MTINDO WA KISASA WA NYWELE UNAHARIBU AFYA ZA WANAWAKE WEUSI

Watu wa kabila la Chwi kule Ghana wanaozungumza lugha iitwayo Tshi wana methali kuhusu umuhimu wa kupendeza. Inashauri: “Ikiwa mwenda wazimu ataiba nguo zako na kukimbia nazo wakati wewe uko majini unaoga, itakuwa vyema utafute angalau kipande cha kitambaa ujifunge wakati unamkimbiza maana usipofanya vile watazamaji watadhani na wewe umeheuka.”
Hakuna mwanaume ambaye hajawahi kupayukiwa kuwa asuburi wakati ndugu yake wa kike anajipodoa akijiremba. Na kati ya mapambo yote nywele zinaongoza foleni. Mwanaume waweza kutoka bila kuchana nywele, unaweza ukawa nusu kipara (kama mimi mwandishi) lakini hujali mradi u msafi utatoka zako mitaani. Kwa mwanamke kujisanifu nywele ni tendo muhimu sana. Ndiyo maana waandishi mbalimbali wa hadithi hawakosi maelezo ya ususi ndani ya riwaya zao.

INTERVIEW WITH AUSTRALIAN BASED MUSICIAN DAVE MARAMA

Latest floods in Australia and Brazil have caught news headlines. One of East African citizens I spoke to early this week is guitarist Dave Marama who left Dar es Salaam in 1991 to live in Australia. His CD “Do Anything, Go Anywhere” with the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra was recently nominated for ARIAS which is the Australian equivalent of USA Grammy Awards. The album pays homage to late Nigerian musician Fela Kuti who died in 1997.  

FM: Tell us about the floods...

DM: The situation especially in Queensland is dire. Today the river has subsided so relief to the people affected by this disaster. A lot of clean up is currently taking place and we are wishing for a quick recovery to the people and economies of Queensland and New South Wales.
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Do you like it there?

I am settled and one has to reconcile with their immediate nest. Yes, we have a reasonably large Tanzanian community in Australia, let alone Melbourne. Good to catch up for a good laugh and that Bongo sense of humour...

What do you do?

I am a Lawyer by trade but have largely worked in Community Development, CUSO (Canadian University Services Overseas) and its equivalent here in Australia where I was managing the Zimbabwean and Mozambican programs when I arrived. I later worked for RMIT University for 18 years and my last position was with Monash College both leading institutions in Australia. Musically, I was connected to the African scene immediately upon arrival. I have played with various bands since: Clan Swahili, Musiki Manjaro and currently the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra which plays Afro Beat.

Young people in Tanzania do not quite know you as you come from the Seventies generation one of the most significant era of our music.

You are right, the 1970’s saw the emergency of good music and rise of Soul, Funk, Rock, Rumba, Afro Beat, talk about Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Aretha, The Temptations, George Benson, BB King, Franco, Fela Kuti, Lipua Lipua, Fauvette,  Buddy Guy, Sparks, Maquis du Zaire, Groove Makers, Tonics, NUTA Jazz, Rifters and many more.  I was influenced by this sudden surge of synergy. I played guitar since 11 years young in Arusha and Dar around 16 years. Arusha and Dar were  booming with music so I  played with the Funky Mob, Hijackers, Shades of Time in Arusha and Dar Comets, Sound of Hope, Watafiti and managing Tatu Nane  in the 1990’s.

Any nostalgia?

I love Tanzania my spiritual home and Malawi my home country. I have a special affinity to Tanzania for its hospitality and the care extended to so many refugees who landed there. President Nyerere is my hero for having extended that Liberation principle to us in reverse of the oppression that was going on in Malawi then. I always wanted for the situation in Malawi to change, it did not and I had to make a decision with my family to leave for Australia, where there was good provided education for the kids. This was not an easy decision as I love my Ugali, Samaki choma and the energy Africa delivers top soul and heart.

Many overseas African musicians are forced to do jobs they do not like (e.g. cleaning, security guards, etc) because it is not easy to make a living through music. What is your take on that?

