At any given time, the job of the leader is to mobilise citizens. He's a visionary, the one who shows the way, we expect a leader to lead us into unforceable future. Without effective leader people will be mobilised by external forces whose interests most of the time won't stand on the national interests.
American philosopher Edmund Burk once said that there's a big difference between real leader and a fake one! The real leader has a vision and would do whatever possible to maintain and adhere to the laid down ethics. Fake leader wont look beyond today's life. And because fake leader is after today's life, he relies on deceit and manipulation.
The late Julius Kambarage Nyerere( The first President of Tanganyika) was a visionary leader, not a ruler! Tanzania had a political independence in 1961 after four decades of British rule. Julius Nyerere had a task of leading his people. Mwalimu ( swahili name for a Teacher) wanted to create african socialism and believed this to be good for the fragile and immature nation like Tanganyika.
Can we still see signs of his vision? Yes we can! Tanzanians are united as a nation relatively well compared to other neighbours notably Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. Citizens living in this country can not realise/ appreciate our unity unless they cross the border to other nations. I lived in United Kingdom for nine years and interacted and even lived with other africans in the same house. I resided with kenyans, Ugandans, and Zimbabweans. A Luo doesnt mingle well with Kikuyu, Shona cannot befriend Ndebele and Baganda does not speak the same language with Acholi. My friend from Kenya even wondered when I referred a Tanzanians as 'ndugu' (comrade) "Is she your sister? He asked suprisingly!
But that historically admired unity is increasingly withering away! and visionless leaders that we have now can not escape a blame!
It was not by accident that my uncle( A haya) married a nyakyusa, nor its not coincident that my auntie married a nyasa. My uncle met his future wife in Ruvu National service camp while my auntie mate her other half at The University of Dar Es Salaam. Nyerere was a man on a mission, personal mission of uniting Tanzanians, on this spirit He initiated a programme of all academicians to service their nation through a military service known as NATIONAL SERVICE (JKT). From 1971 all graduates were required cumpulsorily to attend the service. This imparted a sense of national unity among the already polished intelligencia groups of our society. I attended a national service in three camps, notably Ruvu( Pwani), Nachingwea ( Lindi) and Mgulani ( Dar Es Salaam). Todate, I have friends that we could not meet in a formal education system. Nationals service crossed all sections of peopl, it was compulsory with no classes, religious, or sex discrimination. These resulted into one identification, i.e We're all Tanzanians. I can vividly remember those revolutionary songs, kwata! work in the field, etc that echoed national spirit. While in London I met an old friend from National service, a one year stay with the army had necessitated a long lasting friendship. Children of famous leaders, businessmen,peasants forgot their different status quo and paradded to correct 'kichele' ( monthly pay) in those camps.
Politically, yes we can embrace multiparty system, and shun away old fashioned single partism, but still Nyerere insisted on effective grassroot political mobilisation that was well organised. Summon a standard seven pupil and ask him/her to name his ten-cell leader? or his councillor, or warden leader? He wont have a clue. Ironically the same lad will line up the eleven team members of Manchenster United!. I believe effective politics starts from grassroot. president Kikwete can not be at my ward at all times to mobilise locals on the importance of environment, but ten-cell leader can do. These days I dont see grassroots leaders and instead religious groups run the show. For example catholic church mobilises its followers more effectively than political leaders. Yet the church can not pioneer causes of national interests such as Kilimo Kwanza, kata mti panda mti,kilimo cha kufa na kupona, elimu ya watu wazima, etc.These were slogans with national interests that mobilised Tanzanians a great deal.
Should we be suprised that religious leaders are now introducing 'waraka' to their followers as we approach next general election? Please not! they've got their believers in custody at a time when there's a gap in genuine leadership. Tanzania has a non-religious nation is increasingly disappearing and here comes religious royality among citizens. Believers are taken in captives and waste hours praying instead of fulifilling national duties.
Culturally we are doomed as well! the other day I attended a party and there was a 15 years girl giving a key note speach to the guests. Ironically she apologised of not being able to speak swahili and instead insisted on english!!!!. Yes she studies at one of the poshy english medium schools, but will this girl interact with her colleague at Kilimilire primary school ( Kagera Region) in three years time? Are these two Tanzanians? Can we say that english medium schools are home grounds for future leaders?
Look at the state of our youth! its like a bunch of sheep with no shephard. They're all mobilised by globarization that can not remember a thing about Tanzania. We'd national motivational songs back in the days. Songs like ' Alisema, alisema, alisema Nyerere, alisema vijana wangu wote mmelegea sharti tuanze mchakamchaka'. Instead of singing these songs our youth are carried away by western media and enjoys premier league and beauty pegeant.
Economically we are losers as of now more than ever before. Again our leaders do not make any effort to preserve national treasures such as minerals and other resources. The soundbites of ufisadi enriches pages of our daily newspapers.
As it is! Tanzania is whithering and it withers for good. God forbide.
God bless this great Nation.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, May the Lord Bless you.
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