Background
Joseph was born on October 24, 1943 in Iringa. Son of late James Mungai and late Marigeritta Semalangalita.
Joseph was born on October 24, 1943 in Iringa. Son of late James Mungai and late Marigeritta Semalangalita.
He was educated at Malangali Primary and selected as the best pupil at Tabora Government Secondary School. Next he was sent to St Michael’s and St George’s School at Iringa, an entirely new school, originally built with funds for European education, gaining his Cambridge school certificate in 1964.
One year earlier, at the tender age of 19, he lost his father and with his brother, Paul Mungai, already embarked on an army career, he had to abandon hopes of a higher education and start immediately with the Singer Sewing Machine Company as an internal auditor. He was promoted fast to become marketing and finally district manager in December 1969. He then joined the state company, Tanzania Elimu Supplies, and his career began to blossom—commercial manager at the beginning of 1970, acting general manager by June and general manager by the end of the year.
He first stood as a candidate in 1965, in his home district, Mufindi. He lost, and in retrospect, is glad he did so, for he was far too young and inexperienced. But standing again in October 1970, he defeated the sitting member, John Sanga, by a large majority.
His appointment as Minister of Agriculture on February 17, 1972, took him completely unawares while on a management course in Canada. President Nyerere had noted his political record and his success with a state corporation. Mungai recalls that the President once reminded his listeners that he had accepted responsibility as leader of Tanzania when he was 32 years old, now it was the time for another wave of young men. Mungai was 29 when he became minister, the youngest in the cabinet.
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) (formerly Tanganyika African National Union (TANU)).
Married Mary Chawe in 1965.