I have lost a friend – President Mnangagwa

by | Mar 23, 2021 | International | 0 comments

Mako Jerera

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today reflected on the life lived by his late friend and former Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli.

President Mnangagwa in his eulogy at Magufuli’s funeral in Tanzania said the late statesman, who died on Wednesday at 61, was among those who championed integration within the region.

Besides the work-related engagements, President Mnangagwa and President Magufuli were close acquaintances.

President Mnangagwa in his heartfelt speech today, recounted a few moments in which their relationship influenced how the two countries, Tanzania and Zimbabwe helped each other in times of need.

“I remember one time President Magufuli telephoned me at night while I was sleeping when I realised it was Magufuli I attended.
Then he said, ‘My dear brother, I know you have been strike by cyclone Idai, what can we do as Tanzania to assist?’

Then I said, my brother, you can assist with food, he said, ‘Yes’, with blankets, he said, ‘Yes’…”. Within days, Air Tanzania landed in Zimbabwe with everything he had been told,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa said the late Tanzanian leader was a man of action who worked tirelessly for the development of not only his country but the Sadc region and the whole continent.

The late Tanzanian president will be remembered for his immense contribution towards the growth of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) when he served as chair of the regional bloc.

Samia Suluhu, as the East African nation’s first female president, will lead the country for the remainder of Magufuli’s term, until 2025.