The Third President, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa (1995 - 2005)
The late President Benjamin William Mkapa led the third phase of Government. He officially assumed office in October 1995. He was the first President under the multiparty system elections since the re-establishment of multipartism in 1992. Hon. Benjamin William Mkapa was born in Masasi, Mtwara on 12th November 1938.
Career Background
He was first appointed in Government Service as an Administrative Officer, but later on, changed to Foreign Affairs Officer. Between 1966 and 1976 he worked in various Institutions in different capacities. Some of the positions he held between 1976 to 1995 include Ambassador of Tanzania to Nigeria in 1976; Ambassador of Tanzania to Canada in 1982 – 83; Member of Parliament for Nanyumbu constituency in 1977 and Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1977 – 1980 and between 1984 and 1990.
He was also a Minister for Information and Culture in 1983 – 84, Information and Broadcasting in 1990 – 92, and Minister for Science Technology and Higher Education in 1992 – 1995
Educational Background
Between 1945 – 1956 he attended primary school education at Lupaso in Ndanda and later on he joined Kigonsera and Pugu for secondary school education.
He obtained his first degree in the English Language from Makerere University College, Uganda in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from the University of Colombia, the USA in 1963
Other Distinguished Posts Held
April 1962: Appointed Adminstrative officer Dodoma.
April 1962: District officer.
August 1962: Foreign Service Officer
May 1966: Managing Editor, The Nationalist Uhuru
April 1972: Managing Editor, The Daily News
July 1974: Press Secretary to the President
July 1976: Founding Editor, Tanzania News Agency (SHIHATA)
October 1976: High Commissioner to Nigeria
February 1977: Minister for Foreign Affairs
November 1980: Minister for Information and Culture
April 1982: High Commissioner to Canada
February 1983: Ambassador to the USA
AprilL 1984: Minister for Foreign Affairs
1990: Minister for Information and Broadcasting
May 1992: Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education
November 1995: Elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania
