It was a quiet afternoon, a day unlike any other for Rehema – a 24 year old girl from Nyakato. From the shore of Lake Victoria, a rendezvous point for an important meeting with her boyfriend, John, she was anxiously waiting, staring at the Bismarck rocks standing audaciously on the lake. It was the day…
There was a time when Tanzanians mentioned names of their political leaders with pride. Nyerere and Sokoine — among the most cherished — led the country development vision in ways that made ordinary citizens feel there were a part of a big national project, much like people building their city together, stone by stone. The…
I have heard and read about the cliché “African resource curse” too many times; that the past and continuing atrocities against people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and other mineral or oil rich African countries, are simply because they found themselves living on top of so much wealth they did not know what…
The Tanzanian dream is many different things to different people depending on which side of the aisle you are; a promise, a heritage, a business empire, a paradise or a nightmare. It is even more complicated when it comes to the Tanzanian youth, who despite being the largest demographic, get the tiniest piece of the…
Going to primary school in Dar in the 1990s had a lot of joys. The regional sporting events; children book fairs that on top of giving many free and interesting books, awarded pupils who demonstrated most outstanding literacy skills – which I did and walked home with a memento; and the occasional overly dramatic make-believe…
“Downtown Dar looks enchanting this morning. At the roundabout between Samora Avenue and Maktaba Street where the Askari monument stands, there is a dazzling fountain, surrounded by blossoming flowers and other decorative plants. The fountain has a circular silver base which carries two bronze figures; what appears to be a beautiful African princess wearing a…
I have been crucified twice because of the Queen’s English. The first time was at the beginning of my secondary education; the crime was not speaking it. The second time was at the University of Dar es salaam (UDSM) for speaking the language. The secondary school experience was more dramatic. It involved literary wearing a…
Ndugu, I heard you graduated…Hongera!!! In our part of the world, this is a big achievement and a worthy cause for celebration. To many African families, having a member who has completed tertiary education is a promise for a better life not only for the graduate but the entire family because education is the best…
I believe that for every person who has decided to passionately embark on learning a trade,an art form or a science, there is always a moment, when the mind totally opens up and enthusiasm spreads all over… and with the mind’s eye begin to clearly see, as theories start taking shape, texture and color. Whether…
Rapport with my soul 