JOHN POMBE MAGUFULI;THE BRAVEST HERO I EVER KNEW.
Leo 21:40pm 26/06/2021
When citizens of Tanzania wanted to hold their leaders accountable in 2015 Tanzanians Election,no body knew that Magufuli was coming,When Bagamoyo dispute raises questions over Chinese business practices Magufuli stood up to say that the Bagamoyo investment condition set was tantamount to selling Tanzania to China and that was before to what U.S. officials characterize the Chinese investment as China’s “debt trap diplomacy.
General elections across the world have become highly competitive bringing up leaders who are more pragmatic, enthusiastic and ready to transform their nations first and then the world. Super powers such as United States of America and People’s Republic of China have come up with policies such as America First and One China Policy bearing in mind that leader’s ambitions to succeed in making changes and transforming the lives of their people comes first before winning the hearts and minds of those around the world.
Tanzania is not an island hence not a stranger to this current supposition of international politics and leadership. This new era of leadership in the world and Africa in particular, ushered Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the fifth phase President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who was elected towards the end of 2015.
After being sworn in as the fifth president of Tanzania, President Magufuli has succeeded to undertake reforms and institutionalise them in an effort to transform the country in order to fulfil that ambition of global leaders to transform their communities first, for the case of Tanzania lifting the poor from extreme poverty. A management and leadership professor at the London Business School Lynda Gratton (2017) explains the inner path to leadership that all great transformational leaders must possess.
Professor articulates it as the journey to create and identify within leaders a deep sense of values and the courage to act on those values; in other words a narrative that is unique to only them. Values of these leaders coupled with a conviction and determination to focus on transformation within their societies is what distinguishes them as average leaders. This is what President Magufuli established as the newly elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
John Pombe Magufuli opened the eyes of Tanzanians that there is no such thing as Free Lunch. Kenya has borrowed 90% of the $3.8 billion from China Exim Bank to finance this project,Haven't you guys learned from Angola,China has lent Angola around $20 billion since a 27-year civil war ended in 2002.They are borrowing another $25 billion from China and Brazil to fund the budget gap in 2015 due to low crude oil prices.
Repayments are often paid with oil or funds go directly to Chinese construction firms that have built roads, hospitals, houses and railways across the southern African country.This means, however, dollars don't end up entering the real economy, increasing costs for ordinary Angolans.There are around 50 Chinese state companies and 400 private companies operating in Angola alone.I honestly hope that we Tanzanians will be able to do our project without sacrificing our children's future.
Magufuli concerns were of two kinds. Can we afford to pay the debt? and How much technology-transfer is Involved?This was not about Tanzania alone but Africa in general. Can Africa afford to borrow so heavily without even demanding transfer of technology? This is why we called John Pombe Magufuli a true son of Africa,a true Pan Africanist after the departure of Muammar Gaddafi.We should learn a lesson from Angola as she has an economy twice as big as Kenya and still struggling to pay her debts.If Kenya does not exactly have Singaporean efficiency and financial discipline.Kenya can easily get trapped just like Angola.
We can all learn from Indonesians. They have awarded a $5 billion tender to the Chinese to build them a railway network this year. However, they have a clause in their contract which demands that they transfer their technology to them. The Chinese will also build a factory to manufacture components of the train in Indonesia. The construction will also involve local firms so that they can learn from their counterparts.
Their government turned down a much superior Japanese technology because the Japanese insisted the Indonesian government borrow money to finance the project and it was more expensive. The Chinese agreed to finance it privately.Thanks to the Indonesian government's insistence of transfer of technology when she award tenders, today they are able to make small arms, car engines, military vehicles and even aviation spare parts in their country.That is how they built a one billion dollar economy.Only a fool will think that transfer of technology is not that important.
By the way, I never try to impress you or anyone else here with my knowledge. Please refrain from personal attacks, stick to facts and show some maturity.let me conclude with The late Magufuli wirds"The thing that should have make you happy about their aid is that it is not tied to any conditions.When they decide to give you, they just give you but there is no such thing as free lunch" Mr Magufuli said.
Nikiishia hapa,Mimi ni
Msemakweli Chakubanga,
Dar es Salaam.
0755078854
-Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business.
-Master of Leadership and Management.
Recent Publication;-
-Assessment on the Effects of Micro-Financing on Poverty Reduction.