President Robert Mugabe recently celebrated his 93rd birthday.
Happy birthday sir.
There are frequent calls for him to step down, citing him too old.. too incapable.. that he has simply been in power, too long
Queen Elizabeth is 90yrs of age
Her age... is celebrated, and rarely are there calls for her to step down.
An important factor for consideration.
Our attitudes to age may vary across continents and cultures, yet I wonder, is there an 'ideal' age, when a person should pass the leadership mantle over to someone else?.
If and when President Mugabe relinquishes power, (love him or loath him) it will be a historical moment.
It remains highly possible that President Mugabe may be celebrated far more outside of Zimbabwe, than within.
For those who have never lived directly under his leadership, he is consistently viewed, more often than not, as a liberation war hero.. a revolutionary.
Yet unlike other anti colonial revolutionaries who are celebrated worldwide, such as Patrice Lumumba Thomas Sankara Che Guevara, Steve Biko and others... President Mugabe... didn't die young.
We have lived to watch him age
We have witnessed his 'mistakes',
We have watched him age as a 'real man'.. and not just a revolutionary
Unlike those who died young... he has lived long enough to reveal his own human imperfections.
He may be a revolutionary, but he is a man.
and now... an aged man
Perhaps it would have been better to preserve his legacy, if he had stepped down earlier
Who knows
In truth, not only is Mugabe not ready to let go...
but 'we'... are not ready to let go either.
You see... Mugabe reminds us not to become complacent. The strong revolutionary leader who fought and won against colonial rule... against apartheid., remains relevant.
What tends to be overlooked as time goes by, is just how obnoxious and soul crushing colonial rule was for African people, and its ongoing legacy, that African people continue to endure.
We look at the attitude and policies of a man like President Mugabe, yet gloss over the horrors which were inflicted upon African people for many years.
In Zimbabwe, the British were responsible directly and indirectly, for the suffering of many, and like Mandela, President Mugabe was once branded a terrorist.
Easily done.
Yet history and reflection, truth and reconciliation, will tell the real story every time.
Once upon a time, President Mugabe was not too unlike Julius Malema. (who himself has recently stated the Mugabe should step down)
Yet Mugabe remains perhaps, undoubtedly educationally superior.
I know of no other African leader, or leader anywhere with more degrees.
In truth.. without Mugabe, Zimbabwe will change, no one knows for sure whether that change will be a positive, or a negative one
I suspect that once Mugabe steps down..the vultures will descend, and the international community will no doubt show thier true intentions.
So putting aside the obvious ageism which now renders him too old... why do we need him?
Is there no other leader capable of honouring the history.. the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe whilst still taking the country forward.
Maybe... maybe not
In my opinion there should be.
A great leader should always prepare well for his or her successor. rather... prepare his or her successor well.
If Mugabe has failed at anything.. perhaps it is that, yet it remains to be seen.
You see.... the thing is... men (and women) like Mugabe, were and are, a product of thier time.
It's rare to find such individuals today.
For Pan Africanists across the diaspora especially, Mugabe remains a revolutionary, a freedom fighter, in a sense, he is idealised, as a symbol of anti colonial resistance.
Without him, who do we have?
***
Who were [are] the greatest African leaders? [click]
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Toni Braxton, Babyface - Roller Coaster . and thinking 'bout London
I certainly love me some Toni Braxton
This sweet song eased my bewilderment of a grid locked London because of a bit of breeze!
My bus route has a new bus. I'll admit, Its beautiful.Wonderful design and upgrade.
Other than that I'm convinced the UK is becoming a bit of a shit hole..returning 'if you like'...to the 1980's. Lol!
I jest...of course
But it's possible that the political classes loved the decade so much that they seek to return
To be fair despite the political turmoil.. I loved the 80's.
What I'm getting increasingly fed up with however, is strikes, and poor public services.
Call me a Prima donna if you like but wtf.. this is 2017.
I was joking with a friend a few weeks ago, about why I go everywhere with my passport.
She said
'If Trump was here and insisted I had to leave... I'd be off like a shot and wouldn't look the f*** back'.
London girls... we sure funny
Peace x
This sweet song eased my bewilderment of a grid locked London because of a bit of breeze!
