Leadership is the central theme in The Leader and the Led. The poet speaks to us about the various aspects of the theme of leadership. Below are some of the key aspects of this theme.

Leadership crisis in Africa

There is a direct reference to the failed leadership situation in Africa. Here is a group of animals without a leader. It is clear that everyone in this gathering is acutely aware of the urgency to find the best leadership material to steer the affairs of the community.

The unacceptable attributes of the animals vying for this leadership position portray a troubling reality in the continent’s search for competent leaders. It is these same kind of people who often emerge as leaders in the continent. On parade are the following

• Brutal autocrats just like the lion with the “ferocious pounce of his paws”
• Greedy and corrupt nation-wreckers; they are no different than the hyena with “his lethal appetite”.
• Short-sighted leaders, far removed from reality; bereft of the right visionary qualities, they resemble the giraffe with eyes that are “too far from the ground”
• Dishonest leaders; the zebra with its duplicitous stripes symbolizes this crop of leaders