Mwalimu Nyerere: Legacy stories from his son

As we commemorate Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s 25th death anniversary, the usual October wave of discussions, debates and reflections on the life and legacy of Tanzania’s founding president re-emerges. Mwalimu, who passed away on October 14, 1999, remains a figure of considerable influence in Tanzania’s history. Fate played a role when Mwalimu Nyerere was sworn-in as Tanganyika’s first president by Chief Justice Ralph Windham on December 9, 1962. From that point onward, he embarked on a leadership journey shaped by his experience at the helm of the nationalist party, the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). In the early years following independence, Nyerere was less the teacher and more the student. He faced the enormous responsibility of leading a new government, and it is By G. Madaraka Nyerere Continue on Page 3. Read more stories on pages 4, 6, 11. JULIUS NYERERE’S LEADERSHIP: SON’S INSIGHT ON HIS LEGACY THE ARUSHA NEWS EXCLUSIVE within this context that many of his thoughts on leadership, governance and public administration began to take shape. Given his 23-year tenure as president, there is much to reflect upon. However, as we revisit his life year after year, there is a risk of repetitive analysis. Last year, I suggested that instead of focusing on well-trodden ground, we could dedicate his death anniversary to emulating the positive values from his legacy. I propose that we also begin to explore aspects of his public life that have received little attention. At a recent book launch on former Prime Minister Edward Moringe Sokoine, Judge Joseph Sinde Warioba shared a revealing story. He recounted a disagreement with Sokoine, who was then prime minister, over the draft of an anticorruption bill. As justice minister and attorney-general at the time, Judge Warioba opposed some of the more extreme provisions Sokoine proposed, including setting up a special tribunal for corruption cases, holding closed-door trials, allowing hearsay evidence and waiving the right to bail. Judge Warioba argued that these provisions violated principles of good governance and human rights and he even offered to resign if they were included. In the end, President Nyerere intervened. He removed some of the controversial provisions but retained others, much to Warioba’s d i s a p p o i nt m e nt . E ve n J u d g e Warioba’s threat to resign was vetoed by Mwalimu. Another speaker at the launch, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, the Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, encouraged participants to document and publish their leadership experiences, emphasising that the histories of public servants are also part of Tanzania’s history. I agree wholeheartedly. While no single account can provide a complete history of Tanzania, the more experiences we share, the closer we come to understanding our past. Judge Warioba’s story offers a glimpse into Nyerere’s leadership that we don’t often hear. It’s important to remember that while Nyerere is often revered as an upright and principled leader, he also faced complex challenges and disagreements. Leaders like Joseph Sinde Warioba, who weren’t afraid to challenge his decisions, deserve recognition for their courage. Nyerere stood firm in his beliefs, willing to defend what he considered right and just. Judge Warioba’s story is a reminder of this side of Nyerere, one that is often overlooked in the annual October discussions about his life.