@JoSsegawa This speaks to a bigger lesson about continuity. Great leaders build success; enduring leaders build institutions that can survive them. True legacy is when the vision, culture and institution continue long after the founder is gone. Afrigo now faces that test.
The North Side of Kampala (Ntinda and surrounding areas) has an education juggernaut gathering steam; quietly, purposefully, professionally and without much farce. I mean, they have a student beating the whole of East Africa in some subjects and they don’t talk about it!
For them, it’s about the work, not the glory.
Two weeks ago, through @pbusharizi, I was invited to give a speech at a graduation event at The North Green School. If you haven’t heard about them, it’s because they refuse to overtly advertise. They believe great education, just like healthcare shouldn’t be burdened by the extra need to engage in popularity concept. You’ll know when you find it and you’ll want other people to find it too. That’s their model. And it’s working.
But I digress.
I got to the school, was warmly greeted by Paul and Mrs Elaine A. Matovu, the lady who runs the school. I couldn’t tell at first that she was the boss coz she was busy tying the shoe laces of her students.
Modesty must be her thing but boy, is she a powerhouse and boy is she and her team building something special!
Anyways, to the speech.
I’d never really spoken to a graduating class so I didn’t know what to tell these young people but on my drive there, I played with a few potential themes in my head and finally settled on four that have always spoken to me:
Kindness, Mentorship, Gratitude and Trust the process.
I scribbled some words in my phone notepad, threw in a few references to Martin Luther King Jr, coz he’s MLK and draped allover the school walls. He was never short of inspiration.
The speech was well received.
Word space permitting, I’ll reproduce it here.
Let’s do it in 2 parts👇🏾
Good evening and congratulations to the graduating class of North Green School. Thank you to the Directors of this invitation to address your students. It’s a huge honor.
I’ve been thinking about what to tell a high school graduating class for a bit. You see, my daughter, Ruby, is in high school and I keep wondering whether I’m giving her decent lessons to equip her for a vastly changing, competitive world. This question occupies my mind a lot.
From the time I was asked to share some thoughts with you, it was a bit like tapping into a live wire that’s been flushing for decades. See, I went to one of the best high schools in EA, the oldest in the country, Namilyango College. I look back fondly to my time there, to the lifelong friendships I formed, the lessons I learned and the pain I took. They all have served me well to this day as I march into my 40s. Obviously I know a lot more now than I did then and I always find myself wondering what I wish I’d known more than 20 years ago when I was leaving that great college. A friend of mine, Benjamin Rukwengye has a book where people look back in time and think if they had to write their future selves letters, what would those look like?
That if I’d been 20 now, this is the advice I would have loved to get about a subject. It’s a fascinating way to think about life as we live it. How can I be a better version of myself daily. How can I have more impact not just for myself but for the society I live in. For the tea person in the office, for my family, the janitors, everyone in my community. How? That question should preoccupy your mind and I’m hopeful that by the time I’m done speaking, I would have planted more questions in your mind to try and get you restless enough to wanna impact society in a positive way.
Some of my friends say I have the gift of the gab, when I get into my element. I can speak for a day. But today, in order not to take the much needed time you’d rather spend celebrating with your family and loved ones, I’ll limit myself to 4 themes: Kindness, Mentorship, Gratitude and Trusting the process.
Continued…
It’s our favorite time of the year: Y'ello Care time. 💛
MTNers are out volunteering to empower communities. On June 6th, we kicked off #YelloCare2024, celebrating @MTNGroup's 30th anniversary with the theme "Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow."
Staff embraced a ‘back to school’ vibe with uniforms and school snacks. CEO @sylmulinge and students from Kansanga Seed SS joined the launch at MTN HQ. We announced 100M UGX in support of the school, including a new computer lab, free internet, a fruit garden, and water purifiers.
We are #DoingForTomorrowToday because #TogetherWeAreUnstoppable.
Fun times with my sister @Kansiime256 ..
She is always reminding me she is the tall one in the family! 😝
Was so nice to finally meet you Anne …you are such a vibe 💫.
Truly a phenomenal woman…I celebrate you!
Folks, I am pleased to inform you that I have been appointed as the Local Content Marketing Manager at Multichoice Uganda (@DStvUganda and @GOtvUganda)
I am humbled by the Trust & the Responsibility that has been handed to me. Looking forward to serving.
#OnwardsUpwards
Thread on FLAGS OF WEST AFRICA
Looks like West African countries all went to the same tailor to get their flags done. Can't blame tailor. Y'all can't go to same person for a piece of cloth. Ghana must have arrived first and was given a black star patched in yellow, green, red.
On #360Mentor this Tuesday, .@Hbamulinde returns to help us Plan for 2022. He will share lessons of life & insights from his experiences & folksy wisdom. This session we plan for personal growth. Tweets at 9 am & Spaces audio at 7 pm. Keep the hashtag going, we learn, we grow!