Bossing through Learning: Joanna Steele
As a boss, learning is your superpower. You don’t know what you don’t know, but there is now a multitude of ways to find out. After completing my Marketing & Spanish degree at London Metropolitan University, I vowed that I was never going to study again. Not because I didn’t enjoy my course or my studying experience – I actually really loved my uni days and not just because of the socializing! However, I was eager to get into the world of work and at the time thought that what I had studied was all I needed to launch and sustain me in my career. However, over time, I have developed a totally different perspective on education and studying and realise that in order to grow it is imperative to continue learning throughout your life. Working in the digital field as I do is exciting. Technological advances and changes in consumer behaviour ensure that it’s an industry that is ever evolving and in order to keep up and remain an authority in my field. Just recently, I completed a Fintech course with Oxford University. I had zero knowledge of financial markets but understood that it’s an area that is being disrupted by technology particularly in Africa. It was important that I improved my knowledge in this area. As a result, I am now part of a group of alumni working on a great project– so two wins – knowledge of a new field and a potential business opportunity! But it’s more than just keeping abreast of your industry, it’s equally important to learn new things in general, and to stay curious. In order to grow and live a fulfilled life, it’s important to expand past your comfort zone, increase your skills and knowledge and deepen your understanding and perceptions around areas that you may not often be exposed to. Haven struggled with weight issues for most of my life, I challenged myself to complete a fitness qualification with YMCA in a bid to better understand health and fitness and to spur on my weight loss. In fact, I am now a fully qualified Group ETM (Exercise to Music) instructor and whilst I don’t teach classes I definitely have a different approach to my health and have incorporated new elements into my daily lifestyle to maintain a certain level of fitness. Encouraging yourself to try new and different experiences, setting yourself challenges, not necessarily knowing how to get there but knowing your why which propels you along your path of achievement. My Top 5 Reasons for continued learning It gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride and helps build self-confidence. Psychologists say that learning makes us happier! It gives you access to new and different opportunities. My network has expanded exponentially – the number of new friends I’ve made and the projects I’ve been able to work on with people I’ve met through learning has been incredible It fuels creativity. You can learn something in a seemingly un-related area which can trigger an idea in another. It fuel change It fuels productivity. Developing a new skill influences the way you do things day to day and can make doing things quicker and easier, saving time, energy and stress. Having lived and worked in the UK my whole life, I have no experience of living in another country let alone starting a business in one. But my aptitude for learning, whether it’s reading, taking courses or training is what’s prepping me on this journey and helped me one step at a time to steadily achieve my dream. I like to believe that learning is our superpower. You don’t know what you don’t know, but there is now a multitude of ways to find out. I reckon it’s definitely time to redefine the phrase CPD from Continued Professional Development to Continue Pushing for your Dreams.
Robinah Nansubuga: My main drive is to always create alternative spaces
The African art scene in Africa is growing, developing and more exciting than ever. With many African artists making a name for themselves – both at home and around the world – how does one get into the art scene when not being an artist yourself? Robinah Nansubuga is an Independent Curator and Set Designer based in Kampala, Uganda. She implements strategies to promote artists and develop the artistic network in East Africa. She has curated and led artistic projects across the continent and the world. Robinah was the artistic director of MTN Nyege Nyege 2018 – a festival organized with grants from the British Council. This Motherland Mogul is also a former committee member for Laba! Street Art Festival, Arterial Network Uganda Chapter, a judge curator at the National Civil Society Fair art Competitions (CSO), co-curator of the Kampala Contemporary Art festival – and much more arts festival across the region. How did you become an independent curator of arts festivals? I have always been a huge fan of festivals they were my get away from everything that one place that I felt included and happened to forget the things happening home and in my life at that time. After having worked for two galleries in Kampala (Afriart and fas fas gallery) I became an independent curator in 2012. I wanted to experience art in a space where audiences and makers get to meet. Therefore I started curating ‘’EKYOTO UGANDA ‘’ during the Bayimba International Arts festival. Ekyoto was a bonfire project that I curated to bring together people through games like ‘’Dulu’’ – which today would come close to being a pool table. Integrating the social aspects with Ugandan traditional ways of entertainment turned out to be a big success. From there, I started to think and focus on how to create arts and cultural events that are inclusive and show a variety of art forms. What skills do non-artists need to make it in the arts sector? Organizational skills! Arts festivals usually do not have big budgets. So being efficient, conscious of costs and committed to timelines are key to make any festival a reality. Also, it’s very important that you are good at collaborating. Festivals are all about collaborations, not only with the other people on the team – but also with the artists and don’t forget the audience. Successful arts festivals can only be realized by listening to all involved because in that way new ideas can develop. I would also suggest that it’s good to develop some creative skills yourself. This will help you understand who you are working with and it will help you develop your own creative vision. And finally, practical skills – from basic electrician know-how to carpentry and designing – will always come in handy during the actual festival. Tell us how you develop your own vision and execute that vision? I am fortunate by now I get invited by festivals to work with them because I have built a name for myself through my vision. Through the exhibitions, I created my main drive is always to create alternative spaces. My vision developed over the years. Whenever I would attend arts of the cultural festival I would look for the things I felt were missing and that would have been of added value to the festival and the