ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (23 page)

One thing in his favor though is that he was quick to grasp and come to terms with the mood of his new society. By his understanding, this is a place the rich and the achievers stand out and considered gentlemen and ladies who to some extent are committed to responsible family life. And they ruled the society and detected the pace and mood of it all like in every other society except that they did it in a certain kind of way Wallis admired. So, he wanted nothing other than be counted among the rich and the respectable and was ready to do whatever it takes to get him on top that ladder.

As a start in carving for himself the personality of the status he aspires, he began to assume a kind of quit and sober disposition that compliments his now business-like appearance.

He found respectable family clubs for rich folks, joined and took to games such as Billiard, Long tennis and Polo. In time the game boards and fields brought with them friends and associates as opponents for a day’s game became pals for a glass of drink or two and sometimes more serious issues came up and got talked about.

Pena Qumbu soon stood out among pals such that in a while the long tennis courts where both struggle for supremacy shorten to form a round table. Three or more glasses on tables narrowed to two in no time at all and became a permanent feature. Talking to the guy as Wallis found out was easy like they had known each other for years. Somehow, Pena seemed to have everything Wallis was looking for as a well-established African business man with a thorough understanding of the territory. Besides he was easy to get along with and Wallis thought that was luck on his side.

The good association between the two men blossomed and the club house couldn’t contain it any longer so an invitation for expansion went out from Wallis to Pena. Wallis also chose a diner in a good restaurant since it was the opportunity he waited for to have a different kind of one on one with his friend and as it turned out, he was not disappointed. The meeting was well worth it and confirmed he was on the right track because Pena proved not only a good listener but a good problem solver too. For these reason Wallis reached out even more.

Pena received another call from Wallis while on the wheels so he couldn’t talk but as soon as he was on the clear, he got back to his pal.

What are you doing this coming Saturday? Wallis asked the moment they got talking.

I’ll be engaged somewhere. I have a business Council Meeting to attend.

What about Sunday?

I’ll definitely be at the Church till about 1pm. So I guess evening will be sound, Pena said.

Good! I and my fiancé will like to host you and your wife for the evening. How about that? Wallis asked.

Great! We will like to come. What time do you have in mind? Pena asked.

What about 6pm. Is that ok for you guys? Wallis wanted to know.

Yes! We will be there!

Pena was also willing to get real close to this new guy in the field because if there is anything he has learnt in his years of experience as a business man, is never take anyone for granted especially anyone with potential for investments.

On that Sunday, everything tailored to fit the kind of image Wallis and Isabel wanted to present to their new friends, both awaited the arrival of their guests. At 6pm or there about, Pena walked in with his wife to the warm embrace of Wallis and Isabel.

After initial formalities and the visitors settled down, Isabel offered some drinks. Everyone now relaxed sipping from their glasses and charting for a while before Isabel made the announcement dinner is ready! And a change of scene followed. It was a meal order from one of the best cooks in Jozi and the four continued chattering with their meals.

Shortly after dinner, Wallis excused the ladies and the men retreated to his Study, another bottle of wine opened and he began. There are things I have always wanted to talk to you about but I don’t know if you have the time now.

Come-on Wallis! I’ve got no more agenda for the day and I’m sure my wife is comfortable where she is.

Great! See, I’m new in this environment, but that is not to say I’m completely ignorant on how things play out. Still I may want to rely on someone like you who have been doing stuff in this place a long time in understanding the business atmosphere better. I seek to invest in something and I’m looking into a number of things.

What and what do you have in mind? Cut in Pena.

I need you to provide me that direction Pena. If I may ask how is your import and export business working for you? Wallis continued.

Excellent! I love it? Like I told you my business furnishes department stores at the end of the day and so far so wonderful. You see in Africa male kids, especially the unlucky ones without good financial backings start digging for gold early in their lives. I was 16 when I started my business in a very small way because where I came from a man makes himself through self-employment rather than by taking up jobs in another man’s business. Simply put, if you can do it better for yourself, why do it for someone else? I guess that has always been the concept. So you start early in the struggle for making yourself a man and becoming a man. Initially it could be very tough but you don’t give up. Sometimes it may even seem impossible but you remain resilient until the tough gets going. You never turn your back to hardship instead you face it head on and keep working on it, keep exploiting all chances until you break even. A man in the context of my community makes himself and derives respect based on his achievements.

Sounds good to me! Wallis continued. So, what kinds of goods do you import and export?

You know, within the years, I developed good relationships with many retail outfits all over the places. They let us know whatever it is they need at any particular time and is the duty of my company to go hunting for the goods and supply them. One thing makes us successful though, that is the quality of our goods. They are highly rated because we never compromise.

Good! I truly admire your sense of purpose and honestly! What line of business do you think might be ok for someone like me? I mean give me some suggestions. Wallis asked.

It all depends on how much cash you are willing to invest, understand? The ground of Africa I tell you is now ripe and ready for business exploits. It’s a gold mine for those who have the cash and know how since there are lots of potentials for businesses nowadays. Only if the world will open up a little bit.

I have that feeling too!

Then you will succeed here! Now, take the African Movie industry for instance, it’s booming beyond what ordinary eyes can see. There is this idea of a Movie village somewhere in Africa, you know, the kind of thing you guys have at the Universal Studio in the US. If it happens, it is going to be something huge in the future. I’m confident this type of industry will rule the African business scene in the near future and those with the sense today to start putting their money in that direction will be smiling to the bank tomorrow. Mind you riches go to who gets to the treasure first. I’m considering putting some money in it myself but I’m waiting to have enough that can pull some weight in that kind of thing ‘cause we are talking billions.

