On December 17, 1996 an American journalist Stanley Meisler was at a Korea University conference in Seoul and had the privilege of being placed next to Julius Kambarage Nyerere at dinner.
Mwalimu Nyerere to this American journo who had covered Africa for over quarter a century was like a saint--incorruptible, frank, good humored and intellectual, capable of charming the most suspicious and doubtful questioners into following the flow of his logic as he expounded the need for socialism, one-party democracy, self-reliance and nonalignment in Africa.
Meisler says Nyerere always made sense, at least in theory, and, since he knew Nyerere did not line his pockets with gold, tribalism or racism, he always wished him and his country well. At dinner, Meisler turned to Nyerere and told him “Mr. Nyerere, when I was a young correspondent, and you were a young president, I interviewed you.” “Well,” he replied with a laugh, “I got out of my business. I hope you got out of yours.” Weisler later wrote an article saying Nyerere wielded a good deal of influence in national politics and solving international crises.
“The Venerable Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a great man for the nation of Tanzania, for the people of Tanzania and for all of Africa. He is a model for some African leaders in a continent that is driven by self-interest and abuses of power” wrote Meisler. The life of Nyerere is an inspiring story of a gentle and humble man who devoted his life and considerable talents to the people of Tanzania.
It is the story of a great Christian, a good Catholic and a great educator. Nyerere was a great model for honesty and humility in leadership, disdain for wealth at the expense of others, moderation in the exercise of power and being a servant of the nation and especially the poor.
He even went against some church leaders to ensure equality for all and remove potential internal conflicts in the nation’s future. There is little doubt that he allowed his Catholic faith to inform and guide his actions in life – not as someone brainwashed but as someone who combined his considerable intellect and faith to serve others and bring peace to the country, leading a very happy and rewarding life in the process.
In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, The Venerable is the style used for a person who has been posthumously declared “heroic in virtue” during the investigation and process leading to possible canonization as a saint. Before a person is considered to be venerable, he or she must be declared as such by a proclamation, approved by the Pope, of having lived a life that was “heroic in virtue” – the virtues being the Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity and the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
The next step is beatification, at which point the person is referred to as The Blessed, and finally canonization, at which point the person is referred to as Saint. Two modern and well-known examples of those who have been declared venerable are Popes John Paul II and Pius XII, who were both declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009, and who are likely to be beatified soon.
There are many ‘behind the scenes’ details about Nyerere as a person and many of the core decisions he made which are not published or widely known. Nyerere died in London where had gone few days before his death to receive specialist medical treatment, not running away with money to live luxuriously in another country. He became friends with the parish priests of the parishes he was in and eventually started translating the Catholic prayers and Catechism into his local tribal language (Zanaki). Rumours have it that a priest once asked if he could translate the Bible.
He said “yes,” and worked away using the English version. After a while, he came to the priest and said, “Father, have you got the original Greek Bible, I think I will do a better job with that.” Amazingly, after one year of studying Greek at his Masters Course in England he was able to translate Greek into Zanaki - A sign of his intelligence and giftedness.
He had a number of offers to go overseas and study from his Parish Priest in Musoma who had seen his potential in the early days, but he rejected the offers saying he didn’t want to be changed by the West but to be close to the people he taught. Instead he travelled to Uganda to do a degree in Education. There he excelled himself as student leader of the Catholic students and helped them have trips and retreats of religious and spiritual nature. Eventually he accepted a scholarship to New York.
But when he requested travel documents, the British Colonial Office didn’t want him going to New York, so they gave him a scholarship in England! All through the struggle before Independence, Nyerere was very poor and worked to support himself and his family. After becoming leader, he lived in a very modest residence away from government House for the welfare of his children who were getting spoilt by visiting officials. He did this at his own expense, through borrowing money.
The Maryknoll Fathers supported him in his journey to New York in the 1950’s. In the lead up to self-rule, Mwalimu decided it was not appropriate for him to be paid by the Political party he was leading. So he did his leadership work as a volunteer. After being elected Prime Minister of the first parliament for Self- Governing rule, he stepped down quickly to allow his friend and associate to take the position.
Why? Because he was aware of the possibility of Muslim/Christian tensions destabilising the country in the future. He was very concerned for equality and the presence of Muslims in the leadership of the new country in order to prevent religious violence. In the 1970’s Julius nationalised the religious schools (at the displeasure of some Bishops of the time) because he saw the potential for conflict between the educated Christians and the less educated Muslims… nationalising made the education system more available for all citizens.
At one point the army almost removed him in a coup, but he went and spoke to them in a manner that appealed to their good nature and desire for the good of the nation. The army backed down. Nyerere is one of the First African Head of States to receive a State Funeral. He often went to Butiama to work in the farm on his holidays. Some people who knew him say that when guests came to see him they had to go into the fields and take up a hoe and they worked side by side for a while before Nyerere would allow them to talk about their issues.
One of his famous quotes is: “A person is a guest for two days, on the third day gives him a hoe.” Nyerere went to Mass every day – even as President. When asked how he fit it into his schedule, he replied: “If I didn’t go to Mass, I would not be able to do my job.” Even on official visits overseas (even in China) he went to Mass. There were many struggles and setbacks and disappointments on the life journey of Nyerere and his country.
But through it all he persevered and maintained his ethics and dignity, his faith and good humour and an undying love for the people and unity of his country of Tanzania. Nyerere had a great devotion to Our Lady of Grace. Here are two good quotes taken from speech and a book he wrote… “We, in Africa, have no more need of being ‘converted’ to socialism than we have of being ‘taught’ democracy. Both are rooted in our past -- in the traditional society which produced us.” Julius Kambarage Nyerere, first president of Tanzania, from his book Freedom and Unity, 1966.
