Prof Mlama, George Swevetta and Dr Kamm honoured for promoting Mwalimu’s vision

Dar es Salaam.The Mwalimu Nyerere Professorial Chair on Thursday honoured three Tanzanians in recognition of their role in furthering the late father of the nation’s philosophy and ideology on human dignity and development.

Presenting the awards in Dar es Salaam, the chairperson of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Professorial Chair in Pan-African Studies, Prof Penina Mlama, said the trio were honoured for their contribution to the accomplishment of Mwalimu’s vision and ideology.

The recipients included Dr Maria Kamm, who was headmistress of Moshi-based Weruweru Girls’ Secondary School from 1970 to 1992.  Dr Kamm was recognised for her efforts in promoting self-reliance in schools.

According to Prof Mlama, Dr Kamm did much to further Mwalimu’s vision during her time as head teacher at Weruweru Girls Secondary School.

“Dr Kamm has done much to promote agricultural education to enable students to rely on their skills to survive. Her school was producing about 1,000 bags of maize a year, and the harvest was distributed to other educational institutions, including the University of Dar es Salaam,” she said.

Another award recipient was the late Ntimbajayo Milinga, who was honoured posthumously  for helping to set up the first Ujamaa village.

Prof Mlama said that Milinga, then aged only 21, mobilised 14 other people in 1960 to establish Rito Ujamaa Village, Iringa Region. The award was received by his widow.

Mr George Swevetta was honoured for inventing the village community bank (Vicoba) concept, which has now taken root all over the country.