The Arusha News is three-year and half old. Compared to most newspapers we are still infants. Nevertheless, most here have been writing for several decades.
Sometimes going through this distinct edition I find views are scattered and different. Sometimes, collectively, similar. Last week was a typical example of the latter.
Elly Manjale’s “Development Talk” leaned towards better business deals and health. The global yearning for avocados is overwhelming. Avocados are the King of nutrition. Possessing 23 known nutrients.
Dr Mark Bura’s “longevity tips” focussed on male health. Prostate cancer is currently one of major male global killers.
Nashesha Rowberg’s highlight on the growth of vegetables in a region known for the love of meat- quite ironic.
Meat is tasty but balancing it with raw and semi raw vegetables, advisable.
I wrote about swimming and its health benefits.
How many of us swim?
The second theme was Pan Africanism and xenophobia.
Topic was kind of fuelled by editor’s Down Memory Lane 1966 image of Dr Eduardo Mondlane (assassinated by a bomb in Dar es Salaam 1969) flanked by Major General Mirisho Sarakikya. Mboneko Munyaga’s piece reminded what went on 50 years plus ago. When we were into Pan Africanism and now we hear Adama Dieng’s warning the hounding (and near genocidal intent) of fellow African migrants in South Africa. There was a time when most of my music and poems were in support of the anti-apartheid struggle and solidarity with fellow suffering South Africans.
And now? We risk betraying the foundations “of the African project” lamented Dieng.
Finally there was the “scary” black mamba article by G Madaraka Nyerere. A philosophical outline with complex meanings. Preservation of nature, the dangers of nature and the tradition and ancestry.
Here again another parallel poignant historical article (and photograph) of New Arusha hotel by Issa Michuzi.
An historic hotel – a centre point between Cairo and Cape Town. Here in Arusha are collection of game parks and wildlife. Contrast this with Madaraka’s black mamba reflection.
Meanwhile The Arusha News generally reporting world cup kick-off, plus other news bulletins.
What does this collection of thoughts tell us about the times we are living and the unspoken psyche of communities?
Do we sometimes share a similar pulse – on a different melody?