My bus route has a new bus. I'll admit, Its beautiful.Wonderful design and upgrade.
Other than that I'm convinced the UK is becoming a bit of a shit hole..returning 'if you like'...to the 1980's. Lol!
I jest...of course
But it's possible that the political classes loved the decade so much that they seek to return
To be fair despite the political turmoil.. I loved the 80's.
What I'm getting increasingly fed up with however, is strikes, and poor public services.
Call me a Prima donna if you like but wtf.. this is 2017.
I was joking with a friend a few weeks ago, about why I go everywhere with my passport.
She said
'If Trump was here and insisted I had to leave... I'd be off like a shot and wouldn't look the f*** back'.
London girls... we sure funny
Peace x
Is polygamy linked to a rise in poverty and terrorism?
Dinner done. cleaning done. shopping done.
Phew, I started late, so ended late but it's all done.
Now's the time to reflect, catch up, read, chill, and everything else in between
So... Polygamy. What do you think?
Well the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, seems to think that poor men should be restricted to one wife, believing that the children of poor men, are susceptible to joining terrorist groups [click]
Should we take seriously the 'anti ( poor man) polygamy' views of a man who himself has several wives?
Or does he have a point?
Is he suggesting that poor men alone make poor fathers?
Or is he simply pointing out that polygamy today in many cultures, has become (or always was) a bit of a farce, and is gratituously exploited by men for thier own selfish reasons?
I really can't say
Polygamy, poverty and terrorism is certainly an interesting angle, one which I had never really considered before. However, I was unaware that a man unable to care for one wife would even be allowed two or three. So whoever agreed (and is agreeing) to such marriages.. messed up.
Ironically perhaps, traditionally, it's the women who care for and raise the children, and will be the ones to instil values etc into young minds.
Women... are the gatekeepers of culture.
If however the women are saddled with husbands who cannot financially compensate them enough to enable them to even pay school fees then yes... it's an issue. If the women themselves are uneducated, and are being left to manage several children under the yolk of an oppressive yet absent husband, then yes, problems may arise, and surely male children will be influenced by this neglectful behaviour.
Instead, however, of stating that he would be in favour of a ban on a practice that he himself is an advocate of, I do believe it may be helpful to simply reeducate men (and women) on what polygamy is... and instill..( if they really must keep the darn thing) a sense of respect pride and discipline.
Emir of Kano Sanusi
**
Phew, I started late, so ended late but it's all done.
Now's the time to reflect, catch up, read, chill, and everything else in between
So... Polygamy. What do you think?
Well the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, seems to think that poor men should be restricted to one wife, believing that the children of poor men, are susceptible to joining terrorist groups [click]
Should we take seriously the 'anti ( poor man) polygamy' views of a man who himself has several wives?
Or does he have a point?
Is he suggesting that poor men alone make poor fathers?
Or is he simply pointing out that polygamy today in many cultures, has become (or always was) a bit of a farce, and is gratituously exploited by men for thier own selfish reasons?
I really can't say
Polygamy, poverty and terrorism is certainly an interesting angle, one which I had never really considered before. However, I was unaware that a man unable to care for one wife would even be allowed two or three. So whoever agreed (and is agreeing) to such marriages.. messed up.
Ironically perhaps, traditionally, it's the women who care for and raise the children, and will be the ones to instil values etc into young minds.
Women... are the gatekeepers of culture.
If however the women are saddled with husbands who cannot financially compensate them enough to enable them to even pay school fees then yes... it's an issue. If the women themselves are uneducated, and are being left to manage several children under the yolk of an oppressive yet absent husband, then yes, problems may arise, and surely male children will be influenced by this neglectful behaviour.
Instead, however, of stating that he would be in favour of a ban on a practice that he himself is an advocate of, I do believe it may be helpful to simply reeducate men (and women) on what polygamy is... and instill..( if they really must keep the darn thing) a sense of respect pride and discipline.
Emir of Kano Sanusi
**
Anxiety rap (2017) - short documentary - #IamKnighthood
I'm very proud of the way Ti and Nick openly express themselves.
May they continue to speak up for those who feel they 'don't fit in', and be an inspiration to others of their generation
Nice.
May they continue to speak up for those who feel they 'don't fit in', and be an inspiration to others of their generation
Nice.
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