audiences. However, when being approached by a festival you usually have to work in teams meaning that the vision is not yours alone. What have been your biggest challenges in the cultural scene? And how did you overcome these challenges? Being a woman who looks really young definitely didn’t help. I really had to push hard to make sure my ideas were not being undermined, but actually listened to. It’s a very male-dominated sector so as a woman you have to bring yourself to think like a man, be able to do all the physical and mental jobs they can do in order to have a smooth working relationship. Another challenge that needs political navigation is that the cultural scene can be very much of a clique scene at times. This can mean that collaborating with on one project, might mean you are not able to be involved in another. That is one of the main reasons why I became an independent curator as I’d like to focus on the work instead of potential conflict of interests. I believe that sooner or later, every challenge can be overcome. You can start by educating yourself, trying to surround yourself with the right people who believe in your goals. And, at times you have to be ready to compromise while staying passionate. plus let your work speak more for you. I am lucky I earned my respect in the industry and for that am still very thankful to many artists and people that still believe and believed I could do more than I was doing. You recently curated the Kigali Photo Fest. How did you decide what to include in the exhibition? Kigali Photo Fest has a vision and mission that really resonated with me. It’s about celebrating Africa’s diversity through photography as a medium of art. The theme of the first edition was ‘In search of relevance – locality and remediation’ – which is about sharing and navigating ideas of identity, memory, experience, intimacy, presence, and connection, in order to co-opt a narrative through a selection of subject matter and presentation. They present a historically, socially significant moment and can frame the conversation around those moments, therefore, it wasn’t so difficult to include. We approached artists with the vision and the theme of the festival and many responded positively. It is a special project that hopes to include many African photographers and teach photography as a medium of art to earn its respect, to start looking for new audiences and to mostly tell stories about other places in Africa that one might not be able to visit but have an idea
WANT TO BE A BETTER MANAGER? KEEP THESE 3 THINGS IN MIND
Being a boss babe leader and managing others is not easy. I remember when I was first starting off as a manager, and I had to make my first hires. I overthought everything. I did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but at the same time, I wanted to get the most out of the people I hired. Here are three basic statements I kept in mind when reflecting on my ability to engage and mobilize anyone working with me. They are useful to think about whether you manage one intern or twenty individuals. 1. Understand the goals and aspirations of each member of your team. I used to think that I had to approach each member of my team the same. I would provide them the same information and respond to them in similar ways, expecting the same output from each. It did not get me very far. Each person needs to be treated as an individual. Understanding how each member of your team ticks will help you get the most out of them. If you know how to acknowledge and recognize each member, you will know how best to motivate and communicate with them. With just a bit of work and understanding, you can get a lot more out of a team member, because you will be speaking their language. No two people are motivated the same way, so you cannot always expect the same result from different individuals. If you are an employee… Tell your manager what motivates you. Tell them what you want to get out of your experience working with them and how you prefer to be approached. If you are confused about your role or objectives, ask or show them what you think they should be. They might not always listen, but you can at least demonstrate how self-aware you are. Some managers will appreciate it. Those who don’t probably shouldn’t be managers. 2. Each member of your team knows what you expect, and where they are in terms of performance I was notorious and continued to have issues with communicating what I want from others. Even when we think we have done an excellent job, we usually have not. Making sure each member of your team understands their place (even if it changes monthly) is key to making sure you are getting the most out of them. They should be getting feedback from you regularly, and you should periodically inquire about making sure they are on the right track. If they are not, its either you haven’t done an excellent job being explicit or the role does not suit them. If you are an employee and your company has a formal performance review process, nothing your manager says during the performance review process should come as a surprise. Ask for regular feedback and make sure you get clarity if you are confused. Send your manager an email with what you discussed, even if its feedback, to make sure you both are on the same page. 3. You actively act on advice and feedback on how you come across to your team, and how you can be a more motivating leader No one is perfect but spending a few hours a week on seeking and receiving feedback can make you a more effective leader. You can ask for input in various ways: informally at group meetings or formally through surveys. Take some time to read about different approaches to leadership and reflect on who you admire as a manager. Write down the traits and feedback you want to embody and try them out. Want to check how you are doing? Continue to ask for feedback over time. If you are an employee… Ask your manager if you can give them constructive feedback. Think about what you can learn from your manager and make the best of the situation. If there is something that doesn’t sit well with you, keep it in mind for when you have a chance to manage others. How can you use these statements to make a change or move forward? With each element, try to rate yourself. I would suggest on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 meaning disagree strongly and 10, strongly agree. Ask your teammates for feedback to help you decide where you stand. For the statements you rate less than 5, you might want to spend some time thinking through how to bridge the gap. You can start by asking yourself these questions: Where do you want to be? What is the first thing you can do to make progress in that particular element? That one small step you take can help you get closer to the leader you want to be and get even more out of your team. This month of July, we’re telling stories about boss ladies breaking boundaries, and how you also can hit your #BossLadyGoals. Got a boss lady story to share with us? Click here.
