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President John Pombe Magufuli has surprised and delighted many people in Tanzania and beyond, by some of the actions he has taken in his first few months as president. Together with his Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, the President swept through the port and tax authorities, uncovering widespread corruption and unpaid taxes, leaving a trail of more than 60 sacked and suspended senior officials behind them.

The president has clamped down hard on unnecessary public expenditure, dramatically reducing foreign travel, out-of-office workshops and meetings.

Tutu Fellow January Makamba has been appointed to the Tanzanian cabinet as the Minister of State in the Vice President's Office for Union Affairs and Environment.  The MP for the constituency of Bumbuli was previously a Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology and was also the youngest candidate to run for the position of President in the country.  As one of five presidential candidates, he beat several of his party's veterans, including former Prime Ministers and party veterans. He lost the party nomination eventually to Dr. John Magufuli, who went on to win the election and become President.  Among his responsibilities in his new position will be to manage the somewhat sensitive union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Tanzanian Presidential candidate and 2013 Tutu classmember, January Makamba gives his thoughts on leadership and an optimistic future for Africa in this interview. He would like to see an Africa that is dynamic, self-reliant and proud, and respected as such on the international stage. He emphasises that the role young Africans and, in particular, young African leaders play in shaping this future of Africa will be vital.