Humanist

On Saturday, 16th December 2023, I was delegated, by the Managing Director of the Owaraga Group to give the Employer’s Speech at the marriage ceremony of their Head of Operations, Marianne Nkwanzi and her husband, Oscar Thomas Kalyango.

Judging from the instant reactions during the speech and post speech feedback, my speech was well received. There was general praise for the speech; appreciation that it was well prepared and delivered; and there was curiosity of how it came to be. And so, I thought, why not share the speech accompanied with tips.

Tip 1: Consult and then prepare the speech

Ask the client specific questions so that the client can articulate to you the ‘must cover talking points’, including information that enables you to gain an understanding of the couples’ lineage, cultural backgrounds, their religious beliefs, professions and work ethic.

Tip 2: Start speech with acknowledgement of parents

Use client consultation findings to tailor the speech. Having learnt from the client that the parent’s of the groom were the hosts and that they are of the largest first nation of Uganda, Buganda Kingdom, I acknowledged the parents speaking speaking Luganda, the language of Buganda:

“Abazadde baffe, abatuzalira Oscar Thomas Kalyango, nga kwotadde ssenga, mama Kansanga (The biological parents of Oscar Thomas Kalyango, inclusive of his aunt, mama Kansanga). Abazadde baffe, abatuzalira Marianne Nkwanzi (The biological parents of Marianne Nkwanzi).

Nkwanzi, in keeping with Buganda norms, knelt as she and her husband presented a gift to Ssenga Mama Kasanga. Mama Kasanga played a significant role in nurturing her nephew, Kalyango.

Munzikirize nsoke mbeyanjulire (allow me first to introduce myself to you) ate nga mbasaba munzikirize njogere mu lunsungu (and I ask your permission to speak in English) okusoboseza abagenyi baffe abavudde mu mawanga agenjawulo okutambulira bumu naffe (in order to enable our guest from other nations to follow together with us). Neyanziza neyanzenge (Thank you very much).”

Tip 3: Introduce yourself

Demonstrate appreciation and respect of the cultural norms of the couple. In this context, of the groom, since his side were the host. In Buganda it is the norm that one should introduce themselves by providing information of their lineage:

“I am privileged here today, as delegated by the Founder and Managing Director of the Owaraga Group, to express our joy and happiness that our Head of Operations, Nkwanzi, is now joined in matrimony with her husband Kalyango.

Ejakait Emmanuel George Owaraga, Managing Director of Owaraga Group

Ejakait Emmanuel George Owaraga, the son of the late Ejakait Eng. George William Obityo Owaraga of Entebbe and Pallisa, who was a long serving public servant and for many years the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works; and the grandson of the late Ejakait Yosia Engatunyun who was the Chief of the Ikariwok Isekelio Clan of the Iteso of Pallisa wanted to be physically present here today, but he is unable.

While Ejakait Owaraga is here with us only in spirit, he has delegated me, his older sister, Ajakait Alinga Norah Owaraga, to physically deliver his message as Managing Director and on behalf of the Owaraga Group.”

Tip 4: Clarify how you know the couple

Share a personal story with the guests that nourishes their affirmation of the union.

“Ejakait Owaraga, recalls the first time that he met Nkwanzi. It was at his friend Japian’s wedding. He was the best man and Nkwanzi was among the maidens that escorted the bride, now Mrs. Barbra Japian, her cousin.

He remembers how exceptionally confident, easy going and friendly Nkwanzi was. And how throughout the Japian’s marriage ceremonies he enjoyed interacting with Nkwanzi as a little sister.

Years later, when Owaraga Group was recruiting a Head of Operations, Nkwanzi was among those who applied, was interviewed, emerged best and was given the job. She got the job purely on merit and not because she was the Managing Director’s little sister.”

Tip 5: Briefly introduce the employer

In simple language, say what the employer is, what it does and what the role of the bride or groom is. Do so in such manner that the guests will want to listen and to take interest later to know more about the employer:

“Owaraga Group is a private company that is limited by shares. Our core business is defining memories; helping you to tell your story.

