Leadership crucible series

Today,1 July 2009 is President's Day in the Republic of Botswana.Naturally,there has been a lot of talk about leadership today.Moreso,because this is an election year.I had interesting conversations with a colleague KB an officer responsible for youth capacity building in an organisation in which l am currently attached to and seperately with my my good Professor Yeagan Pillay on leadership issues across Africa.Infact,KB and l are collaborating on some capacity initiatives for youths in Botswana.I like to call it 'capacity strengthening' because 'capacity building' somewhat implies that there isn't any capacity in the entity or group you are working with.Many atimes,the socalled 'capacity building sessions' are for people already in leadership hence any initiative is essentially a strengthening process!In my discussions with KB or Kabelo,l was sharing my conviction that personal leadership is the basis for people leadership.Often folks like to lead others when their lives are in shambles.You find someone with unbridled and unretrained appetites chastizing other politicians for 'excessive abuses'.It is easy to get bogged down on 'how to lead people' or 'how to influence' people and forget the centrality of the personal.As the adage goes,charisma can take you to the top but it is character that will make you stay there.
I want to do a series on the leadership crucible,that is the things that an aspiring leader has to go through or should become in the process of leadership development.I am a student of leadership myself so l actually learn from my own writings.Naturally my interest is in politics so l will use names of politicians whose qualities may best demonstrate the strength of a certain virtue or quality.Today l will look at no more than five qualities;

1. Leaders are readers;It is amazing how much reading one needs to do as a leader in order to keep in touch and in tune with emerging trends.We live in the Information Age.Infact,people are now talking of 'information overload';there simply is too much out there.I always joke with my friends at how difficult it is to come up with a theisis topic that has not be researched before.If you think you have found one,just google it and you might realise someone did that very research 2o years ago!However,if one ought to be a leader,there is need to know what is happening in the broader world.People rarely rise above their leaders.Infact your ceiling as a leader tends to become the lid for the goup you lead.The higher your level,the higher your gorup could go.Think of it,it is not common to see a level six leader to nurture level nine leaders.You cant teach or emonstrate what you dont know and your ignorance becomes contagious.The issue is not to compete but to know the context one operates in.If one is a politician,one ought to read what other politicians have done or are doing.Keep updated by newspapers,journals and magazines covering emerging issues of the day.This means each leader needs to have a robust library which covers 'wide and wild' topics.Read everyhting from your field to philosophy,economics,history and technology.Politicians especially need to be aware of several areas.In Africa,l have witnessed a medical doctor being appointed Defence Minister.Imagine if you have not been reading.One of my media mentors,Myles Munroe says he reads at least 2 books per week.You don't have to be like him but at least be an expert in your area and make sure you are updated on current affairs in your field.However,often people just 'read'.Take time to reflect on implications of what you are reading to programing or leadership.What does it mean?Does it mean l have to adjust a certain way of thinking?Does it mean l need to take up an issue as an advocacy point?Check out for meaning.World renowed leadership expert John Maxwell says that every leader should have an administrative office in which they 'work' but more importantly,they should have a 'creative office'.This office is a closed environment in which you withdraw from everyday hussles just to think.Create things in your mind.Plan.Reflect.Build.Destroy and rebuild again.Have you noticed how much we simply don't take time each day to think through issues and reflect.Often we 'think' as we are driving and rushing to work.Great leaders have always had ample time in their own creative offices.Consequently,set aside resources every month to boost your library.On a monthly basis,we remember to pay for our dogs,cellphone bills etc.Why not buy books,dvds and materials that stretch your thinking in the realm of leadership?Show me what you read and l will show you where you are going.Similarly, show me your creative office and l will show how far you will go.
2. Imagination.This seems pretty obvious.However,leaders ought to have a certain level of what l call audacious imagination.This is the confidence and ability to imagine the mindboggling.Your imagination must scare you!Imagine Cecil John Rhodes' dream of 'painting Africa red from Cape to Cairo'That imperialistic and unjust dream was fulfilled because he had audacious gut wrenching imagination.Thank goodness there are other folks with positive imagination.Remember leaders should spend time imagining things that a re just and advance freedom and prosperity for all God's people.Imagine Kwame Nkrumah's dream of a United States of Afirca at a time when other African countries were still colonised.At that point,some African leaders retreated to a cacoon and concluded that colonialism was impossible to break.Think of Fredrick the guy who dreamt as a student of the giant FEDEx company?How on earth could he imagine a worldwide overnight delivery mail service?How about Mandela?To imagine that he could walk out of prison and set a nation free?He needed a certain level of 'madness'.An imagination of the seemingly impossible.The reason why there is so much mediocrity is that there is too much smallness in our imagination.Leaders should stretch their thinking.A young Barack Obama should imagine being Presidnet of the US.Boldness surges after imagination and creativity is a function of sustained imagination.Anything great that you see in the world was created twice.First in the mind and then in the physical.Think big!
3. Conviction.This is an important aspect.Convinience often takes the place of conviction.After all we all want the easy way.Focus is only possible when one actually has a conviction of what they are doing.When challenges mount, many change positions and allegiances because they are fighting or doing something out of preference not conviction.Conviction is stubborness in public.Strive Masiyiwa the Zimbabwean mogul who owns ECONET had to survive a six year legal wrangle with government over a telecommunications license.If he didn't believe that he was supposed to specifically get into the telecommunications business and not any other business,he might have abandoned the case that so him go for broke and maybe chosen another line of business.Men and women who have built great things withered storms because they had the conviction of what they were doing.One online dictionary calls conviction a 'fixed belief'.How does one get to have 'conviction' over something?This is hard to answer because people are different.Some people naturally have set beliefs and they hardly change.Some it comes through a very strong experience that inspires them to work for a certain cause.Some with a more spiritual incilination see conviction as a product of divine inspiration.They see it as a burden or cause given us by God.This cause 'comes' as a gift or an unusual ability to do something.That 'something' usually has our undivided attention.Whichever way you explain the origins of this virtue-make sure you have it.Make sure you have a conviction of the cause you are pursuing.That's the only thing that will sustain your focus.No salary or prestige can break the will of someone with the conviction to do something.Its something you enjoy doing even without a salary.Don't force convictions.Many people out of sheer calculation pretend to love a certain cause.Sooner or latter,they change.Take time in your creative office to locate your passions and convictions.It is easier to become a great leader in an area of conviction.Interestingly,our genius is exposed when we work in our areas of strength or conviction.,The human brain tends to be stronger when it is forced to produce ideas in an area we hold dearly to our hearts.If you find that you seem to lack the intellectual fortitude or drive for a certain cause,you are unlikely to excell in it.

