Does Africa still need commonwealth cloak?

Currently,  the news about Africans going to Europe–just like explorers, missionaries and other colonial agents did–seems to have faded away. However, Africa has always been on the spotlight as far as its colonial past and current neocolonialism is concerned. Some African leaders recently congregated in London to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Today, I interrogate the rationale of prolonging colonial legacy over five decades down the line. Does, truly need to keep on being referred to as a British commonwealth while it says it is independent? What are the benefits of such a colonial gathering that has failed even to coerce its former colonisers and tortures to issue an apology and redress Africa for the ills and thuggery it committed during colonial era? What is the rationale that this body has if at all its victims resulting from slave trade to colonialism have never become aware of they truly are? Do African rulers need to kowtow before the queen really?

I know; the status quo will feel offended; thus will defend such a sheepish membership that isn’t only colonial but traumatic. Some’ll say that the members of commonwealth enjoy good ties with their former mother, the British. Do they really need such ties or justice? For example, despite meeting with her majesty, African leaders did not address the issue of economic immigrants from Africa as they are referred. So, too, the members did not ask the logic for Britain to bless monarch while it killed the same in Africa. I’d argue that Africans going to Europe seeking greener pastures are modern time missionaries. This is because when white missionaries and other colonial came to Africa were welcomed and treated humanely though in the end they reciprocated by colonising Africa.

 Ironically, the same Africans back home in this post-colonial era, still remember and treasure names of thieves such as Livingstone, Mungo Park, Henry Morton Stanley, Carl Peters and others not to mention honouring and keeping their statues and other stinking and traumatising memorabilia and paraphernalia. What does this blindness mean, if it is not self-denial and colonial mentality? I don’t think there are any statues of African heroes and heroines especially those who fought vigorously against colonial imposition in Africa and Europe. I know of the one of Nelson Mandela’s. If there is another one, I’d like to know about it so as to compare with the number of Europeans’ ones Africa is pregnant with.

Despite by vicariously presiding over colonialism and slavery, ironically and sadly, the queen of England still has many streets named after her almost in all former British colonies otherwise known as commonwealth. Even the term commonwealth is colonial for African countries so to speak. As if keeping colonial debris is not enough, when the same Africans keeping such debris want to get out of Africa are subjected to many questions and conditions in order to secure the visas of western countries while the westerners come and enter our countries as pleased. Some of our brothers and sisters make a goof by believing that keeping colonial debris will attract tourists who will leave a lot of dollars back. Is keeping colonial debris only viable and respectable project that such people can see while they have a lot of natural resources?  Isn’t this double standard and neocolonialism apart from willful self-enslavement? Isn’t this self-entrapment in the past? The situation is very worse for Africans. Had there been any gist of reality and equality, the Africans going to western countries would be treated the same way the westerners are treated when coming or entering Africa. The ideal example comes from the action of one British MP, Dr. Paul William (Stockton South) who wanted to know if his was ready to use he the CHOGM to give a message to Uganda’s President Museveni leave office after clinging for over 32 years so as to become what the MP called a barrier to the prosperity of Uganda.  Although what Dr. Williams said is true, had it not colonial mentality and double standard the same would have been delivered to the queen who has been in power much longer than Museveni.

To hit back Museveni’s Senior Press Secretary Don Wanyama responded saying that “the UK MP still possesses a colonial mentality where he thinks the western metropolis should determine what happens in Africa” without underscoring why Museveni went there to degrade himself.

Ugh!  When I remember how Africa went bananas at the time many countries acquired their independence, which is dependent independence, I feel disheartened after evidencing all these banana republics that Africa has now. What we’ve achieved is less compared to what we’re robbed. Isn’t it the right time that Africa has reached waterloo even Marengo for recycled rulers? Despite being a bumbling goon, former Gambian strongman, Yahya Jammeh, at least, tried to decolonise his country by pulling it out of the commonwealth. As a deconstructionist and decolonialist I feel traumatised and belittled when I see our rulers, like students before the headmistress, kowtowing and lining up to great her majesty as the symbol of their servitude. For how long will Africa keep such colonial carryovers for its peril?

Source: Citizen 25, April, 2018.

