Tanzanian youth have been challenged to up their
responsibility as custodians of the now 51 year old Union between
Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
The challenge was thrown over the weekend at colourful
celebrations held at national level at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es
Salaam.
Led by Commander in Chief President Jakaya Kikwete, the nation
celebrated the long-standing unity and peace that the United Republic of
Tanzania has enjoyed over the last 51 years.
Giving the advice, which was seconded by most other speakers,
former National Assembly Speaker (1994-2005) Pius Msekwa said the youth
must take the lead in championing, promoting and upholding the Union.
He described the Union as a national treasure and legacy that must be protected and cherished by the nation’s youth.
He challenged the youth to ensure that not only is the Union still
in place 51 years from today, but that it is stronger and more
effective.
“This is a legacy to be proud of,” said the former Speaker of the National Assembly.
“Several other countries across the world have tried to form such
Unions but failed…we must uphold and cherish our accomplishment,” he
urged.
“This is the time for the youth to take the lead,” he emphasised.
He was keen to acknowledge that there have numerous challenges over
the course the half century of the Union, but note that, the nation has
overcome all these obstacles that threatened it.
Speaking at the event, Justice (rtd) Damian Lubuva, Chairman for
the National Electoral Commission (NEC) commended the nation on its 51
years Union anniversary.
He too was passionate about the youth taking the lead and upholding the Union as a cherished national treasure.
He also seized the opportunity to reassure the public that the
General Election and the referendum will be held without fail or
glitches.
He called on youth to participate in both the referendum and
General Election as their constitution right and responsibility “We will
effectively conduct the referendum for the new Constitution,’ he said.
Notably the referendum was previously scheduled to be held on the 31 of
this month, which is only four Days from today before it was put off
indefinitely.
Among the major reasons that forced NEC to postpone the referendum
for the proposed new Mother Law was slow registration of voters under
the new electronic Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) that is still
ongoing.
However, the retired Justice and Chairman for NEC reassured all
stakeholders that the commission sas now speed up the registration
process and updating of the voters register book and will be ready to
hold the two historic events.
“We are very optimistic that the exercise will be completed in a
timely fashion for the two events to be carried out as planned,” he
said.
Nonetheless, to date, NEC is yet to announce a new date for the referendum on the proposed Constitution.
In her comments, a senior citizen and teacher Joyce Francis also
urged the youth to be steadfast when it comes to the Union pointing out
that there are those who seek to break the Union.
Another senior citizen, Bibi Asha Hajji said the Union between the
two states is a source of pride for all Tanzanians and the youth must
uphold it as inheritance granted to them.
The Union Republic of Tanzania was born on April 26, 1964 when the
two Founding Fathers, the late Julius Nyerere, President of Republic of
Tanganyika and the late Abeid Karume, President of People Republic of
Zanzibar signed the Articles of the Union.
At the event, the two leaders also mixed together soil samples from
the two states to symbolise the birth of the Union that is today the
Union Republic of Tanzania.
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