Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday shed light on founding father Julius Nyerere’s intention to introduce the Uhuru Torch, saying his aim is still relevant to contemporary Tanzania.
In upholding the philosophy of the late first President Nyerere, which is embedded in the national torch relay, the government decided to combine commemoration of the Nyerere Day and climax of the Uhuru Torch Race, which is marked every October 14th.
The 150-day race covered 21,480 kilometres in 31 regions of mainland and Zanzibar before climaxing in Chato District, Geita region where a grand ceremony to switch off the iconic torch took place, with all nation al leaders and ordinary citizens from across the country gracing the event.
Addressing the nation after receiving the torch, President Samia recalled that the father of the nation used the Freedom Torch symbiotically to lighten the nation and bring development and unity.
“On this day, 22 years ago, our nation was stunned by the death of our father of nation, Julius Nyerere, whom today we commemorate his death anniversary. “The government decided to mark the climax of the Uhuru Torch Race on this Nyerere Day in order to connect his philosophy of lighting the national torch,” President Samia told the nation in a live-televised event nationally marked in Chato.
Introducing the Uhuru Torch after Independence, Mwalimu Nyerere said it aimed to lighten the country and across the borders to bring hope where there is despair, love where there is enmity and respect where there is hatred.
Since then, the Uhuru Torch is one of the National Symbols of Tanzania, often used to promote socio-economic prosperity and fight evils including theft, corruption, embezzlement and laxity.
“Let me assure the citizens that all phases of the government after Mwalimu Nyerere have been working on those Nyerere’s words and we will continue working on them,” President Samia affirmed while insisting on the torch’s relevance in today’s Tanzania.
President Samia said during the 150-day Uhuru Torch race, the country’s youth have been emphasizing on the spirit of the torch.
“The Uhuru Torch racers carried out the message of working hard, emphasised on accountability, fight against drugs and corruption,” President Samia noted.
President Samia said the message reflected on the country’s founding father’s intention in introducing the Uhuru Torch Race. President Samia further elaborated that the government decided to commemorate three events; Nyerere Day, Uhuru Torch climax and Youth Week to enable the current generation to learn about the country’s history and politics.
“Today we have an opportunity to remember all things Nyerere did. He was a brave and visionary leader, a revolutionist; he was the best leader who did not segregate people over any reasons such as religion, economic status, nationality and so on,” she explained.
Ms Samia described Mwalimu Nyerere as a type of leader who cared about marginalised people and wanted to look at them like any other human being. This year’s Uhuru Torch Race carried the theme, “Information and Communications Technology is the Basis of a Sustainable Nation; It should be Used Appropriately”. The Torch launched, laid foundation stones and inspected a total of 1067 projects worth 1.2tri/- countrywide and passed in 31 regions, 150 districts, covering 21,480 kilometres.
She commended the crew, led by Lieutenant Josephine Mwambashi, for performing the task effectively and diligently.
“The duty was neither easy nor tough, but needed bravery, endurance and patriotism,” she stated.
It was a long journey full of challenges but the crew put national interest ahead. It’s true that you will remain in the history books of our nation,” she said.
