POST MANDELA’S AFRICA: leadership epitomized!

“Oh Madiba!!!... He certainly epitomized true leadership that has eluded the world and in particular, Africa.” Author

The above was the first slide of thought that came to mind after learning of the demise of one of the world's greatest leaders. I see no other leader on the face of earth whose personal qualities, fortitude and moral conscience can ever give real meaning to leadership and humanity than that of Nelson Mandela.

The story of Madiba (as Mandela prefered to be called) is so much known across the globe and therefore recounting the historical antecedents of Africa's iconic figure is a timeless venture. But you cannot summarize Madiba's personage without asserting that he personified leadership and gave meaning to humanity in a manner only attainable by those filled with the milk of human kindness!

The Breastplate of Madiba
Solders and warriors wear breastplates to cover the most critical parts of their bodies. Some wear bulletproof vests or chain mails. Others use charms and amulets as their breastplates and once worn, they are emboldened to fight without a shred of fright. And so when the typical African son, whose traditional community is known to charms and amulets rose up to fight against the worse form of human enactment – Apartheid, it was expected that his breastplate would be charms and amulets or the bulletproofs of the time. But no; Madiba would have none of these. His breastplate was that of non-violent resistance to pain and denial in his own homeland, South Africa. For seeking freedom for his countrymen and women, Mandela was cast into prison walls for 27 years.

Though Madiba's immediate and long-home was a dark enclave in Robben Island, he never confined his mind to the walls of his prison; but he saw an end in time that would finally come only if he could endure as long as his life could give him strength. And he endured it and finally walked out of the walls of prison in November, 1990 when Apartheid fell under his feet and all the actors of the regime became his foot-stools!!

Leadership Personified - People over Self
Mandela has given the world the only simplistic yet all-embracing meaning of leadership that focuses on people other than the self!! He chose his peoples' freedom against his personal liberties, comfort and glory. Could he not have lived a life of comfort as a lawyer who established the first black law firm in South Africa? Could he not have succumbed to the juiciest packages that the ruling white at the time could have doled out to him and forgo his own blacks? Could he simply not have forgotten about his Long Walk to Freedom and enjoyed a quiet and decent life with his family?

From my perspective, Madiba had a choice but none of those options could have given him fulfillment than his choice for people other than self. His conscience could not allow him glorify his personal comfort and looked on as the poor South Africans continued to suffer the cruelty of the Apartheid regime! He would rather fight for the people even if his life was going to suffer endless physical and emotional torture that left him with scars for the rest of his life.

Imagery of Poverty & the missing enigma of Africa
On the streets of South Africa, Mandela saw the daily sufferings of the indigenous people. He saw in the eyes of children their lack of decent livelihoods. He saw the denials of the basics of survival. He saw the teary eyes of mothers whose breast-milk could not calm the hungry mouths of their babies. He saw the mosquito infested streets of South Africa and the growing slums of Soweto, Alexandra, Inanda, Joe Slovo, Kenny Road, Cato Mano, and Khayelisha. But he also saw the contrast of rich South Africa and the homes of the minority whites where animals lived in better conditions than natives! Yes, he saw the affluent lifestyles of the whites who fed their dogs and cats and birds with the best foods whilst the natives could not even eat off the crumbs of animal feeds. It was these contrasting imageries of poverty that fueled his passion for social and political equality for all South Africans.

As a leadership critic, I see that Mandela's commitment was driven towards social equity that was and still is the missing enigma of Africa. Madiba had his anger for creed or race reduced whilst his anger for the system intensified. And he was right when he said that;

“I knew that people expected me to harbour anger towards whites. But I had none. In prison my anger towards whites decreased but my hatred for the system grew.”

It was the system that promoted inequality; deprivation, denials, abuse, and clear obstruction of justice that he sought to resist and as he envisaged a day of freedom coming, he knew that he needed to see how best to stop the system that promoted the uncouth acts against humanity. Agreeably, there was and there is still no need for race hatred; but hatred for systems under democracies that continue to erode the virtues of humanity and make men and women live as second-class human beings.

Today, there are several people in parts of Africa and in democratic countries like post-Apartheid South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and many other places that live like second-class human beings. Apartheid may have been expunged from the political dictum of South Africa, but African leaders have re-enacted Apartheid and they stride on it without shame! Millions of Africans suffer similar conditions of Apartheid regime under so-called democracies that is only meaningful to government appointees and their cronies.