I never thought you guys make movies until I came here. And what I’ve seen is marvelous. I’m surprised.

You guys don’t seem to care about what goes on in other parts of the world and that’s not so good, continued Pena. I mean America is great! The greatest in the world today, I don’t deny that! But not everyone in America is so great and seeking greener pastures in other lands help builders grow even bigger. You have to look beyond your nose to succeed sometimes and I tell you, this place is a gold mine. Is like a virgin land yet to be tapped but what is holding us back is resources. African Fashion and beauty industry is also expanding fast and this in a way complements the movie industry. Good for show business too. A blend of west and African fashion will be just great! That reminds me of the Music scene too which has always been good but fast expanding now. A blend of both cultures in this area also will not be a bad idea at all. I think some musicians in this region are already doing that you know! And don’t forget that show business is the real thing. We can entrench that culture here in Africa with huge benefits.

Tell me about it! Wallis lent his support.

Oh it’s all coming in strong for Africa now for sure. People are seeking new ideas and other means of doing things in more complex ways.

Huh! I think I’m into the right guy here! What about shopping Malls? What do you say about that? Wallis asked.

Oh! That’s also a good field of play. Something like Wal-Mart and others like it will do just great. As a matter of fact there are a whole lot of other areas to consider. The oil industry too, which for me is an old horse but ever yielding is there. Restaurants and fast food could do well too but they must be willing to be very creative in the local dishes. People simply want new ideas because stereotypes are already over flogged and ready for the trash. Agriculture in its mechanized form will not be a bad idea at all ‘cause the countries in this region need this. The automobile industries are almost empty right now and my thinking is that most Africans would now welcome home made cars.

That will require a lot of capital investment and that I don’t have. Wallis emphasized.

I understand! But it’s still a great area for investment especially now that many Africans are being forced by economic realities to start looking inwards and that means good promotion for all-African car. I can say for sure that the awareness is in and this reinforced by hard times facing the whole world today is forcing people into seeking various options for survival. Investment in auto industry will pay off real good but you have to make the right kind of cars. By that, I mean cheap, affordable and durable for the kind of routes most of these African counties present. Actually you don’t have to put in a whole lot of money ‘cause you can start small like the Indians did with very light weight vehicles. I’m seriously studying this area myself and so far what I see is some kind of allayment with the government to make the kind of impact I imagine. Anyway the sum is that Africa has the crowd required for marketing anything, just like China. I mean, a lot of the big societies like yours are already saturated with goods and I strongly believe Africa is the way of the future. That’s why I’m for the idea of a New World Order. It could help stabilize the whole world economically if managed well. But what I say to the government of some of the countries in this region is, clean up! See, a society is like one huge market and the way you present your goods so will it be priced. After all everybody started from same kind of sport, bare piece of land and you model the way you want your society turn out. Look at your country for instance, it cleaned up, that is why everyone wants to go there. You guys have good functional amenities that are easily available to folks and almost everyone gets to meet his basic need. Then you made sure everyone and everything is accounted for with your effective force and policy of no man left behind. How nice! My greatest wish is that some of these African nations will begin to recognize the importance of equitable distribution of wealth in building a society, continued Pena. When you give to a few, you limit society, but when you give to all, you open your horizon because wealth in every hand is the answer to buoyant economy, period. Stability and creativity grow out of it and ultimately further expansion in wealth. That’s what a system is all about, a turning wheel of progress. Pena contended.

Wonderful! I kind of like your ideas and the fact that you took so much pain to break it down to basics is fascinating. But being new in this area, I think I may still need a lot of studying of the environment to do, Wallis said.

There is nothing wrong with that. But if you can’t go alone, come with me to form a partnership and expand on what I do and possibly add some more businesses in the future.

Thanks for the offer Pena. But don’t you think it’s probably too early for me to jump into something right away?

It is up to you?

I understand that! What I need is a little more time ‘cause I’m not in a hurry right now. I’ll study all these areas with potentials for investments you suggested. I could end up with one of these things you suggested, I don’t know right away. I could probably go into importation of cars out rightly since I’ve a little idea about how that works already. I may also want to open a grocery store. To be honest to you, I can’t say I’ve made up my mind right away but these suggestions you offered are so great and would serve me as road map in my future considerations. I’ll give myself time and let you know what I decide to do, okay? Meanwhile, I may be practicing more on ‘honeymooning. As they laughed over that, Isabel came in with some snacks.

Like I said, it is all in your hands my friend, Pena picked it up again. There is also a Christian organization ran by a Dutch, Ache Easel and his wife Amelia. Very good couple to be with! They named the church Neo Concept Christian Fellowship and it turned out my idea of place of worship. Part of their program is a fellowship for people in business called Business Men Council, a very successful forum that holds every last Saturday of the Month. There, people of like minds associate and discuss business matters in candid manner and in very conducive atmosphere such that sometimes deals are struck or new partnerships and other kinds of associations formed. Members also get to learn about new developments in the business world and always a good place for beginners to meet and interact with others from different business environments. If you like we can go together. I’m sure you will find it quite interesting.