Tanzania’s second President, Ali Hassan Mwinyi will be buried at Mangapwani village in Unguja, Zanzibar, tomorrow (Saturday).

The burial follows formal funeral ceremonies held in Dar es Salaam on Friday with Tanzania's Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango leading hundreds who paid their last respects to the late politician at Uhuru Stadium. 

Earlier in the day, the Mwinyi's body was taken to the Kinondoni Grand Mosque in Dar es Salaam where Mufti Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally led the prayers, known as “Salat al-Janazah”, as a fundamental component of Islamic funeral rites.

Addressing the multitudes gathered at the stadium to mourn the late President, Dr Mpango applauded Mwinyi for his determination in promoting the Union while calling him a true leader.

According to local media, he also hailed the former leader as a person who promoted  Kiswahili language. " He taught me to differentiate some Kiswahili words like ‘Onesha na onyesha,’ which can be literally translated as ‘show and warn’ respectively. He loved and promoted the Kiswahili language so much, teaching it fluently and ensuring its recognition and international use. He was determined to promote the language and corrected those who made mistakes,” the Vice President said amidst applause.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pays his respect at a memorial ceremony held on Friday for Former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania. (Courtesy photo)

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Tanzanian's third president (2005 to 2015), described Mwinyi as the father of political, social, and economic reforms in the country.

“Though his main trait was that he listened to advice, whenever he wanted to do something, he did it. He stood firm in his beliefs. Whatever was best for the interest of the nation, you couldn’t convince him otherwise,” Dr Kikwete said.

Dignitaries at the Stadium included the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali who had arrived in Tanzania on Thursday for a working visit. Mourners also included: government officials, diplomats, and wananchi.

Friday evening, the body was flown to Zanzibar for a national burial, which will be led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Saturday.

The former President passed away on Friday while at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He was suffering from lung cancer.

Following his death, President Samia declared seven days of national mourning in honor of Mwinyi, popularly known as ‘Mzee Rukhsa’.

In addition to declaring a seven-day national mourning period, President Samia issued an order for Tanzania’s flags to be flown at half-mast.