- The Lions of Teranga piped Taifa Stars 4-0 in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers last year but I love Dakar. My trip to Dakar a fortnight ago was tiresome, but with lots of good stuff to share. Frankly speaking, it has left a mark that will take long to subside. The tall-dark skinned-athletic Senegalese are anything but proud of their mother land. They speak French and Wolof, and proud of being the Teranga of hospitality! A nation of 95% Muslim population, you hardly see “Sinza” in the city.
Unlike Sub-Saharan Africans, Senegalese- and I suppose West Africans- love jogging and sports in general. In the morning the streets are filled with people jogging- the young, the old,…
- Technology has proved too strong to challenge for the first time in the history of legal practice in Tanzania. It facilitated a cross examination of key witness in the case against Prof. Costa Mahalu, former Tanzanian Ambassador to Rome, Italy.
The Kisutu Judicial Court, temporarily moved its activities to the Tanzania Global Development Learning Centre (TGDLC) in Dar es Salaam to cross examine an Italian private advocate, Mr. Marco Tatii from Rome Italy.
The cross examination was conducted through video conferencing facility at the TGDLC and witnessed strong resistance from the plaintiff advocates who prayed the magistrate to prevent the hearing on ground that it was not right for the…
- Wenger Angers Tanzanian Fans!
Andrei Arshavin's, the Russian playmaker has been on the news worldwide for the past weeks. Until this piece his contract has not been revealed. The Gunners fans are hanging in balance. Arsenal Wenger’s rigidity could be attributed to this.
Those who watched Arsenal’s last match against West Ham complain that Wenger’s team lacked focus and ability to score goals that could have bridged the gap with premiership pace makers.
“I don’t know what he thinks, we have gone 4 years without a trophy and we don’t see any as the season closes,” shouts a frustrated fan.
A random survey among premiership fans in Tanzania re…
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia has commended President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for being firm in the promotion of women in Africa. - Speaking via satellite from Liberia to a global dialogue taking place in Tanzania, President Johnson said Rwanda can boast of the world’s highest number of women in parliament standing at 56.2%.
She called on women to work hard especially at school to create a conducive environment for them to take up more leadership positions across the continent. “Girls should work hard at school. You should be strong enough to overcome all the challenges that come your way. Importantly, you must show that you can do it,” she urged.
President…
It has now come very clear that Americans fear and worship the Almighty GOD at least once after every four years. Millions of Americans across all States were seen on television screens praying and bowing before the Almighty GOD. They prayed for their 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama and the country. - Millions of Americans and the people of the world witnessed the swearing in of the first Black President Obama. In Africa and Kenya in particular celebrations were staged to show solidarity to the son of their own.
And now as he takes the bull by the horns, Africans have been warned not to expect much from him. Delivering his inauguration speech President Obama said the US economy was b…
Tanzania exploded on Saturday night after her national team Taifa Stars trashed Sudan 2-1 in the CHAN return leg in Khartoum. The Tanzanian heroes sunk the Sudanese after a fortnight win in Dar es Salaam where they had recorded 3-1 win. - The goals came from Stars’ captain Henry Joseph and Nurdin Bakari from each half. The man of the match was a young star striker Mrisho Ngasa whose dribbling and fast pace skills helped Stars to bit Sudan and qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) for local players.
“I am happy and proud of my players. They displayed character and abilities and proved wrong many critics. Young as they are they will grow big and bit giant teams in Africa,…
Dear Friends,
Every mind is now set for the weekend. People want to relax and strike. I see friends in Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki, Berlin, Brussels all heading to Amsterdam. In Kampala they are thinking of Angernoir, Silk while in Nairobi Florida 2000, Simmers and the like. - In Cape Town it’s all at Water Front and in Dar, talk of Mambo Club, Blue Mango and Rose Garden. In today’s world, however, work pressure has become a part of most people. As such social activities are almost non-extent. Social psychologists and therapists are all tied up with a helluva lot to counsel social disorders (sycophants). It’s a vicious cycle: work- social problems-work!
