J. Nambiza Tungaraza
Stories
February 9th, 2008
Tanzania's Cabinet dissolved after corruption scandal
· 17:32 · Sub-Saharan AfricaEvents in Tanzania’s political scene are taking place so rapidly as the house of assembly appears to be running in a fast mode. In a matter of just three days from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th February 2008, a report by the Parliamentary select committee investigating the controversial contract between the government and Richmond Development Company to generate power was presented to the parliament. Then the Prime Minister Edward Lowassa tendered his resignation on Thursday.
With the premier aside, a domino effect followed when other government officials mentioned in the report started to fall on their swords. Minister for Energy and Minerals Nazir Karamagi and the Minister for East African Cooperation Dr. Ibrahim Msabaha tendered their resignations on Thursday. Then the Director General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Dr Edward Hosea followed suit.
On Friday February 8, President Jakaya Kikwete dissolved the cabinet and appointed a new Prime Minister, Mr. Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda who was endorsed by 98 percent of votes in the parliament.
The former Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa, resigned after the parliamentary Committee findings had shown that the premier was involved in the irregular bidding process that awarded the contract to the Texas based Richmond Development Company. According to the findings, the contract costed Tanzania's taxpayers $140,000 a day in terms of payments remitted to RDC, a company that had no valid registration in the US or Tanzania at the signing of the contract in 2006 and had neither expertise nor experience to execute the power generation project.
With the house of assembly in the fast mode, Swahili bloggers have been posting updates of events as they take place at the parliament house in the Tanzanian capital Dodoma from day one.
On Wednesday, Mrocky posted a photograph of the chairman of the parliamentary select committee Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, as he walks into the National Assembly to present the executive summary of the commission's findings.
While Haki, BongoCelebrity and Muhidin Michuzi posted photos of those implicated in the scandal and the actual executive summary that was presented to the house.
The Commission's report has been warmly received as some of the comments at Michuzi's post reveal:
Asante sana Dr. Mwakyembe na kamati yako…Transparency ulioionyesha kwenye hiyo report ni ya hali ya juu sana sana na uzalendo uliotukuka. Nakupongeza sana kwa hilo….you proved beyond the shadow of doubt tht ….umeweka mbele maslahi ya watanzania. ..You are very brave na inaonyesha kwamba huna woga wowote and u can do anything for your beloved country.
Enter day two, updates were being posted by the hour. Charahani, Haki, and Muhidin Michuzi alerted their readers about the prime minister's resignation
HABARI TOKA DODOMA SASA HIVI ZINASEMA KUWA SPIKA WA BUNGE MH. SAMWEL SITTA AMETANGAZA KWAMBA MHESHIMIWA EDWARD LOWASSA AMEAMUA KUJIUZULU UWAZIRI MKUU.
MH. SPIKA BAADA YA KUTANGAZA HILO AMESEMA MJADALA WA RIPOTI YA RICHMOND, NA SIO MJADALA WA LOWASSA, NDIO UENDELEE. NA NDICHO KINACHOFANYIKA HIVI SASA HUKO BUNGENI…
Then just hours later the news of resignations of the Minister for Energy and Minerals Nazir Karamagi and the Minister for East African Cooperation Dr. Ibrahim Msabaha by Bongo Celebrity and Charahani followed.
Although stepping aside, each of those that resigned have claimed innocence. Mjengwa and Haki posted the speech by the former Prime Minister Lowassa congratulating the parliamentary committee, albeit with a pinch of salt:
… nimpongeze Dk. Harrison Mkwakyembe, Mwenyekiti wa kamati Teule kwa kuwasilisha kwa mbwembwe nyingi sana taarifa yake, mbwembwe zilikuwa nzuri kweli. Kwa kazi nzuri kwa maoni yao, wamewasilisha vizuri. Lakini nimesimama kuweka kwenye kumbukumbu kutoridhika kwangu na jinsi kazi hiyo ilivyofanywa.
Kwamba Kamati Teule imesikiliza watu wengine wote pamoja na wanaoita minong'ono ya mitaani, wamesafiri mpaka Marekani kutafuta mashahidi, lakini mimi ambaye ni mmoja kati ya watuhumiwa mle hawakunihoji hata siku moja. Mheshimiwa Spika, nimesimama kueleza masikitiko yangu…
… Kulikuwa na shida gani kwa mfano kufuata utaratibu wa Westminster kuthibitisha hapo unaposema mwenye Richmond ni fulani uka-lay on the table records na ushahidi kuwa ni fulani.
Kwa hiyo nilichofanyiwa napenda kuweka kumbukumbu sawa kwamba naona si sahihi, nimefadhaika sana, nimedhalilishwa sana, nimeonewa sana katika hili.
Maana zimechukuliwa tuhuma zikaelezwa hapa kwamba hivi ndivyo ilivyo. Mimi sijaulizwa. Kulikuwa na shida gani kuniuliza, kwa nini muamini minong'ono ya mitaani kuliko maelezo yangu…
Mheshimiwa Spika, nimetafakari kwa niaba ya chama changu, kwa niaba ya Serikali yangu nimeamua kumwandikia Rais barua ya kumwomba niachie ngazi. Nafanya hivyo kwa moyo mweupe kabisa ili kuonyesha dhana ya uwajibikaji lakini kutokubaliana na utaratibu uliotumika kusema uongo ndani ya Bunge wa kumsingizia mtu.
… That the select committee listened to everyone including gossip out in the streets. They travelled to America to find witnesses, but I, who is among those accused was never interrogated. Mr. Speaker I am here to express my disappointment…
… Was there any hindrance for example that stopped them to apply the Westminster system to verify allegations, for example when you claim that the owner of Richmond is so and so, and then you lay on the table all the records to verify your claim.
Therefore I would like to put on records that what happened was not right, I am perplexed, humiliated and outright oppressed in this because the allegations have been taken as the truth. I was never asked. What stopped them from asking me, why gossip instead of my own account…
… Mr Speaker, I have decided to resign and have tendered my letter of resignation to the president. I am doing so in good faith and to show responsibility, but I do not agree with the process that was used to tell lies in the parliament so as to smear somebody.
And Abdallah Mrisho and Charahani post comments on the speech by resigning ministers and other MPs:
Nazir Karamagi, Waziri wa Nishati na Madini ambaye katika uchangiaji wa hoja yake alionekana kuzungumza madudu matupu na kwa kiasi kikubwa aliunga mkono ripoti ya Mwakyembe.
Baadaye alijifananisha na Yesu kwa kujifanya eti hakuwa na dhambi na kwamba anawajibika ili kusudi Watanzania wasife kwa dhambi. Inachekesha.
Aliutumia muda wake mwingi kuzungumzia mambo ya vichekesho huku mara kadhaa akirusha mpira kwa mwenzake Dk Msabaha. Naye Msabaha baada ya kupewa nafasi alitumia muda wake mwngi kufanya mzaha wa matani ya Wazaramo na Wanyamwezi, lakini hakutoa hoja ya msingi ili mradi tu alisimama kutamka nia yake ya kujiuzulu.
And the he compared himself to Jesus saying that he had sinned not but was crucified so that Tanzanians will not die in their sin. It is laughable.
He spent most of his time telling jokes about another implicated minister Dr. Msabaha. And then when Dr. Msabaha spent most of his speech telling jokes about Wazaramo and Wanyamwezi (Dr. Msabaha and Mr, Karamagi ethnic groups).
Then the president dissolved the cabinet. Again Swahili bloggers posted instant updates and comments. Perhaps the most recurring sentiment in the comments boxes can be summed up by the one below from Bongo Celebrity:
This was the only expected move. I hope this time the president will use the golden opportunity and a bit of wisdom to trim down his cabiinet.
It has been a delight for many Tanzanians, that at least there is a beam of light at the end of the tunnel. We need people who are competent and result-oriented and not the rogue ministers as the prvious ones, because we have lost the past two years without tangible results.
Take time and pick among the 38 million Tanzanian a well-organised team, which can steer forward our country - a big reshuffle is required.
Remember the following quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes… and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility”.
We really need genuine changes.
