1.
Unity will not make us rich, but it can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated. And it will, therefore, increase the effectiveness of the decisions we make and try to implement for our development. My generation led Africa to political freedom. The current generation of leaders and peoples of Africa must pick up the flickering torch of African freedom, refuel it with their enthusiasm and determination, and carry it forward.
Julius Nyerere
2.
You cannot develop people. You must allow people to develop themselves.
Julius Nyerere
'You cannot cultivate people. You must grant them the opportunity to grow on their own.'
3.
Education is not a way to escape poverty, it is a way of fighting it.
Julius Nyerere
Learning is not a way to dodge destitution, it is a means of combating it.
4.
Cooperation and conflict are two sides of the same coin; both arise out of man's relationship with his fellows. The larger the group, the greater the possibility of development through cooperation, and the greater the possibility of conflict.
Julius Nyerere
5.
When we were at school we were taught to sing the songs of the Europeans. How many of us were taught the songs of the Wanyamwezi or of the Wahehe? Many of us have learnt to dance the rumba, or the cha cha, to rock and roll and to twist and even to dance the waltz and foxtrot. But how many of us can dance, or have even heard of the gombe sugu, the mangala, nyang umumi, kiduo, or lele mama?
Julius Nyerere
6.
Decisions made in Washington are more important to us than those made here in Dar es-Salaam. So, maybe my people should be allowed to vote in American presidential elections.
Julius Nyerere
The choices made in the United States capital have more of an impact on us than those made here locally. Thus, potentially my citizens should be given the right to cast ballots in American presidential polls.
7.
If real development is to take place, the people have to be involved.
Julius Nyerere
If true advancement is to occur, the populace must be incorporated.
8.
Independence cannot be real if a nation depends upon gifts.
Julius Nyerere
Self-sufficiency cannot be actualized if a nation relies on donations.
9.
There is no time to waste. We must either unite now or perish.
Julius Nyerere
We must either join forces now or be destroyed.
10.
If a door is shut, attempts should be made to open it; if it is ajar, it should be pushed until it is wide open. In neither case should the door be blown up at the expense of those inside.
Julius Nyerere
If a door is closed, efforts should be exerted to gain access; if it is slightly open, it should be nudged until the entranceway is fully exposed. In no case should explosives be detonated at the detriment of those inside.
11.
No nation has the right to make decisions for another nation; no people for another people.
Julius Nyerere
No state has the authority to dictate choices for another state; no populace for another populace.
12.
Small nations are like indecently dressed women. They tempt the evil-minded.
Julius Nyerere
'Tiny countries are like inappropriately attired women. They entice the wicked.'
13.
Having come into contact with a civilization which has over-emphasized the freedom of the individual, we are in fact faced with one of the big problems of Africa in the modern world. Our problem is just this: how to get the benefits of European society - benefits that have been brought about by an organization based upon the individual - and yet retain African's own structure of society in which the individual is a member of a kind of fellowship.
Julius Nyerere
14.
In Tanzania, it was more than one hundred tribal units which lost their freedom; it was one nation that regained it.
Julius Nyerere
In Tanzania, it was more than one hundred ethnic groups that forfeited their autonomy; it was one country that recovered it.
15.
In Tanganyika we believe that only evil, Godless men would
make the color of a mans skin the criteria for granting him civil
rights.
Julius Nyerere
In Tanganyika we maintain that only wicked, irreligious individuals would base civil rights on the hue of a person's complexion.
16.
A house should not be built so close to another that a chicken from one can lay an egg in the neighbor's yard, nor so far away that a child cannot shout to the yard of his neighbor.
Julius Nyerere
A dwelling should not be erected so near to another that a hen from one can deposit an egg in the neighbor's yard, nor so distant that a youngster cannot holler to the yard of his neighbor.
17.
The greatest contraceptive one can have in the developing world is the knowledge that your children will live
Julius Nyerere
'The surest way to curb population growth in developing countries is the assurance of children's survival.'
18.
African nationalism is meaningless, dangerous, anachronistic, if it is not, at the same time, pan-Africanism.
Julius Nyerere
Afrocentrism is futile, hazardous, outdated, if it is not, concurrently, Pan-Africanism.
19.
We, in Africa, have no more need of being 'converted' to socialism than we have of being 'taught' democracy. Both are rooted in our past -- in the traditional society which produced us.
Julius Nyerere
We, in Africa, have no further requirement to be 'persuaded' to socialism than we have to be 'instructed' on democracy. Both are embedded in our history -- in the customary society which formed us.
20.
Freedom to many means immediate betterment, as if by magic. Unless I can meet at least some of these aspirations, my support will wane and my head will roll just as surely as the tickbird follows the rhino.
Julius Nyerere
21.
We spoke and acted as if, given the opportunity for self-government, we would quickly create utopias. Instead injustice, even tyranny, is rampant.
Julius Nyerere
We assumed that if we were granted self-rule, we would soon establish paradises. Unfortunately, however, inequity and even despotism are widespread.
22.
Should we really let our people starve so we can pay our debts.
Julius Nyerere
Should we really permit our citizens to go without sustenance so we can honor our obligations.
23.
Take every penny you have set aside for aid for Tanzania and spend it in the UK, explaining to people the facts and causes of poverty.
Julius Nyerere
Divert all resources earmarked for Tanzania and redistribute them within the UK, elucidating people on the realities and causes of destitution.
24.
I have read and re-read the Arusha Declaration and found nothing wrong with it except perhaps replacing a few commas here and there... it was clear for some of us that it would only be a mad man who would stand up and defend the Arusha Declaration.
Julius Nyerere
25.
The African is not 'Communistic' in his thinking; he is -- if I may coin an expression - 'communitary'.
Julius Nyerere
The African is not 'Collectivist' in his thinking; he is -- if I may coin an expression - 'collaborative'.
