Mzee Irenge anaishi mita chache kutoka mahali ilipo shule ya msingi ya Mwisenge. Nyumba yake ipo pembeni kidogo ya Ziwa Victoria, umbali wa mita kama 100 kutoka hoteli ya zamani ya Musoma, ambayo baada ya kuungua moto, kwa sasa imebaki gofu tupu.

Tulipokewa na mkewe, Lucia Paulo Matuba Nyerembe (80), aliyekuwa ameketi sebuleni na wajukuu zake watatu wakitazama TV.

Alitukaribisha kwa furaha, hasa baada ya kujitambulisha kwake na kumueleza madhumuni ya safari yetu.Licha ya umri wake mkubwa na umbo lililojaa vyema, Lucia bado ana nguvu. Anaweza kutembea mwenyewe, japokuwa wakati mwingine hulazimika kushika kuta za nyumba ama kutumia fimbo kubwa pale anapokwenda safari za mbali.

Mama huyu aliyezaliwa mwaka 1936, anatueleza kwamba, alifunga ndoa na Mzee Irenge mwaka 1952 na kufanikiwa kuzaa naye watoto kumi, kati ya hao, mmoja alifariki dunia na kubaki tisa. Pia anasema wanao wajukuu zaidi ya 30. Hakumbuki idadi yao vizuri. Anatuchekesha pale anaposema, inawezekana wanafika hata 40.

Lucia ndiye aliyetuelezea kwa kirefu kuhusu hali ya Mzee Irenge kwa sasa kabla ya kutupeleka chumbani kwake. Katika maelezo yake, mama huyu anasema Mzee Irenge hawezi kutembea, ni mtu wa kubebwa na kupelekwa uani kila anapotaka kujisaidia.

“Madaktari wametuambia tusimruhusu atumie muda mwingi kulala kwa sababu mwili wake utadhoofika zaidi, hivyo kila asubuhi anapoamka, tunamkalisha kwenye kiti. Akitulazimisha tumwache alale, tunamzuia,”alisema.

Tulipoingia chumbani kwa Mzee Irenge, tulimkuta akiwa ameketi kitini. Alipotuona, alitukudolea macho ya udadisi, mmoja baada ya mwingine, kama vile alikuwa akitusoma kitu fulani. Ajabu ni kwamba, macho ya mzee huyu anayekadiriwa kuwa na umri wa miaka 122, bado yana nguvu, kwani anaweza kumtazama mtu na kumtambua mara moja.

Baada ya kumsalimia kwa kushikana naye mikono na kujitambulisha kwake na pia kumueleza madhumuni ya safari yetu, Mzee Irenge anaanza mazungumzo kwa kutuelezea hali ya afya yake.

“Mimi ni mzima, naendelea vizuri. Siumwi, lakini napatwa na maumivu sehemu nyingi za mwili. Siwezi kutembea, kila nikitaka kwenda chooni, nabebwa,” anasema Mwalimu Irenge kwa sauti ndogo, lakini inayosikika vyema.

Baadaye nagundua kwamba, ukitaka kumsikiliza vizuri, ni lazima usogee karibu yake kwa sababu wakati mwingine sauti yake inafifia.

Nilipomuuliza alimfahamu vipi Mwalimu Nyerere, Mzee Irenge alisema alikuwa mwanafunzi wake katika shule ya msingi ya Mwisenge kuanzia mwaka 1934 hadi 1936. Mzee huyu alikuwa miongoni mwa walimu tisa wa shule hiyo ya bweni, iliyokuwa mahsusi kwa watoto wa machifu na watemi.

