Nyerere

I was first introduced to Mwalimu Nyerere by my father back in 1996 (I know I am old-ish). I was doing a project on Union Day which also happens to be my mother's birthday. I never paid much attention to him until on the 14th of November, 1999 when he passed.

The day that he died and the subsequent 40 days of mourning that followed reintroduced me to the man I had learned about just a few years back and at a young age I knew no matter what you thought of him personally, his impact on Tanzanian and African politics could not be denied.

Six things I have come to learn and admire about the man:

1. He was stubborn (some might say to a fault) but he practiced what he preached.

2. He was a true Pan-Africanist and believed that Tanganyika/Tanzania could not be free until the whole of Africa was free.

3. He was your favourite leader's favourite leader. Many African heads of government/state at the time admired and respected Mwalimu.

4. He didn't achieve his dream for Tanzania and stepped down the minute he knew he was no longer fit to lead the country in an era which required a new way of thinking.

5. Mwalimu owned up to his mistakes. He knew he wasn't perfect and neither was his time in office. But he also believed that he had laid the foundation of a brighter future for the nation.

6. He was a great nation builder. He banned chiefs and went out of his way to create a diverse government with people from all religious sects and tribes. Swahili and youth service were used to create a sense of oneness.

Hate him or love him, Mwalimu Nyerere was a great leader and a flawed human. He did the best he could with the little he had. To many he will remain a hero and to some he will be remembered as an autocrat. But that's fine because every great story has two sides to it. May he continue to rest in eternal bliss.