Mwalimu Nyerere to this American journo who had covered Africa for over quarter a century was like a saint--incorruptible, frank, good humored and intellectual, capable of charming the most suspicious and doubtful questioners into following the flow of his logic as he expounded the need for socialism, one-party democracy, self-reliance and nonalignment in Africa.
Meisler says Nyerere always made sense, at least in theory, and, since he knew Nyerere did not line his pockets with gold, tribalism or racism, he always wished him and his country well. At dinner, Meisler turned to Nyerere and told him “Mr. Nyerere, when I was a young correspondent, and you were a young president, I interviewed you.” “Well,” he replied with a laugh, “I got out of my business. I hope you got out of yours.” Weisler later wrote an article saying Nyerere wielded a good deal of influence in national politics and solving international crises.
“The Venerable Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a great man for the nation of Tanzania, for the people of Tanzania and for all of Africa. He is a model for some African leaders in a continent that is driven by self-interest and abuses of power” wrote Meisler. The life of Nyerere is an inspiring story of a gentle and humble man who devoted his life and considerable talents to the people of Tanzania.
It is the story of a great Christian, a good Catholic and a great educator. Nyerere was a great model for honesty and humility in leadership, disdain for wealth at the expense of others, moderation in the exercise of power and being a servant of the nation and especially the poor.
He even went against some church leaders to ensure equality for all and remove potential internal conflicts in the nation’s future. There is little doubt that he allowed his Catholic faith to inform and guide his actions in life – not as someone brainwashed but as someone who combined his considerable intellect and faith to serve others and bring peace to the country, leading a very happy and rewarding life in the process.
In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, The Venerable is the style used for a person who has been posthumously declared “heroic in virtue” during the investigation and process leading to possible canonization as a saint. Before a person is considered to be venerable, he or she must be declared as such by a proclamation, approved by the Pope, of having lived a life that was “heroic in virtue” – the virtues being the Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity and the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
The next step is beatification, at which point the person is referred to as The Blessed, and finally canonization, at which point the person is referred to as Saint. Two modern and well-known examples of those who have been declared venerable are Popes John Paul II and Pius XII, who were both declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009, and who are likely to be beatified soon.
There are many ‘behind the scenes’ details about Nyerere as a person and many of the core decisions he made which are not published or widely known. Nyerere died in London where had gone few days before his death to receive specialist medical treatment, not running away with money to live luxuriously in another country. He became friends with the parish priests of the parishes he was in and eventually started translating the Catholic prayers and Catechism into his local tribal language (Zanaki). Rumours have it that a priest once asked if he could translate the Bible.
He said “yes,” and worked away using the English version. After a while, he came to the priest and said, “Father, have you got the original Greek Bible, I think I will do a better job with that.” Amazingly, after one year of studying Greek at his Masters Course in England he was able to translate Greek into Zanaki - A sign of his intelligence and giftedness.
He had a number of offers to go overseas and study from his Parish Priest in Musoma who had seen his potential in the early days, but he rejected the offers saying he didn’t want to be changed by the West but to be close to the people he taught. Instead he travelled to Uganda to do a degree in Education. There he excelled himself as student leader of the Catholic students and helped them have trips and retreats of religious and spiritual nature. Eventually he accepted a scholarship to New York.
But when he requested travel documents, the British Colonial Office didn’t want him going to New York, so they gave him a scholarship in England! All through the struggle before Independence, Nyerere was very poor and worked to support himself and his family. After becoming leader, he lived in a very modest residence away from government House for the welfare of his children who were getting spoilt by visiting officials. He did this at his own expense, through borrowing money.
The Maryknoll Fathers supported him in his journey to New York in the 1950’s. In the lead up to self-rule, Mwalimu decided it was not appropriate for him to be paid by the Political party he was leading. So he did his leadership work as a volunteer. After being elected Prime Minister of the first parliament for Self- Governing rule, he stepped down quickly to allow his friend and associate to take the position.
Why? Because he was aware of the possibility of Muslim/Christian tensions destabilising the country in the future. He was very concerned for equality and the presence of Muslims in the leadership of the new country in order to prevent religious violence. In the 1970’s Julius nationalised the religious schools (at the displeasure of some Bishops of the time) because he saw the potential for conflict between the educated Christians and the less educated Muslims… nationalising made the education system more available for all citizens.
At one point the army almost removed him in a coup, but he went and spoke to them in a manner that appealed to their good nature and desire for the good of the nation. The army backed down. Nyerere is one of the First African Head of States to receive a State Funeral. He often went to Butiama to work in the farm on his holidays. Some people who knew him say that when guests came to see him they had to go into the fields and take up a hoe and they worked side by side for a while before Nyerere would allow them to talk about their issues.
One of his famous quotes is: “A person is a guest for two days, on the third day gives him a hoe.” Nyerere went to Mass every day – even as President. When asked how he fit it into his schedule, he replied: “If I didn’t go to Mass, I would not be able to do my job.” Even on official visits overseas (even in China) he went to Mass. There were many struggles and setbacks and disappointments on the life journey of Nyerere and his country.
But through it all he persevered and maintained his ethics and dignity, his faith and good humour and an undying love for the people and unity of his country of Tanzania. Nyerere had a great devotion to Our Lady of Grace. Here are two good quotes taken from speech and a book he wrote… “We, in Africa, have no more need of being ‘converted’ to socialism than we have of being ‘taught’ democracy. Both are rooted in our past -- in the traditional society which produced us.” Julius Kambarage Nyerere, first president of Tanzania, from his book Freedom and Unity, 1966.
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