How Mwamvita Makamba aims at making her mark on Africa

“I have always been a politician. My father thought I would be running for political office, but not now. I still have to conquer the continent. But maybe one day, I will go back home and seek a political office.” Ms Mwamvita Makamba of Vodacom  

In Summary

• Father Yusuf Makamba’s attitude has influenced the daughter to a large extent to work hard

Ms Mwamvita Makamba, the daughter of  former CCM secretary general Yusuf Makamba, says she is on a serious mission; to leave a legacy that women can for Africa, if they exploit their potential fully. She shared her story with The Citizen Reporter Sylivester Ernest in Johannesburg recently  

Tell me briefly about yourself?

Well, I went to school almost all over Tanzania since my father used to shift from one place to  another because he was a civil servant. I schooled in Handeni, Lushoto and Morogoro where I finished primary school. Then I went to Kifungilo Girls Secondary School for my O-Level and later on Morogoro at Kilakala Girls a little bit for A-Level and then Shaaban Robert in Dar es Salaam.

I was an activist in all those places. At Shaaban Robert, my friends and I started an organisation called OYA (Organised Youth Action), which was a forum to help the youth raise their voice. We wanted to advocate the young people’s freedom, to be trusted and also  have a say in society.

We even had a number of radio talk shows at Times FM with the likes of Taji Liundi. Then I joined the University of Dar es Salaam where I did a degree in Political Science and Public Administration and later on a Master’s degree in Politics and International Relations.

While doing my Master’s degree, I was also working  at TCD (Tanzania Centre for Democracy) where I was mostly engaging with the young people of all political parties for the good of the nation. I advocated the young people’s socioeconomic emancipation. So I was for the voice of the young people. I also got involved in politics working with the CCM Youth Wing, the UVCCM. After that I joined Vodacom in 2008. This was my first proper employment.  I started doing public relations, shaping our company’s work with the public, the government and other partners. My aim and that of my company was to make a contribution…the rest, as they say, is history.

What do you think has been hindering most Tanzanian women from achieving their potential? 

First of all women have to realise that they can succeed, that they can reach where they want to be. They should also understand that they have a role to play…it should start there. Once you have that belief and know that you need to contribute to your country; everything else will happen. Most young women just sit back and think everything will just happen to them.

Second, they should know where best they can contribute to their country. We don’t have to all be politicians. We can contribute to the wellbeing of our nation either through civil society organisations, corporations, civil service or politics. But we have to realise we have a role to play. Unfortunately, most of the young people don’t. I realised that I’m here for a purpose, that my country needs me and so I have a role to make myself of good use. You have to find a place where you are suited most.

Has your surname contributed anything to make you who you are?

Well, I wouldn’t really say my surname has contributed. I would say my father. His attitude and hardworking culture have influenced me to a large extent. I grew up watching my father serve the nation since I was a child. So he has been of a great influence in my life. I grew up knowing that I have to serve others. I exist for the service of others. That’s the biggest lesson and influence my father has given me.

Share your experience in working in Tanzania and now in South Africa and the fulfilment you get.

My job entails how we work with different stakeholders in our countries and how we contribute in societies in which our market is.  So in Tanzania it was one market. It was easier because I come from there and I knew where the issues were, the kind of help our people wanted and I knew how our company could help them.

Our job was not about giving money but shaping common efforts towards social issues and how best you assist; bringing in new partners and finding solutions, and then money coming in. So, being able to be part of this in Tanzania which was very successful like the Fistula Eradication Programme which we raised $20 million for my country was the proudest moment.

South Africa is the base but I work also in Lesotho, Mozambique, DRC and Tanzania; doing exactly the same thing I was doing in my country. So for me to be able to share the role of our company in these countries and be able to contribute is quite humbling.

What do you think has been your contributions to society since you started working with the Vodacom Foundation in Tanzania apart from the fistula eradication initiative?

When we started in Tanzania, it was a small thing back  in 2008. But it grew to become a huge foundation in our country because our contribution was big…you know giving is the DNA of our organisation whenever we feel that it is our role to contribute. So shaping our foundation to be what it is and the consistency of our foundation as far as giving is concerned was my biggest achievement.

Every month we would do something meaningful and sustainable. So we were always there, that’s why many people know of the foundation because we were doing something.

Do you still keep track of what Vodacom Foundation is doing in Tanzania?

It is still one of my markets. I follow everything as I oversee Tanzania as well. I know exactly what is happening. I still shape the agenda.

When did you know exactly that you want to work in the corporate world?  Do you think you would probably have loved to do something else?

No, as I said, one has to realise that one has a role to play. I always want to give service to others. So naturally I am like that. So when this job came it was exactly the one I wanted. Here you see tangible things more than, say, in politics, for instance. I feel very grateful to be able to do a job that I love. I feel like I am being paid to do what I love.

Who is your role model?

Well, first, my father. He inspires me a lot. He shaped my thinking and my being the woman that I am. You know he is the man of the people and genuinely he has given his entire life to serve the country. I just want to do that in my own way. Secondly, I am inspired by many other successful women around the world.

What do you do to remain relevant in a multinational company?

I still have to work hard. Corporate activity is not so easy. Also I remain genuine to what I do and in my life. If you go out there and do an amazing job, the result will be seen. If you do your job and do it well everyone will see it. That’s the biggest asset.

How do you spend your time?

Well, I work a lot. I travel so much. Having been here for a year, I think I have spent seven months in a plane…I travel a lot. But when I am here I spend most of my time with my daughter, my seven-year-old beautiful daughter. But again, I like reading a lot. It is a quiet life. I believe in adding a lot to my life. I also have friends, I have made a few friends here.

Your brother January has become very famous in Tanzania especially among the youth. What do you think are his presidential chances?

January, not only because he is my brother, is doing very well. He is among few brilliant young men that our country has.  Definitely, he can make a very good president, a president that the country needs now because he’s very sharp.

He has everything that one needs to make our country move forward. I don’t know whether he will run or not, I can’t comment. However, I will fully support him if he does. Not because I am his sister but because I am a concerned Tanzanian.

Coming from a political family, do you also have any political ambitions?

I have always been a politician. My father thought I would be running for political office, but not now. I still have to conquer the continent. But maybe one day, I will go back home and seek a political office.