My encounter with Mwalimu On Womens Rights and the formation of BAWATA by Prof. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, Member of Parliament for Muleba South and Founding Chairperson of BAWATA.
While I have been for the most part an academic and therefore far removed from political and administrative processes on a regular basis during the first, second and third administrations in Tanzania, fate and destiny made it such that I got the honor and priviledge to interact with Mwalimu on several occasions. Out of those encounters at least 6 were quite personal and were to have a profound impact on my life. It is now appropriate to share with my fellow Tanzanians some of these experiences as we commemorate and celebrate the life of our Founding Father, the spirit and icon of our beloved nation. It is my hope that the lesson that was given to me by Mwalimu in these encounters can now also serve to inform, clarify, teach and inspire others, and help them in whatever they are doing, as they have helped me.
Of course my generation is what can be called the Nyerere generation. He had founded TANU when we were toddlers or being born. For example, my father Mzee Alexander Kajumulo was among the first to join TANU. He was recruited by the late Mzee Edward Barugira Barongo. I was exposed to an early dose of the right to question things and for a people to control their destiny from these early meetings. I was exposed to Mwalimu at an early age.
For example, I have a full recollection of a day in 1957, when I was about 7 years old, and the entire village had spent our day at the then small Muleba Trading centre, waiting for Julius Nyerere to come!. He was leading TANU and campaigning for independence!. I was excited and curious also partly because even my grandmother, a formidable no nonsense woman did not go to the fields that day. She announced that “ I have to see this man who has enough courage to tell the Mzungu to leave our country” . It was the colonial period but the crowd was defiant, singing loudly, “Potea, potea, wale wapingao TANU zakwao zimepotea” (Lost, Lost, Those against TANU have lost it).
In short, whether you had an opportunity to have a private chat with Mwalimu, as I did or not, my generation were brought up by him through his teachings, philosophies, national addresses, and the like. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that his legacy lives on through story telling to our children and grand children, of what we experienced of this Great StatesMan. The onus is even more on those like me who were to experience him more personally. For space limitations, I have decided to focus on one encounter, which I believe is of great interest to the general public given the controversy that was later to surround the outcome of that encounter. The topic was on women rights and the fate of women development organizations in a multi-party Tanzania. This conversation was to culminate into my decision to lead the formation of the Tanzania National Women’s Council, popularly known by its Swahili acronym, BAWATA.
The year was 1994, the month probably April, the date and day not immediately remembered as am writing this article while on mission in Beijing China without the benefit of my diaries which are in Dar es Salaam! That gap will have to be filled later. However, the place was definitely at his Msasani residence, on a sunny afternoon.
The agenda of the meeting was to invite Mwalimu Nyerere to become a keynote speaker at the National Women’s Congress convened to establish BAWATA as an independent non-political party affiliated women’s machinery. The founding congress was organized between July 24-27, 1994 by myself and some of my academic colleagues at the University of Dar es Salaam, at the request of the then Chairperson of UWT or Tanzania Women’s organization the late Mama Sofia Kawawa. However, before the meeting could be held,Mama Sofia Kawawa died suddenly and Hon. Anna Abdalla, then Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office became the de-facto leader.
Thus, under the guidance of Mama Anna Abdalla and the UWT leadership, we advised Mwalimu Nyerere be invited as the national dignitary and first keynote speaker. I pointed out that they needed to make personal contact with Mwalimu regarding our invitation because a programme could not be printed with his name on if it is not yet confirmed
UWT officials and Mama Anna Abdalla said they had to travel to Dodoma the next morning to brief the party leaders about our intentions to form an independent non-politically affiliated women organization. Mama Anna Abdalla suggested I should be the one to go to Msasani to brief Mwalimu since this matter was equally urgent. Mama Abdalla said she would facilitate my appointment to see Mwalimu and she sure did. The next day my appointment to meet Mwalimu at Msasani was confirmed by his office. And so this is how the story that I really want to tell, as my contribution to his memoriam goes.
