Mtaalam
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 1, 2007
- 1,371
- 247
To: Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete
Kijana,
Perhaps you are just addicted to fame and popularity, or you just don't know what you are really doing in State House. But whatever it is, you're leading the nation in wrong direction. And as a former statesman, I feel duty-bound to warn you at this time before you plunge our beloved Tanzania into a bottomless pit.
Please stop squandering public money jetting around the world in search of fame and popularity while millions of children back home who can no longer have milk to drink are starving to death. You need to be sensible and sensitive statesman. Take me for example; my immense popularity at home had been based not on wild promises of a golden future but on a clear-eyed appraisal of the hard work that was ahead of me, the work of correcting and undoing the wrongs and errors of colonial institutions.
And as it was back then, I still believe, and that is what it should be, that nobody is great without work. For that reason, you need to weigh up your demeanor. Tell Tanzanians to get off their butts and work. Not just work, but work hard. Your economic team needs to do the same, too.
There is no economic growth in this modern era that is triggered by old primitive ideas. Jakaya, you are perhaps aware that during my entire 24 years of presidency, I never at once believed in begging. And that is why I tried as hard as I could to break away from Western donors by attempting to achieve self-supporting state through "ujamaa" policy. Of course, it proved disastrous due to lack of individual incentives, but I tried.
Mmh, I don't wanna sound inquisitive here, but with all due respect, what new thing have you tried in your first year in office? Don't answer that...
I know it is not for me to tell you how you should run the country, but the truth of the matter is: where there is too much expectation and too little hope, despair among people will always seem greater. You have created false expectation to Tanzanians promising to give them golden future, but I see no any viable plan to accomplishing that.
Anyway, your predecessor Ben wrote to me the other day that you have appointed Luteni Makamba as a new Chama Cha Mapinduzi's secretary -general. Is that true? Who's idea was this anyway? Ali's or Jumanne? Please don't tell me that it was your own idea because you know for sure that the guy is not a man of fine intelligence to lead such a mega-party
like CCM. I think Salim could do a better job as a party's general-secretary than Yusuf. If you can, re-examine your choice.
Concerning mining policies, your ultimate goal is not clear yet. Russia has tried to assert more control over its oil and gas resources, Venezuela and Bolivia have moved to curtail oil companies; but in Tanzania, companies which mine gold, diamonds and other germs pay only royalties and low wages but no corporate taxes. It makes no sense to me!
Three decades ago, Batswanas were suffering exactly the kind of suffering Tanzanians are suffering now from Western investors. But when Botswana government saw its reserves dwindling, it knew it had to take further measures. It tightened its belt, pulled together-and got through the crisis.
I suggest you do the same. Send your economic advisors to Botswana so they can learn more on this matter because the current state of mining industry in Tanzania is too exploitive to be allowed to go on. Also, you need to understand that the solution to energy crisis lies within Tanzanians. It's your responsibility as a president, to come up with realistic energy plan, and implement it for the benefit of the nation. Stieglers Gorge is still a good option.
On East African Federation, I still see a lot of mistrust among the Citizens of the regional countries particularly in the issue of Immigration. I also see some criminal elements like open sores waiting to be turned into arrows of hatred. Intolerance. And for the new members, Burundi and Rwanda , ethnic strife is still my major concern. I, of course, more than anyone else, do want to see the Federation in its place. However, taking Tanzania into the federation at this time is nothing but echoing the old mistakes of 1977.
Tanzania might be ready to join the Federation, but Kenya and Uganda are still struggling with their oldest problem, civil strife. Wakikuyu and Waruo. Wakaramajong and Bagisu. Young man, though I often disagree with you in many issues, I still care about you and Salma. And I sincere wish you good luck as you walk the long Road to build bridges to a better future for all Tanzanians. And most Of All, I wish you health and unfailing energy.
Please don't forget to pass on my warmest greetings to Fidel. Tell him That I kindly wish him a full and speedy recovery. May God always bless Tanzania .
