Fisho Mwale Wrote…
●Frank, in recognition of his achievements, has been recognized by his country—he is an Ambassador and, if I’m not mistaken, a recipient of the President’s Insignia for Meritorious Achievement in 2022.
“Frank Mutubila: Neither broadcaster nor journalist by Dr. Field Ruwe.”
I just finished reading this Facebook post by my dear brother, Dr. Field Ruwe, from the USA diaspora.
At first, I had difficulty understanding what Field Ruwe was trying to teach us. But I concluded in my own simple way that he was criticizing Ambassador Frank Mutubila. He was dismissing Frank’s achievements and contributions to the development of our broadcasting and media sector.
Field Ruwe was belittling Frank’s persona and professional accomplishments by describing Frank’s vocal delivery and lack of a degree or the necessary educational qualifications, according to his (Field’s) high standards as an educator.
This is my interpretation. I have a fundamental problem with this flawed perception by Dr. Ruwe.
Am particularly struck by the venom in the use of the term” superiority standards Frank exhibited” How old where you guys at the time if I may ask? Was this when Frank was sporting Jerry curls and being a fashionista?
SIVAKUDALA IVI FIELD PAMENE BONSE MUNALI BAFANA?
First of all, we appreciate any educational qualification one attains. I am a strong believer that there is no substitute for education.
I have personally invested in ensuring my children are well-educated. Even though Am not too educated myself. Thus my pride in your educational achievements in the States where you have chosen to live as an “American”. No pun intended.
We have highly successful individuals or billionaires who have had modest or no formal education and yet achieved a lot. For example, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Donald Trump (just a bachelor’s degree),but is now President of the World.Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller, and modern billionaires like Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, and our own Aliko Dangote (just a bachelor’s degree from a Nigerian university).
My point, Dr. Ruwe, is that while educational achievements are commendable, they do not give you the right to question our local professionals who work tirelessly in the most hostile and technologically limited environments but succeed through sheer grit and determination, standing shoulder to shoulder with those from the developed world who often enjoy a more comfortable life( soft life with electricity and studio equipment) You are criticizing your professional colleague from the comfort zone of the diaspora.
How much have you contributed to the growth of our broadcasting sector? How many young people have you mentored, and how many see Frank Mutubila as an icon and a giant in our broadcasting history? We must foster a culture of idolizing and creating our own heroes.
Frank, in recognition of his achievements, has been recognized by his country—he is an Ambassador and, if I’m not mistaken, a recipient of the President’s Insignia for Meritorious Achievement in 2022.
No lack of a degree will ever diminish what he has accomplished. Please, Field, stop this PHD syndrome you are a Dr for goodness sake ; Uncle Frank is a mere retiree!
Ruwe just put out there the academic credentials for someone who is a journalist/broadcaster, academic facts not opinions.
You can give him all the insignia and other good stiff because he has done this and that , but he isn’t cooked by academics, take it or leave it. I’ve no problem if he has gotten the academics overtime
Actually the unspoken miracle here is how God can picked this perceived uneducated person and lift him to positions of prominence. Does God not recognize qualifications. Imagine me telling God how who he created with inert gifts to do what they were created for is unqualified. How crazy is that.
Sometimes the mistake made is to think academic qualifications means education. This is wrong. Education is constant, ever moving and adaptive. What was a principle 5-10 years may have changed to mean something completely different now. Some Scientific principles used to guide technology a few years ago are now under review because past information was wrong.
So, academia is only as strong as the knowledge revealed at that moment. When correction comes through then real education takes place as true knowledge has prevailed. So highly educated folks are as knowledgeable as what is been passed on to them as truth. Until it is questioned. Then real education happens.
Intelligence has very little with memorizing what another believes to be fundamentally true. It involves using common sense.
It demands that one develops an inquisitive mind constantly changing its view point as information keeps being updated. This is what separates geniuses from the average.
Therefore , in my opinion this Mr. Frank has definitely been known to possess an inquirying mind that defies status quo.
He may completely be ignorant about high level text book theoretical processes and procedures. But he nailed it when he implemented the iconic programs we enjoyed and were educated about our surroundings and political affairs. He practically reinvented journalism and effectively managed to influence souls.
This is education beyond the text book examination. It is called application of real time practical solutions. Not theory. That’s equivalent to a commando who experienced a real war. And not a soldier who plans about an imagined war. Though important, it is not the same.
We celebrate all your academic achievements, but please wearing the battle scare is bluntly different. This type of thing is what medals were created for. Let us learn to stay in our own lane. There is no competition nor jealousy there.