Opinion / Columnist
Look East Africa Mr President Sir!
27 Nov 2015 at 11:53hrs | Views
If the so called statesman, President Robert Mugabe was like 'The Bulldozer' in his 35 years rule, Zimbabwe could be by now next to none in Africa in the area of opulence. If all African presidents were walking the talk like this newly elected president, our mother Africa could be by now the most superb land to dwell.
You may wonder who this newly elected president code-named 'The Bulldozer' is. He is the comrade in the East African country, who was recently sworn into office, H.E John Magufuli, the incumbent leader of Chama Cha Mapindiza (CCM) - the ruling party in Tanzania since 1961. The people of Tanzania call him a result driven politician and a man of no-nonsense. A true pan-Africanist with no history of corruption from the time he was elected to be an MP in 1995, to his tenure in government as the deputy Minister of Works and latter executive minister of the same ministry (2010-2015). The aka name 'The Bulldozer', came after driving an intensive programme of road construction as the then cabinet Minister of Works.
This new president is frantically dispelling the erroneous innuendo that African leaders are alike and can never be trusted for good governance. Reports coming from Dar es Salam are attesting that it is no longer business as usual in government offices and state institutions. In less than 90 days in office, this unassailable comrade has shown the whole world servant leadership and good governance, ingredients lacking in most Africa governments.
Reflecting his campaign manifesto, John Magufuli announced that in an endeavour to drastically cut down the public expenditure, his government will cancel all foreign trip by government officials. The ambassadors posted in specific countries will represent Tanzania on international settings. This holds more water in his cost cutting measures under the axiom of channelling wealth down to the poor countrymen. On the contrary, if our own Mugabe who is leading a bloated government, could take a leaf from this promising president, Zimbabwe can forthwith save millions of taxpayers' money. Mugabe is gobbling the much strained fiscus on useless foreign voyages in the name of African Union chairman, which brings nothing into the nose-diving economy.
The 2016 budget announced posted a $240 million deficit, foreign travel increasing deficit margin by 25%. Recently he flew to Turkey for a G20 summit, of which Zimbabwe is not a member. When l looked at the flags of participating member countries, our birded flag was not flying. He was not participating in deliberations, but just a goggled spectator of proceedings. Instead of dealing with the mess he caused in his own backyard, the globe-scavenger old man risk falling, and his hangers (ministers and security details) spending millions just to see Turkey in the name of representing Africa, yet its only South Africa who is a member of G20? I think the nonagenarian leader needs to be reminded what G20 is all about, lest he has sullied advisors.
On another topical account the CCM leader exhibited true leadership when he reduced parliament inauguration party budget from $100000 to $7000. His key goal is to cut on spending, hence much of the lion's share to the public. Zimbabwe is forever hungry for such calibre of leaders who think about 'povo' before lining their pockets and bellies first. Meanwhile we admire this kind of leadership, Zimbabwe is stuck with a heartless leaders who force the poor masses and crumbling companies to contribute birthdays. That's daylight robbery! Mugabe and his cronies do fundraising activities for birthdays. I thought its only kindergartens who enjoy the pleasure b-days, not aged people like Bob. On the other hand, the motor-mouthed Grace Mugabe recently collected money from the public through a birthday. The millions raised on the birthday were pocketed and few dollars used for stage managing to the Mazoe orphans. Why madam Grace, can't raise money for feeding the poor and pay fees for children across the country wallowing in poverty. The mafia party ZANU-PF is currently coercing the companies in Matebeleland North to buttress its imminent the budget of its People's Conference in Victoria Falls. The staggering 3 million they want to spend for a week party event, can pay a bunch of civil servants or buying maize for the drought prone populace.
