A New Era

Times have changed a new wave of hope has crossed the world, again. The first time I felt this way was after Nelson Mandela's release when he visited Tanzania. I was still in primary school we were mobilised with our teachers to head to Ocean Road near the white house in Dar es salaam thousand of school children, myself clad in my blue and white school uniform waiting to see the Noble man, a son of Africa who fought an apartheid system for equality for all. I remember the excitement, the pushing and shoving just to get a glimpse of Nelson Mandela when he passed in the motorcade waving at us, free atlast. The tears flowing down our eyes, waving back franticlly, the singing and clapping;the euphoria was overwhelming. A new Beacon of hope for fellow African's and especially for South Africa and a living proof that facing adversity, determination and fighting for justice was a noble cause. A lesson alot of us learnt and wanted to hear more off, stories of our brothers and sisters in South Africa, how did he survive in seclusion and how the New South Africa will forgive their past and reconcile as a Nation. And the rest is History.

Yesterday, again I re-lived that moment. A son of a Kenyan father, the first AfroAmerican was elected by the people of America to hold the highest position in office in the western world. I am used of the Idea of seeing African presidents leading but this was different because the history was occuring in America and not the African continent. More than 200 years history after abolishment of slavery and 40 something years of the Civil right movement the first man of colour was heavily elected by the people to rule the people with a total of 137 million votes !!!. Atlast, the spell was broken . It wasnt a question of luck, he too, Barack Hussein Obama was determined, faced adversity, bet the odds and laid down a plan to succeed. His excellent grassroot networking, his vision in pushing a positive theme energized people to fight for change in unity for the better good of the nation.

I am lucky to be in America to see the unfolding of the election process the primaries, nomination and later the presidential election. I learnt alot of the American people, the media effect and the uniqueness of the contestants running . I have experienced how politics was practised back home and in Turkey. There was a stark difference for once I saw transparency, honesty, integrity ... not the usual hoodwinking and making the people feel as fools, people of affluence lost their footing and lost, good speeches were delivered and an genuine effort to include the people into decision making. The Obama's movement will definitely be taken as a role model by other nations especially with the efficient usage of technology, committed community work and the grassroot fundraising. And most importantly committing themselves to their message, uniting the people and not going negative which would have been the easiest way to do. I admire the foresight in establishing this system and which later brought about the realisation of the dream.

Elected President Obama has a tough job awaiting him as we all well know. May God help him be a healer and give him the strength do his job well . I strongly beleive he will play his A game. I pray that the world and America will be patient with him so that we can all overcome. And let peace, global stability and prosperity prevail again.

Mungu Akubariki