“Alikuwa mwanafunzi wa ajabu sana.Alikuwa na upeo wa juu. Alisoma madarasa manne kwa miaka mitatu. Mwaka 1937, alihamia shule nyingine mkoani Tabora kuendelea na darasa la tano,”anasema mwalimu huyo wa Baba wa Taifa

“Alikuwa akipenda sana kuuliza maswali mengi yanayohitaji majibu ya kina. Alikuwa na busara na kipaji cha pekee na uwezo wa kufikiri kwa makini kabla ya kutenda tendo lolote na pia alikuwa mkweli,” anaongeza Mzee Irenge, akionyesha wazi kuwa bado ana kumbukumbu nzuri ya Mwalimu Nyerere.

“Alikuwa kijana mwenye kusikiliza mafundisho ya darasani au kutoka kwa mtu yeyote mwenye akili. Alikuwa na akili za kuzaliwa,” anasisitiza mzee huyu, ambaye ameandika mswada unaosema ‘Maisha na Sifa za Viongozi wa Tanzania Kabla na Baada ya Uhuru’, lakini kutokana na kukosa pesa, ameshindwa kuuchapisha kuwa kitabu.

Mzee Irenge anasema mwaka 1936, Mwalimu Nyerere alimuomba akamuombee kwenye kikao cha walimu wote, wamkubalie aruhusiwe kufanya mitihani ya darasa la nne ili awahi kufanya mitihani ya sekondari ya Tabora, wakamkubalia.Anasema Mwalimu Nyerere aliona kusubiri hadi amalize darasa la tatu na la nne ni kupoteza muda.

Anasema aliliona ombi hilo ni la msingi na kutokana na kipaji alichokuwa nacho, aliamini angeweza kufanikiwa. Na hivyo ndivyo ilivyokuwa.“Niliona ombi lake lingekataliwa, ingekuwa ni kumkatisha tamaa. Kikao kilikubali na kweli alifaulu,”anasema mzee Irenge, ambaye tofauti na wazee wengine wa umri wake, ameng’oa jino mara moja tu katika maisha yake. Anayo karibu meno yote.

Kwa mujibu wa Mzee Irenge, siku Wizara ya Elimu ilipomteua Mwalimu Nyerere kwenda sekondari ya Tabora, ilikuwa shangwe kubwa kwa walimu na wanafunzi wa Mwisenge. Baadhi yao walionyesha masikitiko makubwa kwa kuondoka kwake kwa vile walimpenda na kumzoea, lakini hawakuwa na la kufanya.

Mzee Irenge anasema, binafsi amejifunza mengi kupitia kwa Mwalimu Nyerere, japokuwa alikuwa mwanafunzi wake. Ameyataja baadhi ya mambo aliyojifunza kutoka kwake kuwa ni uwezo wa kufikiria kwa makini kabla ya kutenda lolote, kusema kweli tupu bila wasiwasi wala kutishika na lolote, kujisomea na kutenda kazi kwa bidii.

Baada ya kustaafu kazi mwaka 1977, Mzee Irenge alifundisha masomo ya elimu ya watu wazima. Baadaye aliteuliwa kuwa mkaguzi wa elimu katika shule za msingi, kazi iliyomwezesha kusafiri katika mikoa kadhaa ya kanda ya ziwa kama vile Dodoma, Tabora, Shinyanga, Mwanza na Bukoba.

Kilio kikubwa kwa Mzee Irenge kwa sasa ni mambo matatu. Kutaka malipo ya pensheni yaongezwe, uhaba wa chakula na kufungwa kwa mwanaye, kocha wa taifa wa ngumi za ridhaa, Nassoro Michael nchini Shelisheli.

Kwa kipindi cha miaka 40 iliyopita, Mzee Irenge anasema amekuwa akilipwa pensheni ya sh. 400 kwa mwezi, ambazo alidai hazikutoshi kuendesha maisha yake ya kila siku pamoja na familia.“Naishi katika hali ya mateso. Sina pesa za kujikimu. Anayenisaidia ni mke wangu,”anasema mzee huyo huku uso wake ukionekana kujawa na majonzi makubwa.

