Mkapa farewell: ‘Decent, cerebral and quietly generous’

Fast forward, I joined State House late 2005 as an aide to President Jakaya Kikwete. One of my tasks at State House was handling presidential correspondences – reading hundreds of letters that the President receives and drafting responses for his review and signature. To orient myself to this task, I went through old files – to learn how past presidents wrote their letters. In Mkapa letters, I found tremendous lessons in courteousness, gentlemanliness and a sharp pen, which inspired me to attempt to write just a fraction as good. I recall seeing a 2003 letter in which the former President of Gabon, the late Omar Bongo, wrote to all African leaders informing them of an addition to his surname, writing that he should now be addressed as Omar Bongo ONDIMBA. The letter was simple and general, but Mkapa’s response was beautiful and personal, which spoke of his esteemed manners.

I saw an additional side of Mkapa, and learnt another lesson from him, when I traveled with him to Bloemfontein, South Africa, in January 2012 for the ANC Centenary Celebrations. I was then CCM’s Head of Political Affairs and International Relations department. He was head of our (CCM’s) delegation for the visit. At the gala dinner, I felt our table placement was not sufficiently prominent, given Mkapa’s stature and Tanzania’s contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle. My anxiety was made worse when the Master of Ceremonies, which incidentally was Cyril Ramaphosa, back then not yet the President, forgot to recognize us. I fretted and attempted to pass a note to him on stage. Mkapa recognized my anxiety and held my hand and said, “relax, the most important thing is that we are here”. Fortunately, much later, we were recognized – and Ramaphosa spoke at length about Tanzania. We felt good and proud. Through that moment, Mkapa taught me that prominence is good when it comes to you, not when you seek it.

Mkapa farewell: ‘Decent, cerebral and quietly generous’

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