Incisive and pithy, with an uncompared flair for the dramatic presentation, Selemani Bungara, popularly known as Bwege, punched way above his weight. All this in an environment where political pugilism was punished and puppeteered productions praised.
With a penchant for the Shakespearean fool (hence Bwege) and a basic primary school education, he often made more sense than more educated MPs, with the confidence of a Ph.D holder. He made up with common sense, first principles, constitutional rights, and an unassuming, even self deprecating comedic delivery where he lacked in intellectual sophistication.
The fact that he punched way above his weight even when being rough around the edges, spoke more about his courage and determination than his perceived shortcomings.
So much so that it left some wondering if more education would have served negatively to recalibrate his much needed rawness as "the people's MP".
Astutely analytical to the point of refusing a politically fashionable one track minded evaluation of Magufuli, Bwege was especially useful in speaking truth to power while diffusing potential landmines with comedic but insightful quips. Often on the spot, tit for tat style.
Whether with journalists, the people or the Speaker in Parliament, Bwege knew how to be jovial and good spirited even when delivering rebuttals as a minority opposition MP or deliberating the most serious and painful issues to a CCM controled parliament.
In the final analysis, after his long political walk, he got the basics right, did his part and punched way above his weight.
And that is all that matters.