Is it about the size and sex of the lion or its capture?

When Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous “I have a dream” speech at the Lincoln
Grounds in the 60’s to many that sounded as a mere day dream and hardly unachievable. If he would have had a chance to leave and see how the world had changed as he had dreamt, everybody would have called him a prophet, a future teller or a foreseer. Same set-up can be learnt if we are to evaluate the ongoing campus activities. If dreams are to come true then why not dream? If you don’t think so just check on this passed activity of a few weeks ago.

DARUSO at the college has carried out its normal annual elections but this year with a different outlook. Many people come forward to contest for the posts, some withdrawing on the way and a tight screening by the electoral committee.
But the breath taking scenarios was the inclusion of two female candidates who to the astonishment of many have proved to be as capable as their male counterparts. From the total number of contestants who were screened by the electoral committee, female students emerged heroic since none of them was screened out.
New and strong manifestos were heard and now many can be echoed in people’s minds once they look on read expired election campaign posters on notice boards or if they meet a face familiar to them as the campaigner’s...

When one contestant said “I urge you to elect a scientific politician rather than a political scientist” all who were at the political rally nodded their heads. If it was a sign of them appreciating or misunderstanding no one knows, but all that is known is that phrase was unprecedented and well said.

The support which was seen provided by fellow male students on the two female contestants show that sex is no more a determinant of leadership qualities as it was thought earlier in stone ages or during the male dominating eras of the 18 century..
Among the most striking slogans were given by males who seemed to support the two females in various campaigns contrary to past experiences. “It’s not the size of the lion or its sex but the size of its capture according to its strength” one male student said.

One female student wanted voters to take her as a capable candidate and a strong leader but not as a woman “I can lead and I am strong; that’s why I want you to vote for me not just because I am a woman”
The questions were also well selected especially when one voter asked if the contestant was planning to be a duck leading its ducklings or a hen escorting its chicks on his mode of leadership if he would be elected.
A few faces which were listening turned lemon skinned for they thought he had insulted them as ducklings and chicks. “How dare he call future professionals those filthy names? How dare he?” one lamented.

One’s perspective on the awareness of gender equity and equality at this college and all higher learning institution in Tanzania can be evaluated on this activity.” If female students will materialize as winners on the 3rd –April then no one will question the roles played by gender programs and clubs at the college”...my friend who is a gender facilitator at this college said while seeming to acknowledge his position in the struggle towards gender equality.

The battle didn’t end in the campaigns but up to the Election Day on calm Sunday of 3rd April. Despite that people were required to vote a day after the already set date; they turned up in a large number. That same day was the day when people had to pay their last respect to the late university chancellor Bomani at Nkrumah hall. The sorrow of loosing a loving person was like a gear to choosing someone who will spearhead the visions and missions put forward by the late ambassador.

Actually the entire voting process was a success for many people turned out in a large number to support their candidates. Males and females stood as witnesses for their candidates at Mabibo hostel and MUCHS campus polling stations...
When the counting was done at the late evening and the results announced, it happened that, contrary to some beliefs the female candidate had emerged a winner of the presidency... this might has been a majority belief because history was not her side as a female. She emerged with votes enough to claim a constructional presidential post with more than a 1/3 win as required. Actually she snatched 405 from the total 760 votes making her to acquire a 53.3%

The contender of the vice president in the female category didn’t win but she had a second seat after a male challenger.
This can be evaluated on the expression of capability and leadership quality by the contestants while at the same time voters awarding themselves what they want on qualitative basis rather than physical or sex basis.
After the elections and the campaigning sleepless nights, many eyes are directed to the elected leaders if they will prove their manifestos by producing a stable government with an outspoken leadership quality which will carry their expectations to completions.
The road to the journey taken by the DARUSO-MUCHS members is seen as a challenge whether it is student organization with a new leadership outlook or a new gender outlook with the same leadership perspective...

If the future could be foreseen through the present, the world could minimize mistakes done by trusted minds but if we fear making mistakes in the future by not deciding through the present then we have no future.

(During the DARUSO 2005 election)