Tadiwos Belete
April 20, 2013
My Kingston – Tadiwos Belete
CEO and Owner — Boston Partners PLC
This is your first visit to Jamaica: how have you enjoyed it?
This trip has surpassed my expectation; I truly enjoyed this wonderful experience as it has opened my eyes to the unique Jamaican culture, the beauty of Jamaica and its people, and the existence of many business opportunities, particularly in the sector in which I am heavily vested — tourism.
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What have been the highlights?
Although the trip on a whole has been wonderful, I would have to say my visits to several resorts in Montego Bay and my stay at the Half Moon Resort where I thoroughly enjoyed the service and spa treatment given to me by the most professional masseuse.
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The drive along the North Coast highway to Ocho Rios, up to the amazing Fern Gully, through the hills and valley into the Bog Walk Gorge, onto the modern Highway 2000 from which I first saw Kingston’s skyline against the backdrop of the majestic mountains, which helps to give Kingston its unique character. The stopover at Mystic Mountains and the zip-line experience with my daughter Mahlate were unforgettable.
What were your first impressions of Kingston?
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I see it as a vibrant and colourful cosmopolitan city. It felt like home away from home because of the overwhelming hospitality, warm smile and friendliness shown to us by everyone whom we had the pleasure of meeting during our short stay. Also, I could not miss the similarity between Kingston and Addis with its broad flat plains and rolling mountains.
You are from Ethiopia, the second most populated country in Africa. Are there any similarities between Jamaica and Ethiopia?
Absolutely! The kindness of the people, the level of awareness about each other’s country and the passion for Africa, as Jamaica is the centre of the Caribbean, so Ethiopia is to Africa.
You were a refugee in Sudan and then adopted and taken to Boston, USA. Tell us about that journey and how you became successful in the United States.
I faced many hardships in my life, especially my time in Sudan. Running away from home at the age of 16 was a difficult decision, but also one that needed to be done to first save my life and to improve my own life and that of my family.
After experiencing the reign of terror by the Mengistu Haile Mariam regime in Ethiopia, which brought about drastic economic and social instability, I had to leave my country in search of stability, and security as well as personal growth and development.
In addition, this helped me grow on my journey of entrepreneurship, which has enabled me to appreciate my life more than anything now.
Sunday, April 21 marks 47 years since the visit of Haile Selassie to Jamaica. Is there still a deep connection between our two countries?
Indeed, very much so as we all know the bond between Ethiopia and Jamaica runs deep through many years. I witnessed the pride and joy the Jamaicans have concerning the Ethiopian people and culture, and their embrace of our ethnicity. His Majesty’s visit to Jamaica symbolised the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect and admiration that we have for each other.
You are on a quest to change the way the world sees Ethiopia. How do you plan to do this?
Beyond personal and financial gains, my ultimate goal and personal mission is to rebrand Ethiopia as a whole.
While the rest of the world has assisted in bringing Ethiopia back on its feet, the country has surpassed that stage of dependence and now wishes to make a bold statement to the rest of the world as to the high quality of goods and services it desires to export to the rest of Africa and the world, including Jamaica.
I am working as a bridge to demonstrate this by travelling to four or five different countries each month to showcase and display the current image of Ethiopia by bringing top media groups in the TV and print industry with influential views from all over the world as well as influential personalities. This alone will allow these people to bear witness to the transformation and change that is occurring in Ethiopia and to tell the rest of the world in their own way and method. Because of this, Honorary Consul of Ethiopia, Yodit Getachew-Hylton, will be organising a fam-trip from Jamaica at first and the rest of the Caribbean to Ethiopia to witness first-hand the changes occurring there. With ET Holidays we are making Ethiopia accessible for everyone across the globe to experience this transformation. This mission includes the introduction of not only Ethiopian champion high-end products but services as well.
You are the principal of the luxury chain of Kuriftu Resorts and Spa, a series of five-star resort facilities owned and operated by Ethiopians. How did this come about?
It is my determination and commitment to produce and promote the finest African brands in the country, where I was born. Also, exporting high-quality goods and services out of the country to make it the pride of Africa.
The kitchen, it is said, is where all cultures meet. Were celebrated chef of Ethiopian ancestry Marcus Samuelson in the kitchen, charged by you to entice the palates of Jamaicans, what would you have him prepare and why?
As an Ethiopian we are proud of his international success, and we believe his food market achievement is well deserved. My favourite food would be Tibs because it is served in many variations and is very tasty.
Name five places in Ethiopia that you’d want a first-time traveller to see.
1. Lalibella monolithic rock-cut, which is the 8th wonder of the world, and (UNESCO registered) and among the world heritage sites.
2. Obelisk Axum an ancient city of Ethiopia, which is also UNESCO registered and among the world heritage sites.
3. The last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
4. The cradle of mankind Lucy at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
5. The Danakil Depression
This unusual combination of natural and historical sites will ensure that visitors have an unforgettable experience.
