Robust growth in Zanzibar fuels revolutionary vision

ZANZIBAR: TODAY, the United Republic of Tanzania stands in proud reflection to honour one of the most pivotal milestones in African history: The 62nd Anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.

As the national flag flutters across the Isles, we commemorate the gallantry of the majority who, in 1964, rose to dismantle centuries of systemic inequity and colonial-era stratification.

The Revolution was far more than a mere change of guard. It was a profound assertion of self-determination.

It sought to restore the inherent dignity of the majority and ensure that the fruits of the islands were shared equitably by all citizens, regardless of their social standing.

Historical records remind us that this uprising was forged in a deep-seated thirst for justice.

Despite the formal end of the British protectorate in 1963, the skewed electoral structures of the time left the majority African population represented by the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) without a legislative voice that reflected their numbers.

This disenfranchisement, worsened by draconian spending cuts in schools within marginalised communities, rendered the Revolution an inevitability.

On that historic morning of January 12, 1964, the shackles of lopsided governance were finally broken.

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Today, the legacy of our founding father, Mzee Abeid Amani Karume, remains our immutable moral compass.

It is a compass that has been passed with care through a distinguished lineage of leaders from Aboud Jumbe Mwinyi, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Sheikh Idrisa Abdulwakil and Dr Salmin Amour, to Amani Abeid Karume and Dr Ali Mohammed Shein.

Each leader added a vital layer to the foundation of modern Zanzibar. Admittedly, this journey has not always been a “bed of roses.”

Leadership within an ever-shifting global landscape is fraught with difficulty.

Yet, even in the most testing circumstances, these leaders remained steadfast, steering the ship of state through political complexities to deliver tangible progress.

This tradition of resilience finds its most vibrant expression today. Under the Eighth Phase Government led by President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Zanzibar is experiencing robust economic growth that serves as a testament to the Revolutionary spirit.

With a GDP growth rate exceeding 7 per cent in 2024 and optimistic projections for continued expansion through 2025, the Isles are firmly positioned as a significant economic engine within the United Republic of Tanzania.

This prosperity is no accident. It is fueled by a booming tourism sector, a surge in construction and strategic government initiatives.

By prioritising improved infrastructure and making bold investments in the Blue Economy and financial services, the government is transforming the “living promise” of the Revolution into a modern reality.

As we mark this 62nd anniversary, we call upon all citizens to safeguard the peace and unity that the Revolution secured.

The transition from the old order was a path paved with sacrifice. It is our collective duty to protect these gains by remaining disciplined and industrious.

The Zanzibar Revolution is no longer defined solely by the events of 1964. Today, it lives on in the record-breaking economic growth, the modernised hospitals, the new schools and the enduring, unshakeable dignity of every Zanzibari.

Happy Revolution Day!