What Ethiopian leaders should learn from Mandela?

December 7, 2013

by Markos Abiy

THE theme running through Nelson Mandela’s life was “his unshakeable belief that one human being can change the course of history dramatically for the better”, writes David Blair in the Daily Telegraph.

Blair writes, Mandela was “perhaps the only global hero” in an age where ubiquitous scepticism makes people unwilling to canonise public figures.

But Mandela was much more than a politician (although he was a skilled one). “In a bitterly divided South Africa,” writes Blair, “Mandela won the love of almost all his compatriots.”

Mandela’s life struggle, principles, values, politics, leadership and even passage were full of lessons.

The Ethiopian political leaders could learn from his exemplary life of commitment to the cause of liberating his people from racial subjugation; his life of service to South Africa and Africa in general.

Mandela did not exploit his idolisation and the love of his people to build a financial empire for himself, he didn’t privatise public enterprises and sell them to himself or his party,he didn’t make his country land locked with 80 million people. He didn’t apply divide and rule policy. He didn’t use his public life for private gains. he didn’t cheat elections and won 99.6%.

What made him remarkable and unique was that he was a politician who managed to remain untarnished by the messy compromises of power. Indeed, his image was even boosted by the manner in which he left office, stepping down voluntarily after only one rely.

Ethiopian leaders will not imbibe the Mandela example. They would rather follow Mohammed gaddafi and Hosni mubarak.

Ethiopian leaders should learn from Nielson Mandela to create distinctive values and never forget where they are from. They should also learn true forgiveness and love, never to be vindictive.

He was a ruler who believed in serving his people, in giving them and not taking from them. He left when the ovation was loudest. His love for his country, his honesty, integrity, fearlessness, sense of justice and fair play, are things to emulate. He was a complete leader. Indeed Mandela was a gift of God and greatest son of Africa.

He chose to be a man of the people. That has bought him the honour that wealth cannot acquire. The question to the Ethiopian leaders is ‘What would they want to be remembered for?’