Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIANS yesterday received with great shock the passing of former Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Anna Mghwira, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan eulogising her as a woman whose contribution to nation development was immense.
Ms Mghwira, the only female presidential candidate during the 2015 General Elections, who would be appointed Regional Commissioner while a member of the opposition, died yesterday at Mount Meru Referral Hospital in Arusha region where she was admitted for treatment.
President Samia said it was with great sadness that she received the news on the passing away of the former RC and humble politician.
“During her time in the public service, she was a hard worker, brave and who fought for development especially among the women. My condolences to family, relatives and friends. I pray to God that may her soul rest in peace,” mourned President Samia.
The late Mghwira’s family mourned the death of their loved one, describing her as God-fearing and a good counsellor. Dr Joram Elisha Mghwira, an elder to the former Regional Commissioner, told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview yesterday that they were yet to come to terms with the death of the soft-spoken politician.
“My sister was approachable and ever-ready to counsel and offer help to anyone that needed her assistance…this is a huge blow to the family as her death comes when we needed her the most, especially after retirement,” he said.
According to Dr Mghwira, the family always turned to Mghwira, who was the former Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT) Chairperson, and had a shot at the presidency, during the 2015 General Election.
“She always stood herground but was very approachable and ready to help where need be,” Dr Mghwira eulogised his sister.
According to deceased brother, the University of Essex graduate died of Coronavirus complications, after being admitted at Mt Meru Hospital, a fortnight ago. Delving into burial arrangements, Dr Mghwira said the family was yet to decide on where she will be laid to rest.
“We’ve convened at the Manyata area in Arusha which is also her home, but we are keeping in touch with her eldest son who is currently in England to decide where to bury her,” he revealed.
Besides being a lawyer and a theologian, the late Mghwira was also a development worker for a long time and gained experience in the operation of local government, international organisations, religious institutions and issues involving women, children, refugees, administrative and human rights.
She is survived by three sons, Fadhili, Peter and Elisha. Mghwira was born on January 23, 1959 at Mungumaji Ward in Singida. Ms Mghwira attended Nyerere Primary School from 1968 to 1974.
She went to Ihanja Secondary School from 1975 to 1978 before joining Lutheran Seminary for her advanced level secondary education from 1979 to 1981. She obtained a Bachelor Degree in Theology from Tumaini University in 1986 before joining the University of Dar es Salaam, where she attained LLB in 1986.
She went to Essex University in England, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) in 2000. Ms Mghwira has worked for international and local organisations dealing with women’s empowerment, community development and refugees.
Her political journey started during the TANU era, when she was a member of the party’s youth league. But she reduced her participation in politics in the late 1970s, so that she could concentrate on her education career and family. She returned to active politics in 2009, when she joined Chadema.
Ms Mghwira held various positions like the party’s district secretary and later party’s district chairwoman. In 2015, she left Chadema for the ACT-Wazalendo, where she was later nominated the party’s national chairperson.
In the same year, the ACT Wazalendo fielded her as its presidential candidate, thus becoming the only female presidential aspirant during that time.
