title : AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!!
kiungo : AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!!
AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!!
1. Birth of A JEWEL
AMIR HABIB JAMAL was born on 26.1.1922 in Mwanza, BONGOLAND. He was born to Gujarati parents of Indian ancestry namely Mr. HABIB JAMAL & Ms KULSUM THAWER.
2. JAMAL Attains Primary & Secondary Education in BONGO
JAMAL attained his Primary education in his home town of Mwanza and later pursued his Secondary education in Dsm. He was a very brilliant student who always passed his exams with flying colours.
3. JAMAL Leaves for India and Graduates SUMMA CUM LAUDE
JAMAL left BONGO for India and graduated from the University of Calcutta with a First Class in Economics(Hons).
4. JAMAL returns to BONGO
Upon graduation in 1942, JAMAL returned to BONGO and joined the family business.
5. AMIR Marries His Cousin, ZAINY
JAMAL married his cousin, ZAINY HUSSEIN KHERAJ, a well educated daughter of a wealthy businessman.
6. JAMAL: A Founding Member of the Asian Association
In 1950, the Asian leaders in Dsm responded to the post- war nationalism by forming an association, the Asian Association, concerned with, inter alia, African interests. Among the towering figures and the 20 founder members was AMIR JAMAL who featured prominently in the political groundwork for independence.
7. JAMAL Meets Mwalimu NYERERE for the First Time:
JAMAL first met NYERERE in 1952 at a Grand Reception hosted by the British Council, Dsm, in honour of NYERERE's return as a graduate of Edinburgh University. JAMAL was hugely impressed by NYERERE's "Thank You" speech.
8. JAMAL encourages His Fellow Asians to Support TANU
After the birth of TANU on 7.7.1954, JAMAL tirelessly urged his fellow Asians to support TANU.
9. Mwalimu NYERERE Frequently Visits JAMAL
JAMAL's father had a shop "HABIB & Co. Importers" located at Market Street near Morogoro rd. NYERERE used to visit JAMAL at the shop frequently and there were many meetings between these two young close friends. At the end of these meetings, JAMAL's cousin, AMIR HUSSEIN KHERAJ, would usually be directed to give NYERERE a ride back home.
10. JAMAL Helps to Pay for NYERERE's Visit to UN
In February 1955, JAMAL was among those who contributed financially enabling NYERERE to go to the United Nations to deliver a speech on Tanganyika's independence. JAMAL gave NYERERE £100 as his contribution.
11. JAMAL Helps in the Funding of NYERERE's Lawyers
NYERERE's leadership of TANU was vibrant as he used to confront the colonialists head on. TANU had a newspaper "SAUTI YA WATU" and its 29th Issue, on 7.5.1958, Mwalimu NYERERE had written an article criticizing, in no uncertain terms, two colonial DCs namely Hon. F.B. WEEKS and Hon.G.T. SCOTS.
Thus, on 9.7.1958, Mwalimu NYERERE was charged with a Sedition case (Regina Vs JULIUS NYERERE, CC 2207/1958) dubbed "The Trial of the Century in Tanganyika". Considering the status of Mwalimu NYERERE in the society, the Kisutu court was always jam-packed!.
Mwalimu NYERERE was represented by a formidable panel of lawyers namely DN PRITTY, MM RATTANSAY and KL JHAVERI. As neither NYERERE nor TANU could afford to pay for the legal services of these expensive lawyers, JAMAL and his friends helped in funding this defence team.
The judgement was delivered on 13.8.1958 by Hon. A.L. DAVIES. Mwalimu NYERERE was convicted but avoided a 6-month jail term after paying a TZS 3,000/= fine, which was an astronomical amount in those days. JAMAL, again, was there to lend a helping hand!.
12. JAMAL Elected to the Legislative Council
In 1958, JAMAL became a candidate for the Legislative Council. JAMAL was with Mwalimu NYERERE and GRAHAM LEWIS when they received news of the election results in September 1958. JAMAL succesfully contested the TANU-backed "Asian" seat of the Eastern Province (Morogoro) constituency. A photographer snaped the iconic picture of jubilant Mwalimu NYERERE holding the hand of LEWIS (wearing all white) to his right and JAMAL to his left(I have attached the said photo).
13. Hon. JAMAL: The Only Indian in Mwalimu NYERERE's First Cabinet:
Mwalimu NYERERE's First Cabinet, following the election of August-September 1960, comprised 7 Africans, 4 Europeans and 1 Asian, the one and only AMIR JAMAL!.
