The Effective Cross-Cultural Manager, by Shepherd Shonhiwa

The Effective Cross-Cultural Manager, by Shepherd Shonhiwa.

The Effective Cross-Cultural Manager by Shepherd Shonhiwa is not a management textbook, but rather a user-friendly primer on the topic of adaptable managerial behaviour and pragmatic change management. Its distinctive focus is on handling the challenges prevalent in Africa's present-day business environment. In the process, it will attempt to build conceptual bridges between Eurocentric and Afrocentric frames of reference for management activity.

Shepherd Shonhiwa  

The Contemporary Africa Political Context

Contemporary Africa is defined by the changes in political climate in each country. This book focuses predominantly on sub-Saharan Africa, with particular emphasis on central and southern Africa. Most of the countries in these regions were colonised by the British, German or French, with the Portuguese playing a smaller role. The political winds of change in these regions blew in the same direction: political change commenced in the late 1950s in the north, with Nigeria, Ghana and other West African states gaining political independence first. This transformation moved steadily southwards over the next four decades until the 1990s, when South Africa was the last country to join the emancipated nations.

The common thread of political change was majority rule by indigenous Africans under a democratic dispensation in one form or another. Initially, there was jubilation as the yoke of colonial domination was lifted. Self-determination and African nationhood, supported by continental brotherhood, were celebrated. This African solidarity was a stronger bond than the one that had existed between the colonising powers and the colonised, who had many competing interests and motives, such as seeking to maximise their own national goals of empire expansion as well as dominating particular areas in order to exploit their raw materials.

As a result, the march to freedom continued successfully from north to south over a period of half a century, with those gaining independence first assisting those who followed in all manner of ways. Consequences of political liberation Political liberation led to a number of significant changes in the countries that were involved. Major consequences were social revolution, cultural change, economic evolution, ethnic and racial distinctions, internationalisation and a changed business environment that differed from that of the colonial past. Let's look at each of these elements of change in more detail.

Social revolution

The change in the balance of power created a black ruling elite that replaced white colonial bureaucrats. The latter were mainly civil servants, while the former represented a new breed of rulers, whose claim to fame was that they had spearheaded the liberation of their countries. As was to be expected, the phenomenon of the 'new African' emerged, representing a new way of thinking on Africanism - a vigorous pan-Africanism that manifested itself in common dress and public gestures. Interracial coexistence became feasible as the chasm between social classes was removed by the power reversal.

Cultural change

As a consequence of the new order, there was a shift from cultural ethnocentrism, based on self-praise, to mutual respect between the races. African people deliberately selected those cultural traits that promoted their interests to replace or augment their traditional ones. This facilitated cultural interdependence, which promoted a new order in society. Educational and civic organisations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, YMCA and YWCA also played an integrative role.

Economic evolution

The most significant element of change was the shift of agrarian African economies towards smokestack factories and mining. This created a black middle class of blue- and white-collar workers. As a result of better education and increased opportunities, black people started entering the professional arena. This expanded their employment potential and facilitated their entry into the formal economic mainstream at different levels. These humble beginnings enabled the countries to weave a completely new economic tapestry.

Ethnic and racial distinctions

The emergence of the black ruling elite inadvertently sharpened tribal distinctions as the rulers vied to share the limited spoils with their kith and kin first. As a result, leadership vices such as nepotism and villageism began to nourish. The reversal of economic and political power between whites and blacks also led to racial polarisation. Whites, suddenly deprived of their status, felt threatened by the new power balance. This response was understandable. However, although they were in the minority, they still had significant historical influence on the lives of the black majority. Political power proved hollow - rather, white economic power still carried major weight, controlling political direction through both explicit and clandestine manoeuvres.

Internationalisation

As various African states became independent, they nevertheless retained a filial cord with their imperial powers. This link manifested itself in several ways, such as through preferential trade and travel agreements, financial assistance, and exchange in the fields of education and culture. Their connection with their former imperial powers propelled the newly born nations of Africa towards internationalisation, enabling them to become political, economic and diplomatic players on the world stage. Consequently, the standing of black political leaders was enhanced by this 'accident' of history. (...)

This is an extract from the book: The Effective Cross-Cultural Manager, by Shepherd Shonhiwa.

Book title: The Effective Cross-Cultural Manager
Author: Shepherd Shonhiwa
Publisher: Zebra Press
Cape Town, South Africa 2006
ISBN 9781770071131
Softcover, 13x21 cm, 144 pages