Mbita’s history publications issued to institutions
THE government has handed over the late Brigadier Hashim Mbita’s history publication to various education and non-education institutions with the aim of helping to pass on the history contained in the documents for future generations.
The move is also expected to build a sense of patriotism for future and current generations.
Speaking in Dodoma on Saturday, in a short ceremony to hand over the publications, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax said that the late Brigadier Mbita’s publication carries and gives a real picture of the liberation movement in Southern Africa and Tanzania’s contribution.
“This publication has nine volumes containing the history of the founders of Southern Africa who volunteered themselves to ensure that the countries of Southern Africa and Africa in general free themselves from the authoritarian rule of the colonialists,” she said.
She added: “I am giving you this publication because the government believes that through your colleges and institutions, the history contained in the publications will reach many Tanzanians.”
The Minister further said that the society should study and understand where the country came from and where it is heading as well as understand the importance of appreciating the courage and efforts of the founding leaders of the African nations.
“It is very unfortunate that history is being lost, many people do not understand that there was a great work done by the founding leaders of our nation until we got to where we are, only history can remind us,” said Dr Tax.
She added “this publication describes in detail the liberation movements in the countries of Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique as well as the contribution of the countries of Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland.
This publication is a great treasure in continuing to strengthen cooperation between friendly countries and regional communities as well as maintaining good neighbourliness and protecting the freedom and peace of our countries”.
She noted that the publication, volume number six, explains in detail the great contribution of the late Julius Kambarage Nyerere in the struggle against colonialism in Southern Africa, Africa as well as the contribution of Tanzania in the movements.
“The volume number six also explains the great contributions of Mwalimu Nyerere and Tanzania in general, such as providing land for freedom fighters camps from Southern African countries, located in Kongwa, Nachingwea Farm 17, Mgagao, Chunya, Mazimbu, Dakawa, Ruvu, Chukwani, Mtoni, Kitope, Dunga Camps and Bagamoyo.
Another contribution of Tanzania that can be found in this publication is the contribution of planning liberation strategies and training fighters, it also provided financial resources, soldiers and other aid such as receiving and distributing equipment, food, offices and vehicles, logistics operations as well as mediation” she explained.
In addition, Dr Tax instructed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to look into the possibility of preparing a documentary of the publication so that the information can reach more people.
The publication was a result of a research project initiated following the decisions by SADC heads of state and government on August 2004 with the aim of writing and preserving the history of the liberation movements of the Southern African countries for future generations.
Some of the Institutions entrusted with the publication include the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma, the National University of Zanzibar, the Open University of Tanzania, the Mwalimu Nyerere Institute, the Benjamin Mkapa Institute, the President’s Office, Uongozi Institute and the Library Services Office.
