Today, the 9th June of every calendar year is my happy birthday date. And, according to established tradition, I have been receiving numerous “happy birthday” wishes from a large variety of sources, including close relatives, friends, colleagues and comrades; to all of whom I have expressed, and continue to express, a big THANK YOU. But there are also those naughty fellows called wajukuu; who have been harassing me with their crazy songs of “How old are you now? For whom I invented a clever response of “I am older than you”; which they cannot possibly challenge.
Because no birth certificates were being issued during those colonial Administration times; I could only rely on the records preserved by the Catholic church establishment at Kagunguli Parish, Ukerewe; according to which, I was born on 9th June, 1935, Hence, this is my 87th birthday event. Asante Mungu. Deo gratias.
Regarding the significance of personal birthdays.
Whether by design, or sheer accident, the older generation of Tanzanians, including myself, tend to avoid organizing significant celebration events for their annual birthdates. And this also applies to the father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, for whom the State has been regularly organizing events to commemorate his death in 1999, but never organized any birthday celebrations for him, neither when he was alive, or even after his death. This is what actually motivated me, in 2019; to write “an impassioned plea for commemorating Mwalimu Nyerere’s birthday”; that was published in this column on 18th April, 2019.
But this year was different; for on that date of his birthday anniversary on 13th April, 2022; the State organized an appropriate memorial event for that purpose, to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday this year, had he been still alive. The said event was appropriately held at the newly inaugurated “Mwalimu Nyerere School of Leadership” in KIbaha, to which I had the good fortune of being invited to give a talk.
I must, however, recognize the commendable initiative which was taken by the MWALIMU NYERERE MEMORIAL ACADEMY, KIVUKONI; which, for a number of years, has been organizing special academic functions to commemorate the birth date of Mwalimu Nyerere. For example, on 13th April, 2015; President Jakaya Kikwete (as he was then), went to this Kivukoni Academy to inaugurate a new leadership training programme, which was given the Kiswahili name of “Kibwete cha Mwalimu Nyerere”. The English translation of the word “Kibweta” is given as “a small box, or container, used for preserving family valuables, particularly jewels. In the light of that meaning, the name “Kibweta cha Mwalimu Nyerere” is admirably suitable, and indeed most appropriate, for this particular leadership programme, which is primarily aimed at preserving knowledge of Mwalimu Nyerere’s outstanding contributions to the formation and subsequent development of our country and nation, through the usual academic methods of teaching, research and evaluation. In fact, it is now an established practice for the Mwalimu Nyerere Academy, Kivukoni, to organize and hold seminars or workshops on or around this date of 13th April every year, in commemoration of Mwalimu Nyerere’s birthday.
Why celebrating Mwalimu Nyerere’s death is inappropriate.
Although there is a distinct difference between the words “commemoration” and “celebration”, it is only a thin line that separates them; for it is possible to hold a special service ‘in commemoration’ of a person’s life, i.e. of what he has done in his life; which is precisely what is happening at the moment in respect of the late Mwalimu Nyerere’s commemoration events which are held annually on the anniversary of his death on 14th October.
Because no birth certificates were being issued during those colonial Administration times; I could only rely on the records preserved by the Catholic church establishment at Kagunguli Parish, Ukerewe; according to which, I was born on 9th June, 1935, Hence, this is my 87th birthday event. Asante Mungu. Deo gratias.
Regarding the significance of personal birthdays.
Whether by design, or sheer accident, the older generation of Tanzanians, including myself, tend to avoid organizing significant celebration events for their annual birthdates. And this also applies to the father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, for whom the State has been regularly organizing events to commemorate his death in 1999, but never organized any birthday celebrations for him, neither when he was alive, or even after his death. This is what actually motivated me, in 2019; to write “an impassioned plea for commemorating Mwalimu Nyerere’s birthday”; that was published in this column on 18th April, 2019.
But this year was different; for on that date of his birthday anniversary on 13th April, 2022; the State organized an appropriate memorial event for that purpose, to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday this year, had he been still alive. The said event was appropriately held at the newly inaugurated “Mwalimu Nyerere School of Leadership” in KIbaha, to which I had the good fortune of being invited to give a talk.
I must, however, recognize the commendable initiative which was taken by the MWALIMU NYERERE MEMORIAL ACADEMY, KIVUKONI; which, for a number of years, has been organizing special academic functions to commemorate the birth date of Mwalimu Nyerere. For example, on 13th April, 2015; President Jakaya Kikwete (as he was then), went to this Kivukoni Academy to inaugurate a new leadership training programme, which was given the Kiswahili name of “Kibwete cha Mwalimu Nyerere”. The English translation of the word “Kibweta” is given as “a small box, or container, used for preserving family valuables, particularly jewels. In the light of that meaning, the name “Kibweta cha Mwalimu Nyerere” is admirably suitable, and indeed most appropriate, for this particular leadership programme, which is primarily aimed at preserving knowledge of Mwalimu Nyerere’s outstanding contributions to the formation and subsequent development of our country and nation, through the usual academic methods of teaching, research and evaluation. In fact, it is now an established practice for the Mwalimu Nyerere Academy, Kivukoni, to organize and hold seminars or workshops on or around this date of 13th April every year, in commemoration of Mwalimu Nyerere’s birthday.
