ROLE MODELLING – NEED FOR A NEW CONVERSATION IN ZIMBABWE

Over the years, I have been taking time to interact with young people from different social classes in Zimbabwe. The interactions have been both formal and informal, having gotten a priviledge to run mentorship programmes for emerging young entrepreneurs, funded by international donor agencies. I have observed that even focused young people are not immune to the consumerism culture that now permeates the values of many. The appetite for material things and goodies that young people have is testimony to how role modelling has been compromised. There are a number of individuals who are now esteemed as “influencers”, undoubtedly drawing sizeable followership regardless of the fact that their lives have little to emulate except that they have amassed substantial material acquisitions.

?To give context to my line of thought, I will adopt the Thesarus.com definition which posits that a role model as; ?

?“A person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.”

?As suggested by the definition, there are clusters of influencers in Zimbabwe who are doing well in different sectors and endeavours. I have chosen to bunch them into groups of; the rich and flamboyant, social media influencers, celebrities, preachers, business tycoons and professional career people. For this discussion, I will focus on the rich and flamboyant category that includes flamboyant individuals in both the secular and religious contexts. I have decided to include the religious fraternity as religion is a strong part of many Zimbabweans with churches commanding a very large following. It is important to note that there are some very successful business people whose legitimate empires are known with sources of wealth that can be accounted for, and in most cases, this group is not noisy and doesn’t seek public attention.

?Role models set the tone of the culture, beliefs and values in a society through the stories they share, conversations they publicise, lifestyles they project and most importantly, what they reward. Being a role model carries a huge responsibility given the impact of one’s life on others. Generally, people look up to role models given that they supposedly will be leading “desirable” or “enviable” lives, simply put, the soft life or popularly acceptable standard. Due to their perceived or projected success, their methods and approaches will automatically be worth emulating as they will have been proven to be effective. The digital era has made it easier for role models to shape conversations thus determining trends, language, consumption patterns, tastes, standards and values. They post messages, pictures, videos and articles on various platforms with their content becoming viral in no time. As a matter of fact, there are always people who will be searching for any content from the role models which points at the magnitude of their influence.

?It is important to note that since time in memorial, people in general and young people in particular have always been looking for and up to role models. Historically, we have national heroes whose lives were exemplary to many young people due to their contribution. Professionally, there are many societal or local heroes who shaped the behaviours of young people. ?Values like service to society, positive work ethic, transparent business endeavours, vocation-centered living, life-long employment, moral and ethical leadership used to dominate the Zimbabwean ethos ?and conversation (Ubuntu/ Hunhu). I recall that in the years gone past, at any opportunity an elder would interact with a young person, one question was obvious in the conversation; “What are you doing in life?” The question was meant to enquire about one’s profession or business endeavours. The question was asked by the majority of elders regardless of their level of education. The understanding was that everyone was expected to serve in every capacity possible and contribute to society. Negative behaviours such as laziness, dishonesty gains, loafing about, non-productive living, alcoholism and substance abuse were deplorable with young people being cautioned against such behaviours.

?Presently, the discourse has shifted from contribution to society to possessions or acquisitions. The question is, “What do you have or possess?” pointing at ownership of material acquisitions. Never mind how the material acquisitions are gotten or the “price” that one pays to get them. Young people now only marvel at trendy cars, houses, fashionable clothes, food and any niceties. We now have generations that have been socialized in this view, who will pay any price as long as they “get” the material possessions they will be hungering for. In the yesteryears, “good living” was a result and reward of dedicated, faithful service, persistence and consistency in service. A community would actually respect hardworking individuals who would be enjoying good life. Therefore, when elders would be advising young people, they would back their teachings by practical life examples of role models that were supposed to be emulated. This reference would be done with confidence, even by those who would have not made it like the role models. Young professionals and entrepreneurs would not compare their fortunes to that of their elders. Rather, they would remain focused, working hard with resolve trusting that “their time” would come in the future.

