SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AFRICA – POWERED BY BOAF – THE POINT OF LIGHT OF THE DAY?

Like my Point of Light (POL) in relation to the initiative started by Africa Heritage Society (AHS), not for profit organization registered in terms of the laws of South Africa and headquartered in Rivonia, Mr.Gilbert Kaingidza, who introduced himself to Mr. Mutumwa Mawere, one of the founders of AHS in 2003, as follows: “I am a truck driver sir, I’m currently in Zambia coming from DRC Congo. I’m coming back home to SA. I live in Durban. Amen my senior and role model,” made a poignant point that speaks volumes to what often divides human beings that without knowing Mr. Mawere personally, he follows him and had the audacity to call such a stranger a SENIOR and ROLE MODEL, I am a aid up member of BOAF as I believe that life is a story that is linear and knowledge holds a better promise to bridge divided people.

I was reading the chat between Mr. Kaingidza and Mr. Mawere on this easter Saturday and what inspired me most is the question of relationships and in this case the different ways of looking at the relationship between a cross-border truck driver and the truck company owner.

I have shared the thread so that you the reader can read without any attempt on my part to edit it.

I personally miss reading organic and linear chats that are pregnant with lessons.

Should you want to be part of this kind of story telling, please contact Lolo on whatsapp number: +27 78 725 7567.

[4/2, 3:49 PM] mdmawere1: Hello
[4/2, 3:49 PM] mdmawere1: Just spoke to Chipo
[4/2, 3:50 PM] Gilbert Kaingidza: It’s an honour getting a text from you Mr Mawere. I grew up listening to you from radio and hearing about you from newspapers. This is an honour chief 🙏🏿
[4/2, 3:51 PM] mdmawere1: I am in full support of your proposal that she is added back.

The future with the personality of little dictators starts with people who believe that they are entitled see it using their arbitrary ears and eyes.
[4/2, 3:53 PM] mdmawere1: You are welcome. What is your name and what do you do in case God’s grace caused me to reach out to you.
[4/2, 3:53 PM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes, we can’t entertain Devine alone simply because he is our friend. Nooo. Chipo must be added back and speak her side of story. I was a victim of these propaganda people. I’m Linda Masarira’s ex husband mukoma
[4/2, 3:54 PM] Gilbert Kaingidza: My name is Gilbert Kaingidza sir. You can google me and see
[4/2, 3:55 PM] mdmawere1: Thanks. Pleased to connect with you.
[4/2, 3:55 PM] Gilbert Kaingidza: I’m a truck driver sir, I’m currently in Zambia coming from DRC Congo. I’m coming back home to SA. I live in Durban
[4/2, 3:55 PM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Amen my senior and role model