Come day three and the president appoints a new Prime Minister as updated by Muhidin Michuzi and other bloggers:
BUNGE LA JAMHURI DAKIKA CHACHE ZILIZOPITA LIMEMTHIBITISHA MH. MIZENGO PETER PINDA KUWA WAZIRI MKUU WA TANZANIA KUCHUKUA NAFASI YA MH. EDWARD LOWASSA ALIYEACHIA NGAZI JANA…
MH. PINDA AMEPITISHWA RASMI NA WABUNGE KUWA WAZIRI MKUU MPYA KWA KURA 279 ZA NDIO AMA ASILIMIA 98.9 WAKATI KURA MBILI ZIMESEMA HAPNANA NA MOJA IMEHARIBIKA.
KUANZIA DAKIKA HII MHESHIMIWA MIZENGO PETER PINDA NDIYE WAZIRI MKUU WETU
Mr. Pinda has been officially endorsed to become the new Prime Minister by 279 yes votes or 98.9 percent, two voted NO and one vote was not valid.
From this minute Mr. Mizengo Peter Pinda is our Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Maggid Mjengwa travelling in Southern Tanzania takes photos and observes people's reactions in local pubs as they watch television and in the streets as they listen to their radios:
Sijapata kuona nilichokiona jana usiku Mtwara mjini. Karibu katika kila sehemu ya starehe niliwaona watu wakifuatilia kwa makini kinachoendelea Bungeni. Kwamba hata walevi pombe zao ziliwaisha vichwani, wakageuza viti vyao na kufuatilia ripoti ya Richmond iliyokuwa ikisomwa na Mh. Mbunge Mwakyembe. Pichani ni moja ya baa za Mtwara Mjini.
And in another photo post Mjengwa observed:
Leo jioni katika maeneo ya Soko Kuu Mtwara nilishuhudia makundi ya watu wakifuatilia mjadala wa bunge kupitia redio na televisheni. Kuna wakati ilionekana kama watu wanaofuatilia mpira. Kulikuwa kelele za kushangilia za hapa na pale. Mama Anne Kilango Malecela ndiye aliyeonekana kuwakuna wengi. Alishangiliwa kwa nguvu na wananchi wengi wakati akijenga hoja zake bungeni.
The media's treatment of the Richmond affair and of those implicated in it was unfavourably vigilant for more than a year. The scandal had taken so many hits from the media including bloggers such as Makene in March 2007 and Chahali in 2006.
What's amazing is not that at last the parliamentary select committee has exposed the truth, but that it has taken so long. Indeed, in the end, most Tanzanian blogger and readers seem to be cautiously reading the mafisadi obituary (fisadi is a swahili term describing a corrupt person leaning more on being a crook than a regular corrupt person).
Chahali has something to say about the ex-premier and his press secretary:
Mwezi Novemba mwaka 2006,niliandika makala moja iliyotoka katika gazeti la KULIKONI (toleo la tarehe Novemba 3-9, 2006 2006).Katika makala hiyo nilizungumzia kusikitishwa kwangu na habari kwamba ex-PM Edward Lowassa alikuwa akifanya jitihada za kuwanyamazisha wabunge wa CCM kuhusu shinikizo la kujadili mkataba wa Richmond…
Siku chache baada ya makala hiyo kuchapishwa, Mwandishi wa Habari wa Lowassa,aliandika makala kupinga hoja zangu,kabla ya kunitumia barua-pepe ya shutuma na hatimaye aliweka comments kwenye blog hii… pamoja na mambo mengine alipingana na hoja zangu huku akishutumu kwamba sie wanafunzi tulio nje tukisomeshwa kwa kodi za masikini hatupaswi kukosoa mambo tusiyoyajua
It is not over yet. The story will continue when the president announces a new cabinet at any moment now.
10 comments · »»January 19th, 2008
Bloggers discuss the sacking of the Governor of Bank of Tanzania
· 13:37 · Sub-Saharan AfricaTanzania’s president Jakaya Kikwete has sacked the governor of Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Daudi Ballali following an audit of the central bank’s External Payments Arrears (EPA) account by an international audit firm Ernst and Young which revealed losses of over Sh133 billion through fraudulent transactions to 22 companies in 2005. Most of those companies were either phoney or tendered fake documents.
The decision to fire Ballali comes against the background of claims by the opposition camp in parliament from mid last year that large amounts of public funds were unaccounted for at EPA account in dubious deals. Led by MP Dr Willibrod Slaa, the opposition legislators called for Ballali to resign to pave the way for proper investigation.
The news of Ballali’s termination can be spotted across a number of Swahili blogs. While the president’s decision to fire Ballali has been positively welcomed, some are of the opinion that due credits should go towards the opposition.
Ngurumo gives congratulations to the opposition camp MP, Dr. Slaa:
“Kwamba Rais Jakaya Kikwete amemfukuza kazi Gavana wa Benki, Daudi Balali, ni jambo la kutia moyo. Pongezi anazopata Rais Kikwete sasa anazistahili. Lakini sote tunajua kwamba Rais Kikwete amelazimika kuchukua hatua hizo, ingawa serikali ilikuwa inajua ‘matatizo' ya Benki Kuu. Kama si Dk. Willibord Slaa (pichani) na wenzake kuibua hoja hiyo Bungeni na kushinikiza serikali ichukue hatua, uchunguzi usingefanyika, na hatua hii moja isingechukuliwa. Kwa sababu hiyo, wanaompongeza Rais Kikwete wasimsahau yule aliyemsukuma, Dk. Slaa. Haya yote yameonyesha kuwa serikali na watu wake ilijua ukweli wa tuhuma alizotoa Dk. Slaa, ndiyo maana hata Jaji Mark Bomani akawaonya waliotishia kumshitaki mtoa tuhuma, ambao waliishia kutoa vitisho lakini hadi leo hawajakanyaga mahakamani. Na sasa tayari ametangaza kuwa ana siri nyingine kubwa za wizi wa vigogo. Ndiyo maana nasema, katika hili la JK kuchukua hatua, shujaa ni Dk. Slaa.”
R. S. Miruko also congratulates the opposition:
“Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania, Daud Balali ametemeshwa kibarua leo baada ya kubainika ubadhirifu wa Shilingi Bilioni 123 katika akaunti ya madeni ya nje. Bravo Chadema. Bravo Dk Slaa. Bravo JK”
Soliciting readers’s opinions, Muhidin Issa Michuzi posed a question about President’s decision in a post titled ‘panga la JK’ literary meaning ‘president JK’s matchette’. Some readers want the president to clean up every department:
“Naona baada ya benki kuu hilo mashete lielekezwe kwenye mabuzwagi…namaanisha mikataba yoote ambayo haijatulia na kwa kuanzia ni ile ya madini na hasahasa Buzwagi yenyewe”
Another reader is of the opinion that the sacking of the governor is too little too late taking into consideration the news that Ballali tendered his resignation in December 2007 that were denounced by the government : More questions than answers on Ballali”
“Hakuna Kitu, hakuna panga lolote lililotembea. Balali amejiuzulu toka Dec. 2 2007. Barua ipo. Wewe Raisi leo unakuja kutuambia kuwa umemfukuza kazi.Acha usanii sema umekubali kujiuzulu kwake. Mbona naibu Gavana wakati wa Balali hukumfukuza kazi?…”
Scepticism about the president’s steps is not on short supply. On Mjengwa’s blog, one reader congratulates the opposition but remains skeptic:
“wote tunajua ya kuwa:
1: Bila ya kelele za akina Zito na Slaa, huu uchunguzi usingefanyika
2: Watawala wetu walitumia nguvu zote mpaka wakazunguka mikoani kukanusha shutuma za akina Zito na Slaa
3: Pamoja na kelele zilizokuwa zinapigwa na wapinzani, na watawala kujua kuwa ni za kweli bado walikataa kufanya lolote mpaka pale waliposhinikizwa na wafadhili wa nje
4: Wahusika wa kashfa hii bado wapo kwenye nafasi zao na wanaendelea kufaidi matunda ya ufisadi wao
5: Balali katolewa kama sadaka tu. Haingii akilini ati pesa zote hizo zinapotea halafu all you can do ni kumfukuza mtu kazi.
6: MWISHO WA HII SINEMA ITAKUWA KAMA ZINGINE ZOTE. MAFISADI WATAENDELEA KUPETA WAKATI WANANCHI NDIO WANAZIDI KUWA NA MAISHA MABAYA”
2: Our rules used all the powers they had to roam around Tanzania to denounce Zito’s and Dr. Slaa’s allegations
3: With all the noise from the opposition, and our rulers knowing the truth they refused to take any steps until pressurised by external donors
4: Those involved in this scandal are still holding their positions and are continuing to enjoy the fruits of their corruption
5: Balali is a scapegoat. It does not make sense, after losing all that cash all that is done is to sack one person.
