More than anything else, the people of this land want respect

Vie

THE aftermath of the local government elections, the ANC and all other political parties will have to redefine what being a “people leader” means.

Getting this right is what will determine who will be the winner in the 2019 national polls.

The new calibre of leadership will have to be of the people, by the people, for the people, to quote Abraham Lincoln.

It is now clear that it will not be enough for its leaders or veterans – male or female, young or old – to bank on how long they have been with the movement or what they have done.

These are new times where the children of the children of Nelson Mandela, Anton Lembede, Robert Sobukwe and Walter Sisulu are not taught history.

Presumably, there are no renowned African historians who impart knowledge and information at malls or street corners for free. Also, there are no schools for the young to attend Saturday classes or holiday camps.

If the young ones neither know history nor are interested, it is because there are no dedicated teachers or excellent centres of learning.

Many youths don’t know where their people come from or truly understand why they were in exile, imprisoned, banned or killed.

But they are here, in this country, now, only interested in the immediate present and the future.

In fact, the young ones have seen their father, mothers and leaders buy into the “material worshipping” culture. They are taking after them.

They will tell you straight to your face that history is dead, gone and forgotten and will not come back.

It may be a miracle for them to live beyond 25 years. They are plagued by Aids, joblessness, hopelessness, murder, theft, robbery, rape, violence and poverty.

Thus it will not be enough for anyone who considers themselves a leader of the people or their movement to only wait for invitations to a national celebration or remembering a tragedy like Sharpeville, Soweto or Marikana to show themselves.

A leader has no business being ferried around in bluelight cavalcades, ushered into VVIP marquees and then expect to be recognised for what they have done or be praised for showing compassion.

When liberation fighters took to battle it was neither for self-glory nor was it an investment to receive rewards and awards when freedom finally dawned.

Instead, their willingness to go to battle or die was an offer of self-sacrifice to the service of the people. It was an act of selflessness.

It should be seen as a gesture that follows the dictate of conscience.

The individual ego had to be sacrificed, killed, to keep the desire for liberation burning bright.

What traumatised and depresses many is not that we are free, it is what some leaders have done with the freedom.

It can safely be presumed that the self-sacrifice of lead- ers was born of the conviction that fighting for freedom and self-determination was a thankless job.

Freedom fighters are different breed of men and women. They don’t necessarily know how to rule nor have to rule. They exhaust their energy and role as soon as freedom walks the land.

Fighting for the freedom of a country is not being a group of thugs who desire to divide the spoils among themselves.

A true leader will not wait for VVIP invitations delivered by a courier service for them to sign an acknowledge form. It is not to show the invitations to their friends who may not be on the guest list.

The fact is, they don’t have to be invited or be included as keynote speakers on the programme.

A leader should not hesitate to get into the buses and trains with the people.

The leader has no special preferences and preoccupation with large tables heaving with food. They are not impressed by the free flow of booze that wastes resources.

They are willing to eat from brown paper bags as long as their desire for justice and equality is fulfilled. They must see it with their eyes.

The leader knows and accepts that they are what they are because of the people.

The leadership must climb down the floors of delusional aristocracy to be with the people on the ground.

Above all, the people want dignity and respect to make things happen for themselves.

Sandile Memela is a journalist, writer, cultural critic and civil servant. He writes in his personal capacity.