Msekwa: Why Mkapa was a true friend and teacher

The late former President Benjamin Mkapa was a man of many attributes. In the first place, he was well grounded in scholarship. And he used his scholarship generously for the public benefit. His latest scholarly production being his autobiography titled ‘My Life, My Purpose,’ which he inaugurated on the anniversary date of his 81st birthday, 12th November last year. I watched and listened to the live broadcasts of that event; and, based on the comments made by President Magufuli in his televised speech delivered at that inauguration event; I concluded that Mkapa’s book is a ‘must read’ material; it is a masterpiece of wisdom to me.

His scholarly talents are vividly displayed in that book. “Curiosity killed the cat”, so says one English proverb. Thus, being aware of Mkapa’s mastery of the English language, I was particularly curious to see the inevitably fabulous English language in which that book is written. Former President Benjamin Mkapa was a student at the famous Makerere University College in Uganda, at that time known as ‘the University College of East Africa, affiliated to London University’ .

That Institution was, in reality, an “ivory tower”, established by the British Authorities in this East Africa part of the then vast “British Empire”. (There was an exact replica Institution in West Africa, then known as “The University College of West Africa” based in Accra, Ghana, also affiliated to London University; which was catering for that part of the very vast British Empire “upon which”, it was proudly asserted, “the sun never sets”). These Educational Institutions were established, partly for the grand purpose of spreading the ‘Gospel’ of British culture, language being an essential component of any culture. Thus, the relevant University Authorities decided to introduce at Makerere, a single-subject first degree programme, then known as the ‘B.A. English (Honours)’ degree; and Benjamin William Mkapa was one of the very few students who qualified for admission to that programme. He therefore graduated from Makerere with a London University Bachelor’s (Honours) degree in English Literature.

President Mkapa appeared to have a great deal of trust in me personally. The first indicator of this trust was when he was making his choice of Prime Minister in 1995. Immediately after he had settled on the name of his choice, he sent for me, in order to seek advice on whether, in my opinion, since this person was a rather low profile politician, his choice would be acceptable to the members of Parliament when it is presented to them for confirmation. He said he was prepared to make another choice, depending on my advice. I gave him the assurance that he had made a good choice, and that Parliament would most certainly endorse his choice.

It is also during this period when the death occurred of the father of the nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, in a London hospital on October 14, 1999. As is customary, the normal arrangements were made for paying the last respects the body of the late founder President Mwalimu Nyerere at the National stadium in Dar es Salaam. And because of Mwalimu Nyerere’s high personal social status and world renown, this event attracted a huge gathering of distinguished guests, including a large number of foreign Heads of State and Government. Under normal circumstances, the funeral committee prepares the obituary message that is normally read out during the funeral proceedings. But no, not on this occasion, when President Mkapa decided, late in the evening of the day before the appointed day for this function, that I should prepare the obituary statement and read it out at that function the next morning. He was obviously confident I could do it, even at such short notice. I dutifully accomplished that assignment.

I also remember how, in his first term in office, President Mkapa sent me to Kampala, Uganda on a rather delicate political mission; which was to help President Yoweri Museveni, to succeed in the seemingly difficult task of convincing his NRM Parliamentarians, to accept the need for that country to change to the multi-party political system. President Museveni had, apparently, been greatly impressed by Tanzania’s smooth transition to that system. Thus, he had asked President Mkapa to send a trusted envoy to Kampala, who would help to persuade the Uganda NRM members of Parliament to see the good side of multi-party politics, by explaining to them the Tanzanian successful experience in that regard. Once again, President Mkapa decided to give that assignment to me, another demonstration of his genuine trust and confidence in me.

Thus, without such laws being enacted by Parliament, the Government will be negatively impacted in its operations. President Mkapa was keenly aware of these governance imperatives. He therefore wholeheartedly devoted himself to establishing cordial working relations with me the Speaker, being the Head of that institution. And indeed, we achieved many positive results because of this close cooperation, through constant communication and consultations.

The long lasting Burundi tribal conflict has defied all international efforts to find a lasting solution. During his life time, Mwalimu Nyerere had been invited to make his influential contribution to these efforts, but he died before a settlement could be reached. President Mkapa was subsequently invited to also make his contribution, which he did with great negotiating skills, but had to give up when he felt that his efforts were being wasted, as they were not likely to produce the desired results. However, he was much more successful in his mediation efforts in the case of Kenya, which had been plunged into a serious political crisis as a result of their disputed 2002 general elections.

He was of the firm view that, in his own words, “in a democratic society, the people have the right to be informed about what the Government is doing on all issues of concern to them”; and, indeed, he faithfully implemented this policy, by introducing the Presidential monthly addresses to the people through the mass media, for the purpose of keeping the public fully informed of what he Government was doing, and why. He also promptly established in his Office, a Directorate of Presidential Communications; and also directed that a senior official be designated in each ministry, whose main responsibility would be to inform the public, through the media, of what his Ministry was doing.

Msekwa: Why Mkapa was a true friend and teacher

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