President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday revealed key reasons why the late Elias Kwandikwa was trusted to the extent of being included in the cabinet. "Kwandikwa was hardworking, diligent and efficient in discharging his responsibilities in civil service," the Head of State said during a requiem mass for the late Kwandikwa who was the Minister for Defence and National Service.
He died on Monday while undergoing treatment at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam. She said the fallen Minister who was also a Member of Parliament for Ushetu in Shinyanga region was calm, kind, tolerant and a leader who was good at listening and acting accordingly. "When I was Vice-President, there was a time I had a tour of three regions of Singida, Tabora and Shinyanga, and at the time he was the Deputy-Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, he was the only deputy whom we managed to finish the tour together," she said. Adding: "He never gave an excuse of leaving the tour for other things, which is why the former President, the late John Magufuli promoted him to a full Minister in the Defence and National Service docket".
Leading mourners in Dar es Salaam to pay their last respect to the late Kwandikwa, President Samia also delivered condolence messages from her Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, saying he was equally saddened by the demise of the fallen Minister. "I left the country for an official tour of Rwanda knowing that he was sick, but I didn't expect to receive this bad news. Indeed, the country has lost a person who was diligent in discharging his responsibilities," noted the Head of State.
President Samia' sentiments were echoed by the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi, who described the late Kwandikwa as a hard-working person who was keen in discharging his responsibilities in parliament and within the Government. Dr. Mwinyi was the Minister for Defence and National Service during the administration of the fifth-phase government under the late Magufuli, whereas the late Kwandikwa was the Deputy-Minister for Works docket.
"He was so cooperative, the late Kwandikwa was the first Minister to pay me a visit in Zanzibar after I became the President, we discussed a number of issues with focus on maintaining the security of our country," eulogised President Mwinyi. For his part, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said the fallen Minister will be remembered for his great contribution and the role he played in the government during his time of service. "We worked together with him, he was such a nice person who was able to tender full cooperation any time he was needed, let's continue praying for his soul to rest in peace," said the Premier.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Venance Mabeyo said the late Kwandikwa was a visionary and caring leader. According to CDF Mabeyo, the fallen Minister was a good listener and a caring person apart from his ability to quickly learn a number of issues in the army. "Recently, he paid a visit to all the former CDF's, including retired Generals David Msuguri in Butiama (Mara region), Mrisho Sarakikya in Arumeru (Arusha region), as well as Robert Mboma, George Waitara and Davis Mwamunyange who are all in Dar es Salaam, for the sake of getting their experiences and challenges they are facing after retirement," said Gen. Mabeyo.
Mr. Kwandikwa was born on 1st July 1966 in Shinyanga region, and died at the age of 55. His body will be laid to rest on Monday in Ushetu, Shinyanga region.