  The issue is how do you survive and make a name? Obviously hard work, discipline, vision, team playing if in a band, choose right groups, drop the ego, and be patience. Honestly speaking, it is not easy to survive as a musician unless you are really good? And make it in Africa then here. If you are really good, do not waste your time go to New York and hit it big like Richard Bona, Angelika Kidjo and Lionel Loueke...

Would you advice young Tanzanian musicians to go overseas and try their luck?

Yes if you are good, go for it. Recently I had the privilege of meeting my friends from In Africa here in Melbourne. They are doing really well. Read the contacts understand the business do not just say Napaa Majuu; there is No Majuu without plan and talent. 

More info on Marama visit: http://www.thepublicopinion.net

-London, 18th January, 2011.

 Also published in Citizen Tanzania

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/editorial-analysis/20-analysis-opinions/7455-meet-australia-based-tanzanian-musician-dave-marama.html

THAT'S THE WAY THINGS GO- SO SANG MUSICIAN BOB DYLAN

I was having dinner with a family of a child I have been teaching piano for a couple of years. Let us call the ten year old, Philip. Philip lives with his single mother and the father who is separated from them helps paying for the gifted boy to become a world famous pianist one day. The business of investing in children with talent is every parent’s concern. Children stars in the music industry have become the norm. Forty years ago American singers Michael Jackson or Donny Osmond, both of whom were huge celebrities in the 1970’s was a rarity. I remember listening to Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five while still in secondary school and feeling envious. His song Maria gave us goose bumps and made hair behind my neck stand like I was being glared by a hungry lion.

MECHI YA ARSENAL UWANJA WA EMIRATES LONDON...

Niko uwanja wa Emirates, kaskazini ya London.

Ili kuingia hapa yabidi tukae foleni ndefu iliyoanzia milango mikubwa inayolindwa na askari doria juu ya farasi. Ingawa baridi ya leo kali wale askari wamesimama macho makali wakituangalia kama siafu tayari kung’ata. Si Arusha, si London; askari ni askari.

Emirates iko kitongoji cha Islington. Miaka yote niliyoishi mjini London huzijua mechi za Arsenal  maana si mbali  na ninapoishi; jirani na Tottenham Spurs maadui mwitu wa Arsenal. <!--more-->

Huu ni msimu wa barafu linalodondoka kama mvua ya manyunyu. Kila mmoja wetu kavalia makoti mazito, fulana mikono mirefu, kofia zilizofunika vichwa, masikio  na leso nzito za kukinga shingo na vifua. Mikono imefunikwa kwa maglavu ya sufu na baadhi ya ajuza waliokuja mpirani wamebeba mikongojo wasiteleze. Kila tunapokanyaga  kelele za Kocho! Kocho! Kocho! juu ya kokoto la barafu zinasikika maana tumevalia mabuti makubwa ya msimu huu wa kutisha Ulaya.

Mara nakumbushwa zamani nikikulia mgombani Moshi na Arusha  miezi ya masika. Mbali na matope na utelezi, zilipita nyungunyungu na konokono. Mvua za nyanda za juu Afrika hutaabisha magari na wakazi wake; ila maisha hayasimami. Ndivyo pia Uzunguni; ingawa barafu ni ukiwa mtupu, binadamu hawaachi kwenda kazini wala stareheni.

Si ajabu basi hapa Emirates, wapo pia watoto, mama na baba zao ; hata mababu wakipambana na ubaridi mkali unaojaribu kila njia kupenyeza mavazi tuliyojigubika.

Ingawa foleni ni ndefu, utaratibu wa Kizungu ni kupeleka mambo haraka. Huwezi kuja hapa bila tiketi, kwa hiyo mpango uliopo ni kuonyesha tu nakala uliyoshanunua mtandaoni ikakatwa nusu, kisha ukaelekezwa kwa askari wanaokagua. Nje haparuhusiwi kabisa wauza tiketi za magendo au wamachinga; macho ya askari na kamera za video zinachunguza kila kitu...

