Today the United Republic of Tanzania turns 59 and there is no pop and fun fare in the streets of Dar-es-salaam, Mwanza, Arusha or Tanga cities as the country continues to redefine its independence. The silence and muting of the celebrations are neither a sign of scrapping the importance of the day nor cancelling it from the national calendar but rather a way of reflecting and taking stock of the journey travelled thus far in the name of independence.
And like always, Tanzania continues to lead the way to the African continent that political independence celebrations can be substituted for development. In her wisdom, Her Excellency the President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan directed that the budget for Independence Day celebrations this year be channeled towards building dormitories for children with special needs. Instead of holding the parades and state banquets, the President also directed that the country hold public dialogues on national development issues.
“The debates and conferences will be preceded by various schedules for regional and district leaders to carry out social activities in different areas including cleaning hospitals, schools, elderly homes and groups with special needs,” Tanzania’s Minister of State, George Simbachawene was quoted by Aljazeera earlier this week. This however, is not the first time that the country has shelved the celebrations as in 2015, then-President John Magufuli diverted funds towards the building of a road in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
Most African countries have their independence foot prints recorded in Tanzania as the late African Icon, Julius Nyerere spearheaded the total independence of the continent. Painfully, after gaining the political independence most states continue to wallop in economical poverty while its leaders leave a lavish life. Countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi with depressed economy are known of spending millions of dollars on celebrations while the later once flew abroad to attend a virtual meeting at the expense of the tax payer’s money.
The move by Tanzania should be a wake up call for all the African leaders that priority does not lie in spending millions of dollars on celebrations but rather on development economic freedom.
Happy 59th birthday United Republic of Tanzania. Africa owes you
By Desmond Nleya
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