Hundreds of delegates from East African Community countries on Monday, October 14, 2024, celebrated 25 years of the life and legacy of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the first former President of Tanzania.
The commemoration was held at his ancestral home in Butiama, Tanzania, under the theme: Espousing Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s enduring legacy and values: Lessons for Mother Africa.
Pan-Africanist Nyerere is remembered for being pivotal in uniting African leaders during the Pan-African movement in the 1960s, which resulted in the formation of the African Union.
Nyerere was also one of the founders of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, which provided a home for several African liberation movements, including the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan African Congress (PAC) of South Africa, FRELIMO, when it sought to overthrow Portuguese rule in Mozambique.
He also offered great support to Robert Mugabe in his struggle to unseat the white regime in Southern Rhodesia, the current Zimbabwe.
The pilgrimages, most of whom were youth, while in Butaima reflected on Nyerere’s lasting legacy and the values he championed for African unity and development.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was born in 1922 and was the 1st President of Tanzania who advocated for the unification of African countries, during his commemoration, the organizers highlighted that the meeting seeks to tear down the barriers of division in Africa and will mark a second face of integration that has been led by different youths from East Africa countries.
The commemoration was organized by the East Africa Mashariki Fest which brought together young people, mainly from East Africa, to speak with one voice on matters of unity.