Letter to Tundu Lissu; please don't go back home

Dear Tundu,

I am happy to note that you are improving after some betes noires wanted to kill you.  I am writing this open letter not to diss or teach you the right thing to do. Although our media, and possibly people, seem to have forgotten you, I still remember you though with pangs and twangs due to what befell you as an innocent person. This is because, it seems, the attempt on your life has been treated as a normal criminal act while it actually is more than that.  You once said; this was a political assassination which isn’t new in our country. To me, condoning any form of injustice is as good as committing it. It is indescribable cowardice, mainly when this textbook cowardice is collective and systemic. The full-on attack on you seems to have been condoned or ignored for the peril of others to follow. Since the attempt on your life was made, four people have already lost their lives in mysterious circumstances while the powers that be sit and look as if this is not one of sacrosanct duty, to protect the lives of their people.

Today, I want to advise you not to go back to Tanzania after recovering. For, if you do, those who wanted you dead and those they used will ruthlessly assassinate you as long as the motive[s] behind the horrid attempt on your life is still raw and real so to speak. After you are done, they’ll purr and congratulate themselves. Their attempt on your life wasn’t a mere goof off or just an accident. If you’re an ethical john, I’d have advised you to jump the ship and join the ruling party.

 Thank Lord you survived. However, it is naturally a few and far between for a normal mortal to survive the hail of bullets like the one you survived. Those who wanted you dead are still at large and watching after the powers that be either failed to arrest them or negated its sacrosanct duty to the citizen. We live and die once. The leave God bequeathed you must not be squandered or underestimated. These ruffians mean business, dirty and serious business.  Although your assailants are known, they’re still referred to as unknown people. Aren’t they really people or beasts that are supposed to be in hellfire burning for their sins?  How can the powers that be, with all sorts of investigative machinery, fail to know and apprehend such criminals if there isn’t anything fishy? Had they tried to overthrow the powers that be would they still be unknown really? Who’s fooling who hither?

Unknown people are now a force within another. They recently killed Ben Saanane, Daniel John and Godfrey Luena all the members of the CHADEMA not to mention Aquiline Akwilina who’s allegedly killed by trigger-happy police.  Looking at and into such macabre assassinations and the status of the victims, Tundu, believe me or not; hate or love me my brother; they’ll finish you off. If the trio is the fish of normal sizes, then you’re a whale not a shark. If the victims were a danger to those who killed them, then you’re a disaster to these ruthless cowards. Believe ye me.  Chinese proverb has it that “a wise man makes his own decisions; an ignorant man follows public opinion.” It is very sad when one follows the opinion of the public that seems to have ignored him not to mention its willingness to become the part and parcel of crimes against others. I know; many would want you to go back home in one piece to continue with what you love most, politics. You once avowed that you’d go back home and continue with the struggle. This is noble. However, your life is the noblest comparably.

Can I remind you of the doyens that lost their lives thanks to the politics of death? Who are you compared to the like of Edward Sokoine and Horace Kolimba whom were sokoined and kolimbered respectively? Despite being in the upper echelons of the ruling cabal, the powers that be failed them miserably the same they failed you. What’ll happen to you in the eyes of such political cannibals who cannibalised those of their own?

In a nutshell, if your mother’s still alive, plus your dear wife, of course, methinks, they’re the ones who can tell you what to do. Shall anything occur, they’re the ones to suffer most grimacing with anger and griefs. Therefore, don’t dance with death my friend.

I know; you know. Political giants such as the late Oliver Tambo former South African National Congress Chairperson, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Sam Nujoma of Namibia and many notable people who fled their countries in order to fight for their liberation. Sometimes, you need to retreat in order to advance not to mention to go to exile in order to go back home in one piece and pick up where you left.

Source: Citizen, April 26, 2018.

Magufuli watambue na watunzi na wachapishaji vitabu nchini

Tokana na elimu kutelekezwa baada ya kuibuka njia rahisi za kutengeneza fedha kama vile uuzaji wa mihadarati, sanaa hata wizi wa fedha za umma, utamaduni wa kusoma na kujielimisha nchini vilipungua. Rejea mbiu aliyopiga rais mstaafu Benjamin Mkapa akitaka uwepo mdaharo wa kitaifa kuhusiana na kufa kwa elimu nchini japo naye ni sehemu ya tatizo.

Kwa waliosoma miaka ya themanini kabla na baadaye kidogo, watakumbuka namna taifa lilivyokuwa na hamasa ya kusoma hata kutunga vitabu. Nakumbuka vitabu kama vile Adili na Nduguze, Tendehogo, Kusadikika, Things Fall Apart, The River Between, Songs of Lawino and Ocol na vingine vingi ambapo vingi hasa vya kiingereza vilitoka nje ya nchi. Sijui kwa sasa hali ikoje baada ya kuja watu wasio na uchungu na elimu visheni wala uwezo wa kufikiri sawa sawa na kuizamisha elimu yetu. Ni juzi tu nilikuwa nasoma malalamiko kuwa kuna vitabu dhaifu vikifundishwa mashuleni tokana na watunzi kuwa na watu wao waliovipitisha bila kujali ubora wa vitabu husika. Huu ni ufisadi wa kiakili ambao ni mbaya zaidi ya huu wa kiuchumi. Kwani, tunaharibu uwezo wa vizazi vijavyo kufikiri na kutatua matatizo yake.

