Gandhi Baai is a top African business lady. She owns Mwalimu Communications in South Africa, a company that
technically partners with a Nigerian based company, called, Treed Nigeria Media.
Dgr8tnews recently ran into her at an event in Nigeria where she was
honoured with Goodwill Ambassador Award. This afforded us the opportunity to
have a one-on-one interview with her. In this interview, she explains why
Nigeria is her second home. She also made serious comments on politics and
democracy in Africa.
Excerpts:
Q: Can we get to meet you please?
Gandhi and her Aunt,Winnie Mandela
My father named me after Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian
independence movement. Gandhi spent 20
years in South Africa, working to fight discrimination and it was in South
Africa he created his concept of Satyagraha, civil disobedience and a
non-violent way of protesting against injustices. Gandhi inspired movements of civil rights and
freedom across the world and he inspired my father who fought against the evil
and inhuman apartheid regime in South Africa.
I am from a small village called Mbizana in Eastern Mpondo, South Africa.
I grew up in exile during the time of apartheid. We lived in
different parts of the United States of America and the United Kingdom. We grew
up as a very close family. I had a fairy childhood tale; my parents did the best that they could for me. My father was an awesome father,
husband and leader. My mother was a
woman and a lady of substance, kind, gentle and compassionate. She was hardworking,
intelligent and blindingly beautiful inside and out.
Gandhi and Zuma
Q. You are presently in Nigeria. What's the deal down here?
Nigeria is the soul of the continent. It is full of opportunities, culture, life and energy. There is no
other place I would rather be right now.
Q. How would you term Nigeria-South African relationship at the
moment?
The two countries are working on a diplomatic agenda, in my
opinion, it their relationship has improved. With President Jonathan’s
official visit to South Africa this year and President Zuma’s visit to
Nigeria in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations, it will get better.
Q. You have just been honored with Goodwill Ambassador Award. Can you tell us why you deserve such a covetous award?
I believe that I was honored with the award because of my work. My
quest is to change negative perceptions that people have about Africa as a
whole. At present, I am focusing
specifically on Nigeria and South Africa through the stories that I write and
photographic books I keep publishing. In changing these negative perceptions, we build
bridges, we build relationships that enable people to consider business
possibilities and opportunities in Nigeria.
Gandhi and OBJ
Q. How would you term your relationship with Nigeria and Nigerians?
One love.
Q. What is your relationship
with Nelson Mandela?
Winnie Mandela is my aunt (my mother’s sister) and in that, Nelson
Mandela is my uncle.
Q. How has Mandela affected your life?
I think Nelson Mandela has affected people’s lives all over the world
in a positive way. He is a symbol of
unity.
Q. From your perspective, who is Mandela to a typical South
African?
One of the fathers of democracy, and freedom for all.
Q. Tell us about your relationship with your Aunt, Winnie Mandela?
I come from a family line of very strong women and Winnie Madikizela
– Mandela is one of the strong women I am proud of. She is an amazing woman, mother to all and a
great leader. My Aunt turned 77 this year and she is still very strong, a strategic genius and fabulously
beautiful. We have a strong relationship and I believe in everything she stands
for.
Q. In your view, what would you say she stands for?
Family, freedom, Justice, community, compassion, and economic
freedom for all.
How can I forget fashion?
Q. Tell us about your projects, both in Nigeria and South Africa?
I come to Nigeria every second month, because I do a lot down here. I
own a communications company in South Africa, called Mwalimu Communications and
we are the technical partners to a Nigerian based company called, Treed Nigeria
Media. We specialize in video
production, communications strategy, Public and Media Relations, and
Publishing. We publish sector-focused
books and have been able to tell positive stories for various institutions
and government departments in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. We created a booklet called ‘Fascinating
Nigeria Urban Lingo’ for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National
Orientation, in line with the ‘Fascinating Nigeria’ tourism campaign. We have documented the achievements of
various states such as Akwa-Ibom State, Kaduna State, and Delta State to
mention a few. We have also worked with
MTV base on their ‘MTV meets…with MTN’ concept, both in Nigeria and in South
Africa. We have worked on different
communication strategies for political campaigns in South Africa and
Nigeria. The list is simply endless.
Q. Entertainment wise, how
would you score Nigeria and South Africa?
The entertainment industry has developed in both
countries. I feel proud when I hear
Nigerian music being played in South Africa at parties, and I feel even more
proud when I hear South African music being played in Nigeria at parties.
Q. What would you say about
the South African economy and its leadership?
I’m not an economist, but according to the World Bank, it is ranked as
an upper-middle income economy.
Q. Africa has been struggling to bail itself out of different
insurgents. What better ways do you think can return Africa to its past glory?
Involve the youth!
Q. What message do you have
for African leaders?
African leaders need to ensure that the youth are involved in governance, influence
decisions and actions in national life.
They need to encourage and support youth participation and dialogue.
Q. With the rising insecurity and corruption in Africa, what best
advice can you offer the African youth?
They should passionately believe in noble causes and drive them. They should become the change they want to see.
Q. Your best African song?
Fela Kuti- Water no get enemy
Q. Your best Musician?
Fela Kuti
Q. Your best African Actor
Tony Kgoroge (South African).
He acted in Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom, Invictus, Blood Diamond, Lord
of War, Hotel Rwanda and many more.
Q. Democracy in Africa is always under threat. What could be
responsible for this?
Young people are tired of the illusion and false promise of
democracy and government, and we are now witnessing mass protests and riots. The high
levels of youth unemployment will be the biggest threat to democracy.
Q. What's the best gift you have ever received?
At this point in my life, I can without a doubt say the best gift I
have ever received were my parents.
Q. How would you describe your father and your relationship with
him?
My father was my best friend and mentor. Describing him could take a whole day. A disciplinarian, a loving father and
husband, a servant of the poor, a defender of the people, a warrior, a human
right activist, ordained Minister of God, Community Counselor, a great scholar
and philosopher, author and creative writer, advocate of black emancipation,
intellectual activist, extremely playful and romantic.
Q. What kind of a mother would you want to be?
Just like my mother, full of love and to lead by example.
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