Fiona Musana passionate about Africa’s development

Fiona Musana is the Executive Director, ALI Media Fellowship Programme. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Poiitical Science/Literature from Makerere University, Kampala; and a Master of Development Communications from University of Zambia, Lusaka.

Prior to taking up the postion with the ALI Media Fellowship Programme, Musana was the Engagement Director for Greenpeace Africa, having joined the organisation in 2009 as communications manager before being appointed communications director three months later.

Before she joined Greenpeace, Musana was the Country Director for Nonviolent Peaceforce Sri Lanka, based in Colombo, leading a 50-strong global team. She also worked with German International Development (GIZ) in various capacities including as donor coordinator, senior programme officer and programme office. Her tenure with GIZ included a 7-month stint at the GIZ headquarters in Eschborn, Germany. She has also worked with ActionAid Uganda, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung East Africa and Uganda Television.

A permanent resident of South Africa, and Ugandan by birth, Musana has over 15 years experience in communications, international development,programme management, capacity-building and community development. Musana has worked in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Germany.

Fiona’s dad is a diplomat but growing up, she never understood what it meant in terms of development and opportunities until only recently. “Being way from Uganda helped me in many ways, I learnt to be proud of being African, I dealt with people from across the world – I had Swedes, Americans, Australians, ENGLISH in my class and for the first 3 years of my life, all my teachers were Australians.”

“I also grew up in an environment where we celebrated every African Independence Day…and we called everyone Aunt and Uncle. We lived in a suburb in Arusha, Tanzania with diplomats from Egypt to SA. What annoyed me then but I now appreciate my late mother’s thinking. She said the ‘diplomatic status is your dad’s, not yours’…it was sad that two of my siblings thought otherwise. As a result (one of), I do have some painful stories including suicide by one of my little brothers. I am still recovering 13 years later.” She says.

Musana loves development work and has done this locally and internationally “NGO work has taken me everywhere in the world except Australia. Strangely I never wanted to be ‘like my mother who invited and helped everyone’ but, I found that I actually loved being in that space. I have worked in over 15 countries including in Sri lanka during that hectic 2008 period, and I must have done something good because I was promoted to Country Director.” Says Fiona.

Fiona had fun while presenting on TV. According to her, “TV was great, I enjoyed the fact that Uganda’s national TV was the only station that reached many families in the country. It felt great to talk ‘economics’, not that I knew much. Then a programme funded by UNFPA asked me to be one of their presenters. How awesome, sad and yet empowering it was to cover such deep stories like the Female Genital Mutilation.” A very touchy topic indeed.

As an executive director of ALI Media Fellowship, Fiona says it’s an exciting opportunity. “It’s sacred. Who has direct contacts with such distinguished fellows? It is a journey with individuals who have already achieved so much success and are looking to change the narrative about Africa and its economics. This job has taken me out of my comfortable space as I learn from the Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa. Working with Erana, Aguil and Armand has taught me to pay attention to details.”

And for the greatest lesson life has taught her, she submits that it has been a challenging 44 years. “Humility, humility… myself, my family and people that I know, have gone through unnecessary pain. I was married to a German man…At the time there was so much I did not know, for a marriage to work, we need to remember is a communion between two and not between families, although the latter is important. The separation and divorce from my then husband also taught me why it’s important for one to be able to sustain one’s own lifestyle. Many women forget their desired paths and then get lost along the way because they forgot to plan or celebrate themselves.” Deep and truly insightful!

Sharing on why community service is important in any country, she has this to say. Hear her “I remain proudly African…we know our systemic challenges. For example trying to get into Nigeria from South Africa is such a challenge. Social justice, community service and forward-practical thinking as well as the willingness to move beyond the norm, daring to risk and being able to stand out from the crowd make it exciting to be an activist”

“We are in the era of change and it needs leadership. It’s not about the ‘government doing something’, rather it is about us being more responsive and willing to take risks for the betterment of our societies.” Fiona shares.

Professionally, Musana works in SA but manages a continent-wide programme, which brings with it socio-economic challenges but on her personal challenges, she says “I am a single mum of a 9-year old. It hurts not to have her share the bond that I have with my dad. It hurts me so much” she tells me amidst tears…we catch a moment and the interview continues.

Fiona’s response to her reason for joining ALI is what I find truly intriguing. I say so because she tells me “I have worked in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Germany, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania – but for the first time ever, I have felt butterflies in my stomach. Strangely I did not apply for my current position but was invited by the best mentor ever, the father-figure to my child, to become an executive director. How weird it felt to speaking with Isaac Shongwe. What an inspiring boss to have. ALI is about impacting Africa positively and I’m honoured to be part of ALI.”

Fiona believes in equality and equity for all “I have been known to move on from those that say ‘we women’ in a victim approach. Women like my late mother and late aunties say, are the only ones who make things happen. Decisions start with them.”

Musana is genuinely in love with Nigeria and as we wrapped up the discourse, she elaborates “In Nigeria, there is a true sense of generosity – food, drinks, clothes are offered to you…you are encouraged to share in people’s meals and moments…the pepper soup that I am just having now, the concept of ‘Ma’ common with the those from the western part of Nigeria, I can go on and on…Nigeria is like a crystal ball…amazing!!”

 

KEMI AJUMOBI