Country's vision must go beyond economic goals - Scholars

[BabuK]

Former President Benjamin Mkapa views displayed photographs of the late Mwalimu Nyerere during launch of the Nyerere Resource Centre yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

Scholars are of the view that the country's vision should go beyond economic goals and the sentiments were shared yesterday in Dar es Salaam at the launch of the Nyerere Resource Centre (NRC) at the commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) in the city.In Mwalimu's period unity and nation building was the vision.

Speaking at the event that was graced by among other leaders, former President Benjamin Mkapa, Director of the newly launched NRC Prof Issa Shivji said the country must have a guiding vision beyond economic empowerment.

"A National Vision is not a target or policy rather it is the answer to the question what country do we want…it is a holistic approach," he said.
"There are challenges that need to be addressed…our excessive dependency is a serious problem which requires urgent attention," the professor added.

Seconding the professor, several participants highlighted the guiding philosophy behind the Arusha Declaration, unity and national building as a model vision to be followed and urged for its reinstatement.

"A truly socialist state is one in which all people are workers and in which neither capitalism nor feudalism exists. It does not have two classes of people, a lower class composed of people who work for their living, and an upper class of people those who live on the work of others," reads the Arusha Declaration.

Sharing similar sentiments was former Prime Minister Cleopa Msuya who cited the current 2025 development vision, which according to him, does not offer a clear national directive rather ‘it solely address economic development' he said.

He went on to point out that most of African countries are adopting very similar development targets to attain middle income economies.
"They all have surprisingly similar documents and policies," he decried.
"Most of the young people on the streets are just interested in quick money … this is the result of greedy politicians who are the role models," he went on to note.

"We need a system that will hold public leaders accountable," he urged citing that youth in the country have been demoralised by politicians who turn their focus on money rather than development.

Also in attendance was Prof Ibrahim Lipumba who in his comments decried what he described as ‘a lack of patriotic vision to guide the nation into the future.'

"The guiding philosophies of the Father of the Nation have been abandoned," he said.

In his opinion, Prof Samwel Wangwe said during Mwalimu's era, there was a vision for building and protecting a strong state.

"He (Mwalimu) believed in unity and solidarity. Now we're all very dependent on donors, we have sold our freedom," he lamented.

A participant, Lusekelo Nelson expressed concern over what he described as ‘our leaders' luxurious lifestyles' which in his opinion ‘is in great contrast with that of the people.'

"We're seriously exploited by our bosses and government leaders…the youth have tolerated this for far too long…leaders need to be guided, and should be accountable," he urged.

Sharing an opposing view with the general consensus that the country ‘lacks a guiding vision' Prof Bonaventura Rutinwa said the country does have a guiding vision beyond economic prosperity but admitted that the country's current vision does not reflect reality on the ground.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN