Dodoma- Capital City

Dodoma is on the smaller side compared to many other cities worldwide and also compared to Dar es Salaam here in Tanzania. It is situated in the geographical centre of Tanzania. Now, however, it has gained more recognition as the country's political centre, after being named as capital city in 1973. Since that time, Dodoma presides as the official capital city and the headquarters for ruling political party, CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi = Party of the Revolution).

To remind us of its political status, Dodoma hosts the national parliament and in addition, in the centre of the city, there is an open space where an impressive statue of Mwalimu ("Teacher") Julius Nyerere stands guard. Julius Kambarage Nyerere was the country's president from 1962 until 1985 and is seen as an undisputed influential leader within Tanzania, who gained great respect for his ideals of "ujamaa" (familyhood) and his stand in African politics.



Currently, Dodoma's role as political centre is very much in evidence, as the country prepares for its General Election in October this year. The ruling CCM party are busy this month with important meetings here in Dodoma and the publicity for their party is clear as we drive around town. Billboards promoting the ruling CCM party, with the political slogan of "More dedication, more energy, more work" (well, that's what I think the smaller lamp-post posters say with my current grasp of Swahili, which is far from advanced!!):

The city is busier and the roads are full of traffic, with these colourful posters on every lamp post in the main part of town and even posted on trees in some streets. Trips across town now take a little longer than normal and we sometimes get stopped at road junctions by the police, in order to let the politicians pass through town in their vehicles unhindered by other traffic. It is an interesting time to be in Tanzania's capital city.