National leaders should be exemplary in conduct

Don-Martin Takudzwa Whande | Friday March 19, 2010 00:00

Following this obscene act, the President of South Africa Jacob Zuma was reported as saying the men who attacked the two women paramedics, raping one, attending to a burnt toddler, ''behaved like animals''. Indeed, acts like these should be damned since they simply result in regression instead of progression of a country.

Although Zuma conducted himself competently by visiting and sympathising with the families affected and speaking out against such vile, which is expected of any leader, I however do feel sorry for him in a way.

The problem with leaders these days is that they invalidate themselves simply by their own misconduct.

Honestly, if I were a leader, who would believe and have faith in me if I would come out speaking out against rape, yet I am guilty of such similar offences? I am sure no one would take my word seriously. It is in that scenario that the people being led will then label their leaders as nothing but a bunch of hypocrites.

I, amongst many others, vote for leaders into respectable positions of authority simply expecting to be led. However, when leaders err we also expect them to rectify their opaque beliefs, deeply rooted in dense cultural norms, so that the whole nation sees non-partisanship and non-tribalistic shenanigans.

It is my plea to national leaders to understand that being in positions of leadership demands accountability because poor governance of a country, church or any institution misleads hopeful minds.

On the other hand, I do appreciate the fact that a few weeks ago Zuma publicly apologised for fathering another child out of wedlock amongst many others of his alleged misdemeanours. But the problem these days, especially with me, is that apologising is not enough.We have had enough of hearing presidents and leaders preaching 'responsible behaviour.' All we want now is to 'see' their responsible behaviour. We want to see leaders practicing what they preach.

We want to see their way of conduct, connecting with what they advocate. I take it personally when leaders criticise unruly acts that they themselves are guilty of committing. This is really disconcerting. Be that as it may, with South Africa reportedly having the highest HIV/AIDS infection in the world, one would then expect leaders like Zuma to exhibit commendable behaviour that the rest of the nation would follow.

It is understandable for the reader not to see the link between a leader recklessly having a lot of children out of wedlock and also the same leader advocating for the eradication of HIV/AIDS. I hope this article will highlight my position concerning this issue.

Although I commend Zuma for increasing the roll-out of antiretroviral drugs to the people of South Africa, he is, however, failing in the way he is conducting himself not only to the South Africans but to the world as a whole. After his recent saga it becomes difficult for the people to listen to him because some might not see integrity, sympathy and any moral principles in him. For anyone to be approved by the people as being a good leader, he or she is supposed to be exemplary in conduct. 

When we honour our word, it will hold weight in our lives. It is also my strongest of wishes that all leaders at any level, restrain themselves a bit from man-made culture because not all culture is good.

Although culture is supposed to be dynamic, it slowly eats away established values and its full-blown effects are disastrous. Zuma should understand that he no longer belongs to his family alone. He now belongs to all South Africans and to millions of Africans who look up to him because of the prideful position he holds on behalf of Africans.

This is the same scenario within the church. We follow leaders because we see genuineness and perfection in them. I am not saying people should imitate all leaders. Some leaders are bogus and your God-given conscience is supposed to be your guide in making decisions concerning who to follow. I believe it is not sensible and honourable for a leader who is always preaching 'responsible behaviour' to be found perpetrating irresponsible behaviour.

In conclusion, it would be helpful if leaders would move towards pristine ethics or else they would be setting themselves up for compromise. Repetitive criticism should be an alert that something in our lives needs examination. Instead of leaders becoming defensive and reinforcing their argument, they should move away from tunnel vision and embrace the ideas of others.

Only if and when they honour their word might we be able to follow their lead and see truth in them. Let me remind leaders that we are on their side not against them, and our desire is to help them lead us, not to hinder them. There is great truth in the saying 'prevention is better than cure.' A scar will not simply go away because the wound has been cured.