“Kumekucha kulichele, na kulala kukomele. Karibu karibu, siku tulongojea”. (poem composed by Nyerere on the eve of independence). The rapid constitutional progress to Independence.The rapid pace of constitutional development towards the country’s independence, started with the first –ever general parliamentary election of 1958/59; in preparation for which, Tanganyika had been divided into ten electoral constituencies. But the election exercise was carried out in two phases: five constituencies held their elections in the first phase in September 1958; while the remaining five did so in the second phase, in February 1959. The stated reason for doing so was that “it was too good to be true".
In both phases, TANU won all the seats in all the ten constituencies. Following t his election, the Governor appointed five elected Members to join the Council of Ministers (the Government). Immediately thereafter, the Governor appointed a “Constitutional Commission which was tasked “to consider and recommend appropriate further constitutional changes” which should be introduced.
In its Report, this commission recommended, among other things, the abolition of the controversial “tripartite vote; the establishment of a new Legislative Council of 71 Members, plus 10 nominated Members. Thus, on 20th October, 1959; the Governor announced that new Legislative Council elections would be held in September, 1960; in which a large majority of TANUs candidates were elected unopposed in 58 of the 71 constituencies; and TANU candidates won in 12 of the 13 constituencies that were contested. This led to the formation of a new government on 3rd September, 1960; with Julius Nyerere as Chief Minister, and his cabinet consisting of a majority of TANU elected MPs.
The next significant development came in March, 1961; when the British Government convened a constitutional conference which was held from 27th - 29th March, 1961, and whose main agenda was to discuss and agree on Tanganyika’s ‘Independence Constitution’; and to reach agreement on the date for independence. It was agreed at this conference, that Tanganyika would be granted independence on 28th December, 1961. But that date was subsequently changed to 9th December, 1961. The Tanganyika Independence Constitution which was accepted at tat Conference was, in fact, the standard model constitution which was being crafted in London for all the countries that were being granted independence at that material time; which, in essence, gave all these countries the status designated “Dominions”, namely self- governing countries whose ‘Head of Government’ was the Prime Minister, but the ‘Head of State’ continued to be the Queen of England; an entity which was designated the “British Commonwealth”.
It - was also agreed, that from 1st May, 1961; the constitutional designation of “Chief Minister” would change to that of “Prime Minister”, a change which made Julius Nyerere ‘Head of Government’; while the ‘Head of State’ continued to be the Queen of England, represented in Tanganyika by the Governor.
The preparations for Independence Day.
In the hectic preparations for the great UHURU day celebrations, a high-powered ‘independence celebrations committees’ had been formed by TANU a as early as August 1961; when TANU established a committee of 12 senior national leaders under the chairmanship of Bokhe Munanka, to make the necessary preparations for the historic ‘victory’ event. But its more specific task was “to make appropriate arrangements for the total mobilization of wananchi, for their effective and meaningful participation in the Uhuru celebrations”.
In its Report, this commission recommended, among other things, the abolition of the controversial “tripartite vote; the establishment of a new Legislative Council of 71 Members, plus 10 nominated Members. Thus, on 20th October, 1959; the Governor announced that new Legislative Council elections would be held in September, 1960; in which a large majority of TANUs candidates were elected unopposed in 58 of the 71 constituencies; and TANU candidates won in 12 of the 13 constituencies that were contested. This led to the formation of a new government on 3rd September, 1960; with Julius Nyerere as Chief Minister, and his cabinet consisting of a majority of TANU elected MPs.
The next significant development came in March, 1961; when the British Government convened a constitutional conference which was held from 27th - 29th March, 1961, and whose main agenda was to discuss and agree on Tanganyika’s ‘Independence Constitution’; and to reach agreement on the date for independence. It was agreed at this conference, that Tanganyika would be granted independence on 28th December, 1961. But that date was subsequently changed to 9th December, 1961. The Tanganyika Independence Constitution which was accepted at tat Conference was, in fact, the standard model constitution which was being crafted in London for all the countries that were being granted independence at that material time; which, in essence, gave all these countries the status designated “Dominions”, namely self- governing countries whose ‘Head of Government’ was the Prime Minister, but the ‘Head of State’ continued to be the Queen of England; an entity which was designated the “British Commonwealth”.
It - was also agreed, that from 1st May, 1961; the constitutional designation of “Chief Minister” would change to that of “Prime Minister”, a change which made Julius Nyerere ‘Head of Government’; while the ‘Head of State’ continued to be the Queen of England, represented in Tanganyika by the Governor.
The preparations for Independence Day.
In the hectic preparations for the great UHURU day celebrations, a high-powered ‘independence celebrations committees’ had been formed by TANU a as early as August 1961; when TANU established a committee of 12 senior national leaders under the chairmanship of Bokhe Munanka, to make the necessary preparations for the historic ‘victory’ event. But its more specific task was “to make appropriate arrangements for the total mobilization of wananchi, for their effective and meaningful participation in the Uhuru celebrations”.