Sincerely,
Julius Nyerere
Kijana,
Perhaps you are just addicted to fame and popularity, or you just don't know what you are really doing in State House. But whatever it is, you're leading the nation in wrong direction. And as a former statesman, I feel duty-bound to warn you at this time before you plunge our beloved Tanzania into a bottomless pit.
Please stop squandering public money jetting around the world in search of fame and popularity while millions of children back home who can no longer have milk to drink are starving to death. You need to be sensible and sensitive statesman. Take me for example; my immense popularity at home had been based not on wild promises of a golden future but on a clear-eyed appraisal of the hard work that was ahead of me, the work of correcting and undoing the wrongs and errors of colonial institutions.
And as it was back then, I still believe, and that is what it should be, that nobody is great without work. For that reason, you need to weigh up your demeanor. Tell Tanzanians to get off their butts and work. Not just work, but work hard. Your economic team needs to do the same, too.
There is no economic growth in this modern era that is triggered by old primitive ideas. Jakaya, you are perhaps aware that during my entire 24 years of presidency, I never at once believed in begging. And that is why I tried as hard as I could to break away from Western donors by attempting to achieve self-supporting state through "ujamaa" policy. Of course, it proved disastrous due to lack of individual incentives, but I tried.
Mmh, I don't wanna sound inquisitive here, but with all due respect, what new thing have you tried in your first year in office? Don't answer that...
I know it is not for me to tell you how you should run the country, but the truth of the matter is: where there is too much expectation and too little hope, despair among people will always seem greater. You have created false expectation to Tanzanians promising to give them golden future, but I see no any viable plan to accomplishing that.
Anyway, your predecessor Ben wrote to me the other day that you have appointed Luteni Makamba as a new Chama Cha Mapinduzi's secretary -general. Is that true? Who's idea was this anyway? Ali's or Jumanne? Please don't tell me that it was your own idea because you know for sure that the guy is not a man of fine intelligence to lead such a mega-party
like CCM. I think Salim could do a better job as a party's general-secretary than Yusuf. If you can, re-examine your choice.
Concerning mining policies, your ultimate goal is not clear yet. Russia has tried to assert more control over its oil and gas resources, Venezuela and Bolivia have moved to curtail oil companies; but in Tanzania, companies which mine gold, diamonds and other germs pay only royalties and low wages but no corporate taxes. It makes no sense to me!
Three decades ago, Batswanas were suffering exactly the kind of suffering Tanzanians are suffering now from Western investors. But when Botswana government saw its reserves dwindling, it knew it had to take further measures. It tightened its belt, pulled together-and got through the crisis.
I suggest you do the same. Send your economic advisors to Botswana so they can learn more on this matter because the current state of mining industry in Tanzania is too exploitive to be allowed to go on. Also, you need to understand that the solution to energy crisis lies within Tanzanians. It's your responsibility as a president, to come up with realistic energy plan, and implement it for the benefit of the nation. Stieglers Gorge is still a good option.
On East African Federation, I still see a lot of mistrust among the Citizens of the regional countries particularly in the issue of Immigration. I also see some criminal elements like open sores waiting to be turned into arrows of hatred. Intolerance. And for the new members, Burundi and Rwanda , ethnic strife is still my major concern. I, of course, more than anyone else, do want to see the Federation in its place. However, taking Tanzania into the federation at this time is nothing but echoing the old mistakes of 1977.
Tanzania might be ready to join the Federation, but Kenya and Uganda are still struggling with their oldest problem, civil strife. Wakikuyu and Waruo. Wakaramajong and Bagisu. Young man, though I often disagree with you in many issues, I still care about you and Salma. And I sincere wish you good luck as you walk the long Road to build bridges to a better future for all Tanzanians. And most Of All, I wish you health and unfailing energy.
Please don't forget to pass on my warmest greetings to Fidel. Tell him That I kindly wish him a full and speedy recovery. May God always bless Tanzania .
Sincerely,
Julius Nyerere
