Union Day in Tanzania

Tanzanians celebrate Union Day every April 26. Union Day is a commemoration of the day when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to become the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

On this day, the bigger parades with contingents coloured by pupils and government and non-government institutions swarm the major grounds and streets. The government holds ceremonial speeches to commemorate the merging of the two states to form a new republic with a shared goal and vision

This year’s official ceremony was held at Amani Stadium unsecured loans Zanzibar. More than 700 pupils participated in the celebrations with 200 coming from Tanzania Mainland and 500 from Zanzibar.The Young Citizen spoke to some of the pupils who participated in the celebrations and here is what they had to say.

Natasha Abdul from Hazina Primary School: The Union celebrations were colourful and we really enjoyed because it was first the first time for us  to participate and we learnt lots of things about the union, which was founded by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere and then Zanzibar’s President, Abeid Amani Karume.

The decision made by the founder fathers of our nation has resulted in the lasting peace, political stability, economic and cultural growth which our generation is enjoying now.

Michael Mathayo from Micheweni Primary School: it was an interesting day because as pupils we managed to participate fully in the celebrations. In our group we performed an acrobatic show by mixing sand both from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. This was the same symbolic act  which was done by founder fathers on the birth day of the union.

What was even more interesting was the fact that we did all this in the presence of our current presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Dr Mohammed Shein.Noela Shayo from Bunge Primary School: Although it rained much of the day,  we still braved the downpour to show the love for our country.The most entertaining moment was when we sang our national anthem.

 Salma Rashid : it was fun for me because our group bad credit loans managed to shape 47 years of union and other structures while dancing to a song played by special band. The rehearsal we used to hold after class hours took us almost one month to perfect.

I advise other pupils and children to make sure we respect and strengthen our union no matter what since it is the only a true sign of our identity wherever we go.