Pinda - Magufuli Has My 100 Per Cent Blessings

THE Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, said he has accepted the nomination of Dr John Magufuli as CCM Union presidential candidate, adding that he had his 100% blessings.

Speaking at a campaign rally at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga, Mr Pinda said he had participated in all party meetings that led to Dr Magufuli's nomination.

He showered praise on Dr Magufuli, describing him as industrious and ethical -- virtues that he said would steer CCM to victory. On his part, Dr Magufuli said that he would form a leaner but productive and efficient cabinet.

He also assured petty traders, popularly known as 'machinga', food vendors known as 'mama lishe' and 'bodadoda' of total comfort.

Dr Magufuli also assured the gathering of his resolve to fight embezzlement and theft of public funds while focusing on social service development.

Cecil's Cubs, His Three Wives, Are Fine - Researcher

Still worried about Cecil's cubs? Don't be. They're all safe - and so are his three females, says a lion researcher monitoring his pride in northern Zimbabwe.

In the month since news of Cecil's death in Hwange National Park first broke, there have been news reports which first suggested that Cecil's "coalition partner" Jericho had been shot and then that one of Cecil's cubs had been killed by a male trying to mate with the cub's mother.

Zimbabwean Farmer Charged Over Cecil the Lion

A farmer accused of conniving with the American professional hunter to kill a male collared lion Cecil, has appeared in court.

Ethiopian Best African Airline

Ethiopian Airlines has been awarded the Passenger Choice Award for best airline in Africa at the Airline Passenger Experience which was held in California, United States.

More Surprises in Store as Tanzania Heads to Elections

Former prime minister Edward Lowassa recently joined Chadema, the opposition party who had for a long time called him corrupt.

Former Tanzania Prime Minister Joins Opposition Party

Tanzania's opposition coalition Ukawa has officially welcomed former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa into its ranks in a plan to reinforce their efforts to defeat the ruling party CCM in the October presidential elections.

In a strange turn of events, the coalition came out to defend Mr Lowassa at a press conference on Monday, terming him a person of integrity and claiming that there was no evidence linking him to corruption allegations.

They further said that they believed Mr Lowassa would have been prosecuted if the allegations against him were true.

Tanzania: Magufuli for Union President

Dodoma — CCM Union presidential candidate John Pombe Magufuli was on Sunday afternoon introduced to Dodoma residents, immediately sounding a strong warning against irresponsible and corrupt public servants should he clinch the top post of the land in the general elections in October.

"To all irresponsible leaders, thieves and corrupt officials; please be informed that I will deal with you in a very polite way," Dr Magufuli announced, sparking deafening applause from thousands of people who flocked the Jamhuri Stadium here to have a glance of the ruling party's candidate and his running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The official introduction of the party's flag bearers was officiated by President Jakaya Kikwete, who described Dr Magufuli as "a no-nonsense man who would successfully move the country to the next stage".

"You have been claiming that I am so polite; so we are now giving you a very aggressive candidate. He is the right candidate for us," the party's National chairman said.

The CCM National Congress had earlier voted for Dr Magufuli, giving him a landslide victory for the presidential candidacy.

Earlier announcing the results, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Anne Makinda, told delegates that Dr Magufuli carried the day after garnering 2,104 votes, equivalent to 87.1 per cent to beat his challengers -- Ambassador Amina Salum Ali who got 253 votes (10.5 per cent) and Dr Asha-Rose Migiro who polled 59 votes (2.4 per cent).

The total votes cast were 2,422 while six were spoiled. Dr Migiro and Ambassador Ali were both graceful in defeat and both pledged their full commitment and support to Dr Magufuli.

Ms Makinda and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pandu Ameir Kificho, oversaw the vote counting process. Upon the Speaker's announcement of the winner, the venue erupted into song and dance as delegates flocked to the stage to congratulate Dr Magufuli.

His wife, Janeth, could not control her emotions as tears were seen rolling down her cheeks. Dr Magufuli went through three hurdles -- first the Central Committee, which trimmed the candidates from 38 to five and then the National Executive Committee, which whittled down the number to three and onwards to the national congress, which picked his name.

Before the announcement of the presidential candidate, both the Union and Zanzibar governments gave their implementation reports in which they highlighted their successes in economy, politics and social aspects that had been recorded in the past decade in line with the party election manifesto.

Dr Magufuli declared that under his leadership, he would make sure that all people worked diligently for the country's development, insisting that "those unwilling to work won't eat".

 "Trust me; I am not going to let you down... trust me I will not fail you. I am only asking one thing from you... make sure you turn out in large numbers and vote in favour of CCM," the outspoken Works Minister said.