?One young entrepreneur argued that the digital and knowledge era has also brought with it disruptive ICT-driven business solutions generated by young people, resultantly increasing the numbers of wealthy young people. While I concur with this submission, as it applies to the global phenomenon, on challenging them to enlist young people participating and leading in high-tech related sectors and have made it big, the list was very short.? Our young generation now looks at material acquisitions to an extent that they do not lend an ear to constructive teaching and life lessons from supposedly “disadvantaged” elders. The dominating view is having material things is making it, even when one does not have any means. Possession is now an end in itself, which is quite different from the view that material acquisitions are earned through means of production.

?While one would have expected young people active in religious circles to be spared from this materialistic view, they are equally captured as “prosperity gospel” has been being topical for some time. Some church leaders are setting examples of opulent lifestyles even when their income streams cannot be clearly explained. ?Another worrisome view pertains to the quick gains and lavish living at times even without longevity! The “enjoy-it- while- it- lasts” or “seize it here and now” mindset is dominating conversations. The mindset of delayed gratification long lost its flavour.

?In an endeavour to reshape the conversation, I suggest that the following scalable thoughts be considered:

1.????? Utilisation of the family unit as a values and culture transmitter

?Families should consider “ring-fencing” their young through leading exemplary lives that demonstrate contentment with honest-living. Elders should be at peace with returns from honest-living. If elders tame their appetites, young people will learn how their elders live and in turn live emulating their elders. No example beats a local role model as the young people has access to them thus facilitating learning.? Peer pressure makes minimal corruption of good values where the family unit is closely knit. I have observed that as children grow up, they always gravitate toward what they lived and learnt from their family, so the battle can be won.

2.????? Community engagement

?The same attitude with which Zimbabweans identify with each other in times of crisis e.g. providing support at funerals or in times of sickness, communities should identify their role models and create platforms for conversation. Instead of being distant when one makes it, it is prudent to remain accessible so young people can learn and get perspective. As the African adage says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it is time that we reclaim our collective identity and source of strength as a community-centric culture.? It has always been unAfrican to seek individual good, we have always had a responsibility and commitment to common good.

3.????? Adopting young people and granting them access to mentorship

?It is time for people of integrity to identify likeminded individuals who can commit to mentor young people. There is need for a critical mass of elders to arise and reach out to as many young people as can be reached. Direct interface remains very effective in touching people’s hearts as it is a demonstration of commitment to others. Learning from the Bible, there was a time Elijah felt alone and lonely while standing right, little did he know that there were many thousands who were likeminded. Social media at times misrepresents and misleads through things such as “followership” and “likes.” Nothing beats direct contact in demonstrating presence, warmth and gravitas. Therefore, mentorship helps young people to learn, live and understand that there are millions of people who subscribe to positive values.

4.????? Integration of young people into business life

I am of the view that companies could establish skills development and volunteer programmes as part of Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes. Presently, there are quite a number of good programmes on Sexual and Reproductive Health, support for health facilities, old peoples and orphanage homes as well as scholarship programmes being funded by the private sector.? However, I think that volunteer programmes can go a long way to integrate young people into the business world. Such programmes can help by giving young people exposure to and appreciation of service-orientation, basic skills and work ethics.

?Innovation is a function of exposure as individuals identify gaps that they can close through service provision or supply of products. Considering the strategic importance of self-employment as an employment creation vehicle, volunteer programmes will also help to impart business skills to the young people as well as help them identify business opportunities they can explore. Where possible, companies could also have Open Days on which they invite interested young people to visit their premises for business tours, so they learn and understand operations that take place in industry. ??

?In conclusion, it is vital that good values be reclaimed if we are to empower our young people to be competitive and significant on the global arena. Innovation, ethical leadership, hard work, contribution, service and value addition are the values that drive the world and the only means that guarantee building of sustainable legacies. Appetite needs to be tamed so people lead enriching lives to their communities and themselves. As the Apostle Paul would say, we need more people who can declare that, “Imitate me as I imitate Jesus!” It is apparent that we need more role models to stand up, be counted as mentors and hand-hold young people so positive ethics are embedded again into our culture.?

?About the Author

?Mufaro Makarudze is an HR Consultant based in the United Kingdom.