I have always thought that being a South African was bottom of the barrel. Being from a third world country, I had the idea that somehow my education, or my work experience, or my life in general was less acceptable across the board than in first world countries. I forever put the likes of the Americas, and Europe and Australia on a pedestal believing them to be superior beings for the mere fact that they have had access to better services and systems than I had.
Drawing on this belief I entered into my first job in Ireland a nervous wreck. I had this inflated title which oozed self-importance and thought to myself that these people are going to be sorry that they hired me because this African girl has more bark than bite. Was I ever wrong! The job was just that... an inflated title with very little substance behind it. It was fraught with ineptitude from the beginning. Every person involved in the project had been tossed in head first and made to swim. There were no life buoys in play, and the strongest swimmer would ultimately prevail in such conditions.There was no process or procedures in place from administrators to team leaders and each had to play by ear as systems and work processes changed on a day to day basis. It was a disaster. I have never in my life worked in such a disorganized state. I clearly survived the initial confusion as I was given more responsibilities after just 2 weeks in the job. However, such chaos taught me much about the South African and the work ethic of our people in general.
Because of our natural survival instincts and our petrified state of loosing our jobs either due to economic hardships or BEE quotas, we are a very hard working nation. Workaholics we are. We have finely tuned our skills in such a way that we can optimize our performance in the least amount of time. We get things done. As a result we appear to work twice as fast as any one else. This is a mere illusion, but it is impressive to those who don't know the fear driving these actions. In stark contrast we have those who don't sit in perpetual fear of job insecurity and for these individuals, it is just another day at the office. Work is done slowly and with the attitude that tomorrow is another day and sometime work is done in complete dissaray. It is such individuals who drive these disorganized projects. It is such individuals who drive me mad. It is such individuals that are causing the graying of my once glossy black mane.
Coming into my second job, I was less nervous, but still felt because it was another pumped up position, more money, more responsibility etc that they would likely question their hiring choice. Again, I am sitting completely in chaos trying to figure out systems and procedures because the last person left without even a how do you do!! I'm stuck with no mentor, in an Industry I have never worked in, and been thrown in head first to a bunch of disorganized files and not a single system or procedure to guide me. It is again a sink or swim situation. The boss tells me not to stress as next week I will have a more defined role. Geez!! Next week!! Do me a favour. The office label maker has been going crazy since yesterday with my obsessive compulsive self trying to create some sort of order, how does he think I will live for a whole week without a defined role.
The point I am trying to make here is, we as South Africans need to forget our preconceived ideas that we have about first world countries. Clearly perception is evil. This was made blatantly clear by the the sweet little ignorami who actually asked me if I knew what a prawn was. South Africa has a massive seafood and fishing industry. He clearly was unaware of this believing I did not ever have the pleasure of experiencing shellfish. I had to actually hide my face in my jumper to prevent myself from laughing at the poor guy. People have dangerous preconceived notions about Africa and what Africans can and cant do and what Africans do and don't know and what is available to Africans from an infrastructural point of view. If I actually was what I was perceived to be I would be a pig skin wearing, deer hunting, rain dancing, gun and spear toting menace to society racist who has a lion on a leash, no access to electricity, running water, a working sewerage system, a functioning education system, shopping malls and trade produce. In fact If I were to be whom I was perceived to be, its a damn miracle I am even alive.
First world, does not necessarily mean better in every aspect. What we believe as third worlders' does not necessarily translate to the reality of it all. I have met many a South African who is intelligent beyond belief and they would outwit, outsmart and outplay (yes, I'm quoting Survivor, yes we have television in South Africa that we can watch Survivor on, in case one wonders) some of the people I have met here. We also appear to be on par with regards to processes and procedures in the work place. The clear difference lies in the amount of money that is available to bandy about.
In conclusion if you are coming into a first world market, I would not be too worried about how well you are going to fare. Your strong African work ethic and ability to multi task along with your multi-cultural background will lay a wonderful groundwork for you to prosper.
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