A tribute to Lawrence Mafuru: A life of purpose and service

By Hussein Bashe

I have known Mr Mafuru in his roles as the managing director of NBC, Commissioner for Policy, Deputy Permanent Secretary at Treasury responsible for Economic Management in the ministry of Finance and the executive secretary of the National Planning Commission.

As we learnt of his demise and shared condolences across the country, I came across a picture of Lawrence Mafuru holding a book by Robin Sharma titled Who Will Cry When You Die?

It was well known that Lawrence was an avid reader and often shared anecdotes with his peers.

In this book, Sharma explores several themes aimed at shaping leaders who can positively impact the lives of others.

He emphasises the importance of leaving a legacy, taking risks, valuing friendships, building bridges, the power of listening and focusing on the bigger picture.

Seeing that photo of Lawrence holding that book prompted me to reflect on Lawrence's leadership and reminisce on my personal interactions with him through the lens of Sharma's insights.

On October 10, while Lawrence was ailing in his hospital bed in India, I had my last conversation with him.

Despite his condition, Lawrence sounded incredibly optimistic, confident that he would walk out of the hospital soon.

This was Lawrence—always positive and hopeful.

During our call, we discussed many things including our shared ambition to boost the agriculture sector by 5 percent by 2025.

In honour of all the work Lawrence put into this goal, I commit to seeing this mission accomplished.

Although we differed on some strategies, which I appreciated, Lawrence was always open to respectful collaboration, united by our common goal of benefiting Tanzanians in the agriculture sector.

Allow me to speak to him directly now; My dear brother Lawrence, it has taken me days to reflect on the life you lived—one of loyalty, professionalism, and friendship.

Brother, you are gone, and we are left mourning, asking ourselves many questions and reflecting on the moments we shared.

You were a dedicated and hardworking brother, and your contributions, particularly in the field of agriculture, will never be forgotten.

As the minister for Agriculture, I will always remember the steps we took together to transform the sector.

As the analyst you were, your vision skillfully combined metrics with strategic objectives and although the growth targets you set for the sector haven’t been fully reached—progressing from 2.7 percent to 4.2 percent, short of the 5 percent goal you aspired for—your legacy endures.

You taught me to embrace a market-oriented approach and challenged my deeply rooted beliefs in socialism.

Together, we found common ground, and some of your capitalist ideologies have left a lasting impact.

We remember how you were a strong advocate for embracing some socialism tenets through the subsidy scheme on mechanisation although you are a staunch believer of market forces and how that should drive any reforms.

You always believed that farmers didn’t necessarily need to own tractors, but instead, they needed their farms to have access to resources for proper and sustainable cultivation.

Brother, you are gone, but you witnessed the launch of Mechanisation Scheme by Her Excellency, the President, during the Nane Nane exhibition, an initiative that you played a key significant role in shaping.

You also significantly contributed to reshaping the current food security bond.

You were a key advocate for it, and it is sad that you have left us just after signing and approving the bond, and won’t see how it progresses but we commit to keeping the good work going in your name.

We shall also remember you as an early believer and your notable contribution to the Building A Better Tomorrow Project (BBT), where you successfully worked on attracting funding.

Your vision for the African Development Bank (AfDB) has come to fruition, with Her Excellency, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, delivering on it.

A $130 million agreement has recently been signed for agricultural input support to the government, and 130 youths have received soft loans through AGITIF at a 4 percent interest rate.

Additionally, to date, 240 youths have been given title deeds for 5 acres of land each.

Also through Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund - AGTIF, the establishment of an equity fund is on its way, and discussions have already started for a $5 million deal with the AFDB.

When the ministry of Agriculture presented its concept to the ministry of Finance on irrigation, I can’t forget the many discussions we had with you and your colleagues about long-term investment in irrigation.

You always said: “We must invest in water storage, and we must put money into it.”

Brother, what you believed in has now materialised.

Farewell, and thank you for your vision and dedication.

Your influence shaped many of us deeply and for some, you were a guiding force.

I will always cherish the evenings spent in your living room in Dodoma, engaging in thoughtful discussions that broadened my perspective.

I will always remember your constant joke jabs at me and Prof Kitila Mkumbo, telling us to step up our fashion sense and how ‘Agriculture should be attractive to Youth’ and that we needed to desperately modernise, not forgetting the jokes on how we need to get away from socialism and be more market oriented.

Our conversations, whether in my office or at the ministry of Finance, left an indelible mark on me.

I won’t forget the passionate exchanges we had, particularly when our ideologies clashed at the ministry.

Above all, I will remember how you shaped my views on socialism, while challenging me to consider the principles of capitalism with equal conviction.

We will cry for you, grieve your passing, as we remind ourselves words from the Holy Quran – 3:185 – Every Soul will taste death.

Sincerely,

Hussein Bashe (MP)

Minister of Agriculture – United Republic of Tanzania