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knew exactly what the fish wanted and that there was a telepathic understanding between the bass fish and him.
He won most competitions emphatically to the extent that we ended up calling him “Varidzi Vedziva” (master angler).
During one particular year he collected all the trophies for all bass fishing competitions, which were held in Harare regardless of the fact that he was fishing from the banks while his competitors were using speedboats.
Unlike some of his competitors, who were richly endowed with good tackle, he did not have the means to purchase lots of different tackle. He did not struggle to adjust his tackle to new dams and new weather conditions.
His fishing excellence inspired many; both old and young people. He was our role model.
In recognition of his fishing excellence the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority appointed him the sustainable fishing ambassador.
However, his glittering fishing career came to a halt abruptly after he was convicted of poaching rhino horns at one of the conservancies in Masvingo while he was participating in a bass fishing competition at Lake Mutirikwi.
The Harare bass fishing fraternity was shocked and emotionally affected by this unethical behaviour perpetrated by someone who was an anti-poaching ambassador.
Some of his supporters could not believe that their celebrity who preached against poaching was a poacher himself.
When I visited him at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, he said: “Ben, I know you used to think that I am a super human but I am not. I am just like you, an imperfect human being.
“I am just human with all the trappings of human frailties which comprise failure and success. We all have weaknesses which are difficult to overcome. Please don’t judge me harshly.’’
Competencies are improved by continuous training. The presence of huge muscle does not make someone strong but the ability to use that muscle determines your success.
The muscle is built and defined correctly due to continuous training. Continued success is determined by ability to use the muscle effectively.
However, the mere presence of a muscle is not good enough to guarantee success just like having good intellect which is not exercised.
What makes someone successful is the ability to use his or her muscle better than their competitor.
The more one stays ahead of his or her competitors; the more one becomes eligible for celebrity status.
Celebrities or role models affect people’s lives emotionally. Success brings admiration and emotional attachment.
They can inspire or destroy people’s lives through their actions. The more success people achieve in any life endeavours, the more people tend to elevate the successful person’s status to that of a superhuman.
The supporters will think that the successful person is neither invincible nor infallible.
Utilisation of one’s competencies enables one to be successful. At the age of 21, Tiger Woods had matured into a professional golfer.
His achievements to date rank him as the most successful golfer of all times. He was the PGA Player of the Year for a record 10 times.
He was the world number one golfer and the highest paid athlete in the world for several years according to Forbes.
However, his off-the-field behaviour affected his competency to the extent that in 2011 he was ranked world number 58.
His fall from grace was perpetrated by the unearthing of his infidelity that led to his divorce from his wife of six years, Elin Nordegren.
The media frenzy that followed interfered with his sport such that he had to take a break from professional competitions.
Although he is on a comeback he is still struggling to capture the form that made him a household name in golf.
Character flaws destroy individuals more than physical limitations such as physical challenges.
Despite being a double amputee, Oscar Pistorius broke world records in 400 metres and 4 x 400mtres relay in 2012 Paralympics competitions and he became the first disabled athlete to compete with able-bodied people in 2012 Olympics.
He demonstrated to the rest of the world that the power of self-belief can move mountains and in the process inspired many people across the globe.
His career appears to be on the rails following the highly publicised case in which he is being tried for shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day last month.
The three examples noted above clearly demonstrate that competency without character is not good enough to sustain an individual’s success.
How does one manage their character?
Character building process cannot happen overnight. It is a painful process, which requires painful self-denial and huge sacrifice.
It requires constant effort, work and awareness. This is affirmed by constantly working on it through words, deeds, and everything you do.
A person should consistently work on himself/herself’s character until it becomes a way of doing things in your life. If this iterative process is repeated over a long period of time your character and yourself can become one unit.
One way of building one’s character is by associating with people with similar integrity patterns as yours.
These people can help you to improve your character. Therefore natural skill, talent and intelligence are not good enough to guarantee sustained success if these rich endowments are not anchored by a good value system.
A country can still fail even if it is endowed with rich mineral resources and intellectual capital if it does not have good corporate citizens.
The writer is a managing consultant at CLC Training International. E-mail [email protected].
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