“Chama cha Mapinduzi chajenga nchi . . .” (the signature tune, or “theme music” of the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi); which will proudly celebrate its 45th birthday anniversary next Saturday, 5th February, 2022. The number ‘forty-five years’ is, of course, a very long time in the life of mankind. And it is precisely for that reason, that we now have almost two generations of persons who were born during this long period of time, including CCM members and leaders; who would, presumably, benefit from being told the authentic story of CCM’s life, and the contributions it has made, in guiding the affairs of this nation in its capacity as the country’s ruling party. Indeed, some wise men, or gurus, have said that “History is philosophy teaching by examples” (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Greek historian, 40 - 8 BC). Hence, what can we learn from CCM’s history of 45 years of being at the helm, as the country’s ruling party? That will be the main focus of today’s article.
But before we get there, and for the sake of preserving history, I will start with a little digression, regarding the obviously unintended significance relating to the figure of forty-five years, which was created by some absurd legislation enacted by the Tanzania Parliament in the late 1960s to lower the retirement age for public servants, from that of fifty-five years inherited at the time of the country’s independence in 1961, to that of forty-five years; thus introducing the absurd notion that the men and women of Tanzania were “too old” to continue working after the age of forty-five years! When some critics talk about the ‘expensive experiments’, which were made by this country, this was one of them.
But before we get there, and for the sake of preserving history, I will start with a little digression, regarding the obviously unintended significance relating to the figure of forty-five years, which was created by some absurd legislation enacted by the Tanzania Parliament in the late 1960s to lower the retirement age for public servants, from that of fifty-five years inherited at the time of the country’s independence in 1961, to that of forty-five years; thus introducing the absurd notion that the men and women of Tanzania were “too old” to continue working after the age of forty-five years! When some critics talk about the ‘expensive experiments’, which were made by this country, this was one of them.
Fortunately however, this absurdity was subsequently removed, and we went back to the retirement of fifty-five years, which was later raised to the current sixty years.
CCM at 45 years as the ruling party : the lessons to be learnt.
Lesson one: How does a political party become the ruling party? Answer: It depends entirely on the voters’ satisfaction regarding its delivery performance; for any political party that wins a general election becomes entitled to form the government of the day.
CCM at 45 years as the ruling party : the lessons to be learnt.
Lesson one: How does a political party become the ruling party? Answer: It depends entirely on the voters’ satisfaction regarding its delivery performance; for any political party that wins a general election becomes entitled to form the government of the day.
But in order for a political party to win the election, there are certain “facilitating factors” which must be in place, and specifically the following:-
(i) Its organizational structure. A political party can opt to be an elitist , or “vanguard” party, which is mainly urban based; or it can choose to be a “mass” party, which fans out across the whole country; and which also targets all sections of the community, including the workers, the peasants, and especially the majority groups of the women, and the youth. Chama cha Mapinduzi proudly belongs to the category of “mass” parties.
(ii) The appropriateness, and clarity, of its basic message to the people; and the efficacy of its programmes; which are amplified and elaborated in its “Election Manifestos” , which are regularly published before every general election.
(i) Its organizational structure. A political party can opt to be an elitist , or “vanguard” party, which is mainly urban based; or it can choose to be a “mass” party, which fans out across the whole country; and which also targets all sections of the community, including the workers, the peasants, and especially the majority groups of the women, and the youth. Chama cha Mapinduzi proudly belongs to the category of “mass” parties.
(ii) The appropriateness, and clarity, of its basic message to the people; and the efficacy of its programmes; which are amplified and elaborated in its “Election Manifestos” , which are regularly published before every general election.
The ancillary factors include the following:
(i) The nature of the party’s policies. CCM has, by design or accident, or both, established certain positive policies which have given it clear ‘competitive advantage’ over the other political parties. These include:
(i) The nature of the party’s policies. CCM has, by design or accident, or both, established certain positive policies which have given it clear ‘competitive advantage’ over the other political parties. These include:
(a) Its policy of constantly evaluating its electoral performances; which has enabled this party to identify the mistakes, or weaknesses; plus its willingness (and readiness) to take steps to rectify such mistakes, or remove such weaknesses.
(b) Its innovative policy of changing its top-leaders (the President of the United Republic, who also becomes the National party Chairperson), after every ten years. This has then hidden advantage of avoiding losing an election simply due to the simple fact that the voters have become bored by having the same individual, in the same office, all the time. (Tumemchoka!).
The background : CCM’s brief history.
Lesson two: CCM”s history shows that it possesses most, if not all of these attributes. The PREAMBLE to CCM’s constitution reads as follows: “Chama tunachokiunda, tunataka kiwe ni chombo madhubuti katika muundo wake, na hasa katika fokra zake na vitendo vyake vya kimapinduzi . . . Tunataka kishike barrabara hatamu za uongozi wa shughuli zote za umma, kwa manufaa ya wafanyakazi na wakulima wa Taifa hili”.
