CHATO: Tanzania’s Vice-President Emmanuel Nchimbi urged citizens to uphold values of selflessness, courage and self-reliance as the country marked five years since the death of former president John Magufuli on Tuesday.
Nchimbi, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at a commemoration in Magufuli’s hometown of Chato, said the late leader’s legacy continued to shape the country’s development path.
“Although he is no longer physically with us, he lives on in the hearts of Tanzanians through his work and vision,” Nchimbi said.
The memorial event, attended by government officials, religious leaders and members of the public, began with a Catholic mass followed by tributes reflecting on Magufuli’s leadership and policies.
Nchimbi highlighted Magufuli’s emphasis on hard work, popularised through the slogan “Hapa Kazi Tu” (“Work only”), as well as his reputation for decisive leadership, particularly in tackling corruption and inefficiency.
He also stressed the importance of self-reliance, saying Tanzania’s future depends on effective use of domestic resources rather than external support.
As part of efforts to preserve Magufuli’s legacy, Nchimbi said the government had allocated 100 million Tanzanian shillings to complete a memorial museum in Chato.
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Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi said honouring Magufuli’s legacy required commitment to accountability, public service and protection of national resources.
He described the former leader as a strong supporter of the union between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and a defender of ordinary citizens’ interests.
Magufuli, who died on March 17, 2021, was remembered for his focus on infrastructure development, public sector discipline and policies aimed at improving living standards.
A message from the Tanzania Episcopal Conference urged citizens to reflect on their own lives and strive to leave a meaningful legacy, while Magufuli’s daughter, Jesca Magufuli, said her father believed in hard work, responsive leadership and the responsible use of national resources.
She said his legacy endures through infrastructure projects and policies that continue to influence Tanzania’s development trajectory.
