Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli ... the last African President

17 March 2021, a day most will never forget as it was announced Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli is no more. Somehow it sounds like 19 October 1986 all over again. The way the news rang on the passing of Samora Moises Machel. A friend of mine said to me everyone remembers where they were when it happened. I have never cried over a politician in my life but Samora. I was in grade 1 in 1986 but even young as I was I knew how important he was to the black child. To people like me. Somehow the despair filled the air yet again when news of the 5th Tanzanian president passing started spreading on all media channels & as is the norm today, naturally on social media.

No one can dispute the man's dedication & hard work towards making African lives better. The man stood for what he believed was the best for his people. I am going to try my best not to dwell on the accuracy of or rather the right or wrong of conspiracy theories. I will however note how in my view a man should be as he stands for what he believes. after all is that not what leadership is all about? This leads me to an interesting notion that has also been doing the rounds.

Was he the last African President? As now most young Africans are calling him. The word on the street is the good die young & in the case of African Presidents the good ones don't last long. How true is this? Are our heroes really who we think they are? Better yet are we too harsh on our heroes? Perhaps too unforgiving as some come with flaws. How much of these flaws should an African child accept in a leader? Does being a dictator then become understandable & forgivable? Considering one has a vision not shared by many & implantation might require a heavy hand especially in the presence of the neocolonial cloud that will forever hang over Africa.

RIP the Bulldozer