SAIDI KANDA – VOICE OF TANZANIAN AND EAST AFRICAN ORIGINAL MUSIC

 

There is a reason we promote lions that climb trees in Lake Manyara. There is a reason countries have their own beloved songs. There are many reasons why tourists pay lots of money to go see Kangaroos in Australia or Moshi to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. And it is justified why we should pause and pay attention to a Tanzanian band called Mvula Mandondo Tolekaa. If you don't know what it means, please !Keep on reading. 

SUALA LA UVAAJI MIKANDA KATIKA MAGARI LASISITIZWA ULAYA

Mara ya kwanza kuvaa mkanda katika gari ilikuwa nilipopewa lifti  na Mzungu mmoja miaka ya Sabini. Kipindi hicho tuliwaita weupe, walami. Sijui neno lilitokea wapi. Ila yupo jamaa aliyefasiri kuwa “mlami” ilitokana na “lami” yaani barabara safi, isiyo ya matope, makorongo, udongo au mchanga. Barabara iliyowekwa lami ikawa ya Kizungu zungu. Na enzi hizo, walami waliangaliwa kama watu walioendelea. Si tu kitabia pia kiteknolojia. Ukiwa na mlami, unaulizwa maswali. Kakupa nini? Kakupeleka wapi, mlami? Atakupeleka mtoni? Yaani, utofauti.

WHAT THE LEGENDARY ACTOR SIDNEY POITIER TAUGHT US

 

Born after 1990?

Well. The Bahamas born legendary actor, Sidney Poitier might not be familiar. He died last week aged 94. Poitier is among most significant black players of human history. We are speaking of Hollywood films, theatre and acting. Therefore anyone studying to be in that profession will surely stumble across Sidney Poitier's name.

Poitier as a Young Artist.  Pic Reelrundown

GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER OF SHAABAN ROBERT LAUNCHES A MWANA EVENT IN LONDON

THE PARADOX OF BEING YOUNG TODAY

The other day I found myself surrounded by chums and colleagues and friends and strangers too. Thirty years ago this would not have caused me to write a column about the occasion. However in August 2020 we were ALL PUZZLED MALES.

MARADHI YA FIGO NA FAIDA ZA KUFUNGA KULA- 4

Maradhi ya figo yamezidi sana kwa watu weusi, seuze Watanzania.

 Majuma mawili yaliyopita tulimpoteza Mtanzania maarufu sana kwa ugonjwa huu. Ni muhimu kujadili kwanini figo linaendelea kuwa tatizo kubwa kwetu.

Makala tatu zilizopita zimeongelea ulaji wa Saladi, mazoezi na kufunga kama njia za kujali figo, ini, moyo, ubongo,nk. Tumeambiwa  matumizi HOLELA ya dawa za kuzuia maumivu  changia tatizo au pia fadhaa (“stress”) dhalilisha figo.

Wiki iliyopita tulikumbushana kuwa kufunga  si tu Ramadhani au Uislamu.Tulitazama faida zake ikiwepo kupunguza unene, maradhi, kuupumzisha mwili na uwezekano wa kuwa na maisha marefu.

Tulitazama aina ya kwanza ya ufungaji, yaani kunywa  maji ( kidogo kidogo kwa wastani wa saa 36-72).

KISWAHILI CHETU KINADIDIMIZWA NA KUPANDISHWA NA NANI?

Nilimhoji Mkenya mmoja kwa kipindi  cha Kwa Simu Toka London. Jina nitalihifadhi kwa sasa. 

“Nikiwa mdogo sikupenda kabisa kwetu Kenya tulivyolazimishwa kujifunza Kiingereza.  Tulichapwa...”

Nikasema ndiyo maana Kenya na  Waafrika wengine huzungumza Kiingereza  ( na lugha zingine za Kizungu ) kwa ufasaha sana.

