Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere
was the father of southern African liberation, and one of the founding fathers of the
Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) which later became the
Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Born in Butiama near Lake Victoria on
13 April 1922, when he passed away in a London hospital 77 years later on 14 October 1999
after a long bout with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Africans everywhere shared the sense
of loss felt by Tanzanians.
He was Baba wa taifa, father of
the nation, the moving force for the independence of Tanganyika on 9 December 1961 and for
its unity with Zanzibar on 26 April 1964 to create the United Republic of Tanzania.
A charismatic leader of sharp
intellect and great personal integrity, he welded a country and a national identity from
over 120 ethnic groups, united by their language Swahili and by a social harmony
constructed on the ideals of peace, justice, unity and personal commitment. This was his
greatest national achievement, followed closely by the provision of universal education
and healthcare.
His firm support for equality and tolerance ranged
across all diversity of race, religion, class and gender. He encouraged Tanzanian women to
play a leadership role in society and adopted a parliamentary system that has guaranteed
seats for women.
Tanganyika's independence in 1961 was an inspiration to
all those who believed that political independence could be achieved by non-violent means
and he worked tirelessly in support of this, for: Zambia(1964), Malawi(1964), Botswana
(1966), Lesotho (1966), Mauritius(1968),
Swaziland(1968) and Seychelles(1976).
When the other countries of southern
Africa were forced into wars of liberation to eventually achieve the same end, Tanzania
provided political, material and moral support until independence and majority rule were
achieved in 1975 (Mozambique, Angola), 1980 (Zimbabwe), 1990 (Namibia) and finally, 1994
(South Africa).
Julius
Kambarage Nyerere pursued the ideals of liberation, democracy and common humanity into the
rest of the continent and with the leaders of the other few African countries which were
independent in 1963 established the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The main
objective was political liberation for the rest of the continent. Their tool for achieving
this, the OAU Liberation Committee, was hosted by Tanzania, and most liberation movements
were based there at one time or another. |
The leaders of Tanzania, Zambia and
Botswana formed the Front Line States in 1974 to work together in a united front for
common security and for majority rule in neighbouring countries, under the chairmanship of
Mwalimu Nyerere, and this was a forerunner of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and
Security. The political changes in Namibia
and South Africa in this decade, in 1990 and 1994, changed the face and future of the
African continent, and completed the work of the OAU Liberation Committee, but
socio-economic development has remained a vision.
Through Mwalimu's leadership, all Tanzanians were able
to take pride in their contribution to the liberation of the region, through
"people-to-people" support in hosting refugees, contributing food, clothing, and
shillings. One very successful campaign drew
a voluntary contribution of one shilling each to support Mozambicans.
Mwalimu often said that he was
a leader only through the support of the people, and that he was able to lead only because
the people of Tanzania "have faith in me".
"Some people in the world do not have the right to vote in any
form. They have no Parliament. Their leaders are chosen for them and they must accept it.
Make use of your privileged position," he told Tanzanians.
Although the decision to initiate the
SADCC was taken in Arusha, Tanzania and the launch was in Lusaka, Zambia, the organization
was hosted by Botswana, and Mwalimu used any occasion to give credit for its formation to
his colleague and close friend, the late President Seretse Khama of Botswana.
When the SADCC was formed in April
1980, Khama saw the difficulties ahead when he predicted that, "The struggle for
economic liberation will be as bitterly contested as has been the struggle for political
liberation."
SADC, formally established by the
Windhoek Treaty in 1992, has turned its vision of regional integration and free trade into
a formal agreement to be implemented soon after the turn of the century, and most member
states have developed a national Vision of where they want to be by 2016 or 2020.
The Lagos Plan of Action for
socio-economic development of Africa is the OAU's plan of action 1980-2000.
Meeting in Lagos in April 1980 just
after the SADCC was launched, African leaders inspired by Nyerere and Khama, reaffirmed
their commitment to set up an African Economic Community by the year 2000, "so as to
ensure the economic, social and cultural integration of our continent."
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The aim of this community, in the terminology popularized by
Mwalimu, "shall be to promote collective, accelerated, self-reliant and
self-sustaining development of Member States; co-operation among these States; and their
integration in the economic, social and cultural fields." The African Economic Community was formally
constituted and held its first meeting in 1997.
Mwalimu Nyerere was present at the OAU summit in Algiers in July this year, when
his contribution and inspiration over the past 36 years was acknowledged.
He retired as president of Tanzania in
1985 and as chairman of the party Chama Cha Mapinduzi in 1990. Tanzania has had two
presidential transitions since then, first to Ali Hassan Mwinyi for two five-year terms,
and then in 1995, when Benjamin William Mkapa was elected President.
After leaving office, Mwalimu devoted
his vision to mechanisms to strengthen developmental links between developing countries of
the South. He chaired the South Commission from 1987-90, and dedicated the next decade to
the service of the South Centre, tirelessly fund-raising for a capital fund and operating
costs.
Unfortunately, the targets have not
yet been met and there is serious concern that the South Centre may not survive the loss
of its charismatic chairperson unless others are prepared to commit themselves for this
purpose.
Mwalimu often said that his
generation had achieved at least one goal, that of the political liberation of Africa, and
that the next generations must take up the next goals.
A long memorial verse by his close
friend and colleague, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the former President of Zambia, reminds us all
that, "The best way of mourning him is to carry on where he has left."
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"He carried the
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Exerpts from address
by President Mkapa at funeral
The week that Southern
Africa will long to remember |