On the picture, the Ambassador of Tanzania H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
Wassenaar, 25 April 2018 – H.E. Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania in the Netherlands hosted a reception on the occasion of her country’s 54th Union Day.
Something phenomenal took place on 26 April 1964, the merging of two sovereign states, continental Tanganyika and the island state of Zanzibar in East Africa. The Presidency of the Union came under the acumen leadership of the late Dr. (Hon) Julius Kambarage Nyerere who was, by all means, an illustrious person.
Julius Nyerere was a true son of Africa, a Pan-Africanist, nationalist, philosopher, charismatic orator, and an African statesman. Nyerere was a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity. Nyerere’s resolve has been that Tanzania should be taken to higher heights.
He once made the following statement :
Tanzania is involved in a war against poverty and oppression in our country; this struggle is aimed at moving the people of Tanzania and the people of Africa as a whole from a state of poverty to a state of prosperity.
In her welcome remarks Ambassador Mkwawa Kasyanju noted the following:
“As we are celebrating the 54 years since the Union was established, Tanzania has been enjoying peace and tranquillity all the time and thus contributing tremendously in seeking stability within our Region. All this could not be achieved in isolation but by forging and strengthening unity and friendly ties between the people of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.”
“It is Tanzania’s pride to keep the Union flourishing and this is what the two Governments have been striving to achieve throughout our history. It is Tanzania’s belief that the generations to come will cherish this unique achievement, which has all along been cemented by the economic, social and cultural ties.”
Ambassador Mkwawa continued, “I could not think of a better opportunity than this one to acknowledge the excellent bilateral relations that exists between Tanzania and the Netherlands. These relations are historical and can be traced back to early years of independent Tanganyika. They have continued to be nurtured and strengthened from which various forms of cooperation have been established covering different fields. “ End quote.
“We are reminiscent of the fact that in the sixties and seventies of the previous century the President of Tanzania Dr Julius K. Nyerere was admired by progressive students and political parties in the Netherlands and elsewhere.
Notably for his political leadership and vision, not only for Tanzania but also for the African continent and the so-called third-world countries.”
Furthermore,the Ambassador continued: “Tanzania has continued to achieve a sustained high growth rate of the economy, with signs of economic transformation emerging. These positive developments are aimed at facilitating substantial poverty reduction, creation of quality jobs and increase of productivity.
Current key objectives for Tanzania are geared towards achieving national development aspirations articulated in the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 of transforming the economy into a middle income and semi-industrialized country by 2025. Concerted efforts are being pursed to transform the economy, commensurate with the envisaged development aspirations; a task we have to fulfill in less than 10 years.”
Mr. Simon Molenaar, Manager Production & Supply of RijkZwaan Production B.V. addressed the gathering. Molenaar exclaimed in delight, “am proud to be an investor in Tanzania”
“Years of unbroken friendship ”
H.E. Irene Florence Mkwawa concluded by referring to the friendly cooperation between Tanzania and the Netherlands. She stated, “our mutual solidarity goes back a long way. I am convinced that years of unbroken friendship between Tanzania and The Netherlands will continue to nourish and strengthen our much-treasured partnership by bringing our two countries and peoples even closer. Our joint accomplishment over the years is a reflection of the mutual trust, understanding and shared values.”
A large number of Ambassadors, International judges, businessmen and friends of Tanzania came to felicitate Ambassador Mkwawa.
The drummer’s group “Nakupenda Le BiKa” under the direction of Ms. Mwajuma Kitano animated the evening.
