Big Up president Magufuli.

There is disbelief in Tanzania as newly elected President John Pombe Magufuli breaks with the past - introducing policies which a growing base of displeased elites are angrily branding as "arrogance".

The latest in President Magufuli's trove of surprises is the suspension of the December 9th independence day celebrations, according to media reports. The president has instead decreed that on that day everybody should pick up their tools and clean their backyards. There will be national cleaning on Independence Day 2015 - celebrated in pomp and style since 1961 when the Tanzania got freedom from the British.

Parliamentary leaders nearly faced the wrath of the new leader Magufuli had they ignored his plea that a scheduled address to the House is cut short to the maximum. The President reportedly demanded that his presence and that of his prime minister be limited to less than 30mins.

Magufuli reportedly also told parliamentary leaders that the people of Tanzania want him to solve their problems, and not him making speeches. Instead, the president went on to order for purchase of beds and restocking Tanzania's biggest public hospital where he made surprise visit only to find patients on the floor. Many complained of not seeing doctors for days.

Just a day after his swearing in, Magufuli made a surprise visit to the Finance Ministry and was shocked to notice that most workers had not reported to work.

The President was only beginning to witness inefficiency on an industrial scale. At the finance ministry, Magufuli found literally thousands of requests for foreign travel. For a man who had travelled abroad only six times for the 20 years he had been minister, it was a shocker.

In another change of act, Magufuli ordered a ban on foreign travel for ministers and all government officials. All international invitations will be handled by Tanzania's diplomatic missions.

Such is the new state of affairs for the people of Mwalimu. Finally, they are getting a leader who is making things happen. At the main Tanzania hospital, deafening applause escorted Magufuli out.