Lowassa resilience rings in church last respects eulogy

This assessment was vivid among mourners paying their last respects for the former premier at the Azania Front cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).

Former Kawe MP Ritha Mlaki described the late Lowassa as a hardworking and transparent leader who influenced her political and personal growth and instilled confidence and wisdom in her career.

“He was hardworking and a fast communicator with an authoritative tenor. Even if your head was a little sloppy his tone would make you active,” she said.

Former Busega MP Dr Raphael Chegeni shared his relationship with the ex-premier citing that Lowassa would have lived longer if not for the political crises he faced along the way, from the time of resigning from the premiership.

“I met Lowassa in 2001 when he was appointed as minister,” he said, insisting that the wide public can attest to the work he did in the legislature and in the government.

He said that he served for just two years upon being appointed premier, before facing a ‘political accident’ where he carried the principal burden, cutting short a battle he could have persisted to engage, to protect his reputation and the reputation of CCM.

“There are very few leaders who are capable of stepping down in the manner in which Lowassa did,” he emphasised, affirming that Lowassa has left a huge mark in Tanzanian public life, having served on both sides of the political divide.

Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa, the ELCT presiding bishop, called upon leaders to emulate the life of faith that Edward Lowassa led, pointing out that the task of leading people demands that a leader must be God-fearing.

“Everyone here at the Azania Front gave testimony of how Lowassa led a religious life. During his lifetime when he was in good health he never missed coming to church,” he told the mourners.

Fredrick Lowassa, the Monduli MP and family member, described the discipline and devotion his father displayed in attending church services.

Bishop Malasusa said Lowassa attended services at Azania Front Cathedral and in the Monduli congregation.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead the public in the burial ceremony for the late ex-premier in the vicinity of Monduli Township in Arusha Region on Saturday.