Thus, at the stroke of midnight, the large audience, which by now included many other people who had gathered outside the Church, waiting to witness this rare fireworks event, were all treated to this grand display, which brightened the skies of the Paris Church, and far beyond. It was highly appreciated by all those who witnessed it; and has now become the ‘story of the year’ here in Ukerewe.
My ‘new year resolution’.
Previously, on 28th December 2021, I had received what I will refer to as ‘my new year gift’, in the form of a very encouraging message from one of my absolutely dedicated readers, which read as follows:- “Hongera kwa kuwa mwandishi mzuri, na mfano kwa Vijana. Mimi ni msomaji makini wa makala zako, zinazochaishwa katika kile kipengele cha Current Affairs, katika gazeti la Daily News. Kwa hakika, zinanifundisha na kunipatia maarifa mengi. Mimi mwenyewe naamini kwamba ili niwe kiongozi mzuri na mzalendo, ni lazima nijifunze kutoka kwa watu kama wewe, mliolitumikia Taifa letu kwa weledi na kutoa mchango mkubwa, hadi kufikia hapa tulipo leo. Nakutakia sikukuu njema ya mwaka mpya, na Baraka tele za Mwenyezi Mungu kwa familia yako”.
This kind message greatly encouraged me; and actually confirmed my resolve to continue writing these weekly articles during the coming year. So help me God.
The golden Jubilee of independence.
Lest we forget, I should remind our readers, of the fact that we celebrated our golden jubilee of independence in December of the year that has just ended. It was, therefore, a historically significant year for our great nation, in respect of which, the following humorous cartoon appeared in one of the leading Kiswahili newspapers: “Taifa letu ndiyo kwanza limefikia miaka 60. Je, hawa wazee wetu wa miaka 61 na kuendelea, wametoka wapi” ?
My ‘new year resolution’.
Previously, on 28th December 2021, I had received what I will refer to as ‘my new year gift’, in the form of a very encouraging message from one of my absolutely dedicated readers, which read as follows:- “Hongera kwa kuwa mwandishi mzuri, na mfano kwa Vijana. Mimi ni msomaji makini wa makala zako, zinazochaishwa katika kile kipengele cha Current Affairs, katika gazeti la Daily News. Kwa hakika, zinanifundisha na kunipatia maarifa mengi. Mimi mwenyewe naamini kwamba ili niwe kiongozi mzuri na mzalendo, ni lazima nijifunze kutoka kwa watu kama wewe, mliolitumikia Taifa letu kwa weledi na kutoa mchango mkubwa, hadi kufikia hapa tulipo leo. Nakutakia sikukuu njema ya mwaka mpya, na Baraka tele za Mwenyezi Mungu kwa familia yako”.
This kind message greatly encouraged me; and actually confirmed my resolve to continue writing these weekly articles during the coming year. So help me God.
The golden Jubilee of independence.
Lest we forget, I should remind our readers, of the fact that we celebrated our golden jubilee of independence in December of the year that has just ended. It was, therefore, a historically significant year for our great nation, in respect of which, the following humorous cartoon appeared in one of the leading Kiswahili newspapers: “Taifa letu ndiyo kwanza limefikia miaka 60. Je, hawa wazee wetu wa miaka 61 na kuendelea, wametoka wapi” ?
I happen to be one of these “culprits” who, according to that cartoon, must explain our origins! And, yes indeed, it is true that people like me, and all those who were born before the country’s independence, have a duty to tell the story of where we came from, or the history of our country before independence; which I will attempt to do in the paragraphs that follow below.
The pre-independence ‘sad’ story of colonial domination.
The country that celebrated its 60 years golden 60- years jubilee last December, originates from a “colonial territory”, previously known as “Tanganyika Trust Territory”. The story starts from November 15th, 1884; when the notorious Berlin Conference of European Powers started in Berlin, the then government capital of Germany; whose agenda was to discuss the partitioning Africa among themselves; which gave the territory of Tanganyika to the Germans, who quickly came to the country and established their first settlement at Bagamoyo where, on February 27th 1885, the Germans formally declared that Tanganyika was their colony, and hoisted their colonial flag in Tanganyika for the first time; and established their government headquarters. It is from there that they made rapid inroads into other parts of the country, an operation which was managed by one Karl Peters, who tricked many native rulers into signing false ‘ Agreements of “friendship” with the Germans.
