Why We Celebrate the Tanzanian Man

The rapid changes and challenges brought by modernization and globalization continue to impact Tanzanian society. A Tanzanian man who values and upholds the traditions and customs of Tanzania is a product of strong and principled upbringing. As the elders wisely said, “Giving birth is not the challenge; raising a child is.” This emphasizes that nurturing a child requires far more effort than simply bringing one into the world.

Despite the many benefits of globalization, such as advancements in communication technology and artificial intelligence, raising children has become increasingly difficult. As a result, finding men who truly embody Tanzanian values is no longer as easy as it once was. The responsibility of raising children is no longer shared by the entire community as was traditionally the case in Tanzanian society.

In the past, parents spent significant time guiding and mentoring their children. Mothers devoted their time to teaching daughters the responsibilities of womanhood, while fathers spent time instructing sons on essential aspects of life. Later, specialized training was offered through traditional rites of passage known as jando and unyago, where community elders imparted knowledge to prepare young men and women for their societal roles.

These traditions fostered a strong, respectful, and unified Tanzanian society—one characterized by love, cooperation, and a deep commitment to protecting the family structure. Despite the challenges of modernization and globalization, our dream remains to restore love, unity, peace, and solidarity within our communities, in line with our cherished traditions. This includes leveraging technological advancements to preserve our national values, rather than allowing them to erode our cultural foundations.

Rebuilding a Strong Tanzanian Society

Restoring a Tanzanian society that takes pride in its identity is not an easy task, given the profound impact of globalization. The foundation for nurturing the Tanzanian man is the family unit—a household built on love, where both father and mother are empowered to support their children.

We must prioritize strengthening families, ensuring they can utilize the opportunities provided by globalization while avoiding the negative effects of digital influences in child upbringing. Strong families will create a strong nation where men and women work together in harmony, just as they did before.

Only then can we truly ensure Tanzania remains an island of peace—where unity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility shape the future of our society.

What Challenges Do Tanzanian Men Face?

Tanzanian men face numerous challenges, particularly in family life, societal expectations, and economic stability, as modernization and globalization continue to reshape traditional roles.

The Struggles of Parenting in a Changing Society

Both fathers and mothers now shoulder increased responsibilities in raising children, yet they face obstacles brought by globalization and modern lifestyles.

• Parents of both genders spend more time working to support their families, leaving them less present at home.
• This absence has led to domestic workers or extended relatives taking over parenting duties, often without proper experience, causing negative impacts on children’s upbringing.
• Reports from various regions indicate that children are being affected due to inconsistent or inadequate parental guidance.
• This reality poses a national crisis in raising Tanzanian men and women who value and uphold cultural traditions.

The Consequences of Unequal Capacity Building

Efforts to empower women have yielded significant achievements, including increased employment opportunities and financial independence. However, these efforts have not focused on preparing Tanzanian women to value their role within the family, cultural traditions, and societal contributions. Meanwhile, Tanzanian men have often been left out of empowerment programs, under the assumption that they are naturally self-sufficient.

This imbalance has led to several adverse effects for men, including:

• Some men falling into drug abuse, seeking escape from economic and social pressures.
• Financial dependence on wealthy women—leading to men being referred to as vibetini (men who rely entirely on their female partners).
• Wasting time in street corners engaging in idleness and disorderly behavior.
• Increased engagement in socially unacceptable activities due to lack of clear guidance and opportunities.

Diminished Economic Resources and Avoidance of Family Responsibilities

Unlike previous generations, many Tanzanian men today lack the financial stability their predecessors enjoyed. This has significantly affected their ability to take on family and community responsibilities.

• In the past, men entered marriage after reaching a certain level of maturity and undergoing preparatory training on family values.
• Today, young men lack structured guidance before marriage, while women receive some form of training through events like kitchen parties.
• Instead of being prepared by elders or cultural institutions, many men learn about marriage through social media, which often promotes ideas contrary to Tanzanian cultural values.
• As a result, some men struggle to maintain their families and ultimately abandon their responsibilities.
• Many young men avoid marriage entirely, fearing the responsibilities associated with family life.

This environment has led to increased extramarital relationships, creating more families where children are raised by single mothers and a rise in street children.

A Shift in Responsibility and the Rise of Absent Fathers

Historically, Tanzanian society valued accountability, and both men and women were responsible individuals.

• The concept of street children did not exist, as the community would raise children collectively if their parents passed away.
• Today, it has become common for men to deny pregnancies, distancing themselves from their parental duties.
• The absence of male role models has weakened the foundation of the Tanzanian family—creating unstable homes, where young boys and girls lack positive guidance.

