Hundreds of mourners led by President Jakaya Kikwete on Monday witnessed the burial of the late Minister for Finance, Dr William Mgimwa, at his Magunga home village in Iringa Rural District.
The village was engulfed in a sombre mood as the burial ceremony for the late Dr Mgimwa, who was also Member of Parliament (MP) for Kalenga constituency, was being laid to rest. At the end of the service, selected mourners laid their wreaths on the grave.
President Kikwete and First Lady Salma were the first to lay their wreaths, followed by Dr Mgimwa’s widow and family members. Also in attendance were the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, a number of cabinet ministers, MPs, permanent secretaries, regional and district leaders and political parties’ leaders.
A mammoth crowd estimated at 10,000 attended the burial ceremony. Leading the burial prayers, an assistant to the Deputy Bishop of the Songea Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Reverend Julius Kangalawe, prayed to God to bless politicians who have dedicated their lives and resources in helping poor people like Dr Mgimwa did.
“Nowadays, such a generation of leaders is largely and simply not there and those who are blessed with wealth do not want to share it with the poor. People fear each other and the poor getting poorer,” he observed.
He showered praise on the late Mgimwa for being obedient, people loving, God fearing and who dedicated his resources and education for the development of his people and the nation at large.
“This congregation is a vivid example of Dr Mgimwa’s love to his people, it shows how just he was, we are laying him to rest in his eternal house today and we do not know who will follow after but the next persons are here with us,” he said.
He noted that caring for others and a rich person giving what they have to the poor was the only way of creating harmony in the society and creating equality.
“Today, politicians assume office after taking oath but they immediately go against their oaths and start abusing their offices and throwing away holy books,” he said.
The Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, explained that Dr Mgimwa’s health started deteriorating when he was on a tour of the United States late last year.
“The government made efforts to save his life but God loved him more than we did and decided to call him to glory,” the premier noted. He added that Dr Mgimwa was a hard worker who made the government proud, happy and contented with his work.
“In the government we felt calm; we believed the ministry has got a minister worth the title. The work ahead is to emulate his work and keep his spirit alive. He was a blessed person and very intelligent,” he observed.
Iringa Urban MP, Rev Peter Msigwa, on behalf of opposition parties, said the nation needed Dr Mgimwa as he showed a big difference in his approach to economic issues.
“He was very keen and resourceful in the Parliament. He was never biased along party lines and he always left doors open for advice to the opposition in the House,” said Rev. Msigwa.
By FRANK LEONARD, Tanzania Daily News
