FIDEL CASTRO: AFRICAN HERO ATTRACTS DIFFERING OPINIONS

Fidel Castro and Mwalimu Nyerere at Dar es Salaam International Airport in 1977. Pic from Tanzanian Media

We live in a world of pairs. Two eyes. Duology.  Dark and light.

 Fidel Castro’s  death at 90, proved this point. Even his funeral on Sunday,  has these two divergent views.
 I was not living in the West when Fidel Castro was a big hero in Africa, over 40 years ago. I was not aware of how hated he was here. This week? So much “rubbishing” of his legacy continues pouring throughout the media. Even the American leaders have proved the twin view. President Obama acknowledged his influence while the new President Donald Trump called him a dictator.  Our earth has this endless, differing double outlook.

AMBASSADOR MIGIRO : CALM, ARTICULATE AND TO THE POINT

High Commissioner Migiro chats with some of the attendees

There are several angles to last Saturday’s event in London.

Number one is a  small circulating announcement promising the very first occasion to hear Dr. Asha Rose Migiro’s talk after being here for a few months. Dr Migiro would brief us on “current developments in Tanzania,” this as British Tanzania Society  chair Dr Andrew Coulson warned his audience, was a gigantic task. It is one year into the new Presidency, and “whatever you say will be of interest...you cannot go wrong,” the Birmingham University lecturer (who once taught at the University of Dar es Salaam and worked in the Ministry of Agriculture) said amidst laughter.

The other dynamic was the content of the attendees.

LAND OWNERSHIP ISSUE CONFOUNDS OVERSEAS TANZANIANS

Yes.  The big news was success of self made billionaire Mr Donald Trump. But for overseas Tanzanians concerns over their future overshadowed the US Presidential bomb.  A conference has been called in Coventry a city in the middle of Britain; emails and WhatsUp messages frantically exchanged. Desperate phone calls keep buzzing as you read this.  A plan to send a special delegation to our High Commissioner in London hatched. Next week Her Excellency, 

Dr Asha RoseMigiro is expected to address the British Tanzania Society on “Current Developments in Tanzania” ...and I am certain she will be queried on this week’s horror. The issue of land for foreign based nationals.

KISWAHILI KINAVYOPARAGANYA HERUFI “R” NA “ L”- 2

Tatizo la Kiswahili kuanza kudidimia siku hizi linatokana na sababu nyingi. Juu kabisa ni Watanzania  kutojielewa kinafsiya. Ndiyo tunajijua sisi Watanzania. Tunaishi wapi kijiografia. Lakini sidhani tunaelewa vizuri nafasi yetu kitamaduni hapa duniani. Matumizi yetu ya lugha yanaonesha “kuchanganyikiwa” huku kunakodhihirisha ulimbukeni fulani.

Miye Mtanzania siogopi kujitoboa jicho.

Chukua mfano wa mitandao jamii. Mtanzania atatoa maoni fulani tuseme ukuta wa Facebook.  Labda jambo zuri limeandikwa kwa  Kiswahili. Kujionesha ataandika maoni yake  Kiingereza au Kiswanglish. Au jambo limeandikwa Kiingereza, yeye ataweka maoni Kiswahili.

KISWAHILI KINAVYOZIDI KUPARAGANYA HERUFI “R” NA “ L”

Watanzania tuamke jamani. Tumelala.

....Kiswahili kilianzia kwetu. Nchi kumi na moja zinazungumza lugha hii iliyotuunganisha na kutuletea amani zaidi ya miaka 100!

 Nchi kumi na moja! Ongezea idhaa kadhaa za redio, TV na mitandao jamii ughaibuni inayokitukuza Kiswahili. Jazia, vyuo.

 Hapa London kiko chuo maarufu cha lugha- SOAS ( School of Oriental and African Studies- Shule ya Masomo ya Mashariki na Afrika).

