Whither Swahili Barbara Gonzalezs?

Earlier this month Simba Sports Club announced the appointment of Ms. Barbara Gonzalez as its new CEO. The unorthodox appointment of a young and female CEO set the nation ablaze, with many critiquing her appointment. This forced Simba to provide a public defence of the appointment.

Unorthodox Appointment

In a move to weather the storm, the charismatic Barbara went on a media blitz: kickstarted by high level endorsements from both the President of CAF and the US Embassy in Tanzania, she went on to be featured in many news channels, including BBC Focus on Africa and BBC Swahili programs. She also managed to get some kudos from UN Women office in Tanzania too.

With this PR onslaught, when the clouds cleared, the public opinion had moved strongly in her favour – that she is a qualified candidate that deserves such a prominent appointment. 'Barbara Gonzalez', announced an article on BBC News website, is 'the CEO changing perceptions in Tanzanian football.'

Having attended schools such as International School of Tanganyika (IST) and London School of Economics (LSE), and with experience as a consultant at Deloitte Tanzania, head of Mohammed Dewji Foundation, and a PA to the dollar billionaire himself, who can question her merits to manage a multi-billion shillings worth business with a mere 8 years’ work experience at a relatively tender age of 30 years?

Reproducibility

But how does a young female, even one with her glowing credentials, manage such a feat in this conservative society? Are her results reproducible? If her name had been Wambura Wamburaka or Kileghe Kilagheo, could she get similar results?

Barbara’s alma mater – IST – is a school for the very elect. Coming at the cost of 50m+ annually, students are expected to be positioned competitively upon graduation. So, even if one was an average student there, one will most probably be better than many students out there.

What is the likelihood that the US Embassy will recognise the Wamburas and Kileghes so as to promote them?

However, Tanzania is big enough, and some students are special enough for us to conclude that, unless one has completed his or her A-levels at 10, we most probably have seen better.

There are many schools in Tanzania that bring some of the best performers in the nation together. Years back I attended one, and I wish I could narrate stories that show how awesome some of those guys were: Let’s just say that if you think you are really good – there are people out there who can make you feel like a complete idiot. One good reason to keep our feet firmly planted in the ground.

Those schools are churning out such graduates every single year. A few months ago, my exceedingly kind neighbour invited me to his home to celebrate his daughter’s staggering performance – 9 As in a national exam! This is Tanzania, people – the kinds of obstacles that students must overcome to rise to those heights are gargantuan. Such performers are truly outstanding.

So, what’s the likelihood that the US Embassy will recognise girls like her too?

The Billionaire Connection

For postgraduate studies, Barbara went to LSE. That’s a fine school, one which opens doors to careers in prestigious firms such as Deloitte, but one which one Sir Humphrey Appleby (you are welcome, readers!) will dismiss (speaking of his minister) saying – ‘He can’t speak Latin, you see, he only went to LSE!’ Laughter!

Are the Wamburas and Kilaghes taken under the wings of billionaires? Is this the reason you don't find them as executives in their companies?

Seriously, though, we don’t have ivy league universities' equivalent in Tanzania (although we need some – surely Tanzanians deserve better), but we understand that an Analyst/Consultant level in a consulting firm is at best a Captain in the army. So, how does a lowly officer get elevated to head a foundation that dishes out millions of dollars? Weren’t there more qualified consultants at Deloitte, in other firms, or around the country?

Rigged System

The system that generates Tanzania’s Barbaras is rigged against the Wamburas and the Kilaghes. The Wamburas and Kilaghes, regardless of how gifted they are, they have to make it in life the hard way, not having no US embassy to cheer them on, and no billionaires to take them under their wings.

Isn’t this the reason you don’t see their faces represented when you examine the top management teams of the companies those billionaires own?  

Melanin-deficiency (degree of whiteness of your skin) has significant dividends in Tanzania.

The problem is historical: Melanin-deficiency has significant dividends in Tanzania. You have ‘Uzunguni’, ‘Uhindini’, and ‘Uswahilini’ – your lot is dependent on the degree of skin pigmentation, the width of your skull, the type of your hair, and how pointed your nose is!

Recognising Privilege

When captains are made brigadiers, then are hailed as heroes when they are made generals – you have a problem. Soon, having accumulated more power, those generals will go on to wield it in bigger theatres and achieve greater things while being celebrated all the way by the clueless (or complicit) CAF and UN presidents of this world for their genius! Ultimately, they may actually end up believing that themselves: that they are better than everyone else!

Let's recognise privilege. It's the pleasant face of racism.

Now, we have to be clear: We are not arguing that Barbara is not a good candidate for the position she occupies. She has been exposed to that role for a while, and who can blame her for capitalising on the opportunities that were laid before her? From Barbara all that we hope is that she will place the Kandambilis firmly where they belong – under the feet – and erase the Boli Zozo nightmares we still suffer. Only that.

Nonetheless, let’s recognise privilege. That’s a pleasant face of the ugly racist ogre that lurks in the background.

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