Myself: Mwalimu, Shikamoo. Thank you for giving me this appointment. I shall try to be brief. I am Anna Tibaijuka, I teach Economics at the University of Dar es Salaam and we are assisting UWT to organize a national women’s congress to decide how women activities should be organized in this new environment of multi-party politics. I have been asked by UWT and Mama Anna Abdalla to see you because they had to go to Dodoma to meet the President (then Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi) and Party Secretary (then the late Horace Kolimba) and other leaders on this matter”
Mwalimu: Marahaba. I know the subject matter. It is good. What are the plans?
Myself: UWT thinks there are different views inside the party on how UWT and VIJANA should be treated during this period of multi-party politics. It is not possible for these two mass organizations to separate from the party like WAZAZI or the LABOUR UNION or WASHIRIKA. We have advised that in that case perhaps UWT should spearhead the creation of another independent women organization that can play the role that UWT has played all along, as a unified voice for all women, neutral non-politically affiliated organization to spearhead women’s issues. We shall be honoured if you could grace our meeting and agree to be our keynote speaker!
Mwalimu: Interesting? Who else has been invited?
Myself: The Prime Minister (then Mzee John Malecela) has been invited to open the Congress and the President (Ali Hassan Mwinyi) is being invited to close the conference and receive our declaration at the Bunge grounds after our procession from Mzimbazi grounds to raise the profile of our issue. We have invited Mama Winnie Mandela from South Africa as a second keynote speaker, because we think she has a lot to tell us. Some of us admire her very much. We have of course also invited all the outstanding women leaders, Mama Maria, Bibi Titi Mohammed, Mama Tekla Mchauro, Mama Barbro Johasson, all the women of TANU.
Mwalimu: Oh that is good. And who has confirmed to come?
Myself: Mama Barbro and Bibi Titi are confirmed. I hope you can inform Mama Maria of our invitation because we are yet to make contact with her. Others are yet to confirm, and that is why I have come to consult you first and the process has just started.
Mwalimu after a pause: Now listen carefully. You University women (wasomi) do not understand this very well. It is not easy for you to come and organize an independent women’s organization!. You will not be able to do it!. Politicians will not let you. Those are big changes, they need big powers! I am the one who created UWT. It was 1965. We were working very hard after independence to give every one a chance. But then all of a sudden there were so many women groups, doing different things, not united, even fighting each other! I told them to unite, I united them under UWT! Now, it is the only asset that you women of Tanzania have, this UWT? I have already advised them that if they want to fight for women issues effectively, they have to do what others have done, they have to separate from the Party! The situation has changed. And then the party can easily form its own women organization, using the same women! UWT leaving the party does not mean UWT members have left CCM! I discussed this with Sofia but she had other pressures on her. And now she is not here, it is even more difficult.
Myself: But Mwalimu as you have said, we cannot say these things ourselves, if this is your recommendation. We are begging that you to come and guide us a tour conference. If this is your advice then you will inform everyone, they have to hear you directly. Then everyone will know your position on the matter. It is important that everyone knows what you want and believe is right for women.
Mwalimu (with a frown): And that is why I shall not come, and I cannot come! It is not what I want. It is what the women need and what they want. You people need a unified voice if you are to be heard! All this time I have been speaking up for women! I have been fighting for your rights. When we worked on the marriage act, (of 1972) I had to go to Tanga, to tell the people there that divorce has to be done by clear state laws, to protect women. I have tried to promote women’s rights! I have passed laws to give women their rights but they do not use them! You tend to wait for someone else to speak up for you, to defend you! This was my big mistake. I have not prepared women to fight for themselves. To speak for yourselves! It means you cannot sustain even some of the rights that were given! The gains you have made since independence are being eroded. No, I am not coming to your meeting.
Myself (frightened): Oh Mwalimu, what shall I tell the UWT leaders? They will think I did not brief you properly? I have failed and they are in Dodoma also informing the President and the Party. They will be disappointed in me. We are eager that you come to show your support to our cause.
