Tanzania's academics seek to reclaim 'lost' intellectual freedom
A renowned scholar, , Prof Issa Shivji. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The silence of academics on pressing societal issues has concerned both scholars and the public.
- While activists and journalists often speak out on human rights and social justice issues, many academics have remained silent
Dar es Salaam. Academics in Tanzania are reigniting their voice and intellectual role in society, striving to restore a legacy of critical thought and social advocacy once synonymous with the nation’s universities.
Central to this effort is the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), an institution historically celebrated as a hub of thought-provoking debates and social insights.
On November 8, during the 8th Social Sciences Voices Conference at UDSM, a bold vision for a "new beginning" emerged.
A lecturer from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr Muhidini Shangwe, emphasised the need to revive UDSM's status as a "School of Thought."
He noted, “We need to restore UDSM’s lost glory.”
The silence of academics on pressing societal issues has concerned both scholars and the public.
While activists and journalists often speak out on human rights and social justice issues, many academics have remained silent.
Some suggest that fear of backlash has deterred intellectuals from voicing opinions—even within the university, where debate spirited was once encouraged.
Reflecting on the past, Prof Issa Shivji, a renowned scholar, recalls that UDSM was once celebrated as a breeding ground for progressive ideas and debates, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s.
“The University was a place where ideas flourished, where the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of Academics took root in the early 1990s,” he said.
This declaration championed academic freedom, calling for universities across Africa to be independent spaces for intellectual expression.
However, over the years, what was once a movement has faded, with fewer and fewer academics taking up the mantle.
Dr Shangwe acknowledges that the academic community has been left behind by activists. “We have even been called an extension of secondary schools. This is what we have to change,” he said passionately.
His sentiments were echoed by Dr Ng’wanza Kamata, another senior academic at UDSM, who noted that the institution has shifted away from its roots.
“When I joined the university, students and staff organised debates on their affairs—even when management didn’t support it,” he explained. “What happened?”
Analysts argue that a major factor in this retreat is the growing trend of academics taking political appointments, leading them to prioritise government interests over intellectual independence. Many public university academics are reluctant to speak out on controversial issues, fearing that they could jeopardise their professional standing.
This caution has not only silenced the academic voice but has also fueled perceptions that universities have become mere degree-issuing institutions rather than critical spaces for social analysis and reform.
The three-day Social Sciences Voices Conference, themed “Africa in the Age of Uncertainties, Risks, Resilience, and Future Prospects,” gathered over 300 social science experts from across Africa.
Scholars from other countries contributed their perspectives, offering both a comparison and a warning.
Ugandan scholar Christopher Okinyi reminded attendees, “Freedom is not given; it is demanded. The shrinking civil space is due to the missing links with academia. Scholars are letting down their societies.”
Dr Usman Ahmed from Nigeria emphasised that universities should be neutral spaces where ideas can be freely explored.
“Freedom has been a struggle throughout history. This spirit should continue, even though current systems of democracy are diminishing the morale of freedom in many countries,” he said.
Such discussions underscore a shared struggle across African universities, where intellectual freedom is increasingly curtailed.
There are, however, examples of countries where academia remains free and vibrant, illustrating what could be possible for Tanzania.
The University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, in South Africa for example, have held ground as spaces where pressing issues, from politics to social justice, are routinely explored.
Their independence has led to significant research contributions and informed public policy shifts on key issues like public health and economic reform.
The path to reclaiming UDSM’s intellectual legacy is not without challenges. Fear remains an obstacle for many academics, as noted by senior journalist Khalifa Said.
“It’s shocking that academics don’t even want to speak to journalists on controversial issues. People refuse, saying the issue is too sensitive. This is not fair to academics or the journalists trying to give them a platform,” he said.
This environment of caution hampers the university’s ability to act as a voice for the voiceless.
Prof Sam Maghimbi of UDSM argues that intellectual freedom must be pursued actively. “Freedom is not given on a silver platter. We have to grab it,” he asserted.