“Lakini nilipofika hapa Uingereza nilishangaa au tuseme nikajifunza. Waingereza wanaipenda sana lugha yao.  Huongea tofauti na sisi tunavyoongea. Ukitaka uraia wa Uingereza lazima ujue Kiingereza sawasawa.  Wanakithamini Kiingereza. Majina, barabara, shule, serikali, muziki,magazeti, vitabu, kila kitu.  Hawatumii lugha nyingine. Hawakidunishi. Wala hawakichanganyi na lugha nyingine. Nikatafakari. Ndipo nikaanza kuifikiria Tanzania...”

Akadai miaka mingi amependa sana msimamo wa Watanzania.

  “Zipo nchi kumi na moja zinazungumza Kiswahili. Lakini chimbuko la Kiswahili ni Tanzania. Hata wengine tukijidai, hatuifikii Tanzania...”

Mara, mhojiwa akapaaza sauti.

USING MONEY TO MAKE AFRICANS LEGALISE HOMOSEXUALITY – Part 1

Two weeks ago, Tanzania’s second largest aid giver, withheld ten million dollars, citing crackdown on homosexuality and alleged human rights abuses. According to Reuters, Denmark, joined the World Bank whose decision not to release a $300 million loan,  was made following Tanzania’s recent “policy of banning pregnant girls from school and ...making it a crime to question official statistics.” These developments are far significant, yet today, we should discuss homosexuality.

USING AID MONEY TO FORCE AFRICANS LEGALISE HOMOSEXUALITY...- Part Two

  

For Africans the outlook on the subject is totally different from that of our counterparts in the rich world.  Homosexuality was and will always be a reality. A fact.

Yet, the problem (at the moment) is not acceptance or not acceptance but, perception. The average African views “being gay” in the “physical” sense. The actual words constantly used on social media after Denmark’s announcement three weeks ago, were Sodom and Gomorrah. To Whites (and all others who have legalised it)  gay lifestyle is viewed on a broader sense.  Not just as two people of the same gender agreeing to have sexual intercourse, but as humans, loving each other. That is why prominent individuals  of the same gender openly “marry” and live happily after. Check out famous musician Elton John and his partner Mr David Furnish or Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel and Mr Gauthier Destenay, tying knots, recently.

That is Europe.

SINEMA ZA NGONO ZINAVYO ATHIRI VIJANA ULIMWENGUNI LEO-3

Tuendelee na mada ya Jumapili mbili zilizopita.

Tumezungumzia sinema za ngono na namna zinavyohasidi afya na mahusiano ya watu. Sawa. Vipindi vya maisha yetu wanadamu hutofautiana. Kama ambavyo makala hii inakashifu sinema za ngono na changamoto zake ndivyo wazee wa miaka ile ya Sitini na Sabini walivyokasirishwa na suruali za vijana zilizotanuka chini (“Pekos”) , na sketi na magauni yaliyoishia mapajani (“Mini”).

 Linganisha na leo.  Vijana wanavalia suruali makalioni, kama wako maliwatoni  na wanawake wanaanika kabisa kila kitu mitandaoni au  maonesho.

SINEMA ZA NGONO ZINAVYO ATHIRI VIJANA ULIMWENGUNI LEO-2

Tuendelee na mada ya wiki jana.

Zamani sinema za ngono zilikatazwa kabisa na serikali ya Mwalimu Nyerere  na hata awamu zilizofuata. Leo zinaonekana waziwazi katika simu na wanawake kwa wanaume wanazikodolea macho. Matokeo kuna kudhalilishana pande zote mbili. Hii ni kutokana na taswira za waigizaji wachache wenye maungo yasiyofikana na hali halisi za wanadamu wengi.

Starehe hii kama zilivyo nyingi za kisasa zimeletwa na utandawazi na teknolojia za Kizungu. Sisi Waafrika hatukuwa na matatizo ya ngono au ufanyaji mapenzi. Mwalimu Nyerere na viongozi waliopita wallifahamu hilo ndiyo maana wakalikataza.

