BY MOHAMED MATOPE, Washington DC, January 28, 2013
Two and a half years ago, President Jakaya Kikwete made history by appointing
seasoned lawyer, Mwanaidi S. Maajar, Tanzania’s first female ambassador
to the United States. Ambassador Maajar’s pick surprised many observers.
People did not doubt her capabilities but it had not been done in the
more than 50 years that Tanzania and the US have maintained diplomatic
relations.
Despite the fact that she had been High Commissioner
to Britain before coming to Washington DC, many questioned whether a
Tanzanian woman could effectively perform the duties of ambassador in
this citadel of global power play. To say the least, expectations were
low founded equally on baseless fears.
But as Mrs. Maajar’s tour of duty winds up, it
is imperative that we put in perspective what this formidable woman
has accomplished in her rather short stay here and, by extension, the
fundamental impact of her presence on the Tanzanian community here and
in the US generally. First and foremost, Mrs. Maajar is a highly talented
and skilled diplomat of our time.
What has been most striking about her tenure of office
is how effective on the job she has proven to be, improbable as it once
seemed. She transformed the ambassador’s role as radically as President
Barack Obama changed the American presidency. Before her arrival, the
ambassador’s office was regarded as elitist post and generally detached
from mainstream life and society.
That negative perception changed completely as she
connected outright with the people and the community at large to the
extent that she became, and was seen, as part of the community itself.
She is a dynamic and likeable leader, who leaves behind unmatched inspiration
as her biggest legacy in this country where ambitions can be easily
lost in the fast paced lifestyle of doing anything, from politics to
scientific inventions.
She will be remembered more
as a bridge builder and unifier of what was once a highly
fragmented community here in America. Before she came, the general perception
was that the embassy was a separate entity (not a mission for the people)
and therefore, had no business linking up with the Diaspora community.
That perception was debunked under her tenure of office.
We also witnessed the transformation of the ambassador’s
persona from the traditional diplomatic aloofness to that of a more
engaging and role model organizer for results. Through her untiring
efforts, the society of Tanzanians living in Washington DC, Maryland
and Virginia (DMV) and other organizations of Tanzanians in the United
States were strengthened and contributed markedly to the reawakening
of our cultural and national identity as Tanzanians living abroad.
Also, Mrs. Maajar has arguably done more to integrate
our community than any of her predecessors. We should remember that
Mrs Maajar around during the 2010 general election, which was characterized
by hyper partisanship and polarization of the national agenda here
in United States as well as in Tanzania. Mrs. Maajar had all the
reasons to also advance partisan actions that would have split our community
even further. Instead, she steadfastly remained non-aligned and chose
to tread the unifying path. As a result, the Tanzanian community in
the United States emerged more integrated today than it was three years
ago.
After two and a half years
of meritorious service through her unrelenting efforts, she has succeeded
immeasurably to unify our community, shaped as much by her experience
as a lawyer, as well her skills as an administrator. We measure our
leaders’ greatness by their ability to do big things, Mrs. Maajar
was able to organize our community and overcome huge obstacles even
in the face heartbreaking despair. She simply never gave up even when
matters appeared to be hopelessly out of hand.
Aisha Damji, a Tanzanian business woman in California,
said there was a reason the community held seemingly endless farewells
parties for Mrs Maajar. “She is people’s person,” said Aisha.
“Her performance as ambassador was spectacular. All Tanzanian women
should be proud of her, and now, the pressure is on our leaders to appoint
another female ambassador,” she concluded and lobbied in typical American
style.
Toa Maoni Yako:
0 comments: