LONDON MEDIA SEMINAR BRIEF REVIEW...

Twenty eight individuals attended this very apprehensive seminar. Apprehensive in the sense that some of the speakers withdrew at the last minute and only three Tanzanians were present. The rest were foreigners who love the country, former volunteers and expatriates who had worked in Tanzania- some as far back as 50 years ago.

Pensive mood and discussions...

 I chatted to a former Bwana Shamba, who roved and managed villages shortly after Uhuru was declared. The man could still greet and joke in one of the tribal languages. Smiling and jovial he told stories about local villagers he had interacted with. The former Bwana Shamba- a term that is associated with pre –Arusha Declaration times- could still remember Mbege, Ulanzi, Dengelua and Chang’aa, which he pronounced well. Swahili learners always find it hard to pronounce words like “chang’aa” called Gongo or Machozi ya Simba (these days). For the  reader who is unfamiliar with hardcore local drinks, Gongo is the crude, raw version of Konyagi - distilled, packaged and bottled 35 percent original Tanzanian whisky. Of course Gongo (or the said “chang’aa”) is stronger and much more sinister, hence the deadly name, Machozi ya Simba (lion’s tears).

Be warned.

SOAS Radio pundits and students, Rob Wilson (UK) and Debula Kimoli (Kenya) participated...

Lesson one from last Thursday’s event at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is Mmmh... what?  Most that have walked on Tanzanian soil never forget the country. May I include ones who had unpleasant experiences? I recently met a young British guy who speaks good Swahili, loves the language and the people but is slightly wary and cautious to return. One warm evening he hailed a cab in Dar es Salaam and ended being robbed. The cabbie stopped to pick up two armed thugs, who then threateningly drove him around the beleaguered city. He was forced to call his family in the UK who then sent a couple of thousand pounds- (millions of shillings) - via Western Union.

Bottom line here is that although Tanganyika of the Bwana Shamba gentleman has dramatically changed, apprehension and politics remain focussed on the “three mantras” that Mwalimu and TANU used to chant: ignorance, poverty and disease.

How can that be assessed?

Newly appointed UK Ambassador to Tanzania, Dianna Melrose (centre) with BTS man, William Fulton (right) and author (self taken I-Phone pic)...

The seminar’s goals was to look at media and democracy- born through multi-party reforms in 1992.  The seminar was organised by British Tanzania Society (created in 1975) currently presided by ex President Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

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JE WANAWAKE WAKITAKA KUKOJOA MAJIANI INAKUWAJE MAJUU?...

Tupo sebuleni kwa jirani yangu mmoja mwanamke. Katualika majirani kusherehekea siku ya kuzaliwa miaka themanini. Themanini nakwambia! Wanawe wawili wamewasili na wajukuu na vitukuu toka Australia na Afrika Kusini kushangilia siku hii maalum ya ajuza mcheshi, roho safi; kibibi anayependwa na kila mtu hapa mtaani ninapoishi London. 

Mama wa Kizungu na mwanae wakingojea kuvuka barabara kando ya basi la ghorofa London...picha na F Macha...

 Nyumba imetota baraka.  Harufu mbalimbali za makulaji zinazitesa pua. Vyakula vimetandazwa mezani. Viazi  Ulaya vya kuchemsha na kuoka vinavyotengeneza msosi maarufu uliovum buliwa na hawa hawa Waingereza unaojulikana kama Chips. Mboga mbichi safi za saladi, nyanya, matango, vitunguu, jibini (chizi), mikate ya kila sampuli, samaki  na kuku wa kukaanga. Kawaida karamu za Majuu hutenganisha walaji wa nyama na wasiokula nyama (Vegetarians).

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NINI MIZIZI YA TATIZO LA WAISLAMU KUCHOMA MAKANISA NA AMANI AFRIKA?-Sehemu ya 2

 Jumapili iliyopita tuliona namna mwanamuziki Fela Kuti  alivyoonya kuhusu imani za kigeni zilivyochangia kupotosha utamaduni wa Mwafrika.
Akasisitiza : “Ukristo na Uislamu si dini zetu...Wakristo wana fikra na tabia  za Waingereza na Wamarekani, ilhali Waislamu wana tabia za Waarabu.” 
 Msikilize mwenyewe akijieleza kinaga naga
Jadi mbalimbali duniani  zilijengwa kufuatana na mazingira na hali ya hewa. Dini zilitumia mvua, jua, radi, miti, wanyama nk,  kuabudu na kutambika.  Dini mbili kuu za Waafrika leo zimetokana na utamaduni wa Mashariki ya Kati na Wazungu.

