Tanzania’s First President Julius Nyerere Celebrated by AU

The African Union, in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), unveiled a commemorative statue honouring the esteemed Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere of Tanzania during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The striking statue, positioned atop a granite base inscribed with Nyerere’s impactful words from October 22, 1959, pays homage to his vision of spreading hope, love, and dignity beyond borders, as symbolised by the metaphorical candle atop Mount Kilimanjaro.

“We would like to light a candle and put it on top of Mount Kilimanjaro which would shine beyond our borders, giving hope where there was hate and dignity where before, there was only humiliation”. – J. K. Nyerere 1959.

Situated on the grounds of the building complex named in honour of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, which hosts the African Union Political Affairs, Peace, and Security Department, the statue is a testament to his pivotal role in Pan-Africanism and peacebuilding.

As the first Prime Minister of independent Tanganyika (1961) and subsequently the first President of the new state of Tanzania (1964), Nyerere’s effigy joins the esteemed ranks of monuments at the AU Headquarters, alongside those of other Pan-Africanists such as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.

Aligned with the 2024 AU theme of Education, Mwalimu Nyerere’s statue underscores his philosophy on education, emphasising principles of self-reliance, critical consciousness, equality, social justice, and the common good. His innovative educational theory links liberation education to the pursuit of building an egalitarian society based on the concept of Ujamaa.

The unveiling ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania and AU Chairperson, SADC leaders such as H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania, and H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Also in attendance were leaders from Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mauritius, and Ethiopia, alongside representatives from Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, South Sudan, and other distinguished guests including former President of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya M. Kikwete, and former AU chairperson, H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.