Inashangaza kuona taifa letu linazama kielimu wakati wenzetu wanaruka sie tukitamani kutembea. Mie ninayeandika nimeishatunga vitabu zaidi ya 15 vitatu kwa Kiswahili na vilivyobaki kwa kiingereza. Vitabu vyangu vimegawanyika kwenye makundi makuu matatu yaani ushairi wa kiingereza, vitabu vya watoto na vilivyobaki vya kiada kwa ngazi ya vyuo vikuu. Mpaka ninapoandika, baadhi ya vitabu vyangu vimeishaombwa kutumika kwenye vyuo vikuu Afrika Kusini na Zimbabwe. Sitaki nijisifu, muda niliotumia kuandika vitabu husika ni mfupi yaani ndani ya miaka tisa ukiachia mbali vingine vingi ambavyo havijachapishwa.

Je wizara husika iko tayari kuanza upya kuangalia ubora wa vitabu vinavyoteuliwa kufundishwa mashuleni? Je vyuo vyetu vinafuatilia wasomi wa kitanzania wa ndani na nje ambao wameiva kiasi cha kuzalisha taaluma kupitia machapisho na vitabu ili kuangalia namna ya kutumia kazi zao nyumbani? Je nani anaona thamani ya tunu hii ya mtanzania? Ajabu, kuna vitabu toka Ulaya na hata Nigeria lakini sijui kama kuna msomi anayejipa muda kuvidurusu na kupendekeza vitumike nyumbani? Tatizo ni nini? Kwanza, siko Tanzania; sina mtu wizarani wala siko tayari kuhonga au kupigia debe vitabu vyangu. Mzee Pius Ngeze mchapishaji wangu amejaribu hadi amechoka. Ajabu, wakati vitabu kama hivi vinaozea kwenye makabrasha au kufaidiwa na nchi nyingine, watanzania wenzangu wanalisha takataka kama vile vitabu vilivyogunduliwa vikiwa na makosa mia kidogo! Kwanini? Ufisadi wa kiakili na kulhali. Tatizo kubwa ni fitina kama alivyolieleza wazi wazi rais Magufuli.

Pili, wachapashaji wetu wengi wako kwenye hali mbaya baada ya serikali kutotumia kazi zao hasa wale ambao wamechapisha vitabu vyenye kudidhi matakwa ya kielimu na kitaaluman nchini. Bila kutumia kazi zao na kuruhusu kazi dhaifu zilichapishwa na watu kwa makusudi ya kuingiza mkenge serikali, tunaua wachapishaji wetu ukiachia mbali watunzi. Tukiendelea hivi, kuna uwezekano tukaja kununua hata vitabu vya Kiswahili toka nchi zisizojua lugha hii vizuri wakati chimbuko lake ni Tanzania. Si hilo tu, tusipothamini kazi za watu wetu, nani atazithamini?

Hata hivyo, bado kuna watanzania wenye kujua thamani ya utanzania na usomi. Msomaji wangu mmoja aitwaye Sirili Akko wa Arusha pamoja na jaji mkuu wa mstaafu wa Kenya Willy Mutunga, PhD, walitambua umuhimu wangu kiasi cha kuomba kila kitabu kinapotoka niwatumie nakala. Ajabu ya maajabu, hata wachapishaji wa Kitanzania ukiwasiliana nao hata hawajibu ukiachia mchapishaji wangu TEPU Ltd ambao wamefanya kazi kubwa kunishawishi nichapishe nao. Vitabu vyangu kwa sasa vinachapishwa Kameruni na Marekani kwa vile ‘havina kiki’ Tanzania. Sijui hata kitabu changu cha Best and West African Presidents ambamo rais John Pombe Magufuli ni rais bora pekee aliyeko madarakani na hai, zaidi ya kuwa Arusha wa kwa Akko kimeishasoma hata kujulikana nchini. So sad; too bad.

