President Mnangagwa mourns incisive, focused Magufuli

Dodoma (New Ziana) – President Emerson Mnangagwa on Monday described the late Tanzanian leader John Magufuli as a man of action who strived to deliver development and prosperity to his country and continent, Africa.

President Magufuli died last week from a heart ailment.

In his eulogy, delivered before a packed sports stadium in Tanzania’s administrative capital, Dodoma during a special funeral wake, President Mnangagwa said the late Magufuli was a focused leader who led from the front.

“The late President John Pombe Magufuli established a reputation as a man of action, in order to hasten the pace of development in Tanzania,” he said.

“He was a true Pan-African who believed in the need for Africa to increase economic cooperation and trade for the benefit of our people. He was a leader who led from the front, who was passionate about the welfare of his people and the development and prosperity of Africa through the maximum benefits from the numerous GOD-given resources on our continent.”

President Mnangagwa said the work ethic and vision exhibited by the late Magufuli was inspirational.

He said one of the top achievements recorded under Magufuli’s leadership was Tanzania’s attainment of lower-middle income economy status five years ahead of target.

“This was indeed one of the many milestone achievements which are testimony of the astute, incisive and focused leadership of the late President John Pombe Magufuli,” he said.

President Mnangagwa commended the late Tanzanian President for spearheading a coordinated Southern African Community Development (SADC) response to the illegal sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe.

“The late President Magufuli was always unwavering on calling for the region to stand together on matters of principle. The people of Zimbabwe will always remember him for the pivotal role he played as chairperson in having SADC set aside 25 October as a day for the collective call for the removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on our country. His visionary leadership will remain etched in the history of SADC,” he said.

President Mnangagwa also recounted his encounters with the late Magufuli including when he called to inquire about Zimbabwe’s needs soon after the country was hit by cyclone Idai.

“In 2019, Zimbabwe, together with Mozambique and Malawi, was devastated by Cyclone Idai and Tanzania became the first African country to donate tonnes of food and medical supplies,” he said.

“I would like to narrate what happened. He telephoned me at night when I was sleeping then when I realised it was President Magufuli, I attended. Then he said my dear brother, I know you have been struck by Cyclone Idai what can we do as Tanzania to assist?

“Then I said, my brother you may assist with food, he said yes, with blankets, he said yes, with medicines, he said yes, but because I was sleeping (I said) with mosquitoes, he said aah mosquitoes! I said no I meant mosquito nets and of course with tents and indeed the following day a plane load Air Tanzania arrived with those things.”

President Mnangagwa added: “The late President Magufuli paid a state visit to Zimbabwe and when he did so, as he did to South Africa, he brought boxes and boxes of Swahili books, but he was delighted when I told him Zimbabwe already offers a degree in Swahili at one of our Universities. Then he asked me whether I had been to Tanzania before, I said the people of Tanzania are a revolutionary people, they gave birth to the independence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. I told him that I came to Tanganyika, at the time, in 1963 and we opened our first camp with FRELIMO at Bagamoyo. We were only 59 cadres, so he promised when I reciprocate his visit to Tanzania he would allow me to visit Bagamoyo camp. I am happy to say to you the people of Tanzania when I came over he did facilitate and I was taken to Bagamoyo camp where I then donated US$60 000.”

Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who spoke in Swahili, thanked leaders from across Africa for their solidarity with Tanzania during their loss.

She promised to carry forward Magufuli’s good works and legacy especially his desire to see a Zimbabwe free of illegal sanctions.

Several other African leaders attended the special funeral ceremony including Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Botswana leader Mokgweetsi Masisi and Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi.

The late Magufuli will be buried on March 26 in his rural home of Chato, Geita region.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has returned home.
New Ziana