Ezekiel Esipisu

[Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist @mohammedhersi]

South Africa Is Playing With Fire

Boardrooms are now battlegrounds. Activists are marching into corporate offices across South Africa demanding that "foreigners" pack up and leave.

President Cyril Ramaphosa @CyrilRamaphosa this cannot stand and here's why it's not just wrong, it's dangerously short-sighted. Please ask yourself does South Africa know how deeply it is embedded in the rest of this continent?

✅️1. MTN carries hundreds of millions of subscribers across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, and beyond a South African company thriving on African soil that isn't its own. @MTNza

✅️2. Absa now earns nearly a third of its group profit from outside South Africa — Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania and is still acquiring more African banks as we speak. @Absa

✅️3.Standard Bank remains the continent's largest bank by assets, moving trillions of rand through African economies every single year. @StandardBankZA

✅️4. MultiChoice/DStv has for decades been the dominant gatekeeper of entertainment and information across dozens of African households.

✅️5. Sanlam and Old Mutual manage insurance and pension savings for millions of East and West Africans.

✅️6. Nandos, Steers, and Debonairs feed households across Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and Uganda.

✅️7. Bidvest and Imperial Logistics run supply chains that keep goods moving through multiple African economies.

✅8. ️Then there's tourism an industry South Africa depends on heavily, and where the hypocrisy cuts sharpest. Hospitality groups like Tsogo Sun, City Lodge, and Sun International have expanded into Zambia, Nigeria, and beyond. South African Airways, Airlink, and a web of SA-based travel companies have spent decades marketing Cape Town, Kruger, and the Garden Route to the rest of the continent and Africans have answered in huge numbers. Kenyans, Nigerians, Ghanaians, and others fill Sandton hotels, Table Mountain cable cars, and Kruger safari lodges every year, injecting real foreign currency into the South African economy.

So which is it? Do you want African wallets in your tills and African bodies in your hotel beds, but not African faces in your boardrooms?

Now imagine just for a moment Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, or Ghana adopting the same logic. Boardrooms in Lagos or Nairobi staging walk-ins demanding MTN executives leave, Absa hand back its banking licenses, or Kenyan immigration quietly discouraging South African tourists from checking into Mombasa or Diani hotels. The fallout for South Africa would be instant and brutal and tourism, banking, and telecoms would be the first casualties, not the last.

This is the essence of glass houses and stones. You cannot build a continental empire in banking, telecoms, insurance, and tourism, and then slam the door on that same continent's citizens the moment it's convenient at home. It's worth remembering South Africa's most celebrated exports thrive precisely because other nations didn't gatekeep opportunity by passport.

Trevor Noah built a global career from a studio in New York. Elon Musk, born in Pretoria, built his fortune in Silicon Valley and Texas. Both benefited from economies that judged them on merit, not nationality. @Trevornoah @elonmusk

If Africa responds to South Africa's boardroom nativism with mirrored nativism, no one wins least of all South Africans working, investing, and building across this continent.

Mr. President, this is a fire worth putting out before it spreads.

As always, I choose to remain an optimist.

Mohammed Hersi
A true African patriot at heart

[Charles Onyango-Obbo @cobbo3]

There is intense discussion in South Africa following the revelation that retail giant Mr Price Group's CEO, Mark Blair, receives total earnings that are 843 times higher than those of the company’s lowest-paid employees. Blair's total remuneration package is R52.6 million (US$3.2 million), whilst the lowest-earning employees – typically casual sales staff or entry-level retail workers – earned R63,000 (US$3,840) for the year.
Perhaps South Africa's xenophobic/Afrophobic mobs, so notorious for misdirecting their anger at struggling African migrant shopkeepers, will realise that the bigger threat to their livelihoods isn't the immigrant running the local spaza shop, but the system that allows a corporate executive to take home 843 times a worker's wage.

