The Low Down - Richard Mayebo
This week we bring you the man even Badang(the tallest man in singapore )would be jealous of. So come climb a ladder with me and lets get to face to face with Richard Mayebo
ED: WHO IS ROTARIAN RICHARD?
RM: I was inducted to the Rotary Club of Kampala. South in 1996 (yes, that many years ago!) . My classification is “information services” – I have worked in IT since even before I left school. I was invited by my friends Rotarian Michael Ojok, and former Rotarian Sam Mpawulo. On joining the club I met many members whom I had met before – like Oscar, Ebert, Joseph and many others, so I felt quite comfortable from the start. This year I am on the Service Projects committee which is ably headed Rtn. Wendy.
ED: AND ARE YOU OUTSIDE ROTARY?
RM: Iam a husband to one wife and we have three daughters, two of whom are in their teens now. It is fascinating watching them as they grow and define their personalities, and I encourage them to talk to me as freely as possible. I wonder sometimes if I am not an overly-indulgent dad.
Outside work, family and Rotary, I occasionally enjoy a drink and Premiership football with friends at Shell Club, although not as often as I used to. Some have said this is because of the tribulations suffered by Arsenal fans in the last nearly ten years! There may be some truth in that.
ED: HMMMM,WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN & GAMES
RM: I used to be a voracious consumer of novels, a habit I now see in at least one of my children. These days I can’t seem to find the time or energy to indulge in a good read! I do enjoy following current affairs – domestic and international – on television, radio and the press. The US Presidential election this year has me riveted and concerned. I hope dude from Kogelo makes it!
ED: SO WHAT KEEPS YOU IN ROTARY?
RM: The fellowship with old and new friends was certainly the primary factor that made me join Rotary. I have since made many good friends, and met people with extraordinary ideas, energy and experiences. Where else would one have got to know someone like Aggrey or Isaac?
Apart from that I was attracted to the idea of contributing towards alleviating suffering in our communities, and I am pleased to say that I have had opportunities to do exactly that in Kampala South.
Finally, PDG Francis Tusubira, who was my lecturer at campus, was (and still remain) an inspiration as a Rotarian and a Leader. His acceptance speech in Addis Ababa was wonderful.
ED: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS HAVING A HIGHER CALLING IN LIFE?
RM: I believe that Africans can achieve, but are usually let down by their attitudes and the low expectations they set for themselves. At my work place I hope I can encourage and facilitate the young and talented IT professionals I work with to run a world-class operation.
ED: YOU MUST GIVE US A WORD OF WISDOM...
RM: “Be the change you want to see in the World” – Mahatma Ghandi
ED: READ ANY INTERESTING BOOKS LATELY?
RM: “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe will surely go down as an African classic – the tragedy of a “big man” whose apparent strengths were revealed to be weaknesses in the changing circumstances of colonialism. Recently I have begun to read “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about the civil war in Biafra – I think she is a worthy successor to her countryman.
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy by JRR Tolkein may be regarded as a childish fantasy involving cute dwarves and evil sorcerers, but I wish many of our leaders would read it – perhaps they would become more careful with the way they exercise the power they (temporarily) hold.
“Guns, Germs and Steel” by Jared Diamond is non-fiction, and seeks to answer why Europe colonized its colonies, and not the other way round. I found it thought provoking.
ED: OKAY NOW WE WANT TO KNOW HOW CRAZY YOU CAN GET...
RM: I sneaked out of the house one morning and went white-water rafting in Bujagali. It was a great experience, but my wife wouldn’t talk to me for days when I eventually told her about it. I wonder what the rapids are like now, after the construction of the dam? I wouldn’t mind doing it again (the rafting I mean, not being on the receiving end of my wife’s “silent treatment”!).
ED: ANY LAST WORD
I love what Kampala South’s “New Generation” is doing – God bless you all!