Ukishapita foleni huruhusiwi kuingia na chupa, kinywaji au kisu. Ukishapekuliwa unapita na kujikuta ndani ya vyumba vikubwa vya kuingilia uwanjani. Vyumba hivi vina mabaa na mijigahawa inayouza vitafunio, vinywaji, bendera na skafu za rangi nyekundu na nyeupe; rangi rasmi za timu ya Arsenal. Ukitaka kuingia na bia unalazimishwa uimimine ndani ya bilauri za plastiki. Hii ni kwa usalama; zamani watazamaji walikuwa na tabia ya kuwatupia wachezaji vyupa.

Ewalla.

 Ninapoingia vyoo vya Emirates nakumbuka mwaka 1988 nilipotazama mechi ya Brazil na Argentina uwanja wa Maracana mjini Rio De Janeiro. Alicheza pia mwanasoka maarufu, Diego Maradona. Kwa kuwa Brazil na Argentina ni kama paka na mbwa; ilikuwa vigumu kwangu na wenzangu  kumshangilia Maradona. Kila alipogusa mpira, Wabrazili walimzomea. Sisi wachache tulimshangilia  alivyosakata chenga za kipekee. Wakati wa mapumziko tuko chooni; likaja kundi la Wabrazili.

“Nyinyi mnashangilia Argentina?” Akauliza mmoja, kwa Kireno.

“Hapana, tunamshangilia Maradona,” Mmoja wetu akajibu.

Mwingine akaongeza. “Anacheza kama Pele!”

“Mtusamehe hatujawahi kumwona mchezaji mahiri hivi,” Nikafafanua kiangalifu.

Pale msalani pakawa kama pamedondoka bonge la joka.

“Sikilizeni! Mkitaka kutoka hapa salama leo basi muache upumbavu wa kuwasifia hawa washenzi !”

Kilikuwa kitisho bab kubwa. Hadi leo nikiwa vyoo vya viwanja vya mpira nakikumbuka.  Ila hapa Emirates mambo tofauti; washabiki wa Arsenal wako vyoo vya upande mmoja na wa upinzani mwingine; hakuna maadui kukutana.

Tumo, tumo...

Emirates iliyofunguliwa rasmi mwaka 2006, ina nafasi ya watazamaji 60, 355 ambapo Old Tafford wa Manchester United ni 75,957.

Timu ya Arsenal ilianzishwa mwaka 1886 kitongoji cha Woolwich Arsenal ambapo siku hizi pamebakia tu jela maarufu ya Belmarsh. Mwaka 1913 ilihamishiwa kaskazini baada ya wafanyabiashara kugundua sehemu hiyo haikuvutia wateja. Arsenal ni timu pekee iliyowahi kucheza misimu miwili mfulululizo bila kufungwa na klabu yeyote, mwaka 2003 na 2004. Kitendo hicho kilichowakatia jina la “Invicibles” kimewahi kuonyeshwa na timu moja tu katika historia ya ligi ya Uingereza; yaani Preston mwaka 1888 - 1889.

Uwanja unanguruma.

Nipo karibu na walipokaa ustaadh Arsene Wenger na makocha wapinzani wa Wigan.

Jambo muhimu unalogundua ukikutana na watu mashuhuri ni jinsi walivyo tofauti na vile tunavyowadhania. Nilipokuwa Bongo nilijiuliza kwanini wachezaji wetu wa kitaifa wadogo vile kiumbo?

Lakini ninapokaa hapa nikiwaangalia Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott,  Cesc Fabregas na hata kocha mwenyewe, Wenger, nashangaa walivyokuwa pia wadogo wa umbo.

Mpira umeanza.

Watazamaji wanaimba:

“Red Army! Red Army!” (Jeshi Jekundu); huku Wigan ikijaribu kila njia kuzuia kipigo. Natetemeka kwa baridi; uwanjani barafu linaanguka. Namwangalia golikipa wa Arsenal (mwenye jina gumu), Wojciech Sczcesny, akiruka ruka ajipe joto. Hana kazi kubwa leo maana washambuliaji wa Wigan hawajapata mwanya. Ghafla Eboue kachomoka; kampa pasi Fabregas; Fabregas katoa ukanda kwa Theo Walcott anayekimbia kijogoo. Mpira wa kupendeza; lakini Walcott kategewa kaanguka.

Uwanja mzima : Aaaaaah!

