- President Samia recalls his accountability spirit
UNGUJA, ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday led thousands of
Tanzanians to bid farewell to the body of former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, challenging public leaders to emulate the old man’s accountability spirit.Dr Samia described the deceased as a strong and unshakable reformist, with admirable history in Tanzania, East Africa and the entire African continent.
Referring to Mzee Mwinyi’s decision to resign as Minister for Home Affairs over police misconduct some 48 years ago, President Samia reminded public leaders to appreciate their positions as surety.
Addressing mourners at the New Amani Sports complex here, the president quoted the late Mwinyi’s resignation letter, which reads: “Kisiasa nakiri kuwa nahusika; siwezi kukwepa kwa sababu dhamana yangu ya uwaziri inaambatana na wajibu unaonitaka nijue yanayotendeka wizarani na pia niweze kudhibiti na kuhakikisha mwenendo mwema wa Jeshi la Polisi; loosely translated as, “Politically, I admit involvement; I cannot escape because my ministerial mandate is coherent with the responsibility to know all that is happening in the ministry and be able to control and ensure good conduct of the Police Force.”
Dr Samia admired her “leadership mentor,” for the bold decision, which proved that leadership is surety and that whatever happened was the leader’s responsibility. “Let’s look at ourselves in the ministries today. Are we aware of what is happening? Are we taking responsibilities?” The President, seemingly targeting her lieutenants, said: “As a leader, whenever Continues from Page 1 you are, if something goes wrong, you must take responsibility.
“You must evaluate yourselves on how you use your mandate as leaders.” President Samia said the death of Mzee Mwinyi whom she described as one of the nation’s strong pillars is a “Big blow to the country. Our moving library has been burnt.”
She said the late Mwinyi, the only Tanzanian who has so far occupied both Zanzibar and Tanzania State Houses was a God fearing, brave, visionary and humble leader.
“I will forever honour and live the visions and wisdom of Mzee Mwinyi,” President Samia told the mourning audience. She said she was always striving to fetch wisdom from the old man although “I don’t believe I managed to get enough to fit in his shoes.” The late Mzee spearheaded the country’s economic and political reforms, leading to the market economy and multiparty politics.
Dr Samia said: “He respected human rights, nurtured good governance, democracy and freedom of the press.” President Samia termed the death of Mzee Mwinyi a “fallen baobab tree,” challenging the family to remain firm and united in honour of their father.
She particularly tasked Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi to assume the leadership in Mwinyi’s family of two widows and 11 children as well as big number of grandchildren and grand grand children. “Mzee Mwinyi was a family man of high calibre; you should maintain brotherhood and solidarity in the family.
After the fall of the old baobab tree another young baobab is planted, let one of the 11 children of Mzee Mwinyi emerge and stand for our departed father,” President Samia counselled the grieving family. Mwinyi was later afternoon laid to rest to his home village in Mangapwani.
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