Tanzania: Magufuli Traded His Life to Protect Nation

By Christina Mseja

SEVERAL Dar es Salaam residents mourned President John Magufuli as a leader who put his life in the forefront of protecting the country and encouraging Tanzanians to work hard.

In a random survey conducted by 'Daily News' in the city, traders and different people hailed him as saviour to the grassroots Tanzanians.

According to Charles Sahani, a 38-year-old bodaboda rider in Temeke, President Magufuli's death robbed them of a leader who was fighting for their livelihoods and country's development.

However, he begged other leaders, who would take over to implement his directives and continue with his legacy, saying: "It is with regrets to the bodaboda community that a leader and kingpin has left us orphans."

Ms Razia Abdi a food vendor at Mabibo said their defender (the late President Magufuli) constantly fought for their rights so that they also eke out a decent living in the city.

"Mama Lishe industry employees are the largest population of women in the informal sector and these people also have families to supplement their household incomes. Surely, the late President was our hero," she added.

A tricycle operator popularly known as Bajaj in the city, Bernadeta Ditrik plying between Mnazi Mmoja-Posta, said the late President safeguarded the rights of the poor especially people living with disabilities and gave them priority in the Central Business District in the city.

However, she appealed to the government not to forsake them after the President Magufuli is physically gone.

On his part, a poultry trader at Buguruni Market, Datstan Paulo said: "We thank God for having granted a leader, though physically gone and improved the business climate in the country... we improved infrastructures including modern markets. Let him rest in peace."