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With barely five years in office, the late Tanzanian leader Dr John Pombe Magufuli had not only endeared himself with his citizens, but managed to transform the geo-political narrative of the continent with unwavering stance that frowned the political, social and economic hegemony by Western capitals.

Dr Magufuli, popularly known as The Bulldozer for his otherwise hard-line stance, would do everything it takes to achieve results aimed at improving, not only the lives of Tanzanians, but the rest of the continent.

He was strict, uncompromising and a no no-nonsense leader who would apply drastic action on ineptitude, even among his lieutenants, including Cabinet Ministers.

To demonstrate his strictness, he dropped a Deputy Minister for Minerals and MP for Kilwa North Mr Francis Ndulane at the Chamwiso State House in Dodoma after he struggled to take the oath of Office.

Tanzanian authorities led by the new leader President Samia Suluhu Hassan conducted Dr Magufuli’s funeral service at Jamhuri Stadium, Dodoma city ahead of more spacious and comfortable spaces in the commercial city, Dar es Salaam. 

This was consistent with the wish of Dr Magufuli who had shifted focus and recognised Dodoma as the capital city of the country.

Located in the heartland of Tanzania, Dodoma is the nation’s official political capital and the seat of government. 

It is comparably much smaller and less developed than the country’s commercial centre, Dar es Salaam.

What is striking is that Tanzania decided to shift its capital city from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in 1973 envisaging that the move would take 10 years given that a powerful agency was created to implement an idealised city masterplan.

It was Dr Magufuli who upon assumption of office began to move and implement that decision by beginning to carry out infrastructural work and holding official duties in that city.

On Monday, African leaders, including President Mnangagwa, descended in Dodoma to pay their last respects to their colleague who died of a heart ailment last Wednesday.

They spoke passion filled eulogies, reflecting what they thought about him.

President Mnangagwa described Dr Magufuli as a man of the people.

“We have lost a friend of our country, a dear brother, a comrade, an admirable leader and a man of the people,” said President Mnangagwa while addressing mourners who included nine Heads of State and Government in Dodoma.

“The late President John Pombe Magufuli established a reputation as a man of action, in order to hasten the pace of development in Tanzania.” 

The previous day, in Dar es Salaam, President Mnangagwa’s entourage witnessed thousands of residents in that city lining up streets leading to Julius Nyerere International Airport where the remains of their leader was being flown to Dodoma.

In Dodoma, on Monday, residents in that city risked breaking Covid-19 health regulations of maintaining social distance as they lined up the streets between Jamhure Stadium and Dodoma Airport — all because of their desire to pay their last respect to their dear departed leader.

Motorists, including those with VVIPs, cautiously navigated their way along the streets where residents braved the hot weather risking being run down by cars as they jostled to have a better view of not only dignitaries, but the body of their leader.

Such images testified how Dr Magufuli was a true man of the people even in death.

During his official address in Dodoma, President Mnangagwa departed from his prepared speech to speak from the heart and show how he, as an individual, and on behalf of Zimbabwe, felt about the magnitude of the loss of Dr Magufuli.

President Mnangagwa chronicled some incidents that showed Dr Magufuli’s passion for his African brothers and countries. 

One of the touching stories is when in 2019, Dr Magufuli called President Mnangagwa in the middle of the night after tropical Cyclone Idai struck Chimanimani and Chipinge in Manicaland province.

“He telephoned me at night when I was sleeping, then when I realised it was President Magufuli I attended,” he said. 

“He said my dear brother, I know you have been struck by Cyclone Idai, what can we do to assist. 

“Then I said my brother you can assist with food, he said ‘yes,’ blankets he said ‘yes,’ medicine he said ‘yes’ and because I was sleeping I said mosquitoes and he was surprised and I said ‘no’ I meant mosquito nets and of course, with tents. 

“And indeed the following day in the evening a plane-load of Air Tanzania arrived with these things.” 

In his eulogising speech, Kenyan leader President Uhuru Kenyatta temporarily stopped his address for two minutes in honour of the Adhaan in a nearby mosque in Dodoma.

The Adhaan is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by a muezzin at prescribed times of the day.

He spoke in Swahili language to ensure that his message was driven home by all Tanzanians.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the former Tanzanian President “will stay in the hearts” of many.

In his tribute, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera referred to Dr Magufuli as “Africa’s finest son” whose “life of service” would be remembered.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described Dr Magufuli as a “true pan-Africanist” who was unapologetic about being an African.

He remembered Dr Magufuli for being a “warrior” against corruption, who worked for his people.

This was echoed by Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who said Dr Magufuli was a “great teacher”, like Tanzania’s founding President Julius Nyerere.

Other leaders in attendance included President Felex Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo and African Union Chairperson) and Edgar Lungu (Zambia).

If what happened in Dodoma on Monday is anything to go by, then the legacy of Dr Magufuli is set to live on.