The Highjacked Revolution

THE HIGHJACKED REVOLUTION

By 

Norman Musiiwa

My father is popularly known as Mr Able. At the age of ninety he is rather too strong for his age. He fights hard against a slight forward tilt that he feels betrays him. The old man hardly uses a walking stick unless he is unwell, a rare occurrence in his life. Mr Able brags about his health and always encourages his grandchildren to take up masculine jobs that train them to think strong and live strong. He recommends joviality and says it helps the body resists disease and keeps the heart functional. The old man sucks on his golden pipe which he brought from overseas where he says he often went for political conferences in the late sixties when his sub-Saharan nation was at the verge of a war of liberation. Mr Able has turned into a prolific story teller whose political analysis is unique. In fact his political ideas are a product of lessons he learnt in the 1960s during his black political activism. They carry with them a radicalism that makes them fail to find space in a continent where greed and corruption have been crowned as leadership virtues. 

It was the dying hours of day and Loice had just read aloud from her smart phone, how Africa stands threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the continent’s poor health delivery system. This was the usual routine when everybody was back from the busy day’s toils. One anthropologist from the west had expressed great fear over the possibility of a looming disaster over the continent and had said she believed bodies were likely to pile dead along the streets of Africa. Loice is one of Mr Able’s many grandchildren. She is doing political science at one of the country’s universities.

“There we go again! Africa, my dear Africa! Another dark cloud hovers over the continent,” the old man commented with passionate regret.

“But why is Africa so poor Uncle?” Loice asked still holding her smart phone like it was the real Africa. She loved listening to her grandfather who would delve into his characteristic long political lectures to the girl who herself was supposed to be doing the lecturing. I knew we were set for another one of my father’s elaborate lectures that evening.

“Africa is not poor as such my child. The poverty of Africa is leadership induced incapacity. I am one of the pioneers of Black consciousness of the late 1950s. I studied the History of capitalist revolutions with particular reference to Britain. That western nation went through what was referred to as the Agricultural Revolution which refers to the improved technology on methods of plant cultivation and animal husbandry. This gave rise to improved production in Agriculture, necessitating the emergence of industry as the surplus products needed processing, packaging and eventual marketing. That in turn became known as the Industrial Revolution which flourished to such proportions that there was need for overseas markets. Without politicising the process of History, it is my submission that our economic progress was supposed to be much faster than that of nations like Britain. Ask me why? Much as colonialism had its ills, it brought a full package of both agricultural and industrial technology which Africa could have copied and utilized to bridge the gap between the west and her. What did Africa do? Her citizens got satisfied with a life of mediocrity while excellence was knocking at their doors. They slumbered and cherished a life of servitude as they supplied the needed labour in the industries sprouting in their own land.” I knew the old man had started. We enjoyed his wild lectures and sometimes got carried away as he delved into the political history of his nation. Father loves his Africa with a passion but is not in the least racist which eventually made him a bit unpopular among his political contemporaries.

“But Uncle, the poverty of Africa is primarily due to the slave trade and colonialism which are the nursery beds of Africa’s exploitation by the west,” Loice was showing more enthusiasm in the discussion.

“As long as our education institutions present History with a biased political eye, we will remain ignorant of the liberating truth in our quest for real freedom for Africa. It is more beneficial to look at History objectively in order to benefit from the heroism it depicts and avoid the errors committed by its villains. The rapid development that we saw in Africa in the colonial era and the resultant escalation of production in every sector of life was enough to keep Africa going. We saw the emergence of industrial cities and towns which attracted us as young man of our time to engage in the initial rural-urban migration processes. I do not justify the discrimination and oppressive legislation that the white man exercised but I remain aware of the benefits that Africa accrued from colonialism.” Mr able is known for his characteristic objectivity whenever he engages in debates. He always toes a very unusual line of reasoning too radical for a black activist. He has his own interpretation of History that many would fear to subscribe to.

“Uncle, if you say colonialism had positive effects upon Africa, why then did you pioneer the emergence of African resistance?” Mr Able loved Loice for her mind provoking questions. He loved discussing the history of his nation which he believed was synonymous to African history.