As an elite figure who chose the poor illiterate masses over his personal glories, Madiba represents the global leader whose eyes see no colour, creed, race, ethnicity but whose concern is equality for all!! Sadly, the African political elites live in clear contrast to the leadership virtues of the great son of Africa. I could not believe my eyes and ears when President Zuma moments after Madiba's death glorified Madiba's humility, compassion and humanity! May he revise his leadership notes and see if any of these virtues will score him a high mark!

In a country with growing inequality under his regime, the UK Telegraph reports that “the Government spent more than 200 million rand (£12.9 million) to revamp Mr Zuma's rural home, justifying it as necessary security for a head of state” As a comrade to Madiba and riding on the African National Congress (ANC) to become the third President of post-Apartheid South Africa, a country which is only 13 years after Apartheid regime, President Zuma seems to have forgotten the fact that Apartheid was fought on high-level conscience of humanity that placed the poor at the apex of the struggles. He has certainly chosen 'self' to that of 'people' whom he ought to serve! This is the epidemic within the African leadership community!

I see no other leadership theories that can give concrete results than the theory espoused by Madiba's personal struggles and life. His passion was freedom for the poor; the neglected; the suffering and the human BEING! The Madiba's leadership theory is simply a theory of serving on the principles of no biases to colour; tribe; age; gender! It hinges on no-self glorification!

Religion Glorified
Mandela was and is indeed a saintly man, as Bill Clinton once said of him. He brought practicality to the religious creed that cuts across all religions - love. His love for all was manifest in his unconditional offering of forgiveness for the whites. Surely, it was expected that at his release and eventual election as first black President of South Africa, Madiba was going to exact vengeance and victimize his political adversaries, the whites. Ironically, he extended an olive branch and presented a reconciliatory speech to all South Africans (including the whites). Oh, how many of African leaders do not witch-hunt their political opponents shortly after winning elections?

Keeping the sanctity of the love creed is so a difficult task to a lot of people but it is even more difficult to the political actors. But the unique Madiba made this a cornerstone of his political life. His welcoming countenance was not only extended to the natives, but the whites too. Madiba might have not stood before lecterns to offer religious sermons; he did not quote copious Biblical or Koranic verses; but he practiced religion that edifies God-almighty. He was the defender of the voiceless!! And James 1:27 says; “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)

Humility Entombed
One of the strongest virtues of a leader is humility to serve. The seat of leadership comes with pedals of inequality. The leaders' seat is often higher than the subjects. But Madiba defied that level of layer even right after his release. He exemplified humility and today, the only personality in whom I see similar trait of humility is Pope Francis.

On 11th February, 1990, the day of Madiba's release from prison, he said to the gathered rally in Cape Town that;

“I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

This is the mark of a true leader who recognizes the need to remain humble. Mandela had the occasion to take personal glory in his 27 years in prison but he chose to describe himself as a humble servant! The humble servant only served one-term of the Presidency. He did not stand for a second term even though he would have won another landslide victory. In fact people craved for his continuous stay yet he bowed out gracefully. He did not re-write the country's Constitution to make himself a life-time president. He never attempted to build a political dynasty for his kindred. He was simply the leader who came to lay the foundation for true leadership and democracy to thrive! Yes, he was a humble servant for the people!

Vision Lives On
The African political landscape is that of visionless leadership that is why Africa remains the richest continent but home to the poorest! And so corruption rages; poverty is exploding; human security is in limbo; survival is heavily threatened and dignity is in shambles.

The Madiba's vision lives on even after his demise. Hear him speak of that vision shortly after his release:

“In conclusion I wish to quote my own words during my trial in 1964. They are true today as they were then:

'I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.`

And this vision lives on because we have failed to actualize it.

Conclusion
I end this edict by asserting that African leaders must bury their heads in shame for deviating on the compasses of true leadership as espoused by Madiba's life. Traditionally, they would be pouring in tributes and would be celebrating the unique person that Madiba was. Certainly, in South Africa and many parts of the African continent, many would build him statues in his remembrance. I can speak of Madiba's mind that doing so will never please his soul. But living on the mantra of selflessness, respect for humanity; compassion and humility would be the most esteemed way to celebrate this great leader of Africa.

May our living Presidents exemplify the Madiba principle and Africa will be saved from the vicious shades of Apartheid crafted by its own people and continually dehumanizing humanity!!!

Fare thee well, Madiba!!
Long live Africa!

Adama Bukari
11:45pm - CET
05/12/2013
[email protected] or [email protected]