14. Hon.JAMAL Becomes the First Non-African TANU Member
On 17.1.1963, the TANU Annual Conference decided to approve a Resolution opening up party membership to all races after years of intense debate within the party.
On the same day, Hon. OSCAR KAMBONA, then Minister of Home Affairs and TANU Secretary General, presented JAMAL, then Minister of Communications and Works, with a TANU Card No. 487,382 becoming the First Person not Black to join TANU!.
15. Hon. JAMAL Served as Minister in Various Ministries
In 1961, Hon. JAMAL was appointed as Minister for Communication and Works. In 1965, he was appointed Minister of Finance. Between 1972 and 1975, he was appointed Minister of Trade and Industries. He led the Ministry of Finance again between 1975 and 1977. Following the dissolution of the EAC in 1977, he was transferred to the Communications & Transport docket. He led the Ministry of Finance for a third time between 1979 and 1983. Between 1983 and 1984, he served as Minister Without Portifolio and lastly; between 1984 and 1985, he served as Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.
16. Hon. JAMAL : The Most Versatile Minister "KIRAKA"
Mwalimu NYERERE had the greatest confidence, admiration and trust in Hon.JAMAL. During his presidency, Mwalimu would swifly shuffle him into several ministries that he felt were non performing or lagging. Once Hon. JAMAL got them back on track, Mwalimu would reinstate him as Minister of Finance!.
17. Hon. JAMAL's Integrity was UNIMPEACHABLE
Hon. JAMAL had sharp political instincs but as a public servant, he never did anything for political expediency. His integrity was unimpeachable.
18. Hon. JAMAL: The Longest-Serving Minister of Finance in TZ's History
Hon. JAMAL was the longest-serving Minister of Finance in TZ's history as he led the ministry for about 12 years.
19. Hon. JAMAL was MP for Morogoro constituency from 1958 to 1985
Hon. JAMAL was continually being re-elected to Parliament by his Morogoro constituency despite the fact that members of his racial group comprised less than 1% of the population. This is because "Morogorians" admired him sooo much!.
20. Hon. JAMAL Serves as TZ Ambassador to UN, GENEVA
Hon. JAMAL served as TZ's Ambassador to the United Nations, Geneva from 1985 to 1993.
21. Hon. JAMAL: Mwalimu NYERERE'S Closest Friend & Most Trusted Lieutenant:
Hon.JAMAL was an Exceptional Intellectual who was Mwalimu NYERERE's Closest Friend as the following quotes show:
21.1 Ms JOAN WICKEN, hitherto Personal Assistant to Mwalimu- "Amir was a key ally of "Baba wa Taifa" and had more formal and informal one to one meetings with "Baba wa Taifa" than any other minister".
21.2 GODFREY MWAKIKAGILE (A Prominent TZ Scholar- Former news reporter for the STANDARD-the oldest newspaper in TZ)- "Hon. Amir Jamal was the most knowlegeable and the most intellectual Cabinet Minister in the First Independence Cabinet, besides Mwalimu NYERERE".
21.3 SIR GEORGE KAHAMA - "The late Amir Jamal was an intellectual giant who was highly respected by Mwalimu and all of us, his fellow Ministers, for his diplomacy, down to earthness and outspoken approach to local and international affairs. It was always intellectually stimulating to discuss grobal issues with him".
21.4 PROF. SEITH CHACHAGE - "Hon. JAMAL was a gentle, liberal-minded and extremely astitute administrator. The qualities which he and Mwalimu recognized in each other idealism, thoughtfulness and open hearted friendship sealed a partnership that lasted since they first met".
21.5 Rev. TREVOR HUDDLESTONE - "No one in his life in politics had a closer relationship with Mwalimu Nyerere than did Amir Jamal".
21.6 SIR ANDY CHANDY - "Hon. Amir Jamal, a Tanzanian of Indian origin, was a confidant of Mwalimu Nyerere. Their close relationship was forged when Amir helped in funding Mwalimu's defence team in the notorious sedition trial held in 1958".
22. Hon. JAMAL Shocks IMF Staff
Dr. JAMAL served as Chair of the 35th Annual Meetings of the IMF and WB in 1980.
A brilliant intellectual, Dr. JAMAL, upon his arrival in Washington DC, was suprised when IMF Staff presented him a draft for his opening speech. He politely declined telling them that he is not a parrot as he had àlready prepared his own speech! It was unprecedented and all the staff were visibly shocked!.