 Baada ya dakika kumi na tano bila bao lolote kufungwa watazamaji wanaanza kuimba kwa nguvu:

“You dirty northern northerners!” (Nyinyi wapumbavu toka kaskazini), maana Wigan kwao kaskazini ya Uingereza.  Mpira unaendelea hadi mapumziko bila bao lolote. Wakati wachezaji wakienda kupumzika, wimbo maarufu dhidi ya maadui wa jadi unarindima:

“Stand Up If You Hate Tottenham!” (Simama kama unaichukia Tottenham)! Kila mtu anasimama.

Ila kinalonishangaza ni namna starehe ya mpira ilivyobadilika. Miaka ishirini iliyopita niliwahi kutazama mechi ya Liverpool. Nakumbuka namna wanaume walivyolewa wakitafuta ugomvi.

Leo Emirates wamejazana wanawake, watoto, wazee; kifupi, familia. Wapo vigoli waliokuja peke yao kama Joanna, Mmarekani anayepiga picha.

“Vipi ? Unafurahia mechi?” Namuuliza.

“Sana. Mi lakini mshabiki wa timu ya wanawake wa Arsenal. Nampenda sana Kelly Smith.”

Timu ya wanawake ya Arsenal ni klabu bingwa kushinda zote Uingereza. Iliundwa mwaka 1987 na imeshatwaa vikombe 33 vikiwemo ligi za kitaifa za wanawake na Ulaya (UEFA). Kutokana na ufundi wake Kelly Smith ambaye (mshambuliaji) ni mchezaji wa timu ya taifa ya wanawake Uingereza, kaitwa Zinedine Zedane wa kike.

Mapumziko yamekwisha.

Mechi inaendelea na  mwisho Arsenal wanashinda kwa mabao mawili. Wakati tukipambana na “tope” lile la barafu watazamaji waliohamasika wanaimba wimbo :

“Who are you? Who are you?” (Nani wewe)

Natetemeka baridi nikikimbia na wenzangu. Najiuliza vipi wale wachezaji walimudu kucheza dakika tisini ndani ya barafu? Ama kweli kila mtu na ajira yake.

 -London, Jumanne, 11 Januari,  2011

Ilitoka Mwananchi, Jumapili 16 Januari, 2011.

http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mwananchi-jumapili/38-johari/8405-nipo-ndani-emirates-wa-arsenal

RECENT GERMAN EGGS PROBLEM IS A LESSON FOR OUR LOCAL FOOD INDUSTRY

 Early this week it was reported how potato farmers in Mbeya called for authorities to lend money to make their work easier.

In recent years potato farming in the country has become significant because of the growing interest in eating chips. One farmer, Christopher Joram called for soil experts to give professional advice on how to improve farming methods. 

“For example we need soil experts to tell us whether the ground is suitable for potatoes today or the future,” Mr. Joram told Mwananchi, “we need to know which fertiliser is good for a particular soil.”

I find this story interesting for several reasons but mainly the chips thing. A few decades ago chips was never considered an investment for East African food traders.  When I used to be a reporter for Uhuru in the 1970’s we would save money by eating in cheap places (called Magenge au Mama Ntilie) around the then Pugu Road (nowadays Nyerere Road). On the menu were rice, beans and beef with a cup of tea or Ugali (maize meal) accompanied by similar protein portions.  <!--more-->
If you were working in more affluent areas in the city centre and decide to have lunch at New Africa Hotel or Motel Agip instead of tea you would have a cold beer with your meal. The Ugali business would be slightly sophisticated i.e. a less portion and pre ordered.

On both occasions, chips were inconspicuous.

There was the middle ground, too. I remember a Swahili restaurant right in Kariakoo where the range of dishes was so incredible that the place was always packed. Likewise, chips were not on the menu. Come night time and if you were out dancing and drinking you would find roadside cooks selling fried eggs (Macho ya Ng’ombe) and roasted corn (Mahindi ya Kuchoma).

Twenty years later in mid 1990’s the landscape had changed and now roasted meat (Nyama Choma) dominated the scene. The quest for meals using lots of fried oils was rising due to the free market economy and by 2007, excessive fermented oiling had become the norm. I remember many Tanzanians living overseas returning from holidays and complaining how natural foods in Tanzania were becoming a rarity.

