THE Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mwanza, Renatus Nkwande has called on all Tanzanians to appreciate the progress the nation has made over the past 60 years, stressing that the country has come a long way and should take pride in its achievements.

He made these remarks during a service held yesterday to honour the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere at the Catholic Parish of St. Francis Xavier in Nyakahoja.

“Mwalimu Nyerere once said that we are running while others are walking. Our strides in development have brought us to this point, and we should not undervalue the progress we have made. Those who criticize today should ask their elders about the past,” said Archbishop Nkwande.

The service was attended by prominent figures, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Vice President Dr Philip Mpango, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, and several other government and political leaders.

Reflecting on the past, Nkwande remarked, “Sixty years ago, life was nothing like it is today. Even fifty years ago, the differences were immense. I once lived in Musoma, and after the war, life was extremely difficult. Sometimes, we had to cross into Kenya just to buy a bar of soap, as we didn’t have basic products like toothpaste here.”

He continued, “We wore clothes, but we couldn’t wash them properly. We used papaya leaves and even roots to clean them. Those of us in school had to make a single bar of soap last for six months for both washing and bathing. And yet, people say we haven’t made progress! Ask your mother; she will tell you how life was back then.”

Archbishop Nkwande stressed that the nation’s progress is a result of the efforts of both Tanzanians and their leaders, urging people to appreciate these contributions.

He further emphasized that it is now President Samia’s time to lead the nation forward, expressing gratitude for her accomplishments and encouraging her to continue building on the foundations laid by her predecessors.

As local government and general elections approach, Nkwande urged Tanzanians to participate responsibly and wisely, instead of merely seeking power.

“I often wonder, if I weren’t a priest, would I compete for such positions? You see people straining, with veins bulging, eager to become Members of Parliament, sometimes even resorting to violence. We haven’t descended to that level,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of President Samia, Vice President Dr Mpango noted that the purpose of the service was to pray for the Father of the Nation, asking for wisdom to guide the President and her aides in effectively serving Tanzanians.

“The Father of the Nation skillfully united Tanzanians from over 120 tribes into one, bringing us together under the common language of Kiswahili,” Dr Mpango added.