23. Hon. JAMAL Becomes the First African GATT Chair
In 1988, Dr. JAMAL became the first African to chair the Council of the Geneva-based General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade (GATT).
24. SOME of the Highlights of JAMAL's Contributions to his Country
24.1 He steered the establishment of BOT on 14.6.1966 & NBC 1967.
24.2 He, between 1967-1970, led the TZ Team to Chine to succesfully conclude the Agreement to finance and build the $ 1 Billion TAZARA Railway.
24.3 He led the TZ Negotiation Team for the Treaty for East African cooperation which established the EAC in 1967.
24.4 Monday, 6.2.1967, was the day when Hon. JAMAL suprised investors and industrialists especially the Big 3 (National bank, Grindlays bank & the Backlays bank) with the Govt decision to nationalise all banks without prior notice as it was anounced to them that their power was ending at the close of business of the very same day!.
24.5 He mentored many, many Tanzanians especially those who were under him.
24. 6 He participated in all key political and economic decisions made for two and half decades.
25. Hon. JAMAL Becomes MWALIMU's Personal Rep"
Hon. JAMAL close working relationship with Mwalimu continued as he became his personal representative when Mwalimu was Chair of the South Commission and then on the South Center.
26. Hon. JAMAL Retires, Moves to Canada:
In early 1995, Hon. JAMAL retired to Canada to spend time with his family.
26. Hon. JAMAL Passes Away in Canada
Hon. JAMAL died on 21.3.1995 in Canada leaving a widow (SHAHSULTAN KASSAM as he had divorced ZAINY) and 4 children after a distinguished political career and an outstanding diplomatic service.
27. Mwalimu NYERERE Weeps Openly and Bitterly:
Mwalimu wept openly and bitterly upon hearing the news of JAMAL's death. Mwalimu's efforts to have Hon. JAMAL's remains repatriated to TZ were in vain.
This was the second time Mwalimu was seen weeping openly. The first time was on Thursday night, 12.4.1984 when he received the late EDWARD MORINGE SOKOINE's body.
28. Mwalimu NYERERE's Tribute to JAMAL
The late JAMAL's exemplary and unwavering devotion to his country as well as his extraordinary career commanded a befitting tribute.
And who else to deliver it, other than Mwalimu NYERERE, his closest friend?
Mwalimu, in a touching tribute to his departed, lifelong friend:
"Amir was a fine human being, a good man. He was a person of absolute integrity. He was a man of principle, dedicated to self-less service. These qualities, combined with his great intellectual ability means that as a Senior Minister in every post independent Govt until 1985, Amir was an active participant in all TZ's political, social and economic advances throughout the period. As TZ Ambassador to the UN, he worked tirelessly for the interests of our country and all developing countries. Amir was never a "Yes Man". In Cabinet, in Govt or Party Committees, he vehemently argued for the measures he felt necessary and he vehemently opposed those he felt were mistaken. But he was also a democrat and a person who respected others. He groomed for leadership those who worked under him and no wonder several Principal Secretaries succeeded him as Ministers. Amir was a Tanzanian of whom we can be proud. I WAS PRIVELEGED TO COUNT HIM A FRIEND".
29. Hon. JAMAL Posthumously Awarded Unique Medal
On 26.4.2014, the late DR. JAMAL was posthumously awarded, by HE President JM KIKWETE, the Order of Union First Class in recognition of his outstanding contribution to protecting and preserving the Union.
30. CONCLUSION:
MY TAKE:
Dr. AMIR HABIB JAMAL was an Illustrious Son of the Soil and a Distinguished Patriot who always put the country's interests before his own. He was an Extraordinary Mentor, a Towering Intellectual of the Highest Calibre and a Diplomat Per Excellence who kept our Country's Flag flying high on the International Scene. Though he is now gone but his legacy lives on!
However, the Million-Dollar question is; although Dr. JAMAL's legacy lives on, is it cherished by all of us?
The Ball is in your Court!
Hivyo makala AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!!
yaani makala yote AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!! Wakati huu, pengine unaweza kutoa faida na wewe wote. Sawa, kuona katika post nyingine makala.
Wewe ni sasa kusoma makala AMIR JAMAL: AN INTELLECTUAL OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND NYERERE'S CLOSEST FRIEND & MOST TRUSTED MINISTER!!! mahali kiungo https://wordmaelezo.blogspot.com/2019/02/amir-jamal-intellectual-of-highest.html
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