The Speech

Nelson Phiri , Operations Manageer, read the invitation card to the ceremony where he would be the guest of honour in celebration of his 15th year of service at the Bank. Nelson had only attended one such party before, that of Fred Chikopa, the Director. Nelson remembered that Fred had been asked to make a speech, which unfortunately he hadn’t prepared for. He had started off stuttering thank you to various people, then there was an awkward gap where the crowd waited patiently for him to start his speech while he umm-ed into the microphone. It was a disaster.

Nelson didn’t want to make the same mistake, but he couldn’t think of where to start. He picked up the phone and dialed the Branch Manager’s number and waited for his secretary to patch him through.

“Phiri!”

“Good morning, sir,” said Nelson.

“Congratulations on making it to the big leagues!” said the Branch Manager with a hearty laugh. “I’ll be there to pat you on the back don’t worry.”

“I’m looking forward to it!” said Nelson, matching his energy. He switched to a calmer tone. “By the way, I thought I would get your views on my speech.”

“What about it, Nelly?” asked the Branch Manager. Nelson grimaced at the nickname he hated.

“Well… what should I say?”

The Branch Manager didn’t answer right away, and seemed to be talking to someone else in a low tone. Nelson shifted his feet anxiously as he waited. “Hello, Nelly? You want to know what to say?”

“Just a hint if you don’t mind…”

“No one cares about these things, don’t stress. Just thank a couple of people, make a joke, you’re done. People want to get to the food and drinks anyway.”

“I-“

“Listen Nelly, I have to chat to a client. See you at the party!” and he hung up.

Nelson sighed and put down the phone. He didn’t know a lot of jokes. He got back to the day’s task and put it to the back of his mind. At 10am, Samuel entered his office to clean and he called in his assistant Chisomo.

“Sir?” she asked peeping in the door.

“Chisomo, I’m a bit stuck on the speech I have to make tonight. What do you think?”

“Oh! Uh… Well…” she looked up at the ceiling, thinking hard. “I think… you should look at some of the great speeches… like Martin Luthor King? Or Mandela?”

“Hmm. I’ll consider that. Thank you Chisomo,” he said. She shrugged and left the office. Nelson sighed again. Borrowing a speech would be tough, and he was sure that people would laugh at him if he chose a speech from his namesake Nelson Mandela.

He was deep in thought when a voice spoke up. “Sir, it doesn’t really matter what you say,” it was Samuel who was wiping a shelf. “It’s only one day in a long line of days.”

Nelson blinked at him. “What would you say?” he asked.

“People want to hear about your history here. Tell them a story about this place. The day the Bank opened, it was drizzling, and although we were meant to have the opening ceremony outside, the Branch Manager back then opened up his office to the guests and staff so people could stay dry.”

“Interesting… yes, I’ll talk about how the Bank has always been of service to people.”

Samuel smiled. “You’re getting the idea, Sir. I’ll excuse myself now.”

Nelson held his chin thoughtfully. Funny, he thought. I wasn’t here long enough to see the bank open…

The party was early evening in the executive lounge, and the Regional Manager of the Bank was invited to present the honour. Nelson saw many familiar faces turn to him, cashiers, supervisors, cleaners and guards. He shook a few hands before sitting on the guest of honour chair. The Branch Manager made a short speech, then opened the floor the Regional Manager. She addressed the crowd and said a few general words about Nelson’s rise from cashier to Operations Manager, encouraging him to continue rising through the ranks. She then presented him with a small silver trophy.

Nelson received the gift and stood up in front of his colleagues, who he thanked briefly for attending. He looked around the room, with managers in the centre, cashiers, and security and cleaners gathered against the walls. Nelson’s hand was reaching for his pocket when he saw Samuel, standing near the door.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I asked a lot of you for help with this speech. 15 years is no joke, and I’ve worked hard to get here, but I have a long way to go. When I talked to some fellow employees, I learnt something interesting. Who has been here for 15 years? Raise your hand.” At first everyone looked nervously at each other, until some managers raised their hands. But then some cleaners and security staff in the back raised their hands too, including Samuel.

“Yes. We have present with us staff who have seen the opening of this Bank. Mr Samuel Juma has been here 25 years, and he told me a story about the generosity shown to all staff and customers by the founders of this Bank, which I’ll never forget. I would like this chance to invite him and those who have been here much longer than me to join me on this podium and be recognised. We have not done enough to acknowledge you.”

The Regional Manager was taken by surprise and she turned to see 7 members of staff shuffling towards the stage. She began to clap, and soon everyone else did too. When they reached the stage, the staff stood shyly on either side of Nelson, and the applause grew louder. Samuel got emotional and thanked Nelson, who smiled and nodded.

 The next month, the Regional manager ensured that all staff at every branch were honoured with a ceremony for long service, no matter what their position was.