Vijana FM

We've moved!

2010-06-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

Vijana FM has moved to a new blogging platform designed by Wordpress. What does this mean?

For our subscribers and partners:

Our website is now located at www.vijana.fm
RSS feed is available at www.vijana.fm/feed/
All the articles from here have been preserved on our new platform

For our studio crew:

Please log in at www.vijana.fm/wp-login/
Make sure to redirect any existing website listings

Many thanks, and see you at our new home :)

An interview with Ory Okolloh

2010-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ory Okolloh, is a Kenyan activist and Africa's prominent blogger. She runs kenyanpundit.com and is also the founder of ushahidi.com, as well as mzalendo.com, initiatives that have garnered immense attention and praise. In March 2010, she was interviewed by BBC on issues of blogging and contemporary internet culture in Africa. Listen to the audio interview below.

Scientific research and society - a lecture by Kofi Annan

2010-06-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Theme: Scientific Research and Society
Venue: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) - Zurich, Switzerland

Today I was fortunate enough to attend an overbooked lecture by Mr. Kofi Annan, the former UN-SG and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. For this year's Richard R. Ernst Lecture at the ETH Zurich, Mr. Annan delivered a captivating lecture on the role of scientific research in solving the needs of society . He urged young researchers to delve into research that crosses boundaries of their fields through interdisciplinary work and international collaborations with less technological advanced nations. Addressing a multitude of young researchers and students, Mr. Annan pointed out that scientists should provide the necessary leadership in research policy when political support is lacking. This could be through creating innovative solutions to societal needs that gain public support of the target communties. He pressed on the need of academics to refuse to remain in the ivory-tower, but rather become actors through research that makes a lasting impact to society. During the lecture, he quoted the Indian statesman and foremost actor in its R&D revolution, Jawaharlal Nehru, who once said "we are too poor to not invest in science and technology", to highlight the importance of science and technology for solving incessant problems of the south - food shortage, climate change and diseases of poverty.

The full lecture

(c) ETH Zurich, ITS-MMS

Below are amateur video clips of the panel discussion with Kofi Annan chaired by the 1991 Chemistry Nobel Laureate Prof. Richard R. Ernst.

Cameron Herold: Let's raise kids to be entrepreneurs

2010-06-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, this TED Talk by Cameron Herold is exactly what the world needs to hear.

Cameron speaks of his own struggles in the education system. He speaks of his ventures and passion for business at a very young age and how his dad would never allow him to get a "regular" job. He always had to find new ways to earn his own money.

Cameron states that children should be taught how to save at a young age and how to make use of their resources. Instead of giving monthly allowances to children give them opportunities to be innovative. Children should also be given the opportunity to nuture their creativity and not be told what to be in the future. We need to teach kids how to fish and not give them the fish.

Darwin's Nightmare

2010-06-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

A 2004 documentary film written and directed by Hubert Sauper -- dealing with the environmental and social effects of the fishing industry around Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

Quote from the Darwin Nightmare's website:

"Some time in the 1960's, in the heart of Africa, a new animal was introduced into Lake Victoria as a little scientific experiment. The Nile Perch, a voracious predator, extinguished almost the entire stock of the native fish species. However, the new fish multiplied so fast, that its white fillets are today exported all around the world.

"Huge hulking ex-Soviet cargo planes come daily to collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo… Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center of the continent..."

Lakers secure 16th NBA championship

2010-06-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to LA Lakers and their fans!

Enjoy the mini-movie of the final game (yeah, everything seems cool in slow-motion):

The power of an image

2010-06-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

Any thoughts on this image ?

Does the world need nuclear energy?

2010-06-17T00:03:00.000-07:00

Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that'll make you think -- and might even change your mind.

From Amsterdam to Bamako

2010-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Documentary film on migration from Africa to Europe. The maker tries to take an African's perspective by reversing a migrant's journey traveling from Amsterdam to Bamako speaking with migrants he meets on the way.

'Tip' from Jadili Africa (Have you joined the group?).

Edit: You would understand why I 'bumped' this documentary film after watching it...

Hard Pressed for Leaders

2010-06-16T11:08:00.001-07:00

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation recently met to see if any new leaders (heads of government) fit the profile and qualifications of excellence in leadership and good governance. They decided that since there were no new candidates no prize would be awarded. To some this may seem like de ja vu, there was no prize laureate last year either. The only difference is that last year seemed more powerful and the political message was clear. This time around, there was hardly any news coverage or pomp and circumstance making people question whether this Prize will be around much longer. To be fair, the Prize Committee (the committee responsible for choosing the prize winners) are fighting an uphill battle. One is mathematical in that there will be years where no leader steps down or fulfilled his/her term limits, some term limits are 4 years, others 5, some 10 (see Tanzania). I am sure there will be a year with many potential candidates and years with none. The other problem is the lack of democratically elected leaders and visionary leaders that push for good governance and actually step down after their term without manipulating the constitution or becoming 'president forever.'

I am sure that the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is now thinking of "plan bs" and contingency plans to make sure that the money is used towards the betterment of Africa and good governance. One thing is for sure, we are still facing a deficit in effective leadership. This goes back to the importance of the youth and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation is going to establish a fellowship program and I encourage all of you to watch this spot:

"The Foundation will shortly be launching the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships, a selective programme designed to identify and prepare the next generation of outstanding African leaders by providing them with mentoring opportunities in key multilateral institutions. The programme will seek to attract a number of highly qualified and talented professionals each year to serve in leading institutions whose core objective to improve the prospects of the people of Africa. “The Foundation is currently working with pan-African organisations to design the fellowships. It will announce further details of them at the Foundation’s annual celebration and forum on governance to be held in Mauritius in November. Applications will open shortly afterwards and we expect the first Leadership Fellows to begin their Fellowships early next year."

This could be an opportunity for all of us to put our ideas and thoughts into action.

What are your thoughts on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Prize? Does it hurt or benefit them that they have not awarded a leader in two years? Who has the potential of receiving a Prize in the coming years?

For more information, see this PDF file.

TAMASHA-Vijana na Ujamaa Hip Hop Darasa

2010-06-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Ukiperuzi haraka haraka kwenye hii makala unaweza ukadhani umepotea njia na uko kwenye blog ya Fid Q. Hapana -- hapa ni Vijana FM, mzee!

Kama nilivyosema wiki chache zilizopita, kuna baadhi ya mambo au harakati zinazofanywa na Vijana wenzetu ambazo mara nyingi hazitambuliwi; kwa maneno mengine, inaonekana hazipewi kipaumbele. Lakini nadhani Vijana FM itabadili hii desturi.

Nia hasa sio tu kuwafagilia tu Vijana wenzetu. Ni matumaini yangu kuwa makala kama hizi zitawapa wahusika changamoto na kuwahamasisha Vijana wengine kujiunga na kuwasaidia wahusika kwa namna moja au nyingine.

Leo hii nakuletea harakati za Winston Churchill na timu yake nzima ya TAMASHA-Vijana. Mchana wa leo (tarehe 16 Juni, 2010) ulikuwa ni maalumu kwa ajili ya Watoto wa Afrika, na mzee mzima Fid Q ndio alikuwa mgeni rasmi au mwalimu wa kwanza wa Ujamaa Hip Hop Darasa.

Kabla sijakupa dondoo za hili Darasa, ningependa kukuambia madhumuni hasa ya TAMASHA-Vijana/Ujamaa Hip Hop Darasa.

Winston anasema,"[Tunajitahidi] kufikiria jinsi ya kuwasaidia Vijana... maana tunaona wana vipaji lakini jinsi ya kuvibadili katika ujasiriamali bado imekuwa ndio changamoto. "

Kwahiyo wameamua kuanzisha Ujamaa Hip Hop Darasa. Hili Darasa litakuwa linatumia falsafa ya Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere: "Binadamu hujikomboa na kujiendeleza mwenyewe; hawezi kukombolewa na kuendelezwa." Na litakuwa linatumia taswira ya utamaduni wa Ujamaa wa Kiafrika na Hip Hop ili kuwavutia zaidi Vijana.

Darasa rasmi la kwanza la Hip Hop litaanza tarehe 26 Juni (Mikocheni, Old Bagamoyo Rd, Dar es Salaam). Licha ya kwamba Madarasa yatakuwa bure, waandaji bado wanafikiria namna ya kufanya mpangilio mzima uweze kujiendesha wenyewe.

Ukiacha Hip Hop Darasa kuna mambo mengine yatakayokuwa yanaendelea na kufanyiwa kazi -- kwa mfano, utengenezaji wa video (Research, Archive and Documentary on Hip Hop), Outreach and Relations, Uhuru Clothing na Film Project.

Napenda kuchukua fursa hii kuwatakia kila la kheri TAMASHA-Vijana na Ujamaa Hip Hop Darasa kwenye shughuli zao na nadhani timu ya Vijana FM itajaribu kuwasaidia pale itakapoweza.

Cha muhimu zaidi ni wasanii wengine, wataalamu wa mambo haya na Vijana kwa ujumla kuitikia mwito.

Nawatakia jioni njema!

Because this is 2010 Shanghai Expo!

2010-06-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

By BK

Can you imagine a water city where you live like a fish, a space city where the city is in orbit, an intelligence city, characterized by sophisticated electronic meeting places, production, marketing, and distribution system. Or an eco-city where nothing is wasted but used in an ecosystem-like fashion? Can you imagine a toilet that intelligently detects biochemical substances? Can you imagine the kitchen of the future, or an energy garden?

This is an account of the places I found interesting at the Shanghai Expo 2010 and in the city itself. I will also write some of the things that my other group members and I did for the entire time of our stay. We visited the Expo 2010 courtesy of an award from a project competition we won at Jacobs University - our project: the usage of snake robots for underground pipe system maintainance in megacities.

Our journey was quite long but of a great experience. Having left Bremen on June 1 at 1815 (German time) we arrived in Shanghai on June 2 at 1355 (local time). We were then picked up and accompanied to our hotel. That evening we went out for a walk at the People's Square and on to Nanjing Road. Nanjing Road is a commercial street, nicely decorated with a lot of lights. We loved this place so much for its liveliness, and nice shops.

Nanjing Road, Shanghai

On June 2, we drove from our hotel to the Expo 2010 site. Located in Zone E at the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) we first visited the Jacobs University stand where we were shown the multimedia interactive exhibit of the university displaying the university's core objective of preparing leaders of tomorrow-who, in abundance, will become global citizens. We were then shown the Bremen Case-for Bremen and North-West Germany.

Future oriented projects are showcased that range from a simple but highly beneficial car-sharing concept and electric cars to nature, energy and science. Just like the name suggests, with a car-sharing concept, cars will be owned by a special body and everyone would use a car without having to worry about maintenance but their bills only that are payable at the end of the month. This would be of advantage to young people or people who cannot afford to buy cars. Most importantly, it would reduce heavy traffic and environmental pollution.

Bremen Pavilion at EXPO 2010

At the Bremerhaven stand, the Alfred Wegner Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), tells us that beautiful Shanghai will be underwater if proper measures to control the climate change are not taken. They have other nice projects too.

I personally loved the Beluga stand that proposes tapping wind energy using wind turbines carried in a huge ship that floats in an ocean. The concept is much more complicated involving a strong base for the ship to resist storm winds and water waves. Also the tapping of wind energy using wind turbines built in the ocean is exhibited.

Airbus, Kaefer, Werder Bremen, and Hochschule Bremen (University of Applied Science) are also there. We then helped out with some tasks at our stand before we went on to see the rest of the pavilions at the zone.

Oh, I loved the Pavilion of Future! Seeing it I was reminded that we human beings are highly limited by our imagination. While others dream the future others might just be observers. As you may anticipate, this pavilion showcases cities of future; water city, eco city, energy city, space city and intelligence city. They have a multimedia visualization projected on a really huge screen, in a huge dark building.

The intelligence city was so amazing. I think I did not grasp it well, but everything is "electronized" in this city. For example if you wish to move from one place to the next you do some "electronic magic" and you have a skate or something. Just nicely and all over a sudden you start moving. All you need is a remote control.

We visited the Hamburg pavilion. We saw the Theater of the Future at the Taipei Pavillion. I also went to Dusseldorf City, Seoul, Cairo, Information and Communications pavillions.

In the evening we decided to cross the Huangpu River to go shopping at the Super Brand Mall in Pudong District. But we were late and the mall was closing. Because we knew that we could be late, we had plan B in mind; to visit Lujiazui where The Oriental Pearl Tower is located. This street is the skyline of Shanghai. It has many (expensive) restaurants, banks, hotels and offices. We could not climb the tower, but took a lot of photos. We later enjoyed a nice view of the Bund in Huangpu District from the other bank of the river. The Bund is characterized by European-like archicture. We took lots of photos and a video of it.

Apart from the fact that Shanghai Streets may be considered as very superficial with unnecessary lighting leading to power wastage, there is a lot of amazement in it.

Oh! Wait! I love the way business is done in Shanghai. No price is final. Bargaining is the right way to go. And you really have to be hard at it.

The energy garden, the future kitchen, and the elderly lounge, elderly bedroom, elderly parlor and bathroom are found at the Shanghai Pavilion. The Wine Bar at Barcelona's case is where Spain's famous Torres wine is sold is also a good place to chit-chat and enjoy the Spanish wine.

On Monday June 7 we met our professor while later in the afternoon we met our University president. We then went to Tongji University, one of China's finest universities to visit the Department of Environmental Research and the university as a whole. On June 8 I visited a large International Logistics Fair at Expo. On June 9 we visited Zhujia Jiao, an ancient water town. On June 10 my friends returned to Bremen and I went to Xi'an, Shaanxi province in Northwestern China. I will head back to Germany on June 18 to begin my internship.

BK, a Tanzanian national, is a final year student of Electrical Enginering and Computer Science at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany.

Bremen Pavilion feature, ICS

Tanzania's Education and Careers Exhibition

2010-06-16T03:20:00.000-07:00

8 days to go!!! ( Date: June 24th & 25th, 2010)

Venue: Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam.

Tripod Media Company Limited is organizing “Tanzania’s Education and Career Exhibition” which will bring together Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges, Tertiary Institutions and Universities in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in a Careers and Schools Exhibition so that students/trainers/parents/guardians can interact one-on-one with representatives of these institutions on programs offered, careers, admission requirements etc.

Topics:
Career Choices -- Challenges and Motivation
Changing Career -- Refocusing
Going against the wind -- Choosing unpopular career path
Caught in between -- Incomparable Careers within an individual
Employment vs. Entrepreneurship
Politics and Leadership -- Is it a career path?

Speakers:
Susan Mashibe (Engineer and Pilot), Modesta Lilian Mahiga (Managing Director, Professional Approach Ltd.), Janeth Mbene (MP), Sebastian Ndege (Doctor, Radio Presenter and Public Speaker), Khadija Mwanamboka (Fashion Designer), Ali Mfuruki (Economist and Entrepreneur), Lady Jay Dee (Musician), Master J (Music Producer), Femi Banigbe (Engineer & TIGO CTO), Sadaka Gandi (Psychologist), Siana Nkya (Scientist) & Emelda Mwamanga Mtunga (Bang! Magazine CEO Relim Entertainment).

For more info about the event, click here...

Vijana FM Crew is wishing the organizers and all the participants all the best!

SAM.10

2010-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Raghava KK: Five lives of an artist

2010-06-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

Raghava KK is an artist who started by drawing cartoons in the classroom. Listening to him and see what he has done, you’ll agree with me, his pencils & paint brushes are mightier than the sword. One thing that really impressed me with Raghava is his creativity, and how his art evolves and transforms, while still maintaining its originality.

Secondly, how he collaborates with different type of artists to revolutionize his own is just so impressive. I hope young artists will learn not to limit themselves, kwani ubunifu kama huu ndio unao kosekana kwa wasanii wengi wa Bongo Hip Hop/ Bongo flava na hata aina nyingine za sanaa.

African Hip Hop Thesis

2010-06-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Mimi kama mpenzi mkubwa wa Hip Hop, nimekuwa nikijaribu kuifuatilia kwa karibu tangia '2 Proud' alipokuwa anavuma na nyimbo kama 'Ni mimi, niko kwenye maikrofoni' na 'Madawa ya kulevya'. Safari ya Hip Hop Tanzania ni ndefu kiasi chake -- ila wengi mtakubaliana na mimi kuwa hatuna "kioo" (as in, standard) madhubuti cha kuangalia na kutath'mini mabadiliko yaliyoletwa na huu muziki wetu.

Mara nyingi mambo mengi tunayojadili kuhusu Hip Hop tunakuwa kama tuna speculate tu. Kwahiyo, tunayoongelea kwenye kijiwe hiki ni tofauti na yatakayoongelewa kwenye kijiwe kingine kutokana na sababu kadhaa.

Fid Q nadhani ameliona hilo na ameamua kufanya utafiti kuangalia Hip Hop kutoka Afrika -- utafiti huu wa kitaaluma utachunguza nini hasa kinachotokea kwenye ulingo wa Hip Hop, mabadiliko kwenye jamii yanayoambatana na Hip Hop, (bila kusahau) Hip Hop kama kitambulisho cha Vijana wengi sasa hivi.

Kilichonifurahisha zaidi ni kwamba anajua wapi pa kuanzia (kwasababu mambo ya utafiti yanahitaji maujanja, na kujua wapi pa kuanzia hurahisisha kazi); ataanza kuongea na wasanii ili kujifunza kama wanafikiri wana nafasi yoyote kwenye jamii.

Mimi binafsi nina maswali mengi mno. Lakini sasa hivi nitamuuliza Fid Q maswali machache tu kwanza ili aanze kuumiza kichwa:

1. Marekani inajulikana kama ndio chimbuko la Hip Hop, lakini sasa hivi inaonekana kama Hip Hop inaanza 'kurudi' Afrika (Soma makala kuhusu hili suala hapa). Je, kuna sababu za msingi au ni jambo la kawaida tu?

2. Wasanii wanajua maana ya Hip Hop? Wanaitumia ipasavyo?

3. Niliona filamu moja (documentary) inayozungumzia kufanana kwa maneno ya mitaani kutoka Marekani na Afrika Mashariki (ingawa lugha zitumiwazo ni tofauti). Kuna ukweli wowote ule?

