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Adeladius Makwega – President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department, Dodoma.
On November 5, 2026, Mwanakwetu posted a health document concerning smallpox on several social media platforms. The document was dated November 1961, just a few days before the independence of the then Tanganyika.
Immediately after the document became available, various stakeholders shared their opinions. Among them was Ramadhan Zame, who made the following remarks:
“You, Makwega, my son, where did you get that document? I remember that in 1961, my elder brother, Francis Fidelis Makwega, was in Standard Two, while I was just starting Standard One. Where were you at that time?”
My reader, remember that Mr. Zame previously served as the Councillor for Mbagala Ward and also held the position of Deputy Mayor of Dar es Salaam City.
Out of respect for Honourable Zame, the positions he has held and his roots in Mbagala, Mwanakwetu responds to his questions as follows:
“First and foremost, Honourable Ramadhani Zame, my respectful greetings! Please receive my warm regards wherever you are, together with your wife and the entire Zame family in Mbagala Makuka, Mbagala kwa Mangaya, and your ancestral home in Mikwemeni. I understand that you moved to Mbagala Makuka because of business activities and the Ujamaa Villages programme.
With great respect and courtesy, and with the goodwill of both the Zame and Makwega families, allow me to answer your questions as follows:
It is absolutely true that I had not yet been born in 1961. It is also true that my father, Francis Fidelis Makwega, was your fellow student at that time. More importantly, I obtained this document from the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department in Dodoma, which is responsible for preserving such records.”
I offer these responses in honour of my respected elder, Ramadhani Zame, of Mbagala Makuka.
Out of respect for my readers, I would like to provide further information about Francis Fidelis Makwega (Mwanakwetu’s father), who studied alongside Ramadhani Zame in those days in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam. I would also like to explain how I, Mwanakwetu, was born, according to the records available at the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department.
While at the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department in Dodoma, Tanzania, I met Ms. Bujo Boniface Ngwale, a Records Officer, who made the following statement:
“Here I have a file from the Prime Minister’s Office containing information about teachers in the Dodoma Region for the year 1977.
In this list, there is the name of a teacher, Doroth Hezron Mlemeta, who was employed on January 1, 1974, at Tambi Primary School. She had UTS number K7974, cheque number 2193627, was born in 1956, and was receiving a salary of 575 shillings in 1977.
There is also a teacher named Francis Fidelis, with UTS number P321 and cheque number 2231871. He was born in 1950. His salary was 795 shillings, and he was the Head Teacher of Tambi Primary School in 1977.
According to the information provided by researcher Adeladius, Francis Fidelis Makwega is his biological father, while Doroth Hezron Mlemeta is his biological mother.”
Ms. Bujo Ngwale concluded her explanation in that manner.
Indeed, as stated by Records Officer Ms. Bujo Ngwale, teacher Francis Fidelis Makwega is my father, while teacher Doroth Hezron Mlemeta is my biological mother.
Both my parents were employed on January 1, 1974. Even more interestingly, on September 19, 1974, after my parents had met at their workplace, I was born. I am Adeladius Francis Fidelis Makwega (Mwanakwetu), the author of this article.
In light of these records, allow me to make a simple calculation. From January 1, 1974, when my parents were employed, until the day I was born, how many days, weeks and hours had passed?
The calculation is as follows:
From January 1, 1974, to September 19, 1974:
- Days: 261.
- Weeks: 37 weeks and 2 days.
- Hours: 6,264.
This calculation represents the difference between the two dates, excluding January 1.
If both the starting and ending dates are included, the total becomes 262 days, equivalent to 37 weeks and 3 days.
This is the calculation of the period leading up to my birth. However, these calculations are not a medical determination of the actual pregnancy duration.
Whata does Mwanakwetu have to say Today?
First and foremost, I would like to thank Mr. Ramadhani Zame, who comes from one of the old families of Mbagala, whose roots go back many years before the independence of the then Tanganyika, alongside families such as the Makwegas.
I would also like to thank Ms. Bujo Ngwale of the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department, for guiding me and helping me obtain this information.
Thirdly, I would like to inform Tanzanians that the government keeps records concerning its citizens. When properly preserved, these records play an important role in establishing the history of individuals and their families.
When you examine my personal records, you will understand that my birth was connected to circumstances arising from the establishment of Ujamaa Villages. It was through these circumstances that my father, a man of Mbuga Pogoro origin from Mbagala, met my mother, a Gogo woman from Kilimatinde and Muharara, while they were working at Tambi Village in Mpwapwa District (Kongwa). That is where I was born.
Looking closely at this story, the community has its own account: “Your father was in Standard Two in 1961.”
Personally, I know that I was born on September 19, 1974, at Mlali Hospital. Government records support this date, and the calculation of the period also indicates 37 weeks and 2 days.
Indeed, the President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department deserves the recognition and respect it rightly merits for its important work in preserving the nation’s historical records and those of its citizens.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember!
“The Provocation by the Former Mayor of Dar es Salaam.”
I wish you all a pleasant day.
makwadeladius@gmail.com-0717649257
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