Being Number 1

Growing up in the Zambian school system, It seemed like if you were not top of the class, then you were nothing. This trend carries on through out to college and then into the workplace.
It may seem okay to live in a competition (rat race) all our lives looking for superior approval to be awarded the number 1 spot. But the consequence of the is that as a society we are constantly competing with each other and never seem to collaborate for the greater good, because we simply have to out shine the other at all costs, even at our very own expense.
I moved to Kenya to boarding school when I was 13 years old. When the concepts of Ujama and Harambee ( loosely interpreted as community coming together for the greater good), I didn't know the Zambian word for working together, simply because in Zambia we are all individually competing for the number 1 spot, in all our mediocre efforts. Better explained like this, if a Kenyan citizen came up with an idea, his fellow citizens would come on board and rally behind the idea to make it the best ever, whether for job or equity opportunity. A concept that dominates the developed nations. However in zambia, if a Zambian citizen comes up with an idea, his fellow Zambian, will come and scrutinise the idea so that they can try and wedge themselves in and steal it so as to either sell the idea or try to replicate it.
Some will say its healthy competition, they may be right. But what I see is a lot of fragmented efforts towards the same goal. We push each other out of the way to the top, only to fail, simply because individually, we don't have enough to push forward.
Teamwork and unity are foreign concepts in Zambia and it started with "pass number 1". Don't get it twisted, passing number 1 is good, but what's even better is doing it together with your friends. Some are good at mathematics others in sciences, showing each other how to answer questions effectively is a good start to working together for future collaborations.
When I travel around the world and I see my fellow Africans from Zim, Kenya, Nigeria, SA, Ghana all huddled in their respective groups, strategising and planning to win as a team, it then makes sense to me why they have thriving economies because, "one can go fast alone, but together we can go far"...

Tapera Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

White Chicken Vs Village Chicken

I recently commented on an interesting Fb post about how high school graduates in Southafrica are doing similar jobs such as bank teller to Zambian university graduates; I basically pointed it out as a shame that we have graduates not pursuing bigger and bolder opportunities in line with all their years of tertiary education.
The Backlash: apparently I stepped on some toes, (which I do Not apologize for), so I spent a good evening explaining where my views are coming from because on the surface, my views may seem like I looking down on Zambian professionals, which is far from the truth because I personally feel that the Zambian graduates are the key to our economic prosperity, however an attitude adjustment is desperately required.
Status Quo: the system that churns out graduates in Zambia is an ancient one which requires an overhaul! Through my interactions with many of our finest scholars from the universities has given me a certain perspective on how limited the capacity for the pursuit of knowledge is in a Zambian uni grad. Of course this is not researched data, and can easily be rubbished by any number of distinguished professors at the run down institutions, but we are on my blog so here we go. I have been told first hand at how the exams are simply memory checks to see how accurately a student can regurgitate answers from a text book, and how the lecturers do not entertain diverse views nor crazy research theories that a progressive thinking student may come up with. Hearing this, I realised that a university student is more focused on cramming and passing that progressively thinking and learning. So for 5 years, this young mind is being trained to be a bot, a cog in a multi national or a parastatal to do the bidding of higher ups with no value addition to the job (that's why we can't produce a steve jobs or bill gates or zuckerberg). So after 5 years of cramming and regurgitation, we get a 'white chicken'.
A white chicken is groomed from the day thee hen lays the egg, it is incubated, hatched, fattened, and slaughtered with no ambition to see the other side of the fence. If you put a bunch of broilers in a wheel burrow, unbound, they'll sit quietly on the way to the slaughter house, because their purpose is not to be tasty (innovative) but to be fattened and slaughtered (standard job and retire), not to roam around (research different theories) but to wait for the red bucket to be full (cram for standard exam).
Now in comparison, the village chicken has a more colourful life, roaming the fields (research), trying out different foods getting nourished and tastier (innovation and application), etc. And the village chicken can't be carried unbound in a wheel burrow, before you take its life, you have to run and chase it and be worthy of it.
My point is that in as much as it is easier to just cram, pass and exist in a job, there is so much more to benefit from pushing the boundaries of education and not waiting for a lecture before adding value to your adult life. Believe it or not, I have conducted research at the University of Zambia to help me run my business better, now imagine the secrets of the universe that an interested student can uncover in 5 years at the university.
Yes there are many countries that a far more developed than we are, imagine using the time at the university to replicate and adapt technology to Zambia instead of taking the easier route of the white chicken.
National development starts with you!

