“Mama yuko kazini” is a particularly apt slogan which has been adopted by one local television channel , to describe President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s success story of her first year in office. My article in this column published on 17th March, 2022; (on International Women’s Day); also made a very brief reference to President Samia’s brilliant performance during her first year in office. But because of limited editorial space, I was unable to elaborate more on that matter; and that is precisely the purpose of today’s presentation, i.e. to make additional comments on that success story.
It has been said that “to every action, or decision, there is a purpose”. In today’s presentation, we will look at the presumed purposes, or reasons, behind President Samia’s awe-inspiring performance that has been witnessed during her first year in office. The principal purpose of every leader of the people, is “to faithfully serve all the people who are under his leadership portfolio”. And this applies specifically to Heads of State and Government; who normally tend to be guided by the following three basic reasons:-
It has been said that “to every action, or decision, there is a purpose”. In today’s presentation, we will look at the presumed purposes, or reasons, behind President Samia’s awe-inspiring performance that has been witnessed during her first year in office. The principal purpose of every leader of the people, is “to faithfully serve all the people who are under his leadership portfolio”. And this applies specifically to Heads of State and Government; who normally tend to be guided by the following three basic reasons:-
(i) The desire to be re-elected. Considering the fact that these leaders are elected to office, the incumbent’s first consideration is to serve the people, in such a way that will give them satisfaction, and which will therefore be a valid inducement for them to return him to power at the next following election.
(ii) The leadership ‘calling’ to give relief to the people, by solving the problems facing them at the material time; and
(iii) The desire to create a legacy, for which the people will remember them positively after they are done, or gone. It all really depends on the political circumstances prevailing at the relevant material time. A brief travelling ‘down memory lane’ will remind us that the first phase President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, was surrounded by certain peculiar circumstances which are non-recurrent, and can, at best, only be remembered as important historical events; which therefore cannot not, in any way; influence, or affect, the decisions and actions of the subsequent Heads of State and Government.
For example, in the early post-independence days, President Nyerere had to make decisions and take actions which were necessary in order to rapidly dismantle the harmful structures that were left behind by the colonial Administration; which was done mostly through legislation that was often introduced in the National Assembly under ‘certificates of urgency’.
(ii) The leadership ‘calling’ to give relief to the people, by solving the problems facing them at the material time; and
(iii) The desire to create a legacy, for which the people will remember them positively after they are done, or gone. It all really depends on the political circumstances prevailing at the relevant material time. A brief travelling ‘down memory lane’ will remind us that the first phase President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, was surrounded by certain peculiar circumstances which are non-recurrent, and can, at best, only be remembered as important historical events; which therefore cannot not, in any way; influence, or affect, the decisions and actions of the subsequent Heads of State and Government.
For example, in the early post-independence days, President Nyerere had to make decisions and take actions which were necessary in order to rapidly dismantle the harmful structures that were left behind by the colonial Administration; which was done mostly through legislation that was often introduced in the National Assembly under ‘certificates of urgency’.
Furthermore, he had to make other decisions, or take action, in order to distance the country from alignment with any one side in the raging ‘cold war’ circumstances of that time. Subsequent Heads of State did not have to make any such decisions, or take any such actions. He also had to make decisions, and take appropriate actions, in order to lay the firm foundations for the country’s socio-economic development; whereas all that his successors had to do, was just to continue building upon these foundations; and where necessary, they introduced necessary improvements, which include:-President Ali Hassan Mwinyi adoption of his “ruksa” option in the management of the economy; or President Benjamin Mkapa’s introduction of his “uwazi na ukweli (transparent government) option in the management of government business; or President Jakaya Kikwete’s adoption of his “nguvu mpya; kasi mpya,na ari mpya” slogan to guide his Administration.
All these were strategies which were basically aimed at making the requisite improvements, while, in essence, they were still building upon the firm foundations that were laid by founder President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Thus, their tasks may have been similarly difficult to perform, but they were certainly less demanding on the mind.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s exemplary record.
