The most powerful? Here’s their reality

Mr January Makamba.PHOTO|FILE 

By Lucas Liganga and Samuel Kamndaya,The Citizen Reporters

In Summary

The Citizen went in search of the two men in an attempt to capture their feelings about the ranking and the criteria used to select them.

Dar es Salaam. When, the world’s most respected business magazine, Forbes, named Mr January Makamba and Mr Mohammed Dewji among Africa’s 10 most powerful men for 2013, the news was received with mixed reactions here.

A number of questions were raised, especially in the online debate, along these lines: Are these the most powerful men in Tanzania and Africa? Where does their power and influence come from? How is it manifested? Does society feel their power and in which areas? What’s their social impact, if any? Are they recognised as such by Tanzanians?

Mr Makamba, the deputy Minister for Science, Communication and Technology, said he was shocked but felt honoured by the magazine’s verdict. He told The Citizen this week, though, that he was not comfortable with the word “power”, given the historical connotations it carries.

But Mr Devji, the group chief executive officer of Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania, told The Citizen that his power is reflected in the massive investment his company has in 11 African countries.

The Citizen went in search of the two men in an attempt to capture their feelings about the ranking and the criteria used to select them.

The 40-year-old Mr Makamba says the ranking was not about him and was simply recognition of the work he and the other nine Africans have done across the continent to unite young Africans to push for the continent’s agenda. “I think the apt word here is influence. I am not sure society feels my power, but what I can tell you is that when I speak people listen and you guys write about it,” Mr Makamba said. The Bumbuli MP added: “I think the idea that your word carries some weight and people rely on it in their social transactions is powerful--and I think it is also an immense responsibility.”

The concept of power has been evolving in recent years, he said, and it was no longer about the political position one holds.

“We have seen how irrelevant those can be as far as influencing action or commanding respect is concerned,” said Mr Makamba, who was once President Jakaya’s speech writer.

“It is no longer about carrying a big stick and having a huge entourage. The new kind of power and influence, soft power if you will, lies in the capacity to inspire and to persuade, and the capacity to create a wide global network of acquaintances and put it to work for the greater good.”

Sometimes this happens through sheer force of personality, he added. “I think the people on the list have been able to do this. We have been able to advance the idea of African citizenship--and I believe that any of us on the list can go to any African city and university and, without much effort, be able to commune and influence some action.”

Mr Makamba holds a Masters degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from G

“When people, particularly young people, realign their priorities in life because of you, I think that is powerful--and I think you should take this responsibility seriously,” said Mr Makamba.