Personal Finance

Lessons abound for ‘Mzee, head of the family

mzee

Being acknowledged as ‘Mzee’ in a family business brings with it a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement.

One of my proudest moments as a family business proprietor was on 25 August 2008. It was the day my sister came to the family farm and inquired about my whereabouts. A staff member at the gate told her that “Mzee hayupo” (the big man is not here).

She was taken aback since she had only last heard that statement made about our father who had died more than 22 years before. It was a while before it dawned on her that the employee was referring to me; that I had moved up in status from her little brother to the man in charge. When I heard this story, I knew then that I had been bestowed an honour.

‘Mzee’, as you see, is the highest title to which a Kenyan African man can aspire and only refers to one person at a time. In any given setting, when one mentions ‘Mzee’ the hearer automatically knows who is being referred to. During Kenyan public holiday celebrations, “Mzee ameingia” means that the President is in the premises. In the family business, “Mzee” is the male head of the venture.

Glamorous as this title may appear, I have discovered that it carries with it very heavy responsibilities towards the family members, employees and the business venture. Everything stops with ‘Mzee’ and there is no higher authority or point of reference.

The first thing that ‘Mzee’ does is to provide for his family, staff and the needs of the business venture. For the family, he must provide shelter, food and school fees for the children. If the man is of limited means (usually on account of just having started up a business or being married to a woman of much higher income), he must make it clear to the family that he has every intention of providing these things at a future point. In the meantime he must choose one item as his sole responsibility, for example, electricity, water or school fees depending on his resources and diligently follow through with his commitment. As his circumstances improve, he should gradually take responsibility for the other three items.

‘Mzee’ must also provide salaries and wages for his staff on time. Since these individuals have committed their time to the business, excuses at the end of the month will not cut it. Payday is not the time to remind the staff that the business is not doing well for whatever reason and use this as a delaying tactic.

He must see to it that they get their money come hell or high water, whether he has to beg or borrow since they have no alternative source of income. If he cannot afford to pay them, he should let them go as early as possible. This ‘Mzee’ must provide a good reputation for his business and defend the values on which it is established. He must, as the public face of the organisation, carry himself with dignity at all times. This means that he cannot publicly associate himself with individuals of ill repute (male or female), engage in public spectacles such as brawls or senseless arguments or even utter empty promises especially in the presence of his family or staff. Actions such as fighting with concrete walls, rolling on tarmac surfaces and running into moving vehicles, no matter how newsworthy, are beneath any self respecting ‘Mzee’.

He must also be the protector of his family, staff and business venture from outside threats and predators. His household and business premises must always feel safe and secure to all members, especially when he is present. He must develop a reputation for ruthlessness when dealing with threats of any nature to his family or staff.

Finally, ‘Mzee’ must give hope for the family to carry them through difficult circumstances. He must always exude confidence about the future and in the family business’ ability to overcome difficulties. In these situations, he must lead from the front, bravely taking on challenges such as debt, indiscipline among family members and non-performance among staff.

When ‘Mzee’ consistently performs all these roles, the family, staff and business venture all rest in a state of quiet contentment.
Mr Mutua is a leadership development consultant