UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

MWALIMU JULIUS NYERERE CHAIR IN PANAFRICAN STUDIES

P.O BOX 35091 DAR ES SALAAM
Tel 255-22-2410763 Mobile : 0754-461703, 0754-281837

THE 9th MWALIMU JULIUS NYERERE INTELLECTUAL FESTIVAL - 13 TH-

15TH JUNE 2017
CALL FOR PAPERS/PANELS/ROUNDTABLES

The Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Chair in Pan African Studies of the University of
Dar es Salaam will hold the 9th Mwalimu Nyerere Intellectual Festival on 13th-
15th June 2017 at the University of Dar es Salaam.
The theme is The Politician in the Rise and Fall of Africa.
Politics is a subject that has captured serious attention by scholars,
development stakeholders and the general public in all societies due to its
importance in determining a countrys socio-economic development.
Africa has witnessed heated debate on politics, fueled by the continents
perpetual state of socio-economic underdevelopment, triggered by an
unfortunate long history of relentless exploitation and oppression through
slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism, capitalism, imperialism and internal
mismanagement of resources.
The first generation of African political leadership is credited for its success in
freeing its people from the yoke of colonial rule, inspiring a quest for self -
determination and pride in African values and identity. The consequent
generations of Africas political leadership have achieved varying levels of
success in developing their countries. For example, for about five years prior
to 2014, Africa was cited as the fastest growing continent with an economic
growth of above 5% as compared to the global average of about 3.5%. A
good number of African leaders are increasingly becoming democratic and
recording significant progress in liberalizing the political environment and
adhering to good governance principles.
It is undeniable, however, that a political leadership class has emerged in
many African countries, characterized by undemocratic practices, corruption,
bad governance, violations of human rights, and an unprecedented looting of
national resources. Excessive wealth, self-centeredness, lack of

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accountability to the majority poor and misuse of power for self - interests
have become common traits of this political leadership class. This involves
politicians at all levels of the political hierarchy, including heads of state,
ministers, members of parliament, governors, chiefs, councilors or village
heads. Africa has, in addition, produced a significant number of dictators who
not only rule with an iron hand, but cling to power for years on end through
vote rigging, oppression of opposition parties or manipulations of
constitutions to extend their presidential terms.
The 9th Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Intellectual Festival seeks to scrutinize and
interrogate this phenomenon of the politician in Africa and the extent to
which the development or underdevelopment of African countries can be
attributed to this specific category of leadership. Emphasis will be placed on
exposing the quality and nature of the politician in Africa, highlighting the
contribution of the politician to the economic, social and cultural making
or unmaking of African countries, and exploring what kind of politician is
needed for Africas future sustainable socio-economic development.
Sub Themes
1. The politician in Africa and the concept of leadership
2. The Politician in the African economic, social and cultural context.
3. The contribution of the politician to African countries economic, social
and cultural development or underdevelopment.
4. The politician of the Ruling party.
5. The politician of the Opposition in the context of the multiparty politics.
6. The woman politician in the advancement of gender equality.
7. The politician and governance.
8. The politician and culture; religiosity, ethnicity, and identity.
9. The politician of Africas future development.
Venue
The University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mwalimu Nyerere Campus,
Nkrumah Hall.
Invitation for Papers/Panels/Round Tables
The 9th Mwaimu Nyerere Intellectual Festival will draw participants from
scholars, practitioners and the public within and outside Tanzania interested
in reviewing the direction the continent is taking in the hands of the politician
to whom the voters have invested the future of Africa.
Concept notes of not more than 300 words for paper presentations are
hereby invited. Requests for panels (not more than three speakers) and
roundtables (not more than four speakers) are also welcome. Concept notes
and requests for panels and roundtables should be submitted by 30th March

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2017 to the following email address: lkiowi@yahoo.com or
penina_2000@yahoo.com. For further comments you can contact Lucy Kiowi-
+255 672 875 185 or Prof Penina Mlama +255 754 461 713.

Penina Mlama
Professor
Mwalimu Nyerere Chair in Pan African Studies
University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20/02/2017