Dfcu’s Charles Mudiwa enjoys his many hats

Dfcu bank’s new CEO CHARLES MUDIWA, 60, wears several hats. He is a banker, executive coach and teacher. Quick Talk caught up with.

Hello, Charles! Please briefly tell Quick Talk about yourself!

Hi! I am Charles Mudiwa, the chief executive officer of dfcu Bank. I am African by heritage, Zimbabwean by birth, Malawian by marriage, Kenyan by residence, and Ugandan by choice [laughs heartily].

Your name Mudiwa; what does it mean?

It means ‘My darling’ or ‘My loved one’ [oh, beautiful name!] It is my grandfather’s name. Commonly, we take names after our great-grandfathers.

How was life growing up?

My life growing up was normal and exciting. It oscillated between the city and the countryside. Looking after goats and cows in the countryside still stands out for me. My father was a police officer, and my mother was a nursery schoolteacher.

Ho! Total discipline at home, then!

Oh yes! [Laughs]

Why didn’t you take after any of the parents?

Naturally, my father wanted me to become a lawyer so that I am in line with what he does. I also thought that I would become a doctor because I was doing chemistry and math at A-level. I eventually turned out as an economist.

How then do you become a banker?

Interestingly, I became a banker through Rotary. I first interacted with Rotary in high school. My principal there was a Rotarian. He organized a career day for Rotary. Since we were not more than 20 students, we were assigned to different professions for three weeks.

I was deployed to a hospital to see what happens there. I left on the third day. I went back to the Rotarian who had organised the career expo. They tried me in a pharmacy and the smell of medicine sent me away. After a long chat with
the Rotarian, he told me to try a bank.

I walked into a bank and loved it [who wouldn’t…the sound, sight and smell of cash!] And then came university…

I did a degree in economics. After my graduation, I worked for the government for four years. Since I had studied on a government scholarship, I had a choice of either paying back the money or working for them.

Since I couldn’t afford to pay it back, I was deployed as a secondary school teacher of economics. I am a certified Cambridge examiner. I also worked as a statistician before joining the banking sector.

Master Mudiwa. I didn’t see that one coming!

I am still a teacher. You can teach from wherever you are. I always have an excuse to teach. I have a flip chart everywhere. I love teaching [points to a flip chart in his newly-occupied office]. I am also a qualified executive coach.

Oh impressive! About that international marriage…

[Laughs] How we met is a long story. International marriage is amazing. Since we are all part of Southern Africa, we don’t see the international distance like someone else would see it. We have maintained the spirit.

How do you find your stay in Uganda?

I have been in Uganda since April. Away from the amazing weather, Ugandans are warm people. I already feel at home. Uganda shares several things in common with Zimbabwe.

What are those common things?

The warmth of the people is very similar. The cultures are also the same. The way we respect and talk to people is very similar. Since we are all Bantu-speaking communities, we almost use similar words.

I have found several words in common with my dialect. Nyama means meat, and mbuzi means goat. I have learnt some words in Luganda, but I will not be saying any at the moment [laughs]. I grew up in a cattle-herding community which is also present in Uganda. I felt at home during my recent trip to western Uganda.

What destination around Uganda has been your best, so far?

I don’t think there’s any specific destination because Ugandans are lovely people. I have been to the North, Southwest and the East. Every place has been amazing.

What do you do in your spare time?

I listen to music. I have a soft spot for Oliver Mtukudzi [RIP]. Despite his great achievements, he was a humble man. I also love Boys II Men music [Draws his phone out of his pocket. Shows Quick Talk photos of him and the Boys II Men band members. No wonder, dfcu was one of the sponsors when the group played in Kampala on Sunday].

I like both Afro and African American music. Afro-music tells stories. We reflect our society through music. The sound of the African drum drives the message home.

Is it why you’re fusing finance with music?

If dfcu is going to be Ugandan and transform Uganda, we have to be proud of the culture of the country. African culture is about music. We sing at any celebration. Music is an integral part of being African. Our culture is inter-spaced with music. We express our emotions and culture through music.

We must promote music and culture. We sponsoring the Boys II men’s concert was our way of bringing an international flavour to Uganda’s music industry.

What about sports?

I am not sporty. I used to play golf, but I broke my leg. I am hoping that when I am here, I will start playing again.

Which Ugandan artiste stands out for you?

I have listened to Chameleone and a few others that are upcoming.

Is your family in Uganda?

Nope! They come and go. They like it here when they come.

How many children do you have?

It is not African for men to count their children [goodness; not that mantra again! Africa is indeed one country.]

What philosophy do you live by?

Oh! Kindle the lamp, spread the light. I must light up something in people that I work with. You spread light by lighting other candles in the knowledge that they shall make the world a better place.

Any regrets?

None! I feel God has been gracious to me. I most times introspect whether God has been fair to me, and He has. I am happy where I am today. I wouldn’t want to change anything.

Juxtaposing the period you grew up in and now, do you find anything in common?

There are differences in life and technology has swept through. Fundamentally, I am in the space between baby boomers and Gen X. Whereas we are the generation that started teaching technology, the current generation is born in it. There’s a difference as cultures have shifted. Younger people have westernized.

The Gen Zs are more purpose-driven and are asking more questions. They are involved in conversations like environmental protection. They now look like and think like our grandparents. They need a better and safer world.

How do you feel supervising Gen Zs in a workplace?

I love their energy and creativity. They challenge us all. They love to be understood and it is a skill every supervisor should have. What’s most important is to listen to people. It’s about having a dialogue and discussion with people. We might rough up each other sometimes but we remain people at heart. (smiles)

Will you retire in Uganda?

You never say never. My friends have said that everyone who comes to Uganda never leaves. You never say never! [Laughs]

Any political ambitions?

Not really. Not everyone should become a politician. Some of us are good in the private sector and I am sure we have done a good job there. When retirement comes, I want to return to my executive coaching role.