It may perhaps be helpful to some of our young generation reads, to re-state the fact that the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania provides for power sharing between the two constituent parts of the Union, namely Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Thus, if a Presidential candidate who is nominated by his political party hails from Tanzania Mainland, he must select a running mate who hails from Zanzibar; and vice versa.
Thus, for the 2015 Presidential election, CCM’s National Congress voted to nominate John Pombe Magufuli from Mainland Tanzania for President; and endorsed the selection of Samia Suluhu Hassan from Zanzibar as the running mate, and that was Samia Suluhu Hassan, who then became the Union Vice President upon CCM winning that election.
And subsequently, upon President Magufuli’s sudden death on 17th March, 2021; Samia Suluhu Hassan became the successor Head of State of the United Republic, by simple operation of the country’s constitution. Now, for those leaders who are the Heads of State and government in their respective jurisdictions, the term “service to the country” covers three main areas: (i) Managing the economy and the social services delivery; (ii) managing international relations; and (iii) managing the political landscape. President Samia’s first year performance in all of these areas, has been absolutely exemplary, as detailed below. Her management of the economy, and the social services sector.
In the run-up to her first anniversary in office, all the media outlets were full of information emanating from government Ministries, plus many other public Institutions; detailing how they have benefited from President Samia’s benevolent leadership at the helm, during her first year in office.
All these were strategies which were basically aimed at making the requisite improvements, while, in essence, they were still building upon the firm foundations that were laid by founder President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Thus, their tasks may have been similarly difficult to perform, but they were certainly less demanding on the mind.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s exemplary record.
It may perhaps be helpful to some of our young generation reads, to re-state the fact that the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania provides for power sharing between the two constituent parts of the Union, namely Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Thus, if a Presidential candidate who is nominated by his political party hails from Tanzania Mainland, he must select a running mate who hails from Zanzibar; and vice versa.
Thus, for the 2015 Presidential election, CCM’s National Congress voted to nominate John Pombe Magufuli from Mainland Tanzania for President; and endorsed the selection of Samia Suluhu Hassan from Zanzibar as the running mate, and that was Samia Suluhu Hassan, who then became the Union Vice President upon CCM winning that election.
And subsequently, upon President Magufuli’s sudden death on 17th March, 2021; Samia Suluhu Hassan became the successor Head of State of the United Republic, by simple operation of the country’s constitution. Now, for those leaders who are the Heads of State and government in their respective jurisdictions, the term “service to the country” covers three main areas: (i) Managing the economy and the social services delivery; (ii) managing international relations; and (iii) managing the political landscape. President Samia’s first year performance in all of these areas, has been absolutely exemplary, as detailed below. Her management of the economy, and the social services sector.
In the run-up to her first anniversary in office, all the media outlets were full of information emanating from government Ministries, plus many other public Institutions; detailing how they have benefited from President Samia’s benevolent leadership at the helm, during her first year in office.
For example, in her maiden speech to Parliament on 22nd April, 2021; President Samia had articulated the need for the government to regain the investors’ confidence. And she has, indeed, done precisely that; through her strategy of ‘walking the talk’ of the economic diplomacy concept.
For, starting right from the early days of her Administration, she has undertaken many crucial international visits, and meetings with key players in the international economy; thus effectively repairing ties with the outside world; and positively influencing our country’s trading partnerships with the rest of the globe, and greatly improving the business environment.
For, starting right from the early days of her Administration, she has undertaken many crucial international visits, and meetings with key players in the international economy; thus effectively repairing ties with the outside world; and positively influencing our country’s trading partnerships with the rest of the globe, and greatly improving the business environment.
Thus, as a direct result of these efforts, we have heard the good news from the life-line Ministry of Finance when the Minister of Finance and Planning Dr, Mwigulu Nchemba, was talking to journalists about the success story of President Samia’s Presidency during her first year; that “President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s regime has set a new record in budget implementation that reached 93.6% last month, with four months remaining before the next fiscal year begins. This is the highest ever budget implementation for any government that has been in office for only one year”.
