The Tanzanian education community is mourning the loss of Prof Geoffrey Raphael Vehaeli Mmari, a renowned educationist and public servant known for his integrity. Prof Mmari passed away, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and commitment to education. He served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) from 1988 to 1991, a period marked by significant challenges and reforms in the country's education sector. His leadership during this time earned him recognition and respect from colleagues and students alike. Prof Mmari's dedication to education and his principled approach to leadership have inspired many.
Prof Mmari's tenure as Vice Chancellor of UDSM coincided with a period of significant change in Tanzania. President Ali Hassan Mwinyi's structural adjustment reforms were reshaping the economy, leading to declining purchasing power and inadequate services for students. The university faced fierce debate and protests, culminating in its closure on May 12, 1990. Despite these challenges, Prof Mmari preferred dialogue to coercion, often taking an unpopular stance that prioritized understanding and engagement over confrontation. His approach sometimes led to criticism, but it also created an environment where researchers and students felt free to express themselves.
One notable incident during Prof Mmari's leadership at UDSM showcased his integrity and commitment to justice. In February 1990, a female student, Revina Mukasa, died following harassment by a clandestine organization known as "Punch." The group terrorized students, especially women, with sexually degrading cartoons and malicious allegations. Prof Mmari supported a lecturer who had prepared a protest statement demanding action against Punch and accountability for the harassment. He listened to her concerns, understood her anger, and chose not to disown her activism, even when it was uncomfortable for him.
The incident led to disciplinary measures against those involved with Punch, and its grip on campus life gradually weakened. Prof Mmari's leadership helped lay the foundation for dismantling the culture of intimidation that Punch had created. His support for the lecturer and his willingness to stand by her demonstrated his commitment to protecting colleagues and promoting a culture of respect and accountability. This approach has had a lasting impact on the university and its community.
Prof Mmari's contributions to education in Tanzania extend beyond his leadership at UDSM. He was the founding Vice-Chancellor of Sokoine University of Agriculture and later built the Open University of Tanzania into an important avenue of access to higher education. He continued to serve at Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College, inspiring generations of students and educators. His legacy is not only about the institutions he helped build but also about the kind of leadership he practiced: principled, patient, and prepared to listen.
Prof Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, a former Tanzanian Cabinet minister and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, remembers Prof Mmari fondly. She credits him with creating an environment where researchers could begin difficult work, including her own research on the social consequences of structural adjustment. Her work contributed to the Second UDSM Convocation Seminar in 1991, which brought research and government into direct dialogue. Prof Mmari's support for her research and his leadership at UDSM helped lay the intellectual foundations for Tanzania's later social-action programs.
The education community in Tanzania and beyond is paying tribute to Prof Mmari's life and legacy. His passing has deprived the country of a distinguished educationist and public servant who embodied integrity and principled leadership. As the nation remembers him, it is clear that Prof Mmari's impact on education and his commitment to justice will continue to inspire future generations. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership that prioritizes integrity, compassion, and understanding.
Key points
- Prof Mmari's leadership at UDSM during a period of significant change and challenge helped create an environment where researchers and students felt free to express themselves.
- His support for a lecturer who protested against the clandestine organization Punch demonstrated his commitment to protecting colleagues and promoting a culture of respect and accountability.
- Prof Mmari's contributions to education in Tanzania extend beyond his leadership at UDSM, including his role in building the Open University of Tanzania and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
