Our Library has been burnt - President Samia mourns Mwinyi
Mar 02, 2024
“I remember an African proverb that says ‘when an elder dies, the library is burnt’ meaning that whatever an elder possesses when he dies, it’s like a burnt library as everything is lost,” Samia said.
PresidentSamia Suluhu Hassan and counterpart Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi of Zanzibar praying at the official funeral of former President Alhaj Ali Hassan Mwinyi in Zanzibar 02 March 2024. (Courtesy Photo)
Hellen Mukiibi
Journalist @New Vision
___________________ Tanzania leader Samia Suluhu Hassan, greeting the Vice President of Namibia Netumbo Nandi - Ndaitwah at the Peace Games in Zanzibar for the official funeral of forrmer president Ali Hassan Mwinyi Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi mourning his father former President of Tanzania Ali Hassan Mwinyi Mrs. Siti Mwinyi and Khadija Mwinyi, widows of former Ali Hassan Mwinyi arriving at the Peace Stadium in Zanzibar on 02 March 2024. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other mourners at a memorial ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Friday Mwinyi last respects on Saturday for President Ali Hassan MwinyiT at the Peace Games in Zanzibar Tanzania's Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango leading hundreds who on Friday paid their last respects to Mwinyi the at Uhuru Stadium Dar es Salaam Dr. Philip Mpango leads mourners in Dar es Salaam Friday MARCH 1
Leaders from several African countries have joined Tanzanians to pay their last respects to former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi who was buried on Saturday evening in Zanzibar.
The burial followed formal funeral ceremonies held in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar city since Friday.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Saturday presided over the State funeral events at New Amaani Sports Complex preceding the burial at Mangapwani village in Unguja.
Addressing a mammoth gathering, she described Ali Hassan Mwinyi’s death as similar to a well-stocked Library that has been burnt.
Samia said that the late Mwinyi worked hard for the development of the country, a leaf that should be borrowed by public leaders.
“I remember an African proverb that says ‘when an elder dies, the library is burnt’ meaning that whatever an elder possesses when he dies, it’s like a burnt library as everything is lost,” Samia said during the event which was broadcast live on all television stations in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
She added, “They also say a person’s CV is inheritable, otherwise, I could have requested Dr. Hussein to let me inherit his (Mwinyi) CV but unfortunately, it cannot happen."
Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the president of Zanzibar is the son of former Tanzanian president Ali Hasan Mwinyi who died on Thursday aged 98.
Ali Hassan Mwinyi succumbed to lung cancer at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
Mwinyi served as Tanzania’s second president from 1985 to 1995. He was the first leader to serve as President for Zanzibar and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Reading from a prepared speech, Samia told mourners that the departed politician was a mobile Library that had books on loyalty, economic transformation, courage, humility and God fearing.
Samia added that under his tenure, the country witnessed crucial socio-economic and political reforms that paved the way for market liberalization and free trade.
“Despite encountering political and economic hardships, the late Mwinyi normalized the situation which led to economic growth in Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland,” she said.
Dad was always strong and fit:
On behalf of the family, Abdullah Mwinyi described his father’s life of 98 years as a privilege from God.
Abdullah who is a Muhonda legislator revealed that he never saw his father getting sick until the past two years.
“All the time, he has been strong and fit. He lived a very blessed life,” he stated in a brief speech where he also thanked President Samia and her government for supporting their father when he was receiving treatments.
Mwinyi’s legacy inspires all of us
On behalf of different delegations from various African countries Namibia’s Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said many African countries benefited from his Mwinyi’s various contributions.
“Mwinyi was one of those African leaders who has made a significant contribution in sum mending cooperation between the people of Tanzania and the people of the world following the footsteps of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Namibia is one of the many countries that have benefited significantly in cementing relations that continue to grow.
Relatedly, the Speaker of Burundi’s Parliament, Emmanuel Sinzohagera said the death of the hero is not only a loss for Tanzanians but for Africa and the whole world.
“We pray that his legacy continues to inspire present and future generations. Mzee Mwinyi positioned Tanzania in the international arena through his wisdom and inspired leadership. He will be missed…it is a great loss not only for Tanzania but the region, Africa, and the whole world,” said Sinzohagera commented.
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat hailed Mwinyi for his leadership in Tanzania and beyond.
“President Ali Hassan Mwinyi played a critical role in advancing the re-establishment of the EAC in the 1990s alongside the late President Daniel arap Moi-Kenya, the late President Benjamin William Mkapa-Tanzania & President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni –Uganda,” reads a statement of the EAC social site X (formerly Twitter).
President Samia on Thursday declared seven days of mourning following the passing of the former leader.
During this mourning period, the national flag would be flown at half-mast, starting Friday, as a tribute to Mwinyi’s life and his contributions to Tanzania.
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