Benjamin Mkapa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Mkapa
Mkapa in 2010
3rd President of Tanzania
In office 23 November 1995 – 21 December 2005
Vice President	Omar Ali Juma (1995–2001) Ali Mohamed Shein (2001–05)
Prime Minister	Frederick Sumaye
Preceded by	Ali Hassan Mwinyi
Succeeded by	Jakaya Kikwete
Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education
In office 1992–1995
President	Ali Hassan Mwinyi
Minister for Information and Broadcasting
In office 1990–1992
President	Ali Hassan Mwinyi
Personal details
Born	Benjamin William Mkapa (1938-11-12)12 November 1938 Ndanda, Masasi, Tanganyika
Died	24 July 2020(2020-07-24) (aged 81) Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Nationality	Tanzanian
Political party	CCM
Other political affiliations	TANU
Spouse	Anna Joseph Maro
Children	2
Alma mater	Makerere University(B.A.) Columbia University(M.A.) Open University of Tanzania

Benjamin William Mkapa (born November 12, 1938 – died July 24, 2020) was an important leader in Tanzania. He served as the third president of Tanzania from 1995 to 2005. He was also the leader of the main political party in Tanzania, called Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Mkapa was born in a place called Lupaso, near Masasi, in what was then Tanganyika. This was on November 12, 1938. He was a bright student and went to Makerere University in Uganda. In 1962, he earned a degree in English.

The next year, he continued his studies at Columbia University in the United States. There, he received a master's degree in International Affairs. Before becoming president, Mkapa held several important jobs. He worked as an administrative officer in Dodoma. He also served as the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. He was Tanzania's ambassador to Canada in 1982. Later, he was the ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 1984. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs twice, from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1990.

Becoming President

Mkapa meeting with Indian president Abdul Kalam in Dar es Salaam on September 11, 2004.

In 1995, Benjamin Mkapa was elected as president of Tanzania. He won the election by promising to fight against corruption. He also had strong support from the former president, Julius Nyerere.

As president, Mkapa worked hard to reduce corruption. He created a special group called the Presidential Commission on Corruption. He also gave more support to the Prevention of Corruption Bureau. His first five-year term ended in 2000, and he was re-elected for a second term. This second term finished in December 2005.

During his time as president, Mkapa made big changes to Tanzania's economy. He allowed private companies to take over businesses that were once owned by the government. He also brought in policies that encouraged a free market. Supporters believed these changes would attract foreign businesses and help the economy grow. These policies were supported by organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Because of these efforts, Tanzania had some of its foreign debts cancelled.

However, some people criticized Mkapa. They felt his efforts against corruption were not always effective. He also faced criticism for spending a lot of money on a private presidential jet. He also bought expensive military aircraft equipment. Some experts thought this equipment was more than the country needed.

After His Presidency

Mkapa at the 2010 World Economic Forum in Africa.

After serving two terms, Benjamin Mkapa left office. The Tanzanian constitution has a limit of two terms for a president. After leaving office, he faced some questions about certain business dealings.

In 2007, Mkapa played an important role in helping to solve a big problem in Kenya. There was political violence after a disputed election. Mkapa was part of a group called the African Union's Panel of Eminent African Personalities. This group included other important people like Graça Machel and Kofi Annan. They worked to bring peace and helped the leaders in Kenya sign an agreement in 2008.

Mkapa also served as a trustee for the Aga Khan University from 2007 to 2012.

His Death

Benjamin Mkapa became ill with malaria in July 2020. He was treated on July 22, 2020. Sadly, he died from a heart attack in Dar es Salaam on July 24, 2020, at the age of 81. The President of Tanzania, John Magufuli, announced his death to the country. The Tanzanian People's Defense Forces held a final farewell for him. He was buried in his hometown of Lupaso, Masasi.

Because of his help in resolving the violence in Kenya, the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, declared three days of national mourning. All flags on public buildings in Kenya were flown at half-mast to honor him.

Honours and Awards

Honours

Order		Country	Year	Ref
	Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (Chief)	Kenya	2005
	Order of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere	Tanzania	2011

Awards

• 2007: Jane Goodall Global Leadership Award

Honorary Degrees

University	Country	Degree	Year
Sōka University	Japan	Honorary degree	1998
Morehouse College	United States	Honorary degree	1999
Open University of Tanzania	Tanzania	Honorary degree	2003
National University of Lesotho	Lesotho	Doctor of Law	2005
Kenyatta University	Kenya	Doctor of Education	2005
University of Dar es Salaam	Tanzania	Honorary degree	2006
Newcastle University	United Kingdom	Doctor of Civil Law	2007
University of Cape Coast	Ghana	Doctor of Letters	2008
Makerere University	Uganda	Doctor of Law	2009