Zim poet dedicates poem to new Tanzanian leader

VICTORIA FALLS-BASED awardwinning poet, Obert Dube has dedicated a poem titled Hongera Mama Samia Suluhu to the newly-appointed Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took over from John Pombe Joseph Magufuli who succumbed to COVID-19 last month.

Dube told NewsDay Life & Style that the poem, which is accompanied by a video challenge, encourages women to stand up and take leadership positions.

“I composed a poem on the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli just after he died and it had a video which went viral after I shared it on social media. Then when Samia Suluhu Hassan was appointed to replace him, I wrote a poem about her to inspire women to take leadership positions,” he said.

“The video of the poem, which is inspired by seeing a female leading a country — a rare feat in Africa, has also gone viral on social media and has garnered more than 105 000 views on my Facebook page. Hongera meaning congratulations in Swahili.”

Dube has hinted on collaboration with Tanzanian artistes.

“I am feeling enthusiastic. One artiste, Daudi Thadei Mazengo aka Master DTEM, approached me for collaboration. We will do a song and shoot the video in Tanzania. I guess my poetry will get more attention from Africa,” he said. “I am so happy because people from east Africa now recognise me. Since I posted the video, it’s been trending. Part of the poem goes like: ‘Leadership is not on private parts, but mentally ...’”

Recently, Dube launched a social responsibility programme in which he pays school fees for disadvantaged schoolchildren in Lupane, where he was born and raised.