We live through both good times and difficult times. That has always been part of human history. Those are moments that give us cause to celebrate and there are also moments that challenge us to reflect, improve and find better ways forward. Such is the nature of human experience. In our country today, we are…

Two weeks ago London celebrated 60 years of carnival. This biggest cultural event in Europe is celebrated annually at the end of August. The biggest in the world happens in Brazil during February. I have personally participated in both- and other smaller ones, eg, Cologne in Germany. Not many nations in Africa observe carnival except…

Leaves are vital to plant growth and development. Leaves capture energy from the sun that is then used in the process of photosynthesis. Additionally, leaves paint a picture for us on how plants are doing and reveal the health of a plant. Understanding the meaning behind different leaf colouration and patterns will help you better…

Did you know that a company in Tanzania can sometimes receive a tax benefit for supporting projects that help society? However, this does not mean you can donate a few bags of rice and tell TRA, “Please forget my taxes!” Under Section 16 of the Income Tax Act, Cap. 332, certain contributions made by a…

Nothing could have prepared me, a 14-year-old Ilona native, for the modern world that welcomed me when I arrived at Mkwawa High School in Iringa in 1968. I had grown up in the Southern Highlands, where water came from village wells and mountain streams and homes depended on kitchen fires, ‘karohola’, kerosene lanterns and pressure…

A lot of euphoria followed the inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam (JNHD). In the eyes of many people, this was the panacea for the power outages that have ravaged the country for so long. The JNHD has added 2,115 MW to the national grid, against the current peak demand of 2,199 MW. Personally,…

The impressive landscape rising from the lake welcomed us as we approached Rubondo Island. Its forests and vast stands of papyrus swamp, which provide habitat for a variety of specialist bird species, were truly beautiful. We soon spotted a beautiful Papyrus Gonolek and a pelican spreading its wings among the floating blossoms, creating a gorgeous…

Many Tanzanian parents were recently surprised when they were asked to take their children for another dose of the oral polio vaccine. A common question has been: “My child already received all their routine polio vaccines. Why do they need another one?” The answer is important. This recent campaign is not because routine vaccines have…

Have you ever wondered what you eat can affect not only your digestion but also your mood, immunity and long-term health? Your gut is not simply a tube for digesting food. It is a remarkable communication centre. It constantly communicates with the brain, the immune system and the gut lining itself. One of the major…