Dr.John Pombe Magufuli-Presidential Candidate (CCM)
Who the heck is Dr. John Pombe Magufuli? I have been asked that question on a number of occasions. The first one came from my Uncle who is not familiar with Tanzanian politics. It was exactly a minute after his name was announced as the official Presidential candidate for CCM. After the contest that included about 34 cadres, our version of GOP (grand old party) had picked a chemist by profession to be the man to beat. The hard fought contest included the man who is now his key challenger, former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa who jumped a palisade and joined opposition. But that’s a horse of another color. We’ll talk about it in Chronicles Of Dodoma after October 25…may be.
The influx of questions didn’t stop. They still come my way whenever I have coffee with my “Friends Of Tanzania” folks. They want to know more about the man who remained standing after the battle that also included Vice President and other Prime Ministers. They want to know about the man who screwed up everyone else’s courage. His nomination, of course, didn’t come without controversy. The fallout from Dodoma was real. To this day, some cadres are still running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Now, I don’t know Magufuli that well. Like many folks out there, when Magufuli’s name is mentioned the first image that come to mind is roads. He is now painstakingly considered to be one of the “veteran” ministers to ever lead The Ministry Of Public Works and therefore direct in charge with roads and infrastructures in general. I therefore know his work than his persona.
But the infrastructure portfolio didn’t make him famous. If it did, it was for not for splendid reasons. It’s not an easy-going job to be answerable for demolishing houses. As the Minister Of Public Works, he took the blame over and over. Those who had unlawfully developed plots meant for roads stood no chance against him. The roads must be built. Somebody must be hated. It was he. It doesn’t matter whether your house decorations included the wedding cake chandeliers and rococo arches. He is a man who can wear a pink denim suit and care less what you think.
A person who knows him and has worked close to him says he is always restless for fresh horizons. His highs and lows come and go with the weather, expected but unpredictable. A spur of the moment man who is also a stubborn perfectionist. His unpredictability scares others. It’s widely assumed that those who oppose his current run for the top office job (within and outside CCM) in the land are not comfortable with the whole idea. They consider him to be a threat to their self-interests connected with political affiliations. He will cut the tubes that feed them.
If the above notion is true, it could explain why his “likability” as a candidate has not been a smooth ride. CCM machinery is understood to have realized that and that’s why his campaign is no ordinary hymn. Those who disapprove his nomination mention everything they can find to undermine his presidency-readiness. They leave no stone unturned. The way he dresses, the way he speaks to his overall demeanour. He is not presidential, they say. Those on his defense say he is a diamond in the rough. They remind others not to cry over spilled milk. Nothing can be done or undone now.
They also chip in that he built sub-standard roads that are mashed out even before official opening and handover. Well…I hear them loud and clear. But at least he built something. Aren’t we known for getting money for bridges and build nothing at all? There you go…
Unfortunately he has other blind spots. Those who know him say he is a man who craves the security of tradition and therefore can’t be easily persuaded. He’s always like a loaded duelling pistol with a hair-trigger temper. This one isn’t difficult to prove. The available videos through YouTube can serve the day. He could have easily played the role of an English tank commander in a war film.
From the same videos clips one thing that is well defined. Magufuli is a confident man. He is one of those confident people who believe that, no matter what happens, he always knew it would. Of course he doesn’t have political talent, natural charm and the gift of persuasion like the man whose job he want to inherit. However, the faith in his own influence and ability, can take him places. Confidence is a good appeal for someone who wants to be a Commander-In-Chief of a country engulfed with bribes, corruption and irresponsibility like. Tanzania fits the bill. All in all, he is an intense humourless individual. Hacheki sana na Kima!
Finally, you can tell a lot from a man’s CV. It’s different from a résumé where a lot of details are left out. I found this one from Ministry Of Works website. It can help to paint a better picture of Dr.John Pombe Magufuli. You can see why he could be waiting in the wings after October 25th, 2015.
CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)
1.0 PERSONAL BIODATA:
Name: Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli
Date of Birth: 29-10-1959
Place of Birth: Chato
Nationality: Tanzanian
Sex: Male
Marital Status: Married
Language: Swahili, English
Address: Ministry of Works
7 Samora Machel Avenue
P.O. Box 9423,
11475, Dar es Salaam,
E-mail: psworks@go.tz
Tel: +255-22-2123969
Fax: +255-22-2123964
Home Tel: 255-22-2667888
2.0 EDUCATION:
2006 – 2009: PhD (Chemistry); University of Dar es salaam
1991 – 1994: Msc. (Chemistry); University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Salford University U.K.
1985 – 1988: B.Sc Ed. (Hons); University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Major Subjects Chemistry, and Mathematics:
1981 – 1982: Diploma in Education Science (Sc); Mkwawa College of Education. Major subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Education.
1979 – 1981: Advanced Level Higher Secondary School Certificate. Mkwawa High School – Iringa
1977 – 1978: Ordinary Level Secondary School Certificate, Lake Secondary School – Mwanza.
1975 – 1977: Katoke Seminary, Biharamulo, Kagera
1967 – 1974: Primary School Leaving Certificate, Chato Primary School.
