Holding on to what made us one

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is now just over six decades old. Anyone born after independence is, by definition, a child of this nation.

Yet it is striking and at times perplexing to hear some of these same citizens speak longingly of Tanganyika, a state that existed for barely three years.

This nostalgia invites a deeper reflection on generational responsibility.

In his well-known book, The Wretched of the Earth, the revolutionary thinker Frantz Fanon reminds us that “every generation must identify its mission and then fulfil or betray it.”

At its core, this is a call for self-awareness, for each generation to understand its duty to society and to act accordingly.

Among today’s Tanzanian youth, particularly the educated, there is a growing tendency to embrace a cosmopolitan identity and a globalised socio-political outlook.

In doing so, some dismiss the ideas and values of earlier generations, the so called “Born Before Computers” generation as outdated. But this raises a fundamental question, when does truth expire?

At what point do foundational principles cease to be relevant? Mwalimu Julius Nyerere once warned, “You are abandoning the fundamental values we handed down to you, while embracing trivialities.” His words remain as pertinent today as ever.

The challenges Tanzania faces are not the result of a lack of ideas, but rather a failure to learn from experience and to build upon the principles that sustained the nation for over sixty years of peace, unity and cohesion among more than 120 ethnic groups, without racial division.

Consider something as simple, yet profound, as the National Anthem.

For many young people, it has become a mere ceremonial formality.

Yet it is, in essence, a national prayer, a two-part invocation that encapsulates the moral and political philosophy of the state.

The first part calls for divine guidance for leaders across all sectors, political, religious, economic and social, that they may govern with wisdom, strengthen unity and preserve peace.

The second part is a prayer for the nation itself, asking that Tanzania’s freedom and unity endure for generations to come.

These are not symbolic words; they are a blueprint for nationhood; they also provide a useful test.

Any individual or institution speaking about Tanzania can be measured against them: Do they act with wisdom? Do they strengthen unity? Do they promote peace? Do they safeguard freedom? Too often, however, these foundational principles are overshadowed by an uncritical adoption of so-called “best practices” from abroad, particularly from the United States and Europe.

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This is frequently justified under the appealing but misleading notion of a “global village”.

Certainly, the modern world is interconnected. Trade, technology and travel have created unprecedented levels of interdependence. But the reality of global politics tells a different story.

The treatment of immigrants in Western and the Middle East nations reveals that the rhetoric of openness often masks narrower economic interests, access to markets and control over resources.

If Tanzania is to remain stable and secure, it must resist the temptation to abandon its foundational values in pursuit of imported models that do not reflect its realities.

Instead, the country would do well to adopt what might be termed the “Principle of Recapitulation” returning to first principles, stripping away distortions accumulated over time and revitalising the original vision in a contemporary context.

This is particularly relevant when revisiting the Arusha Declaration and the philosophy of Ujamaa and self-reliance.

These ideas sought to balance social justice with economic justice recognising that peace is built on fairness and that true independence requires a strong, productive economy.

The debate on constitutional reform further illustrates this point. While important, legal frameworks alone do not guarantee good governance.

The United States has maintained the same constitutional foundation for over two centuries, despite shifts in leadership and policy.

The United Kingdom, notably, operates without a single written constitution altogether.

The lesson is clear, institutions matter, but values matter more, even closer to home, Kenya’s experience demonstrates that constitutional change cannot substitute for ethical political practice.

Similarly, the contrasting development paths of China and India show that while liberal democracy has its merits, it is not the sole determinant of economic success.

Ultimately, the defining factor in any nation’s progress is the quality of its leadership and leadership is shaped by values.

For Tanzania, this points to an urgent priority, the deliberate cultivation of ethical leadership.

Strengthening institutions such as the National Service (JKT) to serve as centres for youth development could play a critical role in preparing future leaders grounded in discipline, responsibility and national values. More than 80 per cent of Tanzanians are under the age of 60.

This generation will determine whether the nation fulfils or betrays its mission. The choice before them is not merely about policy or structure. It is about values.

And in the end, it is values, not constitutions, not imported models, that will determine Tanzania’s future.