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People regaining, gripping power
2008-02-10 09:56:22
By Mbena Mwanatongoni
Mlamgela Martin (28) is a peasant residing in Kibaha, the regional headquarters of Coast Region, linking with Dar es Salaam. She was caught completely unawares of the unprecedented political earthquake shaking the country.
``Now we, the ordinary wananchi, are holding power. Our representatives have seen the signs and they are now dancing to our tune,`` remarks the amazed young woman who always thought high ranking government officials could do anything with impunity.
She adds: ``Our elected members of parliament were too linked to their party to take notice of our outcry. But they are now right back to reality, and this makes me believe we are holding the handle of the axe while our leaders are holding the sharp edge.``
Mlamgela\'s remarks are representative of hundreds of thousands of adult Tanzanians in the wake of the unfolding political currents mostly from Dodoma, the country`s administrative capital where the National Assembly is in session.
It is from the august house that the inner hearts of the majority poor are suddenly heard.
``What is happening right now in Dodoma is a morale booster to the discouraged lot of us,`` a bewlong-time civil servant who appealed for anonymity because of his position, said.
``No one can believe easily the events taking place in our politics,`` he added abruptly.
News filtering into leading newsrooms was of people rejoicing over the stunning revelations of the Richmond scandal implicating leading figures in the state, resignations of senior cabinet ministers and finally the dissolution of the Cabinet by President Jakaya Kikwete, who subsequently appointed Mizengo Pinda to the premiership.
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