Makinda discusses Sokoine's integrity, urges society to abandon hypocrisy

Dar es Salaam. Former Speaker of Parliament, Anne Makinda, has called on Tanzanians to work hard, be honest and avoid hypocrisy to honour the legacy of former Prime Minister, the late Edward Sokoine, who passed away 40 years ago.

Sokoine, one of the most influential politicians known for his fight against corruption and economic sabotage, died in a car accident on April 12, 1984, in Dakawa, Mvomero District, Morogoro Region, while travelling from Dodoma to Dar es Salaam.

Ms Makinda, who once served as a Member of Parliament for Njombe South, shared her insights on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, during a special conversation about her experience working with the late Sokoine organised by the Uongozi Institute.

The webinar was held in preparation for the launch of Sokoine’s biography that details the deceased leader’s life and leadership.

"Sokoine taught us about honesty and truthfulness. He was not a hypocrite. If you did your work well, he would commend you,” she further noted.

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She counselled Tanzanians to abandon hypocrisy and sycophancy.

“Our work will speak for us; we should focus on performing our duties with integrity,” she emphasised.

Additionally, she narrated, Sokoine was hard-working and actively monitored all government activities, “which is why he was loved by citizens."

Ms Makinda mentioned that in 1983, when she was the minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, she worked with Sokoine for a year.

She described him as someone who was at the forefront in the fight against economic saboteurs.

"Due to his dedication to this fight, ordinary citizens admired him because he cared about them. When he visited his home in Monduli, the Maasai community identified with him, considering his car as their own," she said.

Makinda noted that Sokoine was not inclined to accept gifts, recalling an instance where a minister offered him a cow as a present, but he declined and instead asked for the cow's monetary value to be returned.

"He couldn't accept even the slightest gift from someone. But he was a man who worked tirelessly. I don't even know when he slept. He also cherished prayer, as he would attend overnight vigils at St Joseph's Cathedral three times a year," she recounted.

Ms Makinda further emphasised that young people should not view leadership positions as opportunities for personal gain but should instead focus on serving Tanzanians.

"Youth taking up leadership roles is necessary; we shouldn't leave a gap. However, their leadership goals should be to serve Tanzanians," she stated.

Ambassador Ali Mchumo, who also worked with the late Sokoine from 1975 as the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and worked alongside Sokoine in the Cabinet, also shared his experiences with Sokoine.

"When he was appointed Prime Minister, Sokoine said, 'When you are trusted with any position, trust yourself as well.' I have never forgotten this statement," he shared.

But it was when he served as Deputy Minister for Home Affairs during the Kagera War in 1979, after being transferred from the Prime Minister's Office in 1977, that he got a chance to witness Sokoine’s thorough modus operandi.

"At that time, Sokoine was the Chairman of the Cabinet's War Committee. We met every morning. One day, he called Jackson Makweta (then Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office) and me and sent us to Kagera," Mr Mchumo recounted.

"In the morning, we left for Kagera with Makweta, with orders from Sokoine to in Morogoro to mobilise regional commissioners to prepare reserve soldiers for the war," he added.

The former Temeke MP noted that after returning from Kagera, Sokoine asked for a report on the task assigned to them, posing probing and important questions to ensure that thorough work had been done.

The biography titled Edward Moringe Sokoine: Maisha na Uongozi Wake (Edward Moringe Sokoine: His Life and Leadership) will be launched at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam on September 30, 2024, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The event will be attended by senior leaders, retired leaders, ambassadors, representatives of development partners, higher education institutions, and civil society organisations.

The book, prepared in collaboration with the Uongozi Institute and the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), sheds light on Sokoine’s journey, from his upbringing in the Maasai community to his rise to various leadership positions, including the role of Prime Minister of Tanzania.

It will contribute to enriching the history of Tanzania and Africa as a whole.