A conversation with January Makamba

January Makamba and author Fr Privatus Karugendo talk about their new book and the influence it has had on the young people of Tanzania

Young people in Tanzania  don’t read, right? Wrong. At least that is what January Makamba thinks. With this thought in mind, he agreed to be interviewed by Fr Privatus Karugendo to discuss his ideas of a ‘New Tanzania.’ Their conversation led to a book that was released last week and published in Kiswahili, ‘40 Questions and 40 Answers: A conversation with January Makamba on the New Tanzania.’

He still remembers how as a young student, he would clip Wilson Kaigarula’s column from the Sunday News. “But generally I used to like James Hadley Chase novels that almost everyone read,” he says. January disagrees that Tanzanians don’t read.

“Look at the number of newspapers in this country, the number of text messages and social media content that people read every day. Tanzanians read, but they read things that interest them. So, if you write about issues that concern or interest people, they will read it,” January says adding: “For me, writing is a process of thinking. If you write for people to read you know you are putting up a public record that may stay forever and that should make one a bit more thoughtful.”

 As deputy minister for Communications, Science and Technology, Mr January seems to make good use of social media more than  others who have shown similar interests.  On September 28 last year, Mr January had a Q&A session on Twitter with a hashtag ‘AskJanuary’

(#AskJanuary) the session took 8 hours from 11 am to 7 pm. This time, he went further to document his ideas on a publication that will last.

On social media, Bijoux Amina Musa (@bijouxmami), a student in International Relations based in Norway says, “January Makamba is making a new generation pay attention. Even those who do not like to read are now reading.”  Fr Karugendo says he can see why the youth have accepted January. “Social media is dominated by the youth. I wouldn’t be surprised that the book has been received positively through various platforms online. I have also received a lot of positive feedback from older people who have read the book. Many have encouraged me to feature other young leaders. I am ready. I cannot wait for my next project,” Fr Karugendo says.  This is not Fr Karugendo’s first book to be published. It is his fifth and the second which features a politician. However, it is the first among the series of young leaders that he wants to profile. Fr Karugendo who is an active commentator in various platforms served as a priest for the Roman Catholic Church in Rulenge, now known as Rulenge-Ngara until 2000.    

Reception

It gives Fr Karugendo pleasure to see that his book has been well received by young people. “I think he is a symbol of hope to many. If he could do it at his age, then they also can,” he adds. A symbol of hope, that sounds like what Barack Obama tried to portray when he ran for president. Many liken January to Obama. Does January liken himself to Obama? “Frankly, no,” he says. He continues to say: “Obama was a figure for a different country, different context and different political circumstances. But, there is truth that all elections in almost all countries are about the future, about hope for a better future and some candidates embody that hope more naturally, more seamlessly than others. So, if our candidacy carries the hopes of Tanzanians, then our challenge is not winning, our challenge is governing in a way that lives up those hopes.”

In the book, January answers questions on how different sectors would have to change in order to bring forth a ‘New Tanzania’. He says in the book that the education system must change from the one which requires students to cram to one which stimulates and accommodates creativity and innovation. “As a country and a society, we have our heritage to retain and protect and pass-on. Anyone who seeks political leadership must understand this. But we must also acknowledge that our progress has been held back by some systemic and structural settings that need to be overhauled. This is the reality. And if stating this reality makes one popular among young people, it is a bonus. And if I can add one thing: it is easier for a new generation political leader to talk about changing the system than a politician who has been part of its creation,” he explains.

January is the initiator of Club 40, university discussion hubs comprising 40 students. Each university can have more than one club. The club aims at creating a network and building relationships;  giving back to the community through orphanage visits, street cleaning and other community work; preparing leaders. 

His education

Growing up in a village, January never had such a platform. He admits that he never thought that one day he would desire to run for president. He moved schools about four times in seven years. “So I made a lot of friends and I liked school.

I was fortunate to attend both very rural primary and urban schools – and the difference is massive,” he says. This made him become socially conscious about inequality at a young age. “I somehow have been a leader since primary school – with or without a title. It also helped that I did well in class. That was a source of pride and an extra reason to love school,” he says.

Fr Karugendo reveals that when he decided to ask January Makamba 40 questions about his ideas of a new Tanzania, he had to ask himself some tough questions. “I wasn’t sure of what image this book would portray of me. I was concerned that people might think that I have been bought by CCM.

I was afraid that he would impose some of his party’s ideologies and make it look they were mine. I personally am not a fan of CCM. But he proved himself faithful to stick to his own thoughts and made the conversation authentic to his personal ideas. To trust a politician was a great challenge,” he says.

It took him one year to finish the book, he says. They had decided that no phone and no emails. “It was the greatest challenge,” Fr Karugendo says. But it was the only way that this would work. They had decided to make it a face to face conversation. This made Fr Karugendo know his subject a bit deeper. “He is very passionate about his country. And if there is one thing that I might have not expressed well is his gift as a leader. Although he is well educated, he is also gifted,” he explains.

It took him a while to choose January for the book project. He explains that he has been following January closely  since he left the State House and decided to become an MP. In his view, this wasn’t a normal thing. As a young man, he could have decided to continue working closely with the president. It was a good position for him to grow.

Of the few things that Fr Karugendo learnt about his subject is how tolerant he is with different religious beliefs.  He explains: “I am impressed with his level of religion tolerance.

His father is a Muslim and his mother a Roman Catholic. And his wife, Ramona is a Lutheran. He respects everyone regardless of their religious background.” 

Fr Karugendo says that if he had one more question for January on his 41st birthday next week, he would ask him on the union of African states. “Tanzania seems to be a hesitant member in the East African Community. We have seen relations between Tanzania and Rwanda become shaky and relations between Tanzania and Malawi the same.

Also, recently we had an incident where Kenya restricted vehicles from Tanzania. I would like to know his views on this,” Fr Karugendo says.