6: AND THE END OF THIS MOVIE WILL BE LIKE ALL THE OTHERS, THE CORRUPT WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THEIR CORRUPTION
Another hot topic across Swahili blogosphere is about an attack on journalists in Dar Es Salaam recently. Two local journalists, Saed Kubenea and Ndimara Tegambwage of the MwanaHalisi weekly Kiswahili tabloid were attacked with machetes and acid by a group of unknown assailants who raided their office.
Happy Katabazi has posted photos showing her with the victims of that attack.
3 comments · »»October 15th, 2007
Meet Maggid Mjengwa - Tanzania's Photoblogger 
· 15:33
· Sub-Saharan Africa 
Today, we are introducing you to Maggid Mjengwa. Daniel is one of the leading photobloggers from Tanzania who has been trying to combine blogging, photography and political activism. Apart from being a very active blogger, Maggid is also a well-known columnist for a Swahili weekly in Tanzania, RAI. He shares his time with us to talk about his love for writing and how he got involved with electronic media.
You are best known as one of the RAI newspaper columnist. Can you talk a little bit about how you started to write?
I started writing since I was a student at Tambaza Secondary School. It is way back in the early 80’s. To be exactly, I wrote my first newspaper article when I was in Form Three. The then CCM Youth General Secretary, Seif Khatib visited our school and talked about atrocities being committed by the then Mozambican rebel group, MNR (now known as RENAMO). I left the meeting area with a strong feeling that “ I must write to express my feeling and other friends feeling at that time. I wrote; “ Youth Ready To Fight MNR”. The article was published by the Daily News.
Briefly, I meant that we (youth) were ready to put down our pens and take up arms to fight MNR alongside Mozambican government troops. I do also remember, that during my time at Tambaza Secondary School I took initiative to start a school newsletter. Using a pen and a piece of paper I wrote newsletter and pinned at the school notice board. Seeing many students including teachers reading what I wrote did actually encourage me to continue writing. I hope you Nambiza was one of my readers. You and I went at the same school during the same period I now describe.
What impact does your writing – especially in print media - have on the public?
I no longer write for RAI as a columnist, I have decided to step aside to give chance to other emerging young writers. I will remain a reader and a freelance writer. I have a feeling that my writing has impact on the public. I have noticed a number of my ideas being implemented even by authorities concerned. For instance, some weeks ago, Education Minister announced government plans to introduce sports, like football as a subject in some of our secondary schools, a sort of football schools. On top of that, the government plan to start diploma Course for Sports in one of our Teaching College. It is the theme I wrote about in the past. Surely, Government might come up with the idea from within, but I believe, authorities read what we write, and we definitely, influence to some of their decisions.
What do you think can be done to empower the people whose problems you so much talk about?
Education, education, education…. I think we need to start with providing a better education to ordinary people at the grassroots level. I have opportunity to visit, stay and talk with the villagers. Wherever I go, I almost hear same stories. People know their problems, they can solve them, but they need tools, and this important tool is education that can help in bringing awareness. To get to Know their rights and obligations. Knowing how to present their cases, how to make their irresponsible leaders accountable. Indeed, many do lack education and in many cases, basic education.
Besides being a columnist you are also a blogger, how and when did you start to blog?
I started to blog in September 2006. Yes, a year has passed since I started.
What was your inspiration?
I saw other Tanzanians starting to blog. I got inspired by our blog-guru Ndesanjo Macha. But, then I saw my brother Issa Michuzi using blog to publish his photos and get people to talk about those photos. I’m very much interested in photography. I have taken photos since I was at secondary school. Then I thought, why not re-cultivate my photo interest using blog? And there I started.
Does your blog have a theme or does it focus on a particular issue?
Well, my blog has different themes. It covers social, political, and economical issues. I do also emphasise issues regarding to environmental protection. But the main focus of my blog is the common woman and man in Tanzania. The marginalized ones. The focus should be to the ordinary Mwananchi (Citizen). In my blog, the normaly marginalized and voice-less Mwananchi should come first. My blog should be the voice of the voiceless. Of all what we discuss in the blog, must reflect and have an impact to the common Mwananchi.
How would you describe your blog?
It is like a village, a platform for people to express their views freely. People do express their views in a civilised way. Very rarely, you can read abusive language in my blog. I do not filter peoples comments, I think it’s a good thing. I believe in a free-word, let people speak their minds. You think, you write down your opinion, you publish and there you are, others will read what you think at that particular moment. And in doing this, you are free to expose your real name or remain anonymous. And that is the great thing with the blog, if a blog is used in a good way, it is very democratic, indeed.
When you spend time online are there any particular blogs you read regularly?
Yes, a number of them, and the list can be long.
Besides being a blogger, do you belong to, or consider yourself a member of any other online community?
Yes. I belong to Jambo Forums and Tanzanet as communities.
How do you define these communities, what is the difference between those communities and the blogging communities?
They are good communities, a lot of intellectual discussions and debates are going on out there. One can learn a lot if you are a member, and the latter is the difference from the blog. You do not need to sign as member in a blog. You can get in and out whenever you need.
I have noticed that more than once you have promised your readers that you would follow up on the issues raised in your blog. Two posts are of particular interest. Let us start with a post in Hii Ndio Mwananyamala Inatisha. You posted a photograph of a very squalid street in Dar – Es – Salaam. Immediately your readers started to scream, because they believed that the residents could do something about the neighbourhood, and they asked you to collate their opinions and follow up the issue with the ward councillor, Mama Sabrina, did you follow up?
Yes, I made some follow-ups on the issue of Mwananyamala Bwawani. I have been back to the street, there are no changes so far.
I checked with Kinondoni’s MP Mr. Idd Azzad. I live 500 Kms away from Dar. I t can be difficult sometimes to make follow ups with such a distance away. My plan is to meet him and together we go to the said problem area. I hope I will manage to do that in the near future.
And another post in late august was about environment,you posted a photograph of the hills surrounding Iringa town in Southern Tanzania, very barren hills I should say, then comments started to pour in, some very constructive solutions were put forward, again you promised to take those comments to the authorities. What happened?
Yes I did. I started with ward councillor, I gave the document containing ideas from people in the blog on how to contain the situation. A councillor is a CCM member, some CCM regional election meeting came in between. And myself have other duties to execute in the job I do. I have been away in Singida, central Tanzania I came back to Iringa recently. I will make some follow-ups and give feed-back to people in my blog.
Do you think that activism can be carried out online? What are the possibilities of such activism having a noticeable impact on the ground?
Yes, activism can be carried out online and can have impact on the ground. We on the ground have a golden opportunity to straight face people responsible when we find out that there are issues discussed or debated online that need clarification, or questions raised that need answers. Sometimes I feel we have not real realised this opportunity and fully utilised.
Whether or not you identify yourself as an activist, what does activism mean to you?
To be active in fighting to bring about radical and positive fundamental changes that serves the interest of the majority in the society.
Questions:Do you think that bloggers will be able to play a significant role in this new kind of activism?
Answer:Yes I do, but I am afraid that many bloggers do not understand that they can influence positive changes in the society through blogging. It is possible, if it is serious blogging on serious matters.
What do you do when you are not writing or blogging?
Apart from the job I do, I like reading, go out in the nature, do jogging and watching football, I ‘ m fond of football. I like dancing and listening to the music as well.
Before I go, I should congratulate you for the community development work you do, not long ago you handed over soccer jerseys and other equipment worth millions of shillings to young people. You have shown initiative, you asked people to do something about the kids and their soccer, and there you go, the kids got what they need.
Maggid thank you for your time.
It’s my pleasure.
3 comments · »»September 11th, 2007
Swahili Blogosphere: Debating race and national identity
· 16:17 · Sub-Saharan Africa“It’s sad that people have raised such an issue. I don’t see why they should, because I am not the only Asian born in this Country. In fact both my parents were born here in Tanzania. My mother in Pemba and my father in Morogoro. I was born here in Dar and grew up in Mwanza so what does that make me? Definitely not an American nor a British not even an Indian. I am proudly Tanzanian and I know no other country but Tanzania. May be I am Afro Indian (Indo-African) but I am still a born Tanzanian.”
