KINYAMKELA CHA MWANAHABARI JULIAN ASSANGE MJINI LONDON

 Niko katikati ya kitongoji cha matajiri, London...

Nimezungukwa na  majumba ya ghorofa, vigae, matofali ya kisasa,  vioo vitupu; mseto wa ujenzi. Punde nimekabiliana na Harrods-  duka maarufu la mamilionea  la ghorofa tano. Harrods imesimama mtaa wa Knightsbridge. Kando yake mna jumba dogo zaidi lenye  matofali rangi kikahawia mtindo wa karne ya kumi na tisa. Mtindo huu unalandana  na mila na desturi za Malkia Victoria aliyetawala karne hiyo (ya juzi) enzi za ukoloni. Nyanyake malkia Elisabeth.

Jengo lina ofisi nyingi na mojawapo ndipo ulipo Ubalozi wa Ecuador. Kawaida Ubalozi mdogo wa Ecuador usingekuwa na haja ya kuandikwa katika safu kama hii. Ila katika kipindi cha miezi miwili – umetajwa tajwa na kufahamika sana.

Hapa niliposimama nje nawaangalia askari zaidi ya kumi wa Kiingereza waliojipanga nje,wakiulinda ubalozi. Upande mwingine wamebana, paparazi na wanahabari na kamera zao; watalii wanapita pita nao wakipiga picha na mkabala wa Ubalozi limejikita kundi la watu, wakipiga kelele, wakiwasuta wale ma-askari. Mmoja wao kashika kipaaza sauti:

“Hakuna mtu aliyepiga simu namba 999 kuulizia msaada wenu, wajinga nyinyi!”

Askari hawasemi kitu. Watasema nini? Nchi hii ina Uhuru wa kusema na kujieleza.  Ukiyatazama mabango waliyobeba waandamaji  na mengine waliyoyabandika kando ya barabara pia mkabala na Ubalozi wa Ecuador, yatakufahamisha nini kinatokea. 

Mathalan:

“Kwanini askari wa Uingereza wanashirikiana na Marekani?”

“Ujasiri Unaambukiza!”

"Chapisheni Ukweli!"

“Uhuru.”

“Ondoeni mikono yenu toka Ecuador!”

“Serikali ya Uingereza ya Aibu lakini si wananchi wake!”

Na mabango kadhaa yana picha za mhusika.

“Mwacheni huru Assange! Msimpige Mjumbe risasi!”

 Yote, yumkini, yanamhusu mwanahabari Julian Assange ambaye toka Juni 19 aliomba ukimbizi  ubalozi wa Ecuador.

LONDON’S NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL- TWO MILLION FEET DANCING....

Multi tasking is a word associated with women although most of us do it without realising. Driving a vehicle when we are texting or speaking on the phone as well as managing a conversation with a passenger. That is dangerous multi-tasking. But it is done, anyway.  A boss administering a bunch of clerks, newly appointed junior managers and anxious customers while performing his own chores- such as making sure the company sells well or dealing with emergencies.

Like said, multi tasking is traditionally associated with females.

Whistle blowing at the Notting Hill Carnival, this year...pic by Z. Bahati.

Feeding a crying baby, cooking for the husband, making sure older children are prepared for school, chatting and gossiping with friends and neighbours and if educated (and well positioned) being an efficient executive. Yes, multi-tasking is a skill. Multiple skills; multiple things, multiple colours.

Consider such  mix: work, play, serious, fun. This would be one way of describing a Carnival.

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TANZANIA’S 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS START ROCKING IN THE UK

 

It could have been bigger than this; maybe it should have started six, seven months ago; the buzz, I mean; but as they say, better late than ever. Things switched to high gears last Saturday when Kinondoni based Twanga Pepeta band rocked London’s Club 2000 Banqueting Suite. The venue is close to the famous Wembley Stadium; hard to locate, but easy for those who were keen to search the North West part of this city. Even if you had no car, taxis were hired, friends offered lifts and public transport is rarely a problem in London. Most important thing was that attendance during this inaugural night was passionate if not positive.

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WHAT CAN BE LEARNT FROM GONGO LA MBOTO VICTIMS DONATION APPEAL IN LONDON

Speaking on behalf of Tanzanians and Africans living in London early this week, blogger, presenter and Tanzanian fashion model, Jestina George touched on many aspects of the recent Gongo la Mboto incident.

Miss George who presents for Africans in London TV (www.ailtv.com) helped us focus on four major aspects of Gongo la Mboto funds appeal. Although the unfortunate incident will not be resolved by charity but by our politicians addressing other deeper issues, we can still ask questions and learn a few lessons.

First was the scepticism and cynicism.

We have always heard of humanitarian aid being held in red tape queue, delayed even re sold or completely taken away from its destination. 
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