The song runs something like this – in Kiswahili: “Tanzania,
Tanzania, nakupenda kwa moyo wote. Nchi yangu, Tanzania, jina lako ni
tamu sana…. Nilalapo nakuota wewe; niamkapo ni heri kabisa…!”
The unofficial English version: “Tanzania, Tanzania, I love you
immensely. What a wonderful name you have, my country – Tanzania!
Whenever I’m asleep all my dreams are about you; upon waking up, I feel
completely at peace with myself…!”
The message the song carries is similar to the one in the country’s
National Anthem, which millions of Tanzanians still find pride in
although perhaps with less dedication, devotion, commitment and
sincerity than obtained during the early years of independence.
The anthem, for those caring for details, stresses the importance
of unity, peace and love – which it fondly refers to as the pillars of
the nation’s survival and development.
In much similar vein, the country’s Constitution places a premium
on the need to safeguard and promote basic human rights in the knowledge
that no Tanzanian is – or should be considered – a better human being
than any other.
The preamble to our “mother law” meanwhile states, in part, that
Tanzanians have firmly and solemnly resolved to build a democratic
nation founded on the principles of freedom, justice, fraternity and
concord.
It adds that the Judiciary would be independent and would dispense
justice without fear or favour, “thereby ensuring that all human rights
are preserved and protected and that the duties of every person are
faithfully discharged”.
There is also Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025, which says the
nation’s development ought to be people-centred, based on sustainable
and shared growth and free from abject poverty.
It adds that the creation of wealth and its distribution in society
must be free from inequalities and all other factors that inhibit
empowerment and effective popular participation in nation-building.
Equally importantly, Vision 2025 underscores the need for the
nation “to enjoy peace, political stability, national unity and social
cohesion in an environment of democracy and political and social
tolerance”.
“Although Tanzania has enjoyed national unity, peace and stability
for a long time, these attributes must continue to be cultivated,
nurtured and sustained as important pillars for the realisation of the
Vision,” it says.
Much like most other official documents on Tanzania and Tanzania’s
development agenda, inclusive of the 1967 Arusha Declaration, the Vision
lays stress on good governance, the need to have both a well-educated
and learning society and a strong, competent and competitive economy.
What the wealth of documents, declarations, progammes and
strategies Tanzania boasts means is that the problems or challenges we
may be grappling with have little relation to lack of “lights” to guide
us into sustainable social and economic development characterised by the
prevalence of peace and genuine law and order.
As we contemplate the nature of the goings-on in our country,
especially the sporadic cases of chaos and violence we have been
witnessing recently, we need to seriously reconsider our ways of doing
things.
It is neither right nor proper that Tanzania should become
ungovernable while we, to whom it is entrusted, sadly, helplessly or
gleefully look on.
If we may ask two rhetorical questions: Who would be assured of
safety were the inflammatory pronouncements irresponsible elements in
our midst keep making to lead to anarchy? And, why are we seeing a
noticeable rise in the incidence of manifestations of lack of restraint
and people’s failure or refusal to behave in a socially acceptable
manner?
If we may add to this: could it be that undercurrents of
disillusionment and loss of hope have set in unbeknownst to us all,
particularly those officially expected to lead in “smelling” looming
danger and helping avert disaster?
It would be foolhardy to expect peace and justice to thrive where
there is grinding poverty amidst plenty, where a few people illegally
mint billions from the country’s natural resources and where double
standards are a fact of life in the administration of justice or in the
provision of basic public services like education and knowledge.
We are warned that a culture of admiring “effortless” success is
setting in, while productive individual initiative risks losing value.
This spells disaster for the nation in that it may lead to the mistaken
belief that education, training and diligence don’t necessarily count.
In our view, our only salvation lies in fear of God, ensuring that
the instruments and organs we have put in place to help keep the peace
live up to expectations, and putting our nation’s interests before any
others.
It’s essentially about truly loving Tanzania. How many of us really do?
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
No comments:
Post a Comment