The German colonizers are reported to have been very cruel to the natives in the management of their administration. Hence, in many cases, they met with stiff resistance from the native rulers, specifically from the Wanyamwezi of Tabora; where the gallant Chief Isike Mkasiwa committed suicide, rather than surrender to the Germans; and from the Wahehe of Iringa; who bravely fought the “maji maji” war against the Germans, and, eventually on June 19th, 1897, Chief Sigonyangili Mkwawa of the Wahehe committed suicide, rather than surrender to the Germans.
Brutal hangings performed in public.
This was another brutality, which was committed by the German colonial rulers in Tanganyika Territory. For example, in February 1906, the Wangoni tribal leaders were hanged at Songea by the Germans, for the crime of their participation in the Maji maji war. Members of the public were forced to witness these cruel acts. But prior to that on March 2nd, 1900; nine tribal leaders of the Wachaga in Kilimanjaro were also publicly hanged at Moshi. The victims included Mangi Mollelia of Kibosho, Mangi Ngalami and Meli of Moshi; who were accused of conspiring “ to frustrate the German rule” in Kilimanjaro.
The pre-independence ‘sad’ story of colonial domination.
The country that celebrated its 60 years golden 60- years jubilee last December, originates from a “colonial territory”, previously known as “Tanganyika Trust Territory”. The story starts from November 15th, 1884; when the notorious Berlin Conference of European Powers started in Berlin, the then government capital of Germany; whose agenda was to discuss the partitioning Africa among themselves; which gave the territory of Tanganyika to the Germans, who quickly came to the country and established their first settlement at Bagamoyo where, on February 27th 1885, the Germans formally declared that Tanganyika was their colony, and hoisted their colonial flag in Tanganyika for the first time; and established their government headquarters. It is from there that they made rapid inroads into other parts of the country, an operation which was managed by one Karl Peters, who tricked many native rulers into signing false ‘ Agreements of “friendship” with the Germans.
The German colonizers are reported to have been very cruel to the natives in the management of their administration. Hence, in many cases, they met with stiff resistance from the native rulers, specifically from the Wanyamwezi of Tabora; where the gallant Chief Isike Mkasiwa committed suicide, rather than surrender to the Germans; and from the Wahehe of Iringa; who bravely fought the “maji maji” war against the Germans, and, eventually on June 19th, 1897, Chief Sigonyangili Mkwawa of the Wahehe committed suicide, rather than surrender to the Germans.
Brutal hangings performed in public.
This was another brutality, which was committed by the German colonial rulers in Tanganyika Territory. For example, in February 1906, the Wangoni tribal leaders were hanged at Songea by the Germans, for the crime of their participation in the Maji maji war. Members of the public were forced to witness these cruel acts. But prior to that on March 2nd, 1900; nine tribal leaders of the Wachaga in Kilimanjaro were also publicly hanged at Moshi. The victims included Mangi Mollelia of Kibosho, Mangi Ngalami and Meli of Moshi; who were accused of conspiring “ to frustrate the German rule” in Kilimanjaro.
The German rulers positive side.
But there is also a positive aspect of German colonial rule in Tanganyika which must be acknowledged; which is the construction of railway lines: (a) from Dar es Salaam – Tanga - Moshi; which was inaugurated in 1911 when the charcoal-powered steam locomotive coughed its maiden journey from Dar es Salaam, amidst glaring publicity attended not only by the local people, but also by invited guests from
But there is also a positive aspect of German colonial rule in Tanganyika which must be acknowledged; which is the construction of railway lines: (a) from Dar es Salaam – Tanga - Moshi; which was inaugurated in 1911 when the charcoal-powered steam locomotive coughed its maiden journey from Dar es Salaam, amidst glaring publicity attended not only by the local people, but also by invited guests from
the colonial Authorities in Europe; and (b) the Central railway line from Dar es Salaam to Tabora and Kigoma, which was completed in 1914.
The termination of German colonial rule: the first world war.
