A Brief Introduction to the Digital Archives
Welcome to the Boniface Makene Digital Archive
The Boniface Makene Digital Archive seeks to educate, inform, and provide a glimpse into the life of one of Tanzania's most distinguished nationalist – a civil servant, and a son of Africa.
A son of Africa, Makene Tamila was born on September 12, 1922, in Bugombe village, Ukerewe, Mwanza, Tanzania. At the age of fifteen, young, and energetic Makene was baptized at the Roman Catholic Church, Kagunguli Parish, Ukerewe, and became Boniface Makene Tamila. The denomination that he believes in and served throughout his lifetime.
At the age of thirteen, Mzee Makene started his childhood education at Kagunguli Primary School, Ukerewe, and completed it at the age of seventeen. He continued with his Middle school education at Nyegezi School (currently St. Mary’s Seminary Nyegezi), Mwanza, and completed it at the age of twenty-one. In 1944, he continued with Secondary education at Tabora Secondary School and completed his secondary studies at the age of 25 years. In 1948, the late Boniface Makene decided to join Katoke Teachers College, Bukoba, dropped out in 1949, and opted to join Kurasini Police Training College, Dar es Salaam.
Civil Servant and Nationalist, Boniface Makene spent over 58 years as an active, and reserved civil servant in national security and peacekeeping missions. His public life allowed him to bear witness to pivotal moments in Tanzanian, African, and world history.
This archive aims – for the first time – to provide a window into history through the eyes of Mzee Makene. The content on this platform provides insight into and perspective of the moments that shaped Mzee Boniface Makene’s life and, more importantly, captures those moments that reflect the lives of other people around him.
These records are in the form of photos, videos, speeches, written notes, typed notes, podcasts, and audio. The archive is only a snapshot of Mzee Makene’s journey, experiences, memories, and understandings, about the clan, tribe, traditions, norms, customs, all extended families related to him, and friends, for that reason, will change and evolve over time to fill any gaps and add latest information on and perspectives from Mzee Boniface Makene.