OLD LETTERS REVEAL THE HISTORY OF ABBASI KANDORO

 

 

Adeladius Makwega

President’s Office, Records and Archives Management Department, Dodoma

 

On October 12, 2026, Mwanakwetu was inspired to write an article about the life and contribution of the late Professor Geoffrey Mmari, who passed away on October 11, 2026. Professor Mmari held various leadership positions at higher learning institutions in Tanzania, including Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) from 1984 to 1988, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) from 1988 to 1991, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) from 1993 to 2005, and another institution from 2005 to 2013, as documented in official records.

 

While preparing the article, Mwanakwetu recognised the importance of consulting historical documents to obtain written evidence about the lives and careers of individuals who contributed to the development of the nation.

 

Consequently, he contacted records and archives officers in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma to search for historical documents that could help reconstruct the history of public servants in Tanzania.

 

Among the documents he was looking for was an application letter for a teaching position written by Professor Mmari in 1955, reportedly in connection with a teaching opportunity in Bukoba. Such documents are particularly valuable because they help us understand the personal journeys, education, employment and professional development of individuals who contributed to society and nation-building.

 

During this search, Mwanakwetu received assistance from several officers who helped trace the relevant records. Among them was Lear Clara Ngairo, a Records Officer at the Dodoma office.

 

In the course of this research, Mwanakwetu also came across several documents relating to A. H. Kandoro. These records were particularly interesting because they shed light on employment, education, professional qualifications and changes in public service within the Government of Tanzania.

 

One of these documents is a letter dated December 17, 1980, written by A. H. Kandoro to the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, requesting a transfer to the Department of Urban Authorities.

 

The letter, titled “Transfer to the Department of Urban Authorities,” indicates that Kandoro was seeking an opportunity to apply his education and professional experience in economics in another area of public service.

 

 

In his letter, Kandoro explained that he had been working as an economist in his department since 1976. He also stated that he had obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (B.A. Economics) in 1976 and a Master of Arts degree in Economics (M.A. Economics) from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1980.

 

Considering his educational background and professional experience, Kandoro believed that he could make better use of his expertise in the Department of Urban Authorities. He formally submitted his application and attached his academic certificates and curriculum vitae to assist the relevant authorities in making a decision.

 

Further evidence is found in a letter dated January 5, 1981, from the Prime Minister’s Office. The letter refers to Kandoro’s application of December 17, 1980, and informs him that his request to transfer to the Department of Urban Authorities had been approved.

 

In the letter, the Director of Establishments in the Prime Minister’s Office was requested to allow Kandoro to join the Department of Urban Authorities.

 

The two letters therefore document two important stages in the process: first, Kandoro’s submission of a transfer request; and second, the Government’s communication confirming that the request had been approved.

 

This is a good example of how employment records can help researchers trace government decisions and changes in the careers of public servants.

 

In historical research, important information is not always contained in the main body of a letter. Stamps, signatures, dates, receipt records and handwritten annotations in the margins can also help explain how documents were received, processed and used in administrative decision-making.

 

A. H. Kandoro is remembered for his service in public leadership, including serving as a District Commissioner and Regional Commissioner in various parts of Tanzania. Biographical accounts indicate that he served in the regions of Tabora, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Mbeya, where he retired from public service as Regional Commissioner.

 

Other biographical information states that he was born on September 9, 1950, in Ihemi Village, Mgama Ward, Iringa Rural District, and died on the night of April 27–28, 2018, at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

 

Historical records of this kind are valuable to researchers, historians, students and members of the public seeking to understand the history of public service in Tanzania. They can help answer questions about the education of public leaders, their career paths, administrative decisions and the way government institutions operated during different periods.

Mwanakwetu’s search for documents relating to Professor Geoffrey Mmari also opened the door to discovering records concerning A. H. Kandoro. This experience reminds us that historical research can lead to other important discoveries that contribute to preserving and documenting the nation’s history.

 

Kandoro’s 1980 letter and the Government’s response in January 1981 are more than old pieces of paper. They are documentary evidence that helps us understand how public servants used their education and professional expertise to seek opportunities to contribute to the country’s development.

For this reason, the National Records and Archives are more than repositories for storing files. They are a national treasure that safeguards the country’s documentary heritage, supports research and ensures that present and future generations have the opportunity to learn from history.

Mwanakwetu is still here, searching, reading and telling the stories preserved in the nation’s archives.

 

For further information: makwadeladius@gmail.com | +255 717 649 257