NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2020

LAW: HOW KENYA COURTED A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS OVER PARLIAMENT’S FAILURE TO MEET GENDER QUOTAS SPORTS: WHY ENGLAND’S PREMIER LEAGUE SHOULD BAIL OUT THE LOWER LEAGUES HEALTH: COVID-19: EXAMINING THEORIES FOR AFRICA’S LOW DEATH RATES 25th Anniversary

REBECCA MBITHI A transformative leader in the banking industry

OPINION MOTOR:

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COVER STORY NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Vol. 15, No 154 Rebecca Mbithi: A transformative leader in the banking industry Rebecca was appointed in mid-2018 and immediately shook the banking industry with her sterling performance. For instance, hardly a year into the job, Family Bank How to keep up social distancing after lockdown registered an historic and mind-boggling growth in profitability of 300% in Q1 of 2019. 18 46 The all new Mercedes Benz GLB compact SUV 52

NEWS FEATURE SECTOR REPORT MOTORING OPINION: 4 Insights into how the US 28 Digital democracy is still 54 The new Mazda CX-9: A abortion gag rule affects health a long way off in Africa: It How social distinction in comfort and quality services in Kenya security could takes more than technology make life better at a competitive price 6 Why are we calling it ‘social in South Africa 60 What to look for when fuelling a car after Covid-19 distancing’? Right now, we need 62 RUBiS Energy Kenya officially launched social connections more than ever COMMENTARY 64 Determining the right loan Covid-19 exposed 10 Unravelling why some a huge gap at the repayment period SECTOR REVIEW: America’s inflection heart of South democracies – but not all – are 34 67 What to know before A contested legacy: Julius point: Four key things Africa’s social better at fighting pandemics replacing your car tyres Nyerere and the 2020 Africa ust watch for security system: the Tanzanian election lack of any form 12 Key insights into land degradation of income support 68 Safe guards when buying a from seven African countries Nyerere’s legacy still looms large over 38 Pharmaceutical manufactur- for low-income or used car from a yard the country’s politics, and not just ing companies must handle unemployed people within Chama Cha Mapinduzi. 16 How Kenya courted a returned drugs better aged 18-59. LAST WORD 30 constitutional crisis over parliament’s failure to 42 70 Covid-19: Examining theories meet gender quotas for Africa’s low death rates

18 Meet Rebecca Mbithi a OPINION SOCIETY transformative leader in the banking industry 44 Where the UK is going wrong 48 Suspension of US aid to in its Covid-19 messaging, Ethiopia is yet another example SPECIAL FEATURE according to a marketing expert of Trump’s disregard for Africa

22 Anxious about speaking in online classes and meetings? 7 tips to make it easier

24 Why England’s Premier COMMENTARY League should bail out the South Africa’s auto industry highlights the social lower leagues and employment cost of innovation There has been an increase in technology in South Africa’s automobile sector Belly fat linked to higher since 2003. Most of the work in vehicle manufacturing has been automated, 26 which makes manufacturing easier, faster, and more productive. 40 Where every issue makes Business Sense... risk of premature death, regardless of your weight

2 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 3 Publisher’s Note Corporate Responsibility as a business sustainability strategy CR and CS should never be seen as a ‘them and us’ conflict, within which governments find themselves CS becomes a dis-honest approach, and Nothing All Near Anyone) as most books caught in between as the referee by trying to balance the needs of a particular industry and the people, second, the investments to provide a smoke and authors would want to put the dis- both community and customers affected by the operations of that corporation. screen could just as easily be used pro- course. CR and CS is not about compli- PUBLISHER: ductively elsewhere, such as in additional ance or pleasing the public; CR and CS Dr. Hanningtone Gaya research or to lower consumer pricing. is about adapting business approaches [email protected] ate strategies being developed to ensure time span and the reality of developing What stakeholders should recognize is that within commercial framework that does 0722 742287 good principles and practices of corporate long-term corporate sustainable investment if corporations are being open and con- not penalize competitiveness or take from EDITOR: responsibility and corporate sustainability, plans that will give a return on invest- structive then the corporations should be the environment and labour. CR and CS is Martin O’Neil the focus has been and remains to be on ment(ROI) in less than 15-20 years. applauded and not harangued about how about developing forward-looking strate- CONTRIBUTORS: urgent compliance, public relations projects The truth, which seems to get lost in many much they are using or what projects they gies that underpin the business objectives Cathy Mputhia and short-term protectionism. of these discourses, is that there has to are choosing for their CR and CS projects. and provide profitable platforms on which Mike Eldon In addition, the customer or consumer be a balance that recognizes the right of Even worse are those who try to stop to reinforce the longer-term aims of the Scott Bellows Lennox Yieke continue to demand new products, devel- every stakeholder to benefit from corporate corporations going about their legitimate whole community. Anzetse Were opment and innovations provided at com- actions and profitability. This is as a result activities to maintain a CR principle. More so, CS is important to all of us. Jeff Aludo petitive and value enhanced pricing, whilst that what gets voiced is in fact not rhetoric Investigating the many and varied views Applying common sense more widely PUBLISHED BY: the shareholder looks for prompt and rising but plain common sense, and that for the propounded around CR and CS opened up across the range of stakeholders does more The Knowledge Warehouse dividends and security of investment from business community to do what is right, the prospect of seeing that at its core is a than small groups trying to force opinions 020 26504 937 the corporations, while adhering to legal there has to be a foundation of commercial practical benefit for all stakeholders. If CR through. Recognizing that there has to be 0722 742 287 DR HANNINGTONE GAYA and moral codes, with goal posts that con- interest or return. In essence, the business and CS are analyzed, evaluated and devel- a balance between the demands of today DESIGN & LAYOUT: CEO - The Knowledge Warehouse Kenya tinue to move. community creates wealth from which all oped within the overall corporate strategy and the impacts of tomorrow is the only Fontana Creations To achieve the bare minimum, it is prudent others have to benefit. then the prospect of meeting some of the way forward, if we are to guarantee CS. For MIS & ADMINISTRATION: here are leaders or top managers in that corporates embrace the utopia by It is also worth considering that perhaps long-term corporate sustainability chal- business leaders there needs to be a greater Marilene Mercy the business community who have never stopping striving for that goal and much of what is happening in the public lenges may be more readily achieved. focus on the commercial contribution that 0722 420 493 not had to address one aspect or the raising standards and awareness in an space and more so in the media to raise the CR and CS should never be seen as a ‘them effective strategies can provide, whilst the BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT other of sustainability in the last few effort to improve some, if not all aspects profile of corporate sustainability is driven and us’ conflict, within which governments wider community must temper its demands MANAGER: years.T It is impossible these days to pick of the interaction of society’s wide-ranging first and foremost by corporate or business find themselves caught in between as the on corporates that may well be in conflict Martin O’Neil up any authoritative business publication demands for responsible and hence sustain- self-interest. In human reality, this is not referee by trying to balance the needs of with the principles they would like to see 0721 989 263 or newspaper and not be faced with an able businesses. necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it does not a particular industry and the people, both enforced. For, and rightly so, CS is both ADVERTISING: article addressing some aspect of corporate It is also a very clear disconnect between really matter why corporations undertake community and customers affected by the corporate sustainability and community Dr. Hanningtone Gaya responsibility (CR) or corporate sustain- the future planning profiles of corpora- CR or CS programs: what is essential is operations of that corporation. sustainability. [email protected] ability (CS). tions focusing on meeting the short-term that they do. The objective is to consider the realities The environment is clearly important to 0722 742287 Numerous scholars and distinguished aca- demands of its owners and share-holders, The conflict or disconnect with the overall of CR and its long-term benefit CS, not us all and the future generations, but it DISTRIBUTED BY: demics posit that the focus of these initia- which is certainly at odds with the medi- aims is when there is artificial compliance the rhetoric of the ‘business for business’ is unrealistic to reverse the Industrial and Nation Marketing & Publishing tives has ranged across wide and diverse um-term focus of governments trying to in order to simply meet the publics aspira- community, the NIMBYs (Not In My Back now the ICT Revolution. A Division of Nation Media Group landscape of economic, social and ethical ensure the right policies within a limited tions and expectations. First, then CR and Yard) or the Bananas (Build Absolutely Experience working in a number of what P.O. Box 49010-00100 Nairobi Tel: 020 3288588 / 8574 challenges, from environmental preserva- many would consider dirty industries such tion to the handling of economic crimes. as ICT, oil, power generation and mining CONtent: These in turn have led to regulator and provides a background to areas where Produced under common licence from The Conversation non-governmental organization (NGO) adversity towards corporates experiences BusinessMonthly pressures raining down on corporate lead- the greatest nuances. The benefits of cor- www.theknowledgewarehouseke.com ers, in addition to the changes that have porates are driven by the market place, of emerged at both customer and shareholder which all stakeholders are a part of. levels towards an expectation of a more In conclusion, it is safe to assert that responsible approach to business, not only the exposure to corporate strategies often to guarantee profitability but mainly to highlights a narrow focus on many of the ensure business sustainability and hence sustainable issues without considering the business survival. possibilities to combine profit and common One mis-step, however, is the predicament good to the businesses themselves and all often created where, instead of appropri- the other stakeholders. ©THEKNOWLEDGEWAREHOUSE 2020

4 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 5 HEALTH Guest Column

were subject to this rule. BONIFACE USHIE The African Population and Health ductive health services—such as HIV, child The Global Gag Rule created Associate Research Scientist, African Insights into how the US Research Center, in partnership with the health and maternal health—reported clo- divisions between NGOs that chose Population and Health Research Center Global Health Justice and Governance sure of some components of their service to comply with the policy and those abortion gag rule affects Program of Columbia University, carried delivery when they were forced to choose that declined to do so. This led to SARA E CASEY out a study to establish how Trump’s between US funding and funding for these the disruption of existing coalitions Assistant Professor, Columbia University health services in Kenya expanded rule affected sexual and repro- other services. This meant that women Medical Center ductive health services including family encountered more difficulties obtaining and partnerships. It is critical for the Kenyan government to look to its own policies and planning, safe abortion, and post-abortion these services. TERRY MCGOVERN care in Kenya. so. This led to the disruption of existing increase budgetary allocation for sexual and reproductive health services Professor, Columbia University Medical Center We found that in the first 18 months, Ambiguous coalitions and partnerships. so that they cushion the impact of the global gag rule. the expanded rule’s effects transcended We also found that the Global Gag Rule In addition, some compliant NGOs he Mexico City Policy – often the limitation of abortion care. It affect- is ambiguous (and confusing) (we believe no longer referred clients for permitted referred to as the “Global Gag Rule” ed funding and disrupted collaboration purposefully so), leaving ample room for services to non-compliant NGOs. – is a US government policy that and health promotion activities. It also over-interpretation. This led to organi- As one interviewee from a non-US requires non-governmental organ- strengthened opposition to sexual and sations reducing or ending services not NGO said: It’s impossible to partner with Tisations (NGOs) that are not based in the reproductive health and rights. restricted by the rule, such as post-abor- a US-funded organisation…We are work- US and that receive US global health assis- These losses weaken NGO support to tion care, out of fear of violating the policy. ing in silos…we cannot work in the same tance to certify that they will not provide, the Kenyan health system and, we believe, The policy also emboldened opponents space. Even in terms of being invited in refer for, counsel on, or advocate for abor- will likely have a substantial impact on of sexual and reproductive health and meetings, you would feel like you are being tion as a method of family planning. The clients seeking sexual and reproductive rights and safe abortion. This stifled the stigmatised, in fact not invited in those rule also applies to any non-US funding health services. efforts of those advocating for safe and places, yeah, because you do not believe that the organisation may receive. Our findings call for harm mitigation quality care. It also compounded existing in the Global Gag Rule, and you are pro- The policy was rescinded by President interventions by advocates, donors and legal, policy and cultural barriers in the choice. Obama in 2009 but then reinstated and policymakers in Kenya and the United delivery of these services. expanded by President Trump in 2017. States. What does this mean for Kenya? While prior iterations applied only to fam- Partnership disruption The US provides 55% of Kenya’s develop- ily planning assistance (US$575 million in Implications The Global Gag Rule created divisions ment aid for health and 95% of sexual and 2016), Trump’s new version extends the We drew our data from in-depth interviews between NGOs that chose to comply with reproductive health aid. restrictions to nearly all US global health conducted in September 2018 and March the policy and those that declined to do In light of evidence of the effects of this assistance – an estimated US$9.5 billion 2019 with representatives of 18 local and policy, the US government should recon- – which includes funding for HIV/AIDS, international NGOs. These implemented sider how it affects people living in differ- malaria, and maternal and child health. For sexual and reproductive health, HIV or Background ent contexts. And the Kenyan government example, it now means that an organisa- other health services. We also interviewed must figure out how to lessen the impact The 1984 Mexico City Policy is tion that provides HIV care and treatment 37 health workers whose facilities received of the global gag rule on its health system. a U.S. federal policy that has with US funding may not also provide safe support from an NGO for their services, It is critical for the Kenyan govern- prohibited foreign nongovernmental abortion. meaning they could be affected by the organizations that receive U.S. ment to look to its own policies and The global gag rule includes exceptions policy via these NGOs. international family planning increase budgetary allocation for sexual for cases of rape, incest, and to save the life We found that the policy had far-reach- assistance from using their own, non- and reproductive health services so that of the woman; however, these are rarely ing implications. U.S. funds to provide, counsel on, or they cushion the impact of the global gag applied in practice. NGOs were forced to choose between refer for abortion services as a method rule. For over 50 years US Global Health providing safe legal abortion services and of family planning, or advocate for In addition, policymakers in the US Assistance has provided support to devel- accepting US global health funding. NGOs the liberalization of abortion laws- should work to permanently repeal the oping countries around three strategic that turned down US funding had to except in cases of rape, incest, and policy in light of ample evidence demon- priorities: to prevent child and maternal then find replacement funding from other life endangerment. The policy became strating its adverse impact. deaths, control the HIV/AIDS epidemic, sources. This led to health facilities being known as the global gag rule (GGR) and combat infectious diseases. closed, frequent contraceptive stockouts, due to its silencing effect on abortion Kenya relies heavily on foreign aid to staff layoffs and salary cuts. It also led to advocacy. Historically, it has only been This article was contributed by Emily A finance its sexual and reproductive health the curtailment of community-based activ- attached to family planning funding, Maistrellis, Public Health Researcher, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University services. The vast majority of this aid (95% ities, such as community health volunteers until 2017 when a presidential memorandum expanded the policy Medical Center, Grace Kimemia, African in 2018) comes from the US government. referring women for services. Population and Health Research Center and to nearly all US$8.8 billion in global There are also approximately 71 active US In addition, NGOs that provided com- Kenneth Juma, African Population and Health health foreign assistance. global health awards to various NGOs that prehensive integrated sexual and repro- Research Center

