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PAV Editorial Vol 15: October 2008
Mugabe, Thabo Mbeki And The Quest for Worthy Legacies in Africa
Mugabe, Thabo Mbeki And The Quest for Worthy Legacies in Africa
In the face of pressure from opponents at home and the international community whose sanctions have had a damaging effect on the economy, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe finally went into a power sharing agreement with the opposition in Zimbabwe. Old age is usually associated with wisdom in Africa. This has certainly not been true with all the leaders in the continent but we want to believe that President Mugabe acted in wisdom. For all he has done for Zimbabwe and Africa, his deserves to be a better legacy, one that leaves Zimbabwe with smiles and not tears, one that makes the country the beacon of hope that it was for Africa. The peace deal as of the moment may not have resulted in the formation of a government but there is denying that it represents a huge step forward.
Accepting to dialogue was itself a very salutary move. For a leader who is arguably the most educated in Africa, one who not only fought hard for the independence of his country but fought hard for other Southern African countries to be liberated including breaking the shackles of apartheid in South Africa, Robert Mugabe approaching the sunset and not the dawn of his political career deserves to leave behind a better legacy for the country and continent of his heart. Dialogue and reconciliation, we at PAV believe, is a sign of strength and not weakness, it is the trade mark of visionary leadership, an act of patriotism, putting country first to borrow from politicians on the other side of the Atlantic. While all acts of electoral malpractices deserve to be condemned, it is worth pointing out that it is a government of unity between the ruling party and the opposition that saved Kenya from the brink of civil war. For the sake of peace, for the sake of Zimbabweans and for the sake of a legacy he has sacrificed so much to build, President Mugabe should stick to the path of dialogue and collaboration with the opposition that he has embarked upon.
Talking about legacies, Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the truce between Mugabe and the opposition in Zimbabwe stepped aside as President of South Africa at the request of the African National Congress-ANC that gave him the mandate to rule South Africa. Events that culminated in his resignation are a different story altogether but by accepting to step aside with such grace and humility, Thabo Mbeki has written a glorious chapter in African politics creating a legacy of his own. Filling the shoes of Nelson Mandela was already a very assiduous task, and for all he achieved for South Africa.Often times in Africa we tend to forget who our heroes and role models are. Achievements tend to be neglected. Go to a country like Cameroon and you will find nothing that epitomises the epic struggles of Ernest Ouandie, Bishop Ndongmo, ST Muna, J N Foncha, EML Endeley, A N Jua and others who played prominent roles in the struggle for independence. In the height of the conflict between President Biya and his predecessor Amadou Ahidjo, it was a taboo to affix Ahidjo's name to the football stadium in Yaounde named after him. Not only has President Biya for instance failed to show recognition for heroes who staked their lives for Cameroon but has failed to dialogue with the opposition or meet with leaders of a movement like the Southern Cameroons National who have a very legitimate case. In other parts of the world we have airports like Charles De Gaulle in Paris, JFK in New York and Regan National in Washington DC to immortalised historic leaders. In some parts of Africa, some countries have done a lot in this direction but in many heroes are left to die with nothing to remind future generations of what they achieved. In some countries meaningless relics of colonialism are still glorified.
Nigeria recently took a mark departure from this and decided to name streets in the federal capital of Abuja in honour of some great heroes both dead and living. Dr Aliyu Modibo the Minister incharge of the Federal Capital Territory has named streets after icons like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, the late Journalist Dele Giwa, musicians Sonny Okosun, Fela and Bob Marley,footballers Nwankwo Kanu and JJ Okocha, etc. These are all personalities who have contributed significantly to the life of Nigeria. Other countries ought to do same , this pays a debt of gratitude to them, and serves as incentive for greater commitment from others to the course of national development.
That Africa is at the centre of world attention today is an open secret. The huge unprecedented turn out in Washington DC recently for the third Annual U.S-Africa Infrastructure Conference under the theme connecting the continent is indicative of the strong interest of the USA to do business with Africa. The attention is a good thing. The more American, Japanese, European, Indian firms and others come in, the better for Africa.However unless our leaderships show more seriousness, unless they place collective interest of the citizens first above their own selfish political machinations, Africa will only succeed to turn away potential investors or will continue to benefit from lopsided sour deals that leave it more impoverish. In the heat of competition it is time for the continent to get the best and nothing but the best. As Ed Kostentski (upcoming interview in Vol 16) President of Nationwide Equipment a company with a presence of 25 years in the continent told PAV, Africa should definitely not be a dumping ground.
To those in power especially the ones who have been in power for decades with nothing to show, history will continue to be the judge. Question to them, why does the image of some like Mandela, Nasser, Nkrumah, Nyerere, et al continue to stand tall while others have a name that is either barely recognisable or viewed with scorn? The act of Thabo Mbeki in stepping down is not one of cowardice or failure but one of maturity. One that should remind all that hanging to power for endless years for the sake of it is becoming less and less of a menu on the table of African politics. Mandela left his legacy, Mbeki has left his and the spot light on President in the waiting of South Africa will be so strong that he will be expected to leave his in what ever way. Happy reading and remember we cherish your contributions, suggestions adverts and all that will keep us riding high.
