A Britain politician resigned as Home Secretary in 2004 amidst allegations that he helped fast-track the renewal of a work permit for his lover’s nanny. He had 2003 introduced for the first time substantial fees for visa and work permits and their renewal.
David Blunkett insisted he had done nothing wrong but that he was departing to preserve the integrity of Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government and his own self-respect.
This is what we call taking responsibility for your actions, something that our leaders need to demonstrate when in public office. It is called integrity.
Parallels could be drawn from another Brit Edward Clay’s take on Kenya a little over a decade ago, which very much applies in Lesotho’s case. Indeed, the country is not a rich country in terms of oil deposits, major minerals or some other buffer which might featherbed a thoroughgoing culture of corruption. What it chiefly has is its people – their intelligence, work ethic, education, entrepreneurial and other skills. This is the gentleman who received some ticking off for calling Kenya’s leaders ‘corrupt gluttons’ who vomit all over donors’ shoes.
it is quite disturbing that Lesotho’s own corrupt gluttons are still roaming the streets while the country’s assets are being impounded by Frazer Solar, and there isn’t the slightest indication that the authorities are moving to pounce on them.
Equally disturbing is the fact that, six ministries continue to be left to their own devices, more than five weeks after the exodus of their ministers.
Ministers are key to the performance of government. They provide political leadership. Political leaders determine the allocation of power and money through governmental policies, establish partnerships with other stakeholders, and make decisions that can have a major effect on a nation’s well-being and its citizens.
Still on that, it is worth noting that political leadership requires a leader to focus on a country’s long-term betterment, above and beyond any short-term personal gains.
Leadership in a democratic system needs statesmanship – as compared to just becoming a ‘politician’ – which implies possessing the honesty and ability to stand up for what is fair, even though it means resigning a government post or losing an election.
And of course, honesty and Integrity are two main elements that make for a strong leader. How do you demand integrity from your supporters if you neglect such qualities? Leaders excel because they hold to their basic principles and convictions, and that won’t be possible without ethics.
