Magufuli style wins hearts in Africa

DAILY NEWS Reporter

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has become a continental icon with just a month in office and without even crossing the country’s borders. Dr Magufuli, who has proved to be a no-nonsense president, made his name for his resolute administrative style that has included imposing austere cost cutting measures in public expenditure.

The global acknowledgement has been buoyed further with the fact that the monies saved are directed towards the improvement of social welfare and services, including medical care, education and purchase of ARV drugs.

The ‘Sunday Independent’, published by a leading South African media house, recently said in its editorial headlined ‘Africa should follow Tanzania example’.

The editorial published last Sunday went on saying that implementation of just ended Forum on China-Africa Cooperation need presidents like Dr Magufuli who have shown discipline on public fund expenditures.

The ‘Sunday Independent’ is among dozens of praises showered on the Fifth Phase Government that is still operating without a cabinet over 30 days since the president was sworn-in.

A number of journalists across Africa told the ‘Daily News’ separately during the justended FOCAC summit that they admired the Tanzanian president modus operandi and wished continent leaders to emulate the same.

For instance, cries from Ghana include excess spending in the name of celebrating Independence Day, which is what almost all African countries do each year. Ghana’s ‘Daily Graphic’ journalist, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah, said Dr Magufuli has demonstrated what others in Africa have failed and in short-time. “This cost-cutting measure is what even Ghanaians want to be done,” Mr Adu-Gyamerah said.

Instead of celebrating Tanzania’s Independence Day, President Magufuli wants its people to gather and clean markets, schools and public spaces -- which Rwandans say is ‘Rwandanisation’ as the country set aside each first Saturday of a month for cleanness.

A Kenyan anchor for China Central Television (CCTV) said the banning of foreign travelling was what Kenyans strived for as President Uhuru Kenyatta is constantly abroad than in Kenya.

“I wish the measure could have been instituted in my country as well,” she said while showing ‘Daily News’ a tweeter thread full of praising tag for Dr Magufuli. ‘Tanzania’s Magufuli: A new African’ this was the headline in Sunday’s edition of ‘New Zimbabwe’. The paper was asking what to call Dr Magufuli because he has brought new ways of governing.

The paper said, Dr Magufuli, is targeting African laziness and corruption: “So far so good; viva Magufuli.” In Nigeria, an online publication naij.com said the Tanzania’s costs-cut measure is an austerity lessons for Nigeria as well.

Naij.com quoted a Nigerian editor, Abang Mercy, remarking on Twitter recently: “Since his election, Tanzania’s John Magufuli has been implementing radical changes; exactly what I expected of President Buhari”.

The online edition connected Dr Magufuli and Baba wa Taifa (Father of the Nation), Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s ascetic period in the history of Tanzania. The only different is that President Magufuli was one year old when Mwalimu Nyerere came to power and a young adult when the statesman left. So what is it that makes Dr Magufuli so great?

The southafrican.com said; “Well, unlike so many of his counterparts, he’s relentless in his assault on corruption, laziness and overspending; which has no doubt already made him very unpopular among his own political comrades as well as leaders of the likes of Zuma and Mugabe.”