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Tanzania: Samia Suluhu Hassan - a Tough Journey From Activism to Politics

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Before 2000, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan (54) was an activist with no interests in politics.

And yet, 14 years down the lane she has risen through the ranks to become the Vice-Chairperson of the ongoing Constituent Assembly in Dodoma. In addition, the soft-spoken activist turned politician is the Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office, responsible for Union Affairs between the mainland and the Isles of Zanzibar.

Ms Hassan attributes her rise in politics to her candidness and firmness in making decisions and she is confident that a lot of women out there can make it in politics and other areas of management as determination is all it takes.

It wasn't easy to shift from social activism to politics since according to her, many government officials and politicians have a pessimistic attitude towards activists, likening them to political opponents who criticise government.

There is no doubt that her name will go down the books of history of Tanzania as a woman who played a crucial role in the process of rewriting the constitution.

As Vice-Chair of the Constituent Assembly, Ms Hassan works closely with veteran minister, Samuel Sitta, who is the Chair of the Assembly.

"Having worked as an activist at grassroots level and witnessing on first-hand what people go through on a daily basis; I thought it was high time I joined politics and made changes in society," Ms Hassan said during an interview in her office in Dodoma recently.

A majority of the population struggle to access social services such as water, health and quality education in Zanzibar and parts of the mainland, she was irked that, politicians were not doing enough to change the situation.

"I was close to the people on the ground and I was upset when I heard ministers telling lies as regards to these people who lack basic services," Ms Hassan recounts what inspired her to join politics.

Her road to success was not all smooth. It was borne out of commitment and hardworking, having to balance family life, studies and work at the same time. After completing her O Levels in 1976, she was employed as a clerk in the Ministry of Planning and Development in July, 1977.

Not content with the level of education she had attained, she pursued short courses on a part time basis. Between 1980 and 1981, she enrolled for a certificate of statistics at the Zanzibar Institute of Financial Administration (ZIFA) after which she joined the then Institute of Development Management (IDM), now Mzumbe University, in 1983, to undertake an Advance Diploma in Public Administration.

Ms Hassan graduated in 1986 at IDM-Mzumbe and was employed as a planning officer for a programme that was implemented and funded by the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP).

"At that time WFP was working on a dairy project in Zanzibar as well as providing food to workers who were working in paddies and constructing roads," she explained.

She was later promoted to Programme Officer. Even with the promotion, she aimed higher and went for further studies at Manchester University in London, where she enrolled for a two year Postgraduate Diploma in Economics in 1992.

Back home she worked for government until 1998 and one year later in 1999 Ms Hassan joined the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in Zanzibar (ANGOZA) as Executive Director.

She worked at ANGOZA for one year and in July, 2 000, she picked an interest to join politics with confidence that she would make greater changes in society as a decision maker rather than an activist. She recalls that many government leaders at that time considered activists as opponents.

"During the election process in 2000, I was elected Member of the Zanzibar's House of Representatives on a special seat slot. I was then appointed by President Amani Abeid Karume as the Minister for Employment, Youth, Women and Children Development.

"I served in that capacity for five years and I again contested for Special Seats in 2005 and I won. President Karume again appointed me in the Tourism, Trade and Investment docket which I served between 2005 and 2010," she told Woman Magazine. Come 2010, Ms Hassan contested for a parliamentary seat in the National Assembly.

She wanted to be elected by the electorate for the Union Parliament. During the general election that year, she stood for the parliamentary seat for Makunduchi Constituency in Unguja South through the CCM ticket. Her dream to make it to the Union Parliament became a reality after she won the seat, taking over from Abdisalaam Issa Khatib.

"I was then appointed Minister of State in Vice-President's Office (Union Affairs) by President Jakaya Kikwete and I have occupied that position ever since," she states. On Thursday March 13, this year, Ms Samia was elected Vice- Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly in a rather tight race against her only opponent Ms Amina Abdallah Amour.

She scooped 390 votes out of 523 votes cast; beating Ms Amina who garnered 126 votes seven votes were spoilt. "I have 14 years experience in serving both the Union Parliament and Zanzibar House of Representatives; 10 years in the House of Reps and four years in the Union Parliament," said Ms Hassan as she asked for votes from fellow members.

Her opponent, Ms Amour, holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and a Diploma in Law. She is also Special Seats MP (CUF). She worked at the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) for 23 years. Asked on whether she plans to contest for presidency in the general election next year, Ms Hassan said her plans are to continue representing Makunduchi Constituency.

"I am of the view that the social order of the Zanzibaris does not give room for a woman to assume the highest position but if people ask me I would not hesitate to serve them," she explained. Regarding family life, Ms Hassan was in 1978 married to Hafidh Ameir with whom they are blessed with four children, one daughter and three sons.

Mr Hafidh is a retired agriculture officer currently engaged in consultancies. Their second born, Mwanu Hafidh Ameir has followed her mother's footsteps in politics. She is a member of the Zanzibar's House of Representatives on a special seats slot. The first born Ameir Hafidh Ameir is a businessman.

"Our last born Ahmed Hafidh is at present pursuing a Diploma in supplies and procurement whereas the third born Abdulhakim Hafidh is an ICT (information and communication technology) specialist working for government in an e-government project," she said.

Encouraging fellow women to realise their potential and make use of available opportunities, Ms Hassan says, "I have risen to this position as a result of my competence and not through favours," she stressed. "I call upon young women and g i r l s out there to study hard and embrace both religious and conventional education," she noted.

Ms Hassan recalls that she was the only senior woman cabinet minister in Zanzibar after the general election held in 2000. She had tough time with her male colleagues who looked down on her just because she was a woman. "I stood my ground and eventually they appreciated my contributions.

After the elections in 2005, the number of women ministers increased to four, three were full ministers while one was a deputy cabinet minister," she says with pride.

An inspiration to many women and men alike, Ms Hassan will be remembered as a woman who made valuable contributions to the nation and for her role as Vice-Chair of the Constituent Assembly.

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