Kassim Majaliwa Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Right Honourable
Kassim Majaliwa
Honorific Suffix:MP
Order:10th
Office:Prime Minister of Tanzania
Term Start:20 November 2015
President:John Magufuli
Samia Suluhu
Predecessor:Mizengo Pinda
Office1:Deputy Minister of State for Regional Administration and Local Government
Term Start1:November 2010
Term End1:5 November 2015
President1:Jakaya Kikwete
Primeminister1:Mizengo Pinda
Office2:Member of Parliament
for Ruangwa
Term Start2:November 2010
Office3:District Commissioner for Urambo
Term Start3:2006
Term End3:2010
President3:Jakaya Kikwete
Birth Date:22 December 1960
Birth Place:Ruangwa District, Lindi Region, Tanganyika Territory (now Tanzania)
Party:CCM
Spouse:Mary Majaliwa
Alma Mater:Mtwara TTC
University of Dar es Salaam
Stockholm University (PGDP)
Profession:Teacher (1988–2000)
Branch:National Service
Military Blank1:Military camp
Military Data1:Makutopora JKT
Military Blank2:Duration
Military Data2:1 year

Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa (born 22 December 1960) is a Tanzanian politician who has been the Prime Minister of Tanzania since 2015. He was appointed by President John Magufuli after the 2015 general election. He is a member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and has been a Member of Parliament for Ruangwa

Early life and education

Majaliwa was born into a Muslim family on December 22, 1960 in Mnacho village, Ruangwa District of Lindi Region. He completed his schooling from Kigonsera Secondary School in 1983. He then worked as teacher for sixteen years until 1999. Meanwhile, he obtained a teaching diploma from Mtwara Teacher Training College in 1993 and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1998. He then joined the trade union movement and served as district secretary and regional secretary in the Tanzania Teachers' Association between 1999 and 2006. He was tapped to become the district commissioner for Urambo district in 2006. He remained in this role until his election to Parliament in 2010.[1]

Political career

Majaliwa was first elected to Parliament in the 2010 general election on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi ticket from Ruangwa. He was Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office for Regional Administration and Local Government from 2010 to 2015.[1]

In the 2015 general election, Majaliwa was reelected from Ruangwa, defeating Omari Makota of the Civic United Front by a margin of 31,281 to 25,536 votes, taking 55% of the vote.[2]

After John Magufuli was sworn in as President of Tanzania following the 2015 general election, he appointed Majaliwa as Prime Minister on 19 November 2015.[3] His appointment was a surprise, even to himself, given he was a relative newcomer to electoral politics. His selection was attributed to his humility, honesty, work ethic as well as regional considerations - the new Prime Minister was expected to be from the southern part of the country, where Majaliwa is from. His experience in education as a teacher, trade unionist and deputy minister was also expected to be an asset in President Magufuli's stated desire to reform the sector. The opposition criticized his selection, citing his lack of experience.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parliament of Tanzania. Profile:Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa. November 4, 2016.
  2. Web site: Tanzania Parliamentary Results 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126095523/http://www.nec.go.tz/uploads/documents/1448025692-MALIMA-WABUNGE.pdf. November 26, 2015. National Election Commission Tanzania. November 4, 2016.
  3. News: Majaliwa sworn in as Prime Minister. Louis Kolumbia. The Citizen. November 20, 2015. November 4, 2016.
  4. News: The Citizen. Why Majaliwa landed PM's post. November 20, 2015. November 5, 2016.
  5. News: Voice of America. Tanzania Parliament Approves New Prime Minister. Peter Clottey. November 19, 2015. November 5, 2016.