Page 12 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 35
P. 12
Leadership
here is a whole set of policies, prevent chaos.
projects, rules, and laws that Africans
Thave been following—borrowed In Kemetic cosmology, Maat was designed to
from Europe and America—which make no maintain moral justice and divine order. The
sense or are not useful to Africa, particularly principle emphasizes the importance of truth
in relation to our cultural heritage and and justice, remaining relevant in discussions
identity. Wisdom dictates that when a system about African spirituality and ethics today.
or practice does not serve the benefit of
individuals or the community, it should be However, in Africa, we have embraced
abandoned in favor of something new. flawed systems inherited from Europe and
the West, much like the corruption that has
Life on earth is dynamic, and no single rule infiltrated our way of life. Justice has become
fits all when it comes to building a nation a tool for settling scores between the rich and
that is healthy, wealthy, and progressive. the poor, a means for politicians to silence
One such borrowed policy that has not dissent, and a business that serves those who
truly benefited African people is the justice can pay the most. Corrupt leaders rarely face
or prison system—or, if you prefer, the jail time, while whistleblowers exposing
correctional system. corruption do.
In the context of the ancient African justice Recently, a story was trending online about
system, justice was not viewed from the new prison policies in Burkina Faso. I sought
perspective of destroying the offender or more information, but reliable sources were
relegating them to the status of non-humans scarce, as most reports came from bloggers.
without purpose or the ability to change. Interestingly, mainstream media remained
Instead, justice was seen as a means of largely silent on the matter. But I am not
restoring the offender to balance—first surprised—mainstream media rarely shares
with their purpose, then with the larger positive news about Africa. And believe me,
community. This was the justice system of this news is good, so I have no problem with
Maat, a concept we have previously explored their silence.
in this magazine.
The Story
Maat
Burkina Faso has introduced a
Maat is a fundamental concept in the ancient groundbreaking prison reform initiative
African justice system, particularly in Kemet focused on rehabilitation and agricultural
(now known as Egypt). It represents truth, development. Under the new criminal law,
justice, balance, and order, symbolized by prisoners and those awaiting sentencing can
a feather. Under Kemetic law, the 42 Laws work in the agricultural sector with a unique
of Maat were observed to uphold truth and incentive: for every month worked, their
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