Tapera Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

Definition of Entrepreneurship

Often times in recent past, the term 'entrepreneur' has been bastardized; just as anyone can be branded 'Doctor' or 'Bishop' in Africa so it seems anyone can be branded 'Entrepreneur'. In Zambia, it has become a term to describe anyone who can pronounce the word entrepreneur, and make some money doing it.
The term entrepreneur is a word that first appeared in the French dictionary entitled "Dictionnaire Universel de Commerce" in 1723. It is defined as an individual who organizes or operates a business or businesses.
The Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon defined the term first in his Essay based on the Nature of Trade in General, a book which was considered the "cradle of political economy". Cantillon saw the entrepreneur as a risk-taker who is a person who pays a certain price for a product and resells it at an uncertain price: "making decisions about obtaining and using the resources while consequently admitting the risk of enterprise."
The term "entrepreneur" is often mixed up with the term "small business". While most entrepreneurial ventures start out as a small business, NOT all small businesses are entrepreneurial in the strict sense of the term! Many small businesses are sole proprietor operations consisting solely of the owner, or they have a small number of employees, and many of these small businesses offer an existing product, process or service, and THEY DO NOT AIM AT GROWTH! In contrast, entrepreneurial ventures offer an innovative product, process or service, and the entrepreneur typically aims to SCALE UP the company by adding employees, seeking international sales, and so on, a process which is financed by sales profits, venture capital and angel investments. Successful entrepreneurs have the ability to lead a business in a positive direction by proper planning, to adapt to changing environments and understand their own strengths and weakness.
So, NOT all small businesses are entrepreneurial. This is a very important distinction due to the fact that, while many business people are complacent with a subsistence existence to make ends meet in a risk free environment, there are others making strides in the true definition of entrepreneurship, and are actually changing the landscape of business across Africa. When we have many small business men not taking any risks to grow and become enterprises, but want to carry the term 'entrepreneur', they bastardize the term and it loses authenticity.
My point is that we have to let entrepreneurship be something to aspire to as Small and Growing Businesses (SGB) by not trivializing it. If you have the tag of entrepreneur, the burden of proof is on you show us how you are different from the mediocrity in your circle.
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Tapera Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

Parable of the Talents - The American God...

14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property.
15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.'
21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.'
23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.'
26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
As a global society, we are categorised as First world, Second world, Third world. Similar to the parable, we have each been given talents as groups of people around the world.
Servant1:
When a white westerner gets a loan, he'll invest that money like his life depended on a positive outcome. He'll make it work, even go to Africa, Asia, South America, Middle East, to Space, just to look for the treasure that will grow his resources and payback the debt incurred. The only time the world will see any sign of wealth will be after the project has yielded results and debts have been paid off.
Servant 2:
When an asian gets a loan, he'll invest the money and chances are that he'll try to replicate a western product that he can sale to the world. Other times, he'll set up a retail or wholesale outlet so that h can cater to everyone's needs, whether groceries, building materials, or tooth picks; if it sales, an asian will make it and sell it. He'll live a simple un assuming life, away from prying eyes, only time the world sees his wealth when his children splurge from time to time.
Servant3:
When a black man gets a loan, he'll think of every luxury that he had put on hold. And think all the people he needs to impress so that the community recognizes his opulence. If he gets to investing, he'll find a piece of land to grow something that Servant 1 and 2 would be interested in buying. The investment can't be more than 4 months, the returns have to be exorbitant and minimal risk. The black invested considers a luxury vehicle as an investment simply because they are likely surrounded by people with similar shallow minds who offer to get loans to buy the 3rd hand vehicle if ever there their fellow dumb ass fails to make payments on the depreciated liability. We will know that the money is in the bank because the lifestyle will change dramatically to keep up with the big guys, but as easily we will notice the money finish as they sell of their liabilities and move to cheaper rented accomodation. Typically they'll work well into old age with no savings or tangible assets to rely on, only university papers to hopefully appeal to the children of servant 1 and 2 for a job.
According to the parable told by Jesus, the master will return and request an audience with everyone. Africa is the most endowed continent, with every natural resource that is sought after around thee world, but thee type of education received did not open our eyes to potential for greatness; it trained us to work had for servant 1 and 2, for trivial compensation's like luxury vehicles, designers clothes and fancy outings while they build their utopia.
So according to Jesus parable, who is being rewarded by gaining more and who has been tossed into the darkness (dark continent) due to their laziness?
Some people think that no natural disaster happens in Africa because God lives in Africa, that's a lie. In Jobs story, satan attacked Job because he was a man of God who was prosperous, it makes sense that satan would attack a more prosperous community than one wallowing in poverty. As God eventually tells Lucifer to stop attacking Job, it is why the America is saved from disaster, and Gods people rally togther to help each other out; maybe Lucifer lives in Africa, that's why we need so much prayer.
If this provokes you negatively then I invite you to prove me wrong, cut off ties to the luxurious life and embrace hard work. Stand up and own your place in this world.
Africa Needs a Revolution, in mindset!
Tapera Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

