Hassan Magulumali
The Assistant Bishop of the Azania Front Cathedral, a key church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dean Chediel Lwiza, has urged the government to promote a strong work ethic among youth and discourage the growing trend of betting and gambling.
Dean Lwiza made the remarks on Sunday, May 11, 2025, during a special memorial service held at the Karimjee Grounds in Dar es Salaam for the late Cleopa David Msuya, former Vice President and Prime Minister of Tanzania.
“The nation cannot progress if its people do not work. I have never seen a country that has developed through gambling or betting,” Lwiza said during the sermon.
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His statement comes amid rising concerns about youth unemployment and the growing popularity of sports betting in Tanzania. Many religious and civil society leaders have raised alarms over the adverse social effects of gambling, including addiction, financial ruin, and loss of productivity.
The farewell service for Msuya was attended by senior government officials, clergy, and citizens who came to pay their last respects to one of Tanzania’s most respected statesmen. Msuya served the country in various capacities for decades and remains a symbol of public service and national unity.
Dean Lwiza concluded by calling on the government to strengthen policies that promote youth employment and entrepreneurship, emphasizing that sustainable national development can only be achieved through hard work and discipline.