OF HORNETS, SPIDERS AND A SMASHED CAR WINDOW

If we start today’s chat with the word Vespinae, would you, instantly,  get what I am talking about? It would be wrong to suppose it is reference to the small motorbike called Vespa. Sorry, no pun intended but, Vespa is a joke compared to what Vespinae actually means. That dear friends, is the scientific name of Nyigu or Manyigu in Kiswahili. The no -nonsense insect bit me when I was a child growing on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. I might have been eight or nine AND funnily, I still remember the pain. Vividly. Like it was five minutes ago. So intense that I should compare the experience to a bullet wound; which not many of would like to try out, nor imagine.

VIPI TATIZO LA FIGO LAZIDI KUATHIRI AFYA ZA WAAFRIKA?- Sehemu ya 2

Majuma matatu yaliyopita safu hii ilizungumzia  tatizo la maradhi ya figo. Punde tu wasomaji kadhaa waliniandikia kuulizia habari zaidi.

Takwimu za afya Ulaya zinasema figo huandama zaidi watu weusi.

Ingawa bara lina kila aina ya virutubisho , mazao na hali ya hewa safi, bado hatujijali kiafya.

Je maradhi ya figo yanaepukika? Na kuanzia, figo ziko wapi na kazi yake ni nini?

Figo mbili ziko , juu ya nyonga,  chini ya ubavu, mgongoni. Kawaida mabondia wanapodundana, wakikaribiana, kila mmoja hujaribu kupiga figo. Kwanini figo idundwe?

VIPI TATIZO LA FIGO LAZIDI KUATHIRI AFYA ZA WAAFRIKA? - Sehemu 1

Tiba na afya za dunia yetu zimegawanyika sehemu mbili kuu.

 Magharibi ni uganga wa Kizungu unaotumia sayansi iliyofikia kilele karne ya 19 na 20. Moja ya nguzo zake kuu ni kutibu kwa kunyamazisha- kupitia sindano, dawa na upasuaji. Tiba ya Kizungu ndiyo inayotawala dunia yetu na ndiyo mara nyingi Wabongo wanaojiweza wakiugua siku hizi husafrishwa nje  kutibiwa.

Tiba za mashariki zinaongozwa na ustaarabu wa Kihindi na Kichina. Wahindi hutumia mwenendo uitwao Ayurveda. Tiba hii yenye zaidi ya miaka elfu mbili huangalia mwili mzima ukoje kabla ya kuushughulikia. Wachina wanao pia mtindo huo huo, unaotazama mtiririko wa nguvu mwilini badala ya dosari. Utaratibu wa Kichina na Kihindi kijumla hautibu tatizo moja kama  Wakizungu. Kwa wazungu mathalani ukiumwa kichwa utapewa dawa ya kuyaondoa maumivu hayo.

WASANII WAKAZI UINGEREZA WAJIUNGA CHINI YA BALOZI MIGIRO

 Moja ya mambo yanayochekesha na kusitikitisha kuhusu Watanzania wakazi Ughaibuni ni kuogopana. Si tu kuogopana kama ilivyo  Afrika nzima, yaani hofu ya kulogana. Wala si tu  kuwa na wasiwasi wa fitina na masengenyo ya eti mwenzako atakujua unakulaje, unalalaje au utawezaje  kumsaidia.

Hofu ya kukwepa ofisi zetu za Ubalozi.

LAWI SIJAONA MFANO WA NAMNA TUSIVYOTHAMINI KUMBUKUMBU ZETU

 Wabunge wa TANU mwaka 1959. Picha ya Facebook.

Moja ya mambo makubwa niliyojifunza Ughaibuni ni namna wenzetu, (hasa weupe) wanavyothamini mambo YAO ya kale. Na tunaposema “kuhifadhi” si tu watu maarufu au kadhia fulani fulani za kiserikali.  

BRITISH TANZANIA SOCIETY WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADORS AT LONDON RECEPTION

New UK High Commissioner to Tanzania , Sarah Cooke, New High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro and retiring, UK countrerpart  Dianna Melrose at the SOAS  reception last Thursday.  Pic by author

Last Thursday, The British Tanzania Society – BTS- welcomed newly appointed Tanzanian High Commissioner Dr Asha Rose Migiro and her British counterpart heading for Dar es Salaam, Ms Sarah Cooke.  Outgoing British Ambassador Dianna Melrose and her predecessor, Mr Philip Parham were invited, too.