Sitaki nionekane kama najipigia debe. Kwa kizazi cha sasa, sijui kama kuna mtanzania ameandika vitabu vya kiada kwa kiasi na kasi kama vyangu. Wachapishaji wangu wote hawajawahi kuniona wala mimi kuwaona zaidi ya kuvutiwa na kazi zangu. Mfano, nilitambulishwa Kameruni na profesa wa kizimbabwe Munyaradzi Mawere ambaye naye sijawahi kuonana naye. Ameishaniomba niende kufundisha kwenye chuo chake cha the Great Zimbabwe University, si mara moja wala mbili. Nimeishachangia chapters nyingi kwenye vitabu vyake ukiachia mbali kuwa na mradi wa pamoja wa kutunga kitabu cha the Manifesto of Africa pamoja ukiachia mbali kile ninachoandika na profesa Eliakim Sibanda pia kutoka Zimbabwe anayefundisha hapa Kanada kitabu kingine.

Kama ambavyo rais John Pombe Magufuli amekuwa akisisitizia uchapakazi na uzalendo, namshauri aangalie kadhia hii kizalendo na kitaaluma kama mwana taaluma pia.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Aprili, 2018.

Kijiwe kutembelea Brazil na Korea ya Kusini

            Leo hii kijiwe kinakuja na mada ambayo ni mama au baba wa mada. Kwani, kinazama kwa kina na kuangalia namna ya kuleta uwajibikaji kayani hasa kwa madingi wa zamani waliopunyua njuluku za kaya wao, washirika zao wa bedroom ukiachia mbali vitegemezi na maswahiba na waramba viatu wao. Tumeamua kufanya mapinduzi ili kuepuka kuendelea kusota wakati wao wakitanua na kutucheka kana kwamba hawakutuibia ukiachia mbali kuwa ukwasi wanaotanulia ni jasho letu.

Msomi Mkatatamaa ndiye analianzisha ‘jamani mmesoma habari za madingi wa Brazilini na Kuria ya Kusini kupigwa mvua lupango?”

Kabla ya kuendelea Mgoshi Machungi mwana wa Mashindei anajibu “mimi na bi mkubwa tiizisoma tikiwa tinatokea Mashindei kumjulia hali bwana mdogo Shemtwashua wa Shemkaa na kufurahi tikitamani na hii ingefanyika hapa kayani.”

Msomi Mkatatamaa anaendelea “ukiangalia kaya zote zilizoamua kufanya kweli, zimeendelea au zinaendelea tofauti ya yetu inayoendelea katika kutoendelea tokana na kuendekezana na kulindana kama inavyoendelea. Inakera kuona wanene wanakwiba na kulindana huku wakituimiza tuchape kazi waibe na kuneemeka wakati sisi tukiteseka. Inatupasa kufanya mapinduzi ya kifikra kuhakikisha haki kwa wezi wawe wakubwa inatendeka badala ya kuwaabudia mibaka huku tukiwachoma moto mibaka.”

Mpemba anaamua kula mic “mie wallahi naona tufanya npango twende kwenye hizi kaya kujifunza lau tuje tulianzishe au siyo? Maana, kulindana kunzidi hapa kayani tunikoambwa tusiwaguse wateule wasioguswa wakati sie twaumizwa madhambi walotenda. Natamani kunfanyia kitu mbaya audhillahi minaashaitwan rajiim yule wezi wakuu. Wallahi ingekuwa uchaguzi wangu ningewatumia popobawa lau awapopoe kidogow lau waonje uchungu wa dhulma.”

Mipawa anampoka mic Mpemba na kuronga, “lazima kwenda kujifunza namna wanavyowazawadia madingi wao waliojizawadia maulaji kwa kuyatumia vibaya wasijue yangewatokea puani kama ilivyotokea kwa brother Lula na da Park wakati tukingojea ya Jake Zuma kule Sauzi.”

“Nakubaliana nawe asilimia elfu moja. Lazima twende wote hata kama ni kwa kuuza mashamba yetu hata washirika zetu au vipi?” Kabla ya kuendelea Mgoshi anadakia “Unashemaje? Eti tiuze washiika wetu wa bedium? Kauze wewe mie nimnunue tena kwa kasha sasa hivi,” anajibu Mijjinga huku akimpa kipisi cha sigara kali mzee Maneno ambaye anakupua mioshi kama sita hivi na kula mic “hakuna haja ya kuuza mashamba wala washirika zetu kama jamaa zetu wa kaya jirani wanaowaazima washirika zao kwa watalii ili kupata njuluku ya aibu.  Tuombe njuluku toka kwa lisirikali linalosema linapambana na ufisadi kama kweli siyo longolongo hakuna shaka litatukatia chochote kitu ili kulitea ujuzi tutakaotumia hapa kayani kuwasulubu akina Tunituni, Njaa Kaya na wengine ambao tunao maya.”