The invasion of chips and chicken is part of the fast food phenomenon, internationally due to changing life styles and globalisation.  It has been influenced partly by the get rich quickly mentality of capitalism and also by disappearance of the housewife or “woman at home” culture. Since women work and no longer stay home and cook, a new industry for working people and those with no time to make proper food has developed. Unfortunately most of this food is made en masse, to suit the occasion rather than for good health. As a result many young people world wide, unaccustomed to family cooking have accepted this diet as a way of life.

 Fish and chips were originally invented in the UK in the 19^th century. Tasty to eat while on the move; either walking after late night drinking or at the beach while on holiday, fantastic. The cooking is however made from deep fried oil added with flavourings (e.g. salt and tomato ketch-up) consequently not healthy if consumed too often.

Love of chips in Tanzania is mostly unregulated and when I visited home over a year ago I noted most roadside chips are made from oil that is repeatedly used. A scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam told me that although no research has been done, the effect of eating such food is beginning to be seen in obese and sick people.

Question is does the average Tanzania care about what they are eating?

A recent report about contaminated exported eggs from German farms has been highlighted in European media. The eggs are also used to make certain cakes and chocolates. Years ago when beef from the UK was alleged to be causing mad cow disease there a similar reaction. Consumers in developed countries are vigilant about what they eat. Government and trade regulations require food and bottled water sold in supermarkets to be labelled properly.

As a young developing society we are not used to monitor what we are eating especially if it is imported. We still feel that if something is coming from overseas it is probably, first class; therefore, better. That mentality has to start changing. Those who, luckily went to school, have to be more literate as far as food is concerned. This is part of the reading culture which is unfortunately beginning to vanish as fast as our dear classical “Mama Ntilie” cookery.

-London, Tuesday 11th January, 2011.

-Published in Citizen Tanzania, Thursday 13th Jan, 2011

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/editorial-analysis/20-analysis-opinions/7197-german-eggs-problem-a-lesson-for-tanzania-food-industry

INDIAN BILLIONAIRE AND TANZANIA'S SERENGETI: CAN WE DEVELOP WITHOUT INVESTORS?

I was checking out reader’s comments in Tanzania's Citizen regarding what the Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, Mr Ezekiel Maige said the other day. Speaking to reporters, Minister Maige commended Asian investors who would help boost our tourist industry. This was during a private visit by Indian business billionaire, Mukesh Dirubhai Ambani, so impressed by Serengeti National Park that he called it a “gift from God” and promised to bring in more investors to help preserve and develop this special place.

In 2006 Serengeti was voted Seventh world wonder by over 13 million people from USA Today and ABC’s TV- Good Morning America. Hollywood released an animated film for children called “Lion King” inspired by Serengeti in 1994. One of the soundtracks, Hakuna Matata, used in the Walt Disney cartoon film is from a Swahili song by Kenyan band The Mushrooms (nowadays Uyoga) originally called Jambo Jambo.<!--more-->

Traditionally, foreign capital has come from Western countries but now explained Minister Maige, “We want new investors for our tourism sector.”

Two readers questioned the Minister wondering whether he was invited to the billionaire’s suite or vice versa. Another called Mr. Ambani who is fourth richest businessman in the world according to Forbes Magazine list of billionaires, a thief. “Why can’t he invest in Calcutta and not in my Serengeti?” the nervous reader wrote.

Forbes says Mr Ambani who loves Serengeti as his favourite holiday destination, is expected to overtake Mr Billy Gates, currently richest individual by 2014.

Reading the comments made me ponder on how sensitive some of us view foreign investment in this country.

Our game parks and natural resources have always been praised as amongst the most naturally preserved. During the Ujamaa era it was common knowledge that tourists flocked to Kenya more than Tanzania because first they were not aware of how good our attractions were; secondly we were not that keen on marketing. The effect still makes most overseas travellers think Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti are in Kenya. In current decades efforts have started to change this perception; our embassies have glossy brochures portraying Tanzania as the land of Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro and Serengeti. We are gradually learning to walk and talk the language of global business.

