FARAI Gundan has just been voted the Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
She is a contributor to Forbes and Forbes Africa magazines, a co-founder of FaraiMedia.com, an online and mobile advertising platform which focuses on Africa.
She is a recipient of the 2014 “Emerging African Leader Award” by Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. She has an MBA from The School of Business & Industry at Florida Agricultural&Mechanical University.
The most exciting thing is that she is a Bulawayo woman, currently in the US, who has broken limitations by being on the prestigious stage and has the privilege of interviews business moguls and billionaires.
I (JN) had the honour of speaking to her (FG) from the US and she enthused to see better leadership. Below are excerpts:
JN: Tell us about the Young Global Leaders selection.
FG: I am actually humbled by it and excited, but you I say it’s a win for Zimbabwe.
I truly believe wherever I enter my people will be represented. The African voice will be heard more because Africa should truly define its fate.
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JN: You grow up in Zimbawe and in an African set-up and you understand it well and there is an African young person out there. Can they really be on top if they so wish?
FG: I truly believe that every individual has seeds of greatness in them. What ever background you are from you can make it. One has to put their mind to it and bring the much need ingredients for a better Africa.
JN: You are now on a global platform, what are the foreseen benefits for young African leaders?
FG: The greatest benefit I see is being able to bring the affairs of Africa onto the agenda.
When they are discussing North America, Asia, I am making sure that the issues that pertain to people like me are discussed at that level, not as an afterthought, but as top of the priority.
There are some unique challenges and pressing needs that Africa faces, but Africa cannot exist in isolation, so does any country or any continent. We should not be seen as people with a need for aid, but a people with potential and great possibilities.
JN: You have been selected because you are a business leader yourself. As seen true your articles in the Forbes and companies you founded. Tell us more about business leadership.
FG: Writing for Forbes makes us to celebrate the African success story and identify a need. We need to identify a need and answer to it.
We are rewarded for the solutions we bring to humanity and that’s what my businesses are up to and so should be every young African leader.
JN: It has been said when preparation meets opportunity, success is investable. What should the young African leaders be doing so as to be ready to take up leadership, could it be economically, politically, socially or otherwise?
FG: Young leaders should start showing leadership where they are. This could be at school and in their immediate community, as they work to find solutions now.
I will give you an example, in 2007, Zimbabwe went through a critical shortage of sanitary pads. I felt touched and compiled to raise awareness as to raise funds to buy sanitary pads for young girls, especially those who are economically challenged.
Here from the US I was able to send a container of sanitary pads into Zimbabwe. So this is an example of finding a solution to our community’s needs.
So as a leader you have to find a need and work in providing a solution to it. We are leaders because of the influence we have and the need we bring to humanity.
JN: What helps keeps you motivated to working and helping others?
FG: The challenges that we have heard growing up and the challenges we are going through as a country motivates to be contributive to Africa.
The potential that is in Africa pushes me to do more and be more. Whatever you and I are doing we should ensures that we are building a better future for Africa. We must leave it a better place than we found it.
JN: What are your final words of inspiration?
FG: I truly believe Africa’s redemption and subsequent greatness is found in the biblical promise; “and the last shall be first” God bless you! God bless Africa!
For more tips and advices go to www.successlife.co.zw, call 0772 581 918, e-mail: [email protected]
Jonah Nyoni is an author, success coach and motivational speaker