Anasema amepata taarifa kwamba, serikali imeongeza kiwango cha pensheni kufikia sh. 20,000 kwa mwezi na kinalipwa kila baada ya miezi sita. Hata hivyo, haridhiki na kiwango hicho kwa maelezo kuwa bado ni kidogo.

Mzee Irenge pia analalamikia tatizo la uhaba wa chakula. Anasema tangu mtoto wake Nassoro alipokamatwa na kufikishwa mahakamani nchini Shelisheli miaka minne iliyopita, amekuwa akipata tabu kubwa ya chakula.

Nassoro ni miongoni mwa wanamichezo wanne wa Tanzania waliokamatwa nchini humo kwa tuhuma za kuingiza dawa za kulevya. Walikwenda huko kushiriki katika mashindano ya ngumi za ridhaa ya Afrika Mashariki na Kati.

“Siamini kama mwanangu alihusika na biashara hiyo, amesingiziwa. Naomba wanirejeshee mwanangu, ndiye aliyekuwa akinilisha. Naomba kesi yake isikilizwe haraka, ikiwezekana arejeshwe nyumbani. Nataka aje kunisaidia kabla sijafa,”anasema.

Mzee Irenge ameiomba serikali ifanye kila linalowezekana ili kesi hiyo inayomkabili mwanawe, iweze kuja kusikilizwa nchini na kutolewa uamuzi, vinginevyo ataendelea kuishi kimateso.

Anasema amewahi kuwasilisha ombi la kupatiwa chakula kwa Waziri Mkuu Mizengo Pinda alipokutana naye shule ya Mwisenge hivi karibuni, lakini hadi sasa, hakuna lolote lililofanyika.

“Waziri Mkuu aliahidi kunipatia chakula, lakini hadi sasa sijaona chochote. Naomba serikali inisaidie,”anasema.

Mzee Irenge alisoma shule ya msingi ya Mwisenge kuanzia mwaka 1928. Aliingia shuleni kwa kutumia jina la baba yake mdogo kwa sababu ilikuwa hairuhusiwi kwa mtoto asiyekuwa wa chifu kusoma shuleni hapo.

Alihitimu darasa la nne mwaka 1931 na kushika nafasi ya kwanza katika Jimbo la Mwanza.Mwaka huo huo, alijiunga na Chuo cha Ualimu cha Mpwapwa. Baada ya kuhitimu, akawa anafundisha chuoni hapo kabla ya kusajiliwa kuwa mtumishi wa serikali katika Wizara ya Elimu.

Alioa mkewe wa kwanza mwaka 1927 na kuishi naye kwa miaka 30, lakini hawakufanikiwa kupata mtoto. Alimuoa mkewe wa sasa mwaka 1952 na kuadhimisha miaka 50 ya ndoa yao mwaka 2002.

Nilipomuuliza Mzee Irenge siri ya macho yake kuweza kuona sawasawa hadi sasa na meno yake kuwa na uwezo wa kula chakula cha aina yoyote, alinitajia dawa za aina mbili alizokuwa akitumia tangu utoto wake.

Dawa ya kwanza ni ya mzizi wa mti, unaojulikana kwa jina la Kinyelelanzoka kwa ajili ya meno. Anasema amekuwa akitumia dawa hii kwa muda mrefu ndio sababu meno yake yapo imara hadi sasa.

Dawa ya pili ni ya maini ya mbuzi, ng’ombe au kondoo, ambayo ni maalumu kwa ajili ya kujikinga na ugonjwa wa macho. Anasema baada ya kuchemsha maini hayo kwenye sufuria, hujifukiza mvuke wake machoni na baadaye kunawa maji yake usoni na kisha kuyala maini.

Kwa mujibu wa Lucia, Mzee Irenge si mvivu wa kula. Anapenda sana kula ndizi na ugali na kila anapotengewa chakula mezani, huhakikisha anakimaliza chote.