4. Vipi kuhusu mambo yanayozungumzwa kwenye nyimbo mbalimbali. Sehemu mtu anapotoka (msanii) ina athari kubwa sana au ndogo kwenye nyimbo anazoimba? Au hutegemea zaidi mambo fulani mtu aliyopitia kwenye maisha yake binafsi? Ni sahihi kulundika wasanii kutoka Mwanza, Arusha au Dar kwenye kundi moja? Au tuangalie hadi vitongoji wanavyotoka?

5. Kuna baadhi ya wasanii kutoka Tanzania ambao wanaheshimika sana nje ya nchi ilihali bado wanatumia lugha ya Kiswahili kwenye nyimbo zao. Hii inakuwaje? Wengine wanatumia maneno kutoka Temeke!

6. Mabadiliko yanayotokea kwenye Hip Hop yanaakisi yanayotokea kwenye jamii? Au jamii huakisi mambo yanaongelewa na wasanii?

Nitaishia hapa kwa leo.

Ila kama una maswali zaidi au una maujanja yatakayoweza kumrahisishia utafiti huu, unaweza ukamtumia Fid Q barua pepe: cheusidawa (at) gmail (dot) com. Au unaweza ukatembelea blog yake (ina mipini yake karibia yote; cheki upande wa kulia).

Fid Q, Vijana FM inakutakia kila la kheri! Binafsi, nina uhakika kazi yako itawanufaisha wengi.

Makala nyingine kuhusu Fid Q zinapatikana hapa na hapa...

Budget 2010/2011

2010-06-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

The size of the word reflects how often it was used in the 2010/2011 budget speech (wordle.net)

a 74 page document
79 - number of times the words "misaada" or "mikopo" appears
11,609,557 - amount in T.Shs of the budget
14% - basal income tax
20,277,100 - amount in USD set for research and development
628,591,000 - amount in USD set for Agricultural projects
2 Billion USD set for education expenditures
1 Billion USD set for health care
30% of total budget from donor sources
0% on import duty for transport buses (Fast Truck Project)..........

Hon. M. Mkullo, minister of finance (picture michuzi blog)

Click here for the full budget
How does the budget affect you?

A family tree for humanity

2010-06-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

All humans share some common bits of DNA, passed down to us from our African ancestors. Geneticist Spencer Wells talks about how his Genographic Project will use this shared DNA to figure out how we are -- in all our diversity -- truly connected.

First capsule to an asteroid

2010-06-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

The first capsule to land on an asteroid returns to Earth.

Africa's Leaders of Tomorrow School (ALTS)

2010-06-14T04:22:00.001-07:00

By BK

Everyday I read stories about the economic growth of China. I read about Germany's solutions, clean energy in particular, aimed at solving global challenges. I read about a student in a Tanzanian village who uses an oil lamp with a small floating wick, and that 60% of African population is living without electricity. I read that while two out of five Africans lack clean water supplies and Africa's economy is greatly reliant on international aid, the African population will double by 2030.

Some challenges are old. Some are new. I ask myself many questions. Some are: For countries to reaclh or maintain global leadership, should they focus on global solutions? Because global solutions are always also local while local solutions cannot always be global. If the correct answer is yes, then, is it the likeliest situation that an African country will never become a super power?

Obviously, we are living at a time when all agents of development, across all age ranges and professions, must work together to solve these challenges. Since life is only a choice that must have a purpose to be lived well; for Africa, I would propose a leadership school, Africa's Leaders of Tomorrow School (ALTS) that would involve young African students at the earliest time possible in solving African challenges.

ALTS would be a social business, and would place education at the service of the society. Interested mid-school students who are top in their classes, and who have demonstrated great leadership and risk taking skills in their communities would be admitted. They would be brought together and shown the greatest challenges that the continent faces in preparation for tomorrow's leadership. I am mindful that we learn best from the people who surround us. That's why guest speakers who are themselves entrepreneurs, policy makers, government leaders and infuential people would be invited to talk with the students.

The core subject, 'Africa and the World' would guide students through the history of Africa after independence, the challenges it faces and its e orts to solve them. An emphasis would be on why the continent is the poorest despite the great natural endowment it possesses. It would encourage debates and discussions, to emphasize on the development of leadership skills, entrepreneurial skills and global citizenship. It would be discussed on how leaders can play a greater role to improve the life of an African. The students will be required to write a project on a topic of their own choice but related to Africa and the World. An example of such a topic would be 'Africa, what is the missing link? a look at African governance.'

Not until we are aware of the challenges our small communities face, can we dream of solutions to national, continental or global problems. ALTS students would have to complete a minimum number of hours of community service in preparation for leading an interesting life in which serving others is the greatest character.

The major feature of ALTS curriculum would be to train young great minds to understand how every discipline has and can be used to solve the challenges humankind faces. I see this being met through talks by guest speakers and mandatory class discussions with course instructors.

I see graduates from the school become CEO's, politicians, activists, scientists, policy makers and economists of tomorrow, to mention but a few examples. ALTS students would become global citizens. They would not be fatalistics but able to embark on meaningful and unprecedented projects that would change the way Africa and the world operates. They would be able to integrate into the ever changing world in terms of technology, culture, science and politics while devising methods to integrate with solutions that aim at making Africa a bigger economy. With an emphasis on creativity, they would gain problem solving skills rather than mere knowledge accumulation. They would therefore be equipped with an ability to apply knowledge obtained in class to nd answers to the the problems of the society.

I would envision a family of such schools all over Africa under the social business concept that would prepare students to become leaders of tomorrow who would change Africa and the world at large.

BK, a guest columnist, is a senior at Jacobs University Bremen (in Germany) pursuing a B.Sc degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He hails from Mwanza, Tanzania.

Japan's bribes on whaling; old news?

2010-06-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

by Felicity Ogilvie
A conservation activist says an investigation into claims that Japan bribes small nations for their support on whaling is confirmation of what has been common knowledge for a long time.

Two reporters from Britain's Sunday Times newspaper posed as the lobbyists of a fictional Swiss billionaire and set out to buy votes at next week's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting.

Six countries told the reporters they were willing to consider their offer, but the reporters were told they would need to better the aid the countries are already getting from the Japanese.

Tanzania's IWC commissioner is recorded saying that as well as aid, politicians from his country are flown to Japan where they are offered prostitutes.

Geoffrey Nanyaro told the undercover reporters he has never used Japanese prostitutes.

"As a Christian, I live by the Bible, so I never indulge in such [activities]," he said.

Mr Nanyaro says when he visits Japan he is put up in a five-star hotel, and women offering massages often call his room.

"They start by saying you know, do you want massaging, you know, it will be free massaging, you know. Are you not alone there?"

Nicola Beynon from Humane Society International says the undercover investigation adds weight to what environmental groups have long suspected.

"It has been common knowledge for a long time that a number of countries that vote in favor of commercial whaling at the IWC are not actually voting because they genuinely want to see a return to commercial whaling, but they are voting because they are beholden to Japan and Japan's very generous fisheries aid," she said.

"This is confirming what has been common knowledge for a long time and there has been very few occasions where we have had proof of it."

Continue to read...(There is an audio report on the right hand side of the page.)

If you don't know what 'Whale Wars' are all about (you probably don't watch Southpark, I guess), check out this clip:

Uvumbuzi mahsusi kwa walemavu

2010-06-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

Amos Winter, mwanafunzi wa shahada ya uzamivu pale MIT, Marekani yuko njiani kuwekeza matokeo ya elimu yake katika kusaidia walemavu wa nchi maskini. Winter ametengeneza wheelchair maalum kwa walemavu wa miguu kwa ajili ya matumizi kwenye barabara zilizo na mabonde au matope tulizonazo 'uswahilini'. Mradi wake huo uitwao, Leverage Freedom Chair, umemwezesha kushinda tuzo mbalimbali pamoja na kuweza kufundisha wanafunzi wengine kuhusu teknolojia hii. Wenzetu wa VETA na SIDO, mpoo?

Tembelea ukurasa wake hapa ili kufahamu zaidi kuhusu kazi zake.

Nelson R. Mandela - 46664

2010-06-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Picture: Nelson Mandela by Sue Dickinson

Filamu ifuatayo ni ya historia ya Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, kwa maneno yake mwenyewe -- kwa kifupi. Angalia jinsi wazee wetu walivyotaabika, wakajitoa mhanga ili mimi na wewe leo tuweze kusimama bila uwoga na kutembea mitaani na vifua vyetu mbele.

Sijui unapata hisia za aina gani unapoona na kusikia hadithi kama hizi. Binafsi, napata motisha isiyo kifani na sichoki kuwashukuru wanaharakati kwa mambo waliyofanya. Leo hii naweza kuandika chochote ninachotaka kwenye blogs na vyombo vingine vya habari; sauti yangu inasikika. Sitetereki pale mtu anapoanza kunirushia maneno ya kibaguzi. Naamini kuwa sehemu kubwa ya mafanikio kwenye maisha yangu itatokana na juhudi zangu mwenyewe.

Bahati mbaya watu wengine wanatumia uhuru huu huu kujinufaisha wenyewe na familia zao; wamesahau machozi, jasho na damu ya wanaharakati kama Madiba. Wamewahi kujiuliza: Tungekuwa wapi kama watu na viongozi kama hawa wangeamua kupigana kwa ajili yao na familia zao tu?

Media Relations: Press Releases and Targeting Reporters

2010-06-12T05:24:00.000-07:00

Your social enterprise has a cool event or story it wants to share with the world. Perhaps the first conference of African women entrepreneurs is happening in Tanzania on June 27th and you want to tie in an event from your start-up on women artists in with coverage on the symposium. Or perhaps one of your board members will participate in the symposium and you want to let the media know she would be a good go-to person for quotes or commentary in an article they are already drafting about the event. In either case, you will be addressing your intent to the media via press release.

What is a press release?
A press release is a statement directed to the media about a story, a spokesperson, an event, a product, or a service. It's a way of attracting publicity around a story. A press release is sent to members of the media that cover that particular beat, or topic. You would not send a press release about a new pharmaceutical drug to a reporter in the Daily News or Sunday News that writes on politics; you would send it to the reporter who covers health related topics.

The format of press releases differ depending on the intent of the press release but most are no longer than one page. Templates also differ and you can find many examples of press release templates online. Here's what a typical press release authored at my firm would look like:

---

COMPANY LOGO HERE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (in caps): Contact: Contact's name
MM/DD/YYYY or contactsemail@youremailhere.com
DD/MM/YYYY Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx

Use A Catchy Headline Here:

A byline is the line after the headline which elaborates on the story. Not needed for all press releases. Usually italicized.

Location Here, Tanzania (the location will be where the story, person, event, etc. is located) - This is the body of your press release. Paragraph one should include all important information. Reporters are succinct and straight-to-the-point people; they need to be able to get the gist of what your story is in the first paragraph.

You can go into depth on the story here and include quotes from any spokespeople from your start-up, if appropriate and if it adds to the story. Include the how, etc. Write in the active voice: Amy sings sad songs versus The sad songs are sung by Amy, which is in the passive voice and unnecessarily long-winded.

The last paragraph should be a few sentences about the start-up sending out the press release (you).

###

---

Make sure you do your research and identify the key media members for your story. Ask them how they prefer to be contacted and honor the request. If the reporter wants you to email them the story don't call them; if they want it via fax don't email it to them. Create an Excel spreadsheet and input the information for all reporters into it including:

* First Name
* Last Name
* Title
* Beat (Topic they write on)
* Outlet (Are they writing for Daily News or are they a producer for a radio show on RTD?)
* Phone number
* Email address
* Fax number
* Preferred method of contact

---
Please note: don't send a press release a day or two days before a story is to take place. If your start-up is scheduling a conference or an important event or if they are participating in an event, make sure you send out the press release ahead of time. Reporters have deadlines on stories and don't appreciate being asked to follow through a story without having enough time.

Furthermore, if a reporter decides to write a story or interview your spokesperson, have all important information available. Let them know you are at their disposal. You don't want a reporter to ask you for the contact information of your start-up's spokesperson and you don't have that information on hand.

READ MORE:
Media Relations 101: Getting media coverage.

Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @radiomorillo

It's finally here

2010-06-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

The wait is finally over!

1 hour to go!

The productivity at work today was ZERO. Sifuri, cero, nul, null, nula, 零...

South Africa via Dar es Salaam

2010-06-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

by Angelique Kidjo

Miaka minne iliyopita

2010-06-11T02:01:00.000-07:00

Leo nimeamka alfajiri kabla hata jua halijachwea ili nifike mzigoni mapema; muda wa sherehe za Kombe la Dunia ukifika, niwe mbele ya runinga na glasi ya mvinyo nikiwashangilia watoto wa Bondeni wawapige bao Mariachi.

Miaka minne iliyopita nilikuwa sifuatilii vitu gani hasa vinavyotokea nyumbani, lakini nimekua na nimeanza kusoma vitu ambavyo vinanifungua macho. Na leo nimepata fursa ya kuperuzi bajeti yetu... Bahati mbaya bajeti yetu nd'o hivyo tena (bofya kwenye taswira):

Sio kama nimeshtuka saaaaana, ila kuna mambo mengi yanayoendelea ambayo yanatibua siku kama ya leo. Kama hicho kidogo tulichonacho, misaada na mikopo nchi yetu inayopata ingekuwa inatumiwa ipasavyo, sidhani kama ningekosa raha kiasi hiki.

Ni aibu kuendelea kuwapa madaraka watu ambao "labda" wanafanya mambo kwa manufaa yao. Tufanye nini? Ni kuwaondoa tu kwa nguvu ya hoja; nadhani kwa uchaguzi huu labda tume'shachelewa, kwahiyo tuanze kujipanga kwa ajili ya uchaguzi wa 2015? Ningependa kusikia mawazo yenu.

Nitaishia hapa na kuwaacha na maneno ya Jenerali Ulimwengu: Wawakilishi kama wafadhili, kosa!

Homa ya uchaguzi imepamba moto na wote wanaohusika kwa njia moja au nyingine wanachakarika. Wale wanaotarajia kujitokeza kama wagombea tayari wanapita huku na huku wakijitambulisha, na baadhi yao tayari wametangaza nia yao.

Miongoni mwa waliotangaza ni wale wale waliokuwa wabunge katika kipindi kinachomalizika hivi sasa, ambao wanatarajiwa wagombee tena, kwa sababu ni Waafrika wachache wanaokubali kujiuzulu kutoka katika nafasi za ‘uongozi’ ambazo mara nyingi ni nafasi za ulaji, ukwasi na utukufu. Nimesikia mara kwa mara watu wakishauri kwamba wabunge wasiruhusiwe kukaa bungeni kwa zaidi ya mihula miwili, lakini siamini kwamba siku moja Bunge letu litakuwa na busara ya kukubali ushauri kama huo.

* * *

... maana hii ya ubunge imevurugwa kabisa. Mbunge wa siku hizi anaangaliwa kama mfadhili, kama mtu wa “kuwaletea maendeleo” wananchi waliomchagua. Hiyo ndiyo lugha inayotumika: “Mkinichagua nitawaletea maendeleo.”

Dhana hii ambayo inamfanya mbunge kuonekana kama ‘mfadhili’ itatuumiza kwa muda mrefu, kwa sababu sioni ishara za kweli za kuifuta. Imekuwa ni njia moja rahisi kwa watu wasio na sifa za uwakilishi kujipatia ajira, nao wataiendeleza dhana hiyo kwa sababu inawafaa. Wananchi wenye sifa na uwezo mkubwa wa kuwa wawakilishi hawatafua dafu kwa sababu hawana uwezo wa ‘ufadhili’ huo.

* * *

Kila ninapoliangalia Bunge letu napata taswira ya mashaka. Bunge letu, kama ilivyo serikali yetu, lina taswira ya watoto wa wakulima na wafanyakazi, kama tulivyozoea kusema, hata kama leo tumeanza kusahau. Lakini kila miaka mitano inapoenguka, watoto wa wakulima na wafanyakazi wanazidi kupungua na watoto wa wafanyabiashara na wanamitaji wanaongezeka.

* * *

Lakini ongezeko la umasikini halitokani na wabunge kushindwa kufanya kazi yao. Ni kweli kwamba wako wabunge kadhaa ambao hata hiyo kazi ya uwakilishi imewashinda. Hawa ni wale waliokwenda kuomba kura miaka mitano iliyopita, wakachaguliwa na kisha wakahamia mijini na kuponda starehe bila kujali watu wao hata kwa kuwatembelea tu. Wakirudi kwao Oktoba ijayo watakiona cha mtema kuni.

* * *

Matokeo ya kura za mwezi Oktoba yatatupa mafundisho mengi, na hili linaweza likawa mojawapo ya mafundisho hayo. Ni matumaini yangu kwamba tutaweza kuyasoma vyema mafundisho hayo na kuyafanyia kazi kwa lengo la kuboresha miundo na michakato ya utawala wetu.

* * *

Kwanza kabisa, wananchi waelimishwe kuhusu maana halisi ya mbunge kama mwakilishi, kama mjumbe, na siyo kama mfadhili, na dhana hii ieleweke vyema kwa wananchi. Wanaposhiriki katika michakato ya uchaguzi wajue kwamba hao wanaowachagua si watu wa “kuwaletea maendeleo” kama wanavyowaangalia “wafadhili” bali ni wajumbe wao ambao jukumu lao kuu ni kuwawasilishia matatizo yao na hoja zao katika baraza la Taifa na huko ndiko upatikane ufumbuzi wa matatizo yao katika muktadha wa kutafuta utatizo wa matatizo ya nchi nzima kwa pamoja.

Tusiwaruhusu wabunge wetu kujifanya ni Papa Noeli, Father Christmas anayekuja na zawadi kwa kila mtoto, kwa sababu mbili kuu: kwanza katika dunia ya kweli hakuna Father Christmas; pili tunatakiwa tuache kuwa watoto.

Soma makala nzima hapa (bofya)...

SA in the spotlight

2010-06-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

While we're still scratching our heads and wonder if the friendly game against Brazil did our beloved Tanzania any good, I decided to post the McKinsey interview with the ANC veteran, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe -- just to ease the frustrations. He discusses the state of the South African economy, world cup, the country’s progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, China’s role on Africa, and the important part that values have to play in the business world.

I would like to wish the organisers, all South Africans, participating teams and football supporters around the world all the best.

Let the best team win!! I mean, please, no Italy in the final...

Utaenda 'jeshini'?

