Followers of this forum may have been, at a loss like me, on the issue of Shakahora tragedy. Particularly, how was it happening without the knowledge of a government that is endowed with massive collection of information, through the various security arms?
All the same, some lessons from Nicholo Machiavelli through his book titled “The Prince,” indicate that politics have no principles. It is simply about being no 1, whatever it takes. So, could the Shakahora tragedy have any political inclinations? Your guess could be as good as mine.
Nevertheless, there are some lessons we need to learn whatever the circumstances. Chapter 8 of “Living Beyond Survival; No More Tiptoeing in Life,” articulates almost each and every aspect of leadership.
Keep in mind that leadership has well defined principles. Leadership without mission, vision, values, objectives etc can only be associated with situations of gloping in the dark. More still, we experience both positive and negative leadership.
In the chapter under reference, you will come across hypnotizing, indoctrination and brainwashing as great examples of negative leadership. Sadly, all the three are associated with manipulation of the beliefs of others. Cultism associated with various forms of so called religions, borrows widely from the first two.
Simply put, they involve manipulation of one’s mind to the extent of not independently thinking any more, untill guided by the so called leader(s). To illustrate this, the author (yours truly) brings out a famous example of Joseph Kibwetele, a Ugandan Cult leader, who convinced his followers that the world was coming to an end, after midnight of the last day of 1999.
The followers were influenced to bring all their wealth and belongings and hand them over to the church, as they would not be needed any more. Believers complied and come midnight, as had been indicated, Kibwetele was very busy using hammers and mallets to send his followers to their graves. The impact of this massacre was unbelievable not only in Uganda, but also in the neighborhood countries, as well as the world at large.
Now, look at what has happened in Kilifi just about two decades, since the Uganda massacre. What could be leading to people becoming so thoughtless to the extent of leaving their lives at the mercy of criminals, disguising as religious leaders?
Personally, it has become necessary to relate the Shakahora massacre, with a slide in our seminars, whereby we have two pictures (Check https://youtu.be/Po35wPg4KZ8). On one hand is a group of graduating students well dressed in graduation regalia. The other side comprises pictures of robots. What are the lessons here?
The school system teaches students how to memorize and tests them on the same. Excellence is measured in terms of how well one is able to memorize. The higher the level of memorising, the higher the chances of success. Application of the knowledge acquired is never under consideration. Inability to think and apply knowledge becomes the order for a huge majority after leaving school.
That’s why they end up becoming robots, which can only do what they are instructed. Can you now see the relevance of this lesson to Shakahora and the Ugandan massacre?
Luckily, the ongoing transformation of the school system will produce graduates that are able to think and apply knowledge, as envisaged by the Competency Based Curriculum. School graduates will no longer behave like robots. Seemingly, Shakahora and other related experiences will most likely become a thing of the past, isn’t it?
FYI
Perhaps, reading these writings could unnecessarily be eating into your time? Personally, I am never bothered about the time spent on the writings – it is minimal all the same. In any case, the good book of 1st Peter 4: 10 says, “Use your God given gifts to serve others.”
I do exactly that since the alternative is to waste the gifts, like most others do. Never mind that the responses are hardly noticeable. I still keep being inspired to write more and more. Incidentally, there are some responses, all the same.
For example, out of all the School Seminars conducted this year, 82% have been engagements associated with school managers, who have been followers of this forum. Only 18% of engagements have been associated with institutional managers, who have later become followers.
As such, the writings are not in vain anyway. In that regard, we graciously thank all institutional managers in this forum, who have continued embracing our Empowerment Seminars for their schools.
Actually, the focus of every educationist should be to align the attitudes, strategic direction (focus) and reading culture of their students, with the paradigms of the 21st Century. Eventually, IMPROVED PERFORMANCE and other desirables will just fall in place NATURALLY. Why struggle to seek or invent solutions, while already existing? WELCOME FOR MORE!!
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers,
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect,
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254722516210
Welcome to our YouTube Channel under Mwangi Wanjumbi – Empowerment Forum
Latest Upload
and
Recent Comments