Why celebrating Mwalimu Nyerere’s death is inappropriate.
Although there is a distinct difference between the words “commemoration” and “celebration”, it is only a thin line that separates them; for it is possible to hold a special service ‘in commemoration’ of a person’s life, i.e. of what he has done in his life; which is precisely what is happening at the moment in respect of the late Mwalimu Nyerere’s commemoration events which are held annually on the anniversary of his death on 14th October.
But the word “celebration” is really appropriate only in respect of ‘happy’ events, such as weddings and birthdays. This is because, a person’s death is always a sad event, which represents his exit from this world; and is thus not quite a fit occasion for jolly celebrations. This is totally different from birthdays, which represent a person’s ‘happy’ entry into the world’s stage of many opportunities. And in the particular case of Mwalimu Nyerere, opportunities which he utilized to liberate our country from colonialism, and to lay the firm foundations for the new nation’s unity and mutual respect, and lasting peace; which we are presently continuing to enjoy.
Simultaneously ‘Celebrating’ and ‘commemorating’ events, is equally inappropriate. But what we are actually doing currently on ‘Nyerere Day’, the 14th day of October of every year, is that we are celebrating one (happy) event, which is the closing of the mammoth annual ‘UHURU Torch Marathon’ race; and, simultaneously, commemorating a different (very sad) event, which is the death of the Father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
In my humble opinion, this creates a situation that is pretty confusing; and this, I submit, adds meaning, and strength, to my afore-mentioned plea for celebrating his birthday date of 13th April; and finding another way of commemorating his death on 14th October. For example, by allocating this function to the various Religious Organizations to undertake this responsibility, by arranging special prayer events for that purpose.
Our esteemed readers can easily access some of the numerous books that have been written about Mwalimu Nyerere by different authors. But the primary focus of these publications has mostly been on his works, especially his sterling contributions to the struggle for the liberation of our country Tanzania, and of some other African countries; from colonialism; plus his supreme efforts in the development of our country after independence.
However, as the authors of his Biography have pointed out in the Preface:- “Epitaphs and eulogies to Nyerere abound. He is revered and demonized in equal measure, sometimes in the same breath”. The demonizing aspect that is referred to by these authors, reminds me of the words of that famous English Playwright William Shakespeare, who wrote the following lines in Julius Caesar : - “The evil that men do, lives after them; but the good is often interred with their bones”.
It is common knowledge that Mwalimu Nyerere personally decided to retire voluntary from the Presidency in October 1985, when he felt that the time had come to pass on that responsibility to others. That action alone, suggests that he was a leader of unusual quality, and with a national spirit of manifest maturity, largely of his own creation.
Simultaneously ‘Celebrating’ and ‘commemorating’ events, is equally inappropriate. But what we are actually doing currently on ‘Nyerere Day’, the 14th day of October of every year, is that we are celebrating one (happy) event, which is the closing of the mammoth annual ‘UHURU Torch Marathon’ race; and, simultaneously, commemorating a different (very sad) event, which is the death of the Father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
In my humble opinion, this creates a situation that is pretty confusing; and this, I submit, adds meaning, and strength, to my afore-mentioned plea for celebrating his birthday date of 13th April; and finding another way of commemorating his death on 14th October. For example, by allocating this function to the various Religious Organizations to undertake this responsibility, by arranging special prayer events for that purpose.
Our esteemed readers can easily access some of the numerous books that have been written about Mwalimu Nyerere by different authors. But the primary focus of these publications has mostly been on his works, especially his sterling contributions to the struggle for the liberation of our country Tanzania, and of some other African countries; from colonialism; plus his supreme efforts in the development of our country after independence.
However, as the authors of his Biography have pointed out in the Preface:- “Epitaphs and eulogies to Nyerere abound. He is revered and demonized in equal measure, sometimes in the same breath”. The demonizing aspect that is referred to by these authors, reminds me of the words of that famous English Playwright William Shakespeare, who wrote the following lines in Julius Caesar : - “The evil that men do, lives after them; but the good is often interred with their bones”.
It is common knowledge that Mwalimu Nyerere personally decided to retire voluntary from the Presidency in October 1985, when he felt that the time had come to pass on that responsibility to others. That action alone, suggests that he was a leader of unusual quality, and with a national spirit of manifest maturity, largely of his own creation.
Writing for our younger generation.
It is this aspect of Mwalimu Nyerere’s life, that I would like to encourage our younger generations to note specifically, and to appreciate properly. We should not allow the “good that Mwalimu Nyerere did, to be interred with his bones”. And, as Shakespeare further said in his other Play titled “All’s well that ends well” (Act V scene iii); “Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dearer”. Thus, in pursuance of that noble objective; I have in this presentation, focused mainly on the positive aspects of Mwalimu Nyerere’s ‘ life and works’.
