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Mkapa leaves behind tools to help Tanzanians reach the Promised Land
2005-06-11 08:06:20
By Ernest C. Ambali
One year after he was 'slotted' in the 'hot seat' as President, Benjamin William Mkapa, made a serious promise through an international forum held in Dar es Salaam on November 5, 1996.
He said: “We want to talk of an economic miracle in Tanzania by the turn of the century.
And why not?“We have every reason to be optimistic.
We have the potential to achieve such an economic miracle.”
He said these words - part of his long speech - when opening the International Investment and Technology, Forum that brought together local, foreign investors, members of the diplomatic corps.
Also present were top representatives of the UN Industrial Organisation (UNIDO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Tanzanian’s Members of Parliament and cabinet ministers, were also present when President Mkapa said these words.
These were serious words that kindled power and positive attitude in himself the power and positive attitude related to the though of “I-will-succeed.”
Thinking “success” conditions a leader to create plans that produce success.
“Believe in yourself and good things do start happening,” says David J. Schwartz in his book, “The magic of thinking BIG.”
Peradventure, he said these words aware of presence of a few critics in the forum and those who would read and hear from the print and electronic media.
But, in some cases critics are imbued with a Jeremiah Complex.
They are pessimists, who seem to think it is their exclusive responsibility to disseminate as much pessimism around as they can.
In his book, “How to use your complexes,” J. Maurus says that these people “speak of desolation, destruction and death as if these were the only things in life.
“Themselves miserable, they want to make others also miserable by their doleful moaning.
They perversely insist on looking at the darker side of things, and gloat over it.
And these is a great lesson to be learnt from David Sarnoff who became President of the Radio Corporation of America after facing a serious competition in the early period of his career.
Recalling his past, he said, “but I’m grateful to my enemies.
In the long range movement towards progress, a kick in the pants sends your further along than a friendly handshake.”
And, indeed, the “kick in the pants “ did send him further along. Armed with his positive attitude, as a proactive person - who makes things happen - he and the majority of Tanzanians, witnessed positive changes taking place.
Six years later - after he had said these words - when opening the first International Investors’ Round Table for Tanzania in July 2002, President Mkapa “counted the chickens” after they had hatched - in the continuing socio-economic “hatchery.”
The hatched chickens were some of the initial achievements so far attained following implementation of the macro economic and structural reforms that included the on-going privatisation public business concerns.
In his speech at the Round Table, he said that during the 20 years of implementing the reforms the private sector had emerged as the driving force of the country’s economy...
“Today, the private sector alone accounts for approximately two thirds of GDP (Cross Domestic Product), approximately 84 per cent of paid employment, and virtually all merchandise exports.
“Moreover, the private sector is active in the provision of certain social services, especially education and health,” he said.
Yes, he counted the chickens - the achievements so far attained - “making Tanzania an attractive and profitable destination for foreign investment as well as for domestic investors.”
For example, gross domestic product (GDP) had increased from almost zero a year ten years ago - that is in 1992 - to 5.6 per cent in 2001.
Inflation had been drought down from over 36 per cent 10 years ago - in 1992 - to 4.5 per cent in 2002, lowest rate in decades.
Foreign reserves had increased from 1.7billion dollars.
It is contentious to the 'doubting Thomas’s' or critics who would ask: 'is it possible for Tanzania to become a tiger within a decade?'
Ruth Minshull in her book, 'How to choose your people' has part of the answer.
The book has an 'Emotional tone scale' - from the lowest at zero, death, and the top most at 4.0, 'Enthusiasm,' running through 16 calibrations.
The second from the bottom, death, is o.05, Apathy then comes, as the scale goes up, 0.375 Making Amends, next is 0.5. Grief; 08, Propitiation; 0.9, Sympathy; 1.0 Fear; 1.1 Covert Hostility; 1.2, No Sympathy; 1.5, Anger; 1.8 Pain; 2.0, Antagonism; 2.5, Boredom; 3.0, Conservatism; 3.5, Interest; and at the top is Enthusiasm, with 4.0.
Enthusiasm is where President Mkapa is. And according to Ruth Minshull, leaders in this top scale “can become interested in various subjects, of course, any level of the tone scale.
“He may be interested in anything from learning Swahili to looking at dirty pictures; but this doesn’t place him at 3.5 on the scale.
“The high-tone person takes an active interest in subjects related to survival.
There is more action, more involvement and more creativity.
“He can envision far-reaching plans and ideas that project toward a better future to himself and all mankind. His interests may be more novel and of broader scope than those of the lower-tone person.”
Like it or not, this is Mkapa. He leaves us with the most important psychological tools that will move us towards development - positive attitude and enthusiasm. Ignore these we are doomed!
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