Source:BongoCelebrity
9 comments:
AND,FORGOTEN TO SAY PURPOSELY OR INADVENTLY SKIPPED TO INCLUDE MR MAGUFULI IS OF CURRENTLY GOING OUT OF NUTS,SHORT TEMPERED,OUTRAGEOUS,HALLUCINATING OUT OF REALS FREQUENTLY CALLING DEMONS,ATTACKING FURRIOUSLY HIS AIDES AND CAMPAIGN TEAM MEMBERS ALIKE,CLAIMING OPENLY THAT THEY ARE COLLABORATORS AND WORKING FOR HIS HIGH FLYING RIVAL EDWARD LOWASSA OF [UKAWA]CHADEMA,STEALING MOTTO AND SLOGANS OF UKAWA AND,SO MANY,MANY CONTRARIES, LEAVING THE WOULD BE SUPPOTRERS BUFFLED.IN NO WAY WILL A NON-SENSE LEADER RULE TANZANIA,NEVER.
Don't make mistake this guy is good, one of those no fear no favour guy in his work. He is not a real politician that is why many of current and ex government leaders don't trust him and some of them even hate him, fearing that he will come to ask lot questions from how the government had been doing business, so sumaye and lowasa must do what ever it take to avoid him. They both have been prime ministers and among the very wealthy ex leaders in Tanzania with the very unanswered questions from where they get rich? Where they get all of those endless pieces of lands and other properties. In normal situation politicians are always protecting each other and will never wish outsider to come to their territory and this what exactly happen with magufuli. Now mr lowasa and his friend Sumaye fighting to death their way to the state house fearing that if Mr magufuli got their past them first will be real real problem they may even considering fleeing the country. Lowasa and Sumaye now become good guys talking about good government, talking about how bad CCM is? They are talking about lifting up people life from poverty? Unbelievable, these people are the same guys from where they come from they never can be different. They are just bunch bluffers who try to fool people around we should know better about it. Many of the ukawa supporters are very cheap people who are the one can sell our country for a piece of bread, Mr lowasa is a corrupted ex government leader shockingly greeting him as a hero how dumb is that?
It should read, "....Those who know him", remove 's' on 'know'.
Well said mdau @3:03PM. A helicopter high-flying rich candidate like Lowasa, searching for our votes? How ironic is that? The people he is scouting the votes from can't afford even a bicycle! Lowasa and Sumaye combined, have been prime ministers for over 15 years, amassing wealth for themselves, leaving countless wananchi in deep poverty. All of the sudden, they want to rescue us from misery? Heck no, go to hell! You won't deceive us, Mr.Lowasa. It has been well established that, Dr. Magufuli is the only honorable, trustworthy, diligent, and credible candidate.
Anonymous of September 24, 2015 at 6:08 AM
If at all anything and reading from your comments you and not Dr.Magufuli seem to be the one who possesses all those attributes you are accusing him in your comments. You appear to be naive and very scared of the fact that the CCM candidate stands a better chance of entering Ikulu next month something that will end the long time dream of your candidate. Just as Sallen mentioned above many of those who have shown to dislike Magufuli are either scared because of his strong commitment to fight ufisadi, lazy workers, and other short falls which makes them feel that it's gonna haunt them should he assume leadership of the country.
We have heard so many statements of ex-CCM leaders and ex-Prime Ministers who have joined the opposition accusing CCM and Magufuli for not working vigorously to bring any meaningful development to our beloved country . Unfortunately these very same people have not told us why they did not bring the said development during their tenure of office both as CCM as well as high ranking government officials. Mind you, Magufuli has only 20 years experience in the government while your candidate and some of his followers have been in the public service for 30 plus years. The difference between him and his adversaries is that we see him as a dedicated and hard working person and also not a fisadi. What can you tell us about the ex-PMS?
Is someone behind Lowasa's ' candidature? Given his health conditions is he running for president in a proxy? Analyze that...
Na usomi wako bado unazunguka na majungu!
OUR BELOVED COUNTRY,TANZANIA,AND MAJORITY OF WE,THE CITIZENS OF THE BELOVED LAND ARE ALREADY COUNTING HIS EXCELLENCY MR EDWARD NGOYAI LOWASSA AS OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA.NOTHING SHORT OF THAT,NOTHING.WE ARE NOW REMAINING WITH THIRTY[30] DAYS TO GO.IN ACTUAL IT IS NOW THE STARTING POINT OF COUNTDOWN.WELL,LET THE TRUTH PREVAIL AND THIS IS THE RULE OF GODR, THA LOWASSA IS TAKING OVER. THE FALLING APART OF CCM WILL ONLY ASTOUND STUPID MINDS AS THAT OF ANONYMOUS 6;08 AS IT IS NOW CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT CCM REMAINS TO BE FORGOTTEN
Anonymous of September 25, 2015 at 7:29 AM
Keep on day dreaming and insulting others as you have shown to be. For your information, CCM will not fall apart as you suggest, instead it will keep on going stronger and stronger and come October 25 you will need to seek refugee somewhere to hide yourself from shame on seeing that the party you dislike is returned to power once again.
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