Mwalimu (reassuring somewhat): Look here, my not coming cannot mean that I do not support you. I can tell you everyone knows my views on this issue. And should not be a problem. Winnie Mandela is a good choice. I shall encourage her to come. She has been through a true struggle. She knows what it means so speak up for oneself. She had to learn the hard way. ….. I am happy Winnie is being invited. She will be good for your meeting. Very good.
Myself: We are keen to see her! …But Mwalimu, Mama Winnie cannot substitute you, we were looking forward to your speech. It is important. Perhaps may I humbly request you to think about it!
Mwalimu: I know very well it is important. That is why I am discussing the matter with you at all. That is why I have told you the background, so that you go and tell your friends. Organize your meeting. Be brave. Do what you think needs to be done. You need a unified voice in these times of change and diversity to fight for your interests. If I come I know it will not help, it will be another mistake. If UWT does not want to do what I have advised them to do, and you try to create another organization for women, then you have to know it will not be easy at all! You have to be prepared to fight. Watawasumbua, watawasumbua (They will harass you, they will harass you). I told you those are big changes, and need big power! You understand? Believe me! But be strong. Do what you feel needs to be done to raise your unified voice.
Myself: Silent, puzzled.
Mwalimu (with a kind smile) Go and tell your friends in the UWT if they do not believe you, to come and see me. I know they will not come. They know my views. But be strong. Bye bye (and he stood up).
And so the meeting ended. I left the meeting baffled but also challenged. I still recollect literally every minute of it. Although this recitation was not recorded, I can confirm it is very close to what transpired with some details omitted because perhaps they need not be said for now.
I was requested to make a submission for this memorial issue of October, 2006. I wanted to give a chance to the readers to put themselves into my situation and decide for themselves how this encounter could have affected them had they been in my place having such a conversation with a historical personality, the founding father of Tanzania who has even been proposed to be considered for Sainthood.
On my part, I felt challenged by his message but also became full of admiration for his clarity of thought, his vision, articulation of issues, sincerity and compassion to the fate of the oppressed, in this case women. I had come to give Mwalimu an invitation to a women meeting, only to be given an assignment, by the Father of the Nation, to try and move the women agenda in Tanzania into a new era, where women learn to speak up for themselves, but also become prepared to pay the price, if necessary, like Winnie Mandela!
So, that is how this particular encounter with Mwalimu, in a conversation that lasted for about 1 hour and a quarter, changed my life and perspective of things, from being only an academic to developing a passion of using my knowledge to organize for social change and community development. Yes if necessary to enter politics with its challenges.
Epilogue: The BAWATA Founding Congress took place as scheduled on 24-27th July, 1994 at Nkrumah Hall, University of Dar es Salaam, but without Mwalimu. However, as we entered an explosive second day of the Congress, Mama Maria Nyerere arrived in the morning to join Bibi Titi Mohammed and Mama Barbro Johansson who had been there since the first day. Mama Maria said the following.” I am sorry I am late and could not be with you yesterday. I am coming from Musoma.
I was called by Mwalimu urgently. He told me he had been invited to speak at the women’s conference to take place at the Hill, but he does not want to go, but wants me to be there, without fail. He also said I had been invited in my own right, so I have to come. Mwalimu said it is a very important meeting,and I must leave whatever am doing in Butiama and come to Dar in time for the meeting. Unfortunately there were delays and by the time I arrived in Mwanza, I had missed the connections! So, I am late but I am here”
I felt relief, literally with tears in my eyes. For, it was the arrival of Mama Maria Nyerere that “restored order and logic” in a conference that was so rancorous bordering on collapse. Most remarkable and memorable was when she called a point of order and rebuked delegates who were refusing to listen to the late Mama Mary Kabigi who had then moved from CCM and UWT to become the Secretary General of the Women’s wing in the then newly created opposition party of NCCR Mageuzi or was it Chadema!