What went down at the #IAMORIGINAL Boss Brunch & Panel – Johannesburg
Curated within the beautiful landscape of Jozi on a peaceful Sunday, She Leads Africa in partnership with The Cut Life and Originals by Africa’s Best held a Boss Brunch and panel with the finest Motherland Mogul influencers of Africa. The location was a hidden oasis of tranquility, The Gabriela’s Tea Room, perfect for some girl chat, champagne was flowing, the crowd was buzzing. What a beautiful Sunday. In the era of feminism and self-love, you do find some false prophets that don’t live up to their campaign inside as loudly as they may be online. What was important about the #IAMORIGINAL panel and brunch was that it focused on the challenges black women struggle through. The theme that stood out from the event was the need for women to back each other up and actually mean it. For the older and younger generation to join minds and create solutions for the Motherland Moguls that follow. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the bubbly Shanon Stanislaus of Originals by Africa’s Best. She spoke about the benefits of their new Coconut Creme range that has nutrition rich formulas, helping your natural hair with the foundation its needs for hair goals. I tried some of the samples from the gift bag and I am sold on the products, which are available from Clicks nationwide or through The Originals by Africa’s best website. We then proceeded into an hour-long networking bingo session, that had our Influencers and Motherland Moguls buzzing through the room, the energy was so lively- It felt like the best girl chat session I’ve been to in ages. We held bingo cards that had questions such as “Who in the room has three pets, Who is an only child”. These were great ice breakers, especially for an introvert like myself. Back to our tables, we were served incredible dishes by The Gabriela’s Tea Room patrons, everything delicious and mouthwatering. This amazing panel was moderated by Tahira Joy of The Cut Life joined by Shanon Stanislaus (Originals by Africa’s Best), Enhle Mbali (Actress), Azania Mosaka (Broadcaster) and Jamelia Donaldson (Founder of Treasure Tress). They spoke on self-care and beauty, ways to effectively run your business and respect yourself and values in the process. We all got a few tips on how to reach your next Boss level in entrepreneurship through their stories, lessons and best practices. Azania Mosaka dropped so many nuggets that had all the women in agreement throughout. In the entertainment industry women are made to choose to get ahead either giving their bodies or having to dumb down their intellect so at to seem less of a threat to colleagues. As shocking as it may sound, these are challenges most women are still overcoming. A recurring theme throughout the Boss brunch and panel was how women need to remain educated and curious in our endeavors and not forgetting the people we build our dreams with. “If you’re starting your race, be invaluable to your team.” – Shanon Stanislaus.. There’s only so much you can do as an individual, once you realize your expertise is invaluable, the impossible is just as attainable as anything. We truly are better together. On the theme of staying curious in what your interests are, Jamelia Donaldson of Treasure Tress stated… “ You don’t know what you want to do until you’ve tried it all”. This tied in so well with the events hashtag of the day #IAMORIGINAL, when you apply yourself and work on what your secret sauce is, what do you really have to lose ? All in all, this was an event, unlike any other networking event I have been to, which is saying a lot as I have been to a ton of networking sessions and gone home feeling as though I barely received much value from the speakers. It could be just how intimate the brunch was or the fact that everyone left their egos at the door and simply wanted to celebrate each other. I have nothing but praise for what these women aimed to share through the event and I believe that we can all learn from them. As Motherland Moguls we are constantly inspiring those around us, we may not realize it a lot of the times, the best thing we can do is live an intention-driven life in our goals, decisions, and actions. Work within the passion and not ego, power or status. I’m definitely looking forward to more events from these powerhouses. Sponsored Post.