This war lasted from 1914 until 1918. Germany’s initial successes led to the occupation of nearly the whole of Europe by the German forces, under Hitler’s leadership. Although the war was fought mainly in Europe, but the Germans were also fought in their various colonies; Including Tanganyika, where, on August 29th, 1915; the British forces attacked and captured the German fort at Iringa. And elsewhere in Tanganyika, bloody battles took place in October 1917, between the British and the German forces at Mahiwa, Lindi. And on September 1918, the German forces entered Songea from Mozambique, in a vain bid to salvage what had remained of the ‘German empire’ in colonial Tanganyika. But the war eventually ended on November 11th, 1918; with the defeat and surrender of the German forces to the Allied forces in Europe.
This war lasted from 1914 until 1918. Germany’s initial successes led to the occupation of nearly the whole of Europe by the German forces, under Hitler’s leadership. Although the war was fought mainly in Europe, but the Germans were also fought in their various colonies; Including Tanganyika, where, on August 29th, 1915; the British forces attacked and captured the German fort at Iringa. And elsewhere in Tanganyika, bloody battles took place in October 1917, between the British and the German forces at Mahiwa, Lindi. And on September 1918, the German forces entered Songea from Mozambique, in a vain bid to salvage what had remained of the ‘German empire’ in colonial Tanganyika. But the war eventually ended on November 11th, 1918; with the defeat and surrender of the German forces to the Allied forces in Europe.
And that was when, as a severe punishment to the defeated Germany, all its colonies were taken away, and redistributed among the winning European countries by the League of European Nations. They were to be administered not as colonies, but as ‘mandated territorie’ under the direct supervision of the League of Nations.
Under this arrangement, Tanganyika Territory was handed over to the British; who quickly established their Administration of the country by appointing the first British colonial Governor to Tanganyika, H.A Byatt, on 22nd July, 1920..
British Administration in Tanganyika,1920 - 1961.
The fact that Tanganyika was a “mandated Territory” administered by the British under the supervision of the League of Nations (which later became known as the United Nations Organization (UNO), apparently had a major influence on nature of the development policies which were adopted by the British Administering Authorities.
Under this arrangement, Tanganyika Territory was handed over to the British; who quickly established their Administration of the country by appointing the first British colonial Governor to Tanganyika, H.A Byatt, on 22nd July, 1920..
British Administration in Tanganyika,1920 - 1961.
The fact that Tanganyika was a “mandated Territory” administered by the British under the supervision of the League of Nations (which later became known as the United Nations Organization (UNO), apparently had a major influence on nature of the development policies which were adopted by the British Administering Authorities.
For example, they did not acquire large areas of fertile from the natives land and turned it into exclusive restricted European settlements; as happened in neighbouring Kenya in relation to the “white Highlands” which were forcibly taken from the Kikuyu natives. Generally, the British Administration in Tanganyika seemed to have adopted peripheral interest in matters of the country’s social and economic development.
The establishment of a Legislature for Tanganyika.
On 19th March, 1926, the British Parliament passed a law for the establishment of a Legislative Council (LEGCO) in Tanganyika. The Legislative Council subsequently held its first session on 7th December, 1926; with all its members nominated by the Governor.
The establishment of a Legislature for Tanganyika.
On 19th March, 1926, the British Parliament passed a law for the establishment of a Legislative Council (LEGCO) in Tanganyika. The Legislative Council subsequently held its first session on 7th December, 1926; with all its members nominated by the Governor.
The first African members to enter that Legislative Council, were nominated in 1945, when, on November 24th, 1945, the Governor nominated Chief Abdieli Shangali, and Chief Kidaha Makwaia, to be members thereof.
And later, on May 12th, 1954; Mwalimu Nyerere was also nominated to be a member of this Legislative Council, but he resigned only six months later, on the principle that he had realized that his membership was not helping to promote the people’s aspirations, as he had hoped and expected when he accepted that nomination. “ kila nilichokipendekeza, kimekuwa kinakataliwa” lamented Mwalimu Nyerere. “Kwa hiyo najisikia kuwa ninawadanganya Watanganyika kama nitaendelea kuwa mjumbe wa Baraza hilo, nikifurahia posho zake, na hivyo kutoa muonnekano wa udannganyifu, kwamba kuna kazi ya maana ninayoifanya huko; wakati kumbe sina manufaa yoyote yenye kuleta faida kwa nchi yangu!” he said.
Mwalimu Nyerere’s trips to the United Nation’s Trusteeship Council.