2010-06-10T01:35:00.000-07:00

Wengi wetu tumesikia simulizi za kusisimua kutoka kwa wazazi wetu pindi walipokuwa jeshini (National Service). Nyingi zinahusu shida, uvumilivu, ufanisi na uzalendo. Ingawa kuna waliochukia maisha magumu waliyoyapata walipokuwa jeshini, wengi wao wanakumbuka kipindi hicho kwa tabasamu. Binafsi mama yangu anasikitika kuwa vijana wa leo hatupitii kimbembe kama alichopitia yeye baada ya form six kwa mwaka mmoja pale JKT Ruvu.

Mpango wa National Service ulianzishwa na Mwl. Nyerere katikati ya miaka ya 60 kwa nia ya kujenga taifa lenye watu wazalendo, jasiri, werevu na wakakamavu. Mchakato huu ulikuwa wa lazima kwa wanafunzi wote wanaomaliza shule ya sekondari kwenda katika kambi za jeshi na kupitia mafunzo mbalimbali ya kijeshi na kielimu kwa mwaka mmoja. Mpango huu ulifutwa mwaka 1992, na hivyo kufanywa wa hiari.

Nchini Tanzania, kuna mjadala umejitokeza kuhusu kurudishwa kwa mpango wa National Service kwa vijana wa sasa. Je, itakuwa vibaya tukirudisha mchakato huu kwa wanaomaliza sekondari kutumikia taifa kabla ya kujiunga na chuo au sekta binafsi? Simaanishi tuwe na national service ya kijeshi, la hasha, bali tuanzishe mpango kwa ajili ya wahitimu wa sekondari utakaoweza kuwapeleka vijana wetu vijijini kufundisha masomo kama hisabati, na lugha kwa kipindi cha miezi 6-12. Au hata kuwatumia vijana hawa katika hospitali zetu - kwenye awareness campaigns za ukimwi/malaria vijijini, au kuwatumia kwenye vituo vya kilimo, vituo vya wazee/walemavu/watoto yatima na hata kwenye mabenki. Ilimradi tu mchakato huu usiwe wa kitumwa, au mateso bali uliojaa elimu mbadala wa vitendo ili kujenga taifa imara.

"Thula Mama"

2010-06-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela dedicates his song, "Thula Mama," to all women -- and especially his grandmother.

This is one of the finest uplifting tunes I have ever heard. Trust me, it's not just a hype.

Na napenda kuchukua nafasi hii kudediket huu wimbo kwa mama yangu, Ubungo Kibangu na bibi yangu, kijijini Kihurio (Same). Bila kusahau mama zetu wote waliotulea, kutuasa, kutusaidia na kuwepo karibu yetu kila tulipowahitaji/tunapowahitaji.

Shukrani kwa ushujaa, ushupavu na mioyo yao migumu iliyotuambukiza maarifa, kujiamini na kutupa busara kwenye maisha yetu ya ujana. Tungekuwa wapi leo hii bila nyinyi?

Nawatakia siku njema!

Mbu na harufu ya pombe

2010-06-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Habari si njema kwa 'wanywaji' bongo. Utafiti umeonyesha kuwa, mbu wanaosababisha malaria wanavutiwa mno na harufu ya aliyekunywa bia. Mbu kama wadudu wengine wengi wana uwezo mkubwa wa kuhisia harufu mbalimbali - insect repellant nyingi zinatumia sifa hii ili kufukuza mbu. Katika utafiti huu uliofanyika huko Burkina Faso, watu 43 pamoja na mbu takribani 2500 walitumika ili kuweza kudadisi athari zozote kwa mbu zitokanazo na unjwaji wa bia.

Watafiti hawa wanaeleza kuwa metabolism ya bia mwilini inabadilisha kemikali fulani za harufu zitokazo ngozini na hivyo harufu itokayo baada ya kunywa bia yaweza kuwa inawavutia mbu hawa. Pia wanadokeza kuwa, baada ya bia kunywewa kinga mwilini hupungua, kwahiyo mbu kwa namna fulani wameweza kujenga uwezo wa kuhisia upungufu huu na hivyo kupendelea zaidi harufu ya waliokunywa pombe. Utafiti zaidi wahitajika ili kufahamu ni signatures gani za harufu zinazobadilika ambazo zinavutia mbu hawa. Itabidi tuanze kupiga 'tungi' ndani ya neti.

Did you guys see this?

2010-06-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

Just saw this on Lin The Fin's Blog (Posted on the 17th May, 2010; I don't understand how I missed the whole saga... I guess the officials did their best to keep things quiet.):

Last week presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Armando Guebuza inaugurated the long-awaited Unity Bridge that spans 720 meters over the river Ruvuma between Tanzania and Mozambique. The two countries are finally connected!

Except they are not.

During the project of spending 34 billion Tanzanian shillings ($ 24 million) nobody thought to build customs posts or roads to the bridge. It's 165 km from the bridge to the nearest paved road in Mozambique, and 56 km to the paved roads in Tanzania. The nearest towns are Mocimboa da Praia (275 km) and Lindi (240 km).

These people built a bridge linked to nothing. It can't have been built so suddenly that it took the Ministry of Planning by surprise. It can't have been so low-profile that nobody noticed that it was happening. According to the Controller and Auditor General (report on financial year 2008/2009) the bridge is "useless".

Finance minister Mustafa Mkulo says "It was unfortunate that there wasn't adequate coordination when the project was being implemented".

No, it's not April fools' day!

Africa: A continent on the move

2010-06-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Jean-Marie Vianney Habarugira

With the 2010 World Cup set to begin later this week, eyes are turning toward South Africa, the country playing host to the world’s most watched sporting event, and, more broadly, toward Africa as a whole. After decades of stagnation, the continent’s economies have expanded much more quickly during the past ten years. So this month, McKinsey Quarterly focuses on Africa’s surprisingly bright economic future. (You will have to register first to get full access to the articles and the interview.)

What’s driving Africa’s growth
The rate of return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than in any other developing region. It’s time for global executives and investors to pay heed.

South Africa in the spotlight: An interview with Deputy President K.Motlanthe
In a video interview, the deputy president of South Africa reflects on its economy, the battle against HIV/AIDS, how the world perceives Africa, and China’s role there.

Checking Africa’s vital signs (with interactive map)
A series of maps and charts on Africa shows the populations and literacy rates of its countries; their position in the World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business index; and changes in life expectancy, real GDP, levels of HIV/AIDS infection, and capital inflows.

Africa’s path to growth: Sector by sector
The continent’s growth story isn’t entirely about the extractive industries. Seven articles examine the future of a wide range of sectors.

Fulfilling the promise of sub-Saharan Africa
The region has already made big strides below the radar. It now stands to become the developing world’s next great success story.

Source: McKinsey Quartely - June 2010 Newsletter

Artwork Painted by Katongo
Tinga Tinga art from Tanzania

Iba kura, uwatishe, ukishindwa kubali

2010-06-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

Hayo sio maneno yangu, jamani! Ni kichwa cha habari cha mtiririko wa makala za Jenerali Ulimwengu kwenye gazeti la Raia Mwema.

Nafahamu fika kuwa Vijana wengi hatupendi kufuatilia Siasa, hatuna mpango wa kupiga kura na hatufanyi mambo muhimu yanayohusiana na upatikanaji wa viongozi kwenye nchi zetu. Lakini, unadhani tutapata suluhisho la haya matatizo yetu kwa kunung'unika tu? Kupiga kelele kwenye forums?

Leo sina mengi sana kuhusu hili jambo, lakini napenda kuwaasa tufumbue macho na tujaribu kubadili fikra zetu. Tuitikie mwito pale jamii inapotuhitaji -- kuna matatizo mengi kila kona kama mnavyojua na ni jukumu letu kujitosa na kujaribu kuyatatua.

Nakusihi ufuatilie makala za Jenerali ulimwengu ambazo zinazungumzia uchaguzi ujao -- kuna mengi sana ya kujifunza.

Maneno ya Jenerali:

KATIKA makala zangu zilizopita nimekuwa nikijadili masuala yanayohusiana na uchaguzi mkuu ujao na jinsi tunavyojiandaa kukabiliana nao. Miongoni mwa mambo mengi ambayo nimejaribu kuyajadili nimekuwa nikisema kwamba sisi Waafrika bado hatujejenga uelewa wa kutosha wa kujua ni nini maana ya uchaguzi.

Bado tunaenenda, hasa tukiwa madarakani au tukiwashabikia walio madarakani, kama vile uchaguzi ni kitu kibaya ambacho hata hivyo hatuna budi kukivumilia kwa sababu, kutokana na sababu zisizozuilika, hakiepukiki. Hii ni sawa na kung’oa jino lililooza.

Ndivyo ilivyo katika nchi zote za Kiafrika. Uchaguzi ni jambo tunalokubali kuliingia shingo upande kwa sababu hivi sasa, katika dunia ya leo, hatutaeleweka duniani kote, na hasa kwa “wafadhili” ambao wanatuambia hatuna budi kuonyesha kwamba tunajali misingi fulani ya demokrasia.

Kama Waafrika, tunachoogopa hasa ni hatari ya kukosa misaada iwapo tutaonekana kama hatutaki kufanya uchaguzi. Tutanyimwa misaada, na kisha tutazomewa kila tuendako Ulimwenguni. Tutaonekana kuwa watu wa ovyo, watu wa zamani mno, watu wasio ‘poa.’

Kama isingekuwa mambo hayo mawili, naamini kwamba watawala wetu wangekuwa wamekwisha kutafuta lugha laini ya kutueleza kwamba uchaguzi ni jambo la hatari lililoletwa na wageni kwa lengo la kutuzuga na kutudumaza kwa kutufanya tuzame katika malumbano yasiyoisha ya kisiasa na tusahau mambo muhimu yanayohusu maendeleo yetu… kama kilimo.

Labda, wangeweza kuogopa kwamba wanasiasa wenzao katika upinzani wasingeikubali lugha hiyo na mantiki hiyo na wangeziingiza nchi katika migomo isiyoisha na ingewezekana hata kukatokea maasi kutokana na wananchi kuchoshwa na kundi linalong’ang’nia kuwa madarakani kwa kutumia kila hila ingawa ni dhahiri kwamba limeshindwa kufanya kazi ya kuwaletea maisha bora wananchi wao.

Endelea kusoma hapa...

Zum zum zum...

2010-06-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Lyrics:

Zum zum zum,
Eeeeh mama nyuki lia we.

Zum zum zum,
Eeeeh mama nyuki lia we.

Toka mbali, kutafuta, ua zuri, la maua,
Zum zum zum,
Eeeeh mama nyuki lia we.

Haya, wenzangu mnakumbuka nyimbo gani? Maana'ke mkiniachia mwenyewe niendelee, blog nzima itajaa:

Mabata madogo dogo, yanaogeleeaa!
Katika shamba zuri la bustani!
Yanapenda kulia,
kwaa kwaa kwaaa kwaaaa kwaaa kwaaa!...

Utu uzima dawa, jamani. Kama ingewezekana kurudi utotoni...

Shukrani kwa da' Subi (sio kwa nyimbo! - bali kwa kutuonesha wapi pa kuzipata videos kutoka Bongo).

Tuzo za waandishi wa habari Afrika

2010-06-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Mwandishi wa habari kutoka Afrika Kusini, Sam Rogers , (Mtengenezaji wa Filamu za Factuals -- kitengo cha Uhalifu na Uchunguzi) ametunukiwa tuzo ya mwandishi bora mwaka 2010 kutokana na filamu yake "Curse of the Nobody People." Filamu ya Sam inazungumzia matatizo ya walemavu wa ngozi, Tanzania; ubaguzi na mauaji ya ndugu zetu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi.

Mtu mwingine aliyetunukiwa tuzo hii kwa mwaka 2009, ni John-Allan Namu, mwandishi wa habari wa KTN, ambaye aliaandaa filamu inayoitwa "In the Shadow of the Mungiki." Wasilikilize walikuwa na yapi ya kusema (kwa kifupi):

Matatizo wanayoyazungumzia sio mapya masikioni mwetu. Nimeperuzi haraka haraka na nimevutiwa na kazi zao. Nadhani unaweza ukazipata kazi za John-Allan kwa urahisi youtube. Nitajaribu kutafuta filamu zao zenye ubora unaokubalika na kuziweka hapa Vijana FM ili tujifunze mawili matatu.

Watanzania na Ujio wa Brazil

2010-06-08T02:11:00.000-07:00

Kipyenga cha mwisho kimelia, huku Brazil wakishinda mpambano dhidi ya Taifa Stars kwa magoli matano kwa moja. Mazungumzo na mabishano juu ya mechi hii iliyokuwa ikisubiriwa kwa hamu na Watanzania wengi itabaki kuwa gumzo la jiji kama sio nchi, kwa wiki kadhaa zijazo. Watanzania tutaelekeza nguvu zetu kwenye kupiga domo juu ya mechi hii huko vijiweni kabla ya hali halisi ya maisha yetu duni kutuzindua kwenye starehe hii iliyo dumu kwa dakika 90.

Ujio wa Brazil umepokelewa kwa hisia tofauti, wengi wakishabikia kuwa hatimaye watamwona mchezaji mahiri wa Brazil, KaKa kwa macho yao wenyewe. Kuna kundi dogo la watu waliotaka Watanzania tususie mechi kwani haina manufaa yoyote katika kuendeleza uchumi wa nchi yetu. Zogo hili la ujio wa Brazil lilianza kupaa kwa kasi pale Bw Paulo Kamau wa Kenya alipobeza uamuzi huu wa Tanzania kuwalipa fedha nyingi vijana hao wa Samba.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) wamekuwa kimya kuzungumzia kiwango halisi walichowapa Brazil, wakati mwazoni walidai kuwa Serikali iliwatengea fungu la dola za Kimarekani milioni sita. Tovuti ya BBC wamedai kuwa TFF iliwalipa dola milioni mbili na nusu. Kiasi taslimu cha fedha walicholipwa Brazil bado kinabaki kuwa tata, huku Raisi wa TFF ndugu Leodegar Tenga akidai kuwa, "It's definitely that the coming of top players in the world will be a big boost to local football as well as the tourism sector,".

TFF imejitetea kuwa, ujio wa Brazil utachochea maendeleo katika soka na kwenye sekta ya utalii. Hizi ndizo sababu kuu mbili zakutetea matumizi makubwa ya fedha ya kuwalipa Brazil kuja kucheza na Taifa Stars, sasa swali ni hili, Je Tenga na TFF wana hoja ya msingi?

Mimi binafsi sidhani kama hoja hiyo ina nguvu ya kutosha kuhalalisha matumizi ya hivyo vijisenti walivyowalipa Brazil, na hoja zangu ni kama ifuatavyo. Soka la Tanzania limekuwa kichwa cha mwendawazimu kwa miaka mingi, na mimi nina uhakika wengi tunajua ni nini kinatakiwa kufanyika ili kuinua soka la Tanzania. Tatizo la kwanza, tunapenda kukimbia kabla hatujajua kutembea, na hoja hii aliizungumzia kocha wa Taifa Stars wa sasa ndugu Marcio Maximo alipotoa ushauri wake juu ya soka la Bongo. Mimi sio mtaalamu saana wa soka wala sijawahi kuwa kwenye kamati ya ufundi wa tunguli, lakini hoja ya Maximo itaungwa mkono na wengi wenye uwerevu. Watanzania inatubidi tuanze kujenga utamaduni wa kusikiliza wataalamu na sio wanasiasa wasio jua lolote.

Sasa tukija kwenye sababu ya pili, ya kuwa ujio wa Brazil utasaidia soko la utalii, nadhani kuna mambo kadhaa ya kuangalia kwa utaratibu. Jambo la kwanza, tuna uhakika gani ujio wao utaongeza ujio wa watalii? Najua moja ya jibu la swali hili litakuwa, kwasababu mechi inaonyeshwa moja moja katika nchi zisizopungua mia 160. Hii inaweza saidia; lakini wasiwasi wangu ni kuwa, kuna utafiti mdogo umefanywa katika kuhakikisha kuwa hii ndio njia bora ya kutangaza nchi yetu. Katika mpango huo, je tuliangalia njia mbadala ambazo zingetugharimu fedha kidogo zaidi na ambazo tungekuwa na uhakika zaidi kuwa zitazaa matunda?

Waziri wa Mali asili na Utalii, Mh. Shamsa Selengai Mwangunga (MB) alipotoa makadirio ya Wizara yake Bungeni, aliongelea mipango kadhaa ya Wizara yake. Moja ya mipango hiyo ilikuwa ni kuongeza utalii wa ndani, kwa kuwapunguzia Watanzania viingilio katika mbuga za wanyama na sehemu nyingine za kitalii. Mkakati huo ni mzuri, lakini bado tunategemea zaidi watalii wa nje. Lakini kidogo kimefanyika kuhamasisha watalii wa nje kuja nchini. Tanzania bado inatajwa kama nchi yenye viwango vikubwa (fees) kwa watalii, ukilinganisha na Kenya na Uganda. Kenya na Uganda walipunguza viwango vyao baada ya uchumi wa dunia kuyumba, lakini Tanzania bado tumeacha viwango vikiwa juu. Sasa hapo ndio kuna mgongano wa mawazo -- huku tunatumia mamilioni kadhaa kutangaza nchi, lakini hatupunguzi viwango. Hao watalii wataishia kwenda Kenya na Uganda na kukwepa Tanzania, hivyo mwisho wa siku tunajaza maji kwenye pekecha.

Ripoti ya Repoa iliyokuwa inazungumzia The Role of Tourism in Poverty Alleviation in Tanzania ni ripoti inayotoa mapendekezo yakinifu. Pamoja na ripoti hiyo iliyotoka miaka saba iliyopita, lakini mapendekezo yake bado yana umuhimu, sasa sijui mapendekezo mangapi ya ripoti hiyo yalifanyiwa kazi na Serikali kupitia Wizara yake husika. Mimi nakubali sekta ya utalii inaumuhimu mkubwa, hasa katika kuchangia kupunguza umasikini. Lakini je, tumeboresha sekta hiyo kwa kiasi gani? Tanzania leo tunaweza kusema huduma zetu za utalii zinaweza kushindana na nchi nyingine za Afrika au bado huduma zetu ni duni. Miundombinu bado ni tatizo kubwa, lakini tumeng’ang’ania kutangaza nchi. Jamani, akili ya namna hii haina tofauti na akili ya mtu anayekaribisha wageni kabla ya kufagia nyumba na kuhakikisha kila kitu kiko sawa.