Unpacking the Ian Khama enigma

I am currently enjoying a month long stay in the beautiful nation of Botswana on a programme arranged between my university,Ohio University and the University of Botswana.I am enjoying working with a number of civil society organisations and of course seeing stunning places like Kasane and the spell binding Grand Palm Hote and conference centre.I will make sure l pass through the Okavango as well before l leave.As l travel to more and more African countries,l am amazed at how beautiful the countries are and the sweetness of the people in general.Of course there is always this guy who won't just get it! Such is the complexity of humanity.

Botswana is led by one Ian Khama,the son of the great father of the nation,Sir Seretse Khama who was the independence leader in 1966. I find Khama something of an enigma. He shocked all and sundry by declaring that he did not recognize the indomitable Big Man of Africa,Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.To the delight of many ordinary Zimbabweans,he called on SADC and AU to exert pressure to force Mugabe to accept the March 2008 Presidential elections which he lost.However,Khama got a bit too excited when he even called on nations to invade Zimbabwe and force Mugabe out.One has the sense that he maybe has a strong aversion for folks like Mugabe.What l found interesting is the sheer auacity to lambast and lampoon a President feared by his collegues yet he himself has been in power for only less than 2 years!He goes against the grain in so many ways.Born to a European mother,the man is not married and he is known to be ruthless with inefficiency and laziness in civil service.He is known to be a leader who 'gets things done'.A former Commander of the Defence Forces himself,he has no known training outside the army.

