NELSON MANDELA AND TRUE LEADERSHIP
August 10, 2021 | News
While he lived, Nelson Mandela inspired countless individuals, not only in South Africa but also, across the world. When Mandela died in 2013, it was as if the world stood still for a moment to remember him.
-By Zik Gbemre
NELSON MANDELA AND TRUE LEADERSHIP
While he lived, Nelson Mandela inspired countless individuals, not only in South Africa but also, across the world. When Mandela died in 2013, it was as if the world stood still for a moment to remember him. Rarely in the history of man, did we see the entire world standing practically still to purse, reflect, recollect and strive to emulate the life of one man. All that we could think of is, if only we have such political leaders as Nelson Mandela in the different countries of Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the African continent would be a better place for all of us. This is why we believe that Nelson Mandela is a super role model that every past and present Nigerian Politician and Leader should emulate.
Since his exit to the great beyond, the world has not stopped to eulogize and refer to the virtues of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, for the sacrifices he made for the freedom of his people and his devotion to humanity. It is in the light of this that I consider it necessary to highlight some of the words of wisdom from this great African icon, Mandela, with the hope that our present crop of Nigerian political leaders would take time to learn from, especially with the current overwhelming disappointments in the hearts of The Majority of Nigerians concerning the country’s political leaders and their ineptitude in Office.
In one of his old well-circulated videos on the internet and on social media platforms, which was a combination of some profound speeches and quotes of Nelson Mandela, including an interview in the Oprah Winfrey Show in the year 2000, he said some things that should strike the moral code and consciousness of anyone. I could not help but try to put it together here for all and sundry to read, especially our political leaders, so as TO REMIND THEM OF WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO SERVE PEOPLE IN PRIVILEGED PUBLIC DOMAINS.
One of the outstanding qualities of Mandela was that he was not only a humble and modest person, he was also a peacemaker, both within himself and around his circle of influence. And in his interview with Oprah, when he was asked how does he do that? He said: “The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society, if you have not changed yourself, and one of the most important weapons in changing yourself, is to recognize that peace, I mean people everywhere in the world want that peace. But humility is one of the most important qualities, which you must have, because if you are humble, if you make people realize that you are no threat to them, then people will embrace you. They will listen to you…”
When he was asked how was it that he had no anger and bitterness against those who had wrongfully sent him in prison for 27 years when he eventually came out, he said: “I hated oppression, and when I think about the past and what they did, I feel angry, but again that is just my feeling, the brain always dominates… you have a limited time to stay here in earth, you must try and use that period, for the purpose of transforming your country into what you desire it to be – with democratic, non-racial, non-segregation country, and that was the greatest task. And therefore, you have to reject all negative feelings in your own soul, in your blood system, and focus your attention on the positive things.”
In another speech, Mandela said: “If in these later years of a life lived in pursuit of equality, we can at last look upon our own country as one in which citizens, regardless of race, gender or creed, share equal political rights and opportunities for development, we do so with great gratitude towards the millions upon millions all around the world, who materially and morally supported our struggle for freedom and justice…”
“One of the mistakes, which some political analysts make, is to think that their enemies should be our enemies… ANYBODY, WHO CHANGES HIS PRINCIPLES DEPENDING ON WHOM HE IS DEALING WITH, THAT IS NOT A MAN WHO CAN LEAD A NATION.”
I can go on and on to quote some of his speeches and words of wisdom because they are quite many. But I believe the ones above are worth reflecting on, especially by our present crop of Nigerian political leaders. Most of whom have succeeded in creating only two major tribes in Nigeria - the Elites and the Masses. And this is explained thus: once you make lots of money (especially from stolen public funds), you belong to the ‘elite tribe’. When you are a commoner, suffering or struggling daily to make-ends-meet, you belong to the ‘tribe of the masses.’ If you are an elite, and you need more power or elective position, you sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, so as to sway their emotion for your personal victory. This happens at both the national and State level. Unfortunately, after the election when they have won and joined their “sworn enemies” to drink and party, the gullible masses continue to fight each other and even celebrate these public thieves in the elite tribe domain. Even smart people who belong to the masses sometimes will sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, and then the masses will carry them up until they belong to the elite class. It is a classic strategy used hundreds of years ago in the art of war.