Kanji anakula mic ‘mie iko unga kono na guu vazo ya juluku toka kwa salkarini. Kwani, kila siku iko sikia kuwa iko na juluku tosa sana. Kama nayo napambana na fisadi tatupa sisi juluku twende tembea kwa kaya zile haraka sana dugu yangu. Mimi iko penda kwenda Kuria na kupitia Bombey kuona bibi yangu na toto.”

Gau Ngumi aka Jinungaembea anakula mic “yote pangeni. Lazima niwemo kwenye huu msafara lau nami nikatanua kama wao walivyokuwa wakitanua wengine wakishindana na Vasco da Gama. Hapa lazima nikapige shopping kali kama mshirika wa bedroom wa Jongwe kule Zimba za Mabwe aliyetesa hadi akaitwa Gucci.”

Kabla ya kuendelea Mbwamwitu anamchomekea “da Gau huwezi kwenda kwa sasa. Maana sisi tutakaokwenda bila washirika zetu wa bedroom tunaweza kuambiwa tukapime DNA baadaye kuonyesha kama tulionja tundi au la.”

Kabla ya kuendelea Sofia Lion aka Kanungaembe anaamua naye kuchomekea “sasa umeanza. Kama ukila tunda kosa liko wapi ilmradi isiote mbegu?  Unaogopa kupima DNA au bi mkubwa kukuvisha gagulo?  Mie nakwenda kule kuchapa mzigo wa uchunguzi wa kisayansi wa kuondokana na ujambazimbuzi wa wanene wetu hasa wa zama zile waliojigeuza miungu wakaishia kulindwa kama vichanga. Tumeelewana kaka yangu; wala huna haja ya kuogopa kuandamana nasi.”

Wakati akitaka kuendelea, Kapende anakula mic na kusema “da Sofi acha nkuchomekee kidogo. Mie sina ugomvi na kwenda na yeyote ilmradi katika nsafara huu mie napanga kuwa kwenye ule kwa kwenda Kuria Kusini japo niende kule nikafaidi hisani na ukarimu wa wakuria hawa weupe. Nasikia vimwana vyao vinawazimikia sana waswahili kwa vile hawana makuu wala kuendekeza vitu kama warume wao.”

Mzee Maneno anaamua naye kutia guu “jamani, badala ya kushughulikia mikakati ya namna tutakavyokwenda kupata darasa la uwajibishaji mhangaishwa na mambo ya bedroom. Hayo sisi hayatuhusu. Hata lisirikali halipaswi kujihangaisha nayo kwa vile ni mambo nyeti sana yanayotaka umakini kama alivyosema profesa fulani. Hivyo, nashauri, tugawane sehemu za kwenda. Inabidi tujue watakaokwenda Brazil na watakaokwenda Kuria ya Kusini na mapema au siyo?”

Kijiwe kikiwa kinanoga si likapita shumbwengu la dingi wa zamani akitokea kwenye matanuzi yake. Acha tumzomee kwa uvivu wake wa kuthink hadi akajipa maulaji na kutuibia hadi kuishi kwa kulindwa kama kichanga.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Aprili 24, 2018.

Is Tanzania ready for its Lee Kuan Yew and Dr. Mahathir?

• 

            When Singaporean founder Lee Kuan Yew took the reins of power, he gave the Malaysians the choice between democracy in penury and benevolent dictatorship in opulence. They chose the latter; and thereby offered Yew the baton to do things the way he thought. It was an experiment that became a miracle after Yew pulled Singapore out of stinking poverty which put it at par with African countries in the 60s. The BBC (24 March, 2015) quotes professor Ilian Milhov as saying that “Lee Kuan Yew performed a miracle transforming Singapore from one of the poorest countries in the world in the 1960s to being among the most advanced today.” Again, what is the secret of this success, Yew cited by the BBC (22 March, 2015) answers the question noting that “I did some sharp and hard things to get things right. Maybe some people disapproved of it… but a lot was at stake and I wanted the place to succeed, that’s all.”

  Under Yew, Singapore became a one man show that at last borne fruits by propping it up to join rich countries. As I write, Singapore is one of the donor countries, especially to the countries it once shared a plight with. The secret behind Singapore’s advancement lies in the leadership of Yew who was rough and tough. The BBC goes on noting that “Mr Lee contended that in a developing nation some freedoms had to be sacrificed.”

