Tanzanians both loved and loathed Nyrere for his firm, even autocratic presidency, but none can deny his enormous role in the country's development.
Understanding Nyrere's rule and its influence on Tanzanian society was the goal of the Legacies of Nyrere conference, hosted by the Institute of African Studies earlier this year.
The event brought together keen observers of African politics including the former speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Abdulrahman Kinana.
"First and foremost, (Nyrere) was a great African statesman and a man of international standing," Kinana said. "He was a man who provided a good example of leadership. Leadership, in terms of integrity; leadership, in terms of vision; leadership, in terms of eloquence and intelligence."
Kinana said Nyrere's greatest achievement was the unification of his country's more than 120 ethnic groups into a single people.
"He molded Tanzania as we know it today," Kinana said. "He united the whole country together and made one country. He broke down the tribal differences, the religious differences and he created one Tanzania."
When Nyrere died in October of 1999, Tanzanians were left to consider the life and work of their first president, a man renowned for his integrity, conviction and commitment to his people.
After becoming independent Tanzania's first president in 1962, Nyrere implemented a sweeping series of economic reforms aimed at collectivizing the country's agricultural sector.
He also set about the project of pan-African unification and, along with fellow African leaders, established the Organization for African Unity in 1963.
Despite the geo-political climate of his day, Nyrere maintained a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War and maintained friendly relations with politicians in the East and West.
James Milner, professor of political science at Carleton University, said Nyrere's ability to resist the influence of the Cold War powers and maintain his country's economic and political independence was extraordinary.
"He was able to take a desperately poor country, surrounded by countries in conflict, and chart an independent path for Tanzanians," Milner said.
Milner argues that Nyrere's time as president holds important lessons for Canadian leaders that wish to understand Canada's place in the world.
"Often in Canada we say we don't have control of our own destiny," Milner said. "We're tied into the American economy, the forces of globalization. What we learn from Julius Nyrere is that it is possible for a leader to begin their approach to leadership from principles."
The Legacies of Nyrere conference was held at Carleton University but was broadcast live over the Internet for scholars and students around the world.
Blair Rutherford, director of the Institute of African Studies and organizer of the conference, said the event was a great success.
"I'm really happy with the way things have gone," Rutherford said. "I feel like we've looked closely at the life and work of an exceptional African leader, a man whose impact and legacy are still relevant today," Rutherford said.
"I think everyone has come out with a more refined view of Julius Nyrere."
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