And the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Tutuba , added that “the timely release of funds for development projects has significantly helped to increase money circulation in the economy” All this is very good news indeed; and this is what has enabled President Samia to vigorously implement her “kazi iendelee” slogan; by continuing the active implementation of all the mega infrastructure projects that were initiated by her predecessor, as well as embarking on many new ones, particularly in the all- important Health and the Education sectors.
(ii) Her management of international relations.
Whereas her immediate predecessor, the late President Magufuli, made foreign trips very rarely; (he only visited a few African countries, and attended the African Union meting only once; and he never attended any of the annual United Nations General Assembly meetings); instead, on many such occasions, he sent Vice President Samia was sent to represent him.
This exposure is probably what helped her to embrace the international community; for during her first year in office, President Samia has made many international visits. “she has visited 13 countries, both inside and outside Africa, in an effort to cement bilateral ties, and to market our country’s investment and tourism opportunities”. She has also welcomed many high-level foreign dignitaries to Tanzania for crucial talks relating to investments in the country, and on ways to increase trade volumes between them and Tanzania; talks which have indeed produced very significant positive results”. This was aid in the President’s own interview aired by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022; in which she also said:-“My trips abroad have contributed highly to the opening up the country, and created a myriad of new economic opportunities”. And she cited the specific example of her visit to Kenya which, she said, “has produced very good outcomes, for we are now enjoying an improved business climate after President Uhuru Kenyatta and I resolved a number of challenges that were hindering business between our two countries”.
(iii) In the matter of solving the peoples’ problems. "Ndugu zangu, maendeleo yana ngazi zake. Kuna maendeleo yanayofanyika katika ngazi ya Taifa. Hayo ni kama ile miradi mikubwa ya Reli ya kisasa; Bwawa kubwa la kuzalisha umeme kwenye mto Rufiji; ununuzi wa ndege nyingi za abiria na mizigo . . . Lakini hatuwezi kusahau maendeleo yanayowaletea nafuu ya maisha wananchi wetu katika ngazi ya pale wanapoishi; ambayo ni katika maeneo muhimu ya Afya, Maji safi na salama; na Elimu kwa watoto wao”. (President Samia’s maiden speech to Parliament).
Investment in the social service delivery sectors of Health, Education and water supply, has manifestly been the most visible area of the government investment efforts during President Samia’s first year in office; as evidenced by the large sums of money (in terms of billions), which are reported to have been disbursed to every single District in the whole of our geographically vast country.
But she has done a lot more than that, to bring new hope and satisfaction to different Society groups. For example, her government has paid arrears to more than 65,000 civil servants, amounting to more than 90 billion shillings; and granted promotions to more than 190,000 deserving civil servants who had the requisite qualifications, but had waited for many years without being promoted. She has also brought new hope to people, especially infants’ families and extended family relatives, by directing the relevant medical experts to carry out routine post-natal diagnosis of infants’ disabilities. “Diagnosis for new-born babies is among the priorities of the sixth phase government, in order to identify the disabilities, which could easily be cured” she said.
Her management of the political landscape.
This is an area in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan has clearly shown that she has the mettle for national politics. For she has distinctly displayed her maturity in political statecraft, and has built for herself a solid political base. Specifically, she has brilliantly, but quietly, undone the perceived excesses that characterized her predecessor.
On the political front, the biggest ‘news of the week’ was the release from prison, of CHADEMA Chairman Freeman Aikaeli Mbowe and his colleagues, who had spent eight months behind bars on terrorism charges. Mbowe’s case was rightly perceived by many observers, as having been politically motivated. Fortunately, this case was discontinued when the DPP entered a “nolle prosequi”. Furthermore, in February (last month), President Samia had, while on an official visit to Belgium, set aside time to meet and talk with the self-exiled CHADEMA Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu.
