First semester exams have passed and students await word that they too have passed. Dorm rooms are empty. Faculty is enjoying a brief respite before the new semester begins.
During exam week my mother was walking from the house to the administration building. As she came passed the cafeteria shouts rang out and people cheered.
The room was full of students listening to President Jakaya Kikwete speak to the Parliament and nation on TV. In 2006, a Texas based “briefcase” firm, Richmond Development Company, LLC, won a contract to provide generators and electricity during a drought. (Much of our power is hydroelectric.) A select committee investigated the contract and found, according to the committee’s chair, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe, that the country’s bidding process was not followed. The entire process “smelt of corruption” and the firm “lacked experience, expertise and was financially incapacitated.”
You can read the entire report – if your Swahili is good – at:
SEKUCo students were cheering. The President was not willing to ignore or hide the problem. Findings from the special committee had been received. Those who had engaged in wrong doing had been given a chance to respond. Now he was going public. Action was required.
Within hours resignations were received from the Cabinet. A new era for Tanzania, say students, began. The powerful have been held accountable for breaking the public’s trust. Democracy and the poor had a day to celebrate.
Two members of the faculty were heard talking that night. One pointed out that it was exam week and all hearts and minds should be preparing for tomorrow’s exam. The other agreed but added that history was being made in Dodoma (that’s our capital) this night.
And so it was. In the week of exams students worked hard, the cabinet fell and the President nominated a new Prime Minister – the son of a farmer. The legislature promised to follow through on the recommendations of the special committee. Shortly after the last exam the first of the new cabinet was appointed.
It was history in the making. The first semester at SEKUCo ended with the first set of exams. And, we cheered national leadership willing to hold itself accountable.
Amani, Amanda
2 Comments
February 19, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Greetings. I trust you are having fun.
Foundation set fot http://www.sekuco.org but i haven’t heard from Martin recently. i will send message.
February 20, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Hi Amanda,
I serve as senior pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran in Chester Springs PA. Our cong. has several partnerships with ministries in the N. Diocese ELCT. I was at SEKUCo with a group from St. Matts in June and will be there again with a friend in a couple weeks on 3/3/08. We’ll be touring the campus with Anneth Munga and would love to meet you if you’re around and have the time. Blessings, Chad