Whether on the political or revolutionary stage for a short while or for decades, this book covers leaders who left a historic mark on the African continent. It briefly narrates their strengths and flaws. It serves as a learning tool, a launching pad, an initial guide to go further and research those mentioned, to learn about their beginnings, circumstances, flaws and triumphs.
Africans shaping the Continent. The author delivers the message that all Africans at home and in the diaspora, can rise to the moment to change and contribute to the future of Africa. We, you, I can do it. Look where these leaders came from, look at their mistakes, learn from them. Savannah Footprints encourages all to forge their own path or to continue in the path of others by checking their footprints and/or history.
There are several lessons learned via reading: One party rule, authoritarianism and corruption lead to non-inclusivity, mismanagement and inequality/poverty (unequal distribution of resources and wealth), which leads to unrest and instability. Cornel West once said, ‘if you make non-violent protest impossible, you will make violent protest inevitable.’ Avoid tribalism, nepotism, cronyism, class struggle, religious segregation/cleansing which ultimately leads to conflict. Avoid what the author calls the ‘Big Man Syndrome’, in other words, ignoring your people, while isolating and enriching yourself and stroking your ego – too many have done this. And even the best-intentioned, the revolutionary, when they come into power to lead a country, must groom and educate future leaders and know when to leave and pass on the reins of power peacefully – one cannot and should not stay in power for decades, a lifetime.
We have too many examples of this kind of leader. Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, just won his seventh election this January – he is eighty-one years old. While in office, constitutional changes were made removing term and age limits. Museveni was once himself a revolutionary, fighting a dictator. Now, he himself has been in power for decades and appears to want to hold on to power for his lifetime.
A positive lesson, that may prove to be a difficult cat-and-mouse game, is becoming self-sufficient as a country. Weaning your country off the influence, control and close alliance with an ex-colonial power or any foreign power and forming alliances with African neighbors. The author points out that separating many African countries, and ex-colonial nations around the world, for that matter, is the language barrier imposed by colonialism. British colonies speak English, which separates them from their French, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Italian brothers.
As part of this cat-and-mouse game, the author tells us about betrayal, whether clandestinely or outright, by colonial powers and individuals who are close and trusted by leaders – African brothers, often working hand in hand with external powers. This is to be expected and is relentless when an African country tries to break free from foreign influence. Again, sadly, there are too many examples of this as well.
This book, Savannah Footprints by DJ Bwakali, serves as a great history reference and a guide for those interested in a wide view of African leaders over decades. It gives a compiled narrative of journeys travelled, telling us about leaders’ success and failures. I hope you give Savannah Footprints a read!