Joseph Isangura
Senior opposition leader John Heche has described the late Edwin Mtei as one of the most influential architects of Tanzania’s democratic and economic transformation, saying his legacy goes far beyond founding a political party and instead lies in the policy reforms and ethical leadership principles he championed throughout his life.
Speaking during the climax of celebrations marking 33 years since the founding of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Heche, who serves as the party’s Vice Chairperson for Mainland Tanzania, said Mtei’s greatest contribution was the clear ideological foundation he laid for the party and for the country’s broader democratic journey. Mtei passed away on January 19, 2026, at his home in Tengeru, Arusha Region, at the age of 94.
Heche noted that when Mtei founded CHADEMA in 1992, he deliberately chose a name that reflected a center-right political philosophy, grounded in democracy, free markets, human rights, and the belief that citizens should have real authority over national resources. According to Heche, this ideological clarity helped shape key policy debates in Tanzania, including reforms that eased the tax burden on ordinary citizens, such as the abolition of the head tax.
He explained that Mtei believed economic systems should empower individuals to reach their full potential, with the state playing a regulatory and facilitative role rather than acting as a barrier to private initiative. In Heche’s view, this philosophy remains central to CHADEMA’s identity and vision for the country.
During the same event, CHADEMA announced plans to establish the Edwin Mtei Leadership Institute, a new leadership training college aimed at preserving the values and principles championed by the party’s founder. Heche said the institution will be built in Dar es Salaam on land owned by the party and will focus on nurturing a new generation of ethical, patriotic, and accountable leaders.
The proposed institute will offer training programs for young people, emphasizing integrity, anti-corruption values, civic responsibility, and the principles of a free market economy balanced with social justice. Party leaders say the initiative is intended not only to honor Mtei’s memory but also to invest in Tanzania’s future leadership.
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Heche also reflected on Mtei’s earlier role as the first Governor of the Bank of Tanzania, describing him as a technocrat who placed professional integrity above personal ambition. He recalled the historic moment when Mtei chose to resign from his position after disagreeing with the economic direction of the government under the late President Julius Nyerere.
According to Heche, Mtei believed that certain socialist policies limited individual ownership and economic growth. Rather than compromise his professional convictions, he stepped aside, a move Heche described as a rare demonstration of ethical leadership and respect for expertise.
Using this example, Heche criticized contemporary leadership culture, arguing that modern politics often sidelines professional advice and discourages dissenting views. He said Mtei’s life offered a powerful lesson on the importance of listening to experts and allowing institutions to function independently within a democratic system.
As Tanzania continues to debate governance, economic reform, and democratic space, Heche said Mtei’s ideas remain deeply relevant. He added that CHADEMA sees the late leader not only as a party founder, but as a national figure whose contributions to politics of Tanzania helped shape the country’s modern political landscape.