YALI taught me not to limit myself: Sthabile
Sithabile seeks to impact her community by fulfilling her dreams and goals. She has managed to do so by establishing several projects such as..Langa – for rabbit and chicken rearing, Buffy Bakery – for commercial baking and currently working on an initiative called “Women in Wildlife Conservation”. Her main interest in impacting communities is through mentoring youths and helping them in achieving personal goals for their lives and their contribution to social development. In this article, Sthabile highlights how she’s developed herself personally and professionally, through leadership programs. As an entrepreneur, what key strategies do you think are vital to running a sustainable business? I founded ‘Langa Farm Produce’ after more than a month of always running to the banks looking for a start-up loan to start raising rabbits and free-range chickens. The terms and conditions for that time to get the loan were unfavorable. I remember some words from one wise lady who said: “You need to start small and build from there, and have a small project on the side as well that will enable you to get a $1 a day to inject into the bigger project”. This is how I started baking commercially (start of Buffy Bakery) and with the profits made, Langa was started with just 3 rabbits and 20 free-range chickens. To-date we have managed to supply city butcheries and Langa has become self-sustainable. The initial bigger project was Langa because the aim was to go international with the rabbit products. But Buffy Bakery got bigger as well through an increased clientele and high demands hence the need to also start mentoring and training young ladies and interested personnel. It was through these projects that I realized that there is no such thing called a ‘small project’ but it’s up to you to view it as small or big. To remain competitive in whatever industry they decide to venture in, be creative and innovative in your work. Don’t just do it for money. What made you apply for the YALI leadership program? I knew YALI to be a professional platform where individuals are able to mature, develop and acquire skills that will benefit them in skilfully contributing towards the development of their communities, nations, and Africa as a whole. By continuously following their programs on social media, I was keen to be part of their program and learn more about how best I can impact my community and network. So I applied for the Cohort 17 program under Civic Leadership track. What skills did you learn there and how will they help you? I was under the Civic Leadership track – a program on how to impact our communities by being the change we want to see. It focuses on improving the quality of life in our communities by identifying gaps and problems already there and using skill, knowledge, and values in tackling them and making a difference. I obtained vast knowledge on the establishment of civil society organizations; proposal writing for projects and grant funding obtaining. Two major things I learned were: 1. How to run a business YALI taught me the power of networking and partnerships. In all that you do; you need people to work with; you can never work alone. A business is not for me nor my family but my community. For me to be successful in whatever business I want to venture or I am in; the first question I should ask myself is how best will my community; a nation and Africa as a whole benefit from it and does it address the gaps that already exist in my community. And to change our communities we need to share our skills and knowledge; build partnerships and network. The depth of the knowledge I gained will allow me to achieve one of my goals I have had establishing a wildlife program mainly focused on resuscitation of idle parks and involving women in wildlife conservation. As one of my previous challenges was obtaining funding for these projects; through YALI. I also learned the proper way of writing Grant/Fund request proposal. 2. Personal development YALI taught me not to limit myself. To think of what happens when the vision and the goals are fulfilled; to ask myself “so do I just stop there because it has been fulfilled?” I used to think maybe I am just doing a lot of projects at the same time and there is no way I will be able to tackle them all. But through YALI I learned the power of building a team that shares the same vision with you; that will enable you to build the foundation and the groundwork that is needed and move on to the next thing that needs to be done. I learned to be confident not only in myself but my work as well so as to be able to present and articulate it well to interested groups. My advice to other aspiring game changers… Decide to start and stand with your decision because the environment will never be conducive for you to do so. Put your all into it; it doesn’t matter how many times you fall; rise up, dust yourself, learn from your mistakes and move forward. Build before you can start putting profits in your own pocket but above all; give back to your community. What challenges have you faced and how have you tackled them? But we didn’t let that be a hindrance in achieving our goal. For these two projects, we had to start with what was in our pockets and a few resources. Every profit we made was put towards building these projects and seeing them come to life. Right now Buffy boasts of having a vast number of equipment attained through profits, and some of its profits were put toward Langa till it became self-sustainable. For Langa, our greatest challenge was a continuous price hike of feed for both chickens and rabbits. With the realization that the expenses were now
8 Essential Skills Every Business Owner Needs to Learn
