The festivities will last until 2023
Article by Redazione Nigrizia.it 26/04/2022
Tanzania commemorates 100 years since the birth of Julius Nyerere.
“Mwalimu” (teacher in Swahili) Julius Kambarge Nyerere (13th April 1922- 14th October 1999) is acknowledged by all Tanzanians as the father of the nation, would have celebrated 100 years last April 13th. “I invite all Tanzanians to get together for the celebrations organized by the ministry of natural resources and tourism, Pindi Chana”, said the President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The President described the visions and philosophies of Nyerere as the foundations of modern-day Tanzania. “Nyerere, the first president of Tanganyika, then Tanzania, was an authentic African who dedicated his life to build this nation and create unity and harmony in the country”, added Samia during her speech in the important event to celebrate the birth of the founder of the nation at the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School in the Kibaha District, Coastal region.
Samia says that this philosophy derived from the idea of “ujaama” (solidarity) and is implemented to this day for the sustainable development of this country. The presidents following Nyerere- Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa, Jakaya Kikwete, John Magufuli and Samia herself- have tried to continue following the visions of “mwalimu” during their presidency.
Samia also says that Nyerere’s various successors have prioritized three enemies that according to Nyerere have to be defeated during their presidency- disease, ignorance and poverty. Building schools, opening hospitals and clinics throughout the country, funding towards the agricultural sectors and other structures were of the utmost importance for the political government, following Nyerere’s presidency.
He was also (according to Samia) a respected pan- African, who invited the whole continent to join in the spirit of patriotism and promote unity and peace to kickstart the global development of Africa.
Nyerere then abandoned his role as a teacher to join the fight for Tanganyika’s independence on the 9th of October 1961, then became prime minister and he completely dedicated himself to build a country which would have justice and fairness as its foundation. “The heritage that ‘mwalimu’ left for us is the goal to create an equalitarian society despite one’s ethnicity, language, color of skin or religious beliefs.”
Nyerere made Swahili the country’s official language and is now recognized as an official language in the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), the Community of Development of Southern Africa (Sadc). In fact, UNESCO (United ations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has planned for the following 7th of July a special celebration for the language of Swahili in the continent.
This was also Nyerere’s merit during his presidency. He also taught us that (despite many politicians who pretend to be perfect and know-it-alls) you need courage to admit that you are wrong and that it is important to know when to make amends. The ideas of freedom (uhuru), unity (umoja) and development (maendeleo) which were the foundations for the independence of Tanganyika, and later the creation of Tanzania, are also what still drives this country (which still echos Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s wise words), onwards. Such wisdom that in 2017, 10 Catholic African ministers asked Pope Francesco to bless his wisdom.