Khama has even declared that if the Sudanese dictator Omar Al Bashir sets his foot on Botswana soil,he would in an unprecedented move arrest him!He was saying that ahead of a trip by Al Bashir to Zimbabwe where he was strangely given a red carpet by Mugabe who apparently is desperate for visits by foreign leaders since he has been increasingly isolated for the past decade owing to his abrasive leadership style and controversial economic policies. As if not enough,Khama at some point withdrew from participating in the Johannesburg SADC summit in protest for what he felt was SADC dilly dallying on the Zimbabwe question.To his credit,the next summit had a more robust engagement on the Zimbabwe question.Interestingly,l would have been the last person to think that Khama would play this role of African statesman.He clearly is emerging as a lone voice in AU and SADC meeings speaking more pointedly against bad governance.Khama reminds me though of Mugabe and Mbeki.The three men have a distinct Western leaning in many ways.Khama's Tswana isn't great to say the least.Infact,as earlier stated, his mother was Western and his dad was knighted by the Queen herself.Mbeki and Mugabe are perfect Englishmen!Not that there is anything wrong about being an Englishmen;just that Mugabe and Mbeki often had very harsh words for Westen countries and their people yet their personal lives and tastes betrayed that hypocricy.These are men whose 'nature' is English though they like to lecture to everyone about being Pan African.Mugabe dresses in designer suits sometimes even to a rural political rally!

However,there are more troubling things about Khama.As a former military man,he already is showing signs of authoritarian rule which if unchecked,this can be detrimental to the health of the nation.The proposed Media Practitioners Bill has similarities with the Zimbabwean draconian media legislation AIPPA and this is a worrying sign.His tendency to take sides in his party's two factions in a way weakens the glory and respect of the Presidency.The BDP has two factions namely the Baratha-Pathi and the A-Team.Currently he is backing his sister's bid to be the Botswana Democratic Party' national chairman at the upcoming Kanye Congress.The sad thing is that his sister dismally lost for the contset to become a delegate which proves that the grassroots do not necessarily want her.Moreso he has publicly bashed current BDP chairman Daniel 'DK' Kwelagobe who is challenging his sister for the chairmanship.All things being equal,DK is poised for an easy win and its going to be interesting to see how it plays out.Khama has already indicated that he cannot work with DK if he is elected.He publicly bashes the Kwelagobe-Kedikilwe faction (Baratha Pathi) which opposes Khama's choice for Vice President.Khama has announced that the current VP,General Mompati Merafhe (A-Team) will retire and it is known that he wants to appoint his cousin,current Defence Minister Ramadeluka Seretse.DK is known to support either veteran Kedikilwe or a woman candidate yet unnamed or even himself!The fights are spilling into the public realm and if unchecked,the ruling party may lose votes owing to the in party's childish squabbling.The way Khama has handled the factionalism in his party raises more questions than answers.He doesnt seem to tolerate criticism.He also is slowly militarising government if one has to look at his appointments to date.Clearly,he wants to maintain the Seretse dynasty. This is sad.The essence of democracy is that people ought to be elected on the basis of merit and not heredity.He is unfortuanately routing for the Seretse dynasty.This will potentially cause problems.Not many people may tolerate his bypassing other veteran politicians who have served the party faithfully over the years.Should it be a crime to not be a Seretse?

Be that as it may,l see the BDP still winning the upcoming parliementary elections.Khama comes from the royal family and his fahter is still well loved.He is a chief and his policies tend to favour the poor although they may not be economically prudent in the longterm.As a Zimbabwean having seen how the 'Englishman' Mugabe has slowly militarised the country and brooked no oppostion and also carried out populist politicies,l fear for the great nation of Botswana.However,for now,the country is safe and prosperous.The air,water and land are all clean.Time will tell.

Tommorrow,l am buying a Motswana soccer team jersey and will vigorously support the Botswana national soccer team as they battle it out with Iran on Saturday.

We are all mortals

I write in frustration, wonder and perhaps anger. I write in charged language, something that l don’t usually do.

The death of Omar Bongo, Africa's longest serving President has drove me to deep thought and reflection. The man had been in power since 1967! President Mba, the first leader of Gabon had with a rare decision reminiscent of those endowed with prophetic unction, rightly discerned Omar Bongo’s indisputable potential when he was only 27 and appointed him Vice President of the country five years later. In less than 9 months, Mba himself died thus paving way for Bongo. Through an analysis of the dictators that have unfortunately graced this earth like ,one notes that through events, some baffling, they became convinced in their hearts that they had a special ‘confidence of God’ to lead their country. Hitler felt the same way when he miraculously survived an assassination attempt. Mugabe’s mother always told him ‘how God had predestined him for ununusual greatness’ The list goes on. Maybe these people are indeed gifted, but it often gets into their heads and they stray. The essence of democracy is distrust in giving any mortal absolute power as we all have within ourselves that desire and propensity to dominate other people forever.

