'Lowassa, Slaa still the most preferred candidates'

With just six days to go before Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) names its candidate for the Tanzania presidency, a recent survey by the Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) had shown that Edward Lowassa, who is MP for Monduli Constituency and former prime minister, appeared to have overturned the advantage of other presidential hopefuls.

 

The findings, according to the survey Lowassa tops the list by having scooped 27.0 per cent followed by Chama cha Maendeleo na Demokrasia (CHADEMA) secretary General Dr  Wilbroad Slaa who overshadowed UKAWA by 23.1  

In 1992, Tanzania changed its political system from a one-party state to a multiparty democracy. 

 

The new political dispensation created a need to bring about ‘vibrancy’ and tolerance within the populace. This acted as an impetus for the University of Dar es Salaam to engage actively in fostering citizen participation.

 

In a bid to create a democratically competent citizenry, the university set up the Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) project in 1992. 

 

Its main objective was to sensitise the citizenry to key issues associated with the functioning of a multiparty democracy. The ultimate goal was to mobilise popular participation as an instrument of socioeconomic development.

 

Civic engagement at the university takes the form of extracurricular and part-time activities which enhance closer links between the community and the university. Three main thrusts shape its civic engagement programmes: democracy education, environmental management and youth development.