Benjamin Mkapa
| Benjamin Mkapa | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd President of Tanzania | |
| In office 23 November 1995 – 21 December 2005 |
|
| Vice President | Omar Ali Juma (1995–2001) Ali Mohamed Shein (2001-05) |
| Prime Minister | Frederick Sumaye |
| Preceded by | Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
| Succeeded by | Jakaya Kikwete |
| Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education | |
| In office 1992–1995 |
|
| President | Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
| Minister for Information and Broadcasting | |
| In office 1990–1992 |
|
| President | Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 November 1938 Ndanda, Masasi, Tanganyika |
| Nationality | Tanzanian |
| Political party | CCM |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Mkapa |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (B.A.) Columbia University (M.A.) |
| Profession | Journalist, Diplomat |
| Religion | Christian |
Benjamin William Mkapa (born November 12, 1938[1]) was the third President of the United Republic of Tanzania (1995–2005) and former Chairman for the Revolutionary State Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM).[2]
Contents |
Biography[edit]
Mkapa was born in 1938 in Ndanda, near Masasi in southern Tanganyika.[1] He graduated from Makerere University in Uganda in 1962 with a degree in English.[1] He also attended Columbia University in 1963 and was awarded a master's degree in international affairs.[3] Previous posts include being the administrative officer in Dodoma and the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. He also led the Tanzania mission to Canada in 1982 and to the United States from 1983-1984.[4] He was the Foreign affairs Minister from 1977 to 1980 and from 1984 to 1990.[5]
In 1995, Mkapa was elected president based on a popular anti-corruption campaign and the strong support of former president Julius Nyerere.[6] Mkapa's anti-corruption efforts included creation of an open forum called the Presidential Commission on Corruption (Warioba Commission) and increased support for the Prevention of Corruption Bureau.[6]
Mkapa's second five-year term of office as president ended in December 2005. During this term in office, Mkapa privatized state-owned corporations and instituted free market policies.[7] His supporters argued that attracting foreign investment would promote economic growth. His policies won the support of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and resulted in the cancellation of some of Tanzania's foreign debts.[6]
He has been criticized for some ineffectiveness of his anti-corruption efforts[6] as well as for his lavish spending. He spent £15 million on a private presidential jet, as well as almost £30 million on military aviation equipment which experts deemed beyond the limited needs of the country's armed forces.[8] It was over the latter purchase that then British International Development Secretary Clare Short expressed public outrage, resulting in her becoming known as 'Mama Radar' in the Tanzanian press.
Having left office due to a two-term limit, Mkapa is dogged by many accusations of corruption among them improperly appropriating to himself and his former finance Minister Daniel Yona the lucrative "Kiwira Coal Mine" in the southern highlands of Tanzania without following procedures. By privatizing the Kiwira Coal Mine to himself, he broke the Tanzanian constitution, which does not allow a president to do business at the state house.
He served as a Trustee of Aga Khan University from November 2007 till 2012.[7]
Honours and awards[edit]
Honours[edit]
Kenya: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, 2005[9]
Tanzania: Order of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, December 2011
Awards[edit]
- 2007: Jane Goodall Global Leadership Award[10]
Honorary degrees[edit]
- Sōka University, 1998[11]
- Morehouse College, 1999[11]
- The Open University of Tanzania, 2003[11]
- National University of Lesotho, Honorary LL.D., 2005[11]
- Kenyatta University, Doctor of Education (Honoris Causa), October 2005[12]
- University of Dar es Salaam, 2006[11]
- Newcastle University, Honorary Doctor of Civil Law, 2007[13]
- University of Cape Coast, Honorary Doctor of Letters, November 2008[14]
- Makerere University, Honorary Doctor of Law, 27 November 2009[15]
Legacy[edit]
Eponyms[edit]
- Mkapa Bridge, the longest bridge in the country (970 metres)
- Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the country
- Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone
- Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium
- Mererani B W Mkapa Secondary School in Manyara Region
- Benjamin William Mkapa High School in Dar es Salaam
References[edit]
- ^ a b c East, Roger; Richard Thomas (2003). Profiles of People in Power: the World's Government Leaders. Routledge. p. 513. ISBN 1-85743-126-X.
- ^ "Benjamin Mkapa". Encarta. Microsoft. 2001. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/news/WCMS_007824/lang--en/index.htm ILO Tackles Social Consequences of Globalization
- ^ "Benjamin Mkapa". Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Heilman, Bruce; Laurean Ndumbaro (2002). "Corruption, Politics, and Societal Values in Tanzania: An Evaluation of the Mkapa Administration's Anti-Corruption Efforts". Afr. j . polit. sd. 7 (1). Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ a b "His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa", Board of Trustees, AKU University, retrieved 19-10-2009
- ^ Gideon Burrows, "We sell arms to Saddam's friends", New Statesman, 8 September 2003
- ^ "Mkapa lauds Kenya's democratic posture". panapress.com. 12 October 2005. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ "JGI awards global leaders at 30th anniversary bicoastal events". Jane Goodall Institute. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "83RD Annual District Conference & Assembly" (PDF). Page 10, Rotary International District 9200. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ "Prominent Alumni". Kenyatta University. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ "Citation: Benjamin William Mkapa DCL" (PDF). Newcastle University. 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ "UCC honours former Tanzanian leader". modernghana.com. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- ^ "H.E. Benjamin Mkapa receives Makerere Honorary PhD". Makerere University. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
External links[edit]
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Benjamin Mkapa |
- Benjamin Mkapa bio at Commission for Africa
- 2001 interview with Public Broadcasting Station
- "British government split over Tanzanian radar system"
- "Blair blasted over Tanzania radar deal"
- "Tanzania radar deal "waste of cash""
- "Kiwira coal power project ownership:The Mkapa-Yona link"
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
National Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi 1996 – 2007 |
Succeeded by Jakaya Kikwete |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Ali Hassan Mwinyi |
President of Tanzania 1995–2005 |
Succeeded by Jakaya Kikwete |
| Preceded by |
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 1977-1980 |
Succeeded by Salim Ahmed Salim |
| Preceded by Salim Ahmed Salim |
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 1984-1990 |
Succeeded by Ahmed Hassan Diria |
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