My move into communications consulting

I walked into a room, in which sat a panel made up of four prominent professional women from diverse cultures. I had, the previous day, received the long awaited call, and I was excited about what the future presented to me.

The interview turned out to be quite interesting, apart from the usual questions. “Why do you want to work with us?”, “Why are you seeking a move from your current job?”, one particular panelist kept asking me repeatedly and with an agitated tone of voice. When I did respond, she interjected midway, insisting in a really stern tone that I was not answering her question. Then, I had to repeat my response calmly for the umpteenth time, and since I didn’t take the bait, she backtracked. At the time, I didn’t realize that this was an intentional stunt to rile me, and for the panel to gauge how I would handle myself in an aggravated situation. This only struck me days after the interview. Even then, I surprised myself at how calm and collected I was throughout the process.

Thereafter, my friends were keen to know when I would start working for the UN and were equally baffled that I eventually turned down the offer of a lifetime, in their view, for a switch to consulting instead.  I recall one of my friends joking that I would be blacklisted by the UN because nobody in their right mind turns down the UN. Well, I did and, looking back, it was one of the better decisions I could have made at the time because it helped shaped my career direction in more ways than one.

Settling into strategic communications consultancy was the start of a journey of self-discovery for me: finding my feet in terms of the future direction of my career. My career trajectory thus far, I must admit, was much more motivated by financial gain than career maturity. Even more ironic, then, that this was the top motivation for my switch to consulting. However, it was a lot more intriguing for me as I had finally met my match. Such an enormous challenge made me more focused and triggered me to think more critically about my career goals and future development.

My move into consulting was a struggle at the beginning. Working for a Pan-African consultancy and being the only strategic media lead for the business in Tanzania meant that I had to do a lot of multitasking, dealing with numerous requests from multiple offices across Africa including London, where the consultancy is headquartered. Dealing with up to four or five client media requests a day meant that I had to make it my business to know what the media editors were eating, where they were sleeping and with whom, literally.

The limited number of English versus Swahili media in Tanzania, and multiple clients vying for media space became my first major headache. My second elephant in the room was poised by the chronic practice of media and public relations agencies paying media to cover stories. Of course, the consultancy I worked for subscribed to the UK bribery code of conduct. Naturally, as a consultancy with British roots, the practice of bribery was abhorred in all its forms. How then would I navigate in this environment given that the buck stopped with me? Again, a light bulb moment, which meant I had to sharpen my networking skills to make this work.

I had my moments when I broke down, thinking that I would disappoint a client and lose my job. Sometimes the pressure got to me. The responsibility of handling multiple client portfolios and with each one demanding the same attention, precision and efficiency, however, added to my resilient spirit. I had to learn to be diplomatic, not to act out in email responses: all of these experiences opened up my worldview to the corporate culture which I had not quite experienced before.

I recall one of the many job interviews I had attended previously, where I had a very interesting question posed to me. The interviewer looked at my resume and noted in her own words that I had only worked in ‘soft’ roles and not cut my teeth in an intensive pressure driven environment such as the corporate world. What then made me think that I would be successful? I remember responding to the contrary: that a media producer probably faces double the pressure and intensity because they have an audience that they have to tie down and impress, every day or every week, or risk losing them. Then, they have nothing. The pressure, the deadlines, the expectancy of topping that next program, maintaining consistent creativity, making it stand out more than the previous one is a job like none other.

I did get the job, of course, but ended up not taking it. Anyhow, through that consultancy journey, I discovered my sweet spot: I wanted to pursue corporate social responsibility drawing from my previous experience in development communications and the corporate experience. That intersection was the light bulb moment that moved me on.

Making a difference in a disability and rehabilitation organisation

Ever thought of your daily job as a calling?

When my contract as a radio broadcaster came to an end, I made a big leap of faith trying my hand in the development world. Always having a knack for working with children with special needs, the timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. I joined Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), a disability and rehabilitation organization, eager to start my new experience. 

At the time, it didn’t occur to me what an enormous challenge I faced. I recall one instance, during my familiarization tour of the organisation, when I came across a young mother whose child had hydrocephalus. Obviously, it was my first time to be so close to a child in that condition, and my heart just broke. I couldn’t hold back my tears. Those tiny eyes in a head the size of a melon: you could virtually count her blood veins. This happened at about the time the organisation was phasing out the hydrocephalus project due to lack of funding. A tough moment for me, especially as a young mother. 

This was the beginning of my learning journey as I encountered other children awaiting surgery to correct cleft lip/palate, others with cataracts, club foot, and others with cerebral palsy awaiting rehabilitation. Interestingly, I also learnt about a condition called fistula whereby prolonged obstructed labor results in a woman developing a hole in her birth canal, which causes her to leak urine. In most cases, the baby does not survive.  This was completely new to me. It took time to come to terms with the fact that such a condition does exist, and in most cases due to negligence. Motherhood is supposed to be a wonderful experience for all women, but not in this case. However, CCBRT gave women with fistula the gift of a new life: a new beginning. Through surgery, they are restored to their normal selves and, despite the stigma that they face in their communities, they are able to start their lives afresh.

A baby brought in for cleft lip surgery at CCBRT

CCBRT also engages in community outreach, whereby specialists set up camp in various regions in Tanzania in order to make treatment conveniently available for those who cannot afford to take the long journey to CCBRT. Part of my role as a public relations specialist was to interact with the patients, learn their backgrounds and write success stories about their treatment and transformation for use in the organisation’s newsletters, and for donor proposals.