Those are the words of Richa Adhia in an interview with Bongo Celebrity blog soon after she was crowned as the Vodacom Miss Tanzania 2007.
Richa's victory has attracted criticism from some members of public and has ignited a national identity debate in the Swahili blogosphere. Those who embrace Tanzania's cultural and racial diversity have endorsed Richa wholeheartedly. And on the other hand those who perceive ‘blackness' as the crucial ingredient of Tanzanian national image, are questioning if a Tanzanian of Asian background can really represent Tanzania or whether she qualifies to become a symbol of Tanzanian beauty.
When Muhidin Michuzi broke the news of Richa's victory a barrage of harsh comments followed:
Sio siri sijafurahia ushindi wa huyu Dada, asili yake ndio sababu.
Mimi nilijua kama huyu dada alikuwa na nafasi kubwa ya kushinda, kwasababu tunatabia ya kubabaikia watu weupe, sasa huku kwenye Miss World akisema kutoka Tanzania ,watatushaanga sana. Tulikuwa na kila sababu za kumuacha huyu na kumchukua mweusi akawamshindi, ilitujivunie rangi yetu. Nimechukia sanaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
It is not a secret, I am not happy with her victory and her race is the reason. I knew she had a great chance to win, because we always stoop before white people, now at the Miss world pageant when they say she is from Tanzania, they won't understand us. We had all the reasons to leave this one (Richa) and choose a black girl, so that we can be proud of our colour. I am veeeeeeeeery angry.
Tusidanganyane jamani mhindi mhindi tu mbona basi hawakubali kuolewa na waswahili na wakifanya hivyo wanatengwa, mbona hatuwaoni wakijichanganya na waswahili kama kweli ni Watanzania, … India kuna waswahili mlaikini hata siku moja hutachaguliwa kuwa waziri au mbunge hata kuingia kwenye hao mia bora sahau. Imefika wakati tukubali tusikubali Utanzania kwanza wala si ubaguzi kama watu wanavyofikiria ila ni Identity yetu sisi kama waafrika.Wingereza wanawatu wa mataifa yote lakini muingereza halisi anahaki zaidi … Watanzania muamke sasa mtaliwa mpaka mkome
Let us stop lying to ourselves, an Indian is an Indian, why can't they intermarry with Wa-Swahili (Black Africans), we can't even see them mingle with Waswahili … There are Waswahili (black people) in India but they can never become cabinet ministers or members of parliament, they cannot even be amongst the best 100 (pageant qualifiers). Forget it. The time has come whether we like it or not, Tanzanians should have priority and it is not a matter of racism but it is an issue of identity as Africans. England has people from all over the world but an Englishman has more rights in England… Wake up Tanzanians…
When asked about the issue of racial backgrounds of contestants, the organiser of the pageant Mr. Lundenga, had no problem, as quoted in Haki's blog:
Unajua kila kitu kizuri kitakuwa na kukosolewa, kila kitu kizuri hakikosi lawama, sasa sisi tunasema kama Kamati ya Miss Tanzania, msichana yeyote mwenye sifa na ni Mtanzania hata awe mzungu, madam ni Mtanzania ana nafasi ya kushiriki.
You know every good thing must be criticised, now we, as the Miss Tanzania pageant Committee say, any girl who qualifies and is a Tanzanian, even if she is a caucasian, but a Tanzanian, she has chance to participate”
Again many more took the position of Mr. Lundenga in Michuzi's blog:
Hivi mbona hatulalamiki kuwa na wabunge wahindi na waarabu???Mohamed Daewji,Rostam na Arfi wa Mpanda ni wabunge waliochaguliwa na wananchi kwa kuwaona wanafaa.Baba wa taifa Mwalimu Nyerere aliwachagua Jamal,Derek Bryson na Alnoor Kassam.Hao ni wahidni na mzungu waliokuwa kwenye baraza la mawaziri.Bryson alikuwa kipenzi cha watu wa kinondoni na watu hawakuangalia rangi yake.Leo hii tumeanza kuwabagua ndugu zetu kwa kusema ni wahindi au wazungu.La msingi ni kwamba mtu akiwa mtanzania ana haki zote bila kujali rangi yake.Leo tukianza na wandi kesho tutabaguana kwamba wewe ni mkurya au msukuma au mhaya…,/blockquote>
Why don’t we complain about members of parliament of Asian and Arabic origins??? Mohamed Dewji, Rostam and Arfi from Mpanda, people elected them after seeing that they are fit to lead. Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Nyerere gave important posts to Jamal, Dereck Byceson and Al Noor Kassam. Those are Indians and a European who served in the cabinet. People of Kinondoni constituency loved Bryceson and they did not see his colour. Now we are starting to discriminate people, saying: he is an Indian, she is a caucasian … What matters is that if a person is a Tanzanian, he/she has all the rights regardless of his colour. If we start with Asians today, tomorrow we will start discrimination against ourselves - saying you are a Kurya, a Sukuma or Mhaya…
Writing from India, Ndabagoye analyses the issue of racism and the shock he had after reading comments in the Bongo Celebrity blog. He cautions his fellow Tanzania's against racist tendencies. He quotes Apache Indian words he heard the night before the contest at a concert in New Delhi:
“…Racism is still rampart and is not a trivial issue, anybody who has actually not seen it can cannot comment on it….”
And then he justifies his position:
Napinga ubaguzi wa rangi maana najua machungu ya kubaguliwa kama alivyosema Apache,mwanzoni wakati wa vuguvugu za Afrika kusini akina Steve Biko sikuwalewa vizuri walipokuwa wakipinga kwa nguvu ubaguzi na sikujua machungu ya kubaguliwa kwa rangi yako.Unaweza kuingia kwenye treni watu wakainuka kwenye siti woote kisa hawataki kukaa na kaluu.Noma sana hii.
Sasa hii imeanza na nyumbani… Tunajenga jamii gani watanzania wenzangu? Dunia hii tambarale sio duara tena kuna muingiliano mkubwa wa kijamii. Kuwa mtanzania lazima uwe mweusi?
I am against racism because I know how it feels to be discriminated against as Apache said, early on during the struggle in South Africa I did not fully understand people like Steve Biko because I had never experienced the pain of racism. You can board a train and people will just wake from their seats because they just don't want to sit with a Kaluu (Kaluu is same as the word Nigger in India). It is not a good feeling at all.
Now this has started way back home… what kind of society are we building ? The world is flat and there is a great deal of social interactions. Is blackness a prerequisite of being a Tanzanian?
9 comments · »»August 22nd, 2007
Tanzania: How to shoot yourself in the foot
· 18:59 · Sub-Saharan AfricaHow to Shoot Yourself in the Foot is the lesson Tanzania's parliament is delivering, at least for the time being, after its decision to suspend a Member of Parliament for Kigoma North, Zitto Kabwe, has turned into a mini victory for the opposition. Zitto, who keeps a blog, was suspended for allegedly lying to the parliament and humiliating the Energy and Minerals Minister, Nazir Karamagi.
Tabling a private motion, Zitto Kabwe, proposed a set up of a parliamentary committee to investigate a mining deal signed between Tanzania's government and Buzwagi mines at a time when the government is reviewing mining contracts, policies and laws to make them more favourable to Tanzanians. Most people are not entirely convinced that the suspension was fair and Zitto Kabwe is milking all he can from his four months suspension. Opposition party CHADEMA led peaceful demonstrations to Jangwani grounds where thousands waited for Zitto Kabwe's speech.
In the Swahili blogosphere, Maggid Mjengwa promptly tells us about Zitto's suspension immediately after local television stations broke the news, while Muhiddin Michuzi posts a photo of newspapers decorated with Zitto's story straight from a news stand.
Regardless of who is right and who is wrong in the whole saga, one comment at Chemi's blog probably sums up the majority of opinions in those posts:
Bunge limempandisha chati Zitto pasipo kujua na mwishowe najua watajilaumu sana. Wajue ya kwamba Zitto anafanya kazi… Kila alifanyalo Zitto hulenga pahala fulani najua mtego wake sasa umenasa. Serikali lazima ijifunze kitu kwa kila kinachotolewa maamuzi na si kukurupuka tu.
The parliament has elevated Zitto without knowing and when they realise in the end they will only blame themselves. They should know that Zitto is working. .. and he does everything with an aim and now he has got them. The government must learn something in each decision and stop rushing in making decisions.