Anyway, since his appointment, Bongo never looked back. He influenced the election of his son Ali Ben Bongo to the Vice Presidency of the Gabonese 'Democratic' Party and then appointed him the country's Defense Minister. One does not need to think hard to see a man slowly fortifying his position and setting his family for dynastic rule. He tolerated no opposition and he clearly wanted a dynasty. He is known to have said 'Africa without France is like a car without a driver’ Yes you have just read that!. He actually thought if Africa did not have France as its partner we would just go off the cliff like a typical car without a driver. Now that’s unAfrican and un Presidential to speak as if Africa’s destiny lies in the benevolence of France. It’s wrong and it’s astounding to witness a President put his foot right into his mouth.

This is the same guy who had the power to change his country’s health system since he was in power for so long but he did not even trust his own doctors and hospitals which is why he went to Spain. It’s typical of many leaders. They remain in power; shout about democracy and patriotism yet all their children are in foreign schools. They buy clothes, cars, even food from outsde.They even go for ordinary hospital checkups abroad. Now if one is a good leader,they should not shy away from getting the same serivece they create and expect everyone else to use. Their children must go to those public schools that they refuse government funding while they shamelessly spend all the money on jets and stash the money in overseas accounts. Sometimes l feel these politicians should be forced to user the same services they run down. Now,on a hilarious note, it has been rumored that Omar Bongo actually owned more real estate in France than any French citizen! At the time of his death, he was already under investigation for alleged corruption
The guy amended the constitution in 2003 to scrap term limits to the Presidency. Everyone else has a limit in office but not the President. He appointed his family members into positions of authority and thus entrenched his rule. With extra cash from oil, Gabon should be way much better than it is. Gabon cannot be measured against its neighbors; rather it should be measured against its vast potential. With so much oil, Gabon should be a heavyweight in Africa. With a population of less than 2 million, who should struggle in Gabon? Alas that’s not the case
However, as l received the news of his death,l had an epiphany; we are all mortals. Clearly men like Mugabe, Bongo; dos Santos, Gaddaffi don’t see themselves as such but as we keep seeing, these men shall die. It’s obvious hey? Sometimes its not. Remember many Iraqis could NOT believe that Saddam had died. They thought he could not die. There is something psychologically damaging to us who leave under dictatorships. These men begin to appear immortal. I know, waiting for someone to die has in itself an in built sense of resignation to fate, a desperation to it but the mortality of man encourages me and gives me hope that indeed these dictators will leave this earth they have tried to own. When you become so headstrong that people leave you alone and wait for you to die, you are no longer human. In African culture, there is a concept on Unhu, and we say munhu asina unhu haasi munhu-meaning you a human being without morals or ethics is not human at all. Our culture is rich and it has no place for pretenders like Bongo and Gaddaffi and sadly my own President who could have been legendary but for the love of power and arrogance, we all wait for him to go as well
Some won’t go, let them be warned that the chicken always come home to roost. You treat people like things, they will respond to you like things. Dictators and arrogant leadership often precipitate the formation of extremist groups. Not condoning their extremism in any way, our focus should be more on appreciating that extremist groups are an expression of a dysfunctional leadership system in a country. Extremist groups share the same values with dictators; no respect for life and a stubborn belief that they are the embodiment of truth itself. When the President Viera was assassinated in Guinea Bissau, it was clear soldiers were acting (wrongly) out of frustration with his leadership. I hope these dictators will know what they are nurturing as they keep taking us for a ride. Whatever it is, let them remember that we are all mortals. There is a limit to which you can mistreat, rob, kill people and still get away with it. There is a tipping point

You don’t want national borders to be sealed just because you have died. No curfews or unnecessary roadblocks are necessary. All that reflects the passing of an empty egomaniac. A man who at the centre of his heart lay a gigantic nothing. A man who shamed Africa and impoverished his rich country. Gabon is too rich to be where it is now. When you die there shouldn’t be any vacuum or fear of a succession battle. He had time to handle all that but he didn’t. That’s a sign he had personalized the government. Typically that not necessary

On a different note, we still see the filthy hand of international interference in the form of France. As in Madagascar, the French are proving to be a major obstacle to development in Africa. They bankroll and strengthen the position of dictators on the continent. Bongo was considered 'wise ' by Former President Jacques Chirac. Can you imagine? Different French Presidents including Sarkozy were more interested in exploiting Gabonese natural resources than the welfare of the nation.
Africans should remain resolute in our belief in our ability to lead our own countries.However, its time to turn on the pressure on the remaining 'Big Men' of Africa. Turn on the heat! God bless Gabon and may God strengthen the will of those who work tirelessly y to dismantle and paralyze the remaining dictators in our great continent.

