Worku Tamirat is a business man who worked hard to pursue his education engaging in part time jobs from childhood all the way to his higher education. At last he managed to create his own business of gym and hostel in Bahirdar (Capital of Amhara State). He has gone through lots of ups and downs to become the person who he is at present. He is guest of this edition. He will relate to us his lifetime experience. Enjoy.
Herald: Thank you for being with us.
Worku: Thank you for having me a guest.
Herald: Shall we start with a brief introduction about yourself as well as your early life experience?
Worku: I grew up in Bahirdar. Like any other countryside boy I pursued my education doing a part time job. After completing 12th grade, I came to Addis Ababa and stepped up my academic status once again supporting myself with a part time job. I went to the Tegbare Ed Technic School and studied quantity surveying. But the time was a period of revolution when youths used to be jailed and released all the time. So I had been one of the youths who went to jail because of the issues related with the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and the Derg regime.
Herald: For how long and why?
Worku: For five years. I was arrested suspected of being a member of EPRP. Then I was released and given a job by the government. The funny part was that even if I was released from jail, I was given a paper that labeled me as an anti-revolution. During the time you could be given a job and be involved in several activities but the anti-revolution tag that they put on your release paper would restrict you from participating in any type of leadership or from having overseas scholarship opportunities. You could not claim otherwise because they were sure to dispatch a circular to every Kebele. You would be exposed. Even you had to walk around with that paper in your pocket. Whenever you went to the Kebeles and told officials that you’re being released from jail, you had to show that paper with the tag that says anti-revolution. But the government would give you a job and there was no choice but to accept the post that you were assigned to.
Herald: Wasn’t there an expiry date or time limit for the anti-revoution tag on the paper?
Worku: Not that I know of. I myself did not have the right to get a passport until the Ethiopian People’s Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPDRF) came to power.
Herald: Where did the government assigned you after you release?
Worku: I was assigned at the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction as a head of Hostels under the Rentals Administration. That was how I started my life back from the scratch.
Herald: Didn’t the anti-revolution tag affect your career life on the position you were assigned in?
Worku: No. The only restriction that the paper would result is a prohibition from running for leadership or overseas scholarship. Whatever the case you were arrested for, the Derg administration used to give a job. And the only straightjacket effect of the paper was when you try to change the direction of your life of your volition. But then the EPDRF came to power and arrested me for some two months.
Herald: What was the reason?
Worku: It was in relation with the white and red terror issue that was the characteristic feature of the Derg regime. I was called by the then Prime Minister Tamirat Layne to discuss on what would be done concerning the red terror committee of the Derg Regime. I told him that we should forgive and forget about the past. I strongly argued that taking a punitive action would lead the country to another continuous bloodshed. He didn’t agree and sent me to jail where I stayed for some two months and also got me fired from my job. But my quantity surveying certificate came in handy. That enabled me to apply for a post at the Ethiopian Airlines and I was hired by new contractors as a Forman. I had my own contribution while the runway was built for the new airport. When I was working at the airport, a German company came up and offered me a technical training on electrical navigation and communication in Germany and Brussels. I have been working on the Ethiopian Airports project from a technician post to a project manager level. Finally I managed the fiber project there and retired. Then I started my own private business by building the biggest sport house and hostel in Bahirdar from the savings I deposited when I was working with the German company at the airport.
Herald: How much was your capital when you started the business?
Worku: During that time the big investors were expected to have a 250,000 Birr capital. But I had three million Birr and it was a huge investment.
Herald: Why did you choose to invest in the gymnasium business?
Worku: That is because many children in Bahirdar were finding themselves in substance abuse, particularly chewing Chat. I believed that if they have a right place to hang out, they would be free from such addictions and I opened the sports house. In that gym not only people who can afford it but those who couldn’t and suffering from blood pressure, diabetes, HIV AIDS etc. can exercise for free. We also used to give a free sauna bath service for these people in need.
I also used to own a farm which, was accredited by a European Union farm expert. Things were going well
until a higher government official brought the idea to take away my farm just because a friend of mine working in the farm has a husband who was on the leadership position of the Ginbot Sebat Opossition group of the time. The official wrongly thought the farm belonged to the group. When they took away my farm, I took my tractor and parked it in my hotel with a note ‘In the memory of …(the name of the official)’. It is still there. I will never sell that tractor because it is a reminder of the injustice inflicted on me. Even if I went through all these, I would tell my children and grandchildren to love their country and respect the government because I am still a person who takes the government’s action with a grain of salt. I don’t like complaining.
Whether there is an accountable government or not I believe that securing peace is also part of the public’s responsibility. I always advocate this ideal and I am working with the business community around Bahirdar in terms of securing peace and paving ways for better investment environment. People have to requests or make demands on possible agendas and not strike about issues that are not concerns of the broad mass. I would like those college students in particular to take this message seriously. I and my generation spent our young ages fighting for democracy and saying no. But I have learnt and advocate that saying no should be based on the best ways that would entertain peace and the demands of the people in large.
Herald: How profitable is the gym business now and how much jobs do you create?
Worku: I do not think that making profit should be our priority. We have close to fifty employees and the business is well. Our major concern is doing as best as we can to make a difference on the society’s health. I don’t want to listen news about people dying from not getting access to medicine. All I want is that everyone that buys my product or my business leads a healthy life. Because if the people do not lead a healthy life, my hotel business my collapse.
Herald: So, how do you describe your success in the business world?
Worku: I would say that I am not that
much successful. But I have managed to have a family and raised my children
with good care. On the other hand I am happy that I create jobs for some people
and I would gladly support people who come up with their entrepreneur ideas.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday edition January 19/2020
BY HENOK TIBEBU