During a pediatric camp in Mwanza, in northwestern Tanzania, on which I accompanied Ophthalmologists to conduct interviews with patients, a particular case struck me. A parent walked into the consultation room with a child who had a huge bulging bandage covering her left eye. I recall the Ophthalmologist saying, “this is going to be a horror show.” I didn’t decipher what he meant until he took the child’s bandage off. It was an advanced case of retinoblastoma (eye cancer): so advanced that, according to the doctor, the only treatment for the child would be chemotherapy to prolong her life, as cancer had likely spread to the rest of her body. His hands were tied: he could only refer the child to a cancer hospital. I could feel tears stinging the corner of my eyes. I kept nudging the doctor, telling him that maybe he could change the prognosis. Then, my maternal instincts kicked in. I imagined my young child going through a similar situation and it was too much to bear. This was one of the toughest days in my job and it still haunts me today.

Looking back at that phase in my career, however, I can appreciate that it was empowering for me to see children born with cleft lip/palate receiving renewed smiles; to see women’s dignity restored through fistula treatment, and lives empowered through community outreach. Despite some sad moments, this was a life changing phase in my career.

Sauti za Busara(Sounds of Wisdom) Festival 09

My radio journalism career put me at the centre of the action, at ‘Sauti za Busara’ (Sounds of wisdom) music festival in the magical island of Zanzibar, one of the only signature annual events that electrifies the island, with so much buzz and action. Interesting sizzling acts from Africa, as well as renowned international artists, lit up the old fort, with enormous crowds made up of both local and International visitors, who came as far as France, US, Spain, UK, North America to savour the best of ‘Sauti za Busara’ at the old fort in stone town.

Busara all Action

Opening up with a carnival parade travelling from Kariakoo area through to Michenzani, Mkunanzi, Marikiti, Darajani, Malindi and finally arriving at the Old Fort which is at the heart of the Busara Festival every year, the parade was a huge spectacle that made the small coastal town of Zanzibar come to a standstill.

There was a group of young people riding on donkeys waving palm trees reminiscent of the biblical entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. A group of men doused in coconut oil mixed with black flour made the procession a must watch, traditional drum beats of the Wazaramo tribe of Tanzania emphasised the traditional aspect which was quite a theme throughout the festival.

Iddi Achieng Kenya

Performances at the festival stood out with Swahili encounters group creating an amazing music blend of new rhythms from the exploration of new harmonies and sound. The result was a gripping performance of diverse sounds from diverse artistes. Other great notables like Nawal of Comoros gave an electrifying perfomance that moved the crowd, she managed to weave Comoran, Arabic, Swahili, French and English languages through her music. 

Nawal of Comoros

Blessed with a powerful vocal range, Uganda’s diva Omega Bugembe Okello moved the crowd to their feet, she connected with the audience through her rich angelic voice and a cultural assortment of instruments that produced beautiful music.

The best of WaPi(Words and Pictures) brought together African artistes from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda who gave electrifying performances from various genres of music from reggae, hip hop, a traditional fusion of drums, all in the spirit of one music, one language.

Elemotho Namibia

To crown it all the legendary Bi. Kidude the most anticipated act  as yet clearly showed that age is really nothing, music comes from the heart and the heart only and it radiates on the outside. She was the queen of the Sauti Za Busara festival with a film about her life showing at all venues at the festival. Titled ‘As old as my Tongue’, the myth and life of Bi Kidude was every bit as spectacular as her music. 

 

Interview with the legendary Dutch Jazz Drummer Han Bennink

Han Bennink with Tanzanian musicians Hassan and Excel

It is not every day that you get to meet Jazz legends as Dutch drummer Han Bennink. I call him a legend, a jazz legend (I stand to be corrected) but with an international resume spanning five decades you have got to give the guy a lot of credit.

I didn’t fathom my meeting a casual one, as a matter of fact, I had to put him on the spot through a live studio interview. Probably my most nerve racking moment, I made sure I did my research to catch him on the front foot rather than the other way around. The most Interesting aspect about Bennink was the fact that he doesn’t believe going to an Institute or school should make one a great jazz artist. During the interview, I put him on the spot on this one and well he mentions a great number of good jazz improvisers who never set foot in a school. He continues to say that he considers himself an ‘Instant composer, “I like to play fresh, I improvise, I am caught up in that moment and that’s what counts, that’s the greatest moment”.

The Interview doesn’t turn out as bad as I thought, interviewing such a big legend means you have got to get your facts right no matter what. He is a pleasant personality and a great talk. I bring in the aspect of the “Instant composer’s pool” series which he co-founded with pianist Mengelberg in 1967 and did include other younger players such as saxophonist Michael Moore who is also present for the Interview. The ICP was a mixed ensemble: part jazz band, part chamber orchestra which brought about great blending. Bennink was involved in the improvised recordings up to much of the 1990’s when he played with Clusone 3 (also known as the clusone trio), a trio with cellist Ernst Reijseger and Saxophonist and clarinetist Michael Moore.

Han, Michael and Wil

Brooklyn-born Wil Holshouser an accordionist and composer inspires me, he tells me he started playing the piano at a very tender age but when a friend gave him a broken accordion as a surprise present, he fell in love with the instrument and has since established a unique niche for himself as an accordionist, improviser and composer. I note that he has worked in many different genres from jazz to pop to classical, therefore, I am quick to ask him the difference between jazz and classical music, a question that has always intrigued me. For one, he tells me “If you are meeting for a jazz session at two, people arrive at  half past two which is the norm, but if you are meeting for a classical session at two, people arrive there at a quarter to two, that’s the difference,” he tells me. Classical music is much more structured and disciplined,  he explains that it took him a while to get used to that system. At the end of it all, the trio rain their praises on my good selection of Jazz music throughout the hour from Louis Armstrong ‘dream to dream, the likes of Oscar Peterson, Ella Fritzgerald, boy, am I pleased that the great Han Bennink likes my taste of Jazz music. I must have passed the test!.