Zimbabwe in Transition: A 100-Day Report Card

Zimbabwe in Transition: A 100-Day Report Card

No going back on Zimbabwe GNU

I believe in progressive debate. We are at a point in Zimbabwe where some people are asking questions l sincerely think are the wrong ones,i.e should we pull out of the GNU? Rather we should be asking how to survive and maybe thrive in the GNU. It is practically counterproductive to begin to talk about pulling out now. Whilst l sympathize with those who feel ZANU PF doesn't deserve to be the senior partner, l don't agree with those who want to pull out now. It is too late. Those who want to pull out assume that the military junta care about the humanitarian emergency in Zimbabwe that their hearts will bleed if people start suffering the more with MDC pulling out. Men like General Chiwenga are no longer human in the true African sense of the word. We say 'munhu asina hunhu haasi munhu'meaning any being without a humane side is not human at all. Such men would rather see the entire country go up in flames as long as they retain their titles. Sharing power has interrupted a lot of their nonsense even the imperfect GNU is causing ‘perfect’ disharmony in their camp! Since the birth of our nation ZANU PF has never shared power to the extent it is doing right now. They are weakest in every sense of the word now.ZAPU entered the government after the Gukurahundi nightmare but the economy was tittering as it is doing now so the ZANAU cabal could still flex their muscles. Now even their own ill gotten businesses are wallowing in imminent bankruptcy.
I believe the MDC needs to torn down its baffling rhetoric on Mugabe being 'a great leader' like what Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara is alleged to have said and Prime Minister Tsvangirai's near desperation in defending Mugabe should simply stop. It is neither necessary nor helpful.However,l am encouraged by the sure slow death of the monster called ZANU PF.The military junta is running scared. Each time they are so angry, that’s a sign something isn't going well on their side. Let’s not forget that the real ZANU PF power brokers are either old or sick and hence nature is taking its course. These folks are finished! They may scream and resist but they are on their way out. They have lost all semblance of credibility. I don't know any serious person who takes them seriously now. Their wealth is crumbling under the biting targeted sanctions. Indeed for some of them it’s begun to hurt. Just listen to the shrieks during Politburo meetings. It’s working! I wish their downfall could be expedited though. I pray for God to strengthen the will of those who are resisting ZANU PF

The opposition needs to be united. They need to mind implications of some of their actions in order to maintain their own credibility. In accepting those brand new Mercedes Benz, the MDC made a monumental blunder. How can a decent minister move around in a Mercedes when his own staff is not even paid decent salaries? How can ministers accept those cars when they want MPs to reject the same cars? Aren’t we seeing double standards here? The MDC has been in the trenches for a while and a little solidarity with the people through rejecting those symbols of government arrogance and overspending would have been exemplary. There is still time for them to make amends. Those cars must go!
The PM needs to continue courting civil society. This is hardly the time for the MDC to lose its partners of old. This is time for unity not bickering.

My views are also changing on the military junta. I think they should be left off the hook provided they return their loot and farms. If they do that they can get immunity for their crimes. If this will bring peace to Zimbabwe, l think it’s worth it. In any case, who wants to arrest the visibly ailing Chihuri or Jocelyn Chiwenga?The irresponsible Msika is now 87 years old...just leave him to go home to his grand children. He has disgraced himself in not speaking against his colleagues and let him go down in his shame. Such men knew the right thing but did nothing for fear of opposition and as such Msika’s conscience is enough punishment for him. The same applies to John Nkomo and the other ZANU PF moderates.

There are glimmers of hope in the economy and nation. The resistance is residual and it’s on the wane. No going back on GNU. Let the junta scream...we are not going back!

Long live Zimbabwe!

