President mourns late CCM veteran politician

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has sent a condolence message to the Chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi retired President Jakaya Kikwete following the death of a member of the party’s Women Wing, the late Asha Bakari Makame, (67), which occurred on Tuesday in Dubai.

In his condolences, President Magufuli has described the late Asha as a good leader and hardworking person and who fought for her country, especially the Union of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

The president asked Mr Kikwete to deliver his message of condolence to the government and party leaders in Zanzibar, CCM followers and friends and relatives who have been touched by the death of the late Asha.

Several people, including leaders in Zanzibar, spoke of their sorrow at the death of a woman they described as “patriotic in the view of Zanzibar, committed, genuine member of CCM, and defender of the Union.”
“We love her because of her hard work for the interest of the people. We will definitely miss her,” said Mr Vuai Ali Vuai, the CCM Deputy Secretary General in Zanzibar, adding that Zanzibaris will remember her.

Dr Yahya Khamis Hamad, Clerk of Zanzibar House of Representatives, said the deceased was a famous politician in the country for her contribution in both the House of Representatives and the Union Parliament during the debate on the proposed new constitution.

According to the Minister of State (responsible for internal Affairs), Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed, the body of the deceased will be flown home this afternoon by Qatar Airways. She will be buried tomorrow.

The deceased CCM stalwart, who served as vice chairperson of the women wing, was one of the founder members of ‘Young Pioneers’ in 1964 and a member of the defunct Afro-Shiraz Party (ASP).

After getting her Diploma in Political Science and Management, the late Asha held several positions in the party and government, including Member of the House (Special Seats) and Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications.

She once served as Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, Tourism, Youth and Women Affairs before being appointed the Minister of Social Welfare, Women, and Children Affairs in 1995.

/Daily News.