President Pombe Magufuli has proved fighting graft starts from the top

Out of Africa’s current leaders, none has earned great acclaim like visiting Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli. The tremors from Mr Magufuli’s earnest war against the status quo (where red tape, corruption and lethargy are its hallmarks) are reverberating beyond Tanzania.

In Tanzania, Magufuli has been given the moniker ‘the bulldozer’ for his style of leadership. When he started out, many thought it was raw zeal fired up by the excitement of new office. Some even lampooned him as the new African demagogue afflicted by the Big Man Syndrome (what with those roadside declarations). And that the energy and drive would fade away once the rigours of office kicked in.