Most visitors to Tanzania arrive through our international airports, so it is important that these facilities appear clean, efficient and welcoming. Generally, I believe they do. However, having one’s first few hours in the country disrupted by being wheel-clamped—due to a few drops of oil—by an overzealous or opportunistic official issuing a hefty fine is…
One of the common misinterpretations of the struggle for Africa’s liberation from colonialism is the oft-repeated narrative that some countries—such as my own, Tanzania—gained independence without shedding blood. With due respect, there is no such thing. Conquest itself is costly and regaining freedom is profoundly expensive. Moreover, the price of lost freedom cannot be measured…
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) was established in 1964 and has since remained a vertically integrated monopoly responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. While this model was suitable during the early phases of electrification, it is increasingly ill-suited to meet the country’s growing energy demands, technological advancements, and investment needs….
Africa’s traditional food plants are gaining global recognition—not just for their cultural value, but also for their potential in managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Many native crops such as millet, sorghum, teff, okra, and cowpeas, as well as African-sourced foods like baobab and tamarind, have naturally low glycaemic indices (GI), making them excellent choices for…
Welcome to our weekly Health Diaries column, where we explore a variety of disease-related topics and simplify complex concepts for our readers. As a medical doctor, I frequently encounter patients who believe in certain health “facts” that are simply not true. Unfortunately, these myths—often passed down through generations or spread via social media—can prevent people…
An umbilical hernia is a common condition in infants and young children. It occurs when a small portion of the intestine or fatty tissue protrudes through the abdominal muscles near the belly button (umbilicus). While this may sound concerning to parents, umbilical hernias are usually harmless and resolve on their own as the child grows….
Africa’s dinner plate is a colorful tapestry woven with grains, roots, pulses, vegetables, and fruits—some native to the continent, others brought in from distant lands over centuries. Understanding where our food staples come from helps us appreciate its role in health, culture, and history. Many of Africa’s current food staples are indigenous, meaning they were…
My conversation this week marks a radical departure from the usual topics I write about— economic and business matters. Today, I am writing about carbon markets. Many rural communities in Tanzania are now earning millions of shillings through the “sale” of carbon dioxide. Yes, business in carbon dioxide. However, this business is unlike conventional enterprises…
Imagine you have a tonne of dangerous chemical waste or radioactive material in your backyard. It certainly poses potential risk and danger to the health, safety and security of your own family and probably neighbours. To stem that, you arrange to have the material dumped in the backyard of a “third-family” and go back to…
I was driving slowly along the road when I spotted a tawny eagle flying low, almost hovering above a carcass. As I drew closer, I saw what had caught its attention – a dead honey badger (Nyegere in Swahili) lying by the roadside, evidently the victim of a speeding vehicle. It was a disheartening sight….