TUJIFUNZE NINI TOKA MAISHA NA HEKAYA ZA MUHAMMAD ALI ?

Bondia Muhammad Ali alipotembelea Tanzania mwaka 1980 akiwakilisha Marekani kuhusu michuano ya Olimpiki Moscow iliyokuwa na ukinzani. Kushoto kwake ni Thomas Mweuka wa Ofisi ya Habari Marekani Tanzania, USIS. Picha ya Mtandaoni.

Mwanadamu anapofariki huacha mali, watoto au maarifa. Mengi  yameandikwa ( na yataendelea kusemwa) kuhusu maisha ya bondia maarufu  Muhammad Ali aliyezikwa Alhamisi, Kentucky, Marekani.

  Wapo watu mashuhuri aina mbili.

IT IS ALL ABOUT “BREXIT” UNTIL REFERENDUM DAY ON JUNE 23

Every season, new political words are created.

When President Barack Obama stepped into the ring of American power, in 2008, the phrase “Yes You Can” jumped up and accompanied his endearing smile. It does not matter whether the man has been successful or not...but this particular idiom is now part of the English vernacular.

Optimism.

SERA KUFUTA PLASTIKI TANZANIA SAMBAMBA NA HARAKATI ZA KIMATAIFA

 Mazingira machafu Tanzania- pic by Juma Gurumo, 2016

Waziri wa Nchi katika Ofisi ya Makamu wa Rais (Muungano na Mazingira), Mheshimiwa January Makamba ametangaza kufutwa kabisa mifuko ya plastiki Tanzania mwakani. Agizo hili  linakwenda sambamba na kilio cha dunia nzima sasa hivi. Si tu Afrika ambapo mwamko wa kuyaweka mazingira katika hali ya usafi bado kushadidi vyema.

WIMBI KUBWA LA MATUMIZI YA NAZI NA MADAFU MAJUU

Zamani wakati nikikua tuliambiwa ukinywa  madafu utaota busha. Njoo sasa katika nazi na mapishi yake. Watoto wa kiume tulibezwa tulipokuna nazi. Nakumbuka enzi nikiishi kikapera Mwananyamala , Dar es Salaam nilitembelewa na dada fulani. Alipogonga mlango akanikuta nimekaa juu ya mbuzi nikikuna nazi hakustahimili.

“Freddy hebu uko...pisha nikusaidie.”

Ilikuwa miaka 40 iliyopita. Sina hakika kama leo mambo yamebadilika.

THERE IS A SUBTLE, EMOTIONAL CHANGE AMONGST US HUMANS RIGHT NOW

 During the last couple of years, I have realised something significant. As a writer, you are always realising things because of the process of writing, research, analysing, reflecting and writing again. The biggest help are readers. Where will we be without our beloved readers?  There are two sides to every coin.  One, pessimistic and realistic. End of the world, sins, doom, gloom, misery. The other is optimistic and positive. Things happen for reason. We shall overcome. Do not worry; be happy. Be.

Yes, just be. 

THE CONTRASTING WORLD OF DUCKS AND ELEPHANTS

Animals and creatures often reward us with interesting expressions. Sitting duck means being exposed to harm. “You are a sitting duck. Watch out.”  It is said the idiom arose around a hundred years ago and refers – to an immobile duck being an easy target as opposed to one that is moving.

EVERYONE’S PROBLEM IS CONNECTED TO OTHERS

 I rarely give money to beggars.

Through their welfare system, most rich states help those with housing, health and education problems.  Beside government handouts, various organisations assist the destitute. Like Outreach UK which says in its website that, “most people who beg have accommodation. Outreach workers can help those who do not access a hostel bed...”

Recent statistics by the English Metropolitan police claim at least 70 to 80 percent of beggars tested positive to Class A drugs, i.e. cocaine and heroin. Another social research document confirms that when you give money to those hanging out asking for help on street pavements, they purchase drugs and alcohol.

