This chapter begins with Nyerere’s career as a teacher in Tabora. It outlines the circumstances leading to his favouring StMary’s, a Catholic school, over his almamater, a government institution. It tracks the intensification of his political activity with the African Association, and the recognition at the territorial level of his potential in politics. The chapter analyses explanations for the Zanaki custom of child marriage, and introduces Nyerere’s first wife, a figure who is almost entirely side-lined in accounts of his early life. It discusses his article on education that was published in a Makerere College magazine, continues to follow his debating in Tabora, and reveals his communication concerning social and political developments in Dar es Salaam. These documents discuss trusteeship, and the recurring issue of colonialism. The chapter then turns to Nyerere’s first meeting with Maria Waningu, and the slow progress of their relationship. It closes with Nyerere’s desire to continue his education, the apparent pull of local politics, his attraction towards studying overseas, and his engagement with Maria shortly before he left for the United Kingdom. The new sources in this chapter include a letter to Nyerere written by the political activist Hamza Mwapachu, analysis of a piece Nyerere authored on women’s freedom, and findings arising from a rare interview with Magori Watiha, his child bride.

Magori Watiha

On completion of his three-year teacher training course, the chief ’s son Julius Nyerere graduated from Makerere with a Teachers’ Diploma.2 In the same year, 1945, a territorial conference of Provincial Commissioners back home in Tanganyika noted that