As an entrepreneur, I make sure to educate other ladypreneurs about the importance of investing in themselves. While investing in yourself and business might cost you a lot of money, it gives you long-term benefits such as the advantage of building valuable skills that would benefit your business and improving your strengths over time. Let’s face the truth- the business world has changed from the way it was operated 20 years ago. Running a business on just sheer instinct isn’t enough anymore. You have to stay on top of growing trends if you want your business to survive and succeed. And that’s why I have put together this list of business skills and resources that every business owner needs to boost their business. 1. Relationship Building Building great relationships especially with customers/clients is one of the ways to differentiate your business from competitors. As a business owner, your relationships will take various forms, as you’ll meet different people; and need to wear different hats to maintain a good relationship. I’d advise that the major categories of relationships you need to build are with: Customers/Clients; Business connections/ fellow entrepreneurs who can grow and support your business; and Mentors 2. Storytelling Let’s face it! Everyone loves stories, no matter the age or economic status. Incorporating storytelling into your business infuses a human touch customers can’t resist. It helps customers establish a human connection with your business. Some of the advantages of using storytelling for your business include: It captivates your customers; It makes your business relatable and approachable; and It makes your business credible and trust-worthy. 3. Content Creation Content is king! Yes, that might sound cliché, but it’s true. Please note that content doesn’t have to be restricted to words alone. It could come in other forms such as videos, infographics, pictures, podcasts, whitepapers, case studies, etc. Don’t just display the products or services you’re offering. Go a step ahead by also offering value to your customers. For example, do you sell fashion items? Spice up your brand by posting style inspirations, care of the items you sell, how to rock that item for different occasions, etc. By providing good content, you not only let your customers know that you have their best interests at heart but also assert that buying from your business is the best decision they could ever make. 4. Customer Service How many of you never returned to buy from a brand just because of poor customer experience? Lots of you, right? The same principle applies to your customers too. As business owners, you have to realize that your customers are king, and so, must be treated like royalty. Providing excellent customer experience is one of the easiest ways to make your business stand out from other businesses. It’s also one of the easiest ways to retain customers and get referrals. Therefore, ensure you develop your customer skills and treat your customers with respect. 5. Financial Literacy/Management This means having an understanding of how much you can spend and how you should spend it. Every cent you spend and generate must be accounted for. If you don’t know how to calculate your expenditure and revenue, it’s definitely time to become financially literate. 6. Management When your business begins to grow, it will require expansion. And expansion translates to hiring more people to support you. Once you do this, you need to ensure that the people on your team are doing what they are supposed to do and that they’re are doing it efficiently. Therefore, don’t be just a business owner. 7. Leadership A good business owner needs to have good leadership skills to run a team of other people. When you are a good leader, it becomes easy to motivate and inspire greatness in your employees. With proper leadership, employees, contractors, and even customers will respect you. Please note that to be a leader isn’t to be bossy to inspire fear. Rather, a good leader brings the best out of people, listens to other people, shows them respect and showing them that you’re capable of leading them to achieve victory. 8. Hiring I see a lot of business owners make the mistake of hiring the first person that shows an interest in working with/for them or has the qualifications they are looking for. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough. While hiring a person with an exemplary portfolio and good work history is good, you have to consider other variables such as their personality, beliefs and whether they are a perfect fit for your business’ culture. Running a business is very demanding. Identify your weaknesses and invest in skills that that will provide your business with solid foundations.
To succeed in business, you need Self-Awareness, Client Awareness & Market Awareness – Nnanke Essien
Nnanke Essien is a HR professional and a business consultant. Her experience in business began when she was 14 years and helping her mom with her crayfish business. Since then she has been a business partner to many business owners leveraging on her experience in providing strategy and human resource solutions for diverse industries including manufacturing, oil, and gas, consulting, communications, retail, energy, education, etc. Her core is transformation, (people, process and culture integration) and her superpower is helping businesses with interventions for value-based/profitable visibility, resonance, growth, and sustainability. In this interview, Nnanke Essien talks about her introduction to business consultancy and her just-concluded event for fashion entrepreneurs. You recently organized an event for fashion entrepreneurs. What triggered it? The dream began for me in December 2017, when I began to observe the behavior of attendees at a goal setting hangout. It was fascinating watching folks create their vision board by tearing pictures from magazines and posting them on cardboards. My analytic head kept wondering if this was just a fun activity or it made sense to them. I knew something had to prepare them for this experience to be worthwhile and useful and that thing was beyond the five-hour business lecture they had just received. Fast forward to March 2018, one of the participants at the event sent me a lengthy message beginning with “coach how can I be visible? I have tried everything and nothing seems to work”. I immediately put on my business growth doctor hat and began to teach. I spoke to her about the psychology of her