Zimbabwe FlagInnovation = Regenerating Knowledge | Integral Innovations

The GENE of African Leadership:
Goko Routungamiriri
by Ezekiah Chasamhuka Benjamin, Chiduku Community and Chibuku Brewery in Zimbabwe

Lead by Ezekiah Benjamin, together with this innovation team from Chiduku Community and Chibuku Brewery in rural Zimbabwe, this integral research-to-innovation brought out the leadership behaviours and values that define Africans in their quest to improve the quality of life of rural communities in partnership with enterprises.

My (Ezekiah Benjamin) calling is to work with transformative organisations that develop in tandem with their communities. My innovation is to ground any form of leadership to be in the rhythm or sync with the needs of co-workers and communities.

My integral research and innovation brought out the leadership behaviours and values that define us as Africans in our quest to improve the quality of life of rural communities in partnership with Westernised enterprises.

 

Part of Benjamin's local co-creators: Members of the Chiduku Community
Benjamin with co-creators from the local community: here with  Members of the Chiduku Community
Benjamin with Corporate Co-Creators: here with Members of the Chibuku Brewery
Benjamin with Corporate Co-Creators: here with Members of the Chibuku Brewery

I worked with the rural Chiduku Communities and Chibuku Breweries workforce to come up with what I called the Goko (core grounded ethos) of leadership that transforms the lives of communities for the better.

The "GOKO" Gene of African Leadership
The “GOKO” Gene of African Leadership

Goko Routungamiriri symbolises for us the “Gene of Leadership”, means that as human beings we need to be conscious of the best practices in leadership which have been passed from generation to generation by our great ancestors. Just as we share the same DNA as human species, metaphorically, effective leaders who transform organisations and societies should embody such when it comes to those leadership values that drive societies and organisations to greater heights. Rhythm is at the heart of such authentic African leadership, and for us Africans, such rhythm is embodied by drums.

Ezekiah Benjamin - African Drums

A passionate dancer myself, I often tried to communicate the rhythm of African Leadership through dance.

Ezekiah Benjamin - Dancing for an Integral Brewery
Ezekiah Benjamin – Dancing for an “Integral Brewery”