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.

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.

PLANETMAN, AFRICAN DRUMMING AND LONDON'S CLUB CALLED PASSING CLOUDS

Flyer of this weekend's gig at Passing Clouds...

I was meeting a Jamaican friend who goes to Ethiopia and Tanzania regularly. He loves Africa which by itself is a pleasure. You know why? There is a feeling amongst us Africans that blacks from these parts of the world are not so keen on the motherland. We sold them as slaves to the whites and secondly, they have already settled here and do not need the continent any more.
 Is that correct?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA_zO5b_SdE&feature=relmfu

Idriss K Traore, takes a brief Solo during a jam with Planetman's Band- video by F Macha

In the 1970’s when I was a teenager the motto was Black is beautiful and Africa is the motherland. Seeing African Americans on our East Africa streets created rainbow feelings.  They loved Africa, kissed airport tarmacs upon arrival.  We in turn tried copied and emulated their Afro hairstyles, walking gaits and clothes while they took Swahili and African names.

I used to have a friend who spoke English with a perfect African American accent; which was then considered high status -the epitome of black fashion.

It was all part of the mutual attraction. Started by Marcus Garvey, the legendary Jamaican journalist, ("the black Karl Marx"), at beginning of 20^th century – back to Africa movement (repatriation) was as glorious as it is the idea of Kwenda Majuu – these days. Marcus Garvey played a big role in the consciousness of ex-slaves. He pioneered Pan Africanism and the image of our continent as a special place; unfortunately not many of us are aware of this man’s contribution.  He died in London in 1940. Most of past and present black leaders have been influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey (pictured below, courtesy of Wikipedia ).

In the last 30 years Africa has developed a dual image.

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