A theory of why African politicians act the way they do

It is a clear and sunny day in Domeabra (translated: come if you love me - probably in a crude reference to the dilapidated roads that lead to the town). The town folk are eagerly awaiting the visit of their District Chief Executive (DCE). The anticipation had built up for a couple of weeks and on this day, the entire town and residents of nearby villages, have gathered in the town square to finally welcome the "honourable" DCE.

The grand durbar was slated for 10am, and around 11:30 am, a convoy of 4 luxury cars pulls up at the square, to rapturous cheer from the crowd. After a couple of, mostly uninspiring, praise-heaping speeches, the Chief of the town makes his request known to the DCE: improvement of the bad road he and his team had just traveled on, repair of their dilapidated school building etc. The DCE responds with very audacious promises, some clearly outside his sphere of influence. He leaves to another town after being presented with a couple of gifts: the biggest sheep in the town and assorted farm produce - as “custom demands”.

For many readers, this fictional story doesn't sound like fiction at all, as these kinds of scenes play around many parts of our continent daily - acted by politicians of all grades and classes. In a broader sense, it brings into question the interplay between culture and politics; the people's idea of public service, and the politicians’ belief about the nature of their work.

It seems to me that our culture reinforces the idea that, somehow, our leaders are a special breed of people who deserve some form of 'worship' and ego-massaging in order to derive some benefits from them. This probably explains why we give our politicians, merely on their assumption of office, the title of honourable; a title which is supposed to be earned through dedication to a positive course of action.

One is not an honourable human being as a result of the position they occupy, but as a result of the actions that emanate from the position. Our erroneous idea about leadership tends to perpetuate a feeling of superiority among our political servants, which shapes the perception of the role they play. Leadership, and its perception thereof, is a reflection of the belief and attitude of the people so led. We have invented a self-destructive system of beliefs, which treat our public servants as if they are a special species who are above law and discipline.

Today, the average African politician knows that the worst punishment he/she might ever receive for corruption is a couple of weeks of bad press. Our attitude as a people explains why the service-based nature of political leadership, enshrined in the idea of democracy, has been replaced by a 'serve me' based one.

History tells us that any system that rewards and 'worships' people based on the positions they occupy, instead of the difference they make with those positions, erodes the essential incentive for them to act competently. It is said that, in the heyday of the Roman empire, a victorious general had a slave whose duty was to whisper the words ''memento mori'' (remember you are mortal), during his triumphant parade through the streets of Rome. This idea inspired action as a means of earning continuous praise, whilst serving as a reminder of humility.

The Israeli statesman Shimon Perez once said, "I learned that public service is a privilege that must be based on moral foundations". This is a very brilliant way of appreciating the idea of public office: it's a PRIVILEGE and a SERVICE. It's a privilege as it gives the servant the resources as well as the opportunity to utilize those resources in enhancing the lives of those who so give their mandate.

As a society, we place so much emphasis on leadership and not servanthood, so our understanding of the concept of service has gradually eroded. Now, everyone wants to be "the head and not the tail", as if the head can survive on its own. Ask the average person their understanding of service and at best you're likely to get an incoherent stream of words. Service in the interest of the nation is still relevant in our pursuit of socio-economic development; a nation cannot develop without the exertion of her citizens in selfless pursuit of public service.

A politician is not a 'leader' but a servant; a servant who provides leadership in service. In another sense, politics is a “ministry” too, it's a calling, and those who respond to this important call should be prepared to humble themselves and apply their energy and intellect in the service of humanity. A servant is not the most important person in the nation. The most important 'person' is the people on whose service the politician earns the privilege of a career. Until this becomes part of our collective consciousness, we will continue to suffer mediocrity of achievement from our politicians.

African politicians act the way they do because we the citizens reinforce the idea that acting that way is cool.