And on the government side, Prime Minister Nyerere had decided to utilize the experiences of both Ghana and Nigeria, who had successfully held similar celebrations in 1957 (Ghana), and 1960 (Nigeria). Thus, he invited the same British official who had chaired both Ghana’s and Nigeria’s independence celebrations committees, to become chairman of the Tanganyika independence celebrations committee.
Invited distinguished international guests started arriving three or four days before independence day itself. They included the Chief Guest at the celebrations, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburg, the Prince Consort (the Queen’s husband); and a contingent of other high raking British Officials from London. It was during this time when Prime Minister issued his formal independence message to the nation which, in part, read as follows:-
“On 9th December, 1961; the green, black and gold flag of independent Tanganyika will start flying over us. This is the moment that we have all been waiting for; and it has actually come sooner that any of us deemed possible in 1954 . . .
Invited distinguished international guests started arriving three or four days before independence day itself. They included the Chief Guest at the celebrations, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburg, the Prince Consort (the Queen’s husband); and a contingent of other high raking British Officials from London. It was during this time when Prime Minister issued his formal independence message to the nation which, in part, read as follows:-
“On 9th December, 1961; the green, black and gold flag of independent Tanganyika will start flying over us. This is the moment that we have all been waiting for; and it has actually come sooner that any of us deemed possible in 1954 . . .
“This day has dawned because the people of Tanganyika have worked together in unity; and I am sure that everyone of us will celebrate independence day with great joy, for we are celebrating a victory . . . " Yet it is essential to remember, that what we have won is only the right to design and build our own future. This is really like a person obtaining land on which to build his house. The success to obtain that land deserves celebration, but these celebrations will not produce the desired house. That calls for more work, and even harder work.
Similarly, we will have to build independent Tanganyika ourselves, primarily with our own resources, and our own efforts” . . . Celebrating UHURU Day itself, 9th December, 1961.
The Prime Minister’s powerful words in his message quoted above, particularly in where he expresses his wish to see “everyone of us celebrating independence day with great joy, as we will be celebrating victory”; coming as they did from the Uhuru icon himself; plus TANU’s very effective public campaign asking wananchi “to give a befitting welcome to this historic event; must have produced the kind of reflex, wild enthusiasm, that was witnessed all over the country on that occasion.
The Prime Minister’s powerful words in his message quoted above, particularly in where he expresses his wish to see “everyone of us celebrating independence day with great joy, as we will be celebrating victory”; coming as they did from the Uhuru icon himself; plus TANU’s very effective public campaign asking wananchi “to give a befitting welcome to this historic event; must have produced the kind of reflex, wild enthusiasm, that was witnessed all over the country on that occasion.
Naturally, the main events took place at the national level in Dares Salaam; but huge celebration events had also been planned and organized to take place simultaneously all areas of the country, and primarily at the village level; where cows were slaughtered for meals at organized community gatherings , and at which drinks were flowing generously.
Celebrations- at the national level
I had the good fortune of witnessing all the scheduled celebration events that took place at the national level. The official programme showed that there would be the following formal events:- (i) the “ flag raising” ceremony, at midnight on 8th December, 1961. (ii) the handing over of the “Instruments of Independence” the next day, (iii) the “Independence Ball” in the evening of the same day. And (iv) the State Opening of the new country’s Parliament the following day.
The symbolic “ flag raising” ceremony was, by far, the most attractive of all those events. The new nation’s green, gold and black national flag, had been designed by the incoming independence government, but had not received much prior publicity, a factor which created considerable anxiety among the wananchi, who were eagerly waiting to see what it actually looked like.
Celebrations- at the national level
I had the good fortune of witnessing all the scheduled celebration events that took place at the national level. The official programme showed that there would be the following formal events:- (i) the “ flag raising” ceremony, at midnight on 8th December, 1961. (ii) the handing over of the “Instruments of Independence” the next day, (iii) the “Independence Ball” in the evening of the same day. And (iv) the State Opening of the new country’s Parliament the following day.
The symbolic “ flag raising” ceremony was, by far, the most attractive of all those events. The new nation’s green, gold and black national flag, had been designed by the incoming independence government, but had not received much prior publicity, a factor which created considerable anxiety among the wananchi, who were eagerly waiting to see what it actually looked like.
Then, the eagerly awaited moment arrived. The newly built UHURU stadium was filled to capacity. Two or three minutes before midnight, both Prime Minister Julius Nyerere, and the Duke of Edinburg Prince Phillip; descended from the ‘Royal Box”, down to the parade ground, and took their respective positions in front of the two flag posts; on one of which the colonial flag, known as the “Union Jack”, was flying (for the last time). The second flag post was reserved for the new Tanganyika flag, which was still covered, waiting to be ceremoniously unveiled at the appointed time.
