|
Mohammedhussain Suleimanjee
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A few years ago a book was published called "Life Begins At 40". It gave new hope and inspiration to men and women passing through that often trying period, 40 to 50.For this is the age when doubts creep in to assail many an individual. Forty! It sounds to many a death knell - of hopes, dreams, aspirations.
One can be 39 and still young. At 41 the very thought leaves one bleak with a new dread. But most of this is in the mind. The body has maybe lost a little of its resilience; the mind is not quite as imaginative; the personality not quite so daring; but these, tempered with maturity and experience, make 40 to 50 the most valuable time, the richest time and the most useful. To more than prove this another author followed with a book "Life Begins At 50", as though to defy the pessimist.
Man is said to be at the height of his powers, - physically and mentally in his mid twenties. The world needs youth with its daring and confidence, but unless circumstances command otherwise, most young people of ability have little opportunity to use their powers, except in a small, narrow sense. Circumstances and the nation, the need for energy, strength and daring, demand that younger people shall have their chance because they're at the height of their powers - pushed into it by the older men who acknowledge, secretly and unwillingly, they've lost the physical fitness, the power to endure, the energy and daring, to lead the nation.
Why should youth be sacrificed for the greed of old and weak leaders, the time for life's presidency is not there any more. Is a youth not supposed to use his brains and initiative? Only if circumstances occur which throw him on his own, is the young man given the opportunity to show what he is made of. But in peace time, more could be made of the services of younger men. A nation needs the drive and audacity that many younger men possess.
Is it an unconscious fear of dethronement, or an unspoken league of the elderly, which combines to keep the young men in lower positions? It is happily true that in government circles in Tanzania there is a growing tendency to promote younger men and women to posts of responsibility. Whether they are the correct choice only time and history will tell. On the whole, there may be many cases of young men and women of ambition, drive and ability in the country who are frustrated by taxes, red tape or low salaries.Hence the reason some brains and ability migrate to the benefit of other nations. I'm not too sure that the ‘Powers That Be’ appear to realise this.
But it is to be questioned whether the right professionals and dedicated workers are not being demoralised by being denied their just dues. Maybe many of the so-called social improvements in the "future" may be a vote-winning moves. It cannot surely be said that the government circles are incapable of evaluating certain professionals service in the state. Where is the incentive to use one's brains, strength, responsibility? Surely intellect, leadership and initiative should have encouragement.
Are the skilled and the unskilled to be treated alike because of the stupid notion, which once we were forced to accept that we are all equal. Neither you nor me were ever satisfied by being told that we are equal because we were never equal and will never be equal. And if you give this to the youth today, they will not be satisfied with it.
They may think they want it, but if they get it they will fling it back. Only the dilatory and unwilling want equality. What most people want is incentive and appreciation. Only in this way will a nation be great and successful. Have you, readers, any suggestion for young men and women and their place in the nation?.
Mohammedhussain Suleimanjee is a writer based in Dar es Salaam
|
