Africa’s Liberation

The Legacy of Nyerere

Edited by Chambi Chachage, Annar Cassam

The death in 1999 of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania, left a cavern in the consciousness and conscience of the people of Tanzania and Africa.Nyerere was not simply a player on the national terrain. He was a Pan-Africanist and an internationalist – in thoughts, writings and, crucially, in his practice. A unique advocate, strategist and leader, Nyerere spoke out loud against injustices across the world. A decade later, his words, actions, achievements and shortcomings have acquired a sharper focus and relevance to our world.

This book contains contributions from leading commentators, those who worked and fought imperialism alongside Nyerere, members of a younger generation (including Horace Campbell, Seithy Chachage, Ng’wanza Kamata, Salma Maoulidi, Haroub Othman, Issa G. Shivji and Vincesia Shule) – and Nyerere in his own words. Their writings reflect on Nyerere and liberation, international diplomacy, leadership, economic development, land, human rights and education.

Contents

Preface – How we wish you were here: a tribute to Mwalimu Nyerere
Firoze Manji

Introduction
Annar Cassam

A short biography of Nyerere
Madaraka Nyerere

But dear Mwalimu
Neema Ndunguru

Mwalimu in our popular imagination: the relevance of Nyerere today
Chambi Chachage

President Nyerere talks to El Mussawar (1984)
Interviewed by Nawal El Saadawi

Reading history backwards with Mwalimu
Seithy Chachage

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere: an intellectual in power
Haroub Othman

Julius Nyerere: between state-centred and people-centred Pan-Africanism
Horace Campbell

Nyerere, the Organization of African Unity and liberation
Mohamed Sahnoun

Nyerere and the Commonwealth
Chief Emeka Anyaoku talks to Annar Cassam

President Nyerere talks to El País (1991)
Interviewed by Ana Camacho

Reflecting with Nyerere on people-centred leadership
Marjorie Mbilinyi

Nyerere’s vision of economic development
Faustin Kamuzora

Mwalimu Nyerere’s ideas on land
Ng’wanza Kamata

The village in Mwalimu’s thought and political practice
Issa G. Shivji

Racial and religious tolerance in Nyerere’s political thought and practice
Salma Maoulidi

Mwalimu Nyerere and the challenge of human rights
Helen Kijo-Bisimba and Chris Maina Peter

Mwalimu Nyerere: the artist
Vicensia Shule

Mwalimu and the state of education
Chambi Chachage

About the Authors

Chambi Chachage is an independent researcher, newspaper columnist and policy analyst based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Annar Cassam is a former personal assistant of President Julius Kambarage Nyerere.