business, her products, her promise, the right platforms for her, promotion style etc Alas! her reaction simply showed that what I was saying didn’t sound like the solution she wanted, she just wanted a quick solution to help her be visible. How can fashion business owners optimize their businesses? While growing up, my church used to be in a location where spare part dealers were dominant. I used to marvel at the apprenticeship structure, a young boy will learn and aspire to be like or even greater than his master. Likewise, new fashion designers should take time to learn under someone they aspire to be like not for three months but for an extended period, where they can gain mastery. There are a lot of advantages to this model. They gain undisputed mastery and get leverage riding on the positioning of that person they learned from. The market also trusts them faster and they have a reference point and a benchmark for success. They exhibit great business success skills because of their learning process. You are guaranteed to get results. Don’t be in a hurry to get on the gram and then begin to run helter-skelter with the excuse that the fashion industry is over saturated Know what you want to be visible for, find out what the leaders in your space have done to get to their positions, mirror them especially those that align with your values, get results and remain on top. The biggest question for me was “how can we be a part of the solution?” So in 2019, we began planning in earnest, The business leaders breakfast meeting, a platform where we bring the best minds (leaders) in business to share insights and experiences as well as to equip business owners with knowledge that will prepare them for the massive opportunities in these industries. The mandate for us was simply to create a market space that encourages inclusive growth especially in a challenging operating environment like Nigeria. We positioned our platform as a catalyst (incubator) to help entrepreneurs have access to market, access to untapped opportunities, access to financial services, to even just dream big, know that their dreams are possible and position their brands for global leverage. For us, It is our utmost desire to see SME’s go from struggling businesses to growing businesses, from no systems to systems of optimal productivity, from business underdogs to business leaders, from zero productivity to optimal productivity and finally, businesses that contribute strongly to the local and national economy. We wanted to bridge the huge divide between business leaders and business freshers. To build an ecosystem of support, collaborations, and access to opportunities within and outside Africa. We had Mai Atafo, Valentine Ozigbo, Joycee Awosika and Adaora Mbelu headlining our first event What key lessons do you wish more fashion business owners knew based on what was learned at the event? Tie your fashion business to a bigger vision Be an endless learner Seek continuous improvement Focus on excellence and excellent service delivery Understanding your business model and reviewing it consistently is key..I can’t even stress this enough Stay on top of industry changes, be aware of global trends that impacts your business locally and adapt accordingly Network more Don’t be afraid to express your creativity because you assume the market won’t respond Don’t be afraid of collaboration and scale Keep your promise to your tribe, never compromise The value pyramid is divided into three: the bottom 30% (no go area) the middle 70% (the average, normal space where most people play) and the top 10% (where the leaders play). What’s your advice to a struggling fashion business You don’t need more visibility or brand awareness storms (with loud music and an open truck) to build a profitable and sustainable business, what you need is people who can’t stop raving about what you do… I call it “raveonance” rave+resonance. You can’t achieve this without self-awareness (understanding why), client awareness (understanding the who) and market awareness (understanding the what and how). The best place to start is to understand whom you do what you do best for, why you do it, know yourself and these people like the back of your palm and —then start creating something those people love.
Why Every Nigerian Girl Should March
We March so that the girls who come after us can walk freely, and run without being chased. If 2018 was a chapter in a history book, it could be titled The Year of Female Activism, and aptly so. The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements raised awareness on sexual harassment in workplaces for women worldwide. 2019 was the year of Serena and the catsuit, and the Women’s March Anniversary. It was the year that women in Saudi Arabia were legally allowed to drive, and even closer to home. It was the year Ethiopia and Rwanda and South Africa both named their first 50% female cabinets. ‘Good things arrive in multiples’, just as movements worldwide were being transformed from ideas to action. In Nigeria, on the 20th of October 2018, @MarketMarch opened a twitter account, and its first tweet – …sounded like something straight out of a UN document. The Twitter account – a creation of Brand identity designer Damilola Marcus, immediately blew up, receiving massive support from popular activists on social media, celebrities, and regular citizens who could either relate or at the very least understand why the Market March needed to happen. It also received support from groups like YALI, Whole Woman Network, andseveral media houses. Marcus, when interviewed previously, stated that her prior attempts to galvanize action from law enforcement officials on sexual harassment in markets, were met with the reply: It was not a ‘common problem’. Going to the Market in Nigeria is sometimes a war. Your armor is comfortable footwear (for ease of movement), covered up clothes, (to avoid sweaty fingers) and if you’re a woman, definitely no short skirts, unless you have a ‘strong mind’. Purchasers are often dragged, and upon resistance, insulted with sentences often chock full of sexual innuendo. And