From intention to action: why not start an annual #Giving tradition... today!
Strive Masiyiwa
Image credit: KWB - Ubuntu Hope via Gemini Nano Banana Pro // Strive Masiyiwa Social Media (Facebook / LinkedIn)
__Happy New Year!
On 31 December 1997, the High Court in Zimbabwe ruled that Econet Wireless had the right to operate its mobile network, bringing an end to a bitter legal battle that had gone on for five years. The government of Zimbabwe graciously announced that it would respect the ruling.
After we set up the Econet Wireless Zimbabwe business, I decided to make the 31st of December our own “Thanksgiving Day” by giving all the money we make on that day to charity. This collection is separate from the money we give to our foundation in the country, Higherlife Foundation.
I’m not going to tell you how much money it is, but it generally runs into millions of US dollars.
The money is collected into a special fund then distributed to organisations country-wide that support orphaned and at-risk children. It is distributed by Higherlife Foundation.
It is now a tradition that has gone on for 26 years.
Now here is something I want you to think about: When it comes to giving, I have always tried to “institutionalise” what I do. In other words, I try to put in place a system that shows a long-term commitment.
I also don’t like to make a song and dance about it; I would not be surprised if this is the first time I have mentioned this program in those 26 years.
You will not find press statements and announcements made at the time. I just directed the management team of the company to do it, and every year, the CEO of Econet Zimbabwe, Dr Douglas Mboweni, calls me to say how much has been collected, then we both thank the Lord for using us as vessels to support the needy and that is it.
I have shared it with you because I hope some of you will do something similar. It does not start with millions. It could be a commitment to pay school fees for some children that are not from your own family or tribe, city, or nation. It could be donating books, or even one book. The list of ways to help grow our future, child by child, is really endless!
Don’t do it once. Make a “tradition” of it, maybe by setting up a special account into which you put money and never access it other than for this annual day of #Giving.
This is also nothing to do with your church giving, nor instead of it. I’m personally a tither and believe very much in giving to churches.
This is different.
As I turn 65 years old, I have so much to be thankful for, and I guess I will start new traditions of #Giving.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive...”
With appreciation and warm greetings to leadership and staff across all our companies, to all our partners, customers, friends... and to all of you here on this platform, and to your families!
Happy New Year!
#InspiredToChangeYourWorld
#SolutionSeekers
#GrowingAfricaTogether
3 Key Business Lessons
Establishing a tradition of giving within your business not only reinforces a positive corporate culture but also fosters community engagement. By committing to an annual charitable contribution, like Econet Wireless’s Thanksgiving Day, you can create a meaningful practice that resonates with employees and customers alike. This consistency demonstrates long-term dedication to social responsibility and can enhance your brand reputation.
Creating systematic processes for charitable giving can amplify impact over time. Rather than sporadically contributing to charitable efforts, institutionalizing your giving ensures that it becomes an inherent part of your organizational identity. By setting up special funds or accounts designated for charitable contributions, you can streamline the process, making it easier to manage and sustain your philanthropic initiatives.
Incorporating small acts of giving into your business model can lead to significant positive change. It doesn’t require a large financial commitment to start making a difference; even modest contributions can accumulate over time and impact lives. By encouraging employees to volunteer or contribute in small ways, such as donating school supplies or funding the education of local children, you foster a culture of generosity that can inspire broader community involvement.
Afterthoughts
"Ubuntu is our African philanthropy. The spirit and act of giving and sharing is philanthropy. Everyone can be a philanthropist because we all have something to offer or share (whether it is time, wisdom, emotional support, or resources)". - Graça Machel
I get tears in my eyes watching this video!
The reason is this: 21 years ago, my wife and I set up an annual scholarship program for the smartest 100 high school leavers in Zimbabwe to go to university. My only condition was that the scholarship should be evenly distributed across the country’s 10 provinces, and 50% must be girls.
We already had a separate program at Higherlife Foundation (HLF) for vulnerable children and orphans which has helped over 400,000 students with scholarships since the late 1990s. [Earlier it was called Capernaum Trust].
One of our scholars, Sabastian Mugazambi [featured here], now works for Google as Senior Product Manager for Cloud AI Infrastructure. Another of our scholars now on the cutting edge of AI is Dr Prince Abudu, one of our lead technologists at Cassava AI.
Prince was an Andrew Young Scholar from Morehouse College [another scholarship then administered by HLF] who went on to study for his PhD in Computer Science at University of Oxford
This fireside chat with Jeff Dean [Chief Scientist, Google Deep Mind and Google Research] is on Cloud TPUs and other exciting developments in AI infrastructure!
We all should be proud. It's not just the hard work of our HLF team, but also so many others globally, both individually and together, who help make it possible for such talented young people to change the world...
...which you can see they are busy doing, as are so many of you here on this platform. #Salute.
If you haven't already, go ahead and get started, right where you are! Let us know what you're working on yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNjH5izFeyw
Sharing this article as food for thought once again for those who missed it. Please share your own predictions!
https://hai.stanford.edu/.../stanford-ai-experts-predict...
As you work through the AI #UpSkilling course lists I posted last week, some might be interested in viewing selected sessions from this year's "Microsoft Ignite" event held late last month in San Francisco.
Possibly more suitd for the #SeniorClass and techies amongst you, about 15 sessions are available for you to view on demand for a short while [go to end of article for link to full catalog]:
https://venturebeat.com/.../inside-microsoft-ignite-how...
I once travelled to a city in the Midwest of the US where I was being honoured. As I entered the building, I noticed the amazing gardens and the flowers, as it was summer.
“What a beautiful garden!” I remarked.
“Everyone who visits our civic centre notices our gardens. It is not paid for by the city but by a local entrepreneur and his wife," they explained.
"They came one day and asked the city managers if they could take care of the gardens, anonymously. They came with contractors who did the job and their people come every day”.
“Wow!” I remarked.
Apparently their gesture inspired others to step forward and now the city has some beautiful parks.
So tell me... What would YOU do for your own hometown or city to help it look beautiful?
Please don’t tell me about corruption and other challenges. We all know about that, but is it really the problem if WE ourselves have not tried?
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