As I was set to s…
In 2015, I will stand for the presidency in Tanzania. I will stand as my own man, neither political nor religious affiliation. The US President-elect, Barack Obama has inspired me. The Americans have overcome all historical odds to vote Obama into the highest office on earth- the white house. - For this, I congratulate my nephew Barack Obama and all Americans- whites, blacks, Spaniards, Indians, Cubans, gays, lesbians, straights, disabled and abled. While Barack is setting to pick up his team, rib-breakers African historians have come up with versions, which suggest that Barack descended from their homestead. In Kenya relatives and well-wishers in Nyangoma Kogelo village, 430 km from the cap…
- I got home at 22.00 pm and it was to start at 22.30 p.m East African time. My wife was watching G-Africa channel which runs Nigerians movies. I took a quick shower and announced to my sweetheart that I was going to watch football on G-Sport 1. She did not like the announcement and was asking me for more time so that she could finish watching the movie. We had a few exchanges and agreed that she finishes first.
When it came to an end, she threw the remote to me and left for bed. As I was constesting that she should give me company, the gunners were already down by one goal. I saw the goal by David Bentley. It was a fantastic goal and a breathtaking opener. I cursed and there was no one to…
Media reports that the president's motorcade was stoned by angry citizens in Mbeya left many questions unanswered. Why would they want to communicate their message to the president through nasty means? Interestingly, the incident was reported by only one news outlet even when swam of journalists were present! - The public watchdog’s silence on this also leaves much to be desired and confirms the much-protested Gado’s depiction of them through a cartoon. The word of mouth, which of course preceded modern journalism, did its magic and everyone in town got the story.
Then hell broke loose when senior citizens and retirees of the defunct East African Community took on the st…
- Africa is a beautiful and breath-taking continent; blessed with abundant resources at her disposal, hardworking and strong people, yet a home of the most vulnerable human species on earth! Most visitors are flabbergasted with the conditions on the ground; extreme poverty, diseases, madness, maladministration, selfishness of the haves and imbroglio politics.
Bishop Mattew Ashimolowo has released a book titled, ‘what is wrong with being black?’. Personally, I haven’t read the book but looking forward to go through its pages and see the points he raised. A guess hints me that the many problems Africa is grappling with could be the motivation for this book.
A friend recent…
- On 14th October, 1999 Africa lost a great son. He spoke loudly and firm for Africa. He fought for Africa’s liberation and independence, he challenged forces of western imperialism with pride, determination and resiliance. He battled for his life but blood leukemia had taken its toll and the Almighty Lord rested his soul in peace. Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the first Tanzanian President and the architect of African socialism died at St. Thomas Hospital in London and he was laid to rest at his home village, Butiama-Musoma, Tanzania.
It’s 9 years down the lane but he is still alive today. His fond memories and leadership style will take long to subside amongst Tanzanians,…
Is cheating a problem in our society today? Are we so much angry with those who cheat? Do you find it hurting being cheated- be it in a relationship, work, business, examinations among others? What is the amount of anger you have gathered to show that you hate cheaters or liars? - He who has never cheated be the first to come forward and say he has never cheated in his life. By the way when did you start cheating or telling lies? Go back to a time when you said your first lie, who taught you to lie? What motivated you to lie?
Examination leakage has dominated our media recently following reports of widespread claims and subsequently official report of the form four examinations leakage in…
In Tanzania, Albinos - people having pale or colorless skin, eyes, and hair because the body does not produce enough pigment - are now an endangered species. Hardly a day passes without hearing of Albinos being brutally murdered and parts of their body missing. - It started as a hearsay but now it is beyond the imaginable. People are looking for a part of an Albino person. The reason for this is by no means mystery. The Sangomas (Jujumen) or whatever you call them have ill advised the meatheads who want to get rich quick without working are cracking an oyster to kill albinos. They believe that Albinos are rare human beings who don’t die. They have the feeling that a part of an Albino w…
- In Dar, the Tanzanian olympic crew arrived home quietly! They had nothing to be proud of except the few belongings they had bought for their loved ones. The media had already branded them-watalii –tourists and the people couldn’t agree more with the media. In the airport, you could hear people whispering- watalii wamerudi nyumbani-tourists have returned home!
The crew cited poor preparations and stiff competition from opponents as prime reasons. The mother of all culprits- weather- was also cited! The Tanzania Olympic Committee Secretary General, Mr. Filbert Bayi said poor preps plus lack of financial support from the government, sponsors and sport enthusiats impacted negative…
- Who really cares about these beautiful and sin free creatures? Every second and minute, an animal is mistreated by people who don’t understand that animals are santient beings. Animals such as these ones have feelings and therefore experience pains.
