3 months ago
6
What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your wife since you got married?
She is extremely understanding and forgiving. Because of my job, if there’s any shortcoming on my side, we talk about it. Even the issues you wouldn’t expect her to understand or overlook, she does. It’s surprising to see this trait in a generation that is largely impatient and mostly logical in reasoning.
You both seem to be ambitious. She is a medical practitioner, and you have your doctorate and are a politician, how do you balance these with effective home management?
We understand that the family is pivotal. Our primary responsibility is to the family, so we try to use any available time to discuss family, future, and children, compare options, and seek the best approaches. We respect each other’s careers. I respect her career greatly, understanding how demanding and energy-sapping it can be, and she appreciates that I must take care of many people outside our immediate family. I am happy she doesn’t feel bad when try solving problems for others and getting involved in their challenges. I also acknowledge that she needs time in the hospital to take care of her patients. It all comes down to understanding.
You are a young politician. Was your wife aware of your political tendencies before marriage, and was she concerned?
At the time we got married, my trajectory into politics wasn’t clear because I was teaching at the university. Back then, it seemed I was building a career around academics, but we knew that one thing or another might lead me into the political sector. We were both aware that sooner or later, the trajectory would change. So, when it happened, we adjusted, and we are doing quite well. She took it as it came, and thankfully, we knew that a time would come when I’d find myself in the mainstream political sphere. We were probably aware it would likely happen, so we weren’t taken by surprise when it did.
Do you nurse concerns about the effect politics could have on your family life?
I am human. Sometimes, when I look at the possibilities ahead, I feel concerned because, given the chance, I would want to be there for my family 100 per cent. I am a product of a united family. My mother was there for me. I lost my dad when I was eight, and have a very clear memory of him.
I wish he had lived longer so I could have had more beautiful memories with him. When I think about these issues, I get concerned because I want to be there for my children 100 per cent. But when you compare that with my job, you find it may be quite difficult. So, I am concerned about my job affecting my availability for my children.
Even though I know my wife is capable of representing me, I also want my presence to be felt, and my impact to be felt. I wouldn’t want my job or anything else to take that away from me. The key is awareness. If you see a problem coming, you’ll be better positioned to solve it. I see this as a problem I will face, and I am working hard to be better positioned to tackle it.
Looking at the time-consuming nature of your careers, where is the place of quality time?
Once in a while, we intentionally decide to go out, spend some time away from the house, and share quality time. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, we deeply cherish it. It’s about being intentional, knowing that careers and responsibilities take up a lot of time, so we make the most of any little space we find.
Do you have any advice for young couples intending to go into politics?
Involvement in politics is extremely time-consuming. It takes your day and night. Other jobs take your day, but in politics, you don’t own your time or day. Anything can come up at any time, and you are expected to be there. For young people entering politics, who are also prospective family persons, the first thing is to recognise that you won’t have much leisure time because you must be there for the people you serve.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you have another responsibility waiting for you at home. Strike a balance between your family and your work. If you are fortunate to find an understanding partner who appreciates the nature of your work and values the time you spend with them, it makes things easier. x
English (US) ·