Tanzania’s President John Magufuli Takes Part In Clean Up Exercise Organised To Replace Wasteful Independence Day Celebrations

Tanzania’s new President John Magufuli seems like a very tough dude, who not only talks the talk but walks the walk.

The President has earned the nickname of Bulldozer since assuming office. This is because he has suspended several state functions which unnecessarily drain money, including an elaborate Independence Day celebration which he totally scrapped.

Instead of celebrations that would have cost the nation millions, he instituted several other exercises, including a clean-up campaign. He famously said that it would be shameful to be spending money celebrating Independence when his people are dying of cholera.

So he is rather putting the day to good use. And not just that, he is personally taking part in the clean up himself. The President has gotten down to the grassroots and is dirtying himself to help keep the country clean.

So far, Magufuli seems like he is on a mission to transform Tanzania, and everything he does shows his single minded determination to succeed in this goal. He has also drastically cut the luxuries available to his ministers amidst several other reforms.

A former teacher and industrial chemist, Magufuli served as Works Minister for many years, garnering a squeaky clean reputation as corruption free. He ran on the promise of purging corruption from the public sphere in Tanzania.