In this part of the world, people do like and love animals. The Maasai, for instance, have kept animals for decades. They love their animals and value them more than fellow human beings and sometimes even themsleves. They travel long distances in search of pastures and water. During dry season- when the land is dry and pastures are a problem, they travel far afield and sometimes fight with farmers because they invade their fields. Despi…
- Democtatorship is now a new form of politics in the modern world, especially in Africa. Dictators in Africa and elsewhere in the world are now using this system to hang unto power. They have headed the words of the architect of political tyrany, Marchaevelli. He had asserted that if a political Prince wants to stay in power for as long as he wanted, he has to use every means possible to make him remain in power. Indeed, his assertion holds water in the modern world today.
Political Kings are using every means possible to justify their political gymics and thus remain at the helm. They have annointed and declared themselves God’s chosen rulers. So, they were brought unto the land…
- Way back in 1989, I read a book titled the Stone Country! It was a series of literature books which I had to read during my A level studies at Ilboru High School. The book talked about the hardships Black South Africans were experiencing during the Apartheid regime. The stories and agony were touching. Although I was far from Soweto, Googuletu, Kwa Zulu Natal and other provinces where the majority blacks lived, I could still feel connected. I felt bad about how Black South Africans were treated. Sadly, it was happening in their own soil. We read about the ANC struggle, we joined them by giving the little that we had- either materially or morally!
George Adams was one of the leaders in t…
- Are African countries an attachment or appendices of the United States of America, European Countries and China economic projects? A seasoned and respected senior journalist, Jenerali Ulimwengu posed this question on his article on a weekly tabloid newspaper called Raia Mwema. I found his article eye-catching and at the same time mind boggling because most of what he described was true of our leaders. He observed that what our rulers were doing or implementing were basically impositions of the rich west, especially the US. That terms such as ‘democratic elections’, ‘good governance’, ‘MDG’s’, ‘NEPAD’, ‘PRSP’, ‘Privati…
- During my glorious time as a teen in the 80’ and 90’s, I played football for fun. I wasn’t a classic player but was enthusiastic about the game, I loved it. My favouriye positions were on the right wing striker (7) and number ten. I scored a couple of goals during competitions and friendly games.
In 1991, I joined the army as part of my national service obligation. At the national service if you want to avoid the the daily hassles of tilling the land using crude agro-equipments such as the African hand hoe and sometimes sururu’s then you have to play football. This way, you spend most of your time doing hard and long exercises. Unfortunately, for us most of the…
- Tanzania is a beautiful and resource blessed country. It is a home to the snow caped and breath-taking Mt.Kilimanjaro- the highest in Africa, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, an extraordinary gamestone christined Tanzanite- Tanzania being the only place on earth to possess such magnificent and sparkling stones, the spice Island of Zanzibar, the strong and flag jumpers Maasai and more than 120 culturally synchronised tribes- they all speak Swahili as their national language which has to a great extent helped forge a sense of national unity!
A land blessed with natural resources ranging from minerals- gold, tanzanite, diamond, cobalt, and coal; Great lakes- lake Tanganyika,…
- “…these times…we will not allow companies and institutions to remain aloof and prosperous while the surrounding communities live in despair.” Jack welch, CSR expert and author of many business publications.
After its emergence about a decade ago, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has remained the best approach to the need to make corporations benefit society as much as they benefit their own private interests. Poignantly, this is not the case in Tanzania. Most corporations in Tanzania are using CSR as a marketing tool to maximise profit at the expense of poor Tanzanians. Although CSR is still a new phenomenon in Tanzania, few businesses have…
- We have in place a Universal Declaration on Human Rights, treaties and bills on gender equality and equity, children’s rights, good governance and democracy, refugees rights, prisoners of wars rights et cetra et cetra. Now we want something concrete on animals- a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW).
Since the creation of the world animals have always been close to humans. Human beings have engaged and kept animals for various reasons. The obvious been economic and social purposes. People keep animals for money, food and companion. Despite the enormous importance of animals attached to our lives we have continued to mistreat animals despicably.
On a number of cases,…
- Telling a lie is no big deal in our modern world. It is no big deal at all, is it?. People lie in the morning, lie in the afternoon, lie in the evening, lie at night, lie in politics, lie in the church, lie in the mosque... they simply lie. Sadly, the lies result into cheating and cheating ends into acquiring the deadly virus.
A study carried out by the Community on Focus (CoF), a Tanzanian local NGO early this year reveals that 98% of married couples and other intimate relations cheat in their relationship. 100% of respondents pointed out that most of the cheating were facilitated by the use of internet and mobilephone facilities. They claim that with mobilephones people could be able…