The African tragedy;Great message,Bad Messengers

In December 2008 world renowned African public intellectual Professor Mahmoud Mamdani from Columbia University in the US wrote an article entitled ‘Lessons from Zimbabwe’ which drew widespread and almost embarrassing backlash from fellow African intellectualls.Infact one response had 35 names of prominent intellectuals and Human Rights activists in Africa lambasting and lampooning Mamdani's remarks.Mamdani's piece tried rather unsuccessfully to downplay the role and effectiveness of MDC whilst insinuating that Mugabe is where he is today because he is popular in the rural areas. He said a lot of things that l found distressing as a young scholar who is generally awestruck by Mamdani's indisputable work on Africa. This time he lost it. Mugabe’s legacy is a subject of intense debate particularly among Africans themselves.However, as the country continues to suffer many ostensibly have begun to revise their view on the man. Heroes are known to deliver, to defend and not to preside over the tragedy in Zimabwe.Which ever one looks at the situation in Zimbabwe, after 29 years as President, Zimbabwe has never been as weak as it is at any point in town. It is really an embarrassment considering the potential the nation has.
Indeed Africa has had such frustrating leaders like Kwame Nkrumah,Muammar Gaddaffi and Robert Mugabe among others. These are leaders with a message l have found convincing in some respects but their own actions betrayed them.Infact, many times the more lofty they spoke, the more hideous their actions became at home. These are leaders whose words cannot be reconciled with their actions.Infact, as for Mugabe and Nkrumah, their words are so different from their actions that anyone who reads about their actions might even think that the author is conspiring against the great Africanists.
It is a fact that President Mugabe is smart. He has at least 6 academic degrees to his name and most of them he got them as he labored to prepare for majority rule whilst in prision.As he languished in prison alongside some of the nation's finest freedom fighters who have mostly died, one can sense that Mugabe always had a deep belief in himself then and he believed that a day would come when the black majority would one day win the war against the boisterous and immoral Ian Smith regime. He was right for in 1980, Zimbabwe became independent.

Unfortunately many of the people Mugabe fought with are either dead, old or sidelined politically. A few cling to him and defend him like fools. Over the years, Mugabe has managed to eloquently expose annoying Western hypocrisy on several issues like Rwandan genocide and colonialism,IMF structural adjustment programmes etc.Infact,often his speeches generated standing ovations at UN general assembly meetings, momentarily as a Zimbabwean l often felt a sense of pride as our 'statesman shined’. My own first experience with Mugabe was in 1987 when l was a mere toddler in Masvingo.It was the 21st February movement when then nation would celebrate his birthday. I saw him at a close distance in Mucheke stadium. I never forgot it since then. Then he was popular. He would move around dazzling crowds with his speeches. But it was all talk because a few months before that, thousands of other Zimbabweans were being slaughtered in Matabeleland in a systematic effort to decimate Joshua Nkomo’s support in the region.Nkomo’s contributions in the liberation struggle spanned a longer period than Mugabe and he must have forever felt threatened as long as Nkomo moved freely. Over the years Mugabe has shown disrespect for some of Zimbabwe’s most courageous liberation war leaders.Infact he has been as ruthless to some freedom fighters as Smith was to African nationalists.Dumiso Dabengwa and General Lookout Masuku, kingpins of the struggle were incarcerated in the same jails Smith had kept them on spurious charges that he can hardly defend today. The difference was that liberation war heroes were being abused by a fellow comrade barely months into independence. Was Mugabe focusing on removing Smith shortly before independence or he spent more time thinking of how to sideline comrades as soon as he got power? One has a sense that as soldiers were fighting, Mugabe was brooding over sidelining tactics in the camps were soldiers were protecting him. Soon he would turn against the same soldiers.
One could argue that Mugabe's brave stand against Western bullying at international fora in a way emboldened some of his fellow leaders and it made some countries think twice before doing a couple of things. One thing is certain about Mugabe, he loves fights and he is not afraid of standing to anyone who looks down upon him. Many times great powers have shown disrespect to a couple of leaders. Mugabe would not brook such nonsense


Similalry; the mention of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana generates a sense of Pan Africanism in many Africans like me. Indeed he had vision of a United States of Africa. He was passionate about it and he actually sent material assistance at some point for the freedom of Zimbabwe. He was undeniably concerned about Africa’s liberation in every sense. To this day, he is widely y respected as a prophet of African unity.Infact when he was overthrown in a coup; he was made honorary co-President of neighboring Guniea.Imagine such reverence even upon falling from grace.