These challenges continue to affect Tanzanian society, altering family structures and reshaping the identity of Tanzanian men and women. If left unaddressed, the growing imbalance between modern expectations and traditional values may cause further instability in families, relationships, and leadership roles.

A Call for Change

To restore balance, Tanzania must focus on building strong families where men and women work together to raise children in line with cultural values and national identity.

• Parents must receive guidance and support to balance work responsibilities with quality time at home.
• Efforts to empower men must be prioritized to prevent dependency, disengagement, and substance abuse.
• Educational programs should incorporate relationship and family training to ensure that both men and women understand their responsibilities before marriage.

By investing in families, Tanzania can preserve its legacy as a peaceful and unified nation, ensuring that future generations uphold the values that define the country’s identity.

History of Tanzanian Men’s Day

Origins of the Idea

The commemoration of Tanzanian Men’s Day emerged as a response to recognizing the significance and contributions of men in society, spearheaded by the Community Development Association (CDA) in collaboration with the Affirmative Action on Gender Equality Network (AGEN). The idea originated from discussions within the JUKWAA LA MIJADARA HURU TZ, a WhatsApp platform uniting individuals from both within and beyond Tanzania. With over 700 members, this platform was founded on November 11, 2017, by Dr. R. Madaha, with the goal of fostering open discussions unbound by religious or political affiliations.

The desire to establish a special day to honor and appreciate Tanzanian men was born out of the recognition that gender equality discussions often focus primarily on women. Advocates for Tanzanian Men’s Day saw the need to highlight men’s contributions to society and ensure they receive equal rights and deserved recognition.

Implementation of Tanzanian Men’s Day

The first-ever commemoration of Tanzanian Men’s Day took place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, with a unique energy and excitement that attracted people from all backgrounds. Despite rainfall covering the skies, the passion and enthusiasm of the participants remained unwavering, further illustrating their commitment to honoring the contributions of Tanzanian men in society.

Against the backdrop of glistening raindrops on the ground, the celebration commenced with a peaceful march, marking the beginning of an extraordinary series of events. Participants, full of patriotic spirit, demonstrated their determination to ensure the voices of Tanzanian men are heard and valued.

The march spanned several kilometers, passing through Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and various streets in Morogoro, where people enthusiastically joined the movement. The air was filled with songs of hope and unity, reinforcing the theme of the 2024 Tanzanian Men’s Day: “Tanzanian Men, Patriotism, and Responsibility.”

Beyond the excitement of the march, the event sparked broader discussions on the evolving role of men in modern Tanzanian society. Handwritten messages emphasized the importance of recognizing men’s role in building successful communities, making the march a guiding light for future generations.

Dialogues and Key Themes: Shaping New Perspectives

Tanzanian Men’s Day served as an opportunity for deep reflection on the contributions of men in society. Attendees gathered to discuss critical issues affecting men and their evolving societal roles.

Leaders’ Testimonies

The Guest of Honor, Morogoro District Representative Mr. Wilfred Kipako, emphasized the importance of acknowledging men’s contributions to national development and family stability. He urged collective efforts to address challenges affecting men and reaffirmed the significance of this day.

Call for Responsibility

Dr. Rasel Madaha—a Senior Lecturer (now an Associate Professor), Director of AGEN, and Patron of CDA—called for collaborative action in recognizing men’s contributions. He stressed the need to create environments where men can actively engage in parenting and community-building.

Role of Young Leaders

CDA Chairman, Mr. Ndege Mgoma, underscored the importance of this celebration and pledged dedicated efforts to ensure its continuity. He encouraged youth participation in discussions on men’s contributions to society, reinforcing the commitment to shaping a better future for the next generation.

Conclusion: Reawakening the Tanzanian Man

Now, more than ever, Tanzanian men must reclaim their role in safeguarding Tanzanian society. Our vision is to awaken Tanzanian men to their responsibilities—to embrace their families, spread love, and contribute to their communities and the nation at large.

A responsible Tanzanian man nurtures his family, supports his wife and children, and takes accountability for any life he brings into the world. If a man fathers a child outside marriage, he must take responsibility for that child’s upbringing rather than abandoning them.

We dream of a Tanzania where love flourishes, marriages endure, men fulfill their responsibilities, and street children become a thing of the past. The nation cannot progress if men are left behind. As the elders once said, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman,” but we go further—behind every successful woman, there is a man.

We boldly declare:
“The Tanzanian man is a liberator of society and a catalyst for change!”

Key Note Speeches

Key note speech on 25th April 2025 at Sokoine University of Agriculture