Many Africans in Germany have expressed shock and disbelief at the death of Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli.
“A great tragedy has befallen us,” said Ebrahim Makunja aka Kamanda Ras Makunja, the founder and leader of Ngoma Africa Band, one of the most famous African bands in Germany. “I was shocked to hear the news of the death of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.”
On behalf of Ngoma Africa Band, Mr Makunja sent a message of condolence to Mr Magufuli’s family and to his fellow Tanzanians.
President Magufuli was a great leader
“It is indeed a great blow to our country, we have lost a courageous and great leader. In this difficult moment for all of us, it is our responsibility as Tanzanians – both abroad and back home, to remain united, peaceful and show solidarity towards each other,” Mr Makunja said.
Mfundo Peter Mfundo, a Tanzanian living in Germany said he learnt of the passing of President Magufuli while at work when he received a call from his brother back home.
When he got home, he found his wife and children devasted. They were sad as if they had a lost a close family member.
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Africa has lost a hero
Mr Mfundo was surprised by the high number of calls he received from Africans in Germany to express their condolences. “We have lost an African hero,” he said. “It is really sad, we will miss President Magufuli.”
“It is very painful for me and my family because we were very close to him and to his Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party,” Mr Mfundo said, adding that he participated in President Magufuli’s election campaign in 2020.
President Magufuli was a courageous man who thoght outside the box
Monica Bucher, a Kenyan living in Germany described the late President Magufuli as a courageous man who dared think outside the box. “A son of Africa has rested. You fought a good fight Mr. President. A fight against poverty. You faced injustice with the courage of a lion in the jungle. You promoted the youth and women into leadership positions. Under your leadership, we saw Tanzania rise like a phoenix from the ashes to gain new life,” she said.
Ms Bucher said the world had “lost a seasoned man who championed for the equity and distribution of resources, gave the Tanzanian talent a chance to thrive and was committed to see that his people enjoyed the national cake without discrimination.”
She also hailed the late President Magufuli’s commitment to “fight corruption head on and put a third world country on the map of development as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.”
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Dr Susan Tatah, the Founder and CEO of the International Afrika Festival Tübingen said with the passing of President Magufuli, “Africa had lost a leader but gained an ancestor”.
Africa has lost a Pan-African and a revolutionary leader
DJ Aisher, one of the most famous African female DJs in Europe said she was deeply saddened to hear of the death of President Magufuli. “He’s death left many speechless,” she said. “It will be impossible to replace him. His vision and dreams for Tanzania and the whole of Africa will live amongst us forever. Africa has lost a True PAN-AFRICANIST and a revolutionary leader.”
“President John Pombe Magufuli was a rare gem, and a timely one with outstanding pan-African advances, “ said Godfred T. Eyong, a Member Congress of African People. “He waded the institutionalised social and economic injustices in a bid to emancipate his people and as a blueprint for the African man. His time on the mantle was short, but weightful. You shall forever remain in the good books of Afrikanism. Rest well legend. We hold you in high places.”
By Stephen Ogongo