nngu007
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 2, 2010
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TANZANIA'S leadership direction came into focus a few months ago as politicians, academics and people of all social strata converged in Dar es Salaam for a workshop held to mark the 10th passing anniversary of the country's founder president Julius Nyerere.
Organised by the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation, the workshop attracted an overwhelming audience that at the end of the day rose from their seats with a common opinion: Poor leadership is now an emerging fundamental problem and could eventually clog the country's development.
This assessment is essentially correct when we analyse the dubious characters who have in recent years penetrated the ranks of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party to seek leadership positions, not for advancing national interests but for personal goals at the expense of the poor majority.
Deterioration in the quality of Tanzania's leadership took a rapid turn after Nyerere stepped down in November 1985 and handed over the reins of authority to his elected successor, Ali Hassan Mwinyi. For nearly a quarter of a century that Mwalimu steered the nation, a well-articulated vision and mission characterised his rule.
To bring about positive change – especially that which is sustainable – Nyerere as a leader set up goals that were smart, measurable and tangible with an effective time line. It takes a visionary leader to remain focused, determined even in the face of odds and challenges. Nyerere believed that the path to success may be thorny, as it is often, but the ultimate goal is the result.
Genuine leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere and Mahatma Gandhi are becoming rare in Tanzania. These leaders emerged from the bewilderingly complex interplay of socio-cultural, economic, political, intellectual and spiritual variables.
The common denominator in all of them is an amazing inner strength and self-belief and spiritual stamina that propelled their vision and mission in their various countries. Of course as human beings Nyerere and others had their weaknesses; but they were able to transcend those weaknesses and forge, through words and deeds, spiritual bulwarks that enabled them lead by example.
Thus, since no one can guarantee the emergence of good leaders, the best option available is to create, maintain and sustain traditions and institutions that will ensure the peaceful non-violent replacement of political office holders before the bad ones among them inflict serious damage on the country.
The fundamental advantage of democratic governance over the totalitarian system is the possibility created in the former, but not in the latter, for the peaceful periodic replacement of one set of leaders with another set.
Such periodic replacement cannot really succeed in a social context where poverty, ignorance, illiteracy and moral decadence is prevalent, and where prominent politicians consider political office the fastest way to wealth accumulation.
Tanzania is today a country where leaders – the young boys and girls who got their education after independence -- value wealth over the well-being of the ordinary citizens.
In all, an alert, well-informed and focused citizenry is a desideratum.
The citizens, especially the enlightened and educated section of the population, must be willing to adopt peaceful means, including mass action and civil disobedience, to put pressure on the leaders to lead responsibly.
The problem with Tanzania's educated class, particularly the wealthy and prominent personalities, is that they find it extremely difficult to leave their comfort zones and engage in activities directed towards the public good. Also, many of them who benefit immensely from corrupt politicians use all sorts of frivolous legal technicalities to shield their benefactors.
If Tanzanians really want a change for the better and a drastic reduction of corruption in governance, they must learn to put public interest over pecuniary considerations. They must sincerely encourage policies and agencies that are put in place to combat corruption, and provide constructive criticisms where necessary.
How can credible, trustworthy, visionary, intelligent and disciplined leaders emerge in Tanzania? There is no methodological prescription and no rule of leadership selection can be invented which would enable any group, society or country produce quality leaders at will. The factors that work together to produce such leaders are incredibly complex; they are not amenable to any formula.
In Tanzania today, we have seen hypocrisy in the political, moral, financial, ethical and religious spheres. It flourishes in our environment where packaging is more important than product; where image is more essential than truth and where style is more significant than substance.
Most Tanzanian politicians today practice hypocrisy in one form or another. But the trouble with the political hypocrite is that in displaying gross hypocrisy, he or she is a man or woman of theatre or a phony of the highest order.
In the place of exemplary statesmen such as Julius Nyerere, we have politicians who are so bereft of fraternal impulses that they are willing to go to any extent to cover up political charades and personal escapades, as many speakers at the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation workshop put it.
Source:This Day