[Amb. Manoah Esipisu EBS @MEsipisu]

A profound thank you to President @PaulKagame for receiving us at Urugwiro Village. Engaging with leaders is key to shaping Africa's prosperity. Together, we can drive economic growth through digital & financial innovation, empowering citizens in Rwanda & across the continent.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

Ways of the world

[Juma G 🇰🇪 @jumaf3]

It is difficult to know what goes on in the mind of a man... Men, especially those with families, are always fighting silent battles, carrying burdens that are untold, but still manage to smile... Often afraid of how the future will be... Planning... Thinking... In silent.

When you see that man paying rent, school fees, making sure you never sleep hungry, helps almost the whole tribe at home, and sometimes others within and without your side, don't take it as a right... Behind it are debts, sweat, and blood. But mostly they don't say. When you see them happy for a minute, let them be, for no one appreciates them, but themselves.

Otherwise, khabusie!

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

@jumaf3 The ways of the world

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

Different audiences need different marketing. What resonates with one group may miss another. Segment the market, tailor the message, and use the right channels—effective communication comes from speaking to what matters to each audience.

[Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist @mohammedhersi]

Take a moment to actually understand how tourism works before reducing everything to a racial conspiracy.

Tourism is not an African invention. It’s a global industry worth over $9 trillion, supporting more than 330 million jobs worldwide and contributing about 10% of global GDP according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. If tourism were the empty “pseudo-industry” you claim it is, the rest of the world wouldn’t be investing so heavily in it.

Africa’s share of global tourism is only around 5% of international tourist arrivals, which means the continent is actually underrepresented, not overexploited. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only a fraction of that.

You also claim tourism produces no real wealth. The numbers tell a completely different story.

In Kenya, tourism contributes roughly 9–10% of GDP and supports over 1.5 million jobs directly and indirectly. In 2023 the country received around 2 million international visitors, generating over $3 billion in tourism revenue.

In Tanzania, tourism is actually the largest source of foreign exchange. The country received about 1.8 million visitors in 2023, generating roughly $3.4 billion and supporting around 1.5 million jobs across safaris, hospitality, transport, food supply chains, and conservation.

In Rwanda, tourism has become the leading foreign-exchange earner. Gorilla trekking, national parks, conferences, and cultural tourism brought in about $620 million in 2023, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in a country that has deliberately invested in tourism as part of its economic strategy.

Then look at Morocco, one of Africa’s biggest tourism success stories. In 2023 Morocco received around 14.5 million visitors, generating over $10 billion in revenue and contributing roughly 7–8% of GDP, while supporting more than 2 million jobs.

These are not imaginary numbers. They represent real incomes for tour guides, drivers, hotel workers, farmers supplying food, artisans, airlines, park rangers, transport operators, and thousands of small businesses.

Reducing the entire industry to sex tourism is frankly insulting to the millions of Africans who work professionally in it. Tourism today is largely experiential — people travel for wildlife, culture, landscapes, food, music, and heritage. That is the product: the land, the people, and the culture.

And if tourism were such a useless industry, then explain why so many successful countries rely on it. Thailand receives nearly 40 million tourists annually and tourism accounts for about 20% of its economy.

Dubai made tourism a central pillar of its diversification strategy. Vietnam used tourism as a growth engine after decades of war. Maldives and Seychelles have entire national economies built around tourism.

None of these countries abandoned tourism in order to build factories. They did both.

That’s the basic point you’re missing. Industrialization and tourism are not mutually exclusive. Countries grow by diversifying — building factories, power stations, logistics networks, agriculture, services, and tourism at the same time.

Yes, Africa absolutely needs more factories and industrial capacity. But dismissing tourism — an industry that creates jobs, brings in foreign currency, funds conservation, and supports entire supply chains — simply doesn’t make economic sense.

The real discussion should be about how Africans capture more value from tourism, not pretending the industry itself is worthless. Drill deep and get to know how tourism works before you expose your ignorance.

[Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist @mohammedhersi]

Take a moment to actually understand how tourism works before reducing everything to a racial conspiracy.

