Kama ulikuwa hujui maana ya neno “machachari” si ajabu katika kipindi cha wiki kadhaa zilizopita umeijua. Vyombo vingi vya habari nchini Tanzania vimekuwa vikitumia neno hilo kumuelezea mbunge wa Kigoma Kaskazini, Mheshimiwa Zitto Kabwe kutokana na yaliyojiri bungeni hivi karibuni.
Akiwa na umri wa miaka 29 tu (hivi sasa ana miaka 30) Zitto Zuberi Kabwe, aliingia bungeni na kuwa mbunge mdogo kupita wote wa kuchaguliwa. Aliingia bungeni baada ya kupata dhamana ya asilimia 51 ya wapiga kura wa jimbo lake la Kigoma Kaskazini kwa kupitia chama cha CHADEMA (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo).
Hivi karibuni mbunge huyu kijana zaidi alisimamishwa kuhudhuria vikao vya bunge mpaka hapo Januari mwakani. Kufuatia kitendo hicho, jina la Zitto Kabwe pengine ndio jina ambalo limekuwa likitajwa miongoni mwa watanzania wengi kupita jina lingine lolote kwa wakati huu.
BongoCelebrity, hivi karibuni, tulipata fursa ya kufanya naye mahojiano yafuatayo ili kumjua zaidi na pia kutaka kujua ana mipango gani katika siku za mbeleni. Alianza lini kujishughulisha na siasa? Anajisikiaje baada ya kufariki dunia kwa mbunge, kijana mwenzie Amina Chifupa? Anasemaje kuhusu kilichomtokea bungeni hivi karibuni? Je ana mpango wa kugombea uraisi hususani baada ya matukio ya hivi karibuni? Kupata majibu ya maswali hayo na mengine mengi fuatana nasi katika mahojiano yafuatayo;
BC: There is a saying that says no one goes into politics for nothing, something must have pushed them into politics. On your side, what made you decide to go into politics?
ZK: I was born a politician. Politics is in my blood. I have been taking political positions since when I was in Primary School. When I decided to join an opposition political Party, I was motivated by the mere fact that Tanzania needed to have an effective opposition o check on the ruling party. I joined CHADEMA at the age of 16 and have remained with the party since then.
BC: Do/did you have a role model? If you were not a member of parliament today, what would you be doing?
ZK: Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim was and is still my role model. I see him as a well groomed person for leadership. Although he is a Tanzanian President who never became, he played a very significant role in the transformation of the OAU to AU. If I were not an MP, I would have been a lecturer, researcher and a writer. I will do the same once I leave politics. I love teaching.
BC: In some countries or societies politics is a family matter. A current good example is in the US’s Bush family and now even in Tanzania whereby our president’s son (Ridhiwani Kikwete) is now into politics. Does political involvement or policy making have a tradition in your family too?
ZK: I could say so. My mother is a local politician in Kigoma municipality. My grandfather comes from the Chief’s family. However, politics is more in me from my readings and involvement in the society.
Zitto Kabwe akiwa na mama yake mzazi hivi karibuni jimboni kwake Kigoma.
BC: Political experience is said to be one very important component if one wants to emerge as a great leader in the future. Do you agree? And if you agree, how were you involved in political grassroots activities before your involvement in party politics?
ZK: Experience is a necessary but not sufficient condition for one to be a good leader. As I said before, since primary school I was a prefect, and then at the University level I was a student leader of the Dar-es- Salaam University Students Organisation (DARUSO). The experience I gained at the University as a student leader was enormous. It has really helped me to approach issues in a very progressive way. Students’ protests and conflicts strengthened my skills for leadership and how to handle crises.
BC: Was there any disruptions in your political career path and why?
ZK: There were no significant disruptions.
BC: When you look back from the first day you officially began your political career, has there been any changes in terms of your objectives?
ZK: To be honest, there have been a number of changes. When I became an MP, most of my objectives were for my Kigoma North constituency. But once I got into the house, it seemed obvious that I had an obligation of addressing more national issues than parochial Kigoma North issues alone. I therefore see things in a bigger picture now.
BC: What was your motivation to join a political party?
ZK: I was motivated by a desire to see an accountable government. I believe that can only be achieved through a multiparty system. In Tanzania legally we have multi-party system, but in reality/practically we have a SINGLE PARTY DOMINANCE SYSTEM whereby one party (CCM) dominates all state organs. It’s my mission to see an end to the single party dominance. I want to mobilise Tanzanians to put this system to an end so that they can eventually realize ‘thamani ya kodi yao’. This can only be achieved through a strong parliament with members coming from more parties. I have a dream that, by November 2010, opposition MPs in Tanzanian Parliament will reach not less than 40%.
BC: Which function/offices did you hold in your party at the beginning?
ZK: I started as a Policy officer of the party. Then I became a Foreign Desk Officer and eventually Director for International Cooperation. I am currently a Deputy Secretary General of the Party.
BC: We know that you are an MP for Kigoma North Constituency on CHADEMA ticket. Therefore with no further question, you are CHADEMA’s member. Do you have mentors within your party?
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