Kikwete attends Sajuki’s burial in Dar

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete yesterday led thousands of Dar es Salaam mourners who turned up at the funeral of a famous film star artist Juma Kilowoko (26) alias ‘Sanjuki’ who died on Wednesday this week at Muhimbili National Hospital. The burial took place at Kisutu cemetery grounds in the city centre at around 13.30 noon and was also attended by Mayor of Ilala Jerry Slaa, Iddi Azam an MP for Kinondioni among the top dignitaries. Also in attendance was the deputy Secretary General of the leading CHADEMA opposition party and an MP for Kigoma North Zitto Kabwe, members of the Tanzania Film Federation (TAFF) and other artists’ group members, friends and close relatives of the deceased. The arrival of the body at the cemetery grounds was preceded by President Kikwete who when he entered the ground was received by the Mayor of Ilala Jerry Slaa and was given a chair on which to sit and shortly it was followed by the body of the deceased which was carried in a casket escorted by fellow members of the TAFF which was immediately lowered down beside the grave. A Muslim requiem prayers followed and after which film fans and other people who could not control their temper surged forward to take a glimpse of what was happening an aspect that made security men around to beef up their movements as they tried to prevent the mob whose presence almost prevented the President when he went to put a spade of soil on top of a grave. After the activities came to an end, President Kikwete consoled the bereaved family and other film fans and told them that, nobody has power to prevent what the lord has decided to take the soul of their departed comrade who he described as a famous young man who has brought fame in the film industry not only in Tanzania but also to the neighboring countries. He therefore urged them to stay in peace and continue do their work without fear. On his side, the TAFF Chairman, Simon Mwakifwamba in his greetings to console the bereaved family, thanked the President and his presence which he said had brought hope to the film industry stakeholders in the country. “This is an awesome that shows the President values his people of all walks of life. Then the President departed from the cemetery grounds and went to Tabata Bima, a small suburb from where the deceased was living with his family. In his greetings, the TAFF Chairperson has thanked various government leaders and other political leaders for their contribution of money upon hearing the death of their fellow artist which he said has to a greater extent helped to facilitate the funeral arrangements of their departed comrade. The late Sajuki started his career as a film artist when he joined a famous Bagamoyo artist group before he started to work independently and succeeded to attain fames which had emanated due to his different kind of film works that he produced.  Tanzania film fans popularly known as ‘Bongo film fans’ which have the local contents will continue to remember the late Sajuki for his various famous work which he produced through his own locally registered company known as Waje Productions Limited. Among the famous film titles that the film fans remembers him for bears both Swahili and English titles which includes for Swahili as Shetani wa Pesa, Mboni yangu, Dhambi and Vita,. The English titles he is remembered for includes, Round, Hero of the Church, Briefcase, Beverage, Two brothers and Behind the scene. When he was attacked by illness in 2010, the late Sajuki was taken to India for further treatment and returned back in the country with a full recovery and resumed his work again, but he started to succumb other badly sufferings up to the time he met untimely death. In short the late Sajuki was highly concentrating in the preparations and the making up of films as well as live performances. Born in 1986 in Songea in Ruvuma region, the late Sajuki has left a widow Wastara Juma and one child. Sajuki’s death has occurred few days after the government announced that it would sponsor his treatment in India again as it had promised before where he went earlier following contributions by well wishers Tanzanians and regained fully before he was attacked again by the disease. Before his death, the late Sajuki had ever fallen off a podium when he lost strength in one of his performances at Sheik Abeid Aman Karume stadium in Arusha city that aimed at raising funds which would enable his return India for treatment. He had been proclaimed to have died several times.