An encounter with Africa's great minds in the continent's jewel

By Alex Kiprotich

Senior Writer　

For people whom you have only read about in textbooks and newspapers, an opportunity to meet them is always full of anticipation.

You are not sure of what to say. Even if you rehearse a line, or two, it often disappears the moment you meet.

After landing at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius, I rushed to the luggage bay after going through customs only to be told my luggage was missing.

"What we will do is trace your baggage and ensure that we deliver it as soon as it arrives," said the warm customs woman who kept on smiling while my head was spinning.

Mo Ibrahim, far right, watches musicians Youssou N’dour and Angelique Kidjo on stage. [PICTURES: ALEX KIPROTICH]

It was not the loss of a few packed clothes that bothered me. It was the fact that I was attending a meeting at which former UN Secretary General Dr Kofi Annan, former Mozambique President Joaquim Chisano, former Director General International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed Elbaradei, former Ireland President Mary Robinson, Botswana’s former President Festus Mogae and Chairman for Africa Microsoft Corporation Cheick Modibo Diarra were expected.

The invitation had come from Dr Mohamed Ibrahim, the founder and chair of Mo Ibrahim foundation, which supports good governance and great leadership in Africa.

Down to earth

During our meeting in London in August, the down to earth billionaire had promised to invite me for the event in Mauritius and true to his word, an invitation landed on my desk at the Standard Group offices along Mombasa Road.

From the assurance at the baggage report desk, I was sure to get my luggage, which must have been delayed in South Africa. While checking in at OR Tambo Airport, I had reservations about my luggage as the customs officer, who looked tired and sleepy, warned me of my slow pace.

"You are walking slowly, my friend you will be lucky if you are not left behind," he said, as my luggage went through the conveyor belt while urging me to run to the boarding lounge, but not after adding "Tupe chai ndugu from Kenya!"

What occupied my mind was meeting the dignitaries, whom, apart from Ibrahim I’d never met.

Was I going to attend such a high level meeting in jeans? I resigned to fate and consoled myself that there was nothing I could do.

When the cab came to pick me for dinner at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, my mind was bombarded with stream of thoughts, but as soon as I sighted the building, I was awed by its architectural beauty and temporarily forgot about my problems.

Soon I joined the other guests inside the architectural jewel. The leaders’ rich discussions gave me an insight into the talent and human resource the continent has.

When I introduced myself to Kofi Annan and told him how Kenyans appreciate his effort to whip our leaders to reason when the country was on the brink of violence, the soft-spoken former UN secretary General’s face shone as he held my hand.

"You Kenyans did it. I was touched by Kenyans who were willing to rise up from the ashes and say enough is enough," he said.

Annan’s diplomacy

Annan said his role was to do "a little push" as Kenyans played a bigger part in restoring peace.

This coming from a man in whom 40 million Kenyans hinged their hopes surprised me.

At least, I expected him to take credit, which he said belonged to Kenyans. The conversation opened a glimpse to the world of Annan’s diplomacy.

"Kenya is a beautiful country with wonderful people," he said. I felt he concluded his sentence early. He could have added with "selfish and weird leaders" but I understood he is a diplomat and I would be overstretching my imagination.

As we spoke, I remembered when he walked down the stairs of Harambee House as the country burnt after striking a deal with President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga to end the hostilities and form a coalition government.

"That must have been one of the best moments," I remarked to him to which he answered, "it was a victory for Kenyans, the moment Kenyans were waiting for. It was their best moment."

For Chisano, a man I read in GHC classes as the leader of Frelimo, nothing portrays his humility than the way he walks and talks. His humour also stuns.

When I told him that I’d never imagined that I would meet him one day, he answered that he had never anticipated meeting me either.

Alex Kiprotich with Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chisano. [PICTURES: ALEX KIPROTICH]

"How could I anticipate I will one day meet Alex?" he said laughing.

Chisano, who led a war ravaged country and ensured the warring opponents got absorbed in his government, is keen in a united Africa and says war is expensive.

"My heart sunk when I heard that Kenyans were going for each other’s neck. Having led a country where people did not know peace, I knew Kenyans were getting themselves into something they did not know," he said.

Iraq invasion

Elbaradei, who most know as the person who was in charge as US invaded Iraq, was at his best when he took to the stage to dance to Angelique Kidjo and Yousou N’Dour tunes.

"You don’t get to enjoy this every day and especially in our homeland Africa. It is great," he said.

Mo Ibrahim, who spoke fervently about his vision for an integrated Africa, said the continent has all the resources and personnel to end the suffering of the people.

Ibrahim held the meeting in Mauritius because of it being ranked as the best in the 2010 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

The country exemplifies what good governance in Africa can do to its people. For someone who has been to Europe or US, Mauritius is just out of Africa. The infrastructure is superb and people live in harmony despite its inherited diversity of ethnicities of French, British, Indians and migrants from China.

Transport system is efficient and affordable and free since July 2005 for students, the disabled, and seniors. Education is also free up to secondary school level.

Vikash Rayan says they have maintained harmony and this is the key to the serenity that prevails in the island.

"We have a reputation for stability and racial harmony among the mixed population of Asians, Europeans, and Africans," he says.

After spending time in Mauritius with Africa’s great minds and visiting some islands, I concluded that it is a country above expectations and out of the stereotype Africa of poverty, disease, and corruption.

Sandy beaches

Green palm trees line the white sandy beaches, while the beauty of the waters in various tones of blue in the lagoons are impossible to capture with words.

And as the plane taxied and took off at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mark Twain’s description of Mauritius that it was made first and then heaven and that heaven was copied after Mauritius couldn’t have been wrong.