6 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 7 HEALTH News Feature

Social solidarity, not social distance soap, practising correct cough and Why are we calling it ‘social Staying socially connected in times of The so-called social distancing sneeze etiquette, and cleaning and dis- threat has benefits beyond helping us man- measures seek to limit the spread infecting surfaces. These measures are age our mental well-being. Other people of Covid-19, the disease caused undoubtedly critical. distancing’? Right now, we need can provide us with practical support, like by the novel coronavirus, by But missing from most official advice picking up groceries or passing on relevant reducing physical contact between is guidance about the importance of information, as well as emotional support. people. And there’s evidence these maintaining social connectedness. The social connections more than ever Building this kind of social infrastruc- measures work. government should add evidence-based ture, where people help neighbours and recommendations for staying connected Physical distance is important, but it’s equally necessary we maintain social closeness during strangers as well as their friends, fosters to its official resources. this time. Staying connected with others will make us happier, healthier, and more socially the feeling we as Australians are all in this 1. Consistent messaging responsible as we continue to contend with this crisis. together. The Victorian health department now refers 3. Prioritising communication This feeling is called social solidarity, to physical distancing rather than social Where state governments are increas- and if we get it right, we’ll be much bet- distancing, in line with calls from experts ingly limiting activities to allow for only ALEXANDER SAERI must be physically distant, it’s crucial we Importantly, strong social support can ter equipped to respond to this and other to change the terminology. essential services, phone and internet Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, maintain, or even increase, social contact help us counter these negative effects. And crises. But the federal government and most services that allow people to connect vir- Monash Sustainable Development Institute, with others during this unprecedented time. as well as improving our mental health, In the case of coronavirus, social soli- other state governments are still using the tually should be seen through the same Monash University In a crisis, we need support being socially connected is linked to better darity may be the key to getting people to social distancing moniker. essential lens. The so-called social distancing mea- physical health too. comply with public health recommenda- Consistent messaging from our leaders, The government should consider TEGAN CRUWYS sures seek to limit the spread of Covid-19, One US psychologist rightly noted rath- tions. Recent research found if people were including an explanation of why the label policies which encourage providers to Senior Research Fellow and Clinical the disease caused by the novel coronavi- er than talking about social distancing, we told distancing was important for the sake must change, could serve to encourage waive late fees or stop disconnections Psychologist, Australian National University rus, by reducing physical contact between should be practising distant socialising. of others, they were more likely to say they people to adopt practices that promote that may occur because of financial people. And there’s evidence these mea- Of course, this can be difficult when so would adhere to the relevant guidelines social closeness while maintaining physical hardship related to the virus. e are now a society at a dis- sures work. much of our social closeness depends on than if they were told it was to avoid nega- distance. Physical distance is important, but tance. As of this week, New But research also shows being isolated physical closeness. Humans are innately tive consequences. it’s equally necessary we maintain social South Wales has closed restau- can have negative effects on a person’s social, and often our instinct is to reach out To mitigate the dangers of conflating 2. Social tips alongside physical tips closeness during this time. Staying con- rants, bars, gyms, and enter- mental health. Specifically, periods of quar- to touch or be close to others when we feel physical distancing and social distancing, Much of the current messaging from gov- nected with others will make us happier, Wtainment venues where people gather in antine have been shown to increase nega- unwell or afraid. and to work towards social solidarity, here ernment sources focuses on maintaining healthier, and more socially responsible large numbers. tive emotions like anxiety, confusion and This makes it all the more difficult to are three things we need to see: physical health by washing hands with as we continue to contend with Victoria has similarly implemented anger. stay away from others right now. this crisis. a shutdown of all non-essential activi- ties, including closing schools. People are strongly advised to stay at least 1.5 metres away from others where pos- sible. But the label used to describe these measures – “social distanc- ing” – is a misnomer. While we

8 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 9 POLITICS News Feature

But precisely because it is not a democracy, None of them may pay a political price for China first covered up the virus outbreak, which their folly. But the myth that the nationalist right helped it to spread. cares about “the people” has been shattered. The accolade for handling the epidemic the A more complicated reason may be that the best must go to South Korea: in Daegu, the democracies that do better are those in which epicentre of the virus, on April 10, for the first citizens have reason to feel they are part of the time since the virus appeared, no new cases were political system. In South Korea, only two years reported. But its greatest success so far is that, ago, citizens achieved the removal of a president at the time of writing, just over 200 people have accused of corruption. died of the disease, a spectacular achievement In New Zealand, Portugal and Mexico, the compared with most other countries. And South current governments are seen by many citizens Korea is, of course, a democracy. as a sign that the system can produce change. Unravelling why some South Korea is not the only democracy to Greece’s government is newly elected and has have made headway against it. Portugal has lost handed over the fight against the virus to a only 535 people in a population of 10 million at medical specialist who has won huge support by democracies – but not all – are the time of writing. seeming to speak for people rather than at them. New Zealand, whose prime minister, Jacinda So, it may well be that the democracies Ardern, is seen by many as a democratic role which do best against Covid-19 are those whose better at fighting pandemics model, has lost one person out of a population citizens feel part of the system. of almost 5 million. Mexico may be next to the South Africa seems to illustrate this strongly. US geographically, but is nowhere near it in The most obvious problem with claims that some countries—or COVID-19 deaths: only 332 in a population of Insiders and outsiders political systems—are better at fighting the virus is that it will be 129 million. In Greece, only 99 people out of 10 South Africa is divided sharply between insid- million have lost their lives. ers, who benefit from the formal economy and quite a while before we know who did well and who did not. These examples show that democracies live mainly in the suburbs of large cities, and can—and do—cope with the virus. There are far outsiders who are excluded from the economy’s more democratic than non-democratic success benefits and live in poor townships and shack STEVEN FRIEDMAN ditch democracy. stories. settlements. Professor of Political Studies, University But the evidence thus far might point in But not all democracies are doing well. So, So far, its response to the virus has seemed of Johannesburg the opposite direction: that countries with why are some doing better than others? to work well among the insiders who have, in stronger democracies do best at dealing the main, rallied around a national effort to beat ne of democracy’s strengths with the pandemic. Right-wing nationalism back the disease. is that it allows its critics to The most obvious problem with claims A clear reason is that some countries are run It has done less well among the outsiders complain about it loudly. that some countries—or political systems— by right-wing nationalists to whom protecting whose circumstances make it very difficult to The current complaint in are better at fighting the virus is that it people does not come naturally. A clear lesson comply with restrictions and have been on the OSouth Africa from some commenta- will be quite a while before we know who South Korea we can draw already is that the nationalist right wrong end of sometimes heavy-handed police tors and many voices on social media did well and who did not. Because the is not the only is terrible at dealing with pandemics. attempts to enforce them. Some have been vic- claims that the coronavirus pandemic pandemic is nowhere near over, we have The stand-out is Brazilian president Jair tims of evictions, implausibly styled as attempts shows that democracy does not protect no idea how many people in each country democracy Bolsonaro, who is exhorting people to ignore to fight Covid-19. people from pandemics. will contract Covid-19 or how many lives to have made the health measures introduced by provincial Insiders may often complain about the gov- China, we are told, has beaten the it will claim. headway governors. US president Donald Trump has done ernment but they trust the political system and disease. Western Europe and North We don’t even know yet whether China far more to hinder than help the fight against participate in it enthusiastically. Outsiders live America have not. Perhaps because has beaten it: new infections are being against it. Covid-19: Brazilians and Americans have proba- at its fringes, often connected to the system only they are preoccupied with their own reported and there are fears of another Portugal has bly been saved from a far worse fate by the fact when they vote. disaster, the rich countries of the North outbreak. democratic or non-democracies, the claim lost only 535 that the federal system allows governors to pro- The message seems clear. It is not all democ- no longer lead efforts to help others When the disease is contained and we that democracy has been found wanting tect their populations when the president won’t. racies which struggle to deal with the virus; it fight the virus: that role has shifted to have final figures, research may show that does not stand up. people in a Britain is battling because its government is those in which the people do not feel that the non-democracies or countries whose some countries did better than others for population embraced a bizarre theory which suggested that system works for them. democratic credentials are questioned reasons which have nothing to do with how Measuring performance of 10 million the best way to fight the virus was to allow up In South Africa, as elsewhere on the con- such as China, Cuba and Turkey. they fought the pandemic. At this stage, China is the only non-democ- to 80% of the population to become infected. tinent, the lesson is surely clear. Governments The obvious conclusion is that But, even if we base our judgements on racy which has some claim to have beaten at the time of India’s Narendra Modi initiated a hasty and need to develop far deeper roots into their soci- South Africa and, presumably, other the evidence we have now, and concentrate back the pandemic. It is too early to tell writing. punitive lockdown which has done more damage eties if they are to meet citizens’ needs. This will African countries, would do well to only on countries which are agreed to be whether others, such as Cuba, will do this. than the virus. be true long after the virus has been contained.

10 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 11 ENVIRONMENT News Feature

and halt further land degradation. The Bonn Challenge, for instance, is a global Land degradation is one of the world’s effort to restore 350 million hectares of most pressing environmental problems Key insights into land degraded land by 2030. There are also several important regional initiatives, such and it will worsen without rapid as the Africa Forest Landscape Restoration remedial action. Globally, about 25 degradation from seven Initiative (AFR100), which aims to restore percent of the total land area has been 100 million hectares by 2030. African countries Regreening Africa is another effort that degraded. my colleagues and I have been working on. Funded by the European Union and led degradation. Soil erosion prevalence—a by World Agroforestry together with five key indicator of land degradation—was Reversing and preventing land degradation is critical if we non-governmental organisations (NGOs), found to be high in all seven countries, but want ecosystems to keep working; for instance, providing the programme works directly with 500,000 highest in Niger, where over 75% of the food, fresh water and regulating the climate, natural households to restore one million hectares fields were found to be highly degraded. disasters, and pests. of agricultural land. The programme is hap- The highest variation of soil erosion was pening in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, found in Kenya, where approximately half Niger, Rwanda, Senegal and Somalia. of fields were both above and below 50% In 2018, we carried out a baseline erosion prevalence. survey in seven of the eight participating countries, which has just been published. Trees on farm We found high levels of land degrada- Across the seven countries, 94% of house- tion in programme sites across all seven holds reported the presence of at least countries. We also found that farm incomes one tree on their farm or homestead. The were generally low, though trees were pres- estimated average number per hectare was ent on most farms and most farmers had 150. already engaged in re-greening activities. This average value masks the huge vari- These findings will allow us to assess ation in numbers and species composition. how the Regreening Africa programme For instance, households in East Africa will affect people and the environment and had an average of 195 trees per hectare on generate evidence on how land restoration relatively small land holdings. By contrast, efforts can be scaled up, a key aim of this there was an average of 12 trees per hectare initiative. on the larger farms of the Sahelian action sites. KARL HUGHES Baseline levels of degradation We are also tracking the ratio of native Regreening Africa works by supporting to exotic species to ensure the ecosystem Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and impact Assessment, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) farming households to plant appropriate balance isn’t being undermined. In general, tree species on their farms and facilitate households tended to have more native and is essential to our lives—we grow food on it and rely on it their natural regeneration. Farmers are trees species on their farms compared with for economic growth and development. In sub-Saharan Africa linked to tree product value chains as an exotic species. This trend applied to all approximately 83% of people depend directly on land for sur- incentive. countries, save for Rwanda. vival. In addition, the project promotes other LHowever, approximately two-thirds of the continent’s productive land restoration practices, such as inter- Regreening action land is degraded—it has lost its productive capacity—to some degree. cropping, reduced tillage, soil erosion con- What was encouraging is that over half of This is driven by years of overgrazing, inappropriate agricultural prac- trol structures and water harvesting. survey households (59%) undertook action tices, extreme weather events and the conversion of forest land into Our data collection focused on levels to scale up trees on their farms in the year farm land. The future doesn’t look promising either as Africa is the only of exposure to agroforestry training, the prior to being interviewed. This action var- continent where deforestation and forest conversion to agricultural land uptake of regreening practices, indicators of ied across and within the seven countries. is on the rise. land degradation—such as soil erosion, soil Action to address degradation was Reversing and preventing land degradation is critical if we want organic carbon, and vegetative cover—and found to be highest among Kenyan house- ecosystems to keep working; for instance, providing food, fresh water farm income. holds, followed by those of Ethiopia. The and regulating the climate, natural disasters, and pests. Using satellite imagery and scientific most popular action undertaken was prun- Fortunately, there is considerable global commitment to reverse models, we detected high levels of land ing existing trees on farm (36% of house-

12 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 13 Africanacity is using scrap metal ENVIRONMENT News Feature to make affordable film equipment holds), followed by tree plant- lishment, if they can clearly see the zons. ing (20% of households). potential financial benefits from The without-project (“business The survey also captured data doing so. This is expected to be as usual”) projections for total We’re inspired by Paul Kihuha who saw a chance to make a on exposure to regreening-related through, for instance, the future farm income (income from both difference by turning scrap metal into shooting equipment, training in the 12 months before promise of selling tree-related crops and tree products) were they were surveyed. This was products, such as fruits, timber found to be generally low but making it easier and cheaper for filmmakers to make movies. found to be low at 15% overall and honey, or through boosting with considerable variation across (11% women and 18% men), but crop productivity, resulting from countries and households. For At Absa, we call this Africanacity. For us it’s not just a word, with statistically significant varia- the restoration of degraded soils. example, average Year 1 per capita tion across countries. Consequently, the baseline sur- projections ranged from US$690 it’s a part of who we are and our commitment to working vey captured data on baseline lev- for Niger to US$3,150 for Mali. with you to find a way to get things done. Farm income els of both total farm income and The 10-year per capita project- One of Regreening Africa’s cen- income specific to tree products. ed returns for tree products was tral hypotheses is that farmers Because trees take time to estab- found to be highest for Rwanda #WeLoveAfricanacity are more likely to invest in land lish, such income streams were at US$4,858 on average, followed restoration, including tree estab- modelled over 10-year time hori- by Kenya (US$1,625 on average) absabank.co.ke Regreening Africa and Mali (US$1,448 on average). is now at about Indeed, Rwanda was the only the halfway country where tree products made up a significant share of project- mark of activity ed farm returns, given high levels implementation. of historical investment in fruit Much progress tree production. There is therefore has been made, significant room to bolster the eco- with field teams nomic contribution of trees in the adjusting their farming systems Regreening Africa operations to the is targeting. new Covid-19 Implications reality. An overarching conclusion follow- ing the baseline survey is that there is huge variation both across and within the seven countries. No one size fits all. Regreening Africa must therefore ensure that restoration practices are carefully tailored to the local context. It’s also important to meet the goals of restoration and income generation simultaneously. Regreening Africa is now at about the halfway mark of activ- ity implementation. Much prog- ress has been made, with field teams adjusting their operations to the new Covid-19 reality. The pro- gramme’s final survey will (hope- fully) take place in a post-pandem- ic world and with strong evidence that it is possible to produce the food people need without under- mining the health of the land.

Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 14 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 LAW News Feature

in 2012 when Attorney General Githu about gender balance? The 2010 con- Muigai sought an advisory opinion from stitution requires equality of men and the Supreme Court on whether the two- women in all spheres of life, and the thirds gender rule required immediate or elimination of all forms of gender-based progressive implementation. discrimination and marginalisation. The Supreme Court held that the Parliament has cited lack of quorum two-thirds gender rule required progres- and consensus as the main obstacles sive implementation. The Supreme Court to the enactment of a law to give effect also advised parliament to enact the to the two-thirds gender rule. But the required law on or before August 27, The current state of affairs results real obstacles are the patriarchal gen- 2015. Parliament failed to enact the from parliament’s failure to enact der stereotypes that characterise Kenyan required law by that date in spite of the a law to give effect to the two- society. Supreme Court’s advisory opinion, citing thirds gender rule as required by How can the constitutional impasse lack of quorum and consensus. the supreme law. be resolved? Although the current This triggered a petition at the High impasse revolves around the enactment Court under Article 261 (5) of the 2010 of a gender law, the 2010 constitution How Kenya courted a constitutional constitution. (as before) was noncompliant with the requires a blend of legislative, policy and In June 2015, the High Court constitution. administrative measures. The govern- ordered the attorney general and the In April 2019, the Court of Appeal ment can take these measures to imple- crisis over parliament’s failure Commission for Implementation of the dismissed parliament’s appeal against ment the rule pending the enactment of 2010 Constitution to table a bill before the High Court’s decision, and held that the required law. The judiciary and the parliament within 40 days. Again, despite its continued failure to enact the gender executive can be reconstituted to comply to meet gender quotas the order, parliament did not enact a law. law would result in its dissolution. with the rule without a law. This led to another High Court case on But the ultimate and permanent The 2010 constitution required parliament to enact a new law to give have foreseen this because they also pre- the matter. Implications of the chief justice’s solution lies in the enactment of the effect to this gender provision within five years of its promulgation. scribed the dissolution of parliament, as In March 2017, the High Court held advice required law. Parliament can enact the Despite six court orders directing it to do so, parliament has yet to enact many times as it takes, until the house that parliament’s failure to enact the two- In September 2020, the chief justice required law before the president acts the law. fully complies with the requirement. As a thirds gender law within the prescribed advised the president to dissolve parlia- on the advice from the chief justice. result, Chief Justice David Maraga recently period violated women’s rights and was ment in accordance with Article 261 (7) Alternatively, the new parliament can mative action programmes, to ensure that advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dis- a gross violation of the constitution. It of the constitution. His advice was based enact the required law within five years. MUTHOMI THIANKOLU “not more than two-thirds of the members solve the house as per Article 261 of the further held that continued noncompli- on parliament’s failure to enact a law to Lecturer, School of Law, University of Nairobi of elective or appointive bodies shall be of 2010 constitution. ance would render parliament unconsti- give effect to the two-thirds gender rule. Impact going forward the same gender”. The chief justice’s advice raises two tutional. It was preceded by six petitions, all The chief justice’s advice might affect the nlike the typical liberal constitu- Article 81 (b) provides that not more debates. The first is the political debate. The The court issued an order direct- urging him to advise the president to president and his government in three tion, Kenya’s 2010 constitution than two-thirds of the members of elective second, and more important, is the debate ing parliament and the attorney general dissolve parliament in accordance with main ways. is transformative in character. public bodies shall be of the same gender. on the rule of law. I will focus on the debate to ensure that parliament enacted the the constitution. First, refusal to dissolve parliament or Liberal constitutions primarily These provisions, among others, on the rule of law. required legislation within a period of A few questions have arisen following any unreasonable delay in so doing will Useek to demarcate the mandates of key establish the “two-thirds gender rule”. In 60 days, that is, by May 29, 2017. It also the chief justice’s advice, as follows: Is the open the president to accusations of organs of the state. Transformative con- President Kibaki’s last term, before the Parliament’s failure held that if parliament failed to enact president obliged to dissolve parliament, breach of the 2010 constitution, and stitutions on the other hand seek to bring rule was applied, there were 22 women The drafters of the 2010 constitution fore- legislation within the 60 days, any person and what happens next? Article 261 (7) complicity in parliament’s failure to large-scale egalitarian social, economic and in a parliament of 222, which was 9.9%. saw the likelihood of resistance and frus- would be at liberty to petition the chief of the 2010 constitution states that “the enact the required law. political change. In President Kenyatta’s first term, women tration of the transformative agenda by the justice to advise the president to dissolve president shall dissolve parliament” upon Second, the chief justice’s advice will Its interpretation and application, made up 19% of the national assembly and beneficiaries of Kenya’s pre-existing social, parliament. receipt of the advice from the chief jus- negatively impact the validity and legit- therefore, requires a value-centric approach 27% of the senate. Currently, women make economic and political structures. Parliament failed again. It did not tice. There is no legitimate reason for the imacy of the administration in respect that takes account of the historical, social, up 21.78% of the national assembly and Therefore, they established a default enact a law to implement the two-thirds president not to act in accordance with to matters that require parliamentary cultural and political contexts of the coun- 30.88% of the senate. mechanism, comprising four sequential gender rule within the 60 days and the advice from the chief justice. approval and oversight. The house does try. Gender representation falls squarely The 2010 constitution required parlia- steps, the last of which is the dissolution of instead appealed against the court’s deci- The dissolution of parliament will not have the constitutional and legal into these categories. ment to enact a new law to give effect to parliament by the president in accordance sion. render all offices of members of the mandate to act. The 2010 constitution calls for the this gender provision within five years of with the advice of the chief justice. Meanwhile, the 2017 general election national assembly and the senate vacant Finally, transactions conducted by elimination of all forms of gender-based its promulgation. Despite six court orders The current state of affairs results from took place without a law to facilitate the and trigger parliamentary elections with- parliament between the date of the chief discrimination and marginalisation. Article directing it to do so, parliament has yet to parliament’s failure to enact a law to give implementation of the two-thirds gender in 90 days. Dissolution will also mark the justice’s advice and the date of dissolu- 27 (8) requires the state to take policy, leg- enact the law. effect to the two-thirds gender rule as rule. As a result, the composition of par- end of the term of the current parliament. tion could easily be challenged in court islative and other measures, including affir- The drafters of the constitution may required by the supreme law. It all began liament after the 2017 general election What does the constitution state and declared null and void.

16 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 17 FINANCE Cover Story

DR HANNINGTONE GAYA, PHD FIMI EBS ed monthly publications on business in Meet Rebecca Mbithi Kenya, as one of the CEOs whose work et to know Rebecca Mbithi, the Chief has contributed to the growth of industry Executive Officer and Managing and commerce in our country. At Family - a transformative leader Director at Family Bank, an indigenous Bank, we will continue to work hard commercial bank in Kenya and the to create value for our customers and in the banking industry Gfourth largest bank by branch network. together we can work towards growing Rebecca began school with the dream of our economy,” added Rebecca. becoming a pilot but found her passion slowly Away from work, Rebecca is pas- Rebecca was appointed in mid-2018 and immediately shook the gaining roots in law and finance. She is a highly sionate about impacting communities banking industry with her sterling performance. For instance, hardly experienced professional with an extensive back- through provision of clean and safe water. a year into the job, Family Bank registered an historic and mind- ground in leadership in various organizations at This is especially through Family Bank’s boggling growth in profitability of 300% in the first three quarters director level specializing in law, project finance, sustainability projects such as Maji kwa of 2019, reflecting a huge jump from similar period in 2018. corporate restructuring, equity/ debt raising and Wanafunzi. governance. Rebecca is an avid marathoner who A seasoned professional, Rebecca holds a has run in five of the world’s major Master’s in Business Administration in Strategic marathons including New York, Chicago, Management from United States International London and Berlin Marathons. report adds. The CEO further states that, BIO University-Africa and an LL. B degree from the Rebecca was appointed in mid-2018 ‘Adoption of digital channels saw 70 per Rebecca Mbithi is a seasoned University of Nairobi. She is a Certified Public and immediately shook the banking cent of transactions conducted online professional and a respected Accountant and a member of the Institute of industry with her sterling performance. including requesting for loan advances, lawyer with an extensive leadership Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), For instance, hardly a year into the job, through Pesapap app that was launched background in various organisations, a Certified Secretary and a Member of the Family Bank registered an historic and in January 2018. The enhanced efficiency having previously worked at Kenya Institute of Certified Secretaries, an advocate of mind-boggling growth in profitability of has seen the lender improve on its asset Tea Development Agencies, where she served as Head of Legal & Regulatory the High Court of Kenya and a member of the 300% in the first three quarters of 2019, quality in the slashing of its net non-per- Affairs and Rift Valley Railways, where Law Society of Kenya. reflecting a huge jump from similar peri- forming loans portfolio by 15.5 percent she served as the Company Secretary Prior to taking over the steering role at Family od in 2018. to Ksh.4.6 billion.’ & Legal Counsel. She has vast domain Bank, Rebecca was the Company Secretary and The bank’s notable growth in the Included in 2020 ROI for Rebecca is expertise and knowledge in law, project Director, Legal Services—a position she held period is attributed to aggressive deposit the much-acclaimed Family Bank part- finance, corporate restructuring, equity/ debt raising and governance, and has for four years. That put her in the steering role taking and on-lending to micro, small and nership with Isuzu East Africa in a deal served in the Corporate Governance where she was instrumental in strategy and busi- medium enterprises (MSMEs) that was that ensures its customers receive up to and Standards Committee of the ness development, capital and debt raising, risk against the weighted risk of a rate cap 95% financing to purchase vehicles, in a Institute of Certified Public Secretaries management, compliance and controls, providing environment. Customer deposits grew by financing product dubbed Changamsha Kenya. Rebecca holds an MBA witH a legal services and strengthening the bank’s gov- a substantive 26 percent to Ksh.60.2 bil- Biashara. This unique deal incorporates concentration in Strategic Management from USIU and an LL.B degree from the ernance structures. lion as net loans and advances kept pace innovative features which include: University of Nairobi. “I have been part of the transformation jour- at 11 percent to grow to Ksh.49.3 billion.  Customers enjoy up to 90 days repay- ney for the bank having been part of the Family “Our aggression in deposit taking ment holiday, that is, before they start to (MSMEs) customers in the agribusiness, Bank’s senior management team for four years. was targeted at institutions, county gov- remit the monthly repayments. trade and logistics businesses to conve- Taking over as the CEO has given me the oppor- ernments, NGO’s, corporate and SME  Customers can access an additional niently purchase the indomitable Isuzu tunity to steer the ship with formidable strategies customers as we arrived at an optimum biashara boost credit facility of up to Truck, Bus and Pickup work horses that have put us back to profitability and we con- deposit mix,” CEO Rebecca Mbithi says KES 200,000, to stimulate the business, at affordable yet competitive interest tinue on an upward trajectory. I am privileged to in a corporate newsletter available on hence the Swahili term changamsha. rates, a financial package that is already be heading a team that comprises of focused staff the bank’s website. In the same report,  Flexible repayment period of up to 5 enabling Isuzu vehicles to commence the whose resolve is to put the customer first while ‘Family Bank’s net interest income years (60 months) to suit the individual path towards new sales recoveries, after providing innovative products and services that rose by 16.1 percent to Ksh.3.6 billion customer needs and cash flow manage- the initial onslaught by the Covid-19 meet their needs,” says Rebecca Mbithi. anchored on a flat Ksh.1.2 billion inter- ment. pandemic effects. On her nomination as one of the Top 25 est expense to depositing customers and  Customers get two free memberships In particular, business owners in the Business Leaders to watch in Kenya in 2020, a fall in other interest expenses. for Maisha Air Ambulance Cover from transport, logistics, agribusiness, educa- Rebecca says she is humbled by the recognition Investments in digital continued AMREF Flying Doctors, a very important tion and religious institutions are access- and dedicates it to the customers of Family Bank to strengthen the bank’s balance sheet service to ensure peace of mind for the ing 95% financing for credit worth cus- whose support of the brand has been unmatched. by weeding off costs to see operating driver and his loader. tomers. “I am very humbled to be recognized by expenses retained at a flat Ksh.4.7 bil- This partnership is already enabling Additionally, customers who run Business Monthly, one of the most respect- lion from a similar period in 2018,’ the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized their own businesses or are in the trans-