THIRTY DAYS ULTIMUTUM TO THE GOVERMNENT
Elsewhere in the Swahili blogosphere, the news of workers' demonstrations organised by the TRADE Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) in Dar Es Salaam dominated. Recently public workers took to the streets to demand higher wages.
Katika kuonyesha kweli wamekereka na ahadi wanazodai hazitekelezeki wafanyakazi mkoani Dar es Salaam, wamempa siku 30 Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Vyama vya Wafanyakazi nchini (Tucta), Nestory Ngulla, kufikisha malalamiko yao kwa Rais Jakaya Kikwete na kurejeshewa majibu, kuhusu nyongeza duni ya mishahara, ili kuepusha hatua nyingine watakazotumia kudai mishahara.
To show their frustrations over unfulfiled promises workers in Dar Es Salaam have given the secretary general of TRADE Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) Nestory Ngulla, thirty days to present their demands to President Jakaya Kikwete and come back with response in order to avoid other measures they may use to demand their rightful wages.
Ngurumo seems to be more than pleased with the demonstrations:
Haijapata kutokea. Terehe 11.Agosti.2007 iliandika historia mpya Tanzania. Wafanyakazi wameandamana na kuilaani serikali ya awamu ya nne kwa kuwadhalilisha, kuwasahau na kuwafanya watumwa katika nchi yao. Ujumbe wao ulifikishwa kwa maandamano, nyimbo, mabango na hotuba kali.
It has never happened before. A New history was written on 11th August 2007 in Tanzania. Workers held a peaceful demonstration to protest against the fourth phase government for making them live as slaves in their own country. Their message was carried home through songs, placards and fiery speeches.
Maggid Mjengwa posts a photo of the demonstration and briefly looks at the lessons learned:
Tuna jifunza mengi sana kutokana na hili.
Sasa nchi ndiyo inakimbia kwa kasi kubwa kuelekea katika capitalism ilhali watu hawaja andaliwa kukabiliana na machungu yake. Tofauti za kipato kama bango linavyosema kuhusu wabunge, ni common kabisa katika nchi za capitalists. Hata hivyo serikali zao zinakuwa karibu na wale wasio nacho kujaribu kupunguza makali ya maisha mfano kupitia affordable social security systems na hata monthly allowances for the unemployed.Serikali ya JMK inaonyesha ukomavu kiasi fulani kwa kukubali watu waandamane na waseme yaliyo moyoni. … Kupitia maandamano kama haya matatizo yatajulikana, yatajadiliwa na baadhi yakatatuliwa. Tuwe viongozi bora tuwape watu uhuru wa kujieleza…
We are learning a lot from this.
Our country is running so fast towards capitalism while the people are not well prepared to deal with pangs of capitalism. Income inequality between common man and parliamentarians as one of the placards says is a common thing in capitalist countries. But their governments at least try to ease the pain through social security systems and even doles for the unemployed.
JMK's (President Kikwete's) government has shown maturity to some extent for allowing people to demonstrate publicly and to say what they feel… through a demonstration like this problems will be exposed, discussed and some will be solved. Let us be good leaders and give the people a right to express themselves…
Muhiddin Issa Michuzi also has some photos of the demonstrations.
0 comments · »»July 7th, 2007
Blogging for social change: Interview with Jeff Msangi
· 20:19 · Sub-Saharan AfricaJeff Msangi is a Tanzanian blogger based in Canada. He is also a columnist for a Tanzanian daily, Tanzania Daima. He has been a blogger since 2005. He blogs in Swahili at Harakati and in English at Proud African. His Swahili blog is mainly about development, politics and social activism. Jeff, a pragmatic optimist, strongly believes that blogging and other Internet tools can influence social change in the developing world. Jeff was interviewed recently by J. Nambiza Tungaraza.
Tanzanian blogger - Jeff Msangi
Tungaraza: When and how did you start blogging?
Jeff Msangi: I started blogging in August 2005. My first blog post was titled Africa ni nchi moja?, which in English means “Is Africa a country”? Ansbert Ngurumo who used to be the editor for the Tanzanian Daily newspaper (Tanzania Daima), which I was a syndicated Sunday columnist for, also a blogger himself, is the one who introduced me into blogging. It happened that he had posted one of my articles in his blog and invited me to read it. I loved the idea that my work could now be available on the Internet and I fell in love with blogging idea almost immediately.
Tungaraza: How would you describe your blog?
Jeff Msangi: My blog is mainly a social awareness blog. It constantly tries to awaken reader’s minds by pointing out what is wrong (in the socio-political system in Tanzania and Africa) and whenever possible offer a workable solution. Since I live in Canada, I also try to inform people back in Tanzania and Africa in general about what the Western world is like, what is real and what is not. It is an information blog in that sense.
Tungaraza: As you mentioned before, you were a columnist for some Tanzanian newspapers before you started blogging. Is writing on your blog different from writing in a newspaper?
Jeff Msangi: There is a difference in terms of “being in charge”. As a blogger, I have control on what I want to say and how I say it. In other words, I feel like I have maximum freedom of expressing myself as opposed to how it is done print media where editors’ reflections and thoughts are final. In most cases, you have to think of two people at once, your editor and your audience. Of course, there is no freedom without limits and responsibilities and therefore I am still cautious of what and how I write.
Moreover, in blogs you have what we now call “two way traffic.” Our readers can now challenge, correct, ask questions, and sometimes express their deepest feelings about a particular subject almost immediately by leaving comments.
Tungaraza: Is the participatory nature of blogs one of the advantages of blogs for journalists or columnists like you?
Jeff Msangi: One most significant advantage of blogs is that of bridging the gap between a columnist or a reporter and his or her readers. Through blogs, a columnist gets to know what his readers think about particular subjects, which brings a very good working relationship in terms of information exchange.
Tungaraza: What are some of the negatives, if there are any, you have encountered since you started blogging?
Jeff Msangi: So far I have no regrets other than the fact that the more you blog about issues, the more conscious you become about them and therefore you always wonder what can you possibly do to correct or improve the situation you are blogging about. You carry a heavy social burden through blogging, which is generally not a bad thing if you know your limits.
Tungaraza: How has your blog been received by the readers?
Jeff Msangi: Fortunately, my blog has been received very positively. In most cases, my readers agree with what I write and offer remarkable suggestions on what can be done to improve or correct our socio-political conditions. Of course there has been a few times when I have not been understood or had to remove some readers' comments that I found offensive and destructive.
Tungaraza: There are more Swahili bloggers these days compared to when you started blogging in 2005. What do you think about this growth of Swahili blogs?
Jeff Msangi: I find this growth very stimulating. You know, information is power and therefore the more Swahili blogs out there, the more influential we become as Swahili bloggers. I anticipate, as a result of blogging, we will see true social change through debates and dialogue, which will ultimately re-shape social, economic and political policies. However, we need to clearly define our vision and mission and believe that blogging is a tool for social change. It is my hope that with the formation of the Tanzanian Bloggers Association, we will be able to achieve that goal sooner than later.
Tungaraza: Let us get this right. Do you really think that Swahili blogging community will bring about change in the society that it speaks to?
Jeff Msangi: As I said, yes, beyond any doubt I believe that Swahili blogging community can bring enormous changes in our society. We are actually already witnessing changes following what started as a simple online blog discussions. Moreover, I anticipate seeing citizens, through tools like blogs, participating in writing, planning and executing national social, economic and political policies. That will be a dream come true for me.
Tungaraza: Do you have any other ideas to share with us?
Jeff Msangi: Apart from congratulating you for an excellent job you are doing for blogging communities across Africa and elsewhere, I would like to see you taking the initiative of introducing blogging in schools. Real change starts from grassroots and, therefore, if you start fostering those young minds now, we will see a lot more from them in the near future.
Tungaraza: Lastly, what kind of advice can you give those who think about starting their own blogs?
Jeff Msangi: First of all I would absolutely support and encourage them. Blogs are not only a good source of information and knowledge but also a social networking tool. Above all, I would recommend them to write and speak their minds without fear so as to help build fearless and courageous communities.
Tungaraza: Jeff, thank you for your time.
