interview
By Solomon Gebre-Medhin
The distance from the Latin-American Uruguay to the East African Ethiopia measures 11,135.18 kilometres. This air travel distance is equal to 6,919.08 miles. If one travels from Ethiopia by plane, with an average speed of 560 miles of course, it takes them 12.36 hours to arrive Uruguay. However, now the effort required to get connected to that far located Latin-American country has become nearer for the country recently opened its Consulate office in the capital, Addis Ababa. A country of about 3.3 million population, Uruguay wants to make use of Ethiopia, a seat of the headquarters of the African Union and other giant international organizations, as a gateway to reach the rest of the African countries. Tesfaye Wondimu our guest today is an Honorary Consul of Uruguay to Ethiopia. Tesfaye said that Uruguay is not only known for its winning the first World Cup and its famous and talented footballers but the country is also known for its agriculture and meat production. Having a stay with The Ethiopian Herald, Tesfaye elucidated how Uruguay is determined to strengthen economic, cultural and other related ties with Ethiopia.
Enjoy reading!
Would you please brief our esteemed readers about your autobiography?
I am Tesfaye Wondimu. I was born on 19 December 1960 in Addis Ababa, the capital in a village called Kebena; but I grew up in another area of the city called Atana Tera. Like many Ethiopians did in our time, I joined the traditional school aka Kes Timihirt Bet (schools where children were offered with the basics of Amharic alphabets and reading and making some calculations). Upon completion of my preschool at the Kes Timihirt Bet, I pursued my elementary grades at Kolfe Primary School and completed high school from Kolfe Comprehensive High School.
Later on I won a free scholarship opportunity and left for Cuba. In Cuba, at Hosemaseoy Grajales Academy, I studied Political Sciences and Transport Management and received my first associate degree in 1980.
Subsequently, I also received free scholarship from Dergensiki School of Russia, and attended Social Psychology course for a year. I also studied Hospitality Business Education from Australia. And currently, I am privileged with a free scholarship from KAHAN academy based in Australia, and am a 3rd year student on information technology. I am now the Honorary Consul of Uruguay to Ethiopia. I also own my businesses.
What have your study of Hospitality and Social Psychology added to your knowledge?
When you take such special courses, you will have an improved preparation to the different services you offer. For example, it can help you manage and lead properly the task you are duty bound. Besides, it will also boost one’s skills and knowledge to serve the society.
How do the hospitality courses you took shape you compared to what the service looks like in the country?
By their very nature, Ethiopians are very hospitable people. But this hospitality should be harmonized and hold modern and international colour. However, contrary to this, we do not have any school that offers training for janitors, for example. Cleaning, for instance is not having a mob and holding a piece of towel and clean, furniture, rooms and the like. It requires applying and using different natural cleaning materials including chemicals; and it also requires the ability to mix chemicals safely to clean the surroundings.
Now let’s talk about Mirror Trading and Service PLC. When was it established, and what does it do?
Mirror Trading and Service PLC was established in 2009. And I am the General Manager. What we do in Mirror is that we offer skill-based training to citizens who want to be engaged in private security and cleaning. Since its inception in the aforementioned year, around 1,500 private security guards and janitors have been trained in Mirror and are now on duty at various governmental and non-governmental organizations including embassies. And we have about 110 customers ranging from embassies to NGOs, and private and governmental organizations to hire our trainees.
Do you have a training centre?
Yes, we have a training centre, and we offer the training at our main office. And as per the demand of organizations, we also offer training for private securities and janitors. Most of the time, the training lasts for about 10 days and the trainees will be on duty upon completion. When we offer this skill developing training, we have an agreement with a Holland company named New Start Business Group to enhance citizens skills and knowledge by providing training for janitors and private security professions. This company is licensed from the Ministry of Education. Therefore, Mirror, in collaboration with the Group offers skill-based training to the security manpower and the janitors followed by a certificate to prove that they have accomplished their training successfully.
The duration of the training depends on the need of the organizations that look for the trainees. For example, training for these professionals abroad take a longer duration. I have a very good connection with security companies in Spain. And the training duration for janitors takes a year and a half; and the training for the private security consumes about three years. But here in our context, we have several constraints to offer such an extended period of time for the training. As a result, we offer the skill and knowledge building training that lasts ten to fifteen days. Our training programmes focus on offering the basic skills to both the private security and the janitors.
However, we do not abandon our trainees after they complete the fortnight long training; we also provide them with the on job training to upgrade their skills.
We also have a laundry service, and we are offering our service to Tirunesh Beijing and Zewditu hospitals and some hotels. We have laundry machines, chemicals and professionals who can fix the machines in case of defect. About 50 human power is engaged in it. We have health insurance to our employees and we train them how to use chemicals and keep themselves away from bacteria.
How do you evaluate your trainees discipline as they would be in charge of some foreign organizations and embassies?