Magufuli announced another shocker in the ears of Tanzanians that he has cancelled independence celebrations, the first in 54 years. The man said it will be pointless to celebrate wasting money when 60 people had already died of the pandemic cholera disease. He prioritize health than eating and dancing 'Bongo Flava' and 'Mtindo' music. Inversely, to Bob Independence Day (18 April) is another day of extravagance yet the economy is in comatose. It is yet another day of parading soldiers, history heralding and insults lashing or trading, blaming the West for consequences of his own misguided, chaotic and overzealous dubious policies. Nothing is policy driven in his archetypal address across the country. NOT that independence is bad, BUT how can you celebrate it when you are jobless, no outright meal for the next night, no power, no water and healthy sewer system. All the these malaises are an exact artefact of Mr Mugabe's maladministration- which is why some Zimbos miss the old Rhodesia which lacked nothing though freedom was a kerb.
Few days ago Magufuli dropped another bombshell, this time to the acting manager of Dar es Salaam hospital when he took a surprise visit and found patients sleeping without getting service. Hussein L. Kudinto was immediately sucked. This is a very clear message to all public office holders that it either you swim or sink. While he is demonstrating servant leadership and government of the people, Zimbabwe is over-burdened with a ruler who enjoys pillow cases at work, leading deadwood cabinet ministers recycled ever since 1980 and occupied with corruption mien and sloppy dealings. Currently doctors are on strike over unpaid services yet the minister of Healthy and Child Care, David Parirenyatwa has unprocedurally collected $100000 from PSMAS. Nevertheless, it is well Uncle Bob while there is an ever-growing public outcry for him to act on the corrupt head. Obert Mpofu (aka the most obedient son), the most notorious business, has a trail of destruction in business with his collapsing empires e.g the liquidated Allied Banking Limited, BUT it is well as long as they sing the same old song ,"Pamberi na Gushungo, Pambili nouGushungo, Forward with Gushungo". Most of his ministers has scandals and quite a number of state enterprises are swollen with selfish corrupt malcontents appointed on partisan scale, and yet it is well with Bob. For example, Tazen Mandizvidza was called back to work yet he and his friends swindled the troubled ZBC 's money. The courts never declared him guiltless, but because he pleased the then line minister Jonathan Moyo, he found favour.
Ignatius Chombo has amassed himself tracts of land in most towns as if he is the creator, BUT Mugabe never queried him. Now, when is Zimbabwe going to afford government of the people, by the people as Lincoln once said? We don't afford government for the people, which plunders wealth designated for the poor. What is happening with our diamonds in Marange? No one can explain! These ZANU-PF mafias know very well that their 'papa' is power hungry. So they hero worship him, champion him like on that day of triumph entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem riding a donkey and they become immune to prosecution of their multitudes of crimes. President Mugabe usually say he will never brook corruption in State speeches, yet he drink and sup with law breakers. So who then is the supreme corrupt monger? That's double standards!
While John Magufuli is delivering his electoral promises, with Mugabe is always the inverse order, floundering after elections. He pledged 2 million jobs, BUT to date thousands lost jobs after a well calculated court ruling and the bulk are losing jobs due to company closures. Recently we heard the cabinet okayed an Audit Plan that will ultimately lead to massive civil service retrenchments.
In its 50000 words manifesto, CCM party guaranteed poverty eradication, the new constitution to be fast tracked, arresting unemployment, strengthening peace and security, alleviating rural poverty, war on corruption and establishing a special court to try abusers of the public purse. Magufuli is surely guided by what he was voted for, unlike our on charming Mugabe and his cabals, they talk about ZIMASSET, which they are not implementing, let alone some of them can't even explain to an ordinary citizen. Okay, they promised to build bridges where there are no rivers and yet they think we are gullible, but we are clever in to notice this madness. Judgement is coming! MPs are fraudulently elected in rural Zimbabwe and only to go back after 5 years when they seek re-election.
ZIMASSET is not working at all. Unemployment is alarming above 90% while poverty is striking like the angel of death and hunger is the order of the day in communities. Infrastructure is in deplorable state especially roads, are just but a death trap with potholes that has gone to the level fish ponds. Our economy is in free-fall, intensive care and on its lowest ebb. Mugabe and his government must deliver not just outlaying energy narrating a blueprinted document that also confuses themselves. Citizens don't survive on manifestos, but materials and substance.
