Our leadership and the destiny of Tanzania

by Julius Nyerere

Genres: Nonfiction

91 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

Born in Tanganyika to Nyerere Burito (1860–1942), Chief of the Zanaki,[1] Nyerere was known by the Swahili name Mwalimu or 'teacher', his profession prior to politics.[2] He was also referred to as Baba wa Taifa (Father of the Nation).[3] Nyerere received his higher education at Makerere University in Kampala and the University of Edinburgh. On returning to Tanganyika he worked as a teacher. In 1954 he helped form the Tanganyika African National Union.

In 1961 Nyerere became the first Prime Minister of Tanganyika and following independence in 1962, the country's first President. In 1964, Tanganyika united with Zanzibar and was then renamed as Tanzania. In 1965, a one-party election returned Nyerere to power and two years later he issued the Arusha Declaration, outlining his socialist concept of Ujamaa, which came to dominate his policies.

Nyerere retired in 1985 and was succeeded by Ali Hassan Mwinyi but remained the chairman of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi. He died of leukaemia in London in 1999. In October 2009, Nyerere was named "World Hero of Social Justice" by the United Nations General Assembly.[4]

Reviews

[Moses Irira]

World hero for the kingdom of Africa.

[Brian Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, recommended read, talks alot about Tanzania politics, especially the period when Mwinyi was a president, and the challenges, of the union, between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, also the quality of leadership

[Khalifa Said]

The issue of union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, to form the United Republic of Tanzania, will remain a contentious issue at least for a couple of generations to come. And this is just for very good reasons as, just like any other union-like marriage-, the issue is just that: contentious.

This book is about that contention which, fortunately, took place during the time when, despite outside the government, Mwalimu was still alive, and, yes, popular and influential.

From the Zanzibar's decision to join the O.I.C, a move that angered their Tanganyikan comrades, and the procedure of getting the Union Government Vice President and the issue of three government Federation, Mwalimu takes us through the highs and lows of that period and how best he tried to save the dhow from drowning.

May his soul rest in peace and May Tanzania triumph!