Picture this. A huge table. Around eleven in the
morning. People of all nationalities are
seated listening and watching one of the speakers holding a small thin mango.
If you are a child it might look as though the man is fondling a beautiful toy.
Tantalizing and mouth watering the mango is quite ripe. Usually it would cost
you around three thousand shillings here in London. The price in Tanzania is
much, much less than that. High season Embe Sindano? A mere hundred to three
hundred shillings. Probably just 500 for low season.
“I can get you better mangoes than this” the medium
built man says dead pan. By the tone of his voice, the contours of his
calloused hands and his relaxed demeanour we can say (and conclude) he knows
what he is talking about. Photographers in the room and journalists are taking
in everything he is saying. Looks like an historical occasion.
The man who we have been told has a farming background
picks up a bunch of sweet bananas (“kichani cha ndizi kisukari” in Swahili) and
with that similar mix of positive arrogance, experienced and relaxed composure
declares:
“We can provide you better bananas than this.”
What does he mean by better?
“Thicker, bigger and sweeter.”