So should we feel nervous or sensible if the richest man in Asia thinks one of our natural resources is a Gift from God? Today, economic opportunities are swinging favourably towards the Asian continent. When Japan was booming as the new economic power in the 1980’s, there were suggestions for business people to start learning Japanese. It was seen as a psychological step if you wanted to make good cash.

Last Sunday, CNN, the American news broadcast ran a documentary questioning whether learning Mandarin, the Chinese language would be an added advantage for those wanting to trade with China. New economic frontiers are opening up, from South Africa, Brazil to Singapore.

Even educationally our young graduates are being advised to look for more affordable colleges in South East Asia. Last year’s student riots in the UK exposed this problem after college fees were raised three times. How can an East African student afford 9, 000 Pounds (20, 523, 600 T shillings), annually?

Minister Ezekiel Maige, is therefore, simply commenting on an opportunity that is a reality. In recent years many of our professional needs (such as publishing and medical treatment) have turned to India because it is affordable and manageable. The trend to trade with South countries, an expression popularised twenty years ago, seems to be the agreeable choice in these difficult times. Historically, up to 11^th the century Africans were so advanced and had their own universities; yet as soon as the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade began, things got worse and by the 19^th century we were at the mercy of colonialism and poverty. To this day we have not recovered and cannot even govern our so called independent countries well.

No wonder these tense readers’ comments express a national concern. Thirty years ago I was chatting to a Middle East diplomat in Dar es Salaam. After travelling around the country he was astonished at how vast and rich Tanzania was; yet totally neglected.

“You have everything here; rivers, lakes, green lands and minerals. Why don’t you invest? Why are so many people still poor?”

We have to ask ourselves what is the matter with our own local business people. Where exactly are they in this caucus? Is foreign investment a disaster then? Shall it create jobs and help boost the quality of our people’s lives?    

-London, 4th January, 2011.

Published in "Citizen Tanzania" same week.

KUJIENDELEZA, MAZOEZI NA KUINUA VYUMA -Sehemu ya Mwisho

Makala kadhaa zilizopita zimesisitiza sisi wananchi wenyewe kujiendeleza. Lengo la insha hizi ni kukumbusha wewe mwananchi kwamba huwezi kusonga mbele bila elimu na maarifa sahihi; kwamba maendeleo yanawezekana.
Jamii ya Marekani imejenga utamaduni huu uitwao Self Help. Ni utamaduni uliozalisha biashara ya vitabu, video, magazeti na vipindi mbalimbali vya runinga vinavyosisitiza mwananchi kujituma badala ya kutegemea uchawi, dini au imani nyingine peke yake. Lengo ni kuweka nguvu za kimaendeleo mikononi mwa mwanadamu. Kelele inayopigwa ndani ya utamaduni wa Kimarekani ni kuwa lolote linawezekana kwa anayejitahidi.

MAAZIMIO YAKO 2011 YAWE KUJIENDELEZA KIFIKRA...

Kabla ya kuendelea na mada ya mazoezi tuliyoiongelea Jumapili iliyopita tuutazame mwaka mpya 2011, kijasiri. Msomaji huenda hufurahishwi na hali ya uchumi, wanasiasa wanaotuongopea na maisha yanayoendelea kuwa  magumu.

Hisia hii imeenea ulimwenguni. Imekithiri kiasi ambacho kuna fikra mwisho wa dunia unakuja. Wapo wanaoeneza falsafa kwamba mtabiri wa zamani Nicodemus aliambiwa na Yesu Kristo kuwa dunia itakwisha 2012. Mfano mzuri ni blogu la “2012 Doomsday Prophecies” (Tabiri za Siku ya Kiama 2012) linalonukuu Biblia (Yohanna Sura ya 3:8) na hali ya mafuriko, matufani na matetemeko makubwa miaka hii (Haiti, 2010) kama ishara ya angamio hilo.
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 Bila shaka msomaji umesikia namna msimu wa barafu ulivyokuwa mkali Ulaya na Marekani. Usafiri umeathiriwa, watu 60 walifariki mwezi Desemba nchini Ujerumani, Urusi, Ubeljiji na Poland. Viwanja vya ndege vimedhurika na safari kuvunjwa.