It is this aspect of Mwalimu Nyerere’s life, that I would like to encourage our younger generations to note specifically, and to appreciate properly. We should not allow the “good that Mwalimu Nyerere did, to be interred with his bones”. And, as Shakespeare further said in his other Play titled “All’s well that ends well” (Act V scene iii); “Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dearer”. Thus, in pursuance of that noble objective; I have in this presentation, focused mainly on the positive aspects of Mwalimu Nyerere’s ‘ life and works’.
My religious ‘sixth sense’, tells me that what Mwalimu Nyerere did for our country, was completely in line with the Biblical teaching (in Ecclesiastes: 9.10); namely that “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest” (after death).
Briefly, his outstanding contributions were primarily in the following three major areas:- (a) In the liberation of Central and Southern African countries, from colonialism and apartheid. This was during his early governance period, which covered the first few years of his leadership, when the struggle of “the independence of all African countries” was the dominant political factor in Africa.
Briefly, his outstanding contributions were primarily in the following three major areas:- (a) In the liberation of Central and Southern African countries, from colonialism and apartheid. This was during his early governance period, which covered the first few years of his leadership, when the struggle of “the independence of all African countries” was the dominant political factor in Africa.
(b) In laying firm foundations for our country’s unity, peace and tranquility, which we are continuing to enjoy right up to the present day; and for the proper route to be taken for the social and economic development of our country and its people, based on self-reliance. Mwalimu Nyerere had two major objectives in his mind: One was the task of building “ a strong, unified nation” ; and the other was to find a “new route” for the country’s socio-economic development. This was an entirely new policy, which was pronounced in the document titled: “TANU’s policy on Socialism and Self-Reliance; that was adopted on 5th February, 1967.
However, this is the matter which has been criticized by some critical observers, including the renowned Kenyan Professor Ali Mazrui, who called it “a case of heroic failure”; and further elaborated as follows: “It was heroic because Tanzania was one of the few African countries which attempted to find its own route to development, instead of borrowing the ideologies of the West. But it was a failure, just because this economic experience did not deliver the goods of development”.
(c) In his acclaimed observance of the leadership ethics. The books of Authority on the subject of ethics, inform us that “ethics is the heart of leadership”.
Mwalimu Nyerere was a sincere believer in this ‘leadership ethics doctrine’ ; as evidenced in his speech to the (colonial) Tanganyika Legislative Council in 1959; wherein he said:-“The only safeguard of peoples’ rights, the peoples’ freedom; and all those other things which the people value, is the existence of a national ethic”. Therefore, he said, “what we must continue to do all the time, is to endeavour to build a national ethic”.
The period from the year 1985, when Mwalimu Nyerere retired from the top leadership of our country as President of the United Republic of Tanzania; taken together with the more than 22 years after his death, easily translates into the emergence of a whole new generation of adult Tanzanians; which surely needs to be kept abreast of Mwalimu Nyerere’s “good deeds”.
I personally had the good fortune of working closely with Mwalimu Nyerere, in a variety of high-ranking public service positions, to which he himself appointed me at different stages during his Presidency; which gave me the exceptional advantage of being able to observe his ways and methods of doing things; and, particularly, his personal endowments.
In the preparations for commemorating the tenth anniversary of Mwalimu Nyerere’s death in 2009; the organizers commissioned the writing of a book on Mwalimu Nyerere’s life; and invited several authors , including me, to contribute articles for publication therein.
The period from the year 1985, when Mwalimu Nyerere retired from the top leadership of our country as President of the United Republic of Tanzania; taken together with the more than 22 years after his death, easily translates into the emergence of a whole new generation of adult Tanzanians; which surely needs to be kept abreast of Mwalimu Nyerere’s “good deeds”.
I personally had the good fortune of working closely with Mwalimu Nyerere, in a variety of high-ranking public service positions, to which he himself appointed me at different stages during his Presidency; which gave me the exceptional advantage of being able to observe his ways and methods of doing things; and, particularly, his personal endowments.
In the preparations for commemorating the tenth anniversary of Mwalimu Nyerere’s death in 2009; the organizers commissioned the writing of a book on Mwalimu Nyerere’s life; and invited several authors , including me, to contribute articles for publication therein.
In my article, I said the following:-“Nyerere has been described by a variety of local and international observers, as an iconic leader, a man of principle, intelligence, honesty , and integrity; and also as humanist, a political prophet, thinker, and statesman". All of that, is entirely true. Indeed, the Nyerere I knew, and worked very closely with; had all those virtues, plus many more. For, in addition, he was an ardent believer in peace, and a unique, effective political mobilizing agent of the people.
He was also a devout catholic, but a strong campaigner for the separation of religion from politics. Furthermore, he was a modest man in his private life, and hated pomposity in his official life”. And I can testify that all of these virtues were manifested in his actions; both in his private life, as well as in his public life; details of which I have provided in my Kiswahili book titled “ Uongozi na Utawala wa Mwalimu Julius Nyerere” (Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers, Dar es Salaam, 2013).
piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
Source: Cde Msekwa whom we wish a very spiffy birthday today.
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