Fermented foods have been staples across Africa for centuries—offering more than just taste and tradition. Science now confirms what our ancestors knew: Fermented foods improve digestion, boost immunity and preserve nutrients in a natural way. Take injera, the spongy flatbread that defines Ethiopian cuisine. Made from teff flour and fermented for two to three days,…
The morning sun was warm and I felt delighted to see the little visitor who came almost daily to the garden in search of insects. It was a tiny kingfisher—one of the smallest—yet a vibrant bird with a bright blue crown, orange face, and a wash of purple feathers along the side of its head….
She shares a smoothie, green and pure,With lighting made for furniture.“Vegan vibes!” her caption beams,While she hides doughnuts in her jeans.It’s Insta-life—unreal, assured.He posts a pic in Paris now,But that’s a wall in Dar, somehow.He geotags with flair and pride,While his true trip’s just roadside fried.Still, comments flood: “Wow! So blessed!”Each square a lie, a…
The story kicked off in 2023. Media platforms were screaming. As some big incidents do, it did not (immediately) catch everyone’s attention, but burned slowly like a forest fire. Such are major stories. The two men were completely incognito and insignificant. Certain types of thugs and murderers crave notoriety to find an inner purpose of…
It is Teresa of Avila, in Spain, 1515-1582, who says:Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is enough. Indeed, in life we crave many things: Wealth, power, glory, influence and for much more, hoping that these things and these positions in life will make us truly happy. But the…
Fifteen years after launching the EAC Common Market, the dream of a united and connected region is still stuck on the runway. While leaders love to preach regional integration, the cost of flying within East Africa tells a different story. A simple return flight between Nairobi and Entebbe, for instance, can set you back up…
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…
