I have many a fond memory of my time as a lecturer and tutor at Zanzibar School of Health, a visionary learning institution in Zanzibar training today’s young minds to become tomorrow’s health care professionals. But the memories that stand out the most to me as an educator while there are of those moments when…
Recent events showing Tanzanian Members of Parliament (MPs) struggling to express themselves in English while seeking to represent the country in international parliamentary bodies suggest that campaigning for wider use of Swahili in international institutions must now reach beyond Swahili speakers. These MPs exposed a structural problem in how we select international representatives. Rather than…
A valid will in Tanzania is determined by its contents, which must contain all the necessary information to address relevant matters and eliminate any doubt as to the intentions of the deceased. A will must bear a clear title stating that it is the Last Will and Testament, as an individual may execute more than…
Power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely is perhaps not even enough of an expression to explain some of the most “beyond disgusting” behaviour that the world has witnessed of late. We turned the other cheek, and even applauded, when a head of state and his wife were forcefully snatched from their bedroom and…
In an open grassy clearing, perched upon a rock and belting out its melodious call, stood a stunning Yellow-throated Longclaw — perfectly poised to attract a mate. This was my first sighting of the bird. With its brilliant yellow chest framed by a bold black necklace, it is truly a treasure to behold in the…
The other day, I met a former colleague of my late father. The now very elderly man, Mzee Mpogolo—presumably in his late 90s—is nevertheless still remarkably sharp-minded. After the usual formal greetings, he wanted to know whether I was still involved in music. Naturally, I told him that apart from enjoying listening to music, I…
A valid will in Tanzania is determined by its contents, which must contain all the necessary information to address relevant matters and eliminate any doubt as to the intentions of the deceased. A will must bear a clear title stating that it is the Last Will and Testament, as an individual may execute more than…
Recently the Ministry of Education came up with new strategies to improve basic education skills which are reading, writing and arithmetic for pre-school and standard one to three students. The ministry says that there is a growing tendency in our school system to have students in standard three who cannot read, write and count. For…
The kettle shouts before it’s hot,Announcing urgency it’s not.At five a.m. it starts a war,With sleep that hadn’t closed the door. I beg it softly, tap its side,It whistles louder, full of pride.The water barely starts to steam,Yet kettle acts like world-ending scene. By breakfast time my nerves are gone,The kettle hums like nothing’s wrong.It…
It opens wide in cloudless sun,Prepared for rain that never comes.But when the storm arrives with force,It folds itself without remorse. The wind flips ribs like elastic tricks,One wire pokes, another sticks.I wrestle rain with broken pride,While passersby enjoy the ride. It leaks politely on my shoe,Pretends that’s what umbrellas do.The handle squeaks like tired…