“Like I said earlier on, the degree of discrimination between the white colonial master and the indigenous African was too ghastly to contemplate. The white colonial ruler did not allow room for black people representation in parliament or in any form of corporate governance. In fact there were a lot of oversights on the part of the white man’s attitude towards the black man. There were too many inequalities that dehumanized the African and such disregard of the dignity of the black man instigated us to take a position where we had to engage the white colonial ruler so that he would regard us as equal beings with the same dignity and rights as him. Much as we attempted to downplay the good of colonialism, this did not destroy the glaring truth that Africa stood to benefit from the coming of the white man into the continent. As one of the founder members of the National Democratic Party, I personally grew gradually unpopular due to my advocacy for a balanced approach to our political narrative. Propaganda and nationalism reduce the human mentality into a selfish and misinformed entity whose judgement becomes impaired by the absence of truth in his view point. True civilization should ride on the vehicle of truth and it’s the truth that will liberate humankind from the manacle of mental slavery. In fact the whole concept of civilization should be regarded as man’s discovery of the liberating truth, enabling him to manipulate his environment for improved co-habitation.” Mr Able surveyed me with his elderly eyes that depicted a combination of wisdom wit. I knew he wanted to whisk me into to the discourse.

**** 

 “And you Stephen! You are a journalist? If ever there is Hell, our journalists won’t miss it and I believe there is. You are a brood of liars and to your own people. This is against both moral and divine law. I do not blame you but I won’t be part of the judgement jury on doom’s day. I know it’s tough for many to bite the hand that feeds them. There is a chronic deficit of truth in Africa which has kept her marking time like a dog chasing its own tail. Any political agenda premised on half-truths is bound to crumple into insignificance. To salvage ourselves from the political cancer that keeps eating away the collective energy of Africa, we need responsible journalism. What do you promise us in that respect, son?” Father’s political thought and my profession were antagonistic. In Africa, a journalist indirectly serves his government which plays the tune to which we are meant to dance. Everything else becomes pure rhetoric.

“To say the least daddy, I believe that there is nothing like independent journalism in the world. If such an institution of journalists exists, where objective truth finds space, then the first question to ask ourselves is: ‘Who will be feeding them?’ Our reporting serves the system of the time. That is the truth for you daddy and I wouldn’t tell it to any other personality this way.” I thought pre-empting him would save the situation.

“I said it! ‘Until the lion learns to write, hunting tales will always glorify the hunter.’ Africa should learn to write her own narrative with objectivity and passion. If the legitimate custodians and conveyers of socio-political information to society are themselves in captivity for want of bread and butter on their stables, where shall Africa go for the mirror of her identity? Our land’s journalist is playing partisan while the continent’s citizens sing a funeral dirge in the continent’s corners and caves. The information we need is kept under the pillows of propaganda while we are fed with the dregs meant to secure and fatten the people’s sell outs. This has been the error of the pre-colonial era where the kings and chiefs were portrayed as demigods of the people having an unquestionable right to sell their subjects as slaves. During the colonial era, the journalist portrayed the heroism of the coloniser and his motherland and none narrated the rich elements of the indigenous people’s culture. Today nobody from within has courage enough to tell the tale of Africa, opening space for the keen pen of the west to write a narrative that depicts Africa as a sorry and unredeemable basket case. Why at all did I send you to school Stephen? I wanted you to be a responsible citizen who would have the courage to stand and be prepared to die for the liberating truth. Now you cower and hide your tail to the growl of other men like a cry baby.” Father’s direct invocation made something turn in my heart. 

“But Uncle! What should the African child know? Do you mean to say that the western world needs not poke their noses into African affairs?” Loice came in visibly enthusiastic. 

“I will start with the second question. African politicians may say all they want but reality tells me that the bond that exists between the west and Africa is virtually inseparable. We need Europe and America as much as they need us. Period! Now to come to the other question: The undercurrent truth pricks on the pride of both the west and Africa. If Africa has to keep pace with the rest of the globe, we need the west who are ahead of us in technological advancement and not in human dignity. Africa needs western technology to industrialize which is our legitimate next step along line the developmental path of Africa. Second Africa needs capitalization from the west, depending on the possibility of win-win bilateral agreements. The west needs Africa for its rich resource base without which their industrialized economies won’t survive. It’s unrealistic to think that western interest in Africa is purely humanitarian. There is need for trustworthy and skilled negotiators to be involved in the establishment of win-win agreements between the two parties.”

As I listened to my father speak I began to feel somewhat guilty. He was succeeding in having a disciple without him realizing it. I reflected on the various media workshops we often hold; the long discussions we would have over responsible journalism and ethics. All these would be soon forgotten when we are briefed by our superiors before we engage on sensitive projects. Sometimes we are ordered to cover issues that are stage managed just to tarnish specific personages’ images probably because they might be pausing a threat to the powers incumbent.

