Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi on Wednesday led thousands of Tanzanians—Zanzibaris and mainlanders—to celebrate the 58th revolution anniversary at Amani Stadium.
President Mwinyi arrived at the fully-packed arena few minutes after the union leader—President Samia Suluhu Hassan—drawing big applause from the crowd as green, yellow and purple coloured the stadium, reflecting two parties—Chama Cha Mapinduzi and ACT-Wazalendo—that are in power.
Upon arrival, Dr Mwinyi received the 21-gun salute and later inspected the guard of honour mounted by the armed forces before receiving the massive processions, which involved islanders from all the five regions. Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla who also chaired the festive committee later described the processions as “historic and a great success.” Blue economy for sustainable development was the theme for this year’s celebrations.
Zanzibaris from North Pemba, South Pemba, North Unguja, South Unguja and Urban West regions were joined by political parties, youth councils, government institutions and departments in the processions.
Gates at the Amani stadium were opened as early as 6am to allow residents in large numbers to witness the event. Wananchi turned up in their thousands to celebrate the “great day” and as early as 8am, and the 17,000-person stadium was overflowing. But, despite the scorching sun, Zanzibaris stayed put to the end of the celebrations.
The traditional pomp, parades by members of the security and defence forces, singing and enthusiastic wananchi who frequently uttered statements in support to Presidents Mwinyi and Samia beatified the festivity.
The Tanzania People’s Defence Forces’ (TPDF) special land and naval squads were among the most thrilling with their “snatching” move. Zanzibar’s Revolution Day has great historical importance and almost all Zanzibaris celebrate it enthusiastically, with military parades, cultural dances and entertainment shows.
The upbeat mood of residents of Zanzibar town was stimulated by Tuesday midnight fireworks at Maisara grounds on the outskirts of Stone town as hooting from vehicles and sea vessels were other common entertainments for the Islanders in celebrating their revolution.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Zanzibar First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman, former Zanzibar Presidents Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and Amani Abeid Karume; union President Jakaya Kikwete and his lieutenant Ghalib Bilal; former Prime Ministers Fredrick Sumaye and Mizengo Pinda were among many dignitaries in attendance.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday night, President Mwinyi cited the country’s peace, unity and solidarity as the key achievement of the 58 years of independent Zanzibar. “These are indeed the key pillars that have helped us to develop in other sectors,” said the president.
He asked political, religious and civil society organisation leaders as well as all wananchi to remain united for the country’s prosperous future.
However, Dr Mwinyi decried sexual abuses in the country and asked all islanders to unite against the shameful crimes. He said 928 gender abuse related cases were reported between January and September last year, a slight decrease from 1,363 cases reported in the previous year’s corresponding period.
The president said the government will remain ruthless on all people bent on degrading other human beings, especially women and children.
President Mwinyi also pledged to build an inclusive ecomony to allow every Zanzibari to contribute to the isles development and benefit from the Revolution on the basis of equality. He said that, his government was determined to collaborate in building the new economy through unity, solidarity and reconcilaition to provide opportunity for Zanzibaris to contribute to the development.
“We all have the responsibility to translate into action the revolutionary objectives by bringing major economic reforms to improve the lives of Zanzibaris,” Dr Mwinyi said. He said that in commemorating 58 years of Zanzibar Revolution themed “Blue Economy for Sustainable Development” a total of 30 projects have been launched and 13 were laid foundtaion stones.
He attributed the achivements recorded in 58 years of Revolution to strong ledaership of the founders of the nation and previous leadership phases.
“It is obvious that the success attained in various sectors over the past 58 years is due to the strong leadership of the founders of our nation and all the leaders of the previous phases…it is our responsibility to ensure that we protect and maintain our revolution together with the Union knowing that these are important values left by our founders,” the President said.
He called upon Zanzibaris to use the Revolution celebrations to evaluate and reflect on the progress made in building the isles among others maintaining and promoting peace, unity and soloderity and evaluate various challenges and devise strategies to adress them.
Dr Mwinyi highlighted some of the achievements as upholding peace, unity and soliderity which he said has enabled Zanzibar to attain development in all sectors.
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