4 comments · »»June 28th, 2007
Tanzanian bloggers virtual election, Taifa Stars African Cup of Nations victory and a backflip in the parliament
· 18:53 · Sub-Saharan AfricaIt is official, Tanzania bloggers are going to hold a virtual election on June 30, 2007. There are eight candidates for different positions listed on the Jumuiya ya Wanablogu Tanzania (the community of Tanzanian bloggers) blog.
Candidates photos are on the right hand side of the blog for easy viewing. In what is likely to be a very close election, the chairperson and secretary positions have attracted three candidates each while the treasure's position has attracted only two contestants.
Alleged Bank of Tanzania embezzlement and a backflip in the parliament
Maggid Mjengwa has posted an article written by one of his readers looking at the performance of Tanzania's parliament current speaker, Hon. Samwel Sitta. The article applauds how the speaker challenged unsubstantiated claims in the house by Members of Parliament, especially during the current controversy surrounding the disappearance of Bank of Tanzania's Shs.250bn/- from external debt account and the controversial BoT Twin Towers project in Dar Es Salaam. During the discussions, the once staunch critic of the government, Hon. Chrisant Mzindakaya from the ruling party CCM, did a backflip by praising the BoT as one of the top 10 banks in Africa, implying that the Bank has done nothing wrong. And a surprising change of attitude from the house speaker followed - this time the house speaker did not ask the MP to either substantiate his claims or to produce the names of the other top 10 banks in Africa on the list:
Si Mheshimiwa Spika, naibu wake wala Waheshimiwa wabunge wengine walimhoji Mheshimiwa Dk Chrisant Majiyatanga Mzindakaya kuwaorodheshea safu ya benki kuu kumi bora barani Afrika. Kwa taarifa zilizoandikwa magazetini kama nilivyozinukuu hapo chini ningekuwa miongoni mwa Waheshimiwa wabunge ningemuomba Spika na Naibu wake wamtake Mheshimiwa Dk Chrisant Majiyatanga Mzindakaya athibitishe kauli yake.
Neither the Speaker, his deputy nor the other members of parliament dared to ask Hon. Chrisant Majiyatanga Mzindakaya to produce the list of top 10 banks in Africa. According to newspaper reports as quoted below, If I were one of the MPs I would have asked the speaker to ask Hon. Dr. Chrisant Majiyatanga Mzindakaya to substantiate his claim.
VIP treatment in the House of Parliament for Taifa Stars after African Cup of Nations victory
Various Swahili blogs followed closely the African Cup of Nations qualifiers. And yes, Tanzanians are jubilant after their national football team Taifa Stars won 1-0 in an away game against Burkina Faso during the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifiers in Ouagadougou. The win briefly put Taifa Stars at the top of Group Seven ahead of Senegal.
As the nation watched the match live on their TVs, bloggers kept on posting updates of the match. What happened after the match shows how much Tanzanians love soccer and their national team. Immediately after the winning goal, Saidi Yakubu broke the news:
Habari za hivi punde kutoka Burkina Fasso ni kuwa Taifa Stars wameshinda kwa bao moja bila licha ya kukuru kakara za hapa na pale zilizosababisha kocha Maximo kutolewa na mchezaji Shadrack Nsajigwa kutolewa lakini hii ni habari njema kabisa kwa vile sasa tunaongoza KUNDI NAMBA SABA! KILA LA KHERI STARS!!!!!!!!!!
The latest from Burkina Faso is that Taifa Stars has won one nil despite tense situations here and there that caused Coach Maximo (Tanzania) and his player Shadrack Nsajigwa to be sent out, the good news is we are leaders of GROUP SEVEN, ALL THE BEST STARS!!!!!!!!!
Along with Saidi Yakubu's blog, Muhidin Issa Michuzi kept on posting photos of Dar Es Salaam streets immediately after the match. He received an update from one of his readers:
Kaka michuzi nipo baclays house ghorofa ya pili dirishani, hivi nnavoandika ni kwamba mamia ya wananchi wanaandama kwa furaha kwenda ikulu, nadhani labda kwenda kumpongeza JK…
I'm here at Barclays [Bank], second floor, as I am writing this, hundreds of people are marching joyfully towards the state house, I think they are going to congratulate JK [Tanzania's president, Jakaya Kikwete]…
Upon arrival in Tanzania, the team was greeted with a heroes welcome in the Parliament where the 2007-2008 budget was being debated.
Amidst the joy Ngurumo probes government's motive behind National team's invitation to the National Assembly during the budget debate. He posts a link to his article, which appeared in one of the local newspapers In the article, he wonders whether the decision to welcome the team in the Parliament was meant to distract public attention from “painful reality of the budget”:
Watawala wetu wanataka kufunika machungu ya bajeti ya serikali kwa chereko za ushindi wa Taifa Stars dhidi ya Burkinafaso? Katika tukio la hivi karibuni, ni juzi tu ilipoamua kuathiri mwenendo wa mjadala wa bajeti ya bungeni Dodoma kwa kisingizo cha kuipongeza timu ya soka ya taifa (Taifa Stars) kwa ushindi dhidi ya timu ya taifa ya Burkina Faso.
Iliamua kuwapangia nafasi ya kuwapongeza “mashujaa” katika sehemu ya muda ambao ulipangwa kwa ajili ya wapinzani kuwasilisha bajeti mbadala, ambayo ilikuwa inakosoa bajeti ya serikali na kuweka mapendekezo mbadala.
Haikutokea hivi hivi. Inaeleweka kuwa timu hiyo haikuwa imepanga kufika Dodoma, juzi. Ilikuwa imepangiwa kulakiwa kwa kishindo Dar es Salaam ikitokea Burkina Faso kupitia Mwanza.
Viongozi wa serikali wakapata wazo. Baada ya kuwa wamesikia malalamiko ya wananchi kuhusu bajeti ya serikali, na baada ya uongozi wa serikali bungeni kuwaita na kuwapa somo wabunge wa Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) na waandishi na baadhi ya wahariri Dodoma, ulisukwa mkakati wa kupunguza makali ya wapinzani, na hasa kuzuia hoja zao zisitangazwe kama za serikali.
Is our government intending to cover up the painful reality of the budget with a Taifa Stars win against Burkina Faso?
The have decided to divert attention from the budget discussions with a guise of congratulating the national soccer team, Taifa Stars. They decided to congratulate “our heroes” at a time slotted for the opposition to table their alternative budget and their critical response to the government's one.
All of this did not happen by chance. It is understood that the team was not scheduled to go to Dodoma (where the national Assembly sits). It was to be welcomed in Dar Es Salaam from Burkina faso via Mwanza.
But the government got an idea. After they heard people's complaints against the budget and after the leaders of the government's side in the parliament debriefed members of parliament from ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and some journalists, they set up a strategy to lessen the effect of the opposition's criticism especially to deny the opposition's proposals equal publicity like that given to the government.
Higher education woes
The issue of higher education loan scheme has reappeared in the Swahili blogosphere. This time it is about 300 university students in danger of being barred from sitting for their exams. Maggid Mjengwa and Muhidin Michuzi post a scanned letter issued by the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania threatening to prevent students who have not paid their fees in full from siting for their end of the semester exams.
Also on the same issue of higher education, Egidio Ndabagoye asks the minister of higher education to resign from his post and urge other bloggers to sign a petition demanding the ministers resignation.
Traffic congestion and reversible lanes in Dar Es Salaam
Elsewhere in the Swahili blogosphere, Charahani talks about introduction of reversible lanes as a solution to the problem of traffic congestion in Dar Es Salaam . He does not think that the plan will ease Dar Es Salaam traffic congestion:
Mpango huu umesababisha abiria wengi waenda kwa miguu wagongwe na magari na wengine kujeruhiwa vibaya na au kuwa na hofu wawapo barabarani kwenda wanakohangaikia maisha yao.
Binafsi, sina budi kusema kwamba sijaridhishwa na uharakishwaji huu wa utekelezaji wa uamuzi huu kwani athari zake zimeshaonekana. Tayari, maisha ya watembea kwa miguu yamo hatarini na mpango huu hautaweza kumaliza tatizo la msongamamno kama inavyodhaniwa.
The measure has caused many pedestrians to get hit by cars and resulting in bad injuries to some. Personally, I have to say that I am not happy with the ad hoc implementation of the solution for the effects are already evident. Pedestrians lives are in danger and this solution will not be able to solve the traffic congestion problem as previously thought.
