Reformist Dr. John Pombe Magufuli's shoes will be quite difficult to fill

[Gerald .M Magembe]

They say hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue. Translation — even Lucifer will genuflect before Jesus. But don’t mistake the serpent’s ministrations with affection for his antagonist. He’s simply playing possum. That’s why President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli — should revel in the applause, but not believe it.

Many who bid him adieu were only too happy to see him depart from this World. That’s because they want to return the Executive to the status quo ante. They didn’t choose him to be Predident. No — the forces of anti National resources for people centered gave him the hallowed office against the wishes of state apparatchiks. But Dr Mugufuli’s legacy will never die.

Today, I write to memorialise the meaning of the President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli Era for our nation. First, let’s not make the mistake of intellectual simpletons. We need to bow to the basic fact that Dr Magufuli is a rare breed.

But Dr Magufuli stands out in his humility and self-deprecation. He shuns wealth, and fame. In a country where thieves are celebrated, and murderers elevated — Dr Magufuli is the one public servant who forsook worldly possessions. Mark 8:38 asks: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Methinks the author in the good book must have had Dr Magufuli in mind.

The simplicity of this Societal and moral giant is the one thing that remains an enigma to me and many. He always roots for the little guy. He abhors hierarchy and disdains flamboyance,he’s ruthlessly self-critical, and accepts the harshest critiques of himself. He always puts himself last. He’s a rare breed.

Second, folks should know that Dr Magufuli didn’t want to become President. He laughed off the idea when it was first suggested to him. He was dead serious. And even after he was convinced to put his name to apply for the job, he almost backed out. That’s because he’s uncomfortable with state power. I’ve never told him this — but I believe he thinks that state power atrophies the hearts of men and women, and turns them into predators. It’s possible that he was afraid he would become ogre in that office. That’s why he worked so hard to demystify the Executive, and bring the temple of Goverment service delivery closer to common folk. This cultural transformation may be his most important legacy.

Third, Dr Magufuli lanced the boil in the Government. I know our Senior Public Servants chafe at the use of such language. But they – and we – know the Executive has traditionally been aloof and marked by impropriety and illegality.

It’s that boil that Dr Magufuli will be remembered for lancing. But as I remarked to him recently, one or two things can happen when you lance a boil – you can either cure or kill the patient. The septic shock can be fatal. The body can also be cleansed and nursed to health. He brought service delivery closer to the people in the remotest reaches of the republic.He revolutionised the way the public service work, and brought technology and empiricism to tame corruption, incompetence, and laziness.

Finally, I believe there will never be another JPM. But whoever succeeds him is bound by the energies that he unleashed. Those who believe that we can go back to the pre-John Pombe Joseph Magufuli Executive are sadly mistaken.

You can’t un-ring a bell that’s been rang. The concept doesn’t exist in science. The poor soul who succeeds Dr Magufuli shouldn’t try to fill his shoes. Those are too large. She needs to cure the patient. Rest in internal peace John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.

 

[Sang'udi]

Only Magufulism can perfectly fit in.

 

[Whackiest]

Swahili mkiii

 

[Freddie Matuja]

JPM has gone and will never come back. He was simply a hero, purely an administrator and manager who was result based. From the day he knocked in the political platform in Tanzania, he had no "sweet" words to offer as some of his fellow ministers, but tough to the level he was likened to a bulldozer during BWM and JMK who were predecessors he served under their leadership 1995-2015.

In 2015 general election prep., CCM wanted a "saviour" who can redeem the party from drowning; as we are remember 2010 general election was very challenging to HE President Jakaya Kikwete when he was in pursuit to elected for the second term; it in our memory that lots of constituencies were gone to opposition and voter turnout declined based on several factors which can be debated other time.

It was said JPM won't have autonomous to take the lead at the President and CinC, It was claimed that CCM will control him; and it was a hot discussion during the campaign by people being skeptical on him to the extent the narrative came as "tatizo sio Magufuli, tatizo ni mfumo". Just after he was sworn in office JPM became a game changer and once again it was said, both the gov and the party is dancing the tune of his "music". Narratives kept changing on and on.

While he has slept, we have a lot to remember which brought merits to the common Tanzanians and even some Africans in their countries.
Nchi hii ni tajiri
Sisi tunaweza
For readers and believers on the power of positive thinking and power of positive confession, they had a ground to build their faith through strong affirmation from JPM. The bible has clearly written, and the "WORD become FLESH", some of other scriptures says "we reap what we sow".

JPM audacity to recall for mining contacts signed years back by "capturing with their pants down"; the giants mining had to seat at the table instead of taking us to the international commercial court as some had warned him. JPM made a step by getting his men into the board of Barrick Gold, getting some of the men into Executive management and assigned the giant company to open bank account in Tanzania, to ensure our motherland get forex based on sales obtained from minerals.

Restoring the giraffe back to the sky and re-branding AIR Tanzania; oh men, this was like unbelievable story which became real. A public corporate which had been leasing "ndege choka mbaya" was flying new planes. Some flight was flown in SADC region, some to Indian markets and there have been effort for Gatwick airport in the UK and Guagzhou in PRC.

We may differ on how we perceive him and his leadership style; many of us would agree based on experience in leadership and management, it takes a generation to obtain a golden leader who is a game changer. In the US they had FDR who led them during the time of great depression, they salute him based on merits he left for Americans. Tom Sankara served Bukina Faso just for 5 years, the reforms he made are still in Africans memories.

We and the generations to come, will always cerebrate the good deeds made by HE John Pombe Magufuli in his short tenure as the CinC of the United Republic of Tanzania. JPM, you were simply the best in this age of African leaders. The standards you set, will always be embraced.

Tunaonana baadae.