So far, we haven’t faced any disciplinary problems from our trainees dispersed to many organizations including embassies. As a result, we do not have such report. Of the components of the training, being honest takes big value. In addition to that, we also give due attention to their being disciplined. And as the same time, we stress on the need to demonstrate hospitality. On top of that through our supervisors, we control their day to day activities and take corrections where necessary. Similarly, we also pay attention to the rights and the well being of our trainees in their employers place.
Can you tell us the job opportunity Mirror has created?
Our permanent staff members are roughly estimated to be above 50.
Now let’s talk about how you become an Honorary Consul for Uruguay and how they chose you to be their Consul here?
As I told you, I learnt in Cuba and as a result I speak Spanish very well. Speaking Spanish has created me an enormous opportunity to make close connections with various personalities from the Latin-American embassies here in Addis Ababa. And when there are various activities organized by these countries, they invite me and I go there to discuss several issues. And when they need help here too, I am there to offer such as providing them with private securities and cleaners. The other day, two years ago in fact, the Uruguayan Ambassador, who is residing in Egypt, came to present his copies of credentials to the Ethiopian government. In our chitchatting with the Uruguayan Ambassador, my interest to his country and the then leader grew up. And our communication continued afterwards, while the ambassador too continued his own investigation about my character and background and my being suitable for the post of an honorary consul of Uruguay in Ethiopia. When he later asked me to be the consul, I welcomed it happily for my heart had already been taken by their self-giving leader named Hose Ortega, one of the poorest leaders in the world. The overall process took almost twenty months. And later my government–the Ethiopian government gave its consent on my being an honorary consul which was already approved by the Uruguayan government. And since last September, I have been an honorary consul of Uruguay to Ethiopia.
What are, therefore, your main tasks as an honorary consul?
I am an honorary consul; and my main activities focus on three major areas. One, I am responsible to ensure that there exists a very good relationship between my native–Ethiopia and my assigned nation–Uruguay. And that relationship is about fostering the nation’s relations on the economic, cultural and tourism sectors. I therefore, start my duty taking into account these three aspects. As we all know it is the beginning; and I hope it should go far from where we are now. Through an improved relationship of the two countries, we can create the sense of closeness in the relationship of the two peoples and governments.
How do the activities look like so far?
As we are here, we are representing the Uruguayan people, and we are open here to help and solve the problems the Uruguayan people here or on transit face. The other main thing is we are starting to agitate different entrepreneurs and investors to get basic information from both–Uruguay and Ethiopian sides. I also present information about the possible areas where Uruguayan investors can possibly invest here in Ethiopia, and vice versa. I want Ethiopian investors to have business relations with their Uruguayan counterparts. To boost the cultural relations of the two countries, I will make connection to the Culture Minister of Uruguay and its Ethiopian counterpart to see the possible ways where the two nations can work on.
What was the knowledge of Uruguayan people like towards Ethiopia before the opening of this office?
You see, that is what has impressed me a lot. A couple of days ago, one of the known Uruguayan film maker came here (by then he was visiting Lalibella and around) to see the country. And I heard from him that most of the Uruguayan people do not know Ethiopia very well. And that is an opportunity for all of us to work on it. And the opening of this consulate office, in collaboration with other bodies would play a significant role in promoting Ethiopia to the people of Uruguay. Despite my being an Ethiopian national and a Uruguayan consul, I will also do my part in helping the government and people of Uruguay to be familiar with this historically rich nation and its current developmental endeavour. And I am sure that after a very few months of time, the Uruguayan people would know about Ethiopia, and we will have tourist flow from there.
What is Uruguay known for, is it the agriculture, technology or what?
Uruguay is known for its agriculture including fruit and the like. The country is also known for supplying the rest of the Latin-American countries with its rich agricultural products. Besides, the nation is known for its meat production, it also makes wine. Its major agricultural products are wheat, rice, barley, corn, sorghum, sugar-cane, potatoes, and fruits. The bulk of livestock are cattle, sheep, and horses. Pigs, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits are also significant. Fishery is a major economic activity, and there is some mussel and seal harvesting. The major exports are meat, leather products, wool, rice, dairy products, and power. The main imports are vehicles, electrical machinery, metals, heavy industrial machinery, and crude petroleum. Industry became a significant factor in the economy in the second half of the twentieth century. This sector manufactures primarily food products, petroleum products, alcoholic (mainly beer and wine) and non-alcoholic beverages, chemicals and chemical products, textiles, clothing, hydraulic cement, gypsum, tobacco products, electrical appliances, and transportation equipment.
What is so unique about Uruguay from the rest of the Latin-American countries?
Because of its achievements in social security, public education, and healthcare in the first half of the twentieth century, Uruguay is known as Latin America’s “first welfare nation.” The retirement of these public servants has created a disproportionate number of pensioners, and the country has gained the nickname El País de los Jubilados (“The Country of Pensioners”). Coming to education, public education is free at all levels, including the university level. This has resulted in an extremely high literacy rate; fewer than 4 per cent of males and 3 per cent of females older than age ten are illiterate. The average number of years of study per adult is nine to ten. A university education is highly valued.