Miaka 30 hadi 50 iliyopita hatukuwa na matatizo ya mapenzi.

Nilipohamia Uzunguni nilishangazwa jinsi wenzetu walivyo na matatizo makubwa ya ngono.

SINEMA ZA NGONO ZINAVYO ATHIRI VIJANA ULIMWENGUNI LEO - 1

Wakati Mwalimu Nyerere akiwa Rais wetu, alisemwa vibaya, aliogopwa, alitaniwa. Ni ajabu namna leo, (nusu karne baadaye) anazungumziwa kwa staha, tija na hata kupendekezwa aitwe mtakatifu. Asiye na hatia au kosa. Sisi wanadamu wanafiki sana. Mtu akiwa nasi tunamsuta. Akishatutoka tunamvalisha kila suruali, viatu, bangili na kofia za jaha.

Nakumbuka tukiwa bado sekondari, tulisafiri sana Nairobi kutembea. Miaka hiyo ya Sabini Kenya ilifananishwa na Ulaya. Majuu. Nairobi  ilijaa klabu nzuri nzuri, mavazi ya Kizungu, sinema tele zikiwemo za ngono. Tuliwaona ndugu zetu wa Kenya wenye bahati sana.

Tulimsikia Rais wao, Jomo Kenyatta akisema: “Kuleni matunda ya Uhuru...”

Baadaye nilipokuwa mtu mzima, nikasafiri Ulaya. Kwa mara ya kwanza nikaona sinema ya ngono,  mwanzo hadi mwisho. Ilikuwa kioja. Sikuziona nikiwa shuleni, ( tuliposafiri Kenya) shauri ya masharti ya kiumri. Ziliitwa sinema za X. Yaani za watu wazima tu.

Sasa nikiwa Ughaibuni mtu mzima niliyeshapitisha miaka 25 sikuzuiwa. Niliufurahia uhondo uliokatazwa na Baba wa taifa na serikali ya TANU na CCM.

Lakini baada ya “kipya kinyemi” kwisha,  nikazoea, nikazikinahi. Nilianza kugundua watu walioangalia filamu hizo walikuwa wanaume wapweke wasiokuwa na wapenzi. Kila mtu alikaa peke yake, mle giza la sinema; akijishika shika; wengine wakinywa pombe kisirisiri. Kifupi waliotazama michezo hii walikuwa wapweke wenye matatizo ya kisaikolojia. Watu na wake zao hawakuhudhuria sinema za ngono. Ndiyo walikuwepo wapenzi walioziangalia. Mmoja mmoja na mkewe, lakini wachache...

Ziliitwa “pornography.”

... KUUHARIBU UHAI WETU KUPITIA MIMEA ILIYOBATILISHWA KWA GMO- Sehemu ya pili

Juma lililopita tulifahamishana kuhusu GMO.

Kabla ya kuendelea tukumbushane hulka ya biashara hususan huku nchi zilizoendelea. Siku hizi ni kawaida  kabisa kwa wateja, Uzunguni, kutaka kujua nini wananunua, nini kitakachoingia tumboni, tarehe gani  bidhaa itaoza au kukosa thamani, nk. Wasiojali sana ni maskini au wasiosoma. Lakini hata hawa hulazimika kuchunguza  pale maradhi yanapobisha hodi. Tutoe mfano...

Uzunguni kuna tatizo kubwa la “allergies”

Allergies ni  nini?

WIMBI LA MIMEA INAYOBATILISHWA KWA GMO

Miaka sitini (hadi 100)  iliyopita-  sigara, ilivutia sana.

 Sinema na TV ziliionyesha waigizaji wakiivuta  mithili ya starehe ya hali ya juu sana. Nikiwa kijana tuliambiwa mwanamke alipovuta sigara kisha akampulizia mwanaume moshi usoni ni ishara ya kum-enzi, kumhitaji, kumtaka.

