Learning from Mwalimu Julius Nyerere –a fine example of true leadership

Catholic bishops meeting in the Vatican last October struck a chord with anti-poverty campaigners when they called upon “corrupt” African leaders to either repent or resign.

The men of God further mesmerized by recognizing former Tanzanian President, Mwalimu Dr. Julius Kambarage Nyerere, as “a fine example of leadership.”

The call was made last October, at a time when the world was marking the 10^th Anniversary of the great Mwalimu’s death.

But while I do not foresee any of the so-called “corrupt” African leaders flocking to the confessional box or quitting the public arena in light of that decree any time soon, the bishops’ message is a reminder of our constant struggle against tyranny and oppression.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said not long ago, that African leaders hold the key to Africa’s development. True –if we could have even a handful of African leaders who are willing and ready to provide good leadership, many of the ills facing the continent can be overcome.

The problem, however, is that good leaders are hard to come by on our continent.

Apparently, even ‘retired’ good leaders are out of stock as suggested by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s decision last month not to give anyone the much coveted “Good Governance” prize for 2009.

However, we cannot deny that Africa has produced some good leaders, some of whom even deserve to be elevated to sainthood.

Take Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, for example. In many ways, Nyerere was the quintessence of good leadership.

Selfless and a highly principled man, his work and simple life set an example of integrity, which continues to challenge Africa leaders today.

His voluntary relinquishment of the presidency in 1985 to give others the experience of running government brings to shame the likes of  Kamuzu Banda , Mugabe, Jammeh,  Biya, Nguema,  Gaddaffi, Eyadema,  Mubaraka , Muluzi and others who consider power as something to be tightly grasped and never let go, no matter what, even if it means spilling blood.

Julius Nyerere is in fact among the extremely few world leaders who have selflessly attempted great things for their national peoples.

His achievements are admired by many not only in Africa but around the world.

A strong freedom fighter, Nyerere led the drive for the independence of his East African nation from British rule and became the country’s first president in 1962.

After retiring in 1985, he did lots of other good things for Africa, including helping to negotiate an end to the civil war in Burundi, which had killed more than 200,000 people.

Nyerere had weaknesses like everyone else; but unlike most African leaders of his time, he never acquired notoriety for human rights violations.

And he stood firm for what he believed was just.

In 1979, for example, Nyerere defied the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) by sending troops to Uganda to help get rid of the Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin Dada who had caused untold suffering to his own people and foreigners.

In addition to that, Nyerere will forever be fondly remembered by those he assisted during the liberation struggle in some southern African countries.

At the height of Kamuzu’s dictatorial regime, our own liberation fighters such as the late Kanyama Chiume, Orton Chirwa, Jomo Chikwakwa, Attati Mpakati, Yatuta Chisiza, Chipembere, the Mwakasungulas and others found a home in Nyerere’s territory.

Mwalimu was also a great supporter of Africa’s unity.

“Africa must unite,” he said on the 40^th anniversary of Ghana’s independence in March 1997.

He believed that Africa would be stronger if its people are united.

“The needs of our separate countries can be, and are being, ignored by the rich and powerful. The result is that Africa is marginalized when international decisions affecting our vital interests are made…

“Unity will not make us rich, but it can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated,” he said.

Yes, Nyerere had his own faults, but who doesn’t? In fact, it is in his own weaknesses that one also finds his strengths.

Towards the end of his presidency, Nyerere publicly admitted that he had failed to achieve some of his goals, particularly the social goal that had driven him into leadership. Such an admission might sound like a weakness on the surface, but it’s a mark of remarkable leadership and statesmanship, not to mention integrity.

Through what he called “Ujamaa”, Nyerere’s attempted to end poverty in his country by reviving traditional rural communalism or the traditional “extended family”, bringing together groups of different villages, investing collectively in them and running them through modern democratic precepts.

But even though his economic policies foundered, Nyerere, a stalwart proponent of “African Socialism”, had shown that he was determined and genuinely committed to uplifting the lives of his people.

He famously said: “The only way to defeat our present poverty is to accept the fact that it exists, to live as poor people, and to spend every cent that we have surplus to our basic needs on the things which will make us richer, healthier and more educated in the future.”

As Malawi seeks to launch itself on the “Road to Prosperity”, it would greatly help to copy these wise words and paste them on our foreheads.

Another lesson we can learn from the great Mwalimu is tolerance. Nyerere encouraged even his bitterest opponents to express themselves freely and without fear.

The only thing he demanded was that they produce the facts and figures and weave them into a cogent thought.

And he often took them on, not by means of threats, but by intellectually replying to each point by point.

Whatever criticism some people might have about his policies and style of leadership, there is no getting away from the fact that Nyerere was a great leader.

Nelson Mandela said of him: “Julius Nyerere’s burning desire for justice and commitment to Africa’s interests were an inspiration to a whole generation of African leaders. The freedom of his country, the liberation of other oppressed peoples and the unity and decolonization of the African continent were part of a single struggle for a better world.”

His humility and umunthu is beyond compare.

One has only got to look at the speed at which Tanzania has embraced democracy since he voluntarily stepped down in 1985 to appreciate his wisdom and selflessness.

Since his stepping down, Tanzania has democratically elected three Presidents –Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa and now Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. You don’t hear of third term attempts in Tanzania –or of former leaders raring to bounce back. Surely Malawian leaders, and all of Africa, can borrow a leaf from this great son of the African soil.

Time has come for African leaders to start looking at power not in the narrow sense of the term, but as a means of bringing people together, and using the available resources to achieve development for everyone without discrimination.

It hurts to think that Africa is enormously rich in natural resources, yet its people are desperately poor.

Africa leads in world statistics of poverty, food shortage and child and maternal deaths.

In fact, Africa remains the only continent in the whole world where nearly half of its population overwhelmingly still survives on less than $2 a day.

The painful truth is that Africa will remain in this state until and unless we have at the helm leaders of Nyerere’s calibre.

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