African Unification Front
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Wednesday, April 21,2004
Don't shun me, says Mongela
By Ramadhani Msangi, Dodoma
THE first president of the African Parliament, Mrs. Gertrude Mongela, has urged the cooperation of the whole Tanzanian society so that she can execute her heavy national and international responsibilities.
Mrs. Mongela, who is also the MP for Ukerewe, was speaking during a brief function hosted by Ukerewe residents in Dodoma, who wanted to congratulate her for becoming the first president of the African Union Parliament.
I am afraid that my current responsibilities may make people become uneasy in relating with me, thus sideline me. I do not want this to happen. It is this very society which enabled me to reach that position, she said.
Accompanied by her husband, Mrs. Mongela said that there was nothing which scared her more than being left alone by members of the society, who might regard her as a special person because of her position.
Dont leave me alone please. I shall continue being an extremely ordinary person. I need your assistance to execute my duties. I shall always remain a mother, sister, teacher and a friend. I want even the street children to call me and I shall respond, she said.
Mrs. Mongela said that the society from which she demanded support was the one which enabled her to reach that level. If they dump me, it will be as if they have removed the ladder which made me reach that level. I shall thus fall down and suffer grave injuries, Mrs. Mongela said.
Talking about her achievement, she said that up to that moment, she saw that it was a miracle.
I thank all Tanzanians who supported me and wished me well. I am grateful to the Union Parliament for nominating me to join the African Union Parliament. Special thanks are reserved for my compatriots from Ukerewe who elected me as their MP, she said.
She promised Ukerewe residents that she would again defend her seat in the 2005 elections, so that the constituency also could benefit from her position as president of the African Union Parliament.
Earlier, Ukerewe residents living in Dodoma called upon her to vie for the Ukerewe seat once again. The function was also attended by several MPs.
END
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
printable version