  Another leader who changed his country is Malaysian former PM Mahathir Mohammad. His philosophy was simple. Buy foreign last and look inside. He’s quoted by the freemalaysiantoday (14 June 2012) asking “why has democracy not delivered the good life we had expected of it?” He answers his own question noting that “instead of accepting the failures of democracy, we should make some adjustments and sacrifice some of the liberalism of democracy so we may extract something from the system.” He goes on concluding that “democracy can only work when people understand its limitations”.

  I don’t intend to justify violations of human rights. However, when the country seeks to develop, some of the rights can be curtailed or regulated in order to allow some experiments to be successfully conducted. Apart from introducing disciplinarian regime, Yew controlled the population. This is missing out in Tanzania. The size of population has a lot to do with the development of the country. Try to imagine. If China had not controlled population, where would China and the world be?  Another area Yew threw his weight on is industrial power which Tanzania is currently trying to do despite the opposition from some quarters.

  When it comes to Tanzania today, I don’t feel any guilt to equate its predicament with that of Singapore so as to need its Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Mohamad provided that there must be some agreements and negotiations about how to address some issues of development. This is because the world realpolitik has changed. The politics of the 60s is not the politics of today. By then, rivalry between the capitalist West and communist East enabled many rulers to get away with murder. Currently, to achieve what Singapore achieved, we need to sit down and agree on our priorities as a nation that is tired of begging while it has the potentials of developing itself without necessarily depending on handout and aid with strings attached.

  When I look into what President John Magufuli is into, I find that he fits in Mohammad-Yew’s analogue. Like Yew, he has embarked on industrial power based on his stickler approach which has caused a lot of brouhahas from opposition. Again, if, indeed, as a nation, we want to launch ourselves off poverty, we need to get our priorities straight. Understandably so, I would candidly argue that our Yew needs to accommodate the signs of time in that we need to sit down as country and decide what our priorities are. As a nation seriously aspiring to pull itself out of the curse of miseries and penury while sits on immense resources of value, we need to sacrifice some less important things that cannot bring food to our tables.

  I am not trying to invent the wheel. But historically speaking, many developed nations reached their apogees by sacrifice of the rights of others. Britain, the US, and other ex-colonial monsters attained their development through colonialism and slavery. Others such as Australia and Canada did so by grabbing the land of indigenous people. Also, once these countries go to poll and get results, they stop politicking and shinding; and go to work.  It is only Botswana which attained its development democratically thanks to its small population and good policies based on consensus which can be mixed with Singapore’s in order to get hybridity of process. We must choose to develop then become democratic amidst penury. I emphasise that if we can, we must incorporate Botswana’s and Singapore’s models.

  To this end, I can conclude by inviting Tanzanians to sit down and agree on the modus operandi by which all good things the government has already initiated can be fully achieved without necessarily causing disharmony and fracas needlessly. Tanzania is ours all equally. Our development or failure affects us all equally.
• Source: Citizen, April, 2018.

Barua kwa rais Magufuli kutambua mchango wa mzee Ngoma

Naandika waraka huu wa wazi kwa furaha na shukrani mahsusi kumpongeza rais John Pombe Magufuli kwa maono na matendo yake ya mfano na somo kwa taifa. Hivi karibuni, kinyume na mazoea wala matarajio, alimtambua na kumtuza mvumbuzi wa madini ya Tanzanite mzee Jumanne Ngoma baada ya kusahauliwa, kudhulumiwa na kusota kwa zaidi ya miaka 50 huku watu wasiojua lolote wala chochote kuhusiana na madini haya aghali na pekee duniani wakifaidika wakati yeye akisota. Kitendo cha kishujaa na kizalendo cha Magufuli kinaanza kujenga mazoea mapya ambayo hapo awali hayakuwepo chini ya tawala za kibabaishaji na kifisadi. Kwani, kama taifa, tulifikia pabaya. Tulikuwa tukiwaheshimu na kutukuza wezi wakati wachapakazi tukiwakatisha tamaa na kuwaacha wafe kwa kinyongo na majuto. Binafsi, simjui mzee Ngoma; ila kwa hatua ya kimapinduzi aliyochukua rais Magufuli, itakuwa kichocheo na motisha kwa wengine kugundua au kujitokeza na kuonyesha taifa letu lilivyokuwa limegeuka la dhulumat, wasahaulifu na wezi wa fadhila.

