Mutumwa Mawere

Each and every individual has a story whose real impact on others is regrettably only told in its true and proper perspective when one exists this world.

Michael Jackson (MJ), the legend, icon and superstar and, indeed, an African heritage point of light passed on last week and his exit exposed the complexity and meaningless of life in so dramatic a manner that one cannot ignore the lessons from the experience.

The term "Brain Trust" traces its origins to 1899 when it first appeared in the Marion (Ohio) Daily Star as: "Since everything else is tending to trusts, why not a brain trust?" What is a brain trust? Does Africa have one? If so, how does it manifest itself? Does Africa need a brain trust?

A brain is a critical part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium skull. It functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body and has two halves called hemispheres. Africa can only be as good and great as its minds allow it. The level of development of any country is linked to the ability of its citizens to convert ideas into practical things that can be used by humanity.

The quest for social and economic change in post-colonial Africa is universally embraced. Who should lead the transformation agenda? What should be the role of the state? What should the role of the citizens? These are some of the questions that need to be addressed in the interests of economic, social and political progress.

The majority of African states have republican constitutions with the head of state and government being a President. Under such constitutions, the President is vested with the executive power of the government, the power to "preserve, protect and defend the constitution" and the power to see that the laws are faithfully executed.

The spirit of selflessness that guided the decolonization period is still needed now more than ever. Ultimately we are our own liberators.

We have no choice but to live up to the sacrifices made by the millions whose struggles and courage helped restore the dignity and rights of black people as full human beings in a global family of racial groups.

What is Mandela's legacy? On 18 July, former President Mandela will turn 91 and when one looks back at his life one will quickly discover that it has been a life of selflessness, service, and adding value to human civilization.

Mandela like many of his contemporaries made choices that in today's circumstances may never capture their true significance and meaning. The world has recognized Mandela's unique place in human history and his impact is not country, race or class specific but universal.

The club of 5,000 remarkable African legends, icons and superstars represents the best Africa has to offer. Each individual selected has a story to tell. Such a story is told by deeds and not just words. Africa's civilization as its future is contested.

Whose values and faces should the African story represent? Should it be black or white? Which leads us to ask a legitimate question of who is an African? We are all God's creation and yet some would wish the similarities to end there.

On 18th July, 2009, former President Kenneth Kaunda will receive a "Banking on Africa's Future (BOAF) - 5,000 Points of Light (POL)" or BOAF-5,000POL Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to humanity and advancing the African cause.

Africa is an extraordinary continent with a past and present filled of pioneers, persons noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, outstanding businesspeople, record-breaking athletes, creative artists and many other persons of distinction who have helped change the continent's character and brand forever.

Who are these legends, icons and superstars? The contemporary history of Africa has been dominated by political players principally because of the impact of colonialism whose rejection created men and women of courage and determination like former President Mandela and many others who belong to a special class of Africans that can be classified as "liberators".

President Mugabe speaking at a media conference to mark the end of President Rupiah Bwezani Banda’s homecoming and official visit to Zimbabwe said that the nationals of the two countries should continue to exhibit the oneness that existed dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.

President Mugabe rightly observed that: "Zambia and Zimbabwe are twins . . . They are geographical twins. The people culturally are one . . . historically therefore we are also one and in terms of our past — immediate past — we are one. We have experienced the same colonial oppression. The British colonized us here and colonized Zambia across the (Zambezi) river.”

South Africa is the youngest country in Africa and yet can boast of 15 years of uninterrupted but eventful post-colonial/apartheid democracy.

As expected, the ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), the party of liberation won by a landslide garnering 65.9% or 11,650,748 of the 17,680,729 valid votes cast.

The white-led opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) won 16.68% of the votes followed by the new kid on the block, Congress of the People (COPE) with 7.42%.

For the first time, Zimbabweans now know that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) during Gono's first term borrowed a cumulative US$5.25 billion from foreign correspondent bank allegedly to meet critical national requirements dispelling Gono's argument that sanctions prevented the country from accessing international capital markets.

Gono continues to argue that his critics have no moral authority to question the role of the RBZ in his first term and has sought to opportunistically argue that he has been vindicated by the actions of the developed countries in response to the global financial crisis.

On 20 April 2009, Dr. Gono in defence of the controversial quasi-fiscal operations published a 20-page supplement in the Herald whose contents raises more questions than answers.

Zimbabweans now know that the RBZ was an owner of vehicles that it did not need for its own operations.

Although it is common cause that during Gono's first term, the constitution of Zimbabwe was not suspended to allow the distinction between the state and the RBZ to evaporate, it is significant that only a few wise men were privy to the allocation of state resources and to the apparent hiding of state assets on the books of the RBZ.

I have read the correspondence below with interest more particularly because the last 15 years of South African democracy are pregnant with valuable lessons on the challenges and opportunities of nation building.

What lessons do we draw from the South African experience? The authors of the Freedom Charter were acutely alive to the need to make South Africa a home for all who live in it.

The questions of identity and citizenship were central in framing the Freedom Charter.

On Sunday, 19 April, the day after Zimbabwe's independence, I was one of the more than 100,000 people who participated at the historic final rally of the African National Congress (ANC). As I sat at the stadium listening to the ANC leader, I could not help but reflect on a number of key foundational and construction principles and issues of nation building.

When Zimbabwe turned 15, I took the decision to identify my remaining life with the cause of Africa's transformation.