Why Sauda is cynical about getting married

Sauda isn’t the highest-ranking woman at KQ by chance. “I’ve had to work twice as hard as a man to earn credibility, but also to re-write the myth that women can only get ahead by sleeping their way through,” she says.

In 1989, when she was interviewed for the position of Management Trainee before a team of eight, she told them that she would one day be the company’s first female MD. They probably thought it was all hot air.

And you can see why she occupies the big office when you meet her: she’s got that personality that literally floods a room. She’s gregarious, sharp as a whip, unapologetic, highly opinionated and (sort of) loud.

Our meeting last week coincides with a point in her life when she’s engaged in an intense internal dialogue. Where she is questioning not her capacity as a professional, or a woman, but as a human being.

At the centre of this private self-evaluation, is a question she struggles with: ‘‘what is my role beyond here?’’

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I will confess - and you’ll forgive me. Seeing you in a hijab, my first impression was that you are docile and subdued. Well then, is this fiery and robust personality informed by the power of your office or by your personality?

(Smiles) I grew up in Mombasa with my father and three brothers. Ours was a single parent family. My parents divorced when we were quite young.

When you are the only girl among boys – and if you are my size - you learn quickly that nobody will give you anything on a platter, that you have to fight for it. And you have to speak up, or else you won’t be heard. My dad always encouraged me to speak up.

What did you have to do to get to the top?

I’m not sure whether I’m at the top yet. But generally, it’s hard work. I’ve always taken responsibility and initiative.

I have loaded bags on conveyor belts when I once arrived from Singapore to find the arrivals hall full of waiting passengers. I have ticketed customers whenever I found lengthy queues in the sales office.

I have pushed trolleys in the warehouse, and in building pallets. I’m ready to work with my team on night shift. You name it. And I’m not afraid to ask questions, even stupid ones. And I don’t fear telling the bosses when I feel they are wrong. I speak the truth.

Married?

(Laughs) You journalists! Why do you ask?

Well, it’s a standard question. I try to get the light questions out of the way quickly.

No. Never married. Perhaps my background made me more cynical about marriage. Reason why I never married- because I know you will ask why – I think is related to my childhood.

At 16, I was already taking care of a family. I also remember after attaining three principals in my A-Level final exams, and being called to university, and my dad telling me, “Sauda, you realise that going to university means you have chosen career over marriage.”

Of course, my going to university was something that made some of my uncles uncomfortable. But my father stuck with me. In the end, not to get married was a choice I made.

Quite some guy, your father, isn’t he?

He was a very close friend of mine. He passed on a few years back. He was more than a father; he was someone I could tell anything.

He worked with the customs in the statistics department and after his death, his dues were not paid even though workers in the East Africa Community have been paid. That makes me very sad.

You have spoken reflectively about searching for deeper answers about yourself and your life. You sound like you are in transition. Are you?

You mean, like I’m dying? (Laughs). It’s just that I have achieved something here and recently, I’ve taken to looking inwards, that Maslow’s thing. I want to do more, use more of my ability to shape and touch lives. I’m currently doing a bit of that but I’m keener on giving women independence to shape their own lives.

Away from that heavy stuff. What does Sauda do for fun?

I dance. And I’m a great dancer, if you want to know. I also love cooking. Of course, my cooking has the coastal influence, but it’s also influenced by my mood. So I will twist a salad and create something new.

I also love travelling, but I’m on a lull now because before this position, I held a position that covered Europe, America and Asia and I travelled a lot as a result.

Do you exercise?

I live in the Kilimani area so what I normally do is I frequently walk to Jeffrey’s Club in Lavington and walk around the pitch 20 times. It’s great exercise.

Who influences you the most? Someone you admire.

(Thinks) I can’t think of anyone, but my father. We shared the same likes and dislikes in many things. And he was a great man.

What is on your bucket list?

I have walked on fire, so that’s done. I have a great fear of heights, so it would be nice to go bungee jumping. I’d also like to travel to places I haven’t been to, like South America and Australia.

Any interest in the arts?

Yes, I love music and my taste is eclectic. I recently listened to some good Bongo flava. I also read, mostly self-help books. I’m currently reading Robin Sharma’s The Monk who sold his Ferrari. I’m into environmental issues and questions of sustainability. Again, I guess I’ve hit that age where issues of where we are headed as humanity are more important.

Even a fearless woman like you fears something. What is that?

Losing people close to me, this emanates from my earlier life. I also fear saying goodbye to people, which is something I have been doing a lot in my life.

So you don’t drink, you don’t smoke and you don’t splurge in fashion. What then, is your greatest indulgence?

Perfume. Designer perfumes. I’m not those people who keep many perfumes in their closet, essentially because I don’t like changing from one scent to the other. Now I have only four perfumes and my personal favourite is Sheer Beauty by Calvin Klein.

Okay, you seem like you have your ducks in a row. Which part of your life needs working on? What are your weaknesses?

I’m not very patient with people who when I’m talking to aren’t quick to see my point, this is mainly because I think ahead in conversations and I expect people to follow my thoughts.

I’m also opinionated, when I form an opinion about something or someone, it’s hard to change that opinion.

So are you dating?

(Laughs) I don’t think your readers are interested in that!