What does your consulate office plan in the coming two or so years as far as strengthening the two nations’ agriculture and economy relations?
The prior plan of our consulate office, until the embassy opens, is dominated by activities related to responding to visa and similar inquiries. In the meantime, we also plan to enhance the tourism ties as well as informing investors in both sides about the possibilities where they can economically benefit themselves and their nations. We will also provide lists of companies and the type of raw materials they look for– it can be sesame, coffee or any other product. And as the same time, our office also works to provide information to the Uruguayan investors about the opportunities they will have in Ethiopia. I want them to invest here in Ethiopia because its policy on investment is encouraging. I know that some Uruguayan investors own tractor companies; and if they can come here and invest, they get the necessary information from our office. I am pushing in my power to realize these plans. I am also working on creating opportunities where my fellow Ethiopian investors make business relationship with their Uruguayan counterparts. And for those who wish to know about Uruguay and the business opportunities, I am ready to provide every information, and my office is open.
How do you describe the support of the Ethiopian government in the opening of the office?
You see if the Ethiopian government does not need me, they would have rejected the request of the designation as a consulate. But, from the early beginning of my effort to open the consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and especially the American Department and Protocol Division including other departments were by my side. And for that I am grateful. When I look for any help, they have been responding to me very happily and immediately. In my part, I am very happy for working with the Ministry in that regard.
Here I would be glad to mention that the diplomatic activity of the Ethiopian government is very strong and fruitful. And that is depicted in its effort and desire to work with other Latin-American countries too. Before my designation, the Uruguayan Ambassador to Egypt, Augustine and the nation’s Deputy Foreign Minister paid a visit here and were treated well. At that moment, I learnt that senior Ethiopian government officials were very determined on matters related to foreign affairs, and world activities in general.
Apart from being a consul, I heard that you also plan to engage in additional business, such as agriculture and the like. How would you manage your time to do so?
Yes, my other plan is to be a farmer. I want to work on agriculture and poultry. Now, I am on processes of getting land and the like. Once I accomplished that, I would seek interested Uruguayan investors to work in collaboration with me. And I hope that would be a very good experience. Concerning time management, after you establish such a company, you may not be the main actor. There would be leaders at every level for whom you grant responsibility and duties. And I would be in charge of controlling the overall activities of the companies. Yes, it is very hard, but once you start, things will go the right way and I hope I can manage my time efficiently.
Can you please tell our readers about your family, are you married and do you have children?
Yes, I am married and a father of a son. I married in Australia where my wife currently is living. My wife is an Ethiopian with an Australian citizenship. My son too has an Australian citizenship. He is now nine years old and we brought him here so that he would be familiar with the Ethiopian culture and the language especially, Amharic. I have a residence permit there. But we plan to move to Ethiopia shortly.
What would you like to add?
Being an honorary consul, I want to make sure that my country is succeeding in making good relations with Uruguay and its people, companies and so on. Making a strong relationship would enable both sides to expand their businesses. Therefore, I call upon Ethiopian investors to create good business relationship with their Uruguayan counterparts and to visit this office for further information. To the Uruguayan investors too, I want to share them that Ethiopia is a peaceful and developing nation where they could benefit from the business they would be running.
And as I said I do my own businesses and those businesses will not be successful without the good will and active involvement of my fellow Ethiopians whom I am and will be working with. Without the people you can’t do anything. And what I want to say to the youth in particular is that respecting every work pays off. Those who are now respected are those who did not undermine jobs. Those who determine to work have had good life and happy family.
I have had the chance to live in Australia– known for its development, safety, and the like. It is a country where you can work and make money and lead a better life. But all the property and the wealth may not have meaning because you are in foreign soil. But here, in motherland, you work and are respected; and you can have a safe life. I feel there are plenty of job opportunities created so there is no need to go out.
The payment here is low, but it cannot be changed overnight. And the youth have to make use of the available job opportunities. For example, some youths do not want to be security guards– but it is a job. Some don’t even model security guards who are earning well and leading a better life supporting their families. The most important thing is the youths must not discriminate jobs–job is job. The other thing is we all must understand that wealth does not come out of the blue. Going abroad, we cannot collect money from the ground; instead we might suffer from the discrimination and citizens of the host country might hold grudge on our being successful on their soil.
Whereas if we succeed here, it is a pleasure– no one covet our riches. The youth must take lessons from the barbaric act that our youth suffered recently as a result of the illegal migration. I know there are challenges however; taking illegal migration as a means to make wealth at the expense of one’s life is unquestionably wrong. Until times come where the youth enjoy the job of their choice, they should not overlook the jobs present in front of them. Fighting illegal migration is not the sole task of the government as it requires the concerted effort of all of us.