... While the multitude turns out for free entertainment in imperturbable Tanzania

Well, that was certainly fast. The voter’s ink hasn’t even faded off the pinkies of the local newscasters, a visual detail that is far more distracting than it should be.

Within roughly 12 days, Tanzania voted, counted ballots, announced most of the results and enthroned the fifth President of the United Republic — in a ceremony that was unusually well-organised considering the time-frame.

This was without a doubt a manifestation of the juggernaut that is the machine of state in Tanzania, part of that indefinable something that we so rarely refer to directly, the force that underpins the continuing function and — it must be admitted — dysfunction of the Republic.

True to form and in keeping with the modern dictates of oppositional disgruntlement, the coalition of parties that formed Ukawa announced that they were boycotting the inauguration in protest against an election that they said was not free and fair and transparent.

To their credit, official and non-violent means were used to convey their protests to the powers that be — namely the National Electoral Commission — to no avail. There was also a call for their followers to boycott the inauguration and protest as a show of solidarity, which was predictably nixed by the police.

So naturally a rather healthy turnout of Dar residents gathered outside Uhuru Stadium trying to get in to watch the inauguration, since Jay Kay had declared Thursday a public holiday because he can. I only raise this as a commentary on what was one of the weakest campaign gimmicks that was employed by the ruling and most opposition parties: Footage and photographs of the overwhelming crowds that would gather at rallies to cheer their “president-in-waiting.”

These were regularly shoved down our throats as incontrovertible proof of the unstoppable popularity of the individual in question. It became impolitic to point out that Tanzanians will gather at any hint of free entertainment to be had, even though we are fickle in our affections.

And so the inauguration went ahead, attended by neighbouring and friendly heads of state who could make it, as well as, um, Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, still-President of Zanzibar. Though we were well-occupied with the visual splendours of pomp and civil ceremony, it was a little hard to completely ignore the Zanzibar situation.

Just the day before we were treated to footage of Maalim Seif meeting with Kikwete at Ikulu with smiles abounding between the two men, implying some negotiation of the gridlock in Zanzibar that is raising constitutional issues of every imaginable variety. Against all fears and predictions of violence, things have remained relatively calm. It appears we have all acceded willingly or unwillingly to a truce of sorts if only to do one thing: Get to the fifth administration.

As of this week, Tanzania has three retired presidents to maintain. Let me tell you, they are all glowing with the plump relief that comes with throwing the baton of state at the next guy in the relay race.

Jay Kay hasn’t stopped smiling since the CCM presidential nominee was selected. I remember being surprised that the usually dour and put-upon Benjamin Mkapa was often filmed singing and dancing as he toured the country campaigning for Jay Kay. Nobody knew the man had dimples before 2005.

So what is the mood in Tanzania? It’s complicated, and in a good way I think. Someone wrote recently — I apologise for not remembering who — that Tanzania is a bit like a duck on a pond: Serene on the surface while paddling furiously beneath it. It is a great analogy.

The fact that the paddling is done in private spaces, in Kiswahili, in side-speak and dense allusions and a barrage of virtually impenetrable inside jokes has the odd effect of uniting us even as we disagree vehemently about what this particular election has yielded. The one thing that is consistent across the board, though, is a non-negotiable demand for change.

President John Pombe Magufuli is inheriting a very different Tanzania from that of his predecessors. We are awake, and we are expectant, and we are less biddable than usual. The campaign slogan that he chose will be the yardstick by which we measure him as his 100 days began Thursday.

Elsie Eyakuze is an independent consultant and blogger for The Mikocheni Report, http://mikochenireport.blogspot.com. E-mail: [email protected]