“WE SHALL NEVER DO THAT” — JULIUS NYERERE

 

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

 

Sometimes, history does not exist only in books. At times, it is hidden in an old piece of paper, a photograph, a letter, or a speech delivered decades ago.

 

The great task is to find these records, preserve them, and ensure that they reach both the present and future generations.

 

This is the work carried out by various public and private institutions in Tanzania, at the United Nations, and around the world.

Yet the journey does not end with finding historical records. They must be collected, verified, preserved, and made accessible to citizens, researchers, and future generations.

 

Among these important records is a speech delivered by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere when he was Prime Minister of Tanganyika in 1961, during the handover of Tanganyika from Governor Sir Richard Turnbull.But one question remains:Is the entire speech available, word for word?

 

Let us assume that it is—and that it is accessible.

To an ordinary person, it may appear to be nothing more than an old piece of paper. But to a nation, it is an important piece of history capable of taking us back to a time when Tanganyika was opening a new chapter in its journey.

 

When history is preserved, it does not remain merely a story of the past. It becomes a bridge connecting the generations of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 

There is one important point to remember: Mwalimu Nyerere did not have only that speech. He delivered many speeches that carried his principles, philosophy, and views on Tanzania, Africa, peace, freedom, and human rights around the world.

Today, I bring you an excerpt from one of his historic speeches delivered before the United Nations General Assembly in 1985.

 

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere delivered this speech as President of Tanzania before the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, 27 September 1985. It was among his important addresses on the international stage and his final address to the General Assembly as President.

 

In this part of his speech, Nyerere emphasized Tanzania's determination not to remain silent in the face of danger or policies that he believed were contrary to peace and justice.

 

“In this, my last address to the General Assembly, I have described events and trends and needs as we in Tanzania perceive them. My country will not stop saying those things when the new President takes over. For we are a poor and underdeveloped country, and we have no power in the world except the power of speech given by the Assembly—and by our humanity. To be silent when we see danger, to refrain from attacking policies which we see as contrary to the interests of peace and justice, would be to surrender our freedom and our dignity. That we shall never do.”

 

The official United Nations record identifies this speech as A/40/PV.13.

 

Those words leave an important question for today's reader:

Does the present generation still know the speeches and historical records that carry the principles and convictions of the founders of our nation?

I ask you, the person reading and listening to this article:

 

Have we truly taken time to reflect on these words?

Because every speech that is preserved is more than just words. It is the voice of yesterday returning to speak to the generation of today.

 

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Today, I wanted you to know this.

 

REMEMBER:

“THAT WE SHALL NEVER DO.”

I wish you a wonderful day.

Phone: 0717649257
Email: makwadeladius@gmail.com