When ‘leadership’ marries self-promotion

THE drama which is unfolding at Numsa and Cosatu is clearly a result of the deteriorating relationships within the tripartite alliance.

A tussle for power is being played within the alliance.

I see this as the result of adopted ideas of leadership (or lack thereof) that have been accepted by the new powerful elite in government, business and labour. The main idea marries leadership to self promotion.

It perpetuates a single-minded dedication to retaining power at all costs for those who have tasted it.

It seems this idea of leadership has infected not only present leadership but most of present day society particularly in South Africa. The problem with a leadership that is only about entrenching itself, is that, that is all it is about. Such a form of leadership will not provide any service or use to anyone except those ‘so called leaders’ whom it entrenches at that particular time. However, history has taught us that such leadership never improves but is removed in the long run. Such leadership almost always has to be dug out violently and removed by force.

This is the ultimate destination of any leadership which prioritises its own entrenchment over service.

There is no leadership which can keep itself in leadership if that leadership offers nothing to those it leads. Leaders are leaders in so far as they are able to fulfil their usefulness as leaders. You can’t fake it, least of all not “until Jesus comes back”.

So if the attitude of leadership these days is about self promotion and entrenchment, then it does not represent service and usefulness to those who it leads.

When usefulness expires, there is no need for the existence of that leadership and it will be removed one way or the other.

Because of its attitude, this leadership cannot sustain service even if it tried. It always ends up consumed by the vast duties of self-entrenchment. These duties consist of anything from conspiracies, public spats, secret meetings, assassinations, intimidation, to raising funds through corrupt activities with others. What time does such a busy, eh…, hard working leadership have to lead?

Since the reign of Jacob Zuma and his brand of ANC, South Africa seems to have openly perpetuated this, eh…, highly limited idea of leadership. In this era of SA history, it is who you align yourself with that matters, not what principles you follow.

It is what you can get for yourself out of people, out of organisations, out of government, out of business and never about what you can offer and give. It is getting away with questionable acts, corruption and ill-gotten wealth that is regarded as a triumph.

The ability to manipulate public systems for private benefit is viewed as wisdom. Yes, we are witnesses to the lessons that history continues to teach us, that this brand of leadership is not sustainable; it does not last.

Human nature motivates us to want and to retain positions of power and wealth.

However I am certain human nature has always yielded to our will throughout history.

It seems a better proposition to serve and win the trust of those you serve through service than by any other ploy or effort.

Bantu Mniki is from Dutywa