Tourism is not an African invention. It’s a global industry worth over $9 trillion, supporting more than 330 million jobs worldwide and contributing about 10% of global GDP according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. If tourism were the empty “pseudo-industry” you claim it is, the rest of the world wouldn’t be investing so heavily in it.

Africa’s share of global tourism is only around 5% of international tourist arrivals, which means the continent is actually underrepresented, not overexploited. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only a fraction of that.

You also claim tourism produces no real wealth. The numbers tell a completely different story.

In Kenya, tourism contributes roughly 9–10% of GDP and supports over 1.5 million jobs directly and indirectly. In 2023 the country received around 2 million international visitors, generating over $3 billion in tourism revenue.

In Tanzania, tourism is actually the largest source of foreign exchange. The country received about 1.8 million visitors in 2023, generating roughly $3.4 billion and supporting around 1.5 million jobs across safaris, hospitality, transport, food supply chains, and conservation.

In Rwanda, tourism has become the leading foreign-exchange earner. Gorilla trekking, national parks, conferences, and cultural tourism brought in about $620 million in 2023, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in a country that has deliberately invested in tourism as part of its economic strategy.

Then look at Morocco, one of Africa’s biggest tourism success stories. In 2023 Morocco received around 14.5 million visitors, generating over $10 billion in revenue and contributing roughly 7–8% of GDP, while supporting more than 2 million jobs.

These are not imaginary numbers. They represent real incomes for tour guides, drivers, hotel workers, farmers supplying food, artisans, airlines, park rangers, transport operators, and thousands of small businesses.

Reducing the entire industry to sex tourism is frankly insulting to the millions of Africans who work professionally in it. Tourism today is largely experiential — people travel for wildlife, culture, landscapes, food, music, and heritage. That is the product: the land, the people, and the culture.

And if tourism were such a useless industry, then explain why so many successful countries rely on it. Thailand receives nearly 40 million tourists annually and tourism accounts for about 20% of its economy.

Dubai made tourism a central pillar of its diversification strategy. Vietnam used tourism as a growth engine after decades of war. Maldives and Seychelles have entire national economies built around tourism.

None of these countries abandoned tourism in order to build factories. They did both.

That’s the basic point you’re missing. Industrialization and tourism are not mutually exclusive. Countries grow by diversifying — building factories, power stations, logistics networks, agriculture, services, and tourism at the same time.

Yes, Africa absolutely needs more factories and industrial capacity. But dismissing tourism — an industry that creates jobs, brings in foreign currency, funds conservation, and supports entire supply chains — simply doesn’t make economic sense.

The real discussion should be about how Africans capture more value from tourism, not pretending the industry itself is worthless. Drill deep and get to know how tourism works before you expose your ignorance.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

Ticket number 2512-976851 First application for an identity card made on 06/12/2024 via Mabopane - pending to date (one year later). No explanation, a wall of silence. Not sure why this kind of situation prevails @Leon_Schreib @HomeAffairsSA

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

@Leon_Schreib Ticket number 2512-976851 first application for an identity card made on 06/12/2024 - pending to date (one year later). Not sure why this kind of situation prevails.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

Beautiful

[Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist @mohammedhersi]

#whyilovekenya

This story was shared in the past by my mentee, Bernard Mungai. His last posting was at Sarova Imperial Kisumu.

In 2010, Bernard walked into my office Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa to deliver some documents from a law firm for my signature. Once he was done, he politely asked if I had five minutes so that he could share his career aspirations. I gladly agreed.

I was about to enjoy my 4 p.m. tea and requested that a second cup be brought to my office so that we could share it . What was meant to be a five-minute conversation turned into a thirty-minute discussion.

Bernard was very clear about what he wanted. While seated with me in my office as a messenger, he explained that he was studying hotel and tourism management. He requested an opportunity to undertake his industrial attachment at my resort. Through the Human Resources department, this was facilitated. As the saying goes, hard work pays off, and he was later given a chance to join the management trainee programme.

