Mubarak stood out miserably as a blind and deaf tyrant
ANY leader watching over citizens, tearing between those rooting to prop up a dying political system and those ushering in a new beginning, typifies the blindness of a tyrant that simply refuses to see when it is time to go
In the 18 days that ended his 30-year rule in Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak stood out miserably as such a leader.
Even in the face of global awareness that his regime had reached a terminal point, Mubarak did not see that going was the most honourable thing to do.
He turned a deaf ear to Egypt's urgent cries for something different and new.
The old form he obstinately embodied was haemorrhaging.
But still he thought he had time to dictate the terms of departure, believing it to be September 2011.
The force of history thought otherwise.
Did Karl Marx not tell us that history is thorough when it takes an old form to the grave?
On January 25 history rose like an unassailable tide with no orders to take from Mubarak, to announce the moment of change the striking hour of which had come to Egypt.
The revolt was not a statement against an age of a president.
If it were so, the people of the world, of which Egypt is a part, would have long given up on Nelson Mandela on account of his age.
The people of Egypt were revolting against a political system that had perfected the neglect of their lives into an age of misery.
The will of Egyptians was trampled on like sand under the hooves of a camel, mounted and ordered about for the absolute comfort and pleasure of an uncaring leader.
In that unfolding political drama the state was the complying camel, and Mubarak, the intransigent rider.
To free the state from Mubarak's self-serving grip, the only conclusion the people of Egypt could reach was that it was time for the camel to dislodge the indifferent rider.
By the time the Egyptians reached Tahrir Square, Mubarak was history.
He had become the aorta of the Egyptian problem. Ensconced at the top of the pyramid, he only saw the finer things in life he was deriving from the state.
He did not see that the approaching eye of the storm, from below, had reached an irrepressible point in ending misrule.
There is none as blind and deaf as those who refuse to see and hear when it is time to go.
Hamstrung by the courtesies of their political offices, world leaders were indecisive. Hoping to buy time from indecision, Mubarak, as is typical with tyrants, dug in.
And like an ostrich with its head in the sand, he unwisely thought what he did no see, hear or smell would go away.
With all his senses buried in sand in denial of the history that was unfolding in front of the eyes of the world, he missed the opportunity to repent or show remorse.
With men, women and children, daring themselves on to the streets, risking life and limb, the choices for the Egyptian army were clear. It was either the will of the people or there would be no country, Cairo or Alexandria.
The army chose to uphold the will of the aggrieved citizens.
With benefit of foresight, on the part of the army, the smouldering smoke that had threatened to choke Egypt into lifeless ruin is slowly receding.
Hopefully Egypt will now see its way clear to breathe the cleaner air of its unconstrained will. History now knows what Egypt did not want.
The future patiently waits to know what she wants. May she be blessed with clairvoyant leadership.
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mporoza
Oupa do you want to know why Sowetan had ten editors in three years? It's because of you, Thabo Leshilo, Redi Tlhapi and all the boring oldies who are being afforded space week after week for saying nothing. Yawn!!! Off to sleep cause of you!! Yawwwwwwwnnnn!!Report Abuse
Maletha
Zimbaquens should also do the same, fight for their Country& stop running away. Freedom does not come free people have to fight for it& even loss their lives for it.Report Abuse
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