Timu ya Brazil nd’o hiyo imekuja na kuondoka, sasa ningependa kuona kama malengo ya mpango huo yatafikiwa; soka ya bongo kuhamasika na hao watalii kuongezeka. Mimi kwa kiasi fulani ninakubaliana na baadhi ya watu waliotaka Watanzania tususie mechi hiyo na pia ninakubaliana kwa kiasi fulani na mawazo ya Kamau. Tanzania ni nchi masikini kutumbua fedha zote hizo kwenye kitu ambacho hatuna uhakika kitalipa. Tanzania tukiwa kama nchi moja masikini sana duniani, lazima tuwekeze fedha za walalahoi kwenye mambo ya msingi zaidi, sio kwenye starehe za dakika mbili tatu. Majuzi tu, tulikuwa wenyeji wa mkutano wa uchumi wa dunia. Ukiniuliza mimi hiyo ilikuwa nafasi nzuri kutangaza nchi. Je, tulifanya hivyo ipasavyo, au tulishangalia tu wageni waliokuja?

Aliyesema ng’ombe wa masikini hazai, hakukosea. Na msemo huu ni kweli kwani, ni watu masikini ambao mara nyingi hufanya maamuzi ya papara bila kufikiria kuwa kuna kesho. Tuendelee kuzungumzia ni jinsi gani Brazil walivyopigwa chenga na Taifa Stars, lakini wao haoooo wanaelekea kwenye Kombe la Dunia, Sisi je? Kamau alivyozungumzia “character” yetu Watanzania hakukosea sana. Pamoja simuungi mkono na kejeli zake, lakini alikuwa na hoja. Hivi kweli watu wazima tunaweza kusema,” tumefungwa lakini tuliwapiga chenga”. Hilo ni jambo la kushabikia kweli? Tukiendelea na akili hizo sisi kila siku tutanyonywa na kukandamizwa kwani tumekuwa watu wa kufurahia mafanikio madogo, tena ya kijinga, badala ya kusimama na kupigania maendeleo makubwa yenye maana. Tumezidi kuwa wa ndio mzee, badala ya kuuliza maswali, kupigania haki zetu na kupigani uwajibishwaji wa viongozi wabovu wenye kunuka ufisadi. Watanzania, hivi ndio tumekubali kuwa umasikini ni utamaduni wetu?

Watanzania wenzangu waliojitutumua na kulipa viwango vikubwa kuwaona Brazil, je, ulifikiria mechi hiyo kama ina manufaa kwa nchi yetu. Hivi ni wewe huyo huyo unayelalamika kuwa barabara zimechakaa na msongamano wa magari umekithiri. Wewe ulilipa kwenda kumwangalia KaKa, je nyumbani kwako haupatagi matatizo ya kukatiwa maji na umeme mara kwa mara au unajenerata na bwana la maji nyumbani? Leo hii ukalipe fedha zote hizo kuwaona Brazil, alafu kesho unafanya kila uwezalo kukwepa kulipa kodi na kupokea rushwa. Watanzania tunazungumzia sana kuhusu tulivyo masikini, lakini hapo hapo tunataka starehe zinazotushinda uwezo. Naona tunataka kulazimisha maji yachanganyike na mafuta; kweli Tanzania tuna akili zinazotutosha sisi wenyewe.

Ushauri wangu ni huu, kama tulivyopigania tiketi za kumwona KaKa, basi moyo huo huo wa kupigana usiishie hapo. Moyo huo uendelee katika kupigania maendeleo, kupinga viongozi wabovu, tuwe na kiu ya maendeleo na ari ya kuchapa kazi kama tulivyoshangilia magoli ya Brazil kwa nguvu zetu zote. Tuache kuendeshwa na hisia bali tuendeshwe na fikra, kwani ujio wa timu ya Brazil hauwiani na msemo wa ‘mgeni njoo wenyeji tupone’, bali ni ‘mgeni njoo wenyeji tuzidi kuumia’. Mimi ninawatakia kila la kheri Brazil kwenye kombe la dunia na sisi kama kawaida yetu tutaishia kulishangalia kwenye runinga, kama utamaduni wetu, kwani sisi ni nambali moja kwa kushangalia maendeleo ya wengine na kuiga mambo yasiyo na manufaa.

Picha kwa hisani ya cartoonist Gado

Usalama wa watoto

2010-06-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

Kama ulidhani kuacha kuvuta sigara na kunywa pombe wakati u umjazito itakuhakikishia usalama wa afya ya mtoto wako, fikiria mara mbili:

Kama chenga tu, tumewala

2010-06-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

Tanzania 1 - 5 Brazil (Highlights)

Leo tufurahie chenga za Ngassa na goli la Aziz. Kesho tunaanza kuuliza maswali -- vipi ilikuwaje uwanja haukujaa? Hela za kuwalipa zilipatikana wapi? Faida n.k.

Design competition for youth In developing countries

2010-06-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

Design For the First World is a competition that allows Individuals in developing countries aged 13 and up to participate in a designing challenge to help the first world. The concept derives from the idea that often times developing countries are told how to solve their problems from developed countries. This competition seeks to educate and address first world issues. The design should have a creative solution and should aim to have powerful ideas.

The deadline is July 1st 2010, 11:59 pm EST

The winner for best design and solution will receive a cash prize and will be featured in a design catalogue as well as their work will be displayed in a gallery in NYC. The best project will receive $1000 dollars.

For more info about the competition check out Design For the First World, the rest saving the west.

Credit goes to my friend for hearing about this competition on the radio :)
Thanks again

Mimi na blogs na facebook!

2010-06-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

Na "Mtu Fulani"

Kama kawaida yangu, napata habari sahihi kutoka kwenye tovuti yangu ya Wavuti huku nikipiga mzigo. Nikipata upenyo natupia jicho blog ya Michuzi Jr kucheki ana picha gani asubuhi hii. Ni mwiko kuvunja utamaduni wa Mtanzania mwenye mtandao -- lazima nicheki mambo gani yanajiri kwa Michuzi aka Mzee wa Masafa ya Mbali. Ah! Hakuna atiko mpya ya Mashaka na inaonekana kama pamedoda kiasi fulani. Ninaperuzi kuelekea chini taratibu nikiangalia picha za matukio mbalimbali; nakutana na post ya salamu kutoka kwa Kamau!

Mhh! Kuna maoni zaidi ya 150?? Mashaka kabadili jina nini!? Nasoma ujumbe wa Kamau taratibu halafu najitosa kwenye maoni. Wabongo kumbe tuna hasira kiasi hiki? Wachafuzi wa hali ya hewa ni wengi, lakini kama wahenga walivyosema, penye wengi hapaharibiki neno. Naona baadhi ya maoni yenye mawazo mazuri. Lakini hizi nguvu zingepelekwa kwenye matatizo ya nchi zetu hizi mbili nadhani tungepiga hata hatua moja ndogo ya mtoto mdogo.

Baada ya kumaliza kazi zilizoko mbele yangu, naenda facebook kuona masela wanafanya nini na kutembelea kurasa za maselebriti wa Bongo. Namcheki msela wangu kutoka kitaani, Gillsant -- mshkaji hata akiweka nukta kwenye status yake, comments zinatiririka! Ana marafiki karibia buku tano... Kwahiyo wale wenye blogs zinazotafuta umaarufu hutumia ukuta wake kama ubao wa matangazo.

Namcheki Prof. Jay ambaye alipotea kidogo baada ya kuonekana kavaa uzi wa kijani. Kama kawaida yake anabadilishana mawazo na mashabiki wake. Inaonekana muda na ukimya vimepoza maswali yaliyokuwa kwenye vichwa vya wengi. Naenda kwenye ukurasa wa Fid Q kuangalia kama ameposti mistari na vina vipya. Jamaa mistari yake imeshiba; shule tosha na anaweza kukuambukiza uanaharakati kutokana na msimamo wake.

Ngoja ni-search kucheki kama Juma Nature naye yumo facebook. Kudadadadadeki, Nature ndani ya nyuuumba! Ana mashabiki 46 -- ngoja tucheki itamchukua muda gani kufika mashabiki 1000.

Dah! Nadhani inatosha, ngoja nirudi mzigoni. Lakini kabla ya ku-sign out lazima nipate ile kitu roho inapenda: Picha murua.

Nabofya sehemu fulani na naishia kwenye ukurasa wa Vijana FM. Dah, panatia huruma kwasababu pamedoda ile kinoma. Labda wakiweka picha nzuri za watu maarufu watapata mashabiki zaidi (angalau wafike 500 tu).

Nachoropoka kutoka Vijana FM na kuishia kwenye ukurasa wa Ray C. Naperuzi picha zake haraka haraka kwasababu nimeshaziona nyingi.

Vitu vitamu havihitaji haraka kwahiyo natembelea ukurasa wa K-Lynn mwishoni kabisa. Mke wa mtu hasifiwi, lakini nimeamini kuwa Wabongo ni wabishi!

Na-sign out na kutupia jicho blog ya Mange. Duh, nilidhani blog bado ni changa lakini inapata hits zaidi ya buku tano kwa siku! Kwa mwendo huu, hii nd'o itakuwa mama ya blogs zote Bongo. Michuzi itabidi akae chonjo.

Ngoja nirudi mzigoni.

UNAWE-Tanzania

2010-06-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

Kuna baadhi ya mambo unayaona au kuyasikia na hukupa motisha ya aina fulani - hasa yanapotokea nyumbani. Kitu muhimu zaidi ambacho hukufanya hata uanze kujivunia ni watu wanaojitolea kuwafundisha wadogo zetu na kuwaandaa na dunia hii ambayo inaendelea kutekwa na sayansi ya teknolojia.

Mara nyingi nikitembelea tovuti ya UNAWE-Tanzania, nashindwa kujizuia kujiuliza maswali mengi. Ingekuwa vipi kama ningefundishwa na timu ya kaka Mponda? Je, kama ningeoneshwa mwezi, sayari nyingine, nyota na vimondo wakati bado niko mdogo, mambo yangekuwa tofauti? Kusema ukweli kuna wakati nawaonea donge watoto wanaopewa nafasi na UNAWE-Tanzania. Na nina uhakika juhudi zao zitazaa matunda ambayo yataleta mabadiliko kwenye jamii yetu kwa namna moja au nyingine.

Nakumbuka nilikuwa napenda sana masomo ya sayansi. Na nilijifunza jinsi ya kukokotoa maswali ya lenzi (i.e. ray optics), nilikariri majina ya sayari zote (na idadi ya miezi yao) na hata umbali wao kutoka kwenye jua. Lakini nilikuja kuiona telescope kwa mara ya kwanza nilipokuwa kidato cha pili! Nadhani unaelewa kwanini nawaonea donge wadogo zangu.

Wiki chache zilizopita, UNAWE-Tanzania walipokea vitabu, CDs na vifaa vingine muhimu vya kufundishia. Bahati mbaya au nzuri, kuna baadhi ya vitabu ambavyo itakuwa vema vikitafsiriwa kwenye lugha ya Kiswahili. Kwahiyo, wasiliana nao kama unaweza kuwasadia.

Nakusihi utembelee tovuti yao mara kwa mara ili kufuatilia vitu wanavyofanya. Kama hutaweza kuwasaidia kwenye mradi huu wa kutafsiri vitabu, nina uhakika hapo baadae unaweza ukawasaidia kwa njia nyingine.

Pongezi zangu ziwaendee UNAWE-Tanzania! Nitaendelea kuwatupia jicho kama kawaida yangu.

Mzungu Kichaa anena na Shurufu

2010-06-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Mara ya kwanza nilipoona video ya wimbo Jitolee wa Mzungu Kichaa, nadhani niliicheza zaidi ya mara kumi mfululizo! Sehemu ambayo mpaka leo bado inanipa tabasamu ni pale jamaa anapowarusha masela Kariakoo (muda 0:55):

Halafu, hapo bado sijaanza kuongelea jinsi gitaa lilivyokung'utwa ile kisawasawa -- amelitekenya kama Diblo Dibala!

Kichaa ana hadithi nyingi mno ambazo nina uhakika watu wengi watapenda kuzisikia. Wiki iliyopita Shurufu aliongea na Mzungu Kichaa kwa kirefu na mahojiano yalikuwa kama ifuatavyo (ung'eng'e au ngeli itahitajika):

“I became Mzungu Kichaa not too long ago; when I released my [debut] album 'Tuko Pamoja' in May 2009. So, in that sense I am new to the game as an artist, under the name Mzungu Kichaa. But in reality, I have been around and I’ve been involved in Music ever since I was…very small. And also I have been involved in Bongo Flava since the start of Bongo Flava, recording at Bongo Records. I went to IST with P-Funk aka Majani…just before he got expelled for stealing the school’s musical equipment so he could produce [laughs].

“... I did stuff behind the scenes like on Juma Nature's [2001] album 'Nini Chanzo' and then I did this song which featured quite significantly on Solo Thang's album, ‘Mambo ya Pwani’ which was a big hit. My role was quite significant cause I actually helped…program it, pretty much all of it, cause the remix took my guitar as the foundation of the program. So we did that and that’s kind of what made me known within the industry but I wasn’t known by the public. The name [Mzungu Kichaa] I got…at Bongo Records [given to me] by Juma Nature way back then when I was working there. So I decided to take up the name...

Endelea kusoma hapa...

Ory Okolloh on becoming an activist

2010-06-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

In this TED talk by Ory Okolloh she shares her personal story growing up in Kenya and speaks of the positive ways in which Africa can be perceived. She is an activist, lawyer and blogger.

In her talk, she also mentions the importance of sharing knowledge by blogging and by supporting young entrepreneurs through financial means. She is a corporate lawyer for Enablis, a Canadian non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Any thoughts on this talk ?

Tovuti ya Wahapahapa Na Sanaa..

2010-06-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Leo hii sanaa bado haijapewa heshima na kipaumbele kama inavyotakiwa, pamoja na sanaa kuwa kioo cha jamii. Tovuti na blog zimeanza kumea kama uyoga, lakini chache zimekuwa zikitetea nafasi ya sanaa katika jamii na haki na umuhimu wa wasanii ndani ya jamii.

Wahapahapa ni moja ya tovuti ninazoweza kusema zimejikita katika sanaa, siyo kuishia kuzungumzia sanaa tu. Kitu kilichonifurahisha na tovuti ya wahapahapa, ni kuwa wameweka michezo ya kuigiza ya redio katika tovuti yao. Hii inawapa fursa hata walio mbali kufaidi sanaa hii kongwe iliyopewa kisogo kutokana na ukuaji wa utandawazi. Nadhani kizazi cha enzi zile tunaweza kukumbuka ile michezo ya akina marehemu Pwagu na Pwaguzi katika redio ya Taifa, RTD.

Tembelea tovuti hii ya Wahapahapa na sikiliza michezo hiyo ya kuigiza na pia kujisomea mambo mengi mengineo ya kuelimisha kupitia sanaa.

Antivirus Mixtape iko jikoni…

2010-06-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

Msanii mkongwe Sugu au kama alivyokuwa akifahamika enzi zile kama Mr II anakuja na album itakayoitwa antivurus. Mixtape hii itakayoshirikisha wasanii wengi wa bongo flava, inakuja kwa dhumuni la kupigania sanaa hii na kupigania haki ya badhii ya wasanii wa sanaa hii ya bongo flava na bongo hip hop.

Hivi karibuni kumekuwa na mijadala kadhaa kuhusu mwelekeo wa sanaa ya bongo flava, lakini kidogo kimekuwa kikifanyika kuitetea ipasavyo. Katika makala ya penye kufuka moshi niliweza kujadili uhasama unaoanza kujengeka kati ya wasanii wapya na wale wakongwe. Wasanii wakongwe wamekuwa wakiwalaumu wasanii chipukizi kuwa wanachangia katika kuudhofisha mziki huu wa bongo flava. Nadhani kila mtu analake la kusema juu ya malumbano haya, kutegemeana na upande unaoshabikia.

Shauku yangu na hii mixtape ya antivirus ya Sugu ni kuwa itasaidia kuweka hili tatizo bayana kwa kuwataja wahujumu wakuu wa sanaa hii. Nadhani muda umefika kwa baadhi ya wasanii kuweka msimamo na kusimama pamoja kutetea mziki huu. Tuombe harakati hizi ziweza kuzaa matunda, kwani wengi wanaamini mziki huu umepoteza dira kwa kiasi fulani, sasa sijui kama wewe unakubaliana au kupingana na hoja hii.

Habari hii kwa hisani ya bongo5.com

This week from Sribuo - Sidney's "Scenti No!"

2010-06-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Artist: Sidney
Album: Scenti No! (album review courtesy of SriBuo Media here)

Download free album samples:
Sidney: "Scenti No"
Sidney: "Hye Nkom"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- Courtesy of SriBuo Media

Mimba

2010-06-04T01:21:00.000-07:00

na Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

Kama mjuavyo, idadi ya vifo vya watoto wachanga nyumbani kwetu ni kubwa mno. Filamu hii inajaribu kuchunguza sababu za haya matukio -- kutoka wilaya za Lushoto, Moshi na Serengeti.

Love in the time of Aids

2010-06-04T01:13:00.000-07:00

Na Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

Hii ni hadithi kutoka kwenye kambi ya wakimbizi Kanembwa, Tanzania. Katika filamu hii, Noe Sebisaba anaeleza jinsi alivyojitokeza na kuuambia umma kuwa ana Virusi vya Ukimwi.

Poison Fire

2010-06-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

by Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

The documentary is about oil and gas abuse in Nigeria.

11 minutes on Poverty

2010-06-04T01:02:00.000-07:00

by Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

Video clips from six Maweni Farm documentaries from Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, prepared for Sida (2008).

Cry of the Forest

2010-06-04T00:55:00.000-07:00

by Lars Johansson

This documentary is about efforts to protect what remains of the incredibly rich montane and coastal forests of East Africa through a grants programme by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

Ziwa Viktoria - Mgongowazi

2010-06-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

Na Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

Ufuatao ni mkusanyiko wa filamu fupi kadhaa wa mambo yanayotokea kwenye vijiji vilivyopo karibu na Ziwa Viktoria. Mradi huu uliofanywa mwaka 2004 ni wa Maweni Farm na IOGT.

Uwanja wa Fisi

2010-06-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

Na Lars Johansson (with English subtittles)

Kifuatacho ni kisa cha dada Elisa kutoka Uwanja wa Fisi. Nadhani wengi wetu tumeshaiona hii filamu, lakini nimeona sio vibaya nikiipost tena hapa kwa ajili ya wachache ambao hawajawahi kuiona.