Sigara haikuonekana ni dhara.

Ila saratani ilipounganishwa na sigara- makampuni ya tumbaku yalichachamaa. Mvutano huu wa kibiashara ulichukua muda mrefu kupingika- hata mauaji na rushwa vilipita.

 Vitisho. Ufisadi.  Mabavu.

STORY OF WOMEN KIDNAPPINGS IN DAR ES SALAAM CIRCULATING ON THE NET

Like last Friday, let us touch on the internet once more...

Early this week I was at some private function when a drunken individual claimed the Internet has become the main global government. 

OUR CONTINENT ‘S WILD DANCE WITH GMO FOOD EXPERIMENTS

June has begun with a very positive moment for UK based Tanzanians.

 ATUK, a union (of all involved), is having its first huge meet in Reading (pronounced, “Redding”), few kilometres from London- on Saturday 23 June. Before we yawn and moan here we go again, another political coffee and blah- blah, hear, hear.

 An ATUK forum created by Joe Warioba on WhatsApp, accidentally, discussed the issue of GMO and Bill Gates. I have used the word “accidentally.”

The intention of the forum is not to discuss GMO, but, unity of Tanzanians and how to channel “this marriage” in engaging progress back home.

 I was perusing through the various chats last week, and THIS topic interested me, immensely.

 Dear reader, for the sake of semantics (meaning), imagine if you were asked to make a list of your core values?  Belief in God?  Family? Making money? One of my main core values is health. You might have seen stuff on Instagram (@freddymacha14), or You Tube channel...

So, having seen GMO and Bill Gates in Africa, I beamed.

AS ENGLAND PLAYS QUARTER FINALS 2018 TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Saturday 7 July, is an important day in Tanzania. TANU was formed on Saba-Saba Day, 1954. Sixty four years. Tomorrow might be someone’s birthday. Tomorrow is significant for the English and Swedish team as they square off each other –at this World Soccer Cup Russia 2018. Seven-Seven is also thirteen years since London experienced a 2005 horrific terrorist attack. 

Yes.

 7 July 2005.

But let us pause- on the football.

We are aware not all reading this are so fond of what Brazil’s legend Pele called “the beautiful game...”Not all. Even as euphoria and joy and zeal and suspense balloons around our ongoing fun and sport, you still hear those: unfazed, unconvinced and unmoved.

SQUABBLING HIDES SELFISH “POLITICS OF DISUNITY”

All pics by F. Macha

Charismatic,  High Commissioner Dr Migiro greets folks after her major address. 

Squabbling is our theme word, today.

 Squabble is a brawl. Scuffle. Argument. Fret.

 In Swahili – mzozo, bishana, gombana, pupurana.

 Squabbling can also be explained poetically.

TANZANIA BASED -FGM FILM TO BE SCREENED AT THE ZANZIBAR FILM FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH

We spoke about this film in March 2018.

Did you read the Citizen then?

 “In the Name of Your Daughter”-it is...

While June and July 2018, sees balls being kicked in Russia, life keeps rolling on elsewhere.  As the climax of the Russia sports duel peaks on 15 July, 2018; final of Zanzibar International film festival is also due 15 July 2018-after ten days!

Were you to be asked to choose between the two, which would you go for?

However, since the whole media is geared towards the biggest tournament in the world (which I personally love by the way) - let us give space to the prestigious film festival of Zanzibar (ZIFF). Also called Festival of Dhow countries.

“In the Name of Your Daughter...”

Yes. The FGM film...WILL be screened here.

 “Sema Usikike” (Speak and Be Heard) – remains the gala motto for our Zanzibar cinema party.  This year we should specifically clap hands and possibly flock there for ONE BIG REASON.....

 Finally.

An international film about FGM in Tanzania!!!