Knowledge within African cultures is orally passed down from one generation to the next by the guardians of communal wisdom – The Storytellers. In Ateso, the language of the fifth largest first nation of Uganda, the Iteso, from whence Ejakait Owaraga hails, the name Owaraga means “storyteller”; and that is our business at Owaraga Group.

In still and in motion, we capture your evocative images that speak for themselves and tell your story. We capture, create and source sound that facilitates your images to tell your story. A business that we are doing exceptionally well for we have the perfect Head of Operations, Nkwanzi.

Tip 6: Share what and how bride or groom does as an employee

Share employer’s positive view of the bride or groom. Demonstrate that the employer knows their employee. Make it personal to the couple in a way that the guests will appreciate them as a valuable part of the employer:

“Perhaps, because she was borne into and has been nurtured in a military family, in execution of her duties, Nkwanzi insists on precision and perfection. She works to deliver 300 percent!

Hon. Miria Matembe (PhD) famous for directness and vigor as an academic, activist and public servant, congratulates her little sister Nkwanzi. Dr. Matembe is known not to mince her words – she calls a spade a spade, so to speak. Read more about her here. During her marriage ceremonies I learnt that Nkwanzi is likened to her big sister, Miria.

Some who have seen her in action, rolling up her sleeves, lifting equipment and helping to set up for a job, have been known to wonder if she is indeed our Head of Operations, doing jobs ordinarily left for a runner to do. But that is our Nkwanzi. Among many professional qualities we like about Nkwanzi is her propensity for team work.

She is dedicated in doing her job; often going the extra mile to get it done. She is hands on and does not hesitate to get her hands dirty, so to speak, helping our creatives, with whatever needs done so that they can deliver to the maximum satisfaction of our clients. Among our long-term satisfied clients who can attest to Nkwanzi’s work ethic is MTN Uganda.

Among the pillars that make or break a private for-profit company is the person that is ultimately in charge of company finances. For the Owaraga Group that person is Nkwanzi.

Coupled with her appropriate work ethic, Nkwanzi came to Owaraga Group highly schooled. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) Degree in Accounting and Taxation from the University of Mysore in India. And she holds credentials, licenses and certifications in data analysis using Excel.

With her work ethic and academic expertise, Nkwanzi does an excellent job of managing the finances of the Owaraga Group, keeping our company engine oiled and running; keeping our clients happy and ensuring our obligations with statutory bodies, especially so the Uganda Revenue Authority, are met.”

Tip 7: Tailored message to the couple

Go beyond platitudes. Give a meaningful message to the couple that resonates with them:

“The Owaraga Group benefits from Nkwanzi’s Christian faith for she governs in compliance with Christian principles. And so, it is from the Bible that we, at the Owaraga Group derive our message to our Nkwanzi on this day of celebration of her marriage to her husband Kalyango.

“The Excellence of Love – 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13, verses 1 – 7

If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.

It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered; it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.””

A moment of happiness at the ceremony. Caroline Adoch (PhD) played a significant role in nurturing Nkwanzi into the woman she is, to the extent Nkwanzi addresses her as mummy mummy, as in her second mummy. Dr. Adoch, a lawyer and human rights advocate, is the first and currently only woman to hold a Doctorate of Law (LL D) from Makerere University. Read more about her here.

Tip 8: The Conclusion

Make it about the couple and their marriage prospects. And it should be connected with the rest of the speech. In my case, I ended the speech how I started, speaking in Luganda and then ending in Ateso:

“Ssebo Kalyango, we welcome you to our Owaraga Group family.

And to the both of you, Nkwanzi and Kalyango, your Owaraga Group family wishes you a love-filled marriage.

Marianne Nkwanzi ne Oscar Thomas Kalyango, tubagaliza obufubo o’bwe mirimbe n’obwetendo (Marianne Nkwanzi and Oscar Thomas Kalyango, we wish you a peaceful and an amazing marriage).

Eyalama (thank you).”

Profiled photo @ staff of Owaraga Group with the couple