By Andrew Irumba
Today we pay our tributes to MWALIMU JULIUSÂ KAMBARAGE NYERERE, Tanzania’s founding father, a pan-African and socialist, 1922- 14th Oct 1999.
Nyerere led Tanganyika to its independence in 1961 and later in 1964 helped merge Tanganyika and Zanzibar into Tanzania, where he ruled as president till his resignation in 1985.
As a president he promoted mass literacy, Education for self-reliance, collective and agriculture.
He is also best remembered for promoting moralistic sacrifice and Helping combat tribalism.
Nyerere was on the frontline in helping to spearhead liberation wars in countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Nyerere has been honoured all over the world with outstanding awards and places named after him, Uganda and Rwanda alone honoured more than once.
Some Catholics in Tanzania have even made efforts to elevate him into sainthood.