BY BENIEL SEKA
“Don’t ask what the country can do for
you; say what you can do for your country”. These are words repeatedly uttered
by the first president of THE United Republic of Tanzania and father of the
Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere when quoting the late president of the
United States of America. John Kennedy. Whenever I hear these words I feel
indebted to my country because it has provided me with education and other
basic needs. I also feel that I have done something, although not much but
something is better than nothing.
I know that as we mark the 13 since we
experienced the death of our beloved father of nation, a number of people will
tell their own success and defeat stories related to the lost hero. This
narration is a response to Mwalimu Nyerere’s call and our esteemed readers who
wish to know my contribution regarding the call.
I knew Mwalimu Nyerere when I was
still a child when he visited my home village Rauya to hand the Uhuru Torch to
the late Alexander Nyirenda. In fact I shook hands with him when he greeted
children surrounding him. This was a few weeks before the torch was placed on
top of Mount Kilimanjaro to shine even beyond our borders and bring hope where
it was lost.
Independence came on 9th
December, 1961. I celebrated with my country men and developed patriotism there
after. My brothers Felix, Wilfred and I used to sing the National anthem every
night before going to sleep.
Then followed the Arusha Declaration
in February 1967. I received it with a positive attitude because I felt some
people, especially our former masters, were still exploiting us. In that year,
I was in form three at Old Moshi Secondary School. Several Tanzanians marched from
one town to another to support him. Kilimanjaro youths marched from Moshi to
Arusha, losing Seti Benjamin on the way. Mwalimu Nyerere concluded the marching
by walking from Butiama to Mwanza and urged enthusiasts to support the Arusha
Declaration by action.
Then followed the Education for
self-Reliance (ESR) which earned Mwalimu Nyerere a great name, all over the
world and even acquired the status of philosopher. I still recognize one of the
important clauses: “Those who receive this privilege therefore have a duty……”
It demands devotion and commitment to save our country.
We soon received a new Headmaster, the
late Ambassador Paul Mhaiki who instilled new spirit in implementing ESR. He
immediately introduced inter House Farm-work competition. I led my Kibo house
in winning the competition. This can be testified by Mr. Peniel Lyimo
(permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture), Mr. Aminiel Maro (Deputy Dean
of Students, UDSM) who lived in Kibo House, professor Japhet Kileo (Muhimbili
University College) and Justice Juxon Mlay who lived in Hanang House.
During the December vacation in the
same year, I inspired age mates in Rauya Village to start a youth club called
Rauya social and Dramatic Club (RSDC). One of its objectives was to implement
ESR since most of the members were students. We acquired temporary land at
Rauya Community Centre and an old building left by the British after
independence. We cleared part of the land for
agriculture and the rest of the 10
hector land for football and volleyball. We practiced co-operativeendeavor
which was greatly being advocated at that time. Villages and its leaders
appreciated our activities as examples to be emulated.
In January 1971 after completing I
joined the National Service (JKT) at Ruvu Central School. Ruvu Camp was
assigned to open up large forms of rice to mark 10 years of independence. As
new recruits, we were given that heavy task. I did it under the strong sun of
January. A few of my colleagues escaped but I persevered. It was around this
time that the late dictator (Nduli) Idd Amin Dada toppled the late former
president Milton Obote and declared himself president of Uganda.
He dropped a bomb in Mwanza near Lake
Victoria and threatened to attack other parts of Tanzania because he suspected
that Tanzania would back up Milton Obote to resume power we had just finished
our lessons on military tactics and strategies when the event took place. We
were informed that we should be ready to defend our country against Idd Amin in
case he attacked Ruvu Camp.
In one of the midnight we were
awakened by a sound of war trumpet. We gathered at the parade ground to receive
instructions. The school leader, Brigadier Mwakyambiki, after the proper
protocols were done, said, “Idd Amin has decided to attach Ruvu. Intelligent
Sources have located the plan. We hear he has dropped military men by parachuttes
somewhere in Chalinze and they are advancing towards the main Ruvu Bridge. We
have to destroy them and there is no time to spare. Platoon commanders take
charge.”
Platoon commanders ordered section
commanders to take charge. Our section commander said, “You have been assigned
to confront the enemy at the bridge. You will be issued with SAR. Bullets will
be issued at the site. I will handle the sub-machine gun. So be firm and obey
orders. We are at war. The guns were distributed quickly and we were ordered to
start marching towards the mighty Ruvu bridge trough shrubs and swamps.