As the clock struck midnight, and to everyone’s surprise, the Uhuru stadium was suddenly plunged into complete darkness, but for only about 10 - 15 seconds’; and when the lights came back, the colonial Union Jack had disappeared. That is precisely when Tanganyika’s national flag was ceremoniously, at a measured slow pace, and to the accompaniment of deafening shouts of joy, hand clapping, and massive ululation. The shouts of joy and ululation were indeed deserved, because they were celebrating a ‘victory’ against colonialism, that led to a new nation being born. Alleluia.
As the clock struck midnight, and to everyone’s surprise, the Uhuru stadium was suddenly plunged into complete darkness, but for only about 10 - 15 seconds’; and when the lights came back, the colonial Union Jack had disappeared. That is precisely when Tanganyika’s national flag was ceremoniously, at a measured slow pace, and to the accompaniment of deafening shouts of joy, hand clapping, and massive ululation. The shouts of joy and ululation were indeed deserved, because they were celebrating a ‘victory’ against colonialism, that led to a new nation being born. Alleluia.
And with regard to the interesting reason for the brief switching off of the stadium lights; I later found out that the all-British celebrations Committee had apparently conspired to “hide the shame” of lowering the British flag, simply by ‘stealing the limelight’ from that action; and that this was indeed the reason for the brief action of switching off the stadium lights; i.e. to steal the limelight from that action.
The State opening of the independence Parliament.
That was the event in which I was very closely involved, in my capacity as Clerk-Assistant (Training Grade) of the National Assembly. The British Administrators who were responsible for the independence celebration events, seemed to just love rehear. This is, indeed, normal practice for certain professional personnel, especially the military and he Church choirs, who regularly make such rehearsals in preparation for the main event itself, such as a military parade to mark an important occasion, or a choir preparing for a Sunday service.
The State opening of the independence Parliament.
That was the event in which I was very closely involved, in my capacity as Clerk-Assistant (Training Grade) of the National Assembly. The British Administrators who were responsible for the independence celebration events, seemed to just love rehear. This is, indeed, normal practice for certain professional personnel, especially the military and he Church choirs, who regularly make such rehearsals in preparation for the main event itself, such as a military parade to mark an important occasion, or a choir preparing for a Sunday service.
However, in this particular case, it seemed to me to be rather strange that we should be required by these officials, to rehearse the ‘Speaker’s procession’ ( into and of the chamber of Parliament’s proceedings) in preparation for the ceremonial Speaker’s procession for the State opening of Parliament that would include the Duke of Edinburg. Considering the fact that the Speaker’s procession takes place on each day on which the House is sitting; it seemed odd, and even absurd to me, that we should be required to rehearse this simple action. But it had been so decreed, and we did the mandatory rehearsals for three consecutive days before that event.
Another ‘preparatory’ action, which amazed me, was the studious testing the beautiful acacia trees which line the street from State House (the Governor’s residence where the Duke of Edinburg was staying), to Karimjee Hall, (the venue for the State Opening of Parliament). It was fine morning when we watched from our offices which were, and still are, situated along that street, the arrival of the Director of Forestry and his team, armed with the requisite appropriate tools, and started knocking at the trees, one after the other, and making notes of the sounds emanating therefrom.
Another ‘preparatory’ action, which amazed me, was the studious testing the beautiful acacia trees which line the street from State House (the Governor’s residence where the Duke of Edinburg was staying), to Karimjee Hall, (the venue for the State Opening of Parliament). It was fine morning when we watched from our offices which were, and still are, situated along that street, the arrival of the Director of Forestry and his team, armed with the requisite appropriate tools, and started knocking at the trees, one after the other, and making notes of the sounds emanating therefrom.
My native curiosity led me to inquire what they were actually doing, and why; and that is when I was told that they were testing the strength of each of those trees to see if they were strong enough and would not fall down and cause damage to the Duke of Edinburg’s convoy of vehicles in the Duke’s ceremonial drive from State House to Karimjee Hall, for the State opening of Parliament. “We will take no chances” declared the Director of Forestry, with an air of professional pride.
But looking back at that matter now with the advantage of hindsight, what made it look absurd to me at that time is the fact that those trees are still standing there today, sixty long years down the line; which means that the trees were still very young at that time, and thus there really was no such danger of any of them falling and causing damage to the Duke’ s motorcade. That was probably only the “British way of doing things”, in order to impress. Wishing everyone a happy and joyous independence golden Jubilee.
piomsekwa@gmail.com / 0754767576.
But looking back at that matter now with the advantage of hindsight, what made it look absurd to me at that time is the fact that those trees are still standing there today, sixty long years down the line; which means that the trees were still very young at that time, and thus there really was no such danger of any of them falling and causing damage to the Duke’ s motorcade. That was probably only the “British way of doing things”, in order to impress. Wishing everyone a happy and joyous independence golden Jubilee.
piomsekwa@gmail.com / 0754767576.
Source: Daily News today.
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