Govt matters are for mature hands

stretched mind, because one is expected to set goals, push and exceed them. You will be tested, and just when you think you have figured it all out, you will be challenged some more.
In every moment it will be demanded upon you to meet the task at hand. It is not strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles or engaging in public affairs for private advantage!
Government or governance, the term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behaviour within civil society. It also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the corporate, academic, and religious segments of society.
It consists of social relations involving authority and power and refers to the regulation of public affairs within a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.
This huge responsibility cannot be recklessly surrendered into the hands of immature, timid and selfish individuals with no track record of loyalty and public service. The process of choosing a Government is like being requested to make a choice between life and death. It’s a process with no compromise and no second thoughts that involve shrewd decision-making.
Individuals and a society that can squint with their ears and eyes picking up on the subtext of what’s being said, they astutely interpret non verbal clues such as body language and gestures and actually gets to the crux of the motive. This perceptiveness helps them discern hidden motives and read between the lines of what’s being said, thus discovering disguised goals and where power actually lies. Lacking in this kind of perceptiveness will lead to serious errors in Government choice which will inevitably cost our future Generations the right to their land and inheritance.
And it is not only a matter of looking at the drawings, paintings, musical compositions, and poems that have been and are being created. It is a matter of being drawn into the individual work of art, of realising that it has been made by a real human being, and trying to discover the secret of its creation.
On the same note here in our nation it’s not about talking down indigenisation, black empowerment and the land reform program. It’s about realising first why these process where initiated, for what purpose and to whose benefit? Before going ahead criticising a national effort and reacting from untrained and ill informed instinct! We need to come to a realisation and an understanding that Government matters are for mature hands and not for timid souls. This term however does not exclude young people from participating in government as it relates to a state of mind.
There are young people around the world that have exhibited maturity at a fairly young age and have gone ahead to participate in key arms of government.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy at the age of 30 become a member of the US House of Representatives, William became British Prime Minister at 24. Notably Theodore Roosevelt was 24 when he won a New York State Assembly seat. Former US President Bill Clinton was Arkansas attorney general at 30.
Young politicians think further into the future. They look ahead 20 or 50 years because it will be their future they will be planning for and are more concerned with the long-term picture than simply the next election.
Many people believe, for reasons I can’t fathom, that youth equals stupidity, when youth is really an attribute to intellect, not a detriment. Youth trumps age any day of the week. However, on the contrary the youth must also understand and appreciate the importance of fathers. The key role they play in a nation and in mentoring and modelling the incoming generation towards the right direction.
It is imperative that our upcoming politicians embrace the concept of life. It’s not so much as in speed but the direction taken in achieving greatness. It’s a process that requires “mentorship” a push in the right direction.In actual fact, many great politicians have started young and kept on going. There have been many successful young politicians who became great statesmen.
Julius Malema is not a good example, no disrespect for the young South African politician but we must learn to call a spade a spade. As young Zimbabweans we will not exhibit such gross immaturity and display of disrespect. Malema occupies a notably controversial position in South African public and political life; having risen to prominence with his support for African National Congress president, and later President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.
At one point he has been described by both Zuma and the Premier of Limpopo Province as the “future leader” of South Africa. Less favourable portraits paint him as a “reckless populist” with the potential to destabilise South Africa and to spark racial conflict. Now to all our aspiring politicians’ young and old we need to be reminded that governance is beyond a political view point and party values.
It is about keeping and protecting the destiny and confidence of your citizens. It is about securing a legacy and protecting an identity. Every man, woman and child looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, a brighter and infinite future.

l Innocent Katsande is a youth consultant.