Pia, timu ya Lars imetengeneza filamu nyingine kama hizi nyingi tu ambazo zinajadili matatizo mbalimbali -- kuhusu umaskini, vifo vya watoto wachanga, matatizo yanayowakabili wavuvi wa Ziwa Viktoria n.k. Tutazipost documentaries zote hapa.

Uzuri wa filamu hizi ni kwamba Lars (na wahusika wengine) wanaenda sehemu husika na wanawaacha wananchi watuambie hadithi zao kama zilivyo. Hii ni tofauti na watengenezaji wa filamu kama hizi ambao wanajaribu 'kupindisha' ukweli ili kujaribu kuwasilisha ujumbe wanaotaka.

Ili kurahisisha jinsi ya kuzitafuta hizi filamu hapa Vijana FM, filamu za aina hii (zilizotengenezwa na Lars) nimeziongezea label ya "LARS". Kwahiyo cha kufanya ni kubofya neno "Lars" tu kwenye orodha ya categories iliyopo kulia.

Hadithi fupi

2010-06-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Kwa wale ambao walikuwa wanafuatilia hadithi fupi hapa Vijana FM (unaweza ukazipata hadithi za awali hapa), nataka kuwataarifu kuwa zoezi la kuzipost hapa litasitishwa kwa muda. Huu uamuzi unatokana na ushauri niliopewa na baadhi ya wasomaji, ndugu, jamaa na marafiki kwa kuwa naangalia kama kuna uwezo wa kuzikusanya na kutoa kitabu hapo baadae (kama nikipata nafasi hiyo).

Kitabu (kitaitwa "Kelele za Ukimya - kutoka Uswazi") kikikamilika nitawataarifu na nitapost baadhi ya hadithi hapa . Wakati huo huo naelewa kuwa wahusika wanaweza wakakataa kuchapisha kutokana na mambo ninayoongelea na sababu nyingine wa kadha. Lolote litakalotokea, utapata fursa ya kuzisoma -- iwe kutoka kwenye kitabu, hapa Vijana FM, forums n.k.

Nawatakia siku na kazi njema!

__

SN.

Unakumbuka enzi zile?

2010-06-03T00:55:00.000-07:00

Kucheza gololi, matairi, magari ya makopo, cha ndimu (angaisha bwege, tobo bao na gombania goli), kutengeneza manati na kuwinda ndege, kudaka panzi, kidali po, kombolela... Bila kusahau kufuga samaki (nilikuwa na magapi kibwena! i.e. guppy aka Poecilia reticulata).

I got this film from Jadili Africa facebook page. Jadili Africa was founded in 2010 by conscious Africans who always dream of a peaceful Africa that is in peace with itself. I will encourage you to join the group if you want to see more short clips, articles, documentaries and news about Africa -- covering all sorts of angles; from politics to sports, cultures to myths, history to tourisms, shaky times to triumphs and many more.

Tamasha la Kibera

2010-06-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

Jumapili iliyopita lile tamasha la kuhamasisha Vijana wa Kenya (hasa wa Kibera, Nairobi) kufuatilia mabadiliko ya katiba lilifanyika. Na ifuatayo ni taarifa kutoka NTVKenya:

Napenda kuwapongeza waandaji na wasanii waliojitolea kutumbuiza kwenye tamasha. Ni mfano wa kuigwa.

Technology transforms Tanzania

2010-06-01T22:44:00.000-07:00

I am glad that, technology is picking up the pace in helping farmers, for example to find potential buyers/ markets for their produce, more easily & efficiently. This is promising, that the government is starting to take agriculture more serious. I have always find it interesting, if not ironic, that Tanzania is called the country of farmers (because many people still relay on agriculture)but the agricultural sector is given the least attention & priority.

There is a lot of work to be done still, for example; improving technology in cultivating the land. Many farmers still use hand hoes, instead of tractors, something that limits how much food is harvested annually. Secondly, Irrigation systems need to be put in place, because depending on the rains that are not always reliable, will be inviting hunger every year. However, this is a good step, because as they say, every long journey starts with one step at a time.

Waafrika tuna asili moja?

2010-06-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Na VR

Kwa muda mrefu nimekuwa nikiumia roho mno kwa jinsi watu kutoka Afrika tunavyolundikwa kwenye kundi moja kiasilia. Kukiwa na tatizo utasikia, waache hao, ni tabia ya Waafrika hio, hawatakoma. Bara/nchi yao imelaaniwa.

Ukweli ni kwamba bara letu lina watu wenye asili na tofauti nyingi mno kimaumbile, kiutamaduni na hata ukiingia kwenye chembe chembe za DNA. Ukiangalia bara la Ulaya, Wajerumani wamepakana na Wafaransa, lakini watu hawa hawapendi kabisa kufananishwa. Ukienda Amerika ya Kusini, ni mwiko kumuita mtu anayetoka Colombia Mbrazili.

Utafiti unaonesha kwamba idadi kubwa ya watu wenye asili ya Afrika wana maumbile mengi na tofauti kuliko watu katika mabara mengine -- hasa ukiangalia chembe chembe L1, L2 na L3 mtDNA (Krings et al, 1999).

Wanahistoria waliojaribu kutafuta jinsi ya kuelezea asili ya Mwafrika, walifanikiwa kusambaza mawazo yao pande zote za dunia. Mengi ya mawazo hayo yawezekana yalikuwa ya kudhani tu au imani. Inasemekana kuwa asili ya Mbantu ni misitu ya Kongo. Ingawa yawezekana ikawa ni kweli, nina hofu ikawa ni imani ya wenyeji wa pale waliodhani kuwa wako katikati ya dunia. Na mtafiti aliyefika pale hakuweza kupata mawazo ya staarabu, makundi au falme nyingine zilizokuwa mbali na eneo utafiti huo ulipofanyika.

Kwahiyo elimu iliyopatikana hapo haikuwa ya kutosha au tuseme ilikuwa hafifu. Ingawa mtafiti huyo alilifahamu hilo, aliamua kufanya hitimisho kuwa Wabantu wote walitokea eneo lile. Ninaweza nikahisi kuwa, Kibantu asili kama ilivyokuwa Kilatini na sasa Kiingereza, ilikuwa lugha ya wasomi wa kale hapa Afrika. Sasa, idadi ya watu wenye asili tofauti ilivyokuwa inaongezeka, lugha nayo ilikua na kubadilika taratibu ingawa iliendelea kuwa na asili yake miaka nenda rudi. Hitimisho hili halina uhakiki kuwa asili ya Wabantu na hasa watu wa kusini mwa jangwa la Sahara wawe na asili ya misitu ya Kongo. Cha kushangaza, chembe L0 mtDNA inayosemekana kuwa mzazi wa L1, L2 na L3 mtDNA, inahisiwa kuwa na chanzo chake Afrika Mashariki.

Kwanini Waafrika tukubali kuwekwa kwenye kundi moja kiasilia? Je, uanzishwaji wa Umoja wa Afrika unaangalia tofauti kubwa zilizopo za utamaduni na asili kati ya makundi mbalimbali hapa Afrika kwa nia ya kuboresha sera za muungano huo? Makala hii itaendelea na uchambuzi wa kina zaidi kuhusu hili jambo.

Picha/ramani inapatikana hapa.

No TZ referees ahead of Brazil game

2010-06-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

I just came across this DailyNews article about there being no local Tanzanian referees to run the Taifa Stars vs. Brazil game. The match, scheduled to be held in Dar at the National Stadium on Monday, June 7, is highly anticipated by Tanzanians globally.

According to the article, "Tanzania has repeatedly failed to produce quality referees [ in recent decades ] who could make cut in the international scene save for regional tournaments which they have rarely impressed."

There seems to be mounting pressure around this game for those Tanzanians involved in hosting the event. Another DailyNews article discusses why the dates and times changed.

Anyhow, here's what I'm asking: Is this a good time to assess why Tanzania is not in the World Cup or what?

Previous Vijana FM post: Brazil wanakuja kukiputa na Taifa Stars!

(Above image of Collina - even though it has almost nothing to do with this post - courtesy of Rankopedia)

Media Relations 101 - Getting media coverage

2010-05-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

I work for a strategic communications firm that caters to a strictly non-profit clientele; as such, I have had to do a lot of research for clients on issues as diverse as arts education, community colleges, healthcare for the elderly, and immigration. Any social entrepreneur will need to learn the ropes about communications and media relations, i.e., getting the word out there. Seeing as there is so much to learn and know, I will be posting up articles regularly on strategic communications. Sharing the knowledge is what it is all about!

What are “media relations” and “strategic communications”?

Every startup wants to project a favorable image of itself in the media. In order to accomplish this, in-house or contracted public relations professionals develop a rapport with media outlets, reporters, producers, etc. This is media relations. If your startup has to do with arts and East African women, you would develop relationships with key members of the media, such as reporters in arts, women’s rights, social issues, economics, business, and education, for example.

This goes to say that when your startup wants to let the media know about something your organization is doing or premiered, you would probably release a press release and pitch a story to the media. We’ll have more on that below.

Strategic communications means developing communications plans and initiatives to further an organization’s goal. Web sites, news conferences, brochures, and social media are all examples of strategic communications. How does your web site further your goal as an entrepreneur? What can the website do for you? What aims will social media address? These are questions you should ask yourself.

The first thing I’ll discuss today will be “pitching” a story and creating a reporter’s database.

What is “pitching”? It means getting on the phone or e-mail and letting reporters know what’s going on. How do you know which reporters to target? If your startup is local, regional, or national in focus, it should target media outlets that also have coverage on that level. However, some media outlets with national coverage also have local bureaus depending on the locality; you can also contact them if you want to target a local, audience for example. Once you have honed in on what kind of publication you want, read the paper, listen to that radio station, or watch that TV news channel. Look up on Google or on the outlet’s website “education, arts, women, East Africa, social issues” and see which reporters are writing about those issues. Sometimes you can get the reporter’s e-mail address from the website; if not, phone the media outlet and ask for the reporter’s contact information. When you are pitching, you want the reporter to know you have read their articles. For our example, you may want to tell the reporter you have read their latest article on an NGO using theater to empower women in small villages, and you thought they would be interested in knowing about an event a women’s arts organization will be hosting.

Before you start pitching, you should begin with researching media outlets and reporters who may be interested in your story. Identifying key players is of utmost importance. You don’t want to contact a reporter who writes about parenting if you really want to speak with someone who writes about business; in the event you don’t know who to contact, call the media outlet, and briefly explain your aim. Then ask who would be the right person to speak with. If there are many, ask for an editor.

You will want to create a database of names and contacts for that particular story. If your arts and women’s startup wanted to get coverage of a panel discussion from business leaders who will be talking about arts and business, make sure you target those kinds of reporters. On a simple, Microsoft Excel worksheet, put in pertinent info such as “Salutation”, “Name”, “Outlet”, “Beat”, “E-mail”, “Phone”, “Website”. A “beat” is the topic a reporter covers; a business reporter’s beat will be “business”; a news reporter who writes about “social issues” will have “social issues” as a beat. Once your list is completed you can start pitching!

Another important thing; don’t pitch the same story to two or more reporters in the same media outlet; if an education reporter and metro (or local news) reporter from Newspaper X find out they are to cover the same event, they’ll get annoyed. The key is identifying THE key folks, and no one else.

Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @radiomorillo

READ MORE:

Bad Pitch Blog - things to do and NOT to do when pitching to journalists. Great resource and links to many other sites.

This week from SriBuo

2010-05-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Artist: Kwabena Kwabena
Album: Bibini (album review here)

Download free album samples:
Kwabena Kwabena: "Bibini"
Kwabena Kwabena: "Abotere"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

Andrew Mwenda takes a new look at Africa

2010-05-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Quoted form the TED website: "In this provocative talk, journalist Andrew Mwenda asks us to reframe the "African question" -- to look beyond the media's stories of poverty, civil war and helplessness and see the opportunities for creating wealth and happiness throughout the continent".

About the speaker (from TED speaker description): "Andrew Mwenda is a print, radio and television journalist, and an active critic of many forms of Western aid to Africa. Too much of the aid from rich nations, he says, goes to the worst African countries to fuel war and government abuse. Such money not only never gets to its intended recipients, Africa's truly needy -- it actively plays a part in making their lives worse".

We have covered some stories on foreign aid previously. Click here to read more.

Kibera Good Governance Festival - Nairobi

2010-05-30T03:45:00.000-07:00

A new event is being born on Madaraka Day 1st June. Kibera Good Governance Festival will be held just outside Kibera, on the DC's Ground in Makina, starting with local artists performing from 12 noon. Headlining artists include Juliani (KE), Abbi (KE), Mzungu Kichaa (TZ/DK) & VQEE (KE/DK).

For more info, contact Mzungu Kichaa (via facebook) or email: kichaamusic (at) gmail (dot) com.

More Tanzania statistics

2010-05-30T03:31:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by SN's post about the TEDxDar statistics on Tanzania.

In case anyone's looking, here are two solid (and possibly interconnected) sources of demographic, political, economic and social information and statistics on Tanzania:

CIA World Factbook Tanzania Page. Includes:

Geography
People
Economy
Government
Communications
Transport
Military
Transnational issues

EconomyWatch.com Tanzania Page. Includes:

Annual economic indicators from 1980 - 2015
Aggregate indicators (per field)

It may be worth setting up a country-data section on our resources page - let us know what you think and we'll work on it. Happy reading.

TANZANIA

2010-05-29T15:43:00.001-07:00

Kimya chenye mshindo mkuu

2010-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hatimaye kile kimya cha muda mrefu cha Nakaaya Sumari kimeisha. Baada ya da' Nakaaya kuanzisha blog yake na kutangaza kujiunga na Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo aliingia chimboni.

Wachache wetu tulisikia tetesi juu juu tu mwanzoni mwa wiki hii kuwa Nakaaya anapanga kugombea ubunge kwa tiketi ya CHADEMA. Na mchana wa leo Nakaaya amevunja ukimya kwa kutangaza nia yake ya kugombea ubunge wa viti maalumu Arusha.

Binafsi, napenda kuchukua fursa hii - kama Kijana - kumpongeza kwa kujishughulisha na Siasa na kuamua kupigania anachoamini. Wale wenzangu ambao bado wanadhani kujitosa kwenye Siasa ni kupoteza muda, labda matukio kama haya yatawafanya mfikirie upya.

Lakini, kama nilivyosema siku chache zilizopita, kwa kuwa hawa Vijana wenzetu wana mvuto kwa watu wa rika letu, ningependa kuwasikia wakitueleza mambo ya msingi. Nini kinawasukuma kujiunga na chama fulani? Sera gani hasa za vyama wanazoziangalia?

Kwahiyo mimi kama mshabiki wa baadhi ya hawa Vijana waliojiteza na kujitosa kwenye Siasa, nitaiminya kura yangu mpaka nitakapopata majibu!

Picha kwa hisani ya Nakaaya blog.

Backyard Studio na Uchaguzi Mkuu

2010-05-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

Studio ya Backyard ya jijini Dar es Salaam inatoka na changamoto kabambe kwa wasanii wa muziki wa aina yote. Backyard Studio inatoa offer ya kurekodi bure kwa msanii yeyote mwenye nyimbo ambayo inahusiana na uchaguzi mkuu ujao.

Samuel Andrew Mbwana a.ka Braton anaelezea nia na madhumuni ya offer hii kwa kusema, “nimeona nitoe offer hii ili mradi wasanii wapate nafasi ya kutosha katika kuelimisha jamii kuhusu uchaguzi wa amani, faida kupiga kura na kuelimisha jamii kuhusu viongozi wanao tufaa katika jamii".

Hii ni changamoto tosha kwa wasanii, hivyo mjitokeze na kuelimisha jamii. Tunatarajia kuona wengi wenu mkijitokeza na kuchangamkia fursa hii ambayo ni adimu. Tukiwa bado tunasononeka na wengi wenu kutojitokeza na kutunga nyimbo kuhusiana na kombe la dunia, basi tunategemea mtatumia hii nafasi vyema kutunga nyimbo kuhusu uchaguzi mkuu.

Habari kwa hisani ya Issa Michuzi

New kid on the block

2010-05-28T02:30:00.000-07:00

Jamani, jamani!

I couldn't just keep to myself what I came across just a few minutes ago. And I believe there are a number of poetry fanatics visiting Vijana FM who would surely appreciate this post.

Name: Maya Wegerif _____________________________________Location: Dar

I'll be honest with you guys first: Poetry is not my thing (yes, I said it... I know it's controversial in some quarters and all that). But I do tend to enjoy reading excellent poems once in a while that keep me going. In case you missed it, the most important words in the previous sentence are 'excellent' and 'poems'!

So, while I am chillin here waiting for The Trail of Bahati's Shadows (I know, it's taking like forever!), I am certainly enjoying Maya's poems. There is something about the kid.

I am that girl that runs barefoot on the heels of her happily-ever-after
I’m going to be that person that dares to claim the sky with my laughter
I will refuse to be called mistress because I don’t have a master
and f**% it I’ll curse if that gets to the point faster...

Visit the following blog to read her poems: http://mayawegerif.blogspot.com . You can also get in touch with her on Twitter.

Madenge, Lodi lofa et al

2010-05-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Unakumbuka visa vya akina Komredi Kipepe, Dr. Love Pimbi, Lodi Lofa, Ndumi la kuwili na Madenge kwenye gazeti la SANI ?

Miaka ile, katuni hizi zilikuwa maarufu kiasi kwamba baadhi yetu tulibamkikiwa majina yao kama majina ya utani - nadhani mimi nilikuwa madenge. Mtunzi wa katuni hizi ni marehemu Philip Ndunguru, aliyefariki mwaka 1986 akiwa na umri wa miaka 24. Katuni zake ziliendelea kuleta tabasamu miaka kadhaa iliyofuata. Kwa kumkumbuka mtunzi huyu, na kufurahia kazi zake, embu tazama visa hivi.

VijanaFM @ TEDxDar

2010-05-27T11:29:00.001-07:00

I was able to attend TEDxDar on Saturday along with another member of VijanaFM so I wanted to do a quick review of the event while it was still fresh in my mind. I've been trying to post this since Monday, but alas the internet in Dar has been letting me down.

The event overall was very well organized and coordinated for a grassroots effort and the first event of its kind in Dar. It was even streamed live on the net as well as supported by live blogging and tweeting. There were some minor technical hiccups and heavy rain but those were overcome relatively smoothly. It was also a great networking opportunity to meet likeminded folks in the city as well as drive change through collaborative work.