Said Mama Maria “Why are you not listening to your fellow woman while she is on the programme and is scheduled to speak? Has moving to the opposition changed her status as a woman? (kwa nini hamtaki kumsikiliza mwanamke mwenzenu, wakati amepangiwa nafasi azungumze? Kwani kuingia upinzani kumemfanya aache kuwa mwanamke?” These words of wisdom changed the atmosphere of the meeting radically and dramatically. It was because of Mama Maria’s intervention that the delegates started to behave and vowed to put aside their ideological differences and to discuss how to organize themselves irrespective of political party affiliations. The meeting from there on went on smoothly and BAWATA was formed!.
Mwalimu, as we commemorate your 17th year of being recalled to the Lord, I felt I should narrate and share with others this private lecture that I was honored to receive from you in pursuit of your true legacy and hopefully sainthood. I want to thank you for the guidance and support that finally helped the women of Tanzania to speak up for ourselves in matters of our interest without fear. And for sure, as you had warned and foretold, because of your wisdom, and perhaps your prophetic powers, the problems of forming an independent women organization were to prove formidable. We had to suffer! Indeed we did not have the big powers needed to form the organization, but we stood up to speak for ourselves.
As a result, the fate of BAWATA was to be finally settled in court, and by the Grace of God in BAWATA’s favor. This is because in July 1996, two years after BAWATA was registered its activities were suspended on allegations it was organized like a political party with branches at village level. The government wanted the branches closed. BAWATA resisted. The matter went to a constitutional court women had to ask for the mother of all rights, freedom of organization. Professor Issa Shivji at the University of Dar es Salaam volunteered to defend BAWATA. Working gratis, Professor Shivji labored in court for 11 years from July 1997 until April, 2009 when the petition was determined and the Constitutional court ruled in favor of BAWATA.
It observed it was not right to ask women to close BAWATA branches in villages and even at places of work because this is where women live and work, and suffer. The issues that BAWATA seeks to address are at this level. I wish to take this opportunity once again to express my eternal gratitude to the sacrifice that Prof Shivji made to defend women for 11 years. Only god shall repay him. I also wish to inform the public in general and the women in particular that plans are underway to revive the activities of BAWATA. The issues for which it was founded are still as pertinent today as they were then. However, experience is the best teacher. It has been considered that a new approach needs to be adopted in the revival of BAWATA, which remains a legally registered organization, in reviving its activities. We waited for 11 years in court. We can wait for slightly more longer to start on a correct footing this second time round.
I first contributed this story to the Nyerere day celebrations in October 2006 in my Capacity as Founding Chairperson of BAWATA and it was published in the Daily News supplement of that year. I have decided to resubmit the same article for the Seminar being organized by the Youths for the 2016 Nyerere day celebrations after failing to attend in person because I am in Quito Ecuador, Latin America, attending the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Urban Development, Habitat III to represent HE President John Pombe Mafufuli. I wish you a wonderful Nyerere day Celebrations.
I believe this story puts some of my struggles into perspective and better light. It was Mwalimu Nyerere who taught me to stand up and fight for what I believe is right and at times be prepared to pay the price. As long as it is a proper cause based on truth and justice, finally you will be understood. In BAWATA we found the courage and were willing to sacrifice and speak up for women’s rights! We tried to be strong, as Mwalimu told us to be. It was not easy. What surprises me until today is how Mwalimu was able to predict that organizing for women’s rights would not be easy at all. May the Lord give Mwalimu eternal rest, and bless Mama Maria and the family to continue without him. However like all of us, let the family be comforted from the knowledge and belief that Mwalimu is even closer to God praying for this nation than ever before. I have seen in the new President John Pombe Magufuli some of the qualities that Mwalimu demonstrated including determination, truth telling, self-less, pro-poor policies, focus and at times very very tough. May Mwalimu rest in eternal peace. Amen.
