DO THEY KNOW ITS TANZANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY?

9/12/1961 Tanganyikans celebrated the independence from colonizers, old guards had reasons just to do that; 'mkoloni ondoka, mtanganyika atawale' liberation from whitemen.

Statistically the life expectancy of a child born in the year of Uhuru was 41 years, so the majority of the uhuru children are now dead. I've talked to a large group of Tanzanians who are all more than 50 years old and several are over 80. But, statistically, these people are not representative, for the average first-generation Tanzanian is dead.

The leaders of the uhuru generation are mostly gone. A second generation has taken over and a third generation is waiting on the sidelines. Tanzania is a second- generation nation but some of the first generation Tanzanians are still alive.

So, second-generation is on the driving seat, the likes of Hon. Laurent Masha ( Home Affair Minister), was born in 1969 and Emmanuel Nchimbi ( Deputy, Defence Minister), was born 1974. How are these leaders view foreigners?

On my opinion they see 'wazungu' not as exploiters but partners/friends, to put it in a more fashionable term, 'development partners'.

When these second-generation leaders with their fashionable suits convene at top most hotel, e.g Movenpick, are they really reprensenting Tanzanians? Are these leaders really know or have any idea that their grandfathers ( Mwalimu Nyerere and others) fought for independence?

There are more questions than answers.

Happy independence day.