There were a range of speakers at the event ranging from a retired professor speaking about the need for equality between Swahili and English to a social entrepreneur working on a carbon offset venture. They spoke along the themes of ‘What would Nyerere do?’, ‘Hadithi zetu’ and ‘In Between the spaces’ each sharing their perspective on one of the themes.

To give you a feel of each of the speakers I’ll try summarizing some quick points:

Prof Pete Mhunzi

Why equal bilingualism (giving Swahili the same importance as English in business and formal communication) is key to shaping Tanzania’s identity and culture.

Jamie Yang (Co-Founder EGG Energy):

Spoke about what he has learned through his startup.

Its expensive to be poor because water, money and electricity cost more per unit than in the ‘west’?
The poor actively manage their finances and have their own unique portfolio of cash, assets as well as short and long term borrowing.
The poor value quality products and will pay for them.
We need to see more social investment.
More businesses need to serve the poor first then grow up instead of the other way round.

Sarah Mikes and Mejah Mbuya (Street Level):

Promoting preservation of Dar Es Salaam’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Created a series of cartoon sketches that depict daily life in Dar as well as landmark buildings.
Dar is a dynamic city with a lot of history.
How can we create a more sustainable city?
How can we influence policy makers to be more sustainable?

Babu Sikare – Spoke about his experiences with albinism from his childhood days till present. He also expressed his reaction towards the albino killings in Tanzania. He’s started an NGO – Afrobino Inc that is working to educate albino’s about their condition and what they can do to prevent skin cancer which kills an average albino before the age of 35.

Rakesh Rajani – Told two stories. One of despair and another of hope. His first story illustrated the lack of education and medical in rural Tanzania. Swanky clinics are being built but there are not sufficient teachers, medical equipment, medical staff etc. ‘The hardware exists but none of the software’ is available. The second story was about a farmer who on the surface was just a subsistence farmer but in reality had a lot of profitable side businesses. Plenty of dynamism and innovation exists, we just need to get out of people’s way.

Selemani Kinyunyu – Started east Africa’s first carbon offset company ‘Offset Africa.’ He’s working with rural communities to offset carbon emissions whilst also improving local farming/environmental practices.

Vicensia Shule – Spoke about art, drama and dance in Tanzania and in particular about the cultural policies that have been established over time since independence. She was critical of Mwalimu Nyerere in that a concrete cultural policy was not defined during his tenure which left a gap till today in how the government views cultural affairs.

Modesta – Discussed the lack of human resource talent in Tanzania. She envisions confident, tenacious, professional, altruistic, entrepreneurial and patriotic Tanzanians and this will only be possible if we have a national vision to fill this gap with every policy geared towards this vision.

Young Kimaro - Described how each and every Tanzanian must change their cultural habits so that they do the best they can every day, every week, every month, every year if we are to compete with other nations. She compared how tiny Mauritius is able to draw 100 times more tourists because of their great service all the time.

My biggest critique of the sessions was that a lot of the discussion was geared around identifying or communicating problems that exist and less on identifying concrete solutions that could be put into place. Maybe I’m a little too optimistic.

What are your thoughts on the themes/issues discussed? Did you attend the event in person or online? Please leave your comments.

Tumesahau sakata la Mara?

2010-05-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

As-Salaam Alaikum Vijana.

Takribani miezi mitatu iliyopita, blogs zetu zilijaa taswira za wananchi wenzetu walioathirika na uchafuzi wa mazingira - mto Tighithe. Bila shaka macho yako yalishuhudia picha ifuatayo:

Na nina uhakika wengi wetu tulitoa maoni na vilio vyetu. Pia, kuna wale ambao waliahidi kutusaidia kufikisha hili suala kwenye vyombo vya habari vyenye nguvu (Kanada na Marekani). Ni matumaini yangu kuwa zile nguvu, hasira, vilio, mayowe, machozi n.k. hazikuishia kwenye majabali.

Kwa bahati mbaya au nzuri, Vijana FM ilifanikiwa kupata nakala za mikutano na ripoti za mambo yaliyokuwa yanaendelea (kuanzia Mei 2009 hadi mwanzoni mwa mwaka 2010). Binafsi, nadhani kitu muhimu zaidi kilikuwa ni ripoti ya utafiti wa kisayansi uliofanywa na Åsgeir R. Almås, Charles Kweyunga na Mkwabwa LK Manoko.

Sina uhakika watu wangapi walisoma zile makala hapa Vijana FM (tulikuwa ndio kwanza tunaanza...). Uchambuzi wa ripoti za Wizara ya Nishati na Madini unapatikana hapa. Na utafiti uliofanywa na Åsgeir R. Almås et al unapatikana hapa.

Mara ya mwisho niliambiwa kuwa watu wa Foundation HELP waliwapeleka waathirika nane kwenye hospitali ya Muhimbili kwa lengo la kufanyiwa uchunguzi. Mimi sio mtaalamu wa baiolojia, lakini nilitegemea kuwa vitu kama nywele, kucha, n.k. za waathirika zingechukuliwa kwa ajili ya utafiti wa kina -- ambao ungechukua muda mrefu. Na huu ndio ushauri uliotolewa na Åsgeir R. Almås et al.

Lakini, kilichotokea ni hiki: Waathirika walirudishwa kwasababu wanatoka kwenye ukoo mmoja! Kwa maneno mengine, yale yote ni matokeo ya "genetic disorder". Sasa, kipindi chote hiki nilikuwa najiuliza: Hivi, mbona haya matokeo ya genetic disorder yanaonekana baada TU ya uchafuzi wa mto Tighithe?

Chonde chonde wahusika. Sio kila mtu ni mpumbavu... Na Barrick wanajulikana kwa vitendo vyao dunia nzima.

Mlijaribu kuimba kwa ajili ya WOZA 2010?

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Na Japhet Joseph

Mashindano makubwa kabisa duniani ya mpira wa miguu - au kama wengine wanavyouita macharange au kabumbu - ndio yananukia; kwa mara ya kwanza kwenye ardhi ya Afrika! Wasanii mbalimabli wamejitokeza kuwashawishi watu wa FIFA kuwateua ili wapate nafasi ya kutumbuiza wakati huo.

K'naan (ft. Bisbal) - Waving Flag:

Shakira - Waka Waka (mlidhani nitausahau huu?):

Lakini baada ya kufaidi mambo kama haya na ukatulia, huna budi kujiuliza: Hivi, mbona sisikii hata wimbo mmoja wa Kiswahili? Wasanii wetu walijaribu kuimba nyimbo kwa ajili ya Kombe la Dunia? Walijaribu kutafuta nafasi ya kutumbuiza? Au DJs wa FIFA/Bondeni wanatubania tu (wanataka mshiko kwanza)?

Kama hamkujaribu, aisee, mmepoteza bonge la nafasi la kuitangaza nchi, lugha na kazi zenu.

Ni mtazamo tu.

Siasa na Vikaragosi…

2010-05-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Leo hii nimekumbana na habari hii inayohusu kipindi hiki kinachoitwa Za Newz cha Afrika ya Kusini. Kipindi hiki kinafanana na ze comedy cha Tanzania, sema wao wanatumia vikaragosi na wamezamia zaidi kwenye ulingo wa siasa.

Kipindi kama hiki cha ze newz kina nafasi kubwa sana kwenye jamii zetu, hasa katika kuelimisha wanajamii maswala ya kisiasa. Tanzania tukiwa bado na mwamko mdogo katika siasa, vipindi kama hivi vinaweza kuongeza changamoto na mwamko wa kisiasa, hasa miongoni mwa sisi vijana. CCM wamenza kufanya hivyo kwa kutumia wasanii wa bongoflava, mfano ni katika kampeni yao ya mimi nimechangia, naomba na wewe uchangie pia.

Vyombo vya habari bado vinakazi kubwa kuhakikisha wananchi wanajihusisha na maswala ya kisiasa. Kupiga kura ni namna moja tu ya kujihusisha na siasa, lakini je tunazifahamu itikadi za wagombea vizuri. Lazima tujue katiba ya vyama tunavyotaka kuvipigia kura. Sasa kipindi kama Za Newz kinajitahidi kusogeza jamii karibu na maswala ya kisiasa kwa kutumia njia ya kukejeli na kuchekesha. Mimi ninadhani hiyo ni njia nzuri ya kuvuta jamii hasa vijana, na kuwapa habari juu ya maswala mbalimbali ya kisiasa.

Uchaguzi mkuu wa raisi na wabunge ndio huo unakuja, lakini je, sisi kama wapiga kura tumejiandaa vyakutosha, au tunaenda tu kupigia kura wale wagombea wenye sura zenye mvuto na matabasamu mazuri?

Tanzania ni Nchi ya Wapole

2010-05-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Mzazi: We Sikuzani, embu acha hiyo!

Mtoto: Kwanini!?

Mzazi: Kwasababu nimesema!

Haya ndio yaweza kuwa majibizano mafupi katika familia nyingi tulizokulia. Mtoto hapewi nafasi ya kujibiwa swali lake, na mara nyingi majibu yatolewayo ni ya ukali au ya kuonyesha utawala. Mara nyingine ukiuliza 'kwanini', unaweza kubalazwa kofi, kwasababu tu umemjibu mzazi!

Nimeamua kugusia mada hii muhimu ya malezi baada ya kusoma kitabu cha Annette Lareau kiitwacho Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life. Kitabu hiki kinatoa mwanga kuhusu tofauti za malezi zilizopo kati ya familia zenye kipato kikubwa/kawaida (mtaani tutaziita za 'geti kali') na zile za kipato cha chini ('uswazi'), yaani middle-class vs. working-class parenting. Muandishi amejaribu pia kueleza ni sifa gani zinawasaidia au kuwaathiri ukubwani watoto kutokana na tofauti ya malezi kati ya matabaka haya mawili. Ingawa tafiti ya kitabu hiki inahusu familia za marekani, kwa kiasi fulani mengi tunaweza kujifunza kuhusu mazingira ya malezi tuliyonayo Tanzania na jinsi gani tunajenga taifa potofu la wapole.

Lareau anaanza kwa kueleza tofauti mbili za malezi: malezi aina ya concerted cultivation (yanayofuatwa na wale wa 'geti kali') na ya accomplishment of natural growth (yanayofuatwa na wa kipato cha chini). Tofauti kati ya aina hizi ya malezi nitaziainisha hivi punde.

Ili kufahamu tofauti zilizopo katika aina hizi ya malezi, Lareau alifanya mahojiano na wanafunzi zaidi ya 80 wa darasa la tatu na nne kutoka familia za wamarekani weusi pamoja na wazungu. Katika kipindi cha utafiti wake, aliweza kubainisha kuwa aina ya malezi ya watoto inategemea na kipato (tabaka) cha (la) familia, wakati kabila (race) ya familia haina uhusiano wowote.

Kwenye malezi ya concerted cultivation aligundua kuwa, wazazi hawa wengi ni wa kisomo cha juu. Wazazi hawa wanahusika mno katika malezi ya watoto wao nyumbani na kwa kiasi kikubwa pia katika shughuli zao nje ya nyumba (kama ufuatiliaji wa maendeleo yao ndani na nje ya darasa). Wazazi wanashughulikia kuwatafutia na kuwaandikisha wanao katika shughuli za nje ya darasa zinazohitaji usimamizi wa wakubwa, mfano: uskauti, mafunzo ya kuogelea, mafunzo ya kupiga kinanda, n.k. Nia yao ikiwa kuwasaidia watoto wao wawe all-rounded ili kupata ujuzi zitakazowasaidia katika maisha ya ukubwani – hasa hasa katika kazi za utaalamu (white collar jobs). Pia, wazazi hawa mara nyingi walikuwa tayari kuingilia kati pindi kukitokea tatizo shuleni kuhusu watoto wao, pamoja na kukutana na walimu wa shule kuulizia maendeleo yao.

Pamoja na hayo, mazingira ya wanayokulia watoto hawa nyumbani ni tofauti (sio kifedha, bali kijamii). Laureau, anaeleza kuwa wazazi katika familia hizi wanajihusisha zaidi kuongea na wanao, na hivyo kuwasaidia watoto kukuza vocabulary au hata ari yao kujiamini. Ari hii ya kujiamini, inakuzwa kwani wazazi pia wanawahimiza wanao kuuliza maswali au ku’negotiate na wakubwa ipasavyo. Pia, amri zinazotoka kwa wazazi huwa zinaambatanishwa na maelezo ya kwanini wanatoa amri hizo. Hivyo, watoto hawa wanakuwa na mazoea mapema ya kuongea na wakubwa na kujua namna ya kujieleza (mf. matumizi ya eye contact), na hata kuwa na uwezo wa kujieleza mbele ya umati. Kumbuka watoto waliofuatiliwa ni wa umri wa miaka kati ya 7 na 9. Laureau anaeleza kuwa, 'ubaya' wa malezi haya ulionekana kwa ukithiri wa watoto kulalamika-lalamika ovyo, kutaka kuwa centre of attention, kuwa wabishi/watundu, kimbelembele, kutojua umuhimu wa pesa, pamoja na kutokuwa karibu na ndugu/koo.

Wazazi wa familia zenye kipato cha chini walifuata aina ya malezi ya accomplishment of natural growth. Katika malezi haya, mzazi hajihusishi mno katika dunia ya mtoto zaidi ya kutoa chakula, malazi, elimu, na mavazi. Tumaini la wengi wa wazazi hawa ni kwamba mtoto atakuwa (atapevuka) tu, sponteaneously – yaani, 'muache mtoto awe mtoto'. Lareau anaandika kuwa, watoto wa malezi haya muda wao mwingi baada ya shule hutumia kucheza na wenzao na hawana ratiba iliyobana ya extracurricular activities kama waliokuwa nayo wa 'geti kali'. Katika malezi haya mazingira au ‘dunia’ ya nyumbani ya mtoto na mzazi ina mipaka thabiti. Mzazi hajihusishi kwa kiasi kikubwa na kazi za mtoto za nyumbani, na mara nyingi wazazi wanatoa amri/adhabu kwa wanao bila hata kumueleza mtoto ‘kwanini’ (mf. Sikuzani na mzazi). Hivyo, watoto wanakuwa na woga kujieleza kwa mamlaka (watu wazima), na mara nyingi wanakuwa na heshima binafsi ndogo (self-esteem). Uzuri wa malezi haya yanafahamika na wengi, kwani katika jamii ya nchi yetu ni aina hii ya malezi inafatwa. Sifa chanya ni kama watoto wanakuja kuwa wakarimu/diplomatic, waangalifu katika masuala ya pesa, n.k.

Lareau anaonya kuwa, hakuna mzazi mbaya au mzuri. Ila, malezi ya concerted cultivation yanawapa advantage fulani watoto ukubwani, hasa katika utafutaji wa kazi (job market). Baada ya miaka 15, Lareau alifuatilia maendeleo ya watoto hawa ili kufahamu wanajihusisha na nini. Watoto waliokulia malezi ya concerted cultivation (geti kali) wengi wao wanafanya kazi katika kazi za utaalam (white collar jobs), wakati wengi wa waliolelewa kulingana na modeli ya accomplishment of natural growth walikuwa bado wanabangaiza.

Mara ngapi umemuuliza mtoto swali dogo tu mtaani, na akaficha uso/mdomo na kukujibu kwa kunong'oneza, hii kama hajakupa jibu: "sijui"? Kwanini watoto wengi (hasa wasichana) Tanzania wanakula chakula chumba tofauti na baba mwenye nyumba?

Nchini Tanzania ni aina ya malezi ya accomplishment of natural growth yanayofuatwa na wengi. Hii inachangiwa sana na hali ya umaskini (mfano: mzazi hajui kusoma/kuandika), ila kwa namna kubwa inachangiwa na mila/desturi zetu tulizorithi kutoka mababu. Ni muhimu kutafakari kuwa mila na desturi hizi nyingi hazitatupa advantage yeyote katika dunia ya sasa na kesho ambayo vijana wachakarikaji wanahitajika. Hali ya umasikini wetu kwa namna moja au nyingine inatokana na aina ya malezi tunayokuza watoto wetu.

Jinsi dunia inavyozidi kuwa competitive, ndivyo tunavyotakiwa nasi kubadilika na kujenga taifa la vijana wanaojiamini walio na umahiri wa kuchukua nafasi katika kila anga. Tunahitaji wananchi wasioogopa kuuliza maswali kwa viongozi wao, hivyo wasio rahisi kudanganywa uchaguzi baada ya uchaguzi. Wananchi wa aina hii ndio wasioogopa kuleta mapinduzi katika jamii ili kufuta status quo. Wananchi wa aina hii tutawapata kama tukiwalea watoto wetu kupitia malezi ya concerted cultivation. Ni hivi tu, tutapata wafanyabiashara mahiri, professionals chungu nzima, na muhimu zaidi raia wawajibikaji. We need less submissive citizens and more of whom are ready to take charge.

Nimechoka kusikia kutoka kwa wageni kuwa: “watanzania ni wapole”.

Ningependa kumaliza kwa kumnukuu David Brooks: “todays rich don’t exploit the poor, they outcompete them.”

picha:

http://www.worldvision.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.201

http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2010/04/masai-children.html

Grant opportunity for African journalists

2010-05-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Announcment courtesy of NGOpulse.org:

FAIR Small Grant Guidelines for African Investigative Journalists

Opportunity type: Grants

Opportunity closing date: Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) is offering investigative journalists the opportunity to apply for a grant that intends to help further their research on a particular investigative story of their choice. Two grants of up to €3 000 each and eight smaller grants with a value of €500 each, are funded by Freevoice, and are intended to be used by a journalist for an investigative story that would not otherwise be published.

Application Information

Applications are open to all investigative journalists based, working, and operating in Africa. Applications must be accompanied by a 1 page summary in English, French, or Portuguese. The summary is of extreme importance since the initial shortlist of 20 applications will be compiled on their basis and only the applications that make the shortlist will be considered in full.

The application must contain the following:

Subject;
Envisaged methodology (source-building, data to access, testing of obtained info in order to reach conclusion);
Reason why this subject was chosen;
Media house that has undertaken to publish (the acceptance letter from the editor is to be attached);
A paragraph about earlier publications by the journalist; and
Budget (expenses only).

If an investigation topic is of such a sensitive nature that the applicant does not want the topic to be known to others, he/she should state this in the application. In this event, the applicant and the advisory council will come to an agreement on a suitably neutral/general description of the nature of the investigation, which description will be used when the award is announced.

