Develop passion for excellence

Through the grace of God I have been privileged to travel to various countries throughout the globe. During these forays I always make a mental note to observe and learn from many of the things I see and experience. Of the many things I have observed I am especially moved by the levels of excellence and efficiency I have experienced in some countries in Asia and the western world. It is a delight as you alight out of the aircraft into their splendid airports, enjoy the pleasure of using their magnificent road networks and efficient transport systems. The experience continues in their hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. Everything is spotless, immaculately clean, orderly and efficient. This level of excellence can be experienced in some sections in a country south of the border.

I vividly remember returning from Singapore in 1994, long before our pristine airport was built and coming home to our old scruffy, unkempt airport building. I remember being pained as I had just flown in from Changi Airport where I had enjoyed the highest levels of excellence and service. Changi Airport was extremely hygienic and everything gleamed as though there were no people in the building yet thousands were streaming in and out of the airport throughout the day. These high standards of hygiene were achieved because the airport had engaged attendants that ensured that the airport facility was cleaned continuously throughout the day and the general public also made every effort to ensure that the facility remained clean. This included the ablutions which were spotlessly clean too.

A wave of sadness engulfed me as I walked through the old Bulawayo Airport. I was greeted by a loud conversation of a social nature, with laughter filling the air at 0900 hours as staff members lounged around in various corners of the airport. The building was dirty, dusty and the stench of the not so clean ablutions wafted into the main building. Nobody seemed bothered or could care less, it seemed it was normal just to do as little as possible and then spend the rest of the day in social pursuits. A question flashed through my mind and I proceeded to ask myself what it was that made the western and eastern countries so much cleaner and orderly. We don’t need to travel very far to confirm my observation, if one were to drive southward and observe the difference between our side of the border post and that of our neighbours. If you are honest with yourself, you too will ask the same question.

I realised that it was because they possessed a passion for excellence and they had a high regard for quality in all their services and products. This has been woven into their societal fabric and is part of their culture. This regard for excellence, quality and order was the element that was lacking in my happy country men at the Bulawayo airport. Despite the cordial atmosphere prevailing at the airport, the facility was not a good example of excellence. I doubt that many of the visitors who came into the Bulawayo airport at the time were very impressed, and I am positive their first impressions of the City of Kings were not very complimentary.

Yet it is noteworthy that our God is a God of excellence. Everything our God does is done excellently. God considered excellence in all His creation in the book of Genesis.

In this discourse there are several organisations (these are just a few among a number of them) that I wish commend for doing a sterling job in their observance of high levels of excellence. I award each of them (and all others that observe excellence) five stars for doing a great job in very trying economic circumstances:-

The new Bulawayo Airport — the Airport Manager P Dewa and his team should be highly commended for the way the airport building has been maintained since its official opening. I am also very impressed by the high standards maintained in the ablutions. This is usually the barometer that you can use to test the excellence in an establishment. I am also highly gratified to see the gardens taking shape. This creates a very good impression to visitors who come into the country for the first time as they are greeted by the order and high levels of excellence at the airport. We could use as much help in this regard at the moment. I hope Dewa and his team can maintain this in the future.

The ZITF exhibition grounds – I pop into the ZITF exhibition grounds several times a week as I attend the gymnasium. Three cheers to the recently appointed General Manager N Ndlovu and her team who have ensured that the fair grounds are in excellent shape. I walked through the grounds a few days ago and commended the grounds team for a job well done.

I also wish to commend the Bulawayo City Council – Health department : Dr Z Hwalima and her team that are doing a great job of ensuring that the city is a lot cleaner than it has been in the recent past. Each small step in the right direction should be applauded. It is my dream that the public would complement the efforts of the City Council by also making concerted efforts not to litter the city. Areas that the public should pay attention to and reduce littering would be the weekend flea market outside the Revenue Hall, Egodini Bus Terminus and the market places. The responsibility to ensure that the cleanliness and excellence of a place is maintained rests squarely on the entrepreneurs who use these spaces to make a livelihood for themselves. Can you imagine what a difference it would make if standards of excellence were observed and litter was put into litter bins or litter bags for collection by the City Health Department.

Excellence is a biblical virtue practised by God at creation and by distinguished men and women in scripture. Daniel a Hebrew slave in captivity rose to the highest ranks in the land because of an excellent spirit that was found in him – Daniel 5:12.

