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South Africa's High Commissioner Koleka Anita- 'A woman is a giver'

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Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta congradulates Ms Koleka Anita Mqulwana
 Photo: Courtesy

'A woman is a giver'

A conversation with Koleka Anita Mqulwana is not even a tad bit boring. She oozes a lot to be curious about. But as the High Commissioner for South Africa in Nairobi, she has an obligation; and avoiding negative publicity is part of it. She chooses her words carefully as she walks through the minefield of 'prickly' questions.

It is, however, not too long before she settles in her cool. "Whether I am a woman or not, I am a full member of the society. I must contribute to my country and on the African agenda. What matters is that I am able to execute my duties," she says. Her baritone voice with the characteristic Xhosa accent synonymous with Mandela hardly escapes the ears.

She is probably among the first women in South Africa to break the glass ceiling. Growing up as a black during apartheid meant that she had little or no privileges. Her brother went to exile for 15 years for rising against oppression. Fearful that she may be next, Anita's parents insisted that she avoids politics; that she maintains the good girl image; that she aims to become a teacher.

But as she says, she couldn't run away from reality. "It was all in my face. As a young person, I couldn't run from it. Eventually, I joined the civil rights movement. My mother failed in keeping me in line with her whims," she says.

The farthest she would go in appeasing her mother would be undertaking teaching practice.

"Fighting for humanity; fighting for a just society was ever a good thing to do. I joined the local authorities and post 1994, I was called in to manage the transition at the local authority. After that I went to parliament."

It was after serving in parliament that her career as a high commissioner began – serving first in Australia. Not even once did she ever downplay the responsibilities that came with the job. Through it all, she has had the fun times and low moments. She never let anyone bully her on the basis of her gender.

"There have been those kind of attitudes. But I was used to them and never took them seriously. When someone comes into my office and asks where my husband is, I just correct them and assert myself. The society is in transition," she says.

She appreciates respect; mostly because the world has taken strides ahead. In her own way and style, Anita comes across as charismatic. She has no airs and graces, choosing to appreciate humanity before status.

And while her achievements may be apparent, they aren't as conspicuous as her trim hair. She loves it to bits. She says: "This hairstyle is environmentally friendly. In the morning, I can just brush and head to work. I feel good and more beautiful. I don't need to have the long hair to be who I am. Plus there is a lot more to consider."

There is more to it, she says. "Financially, these things are expensive. I am told there is Brazilian, which costs over Sh30, 000. I can't afford it. I am not getting any younger and I need to take care of my future too," she says, amused by her own charade.

I ask about the job and her family to which she navigates through cautiously. She does not love her private life out for the public consumption. But even so, she finds no harm in talking about her daughter, currently a student at Brookhouse Schools.

"Wherever I go, I take her along. She came to Kenya two months before I moved here because she had to set up for school. I raise her to be able to be anything she wants: I won't limit her to a particular profession," she says.

Just like she is comfortable in her skin, Anita finds the question of whether it is difficult or not being a female high commissioner misplaced. In her opinion, while the society has viewed such high profile positions as a preserve for men, she frets not dealing with both the demands of motherhood and consular work.

A woman to her is a giver: You provide her with something and she gives more back to the society.

The fourth born in a family of five, she is cognisant of the hurdles the African girl child has had to go past to achieve success. Even our own culture, she says, has put breaks on a girl's life. Her parents may have showed care and love, but she also noticed that they were harsher to her and her sister more than the boys.

"Girls would grow to be 'ambassadors' to a different family. It is only now that I realize that my own brothers were spoilt. The good thing is that all this is changing now," she says.

She may have dined with the powerful; travelled around the world; enjoyed the high life that comes with her position, but she refuses to believe that she is yet to exhaust her potential.

"There is more to be achieved; not just for myself but for the benefit of us all," she says, adding, "I don't exclude myself from the society; I am not immune to issues that the society is facing. I will forever be an activist – and not a celebrator. There is more to be achieved."

In the maze of her busy life, Anita creates time to be with herself. Her favorite pastime is brisk walking. And now that she is in Kenya, she plans to travel around and visit places.

"A wise person is the one who listens to the doctor. Mine told me that I need to work on my weight and bring it to certain levels. At my age, you get bone problems and it is only prudent to follow the doctor's advice," she says.

She is quick to rectify that her motive to be healthier has nothing to do with notion that thin women are more beautiful, saying, "I am an African woman. And I love my body. I am not ashamed of my big body. I am only careful for my own health."

In the four months she has been in Nairobi, the most memorable moment was meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta. The only other that comes close to that is a nyama choma session at a Westlands joint.

"The next day after eating the nyama choma, I forfeited breakfast and lunch because I was still full. It hit me that I enjoy socializing," she recalls.

As we near the end of our conversation – being mindful of her schedules – I ask her the question every woman loves dodging: "How old are you?"

A few seconds splutter by as she ponders on an appropriate response. "But my age is my-eee; it is personal; I mean c'mon," she struggles as we all laugh it out. "You want every Kenyan to know how old I am out of this interview!"

Eventually, she relents, choosing to offer clues instead. "In a few months, I will be turning 50."

As she heads back behind her desk, she looks forward to many more years making Africa a better place, since "while my official hours are between 8am and 5pm, I have to be ready for a call even in the middle of the night when something needs to be done."

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