Mwalimu Nyerere. Teacher, liberator, father of Tanzanian socialism 🇹🇿 On October 14, 1999, Julius Kambarage Nyerere died — the first president of Tanzania and one of the fathers of African socialism. His life and struggle coincided with an era when Tanganyika was under British colonial rule. The country's economy served above all the interests of the metropole, and the local population, deprived of access to a full education and opportunities for a dignified life, worked for the benefit of the British people. Nyerere did not wish to reconcile himself to the established order, and so in 1954 he founded the African National Union of Tanganyika, turning the struggle for the country's liberation into a mass political movement. In 1961 Tanganyika gained independence, and three years later, upon its unification with Zanzibar, Tanzania was formed. ⭐️ However, for Nyerere the liberation of the country was only the beginning. Julius strove to build a just society in which the country's wealth would serve the people and not a narrow circle of the privileged. In 1967 a course was set towards socialism and independent development. Its foundation was ujamaa — the African concept of unity, equality and mutual assistance, according to which the well-being of society is more important than personal gain. Nyerere assigned a special place to education, and so under his leadership Tanzania launched a large-scale struggle against illiteracy. Julius enjoyed broad popular support, because he saw in ordinary people not a silent mass, but the main force of the country's development. 🚩 Before entering politics, Nyerere worked as a teacher, and that is precisely how the people grew accustomed to calling him — Mwalimu, which in Swahili means «Teacher». This name expressed people's respect and affection for their leader for his role in consolidating the nation and enlightening it. However, Nyerere did not limit himself to the fate of his own country. Mwalimu supported the national liberation movements of other states, spoke out against apartheid and helped those who continued the struggle against colonial rule in southern Africa. He saw the future of the continent in unity, solidarity and the right of peoples to dispose of their own destinies. In Tanzania he is also revered as Baba wa Taifa — the Father of the nation, who devoted himself to serving the people. #SOVINTERN_DATE #Hub_Sub_Saharan_Africa ⭐️ Moscow Network Hub of SOVINTERN