on the other hand act as a sterling example of how to do this. Whatever the endeavour, they go all out. Promise 1: For the rest of 2011, for every small venture I pursue, I will either go BIG or go HOME.. RATHER DIE ON YOUR TWO FEET THAN LIVE A LIFE ON YOUR KNEES. After being awarded the “hide & seek” award for a record seven years,
Promise 3: Creating a legacy in Africa - I am going to do something about it! - Musa Kalenga is a Chartered Marketer heading up the I Hop division of the Brand Leadership Group. Email musa@kalenga.me
Promise 2: I will seek knowledge in the things I believe to be able to create dialogue with those that have different beliefs from mine. THINK LEGACY. Recently statesman and global political icon Nelson Mandela turned 93. In commemoration, there was a highly visible “67 minutes campaign”; to commit 67 minutes of your time as a person to doing good just as he had committed 67 years of his life in service to his country and mankind. The campaign was a resounding success and an inspiring way of leaving behind mechanisms that will forever be etched into local and international calendars, cultures Pic by Paul Shiakallis
24
EXPATRIATE