And, from TED Global conference in Arusha Tanzania, as he was blogging live at the conference Ndesanjo announces the birth of a new Swahili blogge by Bob Sankofa, who was one of the TEDGlobal2007 fellows, and anticipates that his film and photography skills will add value and excitement to the steadily expanding Swahili blogosphere. Bob Sankofa started blogging live at the conference.
Also Ras Luihamu urges readers to have respect and not to use offensive language as they post comments in blogs. He gets discouraged when blog moderators have to approve comments before publishing.
2 comments · »»May 30th, 2007
Swahili Blogosphere: Higher Education Blame Game, Miss Universe, and Personal Privacy vs. Public Life
· 19:35 · Sub-Saharan AfricaHardship is the name of the game, it seems, for Tanzania's higher education students both at home and abroad. While the University of Dar Es Salaam has readmitted all the suspended students after the recent students' strike over ‘unaffordable fees', another crisis over students funds ensues for Tanzanians in Ukraine. About 29 Tanzanian students at Ukraine-based Kharkov University have been suspended from the university due to lack of school fees. The students have been camping at the British High Commission. Tanzania's opposition parties have created a special emergency fund to help the abandoned students amidst government denial of all the students' claims.
Muhidin Issa Michuzi and Maggid Mjengwa have posted photos of the students outside the British embassy. A comment in Michuzi blog sums up the question in everyone's mind:
Hivi hao vijana walifikaje huko kama sio kwa kupelekwa na serikali?? sasa yawaje hii leo serikali inawakana kwamba haiwatambui?
While the recent student's saga has been covered by few bloggers, many bloggers have be been following closely all the news about the Tanzanian contestant at Miss Universe 2007 , Ms Flaviana Matata. Michuzi has a number of posts about Miss universe urging his readers to vote for Flaviana. So is Zeze and Charahani.
Chemi Che Mponda wonders if it will be ‘our Flaviana' this time, noting her shaved head,which is uncharacteristic of previous Miss Universe winners.
Mjengwa is proud of Flaviana:
Mimi sintamwita Flaviana ” Binti yetu”. Huyu sasa ni mwanamke wetu anayetutangaza duniani. Anafanya kazi ngumu iliyowashinda “Wanaume” wengi katika jamii yetu. Tunamtakia kila la kheri…
And, slowly but surely, Tanzanian bloggers are getting closer to the formalisation of Jumuiya ya Wanablogu Tanzania (the community of Tanzanian bloggers). They have already discussed the basic structure of their community and now the interim committee has invited bloggers to declare their intentions to stand for elections. Luihamu, Ramadhan Msangi, Damija and Kitururu have already expressed their wishes to contest for different positions.
Hoping to help building an effective and ethical Tanzanian online community, Jeff Msangi writes about internet predators posing as teenagers. He urges Tanzanians netizens to abide by the netizens code of conduct:
Wapo watu wazima chungu mbovu ambao kazi yao ni kutafuta watoto wadogo mitandaoni,kuwarubuni,kuwafanya kitu mbaya na hata kuwaua.Inawezekana kirahisi kwani mtandaoni mtu anaweza kujiandikisha kwa kudanganya kila kitu.Babu wa miaka 90 anaweza kujiandikisha kama mtoto wa miaka 10 nk. Nchi zinazoendelea kama Tanzania yetu ni lazima nazo ziamke mapema inavyowezekana katika kuwalinda watoto wa nchi.
On the road, photoblogger Maggid Mjengwa, who travels around country Tanzania on regular basis and posts photos on his popular photoblog, gave a presentation on citizen journalism to Communications students at the Muslim University in Morogoro, Tanzania. During his presentation, they discussed, among other topics, issues that dominate the front pages of Tanzanian newspapers, particularly the recent marriage breakup of one of the youngest members of parliament, Hon. Amina Chifupa.
Swahili blogosphere has not been spared from Amina Chifupa's private affairs either. After some of the newspapers in Tanzania splashed the news about Hon. Amina Chifupa marriage breakup, the big question remains: Should private lives of politicians saturate the media? Should the public care about what a politician does at home?
Some of the bloggers who have written about it are Chemi Che Mponda, photoblogger Muhidin Michuzi ,Mroki ,who posted a photo of journalists waiting eagerly for the divorced MP press conference; and Mzawa.
Chemi Che Mponda feels for Amina Chifupa:
Miaka mingi nimekuwa nikifuatilia habari zake. Lakini hii miaka ya ya karibuni maisha yake yameanikwa hadharani na kushabikiwa kama vile maisha ya hao stars wa Hollywood. Yaani maisha yake imekuwa kama Tanzanian Soap Opera. Ni kama vile papparazzi wanavyofuatilia maisha ya Paris Hilton hapa Marekani… Kwa kweli tangu jana nilisikitika sana nilivyosikia kuwa mume wake kampa TALAKA! …
And lastly, Ndesanjo writes about the annual Highway Africa Conference taking place in September 10-13 in South Africa. He asks journalists to apply for a scholarship to attend the conference.
2 comments · »»May 6th, 2007
Swahili Blogosphere: State of education in Tanzania, M-Pesa and Open Source Movement in Kenya
· 21:19 · Sub-Saharan AfricaHigher education students in Tanzania are still finding it hard to adapt to the user-pay system in which they have to directly pay for the costs of university education. Under the Higher Education Sponsorship Loans Board (HESLB) arrangements, the government offers only 60 per cent scholarship to qualified students. Students are required to pay the remaining 40 per cent.
Recently, University of Dar Es Salaam students went on strike demanding 100 per cent government stipend for their studies and additional allowances. University of Dar Es Salaam (UDSM) students claim that most students are unable to pay the remaining 40 per cent of their fees.
Following that two-day strike, the University board suspended all undergraduate students and imposed conditions that all students who want to return must pay the required fee in full before resuming studies.
Chemi Che Mponda has two posts about the issue. In the first one, like many Tanzanians outside the country and to some within the country, Chemi strongly suggests that UDSM students face ‘reality':
Ni mwaka 2007, na siyo miaka ya 1960's au 1970's na hata 1980's. Na wajue maisha ni magumu duniani pote. Hata hapa USA kama huna full scholarship utafanya kazi mbili tatu, huko unasoma ili kuweza kumudu fees. Wenye wazazi wanaoweza kuwalipia ‘full' ni wachache sana ukilinganisha na idadi ya wanafunzi. Wanafunzi wengi wanasoma kwa mchanganyo wa mikopo, grants, scholarships na kazi.
In her follow up post, she posts her readers' comments. Some outrightly reject students' demands while others sympathise with them.
Muhidin Issa Michuzi documents sequence of events as they unfold at UDSM. And again, readers' opinions vary from those who favour user-pay education system as practiced in most Western countries to those who favour full government sponsorship for higher education students as it used to be during the times of Ujamaa:
Kwa kweli nijitahidi kufikiria kama haya baadhi ya maoni humu ndani yameandikwa na Watanzania au Watanza-European, au Watanza-American, kwa kweli ni aibu kubwa sana kwa baadhi ya maoni hayo.
Hivi kwa vile ninyi mko nje au mna uwezo wa kifedha ndio mnafikiri kila mtanzania yuko hivyo? Hata hamjui world bank records zinasema vipi kuhusu average income per capita ya Tanzania ni U$350.00 (kumbuka ni kwa mwaka mzima), ambayo ina maana Mtanzania kwa wastani anaishi for less than a dollar per day?Pamoja na kuwa na ukweli kwamba baadhi ya hawa wanafunzi wazazi na walezi wao wanaweza kulipa hiyo Tshs.800,000/-, lakini nina imani wengi tu hawana uwezo wa kulipa kiwango hicho, na sasa wanaambiwa walipe kwa muda usiozidi wiki mbili kutokea sasa, kwa kweli serikali yetu imelewa madaraka na labda huu ndio utakuwa mwanzo wa watu kuanza kuchallenge ahadi za wanasiasa, nanukuu, ” hakuna mtoto wa maskini ambaye atasimamishwa au kuachishwa masomo kwa kuwa hana fedha za kulipia ada” Jakaya Kikwete kwenye moja ya hotuba zake kuhusiana na maswala ya elimu bongo.
Kama nilivyosema hapo siku za nyuma, HUU NDIO MWANZO WA TANZANIA KUJENGA MATABAKA… Mungu ibariki Tanzania….
