Tanzanians celebrated their independence on 1961

Tanzanians celebrated their independence on 1961 with regard that their leaders will cooperate with them hand in hand with the production of goods for the betterment of their country. This seems to be different from their perspectations toward their feelings, insteadof their leaders experienced egoism and intrusive power. Few people enjoyed the National cake while the majorities live poor life. This was due to frequency changes of National ideologies such as in 1961 Tanzania under the leadership of Mwal.J.K.Nyerere introduced Socialism and nationalization of properties from private ownership to majority ownership so as to abolish all level of classes  among the societies. In fact this was big problem in the implementation simply because the riches claimed that their properties are for them and dislike to supply to others in terms of Nationalization. By using the poem SALUTING UJAMAA  by Kundi Faraja from SUMMONS,potrays problems experienced people after attaining their independence which are socio-economic, cultural and political as follows;

The issue of hypocrisy, this is a situation in which someone pretends to believe something that they do not really believe or that is opposite of what they do. In the poem the persona portrays that the riches during the process of nationalization tries to divide their properties to their relatives so as they cannot be nationalized. As the persona says, says in stanza 5;

                                                      …..“I’ve got house to rent

                                                              And lodging rooms

In the town Centre;

                                                              Tell me,

                                                             Can I claim that

 They belongs to Sanga,

                                                            My grandson’’…

This situation led to delay the process of nationalization and caused the government to use more strengths in implementation of the process.

1

Rich people defended their properties which ledthem to live classic life while other live poor live with more exploitation from riche people.

Adaptation of socialism and self-reliance, this was an ideology which aimed to abolish all forms of exploitation and classes, and creation of people who are able to stand on their feet in the production of goods and services for the benefit of their families and to national at large. A persona claims that under socialism people can join and produce foods and abolish the problem of hunger in the country. In stanza 2  , persona says;

                                             … “I salute you,

                                                   Ujamaa,

                                                   You are a lump

                                                    Of ugal”…

This portray that, the system seems to be important to people simply because they produced and used equally within their village and reduced the problem of hunger to majorities. Under socialism umbrella people lived communal life and shared all major means of production.

The issue of classes and disunity, this was a situation where by the minority, who have properties live by exploiting the majority and accumulates more benefit from them without helping them to solve their problems of hunger, poverty health and ignorance. As the persona says;

…“How can a country

                                                                 Race to development

 While self-interest

                                                                 Egoism,

        And disunity rule?”...

This imply that the leaders are neglected and disregarded their people who elected them to present their problems in the parliament.Instaid they rule for their benefit and for their family.

2

This experiencing to many African countries where by their leaders privilege few which leading to formation of classes among the societies and in a nation at large.

The issue of nepotism and selfishness, this was the tendency of minority who elected by majority to fulfil their demands but, the minority experienced selfishness and privilege to few and much supported their relatives or people they know even though these relatives have no any knowledge and experience to fit  position and qualified people left behind. As persona claims,

                                                          … “See…

                                                          I’ve got houses to rent

                                                           And lodging rooms

                                                           In the town Centre;

                                                            Tell me,

                                                            Can I claim that

                                                            They belongs to sanga,

                                                             My grandson,

                                                             Or to Klawe,

                                                             My uncle?”…

This situation now reaches to its peak and neither development nor equality will occur if this situation will not change.

 Simply because after independence the majority wanted to see their leaders fulfil their demands and bring about development in the country. Instead of fulfilling majority demands they seems to enrich themselves.

3

The issue of exploitation and neo-colonialism. This situation occurs, after attaining independence the leaders experienced unsuccessful in their ruling and seeking support from abroad such as the issue of finance to run the nation and in the process of building the economy of the country. As persona claims;

                                                       … “Karibu,

                                                            Enter my stomach

                                                            And mind you;

                                                            Bring be new life.

                                                            I want to adjust myself

                                                            To ujamaa”…

 This was the failure of internal power and tries to seek support in terms of socialism so as they can get rule as they want with external support.

The issue of cooperation and equality, this was as a policy of many countries in Africa especially Tanzania. Leaders insisted people to be united so as to build equality and abolish all forms of segregation among the societies. Thepersona in the poem insisting people to unite and sharing all major means of production as well as the riches should help the poor so as to build classless societies. Persona says,

… “How do I do it smoothly

         And in the way you want?

                                                             Do I hear you say

                                                             Cooperate

      With other Wajamaa?”…

4

This situation experiencing in Tanzania where by the leader introduce the projects to majority with no implementation and fading without any explanation or any official document. But the leaders speaking cooperation and unity while they are enriching themselves.

                    Awareness and consciousness, this refers to the situation where by someone have knowledge of something existing or understanding what is going on, at the present time based on information or experience. In this poem the persona discussing the issue of awareness where by the majority now need revolution so as to bring about development. As the persona says,

                                                 … “I salute you,

                                                       Ujamaa,

                                                       You are a lump

                                                       Of ugali”…And,

                                                  … “I believe in nature’s laws;

                                                        The new born

                                                        Has more perfection

Than his parents”.

These imply that people are aware bout the system and seem to be perfect in their life. The systems bring new hope to majority from slavery and capitalism which were more exploitative.

But the minority now changed the system from its function for their interest so as they can accumulate wealth from the majority who now are in selected villages through deferent taxations.

The issue of ignorance and lack of knowledge, after independence many African countries especially Tanzania adopted different political systems which burdened the growth of the nation. This was due to lack of knowledge of introduction of new thing instead they copied and paste from abroad. As persona says, on stanza 2;

5

                                                   … “Stuck

                                                         In the throat

                                                         Of a man,

                                                          Product of colonial times:

                                                       He can neither vomit

                                                       Nor swallow”.

This imply that the leader forced into this system so as, they can get support from developed countries such as China, Russia and America. For instance they introduced monopart system, multipartysystem, and socialism with no much improvement in the country.

Therefore, the poet succeeded to show the weakness and strength of our leadership systems, and the problems experienced the majority after independence. In fact all systems brought effect in the country which sharpened the mind of people after acquiring knowledge and skills from both political and economic changes introduced by our leaders. Also the poets teach us that the introductions of any project problems are inevitable on its implementation.