THE DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY’S BAIBUI

 

Adeladius Makwega – MBAGALA

 

On November 12, 2026, Mwanakwetu visited the Facebook page of Mr. James Katubuka, a veteran Tanzanian journalist and Public Information Officer with extensive experience in the public sector, particularly in human resources and administration. While browsing the page, he came across a beautiful photograph accompanied by the following caption:

 

“Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ms. Prisca Lwangili, attentively follows a presentation on human resource matters during the 11th Meeting of the African Public Sector Human Resource Managers Network (APS HRMNET), taking place today, November 11, 2026, in Zanzibar.”

 

Mwanakwetu was greatly impressed and captivated by the way the Deputy Permanent Secretary was dressed. Deep down, he exclaimed:

 

“Good heavens, Naibu Katibu Mkuu! You look absolutely elegant, just like a sister or an aunt to Mwanakwetu back home in Mbagala!”

Immediately, he became curious: What exactly was the style of outfit worn by Ms. Prisca?

 

“Our leader is wearing a black baibui, a hat and a headscarf. Traditionally, women along the Tanzanian Coast have different ways of wearing the baibui. Some wear it with a hat, others with a headscarf, while others combine all three: the baibui, hat and headscarf.”

 

These were the explanations provided by Ms. Queen Simkwassa, an intern at the President’s Office, Department of National Archives and Records, in Dodoma.

“The photograph shows a black baibui, a black headscarf and a floral-patterned headpiece, worn beneath the headscarf.”

 

That was how Ms. Simkwassa concluded her explanation.

 

Having received these answers, Mwanakwetu began wishing, deep in his heart, that he could send the Deputy Permanent Secretary a special gift in appreciation of her elegant appearance.

 

However, one question kept troubling him: How would the gift ever reach such a senior government official?

“Can I, Mwanakwetu from Mbagala, possibly get past all the barriers and protocols to personally deliver this gift to our esteemed leader?”

 

Mwanakwetu decided to remain silent.

 

Nevertheless, as the day went by, he eventually decided to write this article as a way of expressing and comforting himself, while still holding on to the dream of presenting the Deputy Permanent Secretary with a gift.

 

But one question remained unanswered: How would the gift reach her?

 

As he continued following the 11th Meeting of the African Public Sector Human Resource Managers Network (APS HRMNET), taking place in Zanzibar, Mwanakwetu came across two important developments.

 

First,

The Minister of State in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance, Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete (MP), held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Public Service matters of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Hon. Jean-Pierre Lihau Ebua, on November 11, 2026, in Zanzibar.

The discussions focused on exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo in public service management and development. The aim was to facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices for improving service delivery to citizens.

 

Second,

The President’s Office, Record and Archives Management Department, is also participating in this important meeting. The institution is represented by two of its officers: Ms. Salama Said Mohammed, Director of Administration and Human Resources, and Ms. Victoria Alfred Mgimba, Senior Human Resources Officer.

 

As November 13, 2026, approaches, marking the conclusion of the meeting, Mwanakwetu hopes that upon the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms. Prisca Lwangili, returning to Dodoma, he will find an opportunity to present her with his special gift.

 

May this article serve as a prelude to that gift!

Mwanakwetu, are you still there? Remember:

“THE DEPUTY PERMANENT SECRETARY’S BAIBUI.”

Wishing you a wonderful day!

makwadeladius@gmail.com
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