{UAH} What would Mwalimu have done or said if he were alive? - Magazines - thecitizen.co.tz

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What would Mwalimu have done or said if he were alive? - Magazines

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania used to have a wise and caring teacher. The whole world knew about him and his achievements. All who heard of him would say: "Yes, he's great." He stood up for ethical living and fought even more for his people more than anything else. Many consider him as a great humanist, who provided opportunities to all, regardless of their social status.

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere liberated Tanzania from colonialism and fought to maintain peace and stability within the country. As a teacher, he talked to his people as if to his students. He tried to teach them rather than to rule them, to provide for them rather than take from them. He did not accumulate riches for himself nor did he try to be more comfortable than his people. He lived the same way his people lived - simple lifestyle.

During his time as president of Tanzania, Nyerere fought for three major things for his country. He fought for national unity, peace and harmony, waged war on poverty and he ensured its success was shared by all and defended the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Mwalimu believed in a just and equal society, where everyone was treated fairly and with the same respect. He was pro-nationalism to ensure all riches were shared among all, the poor and rich alike and he stood up against any form of corruption.

The introduction of "Ujamaa villages" and Arusha Declaration was one of the ways in which he tried to pursue the development of the country and maintain peace, unity, equality and prosperity within the country.

After he died in 1999, things have changed considerably. Now it is the opposite of what Mwalimu stood up for. Unity among Tanzanians is slowly waning. Public leaders do not stand up for their people the way Mwalimu did and wealth is shared only among those who have the wherewithal. The poor are left to starve and struggle against all odds. Where is the wealth that Mwalimu felt ought to be shared among all citizens to maintain peace, unity and equality in the country? Mwalimu would definitely not have allowed so many Tanzanians to go hungry and live in fear of what their children would eat.

Most leaders now live in luxury and prosperity. Where Mwalimu had forbidden public leaders to engage in business, while serving people so that they don't compromise public interest and their own, now most of them own huge chunks of land, big hotels and even companies of which they spend time investing in.

One of the greatest things that Mwalimu had a very strong stance to was corruption. He did not tolerate the art of corruption among government officials nor did he allow it to be practised. Yet, today Tanzania is ranked 19th in the corruption index in Africa and 1022nd in the world. Reporter Kizito Makoye wrote about regimes of presidents who took over after Mwalimu and yet they have done nothing to ensure public leaders lead a moral life. In his article he argues how corruption in Tanzania has become like a way of life within which people can even openly declare that they have accepted or given bribes.

Among the things that Mwalimu worked hard to build and maintain was unity between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Once these two countries united to form the United Republic of Tanzania, Mwalimu worked hard to ensure the Union lasts.

Today, the Union is hanging on a thin thread with frequent disagreements and talks of wanting to be two different countries. The people of Zanzibar do not feel part of Tanzania and many people wonder if Tanganyika and Zanzibar really became one country, why is it that there are two presidents, with different cabinets and different constitutions! The Union between the two countries is no longer what it used to be when Mwalimu was still in power, and there is no certainty of how long it is going to last. Even discussions held on the social media argue that the Union will not last long.

Whereas Mwalimu fought for peace and unity not just in Tanzania, but also in other African countries, today the situation is different. The state of peace and stability within the country itself is unstable and has reached a point where Muslims and Christians are at loggerheads. The argument, which erupted between President Kikwete and Rwandan President Paul Kagame has put strain on friendly relations between Rwanda and Tanzania, which resulted in the deportation of non-Tanzanians back to their countries of origin. Many people have ended up homeless and strangers in a place they are told is their "home" when the only home they have ever known is Tanzania. Such a situation could not have been tolerated during Mwalimu's era. Mwalimu was a great leader, recognised and accepted by many for his ideals, teachings and constant care for everyone. He was not perfect, and some of his ideas did not take root and sprout, but he always stood up for what was right and let no one lead him where he did not want to go. With the current state of affairs in Tanzania, Mwalimu would have been disappointed if he were still alive.

The author is a student at St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT)

What would Mwalimu have done or said if he were alive? - Magazines - thecitizen.co.tz
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazine/What-would-Mwalimu-have-done-or-said-if-he-were-alive-/-/1840564/2047886/-/s8pfbx/-/index.html