Vice President-designate Deogratius Ndejembi has said his success in Tanzania’s second-highest office will be judged not by his youth, but by his loyalty to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, integrity in serving Tanzanians and his ability to deliver on the responsibilities entrusted to him.
Mr Ndejembi said his appointment was a major responsibility that required humility, discipline and commitment to supporting the President in implementing her agenda and serving all Tanzanians.
“I understand that the weight of this responsibility will not be measured by my youth alone. It will be measured by my loyalty to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, my integrity towards Tanzanians and the duties I will be assigned by the President,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to President Samia for the confidence she had placed in him through a series of senior government appointments before selecting him as her Vice President.
Mr Ndejembi has served as Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development and Minister for Energy.
He said the latest appointment represented a significant vote of confidence from President Samia and pledged to use the position responsibly to support her in discharging her constitutional duties.
“My responsibility is to assist the President with humility and to serve as a link between the government and Tanzanians,” he said.
Mr Ndejembi also thanked the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) for the confidence it had placed in him after his name was considered by the party’s Central Committee and endorsed by the National Executive Committee.
He said the decision demonstrated that CCM continued to nurture and prepare young leaders for senior responsibilities in government.
Mr Ndejembi said his political and public service career had grown through various levels of leadership within the party and government.
He served in the CCM youth wing’s national leadership structures before becoming a District Commissioner, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister and later Minister.
He said the experience had given him an opportunity to grow through different levels of public service and understand the demands of leadership.
However, Mr Ndejembi stressed that his appointment to the Vice Presidency should be viewed beyond party politics.
“I know this position is not about one person; it belongs to our nation and all Tanzanians. I am not becoming Vice President of CCM alone, but Vice President of all Tanzanians and all political parties,” he said.
Mr Ndejembi pledged to approach the new responsibility with humility while working closely with President Samia to advance national interests.
He said his priority would be to effectively execute duties assigned to him and maintain a strong connection with Tanzanians.
The remarks underline the expectations facing the Vice President-designate as he prepares to assume a constitutional office that involves supporting the President in the discharge of her responsibilities and representing the government in matters entrusted to him.
For Mr Ndejembi, the challenge ahead will be to translate the confidence placed in him into effective public service while maintaining the loyalty, integrity and accountability he has identified as the key measures of his tenure.