Mwalimu Nyerere: Tanzania’s sporting heritage

DAR ES SALAAM: MWALIMU Julius Nyerere, the Tanzania’s Founding Father and First President, played a key role in shaping the nation’s identity beyond politics and economics.

As a leader, he recognised the importance of culture and sports in building a united and independent society.

Through his policies and example, Mwalimu Nyerere promoted Tanzanian culture, supported the growth of traditional and modern sports and valued traditional games such as Bao and playing cards.

His contributions continue to influence Tanzania today. From the early years of independence, Mwalimu Nyerere understood that Tanzania’s more than 120 ethnic groups and languages required a shared national identity.

He believed that true independence was not only political but also cultural. To achieve this, he introduced policies that celebrated African traditions and discouraged imitation of colonial cultures.

A key part of his cultural policy was promoting Kiswahili as the national and official language. This helped unify the country and allowed for easier communication among different groups even before Independence.

Kiswahili also became a symbol of Tanzanian pride and identity. Mwalimu Nyerere also supported Tanzanian music, dance, drama and storytelling as forms of education and expression.

Institutions like the Bagamoyo College of Arts (now Taasisi ya Sanaa na Utamaduni Bagamoyo – TaSUBa) were created to train artists and preserve traditional art forms.

These efforts encouraged the growth of a national culture rooted in African values. Beyond formal policy, Mwalimu Nyerere’s personal life reflected his love for Tanzanian traditions.

He was especially fond of Bao, one of the oldest traditional board games in East Africa.

Known for its strategy, Bao symbolised wisdom, patience and skill. Nyerere often played Bao with villagers and friends, showing he valued cultural continuity.

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Bao is a traditional mancala board game played in most of East Africa including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Comoros, Malawi, as well as some areas of DR Congo and Burundi.

He also enjoyed playing cards, not for gambling, but as a way to relax, socialise and connect with people.

These games reflected his humble and approachable nature and his belief that cultural practices traditional or adapted belong in everyday life.

His appreciation helped preserve them as parts of Tanzania’s heritage. Mwalimu Nyerere saw sports as vital to national unity and progress.

During his presidency, sport was promoted in schools, communities and at the national level. Physical education became part of the curriculum, encouraging youths to stay active and learn teamwork.

The government invested in sports facilities like Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam. These venues hosted national competitions and international matches, raising Tanzania’s profile and boosting pride.

Mwalimu Nyerere believed sport could unite people across ethnic, regional and religious lines. National teams in football, athletics, boxing and other sports became symbols of unity.

Local competitions made sport accessible to all. Today, Mwalimu Nyerere’s vision still shapes Tanzanian culture and sport. Kiswahili remains widely used in Tanzania and across East Africa as well as other parts of Africa.

Traditional games like Bao are still played and taught. Institutions like TaSUBa continue to promote the arts, while national teams inspire unity and pride.

His belief that culture and sport are essential to development has left a lasting mark on Tanzanian society.

Nyerere showed that a nation’s strength comes not only from politics or the economy but from preserving identity, celebrating heritage and sharing values. Mwalimu Nyerere was more than a political leader.

He was a cultural visionary who saw tradition, creativity and sport as key to building a strong, united nation.

Through promoting Kiswahili, arts, traditional games and sports, he gave Tanzanians a sense of pride in who they are. His legacy continues to inspire efforts to preserve Tanzanian identity in a changing world.