Candidates should stop misusing Nyerere's name

Mwalimu J.k Nyerere 

In Summary

Many have claimed that they are the closest things to Mwalimu Tanzanians can ever hope to have. One candidate last week said, if elected, he would rule the country the same way Mwalimu did during his 24 years in power.

It has now become the norm for presidential candidates to claim that they want to restore the legacy and ideals of the founding father of our nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Some have gone as far as visiting Mwalimu’s tomb, ostensibly to seek blessings and luck before embarking on their bids to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete.

Many have claimed that they are the closest things to Mwalimu Tanzanians can ever hope to have. One candidate last week said, if elected, he would rule the country the same way Mwalimu did during his 24 years in power.

The problem is that nearly all those claiming to be Mwalimu’s disciples are not aliens from Mars. Many are the very same people who have been in government since Mwalimu’s era. They have been around for as long as one cares to remember.

Some have been Cabinet ministers who attended meetings that authorised the policies that effectively killed Mwalimu’s legacy after his retirement in 1985.

This harping about bringing back “Mwalimu’s Tanzania” is nothing but a clever ploy to gain mileage in the tough battle to be the country’s next president.

Since Brand Nyerere is still the most trusted brand in Tanzania, every presidential candidate is eager to mention Mwalimu’s name because it is politically expedient to do so as the General Election draws closer.

Unfortunately, no one can clone Mwalimu today if the quality of leaders we have in Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa is anything to go by. Mwalimu was a visionary leader, who was never blinded by the trappings of power and privilege. He never stole from Tanzanians and used the same loot to buy leadership as is currently commonplace in this country.

Granted, Mwalimu was no angel, but he was courageous enough to admit that he made serious mistakes when he was at the helm.

Leaders who own up to their mistakes are a rare breed nowadays. Can any of those aspiring to succeed President Kikwete claim to have this attribute