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Adeladius Makwega – Musoma, Mara, Tanzania
I arrived home at around 16:27 , completely exhausted. I went straight into my room hoping to get a short nap to ease the fatigue of the day.
I rushed to my bed—a simple folding bed—with the same eagerness as an infant rushing to its mother's breast after being separated from her all day. The mother has returned home from work, and the child, hungry beyond measure, eagerly seeks comfort and nourishment from her. That was exactly how I rushed to my bed. I threw myself onto the mattress and quickly fell asleep.
While sleeping, I was suddenly awakened by the ringing of my mobile phone. I spoke briefly with one relative, and shortly afterward received a second call from another relative. Both of them immediately realized that ‘Mwanakwetu’ was asleep because my words were slurred and unclear from drowsiness.
After those conversations, I returned to bed and resumed my sleep.
As I slept, at a moment I cannot adequately explain, I dreamed that I had been assigned the task of preparing a speech for the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, to be delivered at an important public function.
I did not know the person who assigned me this responsibility. However, he provided me with several religiously themed points and then left me with the assignment, emphasizing that he needed it completed within two hours.
Within the dream, I asked myself:
"It has been a long time since I last wrote a speech or an address. Can I really do this?"
I encouraged myself and immediately got to work. I carefully drafted the speech from beginning to end. After completing the first draft, I conducted an initial edit and then contacted the renowned editor Simon Mkina to review it one final time before it was handed over to the Vice President.
Simon Mkina spent only a few minutes reviewing and polishing the document before returning the improved draft to me. I then began reading it one final time before submission.
Dear reader, remember that Mwanakwetu is still dreaming all of this. In his hands are several pages containing the speech he has prepared for the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, to deliver at an important event.
Mwanakwetu began reviewing the speech one final time. The speech contained the following message:
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"Fellow Citizens,
I greet you with great respect.
In recent days, various statements have been made in political discussions, including remarks involving names and examples drawn from religious traditions. Some of these statements have been directed at me directly, or have been interpreted by many citizens as referring to me.
As a public leader, I have learned that not every statement requires a harsh response, and not every accusation deserves an angry reply. Sometimes the greatest wisdom is to speak calmly, explain the truth with dignity, and allow citizens to make their own judgments based on reason and conscience.
Fellow Citizens,
I have heard myself associated with the name 'Judas' and accused of betrayal. Because this name carries deep religious significance and a profound place in the history of faith for many people, it deserves careful reflection before being used in political discourse.
In the New Testament, there was more than one person named Judas. There was Judas Iscariot, Judas the son of James (Luke 6:16), and the Judas mentioned in John 14:22. However, Judas Iscariot is the one who has remained in Christian history as the symbol of betrayal.
According to the Gospel accounts, Judas Iscariot agreed to assist religious leaders in arresting Jesus Christ in exchange for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16). He identified Jesus with a kiss at the moment of arrest (Matthew 26:47–50). In some Christian writings, he is also associated with excessive love of money and unfaithfulness in managing the disciples' treasury (John 12:4–6).
After witnessing the consequences of his actions, he regretted what he had done and returned the money he had received. Nevertheless, he fell into despair and failed to seek God's forgiveness.
For many Christians, Judas Iscariot is not merely a symbol of betrayal; he is also an example of failing to stand for truth, losing moral direction, and succumbing to despair instead of repentance
That is why I calmly ask this question: when one political leader calls another 'Judas,' what exactly is meant? Is it merely an accusation of political betrayal, or does it carry all the religious and moral implications historically associated with that name?
These are questions that every individual can reflect upon according to the dictates of his or her own conscience.
Fellow Citizens,
I believe that a person's legacy should not be judged by words spoken in anger, but by actions. Leadership is measured by integrity, accountability, service to the people, and contribution to the nation.
Our religious teachings offer valuable guidance on how to handle differences of opinion.
Among the well-known sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), narrated by Abu Hurairah and recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, is this teaching:
'The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.'
This teaching reminds us that true strength is not found in defeating others, but in mastering oneself during moments of intense emotion.
Today, I could choose to respond with harsh words. I could return attack for attack. Yet I choose another path—the path of patience, dignity, and wisdom.
Another hadith narrated by Shaddad ibn Aws and recorded in Jami' al-Tirmidhi states:
'The wise person is the one who holds himself accountable and works for what comes after death; the foolish person is the one who follows his desires and then expects good from Allah.'
In this teaching, wisdom is associated with self-examination, responsibility, and thoughtful action, while foolishness is linked to acting upon emotions and desires without considering the consequences.
The Holy Qur'an also emphasizes the importance of wisdom and truth. In Surah Al-Baqarah 2:13, it says:
'And when it is said to them, "Believe as the people have believed," they say, "Should we believe as the foolish have believed?" Indeed, it is they who are the foolish, but they do not know.'
Other verses, including Surah Al-Baqarah 2:130 and Surah An-Nisa 4:5, likewise connect foolishness with poor judgment and a failure to fulfill life's responsibilities wisely.
Fellow Citizens,
Politics is a realm of debate, competition of ideas, and diversity of opinion. However, when politics loses the boundaries of ethics and respect, it can become a source of division rather than progress.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to weigh the consequences of our words before speaking publicly. When we use examples, names, or symbols that carry profound religious significance, we must do so with great care, for our society is built upon faith, morality, and mutual respect.
I will continue to believe that Tanzania is greater than our political differences. I will continue to believe that reconciliation is better than insults, reasoned arguments are better than accusations, and unity is better than division.
Therefore, to those who criticize me, I say thank you. Criticism is an essential part of democracy. To those who attack me, I say I respect you. And to those who seek the truth, I ask that you continue to judge leaders by their actions and their contributions to our nation.
I conclude by returning to the great lesson taught by religion, a lesson that is as relevant in politics as it is in everyday life:
'The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.'
May God bless Tanzania.
Thank you very much for listening.”
Still dreaming, Mwanakwetu sent the speech to its intended recipient and then asked himself:
"Will Simai Mohammed Said be able to respond to this?"
He immediately answered his own question:
"We have hit Simai Mohammed Said with something very weighty here. He will not be able to utter a single word. At this point, he has become bankrupt of arguments."
As he continued thinking about these matters within his dream, he suddenly sensed that heavy rain was falling outside. Within the same dream, he remembered that several items of clothing had been left hanging outside to dry. Realizing this, he felt compelled to wake up quickly and rescue them before they were soaked. Still suspended between dream and reality, his phone began ringing. The sound woke him completely.
When he opened his eyes, he discovered something astonishing: it was indeed raining heavily outside. The coincidence left him deeply amazed.
He answered the phone, silently blaming the caller for interrupting a dream that had become both fascinating and profound. After finishing the conversation, he rushed outside to save his clothes. Unfortunately, he found that the rain had already drenched them.
Returning indoors, he checked the time. It was exactly 21:00 on June 4, 2026.
For a long while, Mwanakwetu reflected upon everything he had seen in the dream—the speech, its message, the people who appeared in it, and even the rain that seemed almost to have been foretold by the dream itself. After careful reflection, he switched on his computer and began writing down everything he had experienced.
That is how this article came into being.
But now one important question remained:
What should this article be called?
Should it be:
"Simai Mohammed Said Has Been Hit with Something Heavy? Or:Has He Become Bankrupt of Arguments?Or perhaps:Dr. Nchimbi's Speech in a Dream?"
After pondering the matter for some time, Mwanakwetu made his decision.
He chose the title:
DR. NCHIMBI'S SPEECH IN A DREAM
Mwanakwetu, are you there?
Have a wonderful day.
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