From a historical point of view, one could say that nations are by-products of the actions and inactions of their leaders; both the topmost leader and subordinates.

That’s why what leaders do and say matters; for it determines whether a nation will endure; earn and reproduce respect and conquer nature to feed, clothe, house and educate its citizenry.

In part, this is why the media — both social and traditional media — recently paid attention when on April 3, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe received a belated birthday gift in the form of a wheelchair from his Cabinet!

When the news first broke, many doubted its authenticity.

Later however, mainstream media quoted Zimbabwe’s Minister of Public Service Priscah Mupfumira acknowledging that she had co-ordinated the gift handover but clarified that what was given wasn’t a wheelchair but a “massaging and exercise chair.”

President Mugabe himself reportedly thanked his ministers noting that “the gift shows the team spirit, which should always prevail all the time in the delivery of services to the nation.”

This particular gift matters mainly for two reasons; first because President Mugabe is 93 years old and, secondly, his wife has in the past said that her husband would, if necessary, rule in a wheelchair and that if he died, his corpse could be elected due to his popularity!

To Mugabe’s opponents, the chair is a symbol of tiredness and a reminder for the centenarian to retire.

To supporters, the gift demonstrates the confidence and the love they have for their elderly commander-in-chief.

Reflectively however, whether it’s a wheel or massage chair, it is a clever and subversive symbol that tells a broader enduring story about African politics and its political elite, which the continent’s lovers hate to hear.

That story has four elements: The first is that whether we see it or not, most of the political class ministers, MPs and the like aren’t really in the business of public service as most publicly claim. They are focused on securing their jobs and livelihood.

That’s why it’s impossible to imagine misery where the political elite aren’t accomplices. This also means that Africa’s problem isn’t a one-man rule but elite indifference and lack of moral authority to say NO.

In part, this is why while the continent has had a number of long serving and elderly presidents, there aren’t many cases where those on the political high-table have realised that time was up and advised the Big-man to retire.

In other words, the reason Zimbabwean ministers hatched the wheelchair plot are the same Ugandan MPs accepted Ush5 million to remove presidential term limits from the constitution.

Secondly, while it’s true that many of the milestones the continent has achieved such as liberation has been due to the contribution of the political class, it’s also true that all dictators on the continent are supported by the same elite.

And aiding the dictator remains the main source of wealth and losing the Big Man’s goodwill can spell doom.

Thirdly, despite the “Africa-Rising” enthusiasts, Zimbabwe is only representative of many other African countries where, despite progress, collapse is still a possibility due to strongman rule and indifference of the elite.

And finally, we could say that until the continent outgrows the politics of basic needs food, shelter, clothing, water, gifts, shoes, and embraces the politics of ideas, we shall continue to have politicians spending sleepless nights thinking of how to appease the Bigman.

For when a nation is still ruled by individuals who haven’t yet solved the problem of basic needs the most powerful in the land still participate in making sure those they disagree with don’t eat, you know it’s not yet uhuru.

And as long as we still have politicians who can’t survive outside state patronage and states that deliberately impoverishes whoever doesn’t agree with the Big-man, the continent won’t benefit from wise counsel from some of its best.

Christopher Kayumba, PhD. Senior Lecturer, School of Journalism and Communication, UR; Lead consultant, MGC Consult International Ltd. E-mail: [email protected]; twitter account: @Ckayumba Website:www.mgcconsult.com