AS Tanzania commemorates 61st Independence Anniversary today, experts have expressed the need for the citizens to enhance their efforts in supporting national development in all aspects as well as upholding national unity, peace and tranquillity.
They also commended the government for its dedicative efforts in building the economy and its determination to enhance democracy, especially through the multiparty system that was started in 1994.
The commentators issued their views to the Daily News ahead the commemoration of the 61 years of Independence, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed that the funds earmarked for the event, should be used to construct some schools’ dormitories for students with special needs.
A seasoned economist-cum-banker, Dr Hilderbrand Shayo said it’s high time for Tanzanians to change mindsets from being dependent to achieving their own common destiny that will benefit our future generation.
He acknowledged the initiatives that President Samia is taking to uplift the standards living of Tanzanians through reforms in various policies and execution of development projects.
“Given diverse assessments across Tanzanians on the 61 years landmark of our independence, in my view, it means it is time to change our mind-set as President Samia continues, to oversee Tanzanians affairs to make the country truly and economically become independent, particularly at the face of the region and international community,” he said.
According to him, when realised, economic independence will give the nation the respect and dignity, it deserves as a nation grounded not only on respect for each other, but a nation that is aware of that.
“If we don’t appreciate our pride, we cannot truly be economically and politically independent. We can’t continue to pay out money to other countries and expect our economy to be strong,” he said.
Adding; “The 61 years of independence must make us love our country. Tanzania must demonstrate that being involved in economic, political and social activities…put Tanzania first and it is what all Tanzanians want more than ever before.”
Dr Shayo further said to challenge Tanzanians to continue making better use of the opportunities that are being created for the youth, noting that out of 61 years of independence, the country has remained to be a tipping point for development of the younger generations.
“What is needed is to start working with the young population to empower them to exploit legal economic opportunities brought about by the emerging digital economy,” he explained.
Speaking, the University of Dodoma Lecturer Dr Paul Loisulie mentioned the country’s ability to maintain national unity and tranquility as a feat to brag on.
He also commended the efforts that have been taken to improve the economy by putting in place proper policies for business, investment as well as creating employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
“We should be proud of the fact that in the past 61 years, Tanzania has maintained national unity and remained one nation, it is a role model to other African countries,” he said.
For his part, the Head of Research and Analysis at Alpha Capital Imani Muhingo counted the success in the financial sector that played a crucial role in building the economy to its current position.
“As we celebrate the 61st birthday of Tanzania, along with all the success of the financial sector and the economy in general, we must not discount the part played by the nationalisation in the 1960s and the state economy thereafter,” he said.
According to him, nationalisation has enabled the localisation of capital and eventually prioritised the local private sector to take up economic opportunities.
“Had the government allowed foreign capital all the way, we might have been in a situation similar to South Africa, where there is immense wealth controlled by foreign companies and a significant wealth inequality where the richest 10 per cent control 85 per cent of household wealth,” he said.
