Democracy Is About People – Cllr Jele

Bulawayo - While for most Zimbabweans, especially those in positions of authority, the term “democracy” has political connotations, this not so with Councillor Rodney Jele of Bulawayo’s, Ward 22.

Cllr Jele, whose area covers Nkulumane 5, told ZDDT News he has a different understanding of democracy.

“Democracy is whereby people are free to air their different views,” he said.

“This is important because, at the end of the day, the majority rules. Therefore then importance of democracy cannot be over emphasised.”

He explained that leaders should not force people to do what they want, instead the former should serve the latter.

“If there are different opinions obviously you have to go for the majority. I think that is myn understanding of democracy,” said Cllr Jele.

Cllr Jele, who said democracy was crucial at a local level, added that his understanding of the concept has enabled him to work well with the Community Action Team (CAT) members in Nkulumane 5.

“Working with CATs helps in the sense that the ward is big and it becomes a challenge for one person to fully cover it and, as a result, I would need other people to help me,” he elaborated.

Cllr Jele said through interactions with ZDDT he has become a servant leader who now practises servant leadership.

He explained:

“A servant leader for a councillor, in my own interpretation, is a person who humbles himself or herself and always allows people to air their views. He is not to be the boss in the community but a servant of the people.”