Speaking at the African Liberation Medal celebrations late last
week in Dar es salaam, Mengi said care for natural resources was the
creed honoured by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the founding father
of the nation.
He said Mwalimu Nyerere emphatically pointed out in his socialist
book titled Ujamaa ni Imani, that all natural resources such as oil and
gas reserves in the country are the heritage of all wananchi.
He said to honour Mwl. Nyerere’s legacy and in the interest of
national prosperity, it is vital for current leaders to read, understand
and follow advice given in the book.
Dr. Mengi took the time to commend African heroes including Mwl Nyerere and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
He said the two leaders were at the forefront, supporting and
opening their doors for freedom fighters from Southern Africa to enter
and set up training camps in their respective countries during the
liberation struggles.
"The contribution of these heroes cannot be forgotten,” he emphasized.
“Nyerere was brave…he was convinced that what he did was not only
good for Tanzania but for the entire African continent," Dr. Mengi said.
In his comments, Dr George Nangale, one of the organizers of the
liberation awards, said when Tanzania, which was then called Tanganyika,
attained its independence in 1961, Nyerere strongly believed that his
own country's independence would be meaningless if other African
countries were not free.
He said that Nyerere worked tirelessly to support African countries
to free themselves from colonial yokes and managed to do so for Zambia
(1964), Malawi (1964), Botswana (1966), Lesotho (1966), Mauritius
(1968), Swaziland (1968) and the Seychelles (1976).
He said, when the other countries of Southern Africa were forced
into wars of liberation, Tanzania provided political, material and moral
support until independence and majority rule was achieved in 1975
(Mozambique, Angola), 1980 (Zimbabwe), 1990 (Namibia) and finally, 1994
(South Africa).
Nyerere was born on April 13, 1922 and was the first Prime Minister
in 1961 when Tanganyika gained her independence from Britain.
He became the first President when Tanzania became a republic on 09
December 1962 and he also became the first president of the United
Republic of Tanzania in 1964 following the union of Tanganyika and
Zanzibar until his retirement in 1985.
Up to his death in 1999, his philosophy sought to make Tanzania a
self-reliant nation, free from indebtedness to former colonial powers
and the entire Western bloc.
The African Liberation Medal awards were organised to recognise the
substantial contribution of African leaders who helped the continent
rid itself of colonialism and also helped in the growth of African
economy.
"The award is being organised for the first time in Tanzania and
those who were selected to receive the medal have been chosen by panel
of scholars, religious leaders, politicians and powerful businessmen in
advocating the liberation of Africa," explained Dr Lucy Mboma, Senior
Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Among recipients of the medals and certificates of recognition for
their part in African liberation struggles included the late Mwl
Nyerere, first president of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda , Tanzania's Attorney
General Mark Bomani and Ambassador Adam Marwa.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
No comments:
Post a Comment