18 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 19 FINANCE Cover Story

port business are now enabled to take tiated customer experience driven by a Creation of a customer-centric Bank advantage of competitive insurance rates deeper understanding of our customers, driven by unique customer profiling through Family Bank of Kenya’s insurance automation and digitization of our pro- and an unmatched value offering that partner, Kenya Orient Insurance, which is cesses, of which 80% of our transactions The Bank’s impressive goes beyond banking services; incorporated within the asset finance facil- are on the digital platform anchored on performance is a testament of the Unmatched capability in people, ity as one single total cost. The insurance simplicity and personalized service as we resilience of our business in light technology and infrastructure through package includes accidental damage excess continue to cushion businesses, especially of our current tough operating building a high-performance custom- protector, political violence, terrorism cover the MSMEs, through the emerging pres- environment amidst the Covid-19 er-oriented culture and creating an and the theft of the alternator and starter sures,” adds Ms Mbithi. agile rationalized structure anchored for the school buses. During this pandemic, the Bank pandemic. Going forward, for on the right skills and capabilities; “As a Bank that values MSMEs, Family offered relief and extension of loans to our business outlook, we remain Achieve operational excellence by Bank aims to bridge the gap hindering their customers at no extra cost in order to focused on driving a differentiated improving systems reliability, increas- growth and this partnership is a big step cushion our customers from the adverse customer experience. ing internal efficiencies, speed of ser- in that direction. With this partnership, we effects of this pandemic. Family Bank has vice and offering customized solutions will not only offer entrepreneurs financing restructured loans worth Ksh 15Billion to tap into the ecosystem and the for Isuzu Vehicles products but will also and provisioned Ksh.464M for bad debt value chain. extend to them favourable terms and quick due to Covid-19 during the first half of the form of ICU beds, ventilators, per- Other than leading her bank from the Isuzu EA MD Rita Kavashe (centre) and Family Bank CEO Rebecca Mbithi (right) pose for a photo after the signing of an approvals that will ensure their businesses asset financing agreement that will see SMEs get upto 95 pc financing on Isuzu trucks and pickups. With every vehicle the year. It has also waived all charges sonal protective equipment, face masks, front, Rebecca: keep growing,” stated CEO Rebecca Mbithi purchase, SMEs will also obtain two AMREF Maisha Covers in case of emergency evacuation services. for balance inquiries and money trans- foodstuffs, among others,” says the Family Is a great physical fitness enthusi- during launch. fers between account and mobile money Bank CEO. ast, has run five out of the six major Customers are already accessing this 520.9 million registered in a similar period wallets. Going into 2021, Rebecca’s most world marathons including New asset financing deal across Family Bank’s of 2019. “We recognize that the Covid-19 pan- important tool is the Bank’s 2020-2024 York, Chicago, London and Berlin 91-branch network and can collect their The growth is attributed to increase in demic has resulted in difficult operating Strategic plan, dubbed ‘take-off’ that is Marathons. She has also participated desired vehicle from any Isuzu East Africa net interest income hugely from loans and environments. As a result, as part of our aligned to 13 of the 17 United Nations in all major marathons in Kenya and distributor and dealers throughout Kenya. advances and income from government strategy to build a sustainable business, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). East Africa. Family Bank equally has a similar securities. the Bank continues to work with the 2020 marks the first year of the Enjoys mentoring young girls and although slightly different asset financ- The total operating income grew by County Governments to assist vulnerable implementation of the strategic plan has over 20 girls under her belt at any ing arrangement with Simba Corporation, 17.6 per cent to Ksh 4.2 billion during this groups affected by the pandemic. So far, which is anchored on the following three one moment. facilitating the purchase of Mitsubishi and period compared to Ksh 3.6 billion last we have contributed in-kind support in drivers: Is a great believer in women in Mahindra trucks and light commercial year. Non-funded income slightly decreased leadership and has taken it up as a Family Bank CEO Rebecca Mbithi (right) engages with vehicles. Wakiiruh Fashions Proprietor Alice Kiiru and Ngojawa by 1.4 per cent to Ksh 1.3 billion. personal mandate to grow women Turning to social engagement, Family Enterprises MD Humphrey Gachara at an exhibition Family Bank saw an expansion of its leaders in the bank. Bank has been recognized with several balance sheet in the period as its loan book Thrives in driving sustainable awards such as the Best Bank in Micro- grew by 17.5 per cent to Ksh 54.9 billion change through delegation and Finance in 2013 and runner-up in the cial and customer increase and satisfaction while customer deposits increased by 23.5 employee development, resulting in Think Business Magazine Awards in 2014. metrics, Family Bank under Rebecca closed per cent to Ksh 66.7 billion. Net interest her employees doing only the best at The CEO Rebecca Mbithi was recent- the 2019-2020 riding a wave. income in the period rose by 28.5 per cent work and thriving on deliverables. ly celebrated as one of the Top CEOs to Family Bank has posted a 63.6 per to Ksh 2.9 billion from Ksh 2.3 billion Through this, Rebecca has nurtured Watch in 2020 by the prestigious Business cent increase in its profit before tax for last year backed by lending and additional a great family of achievers at Family Monthly magazine, as part of the magazine’s the Group through the first six months of investments in government securities. Bank. This leadership trait is what she 25th Anniversary issue. Coincidentally, also 2020 to Ksh 852.1 million, up from Ksh Total assets grew by 19.7 per cent to brings to the table for the larger bank- nominated in this issue is Rita Kavashe, the Ksh 86.9 billion compared to Ksh 72.7 bil- ing industry. So far, she has achieved MD and CEO of Isuzu East Africa and the lion during the same period last year. Total this in a number of opinion pieces that first lady to hold such a position in a mul- During this pandemic, operating expenses marginally rose by 9.8 this magazine will be serializing from tinational in the motor industry in Kenya. per cent to Ksh 3.4 billion, highlighting the the next issue. Among the topics are: In this same year, Rita Kavashe is staring in the Bank offered relief cost containment measures being imple-  Fraud prevention the executive leadership landscape, includ- and extension of loans to mented by the Bank.  Using ATM facilities responsibly ing an appointment as a director at BAT customers at no extra cost “The Bank’s impressive performance is Availing credit to the MSMEs. Kenya, which was quickly followed by her a testament of the resilience of our business  Legal framework for starting a elation within only months to the coveted in order to cushion our in light of our current tough operating envi- micro-business. position as the board Chair. customers from the adverse ronment amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. For Rebecca Mbithi, it is no longer Family Bank Ltd CEO Rebecca Mbithi (centre) receives marathon permit from Athletics Kenya Chairman Gen J.K Tuwei To confirm her place as the Queen of effects of this pandemic. Going forward, for our business outlook, (Rtd) and Athletics Kenya CEO Susan Kamau during the launch of Family Group Eldoret Half Marathon The Family the glass ceiling. That would be too the Banking industry, by growth in finan- we remain focused on driving a differen- Group Foundation on July 10, 2019. low.

20 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 21 ICT Special Feature

Online tutorials, workshops and meetings are here to stay for the In educational settings, moment. To create safe, supportive those who support and productive sessions, we need “cameras on for everyone” to build competent and confident suggest it helps to speaking practices. replicate usual classroom conditions, encourages discussion and ensures LESLEY IRVINE students are actually Lecturer in Strategic Speech Communication, Queensland University of Technology in attendance (not just

any parents and students are logged on). engaged in a daily routine of speaking to people via a camera  Use linking statements and signposts on a computer, tablet or phone to keep everyone on track as other cues Mduring Covid-19 restrictions. This often and clues may be absent (walking across means finding a quiet place in order to ask a room to a computer), so it’s important a question, provide an answer or share an to let all participants know what you are opinion with a virtual audience. doing and why (for example: “I’m going Initial concerns about using video apps to check the chat box at the end of this focused on privacy and equity issues. point so feel free to add any questions as Soon, new terms emerged such as Zoom I go along.”) fatigue. But an issue that has been less dis-  Model good speaking practices, draw cussed is the role that nerves might play in on simple structures to make your point these mediated sessions. and use language that is suitable for oral delivery. What is speaking anxiety?  Rethink the value of calling on someone For centuries, people have questioned their randomly to contribute to a discussion, ability to speak in front of others. It’s said because if people are worried they may be the Roman orator Cicero (106-43BCE) asked to respond without notice, they may turned pale and quaked before any speech be less likely to engage overall. he gave.  Make decisions about the need for But it was in the 20th century that interaction (including break-out rooms) communication anxiety was studied in does this set-up limit broader non-verbal selves when talking to others. As a lecturer, based on the type of session and number of depth. It has been described by a number Anxious about speaking in cues, but it also restricts general banter seeing myself onscreen while speaking participants, because needless interaction of different terms, including stage fright, between participants. with a class can be distracting, especially is not better than no interaction. unwillingness to communicate and commu- online classes and meetings? On the plus side, this can make ses- when trying to look directly at the camera  Plan for each online event rather than nication apprehension. sions more time-efficient, but it does tend lens to maximise eye contact. stick to a set of general rules. For example, Research suggests about one in five to make conversations more stilted. is it always necessary for speakers to see speakers experience high communication Here are 7 tips to make it easier A perceived need to be visible is a con- 7 tips to make things easier each other onscreen? As most educators apprehension. This can make all speaking ferently) and unstable (changing levels of sentation, may rate themselves as more tested area in online delivery. In education- Whether running a business meeting or will tell you, just because a student is opportunities difficult. anxiety within and between presentations). nervous than what an audience observes. al settings, those who support “cameras on teaching a class, the following tips may physically present that doesn’t mean they Examples include speaking to a boss A focus on individual differenc- for everyone” suggest it helps to replicate help you to feel more comfortable speak- are actively engaged. or teacher, contributing to a group discus- es acknowledges that internal thoughts Nervous about the audience usual classroom conditions, encourages ing online: Online tutorials, workshops and meet- sion, or delivering a presentation. Public and feelings might not match external It is the audience, and the potential for neg- discussion and ensures students are actu-  Provide an agenda ahead of time, which ings are here to stay for the moment. To speaking anxiety is part of communication behaviour. For example, a speaker who ative evaluation from that audience, that ally in attendance (not just logged on). could include sending out some prepared create safe, supportive and productive apprehension. appears disengaged may actually feel a lack can make us feel anxious. And those listen- But it is important to consider the questions for discussion. sessions, we need to build competent and The prevalence of public speaking anx- of control. ing can be physically or virtually present. rationale behind making any feature man-  Reduce uncertainty about participation confident speaking practices. iety is well documented. It is complex It is a tricky phenomenon. Some people This brings us to the rather awkward datory. Participating via a video app is not by letting people know from the outset if Acknowledging that speaking anxiety (varying causes, indicators and treatment can feel nervous the moment a speaking situation of speaking to rows of little boxes the same as a live setting. there is any need or expectation to talk in is common, and affects people in live and options), individual (affecting speakers dif- task is announced and, on the day of pre- on a screen in a video hook-up. Not only For a start, speakers rarely see them- a hook-up. virtual settings, is a good place to start.

22 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 23 SPORTS Special Feature

Cash rich that mean every hedge fund manager that even made a successful documentary series With the government announcing that is incredibly successful, are they going to that followed the fate of Sunderland FC Why England’s Premier League sport will have to take place without fans, filter that down to the hedge fund manag- in the season after the club was relegated indefinitely, a substantial revenue stream ers that are not so successful?” from the EPL. The initial idea was that should bail out the lower leagues has been lost to these clubs. To survive, This line of thinking says football Sunderland would be challenging to get they desperately need financial aid. Why should be like any other business. Clubs promoted back to the Premier League, but The EPL owes much of its charmed existence to the myriad leagues that exist should the government bailout a sport should go to the wall if they aren’t suc- in a fateful twist of events, the club was that attracts television broadcasting deals cessful, just like bad hedge funds go out of relegated a second time. below it, most notably the EFL, feeding it not just with new clubs each year, but in the billions? business. Clubs should merge, or the better new players, and endless romantic tales—rags to riches success and, equally The cash-rich Premier League, on the ones should take over the less successful It wasn’t always this skewed dramatic, falls from grace. other hand, where teams have contin- ones. Burnley should take over, say, Oxford Historically, this dynamic relationship ued to splash millions of pounds on top United, a lower division team. between the different leagues was better JAMES READE League (EPL) and English Football entertainment, which is a crucial feature of global stars this summer, is the obvious Yet in 1987, Burnley was 90 minutes understood in the way that football was Associate Professor of Economics, University League (EFL), exist. They are collections English football’s popularity. With lower source of aid. Chelsea just spent £71m away from relegation out of the football financed. Many measures have existed in of Reading of teams of similar quality who regularly league clubs that rely on ticket sales on the on German midfielder Kai Havertz alone, league altogether. They finished 90th out the past to ensure solidarity. For much compete against each other. brink of collapse because of the coronavi- for example. This is the equivalent of two of 92 teams. Indeed, in 1986, Oxford of the existence of the football league, ncertainty is what makes sports The EPL is the top league in English rus pandemic, it is paramount that the far Championship clubs’ average wage bills United won the League Cup, and perhaps member clubs shared revenues accrued entertaining. If you always knew football, a division of 20 teams, and sits wealthier top teams step in to save them. per year, almost half of all League One might have mounted a takeover of Burnley. from league matches played, and rules who was going to win a match, above the football league, which consists In the EPL, just 14% of revenues clubs, and almost the entire 24 clubs in Since then Burnley has enjoyed six pro- restricted the movement of players such that would be boring. In the of three divisions of 24 teams each. come from match days. The bulk comes League Two. motions and three relegations. Oxford has that they would be equitably distributed U1960s, an economist called Walter Neale Between all of these divisions is promo- from television deals and sponsorship. Manager of Premier League side fallen out of the football league in that across teams. said that the New York Yankees prayer tion and relegation – the best teams move In the football league’s top division, the Burnley, Sean Dyche, doesn’t appear to time, too, and returned (five relegations, Revenue sharing was abandoned in the should be: “Oh Lord, make us good, but up, the worst teams move down. Championship, 21% of revenues come from agree that the Premier League should help three promotions). 1980s, however, and between 1961 and not that good.” This maintains a reasonable degree match days, but it is significantly higher out the English Football League, however. The Premier League without the 1995 restrictions on player movements This “peculiar economics of profes- of similarity of teams in the different still in the two leagues below—over 46% for Commenting on the idea, he said: “If you intrigue of promotion and relegation would were dramatically reduced. In 1992, the sional sports”, as Neale described it, is divisions. More importantly, it provides Bolton Wanderers in League One in 2017, are going to apply that rule of thumb, does be a massively inferior product. Netflix EPL was formed as a breakaway by the why leagues, such as the English Premier a significant amount of competition and for example. top football league teams in order to cap- ture more of the revenues in the game. The result has been an ever-widening financial gap between the EPL and the football leagues below. Norwich City, in finishing top of the Championship in 2019, was awarded £7.1 million. In finishing bottom of the EPL in 2020, they were awarded £94.5 million. The graph below, taken from the published accounts of Premier League and football league teams since the second world war, shows the clear effect of these gradually relaxed restrictions. In the 1950s, the ratio of revenues in the second tier of English football was usually above 60%. In 2014, this ratio was 12%. The EPL owes much of its charmed existence to the myriad leagues that exist below it, most notably the EFL, feeding it not just with new clubs each year, but new players, and endless romantic tales—rags to riches success and, equally dramatic, falls from grace. Will it recognise that before it’s too late?