The applications must be sent by email or fax - preferably along with a hard copy, to the contact details below.

Submission deadline: 31 July 2010

For more information or to submit entries, click here.

Brazil wanakuja kukiputa na Taifa Stars!

2010-05-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Brazil are to play friendly matches against Tanzania and Zimbabwe before heading into the World Cup in South Africa

The games are to be formally announced when all the required documents have been sent by the respective football federations. Read more...

Kwa wale ambao bado walikuwa wanadhani habari zilikuwa danganya toto, bofya hapa!

* * *

Sasa, hawa Brazil ndio watatutambua sisi ni nani!! Tukicheza kwa nguvu zetu zote, tutafungwa 5 - 0 tu. Bring it ooooooooonnnnn!

Bring on the learning revolution!

2010-05-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

Creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish.

I certainly did enjoy the talk! Which part resonated with your spirit?

Motherland

2010-05-24T14:03:00.000-07:00

Motherland, a new documentary film directed by Owen 'Alik Shahadah. A sequel to '500 years later', it premieres tonight in Maputo, Mozambique.

MOTHERLAND

Watanzania Tunaogopa Sayansi? Sehemu ya Pili

2010-05-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

Particles. Mlipuko. Mlundiko wa data. Haya ndio yatokanayo kwenye matembezi niliyofanya na wenzangu kwenye saiti ya tafiti ghali kuliko zote duniani: saiti ya Large Hadron Collider pale CERN. Ndani ya bomba la duara lenye uzingo wa kilomita 30 hivi, protoni zinakimbizwa kwa spidi ya kilomita 299000 kwa sekunde ili kusababisha mlipuko mdogo pindi zinapogongana. Mlipuko huu unatumiwa kufahamu sifa za vihimili viundavyo maada (matter), pamoja na siri mbalimbali kuhusu ulimwengu wetu.

Katika safari hii sikujisikia mpweke. Nasema hivi kwani sikuwa pekee ambaye hakuwa na kisomo cha juu cha fizikia. Kulikuwa na watu kama hamsini niliowaona, wa kila rika, wakipishana katika korido za saiti. Nyuzi iliyowaunganisha ni nia ya kufahamu kiujumla kuhusu sayansi ifanywayo nchini mwao. Ni fikra kama hizi ambazo ningependa kuhimizwa nyumbani kwetu. Je, saiti ya Apopo inapokea wageni wazawa wangapi? Makumbusho ya taifa je? Tume ya sayansi (COSTECH) je?

Bajeti ya utafiti wa CERN ni T.Shs Trilioni 1 kila mwaka. Wengi wetu tunaweza kushikwa na hisia na kuwakasirikia na kuuliza kwanini wanatumia pesa nyingi hivi kwa tafiti kama hizi zisizokuwa na uhakika? Wakati huohuo mamilioni ya watu wanakufa kwa ukimwi, malaria na njaa kila mwaka. Binafsi ninadhani mpaka tutakapofahamu umuhimu wa sayansi kwa manufaa yetu wenyewe (waTanzania), hatuna haki ya kuwa na hisia hizi. Sayansi yetu ya kupambana na haya majanga inahimizwaje? Au jamii yetu tutabaki kushabikia akina dokta manyau tu.

Spidi ya hatua zilizopigwa na wenzetu kwenye sayansi inastaajabisha. Na kutambaa kwetu katika lengo hili hili halitazaa matunda kama hatutaamka. Tunahitaji kufinywa na kuhimiza sayansi nyumbani.

Ujumbe kwa TCU & CAS

2010-05-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Tumepata waraka huu kutoka kwa mmoja wa wasomaji wa Vijana FM (Japhet Joseph):

Tanzania Commission for Universities (TUC) ilibadilisha utaratibu wa wanafunzi kujiunga na elimu ya juu kupitia Central Admission System (CAS), ambapo mtu analazimika kutumia simu ya mkononi na mtandao (internet) kuomba nafasi.

Mfumo huu umesaidia kwa kiasi fulani lakini tatizo linakuja kwa wale ambao hawajajiunga mpaka tarehe hizi za mwisho, ambapo mwanafunzi analazimika kukaa kwenye internet café hadi saa tano usiku na kuendelea ili kupata huduma hii -- wakati huu system inakuwa haijaelemewa.

Suala lingine ni kwa wale waliopo vijijini. Hivi wanajua taratibu hizi mpya au wanaendelea kusubiri matangazo ya redio ili wakachukue fomu za vyuo vikuu? Tunaomba wanaohusika na huduma hii waboreshe taratibu hizi nyeti ili wanafunzi wote wapate fursa ya kuomba nafasi kwenye vyuo.

Tunashukuru kwa msaada wenu.

More from SriBuo

2010-05-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

Artist: Okyeame Kwame
Album: M'anwensem (album review here)

Download free album samples:
Okyeame Kwame: "Yahooze"
Okyeame Kwame ft. Samini Kuntakinte: "Woani So Anaa"
Okyeame Kwame ft. Dilute & Obrafour: "Tie"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

Utoaji mimba

2010-05-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

Kuna mambo nyeti ambayo hupaswa kuangaliwa na kujadiliwa kwa utulivu wa hali ya juu. Hatuna budi kujaribu kuweka hisia na "uzoefu" wetu pembeni ili tuweze kupata suluhisho ambalo litasaidia mabinti na dada zetu; bila kusahau vizazi vyetu vijavyo kwa ujumla.

Kutokana na utoto wangu, nimekuja kulielewa na kuanza kulifuatilia suala la utoaji mimba nilipokuwa kidato cha pili. Wakati ule nilikuwa nashangaa: Vipi, Vijana wanaonekana wanashiriki sana kwenye vitendo vya ngono, lakini "matokeo" (ukiacha Ukimwi na magonjwa mengine ya zinaa) mbona siyaoni? Na akili yangu ilikuwa inaniambia hivi vitu vitatu vina tabia ya kwenda sambamba kwenye jamii zenye desturi kama zetu.

Bahati mbaya watu walionipa mwangaza kwenye mambo yanayoendelea mitaani walikuwa ni Vijana wenzangu vijiweni.

Utoaji mimba... Unashtukia binti fulani anatoweka darasani kwa siku kadhaa halafu akirudi unaona kuna mabadiliko fulani. Ingawa bado nilikuwa kinda, lakini kuna ile sauti kichwani kwangu iliyokuwa inaniambia kuwa vitu haviko sawa kama inavyotakiwa.

Wiki mbili zilizopita Serikali imeamua kuvalia njuga hili suala na kuanza kufunga zahanati na vituo vyote ambavyo hushiriki (kwenye) utoaji mimba. Inaonekana Serikali kama inatumia ile tactic ya kijeshi ya kumshtukiza adui wakati hategemei kabisa kushambuliwa. Lakini tukumbuke hapa tunapigana vita na kuuana wenyewe tu.

Mimi sio mtaalamu wa afya na nisingependa kuhusisha imani za dini kwenye huu mjadala. Kwa kifupi -- kwa maoni yangu binafsi -- nadhani wazee wetu wangejaribu kulivalia njuga hili suala kwa upole kiasi. Kwanza, kuangalia nini hasa ni chanzo cha hizi mimba zisizo na mpangilio. Pili, kujaribu kupunguza haya matukio kwa kutumia elimu na sauti ya utulivu. Tatu, kuwaonya na kuwaambia watu wanaohusika na utoaji mimba kuwa 'tunawaona, tunawajua na tunaamuru muanze kusafisha nyumba zenu!'

Bila kusahau kuwaasa wazazi kuongea na watoto wao kwa uwazi - mabinti na wavulana, pia. Kwasababu inaonekana jamii yetu bado ina ile soni ya kuongelea mambo ya ngono na madhara yake.

Nisingependa kuwapotezea muda wenu kwasababu nina uhakika hamtajifunza jipya kutoka kwangu. Kwahiyo, nawaasa wale ambao wanasomea haya mambo, kuyafuatilia au kufuatilia nchi ambazo takwimu zao kwenye mambo kama haya ni nzuri, kutupa ujuzi na maoni.

Natumaini sauti zetu zitawafikia wahusika, kwasababu hili jambo ni nyeti mno na linahitaji kuguswa kwa utulivu kama tunavyotoa uchafu kwenye mboni za macho yetu.

From the Horn of Africa

2010-05-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I first heard of K'naan - and listened to his lyrics carefully - in the Nas and Damian Marley's Distant Relatives LP (I have been very busy lately, you know). The kid is talented (listen to 'Tribal War)!

In the following clip, K'naan talks about survival guilt, the World Cup and learning English through hip-hop.

I just have a number of questions: Do you learn anything at all from hip-hop? Do you have any hip-hop or Bongo Flava song that keeps you going or changed the way you think about/look at certain things? Or it's all about entertainment and all that c**p?

Binafsi, kuna baadhi ya nyimbo za hip-hop ambazo zimenifumbua macho. Kuna sehemu ambazo sijawahi kufika, lakini nyimbo za hip-hop zimenipeleka mbali! Kuna nyimbo ambazo zinafanya siku zangu ziwe fupi! Pia, kuna nyimbo ambazo zinanifanya nijiangalie kwenye kioo na kujiuliza maswali.

Sasa hivi huu ndio wimbo wangu:

Sabali.

Wamechangia, wewe je?

2010-05-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

Nimefurahi kuwa leo nimejifunza kitu kipya.

Inaonekana kuwa Vijana wenzetu wako karibu na viongozi wetu. Na cha muhimu zaidi ni kwamba wanajihusisha kwenye shughuli muhimu za siasa -- kampeni na (labda) kupiga kura muda utakapowadia.

Ni jambo jema nadhani; lakini nashindwa kujizuia kufikiria na kujiuliza: Hizi juhudi zingekuwa zinapelekwa kwenye nyanja nyingine muhimu kwenye jamii zetu, mambo si yangekuwa angalau afadhali kulinganisha na hali ilivyo sasa hivi? Mara ngapi umesikia kampeni kama hizi kwa ajili ya kununua madawati au kujenga shule? Au kununua vifaa muhimu kwa ajili ya kuokoa maisha ya watu hospitalini?

Nawaomba chonde chonde jamani Vijana wenzangu mliopata nafasi kama hizi za kuwa "karibu" na viongozi na chama tawala, endeleeni kupiga kelele tunazosikia kwenye nyimbo zenu!

Ukiacha hayo, ingekuwa jambo la busara kama hawa Vijana wenzetu wangetupa sababu za kujihusisha na siasa au chama husika. Kwa mfano: 'Mimi Mwakipesile Albas'tini, nimeamua kujihusisha na kampeni za chama fulani kwasababu zifuatavyo... (a), (b), (c) na (d).' Kuonekana kwenye mabango tu bila kusema chochote inachefua. Je, hizo hela zitatumiwa vipi?

Na mwisho ningependa kutupia jicho suala la Mh. PINDA kutawazwa kuwa kamanda wa VIJANA (CCM) mkoani Rukwa na kaimu kamanda wa VIJANA Taifa, KINGUNGE NGOMBALE MWIRU. Macho yangu yamekuwa kengeza nadhani...

Picha kwa hisani ya Michuzi Jr.

Welcome to *Badilisha Poetry X-Change.

2010-05-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

Badilisha is a project of the Africa Centre, which promotes Pan-African poets through: Badilisha Poetry Radio, the only poetry podcasting platform dedicated exclusively to the voices of Africa and its Diaspora; and Badilisha Live which hosts two annual poetry events that include performance, workshops and lectures in Cape Town, South Africa.

Badilisha ni mpango wa kituo cha Afrika, kinachosaidia washairi wa Pan-African kupitia: Radio ya Washairi, jukwaa pekee linalojikita kwenye kupaza sauti za washairi kutoka Afrika na wale WaAfrika waishio nje ya bara la Afrika. Badilisha Live huandaa tamasha la ushairi mara mbili kwa mwaka, kukiwa na utambaji, warsha na mihadhara huko Cape Town, Afrika ya Kusini.

Mpango huu unazidi onyesha ni jinsi gani tunavyoweza kutumia majukwaa mbalimbali kuwasilisha matatizo yetu na kujadili masuala yanayojiri katika jamii zetu. Hii ni changamoto kwa sisi vijana, kwani kama sisi ni asilimia sitini ya watu wote Afrika, lakini kundi letu pamoja na kundi la wanawake, ni makundi makuu mawili yaliyosahaulika, hivyo kuna haja ya lazima kutafuta mbinu mbadala za kutetea haki zetu na kuhakikisha sauti zetu zinasikika.

Propaganda za Fid Q zipo kwenye mtandao!!!

2010-05-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

Haya jamani, wale ambao tulikuwa tunalalamika kuwa kupata CDs kutoka Bongo ni mbinde...

Album ya mzee mzima Fid Q, Propaganda inapatikana hapa (bofya)! Unaweza ukapata wimbo wake mpya Ngosha the Swagga Don hapa. Wimbo ni bombaaaaaa!

"Mc'z wanaenda down, ka Zim dollerz
mie sio mtu wa Bling mie ni Culture ka Zemkala
da brightest thang shinin nxt to a Diamond
niite Ghost writter ninapoBLAZE ka Amo
mara nyingi mie nina bahati kama Lotto Machines
sio mtu wa Adventures kama FRODO kwenye Lord of the Rings
niite ROSCOE, ninapoSPEAK in tonguez ka Jenk...inz
Don kama Bosco Mad kama Ice Helsink
unataka Bed fight? mie nina King size na French fries kwa Breakfast
T bone steakz na Prison break ki GANGSTA
Tatoo Plan kama Michael Scholfield
Bruce Lee wa RAP ya AFRIKA, ROCKCITY naigeza RAP SEAT...

"Alipenda kwenda na TAREHE, amesahau SIKU Hazilingani
PESA huja na STAREHE, na MATATIZO humo humo Ndani
Hakuna kinachokauka Mapema zaidi ya MACHOZI
japo MACHO hupaki Mekundu na USONI ishara ya Majonzi
Kizuri ni KIZURI lakini chenye UBORA Ni BORA
Kwa bahati MBAYA au NZURI akaja mchimba MADINI wa Kakora
Akashoboka n...a huyu BINTI Aliyemsafisha macho
Akamhonga, Gari, Nyumba na kile alichokuwa Nacho
Almesahau alitoa, MACHOZI, DAMU na JASHO,
kipindi ana HUSTLE, siku zi nyingi anaamini atarudi apoapo
Siku zote ADAM hakosi EVE wa Kumshawishi
Haijalishi maji ni ya MOTO lazima yataurudia UBARIDI..."

Mistari kama hii haina budi kununuliwa!

Leadership = knowing what, how, and why

2010-05-17T03:16:00.000-07:00

More from SriBuo

2010-05-17T02:54:00.000-07:00

Artist: Mimi Divalish
Album: Music In Me (album review here)

Download free album samples:
Mimi Divalish feat. Tinny: "Fa ma mi"
Mimi Divalish feat. Jane, Caroline, Dela, Sita, Pappi 5five: "Leave me alone (remix)"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

Artist: Mzbel
Album: Saucy Girl (album review here)

Download free album samples:
Mzbel feat. Quata: "Sexy thing"
Mzbel feat. Shilo: "Odo kiss me"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

Artist: Obrafour
Album: Asem Sebe (album review here)

Download free album samples:
Obrafour: "Odo"
Obrafour: "Enye nyame a"
Obrafour: "Bra be whe"

Buy album:
- on iTunes
- on Amazon

Album art:
- SriBuo Media

May 20: Open Space Workshop in Dar

2010-05-16T03:24:00.000-07:00

We recently came across this invitation on LinkedIn about an Open Space Workshop on youth and entrepreneurship, which is happening in Dar on May 20.

Details:

Title: Open Space Workshop on the future of Youth Entrepreneurship Development in Tanzania
Time: Thurs May 20, 2010, 8:00pm - Fri May 21, 2010, 3.30pm
Venue: Benjamin Mkapa Pension Towers, Serengeti Room, 2nd floor, Maktaba Street, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (see map below)

Brief Description:
According to the open invitation, the focus question of the workshop is: “How do we unleash the energy and ideas of Tanzanian youth and start an entrepreneurship wave in Africa that will change the way we see self-employment and create employment opportunities for generations to come?”.

The even is organized by "the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility (YEF), a partnership between the Africa Commission, the Youth Employment Network and the International Labour Organization to Unleash African Entrepreneurship".

They mention on their invitation that they "hope to challenge the East African youth to create employment opportunities for themselves and for their peers and together with national partners we will support them in their efforts."

The conference is "based on the innovative and widely praised 'Open Space' methodology in which participants set the agenda and lead discussions around issues that they feel are crucial for the topic at hand."

Further details:
What is LinkedIn, and how do I get on it?
LinkedIn Open Invitation
About the Africa Commission
About the Youth Employment Network (and the youth-to-youth fund)
About the International Labor Organization

Did You Know? 3.0

2010-05-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

Some interesting data on education, technology, and society.

Outliers: the Story of Success

2010-05-15T04:05:00.000-07:00

Hivi punde tu nimemaliza kukisoma kitabu cha Malcolm Gladwell kiitwacho Outliers: the story of success. Nimeona ni vyema kuwasilisha hapa machache kuhusu kitabu hiki ili nawe ukinunue na kukisoma. Kabla sijaendelea, ningependa kuweka bayana kuwa kitabu hiki sio 'self help book' - yaani vile tabu vinavyotoa listi ya ni yepi ya kufanya ili ufanikiwe kimaisha.

Katika makala iliyopita, SN alitupatia maswali na hoja muhimu kuhusu suala la motisha na mafanikio kiujumla kimaisha. Ndani ya Outliers, Gladwell anatupatia mwanga kuhusu sifa zinazowaunganisha watu kadhaa wenye 'mafanikio' katika nyanja mbali mbali. Anaeleza kuwa 'mafanikio' hayatokani na kipaji pekee yaani talent au genius, bali ni mjumuiko wa sifa ambazo mara nyingi hatuzifikirii kama bahati, malezi, mila, historia ya familia/uzawa n.k. Ni muhimu pia kuweka bayana kuwa hapa haongelei ile bahati kama ya kushinda bahati nasibu, bali aina ya bahati ya kuwa 'at the right place at the right time' na kuwa na uwezo wa kuitumia nafasi hiyo kwa manufaa yako kiufanisi.