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NINI MSINGI WA TATIZO LA WAISLAMU WANAOHARIBU MAKANISA NA AMANI AFRIKA? -Sehem ya 1

Sijui wasomaji wangapi tunamkumbuka mwanamuziki mashuhuri wa Nigeria, Fela Anikulapo Kuti aliyefariki 1997 akiwa na umri wa miaka 59?  Fela alikuwa binam wa mwandishi maarufu, Wole Soyinka (pichani) aliyeshinda tuzo la fasihi (Nobel) duniani 1986.

Pamoja na kipaji cha muziki (utunzi wenye ujumbe mzito, kuimba, kupiga saxafoni, ngoma na piano) Fela hakua mwoga.  Alikuwa mmoja wa wanamuziki wachache Afrika ambaye hakusita si tu kuimba ukweli, bali tayari kupambana na serikali ya nchi yake na kukemea ufisadi na rushwa vilivyoinyea(na bado vinaendelea) Nigeria.

Serikali na majeshi yalimchukia na kumwandama kiasi ambacho mwaka 1977 askari elfu moja walivamia makao makuu ya bendi yake -Afrika 70-  wakampiga yeye, wake zake na wanabendi halafu  wakaharibu kila kitu. Ndani ya vurugu hiyo walimtupa mamake Fela (Funmilayo) dirishani – baadaye akafia hospitalini. Fela aliudhika sana akatunga  nyimbo mbili kuishutumu serikali na askari wadhalimu (“Coffin for Head of State” na “Unknown Soldier”) na kulipeleka jeneza la mama mzazi makao makuu ya jeshi yaliyoongozwa na Jenerali Olusegun Obasanjo(aliyekuja kuwa Rais). Licha ya kipigo,  baadaye alitafutiwa vijisababu akafungwa jela miaka mitano kwa msimamo usiokua na woga wala unafiki.

Tuangalie dhana ya unafiki.

Fela Kuti alioa wake 27 (aliowaita malkia ), mwaka 1977;  waliimba na kucheza naye jukwaani.  
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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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RELIGIOUS STRIFE SPREADS TO TANZANIA

For the first time in our history many of us are beginning to doubt if Tanzania is going to keep up the tag of one of the most peaceful nations in Africa. Burning churches and inciting religious hatred is growing wings in this highly respected country.  Last weekend we were confronted with pictures of those appearing in court and most felt that they are being treated too softly.

Church burning pic courtsey of Francis Brady....

The latest chain of events in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam raised widespread concerns overseas. Listen to some random views around London early this week.

“Things are not right, back home. Where are we heading to?”

“It’s been a roller coaster year. Doctors’ leader beaten up. Journalist brutally killed. His intestines dismembered for the world to see. Mwanza police chief shot. Zanzibar policeman shot. Now this...” 

“Former President Mkapa did the right thing in 1998. Remember Mwembechai killings? He did not let rioters play games. He stamped things right away. Why is the present leadership letting things slip into a nightmare?”

And on the internet it was more explicit.

“Dar is like Syria now.”
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MARLEY FILM HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY MESSAGE ABOUT THE ETHIC OF WORK

On Monday, London’s “Telegraph” published an interview of British director, Kevin MacDonald by Florence Walters. Kevin MacDonald recently made a film on life of Jamaican musician, Bob Marley.  The movie is a masterpiece.

Kevin MacDonald- pic courtsey of University of Aberdeen....

Well to start with in the last 31 years, I have watched many Bob Marley films, read numerous books, wrote several reviews and continue to sing some of his songs in my gigs. In the UK, “Three Little Birds” one of his simplest melodic tunes, is so popular in primary schools that whenever I play it I hear teachers singing along, loudly with pupils:

“Don’t worry about a thing

Every little thing is gonna be alright.”