BACK TO AFRICA SERIES: (BOTSWANA) Interviews with Young African Professionals on Moving Back Home

Hello Folks, Starting this month, I will be introducing a new series to the blog called BACK TO AFRICA. As you already know, the aim of my blog is to highlight the positives of living and working in Africa. So, one of the ways I intend on doing this, is by reaching out to African professionals on the Continent who have moved back home. My goal is that by them sharing their positive experiences of moving back they can encourage others to do the same.

Interviews will be from Young African Professionals in Ghana, Republic of Guinea, The Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and more. So without further ado….first up is the very eloquent Moloko Tlou – Enjoy!!

INTERVIEW – What is your background (country of origin, where you attended high school, undergrad, grad school and your area of study). MT: I’m Moloko Tlou originating from the beautiful gem of Africa called Botswana. However, even though I’m from there I spent a majority of my childhood years in South Africa because that is where I did most of my schooling – I attended the International School of South Africa in Mafikeng for high school, Monash University in Johannesburg for my undergraduate degree and Howard University in Washington, DC to do my MBA

– What inspired you to return to Africa?

MT: The time when I left the continent to further my education I had already made up my mind that I would acquire expertise and skills out there, come back and incorporate them into our markets so for me it was never actually a question of whether or not I should return – that was already the plan before I left. This is where my heart is, I could never leave Africa.

– What are you engaged in now that you have returned, ie. working, running your own business, etc?

MT: I work for a German pharmaceutical company in the Logistics division where I am responsible for ensuring that our medical drugs are available in Kenya, Mauritius, and Nigeria. In other words, I support our business partners and agents/distributors in those various countries to ensure product exposure and consistent sufficient supply to the markets.

– What would you say is the best part of relocating back to Africa?

MT: For me personally, the best part about living in Africa is being close to my family. I have relatives all across Southern Africa, namely Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, and Botswana and so that is definitely the greatest part about relocating back home. I have firsthand experience with being completely alone across oceans with no support system close by whotsoever as I lived in Washington DC for two years – there is nothing quite as difficult/challenging as that.

– What would you say is the hardest part of relocating/living in Africa so far?. MT: The hardest part about relocating back to Africa so far is the fact that it takes you sometime to re-adapt to the environment back here. As expected it is significantly different from other continents/places from a cultural, social, and socio-economic perspective and so it does take time to get used to especially if you have been out of Africa for quite a long period of time. Africa has also been growing extremely fast during the past few years and so the environment has been changing just as quickly. – Are there any specific “perks” in your opinion of living/working in Africa as opposed to if you had stayed overseas? MT: Unlike what I often observed in the USA where people work, work and work some more. Africans do believe in a balanced life and so you often find that we play just as hard as we work, if not harder LOL. The work-life balance is definitely one of the perks of living in Africa. Also, I often find that life is much more vibrant here – Africa has a certain uniqueness, spirit and richness about it like no other continent. We are a continent full of rich and exciting cultures and powerful heritages. Life here is definitely more enjoyable and much more relaxed.

– Why would you strongly recommend that other young African professionals think of coming back to Africa to work? MT: The time for Africa is now – the top fastest growing economies are in Africa, opportunities galore whether it be finding a job or venturing into opening your own business. These are exciting times because these recent years are changing the way people view Africa and shaping our future into one filled with potential and brilliance. Of course it will take time, but Africa is a continent where a majority of the population is young people with extraordinary ideas – beacons of hope, and that will work to its advantage as far as building a better future.

– What industries do you think are looking the most promising/have the potential to recruit heavily?

MT: The banking industry is always looking for graduates, specifically those with Finance backgrounds. FMCGs and the pharmaceutical industry also recruit quite heavily during certain periods of the year, mostly during the first quarter of the year. Also, due to Africa still dealing with various crises like famine and poverty, organisations such as United Nations, World Bank and the African Development Bank also recruit people who would be willing to relocate to countries / remote areas all across Africa for humanitarian work and to strengthen emergency response efforts.

– What would be your advice in terms of how someone can successfully find a job in Africa?

MT: It goes without saying that networking is critical to finding a job in Africa. What I recommend people do in their job search is to interact more with people whom they know who currently reside on this continent. These people can play a critical role in getting you the relevant information in terms of which industries are recruiting, recruitment agencies, recruitment trends / cycles, what jobs are available out here and basically being your “ear to the ground”. Networking can get you connected to the right people.

INFORMAL QUESTIONS

– What is the coolest encounter you have had so far since you’ve been back? (celebrities, old friends…etc)

MT: Well this past weekend there was actually a leadership seminar in Sandton where I got to meet a life coach from the USA called Tony Gaskins who had come to speak to the youth of South Africa about reaching their goals and living their purposes. I have been following this man’s work for quite some time now and so that was exciting to be able to be in the same room as him and to listen to his words of wisdom. The point that I am trying to make is that celebrities from around the globe are increasingly coming to Africa either on holiday, for entertainment purposes or on business which is awesome so you get an opportunity to meet them or bump into them right here in the streets of Johannesburg.

– What would I find you doing on weekends or on weekdays after you come home from work?

MT: Weekends really start on Thursdays in Johannesburg and some in cases on Wednesdays *insert smiley face* so I love to go to poetry nights and comedy nights during those days – those are always so spectacular. I also love theatre and there’s always either a Broadway show or international ballet showing at Monte Casino so I always make sure I get in line to watch those. What I love doing during those weekends that I want to relax is to get out of town because Johannesburg is a faced paced city so going away to Hartbeespoort Dam area for a weekend is always a great escape. I also regularly love hanging out with friends and having great conversations over dinner and drinks.

– By relocating back to Africa as a young African professional, I hope to…… (fill in the blank)

MT: I hope to build Africa in to what I envision it to be. That sounds so farfetched seeing as I am only one person but what I am trying to say is that if young African professionals come back and build Africa together, this continent will be phenomenal. Africa has potential that is just waiting to be tapped and so what I am hoping for is that we as young people tap into that potential, harness it and convert it into something feasible, tangible and sustainable. I have always had an optimistic view of Africa and will continue to have it.

Thank you J