BY FREDDY MACHA
Londoners understand the western area of the city is an expensive area. Subsequently, you do not come to The Marble Arch Hotel by Thistle in West London to mess about.
No wonder when welcoming hundreds of Tanzanians from as far as Scotland and Ireland, our High Commissioner, Mr Mbelwa Kairuki, highlighted that word: Commitment.
“During weekends … if you are going to work, you get extra money…” yet they all flocked to West London.
During a five- day busy schedule, meeting the Prime Minister (PM), Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, was the climax of a series of events and crucial business networking.
One reminder, though.
When you leave your country, you become more patriotic.
However, in my experience, covering and being part of the diaspora for decades, we may group this “overseas psyche” into three categories.
Those who do not attend events. Some have foreign citizenship. Do not visit their High Commission- unless they have to or in emergencies.
The second, are cynical (probably critical) of whatever is going on. They might follow news faithfully but unconvinced.
Like PM Nchemba told the forum a few times : “Let me tell you what is really going on … as sometimes you might not get the correct news.”
We recognise that.
Fake news. AI-generated stuff. Social media hearsay.
Third group are those who attended such a forum. Dancing in the rhythm of their country.
This is what High Commissioner was referring to. Sacrificed a family Sunday.
So much packed into the PM trip as well as the weekend for Diasporans. National Identity cards (NIDA), banking info, immigration matters re-clarified, potential investment … etc.
Plus burning questions.
There was a lady – in tears -expressing receiving death threats after her running charity projects (in one of Tanzania’s rural areas), stopped by local corrupt heads intent on sabotaging her (and husband’s) efforts.
Or NALA founder (Benjamin Fernandes) frustration at not being able to travel to the USA – as his successful project continues to flourish globally … there were many hands raised. Questions.
This is Europe. Time is money.
PM openly announced his phone number for questions to be sent via WhatsApp.
That was something.
Meanwhile, Tanzanians who rarely meet – met and said goodbyes, immediately. Living overseas is about squeezing time. But most important- investing home.
We were reassured. And openly acknowledged by recent political leaders that Diaspora based citizens are a potential part of the Tanzanian economy.
Email: mtegowachui@gmail.com
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