That means, a commoner who aspires to sit with the elites, could stir up powerful tribal or religious sentiments, such wave if properly utilized either by shedding blood or destabilizing the elites, carries the commoner to the elite class. But once there, he immediately mingles and makes peace with the elite tribe and turns his back on the same masses that helped him get there. Youths are the worst victim of this powerplay, they kill each other, call other tribes unprintable names, do terrible things, and sometimes, even lose their life, thinking they are fighting for their right, not knowing that they are fighting for the personal welfare of someone, whose own children are probably safe in North America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE) or any other place in the developed world.
As Nelson Mandela noted, we have to start being honest with ourselves and strive to have peace within, so that we can be able to positively impact our society because YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE. Mandela was humble, modest, and was a man who had high morality and peace within himself, hence, he was able to freely give and radiate these ‘life-changing qualities’ to others around him and in everywhere he went. This is one goal, we all, especially our Nigerian political leaders seriously need to work hard to achieve – that is – ‘change yourself with the right code of conduct so that you can be able to change others and your environment. This is because, like we said, you cannot give what you do not have.
With the recent happenings in the country’s political landscape, even with the 2023 general elections still a bit far off, the above quote from Nelson Mandela: “Anybody, who changes his principles depending on whom he is dealing with, that is not a man who can lead a nation,” should be food for thought for all Nigerians in helping to decide their next set of public office holders at all levels of government. That means, Nigerians should be wary of those politicians who jump from one political party to another. This is typical of most Nigerian politicians, who are nothing but ‘political opportunist' whose pedigree, is the do-or-die-kind-of-politicking, which is evident in the country’s political landscape. They easily pitch their tents wherever they feel would favour their usually self-driven political agendas.
This again should tell us that the ‘motives’ of most Nigerian politicians who have made up their minds to become political leaders; is never about ‘service’, neither is it about bringing any ground vision of rapid development of one’s community and country to square up with its counterpart anywhere in the world. If it were; and if the ‘motives’ were right, Nigeria would have undergone tremendous transformation in over 21 years of democracy.
Let the above quotes and words of wisdom by Mandela, be food for thoughts for all of us, especially all our Nigerian political leaders across the country – to reflect on and make the necessary changes on a personal ground and on the nation in general. Mandela lived a worthy life of emulation. Nigeria and other African leaders, and the world at large, should learn from his selfless service to humanity.
Zik Gbemre.
August 10, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
-By Zik Gbemre
NELSON MANDELA AND TRUE LEADERSHIP
While he lived, Nelson Mandela inspired countless individuals, not only in South Africa but also, across the world. When Mandela died in 2013, it was as if the world stood still for a moment to remember him. Rarely in the history of man, did we see the entire world standing practically still to purse, reflect, recollect and strive to emulate the life of one man. All that we could think of is, if only we have such political leaders as Nelson Mandela in the different countries of Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the African continent would be a better place for all of us. This is why we believe that Nelson Mandela is a super role model that every past and present Nigerian Politician and Leader should emulate.
Since his exit to the great beyond, the world has not stopped to eulogize and refer to the virtues of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, for the sacrifices he made for the freedom of his people and his devotion to humanity. It is in the light of this that I consider it necessary to highlight some of the words of wisdom from this great African icon, Mandela, with the hope that our present crop of Nigerian political leaders would take time to learn from, especially with the current overwhelming disappointments in the hearts of The Majority of Nigerians concerning the country’s political leaders and their ineptitude in Office.
In one of his old well-circulated videos on the internet and on social media platforms, which was a combination of some profound speeches and quotes of Nelson Mandela, including an interview in the Oprah Winfrey Show in the year 2000, he said some things that should strike the moral code and consciousness of anyone. I could not help but try to put it together here for all and sundry to read, especially our political leaders, so as TO REMIND THEM OF WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO SERVE PEOPLE IN PRIVILEGED PUBLIC DOMAINS.
One of the outstanding qualities of Mandela was that he was not only a humble and modest person, he was also a peacemaker, both within himself and around his circle of influence. And in his interview with Oprah, when he was asked how does he do that? He said: “The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society, if you have not changed yourself, and one of the most important weapons in changing yourself, is to recognize that peace, I mean people everywhere in the world want that peace. But humility is one of the most important qualities, which you must have, because if you are humble, if you make people realize that you are no threat to them, then people will embrace you. They will listen to you…”
When he was asked how was it that he had no anger and bitterness against those who had wrongfully sent him in prison for 27 years when he eventually came out, he said: “I hated oppression, and when I think about the past and what they did, I feel angry, but again that is just my feeling, the brain always dominates… you have a limited time to stay here in earth, you must try and use that period, for the purpose of transforming your country into what you desire it to be – with democratic, non-racial, non-segregation country, and that was the greatest task. And therefore, you have to reject all negative feelings in your own soul, in your blood system, and focus your attention on the positive things.”
