THE TANZANIA JUDICIARY — THE STEPCHILD?

 

Adeladius Makwega – MBAGALA

 

“Brother, I see that you only write articles about Records and Archives. What about the rest of us? Have you left us out? How come? Or are we the stepchildren?”

 

Those were the words of one of Mwanakwetu’s stakeholders early on August 14, 2026, after Mwanakwetu received a phone call from his friend, who works in the Judiciary of Tanzania, as part of the community of magistrates and judges.

He said these words jokingly, and Mwanakwetu replied:

 

“No, I cannot leave you out. You, too, have been my long-standing stakeholders. Recently, I have been talking more about Records and Archives. But your problem is that your cases take so long that witnesses even die before they are concluded. You make us lose cases! All those cases add more files to God’s workload, while your cases here on earth seem never to end.”

 

The man laughed heartily and then said:

“Mswalie Mtume.”

Mwanakwetu replied:

“Swalla alaa Nabii.”

 

Mwanakwetu then continued:

 

“Nevertheless, the door to changing careers is always open. You can leave the Judiciary of Tanzania and join Records and Archives, so that you can also come and enjoy the fascinating world of Records and Archives.”

 

The man then asked with great curiosity:

 

“So, what exactly are the responsibilities of the Records and Archives Department?”

 

Mwanakwetu replied:

 

“Collection and Preservation: Receiving and preserving historical and permanent records from Government institutions that are no longer needed for day-to-day administrative activities.

 

Restoration and Digitisation: Restoring deteriorated records and converting them into digital formats so that they can be preserved for generations.

Preservation of Founders’ Heritage: Managing and preserving records and historical materials belonging to the leaders and founders of our nation.”

 

The man listened to Mwanakwetu with great attention.

But Mwanakwetu, as if he had not yet finished his explanation, delivered his final punch:

 

“Even your old case records and proceedings are here in abundance. And, believe me, those documents handwritten by judges from the old days are here in plenty!”

 

The man was clearly astonished. He listened carefully and then asked:

 

“So, are you basically like a library?”

Mwanakwetu replied:

 

“We are more than a library.”

 

Before their conversation could continue, a voice suddenly came through:

 

“My Lord, the time to begin Case No. … has arrived.”

 

This stepchild of Mwanakwetu’s articles then said:

 

“Goodbye, brother. Let me go into court.”

And they said goodbye to each other.

Later, Mwanakwetu decided to continue with his work alongside his fellow stakeholders in Records and Archives. However, that conversation left him with one important thought: behind the files, papers and seemingly silent documents lies a great national history that deserves to be preserved, protected and passed on to future generations.

 

That is what inspired him to write this article.

 

What does Mwanakwetu have to say today?

 

Records and Archives are not merely papers stored away in files. They are a treasure trove of our history, identity and national journey. Every document has its own story; every file carries a piece of history; and every record can serve as a bridge connecting us with the past, helping us understand the present and build a better future for generations to come.

 

Therefore, let us preserve, value and continue developing our Records and Archives, because a nation that fails to value its records risks losing an important part of its own history.

 

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember.

“The Tanzania Judiciary — a stepchild?”

I wish you a wonderful day.

makwadeladius@gmail.com
 0717 649 257