Gaddaffi assumed power in his 20s and over the years he has a reputation for broad shoulders and a spine. He remains the most vociferous proponent of the United States on Africa

However; these men have something in common; Hatred for Western domination and a strong belief in the strength and potential of Africa. As l follow their lives, l get stung at how much they equally dominated their own people. Nkrumah with all his lofty speeches and belief in unity where all Africans are free, instituted some of the most heinous pieces of legislation that attacked civil liberties.Infact, l struggle to comprehend how such an icon could at some point miss it to such lengths. The Trade Union Act of 1955 was passed and it outlawed all strikes. Soon after the Detention Act saw people arrested on account of alleged treason without recourse to law.Oppostion politicians naturally suffered under such legislations. It is not surprising that the man ended up being overthrown. Mugabe passed POSA which binds political parties to have their rallies cleared first by a partisan police before holding them. Not surprising, MDC rallies have been banned several hundred times.Infact, during the 2002 and 2008 elections, there were no go areas. Army generals came out on TV vowing never to allow anyone else from being President.AIPPA was passed and it saw shocking media restrictions. Independent media has been constantly under fire since then. The mighty Daily News, Tribune and many others were closed. The Daily News printer was bombed and to this day no one has been arrested. The paper itself was banned. Joseph Mwale, the cold murderer who killed countless Zimbabweans remains on government payroll to this day. Thousands of ZANU PF militias remain on payroll to this day with their sole responsibility being to terrorize anyone who stands in the way of President Mugabe and his lieutanants.Infact, one could argue that Zimbabwean tax payers pay to be murdered and raped. Their very tax money is used by Gideon Gono to pay for abductions and murders. Hundreds of MDC activists are unaccounted for to this day several weeks after the ‘inclusive government’ was put in place.
Gaddaffi's dictatorship is legendary and needs no elucidation
What is clear about these men is that they just hate to be dominated. It’s not so much about hatred for Western domination as it is a personal disdain for anyone who tries to undermine them personally. Mugabe literally loves British culture. He often goes to rural rallies in suits and speaks to helpless villagers in English! You check out his choice of attire as compared to the more ethnic tastes of his contempories you would be surprised when he claims that ‘l don’t need even a pin from Britian’ .His wife would prefer to shop at Harrods in UK that in Zimabwe.Their hatred for the British is hypocritical and it stinks to high heavens. For them it’s a hatred for anyone who treats them in a way that makes them feel powerless for once. It’s about their ego and not the people’s ‘sovereignty’.
Any man who does not respect the right of another man to live freely cannot be a hero. I struggle to appreciate these well known three men whose evils are obviously in varying degrees. They had no respect for their people’s lives. They believed that they were the only ones with a divine right to lead their nations.

Repressive legislation would be promulgated to deal harshly with anyone who feels they could liberate the country more than them. Mugabe once notoriously remarked 'I don’t know anyone who could have managed the economy better then me’. That sums it all. These three men are similar in having an exaggerated impression of themselves and their important.
They are the wrong sources of inspirations for emerging young African leaders.

They may have said certain things that are true and they said them in a manner that’s convincing but their characters betrayed them.
Character remains a major challenge. As the old leadership adage says, charisma will take you to the top but it is character that will keep you there. Indeed who can doubt the brilliance of Bill CLintion? But who can also doubt that he doesn’t represent the best of examples to great character particularly to young people in America?
Africa desperately needs leaders who speak with the eloquence of Mugabe, the tenacity of Nkrumah, the independence of Gaddafi yet the character and humility of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Nyerere is another frustrating leader in that he was humble, reasonably incorruptible which was rare but his policies simply plunged his nation like a meteor into a pool of oblivion.Ujamaa was ill advised. Why do men of good character fail like that yet questionable people like Mugabe cling on for 29 straight years in power?
The molding of character remains a major necessity in our African schools. As students are being sent to school, character development should be an integral component of the development of students. As African economies continue to cough and sneeze, professionals are migrating and families are falling apart. A generation of young people is growing with absentee parents who are either trying to make ends meet for the family of dying with the scourge of AIDS. Africa has millions of orphans.
Mugabe grew up with an irresponsible father. Yet he was smart. One cannot doubt that his less than helpful childhood contributed in making of the heartless man he has turned out to be.
Investing in children and education is one of the most transformative and generational actions any African government can do.
The character of these little geniuses rising in colleges in schools will determine the leaders we will have. African has fine academics and professional s in Leadership but many fail the test of character. Our challenges are so huge and systems not yet secure and mature that we need men and women of conscience to take us to a new dispensation of African Renaissance. Mbeki bellowed about Renaissance but his treatment of Mugabe exposed his integrity.
We need a message..but we desperately need leaders of integrity

