Why politics of transition in Africa is termed a period of crisis

Political transition period is a crisis period since in Africa there are no institutions to govern this critical process. History has demonstrated this and contemporary African philosopher are genuine in their concerns. Institutions take the interests of the country first and should never be dependent with the persons holding those offices. The holder of transition office should always remember that they are holding it based on public trust. African philosophers have identified these crises which I will elaborate.

The first crisis is that of identity which means that in African the government of the day is identified with the ethnic community that the incumbent president comes from. When the incumbent is defeated in elections they drag their whole ethnic community that they are losing power and prepare for the worst. This creates ethnic animosity since people cannot differentiate between the individual in power and their ethnic backgrounds.  Many times those who occupy top echelons are from the president’s ethnic group and this aggravates the transition politics further. There is always an element of distrust among the ethnic groups and the identity of the political figures is lost. One is left wondering whether it is the individual who won the presidency or the ethnic community. This is the crisis in Africa.

The second crisis is of legitimacy whereby the people feel that the government of the day lacks the moral authority to govern. This feeling is brought about if there was immense rigging of the elections or lots of suspicion on the democratic process. It is well known that incumbents always influence the elections using state machinery and people feel aggrieved and this creates a crisis in transition politics in Africa.  If there was manipulation of the constitution to accommodate the incumbent then   it compounds the problems of transition further. Some presidents in Africa finish their legal terms in office, but change the constitution and start afresh and the cycle continuous till death does them part.            

The third crisis is on participation of the people in the democratic process of the country.   People should be involved in deciding on how they want to be governed. When political leaders take the people as fools who know nothing about democracy then they are creating a crisis. In Africa it is a one man show whereby the president is the head of political party, personal rule is the order of the day, opaque nomination process, weakening other political parties or promoting numerous political parties to split the votes of the opposition.     These are the tactics that stifle public participation in the determination of how the country should be governed hence transition politics becomes a hot potato.  In some countries public participation is the reserve of the few who can be compromised and the incumbent does window dressing to force its rule on the people.          

Lastly is the crisis of   equitable distribution of resources. It is well know that in Africa marginalization of opposition ethnic communities and geographical areas is a political tool. During campaigns the distribution of national resources is dangled hence people fight to make sure that they get their proponents to office so as to gain from the national resources. During transition this is a crisis since those relinquishing power make it know that their voters will no longer enjoy favor of national resources, so the only way is war. 


I offer the following solutions to the above crisis:

The first and most important is institutionalization of the transition process in the constitution. The constitution is the supreme that determines how the state should be governed hence the transition clause should be there. The people handling the transition should be independent persons appointed by independent authority.

There should be Civic education in the role of various political institutions in government to people. People should be able to differentiate the person from the state officer he / she holds on behalf of the public. People should be educated that ethnicity is an adage used by politicians to perpetuate misrule.

Thirdly is the enshrining of equitable distribution of resources and state jobs in the constitution. This will prevent ethnic animosity, that the community in power benefits most.

Fourthly is the adoption of the best available electoral process. This will improve the credibility of the elections hence reduce the tensions associated with transition. When people have confidence in electoral process then they accept the outcome and move on. This closes the gaps used by politicians to instigate people to reject elected leaders.

Lastly is a revamped and independent judiciary whereby those who are dissatisfied can seek recourse. The judicial matters on election and transition should be enshrined in the constitution. If it is in the public domain on what to expect in courts in regards to these matters then people will be able to practise their democratic rights freely.

The connection between sports and contemplation

How might one’s participation in “sport” or “leisure” help one understand the ultimate good or end of their life? What is the connection between “sport” and “contemplation”?

Sport can be defined as a human activity that man undertakes based on arbitrary rules and its aims at relaxation from the daily work. It provides amusement to the spiritual aspect of man hence can be considered a way of understanding the ultimate good or end of life. Sports is for its own sake, we realize that we don’t cause the existence of sport but it is there for us to just participate. Contemplation is the act of realizing interior self from what is unknown and seeking higher good. When we contemplate on the current life we realize that we know very little about the important things in life.

Ultimate good means an understanding of mans purpose in the world and sports can provide this through the order exhibited. The essential experience of sport is there for us to experience and reflect on higher things. Sport’s is an organized activity which provides an opportunity to contemplate on the need of order in our selves otherwise we cannot achieve the good we are seeking. Sport’s teaches us that there is a limit to human excellence; hence there is a higher good which man can attain.

Beholding of a good game helps in pure contemplation since we get engrossed in the intricate and mastery of the game. The uncertainty of the results makes us realize that there is a higher good that we do not know. During a game we leave aside our current situation and immerse ourselves in the game, and the joy derided makes one yearn for a higher good. If in a sport it is this good what of the ultimate good?

Sports provide a chance to engage in wonders of life   which sometimes can be lost in the engagements of work and other activities. It is in sport that we realize excellence hence become better people. In sports it is about adhering to the rules, hence the importance of certain virtues in the person. In each sport there is bar which has been set hence people strive to excel beyond the bar and be the best. This is like contemplation whereby the aim is to become better person, by turning on an interior life.

