The Zanzibar President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein yesterday led Zanzibaris in conducting cleanliness as a sign to mark the start of the 52nd Revolution Day celebrations reminding the authorities in the health and sanitation sector to make sure that the exercise becomes sustainable to avert epidemics.
On December 9th, last year which was the Tanzania mainland Independence Day, the Union President John Magufuli led Tanzanians in a countrywide cleanliness exercise, making a sharp departure from the tradition of the formal festivities normally held at the national stadium.
Celebrated every 12th of January, Zanzibar Revolution Day is held to commemorate the day the people of Zanzibar overthrew their Sultanate administration. In 1963, Zanzibar Island was granted independence from Britain. However in July of the same year, the Sultanate government held parliamentary elections which resulted in the Arab minority retaining power and making Zanzibar an overseas territory of Oman, despite winning 54 per cent of the votes.This political dupery provoked and angered the African majority of the island and to solve the problem, the Afro Shirazi Party (ASP) joined forces with the Umma Party to fight back. On 12th January 1964, the ASP, led by John Okello, mobilised around 600 revolutionaries to Zanzibar town and overthrew the Sultanate government on a day that will be forever remembered as Zanzibar’s Revolutionary Day.
As a tradition Zanzibarians celebrate this all-important day on their calendar with splendor and vigor. Gun salutes and ship horns fill the air from the Forodhani Waterfront and the Maisara Grounds, with celebrations continuing well into the night and joining the locals in these festivities is an experience not to be missed!
On Saturday, the Second Vice President, Ambassador Seif Ali Idd told newsmen that Zanzibaris will mark the celebrations by conducting cleanliness as a way to curb the spread of cholera in the island.
Accompanied by various government officials including ministers and citizens in conducting cleanliness at the Mombasa Market, Dr Shein said cleanliness must be strengthened in all areas including residential areas, workplaces and places of business such as markets.
Dr Shein cited an example of the Malindi fish market whereby the environment had already turned into a mess despite great strides that had been taken by the government to pursue working hygiene when marking last year’s Tanganyika Independence Day of celebrations.
"Authorities should oversee that the law is followed and the citizens should be educated for the betterment of protecting themselves from diseases," he said emphasizing that the issue should be given importance because cholera still persists in Zanzibar.
He however said that health specialists together with the municipality workers who collect taxes at the market place must make sure that the priority should be cleanliness to avoid the diseases.
He reminded the public that the cholera often occurs during the rainy season but this time in Zanzibar, the disease had begun in the summer period whereby at least 500 patients were infected.
About the cleanliness exercise, Dr Shein explained that the government had decided to use the day to influence people to clean their environment in a move to recall the importance of cleanliness and make it sustainable.
Mombasa fruit market is one of the major markets in Zanzibar which serves residents of the Stone Town and its suburbs whereby it receives almost all fruits and vegetables sold in Zanzibar.
A survey by ‘The Guardian’ in different areas of Unguja island found residents busy with the clean-up exercise in their respective residential areas while others cleaning up in public places such as hospitals and markets.
Some of the interviewed residents said that people should establish a culture of cleanliness in their respective areas without been pushed.
Juma Ali Juma, a resident at Mwanakwerekwe said that one of the things that show a human reality is cleanliness.
“It is time that people should make cleanliness as a culture and not punishment; this will help them avoid diseases that are the result of filthy surroundings ,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, President Shein has urged the people of Zanzibar to attend this year’s 52nd Revolution Day celebration in big numbers.
The president said citizens have every reason to celebrate.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Dr Shein said the public should understand the history of Zanzibar and the importance of safeguarding peace and unity.
Dr Shein stressed that "Everyone has the right and obligation to honour the 1964 Revolution.’’
The President also explained to the journalists that the 1964 Revolution has brought development to every citizen and that each citizen would continue to benefit from the fruits of the revolution.
According to him, the 1964 Revolution took place with the specific aim of delivering better services to all the citizens of Zanzibar.
He however urged citizens to participate in various schedules including football tournament that began yesterday as part of the celebrations.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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