ZANZIBAR SITUATION CANNOT BE IGNORED...

 

Coconuts of Zanzibar-  by F Macha, 2009

Last week gunmen allegedly affiliated to the Al Qaeda wing of Sahel and North Africa thrashed the UNESCO tourist historical site in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast. In one particular violent scene, a child pleading for mercy was brutally shot.

EATING RIGHT FOODS MAY FIGHT STRESS AND BOOST OUR HEALTH

 True.

Science has helped us function. Science has made us cleverer. Unlike animals who just eat, sleep, procreate, play, eat, sleep, procreate, moan. Earth is not the same as it was in 1958, 1775 or 1211.

 Last week we spoke of the industrial revolution giving us products that help us, but also mess our health. Like plastics. This week let us look at stress.

BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR TRADITION TO FIND LIGHT OF SUCCESS

I was in the Gym the other day.

 Not far from where I stood, this big, massive overweight individual trotted on the treadmill. Loud pop music banged and massacred our ears through the Gym speakers. Usually such fast-paced music tends to annoy, but in Gyms, it is suitable, apt and necessary. Exercise, exercise, exercise. 

The  said fella, however, was not so keen to the Gym beats. His earphones were listening to his own music.

WHY DO OVERSEAS -BASED TANZANIANS SUFFER OF LATE ?

  

 The burnt car of Tanzanian student who was beaten in Bangalore India, in February- BBC photo

Two recent Citizen News stories reflect an ongoing fear, awe, anger and fact.

Early last week a Tanzanian was stoned to death in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The report said John Mchanga had stabbeda man and a woman after losing money while gambling. We may carelessly dismiss this by generalising the accepted culture of “mob justice” across the beloved African continent. Mchanga allegedly killed and therefore deserved death.  We should turn the other way and pretend, well, tit for tat.

LONELINESS AND OTHER THREE CULPRITS OF MODERN AGE

Three culprits.

Internet, living longer, economic independence....

Plus loneliness.

There might be some other things, but those three are the biggest contributors to a life of misery suffocating people of all ages in rich countries. Why is this terrifying? Because young people have been added to the equation. 

KISWAHILI NOVELIST ADAM SHAFI SHEDS LIGHT ON AFRICAN AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

 I first met Zanzibar novelist, Adam Shafi in 1979.

He had just popped into then Tanzania Publishing House along Samora Avenue, downtown Dar es Salaam. His new book, Kuli, excited every Swahili reader and lover of literature. Kuli is a classic. Phenomenal. It is based on historical incidents during the colonial era in 1948. Port workers stage a strike that eventually contributes to Uhuru struggles for Zanzibar and Tanganyika (the older name of Tanzania) independence. 

Adam Shafi- pic by Mohammed Ghassani
 

BARUA YA WAZI KWA RAIS MAGUFULI KUTOKOMEZA KABISA UKEKETAJI TANZANIA

 Mpendwa Rais John Magufuli,

Kwanza nakutakia kheri za mwaka mpya wa 2016.

 Ninakupongeza kwa kuanza kazi yako kwa kishindo. Kishindo kinachowapa wananchi wetu matumaini. Mvumo unaoukupa sifa Afrika Mashariki nzima hadi kuwafanya wenzetu watuonee wivu.  Afrika nzima inatamani ingekuwa na viongozi kama wewe. Tunaoishi Ughaibuni tutaendelea kuwa mabalozi wako.

Leo mada yangu Mheshimiwa Rais ni suala la ukeketaji.

Wasichana waliokimbia kujihifadhi jumba la Mugumu, Mara. Picha ya Anthony Mayunga kupitia gazeti la Mwananchi.

PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE A CAREER FOR OUR CAREER MINDED YOUNG WOMEN

A few weeks ago, two well-known Tanzanian bloggers used photographs I had taken of an event in London without giving credit to my name. They put up the pictures plus what I had written as penned by them. In journalism, this is by-line. The dictionary defines a by line as “a line in a newspaper naming the writer of the article...”