Blogu la “Doomsday” linapiga makofi kusifia ukweli wa tabiri zake Nicodemus. “Doomsday” linatukuza kalenda ya Maya inayosisitiza mwisho wa ulimwengu na mwanzo mpya...

Barani Afrika, leo, imani kuwa uhai umelaaniwa zimeshika hatamu. Kutokana na maafa ya vita, magonjwa ya UKIMWI na malaria, Waafrika wengi waliodhalilishwa na viongozi waongo wanaowaibia na kuwadanganya kila siku wamekimbilia dini. Imani zetu za jadi ambapo mababu na mabibi zetu walitambikiwa na kuaminiwa  zimetupwa shimoni. Badala yake wengi tuko tayari kupigana hadi kufa kutetea dini zilizoletwa na wageni miaka michache tu iliyopita. Dini hizi zinazotukuza upendo, amani na Mungu kuwa suluhisho zimekuwa ndiyo ahueni ya mawazo na hisia. Kimsingi wanadamu dunia nzima tunaupokea mwaka 2011 kwa utata.

Je, ni kweli mwisho wa dunia utakuwa 2012?

Mwezi ujao natimiza miaka 56. Toka nikiwa mtoto nimezisikia hadithi hizi za mwisho wa dunia. Mwaka 1962 nikiwa darasa la kwanza hofu iliyoenea ilikuwa bomu la Atomiki na vita vikuu vya tatu vitakavyotokea kutokana na uhasama baina ya Wamarekani na Warusi. Uhasama uliota kichuguu wakati Rais Fidel Castro wa Cuba na makamu wake Che Guevara walipoamua kumwambia Mmarekani afilie mbali, asiendelee kuonea mataifa na watu maskini. Mgogoro wa Cuba na Marekani, 1962, uliitisha dunia nzima. Na haukuwa wa kwanza miaka ya Sitini. Uliendelea Vietnam, Kongo na hata Zanzibar. Kila mahali wanadamu walipojaribu kudai haki zao toka ukoloni na hali ngumu kiuchumi walitishwa na tembo wawili yaani Urusi na Marekani.

 Kipindi chote nilichosoma shule ya msingi hadi naingia sekondari 1969 kilikuwa cha hofu ya bomu la Atomiki; kwamba dunia italipuka dakika yeyote. Tukiwa watoto habari hizi zilichanganya migogoro ya kivita Vietnam, mauaji ya viongozi mashuhuri  Rais John Kennedy wa Marekani (1963), Malcolm X (1964), Martin Luther King (1968) na Waziri Tom Mboya wa Kenya aliyepigwa risasi mjini Nairobi, 1969.

Miaka ya Sabini ilizidi kuchubua.

 Kila mahali wanadamu walidai haki zao, wakipingana na tawala zilizowatesa. Hapa Bongo migomo ilitokea viwandani, mashuleni na moja ya mambo makubwa  ni kuuawa kwa  Rais wa kwanza Zanzibar, Abeid Amani Karume, mwaka 1972. Bara zima la Afrika lilichachamaa  na wapigania Uhuru, Angola, Msumbiji, Namibia, Zimbabwe, nk. Nchi zilipinduliwa  na lililotuathiri zaidi Wanabongo ilikuwa Jemadari Idi Amin Dada aliyemtoa Rais Milton Obote madarakani  Uganda, mwaka 1971.

 Kilichonguruma zaidi ni Wapalestina. Wanaharakati waliteka nyara ndege wakidai kutambuliwa; huku nyuma nchi tajiri za Kiarabu zilizotoa petroli zikipandisha bei mafuta hayo kuwakamua matajiri wa Ulaya na Marekani walioisaidia Israeli dhidi ya Wapalestina. Hapa ndipo mgogoro uliopo leo Mashariki ya Kati na Afghanistani ulipoanzia. Ndege zilitekwa nyara na tatizo la Wapalestina likajulikana. Wakati haya yakiendelea  hali ya uchumi iliharibika kiasi ambacho nchi tajiri zilipunguza kabisa bei za mazao toka nchi changa. Uchumi mgumu tulionao leo ulikuwa pia taswira ya miaka ya Sabini. Kiama kilizungumziwa. Fasihi na sanaa vilijitahidi kuliwaza. Mwanareggae Bob Marley, toka Jamaika, aliimba kuhimiza mapenzi, amani na harakati.

