Albert Einstein was truly unique. As a child, he was a “late talker” compared to most children but he mastered differential and integral calculus by age 15! He disliked his school’s system of rote memorization and rigid discipline prevalent in Germany at the time. Because of his critical thinking and curiosity, he kept asking questions…
Adoption in Tanzania is not a casual “pick a child and go” affair—far from it. Under the Law of the Child Act, the process is as serious as a High Court matter because, well, it actually is one. Prospective parents must be at least 25 years old and at least 21 years older than the…
In our quest for better health, are we being led down an expensive and unnecessary path? As a doctor who has practised medicine in Tanzania for over two decades, I have observed a worrying trend. Our pharmacies and shops are flooded with bottles promising stronger bones, sharper vision, healthier skin and boundless energy for every…
Traditional foods across Swahili-speaking communities of Eastern Africa provide a wide variety of plant-based dishes that support healthy diets, nutrition experts say. Many of these foods are already deeply embedded in daily meals and can play an important role during periods such as Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season when many people reduce or avoid…
Arusha is currently ranked as the fifth strongest regional economy in Tanzania, after Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya and Morogoro. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), it has a GDP of TZS 7 trillion (approximately USD 2.8 billion) and contributes about 4.5–5.0 per cent of the national GDP. This contribution—roughly one-twentieth of Tanzania’s…
It is truly fascinating when we reflect on the depth of wisdom that is embedded in the numerous proverbs and sayings that come to us from all cultures and traditions. These proverbs grew out of the experience of our ancestors and especially on their continuous reflection on that experience. It is sad that the present…
BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The recent acquisition of a controlling stake in Kenya’s Nation Media Group by Tanzanian businessman, Mr Rostam Aziz, may signal a subtle but significant shift in the dynamics of East African regional integration. Mr Aziz last week secured majority control of the Nairobi-based media conglomerate, one of the most influential news…
Differences in how we operate phone calls overseas and back home are influenced by the culture of etiquette. Originating in French (i.e. “estiquette”) means sticking to rules as required by King Louis 14th’s court during the 17 century. A Swahili equivalent is “adabu” – itself hailing from Arabic “adab”… When people from home call, the…
Near the bus stop, a group of males and females are laughing, chatting, holding vessels of alcohol. As the bus rolls in, the group hops in, each clutching Strongbow cider cans like weapons of mass destruction. Seated on the upper deck of this red London bus, behind you, the gang laugh and talk animatedly. Conversation…
As Lent and Ramadan continue, many families in Arusha and across Tanzania are turning to lighter, plant-based meals, warm soups and herbal drinks. A common question I receive during clinic hours is: Can garlic, turmeric and ginger help stop early flu – especially when symptoms begin in the throat? Let us examine the science calmly…