In another speech, Mandela said: “If in these later years of a life lived in pursuit of equality, we can at last look upon our own country as one in which citizens, regardless of race, gender or creed, share equal political rights and opportunities for development, we do so with great gratitude towards the millions upon millions all around the world, who materially and morally supported our struggle for freedom and justice…”
“One of the mistakes, which some political analysts make, is to think that their enemies should be our enemies… ANYBODY, WHO CHANGES HIS PRINCIPLES DEPENDING ON WHOM HE IS DEALING WITH, THAT IS NOT A MAN WHO CAN LEAD A NATION.”
I can go on and on to quote some of his speeches and words of wisdom because they are quite many. But I believe the ones above are worth reflecting on, especially by our present crop of Nigerian political leaders. Most of whom have succeeded in creating only two major tribes in Nigeria - the Elites and the Masses. And this is explained thus: once you make lots of money (especially from stolen public funds), you belong to the ‘elite tribe’. When you are a commoner, suffering or struggling daily to make-ends-meet, you belong to the ‘tribe of the masses.’ If you are an elite, and you need more power or elective position, you sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, so as to sway their emotion for your personal victory. This happens at both the national and State level. Unfortunately, after the election when they have won and joined their “sworn enemies” to drink and party, the gullible masses continue to fight each other and even celebrate these public thieves in the elite tribe domain. Even smart people who belong to the masses sometimes will sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, and then the masses will carry them up until they belong to the elite class. It is a classic strategy used hundreds of years ago in the art of war.
That means, a commoner who aspires to sit with the elites, could stir up powerful tribal or religious sentiments, such wave if properly utilized either by shedding blood or destabilizing the elites, carries the commoner to the elite class. But once there, he immediately mingles and makes peace with the elite tribe and turns his back on the same masses that helped him get there. Youths are the worst victim of this powerplay, they kill each other, call other tribes unprintable names, do terrible things, and sometimes, even lose their life, thinking they are fighting for their right, not knowing that they are fighting for the personal welfare of someone, whose own children are probably safe in North America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE) or any other place in the developed world.
As Nelson Mandela noted, we have to start being honest with ourselves and strive to have peace within, so that we can be able to positively impact our society because YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE. Mandela was humble, modest, and was a man who had high morality and peace within himself, hence, he was able to freely give and radiate these ‘life-changing qualities’ to others around him and in everywhere he went. This is one goal, we all, especially our Nigerian political leaders seriously need to work hard to achieve – that is – ‘change yourself with the right code of conduct so that you can be able to change others and your environment. This is because, like we said, you cannot give what you do not have.
With the recent happenings in the country’s political landscape, even with the 2023 general elections still a bit far off, the above quote from Nelson Mandela: “Anybody, who changes his principles depending on whom he is dealing with, that is not a man who can lead a nation,” should be food for thought for all Nigerians in helping to decide their next set of public office holders at all levels of government. That means, Nigerians should be wary of those politicians who jump from one political party to another. This is typical of most Nigerian politicians, who are nothing but ‘political opportunist' whose pedigree, is the do-or-die-kind-of-politicking, which is evident in the country’s political landscape. They easily pitch their tents wherever they feel would favour their usually self-driven political agendas.
This again should tell us that the ‘motives’ of most Nigerian politicians who have made up their minds to become political leaders; is never about ‘service’, neither is it about bringing any ground vision of rapid development of one’s community and country to square up with its counterpart anywhere in the world. If it were; and if the ‘motives’ were right, Nigeria would have undergone tremendous transformation in over 21 years of democracy.
Let the above quotes and words of wisdom by Mandela, be food for thoughts for all of us, especially all our Nigerian political leaders across the country – to reflect on and make the necessary changes on a personal ground and on the nation in general. Mandela lived a worthy life of emulation. Nigeria and other African leaders, and the world at large, should learn from his selfless service to humanity.
Zik Gbemre.
August 10, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes