He hated Gilbert for having Makhaya on his farm. He is irrational. He thinks that Gilbert brought Makhaya to Botswana to muder him. Chief Matenje is Gilberts “dangerous enemy”. He wants to “bring guns into the country”. George Appelby- Smith wants to lock him up in prison. He likes it when people find him apprehensive. Makaya saw him as a man “without love and without hope. ” He has a very bad “temper” and Dinorego believes that this wil one day cause his death. He accuses Makhaya of being cowardly and “running after his master, the white man. ” He is bigot.
He had a heart attack when he heard that Makhaya got his residence permit. He is a mercenary. He disliked it when the villagers showed independence; selling meat, growing crops and drying tobacco to make money. The villagers did not want to harm their chief, Chief Matenje. Chief Matenje was afraid when he saw the villagers in his yard. He committed suicide. To save his brothers image Chief Sekoto told everyone he died of a heart attack. The people of Golema Mmidi now knew that they are free. Chief Matenje is a very good example of corrupt leadership.
He is the chief of a village called, Golema Mmidi. He represents “old Africa” at it’s worst. How is he an example of corrupt leadership? Chief Matenje is seen as an evil, greedy man (Head 2006).
Where a chief or leader is supposed to empowering and generous, he is exactly the opposite. He hates the people of his village and would therefore do anything in his power to keep them afflicted and distressed. He does not want them to transcend, make money with their own innovative ideas, show independence and stand together as a community.
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The very word conjures up images of money-a bountiful sum in cash or checks, a generous amount, richly deserved, paid in return for good works of some kind. But in today's economic and employment environment, giving someone a cash reward for work beyond the call of duty-a raise or a bonus-often has less impact than the employer intended. It simply isn't as surefire an "employee retention tool" is ...
He believed that as long as I they asked for his permission he could take advantage of the situation and make them pay for whatever they wanted to pursue. This way he ensured that they will always be “stuck” where they are, vulnerable by his power and dependent of his permission. They would never truly be free from his authority. Let’s take the example of young Makhaya, a refugee from South Africa that came into Botswana for a new life. Chief Matenje felt endangered when he heard this news. He even had a heart attack when he heard that Makhaya has his residence permit (Head 2006; 25).
He wanted to get rid of Makhaya because he knew Makhaya would support Gilbert in creating and maintaining work for the community, learning them about agriculture (Head 2006; 62), keeping positive attitudes, harmony and independence. A good leader, in my opinion, would have seen this as a great contingency for the village and their inhabitants. But Chief Matenje only showed interest in his own desires and needs. He stole the villagers land and their money. He is a thief not a chief. And what about the fact that he tried to bring weapons into Botswana (Head 2006; 20)? This immediately creates suspicion.
Why would a leader do that if there were no war or conflict in the country? It is to protect himself and his interests. To scare the people of Golema Mmidi, or those who oppose his ways. Was he planning on killing Gilbert and Makhaya if they did not leave the country (Head 2006; 18, 22)? A leader would not want conflict where people are flourishing, growing and making progress. Where they are learning and providing for themselves. Chief Matenje is cynical and callous and has no mercy for his proximate. He wanted to disrupt the harmony of a peaceful community, putting his needs above theirs.
