Nyerere Memorial Day

KiN Reports
Today 14th October is Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere's memorial day. Nyerere was born on 13th April 1922 and died on the 14th October 1999, the day that has been declared an official memorial day of the celebrated great African leader in Tanzania.

Nyerere was a teacher by profession before venturing into politics hence 'Mwalimu' and was one of the founders of Tanganyika African National Union in 1954. He climbed to the leadership of the country by becoming the first Prime Minister in 1961 and later the President of Tanganyika on attaining independence in 1962.

Mwalimu was a front runner who spearheaded the political grand union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964 leading to the renaming of the country to Tanzania.

Nyerere issued the Arusha Declaration which presented the socialist politics known as Ujamaa. He led the country until 1985 when he retired from the presidency but continued in politics as the chairman of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). He died in London in 1999.