He left my office with a promise that one day he would become a hotel General Manager. Fast forward to last week—I bumped into him at Sarova Panafric, where he is currently the Front Office Manager, just a heartbeat away from becoming a General Manager.

Bernard proudly took me around Sarova Panafric, showcasing their new rooms, spa, and many other impressive improvements.

It is said that when you wash your hands, you can dine with kings at the high table. Young Bernard Mungai washed his hands, and he is steadily growing into a fine hotelier. I am a very proud and happy teacher and mentor.

This time, it was Bernard’s turn to buy me tea—but instead, he treated me to lunch.

Be the candle that lights many more candles since a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

Bernard, the sky is not the limit. You will go places.

As always, I choose to remain an optimist.

@KariukiJimi & @SarovaHotelsKen . You are the " University of hoteliers in Kenya". Even international chains who set up in Kenya have tremendous respect for Sarova associates. Keep raising the bar.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

What a game. DRC you deserved the win. Nigeria were disappointing. See you Tuanzebe, AWB, Mayele and company in Mexico

[Facts On Rwanda @FactsOnRwanda]

RWANDA

The former president of Tanzania, late John Pombe Magufuli in 2018 explained what he feels about Rwandan President Paul Kagame. #FactsOnRwanda

[Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist @mohammedhersi]

This is more than just a system change. @KWSKenya
@Kiptoock @rebecca_miano @magicalkenya

How do you justify converting Ksh to the $$$ at Ksh 135??

How do you justify gateway fees of 8.5%?

How do we do business with Mpesa at Ksh300,000 cap?

Firstly KWS have ignored the court order but we have continued to pay the new fees then suddenly a new change where banks have been taken out and in their place its Visa card.

Someone somewhere DOES NOT want to see tourism working or is hell bent to make hay where they never sowed.

This is NOT SUSTAINABLE @KEPSA_KENYA
@KTF_Kenya

https://t.co/5Qo8MXUD4E

[Chams Media @ChamsMedia]

Earlier today we had the pleasure of hosting HE. Amb. Prof @MEsipisu at our Hurlighum Office to discuss his contribution towards the 2nd Daring Diaspora Returnees Forum as a speaker. We are eager to learn from his wisdom and extensive experience in diplomacy through his...

[Chams Media @ChamsMedia]

Amb. @MEsipisu is ready for the 2nd Daring Diaspora Returnees Forum happening this Friday October 31st 2025 at Nairobi Holiday Inn, Two Rivers from 8am to 5pm. Register now at Kes.4,900 here:
https://t.co/H5PY14JZHu

#DaringAbroadForums #BeyondRemittances

[Amb. Manoah Esipisu EBS @MEsipisu]

AFRICA PUBLIC SQUARE - Are regional organisations a necessity for regional integration? What is needed for a future ECOWAS of Peoples? @ecowas_cedeao @ALC_KCL @FunmiOlonisakin @StrathU

[Amb. Manoah Esipisu EBS @MEsipisu]

Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga (1945–2025). A true son of Kenya. Patriot who bore weight of our nation’s struggles & dreams. Through sacrifice, courage & unyielding belief in democracy, he shaped generations & gave voice to millions. His name will forever stand among 🇰🇪 giants.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

Tae, ah ah... this is for mama watoto

[Phannie A. Kwegah 🇰🇪 @MissKwegah1]

Feeding baba watoto because the Bible says if you don’t someone else will.

Good morning 😃.

[Ezekiel Esipisu @eesipisu]

@MUFCDarren_ LIV Golf 2026 at Steyn City Midrand in Joburg will be played on a kikuyu grass golf course (the first golf course to host the tour in Africa)

[Amb. Manoah Esipisu EBS @MEsipisu]

Was delighted to co-convene a fireside chat on purpose, leadership, and legacy, featuring @StrathU VC @VinceOgutu and industry & philanthropy icon Dr Manu Chandaria. Huge lesson: The ones who lead change are the ones who step up and step to the front; not those in the shadows.