'REPLACE THE PORTRAIT OF NYERERE ON ON SH1,000 NOTE'

Butiama. First President Julius Nyerere’s family is up in arms over his portrait on the Sh1,000 note. They want it replaced because they believe it does not reflect the true face of the founding Father of the Nation, The Citizen learnt yesterday. The note is the only one that bears Mwalimu’s image.

Speaking to The Citizen in Butiama yesterday on behalf of the family, his son Madaraka said that--on taking a closer look at the portrait--they felt that the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) could have picked a better photograph. There is a variety of pictures that are a true reflection of the leader, according to Madaraka, and the family does not understand why the authorities settled for the one now in use.

The sixth-born child of the founding President wants  a relook into the possibility of replacing the photo. He  was speaking at the handing over of BoT’s project to upgrade the Mwalimu Nyerere Museum.

There are two portraits on the same bill (one hidden) but both do not reflect the real face of the Father of the Nation, according to the family. “I ask BoT and other authorities into how they can remove the banknote from circulation and select a portrait that reflects the real Mwalimu Nyerere,” he said. During the event, BoT handed over showcases worth more than Sh10 million for display items during exhibitions.

The director-general of the Tanzania National Museums, Prof Audax Mabula, said BoT’s support will boost the museum’s capacity to preserve Mwalimu’s history for current and future generations.

The national museums face plenty of challenges, including a shortage of funds for research on Mwalimu Nyerere—which  would benefit the country and the world—and Prof Mabula is seeking support to help run the museum. According to the deputy BoT governor, Mr Juma Reli, the project includes five showcases that will be used to keep Mwalimu’s personal effects and two special showcases that will be used to keep the chairs he used. BoT has also offered a wardrobe for his clothes, two wall panels and a television set.  Mr Reli pledged that the bank would also renovate Mwalimu’s first house. Ultimately, the museum will be transformed into a tourist attraction in Mara Region.

The Citizen