Presenting a passionate report on the state of his nation, Tanzanian President HE Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete spoke to a captivated audience of members of the Tanzanian Diaspora in the US and other distinguished guests at a Gala Dinner held in his honor at the Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC last Friday.
Hosted by the CCM/DMV-USA (the Tanzanian ruling party’s members in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area), the event organizers presented a salute to President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, who was also in the US to attending the opening of the General Assembly in New York. The program featured a comprehensive documentary which depicted the major infrastructure and social projects that have been the hallmark of his 10 year administration.
The MC of the evening, Jessica Kamala Mushala, Secretary of the CCM/DMV and President of SHINA Inc., a Not for Profit Organization based in Maryland, echoed the sentiments of the audience, “Tonight is about us, but more importantly it is about our President. We are celebrating his leadership as President of the United Republic of Tanzania and chair of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)… When you look at the challenges, he has done the best job possible…. We have a great reason to celebrate. “
In his opening remarks, George Sebo, President of CCM/DMV, stated, “We applaud the work of our President. Since 1995 he has accomplished 95% of the Millennium Development Goals. He has worked to bring peace because of his good leadership and wisdom. He has established a new Constitution and we applaud him for his work to keep the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar together.”
A confirmation of the admiration felt by the Tanzanian community in the US for their President was expressed by the Tanzanian Ambassador to the US, Liberata Mulamula. She stated, “We have here the Tanzanian community from across America, from the East, West, North and South representing the Tanzanian Diaspora. Our President, he was my mentor… I am the product of his strong leadership. My dear Diaspora, it is the first time that I have ever seen anything like this. Mr. President, you have made us proud tonight.”
Amongst President Kikwete’s accomplishments highlighted in the documentary were the extensive development of Tanzania’s infrastructure supported by the US Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC); the expansion of the Southern Corridor; creation of the University of Dodoma that will accommodate 40,000 students; construction of the Nachingwea Girls School; rehabilitation of hospitals; creating of a new department for heart disease at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam; construction of a massive water purification system as well as the appointment of new judges to ensure effective running of the judicial system.
In his state of the nation report to the audience, President Kikwete expounded on his mission and accomplishments. He explained that he will make sure that 50% of the student population in Tanzania will be girls and that all teachers have a Masters degree. He has built 12 new airports and expanded the network of roads to bring Tanzanians together. As one of the fastest growing economies, Tanzania currently enjoys single digit inflation and a surplus of 180%; since 2005 poverty has been reduced from 36% to 28% and the long term projections for growth are very positive given the development of the natural gas industry bringing in billions of dollars into the economy.
Also present to welcome the President was the Ambassador of the African Union to the US, Amina S. Ali.
The program also featured Grace Mlingi and CCM Vijana and the Tanzania Youth Diaspora who performed both the United States and the Tanzanian National Anthem accompanied by ten year old Bryan Kaiza on the piano. As the new generation of the Tanzanian Diaspora, Bryan Kaiza joined MC Jessica Mushala on the stage in an emotional rendition of a popular Tanzanian song. Ms. Mushala translated the Swahili words: “We are going to be the hope and the light to those who are the future.”
