Jean-Bedel Bokassa had a plan, not an ordinary one but one which was grand and was expected to eclipse every other event that had come before it. Before he could get this opportunity to showcase his power, he first had to seize it. This he did in 1966 after a successful coup in the Central African Republic. He appointed himself President, 6 years later President for Life and just two years later, Marshall of the Republic in 1974.
This obsession with grandiose titles was just a drop in the ocean when it came to Jean-Bedel Bokassa. An excessive admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte who converted the French Revolutionary Republic to the French Empire was his inspiration for converting the Central African Republic to the Central African Empire.
Every empire has to have an emperor so preparations for his coronation started. A government committee was set up to transform the capital, Bangui. The streets were scrubbed clean, old buildings repainted and beggars were driven out. An imperial thrown was designed and 30 artisans were hired to build this gold plated bronze thrown. Eight horses were imported from Belgium to pull Bokassa’s royal carriage sourced from South France.
Not only does an emperor deserve to move in style but also deserves to be clothed in the best. A 200-year-old French company that made Napoleon Bonaparte’s uniform was commissioned to create Bokassa’s coronation attire in collaboration with an Italian designer.
After all his efforts, preparations and show of opulence, he had to face the reality that not many fancied attending the coronation. Not a single president attended with the exception of the Prime Minister of Mauritius. He had imported 60 brand new Mercedes Benz vehicles to transport dignitaries, but out of 2500 invited, only 600 accepted the invitation.
Closer home, in 1988 a monument near the intersection of Kenyatta Avenue and Uhuru Highway was built to commemorate ten years of President Moi’s nyayo philosophy and 25 years of independence. It cost almost a million dollars. Years later a plan to build Times Media Trust Complex at a cost of $200 million was hatched, with a huge statue of the late President Moi. This, however, was fought hard by the late Wangari Maathai, I fight she won.
This is what Wangari Maathai thought of such projects, “What also annoyed me was that such grandiose and costly white elephants, which were more often monuments to ego than well-considered contributions to the public good, were being erected throughout Africa.”
As I read Jean-Bedel Bokassa’s story, I wondered what would make a man want to have such a grand event. Did he want to impress his peers, his countrymen or himself?
In our society today we have turned to social media to show our opulence, our intellect and seek validation at all costs. We call it clout chasing. Presidents and emperors seek to stroke their egos usually at the cost of their citizens or subjects. Have you ever considered what cost you bore when you go above and beyond to impress others?
John 2:25
He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.
The motive that we have in our hearts is always important. Do we help because of love or to be noticed and get that pat on the back? Do we share information to enrich or to showcase our intellect? Do we correct or rebuke so we can seem to be without blemish or because we want to improve others?
Earlier this week a lady had a satirical post on twitter trying to bring out how cruel people have become. She noted that you can post just a comma, nothing else just an innocent comma and someone on the other side of the screen will still find something negative to say probably hoping to be noticed.
What turned us into this attention crazed people, each on a public relations project? Is it because we want everyone to notice us and know who we are? Have we been made to believe that we are all brands and have to sell ourselves?
This desperate attempt at garnering attention comes at a cost. It may lead to an unsustainable life; where you go beyond your resources to make others happy. This can be tiresome to both your spirit and your wallet. Nations have gone into debt because leaders were obsessed with having this façade that they are loved by everyone and will be remembered forever. Of course this impression is false and instead of ending up with a good reputation, they end up with monuments that are a sore to their people and remembrance of their selfishness.
We should seek a labour of love, where we serve our God, our countrymen, our neighbour with a clear conscience and heart. Sometimes our motives may be misunderstood and in most situations we have no power over that. What we can remedy we must but what we cannot let your clear conscience be your peace.
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