Tanzanian president Magufuli shields tears during tribute to Mkapa

DODOMA-(MaraviPost)-Tanzania’s President John Magufuli was seen wiping away tears as he paid tribute to his predecessor Benjamin Mkapa at a memorial service at the national stadium.

“Mr Mkapa raised me like his own son, he was a hero to me, he showed me love, at times tears are just coming, don’t be surprised,” said Mr Magufuli.

BBC understands that thousands of people in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, gathered at the stadium to pay their last respects to the country’s former president.

Representatives from Burundi and celebrities also attended.

But the Kenyan delegation is reported to have turned back for reasons not disclosed yet.

Mr Mkapa’s body will be flown later on Tuesday to his place of birth in Lupaso village, which is in Southern Tanzania.

Mr Mkapa, who was president between 1995 and 2005, died aged 81 in hospital in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.