CONVERSATION OF TODAY – 8 APRIL 2023

[4/8, 6:57 AM] mdmawere1: [4/7, 9:13 PM] mdmawere1: Tx
[4/7, 9:15 PM] +27 79 944 4452: please share with your friends and co workers
[4/7, 9:15 PM] +27 79 944 4452: How are you doing today
[4/7, 9:15 PM] mdmawere1: Fine and you
[4/7, 9:15 PM] mdmawere1: Will do.
[4/7, 9:16 PM] +27 79 944 4452: i am well sir
[4/7, 9:16 PM] mdmawere1: Do you have a monitored youtube channel
[4/7, 9:16 PM] +27 79 944 4452: i am working on it
[4/7, 9:16 PM] mdmawere1: Ok
[4/7, 9:17 PM] +27 79 944 4452: do you have people from Zim that i can interview
[4/7, 9:18 PM] mdmawere1: I can check
[4/7, 9:25 PM] +27 79 944 4452: i wanted to interview Strive
[4/7, 9:46 PM] mdmawere1: I don’t have his contacts
[4/7, 9:46 PM] +27 79 944 4452: but i trust you will be able to get them
[4/7, 9:47 PM] +27 79 944 4452: i believe in your stature and network my leader
[4/7, 9:48 PM] mdmawere1: As a pimp?
[4/7, 9:49 PM] +27 79 944 4452: lol
[4/7, 10:10 PM] +27 79 944 4452: as an active participant in the advancement of the correct african narrative
[4/7, 10:10 PM] +27 79 944 4452: As a pioneer to accelerating intra – africa trade and investment
[4/8, 6:57 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Good morning Mr Mawere
[4/8, 6:59 AM] mdmawere1: Are you following
[4/8, 6:59 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes I did. Jst that the past two days was hectic, the roads here in this country of ours you can’t use the phone that much. It’s very very bad
[4/8, 7:00 AM] mdmawere1: Ok. Where are you now?
[4/8, 7:01 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: In Graniteside in Harare offloading
[4/8, 7:01 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: I will be in Johannesburg I think tomorrow evining
[4/8, 7:01 AM] mdmawere1: Ok
[4/8, 7:02 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: It’s been a long trip
[4/8, 7:02 AM] mdmawere1: How many days?
[4/8, 7:03 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: I left home on the 3rd of March for Congo
[4/8, 7:03 AM] mdmawere1: A month?
[4/8, 7:03 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes and some days
[4/8, 7:03 AM] mdmawere1: Thats long
[4/8, 7:04 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Very long and not profitable especially to me
[4/8, 7:05 AM] mdmawere1: Shit. Who is it profitable to?
[4/8, 7:05 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: The owner
[4/8, 7:05 AM] mdmawere1: How so?
[4/8, 7:05 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: My family are sitting with no electricity and food at home yet I’m on the road coming from Congo. Hw disappointed I’m
[4/8, 7:22 AM] mdmawere1: What are the expenses related to this income?
[4/8, 7:23 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: tolls, cross boder permits, fuel and truck stops
[4/8, 7:24 AM] mdmawere1: How much?
[4/8, 7:24 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Expensive might come to R120k.
[4/8, 7:25 AM] mdmawere1: Are the delays only affecting you?
[4/8, 7:26 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yss, they don’t affect the owner. He is ok with his wife and kids and my wife and kids are alone for a month and some days
[4/8, 7:27 AM] mdmawere1: What about other truckers?
[4/8, 7:27 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Depending on the companies, some companies are returning empty. That’s better
[4/8, 7:28 AM] mdmawere1: Is it because of waiting for return loads?
[4/8, 7:28 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes
[4/8, 7:28 AM] mdmawere1: Is this a choice or necessity?
[4/8, 7:28 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: For more profit
[4/8, 7:29 AM] mdmawere1: Is it for more profit or what is needed for such long trips driven by northbound cargo?
[4/8, 7:30 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: For more profit
[4/8, 7:34 AM] mdmawere1: What is profit to you?
[4/8, 7:44 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Return load is all profit
[4/8, 7:44 AM] mdmawere1: What is profit?
[4/8, 7:46 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: A profit is the amount of money you earn from a certain product or service, which is determined by subtracting costs from sales and setting the profit margins
[4/8, 7:47 AM] mdmawere1: Do you agree that profit is the difference between revenues generated from sales and expenses related to the sales?
[4/8, 7:48 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes I do
[4/8, 7:49 AM] mdmawere1: Do you agree that an idle truck is a cost?
[4/8, 7:49 AM] mdmawere1: An idle driver is also a cost.
[4/8, 7:50 AM] mdmawere1: Having no return load in time is a cost.
[4/8, 7:50 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Yes I understand that
[4/8, 7:51 AM] mdmawere1: If you were them, what would you do differently?
[4/8, 7:51 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: look after the driver and his family..
[4/8, 7:51 AM] mdmawere1: Who pays the bills – the owner or customers?
[4/8, 7:52 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: As I said now. I’m away from home. My wife tells me kuti magetsi apera and there is no more food in the house yet I’m crossing over countries.
[4/8, 7:52 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: It depends on where you are parked. If the customer brings you to their premises then payments are on them
[4/8, 7:53 AM] mdmawere1: Absent a willing and able customer, would you want the owner of the trucking business when no loads are available?
[4/8, 7:54 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Would I want what?
[4/8, 7:59 AM] mdmawere1: To pay you from his empty pocket.
[4/8, 8:00 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: The trucks are paid half payment b4 the trip and the rest on arrival
[4/8, 8:01 AM] mdmawere1: Are you a driver and also admin of the company?
[4/8, 8:24 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: No. I have been in this industry for 16 years now
[4/8, 8:25 AM] mdmawere1: What does this mean? That you know all and you can substitute the employer.
[4/8, 8:29 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: It means j know about trucking and hw it works in this industry
[4/8, 8:31 AM] mdmawere1: What would you differently!
[4/8, 8:43 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: ?
[4/8, 9:00 AM] mdmawere1: Do
[4/8, 9:02 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Treat my cross boder drivers differently
[4/8, 9:04 AM] mdmawere1: Do you agree that you are not a driver but a human of flesh and you don’t work for the so-called owner of the trucking company?
[4/8, 9:04 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Oh yes I agreed with you from day one
[4/8, 9:09 AM] mdmawere1: Yet you seem to suggest that your so-called employer must pay you more or pray for manna for you.
[4/8, 9:11 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: No, I don’t suggest my employer must pay me more. I suggest doing long trips that takes a month an d a half isn’t the best idea
[4/8, 9:13 AM] mdmawere1: What can suggest to change your reality?
[4/8, 9:21 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: I must try & own my truck for starters
[4/8, 9:23 AM] mdmawere1: Yet meat does not invite flies. Owning changes nothing if it exists for the KING is the CUSTOMER.
[4/8, 9:23 AM] Gilbert Kaingidza: Strong words there..