When we were at about one Kilometer
from the bridge a bullet was fired “Section down,” ordered our section
commander, “Leopard crow,” More bullets were fired from the other side of the
river. “You will have to attach without the bullets. Use the knife and the butt.
We have surrounded the enemy. You will soon receive the bullets to insert in your
automatic rifles. Cock gun to see if it is in order. Stand up and advance.”
As we moved closer to the bridge, a ‘fatak’
was seen in the sky. It was a sign of victory. The enemy tromp had been
defeated. We heard a lot of shouting “hurray” and I signed in relief. I saw the
captives being whisked across the bridge towards us. They were holding their
arms in the air. We have captured the enemy,” said our section commander at
last. “Line up, single file,” he ordered. Soon the school leader arrived at the
scene. Soldiers, you have done very well. This was just a mock war’. We are
happy you can do well in a real war. Continue preparing for the real war” the
school leader advised.
In March 1971, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere
was invited to inspect the ‘Operation Vitendo’ pared during the ‘pass-in’
parade at the Ruvu National Service camp. After the parade, we gathered at the
main hall where he addressed us. I set in the first row. Upon entering the
hall, Mwalimu decided to shake hands with those of us who were in the first
row. I was lucky to shake hands with him for the second time. Meanwhile, the whole
gathering was singing the popular song: ‘TunaimaninaNyerere, oya oya oya…’ (We
have confidence in Nyerere…)
In 1974 I became a mathematics and
physics teacher. I was posted to Ndanda Secondary school I nearlyrefused the
post because several teachers did not want to be posted to schools in the
Southern part of Tanzania. I remembered my commitment to serve my country and
decided to report at my new station.
It was a very difficult start because the
country faced famine due to drought in many partsof Tanzania. Soon, Mwalimu
Nyerere called for Kilimo cha kufa na
Kupona (Life or Death Agriculture). My
headmaster, Mr. Michael Msaki inspired us to respond by each teacher producing
a hectare of maize or beans. I did my part as Mwalimu used to say, “it can be
done, play your part”.
I worked with my colleagues at Ndanda
to establish self-reliance projects and our school ranked 3rd in one
of the years in self reliance. This success enabled one of my house mates at
Ndanda Secondary School, Mr Phillip Kihawa (former Headmaster of Benjamin Mkapa
High School) to be given a chance to develop a new school, Kibiti Secondary
school. By then I had left for masters degree course at the University of Dar
es salaam. Upon completion of my master’s degree, I joined the institute of
Education to do curriculum development work. I contributed chapters which made
the secondary Basic Mathematics Books one and two. I collaborated with
Professor L.K Shayo in producing the Advanced Mathematics book which was an
initial step in starting the international village for science and Technology
(IVST) in Tanzania. I later wrote Circles and Spheres, Plan and Elevation
published by MAT/CHAHITA for form 3 students.
I did a number of researchers and
discovered that the root problems of learning/teaching mathematics were in
primary schools. I decided to concentrate in that area and produced a series
called Hisabati kwa Vitendo (Practical Mathematics) standards 1to7. I also
introduced Pi Day in Tanzania to complement this effort. These efforts have
gone hand in hand with frequent visits to television stations and newspapers to
explain some pertinent issues. These efforts are aimed at raising mathematics
education in the country.
I have also written story books that
promote and motivate learning mathematics and science in primary books. In
1994, I was invited to present a paper on Mathematics stories at a conference
held in Johannesburg, South Africa. My trip was delayed for four days because of
Visa issues. I arrived at the conference two days before closing. When I
entered the conference hall the coordinator announced, “Finally the
long-awaited Tanzanian, Dr Seka has arrived.” There was cheering and standing
ovation. “Let us sing the National Anthem to honor him and his country.” The
conference delegates sang the South Africa national anthem in jubilation.
This gesture was also an appreciation
for the work that Tanzania did to help in removing apartheid and establishing
majority rule. When I entered they were discussing Ethno- mathematics. When the
discussion resumed the chairman of the African Mathematics Union Commission for
the History of Mathematics (AMUCHMA), Professor Paulus Gerdes said, “We did not
know that Ethno mathematics had application in education until Dr Seka
enlightened us.” I then realized that I had done something worthwhile.What
about you? Tell us.
The author is a retired Chief
Curriculum Developer
sekabeniel@yahoo.com 0784498893.
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