How to separate dreamers from those who mean business

JAFFAR MJASIRI

PRIME Minister Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa is highly respected in the political as well as civil service circles. After his name was announced in the Parliament, many politicians, civil servants and ordinary citizens have described him as the right person to head the government business.

In his term as the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (Tamisemi), he had set high standard bar in terms of delivery of public service.

Everyone who happened to rub shoulders or work with the PM as a deputy minister have described him as a person having great ideas, and he will be able to assemble a team to bring that slogan, Hapa Kazi Tu into action. We all witnessed last week how the PM demonstrated his moral authority when he suspended the Tanzania Revenue Authority officials and directed the relevant authorities to investigate them.

While finding a new and unique idea is rare enough; the ability to successfully execute this idea is what separates the dreamers from those who mean business. Honesty is a cornerstone of any capable leader as it is the attribute of the new Premier.

Some of the MPs among them Mr Prosper Mbena, Mr William Lukuvi, Mr Ibrahim Razar and many others, have highly commended the appointment of Mr Majaliwa.

They all described him as one of the key players and brain behind raising standards of government schools in the country. The Ward schools which have proven today to perform very well despite limited resources was the PM personal effort towards that end while serving in Tamisemi. Most politicians have also described him as impartial and a person who is ethical.

He is not affiliated to any group which has been sponsoring defiance whether in the government or Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). He is hardworking, listens to advice and ready to stand criticisms and therefore his supporters say that he will be able to implement the CCM Party’s manifesto. He is not afraid to take challenges and ready to find solutions by getting involved on the ground.

A good example was his spirit of going to remote areas to listen and take action toward solving ordinary citizens problems. As an exemplary leader, whatever ethical plane Premier Majaliwa holds to, he has a proven record of being responsible for any team of politicians or civil servants or ordinary people he has worked along with.

Even more important is the new heights that the team of President Magufuli is going to be as the president continues to raise the bar even higher as he has demonstrated to us by appointing his PM.

This is a reflection of a capable leader, who values honesty and ethical behaviour as a key value to public service, and it will be followed in-due-course by all reformed civil servants. The PM finessing his vision is essential to create an organized and efficient business.

He is a man who is efficient and puts enormous trust on the team, as it was manifested in his speech after the Parliament which unanimously endorsed his name to become the 11th Prime Minister of Tanzania.

It’s important to remember that because of his trust in his team in every capacity that he served, it became obvious that it was easy to gain strength and support of all those who worked with him. Mr Majaliwa is known for his hard work and endurance which is exemplary. The Prime Minister is known for his accomplishment, he is a leader who is down to earth, ready to follow-up issues and find solutions.

He was exemplary in tackling education matters. He was always in the forefront to help the down trodden and took personal initiative to visit remote areas in the country to listen to ordinary citizens and find solutions to their problems.

Those who describe him, compliment the PM as a person who has clear vision. He was always consulting his colleagues and subordinates before taking any action or decision.

He is a leader who is able to clearly and succinctly describe what is to be done . It is extremely important for such leader to relate their vision to the team, which is the secret of having the team working towards the same goal.

It is no doubt that as a former educationist, the Prime Minister was privilege to be able to impart skills to his subordinate and as any other educationist his passion to acquire knowledge could not be hidden.

His admirers some of whom are those who are MPs have credited him for his ability to connect to everyone in his team and creating a productive work environment, since he always created healthy lines of communication.

Whether that stems from an open door policy to the PM office, or making it a point to talk to his staff on a daily basis, or making himself available to discuss interoffice issues, all is vital.

This makes the PM have an excellent take off in the new post, where it is expected that his government team will learn to trust and depend on one another which is the spirit of Mr Majaliwa wherever he has served.

Therefore everyone in the government should be willing to change and if so they will be less hesitant to work smarter. Everyone who works for the government should be aware that the Prime Minister is a responsible leader and we should all emulate him.