24 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 25 HEALTH Special Report

quences. Research shows that people with the same height and weight, but who store their fat in different places Visceral fat is considered more have different risks of developing insulin resistant, and so carries certain metabolic diseases, such as a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Body fat stored around the waist also releases more blood Visceral versus subcutaneous triglycerides in response to stress Body shape is influenced by where fat is stored in our body. For exam- hormone signals compared to ple, “apple shaped” people store hip and thigh fat. more fat around their waist and are likely to store more fat deeper in the body surrounding their organs storage space (or the ability to make as visceral fat. “Pear shaped” people new fat cells) sooner than in others. have larger thighs, and store more This means more fat will be stored fat more evenly around their body in the less safe visceral depots. just under the skin as subcutaneous Visceral fat can cause inflammation, fat. eventually leading to metabolic and These different fat depots have cardiovascular disease. And if fat different physiological properties can no longer be stored in adipose and express different genes. It’s tissue, eventually lipid can accumu- thought that different visceral and late elsewhere—including the heart, subcutaneous fat depots develop muscles, and liver—which again can from different precursor cells – cells lead to disease. that can become fat cells. As with height, your genes play a Visceral fat is considered more large part in weight and body shape. Belly fat linked to higher risk insulin resistant, and so carries a Large genetic studies have identi- higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Body fied over 400 of the tiniest genome of premature death, fat stored around the waist also differences that might contribute to releases more blood triglycerides in body-fat distribution. For example, response to stress hormone signals people who have a mutation in the regardless of your weight compared to hip and thigh fat. High LRP5 gene carry more fat in their blood trigylceride levels are associat- abdomen and less in their lower Body fat (known as REBECCA DUMBELL circumference—in other words, all the areas ence many body processes, including ed with greater risk of heart disease. body. However, these tiny genetic where a person naturally stores fat. appetite. Adipose tissue is therefore This is partly why visceral fat is seen differences are common in the pop- adipose tissue) plays Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University an important role in Beside the finding on belly fat, the research- important for good metabolic health. as more harmful than subcutaneous ulation, affecting most of us in one t’s well known that carrying extra fat around ers also found that people who tend to store But having too little adipose fat. way or another—and may explain our physiology. Its your waist can be harmful to your health, more fat on the hips and thighs—instead of their tissue can affect how well blood On the other hand, hip and thigh why humans have such a range of main purpose is to take bringing greater risk of developing illnesses abdomen—had a lower risk of dying sooner, with sugar levels are regulated in the subcutaneous fat can better take up different body shapes. glucose from the blood such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. each extra 5cm thigh circumference associated body. Insulin regulates healthy blood these triglycerides from the blood Unfortunately, this means that it and safely store this ButI a recent study found that, regardless of with an 18% reduced risk of death during the sugar levels, telling fat cells to take and store them safely, preventing the might be more difficult for a person energy as lipid inside our weight, people who carry more fat around their follow-up period (between 3-24 years, depending up glucose from the blood and store body from incorrectly storing them who naturally stores fat around their fat cells, which our body abdomen had a higher risk of dying sooner—in on the study). But why might this be the case? it for later. Without enough adipose in the muscles or liver, which can waist to maintain good health. But fact, there was an 11% increase in death during The answer has to do with the type of fat tissue tissue (a condition known as lipo- cause liver disease. Subcutaneous fat research also shows that weight loss uses later for fuel. follow up with every extra 10cm of waist cir- we tend to store in certain areas of our body. dystrophy), this process can’t work tissue can even develop specialised can reduce visceral fat and improve cumference. Body fat (known as adipose tissue) plays properly—resulting in insulin resis- “beige” fat cells that are able to burn metabolic health. So what is import- The researchers included 72 studies in their an important role in our physiology. Its main tance, which can lead to diabetes. fat. For these reasons, subcutaneous ant to remember is that body shape review, which contained data on 2.5 million purpose is to take glucose from the blood and Although fat is important for fat is thought of as safer—even is only a risk factor, and even with people. They then analysed the combined data safely store this energy as lipid inside our fat good metabolic health, where we protective against metabolic disease. these differences you can still lower on body shape measures, looking at waist-to-hip cells, which our body uses later for fuel. Our fat store it (and the kind of fat tissue it It’s thought that in some people your risk of chronic disease if you ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, and waist and thigh cells also produce hormone signals that influ- is) can have different health conse- subcutaneous fat stores run out of maintain a healthy lifestyle.

26 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 27 ICT Sector Review

From the recent “virtual protest” in Zambia In June 2020, the “activism”. to #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, the potential Ethiopian government Uganda, Benin and several other states of social media to empower dissenting blocked internet access have imposed a social media tax that has for over three weeks voices is clear. excluded many users. after the horn of Africa Idayat Hassan and Jamie Hitchen’s nation imposed a total Meanwhile, those who can afford inter- analysis of WhatsApp and Facebook use shutdown across the net access still face restrictions on gov- ahead of elections in The Gambia shows country leaving over 16 ernments information. Thus, Lisa-Marie that even in rural areas with limited con- million users offline.The Selvik argues that digital technology has shutdown came after nectivity, social media content contributes done little to give many African citizens massive demonstrations to offline political mobilisation. following the killing of the right to basic government information. It is important not to lose sight of this prominent Oromo singer. more positive impact amid the growing What we know and what we don’t focus on fake news and hate speech. Amid a revolution know Sadly, though, further problems are that eventually led Some sixteen years on since the creation on the horizon. Azeb Madebo reveals how to the ousting of of Twitter, it is becoming clear what we do the Ethiopian diaspora has fuelled the longtime dictator and don’t know about digital democracy polarisation between the Oromo commu- Omar al-Bashir, the in Africa. We know that digital technology Sudanese government nity on the one hand, and the Ethiopian blocked social media is acting as a disruptive force that simul- Digital democracy is still a long way off government and Ethiopian nationalists on access to Facebook, taneously has “liberating” and destructive the other. Twitter, WhatsApp and potential. Not all fake news is believed of course, Instagram on December The continent has yet to develop an in Africa: It takes more than technology but when stories play into widely held 19, 2018. To get around effective way to stop the flow of fake news. the ban, citizens used While growing internet coverage has enabled citizens to challenge authoritarian rule, non- fears, prejudices and assumptions, they Virtual Private Networks. And the full benefits of digital democracy democratic leaders have also manipulated or disrupted online access can exacerbate distrust and encourage a are being thwarted by digital exclusion cycle of violence. Following a crucial that is driven by the high cost of data, the It is, therefore, significant that there presidential poll in strategies of authoritarian governments, is relatively little regulation of content 2018, internet was and in some cases the approach of major more pessimistic reading overlook genuine political, legal, and economic conditions moderation. Julie Owono shows that in cut across the vast tech companies themselves. NIC CHEESEMAN progress? are in place. part this can be attributed to the limited Democratic Republic of But what we don’t know is just as Congo, apparently an Professor of Democracy, University of A new publication I co-edited with Lisa For example, the content that citizens local capacity of content providers such as effort by the government important. We urgently need more research Birmingham Garbe—Decoding #DigitalDemocracy in can access increasingly depends on giant Facebook or Twitter. Neither has invested to prevent social media in a number of areas. Africa—draws together the latest research tech companies, especially for poorer citi- heavily in African experts capable of iden- speculation about the To what extent has social media exac- LISA GARBE on the extent to which digital technology zens. In his contribution on Facebook’s Free tifying fake news and hate speech circulat- results after a day erbated ethno-regional tensions? How has changed Africa…and the ways in which Basics - a service that provides basic online ed on their platforms. of voting marked by much online content is actually produced Doctoral Researcher, University of St.Gallen numerous delays and Africa is changing digital technology. services without data charges - Toussaint In part, it is also rooted in the limited problems. by governments and the trolls that work rom the mid-2000s onwards, the The articles show that we should not Nothias explains that tech corporations’ funding available for civil society groups, for them? Who should be responsible for digital revolution raised hopes of miss the wood for the trees: despite dis- dominant position enables them to shape considerable linguistic diversity, and the manipulated or disrupted online access. content moderation and how can eth- democratic transformation and appointment, digital technology has had how individuals use the internet under the volume of information being shared. As a According to Lisa Garbe, internet shut- no-linguistic diversity be accounted for? strengthening in Africa. But it profound impacts on African politics and pretence of making it more affordable. result, organisations such as Africa Check downs have become the “new normal” in What are the political and socio-economy Fhasn’t quite turned out like that. Now, society. But they also highlight how much This raises tough questions about highlight instances of fake news but can- some authoritarian states. This is especial- consequences of restricting internet access, almost a decade after the “Arab Spring”, more needs to be known about digital tech- whether multinational companies engage not hope to cover all harmful content. ly so during politically contested periods and how can this be resisted? Does the techno-optimism has given way to tech- nology on the continent. ethically in Africa. As Julie Owono’s con- There are no easy answers to these such as elections or major protests. finding that how an individual behaves no-pessimism. tribution points out, Facebook has been problems though, because when govern- Moreover, while internet shutdowns online does not dramatically change their African leaders have proved able to Digital access and inclusion accused of “dumping” products such as Free ments do try and combat free speech, are important, they are the thin end of the offline political activity in Uganda hold blunt the transformative potential of smart A lot of recent analysis has focused on the Basics, stymieing the production of local Ashwanee Budoo finds that misinforma- wedge. A number of steps have been taken more broadly? And is social media rein- phones through censorship and internet digital divide in Africa, and the many peo- alternatives. This has raised concerns of a tion is often abused as an excuse to clamp to prevent citizens from being able to forcing existing gender norms rather than shutdowns. When the internet is on, social ple excluded from online access by poverty fresh “scramble for Africa”, with multina- down on freedom of expression. express themselves online. There is a grow- challenging them? media attracts more attention for spreading and lack of coverage. tional companies expending more energy ing use of spyware across the continent to These questions should inspire the fake news than preventing election rigging. Yet researchers have also found that and resources in securing new users than Free speech, censorship and Internet snoop on government critics. research agendas of the future. What was once thought of as “liber- closing this divide cannot be achieved tackling hate speech and misinformation. shutdowns In Tanzania, restrictive laws about ation technology” has turned out to be by cheaper technology alone. Using digi- While growing internet coverage has what can be said online go hand in hand Idayat Hassan, Director of CDD-West Africa, remarkably compatible with the mainte- tal technology to access information and Social media, democracy and enabled citizens to challenge authoritarian with government pressure. A prominent contributed to the publication and is a co-author of this article nance of the status quo. Or has it? Does this resources is only possible when a set of accountability rule, non-democratic leaders have also lawyer was recently fired because of her

28 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 29 POLITICS Sector Review A contested legacy: Julius Nyerere and the 2020 Tanzanian election

Nyerere’s legacy still looms large over the country’s politics, and not just within Chama Cha Mapinduzi. The upstart opposition party, Alliance for Change and Transparency has declared its desire to revive and update the Arusha Declaration if elected to power in October.

national university, the University of Dar es Salaam. Charting the rise and fall of leftist stu- dent activism at the university throughout the 1970s and 1980s allows us to better understand the aspirations of Nyerere’s socialist project and its ultimate limits and legacy.

The Arusha Declaration African universities were key to pro- cesses of decolonising and developing post-colonial states at independence. The young nations relied on them to pro- duce new professional classes and state bureaucrats. Given their national impor- tance, African presidents were commonly appointed as chancellors. As both president and chancellor of the university, Nyerere’s idea was that it should produce “servants” committed to LUKE MELCHIORRE Mapinduzi, one of the longest serving our time”. National Electoral Commission’s registra- Magufuli has repeatedly building the Tanzanian nation. As he put Assistant Professor, Political Science, ruling parties in Africa. It is also the Others are less reverent. They tion of candidates was marked by irregu- it, its role was not to build sky-scrapers Universidad de los Andes party of Tanzania’s socialist founding include Tundu Lissu, the presiden- larities. Many opposition politicians were played up the similarities here at the university so that a few very father, Julius Nyerere, who looms large tial candidate for the main opposition disqualified from contesting in October. between himself and fortunate individuals can develop their anzanians will head to the polls over the country’s politics more than party, Chadema. His family was forci- Lissu himself only returned from exile own minds and live in comfort. We tax on 28 October in which the 20 years after his death. bly relocated under Nyerere’s villagi- in July after surviving an assassination Nyerere. His supporters the people to build these places only so incumbent, John Magufuli, As the French anthropologist sation scheme of the 1970s. He brands attempt in 2017. For him, Magufuli’s cite his attacks on that young men and women may become faces a determined opposi- Marie-Aude Fouéré has noted, Nyerere Nyerere an autocrat who built an brand of authoritarianism has its roots in corruption among the efficient servants to them. Ttion. Elected to a first term in 2015, remains a political metaphor for debat- “imperial presidency”. the Nyerere era. It was partly for this reason that he Magufuli’s time in office has lived up to ing and acting upon the present. There is ample evidence of the As these contrasting depictions of ruling political class was deeply disappointed by the student his nickname tinga tinga, Kiswahili for Magufuli has repeatedly played ruling party’s tightening grip on power Nyerere attest, his ideas and legacy and his enthusiasm for protests of late 1966. In October of that “the bulldozer”. He has been applaud- up the similarities between himself under Magufuli. In the lead up to the remain objects of debate in contemporary completing infrastructural year, students marched on the streets of ed by some for advancing a series of and Nyerere. His supporters cite his 2020 election, opposition rallies have politics, especially in an election year. Dar es Salaam against mandatory induc- major developmental projects. Others attacks on corruption among the rul- been blocked. The press has been muz- In my research, I explore the political projects as evidence that tion into the government-run National have denounced him for his arguably ing political class and his enthusiasm zled, and prominent opposition politi- history of the Nyerere era. I examine he is the “Nyerere of our Service scheme. They were expected to more autocratic, repressive rule. for completing infrastructural projects cians have been violently attacked. his socialist project through the prism time” spend their first two years after grad- Magufuli leads Chama Cha as evidence that he is the “Nyerere of In August, the Magufuli-controlled of Tanzania’s first and most prestigious uation working in nation-building

30 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 31 Staying home and POLITICS Sector Review staying on top of it all Nyerere regularly felt the need to prioritise political order and obedience over desires for mass-driven socialist transformation. To the healthcare workers, innovators and all But to label Nyerere as merely an Kenyans still getting things done - thank you authoritarian, as Lissu suggests, is to gloss over the complexity of his years in power. for your tenacity, ingenuity and creativity. As chancellor, he distinguished himself from the vast majority of his African coun- terparts. All too often, he sought to win #WeLoveAfricanacity students over through argument, rather than coercion. #StaySafe His legitimacy among the student com- munity did not rest on patronage or intim- idation. Rather, many were committed to absabank.co.ke. his socialist ideology, which he called uja- maa. It emphasised equality, self-reliance, national unity, and African liberation. They respected the fact that Nyerere consistently communicated these ideas programmes on 40 per cent of their to them directly. His frequent visits and normal stipend. To label Nyerere as merely an candid exchanges with students on cam- Worried that the university was pro- authoritarian, as Lissu suggests, is pus helped maintain his popularity among ducing a generation of self-centred elitists, to gloss over the complexity of his them. Nyerere decided to take dramatic measures. years in power. As chancellor, he This legitimacy is reflected in the fact All the protesters were expelled from the distinguished himself from the vast that on the rare occasions when students university. To demonstrate the value of per- majority of his African counterparts. took to the streets to protest post-1966, it sonal sacrifice for the Tanzanian nation, he was never against Nyerere’s socialist proj- cut his own salary by 20 per cent. ect. Rather, it was to rail over its perceived In the aftermath of these protests, politics came to be marked by an unmis- betrayal by the political elite. in February 1967, Nyerere released the takable irony: in the years following the Examining Nyerere’s legacy through Arusha Declaration. This explicitly com- supposed socialist transformation, leftist this prism, therefore, complicates charac- mitted his government to socialist policies, student activism at the university actually terisations of his domestic legacy as singu- including nationalisation and rural collec- declined. larly autocratic. It is true that his regime tivisation. This is largely because the government did stifle leftist student activism. But many Soon after, he vowed to transform the exercised increasing control over univer- students believed in and were inspired by university into a socialist institution. The sity activities. Ruling party loyalists were his socialist ideals and his sense of political ruling party created a youth wing branch appointed to high-ranking positions in the morality. on campus. A general course on the polit- university administration. Following public Nyerere’s legacy still looms large over ical economy of development was made displays of student dissent in 1970 and the country’s politics, and not just with- mandatory for all students. 1978, independent student bodies were in Chama Cha Mapinduzi. The upstart These reforms and the Arusha dissolved. opposition party, Alliance for Change and Declaration inspired the emergence of a Slowly, but surely, the university was Transparency has declared its desire to small, but vocal group of leftist students brought more squarely under the control of revive and update the Arusha Declaration if on campus. These notably included the the ruling party. elected to power in October. They explicitly Yoweri Museveni-led University Students’ commit themselves to building a socialist African Revolutionary Front. It started a Political order over independence society with equality as its basic principle. student journal, organised public lectures This approach to public dissent was the rule The resonance of this message with and teach-ins, and raised money for African rather the exception in Nyerere’s Tanzania. young Tanzanians suggests Nyerere’s lega- liberation movements. Trade unions, rural development collec- cy is far more complex than either Magufuli But, over time, the government became tives and party youth organisations were or Lissu recognise. increasingly concerned by the prominence banned or brought under party control if For all his shortcomings, Nyerere’s ideas and independence of these leftist student they displayed too much independence. continue to inspire Tanzanians fighting for . groups. In the 1970s and 1980s, student Faced with increasing economic challenges, a more equal and democratic future.

