HAS Africa reached that stage yet where people would rather die for western democracy instead of focussing on important issues of stability and agrarian reform?
The just-ended AU summit has proved that Africa has come of age and cannot be dictated to anymore. The solidarity by African leaders on Zimbabwe clearly demonstrates that cutting the western templates of governance, regional relations and conflict resolution and pasting them on Africa, not only causes discomfort among African leaders but does not work.
The question that arises is whether African politicians, especially the new age opposition politicians, should continue importing western concepts and institutions or should consider resorting to improving our traditional institutions.
In its dealings with Africa, the West is always accusing African governments of breaching the international standards and norms of recognised democracy.
The question that arises is who defined what international standards are, and if African states ratified these international treaties, how much of our own culture influenced such provisions of these treaties?
Do we not find ourselves in the situation where we are compelled to sing songs of democracy and tolerance from western hymn-books with such reluctance that we sing these songs with so much discord?
If our societies are still patriarchal, and our villages are run on the basis of benevolent dictatorships with little consultation, and if our dispute resolution mechanisms are predominantly informed by our culture, why then do we expect our governments to operate diametrically opposed to the grain of our society?
After all the government is simply chosen by the people, from the people for the people and is a product of a given society. The same MP who, in private beats up his wife is the same person who is made an opposition spokesperson and despite murdering his wife in the most brutal way, he is still acknowledged as a public hero!
While there are very admirable qualities in some western institutions, is it not time we looked inward and became true to ourselves and began to embrace those concepts that reflect our cultural ideology.
This is not advocating a return to the caves of our ancestors, or resolving conflict according to the novel “Tambaoga Mwanangu” principles, but adopting fair and equitable principles of justice that reflect the core of who we are.
Everywhere in the world, wherever the western culture has invaded the local culture, there is bound to be friction and resistance. This is clear in Iraq, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and other countries suffering under the burden of modern day attempts at re-colonisation.
Readers should ponder the following questions: Whether democracy has worked in Africa, and if not, whether it can work and if so, how can it work? Is tolerance and respect for human rights the same as democracy?If not how come opposition politicians always mix up these terms?
Is a dictatorship always bad and if so, how come there are benevolent dictators in countries that still recognise the monarchy and royalty especially in the Middle East?
If people can live well under a benevolent dictator, e.g. in Dubai and Brunei and, if democracy is purely a western creature, is it worth dying for? Does the average African really cares about who rules - provided they have bread and butter on the table and petty cash for emergencies?
To you and I, Russia may not be an ideal democracy but its cabinet puts discipline and social cohesion above democratic principles. Why then should Africa follow in western foot prints instead of being at the liberty to create its own path? There will always be followers who follow but there are not always leaders to create and innovate.
While it is good for Africans to learn from the West inasmuch as the West can learn from Africa, Africans must beware of western agents planted amongst us to spread democracy and tolerance while they still live like chiefs in their own homes, will not tolerate any dissenting voices in their democratic movements, and condone their supporters throwing obscene threats at their critics.
By blindly following the paths etched by the West without pausing to ask the question “Why we are walking these paths?” we are just setting ourselves up to fail. We should reach deep inside and get back in touch with our original values and traditions so thatwhatever decisions we reach, these will be true to our culture (to thine own self be true) rather than externally motivated.
If we are in a conflict, we must look for ways of managing conflict that are informed by own cultural approach. The so-called international norms which are nothing but western principles strutting about as international mascots must always play second fiddle if they are not in sinc with our own culture.
However, we can still learn from foreign norms to improve our own way of doing things – especially with regards to the rights of children, women and respect for human rights generally.
It is high time we became frank with the West in that we intend ditching their institutions entirely and will be reinventing the wheel. This is the only way to stop the barking madness emanating from No 10 Downing Street.
All alert and wise minds will definitely want to reject the evil and self-destructive institutions of beastly beings!
1. Why participate in eurocentric inimical institutions that are inherently anti-African, racist and domineering?
2. Why participate in eurocentric inimical institutions, whose SOLE AIM is to promote European domination of the planet?
3. Why participate in eurocentric inimical institutions that are without even the pretense of simple human virtues?
4. Why participate in inimical institutions of beings whom WE KNOW FROM HISTORY ARE RELENTLESS ENEMIES OF AFRICANS?
Africans today can thrive well by policies that 'Look Inward' & Look East, where friends of Africa abound!
BODIDILEE, BULAWAYO • na Subject: Bring back the Munhumatapas, exsey! Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:18 • You said, ...how come there are benevolent dictators in countries that still recognise the monarchy and royalty especially in the Middle East?
As I see it, us dudes dont have a monarchy or royalty (which will also attract tourists). Therefore I insist that we seriously consider BRINGING BACK THE MUNHUMATAPAS who could also act in an advisory capacity as a consultant after stepping down as President!
Wot if when a President retires after a worthy reign he is then appointed as a Munhumatapa, i can hear you asking, and the First Munhumatapa is still alive?
Well, then the second President is appointed as Munhumatapa II-in-Waiting and automatically the two of them put their heads together as Advisory Consultants to advise Parliament etc. where necessary. Sometimes you can see the wood for the trees if you are out of the forest.
If then 5 years later yet another President steps down (and is considered worthy of the post) then he should become Munhumatapa III-in-Waiting and he too joins the board of Advisory Consultants to Parliament.
In this manner we would not automatically retire our Elder Statesmen-Presidents because their experience is of consequence, and in turn it would also show the rest of the world that we in Africa, honour our Elders in this manner, which no one cares to do in the west.
If ultimately we have a female President the same honour would be bestowed and she would also become Lady Munhumatapa in Waiting IV. But the Munhumatapas can only apply to those who have served as Presidents. Not those who were in the capacity of Vice, or Prime Ministers etc.
Unlike British Royalty our Munhumatapa post would only be hereditary in that the next President would be eligible to the post - provided he worked at it and did something honourable for the country. No one would be born to it thus eliminating evil nepotism.
e.g. if we have a president like Bush then we by-pass him so that the Munhumatapa position is not automatic but becomes a position that has to be earned.
Honouring our Elders is another African custom which we seem to be disassociating ourselves with -to the detriment of our society.
This idea certainly needs more working out in detail (regal outfits, rewards, company car etc.,) but this is it in a nutshell, dudes.
WHO WILL BE THE FIRST MUNHUMATAPA to make history and take his place on the throne to reign since the 16th century?
The last time the UK had a coronation it was a really splendid occasion with special coins and mugs remember? It drew thousands of tourists in - and, you have to admit it, the monarchy still does, exsey.
SUBMITYOUROPINION
Please make sure you fill in all sections for your post to be submitted. Use n/a if not submitting details. The submission code below is case-sensitive. Also make sure you get confirmation that your comment has been submitted.
