A Timeless Icon: Ezekiel H. Guti, A Leader Who Captivated Hearts Until the End and Beyond.
Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti praying.
Archbishop Ezekiel Guti (Baba Guti) was a true visionary and beacon of faith, his legacy of love and dedicated service will continue to ripple through generations. The promotion to the glory of my father in the faith, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti has prompted in me many different feelings and thoughts. First, it was a sad heartfelt sense of loss, second it was a heart filled with gratitude and appreciation for him and the treasures he tirelessly deposited in us whom he led. Among many others, was a deep reflection of the kind of man he was. I for one can attest that “Baba” as we popularly called him was a rare gem. Discussing with a friend recently, we asked ourselves a question how and why this calibre of a man like Ezekiel Guti are rare to find in our world, we consoled ourselves by agreeing to my friend’s answer that maybe the mould that God uses to fashion such a kind is one that he gets to use once in a long while and we have to always have our hearts ready and in the right place if he can use the same mould on us.
Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti preaching in the Tabernacle (Recent year)
We can definitely write books about Baba Guti with all kinds of topics and titles, however the past few days I have been mainly pondering how he transcended generational barriers. Understanding that he was born in 1923, which was even before the first television system was made, how has he continued to be a sought-after and relevant leader, who captivated the hearts of all generations? Indeed, we can quickly say it is the doing of the almighty God, which is true but the other part of the answer is that Archbishop Ezekiel Guti (Baba Guti) was a cooperating vessel, he surrendered himself to cooperate with what God wanted to do among men. He worked on himself to develop qualities and traits that enabled God’s will and purpose to flow and manifest freely. Do not be fooled this is not as easy as the statement may read.
When a leader is said to have transcended generational barriers, it means that they possess qualities, abilities, and values that appeal to and resonate with people across different age groups or generations. They are not limited by the norms, preferences, or biases typically associated with a specific generation, and as a result, they can connect and influence individuals from various age cohorts. This is exactly what Baba Guti carried, you could not classify him as an old man, though he was 100, yet he was deeply loved by all ages. I remember earlier in the year, it should be around March where I was talking to a friend and colleague encouraging each other to pray for “Baba” to be able to attend our conference this year because he was always giving wisdom, encouragement and guidance.
Left; Archbishop Ezekiel H. Guti Preaching in the Tabernacle at AMFCC (early years), Right Archbishop Ezekiel H Guti in his Archbishop's Robe standing outside the Tabernacle at AMFCC in Harare Zimbabwe.
There are several characteristics that I can talk about which I believe made Baba Guti a leader who transcended generational barriers:
Empathy and Understanding: Baba Guti had a deep understanding of the concerns, challenges, and aspirations of different generations. This empathy allows them to relate to people of all ages and bridge the gap between different perspectives. For the past two years, he went about in conferences having time with the youths, teaching them and giving them time to express themselves. He went ahead appointing some young people to leadership
Vision and Adaptability: Baba Guti was able to articulate a compelling vision that aligns with the values and goals of diverse age groups. Talk about the vision for soul-winning and for entrepreneurship through Talents. Over the ages, the message and vision have remained strong yet it adapted to changing technologies, means of presentations and times.
Open-Mindedness: Baba Guti was open to new ideas and perspectives. As long as it did not compromise the God-given mandate and vision he was willing to accept ideas. This openness fostered an inclusive environment where people from different generations feel heard and valued.
Communication Skills: A leader who can communicate effectively can transcend generational barriers. They can convey their message in ways that resonate with different age groups, using appropriate language and references. Baba Guti was a communicator, be it one on one or in groups and even his books and recordings which are still available.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Embracing diversity and promoting an inclusive culture is crucial for a leader to connect with people from various backgrounds and generations. Talk of a man who valued people and always fought for the minorities in our gatherings to be respected is Baba Guti.
Embracing Technology: A leader who is comfortable and familiar with modern technology can more effectively engage with younger generations, who are often early adopters of new technologies. In 2008 we saw Baba Guti extending the wings of the traditional broadcasting method to opening of a 24Hr television station. This is embracing technology. He was born before television but he later started a television station.
Wisdom and Experience: Another unique quality about Baba Guti was that, though he was open to new ideas, he also drew upon the wisdom and experience of the older generation which also earned him the respect and trust of older generations.
Authenticity: People of all ages appreciate leaders who are genuine, honest, and true to themselves. Authenticity can build trust and inspire followership regardless of age. Baba Guti was a genuine man, he talked openly and rebuked publicly. Even when you get close to him you could feel the authenticity and genuineness of his actions.
Baba Guti was a leader who transcended generational barriers, he effectively lead diverse teams, organizations, or even entire societies/nations, fostering collaboration and unity among people of different age groups and ethnicity. He is indeed a Timeless Icon a Leader Who Captivated Hearts Until the End and Beyond.
Joseph Dhlakama.