God bless Africa

Reflections on the Madagascar crisis Part 2

The Madagascar crisis presents a major challenge to both SADC and AU,that is their ability to deal with errant leaders.While the SADC suspended Madagascar in an unprecedented move that ostensibly warrants cautious optimism,it remains unclear whether suspending a country with whom the region does not have strong economic ties with will be of any political consequence to Rajoelina's regime.It's like using good tools for a wrong job.It should be complimented that at least the leaders have a stomach to be 'brutal' to other
leaders who flagrantly disregard the law.However, the continent has to move from symbolic gestures to effective action.Is suspension the panacea to dealing with military coups?Zimbabwe pulled out of the Commonwealth years ago and Mugabe regime soldiers on in power as of 2009.This is a vital lesson even for the AU whose reason for being established was to improve on the historical weaknesses of the OAU, that is the policy of 'non- interference'.While AU has suspended Madagascar,this arguably remains a veiled form of non interference in the sense that this does not disturb the internal politics of the regime at least for now.If Rajoelina survives these suspensions,then that's the end of the credibility of these two regional blocks.There won't be any need to listen to them!
The regional blocs should learn to have a diplomatic offensive over France which clearly backs the coup..If these harsh words are used towards the real people behind the crisis,then there is chance for change.Civil society in Madagascar does not seem to be strong which is why all this keeps happening with little information coming from them.In the short to longterm,there is need for robust civil society capacity development. It would appear that mass mobilization remains the most effective way of dealing with dictatorships.International intervention often takes too long to be of help hence the need for the people within that country to take it upon themselves to work against mercenaries.

The good thing is that Madagascar has a history of these mass uprisings where people are mobilized behind a certain cause.What's critical is ensuring that the cause is implemented in a sustainable and focused manner.
The Madagascar crisis also shows that there isn't meaningful regional integration or cooperation with member states.Maybe that's why there isn't too much respect for their mandate and authority.If countries were critical trading partners or partners at some other level,then there would be more bargain chips.Why there isn't more robust trade remains a mystery.A United Africa should be a manifestation of already existing collaboration not the beginning of it.EU countries were collaborating long before the establishment of the EU and disobeying can have serious ramifications in the short term.
The regional groupings need to have greater coordination with foreign powers so that there isn't contradiction between what regional groupings do towards an errand nation and what foreign powers do to that country.Breaches both ways should face certain reprimand.This isn't happening that much at present.
Coup leaders should be personally sanctioned.The fact that they are coup leaders in a way shows how heartless and self centered they maybe so people's suffering (regime sanctions) may not really worry them.People like Rajoelina should have their assets frozen including those of people collaborating with them.One hopes regional groupings have 'intelligence briefings' on the real forces behind all these shady practices across Africa.Upon receiving that information,such people should be not only named and shamed, rather African countries should give personal sanctions to them. Any country that's African and shows disdain towards what a regional grouping has said should also face sanctions.Gaddaffi in recognizing Rajoelina was literally throwing egg in the face of the organization he leads.He should be either suspended from his coveted position of general assembly or strongly cautioned.
We have a situation where the General Assembly chairman acts in a way which compromises the integrity and authority of the organization he leads.Ordinarily that shouldn't go unpunished.

Diplomacy still however plays a role.It should never be taken off the table.Infact it should compliment the other interventions

During the liberation struggle,African countries literally sacrificed for each other's independence.They seemed to believe in the Nkrumah ideology that as long as other African countries are not independent,then Ghana wasn't independent.What became of that dream?SADC intervened militarily in DRC to defend a President?Why didn't SADC defend Ravolomanana in the same way?Maybe not necessarily militarily but with such focused force which clearly hurt the insurgents?It remains a mystery.

We still have a long way to go