When all possible means have been exhausted to rescue a situation, only hope and faith remain to help you face the challenges.
The seed of hope is nourished by faith — for those who believe, it is faith that whispers: one step at a time. No matter how people ridicule you, you keep the faith in what you hope for. It is not easy, especially amidst the hyenas who stalk you, waiting for your hands to falter so they can devour what remains.
I have always loved the example of the sower in the Bible: scattering seeds regardless of the type of soil. Some seeds fell on fertile ground, while others landed in rocky or thorny places. Only the seeds on fertile ground bore fruit.
This is how faith carries many of us, leading us to hope that, one day, our seeds will find fertile soil. Today, our journey may be rocky and full of thorns, yet the seed of faith still urges us: keep moving.
But faith alone is not enough.
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On a recent journey — from the waters of Lake Tanganyika to the home of Mount Kilimanjaro — I was reminded again how much our people yearn for something more: visionary leadership. Leadership that sees them. Leadership that truly listens. Leadership that addresses their real struggles, instead of being consumed by power plays and personal egos.
I looked at the beauty of this blessed land and thought: what if our resources were used wisely, with people at the centre of everything? What if we led not for ourselves, but for the people?
One image from that trip stays with me.
By the side of a rocky stream, I saw two young women fetching water. After they filled their buckets, I helped them lift them — 20 litres and 10 litres — 30 litres balanced on one small, fragile, and petite body. I wondered how far they still had to walk, for there was no village in sight.
That image is a vivid reminder of how far behind we are in delivering dignity to our people, people who deserve better, if only for the taxes they faithfully pay. As a woman and a believer in human rights, I also see how deeply poverty weighs on women in their daily lives.
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The disproportionate burden placed on women and girls — walking long distances for water, missing out on education, enduring preventable suffering — speaks volumes about the kind of complacency we have normalised.
Our people need visionary leaders — leaders who search for solutions, who illuminate a better tomorrow, who see not just votes, but human beings. Visionary leadership is not about charisma alone; it means investing in human dignity.
Yes, hope and faith are the anchors that have kept us going for decades. But hope and faith cannot carry buckets of water home. Hope and faith cannot build wells or schools or roads. Leadership must do that.
Throughout the journey, I had a strong sense that we are not even at the threshold of providing the Minimum Core of socio-economic rights, as enshrined by the UN Economic and Social Council.
As a nation, we must refocus our political energy. Our struggles must centre on finding solutions for the people, not on smearing each other, not on losing sight of the greater purpose.
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On this point, I recall the words of Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri in 1998, shortly before the House voted on four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton: “The politics of slash-and-burn must end … we must turn away from the politics of personal destruction and return to the politics of values.”
The likes of those young women by the stream deserve better. Because the dignity of our people — and the soul of our nation — depend on it.
They deserve leaders with vision — and a future worthy of their hope and faith.
Their voices — and ours — can be heard if we empower citizens to demand what is rightfully theirs, if they feel secure enough to pursue their rights, if they believe their government is responsive to their needs.
Systemic challenges can only be overcome when we engage citizens meaningfully in deciding their future.
Hope and faith light the path. But visionary leadership must clear the way.
Fortunata Kitokesya is a lawyer and human rights expert. She is available at fortukito@gmail.com or on X as @fortunatak. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
