Gudo guru peta muswe kuti vadiki vakutye

Munhu mukuru anofanira kuzvibata netsika younhu kuti vari pasi pake vazomuremekedza uye nekupamuenzaniso wakanaka kune vadiki.

Big baboon, put your tail between your legs so that the young can respect you.

People in positions of authority should conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner so that their followers do not lose respect for the leaders. In other words, leaders must lead by example.

Baboons like most animals put their tails in between their legs as a sign of respect to others. When they are engaged in reckless or playful activity their tails are hanging or held up. So it becomes clear to the infant baboon that respect should be accorded to the older baboon when they see the elder baboon in a respectful mode where the tail is folded. With this imagery our ancestors sought to reprimand leaders or elders who lost a respectful disposition by engaging in acts that brought disrepute to their positions or roles and made it difficult for the followers or young to accord them the necessary respect. It is a very stern proverb on how respect is earned and maintained.

The proverb is used as a strong rebuke or censure to a leader or elder who is acting in a manner that is unbecoming of their stature or position. It is particularly useful in warning them of the dangers of setting a bad example or highlighting the threat of loss of respect from followers or youth.