Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi (right), launches Amb.
Daniel Ole Njoolay’s autobiography in Arusha last week. (Photo by Richard Kipuyo).
By Sukhdev Chhatbar
The Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi has called on Tanzanians — especially the youth — to revive the culture of reading, warning that a nation gets weak when its younger generation lacks knowledge and commitment to nation-building.
Speaking at the launch of Ambassador Daniel Ole Njoolay’s autobiography written in Kiswahili and entitled “Tawasifu ya Balozi Daniel Njoolay (autobiography of Ambassador Daniel Ole Njoolay)” in Arusha on November 29, 2025, Prof Kabudi said reading remained one of the most powerful habits for shaping disciplined, ethical and visionary citizens.
He emphasised that autobiographies such as that of Amb Njoolay offered valuable lessons on leadership, resilience and patriotism and should be read and their stories retold to the younger generations. “If young people do not live through the life stories of their elders, they build themselves a mud house in a hailstorm,” he said.
In a foreword, Former Tanzania’s Prime Minister and First Vice-President, Judge Sinde Warioba says: “His (Njoolay’s) qualities are exemplary. He has served the public with diligence, creativity, integrity and honesty. He has been a good advisor and he advises on what he truly believes in — not merely what is pleasing. I have read this book with great excitement and it contains many lessons to learn, especially for young people beginning their journey in public service and leadership.”
There are also wise words from the late President of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin William Mkapa: “My friend, what I admire about you is that you always speak the truth, even when that truth hurts me…”
Both Amb Njoolay and Prof Kabudi are respected academicians. Prof Kabudi encouraged more Tanzanians — leaders, professionals and elders — to write and publish their life stories “for posterity and the continuity of national wisdom.”
Prof Kabudi hailed the retired diplomat for his courage in documenting his life’s journey, which he said, reflected determination, hardship and commitment to national service. He noted that Njoolay’s early education — obtained under difficult circumstances when Maasai children rarely went to school voluntarily — demonstrated the transformative power of perseverance.
The minister urged families to deliberately encourage their children to read and challenged both new and veteran authors to continue writing despite low readership levels in the country. He argued that strong decision-making, innovation and informed public debate depended largely on one’s investment in reading.
In his remarks, Amb Njoolay reflected on the long journey that led him to document his life story, saying the decision to write his memoirs came three years ago after persistent encouragement from close friends. He said the book traces his humble beginnings and the extraordinary hurdles he faced in accessing education at a time when, as a Maasai child, attending school was only possible through government coercion.
“Attending school voluntarily was unheard of in those days,” he recalled, noting that his academic progress was nothing short of a miracle.
He described his election to CCM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as a youth representative as another turning point that shaped his public service journey. His testimony underscored themes of resilience, self-determination and the unpredictable nature of the leadership journey.
Renowned academician, Prof Raymond Mosha said the autobiography revealed Amb Njoolay as a gifted storyteller whose life reflected integrity, honesty and dedication to public service.
The 146-page book is published by Dar es Salaam-based “Mkuki Na Nyota” Publishers and is sold for 35,000/-.
Director Mkuki Bgoya implored young Tanzanians — especially those aspiring to leadership — to read Amb Njoolay’s autobiography, describing it as an important reservoir of wisdom, discipline and patriotic values.
