| Call to create body for identifying medalists | Send to a friend |
| Wednesday, 21 December 2011 12:43 |
 By Sylivester ErnestPolitical Platform Reporter Dar es Salaam. Celebrations of the 50 years of independence of Tanzania Mainland though were coloured by a hive of activities and fanfare, analysts have, however, criticised some of them saying they were arranged to the whims of the organisers.Commandos of Tanzania People’s Defence Forces treated thousands of spectators at Uhuru Stadium with their towering skills aboard jet fighters, as the Field Force Unit (FFU) stole the show with their marching style. Chants of the theme of the celebrations: ‘We Dared! We succeeded and We are still forging ahead,’ filled the air all around when over 4,550 children from the mainland and Zanzibar staged a lively mass show.A state dinner culminated the fete by recognizing some people, mostly politicians, for their outstanding contributions to the building of the nation and loyalty even after they had retired from civil service. Tanzanians were reminded about some of their fallen heroes when President Jakaya Kiwete, who hosted the State dinner, awarded medals to a number of them, including the first President of Zanzibar, Mr Abeid Aman Karume, the first Vice President, Mr Rashid Kawawa, the former Prime Minister, Mr Edward Sokoine, the former Zanzibar President, Mr Idrisa Abdul-Wakili and the former Vice President, Dr Omary Ali Juma. The medals were also awarded to the National Assembly Speaker, Ms Anne Makinda, the former Speaker Pius Msekwa, the Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and former Prime Ministers Cleopa Msuya, Joseph Warioba, Dk Salim Ahmed Salim and Fredereck Sumaye. Also awarded during the evening ceremony were retired Presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa and the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who was issued an imposing medal.This activity though was not much hyped as the afternoon celebrations at the stadium and elsewhere, carried much weight to local analysts. Many of the analysts, however, have since been querying the criteria used for identifying candidates for the medals, wondering that others whose contributions deserved the recognition were left out.Those awarded hailed from few professions while people of almost all walks of life took part effectively in building the nation, they say. “I don’t recall hearing any of those awarded coming from the Judiciary, military, academia, journalism, sports, entertainment, art and other careers, which had greatly sold the country’s name,” a musician based in Arusha, Mr Deogratias Mhumbira, said. He enumerated Mr Jumanne Ngoma, who, according to him, had discovered the precious Tanzanite in 1967. Athletes, Mr Filbert Bayi, Mr Juma Ikhangaa, Mr Gidamis Shahanga, and footballers, Mr Gibson Sembuli, Mr Abdallah Kibaden, and Mr Peter Tino, too deserved the recognition, he thought. “This is bad because overlooking these personalities is tantamount to telling Tanzanians that they only have to engage in active politics for their contributions to be recognised,” he said.Great musicians like Morris Nyunyusa, Bibi Kidude, the late Mbaraka Mwishehe and Marijani Rajab worked hard to bring about fame to this country,” he recalled. The musician cited President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya who had recognized contributions from varied professionals such as musicians, comedians, security personnel and diplomats, including the former EAC secretary-general, Mr Juma Mwapachu, a Tanzanian, who was awarded a Moran of the Golden Heart when the neighbouring country marked its 49th independence anniversary. Dr Azaveli Lwaitama, senior Univerisity of Dar es Salaam lecturer is of the view that the award issuing activity ought to be presided over by an independent commission armed with transparent criteria for identifying people who had distinguished themselves in their service to the country. Candidates for the awards ought to be drawn from all professions and walks of life instead of politicians alone, he said. Another lecturer from the Hill, Mr Bahsiru Ally also echoed his colleague’s sentiments. Dr Lwaitama argued that politicians such as Mr Oscar Kambona, Mr Abbas Mtemvu, Mr Michael Kamaliza and those from the opposition such as Mr James Mapalala and Mr Edwin Mtei too deserved the medals in case the awards were a preserve for the profession. Failure to recognise contributions by these persons was likely to erode the essence of the awards, as many would perceive the medals as being in favour of wishes of persons such as a incmbent head of state. “No one has so far explained why the late Justice Francis Nyalali or and Kambona were not recognized during the fete,” Dr Lwaitama said. While Mr Kambona was the first Tanganyika Foreign Affairs minister and second most influential and popular leader in the country after Mwalimu Nyerere, Mr Mapalala is regarded as one of the country’s pioneer of multiparty politics. Mr Filbert Bayi, a 1,500 metre gold medalist in the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch New Zealand i said “it is a shame.” Mr Bayi, who set a new world record of 3 minutes 32.16 seconds told the Political Platform that the country’s fame did not come from politicians’ work alone, but also from efforts of other professionals such as sports. “I recall former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi awarding us some medals. I don’t know why President Kikwete has not done the same … may be because he doesn’t see other careers as important as we see them,” Mr Bayi regretted. Mr Bayi was worried that the oversight might create a wrong impression among youngsters, who are proud of serving their nation elsewhere. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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