How can Zimbabwe run a cashless economy. A laymans point of view

Zimbabwe could be the last independent country in Africa.
After years of economic oppression from foreign powers trying to impose their will on a people who want to live free from external influence, the spirit of Zimbabwe is only even more resilient.
In this vain, the Zimbabwean youth have to solve the problem of transactions and do away with using bond notes. Granted that things are really bad due to endless sanctions from 'master' (said in southern states slave voice tone), but being the home of one of Africa's billionaire business men, who happens to run a comms empire, then 75% of the work is done.
The western countries use electronic money transfers all the time, and now the made it easier with services such as a mobilee phone card reader that attaches to any android phone or iphone as described here: https://www.chargify.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-smartphone-credit-card-reader-for-your-business/.
Now Zimbabwe has an opportunity to tak advantage of this technologyby bringing the banks, telecoms and the public stake holders who are the merchants that need to transact 24/7. So the main problem being the lackof cash can be mitigated by availing as many people as poSsible with visa cards, then create a reliable internet backbone dedicated to cash transfers, and then engaging every merchant to have the mobile phone gadget which can be bought for 10 USD or provided for free from suppliers like www.payanywhere.com who charge an average of 2.7% per swipe.
What this would potentially do for Zimbabwe is reduce the need for carrying cash. A lot of Zimbos need cash to get transport, buy phone credit, buy a snack, pay for hair cut, pay for fuel, buy groceries, etc. Now the government is not in a position to release the sums required for these transactions,however if the money stays within the banking system but can be transfered accordingly for the required services, then every body wins.
So if the bus conductor, corner store clerk, street hawker are all educated to use the mobile credit card readers, then electronic payments can resolve the issue of bond notes so that everyone can access the goods and services they need without drawing cash.
Zimbabwe can be the first completely cash less society, the young leaders just have to step up and take their place.
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ra Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

Zambia is not seen as a thriving hub of leaders. Why?

There is an invite from TechWomen.Org to train in silicon valley. Zambia is not included among the countrys where participants. Will be drawn from.
My take on the issue is maybe that they haven't witnessed a demonstration of leadership from the Zambian women, except in politics. I remember when we had an opportunity to meet President Lungu at statehouse, Bruce Ernest (YALI 2014 alumni) asked him, 'why is it that foreign Leaders are acknowledging zambian achievements but our local leaders are not even recognizing us?' The presidents response was, 'how many of you have come to present yourselves to government officials and explain what ur doing? If you don't present yourself, we won't know you'. This made sense
I feel that every Zambian achiever should start highlighting what they do, even just on facebook. This creates track record that can be referred to as 'something being done'. Coming from a culture that ecourags humility to a fault only makes us timid on the world stage.
We should also endeavor to promote each other like our friends from Southafrica, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, etc do, because if you claim to be an eagle among a flock of pigeons, all anyone will see is another pigeon. But if you say I come from a group of eagles who are doing amazing things, then they'll see you as an eagle too...
Tapera Industries Limited
biofuels & natural soaps
Forbes 30 under 35 most promising businesses 2016 | MWF 2014 Fellow
www.taperabio.biz | +260953739768

Could a predominantly Maize diet lead to constant mental fatigue: Hence 'African time'

For a long time, the world had labelled Africans for the inability to keep time. It shows in the way we run our businesses, the way we run our governments, the way we run our lives!
Traveling around the world only drove the message home for me because I got to see the stark differences between my home and the west. Even used to ask myself why was it that an born and bred African in Africa would be lazy about doing anything, whilst the very same one would be able to thrive in a westernized society. The usual conclusion would be that the opportunities are better and that effort is often more appreciated than in Africa.
When I started to travel around my country, my options for my diet were fewer. So my diet was dominated by Nshima, the local maize meal diet. Its usually served with a side of leafy vegetables and occasion
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Zambia.