adminChido had never fished bass, but he grasped the concept very fast and within an hour, he was competing favourably.
During lunch hour he scouted around the dam for crickets. He managed to catch six which gave a 100 percent return on his investment.
He fished with boundless enthusiasm and passionate conviction that I had never witnessed in a fishing environment. Every time he caught a bass he would shout, “Yadya simbi yekwaMasvosva”.
At the end of the day Chris asked Chido: “Mhofu mange masvikirwa here? (Mhofu were you possessed)?
He replied: “To me it’s a privilege and honour to represent my village in such a big and carnivorous fishing atmosphere. I put everything into the game, my mind, my ambition, my creativity and every ounce of my energy to make my village proud.
“In addition, when I get into a competition, I fight like a cricket which is willing even to lose its legs in order to win a fight?’’
This is similar to the passion and patriotism which Esther demonstrated when she says “ . . . and if I perish, I perish.’’ She was willing to risk her life to protect the Jews from anti-Semitism. (Esther 4v16).
Our childhood emotions and sense of belonging
Chido’s emotions are also similar to primary and secondary school children’s emotions attachments to their schools. Schoolchildren love their school so much that they are willing to put every inch of energy they have (in supporting or playing for the school) to win for the school.
During our high school days we used to debate about how St Faith’s is better than St David’s Bonda or Kriste Mambo or St Ignatius (and so forth) in academics and we would ensure we studied hard to ensure St Faith’s brand was protected.
However, as people grow up, the schools cease to be the rallying point for achievement.
Where have our emotions and passion of doing something for a good cause gone to?
The emotions we had about achieving for our primary and secondary schools (in academics or sports) do not appear to have graduated into doing something for your club or company or your country.
Chido won the competition for his village. He wasn’t doing it for himself, but for his small village in Makoni district. Rarely do we find people who use everything in their might for their village.
I have no doubt if Chido is given an opportunity to compete in South Africa he would be proud to do everything within his power to bring the trophy for Zimbabwe.
Putting everything in order to bring glory to your country is known as patriotic passion. How many of us are willing to “fight like a cricket” to bring glory to Zimbabwe. Remember patriotic passion cuts across all political divide.
Misconceptions about patriotic passion
I used to think patriotic passion must only reside in people who play soccer, rugby, cricket and other sporting disciplines only until two weeks ago.
On May 18, 2013 the whole of South Africa was plunged into mourning after receiving the sad news of the passing on of Vuyo Mbuli who was the Morning Live presenter for SABC. Vuyo Mbuli touched the lives of many South Africans across the political and economic divide from children to the pensioners.
He affected people in such a way that South Africans agreed that he should be given a national hero status. He was given a hero’s send-off, arranged and financed by the government of South Africa, surprisingly to a person who never received a single accolade in his 20 years (14 years as Morning Live presenter) stint with SABC.
It is not what you do that matters, but how you do it. It is not where you are that matters but how you make the best of your environment.
It is not only the managing directors or political heavyweights who deliver betterment and glory to the country, but even low- level employees like Vuyo Mbuli. The ability to transform people’s lives resides in everyone regardless of religion, gender, creed, race or social status.
Make a decision to represent your country today
I was so inspired when David Beckham said (on his last game as a professional player) that his greatest honour was to represent and captain the English national team during his illustrious career.
Playing for England not for Manchester United, nor for Real Madrid, nor Paris Saint German was the hallmark of his proud achievements and this signifies his patriotic passion.
Some companies are synonymous with certain countries, for instance businessmen can hardly talk about South Korea without referring to Samsung. Samsung was founded by Lee Byung-Chul in 1938.
It contributes 17 percent of South Korea’s US$1,082 trillion GDP. It has 19 listed subsidiaries (with primary listing in South Korea) and 59 unlisted companies. Its biggest subsidiaries are Samsung Electronics (world’s biggest information technology company (2012 revenues), Samsung Heavy Industries, Samsung Engineering, Samsung C.T, Samsung Life Assurance, Samsung Everland, Samsung Techwin and Cheil Worldwide.
Samsung is a worldwide leading brand. There is no doubt that the success of Samsung inspired two other big brands such as Hyundai and Daewoo to emerge from South Korea.
Few inspired companies under astute leadership can change the complexion of any country in the world of which Zimbabwe is not an exception to this commercial rule.
To represent our country on a big stage and make our country proud still remains a pipe- dream for most of our entrepreneurs, artistes and sportspersons. It is still by and large the preserve of our religious leaders only in Zimbabwe.
Doing something for your country has nothing to do with the political party which one supports, it is about whether you think you have a role in making your country a better place to live in. This emotion must permeate across the whole political divide.
As the country visualises a US$100 billion economy, which main players will help us to get there? Twenty sportsmen, artistes and entertainers with an average of US$50 million net worth will help us get US$1 billion.
Four companies need to generate in excess of US$30 billion per year. The identity of these companies are unknown neither can I use the current top four companies on our stock exchange because I don’t know the level of ambition and inspiration of their leaders but I know the leaders of the futuristic US$10 billion per annum companies are among the people who are reading this article today.
Be inspired today and just do something purposefully for your country today. Put your entire mind, energy and all your emotions into it.
Live, dream and walk the project. Visualise the emotions you get after achieving it for your country. Remember achievement is simply a sum total of high energy levels, high achievement drive, proper use of intellect, determination and passion.
A lot of my friends have been disappointed with the performance of our cricket team, soccer team and by some of their role models at a big stage.
Instead of waiting for other people to make the nation proud why don’t you get out of your cocoon and become the ambassador for our country. The time is now to awaken your sleeping courage!
The writer is a Managing Consultant at CLC Training International. E-mail [email protected].
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