Strive Masiyawa, billionnaire founder of Econet Wireless recently began writing a beautifully eye opening and educative series on the subtle shapes and forms in which corruption happens in business here in Africa – and I’m ecstatic he’s doing what he promised!
Thank heavens he’s a globally reconized billionnaire who rubs shoulders with authentically successful others (like Richard Branson) AND he’s also well known for being very pious and strictly honest in all his dealings.
If not for the above, coupled with well known true stories about how he successfully defeated corrupt state sponsored attempts to stifle his business right from his startup years, Masiyawa would by now have probably been accused by those with vested interests, of being “jealous” or “bitter” or “frustrated” etc.
That’s what those who benefit directly or indirectly from corruption readily say about those who speak out against it.
I’ve written about this great man in the past, noting that he is one truly authentically successful entrepreneur billionnaire African that I reckon with.
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Most of the others are phonies: What he is saying about corruption is how they make their own money!
Hopefully the young Africans who eagerly click LIKE on Masiyawa’s anti-corruption anecdotal series on Facebook, will remember to walk their talk when faced with the social pressures back in their respective societies and communities.
I say this as one who has had to pay the price for doing so in my personal and business life for over a decade, and gotten mocked or criticized for doing so by most of my peers and younger others.
It is NOT easy to do.
Incidentally, some of the youth want to understand better how corruption happens and why they must resist it.
For instance one young Nigerian, few weeks back, when Masiyawa announced his intention to start this series, had commented that he looked forward to reading about why Masiyawa’s Econet Wireless business failed in Nigeria.
It’s the same question another billionnaire – Richard Branson – has had to respond to, in discussing the demise of the Virgin Nigeria venture he once operated in a partnership with that country’s government.
I certainly hope Masiyawa shares the details of what happened during that period he ran Econet Wireless in Nigeria!
Now, I hinted at it above, and Masiya himself has noted also, that following this true and honest (zero-tolerance-for-corruption) path will not be easy. He pointed out that you may lose friends, lose business/money and it could even cost you your life. Yet he recommends that you stay firm and do it anyway!
I agree with him, and the growing success, and significance I enjoy today for what I do, though long in coming, is proof that anyone who stands boldly against corruption with firm faith in the Creator, combined with a willingness to work hard and be creative, will NEVER fail.
For me, Masiyawa now stands head and shoulders above many other business owners in the world for being willing to stick his neck out in this manner, to EXPOSE inside details of corrupt dealings he has encountered and rejected on the way to becoming a billionnaire.
Through him, more Africans will learn that it is possible to get truly rich without engaging in any corner cutting – unlike what so many misguided friends, clients, and even very close relatives, some elderly too, kept trying to force me to accept.
I never did, and some resent me for it, to the extent that they still look for ways to pull me down, till this day.
Yet I’m doing better than ever, because I used my creativity, with lots of hard work, coupled with blind and unquestioning faith in the Creator to develop a unique system that enables me earn over 80% of my income online.
I recall that at a point back in 2004 or so, I took my fight against corruption online by launching what I called a Beat The Nigerian Factor (BTNF) mini site, where I published examples of corruption I encountered.
That’s why I love what Masiyawa is doing so much!
Anyone who is willing can find a way around corruption. The way I see it, Strive Masiyawa’s accomplishments offer the needed inspiration to do it, and his zero cost “lectures” provide the required guidelines you can follow to succeed
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That means you now have no excuse to NOT do it.
The ball is in your court.
Will you join us to help kick corruption permanently out of Africa?
I hope you do, and the following quote by Masiyawa indicates he does too:
It’s time to play by a different (ethical) set of rules”