Rashidi Mfaume Kawawa aka Simba wa Vita: Unsung Hero!

Rashidi Mfaume Kawawa aka Simba wa Vita: Unsung Hero!

Rashidi Mfaume Kawawa was born on this day, May 27, 1926. He made significant contributions to Tanzania (Tanganyika) during the period of the struggle for independence and after the country gained independence in 1961. One such contributions took place in January of 1964 during one of the low points in the young nation's history. Kawawa, then the Vice President, narrowly escaped soldiers who went to the State House to make their demands on January 20, 1964. He, together with President Nyerere, were whisked away to safety by Peter Bwimbo, Head of the Presidential Security unit. Exactly what would have happened had the soldiers gained access to the two leaders will remain a matter of speculation. Kawawa was the one given the task to write a formal letter requesting British intervention. On January 24, 1964, Kawawa handed a letter to Oscar Kambona and Paul Bomani to take to Stephen Miles, the British High Commissioner in Tanganyika. Kambona and Bomani arrived at the British High Commissioner's residency 4:45 pm on January 24,1964 with the letter; it was short and to the point. This was the beginning of the end for the army mutiny!

By Azaria C. Mbughuni