These were the political and philosophical assumptions underlying this constitution; which was purposefully crafted in order to achieve them. I had the good fortune of being appointed Member/Secretary of the Commission that was appointed and tasked to make all necessary preparations for the formation of the proposed new party; including the drafting of its proposed constitution. and I can testify, for the records, that this draft (which was subsequently approved without any amendments) took great care to introduce provisions which fully incorporated this noble mission and objectives; which ae specified in sufficient detail in article 4 thereof; the principal one being: “kushinda katika uchaguzi wa Serikali kuu na Serikali za Mitaa, ili kukiwezessha mama kuunda Serikali katika ngazi zote hizo.
(b) Its innovative policy of changing its top-leaders (the President of the United Republic, who also becomes the National party Chairperson), after every ten years. This has then hidden advantage of avoiding losing an election simply due to the simple fact that the voters have become bored by having the same individual, in the same office, all the time. (Tumemchoka!).
The background : CCM’s brief history.
Lesson two: CCM”s history shows that it possesses most, if not all of these attributes. The PREAMBLE to CCM’s constitution reads as follows: “Chama tunachokiunda, tunataka kiwe ni chombo madhubuti katika muundo wake, na hasa katika fokra zake na vitendo vyake vya kimapinduzi . . . Tunataka kishike barrabara hatamu za uongozi wa shughuli zote za umma, kwa manufaa ya wafanyakazi na wakulima wa Taifa hili”.
These were the political and philosophical assumptions underlying this constitution; which was purposefully crafted in order to achieve them. I had the good fortune of being appointed Member/Secretary of the Commission that was appointed and tasked to make all necessary preparations for the formation of the proposed new party; including the drafting of its proposed constitution. and I can testify, for the records, that this draft (which was subsequently approved without any amendments) took great care to introduce provisions which fully incorporated this noble mission and objectives; which ae specified in sufficient detail in article 4 thereof; the principal one being: “kushinda katika uchaguzi wa Serikali kuu na Serikali za Mitaa, ili kukiwezessha mama kuunda Serikali katika ngazi zote hizo.
And that is precisely how a political party can become the ruling party, that is to say, only by winning the relevant elections. This is, indeed, a very pertinent question in the political circumstances of our country; which, even after the re-introduction of multi-party competitive politics in 1992 exactly thirty years ago, has had the same ruling political party, Chama cha Mapinduzi. The answer is as follows:-
Under the multi-party political dispensation, political parties are, essentially, electoral organizations; whose principal function is to participate in the country’s elections with the intention of winning the relevant election, and thus acquiring the right to form the country’s government of the day. It is the political party that wins the majority of the available parliamentary seats which becomes the ruling party.
Under the multi-party political dispensation, political parties are, essentially, electoral organizations; whose principal function is to participate in the country’s elections with the intention of winning the relevant election, and thus acquiring the right to form the country’s government of the day. It is the political party that wins the majority of the available parliamentary seats which becomes the ruling party.
Hence, Chama cha Mapinduzi has continuously been the ruling party, simply because that party has managed to win all the general elections which were held after every five years throughout this period. I must however recognize, and acknowledge, the presence of many unsubstantiated claims by some of the Opposition parties, who have repeatedly been “crying foul”, that the relevant elections were “not free and fair”. But that is a matter fit for a separate discussion.
The purpose of elections, and the role of political parties.
Elections are the basis of the democratic method of choosing the representatives of the people in the constitutional established decision making organs of the country’s governance system. The function of elections are (a) to create a sentiment of popular participation in the choice of political leaders; and (b) to provide for an orderly succession of leaders when their term of office comes to an end. And the role of political parties is absolutely central in this business of elections.
There are three vital roles of political parties in relation to elections. hey are:-
The purpose of elections, and the role of political parties.
Elections are the basis of the democratic method of choosing the representatives of the people in the constitutional established decision making organs of the country’s governance system. The function of elections are (a) to create a sentiment of popular participation in the choice of political leaders; and (b) to provide for an orderly succession of leaders when their term of office comes to an end. And the role of political parties is absolutely central in this business of elections.
There are three vital roles of political parties in relation to elections. hey are:-
(i) Candidate selection; (ii) organization and management of the election campaign for its selected candidates; and (iii) voter identification and targeting.
The careful selection of its election candidates is, of course, the first crucial step. CCM’s successes in general elections is party based on this basic factor of the careful selection of its election candidates; which has two distinct stages of “primary nomination” and “final nomination”. At the primary nomination level, ANY interested member of the party is free to apply to be considered for nomination.
The careful selection of its election candidates is, of course, the first crucial step. CCM’s successes in general elections is party based on this basic factor of the careful selection of its election candidates; which has two distinct stages of “primary nomination” and “final nomination”. At the primary nomination level, ANY interested member of the party is free to apply to be considered for nomination.
