What is the most synonymous thing with African leaders? Old age is the common denominator. The average age of Africa’s 10 oldest presidents is 78.5, compared to 52 years old in developed countries.
What remains a paradox to the world at large is that, while Africa is a political haven for the oldies, it has the youngest population in the world with over 70% of its people under the ages of 30. Where are the young people and why are they left behind?
Why are they not included in the decision making, especially if they make up more than half of the population? If leadership is for the old and experienced, who are already in the throes of death, where are they leading us to, to the grave?
The COVID-19 has awakened a lot of people and made them question systems and policies they deemed normal. Never has the world been more awake, and in touch with their feelings. Who decides what is normal? Society? Who is society?
The pandemic has disrupted what is deemed as normal. Who is to say that we cannot create our new normal in African leadership and governance just like COVID-19 managed to create a new normal in our lives? If we had young people in leadership, would we still be as behind in technological advances?
Wouldn’t our young people have advised governments to speed up the Global 2030 agenda and Africa 2063 Agenda? Wouldn’t it have accelerated technological adoption in the educational sphere so that education is able to continue despite the pandemic?
We are all bearing witness to the consequences of the income, racial, social, gender disparities that exist in our world and this is the time for a re-set.
Recently, the government of Namibia appointed the 23 year old Emma Theofilus. The young law graduate was appointed as information and technology deputy minister. A role I believe is perfect for someone young, avid, and in touch with the current trends in the world. Her appointment was not without its detractors, who believed she is too young and inexperienced for the role.
We saw with our neighbouring Botswana previously, when it elected Bogolo Kenemwendo as a minister of parliament and minister of Trade, Investment and Industry. With a tenacious spirit, Bogolo led and represented her nation, vying to create foreign direct investment for the country. She proved herself worthy of the position and showed that indeed, young people are capable and able to deliver.
It is refreshing to see young people included in the African agenda, in the decision making and seeing them offered a seat at the table. Yet, having one young leader in parliament is not enough. We need to have more young people with a seat on the table, lest their ideas are trampled by the older generation.
It is the African culture to respect our elders and not to question the decisions that they are making. For a long time we have heeded this advice and where has it got us? To have healthy governance and thriving economies, we need a healthy mix of the young and the old at the helm of leadership.
It is up to young Basotho to change the status quo and advocate for their representation in parliament. Here is some food for thought as said by Michelle Obama, “Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”
‘Mantsebeng Suzan Maepe
Thought leader, Freelance Writer, Economist and Social Innovator
Connect and engage at: IG-Tsebylicious, Twitter: @RebelworldSuzy