Twenty
eight individuals attended this very apprehensive seminar. Apprehensive in the
sense that some of the speakers withdrew at the last minute and only three
Tanzanians were present. The rest were foreigners who love the country, former
volunteers and expatriates who had worked in Tanzania- some as far back as 50
years ago.
Pensive mood and discussions...
I chatted to a former Bwana Shamba, who roved and
managed villages shortly after Uhuru was declared. The man could still greet
and joke in one of the tribal languages. Smiling and jovial he told stories
about local villagers he had interacted with. The former Bwana Shamba- a term
that is associated with pre –Arusha Declaration times- could still remember Mbege,
Ulanzi, Dengelua and Chang’aa, which he pronounced well. Swahili learners
always find it hard to pronounce words like “chang’aa” called Gongo or Machozi ya
Simba (these days). For the reader who
is unfamiliar with hardcore local drinks, Gongo is the crude, raw version of
Konyagi - distilled, packaged and bottled 35 percent original Tanzanian whisky.
Of course Gongo (or the said “chang’aa”) is stronger and much more sinister,
hence the deadly name, Machozi ya Simba (lion’s tears).
Be
warned.
SOAS Radio pundits and students, Rob Wilson (UK) and Debula Kimoli (Kenya) participated...
Lesson one
from last Thursday’s event at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
is Mmmh... what? Most that have walked
on Tanzanian soil never forget the country. May I include ones who had unpleasant
experiences? I recently met a young British guy who speaks good Swahili, loves
the language and the people but is slightly wary and cautious to return. One
warm evening he hailed a cab in Dar es Salaam and ended being robbed. The
cabbie stopped to pick up two armed thugs, who then threateningly drove him
around the beleaguered city. He was forced to call his family in the UK who
then sent a couple of thousand pounds- (millions of shillings) - via Western
Union.
Bottom
line here is that although Tanganyika of the Bwana Shamba gentleman has dramatically
changed, apprehension and politics remain focussed on the “three mantras” that
Mwalimu and TANU used to chant: ignorance, poverty and disease.
How can
that be assessed?
Newly appointed UK Ambassador to Tanzania, Dianna Melrose (centre) with BTS man, William Fulton (right) and author (self taken I-Phone pic)...
The
seminar’s goals was to look at media and democracy- born through multi-party
reforms in 1992. The seminar was organised
by British Tanzania Society (created in 1975) currently presided by ex President
Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
<--more--!>
BTs is not only about meetings but essentially runs good
causes through it’s charity- the Tanzania Development Trust (TDT). TDT
displayed few products and information. One of TDT’s report claimed this year’s
aid money sent to fund several projects in the country progressed to 146, 165 pounds
compared to £ 78, 000 in the 2010-2011 periods.
Their booklet is highlighted with graphic details of success stories,
mostly to help education and small scale production. A student from Kahama,
Clement Lusamila for example tells how he was sponsored to study and successful
qualify in book-keeping, tailoring and English language. He can now support his
young family.
Andrew Coulson introducing Ben Taylor of Daraja...in South Tanzania....
This is
the soul and spirit behind those present at the seminar. Not forgetting the newly appointed UK
Ambassador to Tanzania, Dianna Melrose, who came by to hear and familiarise.
Andrew Coulson, of BTS, introduced speakers
and questions. Having taught at the University of Dar es Salaam in the late
1970’s, Coulson is a lecturer and author
whose “Tanzania- A Political Economy”
was published in 1982 and is about to be re issued with revisions which he
promises shall be available to Tanzanians at “an affordable
price.”
Discussions
compared the era of Mwalimu and now and concluded that we live in far freer
times of self expression, especially due to the rise of social networking sites
and blogs.
A
topical and catchy subject was the brutal murder of journalist Daudi Mwangosi
whose news spread thanks to online efforts, in September. Or the beating of Dr.
Stephen Ulimboka, (chairman of the Medical Association of Tanzania in June)
whose puffed up, grim face was beamed on a large screen at the seminar.
Giving
the geographical landscape of the Tanzanian press, Iringa based NGO
professional, Ben Taylor managed to inform the audience about who is who in the
country’s media. Whether we have more freedom than we should, or not, the
seminar concluded, forthcoming 2015 elections are going to be decisive in the
future of democratic process of the country.
Julian Marcus taking care of the Tanzania Development Trust display table...during seminar.
This was one of the moments in
time, when talk about a country with a rich history like ours is being viewed
with interest. Someone said despite the lurking fear and apprehension, we do not
have turmoil similar to that found in Congo, Somalia and Zimbabwe, thanks to a
history of exemplary leadership i.e. Mwalimu Nyerere and those who came
afterwards. Good or bad leadership always determines and shapes the vision and
psyche of any nation.
Published in Citizen Tanzania last week.
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