This has, unfortunately, encouraged the emergence of ‘frivolous candidates”, that is to say, persons who, clearly, have no chance whatsoever of winning the relevant election. However, this preliminary stage also involves the casting of what are known as “preference votes” by the relevant party organs. And that is where the frivolous candidates become identified.
The next stage is the “final nomination” of candidates. This is the stage where a single candidate gets nominated for the relevant election, who thus qualifies as the part’s official candidate for that election.
The organization and management of the election campaign for its candidates is an equally important function of every party which is participating in elections. The primary purpose of an election campaign is to enable the relevant party to communicate a strong message to the voters, which will hopefully convince the majority of them to vote for the its candidate (or candidates).
But experience has shown that in our case, the voters have largely been influenced more by the quality of the candidate. This is what has motivated CCM to be extremely careful in the selection of its candidates; and resulted in its continued success at all past elections.
Finally, there is the political party’s function of “voter targeting”; and this has been the greatest weakness for most of the opposition parties in Tanzania. Admittedly, ‘voter targeting’ is not an easy task at all; because there are at least four different categories of voters who have to be reached: there are those who strongly support the party; there are those who are its strong opponents; and there are those who are undecided; who can be persuaded by the impact of the party’s effective campaign; and finally, there are the lazy ‘abstainers’ , namely those who deliberately avoid going to their polling stations to cast their votes, mainly for flimsy personal reasons.
It is, therefore, a matter of crucial importance, for any serious political party, which is genuinely seeking to win a given election, to endeavour to reach all these different categories of voters; a task which Chama cha Mapinduzi has always undertaken, thus resulting in its continuing success in all the past multi-party elections that have taken place.
Lesson three: the role of the party constitution.
In respect of State constitutions; the men of wisdom have stated that “the good or bad fortune of a nation depends on three things: its constitution; the way that constitution is made to work; and the respect it inspires among the population.” The reality may not be readily realized; but it remains the truth, that the CCM constitution has, fortunately, been made to work in the way it was intended; and, as a result, has inspired genuine respect among CCM members and its leaders. Appropriate rules have been made to guide the implement the relevant provisions of the party constitution; particularly, in relation to elections, as already shown above.
There is an English proverb which says that “Fortune favours the brave”.
The next stage is the “final nomination” of candidates. This is the stage where a single candidate gets nominated for the relevant election, who thus qualifies as the part’s official candidate for that election.
The organization and management of the election campaign for its candidates is an equally important function of every party which is participating in elections. The primary purpose of an election campaign is to enable the relevant party to communicate a strong message to the voters, which will hopefully convince the majority of them to vote for the its candidate (or candidates).
But experience has shown that in our case, the voters have largely been influenced more by the quality of the candidate. This is what has motivated CCM to be extremely careful in the selection of its candidates; and resulted in its continued success at all past elections.
Finally, there is the political party’s function of “voter targeting”; and this has been the greatest weakness for most of the opposition parties in Tanzania. Admittedly, ‘voter targeting’ is not an easy task at all; because there are at least four different categories of voters who have to be reached: there are those who strongly support the party; there are those who are its strong opponents; and there are those who are undecided; who can be persuaded by the impact of the party’s effective campaign; and finally, there are the lazy ‘abstainers’ , namely those who deliberately avoid going to their polling stations to cast their votes, mainly for flimsy personal reasons.
It is, therefore, a matter of crucial importance, for any serious political party, which is genuinely seeking to win a given election, to endeavour to reach all these different categories of voters; a task which Chama cha Mapinduzi has always undertaken, thus resulting in its continuing success in all the past multi-party elections that have taken place.
Lesson three: the role of the party constitution.
In respect of State constitutions; the men of wisdom have stated that “the good or bad fortune of a nation depends on three things: its constitution; the way that constitution is made to work; and the respect it inspires among the population.” The reality may not be readily realized; but it remains the truth, that the CCM constitution has, fortunately, been made to work in the way it was intended; and, as a result, has inspired genuine respect among CCM members and its leaders. Appropriate rules have been made to guide the implement the relevant provisions of the party constitution; particularly, in relation to elections, as already shown above.
There is an English proverb which says that “Fortune favours the brave”.
My sincere devotion to the task that was assigned to me as of drafting the CCM constitution of 1977, in my capacity as Member/Secretary of the party commission referred to above; appears to have impressed President Nyerere, to the extent that he appointed me to the post of Executive Secretary General (Katibu Mtendaji Mkuu) of the newly established Chama cha Mapinduzi, in February 1977.
I actually did much more than I was expected to do; for I actually did all the constitution drafting myself, and only presented the respective drafts to the commission for their consideration and possible approval. They were all swiftly approved. I also developed the habit of briefing Mwalimu Nyerere, on every step in the progress of the work of the commission. This is what seems to have impressed him; and facilitated my appointment, Nyerere called me to his office and said: “umekuwa mkunga mzuri sana wa kuzalisha moto huyu. Sasa utamlea wewe mwenyewe”.
piomsekwa@gmail,com /0754767576.
Source: Daily News and Cde Msekwa.
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