News coming from Dodoma are causing mixed feelings ZANU-PF government ambient. In the nous of the 'fit as fiddle' president and his acolytes, the newly elected president of Tanzania is overzealous as the last quarter substitute in a 90 minutes match. However to the African brothers who love good governance and accountable state administration, 'The Bulldozer' is soon to be a celebrated hero.
Mr President Sir, we kind-heartedly appeal to you, to look East Africa (Tanzania) not East Asia. Look there not for financial aid or kind help, but just for servant and responsible leadership. See what this young leader is doing, just to make sure state wealthy cascades down to ordinary multitudes. Don't be proud Sir, l know you are an egocentric valour. Even the old learn from the young. If you refuse to learn from others in life, then dying is the supreme option.
A Computer Scientist and Political Commentator based in Johannesburg, South Africa
goddietshetu@gmail.com or goddietshetu@yahoo.com
You may wonder who this newly elected president code-named 'The Bulldozer' is. He is the comrade in the East African country, who was recently sworn into office, H.E John Magufuli, the incumbent leader of Chama Cha Mapindiza (CCM) - the ruling party in Tanzania since 1961. The people of Tanzania call him a result driven politician and a man of no-nonsense. A true pan-Africanist with no history of corruption from the time he was elected to be an MP in 1995, to his tenure in government as the deputy Minister of Works and latter executive minister of the same ministry (2010-2015). The aka name 'The Bulldozer', came after driving an intensive programme of road construction as the then cabinet Minister of Works.
This new president is frantically dispelling the erroneous innuendo that African leaders are alike and can never be trusted for good governance. Reports coming from Dar es Salam are attesting that it is no longer business as usual in government offices and state institutions. In less than 90 days in office, this unassailable comrade has shown the whole world servant leadership and good governance, ingredients lacking in most Africa governments.
Reflecting his campaign manifesto, John Magufuli announced that in an endeavour to drastically cut down the public expenditure, his government will cancel all foreign trip by government officials. The ambassadors posted in specific countries will represent Tanzania on international settings. This holds more water in his cost cutting measures under the axiom of channelling wealth down to the poor countrymen. On the contrary, if our own Mugabe who is leading a bloated government, could take a leaf from this promising president, Zimbabwe can forthwith save millions of taxpayers' money. Mugabe is gobbling the much strained fiscus on useless foreign voyages in the name of African Union chairman, which brings nothing into the nose-diving economy.
The 2016 budget announced posted a $240 million deficit, foreign travel increasing deficit margin by 25%. Recently he flew to Turkey for a G20 summit, of which Zimbabwe is not a member. When l looked at the flags of participating member countries, our birded flag was not flying. He was not participating in deliberations, but just a goggled spectator of proceedings. Instead of dealing with the mess he caused in his own backyard, the globe-scavenger old man risk falling, and his hangers (ministers and security details) spending millions just to see Turkey in the name of representing Africa, yet its only South Africa who is a member of G20? I think the nonagenarian leader needs to be reminded what G20 is all about, lest he has sullied advisors.
On another topical account the CCM leader exhibited true leadership when he reduced parliament inauguration party budget from $100000 to $7000. His key goal is to cut on spending, hence much of the lion's share to the public. Zimbabwe is forever hungry for such calibre of leaders who think about 'povo' before lining their pockets and bellies first. Meanwhile we admire this kind of leadership, Zimbabwe is stuck with a heartless leaders who force the poor masses and crumbling companies to contribute birthdays. That's daylight robbery! Mugabe and his cronies do fundraising activities for birthdays. I thought its only kindergartens who enjoy the pleasure b-days, not aged people like Bob. On the other hand, the motor-mouthed Grace Mugabe recently collected money from the public through a birthday. The millions raised on the birthday were pocketed and few dollars used for stage managing to the Mazoe orphans. Why madam Grace, can't raise money for feeding the poor and pay fees for children across the country wallowing in poverty. The mafia party ZANU-PF is currently coercing the companies in Matebeleland North to buttress its imminent the budget of its People's Conference in Victoria Falls. The staggering 3 million they want to spend for a week party event, can pay a bunch of civil servants or buying maize for the drought prone populace.
