Succession Debate: ‘You can learn from your teacher, but you can’t be him’

Editor,I have enjoyed reading Prof. Nshuti’s series about the political homework that President Kagame gave to the RPF cadres to make sure we have change while preserving continuity. There is no doubt whatsoever on what our President has achieved for the country and we should expect that from our leaders. He has definitely set the standards for many African leaders and brought hope among many Africans.The President said that it cannot be possible that no one can replace him. I am under the impression that he is a role model to most of us, and so some of the leaders have probably learnt from his integrity, sense of responsibility, commitment, deep-rooted patriotism, implementation of good policies and inclusion of all Rwandans in the growth of the country.So my question goes to Prof. Nshuti: What prevents you from being the next President of the Republic of Rwanda and follow in his [Kagame] footsteps? Thank you.NK, Nairobi, Kenya****************************Many thanks to NK in Nairobi First, I have learnt quite a lot from President Paul Kagame. From personal virtues, to natural and authentic leadership qualities – all of which I admire. We as a people and a country have been blessed to have him as our leader.He has done much more than we did expect, and has lots of potential to do even more. You can learn from your teacher, but cannot be like him. You can replace him under normal conditions, ours are not. President Kagame has unique leadership qualities you cannot simply replicate, or cut and paste to another person.Now, Rwanda is unique in every sense of the term, and President Kagame’s successes have set the bar so high. Rwandans have bought his exemplary leadership qualities, for they owe all we have today to him. Now, one has to have the humility to discern whether you can do as much.Personally I cannot measure to the qualities unique of him, and I doubt who can. I am not writing others off, they can try their luck. But if you asked my assessment of the crop of leaders we have in our country now, I can with confidence tell you that “no one matches a rare combination of personal virtues and leadership qualities that President Kagame has”.So, for what Rwanda is, and was, I cannot even dream of taking on such a responsibility. I am talking from the inner knowledge of our country’s context, and believe you me, I know it pretty well.For now, and for the foreseeable future, I personally strongly believe that, we remain with him as our best leader to advance our development cause. A gamble on this will be disastrous. Trust me. Thank you again, and all the very best.Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, Kigali, RwandaReactions to Prof. Manasseh Nshuti’s commentary, “A Political homework: readers’ digest”, (The New Times, June 28)

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Succession Debate: ‘You can learn from your teacher, but you can’t be him’