This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
As I reflect on the recent two-week period of relatively stable electricity in Dar es Salaam, despite the rain, I am reminded of the complexities of Tanzania's power grid. The national grid, comprising patches of new and old infrastructure, is a testament to the country's resilience in the face of challenges.
However, the potential for solar energy remains largely untapped, with private-public partnerships and contracts with electricity generators shrouded in secrecy due to corruption. Despite these obstacles, Tanzania has managed to maintain a semblance of stability, and I believe that we should celebrate every small victory in this regard.
My thoughts on heavy-handed governance have been put to the test in recent times. The last major power outage led to the dismissal of a power employee, which I find problematic. While I do not advocate for a return to the old civil service employment terms, I believe that scapegoating individuals is not the solution.
The real issue at hand is the difficulty in distinguishing between constructive reforms and a slide into autocratic mediocrity. The high-visibility public office hiring and firing process has paralyzed the civil service, with a chaotic reward system and a failed anti-corruption project. It is time for us to focus on the people, not just the things.
Constructive reforms are about prioritizing the health of the system, the collective if you will. And, as I see it, that is definitely politics. Autocracy may have its merits, but history has shown us that it is a finite thing, and demagogues are often forgotten or reduced to dust.
The real achievement for Tanzania will be to keep the lights on in 20, 30 years, having converted to renewables and changed its thinking through subsequent governments. It will not be achieved by the constant and hysterical firing of civil servants.
Perhaps it is time for us to challenge ourselves to think of our systems and leaders as the people who can maintain and uphold them. Let's put service back into public.
