- Magufuli recognized, and fully believed that everyone’s destiny lies in their own hands, and that a nation cannot prosper out of help from a foreign power
- Having a clear target for Tanzania to hit, JPM limited wastage of resources, saving US$430 million in his first year in office from foreign travel budget alone
By Sylvester Oluoch
What is it that grabs a hold of men to where a mission outlives them? Some answers may be found in the ways of the departed Tanzanian President Hon. John Pombe Magufuli, popularly known as JPM, and in Tanzania’s street lingo – coined by an artist – Rais wa wanyonge translating into the president of the poor.
JPM’s spirit lives on in many Tanzanians, Africans and beyond. A man loved by global citizens who walk the “straight and narrow path” and detested by people who cherish liberality with morality and the law.
What cuts Hon. Magufuli above his peers? The answer rests in one thing; a specific goal.
JPM got a hold of the presidency, and immediately made it clear that his single focus was on a better Tanzania that proudly sells itself right; never selling itself short. Among the things JPM tackled with exemplary finesse were mineral prices, especially value addition and ensuring that the cashew nut trade would lift Tanzanian farmers to higher living standards.
Throughout his presidency, JPM demonstrated a work ethic like never before seen in Tanzania, perhaps only comparable to Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso and Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana in their days.
Just like Sankara and Rawlings, Magufuli recognized, and fully believed that everyone’s destiny lies in their own hands, and that a nation cannot prosper out of help from a foreign power. To rely too much on foreign aid is to give up your sovereignty and your dignity, he thought. With that aristocratic thinking, his mien was anything but stoic.
Believing in the possibility of a prosperous Africa, more specifically Tanzania, JPM inculcated the culture of discipline and decency in the civil service. The wider Tanzanian citizenry was quick to follow with the refrain “hapa kazi tu,” and they poured in the work! Perhaps buoyed by the growing belief in Tanzania by an increasing number of Tanzanians JPM scaled up accountability and service delivery.
Everything is accomplished through work only. No other way. Having a clear target for Tanzania to hit, JPM limited wastage of resources, saving US$430 million in his first year in office from foreign travel budget alone. And all the savings were put to work on behalf of Tanzanians.
Knowing that one of the key pillars to development is a well-educated population, JPM created an unhindered pathway to high school education by ensuring taxpayer-funded education through high school.
Another cornerstone to a thriving economy is confidence in government. JPM ensured Tanzanians could trust his government by guaranteeing immediate and public action against errant individuals. Additionally, he capriciously rewarded meritocracy in full glare of the media cameras – a fact that bolstered performance in public service.
From Magufuli’s goal setting to plan execution, it is easy to appreciate that;
- Goals increase focus and faith.
- Clearly setting your goals, and following through, can make you better, or even outstanding.
- Goals well set at the top has a trickledown effect
- Goals give direction and guarantee success
- Goals must come from within – goals are “an inside job.”
It is a matter of grave interest that some people will miss the great lessons from an iconic figure of Hon. John Pombe Magufuli’s stature because they focus on his ego and vanity. To do that is just to look at how he exemplified power and miss it. To get it, focus on the magnetic pull of his model.
Hon. Magufuli has moved to another sphere. However, what he has instilled in some of us will not only carry his Tanzanian mission forward, but his dream will reverberate across the entire Africa for at least this generation. Thus, his mission continues and his influence lives on.