Kuna kipindi taifa letu liliteuka la wajinga na wasioona mbali. Rejea mfano wenzetu waliogundua vitu kama bunduki, mabomu hata radio kuishia kusweka ndani badala ya kupelekwa kwenye maeneo husika wakapanue na kuendeleza ujuzi wao kama wanavyofanya kwenye nchi za magharibi. Kuvumbua kitu licha ya kuwa kipaji kwa mhusika, kunatoa mchango mkubwa kwa mhusika na jamii kusonga mbele. Mambo mengi tunayofaidi leo, yaligunduliwa na wahanga kama mzee Ngoma. Tofauti ni kwamba, wenzetu tunaodhani wameendelea, hawakuwapuuzia wavumbuzi wao. Waliwaenzi na kuwathamini ili kutoa motisha kwa wengine badala ya kuwafunga au kuwapuuzia kama ilivyokuwa kwa mzee Ngoma.

Hata hivyo, kama mhanga wa kadhia hii ya kushindwa kutambuliwa wala kuzawadiwa uvumbuzi wala kutambuliwa taaluma na kipaji chake, rais Magufuli alimuona mzee Ngoma na kuelewa hali yake hadi kutoa shilingi 100 kama kianzio cha kutambua mchango wake. Mwandishi wa makala hii ni msomi aliyekwishaandika vitabu vya kitaaluma zaidi ya kumi lakini hakuna anayetambua mchango wake wala kuvitumia kwenye shule na vyuo vyetu. Nadhani huu ni mwanzo mzuri kwa watu wanaotumia akili na vipaji vyao kuneemeka na kuneemesha taifa letu. Kwa vile waliomtangulia rais Magufuli, tokana na kutoona mbali au kutojali, hawakuwahi kuvumbua wala kupitia aliyopitia mzee Ngoma na Magufuli, ilikuwa vigumu kutambua mchango wake na kuuthamini na kuutuza. Pia nichukua fursa hii kumpongeza mwalimu Julius Nyerere aliyemtambua na kusaini nyaraka zilizomwezesha rais Magufuli kumkubali kama mvumbuzi wa kweli wa tanzanite.

Baada ya rais kuonyesha mfano, kama kawaida yake, ukiachia mbali usongo wa kutenda haki, tunapaswa, kama taifa na jamii kujiuliza. Utapata wapi uzalendo bila kuwatambua wanaolenga kuendeleza taifa badala ya kuacha wadandia ulaji wawe ndiyo wenye kuamua nani atambuliwe au kufaidika na jasho lake? Kwa uchungu na uzalendo mkubwa, rais Magufuli aliamua kumtambua, kumtambulisha na kumpa stahiki yake mzee Ngoma. Hili somo na suto kwa wezi wafadhila hasa waliopata madaraka wakayatumia vibaya kwa ubinafsi, uchoyo na upogo wakawasahau wenye haki na wenye shida. Mungu ampe maisha marefu rais Magufuli kwa kufuta machozi yam zee Ngoma. Je wapo akina Ngoma wangapi nchini?

“Leo sisi wote hapa tusingekuwepo kama si mzee huyu.” Kusikia maneno haya, nilitamani ningekuwa na simu ya mheshimiwa rais, ningempigia kumuomba asiishie kwa mzee Ngoma tu. Yeye ni mmojawapo wa wahanga wa kutotambuliwa alipogundua asidi fulani. Kwa vile ni rais, basi ajitambue na kuwatambua wengine kama yeye. Tuligeuzwa taifa la wanafiki, roho ya korosho na wezi wa fadhila kwa kuwatelekeza watu waliochangia pakubwa kwenye maendeleo ya taifa.

Nasema taifa letu liligeuzwa taifa dhulumat. Kwani waliodhulumiwa si Mzee Ngoma na wengine wasiojulikana wala kutambulika bali hata mkoa wa Manyara na Mererani yenyewe. Kwani, hadi rais Magufuli anamuibua na kumfariji mzee Ngoma, alisema kuwa Mererani haikuwa na gari la wagonjwa hadi alipolipeleka mwenyewe. Hapa rais hakusikiliza kilio cha wananchi wa Mererani bali pia ametambua umuhimu wao kama sehemu ya taifa la Tanzania. Wale waliozoea kumzodoa kuwa anatoa huduma kwao Chato sijui kama watakuwa na la kusema. Sijui kama hata barabara za Mererani ni za kisasa ikilinganishwa na maeneo ya mkoa wa Kilimanjaro na mingine inayosifika kwa huduma safi bila kuwa na mchango mkubwa kwa taifa ikilinganishwa na Mererani.  Hili linanikumbusha mikoa ya Kusini na maeneo mengine muhimu kwa taifa kama vile Kigoma, Sumbawanga na kwingineko ambako watawala wetu waliyazira bila kutoa maelezo wala sababu za kufanya hivyo. Sijui kama Mererani wana maji na umeme wa uhakika kama sehemu nyingine. Sijui kama wana mawasiliano ya uhakika kwa ujumla.

