38 Reflections on Mwalimu Nyerere

The novelty of this book lies in the individuals selected for interviews, the probing questions asked, and the quality of the conversations held. These exchanges led to the disclosure of details that would not normally have been known about Mwalimu. Each interviewee either worked closely with or lived alongside Mwalimu, providing unique insights and perspectives about him. This approach has evoked candid anecdotes that shape the chapters of this book.

“He detested senseless and unmitigated loss of human life. I recall his conversation with Mzee Abeid Amani Karume in 1964. Mwalimu told him, ‘Sheikh, now that your revolution has been successful, and you are in power, please do not kill people, don’t kill, please don’t kill.’ Karume responded, ‘Mwalimu, I understand what you are saying. However, some people are difficult to deal with.’ Mwalimu insisted again, ‘No, No, No, don’t kill your citizens, don’t kill people.’”
– Joseph Butiku

“Mwalimu once told me, ‘Cleopa, if I were to become president again, I am sure we could do a lot of things.’ When I asked him why, he said, ‘I have learned one important lesson. Wherever I have gone, I have been reminded that you can’t have a good philosophy, idea, or theory to restructure a society if that philosophy, idea, or theory is not translated into the tummy, bread, and butter.’”
– Cleopa Msuya

“Before knowing Mwalimu closely, I had heard from some people that Mwalimu was a dictator. I discovered that the perception was false. At meetings, Mwalimu allowed maximum space and freedom to air views and to debate. Mwalimu was a good listener and made people feel free to speak out. We respected him.”
– Seif Sharif Hamad

“It is a gigantic task to reflect on and write about Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. How can one do justice to the remarkable leader and teacher that Mwalimu was? Even a year would not be enough to cover all aspects of the life and times of Mwalimu Nyerere, and the immense contribution he made to humanity; the man whom Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, has described as ‘the greatest black man that has ever lived.’”
– Mark J. Mwandosya

“In the period between 1994 and 1996, I saw a man who was angry, disappointed, and openly vocal about what he perceived as the erosion of ethical governance and the rise of corruption in high office at that time. Mwalimu’s speeches to the Tanzania Press Club in Dar es Salaam on 14 March 1995 and at the ‘Mei Mosi’ (Labour Day) event in Mbeya on 1 May 1995 reflected his grave concerns about society’s shifting values. He said it was as if the values had been struck by an earthquake. He even boldly talked about the State House being abused; turned into a ‘den of corruption.’”
– Juma V. Mwapachu

“Mwalimu was a very humble man. He had a strong faith in Catholicism and went to church every morning. He rejected pomp; he was a simple man. He limited the vehicles in his presidential motorcade to four and discouraged stopping people on the road to allow presidential cars to pass. He hated the routine.”
– Mark Bomani

“I learned two things about Mwalimu. The first was that he was a master media manager, a quality some other contemporary leaders could well emulate. He spoke to journalists on his terms when he had something to say. Interminable lectures and harangues were not his style. The second point was that you gave Nyerere ultimatums at your own peril. His logic was disarming; his determination both forceful and occasionally somewhat chilling.”
– David Martin

“Mwalimu consistently preached about the importance of human dignity. He was not one of those politicians who did the opposite of what they preach. He walked the talk. He was a man who sincerely believed that all human beings are equal as creations of Almighty God.”
– Anna Mwansasu

“Mwalimu’s children were brought up to appreciate that they were just like any other Tanzanian children. He never wanted them to feel or appear special. In this aspect, therefore, he was very different from other African leaders. He was utterly selfless as an individual and as a leader.”
– Maria Kamm

“If Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was to be identified with just one cause to the exclusion of any others; that cause would be the fight for man’s emancipation and liberty, the total and unconditional opposition to all forms of domination and subjugation.”
– Jenerali Ulimwengu

“What comes out from my experience with Mwalimu is his continuous use of power and authority even when he was outside the government and CCM. He enjoyed a lot of respect for his leadership. He was listened to. His iconic stature and charisma were beyond description.”
– Pius Msekwa

“Mwalimu Nyerere hated corruption in all its manifestations. He believed that people had the right to change and, if need be, overthrow a corrupt and therefore unaccountable government.”
– Job Lusinde

“Mwalimu Nyerere kept his distance from hypocritical people.”
– Ibrahim Kaduma

“His monumental achievements for Tanzania and the people of southern Africa, and indeed beyond, cast into insignificance whatever errors Mwalimu might have committed as a human being.”
– Kenneth Kaunda

“I would simply say that Julius Nyerere was completely free of fear – fear of what people may think of him or putting on an image to the world as if he was saying to the world, ‘this is who I am.’”
– Devaki Jain