Baada ya kumaliza mazungumzo yetu na kumuaga, Mzee Irenge anatuvunja mbavu kwa kicheko pale anaposema: “Msisahau kuacha chakula.”

Sote tunacheka. Natumbukiza mkono mfukoni na kutoa noti moja ya sh. 10,000 namkabidhi mkononi. Anacheka na kushukuru. Vivyo hivyo kwa mkewe, Lucia, ambaye anatusindikiza hadi mlangoni na kutuaga kwa furaha.

Elder Irenge lives a few meters from where clad primary school Mwisenge. His house is a little corner of Lake Victoria, a distance of 100 meters from the hotel as the former Musoma, that after the burning fire, for now emaciated left blank.

We were met by his wife, Lucia Paulo Tuba Nyerembe (80), who was sitting in his living room and three grandchildren, watching TV.

He welcomed us with joy, especially after his identity and tell the purpose of the trip yetu.Licha of his great age and full of good shape, Lucia still has power. He can walk myself, although sometimes forced to keep the walls of a house or a big stick when he went away trips.

This woman who was born in 1936, tells us that he was married to Elder Irenge in 1952 and successfully bore him ten children, of whom one died and the remaining nine. Also, who says more than 30 grandchildren. Hakumbuki number properly. Anatuchekesha when he says, it is possible to reach even 40.

Lucia, who tells us at length about the Elder Irenge now before us to his room. In his description, this woman says Mzee Irenge can not walk, is a courtyard carried whatever he wanted to help.

"Doctors have told us we should not allow to use a lot of time to sleep because his body will weaken further, so every morning she woke up, we took the chair. Akitulazimisha tumwache sleep, we resist, "he said.

When we came to the Ancient Irenge room, we found him sitting chair. Alipotuona, he tukudolea combination of curiosity, one after another, as he was tusoma something. Strange is that this old man's eyes who is estimated to be 122 years old, still have power, as he could from watching the man and immediately recognizable.

After he greeted him by shaking hands and introduce themselves to him and also tell us the purpose of the journey, Elder Irenge he began negotiations for explaining the state of his health.

"I am alive, well kept. Siumwi, but napatwa and pain in many parts of the body. I can not walk, all I want to go to the toilet, nabebwa, "says Rabbi Irenge small voice, but inayosikika well.

Later I notice that, if you want to listen well, you must close it usogee because sometimes his voice inafifia.

Nilipomuuliza knew how Mwalimu Nyerere, Mzee Irenge said she was his student in primary school Mwisenge from 1934 to 1936. This old man was one of nine teachers in a boarding school, which was specific to the children of chiefs and chiefs.

"He was a wonderful student and a maximum of about sana.Alikuwa. He studied four classes for three years. In 1937, he moved to another school in Tabora and fifth grade, "says the teacher of the Father of the Nation

"He loved to ask questions requiring detailed answers. He was wise and unique talent and ability to think carefully before committing any act and also was honest, "adds Elder Irenge, showing clearly that he still has a good memory of Mwalimu Nyerere.

"He was a young man listening to classroom instruction or from anyone with intelligence. He was born intelligent, "he insists old, who has written a bill that says 'Life and Characteristics of Leaders of Tanzania Before and After Independence', but due to lack of money, has failed kuuchapisha that book.

Elder Irenge he said in 1936, Mwalimu Nyerere was asked he muombee in session all teachers, wamkubalie allowed to do examinations of fourth grade to awahi make examinations secondary to Tabora, and mkubalia.Anasema Mwalimu Nyerere saw waiting to complete Grade Three and Four are losing time.

He says he saw the request is based and because he had talent, he believed he could succeed. And so it was. "Lingekataliwa I saw her request, would it kumkatisha desires. The meeting agreed to really succeed, "says elder Irenge, who unlike the other elders of his age, he weighed only one tooth in her life. Has almost all teeth.

According to Elder Irenge, the Ministry of Education ilipomteua Mwalimu Nyerere to secondary...