AFRICA AND THE PAINS OF NATIONHOOD:

Under the watch of the whole world it took Robert Mugabe’s government fifty four days to arrive at the decision to make an announcement that Zanu-Pf was beaten but not with a convincing majority. Mugabe government took fifty four days because she had to look at the modest way of rigging without appearing too obvious to the public that her party was humiliated and disgraced by this defeat. To gain face Mugabe evoked the constitution to rerun Presidential election on 27 June but then instructed his hooligans of lawlessness to hunt down MDC membership, resulting in the MDC president withdrawing from the race. Africa has not condoned but not condemned either the self anointing of Robert Mugabe as President in a solo run up for Zimbabwe presidency.
 
This is how a fitting tribute to the courageous and passionate son of Africa , then chairman of the Southern Africa Development Conference (SADC) and then the Right Honourable President of Zambia, The Late His Excellency Levy Mwanawase would run closely in association with the Zimbabwe political dilemma ongoing. Ordinary Zimbabwe people never met Mwanawase but revered his courage and his position against their suffering when it came to the issue of the need  for Zimbabwe democratic change of government.
 
In June 2008 appointed by the MDC President, Mr M D Tsvangirai to be his Presidential Envoy, I had a unique pleasure of meeting with His Excellency President Levy Mwanawase in Lusaka. I jetted into Zambia during sunset hours and at very short notice. I met the president in his  athletic suit confessing his attire but not the desire to see a solution for Zimbabwe. Jovial, quick to see issues and wearing a contagious smile always, this son of Africa took close to two hours looking at the issue besetting the people of Zimbabwe. He was a friend to men, a brother and a compassionate leader. May God grant his family peace that passeth all understanding now and hereafter. The people of Zambia, while your loss is irreplaceable it is worrisome to the ordinary Zimbabweans who now have no advocate at the SADC and have lost a friend at the African Union level; and a leader for Africa. His contribution has been short but invaluable contrary to the men of the stature of Mr Robert Mugabe and his infamous work of retribution plus inflicting of suffering among the ordinary and poor Zimbabwean.
Botswana will miss an ally in principles of democracy and development on the continent. While also an honest observation should be made as follows: If Africa unanimously cannot tell wrong by its name but venerate individuals so much as they have done and are doing to Robert Mugabe, it shall always be a puzzle to the young generation on the continent as to which is more respectable to honour life or to destroy life.
The words of Zambia’s foreign Minister at the immediate past SADC heads of state meeting should set Africa searching for a position on undressing dirty politics to arrive at the genuine bondage of a Union. The Union is being shaken no doubt. The refusal to go to the SADC meeting by Botswana, in protest against the poor leadership by Mugabe and his crop of an ashamed surrogate, signals the inevitable and irreversible hand of change against dictatorship and tyranny on the continent.
 
Africa should not be specializing in circumventing the people will by making arrangements that venerate political failure. Africa cannot sacrifice people freedom on the cross of venerating individuals who throw away rule of law to save their glory and run down the world.
 
It’s a pity that no one takes the pain and trouble to recounting the people’s suffering that takes place in a tyrannical governed country, among most of the current leaders; except when the country go towards an election. This falsehood should stop and be replaced by an honest attempt to give people what they need in leadership.
 
We pray that God will grant us many Mwanawases in any new crop of leadership on the continent. Men and women who neither will be bought nor exchange their love for people with anything. Men and women who will not short change people but will put them number one upon everything else. The Late Levy Mwanawase was such a man, forthright and straightforward. He brought new approach to politics on the continent, the type of politics which can only bring development on the continent. The hide and seek approach to leadership has failed our continent. We cannot afford legging behind by default while others make progress. We cannot afford to condone any leader that butcher people like goats at any cost for anything. A country with money which is valueless only signifies total failure, to associate with such failure only help to show birds of the same further. Congratulations Botswana for making the difference. Congratulations Zambia for being willing to share the life of a leader with Africa and with Zimbabwe.
 
May indeed the soul of this unique leader, the Right Honourable levy Mwanawase find internal peace in waiting upon the coming of the everlasting glory.