The establishment of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) on 7th July, 1954; was the beginning of the political struggle for the country’s independence from colonial rule. At TANU’s inaugural meeting on 7th July, 1954; Mwalimu Nyerere was elected President of that party; and On March 7th, 1955; Mwalimu Nyerere addressed the United Nation’s Trusteeship Council in New York, where he made a moving plea for Tanganyika’s early independence .
And later, on May 12th, 1954; Mwalimu Nyerere was also nominated to be a member of this Legislative Council, but he resigned only six months later, on the principle that he had realized that his membership was not helping to promote the people’s aspirations, as he had hoped and expected when he accepted that nomination. “ kila nilichokipendekeza, kimekuwa kinakataliwa” lamented Mwalimu Nyerere. “Kwa hiyo najisikia kuwa ninawadanganya Watanganyika kama nitaendelea kuwa mjumbe wa Baraza hilo, nikifurahia posho zake, na hivyo kutoa muonnekano wa udannganyifu, kwamba kuna kazi ya maana ninayoifanya huko; wakati kumbe sina manufaa yoyote yenye kuleta faida kwa nchi yangu!” he said.
Mwalimu Nyerere’s trips to the United Nation’s Trusteeship Council.
The establishment of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) on 7th July, 1954; was the beginning of the political struggle for the country’s independence from colonial rule. At TANU’s inaugural meeting on 7th July, 1954; Mwalimu Nyerere was elected President of that party; and On March 7th, 1955; Mwalimu Nyerere addressed the United Nation’s Trusteeship Council in New York, where he made a moving plea for Tanganyika’s early independence .
His seemingly successful political activities alarmed the Administration Authorities, who then conspired with his Missionary employers at St Francis College Pugu, who gave him the difficult choice of either giving up his political activities and just concentrate on his teaching job ; or resign from this lucrative teaching and concentrate on the risky career of politics. After serious contemplation and deep meditation, Mwalimu Nyerere, in a moving resignation letter addressed to the School Headmaster written on 22nd March, 1955; Mwalimu Nyerere chose to sacrifice his lucrative teaching job at that School, in order to offer his full time services to the struggle for the country’s liberation and shame of being governed by foreigners. “I am sad about the adverse economic consequences of this decision to my young family, but principles are principles. I must quit” said Mwalimu Nyerere in his resignation letter.
And he later again went to New York, to address the United Nation’s Trusteeship Council for the second time , on 20th December, 1956; when he stressed Tanganyika’s continued quest for early independence.
The indictment of Mwalimu Nyerere.
On July 9th, 1958, Mwalimu Nyerere appeared in court in Dare Salaam, to answer alleged ‘libei charges’ against two colonial District Commissioners, of Musoma and Geita respectively. At the end of the trial on August 12th, 1958, he was found “guilty”, and sentenced to paying a fine of Tshs 3000; or six months imprisonment in default. Nyerere paid the fine, and thus escaped being a “prison graduate”.
Tanganyika’s first general election.
Tanganyika held two separate general elections; in September 1958, and again in September 1960; in both of which, TANU won all the Legislative Council seats that had been established. The 1960 general election is what ushered in Tanganyika’s independence on 9th December, 1961; thanks to the personal sacrifices made by our principled leader, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
The indictment of Mwalimu Nyerere.
On July 9th, 1958, Mwalimu Nyerere appeared in court in Dare Salaam, to answer alleged ‘libei charges’ against two colonial District Commissioners, of Musoma and Geita respectively. At the end of the trial on August 12th, 1958, he was found “guilty”, and sentenced to paying a fine of Tshs 3000; or six months imprisonment in default. Nyerere paid the fine, and thus escaped being a “prison graduate”.
Tanganyika’s first general election.
Tanganyika held two separate general elections; in September 1958, and again in September 1960; in both of which, TANU won all the Legislative Council seats that had been established. The 1960 general election is what ushered in Tanganyika’s independence on 9th December, 1961; thanks to the personal sacrifices made by our principled leader, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
That then is the authentic story that answers the question that was posed in the humorous cartoon referred to above, namely “Taifa letu ndiyo kwanza limefikia miaka 60; je, hao wazee wetu wa miaka 61 na kuendelea, walitoka wapi? Basi huko ndiko wazee wenu tulikotoka! “Kuishi kwingi, kuona mengi” ( Kiswahli proverb).
piomsekwa@gmail.com /0754767576.
piomsekwa@gmail.com /0754767576.
Source: Daily News tomorrow.
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