Malcolm Gladwell ana kipaji cha kuchambua tafiti mbalimbali za sociology na kuzielezea kwa ufanisi kwa mtu wa kawaida (layman). Kwenye Outliers, anaelezea thesis yake kwa kutumia mifano ya maisha ya akina Bill Gates, Mozart, kundi maarufu la muziki the Beatles n.k. Anatuelezea kuwa Gates, ukiachilia mbali uwezo wake kielimu, mafanikio yake katika software industry yalitokana na kuwa na 'bahati' ya kusoma katika shule ya sekondari iliyokuwa na computer maalum isiyotumia punch-cards (pekee nchini US kwa wakati huo) iliyomwezesha kufanya mazoezi kwenye fani hiyo kuzidi wenzake. Nafasi hii na nyinginezo zilimwezesha ku'accumulate zaidi ya masaa 10,000 ya programming kabla hata hajaanza chuo, na hivyo kumfanya awe mtaalam kwenye fani. Anatueleza pia kwamba wale Beatles, chimbuko la umahiri wao katika muziki ulianza tu baada ya kupata 'bahati' ya kualikwa mara kwa mara jijini Hamburg kwenye shoo ndogo-ndogo zisizofahamika, na hivyo kuweza ku'accumulate masaa yao 10,000 ya mazoezi kabla hata ya kuanza kutumbuiza katika shoo kubwa.

Ndani ya Outliers, Gladwell anaeleza mifano ya umuhimu wa uzawa katika mafanikio, anatoa maelezo kwanini wayahudi wengi wanaendesha uchumi wa miji kama New York. Ohh, na pia hujawahi kujiuliza kwanini Wachina/Wakorea/Wajapani wengi ni wakali katika hisabati? Hasa hasa Wachina tunaokumbana nao vyuoni huku ulaya na marekani? Gladwell anaelezea kuwa chimbuko ni kutokana na lugha zao kuwapa advantage fulani katika kuhesabu, yaani zipo very concise kuzidi lugha kama kiingereza au nyingine nyingi. Sijui kiswahili kikoje katika fikra hii, ila hii ni mada nyingine ukizingatia kuwa nchini TZ hisabati bado ni gonjwa sugu.

mwandishi Malcolm Gladwell

Kitabu hiki kinachochea fikra, na ni aina ya vitabu ambavyo kijana wapaswa kusoma. Binafsi nimevutiwa na insights hizo mbalimbali, ingawa katika baadhi ya 'stori' kunakuwa na oversimplification fulani katika kutafuta chanzo - masuala ya causality na correlation. Ila utaweza kupata mwanga kuhusu ni yepi yanawafanya baadhi ya watu kuwa wa pekee. Are YOU an outlier? Je, tayari umeshakusanya masaa 10,000 katika fani uliyopo sasa?

Waweza kukinunua Outliers hapa: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0316017922
Soma kazi zake nyingine hapa: http://www.gladwell.com/

Kufundisha Viongozi

2010-05-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Msomaji, nadhani wewe ni mmoja wa watu ambao wamebahatika kupata elimu. Je, unadhani unaitumia elimu yako na ujuzi wako ipasavyo? Matatizo unayoyaona kwenye jamii inayokuzunguka yanakugusa kwa namna moja au nyingine?

Mwezi uliopita niliandika makala kuhusu viongozi ambayo ilikuwa imeegemea kwenye siasa zaidi. Lakini leo ninakuomba uangalie video ifuatayo ya Patrick Awuah, kutoka Ghana, kuhusu viongozi kwenye nyanja nyingine muhimu kwenye jamii. Patrick anazungumzia fikra na mawazo yetu; umuhimu wa kuwa na fikra za majukumu ya kijana kwenye jamii. Kama wahenga wetu walivyosema 'samaki mkunje angali mbichi', Patrick anaongelea jinsi ya kuandaa watu kuwa Viongozi -- kuwafundisha na kuwafinyanya ili fikra zao ziweze kuwa na mawazo ya kutatua matatizo mbalimbali kwenye jamii.

Tafadhali, ukipata muda msikilize Bw. Awuah kwa makini:

Reflections on the World Economic Forum for Africa

2010-05-12T04:19:00.001-07:00

"We produce what we don’t consume and we consume what we don’t produce."

The World Economic Forum for Africa concluded on Friday May 7 in Dar-es-Salaam. We put up a post about the beginning of the forum, but this post is to draw some conclusions and invite opinions as to the direction of Africa's economy as a whole.

The title of this post is a line from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete's speech, which was extracted from his quote on this press release. It describes the disproportionate ways in which African economies are integrated into the world financial markets. That is, the trend has so far been for African countries to produce and export goods and services while return are of lesser value. President Kikwete emphasized that it is time to "move Africa from the periphery to the centre of the global economy."

South African President Jacob Zuma also seemed optimistic that Africa is going to experience positive economic change, especially due to this summer's FIFA World Cup. According to Zuma, “in a short period of time, Africa is going to be the place for doing business globally. Foreign Direct Investment will come on its own.”

Others, including Pat Davies who co-chaired the meeting as Chief Executive of Sasol South Africa, felt that time is being wasted, and that the focus needs to be on giving "business reasonable certainty and predictability and we can [create] partnerships". That is, yes we can talk about laws and regulations, but let's get moving.

As for youth - who are 60% of what we call "Africa" - not much was said. Ajai Chowdhry, CEO of HCL Infosystems mentioned "make your human capital capable, and entrepreneurship will happen." Of course, the Young Global Leaders Summit was held in conjunction with this conference, which may have delved into the potential of youth more than the World Economic Forum for Africa.

More comments from the Forum from various individuals can be found on the press release.

That being said, it is difficult to decipher anything concrete coming out of this conference. I just checked the World Economic Forum website and it's filled with headlines about the EU bailout package for Greece. So I would like to pose a few questions in an effort to gauge what we should really be focusing on as youth who see ourselves as stakeholders in our countries' development.

Therefore, I would be keen to discuss the following:

1. Considering that the World Economic Forum has a mandate, and that this mandate is known to member countries, and further that each member country outlines its goals and responsibilities before joining such bodies, what has this latest conference changed since the last conference?

2. Considering that the role of youth is somewhat encompassed separately under the branch of the Young Global Leaders Summit, and considering that the Young Global Leaders Summit does not seem to be run by anyone under 25, where can the youth themselves go to express their ideas for sustainable change?

3. If a forum is defined as a commonplace for open discussion, do forums necessarily have a "start" and an "end"? That is, is the purpose of the World Economic Forum for Africa to meet once in a while to check up on things, or is it rather a constant engagement with the means to satisfy objectives set at each conference?

4. Considering the response to number 3 above, is there formal protocol to host a constant engagement with the political, economic, and social roles of youth Africa?

5. About that graphic above, which I picked up from the press release "illustrations" page, why are we talking about designing and organization still? Most of (political) colonialism was done about 40 years ago, folks. Where are we in our own "design process"?

For further reading:
World Economic Forum for Africa updates
WEF reflections press release
Photo gallery
Interviews
Image (above) in PDF link

Voices from Tanzania

2010-05-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

by Stella Evelyn Tesha
MD, Green Waters Foundation, Brittenoord 21, 3070 KA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

'Voices from Tanzania' is a poetry collection to be published in 2011. Some of my previous poetry works are: Love as Flowers and A Journey into Life.

As the above title implies, the collection will be of voices from different people who have a connection with Tanzania. This means, they don't have to be Tanzanians only. Our aim is to raise awareness that will contribute to positive change and development. Also, to motivate more people to get involved in the development and positive progress of Tanzania.

Rules and guidelines for poetry submission:
1. The poetry submitted should be your own work, and it shouldn't have been published before.
2. Poetry submitted should have relevance to Tanzania.
3. All subject are allowed. We specifically encourage people to focus on development issues such as: gender, street children, youth, nationalism, democracy, corruption, farmers, situation in rural areas, the people, culture, beliefs, etc.
4. Sarcasm and humor is ok, but there should be no use of abusive language.
5. Harassment or racism poetry won't be published by us.
6. Poets submitting poetry must provide us with their full legal name. We do not discourage poets submitting poems using a pseudonym name. We can publish poems submitted by poets using their pseudonym name, however for legal purposes the full legal name is required.
7. We reserve the right not to publish your work.

Please note: This is a project under Green Waters Foundation. All (if any) resulting earnings will be re-invested in capacity building project in Tanzania.

If you have read the guidelines and decide to submit your work of poetry for publication, please don't forget to fill in the following details: Full Name, Contact Address, Location and Nationality.

If you wish, you may make a financial contribution towards the publication of the book to:
Holder of the A/C: Green Waters Foundation
Bank A/C No.: 3458111 (ING Bank)
IBAN: NL57 INGB 0003458111
Address: Groeninx van Zoelenlaan 125
Postal Code and Location: 3078 AW Rotterdam

For more details, e-mail: stella.tesha (at) green-waters (dot) org

Solo Thang arudi na Ung'eng'e!

2010-05-11T04:01:00.000-07:00

Juhudi za wasanii wetu kujaribu kuvuka mipaka zinatia moyo na nadhani zimeanza kuzaa matunda. Njia mojawapo ni kutumia lugha ambayo watu wengi nje ya Tanzania wanaielewa. Hii ina faida na hasara zake -- inategemea unaangalia hili suala kwa jicho lipi!

Msanii mwingine ambaye anajulikana na wengi kuwa ana msimamo mkali, Ulamaa amerudi na wimbo mpya unaoitwa 'All I need':

Kama ulivyoona, kuanzia mwanzo hadi mwisho ni ung'eng'e tu au lugha ya Malkia, kama mchangiaji mmoja anavyoiita. Binafsi, nadhani jiwe limetulia. Lakini kama mmoja wa washabiki wa Solo Thang, kuna sehemu ya moyo wangu ambayo imetibuliwa.

Solo ana uwezo mkubwa SANA wa kufinyanga na kucheza na maneno ya lugha yetu ya Kiswahili. Kunuka Kunukia, Si Ulinikataa, Sukari na Pilipili, Hili Balaa, Homa ya Dunia...Vina Utata! Natumaini atarudi na nyimbo kama nilizozitaja huku akipiga danadana maneno ya Kiswahili kama Messi.

Hebu jikumbushie njia aliyopitia Msafiri (bofya)! Sikiliza 'Sikati Tamaa', 'Travellaah' na 'Usinichokoze'...

Penye Kufuka Moshi

2010-05-10T03:47:00.000-07:00

Wanasema, la mgambo likilia ujue kuna jambo, na mimi leo nauliza kulikoni wasanii wa muziki huu wa bongo flava?. Majuzi niliandika shairi na mwisho wa shairi nilisema kwa utani, heshimu sanaa, kwani imeajiri vijana wengi zaidi ya wizara ya Kapwaya. Pamoja nilisema kiutani, lakini nilitaka watu waelewe umuhimu wa sanaa hii katika maisha ya vijana. Kuporomoka kwa muziki huu, kutaadhiri maisha ya vijana wengi waliojiajiri kupitia muziki huu, hivyo ni vyema kuutetea na kuulinda kwa kila hali na mali.

Gumzo la mjini ni juu ya vita kati ya ma-Dj na wasanii, pia vita kati ya wakongwe wa muziki wa bongo flava na wasanii chipukizi kwenye muziki huu. Afande Sele ameshutumu ma-Dj kwa kuchangia kudhofisha bongo flava. Shutuma hizi zimekuwa za siku nyingi lakini kwa muda mrefu zimekuwa ni minong’ono tu, lakini leo O-ten na Dudubaya nao wamejitoa mhanga na kuwasema Ma-Dj. Hivyo nimeachwa nikiamini, panapofuka moshi ujue pana moto.

Shutuma za ma-Dj kubeba wasanii na kulazimisha wasanii wawalipe fedha ili kucheza nyimbo zao redioni, ni ukiukwaji wa maadili ya kazi zao. Pili, kwa tabia hii basi ni kweli muziki wa bongo flava utakuwa unatawaliwa na fedha badala ya ubora wa kazi na ubunifu. Kwa mfano, mimi kama msanii mwenye kutengeneza kazi mbovu, najua nitasikika tu kwani ma-Dj watafanya kila wawezalo nisikike na hatimaye kupendwa, kisa fedha nilizowahonga. Hii inahatarisha fani na pia inahatarisha maendeleo ya sanaa hii.

Afande Sele kama mmoja wa wasanii wakongwe pia amewasema wasanii wapya katika nyongeza ya shutuma zake dhidi ya ma-Dj. Afande Sele amedai kwamba wasanii wapya hawana ubunifu wala mashairi yenye kubeba ujumbe wenye msingi. Hivyo nyimbo zao nyingi zinakosa maudhui ya kina lakini zinatamba kwani zimekuwa zikibebwa na ma-Dj. Hapa Afande amekuwa na hoja sawa na ile ya msanii Nas kipindi kile aliposema Hip Hop Is Dead.

Pamoja na baadhi kukubaliana na Afande, lakini wapo baadhi wameuliza maswali ya msingi, kama, kwanini wasanii wakongwe hawawashirikishi wasanii chipukizi kwenye nyimbo zao. Hapo hapo wengine wamedai, kulalamika kwa wasanii wakongwe ni kutokana na style zao kupitwa na wakati hivyo kukosa airplay. Mimi nimekuja kuona pande zote mbili wana hoja za msingi, kivipi?

Wasanii wakongwe wangejaribu kushirikiana na wasanii wapya, hilo linaweza kuwasaidia na kuwakuza wasanii wapya kisanii. Hili litaongeza ushirikiano baina ya wasanii na katika ushiriano huu, itawasaidia katika kutetea haki na maslahi yao pamoja, kwani kutengana ni udhaifu. Pili, ni kweli baadhi ya styles za zamani leo hii haziwezi kuvuma na mfano mzuri ni huyu msanii Sugu au Mr. II. Leo hii ninadiriki kusema moja kati ya sababu kuu ya kushuka kisanii kwa Sugu ni kung’ang’ania kwake na kuendelea kurap na style yake ile ile ya miaka ya tisini. Albamu yake ya Veto ilinisikitisha mimi kama mpenzi wa bongo flava, kwani ilikosa ubunifu na upya.

Hivyo basi, badala ya kusukumana kati ya pande hizi mbili, mimi nadhani la msingi ni ushirikiano kati ya wasanii wakongwe na wapya, ili kuongeza chachu ya ubunifu kwenye sanaa. Muziki wa bongo flava hauwezi kuachwa ukafa hivi hivi baada ya safari ndefu ya kuufikisha hapa ulipofikia leo.

Maudhui ya fasihi za kina katika muziki wa bongo flava lazima udumishwe kwani heshima ya muziki lazima ilindwe, kwasababu hatutaki kurudi kwenye zama zile ambapo muziki huu ulionekana ni muziku wa kihuni tu. Tulinde heshima na tudumishe mshikamano. Ujumbe kwa wasanii wakongwe, mwalimu bora na mwenye mafanikio ni yule ambaye huwa mwanafunzi kwa kuwa tayari kujifunza kutoka kwa wanafunzi wake pia. Hivyo basi, tuhakikishe tunauzima moshi huu kabla ya moto kuanza kuwaka, kwani bado tunaishi kwenye nyumba ya nyasi. Kidumu chama cha bongo flava.

Mic MOJA tu?

2010-05-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

Jana nilipata fursa ya kujikumbushia nyimbo za Hasheem. Sizungumzii Hasheem huyu -- namuongelea Dogo! Wakati nasikiliza freestyle inayoenda kwa jina la 'Naharibu' rafiki yangu akanipa wazo la kichokozi... eti tumtafute Dogo, tumuombe arudi ulingoni, tumlipie gharama za studio ili atoea angalau album moja tu.

Tuyaache hayo.

Hivi umeshawahi kujiuliza hili swali: Ingekuwa vipi kama Bongo tungepewa mic moja tu? Yaani, baada ya kuangalia vipaji kadhaa/wasanii mbalimbali, unadhani yupi anastahili kupewa hicho kipaza sauti kimoja tu ili sauti yake iwafakie Vijana wote Tanzania?

Binafsi, napenda wasanii kibao na nawasikiliza wote, lakini kuna mmoja ambaye nadhani atastahili kupewa hiyo mic: N***a Jay, Jay wa Mitulinga, Mti Mkavu, Jay Tunakuzimia, Jay Nyangema, Heavy Weight MC, Prof. Jay...

Tangu Jay atoke na album ile nzito iliyoshiba mawe na vina tokea mwanzo hadi mwisho (Machozi, Jasho na Damu) sidhani kama ametuangusha. Na utakubaliana na mimi kuwa amekuwa kama sauti ya walalahoi.

Wakati muda wa kupiga kura ukikaribia na watu wakiumiza vichwa kura zao ziende kwa nani nadhani labda mambo yangekuwa rahisi mno kama Jay angekuwa mmoja wa wagombea!

Najua wengi mna mawazo tofauti ambayo ningependa kuyasikia. Nani apewe mic?

The Question of Foreign Aid: a rejoinder

2010-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Wiki chache zilizopita, tulikuwa na mjadala hapa kuhusu Dambisa Moyo na ujumbe wake kuhusu athari za misaada ya maendeleo katika ukuaji wa uchumi wa Afrika. Leo nimetazama hotuba ya mchumi mwingine mashuhuri kutoka Ufaransa, Esther Duflo, mshindi wa mwaka huu wa medali ya Clark, almaarufu kama 'the baby nobel'.

Prof. Duflo anafanya utafiti unaojaribu kufahamu ufanisi wa misaada hii katika kupambana na umaskini. Kwa kutumia field experiments ameweza kuainisha umuhimu wa baadhi ya misaada hii katika kupambana na umasikini. Baadhi ya tafiti hizo ni; umuhimu wa ugawaji bure wa neti zenye dawa ya mbu, mapambano dhidi ya minyoo mashuleni katika kusaidia upatikanaji wa elimu, umuhimu wa incentives kwenye miradi ya chanjo, n.k. Hapa mjadala sio uwepo wa misaada au la, bali ni namna gani tunaweza kutumia kwa ufanisi fedha au rasilimali za miradi ya upambanaji wa umasikini.

Mapenzi

2010-05-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Anaitwa Loise van Baarle, mchoraji chipukizi kutoka Uholanzi. Hapa chini waweza tazama moja ya kazi zake, katuni fupi kuhusu mapenzi katika kijiji cha Tanzania.

tanzanian love story from Lois van Baarle on Vimeo.

Kwa zaidi, mtembelee hapa : http://loish.net/