We need nyerere’s wisdom now than ever before

We are well into the week-long celebrations of the leadership of Founding President Julius Nyerere, which will climax on October 14--the day he died in 1999 and now a public holiday. Nyerere Day was set aside in memory of his achievements as Tanzania’s president from independence in 1961 to 1985, when he stepped down in favour of a new crop of leadership but remained an essential point of reference on national issues and an inspiring voice worldwide.

Mwalimu continues to have a profound impact on developments in Tanzania. This year, his significance takes a very special meaning as the country enters the last lap of the making of a new constitution ahead of the 2015 General Election.

It was Mwalimu Nyerere who largely inspired our shift to pluralism. In taking this direction, he went against the thinking in the hardliners’ camp in Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Sitting President Jakaya Kikwete has come close to taking a leaf from Mwalimu in opting to take on the making of a new constitution despite his party.

But the similarities stops there. President Kikwete’s mettle will be tested by how he handles the cracks that have emerged since the process kicked off.

When receiving the Constituent Assembly’s Proposed Constitution in Dodoma last week, President Kikwete and Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein must have had a lot on their minds trying to work out how to bridge the obvious divisions, particularly those driven by political interests. On the final journey to a national referendum, it is to be hoped that the two leaders and their counterparts in the opposition will be inspired by Mwalimu’s wisdom and act in concert--and especially so for the sake of the country and the people.

National Reconciliation

Time is of the essence as we forge ahead and the national referendum must be programmed taking into account preparations such as putting in place an independent Electoral Commission, updating the voter electoral register and working on the modalities of managing the 2015 presidential and parliamentary elections. This is a tall order and it will demand inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation.

Mwalimu remains the epitome of dedicated leadership Africa-wide but he was humble enough to confess that his was not a fault-free leadership. He appealed to those who would come after him to build on the foundation he laid and cast aside what they deemed irrelevant. In the increasingly competitive political environment--with the opposition all grown up and now challenging the old order democratically--all parties have a duty to work together. Mwalimu’s stature as the Father of the Nation continues to hold steady and his wisdom is acknowledged by all, political affiliation notwithstanding.

In celebrating Mwalimu’s life, let us reflect on the work of a leader whose integrity and vision is legendary. In his thoughts and writings, our current leadership can find wisdom to clear the way to a new constitution and commit to people-centred development.

Let the week-long celebrations be a time to come together, reach consensus and let his wisdom guide us to national reconciliation. It is time to accept our diversity and draw from the many benefits that its combined wealth offers.

God bless Tanzania, God bless Africa!

The Citizen