Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan marked her first 100 days in office.
Suluhu rose to power following the death of former president John Magufuli who died in March this year allegedly from Covid-19.
Announcing Magufuli’s death on March 17th, Suluhu said that he died from a heart disease that had plagued him for a decade.
Magufuli had been absent from public life for more than two weeks leading to speculation about his health. The deceased had not been seen in public from February 27th, rumors ran rife that he had contracted Covid-19.
Magufuli mocked Coronavirus tests, denounced vaccines as part of a Western conspiracy to take Africa’s wealth, and opposed mask-wearing and social distancing.
Tanzania stopped reporting coronavirus data in May last year when it had reported 509 cases and 21 deaths, according to the WHO, which has urged the government to be more transparent.
Suluhu was sworn in as president on March 19th following Magufuli’s demise.
Tanzanian constitution upholds that the vice president should step in as president if the incumbent is incapacitated either by physical or mental health or in the event of death.
She assumed the presidency for the remainder of the five-year term that Magufuli began serving last year after winning a second term, she will be president until 2025.
Suluhu spoke on her first 100 days in office on Saturday, June 26th when she called Bongo singer Nandy during a live performance in Dodoma.
The Tanzanian president called Nandy to apologize to her for failing to attend her music concert dubbed ‘TTCL Nandy Festival’ which was held at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma.
Suluhu was supposed to attend the concert but she was away in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam on official duties.
The Tanzanian president ultimately called Nandy during her live performance in Dodoma and apologized for missing the concert.
An excited Nandy decided to put the phone on speaker for all her fans to hear as she spoke with president Suluhu.
“I am on official duty in Dar es Salam, if not I would be with you today. May you have a nice show, let all Tanzanians enjoy I am thankful that today as I mark day 100 in office, you are in Dodoma to entertain the youth, tell them I love them so much,” President Suluhu said.
Nandy could not hide her joy, she told president Suluhu that her phone call was a sign of respect to Tanzanian artists.
“Your phone call on Nandy Festival Dodoma is a sign of respect for artists. You have given respect to youths who are working their way up. I kneel down to thank you, Mum. I and my fellow artists are elated. Thank you so much mum,” Nandy said.
