Nyerere, Julius Kambarage (1922-1999), first president of Tanzania (1964-1985). The son of a minor chief in Butiama, in what was then British-ruled Tanganyika, Nyerere was educated as a teacher. He entered politics in 1954 and founded the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU); he became the colony's chief minister when TANU won the elections of 1960. Nyerere continued as prime minister when Tanganyika became independent in 1961, but he resigned early in 1962 to concentrate on restructuring TANU for its postindependence role. Elections in 1962 brought him back as president of a republic. In 1964, following a revolution on the Arab-dominated island of Zanzibar and a mutiny in his army, Nyerere formed a union of the two countries, with himself as president. Committed to African liberation, he offered sanctuary in Tanzania to members of the African National Congress and numerous other rebel groups from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, and Uganda. In 1978, under Nyerere's leadership, Tanzanian troops entered Uganda, deposing dictator Idi Amin.

A strong supporter of indigenous African culture, Nyerere promoted the use of the Swahili language (see¦African Languages). Under his leadership Tanzania became the only country on the continent with a native African official language. He also translated the works of Shakespeare into Swahili. His government emphasized ujamaa (familyhood), a unique form of rural socialism. Nyerere stepped down as president in 1985, but he continued as head of the ruling Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (formed by the merger of TANU and another party in 1977) until 1990. At the time of Nyerere's retirement from party leadership, Tanzania faced major economic problems arising from his attempt to build an agrarian socialist economy during his presidency. Nevertheless, the country maintained an expanding educational system and a strong sense of national unity unmarked by ethnic unrest. Affectionately addressed throughout Africa as Mwalimu (Swahili for teacher), Nyerere remained active in international politics until the final months of his life.