Why do ordinary people seem to envy African dictators? An even deeper question might be: Do dictators themselves truly enjoy being in power? One reason they do is the staunch, often idolatrous support they receive from their followers. Many ordinary people view becoming president as the pinnacle of achievement in life, which leads them to idolize dictators—often in hopes of personal gain. In a healthy society, the leadership of a country is not something to be blindly admired. Every citizen has the potential to be a leader in their own way.
The so‑called great leaders of the African continent are often forgotten after their deaths, yet new dictators emerge without learning from the mistakes of their predecessors. Consider once‑feared figures like Idi Amin of Uganda. Who truly benefited from their corruption and looting? What about President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, the Ngwazi of Malawi, or the ideologically driven Muammar Gaddafi? There’s nothing to admire about them, just a reminder of poor leadership.
Dictators are typically supported by a small circle of loyal followers willing to sacrifice themselves for intangible ideals based on empty promises. These leaders surround themselves with criminals and are further backed by individuals indoctrinated to believe in strong political or religious values. Over time, more people may succumb to this troubling support, believing that dictators offer personal security.
While dictators maintain power through networks of criminal associates, many of their supporters lack critical thinking skills and may feel pressured to back the regime out of fear. Consequently, it is not entirely accurate to place all the blame on dictators alone. A prevailing atmosphere of fear often grips their so‑called supporters—an atmosphere that dictators exploit to maintain oppressive rule. Those closest to the dictators tend to be cautious and rarely oppose them openly. Becoming a dictator isn’t that hard when you are surrounded by yes‑men who thrive on hero‑worshiping when rewarded for it.
Before he died, former President Robert Mugabe admitted he could not find anyone among his closest allies to take over, realizing he had built a circle too scared to tell him the truth. He saw that none of them were real leaders; their loyalty came from self‑interest. Fear kept his rule in place, and that same fear spread to an uninformed public more likely to idolize than to think critically. This helps explain why dictatorships still survive in parts of Africa, where authoritarianism is sometimes seen as a virtue.
Authoritarianism can slide into fascism, which may look noble to those who have been indoctrinated. In such cases, even the government’s wrong moves are seen as signs of discipline. Still, in the right hands, authoritarian rule can bring positive change—Ebrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso, for example, has made significant strides against corruption with a clear vision.
It is difficult to distinguish between authoritarianism and fascism, since both mainly serve the leader’s own interests. While people may dream of a “good” authoritarian leader, they often forget about personal responsibility. Many people without integrity prefer to follow instead of lead—a mindset that holds back progress. For those raised to depend on prayer and a leader’s guidance, taking responsibility can feel foreign, and dependence can be mistaken for virtue.
“So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, ‘You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’ But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you that they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.’” (1 Samuel 8:4-8, NIV)
The history of the Israelites and the Jewish kingdoms is marked by varying degrees of good and bad leadership. These periods were characterized by authoritarian rule, but the reality is that the common people bear significant responsibility for the poor leadership they experienced. The challenges faced by the Israelites were largely a result of their own actions.
A similar scenario can be seen in Zimbabwe. The late former President Robert Mugabe was supported by a population that often prioritized miracles over common sense. Many believed he was a gift from God, even though Zimbabwe is a republic, not a monarchy. The general populace seemed to be under a form of religious hypnosis.
Today, those same people claim that the current conditions under President Emmerson Mnangagwa are worse than they were under Mugabe. This reflects their failure to grasp the principle of responsibility. The 2017 coup—backed by a similarly influenced populace—saw them denounce Mugabe without recognizing that it was their own failure to take responsibility that had allowed his leadership to persist.
The current leader had long been an ally of Mugabe, yet many overlooked that Mnangagwa’s rise was built on patronage, not merit. Mugabe kept him close, but not to groom him as a successor, perhaps just to strengthen his own grip on power. The deeper issue lies in a culture more inclined to be ruled than to take charge of its own governance.
Mugabe’s supporters continued to treat the new leader as if he were a divine figure. However, some now appear ready to support his deputy, Chiwenga, despite his infamous history of brutality. Mugabe’s rule persisted largely due to idolization and support from criminal allies. To any objective observer, it seems absurd to think that such a disorganized group could produce a leader better than Mugabe.