For years this writer has made noise about such a senseless topic, i.e. the cruel business of cutting our girls private parts for the sake of tradition- otherwise, known as FemaleGenital Mutilation. UKEKETAJI – in Ki-Swahili.

Back in 2014 after a fundraising London campaign raised money for a safe house in Mugumu, Mara Tanzania, there were tons of reactions from our readers in Swahili and English.

One was Laeticia Mukurasi, who observed that the solution lies on shoulders of men and women together because: “Iam aware women cannot do it alone...” Laeticia Mukurasi is one of the few Tanzanian women /gender specialists and in 2014 was working on a book about the subject.

Bearing that in mind...

 It is the first time when a problem that SUPS and SUCKS our children (19 regions of Tanzania) will be beamed at a local major festival. Thanks to the collaboration of dedicated film maker,  Giselle Portenier (writer/ director), pictured below, Cathy Gulling (co-writer), Deborah Parks (co-producer), Andrea Wet stein (music composer) and our own Tanzanian, cinematographer,  Samson Kapinga.

Films are rarely made alone- and this cooperation of hearts and minds has paid off.

Last month the 84 minutes, “In The Name of Your Daughter”, won best Canadian documentary feature film of the year at 2018 Edmonton Festival.

Reviewing the triumph, Metro Star of Edmonton, warned Canadians that FGM is not just an -overseas problem - at least 80,000 FGM survivors are based in Canada.

I watched the touching art work and was left with mixed emotions.  A fear for all involved.

It made me recall various victims I have interviewed...

Rhobi Samwelly, heavily involved in saving girls in Mara and spreading awareness across the globe.Publicity foto

 One Sudanese survivor for example- 25 years ago- told me how she had to be sewn each time her husband travelled abroad for work.  Upon returning she would be re opened - then painful sex, pregnancy and birth- then -re-stitched, after he went away, again. And again and again.  Eventually the woman/ wife fled to Europe.

 Wouldn’t you?

“In the Name of Your Daughter” takes you through the difficult choice that girls as young as eight make. Be cut and suffer a life of misery or escape and never see their families again. The benefit is cows and wealth for parents especially- fathers. The girls live in permanent pain. Some die early.

The Canadian - Tanzanian masterpiece not only highlights the children, but a dedicated minority of people in Mara region- battling the “horror” custom- among them, Rhobi Samwelly- who we have met in London several times.

A lady of courage and zeal, Ms Samwelly’s activities are glowingly highlighted in the 84 minute film. She is an outcome and product of FGM – now the voice of not just Mara women, but part - 200 million plus global women and girls suffering an ordeal outlawed in 30 countries, according to UNICEF.

 Award winning filmmaker Ms Portenier confirmed the film has been viewed in some European countries- i.e. Sweden and Denmark. Apart from partly funding the film, the ex BBC journalist has vowed that it must be seen by us Tanzanians and others in this region.

More films must be done.

 Portenier and her team need support, through word of mouth and more coverage.  As the girls in the film constantly repeat: THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE CUT. When one of the anti FGM males asks a group of school boys if they would like sections of their private parts to be chopped off - the camera pans to their innocent faces.

 You can feel the imaginary pain.

 “It is different from circumcision...” the empathetic man elaborates. As we Africans know, circumcision makes you clean- it has even been proved to prevent HIV- however, FGM is totally different.

Totally.

ZIFF runs from Thursday 5^th July to Sunday 15th July, 2018.

See movie trailer at

www.inthenameofyourdaughter.com/

-Published in Citizen Tanzania, 22 June 2018

           

WATANZANIA TUWE WABUNIFU WA KADI NA SALAMU MITANDAONI...

Sikukuu kubwa mbili zimepita : Krismasi na Mwaka Mpya.

 Nyakati hizi , hushuhudia salaam kem kem mitandaoni, kupitia simu.  Ila, al kheri  zinavyotumwa ni tofauti sana kati yetu Waafrika na wenzetu Weupe.