Magufuli: Nationalist, Populist or Patriot?
If the last five years have proven anything it's that it has been difficult to put President Magufuli in a single box. Many have tried and failed to label him as either or. Maybe he has a little bit of all. In this article I try to dwelve into the three categories most writers home and abroad have tried to place Magufuli in. Is he a nationalist, a populist or a patriot? Or all the above?
What is a Nationalist?
A nationalist is a person who strongly identifies with their own nation and vigorously supports its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
What is a Populist?
A populist is a person, especially a politician, who strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
What is a Patriot?
A patriot is a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
In my opinion, President is a little bit of both and I will do my best to describe how he fits into all three categories with vivid examples. I will also opine into why a developing country such as Tanzania needs leaders who exude all three qualities with the right dosage.
How is Magufuli a Nationalist?
Since entering into office, Magufuli has taken a Tanzania first approach. This is evident in a not so evident area for most Tanzanians. Since 2016 it has become harder for expatriates to gain working permits in Tanzania. In 2018, the government refused to grant Ms Sylvia Mulinge, a Kenyan citizen, work permit to assume the Managing Director role for Vodacom Tanzania, one of the largest multinationals in Tanzania. That is just one high profile example of a number of work permits denied to foreign nationals in favour of the indigenization of management positions in multinationals in Tanzania. It is a fact that it is now harder for foreign nationals to gain work permits in Tanzania than it was in previous administrations. It was common practice for foreigners with less experience and less educational qualifications to gain high executive positions in companies based in Tanzania while it was hard for Tanzanians to gain the same opportunities abroad even in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Uganda.
How is Magufuli a Populist?
President Magufuli campaigned to fight for the little person. Since taking office he has battle with large corporations and prominent businesspeople who were viewed as "Untouchables" in previous administrations. He famously stated that those who lived like angels would now live like demons. Countless millionaires are in jail for accusations of economic sabotage with a number of them admitting to wrong doing before even the end of their trials. In 2016 Corporal Deogratius Mbango was promoted after confrontation with a ministers's wife after she clearly expected favouritism due to her husband's position in Magufuli's cabinet. The officer maintained his position regardless of the pressure and the President rewarded him. Clearly the president from early on wanted to show that all citizens, even the "ordinary" ones are the same under the law.
How is Magufuli a Patriot?
From the time of his inauguration, Magufuli has looked to change the status quo. Whether you like the man or not, business has not been as usual since 2015. He seeked to reduce wasteful spending including reducing allowances and loans for MPs, restructuring government institutions and agencies and renegotiating contracts the government had enterf with multinationals especially in the mining sector. He has strived to bring back ethic and professionalism in the civil service including firing officials with forged education qualifications. Early on in his administration the trending hashtag in Africa was #WhatWouldMagufuliDo? Even in 2020 during the Covid19 crisis, Magufuli refused to take measures which would have harmed Tanzania's economy and placed the country under more debts from internatioanal organizations such as the World Bank and IFM. Our neighbors Kenya are now USD 1 billion in debt to the mentioned organizations due to Covid19 grants and loans.
Why are all qualities important ?
All the qualities are important because most African countries find themselves in a circle of debt and bad contracts without a way out. We need leaders who don't take a business as usual approach in all levels of government. As President Paul Kagame of Rwanda famously said, Africa does not need more aid but a change in mindset and in that context it is easy to feel unease with a president like Magufuli. Whatever your opinions are of him, he has changed the social, economic and political landscape of Tanzania for years to come and with this election is is up for the voters to decide if we continue with Magufuli's approach or go back to business as usual.
He has attempted and is succeeding (with viable facts on record) in changing the status quo.
Thomas Joel Kibwana.