Absa Bank Kenya PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. 32 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 33 POLITICS Commentary

fied by the election of a black president in 2008, Trump has stoked a backlash. Deprived of any claim to a strong econo- America’s inflection point: my as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, he is reduced to running again as an ethnic nationalist – akin to a “tribalist” Four key things Africa must watch for in Africa. In today’s America there are limits to blatant appeals to racial prejudice. Trump absurdly claims to have done more for African-Americans than any pres- ident since Abraham Lincoln. But there are also political limits to how far Biden can go in embracing progressive calls for more rapid and complete integration. The structural racism cited by the Black Lives Matter movement persists among liberals. But it does so as an implic- it “racial contract” sustaining white privi- lege in access to housing, health care, edu- cation and employment. These are familiar issues in African countries, where a white tribal faction has historically dominated.

Sustainable democracy In accepting the Democratic Party nomina- tion, Biden focused on issues of character and leadership. He had Obama make the case for sustainable democracy and dem- ocratic inclusion. Obama pointedly refer- enced democracy 18 times in an address that reprised themes Africans heard in his 2018 Mandela Lecture in South Africa. Trump, by contrast, did not reference The threat to American democracy most familiar to Africans is an the US since it declared independence from country that belongs to all who live in it, Trump, by contrast, repeats his prom- democracy once in his unusually long incumbent’s subversion of electoral integrity. Trump has repeatedly Britain in 1776 and created a federal state united in its diversity. ise of 2016 to restore America’s “great- 70-minute address accepting his party’s indicated his readiness to do something similar. in 1789. In 2020 many crucial issues have ness”. His Republican Party doesn’t even nomination for a second term. yet to be resolved. American inflection point offer a new list of goals and programmes Obama’s warnings to Americans that JOHN J STREMLAU economy, and fresh evidence of white rac- Republican President Donald Trump Harris describes the 2020 election as an for the next four years. Instead, the party Trump threatens the integrity and sus- ism towards black Americans. and his deputy Mike Pence campaign for “inflection point”. She means a turning republished its 2016 platform with a cov- tainability of democratic institutions has Honorary Professor of International Relations, In deeply divided America, four clusters an ethnic nationalist identity. Their appeal point in America’s long curve towards or ering memo praising the leadership of a familiar ring. In his 2009 address to University of the Witwatersrand of political conflicts arise over issues of is to white Christian racial supremacists. away from democratic development. It is Donald Trump. This leaves voters and the Ghanaian parliament, he said: Africa frican scholars and policymakers national identity, sustainable democracy, They also advocate a nationalist and unilat- a nod to an adage attributed to Martin foreign governments with little new to doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong face a tough challenge in analysing international relations and electoral integri- eral foreign policy. They back Republican Luther King, and popularised by former analyse. institutions. how the US presidential election on ty. Crises in public health, the economy and efforts to limit equal voting rights. And they President Barack Obama, that: The arc For those trying to calculate the effects Trump, along with his family, cro- 3 November might affect Africa-US race relations are adding to these conflicts. threaten other actions to subvert electoral of the moral universe is long, but it bends on African nations of an American inflec- nies and party enablers, appears to have Arelations. African countries struggle with similar integrity. toward justice. tion point, there are four areas to consider: achieved sufficient “state capture” to bring This is because of the extreme polari- political issues—though in very different Their Democratic challengers Joe Biden This theme threads through the the US to a negative inflection point, as I sation of politics that has been growing for local circumstances. They are also afflicted and Senator Kamala Harris have very Democratic Platform, with specific prom- National identity predicted in 2018 (Chapter 10). decades in the US. Simultaneous national by the global COVID-19 pandemic and different goals. They are campaigning for ises. Biden and Harris now appear likely White supremacy has been the predomi- crises have made matters worse. These economic crises. an America that is more inclusive and to be elected. It’s therefore important to nant national identity since America was International relations suddenly erupted over the handling of the These four unresolved and contentious equitable. A similar aspiration is enshrined consider what their positions mean for colonised in the 17th century. Now, with Of more immediate and practical concern coronavirus pandemic, its impact on the clusters of political issues have confronted in South Africa’s constitution: to become a Africa-US relations. ethnic diversity accelerating, exempli- to African nations is whether Trump’s

34 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 35 POLITICS Commentary

nationalist unilateralism will continue to dominate US foreign pol- icy. Or will there be a turn towards the multilateralism that Biden pledg- es to pursue? This includes: restoring US funding and engagement in the World Health Organisation, sup- port for climate change mitigation, immigration reform, and support for collective security efforts to help Africans implement their commit- ments to ending armed conflicts. African scholars also warn of a growing US-China “Cold War” under Trump. This would be detrimental to Africa. Former US national security advisor and UN ambassador Susan Rice has called for an early summit with South Africa’s president and current African Union chair, Cyril Ramaphosa, should Biden be elect- A mail-in ballot ed. Similarly, former US assistant For African scholars and policymak- ment of African nations and leaders secretary of state for Africa, Johnnie ers seeking to advance their national will most likely continue. Carson, envisions a deepening of and regional interests in dealings There will be continued disen- African-American partnerships with the US, the 59th presidential gagement from initiatives of concern under a Biden administration. inauguration will also be an inflec- to Africans in public health, the envi- tion point. ronment, trade and other areas. His Electoral integrity Should Trump prevail, there is actions towards Africa, as in other The threat to American democra- unlikely to be any discernible change areas, lack strategy. But he could cy most familiar to Africans is an in his behaviour of the past four still win. incumbent’s subversion of electoral years. Occasional private disparage- Despite presidential neglect, pro- integrity. Trump has repeatedly indi- grammes in public health, trade agri- cated his readiness to do something culture, health, education and young similar. leaders launched by Trump’s prede- African electoral violence spe- cessors would likely continue with cialist Michelle Small has noted the bi-partisan Congressional support. need to compare Trump’s responses A Biden win offers a much rich- to racial protests with efforts to er field for contingency planning, retain power by extra-constitutional although resources will be very con- means. All members of the African strained and attention will be over- Union, despite democratic setbacks, whelmingly domestic. are still obliged to hold periodic That said, Biden would enter national elections, accessible to office owing a huge political debt to external observers. the support of African Americans. Well documented interference in White supremacy has been the predominant His ticket indicates receptiveness the 2016 and 2020 US elections national identity since America was colonised to honouring it, including immi- by the Russian government, favour- in the 17th century. Now, with ethnic diversity gration and other reforms affect- ing Trump, may also portend simi- ing the African diaspora as well as lar risks of foreign manipulation of accelerating, exemplified by the election of a expanding US-Africa partnerships. African elections. black president in 2008, Trump has stoked a Planning to take advantage of those backlash. contingencies should be a priority in What to expect Africa.

36 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 37 MEDICINE Commentary

quality, quantity, and the timing of returns, make the product-re- Pharmaceutical manufacturing turn process complicated. When drugs are returned due to defects or damages, they companies must handle must be destroyed. But drugs can’t be disposed of like other consumer products. They are harmful to the environment. Their disposal must be done in terms of specific environmental regu- returned drugs better lations and laws. I surveyed logistics, operations, buying, manufacturing and Many companies are faced with an inefficient and undisciplined returns- sales personnel and managers in 50 pharmaceutical companies. management process and waste elimination; because they focus their The survey included questions about strategies implemented to supply chain-related investments on forward logistics. manage reverse logistics in their companies. Most (67 per cent) of the respondents said their companies didn’t anticipate the return of drugs and had no plans in place National consumer commission recall to handle these. This is problematic because manufacturers are MPHO SHARON MAKALENG guidelines stipulate that suppliers notify expected by customers – retail pharmacies and end users – to Lecturer, University of South Africa the commission when taking steps to avoid have systems and policies in place for handling product recalls. a product safety-related hazard. Reverse Two thirds (66.67 per cent) of the respondents said their harmaceutical manufacturers logistics and recalls might still be a prob- companies had challenges when it comes to reverse logistics. should focus on reducing faults and lem for pharmaceutical manufacturing These challenges included gatekeeping – that is the entry point working closely with pharmacies to companies because of quality checks not of the reverse flow of, where returned goods are screened. Other manage medicine stocks better. But being performed as required. challenges identified included; the lack of technology, waste Pthe return of medicine can’t be avoided. There is inadequate research in the field elimination and transportation of product recalls within the It’s inevitable that some products would of reverse logistics – that is how goods are pharmaceutical industry. The absence of information systems be returned because of faults or when they sent back from the retailer or consumer and inadequate investments in information technology were the have expired. back to the manufacturer – in South Africa. most important obstructions in effective management. Most drug returns are caused by recalls. This is a problem because research is Many companies are faced with an inefficient and undis- A recall is typically done by the manufac- necessary to implement the right policies ciplined returns-management process and waste elimination; turer. It’s different from a return of pharma- when it comes to returning pharmaceutical because they focus their supply chain-related investments on ceutical products by customers. products. Drugs can be returned due to forward logistics. Whatever the reason for the return, defects, damages or expiration. But drugs Returns in the manufacturing pharmaceutical industry are manufacturers, importers, retailers, export- can’t be resold or re-furbished and must be worth a lot of money. My research aimed to find better ways of ers and end-users must follow strict require- disposed in an environmentally account- dealing with the challenges of reverse logistics. ments for the removal of waste. In the nor- able way. In this research, I noted from the respondents that reverse mal process, a product is manufactured to In my research I looked at the challeng- logistics was a challenge for staff since most of them indicated move through the supply chain route to be es of reverse logistics facing pharmaceutical that there are limited development opportunities and innova- sold to a retailer, or to the final consumer companies in the city of Tshwane. The city tions in their companies. for consumption; but when it comes to houses nearly half of the 187 pharma- Management must therefore must take this into consider- reverse logistics, things work vice versa. ceutical manufacturing companies in the ation and implement training for staff and employ qualified There are countries, such as India, that Gauteng province. personnel who are more confident in handling reverse logistics have effective reverse logistics practices I found that the disposal of reverse logis- problems and challenges. in place. Reverse logistics is the process tics for drugs is not easy. Pharmaceutical that manages the collection, inspection and manufacturing companies and retail phar- Recommendations sorting, depot or repair services, recycling, macies need to ensure that the correct There is inadequate Manufacturing pharmaceutical companies must develop their and disposal of goods after the delivery to processes are in place to handle the return research in the field of current strategies to be more sustainable due to factors such as the consumer or customer. of medication. reverse logistics – that the firm’s green image, political, social responsibility, the econ- But in South Africa, the concept of is how goods are sent omy and also follow the guidelines for recall or withdrawal of reverse logistics is misinterpreted by con- Returns and recalls back from the retailer or medicine and medical devices in South Africa. sumers. It’s also viewed as a cost drain that Drugs that are returned or recalled can’t consumer back to the Organisations must consistently improve reverse logistics doesn’t add any value to the supply chain. be repaired, resold or even donated. These manufacturer – in South processes and procedures. South Africa’s national consumer com- must be destroyed. Returns within the Africa Research is also needed into consumers’ experiences in mission requires suppliers to contact it pharmaceutical industry are worth billions. returning products; and the challenges they face. Additionally, when deciding on the most appropriate The fundamental complexities of reverse more research should be done on the reverse logistics of different strategy to deal with prospective recalls. logistic operations, such as uncertainty in pharmaceutical products such as pills, capsules and syrups.

38 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 39 INDUSTRY Commentary

shop is 80 per cent automated. There is affected workers are moved to other depart- about 20 per cent technology utilisation in ments within the industry for now. the car assembly line. And logistics is mak- Growth in the automobile industry does ing a lot more use of machines than before. not create more jobs for human work- These percentages are an indicator of ers. Where automation does create jobs, it how workers have lost the contest with is mostly in managing the technology. It technology in the industry. Many workers doesn’t create work for existing skills. are being deskilled: they no longer fully use This creates the threat of a rising unem- their skills to do their job, because robots do ployment rate, which was at 30.1% in the most of the work. The remaining workers are first quarter of 2020. That, in turn, contrib- being reshuffled to assembly lines likely to utes to South Africa’s position among the be automated with time. This increase in job most unequal countries in the world. automation and deskilling can cause some workers to lose their jobs because their skills Driving forces have been substituted by machines. The adoption of technologies can relieve We gathered data through in-depth workers from strenuous tasks and boost interviews with 30 participants, drawn from productivity but will most likely also relieve three automobile companies. They included workers of their jobs entirely. managers, autoworkers and workers’ repre- As an initiative to boost productivity sentatives. and save costs, the global auto industry Our interviews with management expects thousands of job losses with an revealed that management does not neces- estimation of 234 000 jobs cut by 2030 in sarily prefer machines over human workers. Germany, 12 000 job cuts by Ford in Europe But in order for the product to compete, they by the end of 2020, and 2 000 job losses in have to consider production capacity, quality India by the end of 2020. and workplace economics. We noted in our research that the capac- Where they intend to introduce ity of the auto workers’ trade union, the machines, it is not to take over the jobs of National Union of Metalworkers of South the workers but because some tasks require Africa, to collectively restructure the auto South Africa’s auto industry highlights the the use of machines. For example, one can- sector with management and benefit all not expect workers to lift a car while another stakeholders is weakened due to the coercive social and employment cost of innovation person is working underneath it. A machine control of the management and top-down can do that without endangering the work- labour arrangement. ers. Still, management said that if given the Innovation is the driving force of con- There has been an BIANCA IFEOMA CHIGBU increase in technology in ments. Automation and the use of robots in chance, they would replace more workers sumers and this is what management Doctoral candidate, University of Fort Hare One cannot expect South Africa’s automobile manufacturing, combined with new work- with machines as robots perform more tasks responds to. But instead of valuing innova- ing methods and systems, can have nega- efficiently and boost productivity without tion above all else, industrial policy-mak- sector since 2003. Most PROF FHULU. H. NEKHWEVHA workers to lift a car tive social impacts on workers. while another person is the need for negotiation. ers should seriously examine how far it of the work in vehicle Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Social can boost the human condition before it Sciences and Humanities, Teaching and Job automation working underneath it. What automation means for workers becomes a problem by contributing to job manufacturing has Learning, University of Fort Hare, University of been automated, which Fort Hare There has been an increase in technology A machine can do that Though robots have eased the process of losses, employment uncertainty, deskilling makes manufacturing in South Africa’s automobile sector since without endangering labour, their increasing use stagnates the and inequality. easier, faster, and more n South Africa, local operations of inter- 2003. Most of the work in vehicle manufac- population of workers on the shop floor, The solutions would be to retain exist- national motor manufacturing compa- turing has been automated, which makes the workers. Still, paint floor, body shop and assembly line. ing jobs, increase job opportunities, revamp productive. nies must constantly innovate to meet manufacturing easier, faster, and more pro- management said that The decisions that resulted in the reallo- industrial policy, reduce the rate of task global demands and offer competitive ductive. More units of cars are produced if given the chance, they cation of many autoworkers from the body allocation to technologies, and make the value.I The way work is done is constantly daily. Companies used to manufacture only shop and paint shop to the assembly line are automobile sector’s production process more changing. 20 units of cars hourly. Now they are man- would replace more almost irreversible. One worker said: labour intensive than capital intensive. The current technologies adopted in the ufacturing over 100 units an hour using the workers with machines If you have to look at the traditional The state, car companies, unions, work- workplace are ever smarter than those that same number of autoworkers. as robots perform more press line, you would have an average of 20 ers, consumers and society in general all went before. Our study of the industry found that operators. Now you only need four opera- have a role to play in effecting meaningful This trend, driven by economic forces, automation is well advanced. The sector’s tasks efficiently tors just to pack the parts. So, 16 workers economic change and employment reform does not always lead to social improve- body shop is fully automated. The paint are reduced by introducing five robots. The that is sustainable for all.