yet, it is not uncommon to find the traders leading a protest to our protest. The first #MarketMarch took place in December 2018 at Yaba Market, Lagos. Marchers then, just like us, were called prostitutes and lesbians. Just like us, they were injured, manhandled, heckled, thrown at, cursed at, for protesting the rights of female to walk unobtrusively in a public place. Public transport in Enugu Nigeria requires fortitude. A journey time of 30 minutes is easily tripled once you factor in wait time in bus parks, constant stops, and roundabout journeys. Nevertheless, I and three of my friends set out on a journey from Agbani -which for all intents and purposes is on the outskirts of Enugu- to Ogbete Market to participate in the Market March on Saturday the 23rd March 2019. With approximately 40 marchers, male and Female, indigenes and visitors, united by a common cause. On my first trip to Ogbete, the tour guide proudly informed me that it is the biggest market in the State, abundant in all, and lacking in nothing – a shoppers haven. The market march reached its climax at the clothes section of the market, populated by predominantly male vendors. One man called us Lesbians, and others then pitched in to deliver a fervor- filled ‘Holy-Ghost fire!’. Repeatedly. All the while making lewd remarks at us. In some other quarters of the market, we faced passive aggression. A man stroking the arm of a marcher holding a big ‘No Touching’ sign, all the while looking her directly in the eye, smug smile intact. Or a wheelbarrow pusher deliberately and quickly driving his machine through our midst. But it wasn’t only the men. A woman queried us softly in Igbo ‘Are we not human beings too? Why should we not touch you?’ and another, still in Igbo lowly snarled ‘You should tell the girls to dress better when they are coming to the market’ But it was not all negative. We received thumbs-up signs from some female traders, quiet nods from the male vendors, and the occasional ‘Well done’ or ‘Yes!’ Some, in solidarity, chanted back at us ‘Nwanyi bu Ife’ or ‘Nwanyi Bu ike’ which in its simplest translation means ‘women matter’. The market leaders, predominantly men, wore our shirts and marched with us. They led chants and spoke with the traders at different parts of the market, as they guided us to open spaces where we could address crowds. They largely acted as chaperones. On three different occasions, when the chants at the Market March turned rhythmic, the market women danced with us. It is not often that ‘twitter activism’ results in real-world action, and yet, the March has defied all rules to become a national movement. Testimonies from the first March at Yaba started pouring in almost immediately after. Too many to name, they all echoed the same sentiment: The March had changed something. My fellow Marchers were not particularly special people. We were University Students, traders, women’s rights activists, and white collar workers. Some of us did not speak Igbo, but we learned the chants to perfection on that day. We were united by sweat and a common purpose. In Nigeria today, marching is more than a sport. We March so that the girls who come after us can walk freely, and run without being chased.
Colleen Higgs: Digital publishing has brought new opportunities for publishers
Colleen Higgs started Modjaji Books in 2007 as an independent feminist press that publishes southern African women’s fiction, poetry, and biographies. She felt African women deserved to tell their stories on an authentic and conscientious platform. Many Modjaji book titles have gone on to win numerous prestigious literary awards both locally and internationally. In this article, Colleen Higgs talks about her work and what it takes to be a feminist publisher. What are the top three things someone needs to consider before opening a publishing business? Do you have enough starting capital? Publishing requires money up front and it takes time to earn that money back. Think carefully about why you are doing it. After many years of publishing, you might find it tough to deal with all the many demands made of you, the lack of appreciation for what you have done for writers and how little money you make from doing the work. What is your focus going to be? It is good to have a very particular focus, it will help you to find an audience and to make decisions about what to publish. Tell us about your work as an independent publisher. Being a writer I understood what it was like to want to get published and the inflation and deflation of the relationship with a publisher. It didn’t prepare me for all the work that it takes though, the ongoing attention to the big picture and to detail that the publisher has to manage. Publishers do a vast number of things. You don’t just read through submissions and select books to publish. There is a huge amount of admin. You work out a vision and focus for your company and keep a firm eye on the money and cash flow. You must constantly maintain relationships with all the people you work with: printers, writers, editors, illustrators, artists, proof-readers, shareholders, accountant, book-keeper, bookstore owners and employees not to mention participating in book fairs and doing interviews! Why was it important to open Modjaji Books as a ‘feminist’ print? Modjaji fills a gap by providing an outlet for writing by women that takes itself and its readers seriously. Having lived through and enacted publishing only women, I became aware of how this has been a deeply political act. When you think about the way publishing is owned, media is owned, who gets to make the decisions, and how women are represented, here and internationally it just made sense. Women do have a different experience of the world – not just because they are women, but because of the way power is structured and filtered. I had experienced my own writing not being taken seriously because it is too ‘confessional’. I wanted to make a way that other women could be published where a set of values and perceptions that were not patriarchal and were not centered in the “Dead, White, Male canon” would make the decisions