Contemplation is the highest form of activity that man can engage in, and sport has such a similarity. Good sport means seriousness and hard work because of the good which is to be obtained by participation. Contemplation frees us from normal wok so we can clearly and calmly see what not ourselves is. When we see others participating in a sport then we able to gauge where we are and at the same things for own sake and sport is.

Christian marriage

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Christian marriage has its roots to the early church and has a mixture of Jewish, Greek and roman culture. Christians recognize that the institution of marriage was ordained by God and hence mankind has to continue with the obligation. The ceremony has to be done in public before God and man.  Marriage has duties and obligations which are in the realm of conscience hence civil law have no jurisdiction over it. Civil law concerns itself with the reasons for validity of the marriage and the grounds for annulment of a valid marriage. This is contrary to divine law in regards to marriage and that’s why the church allows for separation but not divorce since it’s not within the authority of man to end the marriage arbitrary irrespective of the compelling reasons.  The Christian marriage is characterized by a religious ceremony presided over by an ordained minister of the church. It involves solemn vows by the couple in front of their friends and relatives. It is a public affair since has its roots in the society, but from a moral and religious understanding it is a test and show of virtue.  The ceremony has to be done during the day and the ecclesial law stipulates between 8am to 12 noon since this is the time that serious business in life is transacted and marriage is a serious business. Also this is the time when our judgment is the clearest, passions are calm and one is least likely not to  be hurried hence end up with regrets.

An interesting feature of the marriage is that it should be conducted in a language that is understood by the couple since by taking the vows they are entering into a covenant. When the priest or the celebrant pronounces that they are now man and wife it means from that moment the couple is one and that the church has pronounced and sanctioned the marriage in everything that pertains to marriage that it has authority. Once the pronunciation is done there is no reversal it only God who can break the union and not man. The marriage is said to be irrevocable, permanent and indissoluble. The parties become one which means complementary, together in one complex existence without   the other one is incomplete.

The Christian marriage is characterized with several symbols which are used to convey those deeper or stronger emotions and sentiments of the soul which are very profound to be comprehended by the spoken or written word. Before the marriage ceremony the couple undergoes marriage preparation or parenting classes which serve the following functions:

}  To harmonize their expectations of the marriage

}   To set the goals of their lives and how to achieve them

}  To develop a plan of upbringing and education of their children

}   To learn how to deal with complex family matters that continuously affects the family.                                                                           

}  Learn how to solve family problems.

}  Learn how to achieve unity of the family

There is universality in the Christian marriage in that the man is on the right and woman to the left. The right is a sign of responsibility and leadership which will be exhibited in the family by the man. The woman is on the left since she has to be protected and defended. It also shows their equality as companions. The woman is escorted to the altar by her father or guardian while the man is waiting inside the church in the front. The woman is received by the priest and handed over to the man as a sign that both shall leave their parents and be one.  Thereafter the sermon begins and the marriage rites are said. The catholic marriage rite gives many options (number 25) and the standard version is as follows

Priest (or deacon): Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.

(The vows, presence of witnesses and civil registration are absolute requirements under the law.)

The Christian marriage should be performed in the church though this rule has been bent to accommodate the convenience of certain members. The Catholic Church does not allow for wedding to be conducted outside the church. The reason is that the house of God is a public and solemn place and is a show of respect for God who   is the source of strength required for the marriage. Marriage is a solemn occasion hence needs to be conducted at the right place, by the right people and at the right time. The bride is always in a white dress which is a symbol of prosperity, hope and joy that she is bringing to the marriage.

The vows said goes like this;

Groom: I, (name), take you; (name), to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

Bride: I, (name), take you; (name), to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

The sickness and health are the most sure things that we acknowledge will happen to any human being since we are matter. Our bodies will get sick one time, we shall age but these are just but temporal things that should not rock the marriage. It is a sign of acceptance of the uncertain future and the reassurance of perpetual love. 

The ring is placed in the fourth finger initially it was thought that it had a vein that connects directly to the heart but science has proved otherwise. The fourth finger does minimum but it’s the most conspicuously hence the ring will always be displayed for all to see. The preferred metal has been gold since it the most unchangeable metal hence a symbol of the unwavering love that the couple shares. It is also precious, so is the love of the couple. The ring is a constant reminder of the irrevocable agreement entered and it’s their pledge to keep the promise.

The holding of the hands carries a pledge of affectionate fidelity and solemnity of the oath, the couple looks into each other eyes and they reassure each other of the confidence they have in their marriage. It also indicates the duties and rights of the couple; which is reciprocal and evenly balanced.

The kissing of the bride has an origin in the traditional culture but was later fused into Christianity. The kiss is a sign of the irrevocable seal and love that the couple has openly agreed to share. It is a signal to the public that the promises and all claims that appertain to that marriage have now been made exclusive. For some churches there is matrimonial sacrament.

After the ceremony the priest gives the couple the final blessings from God as he is the minister whom God uses. The bride and groom who are now man and wife leave the church together while holding hands as a show of the oneness.