NELSON Mandela, the most admired leader of our times, had insisted on not being appointed President of a democratic South Africa.
The decision “was imposed upon me much against my advice,” said Mandela, upon his release after 27 and a half years in jail in his struggle against the dreadful system of apartheid.
“I advised against the decision (of leaders of the African National Congress) on the grounds that I would turn 76 that year, that it would be wise to get a far younger person, male or female…”
Ever the servant leader, Mandela then insisted he would not carry out a second term.
“Shortly after I became President, I publicly announced that I would serve one term only and would not seek re-election.”
It is probably unjust to compare anyone with Mandela, a secular saint whose many virtues included his unbounded modesty.
But anyone who manages people’s destinies and claims to be promoting their interests must stand scrutiny about their leadership style.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who turns 73 on Divali Day, has just signed on to serve for five more years as political leader of People’s National Movement, one of the Caribbean’s most entrenched political organisations.
Rowley, already Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest serving leader, had hinted at retirement on that August 2020 night when he led his party to a repeat electoral victory.
“This could easily be my last term in politics,” he told the faithful at Balisier House.
Rowley looks fit for his age, but so, too, did Mandela, a former boxer who, in his early years in the punishing Robben Island jail, was made to do hard labour for up to 10 hours a day.
But leadership is about much more than physical fitness.
For Mandela, it was about being abreast of global events, foreseeing “the future course of such developments,” using talents “to serve the community” and being “highly respected and admired for … efforts and sacrifice.”
Mandela wrote what may be the ultimate depiction of the qualities of a good leader.
“The combination of talent and humility, of being able to be at home with both the poor and wealthy, the weak and the mighty, ordinary people and royalty, young and old, men and women, with a common touch irrespective of their race or background, are admired by humankind all over the world.”
Trinidad and Tobago would ultimately evaluate Rowley’s leadership.
But it is noteworthy that most of the big-ticket PNM 2015 general election manifesto promises – diversify the economy, conquer crime enact procurement legislation etc. – remain undone.
Professor Selwyn Cudjoe, an avowed card-carrying PNMite, has already passed judgment.
In an article headlined “Keith Rowley’s Failed Leadership,” Cudjoe said the Prime Minister “does not possess a coherent view of the society.”
Rowley “needs to attend to his duties in a humble manner,” Cudjoe stated.
But there are even more deep-rooted matters.
When, in 2015, Rowley claimed there was no evidence that computers in classrooms aided students, I wondered about his smarts in a modern, technology-driven, competitive world.
His government has dragged its feet on digitisation of the public sector and on implementing other dynamic, progressive features to catch up with the evolving global community.
For example, while aquaculture is a modern food-growing facility, Rowley said: “We have no land to talk about to get involved in agriculture…”
PNM flatterers are hailing Rowley’s ongoing leadership but they are the grovelling grandchildren of those who dared not challenge Dr. Eric Williams even as he faltered and eventually died in office.
Age, judgment, mental acuity, talent and work ethic are critical issues for all who seek to lead a nation’s future in the midst of historic social and economic crises.
But, despite blank threats to walk away from the eminence and perks of office, few ever willingly do so.
I could think of one such leader.
Nelson Mandela!