“Uncle! Do you think your political views will one day find audience on planet earth?” Loice had the freedom to taunt Mr Able, as a grandchild that is acceptable in our culture. “To say the least uncle, your ideas are in a class of their own. If everyone would see life the way you do, we would be assured of peace, love and unity that cut across colour, creed and race. Unfortunately man is so obsessed with his personal ego that humanitarian considerations find space in very few heads. You have told us briefly what you consider to be the truth and balance of African-western relationship. What could be the way forward for Africa to be free and self-sufficient? Also what is it that the west should know regarding the political realities of Africa vis a vis western relations?”

“We need political maturity especially among our leadership so as to foster good governance. Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development but in Africa this institution is yet to be. The underlying and pivotal factors of good governance are accountability, transparency, combating corruption, citizen participation, and an enabling legal framework. The focus in Africa is self-aggrandizement where leaders get into power and grow absorbed in the amassment of wealth at the expense of the citizens. In Africa, instead of mobilized civil societies we have crippled and voiceless civil societies that are victimized at the slightest show of discontent and activism. We have got brains in Africa who after suffering victimization opt to go to the same former colonizers who understand the concept of unity in diversity when it comes to their national development. In western countries our technocrats are housed and well-handled as they are used effectively for the development of those foreign lands. The African leader cares little for the brain drain and when there is developmental stagnation we point west. 

First we need inclusivity and participation; a situation that allows for all groups in particular the most vulnerable, to have direct or representative access to the systems of government. All the members of a community should feel included and empowered to improve or maintain their wellbeing, in particular the most vulnerable. This gives rise to a strong civil society where citizens have the freedom of association and expression.

Rule of Law constitutes impartial legal systems that protect the human rights and civil liberties of all citizens, particularly minorities; this is shown by an independent judicial framework and a police force that is non-partisan and free from corruption. Do we have that in Africa? Our security forces have been transformed into arms of violence against the masses to maintain the ruling class in power.

Transparency gives room for citizens to understand and have access to the means and manner in which decisions are made. The process of decision making should be openly transmitted to grassroots institutions in a simple and comprehensible manner that allows the man in the street to give input. What do we have in Africa? The man that controls the armed forces makes all decisions and even decides when to live office. Elections have been turned into a mockery in Africa with the rampant rigging that goes unchecked.

We would need responsive governments implying that government institutions respond to the queries of their stakeholders in the shortest possible time. If you should complain in Africa, you are inviting bullets and teargas canisters and not solutions.

The area of conflict resolution needs fitting attention in Africa. We need an Africa agenda that seeks to strike a balance between conflicting perspectives and expectations of a diverse citizenry. Decisions need to be made in a manner that takes into cognizance a deep understanding of the nation’s narrative in terms of history, culture, social context and diversity. We also need to learn from both the achievements and errors epitomized in our history.

The effectiveness and efficiency of a government comes about through sustainable use of resources to meet the needs of society whereby sustainability implies that there is meaningful social investments while ensuring natural resources are maintained for future generations. This can only happen in systems where governments are held accountable; whereby government institutions are held accountable to the people and to other institutions inclusive of government agencies, civil society, and private sector. Africa has endorsed a dictatorship that has silenced, deported and traded her citizenry into foreign slavery.

Before Africa points her index finger to the west or east, let her put her house in order; let her recall her exiled children; let Africa prove her maturity in her domestic policy; let her prove ability to elect true statesmen into positions of leadership, weeding out the dishonest and corrupt crop and replacing them with a people tried and tested in the crucible of probity and discipline. That’s my simple message to Africa! 

The agenda of the liberation struggles of Africa sounded sweet and sound. Africa’s revolution had started on a sound note but alas, how dismally the potential giant has fallen under the vultures of greed whose hands drip with the blood of the innocent. It’s a high jacked revolution requiring true statesmanship and unquestionable integrity on the part of the leadership and citizens of Africa. We wait in patient expectation, for such a day to dawn upon the sweltering plains and plateaus of Africa.” My father took his snow white handkerchief and wiped sweat from his wet forehead. He had turned visibly agitated and passionate for the Africa of his dream to manifest. He said it all with such energy and vigour that tell you he wants the change in his lifetime. Whether such change will come or not, we leave it in the hands of mother fate. 

The End