40 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 41 HEALTH Opinion

How social security could make life 2. Introduce basic income support South Africa does not have a social Covid-19 exposed a huge gap at the security policy or strategy. The White heart of South Africa’s social security Paper for Social Welfare dates from 1997. better in South Africa after Covid-19 system: the lack of any form of income The National Development Plan of 2011 support for low-income or unemployed notes the gap in protection. Only about 7 corruption and price gouging. people aged 18-59. per cent of unemployed people are covered STEPHEN DEVEREUX Covid-19 exposed a huge gap Six months later, South Africa is at a The lockdown forced economically by unemployment insurance. Research Fellow, Institute of Development low lockdown level. This is the “new nor- active adults to sit at home for months. The constitutional right to social secu- at the heart of South Africa’s Studies, University of Sussex social security system: the lack mal”. But the hardship and vulnerabilities The less fortunate (usually poorer) had rity or social protection has two compo- of any form of income support ALEX VAN DEN HEEVER that Covid-19 created or exacerbated are no income and, especially in the case of nents: coverage and adequacy. Coverage not normal, and people still need govern- informal workers, no access to unem- must be universal, but the support provid- for low-income or unemployed Chair of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies, ment support. It’s needed on at least three ployment benefits or temporary employee ed must be enough to ensure that people people aged 18-59. Adjunct Professor in the School of levels: humanitarian response, structural relief. Millions applied for the special can survive with dignity. Benefits must Governance, University of the Witwatersrand poverty reduction policies and economic Social Relief of Distress grant, but R350 a relate to the cost of a decent standard of recovery stimuli. At a recent webinar host- month is not enough to live on. living. he national state of disaster declared ed by the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Unemployment protection needs to There is a deep conservatism among by the South African government Food Security, we agreed broadly on four expand to cover all workers, regardless of policymakers about giving income to on 15 March 2020 was a direct priorities for social security in South Africa, their prior employment status. South Africa does not have a working-age people. But Covid-19 has response to Covid-19. But that to “build back better” after Covid-19. Income support should also be con- social security policy or strategy. changed this. Recognising that unemploy- responseT inadvertently intensified three nected to labour activation strategies. The White Paper for Social Welfare ment in South Africa is structural makes other existing disasters: poverty, unemploy- 1. Make Covid-19 emergency relief Until this happens, in the absence of social dates from 1997. The National giving income support to the working-age ment and inequality. More South Africans measures permanent insurance for workers in the informal Development Plan of 2011 notes unemployed unavoidable, not only during are poor and unemployed now than before Recognising the social and human costs sector, we support the campaign led by the gap in protection. the gap in the Covid-19 lockdown but in the long the lockdown was imposed. But some peo- of the pandemic and the lockdown, the a coalition of civil society organisations protection. Only about 7 per cent of term. This opportunity to reconfigure the ple in government and the private sector government announced interventions to for basic income support. This should be unemployed people are covered by social contract around social security must are richer than before, thanks to tender provide protection. These included top-ups paid at the upper-bound poverty line of be embraced. to existing social grants (R250 a month), a R1,227 and linked to a system of labour unemployment insurance. caregiver grant (R500 a month), a Covid- activation. Conclusion 19 Social Relief of Distress grant (R350 The Treasury and the Minister of Finance a month), a Temporary Employee Relief 3. Overhaul the social security delivery capability. The entire social secu- will complain that extending the emergen- Scheme, and food parcels. system rity system needs to be reviewed: its crite- cy relief measures and introducing new These emergency relief measures were One lesson from the Covid-19 response— ria, online registration, payment methods grants is unaffordable. South Africa was operational for six months and are due to not only in South Africa—is that it is sim- and monitoring. It needs linked registries already facing a fiscal crisis before Covid- end in October 2020, but the impacts of pler and more efficient to build on existing of beneficiaries, entitlements and contri- 19, with low growth, rising government Covid-19 will be felt long after. The lock- systems than to set up new programmes in butions. Officials must be held account- debt and falling tax revenues. Increasing down shut down both the supply- and the the middle of a crisis. Topping up the social able. All social security agencies must social spending would increase the deficit. demand-side of the economy simultaneous- grants was straightforward and worked be supervised independently of political On the other hand, there is an econom- ly. At least three million people lost their best of the emergency relief measures. office-bearers. ic argument, supported by international jobs or livelihoods in the first month of The process of verifying applications evidence, in favour of positive growth lockdown, and with the negative economic for the Covid-19 special grants was slow, 4. Launch a national conversation effects of social grants. Injecting pur- consequences predicted to last for at least error-prone and, according to the Auditor- about social security chasing power into poor households will the next three years, that number is more General, susceptible to the abuse and What social security are poor and vul- stimulate demand and assist economic likely to rise than fall. mismanagement of funds. In September nerable South Africans entitled to? The recovery. Reimagining social security in There is no case for withdrawing the the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief constitution provides for access to all to South Africa is not only a humanitarian special relief programmes at this time. Scheme and several senior managers of adequate food and water, healthcare, hous- imperative and a means of achieving social Social grants should continue to be paid the Unemployment Insurance Fund were ing and social security. But the right to justice, it makes economic sense. It is at their higher levels, and the caregiver suspended. Many Covid-19 food parcels social security, while referred to in the Bill something that the country cannot afford and Social Relief of Distress grants should were also stolen or diverted by local gov- of Rights, is not formally defined in any not to do. be made permanent. Working age South ernment officials. law. Conceptual and legal clarity is needed Africans also need and have a constitution- This has generated another important about what is meant by social security in This article was contributed by Isobel Frye, al right to social assistance. lesson from Covid-19. All these schemes South Africa. It is broader than just the Director, the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute and Lynette Maart, National Director, have been found wanting in terms of their right to grants. Black Sash.

42 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 43 MARKETING Opinion

SALLY DIBB “not meet in groups larger than six”, groups is more limited. The government Where the UK is going Professor of Marketing and Society, especially as it is followed with an obscure has been quite slow to put out messaging Coventry University caveat: “with some limited exceptions”. on non-English channels, for example. These are just the latest of many, many wrong in its Covid-19 he UK is at a “perilous turning such messages, the clarity of which are fur- 4. Deliver on promises made point” in the pandemic, with case ther obscured by numerous local, regional To become strong, a brand must meet an numbers returning to levels seen and national variations. expected quality standard and consistent- messaging, according in the spring and the threat of ly deliver what customers expect. Quick aT second nationwide lockdown on the 2. Be consistent action is needed if things go wrong, to horizon. Strong brands use repeated and uniform maintain customer loyalty and protect the to a marketing expert Public health measures will be cru- messaging. They offer a single version of brand from damage. cial to controlling this second wave, the truth and are based on a central theme, The public expects a similar quid pro but these “will only work if people com- which is the foundation on which subse- quo from the government in exchange for Government coronavirus advice has failed to follow this simplicity ply,” prime minister Boris Johnson has quent brand messages build. The audience following the coronavirus rules. Restricting rule. The most recent advice promotes the “three simple actions stressed. “It falls to each of us and every is able to easily understand how all of people’s liberty during lockdown was jus- we must all do to keep on protecting each other”, which are to one of us to remember the basics,” he these messages are connected. tified on the basis it would keep them safe said. “Wash our hands, cover our faces, Such messaging is unremitting and from the virus. Yet high numbers of cases “wash hands, cover face, make space”. So far, not too bad. observe social distancing – and follow can be surprisingly hard to shift, even and deaths have led to questions about the rules.” when the world (or brand) has moved on. whether the government’s approach has But widespread confusion over the Who of a certain generation could forget delivered. government’s advice is threatening pub- that Heineken “refreshes the parts other In England, the focus Public trust has also been eroded by lic compliance. The use of complex, con- beers cannot reach” or that Midland was has shifted from personal politicians’ inability or unwillingness to fusing and ever-changing coronavirus “the listening bank”? swiftly rectify mistakes, as the Dominic messaging is partly to blame. A cartoon man with eight speech hygiene, to safeguarding Cummings debacle has shown. These mat- To cut through this confusion, clearer bubbles containing different government the NHS (“stay home, ters, because trust in those who set policy and more consistent messaging is need- Covid-19 slogans. protect the NHS, save is known to influence public compliance, ed. The government therefore should The UK government has deployed which is critical at this juncture. apply the principles that commercial many different messages over the past six lives”), to remaining alert organisations use when communicating months. Author provided (“stay alert, control the A more complex task? about their brands to create more effec- Government coronavirus messaging virus, save lives”), to the Of course, the constantly changing sit- tive messaging. has not followed this principle. It lacks a uation means the task the government central foundational theme and has been size of social groups (“the faces is highly complex. Developing effec- 1. Keep it simple consistent only in its inconsistency. rule of six”). tive messaging for a brand is arguably The best messages are clear, succinct and In England, the focus has shifted from more straightforward. Yet even well-known easy to remember. personal hygiene, to safeguarding the NHS brands face turbulence and must evolve People like slogans that are meaningful— (“stay home, protect the NHS, save lives”), groups can access messages in the same over time to survive. But while a good offering an exposition of how whatever is to remaining alert (“stay alert, control way. Branding experts deal with these brand has a strong central theme on which being advertised will benefit them—and the virus, save lives”), to the size of social differences by choosing different channels to build, these foundations have largely that have a clear message, while short groups (“the rule of six”). It’s now returned to fit the needs of specific audiences. For been absent from the government’s coro- slogans that roll off the tongue can be to a new version of the NHS theme – “save example, the BBC News brand targets a navirus messaging. easier to recall. Well-known examples lives, protect the NHS and shelter the broad audience and so is offered through How much better to have put in such as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” economy”. And again, the confusion is television broadcasting and also online place a core theme—such as “we’re in this (BMW), “Think Differently” (Apple) and compounded by different messaging varia- and via its app. together”—to which further layers of mes- “I’m lovin’ it” (McDonald’s) all follow tions in each of the four nations. In any national public health emer- saging could be added. As in: “we’re in this these rules. Of course, as the situation changes, the gency or crisis, accessing the population is together… so stay home, protect the NHS, Government coronavirus advice has government’s messaging needs to evolve. key, and reaching the vulnerable, the mar- save lives”, or “we’re in this together… so failed to follow this simplicity rule. The But underneath this, there needs to be ginalised and the digitally excluded can be follow the rule of six”. most recent advice promotes the “three a common thread that ties everything challenging. While the vulnerability of the At this perilous turning point in the simple actions we must all do to keep together. elderly, those with disabilities, people with pandemic, the government should consider on protecting each other”, which are to certain health conditions, and BAME com- this sort of strategy. It needs to assemble “wash hands, cover face, make space”. So 3. Make it well-targeted munities has been widely reported during a compelling campaign from its existing far, not too bad. Repeatedly exposing the target audience the pandemic, on-the-ground evidence of messaging, to drive the public compliance But less good is the instruction to to the messaging is vital. But not all specific channels being used to target these needed to beat the virus.

44 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 45 SOCIETY Opinion

behaviour. For instance, whether they were tors of social distancing rules will be extra How to keep up social afraid of the disease, whether they sup- Decades of social science research hard in an opening society, as there are ported the measures, whether they were about the effect of punishment so many more people mingling. In light able to follow the measures, and whether on criminal behaviour have not of all this, the higher fines are unlikely distancing after lockdown they were afraid to get caught and pun- shown conclusive evidence that to have much effect in ensuring social ished should they violate the rules. distancing. We then used a statistical form of punishment works as an effective Our survey did show that So, the more freedom people have to socialise, the more analysis—an ordinary least squares (OLS) deterrent. people’s intrinsic motiva- likely they will do so. Before easing the lockdown, people regression—to find out whether these fac- tion played an import- had very limited freedom to meet friends and family and tors could explain variation in people’s to ensure compliance with the mitigation ant role in their that kept them safely apart. compliance. Such analysis allows us to measures. Unfortunately, we did not find compliance. If understand which of the variables had a a significant association between people’s people felt significant impact on whether people fol- fear of punishment and compliance. lowed the rules. The data show that in early April, most UK citizens we interviewed reported easing of the lockdown started in England. they were complying with the rules. To deal with this risk, UK Prime But our survey nonetheless shows the Minister Boris Johnson’s plan introduces risk of the approach taken to ease the higher fines for those caught violating lockdown. We found that compliance was social distancing measures. Fines will be higher when people were practically able £100 for each first offence and double to to follow the measures and could work a maximum of £3,200 pounds for repeat from home and stay away from others. On offenders. This approach is rooted in the the other hand, we found that there was a centuries-old idea of deterrence, under significant relationship between people’s which people are less likely to break rules opportunity to meet people outside of out of fear of punishment. their own household and their likelihood So, will this work? Will people heed of violating the social distancing measures. the government’s call to stay alert, control So, the more freedom people have to the virus and save lives, by following social socialise, the more likely they will do so. Decades of social science research a greater pandemic. distancing rules? Before easing the lockdown, people had about the effect of punishment on crimi- general duty to The UK seems ready to Why we comply with lockdown mea- very limited freedom to meet friends and nal behaviour have not shown conclusive obey the law, they were follow suit, with its five-step sures family and that kept them safely apart. evidence that punishment works as an more likely to comply. So, it is plan to ease lockdown. The end To answer this question, we must look Now they get that freedom, it is vital to effective deterrent. crucial that authorities do all they can to of the strictest measures comes just at why people have been complying with ensure they socialise at a safe distance. Such research shows that for deter- maintain such sense of civic obedience. in time—the country is set to see its the lock down measures so far. We conduct- rence to work, the severity of the pun- There is a vital link with law enforce- worst economic downturn since 1706, as ed a behavioural survey in a nationally rep- Why fines won’t work ishment does not matter much. The most ment here. Police must be very careful almost all business activities have been put resentative sample in the UK in early April, Our survey also looked at whether important aspect is whether people think in enforcing the measures and applying on hold. which has been published as a preprint. the threat of higher sanctions might help they will get caught. And catching viola- the authority to issue fines. Decades of BENJAMIN VAN ROOIJ So, the UK plans to ease the lockdown With the survey, we assessed why people research has shown that when people Professor of Law and Society, University of are highly welcome. Yet, they do not mean were or were not complying with lockdown see unfair law enforcement, they develop a return to pre-pandemic normality. Easing measures. a negative view of the legal system that Amsterdam EMMEKE B. KOOISTRA the lockdown will mean people gradually The survey used a standard social undermines their sense of duty to obey getting more freedom to engage in social science approach to study compliance and its rules. Researcher, University of Amsterdam and economic activities, but also that they rule-violating behaviour. We first asked We all wish we could return to normal. must take good care to keep a safe distance participants to report how often they kept The easing of restrictions in the UK is cross Europe, schools are opening, from others. And with the extra freedom a safe distance from people outside of their hopeful, it shows us a path to economic cars are back on the roads and comes risk as people suddenly get more own household, whether they went outside recovery and social healing. But it is a path people are returning to their daily opportunities to get close to others. for nonessential activities, and whether they filled with extra behavioural challenges commutes on public transport. Effective mitigation relies on people’s met friends and family. and risks. If we fail to rely on behavioural ALockdowns are easing, if not ending. The individual decisions to comply with social After that, we asked our participants science insights and data on how we can hope now is that many countries are mov- distancing measures. We have already seen to answer a range of questions about fac- keep up social distancing, this disease can ing past the first wave of the coronavirus images of packed trains and tubes as the tors that we thought could influence their all too easily make a comeback.