Magufuli announced another shocker in the ears of Tanzanians that he has cancelled independence celebrations, the first in 54 years. The man said it will be pointless to celebrate wasting money when 60 people had already died of the pandemic cholera disease. He prioritize health than eating and dancing 'Bongo Flava' and 'Mtindo' music. Inversely, to Bob Independence Day (18 April) is another day of extravagance yet the economy is in comatose. It is yet another day of parading soldiers, history heralding and insults lashing or trading, blaming the West for consequences of his own misguided, chaotic and overzealous dubious policies. Nothing is policy driven in his archetypal address across the country. NOT that independence is bad, BUT how can you celebrate it when you are jobless, no outright meal for the next night, no power, no water and healthy sewer system. All the these malaises are an exact artefact of Mr Mugabe's maladministration- which is why some Zimbos miss the old Rhodesia which lacked nothing though freedom was a kerb.
Ignatius Chombo has amassed himself tracts of land in most towns as if he is the creator, BUT Mugabe never queried him. Now, when is Zimbabwe going to afford government of the people, by the people as Lincoln once said? We don't afford government for the people, which plunders wealth designated for the poor. What is happening with our diamonds in Marange? No one can explain! These ZANU-PF mafias know very well that their 'papa' is power hungry. So they hero worship him, champion him like on that day of triumph entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem riding a donkey and they become immune to prosecution of their multitudes of crimes. President Mugabe usually say he will never brook corruption in State speeches, yet he drink and sup with law breakers. So who then is the supreme corrupt monger? That's double standards!
While John Magufuli is delivering his electoral promises, with Mugabe is always the inverse order, floundering after elections. He pledged 2 million jobs, BUT to date thousands lost jobs after a well calculated court ruling and the bulk are losing jobs due to company closures. Recently we heard the cabinet okayed an Audit Plan that will ultimately lead to massive civil service retrenchments.
In its 50000 words manifesto, CCM party guaranteed poverty eradication, the new constitution to be fast tracked, arresting unemployment, strengthening peace and security, alleviating rural poverty, war on corruption and establishing a special court to try abusers of the public purse. Magufuli is surely guided by what he was voted for, unlike our on charming Mugabe and his cabals, they talk about ZIMASSET, which they are not implementing, let alone some of them can't even explain to an ordinary citizen. Okay, they promised to build bridges where there are no rivers and yet they think we are gullible, but we are clever in to notice this madness. Judgement is coming! MPs are fraudulently elected in rural Zimbabwe and only to go back after 5 years when they seek re-election.
ZIMASSET is not working at all. Unemployment is alarming above 90% while poverty is striking like the angel of death and hunger is the order of the day in communities. Infrastructure is in deplorable state especially roads, are just but a death trap with potholes that has gone to the level fish ponds. Our economy is in free-fall, intensive care and on its lowest ebb. Mugabe and his government must deliver not just outlaying energy narrating a blueprinted document that also confuses themselves. Citizens don't survive on manifestos, but materials and substance.
News coming from Dodoma are causing mixed feelings ZANU-PF government ambient. In the nous of the 'fit as fiddle' president and his acolytes, the newly elected president of Tanzania is overzealous as the last quarter substitute in a 90 minutes match. However to the African brothers who love good governance and accountable state administration, 'The Bulldozer' is soon to be a celebrated hero.
Mr President Sir, we kind-heartedly appeal to you, to look East Africa (Tanzania) not East Asia. Look there not for financial aid or kind help, but just for servant and responsible leadership. See what this young leader is doing, just to make sure state wealthy cascades down to ordinary multitudes. Don't be proud Sir, l know you are an egocentric valour. Even the old learn from the young. If you refuse to learn from others in life, then dying is the supreme option.
A Computer Scientist and Political Commentator based in Johannesburg, South Africa
goddietshetu@gmail.com or goddietshetu@yahoo.com
Source - Godwin Tshetu Mupakairi
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