Many of these loyalists struggle to recognize basic truths, often confusing leadership with divine authority. A considerable number are devout Christians who attend church weekly, convinced that their reckless actions are blessed by God and that they hold a superiority over those who do not share their beliefs. While Scripture addresses these issues, it is frequently distorted by these groups to justify corruption that has profoundly harmed Africa. For them, piety translates into submitting to dictators whom they mistakenly believe are speaking on God’s behalf.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:1-6, NIV)
It seems that Paul was discussing governing authorities—specifically, politicians. As mentioned earlier, misinterpretation of this Scripture has contributed to the leadership failures that have plagued Zimbabwe. What many people overlook is that every individual carries some form of authority. This is why even children are instructed to obey their parents, in the Lord.
For example, while authority is traditionally vested in husbands as heads of their households, wives also possess authority. A husband may struggle if he tries to assert control over kitchen duties. He maintains his dignity by allowing his wife to take charge of cooking and other household tasks. Of course, the husband has the right to address any shortcomings if his wife does not perform these tasks correctly. Similarly, if a wife notices her husband not fulfilling his leadership responsibilities, she can raise her concerns.
In a bus, passengers are under the authority of the driver. However, it would be unwise for passengers to risk their safety by allowing a drunk driver to take the wheel. Passengers should cooperate with the bus driver as long as the driver adheres to traffic rules. Each passenger has a responsibility to ensure that the driver follows the rules of the road—rules defined by the governing authorities, namely the politicians.
Romans 13:1-6 is a passage that has often caused confusion and division within the Church. To fully understand its meaning, we first need to define “authority.” Jesus stated that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18), and Paul encouraged us to “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The righteousness of any action hinges on our understanding of authority, which is essential for any governing system. Without a clear understanding of authority, anyone could claim leadership, leading to disorder. The 2017 coup, despite having widespread support, cannot be considered a legitimate exercise of authority, as it violated the very principles of authority and resulted in harmful consequences.
Gaining power through violence often leads to losing it in the same way, creating a cycle of conflict that underlies many ongoing wars around the world. Without true authority, governance breaks down into anarchy, putting humanity at risk. Moreover, blaming those who commit treason does not justify the actions of the accusers. The thousands who supported the 2017 coup appeared to prefer chaos over life under Mugabe’s oppressive rule.
Criticism of Robert Mugabe’s leadership often stems from a misunderstanding of what true authority means. Many protesters did not realize that authority had actually been placed in their own hands. To better understand the concept of authority, it helps to consider the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). This implies that people should accept some form of governing power as long as it adheres to the true principles of authority. For instance, God never grants anyone the right to commit violent acts, such as rape. Genuine authority is rooted in the principle of treating others the way you would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
In the realm of governance, everyone—including children—possesses a degree of authority on behalf of a greater power. Children have the right to report an abusive parent to the appropriate authorities, even though they typically fall under parental authority. The real cause of child abuse often stems from a parental failure to teach children that all authority comes from God. As a result, children tend to place more trust in their parents than in God. Authority is meant to protect children, preventing them from being abused by those to whom they have entrusted their faith. Unfortunately, many of these parents present themselves as God‑fearing individuals.
The issue begins with the invalidation of self‑worth, leading to the belief that authority originates from external sources. Although unseen, God is represented through order. Every human being possesses a spirit that embodies this sense of order, even if only in varying degrees. Disorder, or confusion, arises from a stimulus‑response mechanism driven by physical desires. Therefore, it is shameful to advocate for anarchy instead of order. All heinous crimes result from this stimulus‑response dynamic, as individuals seek to satisfy their fleshly desires. This includes those who are religiously hypnotized and support anti‑survival programs.
The ongoing support for dictators often arises from a distorted interpretation of Christianity, characterized by hierarchical structures that lack biblical justification. This form of authoritarianism can be traced back to the guidance that Paul provided to Timothy and Titus. What many people forget is that all humans—including those whom God uses—are fallible. Great servants of God like Abraham, David, and Elijah all had flaws, just as Peter, the chief apostle, did.
The foundation of faith is in Jesus. Deceivers have effectively cultivated an authoritarian culture, despite Jesus’s clear directive to dismantle such structures within Christianity. This is evident in passages like Matthew 18:1-6, Matthew 20:25-28, and Matthew 23:8-12. A common tactic used to mislead Christians—and enable political manipulation—is to preach that they must obey those in authority to receive God’s blessings.
This strategy is why politicians like Mnangagwa seek alliances with church leaders, often influencing them through monetary donations and gifts such as vehicles. These church leaders then promote misleading interpretations of scriptures like Romans 13, which can further enable corruption within a country. Dictators know that the most effective way to control people is to undermine their ability to think critically, and distorted interpretations of Christianity have achieved precisely that.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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