My life, My Purpose (PB)

Memoirs of Benjamin William Mkapa, Tanzania’s third president, elected under the first multi-party general election in Tanzania. The memoirs range from his childhood, his time as president, and his continuing post-retirement involvement on the international stage of development and peace mediation. During his ten years of presidency, Mkapa undertook substantial reforms including the privatisation of national assets, securing international debt relief, and restructuring the public service. The book will appeal to readers interested in an African’s personal experiences of colonialism in East Africa, the struggle for independence by liberation movements across Africa, how war helped unify the diverse citizens of a young nation, fostering nationalism while addressing ethnic and religious differences, the economic and social aspects of transition from socialism to a free market environment, and relations with international organisations. After Nyerere, few books have been written by senior Tanzanian leaders on the evolution of Tanzania, making Mkapa’s memoirs a milestone.