The investigations helped us to determine the specialists who would be needed at the surgery,” Bokhari was quoted as saying.
As we wind up the year, we reflect on the events and milestones of women in Tanzania that really made us proud to be associated with them. To some women, 2013 was a year of blessings as they created a positive image of themselves, thanks to their hard work and initiatives.
Meanwhile, a few other women were involved in acts that brought disgrace and lowered their dignity. They fall in the list of shame.
Here are a few women who were recognised because of their outstanding deeds.
Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax New Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
She was appointed by the Heads of State and Government of SADC as the new Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a position that no other Tanzanian woman has ever held, during the Summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi in August this year.
A firm believer in quality and results and the one who doesn’t hesitate when it comes to making decisions, her appointment is said to have brought in a sense of pride, not only to Tanzanians, but to all East Africans.
Dr Tax assumed the new role as the Executive Secretary of SADC after a long and outstanding career in various capacities in the field of research, trade, finance and regional integration. She joined SADC after successfully leading Tanzania in the East African Community integration.
Dr Zaitun Bokhari
General Surgeon at MNH
Dr Zaitun is among seven specialists who successfully separated Pili Hija’s conjoined twins from Ugunja Ukuu in Zanzibar. The operation which took four hours was the second of that kind to be done at Muhimbili National Hospital MNH). The first was in 1994 by Dr Joseph Shija.
The operation has put Dr Zaitun in the limelight; increasing her credibility as she puts her professional expertise to stand the test of time. Being able to operate on the incomplete twin (parasite) which had a leg, a heel but no foot and undeveloped eyes and mouth, opened a new chapter to her career.
“We went through different health investigations using CT-Scan to determine which parts of the body were also conjoined. The investigations helped us to determine the specialists who would be needed at the surgery,” Bokhari was quoted as saying.
Dr Zaitun urges those concerned to improve the health system in the country.
“There are too many challenges when it comes to our health system in Tanzania. We are still far behind as far as technology is concerned. We miss experts in different fields resulting into poor performance at our work places,” she said.
Angela Kairuki
Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania.
She previously served as deputy chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional, Legal Affairs and Public Administration.
Angela made it in the list of young, professional, innovative, courageous, daring and successful women aged 45 and under in Africa. She was the only Tanzanian who made it in the list of Forbes 2013, 20 Young Power Women Africa. These are the women who are considered to be Africa’s most ambitious and successful in different sectors. They are the game changers and according to Forbes, the custodians of tomorrow.
Angela is said to hold a vast amount of power and influence in the society. Currently she holds the portfolio of Secretary General of the Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group.
She is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and member of the National Council of UWT, the ruling party’s women wing.
In 2011 Angela was appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly to represent Tanzania in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and was elected by the IPU assembly as a member of the Human Rights Committee.
Prior to joining politics, she worked in the Attorney General’s Chambers as a Parliamentary Draftsman and as a state attorney in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
Angela Kairuki has also worked in the private sector as head of the Ethics, Compliance and Governance department at Vodacom group PTY Ltd.
Juliet Kairuki
Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC)first female CEO
Juliet is the first female CEO appointed to lead the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). For 16 years, the institution has never been led by a woman CEO.
After 12 years of service outside the country, she came back to Tanzania and worked as a Project Manager of Public Private Partnerships at SADC Banking Association in South Africa.
She was appointed by President Dr Jakaya Kikwete to lead the institute following her skills, knowledge and experience.
Mizinga Melu
Managing Director, National Bank of Commerce
Mizinga made it to this list of women who made a name for themselves in the corporate world after she was appointed early this year as the new managing director of the National Bank of Commerce.
She joined NBC from Standard Chartered Bank Zambia where she was the managing director since 2007.
Mizinga has previously served in senior roles at Standard Chartered bank, including being the Global Head of Development Organisations in the United Kingdom where she was responsible for strategy development and implementation.
She has also been Africa’s Regional Head of Financial Institutions in Kenya and South Africa where she led formulation of Standard Chartered’s FI business strategy in Africa.
Mizinga served as head of Treasury at Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania between 2000 and 2003.