Solomon also was an orderly man who exhibited wisdom and excellence in all his endeavours. When the fabulously wealthy and exquisite queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon she was left speechless as she observed the excellence in Solomon’s courts. 1 Kings 10:4-5.

The queen of Sheba was not an insignificant woman, and it would appear that when she visited Solomon’s courts she examined him with a royal, critical, knowledgeable eye and Solomon was not found wanting. Rather it was the queen of Sheba who was left dumbfounded by Solomon’s attention to detail and the order in his kingdom.

Joseph the slave/houseboy/prisoner who was ultimately promoted to occupy the office of prime minister in ancient Egypt also had a spirit of excellence in him. Joseph so exhibited excellence that Potiphar a general in the Egyptian army entrusted all his personal and household affairs into the hands of a man who had initially been employed as his houseboy. Such is the effect and power of a spirit of excellence. Genesis 39:6.

Later when imprisoned, Joseph never relaxed his high standards of order and excellence he continued as though he was not experiencing challenging circumstances. As a result he was recognised by the prison officials and given a position of authority there. Finally before his big breakthrough that came about as he was called for an audience with the Pharaoh he still remembered that a man of excellence is careful about his appearance as this creates a first and lasting impression. Genesis 41:14.

I am of the opinion that it is the power of a spirit of excellence that causes one to be attractive, can open closed doors and build favour for an individual.

Excellence according to John N Chacha is “to be superior to, to outshine, to excel, to be above others”. Being a person of excellence takes you to realm of the extraordinary. Everything you do has the “Midas Touch” (remember King Midas who touched everything and it turned to gold). When engaging in any activity people of excellence do it as the scriptures states “with all their might”. Tasks are done to the best of their ability, with exceptional skill and dexterity to the glory of God. Excellence therefore is not an event, it is a lifestyle. Doing things exceptionally well is a part of who they are. They are thorough, have an eye for detail, will never cut corners and are prepared to go the extra mile. The beauty of their work and achievement bears testimony to these attributes.

With that in mind I throw a challenge to believers and to the citizens of this beautiful city of Kings. If our beautiful city of Bulawayo is to attract the investors that we so desperately need it will take all of us making an effort to adopt a lifestyle of excellence. I doubt that if any serious investors were to visit Bulawayo in its current state that they would be inspired to part with their money to start business in our decrepit, litter strewn city. Investors have a certain criteria in mind as they seek suitable destinations for their money. Cleanliness and orderliness rank highly in this list of priorities though it is by no means the only consideration, it still is very important to potential investors. A clean, orderly place is indicative of a hardworking and conscientious people, thus it conjures confidence in the investor that a reasonable return on investment is certain.

Filth and squalor on the other hand is a reflection of the poor mental state of a people. Someone once said that filth and squalor attract the attention of their first cousin poverty. The two coexist peacefully. Despite our national challenges, let us not allow ourselves to lose our sense of pride and allow poverty and filth to overwhelm us. You don’t have to be wealthy to be clean, orderly and live a life of excellence.

Unfortunately, we cannot blame the City Council for the excessive littering in our city. I have seen council employees expend much energy as they sweep the pavements and streets in the morning. Sadly, before noon the city is as filthy as it was before as people litter with impunity. I am aware that the council employees are paid to sweep the city, but as responsible citizens we should take it upon ourselves to reduce their work load. Perhaps their energies could be channelled to other activities such as the beautification of the city. I encourage the general public to adopt a lifestyle of excellence and this begins with a responsible attitude of ensuring that litter is put in appropriate places. Litter bins though few have been provided in the city and must be used.

I implore businesses especially those that provide food, they too should also ensure that there are adequate litter bins in and outside their premises to handle the litter generated by the food packaging. I also call on mobile phone companies to assist by conscientising vendors and the general public about how to dispose used recharge cards. These recharge cards have become a menace as they are strewn with abandon. Companies and retail stores that sell disposable diapers should also educate mothers on how to hygienically dispose of these.

Let every person, especially believers cultivate an excellent spirit like Daniel ….. who knows what doors this might open for us as visitors and potential investors visit Bulawayo the City of Kings. When they come and find people with an excellent spirit, a clean orderly environment, they just might be tempted to want to stay and invest.

“If everyone sweeps in front of his door, the entire world would be clean” – Unknown.