GOOD teachers — and they are rare — make us feel good. We do not like to let them down.
Column by Tapiwa Nyandoro
They are not jealousy of us if we are (very) intelligent. They make us want to go to school, even though we are not the brightest.
They do no make us feel insecure or inadequate. They do not humiliate us. They love us. They have “faith” and “hope” that in due course we will make the grade.
Robert Mugabe Snr may be one such teacher, and his former pupils and far younger members of his Cabinet may testify to this. Cool as a cucumber in the serenity that comes with age, at 89, he may make the most idyllic boss.
What could be behind the President’s charm to his political adversaries? Could it be his technique and expertise as a teacher? Are teachers charming? Do they make good managers? How about leadership skills; do they have any?
Consoler-in-Chief On occasions that he has to eulogise a deceased national figure, as the nation’s Mourner-in-Chief — for mourning is our business; is it not? — he helps the bereaved and the nation deal with emotions.
It is not without basis that an undertaker is the nation’s businessman of the year.
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According to a Harvard Business School publication by Kevin Ochesner, an associate Professor at Columbia University: “Helping people deal with emotions is a key leadership skill especially in times of crisis.
“The tone set may effectively quell negative emotions, or promote beneficial emotions and improve camaraderie, trust and team performance.”
Muckraker, in his article in the Zimbabwe Independent issue of December 7, 2012 seemed to be a worried man.
He could not understand why MDC top brass, including the leader, occasionally pays homage and plaudits to Zanu PF’s Robert Mugabe. He need not be.
There is nothing wrong for Tendai Biti to describe Mugabe as a “fountain of knowledge” if it is true. Foreign embassy officials have said as much. Chamisa complements the President on “wisdom” which does come with age. He may be right.
Getting the GPA/GNU complex of the ground, with a very weak hand required patience, maturity and wisdom.
The Prime Minister’s admission that his team needed an apprenticeship in government must be applauded by all. That is how he feels.
He is simply being honest.
He does not subscribe to the school of thought that says: “One sometimes has to lie in order to preserve one’s reputation.” Truthfulness is a good virtue.
These honest plaudits are a testimony of the MDC-T’s simplicity and high values. These are virtues, not own goals, as some have suggested.
Bearer of tokens And then there is the bloated Executive, inclusive of provincial governors and the bloated legislature, not to mention the ubiquitous quangos and the indigenisation exercise in the name of black empowerment.
All have their roles. In the words of Malcolm X such trickery is simply “tokenism”. “Tokenism benefits only a few. (The new petit bourgeoisie) It never benefits the masses and the masses are the ones who have the problem (poverty), not the few. That one who benefits from tokenism, he doesn’t want to be around us anyway — that’s why he picks up on the token.”
And who doubts that our Cabinet ministers across party lines, the Prime Minister included, have picked up on the tokens? The travel and subsistence vote has turned out to be a pot of irresistible illicit honey that most in Cabinet have voraciously partaken off.
The A2 farm, of course, is yet another major token, as the Indigenisation Share Certificate.
Charmer –in – Chief Welshman Ncube of the smaller MDC faction has also recently joined the praise singers from the bloated Cabinet.
Recent Press reports have the law professor likening the President to a “father figure, who can master detail over a wide range of government issues”.
The secretary-general of the professor’s party and Regional Integration minister also piped in saying: “The President is a real charmer, a ladies man with a very good sense of humour.”
Charisma is an essential ingredient of leadership and the President has that in abundance.
Power too, does help. It is not for nothing that Henry Kissinger said: “It is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”
However, it corrupts too; absolute power is reputed to corrupt absolutely!
Herdboy par excellence Asked about his leadership style, Nelson Mandela explained that he borrowed the style from his herdboy days back in his youth. “A good herdboy,” the great man explained, “drives the herd from behind it.” “He lets the herd of cattle be led by its natural leader, who invariably takes the desired route.”
The rod is spared for the laggard and the beast that takes a deviant turn.
This is more in line with the Japanese saying that goes: “The nail that sticks out, gets hammered back in.” Jonathan Moyo might vouch for this. Julius Malema is another living example.
But closer analysis shows how useful the leading cow is. In the case of a minister, he or she runs with a contemporary strategy and presents an excellent scapegoat in the event of things falling apart. Robert Mugabe shares this management style.
Bernard Chidzero ran with Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). Robson Manyika with price controls.
Gideon Gono with quasi-fiscal activities and very loose monetary policies.
Now it’s Saviour Kasukuwere’s turn to lead the herd with his indigenisation and empowerment electoral strategy.
The President has clearly many other endearing qualities. As he turns 89, it is no longer time for politics as usual.
He is a herd boy no more. As for Pope Benedict, one member of his generation, it is time for contemplation. Happy birthday Gushungo!
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