Editor,

I watched the recent interview of President Paul Kagame when he appeared on Fareed Zakaria’s programme GPS on CNN. It was indeed inspiring and humbling to listen to the interview.

Fareed is a very good interviewer who researches his topics well. To see the grace and humility he accorded the President was a clear indication of how Rwanda has proved itself.

There is a common thread in how the western media circuits view and portray our leaders that really bothers me though; even a quality show like GPS carried the same trait.

There is a certain element of surprise that an African country can produce quality leadership.

The fact that they are not dealing with the usual African script of corruption, mediocrity, poor leadership to name but a few of the tags seems to really throw them off.

It’s as if the western media has to readjust its game plan when dealing with an African statesman that is talking of real issues and an agenda of advancing his country.

Something else that bothers me is the way African countries are looked at and judged collectively.

I do not see European countries treated collectively within the media. Each country is accorded its own merit regardless of circumstance or topic.

I truly do believe that we should all be outraged by this hypocrisy, and the best way to manifest our anger should be by excelling well beyond the limitations bestowed upon us.

We can not sit back and expect to achieve success and respect from outside quarters when only a few are working hard and being held accountable.

It should be engrained in our entire psyche to roll our sleeves up and be the best at all we endeavour in.

That is how today’s Asian giants have turned the tables around on everyone.

It’s the only way we can wean ourselves off Western handouts, which in my humble estimation, will result in us being treated by the rest of the world as partners and not dependants.
Rwanda by all accounts is on its way… but before we rest on our accolades we should all partake in the hard work ahead.
To those that are setting the tone and rhythm. Kudos and thank you.

John Rubayi
Vancouver BC
Canada
johnrubayi@telus.net