46 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 47 POLITICS Beyond Business Suspension of US aid to Ethiopia is yet another example of Trump’s disregard for Africa

By suspending some aid, the United States has reopened the debate on whether developing countries should depend on foreign aid to realise their economic goals.

YOHANNES GEDAMU down the process. The US has sided with Lecturer of Political Science, Georgia Egypt over Ethiopia. The US has openly pressured Gwinnett College Ethiopia to accept some of the Egyptian merica’s Department of State demands, including extending the time recently suspended $130 million frame to fill the dam. Such demands worth of aid to Ethiopia because are unacceptable to Ethiopia’s scientists of “a lack of progress” on negoti- who advise the government that the time Aations pertaining to the construction of to fill the dam is now. the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam President Trump’s foreign policy on the River Nile. strategy towards the dam and Ethiopia According to state department offi- has been demonstrably biased. This cials, the decision to cut aid came as despite the fact that over 85% of the a result of a direct “guidance” from Blue Nile waters flow from Ethiopia into President Donald Trump. Sudan and Egypt. Estimates show that almost half of Thanks to Egypt’s successful lob- Ethiopia’s budget is linked to foreign bying, Ethiopia has never received any aid. The country depends on econom- international financing for the construc- ic assistance to support its infrastruc- tion of the dam. Ethiopian taxpayers are ture projects, health care and education footing the bill. expansion efforts, and security sector But besides direct financial contri- reforms. butions, Ethiopians are invested emo- By suspending some aid, the United tionally. Ethiopia is a proud nation that States has reopened the debate on has resisted foreign invasion throughout whether developing countries should its history. That sense of national pride depend on foreign aid to realise their has generated countrywide support for economic goals. the dam. The decision to suspend aid to It serves America’s interests in the Ethiopia comes after almost 10 years Middle East to side with Egypt’s con- on international financial support. ally. For example, the two countries have 4,300 troops to the African Union’s issue of the renaissance dam. America’s of regional and international efforts to cerns. Unfortunately, Trump’s decision Additionally, Ethiopia is home to Africa’s worked together to find solutions for the peace missions. approach should have been more sup- mediate the dam dispute between Egypt to stand against Ethiopia in the renais- second highest population after Nigeria. crisis in Somalia, Ethiopia’s south-east- Historically, the country has been portive than interventionist. and Ethiopia. Almost 60 per cent of sance dam dispute has two broad impli- The country is struggling to cope with ern neighbour. This latest decision to a beacon of anti-colonialism in Africa, Furthermore, despite an authoritar- Ethiopians do not have access to elec- cations at the state and continental level. an expanding demography. withhold aid could hence be viewed as having never been colonised itself. It ian past, successive Ethiopian regimes tricity. The renaissance dam is critical Thus, Ethiopia needs foreign aid to a betrayal. serves as a symbol of independence and have played a significant role in the to expand energy sources across the Impact for Ethiopia support its developmental aspirations. Ethiopia’s role in the international hosts the African Union’s headquarters. region. The country has been active in country. The country will also export Ethiopia has a huge unemployment This remains the case even as Prime peace building framework is significant. Its capital Addis Ababa is recognised as conflict resolution, economic cooper- hydroelectric power to its neighbours. problem that mainly affects the youth. Minister Abiy Ahmed stewards the The country contributes 6,662 troops to one of Africa’s diplomatic hubs. ation, economic integration, and the Since the construction of the dam The country also experiences recurrent country towards financial independence the United Nations’ peacekeeping forces. Given its contribution to African persistent promotion of African causes. began in 2011, Egypt has exerted inter- drought. and middle-income status. It’s behind only Bangladesh, which con- affairs, Ethiopia should have received This implies that America’s decision national pressure to manage and slow A large part of its economy relies The US has traditionally been an tributes 6,731. Ethiopia also contributes fair and balanced treatment on the to cut aid will not be appreciated by

48 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 49 POLITICS Beyond Business THE ICONIC AWARD-WINNING BRITAM TOWER Work is easier when you have the best view in Africa.

The Tower has won international The 31 storey tower is located in the heart awards: of East Africa’s financial capital, Upper Hill, and also encapsulates the spirit of Africa Emporis Skyscraper Award: renaissance. The only skyscraper in Africa to win and feature among the Features top ten buildings in the world. • 11-storey parking silo for 1,000 cars Council of Tall Building and • State-of-the-art security system Urban Habitat Award: • High speed lifts C Recognized for Mechanical, • Advanced telecommunications M Electrical and Plumbing infrastructure Engineering. Y • Six story atrium with sky glass

CM IFC Excellence in Design for Zen Gardens many in sub-Saharan Africa. So far, Next steps Greater Efficiencies Award: the African Union continues to insist that Given its contribution to African Both Sudan and Ethiopia are currently MY Recognized for strategies put in place to save energy an African solution can be achieved for an affairs, Ethiopia should have suffering from historic flooding. Sudan has CY African problem. received the brunt of it. and water use. CMY Since it started the project, Ethiopia received fair and balanced Even Egypt is preparing for floods. has repeatedly showed an open and direct treatment on the issue of the Ethiopia’s dam did not cause the flooding K approach to involving the downstream renaissance dam. in Sudan. Nevertheless, nce operational To Let Contact Britam Properties Limited states of Sudan and Egypt. It has com- Ethiopia’s dam could avert disasters like mitted to pursuing diplomatic discussions flooding in the Nile’s riparian states. 0703 094 889 / 0703 094 999 towards solving a number of key issues. Africans and black people around the New reports show if it was not for the [email protected] This includes mitigating drought through world. first filling of the dam, the floods that have [email protected] the long term operation of the dam. The dispute over the renaissance dam been ravaging Sudan would have been Ethiopia’s leadership has also contin- could have been an opportunity for the worse. ued to insist that scientific facts and objec- Trump administration to rectify past mis- Climatic forecasts also indicate that tive realities should take precedence over takes. Indications are that they will not the current water levels are optimal for political considerations and nationalistic take advantage of the opportunity. filling the renaissance dam. Filling it now rhetoric across the three stakeholder coun- It is not surprising that the US is would not pose any threat to lower riparian tries, especially Egypt. favouring Egypt over Ethiopia. America states like the Sudan and Egypt. Hence, needs Egypt as an ally as it navigates the it’s critical the three countries expedite the African solidarity politics in the Middle East. But the fact negotiation process. According to a report in the New York remains that America enjoys strategic ben- The renaissance dam will undoubtedly Times, America’s engagement...was an efits from both Egypt and Ethiopia. promote regional economic cooperation, unusual example of Trump’s direct inter- By accepting US support, Egypt has expand job opportunities within Ethiopia, vention on an issue in Africa, a continent shown it would rather ally with the US than and support the manufacturing industry to he hasn’t visited as president and rarely depend on the dispute resolution mecha- continue producing goods uninterrupted by mentions publicly. nisms within the continent. Moreover, its power shortages. Indeed, Africa has not been a priority use of the Arab League to make statements Hence, it is incumbent upon Ethiopia, in Trump’s foreign policy agenda. His dis- that portray the dam standoff as a chal- Egypt and Sudan to keep their eyes on the paraging comments on Africa and people lenge to Arab states undermines African prize, which is lasting peace and future of African descent have in the past angered calls for continued discussion. regional success. KENYA l UGANDA l TANZAN IA | RWANDA Head Office: Britam Centre, Mara/Ragati Junction, Upper Hill SOUTH SUDAN l MOZAMB IQUE | MALAWI Tel: (254-20) 2833000, (254-703) 094000 | Email: [email protected] www.britam.com BritamEA BritamEA 50 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 51 HEALTH Last word

The importance of age The most obvious factor for the low death rates is the population age struc- Covid-19: Examining theories ture. Across multiple countries the risk of dying of Covid-19 for those aged 80 years or more is around a hundred for Africa’s low death rates times that of people in their twenties. This can best be appreciated with KEVIN MARSH a specific example. As of September Professor of Tropical Medicine, University 30th, the UK had reported 41,980 of Oxford. Kevin Marsh is a senior advisor Covid-19 specific deaths while Kenya, and co-lead of the COVID-19 team at The by contrast, had reported 691. The African Academy of Sciences. He is also a population of the UK is around 66 mil- Professor of Tropical Medicine and Director lion with a median age of 40 compared of the Africa Oxford Initiative at the with Kenya’s population of 51 million confirming that warm and wet climates University of Oxford. with a median age of 20 years. seemed to reduce the spread of Covid- Corrected for population size 19—indicated that these variables alone MOSES ALOBO the death toll in Kenya would have could not explain most of the variability Programme Manager for Grand Challenges been expected to be around 32,000. in disease transmission. It’s important to Africa, African Academy of Sciences. Moses However, if one also corrects for pop- remember that there’s considerable weath- Alobo is the programme manager for ulation structure (assumes that the age er variability throughout Africa. Not all Grand Challenges Africa at the African specific death rates in the UK apply climates are warm or wet and, if they are, Academy of Sciences and is co-lead for the to the population structure of Kenya), they may not stay that way throughout Covid-19 effort. He is a Tutu fellow. we would expect around 5,000 deaths. the year. There is still a big difference between Other suggestions include the possi- s the threat of a Covid-19 pan- 700 and 5,000; what might account for bility of pre-existing protective immune demic emerged earlier this year, the remaining gap? responses due either to previous exposure many felt a sense of apprehension to other pathogens or to BCG vaccination, about what would happen when Other possible contributors a vaccine against tuberculosis provided at Ait reached Africa. Concerns over the com- One possibility is the failure to identify birth in most African countries. A large bination of overstretched and underfund- and record deaths. Kenya, as with most analysis—which involved 55 countries, ed health systems and the existing load countries, initially had little testing representing 63 per cent of the world’s of infectious and non-infectious diseases capacity and specific death registration population—showed significant correla- often led to it being talked about in apoc- is challenging. However, Kenya quickly tions between increasing BCG coverage alyptic terms. built up its testing capacity and the at a young age and better outcomes of However, it has not turned out quite extra attention to finding deaths makes Covid-19. that way. On September 29th, the world it unlikely that a gap of this size can Genetic factors may also be important. passed the one million reported deaths be fully accounted for by missing infor- A recently described haplotype (group mark (the true figure will of course be mation. of genes) associated with increased risk higher). On the same day, the count for There has been no shortage of of severity and present in 30 per cent of Africa was a cumulative total of 35,954. ideas for other factors that may be con- south Asian genomes and 8 per cent of Africa accounts for 17 per cent of the tributing. A recent large multi-country Europeans is almost absent in Africa. global population but only 3.5 per cent African Academy of Sciences, we have fol- events but there are a number of other plau- study in Europe reported significant The role of these and other factors— of the reported global Covid-19 deaths. The most obvious factor for lowed the unfolding events and various expla- sible explanations. These range from climatic declines in mortality related to higher such as potential differences in social All deaths are important, we should not the low death rates is the nations put forward. The emerging picture is differences, pre-existing immunity, genetic temperature and humidity. The authors structures or mobility—are subject to discount apparently low numbers, and of population age structure. Across that in many African countries, transmission factors and behavioural differences. hypothesised that this may be because ongoing investigation. course data collected over such a wide has been higher but severity and mortality Given the enormous variability in con- the mechanisms by which our respira- range of countries will be of variable multiple countries the risk of much lower than originally predicted based on ditions across a continent—with 55 member tory tracts clear virus work better in More effective response quality, but the gap between predictions dying of Covid-19 for those experience in China and Europe. states—the exact contribution of any one warmer more humid conditions. This An important possibility is that public and what has actually happened is stag- aged 80 years or more is around We argue that Africa’s much younger factor in a particular environment is likely to means that people may be getting less health response of African countries, pre- gering. There has been much discussion a hundred times that of people population explains a very large part of the vary. But the bottom line is that what appeared virus particles into their system. pared by previous experiences (such as on what accounts for this. in their twenties. apparent difference. Some of the remaining at first to be a mystery looks less puzzling as It should be noted however that a outbreaks or epidemics) was simply more As leads of the Covid-19 team in the gap is probably due to under reporting of more and more research evidence emerges. systematic review of global data—while effective in limiting transmission than in

52 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 53 SOCIETY Last word

other parts of the world. However, in Kenya it’s estimated that the epidemic actually peaked in July with around 40 per cent of the population in urban areas having been infected. A similar picture is emerging in other countries. This implies that measures put in place had little effect on viral transmission per se, though it does raise the possibility that herd immunity is now playing a role in limiting further transmission.

Viral load At the same time there is another important possibility: the idea that viral load (the number of virus parti-

cles transmitted to a person) is a key t i determinant of severity. It has been b suggested that masks reduce viral e d

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changed. The key point is to deal with real-time data. a r a m h i b s r i i a e T T a o c r G c V D 54 BUSINESS MONTHLY | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 Authentic. Unique. High Quality.

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