I was flying from Bulawayo when suddenly there was commotion and as I looked up — guess what? It was one of the country’s Vice-Presidents.
Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje
I was not sure whether to be excited or terrified because the scene was serious and tense, as is usually the case when an important personality is present — in most patriarchal settings that is.
Whether it is cultural or sheer humanity, I am not sure.
Anyway, excitement and curiosity got the better of me and I asked a woman next to me, the only female in the entourage, if I could get a selfie with the Vice-President — a sister is allowed to try her luck, right?
Of course she said no, a pretty expected response though.
She explained something to do with security and stuff.
Well, at least I had tried my luck and since I was tired from the day’s engagements, I stopped probing.
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The no became a “yes” — miracles do happen. However, it got me reflecting, as I am such a “thinker”, is this the best form of leadership? Is there need for a new form of leadership?
I have lost count of how many times I have had to stop my car for an entourage which are not the fire brigade, national sports teams and ambulances. An important personality deserves respect and I get that because I have never thought I struggle with authority.
However, even as I give way to the powers-that-be, I am always wondering whether my child’s school run is also not as critical as wherever that respectable person is speeding to. Is there not a better way to do this? Maybe they should use the air, where there is more space and less congestion for their busy lives — just a suggestion from the woman who is annoyed by having to stop at least once or twice a day because, somehow our schedules with the “higher” powers are frequently colliding.
But again, who am I kidding, I do not have the same positional power that commands other vehicles to give way to me at the sign of those neon signalling arms of traffic police police.
This is the same with a flight, whose passengers have to be reminded constantly that there is the Vice-President in their midst. Well, maybe it was important we know so the crazy-minded ones like me would know where to draw the line and be at our best behaviour.
I remember growing up and having mixed feelings when visitors came to our home. My mother would cook a wicked meal and we all knew that we would have lots of delicious cuisine. Most times we would have to eat separately from the adults, but in some instances, we would be coached beforehand on how to behave if we were to share the same space with the adults.
So the rule was that once you are done eating, you say your “thank you(s)” and then go and play outside. We were kids below the age of 10, so playing outside was not as fun as being in the midst of grown ups, as they shared their latest stories, gossip and all sorts. But, discipline was of paramount importance if one was to remain in their company.
We had to be seen, but never heard. Once in a while the mind of a 10-year-old wonders and forgets, so my wonderful mother would give you “the eye”. This was a familiar look, where she pouted her lips and stared at you with a lingering glance that sent shivers down your spine and forced you to immediately abort whatever mischievious behaviour you were up to and immediately leave the room nervously.
If she had fun, then she would merely give you a warning, but if she was not being gracious that day, a spanking was in order.
When I was there on that flight with the Vice-President, as is the case when authority is forced in my face, I recalled this and wondered if only the-powers-that-be actually know what it is they are inflicting on us at the expense of our peace of mind. Sometimes it may not be as direct, but those men in suits and glasses do a great job of freaking others out.
I have always wondered if there was no other way to “make us” behave that my mother could have employed. Is there no alternative way of doing things that does not include a militant approach yet, achieving the desired results? How about letting us be kids and be silly? Well, depending on who you are and your worldview, much discussion can be generated from this.
The point here is that, there are so many ways of killing a cat and let us explore them before making it uncomfortable for those we lead.
Just recently, a friend of mine shared on Twitter that “the power of authentic leadership is found in the human heart not external arrangements” and someone called Havel is the “owner” of such depth of leadership wisdom.
Human beings have hearts and have a silent notion of having their leaders have a heart for them as they lead. When one has to be militant, bribing and you name it then something drastic has happened to their humanity and ubuntu.
Imagine a world where leadership is about having a heart. I once visited the United States and tried to grab a selfie with Forest Whitaker — his bodyguards quickly jumped in to stop me. He looked up and asked them to let me be so I could have an opportunity to take a photo with him.
I felt he had such a wonderful heart — he could be horrible in other spaces, but for what he did in that moment, he won my vote if ever he would need it one day.
Why can’t our leaders have at least one hero moment with us the people they lead? It would guarantee, in some aspect, my vote, my heart and willing support instead of me silently complying yet my heart is making so much noise.
There is urgent need of a new way of leading that will make each of us human enough for those we lead. It is not ultimately about posing for selfies, but being a leader with a heart for the people being led. Zimbabwe needs human beings with Ubuntu to lead us to the next level.
You and I are those human beings. We need to stand up and show our leaders the way of leading. Let’s do this!
l\Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje writes in her personal capacity and loves stimulating conversation. She would be excited to hear from you. You can contact Grace on [email protected], follow her on twitter @graceruvimbo or Facebook: Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje. Chat soon.
