Harnessing the spirit of excellence

I got to the hall at lunch time. The stage was all set, the lights were hanging over the impeccably white stage where models would catwalk.
The sound was perfect too. Many workers were walking up and about, doing final touches.
It was four hours to the grand finale of the Uganda International Fashion week.
The brain behind the setup wasn’t on site, yet everything was seemingly organised. Speaking to a dear friend, I emphasised how pleasantly surprised I was.
He told me that in that specific industry, the brain behind the execution knew nothing better than the very best. His works were unmatched.
Fast forward, at exactly 10 minutes to 8pm, the man handling the entire production of the day, picked the microphone and announced that the show would start in 10 mins and at that time, the stage was filled with African dancers playing long drums.
It was beautiful. I couldn’t help but feel goosebumps. For the next one and half hours the show proceeded without a glitch.
It was beautifully and perfectly executed event as it drew to a seemingly quick end because of the manner in which it was organised. The audience yearned for more.
Who said Africans do not know how to do perfect things? Who said Ugandans do not know how to deliver excellence? Who said Africans are mediocre? Who says we are bad time managers?
As a person with an exceptional eye for detail and with an insatiable appetite for excellence, I was very amazed. It was exceedingly humbling to be associated with an excellent team.
I had arranged for my daughter to be present and I was thrilled that she experienced the entire event because the experiences around us impact greatly in who we are and how we execute our work.
There’s a breed of folks who have set themselves apart to pull off only extraordinary results. They are committed to excellence and they are pace setters.
I like to count myself among them. I admire their commitment and join them to look down upon mediocrity, laziness and complacency.
They are Ugandan too. May the same fire fall on you too and your children’s children.