Jesuit Institute South Africa: Christ the King

In Africa, we have had some excellent kings who have served their people with dedication and commitment: Moshoeshoe, the founder king of the baSotho, brought his people high into the Maloti Mountains to escape the difaqane wars of the 18th Century. He was a skilful diplomat and a man of peace. Goodwill Zwelitini of the Zulus was a largely powerless and ceremonial monarch, and yet a great force for stability in the nation. At a crucial moment in the democratic transition of our country, he chose national rather than tribal allegiance. Sobhuza II ruled Swaziland for more than 60 years, negotiating the country's independence, and is reputed to have fathered more than 210 children.

A few months ago, we had the 'No Kings' protests aimed specifically at a 79-year-old commoner who planned to make himself president for a third term, who rules by executive order and uses the military to do his dirty work. This man is not alone in the gerontocracy: 92-year-old Paul Biya was re-elected as President of Cameroon last month. 81-year-old Yoweri Museveni seized power in 1986 and is yet again a candidate in Uganda's presidential election next year. Similarly, 83-year-old Emmerson Mnangagwa, who ousted Robert Mugabe at the age of 93, is widely expected to put himself forward as a presidential candidate in Zimbabwe's next elections in 2028. Jacob Zuma, and Presidents Allasane Ouattara of the Ivory Coast and Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea are all Mnangagwa's age-mates.

Even popes sometimes remain in power beyond their best-by date.

Why do these leaders think that they must rule forever? Don't they trust younger colleagues? What are they terrified of losing? Why was there an outpouring of sympathy for 80-year-old Raila Odinga, who never became president of Kenya? No citizen has a divine right to rule. Why are these elderly men so fascinated with power? Why can't they let go? I have nothing against elderly people. In fact, some of my colleagues call me 'elderly.' But when the elderly stand in the way of younger people making a significant contribution to society, then something is seriously wrong.

Of course, leaders don't take their cue from young Simba in The Lion King, dreaming, "I just can't wait to be king." This might have been the personal anthem of Prince Charles, who had to wait till he was 73 before he acceded to the British throne, after his mother's wise and dutiful reign of 70 years. Leaders need patience and discernment to rule in very complicated times, and this earns them loyal followers.

In his Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius presents us with images of an earthly king and a heavenly king and invites us to meditate on the loyalty with which we would follow the eternal king, enduring with Christ all abuse, poverty and injuries. We think of Jesus' wisdom and complete dedication to his duty. We surrender to his absolute authority. 'Monarch; means only one ruler. Our allegiance is to God alone, and as Pius XI said, "not one of our faculties is exempt from his empire." He should reign in our minds, our wills, our hearts and bodies. We cannot serve both God and man.