Miaka ya Themanini iliangukiwa na UKIMWI. Mwanzoni UKIMWI ulisemekana tu  tatizo la wasenge. Ila mwaka 1987 UKIMWI ulienea hata wasiokuwa firauni. Afrika Mashariki UKIMWI ulikatiwa jina la SLIM kutokana na jinsi ulivyokondesha walioupata. Miaka ya Themanini na Tisini uliwapa Waafrika imani kuwa bara letu limelaaniwa. Laana iliraruka  mwaka 1994 kutokana na mauaji ya Watusi na Wahutu, laki nane, Rwanda.

Kiulimwengu miaka ya Tisini ilikuwa ya mauaji ya jumla jumla. Aprili 1995 mji wa Oklahoma, Marekani, ulistuliwa na gaidi Timothy McVeigh, aliyejeruhi 680, akaua   168, (kati yao watoto 19) na kuharibu majengo 324 kwa mabomu. Ni kipindi hiki kila mtu alipoongelea mwisho wa dunia yaani 1999 kuangukia, 2000. Mwanamuziki  wa Kimarekani, Prince alitunga wimbo uitwao 1999.

 Ugaidi na mabomu ya Waarabu walioudhiwa na siasa za Magharibi kuhusiana na Wapalestina wakiongozwa na Al Kaida ya Osama Bin Laden yalisambaa kuanzia Dar es Salaam (1998) hadi New York, Septemba 2001.

Kifupi hakuna kipindi chochote nilichoishi ambapo hapakuwepo  fikra kwamba mwisho unakuja. Ukishunguza historia yetu wanadamu kila kipindi  kimekuwa na vita au machafuko ya mazingira.

Msomaji zingatia kwamba masha yetu ni mseto wa mabadiliko, mvutano wa maumbile, mabaya na mazuri, moto na baridi, jike na dume, matajiri na maskini, wenye uwezo na wasio uwezo.

Je, utamuduje?

Mwaka 2008 nilimhoji mwanasaikolojia wa Kiingereza, Dk. John Conolly, pia mganga wa wenda wazimu. Alisema wagonjwa wa vichaa wanaongezeka duniani kutokana na baadhi yetu kushindwa kuyaelewa maisha ili kuyamudu. Alishauri kila mtu kujiuliza maswali akiamka au akienda kulala.

Unapoamka jiulize je, leo nitafanya jambo gani kujiendeleza kitaaluma?  Je, nitafurahishaje nafsi yangu? Na kama sina raha nitachukua hatua gani kukabili na kutawala mazingira na maisha yangu badala  ya kuyahofia?

Je Watanzania wangapi wanaazimia kununua kitabu mwaka huu kujisomea? Idara ya Elimu ya Umoja wa Mataifa mwaka jana ilikiri kwamba watoto 72 milioni duniani hawasomi;  na kwamba elimu ni tatizo mosi la jamii maskini ulimwenguni.

 Fidel Castro wa Cuba anasema katika kitabu cha maisha yake kuwa tumeumbwa kuuendeleza ulimwengu wetu. Tuko hapa tuwazae wanadamu wengine watakaochangia uhai.  Hivyo basi, mwaka 2011 uwe wako kujiendeleza, ndugu msomaji.

 -London, Jumanne, 28 Desemba,  2010.


Ilichapishwa gazeti la Mwananchi, Jumapili, Januari 2, 2011.


http://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mwananchi-jumapili/38-johari/7961-maazimio-yako-mwaka-2011-yawe-ya-kujiendeleza-kifikra

2011 AND WHAT MY DOCTOR FRIEND SAID

I have always been around doctors or became friends with them. My own late father, Dr Hosea Macha, was a known local medic; therefore, when I was a kid growing on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, I would hear him wake up late at night to tend patients. It could be someone knocking on our door because his wife or neighbour was having a baby; or an emergency because a farmer had cut himself seriously with a machete or been bitten by a snake. My father was always working.