AFRICA: LEADERSHIP IS WHAT WE NEED

by Simeon Nkola Matamba ( Follow on Twitter )


In every group or community leadership is of paramount importance. It is one of the fundamental functions in managing organisations.  Not only planning, organising and controlling are necessary activities, leading is what sees to it that an organisation is efficiently led to the attainment of its goals. Mastering the art of leadership ensures that a dream or a vision is made real. The question has been generating endless arguments, some arguing it is an innate faculty given to a few, others asserting that it can be acquired through a process of learning and practicing. Validating or refuting either one or the other theory is far from being our focal point. The focus is on how as a cure to various problems left without solutions it is not resorted to. Its role is neglected in the pursuit of development and sustainability.

Leadership is a word we hear a lot when it comes to making remarks about Africa. It is obvious that Africa is experiencing a dearth of such an important force.  A leader as the word shows is one meant to lead, embodying a vision or a dream driving him or her to influence others for realising things. A leader is able to motivate, and get the work done for reaching a specific purpose by using necessary means and suitable strategies.

Instead of leaders at heads of states we rather have simple rulers whose duties are limited to minimum service activities. Leaders with a dream and a vision for their country are a rare resource. Our presidents don't have any vision of the people's future and the future of the country. When their projects come under scrutiny-if they even dare present one-what catches the attention is how limited and poor their ambitions are. In a country with a high level of illiteracy for instance, a president found better to offer to build a stadium for young people to go watch sports, meanwhile there are not enough schools.

On top of the lack of leaders because of no dream and vision, we notice that rulers themselves don't lead by example. Politics is in general perceived as evil, linked to corruption and mischiefs. But it seems it's in Africa that the rule is very much verifiable. Involved in graft, corruption, embezzlements, money laundering and so forth, politicians have no accountability at all. When the head is rotten, much cannot be expected from other members of the body. It is very much like having a human body with a rotting brain. Depending on the brain to move and act, the whole body becomes unable to function naturally.

Suffering from a lack of strong leadership to allow that resources through planning, organising and controlling are used in the most intelligent way, we are friends to chaos. Short-sighted rulers unable to see beyond their lives' span or families' circles abandon millions submerged in abysses of underdevelopment and mediocrity.  With no vision of a better condition to lead the people to, nothing great can be expected. And as long as a strong and responsible leadership is absent, countries will be endlessly going through the fatal and notorious cycle of failure.