Happy Golden Jubilee Tanzania Mainland

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

The long awaited three month pre-celebrations journey has finally come to light, as Tanzania Mainland marks its 50 years of Independence today - the 9th of December, 2011.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is set to lead government and religious leaders from various nations such as Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique and Canada, to name few, in commemorating this historical occasion, which will include million of Tanzanians in attendance at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

After many long hours of planning and rehearsing, the traditional band groups will perform special songs and dance routines, while Military and Army guards will show their patriotism by firing military cannons, flying fighter jets and performing military parades.

For years, Tanzania has struggled to win battle against poverty, ignorance and disease, which factored to decrease socio-economic developments in the country. However, Tanzania has progressed tremendously since then, especially in its fight against HIV/AIDS.

For instance in June of this year, during the 65th Closing Session of the United Nations (UNAIDS), Tanzania was among the nations that pledged its resolve and commitment to achieve the three targets namely, zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths by year 2015. Thus, the year 2011 also marks 30 years of fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has claimed more than 25 million lives and more than 60 million people have become infected with HIV.

Tanzania’s core vision is to end ignorance, discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS. This progress and achievement make the 50 years anniversary a bittersweet victory.

More so, Tanzania prides itself for maintaining peace and security among its citizens for 50 years despite practicing the multiparty systems since 2005. This includes being the mediator and supporter of the Southern African liberation struggle, after southern countries were forced into wars of liberation until independence and majority rule were achieved in 1975 (Mozambique, Angola), 1980 (Zimbabwe), 1990 (Namibia) and 1994 (South Africa).

These were all ideas instilled by the Late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere “the Father of the Nation”. He pursued the ideals of political liberation, democracy and common humanity into the rest of the continent to eventually establish the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in the 60s, which later became the African Union.

Mwalimu Nyerere’s firm support for equality and tolerance, embraced all diversity of race, religion, class and gender. His pursuit of an equitable socio-economic society through collective self-reliance was more difficult than he had envisaged. He was once quoted saying that "we are very good at sharing the wealth in Tanzania but I only wish we had made more wealth to share."

Today marks an historical occasion, a triumphant journey that Tanzanians have endured for 50 years, overcoming poverty, ignorance and disease. Happy Anniversary Tanzania!