Cheers to the long weekend! Yesterday we asked you what you would be up to over the weekend on Instagram and most of you confessed to embracing slay, play and rest vibes and we are here for it, but… we just want to make you’re sure sipping on some educational tea as well as whatever else pairs well with a long weekend.
At Gazzetea we are all about fun vibes but we also want to put you on to the importance of Saba Saba and the rich historical background it carries.
Saba Saba is traced back to the struggle for independence. So while today might mark a day of rest and fun on your calendar, 70 years ago it was anything but until on this day in 1954 Julius Nyerere led the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) in our fight for freedom from British colonial rule. We eventually gained independence from British rule on December 9, 1961, and Julius Nyerere became our country’s first Prime Minister and later Tanzania’s president .
Fast forward to the early 1980s Saba Saba gained further prominence when we underwent a period of political and economic change under President Julius Nyerere’s socialist policies. So on this very day in 1985, a group of intellectuals, students, and professionals held a protest in Dar es Salaam, demanding political reforms, this event became known as the “Saba Saba Day” protests.
The protests were acknowledged and it led to substantial reforms in our country. Today, Saba Saba not only commemorates the historical struggle for independence but also coincides with the renowned international trade fair in Dar. Interestingly, the trade fair was formed as a response to the changing economic landscape and the need to provide a platform for businesses to thrive and showcase their products and services.
So as you venture on to the Saba Saba grounds in your comfy shoes enjoying the displays, food and general atmosphere remember the legacy that lies behind each booth .
So cheers to: legacy, fun, rest and a long well deserved weekend!
Love,
Gazzetea.