All these appear to be positive signs, which show that she is ‘building bridges’ to connect with the hitherto hostile Opposition CHADEMA Opposition party. But we have again run out of editorial space. We will continue with the same in next week’s article.
piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
And the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Tutuba , added that “the timely release of funds for development projects has significantly helped to increase money circulation in the economy” All this is very good news indeed; and this is what has enabled President Samia to vigorously implement her “kazi iendelee” slogan; by continuing the active implementation of all the mega infrastructure projects that were initiated by her predecessor, as well as embarking on many new ones, particularly in the all- important Health and the Education sectors.
(ii) Her management of international relations.
Whereas her immediate predecessor, the late President Magufuli, made foreign trips very rarely; (he only visited a few African countries, and attended the African Union meting only once; and he never attended any of the annual United Nations General Assembly meetings); instead, on many such occasions, he sent Vice President Samia was sent to represent him.
This exposure is probably what helped her to embrace the international community; for during her first year in office, President Samia has made many international visits. “she has visited 13 countries, both inside and outside Africa, in an effort to cement bilateral ties, and to market our country’s investment and tourism opportunities”. She has also welcomed many high-level foreign dignitaries to Tanzania for crucial talks relating to investments in the country, and on ways to increase trade volumes between them and Tanzania; talks which have indeed produced very significant positive results”. This was aid in the President’s own interview aired by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022; in which she also said:-“My trips abroad have contributed highly to the opening up the country, and created a myriad of new economic opportunities”. And she cited the specific example of her visit to Kenya which, she said, “has produced very good outcomes, for we are now enjoying an improved business climate after President Uhuru Kenyatta and I resolved a number of challenges that were hindering business between our two countries”.
(iii) In the matter of solving the peoples’ problems. "Ndugu zangu, maendeleo yana ngazi zake. Kuna maendeleo yanayofanyika katika ngazi ya Taifa. Hayo ni kama ile miradi mikubwa ya Reli ya kisasa; Bwawa kubwa la kuzalisha umeme kwenye mto Rufiji; ununuzi wa ndege nyingi za abiria na mizigo . . . Lakini hatuwezi kusahau maendeleo yanayowaletea nafuu ya maisha wananchi wetu katika ngazi ya pale wanapoishi; ambayo ni katika maeneo muhimu ya Afya, Maji safi na salama; na Elimu kwa watoto wao”. (President Samia’s maiden speech to Parliament).
Investment in the social service delivery sectors of Health, Education and water supply, has manifestly been the most visible area of the government investment efforts during President Samia’s first year in office; as evidenced by the large sums of money (in terms of billions), which are reported to have been disbursed to every single District in the whole of our geographically vast country.
But she has done a lot more than that, to bring new hope and satisfaction to different Society groups. For example, her government has paid arrears to more than 65,000 civil servants, amounting to more than 90 billion shillings; and granted promotions to more than 190,000 deserving civil servants who had the requisite qualifications, but had waited for many years without being promoted. She has also brought new hope to people, especially infants’ families and extended family relatives, by directing the relevant medical experts to carry out routine post-natal diagnosis of infants’ disabilities. “Diagnosis for new-born babies is among the priorities of the sixth phase government, in order to identify the disabilities, which could easily be cured” she said.
Her management of the political landscape.
This is an area in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan has clearly shown that she has the mettle for national politics. For she has distinctly displayed her maturity in political statecraft, and has built for herself a solid political base. Specifically, she has brilliantly, but quietly, undone the perceived excesses that characterized her predecessor.
On the political front, the biggest ‘news of the week’ was the release from prison, of CHADEMA Chairman Freeman Aikaeli Mbowe and his colleagues, who had spent eight months behind bars on terrorism charges. Mbowe’s case was rightly perceived by many observers, as having been politically motivated. Fortunately, this case was discontinued when the DPP entered a “nolle prosequi”. Furthermore, in February (last month), President Samia had, while on an official visit to Belgium, set aside time to meet and talk with the self-exiled CHADEMA Vice Chairman, Tundu Lissu.
All these appear to be positive signs, which show that she is ‘building bridges’ to connect with the hitherto hostile Opposition CHADEMA Opposition party. But we have again run out of editorial space. We will continue with the same in next week’s article.
piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
No comments:
Post a Comment