Just because you are living abroad and you are financially secure, you assume that every Tanzanian is in your position. You don’t even know what the World Bank records say about Tanzania's average income per capita - it is only US$350.00 (mind you this is the annual income) which means an average tanzanian lives on less than a dollar a day.
Even though some parents can afford to pay Tshs.800,000/- [626 USD], I believe that most of them cannot afford. And now they are asked to pay that sum in less than two weeks. Our government is drunk with power and perhaps people will start to challenge politician's promises. I quote “No child from a poor family will either be suspended or expelled because of lack of fees” said President Jakaya kikwete in one of his speeches addressing educational issues in Tanzania.
Like I said before, this is the beginning of creation of classes in Tanzania… God bless Tanzania…
Still on education, Jeff Msangi posts a photo of one primary school “classroom” in Morogoro, Tanzania in a post titled: “What Do You See?” He asks:
Huu ni mfano mmoja kati ya mingi sana nchini mwetu. Hivi ndivyo tunavyoiandaa Tanzania ya leo. Ewe raisi wa nchi,ewe waziri, ewe kiongozi,ewe mwananchi mwenzangu,unajisikiaje kuona hali kama hii? Nini thamani ya uongozi wako?…
In his follow up post, he offers a solution:
Tufanye nini? Hili ndilo swali ambalo hatuna budi kusaidiana kulijibu kwa pamoja. Jambo la kwanza ambalo naamini tunaweza kulifanya ni kutochoka kuhoji,kukemea na kusaidia kwa kutoa mchango wetu wa hali na mali. Tusiishie kuandika tu huku kwenye mitandao na wakati mwingine kutupiana lawama hata miongoni mwetu sisi wenyewe.Jambo moja ambalo ni muhimu sana ni kumuuliza mbunge kwa mfano wa jimbo hilo la Morogoro Kusini Hamza Abdallah Mwenegoha kwanini hali katika jimbo lake ni ya kukatisha tamaa na kutia aibu kwa kiwango kile? Binafsi nimeshafanya hivyo kwa kumuandikia barua pepe nikiambatanisha picha ile na kuhoji kwa kina,kulikoni? Ingawa bado sijapata majibu na pengine sitopata majibu kamwe nina uhakika kwamba ujumbe umemfikia na hivyo atatambua kwamba dunia inamtizama. Ukipenda kumtumia barua pepe pia unaweza kwa kutumia anuani ya hmwenegoha@parliament.go.tz
Usiishie kwa Mwenegoha peke yake bali pia mbunge wa jimbo lako, kule utokako au kule ilipo familia yako,asili yako nk. Kwa bahati nzuri anuani za barua-pepe,simu za nyumbani, za ofisini, za kiganjani za wabunge wetu zimeorodheshwa katika tovuti ya Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano Tanzania.
Do not stop there, you can also do the same to your MP. Luckily, members of parliament emails, their homes and office telephone numbers, their mobile phone numbers are all available at the parliament of United Republic of Tanzania Website.
While Jeff encourages his readers to write directly to members of parliament, Ndesanjo takes a look at digital tools for activists. He cites online media, blogging and SMS technologies as the latest weapons in the African activists' arsenal to fight for political, economical or social change. He gives an example of Zimbabwe where one Zimbabwe's online publication Zimdaily has started a campaign of naming all of government officials children living abroad, replete with their work, college or residence addresses. The logic of the campaign being “if you hate the West that much why send your children there?”.
Ndesanjo asks his readers for their views on this particular strategy that Zimdaily is using to fight the current Zimbabwe's government. His readers have expressed divergent opinions on the matter:
… Ni kweli si vizuri kuwapakazia watoto makosa ya wazazi, lakini mzazi anapoielezea dunia kwamba hazihitaji au hazipendi nchi za magharibi ilhali anapeleka familia yake huko huko, ni unafiki uliopita kipimo.
Nadhani wananchi wa Zimbabwe wanajaribu kuwaanika viongozi na familia zao (ambao vile vile ni wala matunda ya mfumo mbovu), kuonesha kwamba “you have to mean what you say”.
I think Zimbabweans are trying to tell their leaders and their families (who are the beneficiaries of a corrupt/faulty system), that “you have to mean what you say”.
While another reader does not think that this strategy will affect the targeted group:
… lakini si siasa safi kuweka picha na anuani za vijana hao kwenye tovuti. Wangeweza kuwasialiana na serikali za nchi hizo kimya kimya. Labda waneweza kuongelea hilo swala na kueleza sababu zao bila kutoa picha na anuani za watu hao. Na hata kama hao watu wakirudi Zimbabwe, hawatapata shida kabisa, wataendelea tu kula pesa hizo hizo za wizi.
… it is not fair to expose those young people's addresses. They could have consulted with the Western governments where those kids are residing. And even if those people were to be returned to Zimbabwe they would not suffer, instead they would continue to live a privileged life.
On development and mobile phones in Africa, Ndesanjo writes:
Matumizi ya SMS na simu za kiganjani kwa ujumla kwenye harakati na hata shughuli nyingine za maendeleo kama vile kilimo, masoko, biashara, afya, na elimu yanapanuka siku hadi siku. Hakuna teknolojia ambayo ni rahisi kupatikana na kutumika kama simu za mkono kwa nchi za Afrika ambazo zina mtandao mdogo sana wa simu za nyumbani. Simu za viganjani ndio zitakuja kuwa chombo kikubwa cha watu wa kawaida kuingia kwenye zama za habari na mawasiliano. Sio kompyuta za mezani au za mapajani. Kompyuta zao zitakuwa ndani ya simu zao.
He cites M-Pesa as a good example of the use of mobile technologies for development. M-Pesa is a new service that allows members of the public to transfer money using SMS.
Maitha, who blogs at Mawazo na Mawaidha, writes about M-Pesa and open source movement in Kenya. Recently, he, used M-Pesa service. He points out an incorrect Swahili phrase used by the service and wonders why they did not consult a Swahili linguist.
He posts links to three Kenyan websites dedicated to the promotion of open source software. He believes that the websites will contribute to the growth of open source movement in Kenya.
8 comments · »»April 5th, 2007
Swahili Blogosphere: Blogging against Freedom of Information Bill, African unity, and How many other dictators are out there?
· 09:50 · Sub-Saharan AfricaThe extraordinary summit of the Southern African Development Community leaders in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania is over, but the debate over the Zimbabwe's government's crackdown on opposition still lingers on. As usual, when Zimbabwe's political crisis dominates news headlines so do the opposing views of the situation.
What do Swahili bloggers and their readers have to say about Zimbabwe?, Photoblogger Muhidin Issa Michuzi posts photos of the Southern Africa leaders as they arrive in Dar Es Salaam for the summit. Mugabe's photo leads to a heated debate about Mugabe's tactics of suppressing the oppostion, his portrayal in the media and Zimbabwe's land redistribution program.
One reader condemns Mugabe's dictatorial tactics:
Hata mie nakuunga mkono kuwa Mugabe anachemsha kwa kumdunda Morgan Tsvangarai na wapinzani wengine. Inaonekana anaendesha ubabe na kutoa “news” kwa mataifa ya magharibi.
Swala la Mashamba-ni haki kuyagawana kwa walio wengi sio kuwaachia walowezi wachache. Tatizo linakuja kama unachukua mashamba na kugawia watu ambao hujawatayarisha kuyatumia kikamilifu. Tunaambiwa kuwa sasa hivi Zimbabwe kuna njaa sana kutokana na hili zoezi-sijui kama ni kweli au ni propaganda za BBC na vyombo vya habari vya magharibi.
Mie siungi mkono viongozi kukaa sana madarakani-nchi yeyote duniani. Naipongeza Tanzania kwa kuweka katiba inayolinda kipindi ambacho mtu anaweza kuwa raisi (miaka kumi inatosha!). Huyu Mugabe amekaa mno bwana-halafu amezeeka. Mbona mwenzie Mandela alikaa kidogo akaachia ngazi?? Ukomavu wa kisiasa lazima uandamane na kung'atuka kutoka madarakani katika muda muafaka.
And lastly, I do not support the idea of leaders staying in power for a long time. I congratulate Tanzania for upholding the constitution with a maximum of only two terms (ten years limit) for presidency. Mugabe has stayed in power for too long, after all he is too old. Why do you think Mandela stayed in power for a short period of time? Political maturity must go hand in hand with stepping down at the right time.