Africa University students and staff watch the Jan. 20 inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. A UMNS photo by Andra Stevens.

By Andra Stevens*
Jan. 22, 2009 | MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)

The excitement was palpable on the campus of United Methodist-related Africa University, as students and staff gathered in clusters to discuss the implications of Barack Obama’s presidency for their continent and the world.

Obama’s inauguration as the 44th president of the United States — and the first African American to hold the office — was an eagerly awaited event for many in the university’s pan-African community.

“I never thought in my lifetime that a black man would rule the most powerful nation on this earth,” said Celeste Sauls, a young South African woman who is studying health services management. “His election is an encouragement and inspiration to many young people the world over.”

University officials set up special viewing facilities to allow students to follow the events of Inauguration Day. Plans are also in the works for a special celebration on the campus in coming weeks.

Gareth Kaungwa

“This is an important occasion for Africa University and for us as Africans,” said Fanuel Tagwira, the university’s vice chancellor.

Some students draw parallels between their own stories and that of the new president, whose father was from Kenya. As they watched Obama take the oath of office, they felt inspired — filled with hope and a sense of the unique nature of the moment.

“For a long time, we have had a tradition of a ceiling of achievement,” said Gareth Kaungwa, a 21-year-old business student from Zimbabwe. “But for a black man to hold the highest office (in the United States), it reminds you that you can be anything you want to be.”

“On a macro scale, every black man on earth will consciously or unconsciously experience an attitude change just because of this one man’s achievement,” said Komborerai Murimba, a humanities student and fellow Zimbabwean. “I believe that the way the black man looks at himself, and the way the rest of the world looks at him, is about to change significantly.”

A model for Africa

Konte N’ouemou

For Konte N’ouemou, a graduate student working on his master’s degree in peace, leadership and governance, Africa’s keen interest in Obama’s presidency goes much deeper than simple joy in the success of a person of African descent or symbolism and inspiration.

“Of course, Africa is expecting that this new American president will do more for the continent, such as lift up its concerns and help to strengthen peace-building and development efforts in Africa,” N’ouemou said.

A native of Benin in West Africa, N’ouemou is intrigued by Obama’s message and leadership ethos. Obama’s themes of hard choices, personal involvement and integrity and collective effort, as highlighted in his inaugural address, resonate with N’ouemou. He believes they are also crucial to Africa’s development.

Faith Nyambura

“He is a great example for African leaders,” N’ouemou said. “Especially with the message that only they can develop Africa … rather than expecting that others will come and do it for them.”

Sorau Sorrota, a business student from Mozambique, agrees that current and aspiring African politicians could draw valuable lessons about democracy and leadership from Obama’s fledgling presidency.

“We need more people like Barack Obama in Africa … people who think as he does,” Sorrota said. “Our approach to democracy is not the same, but we need to move away from this mindset that I fought for this country, therefore I should govern it. What we need is to continually bring forward people with ideas, people with the right skills and experience to manage our economies and develop our countries.”

 Global outlook

Both N’ouemou and Sorrota highlight Obama’s strength in bringing together Americans with different backgrounds, views and agendas around a common purpose.

Hernani Almeida

“Africa needs leadership that focuses on the positive and the possible, on harnessing what we have and working together for the common good … leadership that is not divisive, negative, fearful and set on barricading itself against the world,” Sorrota said.

Some on campus, however, cautioned that Obama’s presidency would not impact Africa’s problems immediately.

“He is a true example and mentor for young aspiring politicians,” said Alfred Zigbou, 38, a Liberian and final-year student in the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance. “A lot will improve, but what I don’t want to say is things will change for Africa soon. It will require a lot of time. Things like foreign policy won’t change overnight. Policymaking requires investigation and analysis of the issues at hand. We will have to be patient and see how we as Africans can conform to the global emerging order.”

Faith Nyambura, 23, a Kenyan who is a third-year student in health services management, said the Obamas would be role models for family values and love for young people. But, “as a Kenyan, I don’t expect much because he is a United States citizen.”

Hugo Ngwira

“I don’t think a lot will change for Kenyans, especially young people in Kenya who are flocking to the US for better opportunities,” Nyambura said. However, she said she hopes he will “ assist the western province of Kenya where he comes from, because it is very underdeveloped.”

Nursing their various hopes and expectations, many on the Africa University campus will continue to watch and learn from Obama’s journey. They also see a different world view with Obama as America’s president.

Hernani Almeida, 24, of Mozambique, who is studying education, believes Obama’s position will lead to lower fuel prices and a reduction in terrorism. “Most importantly, he is a true man of peace and democracy,” Almeida said.

“I expect him to unite the world, because he is a multicultural person and an advocate of peace,” said Hugo Ngwira, 21, a Malawian and second-year student in management and administration. “I hope he will ease the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and crack the world economic crisis.”

*Stevens is director of information and public affairs at Africa University.

News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org

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Resources:

2008 Election Coverage

Africa University

Africa University Development Office

The White House

Board of Higher Education and Ministry