Pursuing excellence

Rev Sarah Nyathi
Daniel 5: 12a
“For as much as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in this same Daniel . . .”

From this aforementioned scripture reference we note that excellence is a spirit. If excellence is a spirit it follows that it can be caught or imparted. Those who understand the spirit realm will have an appreciation of the importance of impartation. Christians and everybody for that matter should pursue a spirit of excellence as it is the key that unlocks doors to influence, promotion and success.

In his book Becoming a Person of Excellence, Dr John N Chacha defines excellence as “to be superior, to outshine, to excel, to be above others!!!” I find this definition very refreshing and it leaves me with a hunger and desire to have the spirit of excellence pervading my life.

As I alluded in an earlier article that I am captivated by different experiences that I have had as I have travelled to different parts of the globe, in this instance I would like to refer to Rwanda’s growing economic success. Rwanda is no longer remembered for the genocide that occurred several years ago, rather they have chosen to use this unfortunate, dark part of their history as a stepping stone to greater things as a nation. Swinging from that nightmarish era, they have chosen to put the past behind them and look forward to a great future. The current mayor of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba has chosen to adopt a spirit of excellence for that city and has ensured that it has cascaded into the general populace.

After reading an article by David Dagan about the Kigali story I was absolutely fascinated at how a whole city and nation for that matter can pursue excellence with such single mindedness. It makes fascinating reading and I quote from the article — “Welcome to the capital of Rwanda, where cleanliness and order prevail. Trash is hard to find, even on the dirt roads outside the main arteries. Vendors have been banished from the sidewalks. Walking down the street with a plastic bag could cost you more than $150.00, while the store owners found stocking them, face up to six to twelve months in prison”.

I wondered what the rationale was behind such stringent measures in a small, poverty stricken African nation. What would cause the mayor and citizens of Kigali to think like this?

Mayor Ndayisaba further states, “Cleanliness is no small part of the vision (for the city). People working in a comfortable environment will think better and an attractive Kigali is more likely to draw in foreign investors and visitors . . . We want to be clean in everything. To have people clean in mind, clean just for sanitation, and . . . our investors get clean money.”

I also discovered most importantly, that people in Kigali are co-operating with the city authorities and are pitching in to achieve this great vision of excellence. They have developed a clean campaign aptly named “Umuganda” — a monthly day of mandatory community service. This day includes politicians, leaders and the general populace. They all work together and carry out various tasks, though these often involve litter removal and other city beautification projects.

Please note that I am not advocating that vendors be removed from the streets, but rather that they carry out their activities in an orderly, hygienic fashion. The nation of Mauritius seems to have mastered this as vendors have beautiful stalls in the city, side by side with the formal retailers. It would be wonderful to also see our own members of parliament, councillors, bishops, apostles, prophets, pastors, corporate leaders, business owners and the population at large join forces with our city council, as we start our own version of “Umuganda”. It would be phenomenal if Bulawayo were to adopt a clean culture resulting in a spirit of excellence. The City of Kings is already a beautifully, well planned city and this spirit would enhance it and take it to the levels of the extraordinary.

The same author alludes to Rwanda endeavouring to be a modern centre of IT and finance and therefore must look like one. They are convinced that image matters in economic development. The quest for excellence has translated itself into tangible benefits for the country. The figures speak for themselves, real GDP has more than doubled to a nominal value of $5.6 billion between 2000 and 2010. According to the World Bank aid received from other governments has shot up. The World Bank has awarded Rwanda high marks for making it easier for entrepreneur’s to set up shop.

In my view the citizens of Bulawayo, especially believers can learn from this success story and start implementing small but positive changes in our quest for excellence.

In fact, I am of the opinion that Bulawayo could supercede the Kigali success story. If we consider that we have a highly literate human resource, excellent infrastructure in the form of large industries in Belmont, Donnington, Kelvin and other areas and that the city authorities are currently rehabilitating our urban roads. With all these great qualities that we possess, can you imagine the explosive results we would have were all these to be combined with excellence. It is my contention that Bulawayo could become Zimbabwe’s prime investment destination.

As we pursue excellence it is important to note some important characteristics of people of excellence:-

l Excellence is not merely outward, it has its source within. It is a lifestyle. The true source of excellence is a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

l People of excellence do not pursue excellence for vain reasons.

l The yardstick of excellence is personal. People of excellence continuously outdo their personal best. It is a method of continuous personal improvement and development.

l They do not cut corners, they are thorough and do things by the book.

l They go the extra mile and beyond the call of duty.

l They have an eye for detail. The small things that other people overlook do not escape the attention of a person of excellence.

l They have sharp agile, alert minds. Mental laziness is an impediment to excellence.

l They practice critical thinking.

l They have a high regard for good timekeeping.

l Their word is their bond as they are promise keepers. They do not overpromise and under deliver.

l They are hard workers. They sleep a little later and get up a little earlier to deliver on a promise.

Let us pursue excellence, bearing in mind that our God is a God of excellence. May the City of Kings continue to improve and regain the status of being the cleanest city in Zimbabwe and beyond.

I would like to thank those who are reading the column and especially those who are communicating with me God bless you all.

Feedback

Your column Reverend Nyathi is very true. At times I ask myself why anointing oil, or packed water is being sold. I don’t believe in that because if it is from God it should be free. I once attended one of those churches and when bottled water was offered for sale I left the church. — 0713 210 893.