about what should be published. Many of your authors have been nominated to win prestigious literary awards. How do you feel about this? Modjaji has been lucky enough to publish the work of very talented writers. I like to think it is also because we have done a good job of editing the manuscripts and because of how the company is positioned and how we have framed and spotlighted particular works. We have published a lot of debuts short stories and poetry collections, many of these have won prizes, and yet they are books that most commercial publishers would not touch. How has society changed by reading your published books on infertility, stillbirth, homosexuality, etc. I have seen how these books have added to a growing discourse on topics that were taboo or not in the mainstream but now have a more prominent place. I’m proud to have had Modjaji Books be at the cutting edge of this kind of publishing here in South Africa. Haven run Modjaji for twelve years, have you faced any challenges running an African press? Yes, there are challenges, we are not supported by government policies that help us to grow and increase our sales. Recently the SA Book Development Council funded our participation in the SA Book Fair. I don’t think this goes far enough. I think there needs to be an active policy of buying local books for libraries. If we as independent South African publishers knew that even as few as 500 of our really good titles would be bought by the library system, it would make it all much more viable. Trade routes and avenues of distribution into other African countries are not nearly as strong as are those to Europe and the US. It would be great to see work on this taking place at a national level Publishing is a very expensive industry. As a publishing brand, how do you approach your need for commercial success? I have to confess I have not focused too much on commercial success! I thought that if I published something that needed to be heard it would be commercially successful. This has not been the case. I have tried to publish books and voices I have loved. With the increase of digital books, self publishing, and rumors of the “death of print”, how do you plan on staying relevant in the industry? If one continues to publish books that are well written, powerful and have a clear voice, a particular story, we as publishers will remain relevant in my opinion. It is important not to get stuck in a particular mind set and to be open to new technology and to new voices and perspectives. Having said that, there have been many changes in the last 12 years. Social media has become a force for publishing books, and for writers to connect with each other. Digital publishing has brought new opportunities for publishers. Self-publishing has its place, but there is still a great deal of room for publishers to work
2 ways to prepare yourself for the real world – while in the University
There are endless opportunities out there! Don’t just think that after graduating, the next thing is to get a job. A few years to complete Uni. You feel the excitement. Someone once told me “the real world begins after Uni”. I was too busy attending classes and meeting new friends that I didn’t stop to ponder over the words. I always thought Uni was hard. From initial registration at the beginning to semester registrations, departmental registration, to hall registration and all that. It’s stressful. Then you have to attend classes, write exams and do all those presentations and assignments. God help you if you have a project to defend. You have to worry about the trips you’ll make to your supervisor’s office before it’s accepted. I wish someone told me how well to prepare before graduation. I wish someone touched on the salient skills you have to learn before facing the real world. Here are two things to focus on while you’re still in uni to prepare yourself for the real world: 1. Gain some useful work experience I bet you saw this coming. You had to! I mean this a no-brainer. How do you spend your semester holidays? Binge watching? Going on a shopping spree? Visiting old friends and relatives who don’t even ask about you? Traveling? Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against treating yourself right or spoiling yourself once in a while. And I value time spent with family. However, your University days (and particularly the holidays in between semesters) is a perfect time to gain some work experience in your chosen field. Whether it be assisting in an office or a short internship, it will always make your CV stand out among other, experience-less graduates. My first internship was at level 300. It was a one-month thing at a Radio station. As part of their anniversary, they were having a health month so my job was to look for health snippets to be aired. Anything from eating, exercising, dieting, stress. I wish I had gotten more experience while in Uni to prepare me for the real world. I remember a lady telling me in our final year that she never interned before. I’m like well, I’m grateful for my one month. But here’s the thing, some people focus on the money that they rather wait till after uni and get a paying job than spend 1-3 months of their holidays working somewhere where they might never get paid. See it as an opportunity because that’s what it is. Most interns don’t get paid but if you do find a place that pays, hallelujah! If not, seize the opportunity, work on yourself, build yourself, network, improve your skills and who knows they just might be a position waiting for you after graduation. 2. Take some time to carefully consider your options There are endless opportunities out there! Don’t just think that after graduating, the next thing is to get a job. For most graduates, that’s the very obvious path. But for others, they’re looking to start their own business, head back to the University to bag a Masters and doctorate degree or go into freelancing. Weighing up these options can take some of the pressure off, and make sure you’re making the right choice in these crucial first post-uni steps. Have you thought of what’s next for you after Uni?