Tumalizie kwa kumhimiza rais Magufuli kuendelea kufuatilia kwa karibu namna anavyotunzwa mzee Ngoma ili kumtendea haki na kutoa motisha kwa wazalendo,wavumbuzi hata wasomi wengine kuvumbua na kuchangia mambo mbali mbali wakijua kuwa kufanya hivyo, hakutakuwa chanzo cha kuteseka wala kusahauliwa. Yupo rais wa wanyonge kama alivyosema mzee Ngoma mwenyewe. Hongera rais Magufuli kumtendea haki yake mzee Ngoma.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Aprili, 2018.

Kijiwe chakumbushia kesi za ndoa na Mrema

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              Hivi karibuni jamaa moja aitwaye Bashiti au mtoto wa Dingi alichafua hewa kijiweni. Si baada ya kutaka eti baadhi ya wanakijiwe waende kwake kupima DNA kujua kama walivunja amri ya sita na kupanda mbegu kwenye mashamba yasiyokuwa yao?

  Mchunguliaji anaingia akiwa amenuna utadhani atapasuka tokana na maudhi aliyo nayo. Baada ya kuamkua hata hachukui gazeti kama kawaida yake.  Kwa mara ya kwanza anaanzisha mada “wazee mnasemaje kuhusiana na hizi siasa za kusaka sifa ambako Bashit anaonekana amedhamiria kuumiza familia zetu?”

  Kabla ya kuendelea Mgoshi Machungi wa Mashindei anampokonya mic na kuuliza ‘mgoshi unamaanisha nini? Eeza vizui tikueewe ii tikusaidie.”

  “Mgoshi unaishia dunia gani ambaye hujui wala kuhangaishwa na sekeseke na sheshe la akina mama kwenda kwa mkuu wa koa kudai warume waliotelekeza vitegemezi vyao washikishwe adabu ili wakome ukware? Eti tunaambiwa tukapime DNA. Je yeye amepima DNA kujua kama vyeti vyake ni feki au halali?” Mchunguliaji anajibu swali kwa swali.

  Kabla ya kuendelea, Kanji anakula mic ‘iko ongelea hii balaa ya kuu ya Koa kutaka vatu vote natelekeza tegemezi yao kwenda chukua yote kwake? Sasa iko jua mbovu na mbichi dugu yangu. Kama veve napanda begu kwenye samba ya venyeve sasa nakujikana.”

  “Nitamwambia nini mshirika wangu wa bedroom ambaye ameishatikunivisha gauni kama nami nitabainika kuwa nililima kwenye mashamba ya wenyewe au yasiyo na wenyewe lakini yasiyo yangu. Maana siku zote huwa namwambia kuwa nampenda kuliko hata uhai wangu. Kabla ya kuendelea, Mijjinga anauliza. “Hizi kusema ukweli ni si siasa bali mbinu ya jamaa kusaka sifa na kupata kiki. Kwani yeye mambo ya vitegemezi vyetu na washirika zetu wa bedroom wa kando yanamhusu nini? Kwani, yeye ni ustawi wa jamii au kiranga tu?”

  Msomi Mkatatamaa anaamua kutia guu na mapema “huyu jamaa, japo anachofanya kina mashiko, anafanya hivyo kwa nguvu ipi kisheria? Je huku siyo kuingilia faragha za watu ukiachia mbali kuvunja sheria na kuingilia kazi na uhuru wa mahakama? Kwanini asiwaachie wahusika wamalize mambo yao hasa ikizingatiwa kuwa kuna taasisi zenye ujuzi na mamlaka kisheria kufanya hivyo ukiachia mbali kuwa wahusika hawakumhushisha walipoamua kula tunda na kuvunja amri ya sita. Kwanini hataki kusoma historia na kujifunza toka kwa Agus Lyatongolwa aliyejiingiza kwenye kashfa na kadhia hii wakati ule akikusanya mtaji wa kugombea urahisi akaishia kushushuka na kukutwa kumbe naye alikuwa mshirika? Nadhani kuna haja ya kuacha kuingilia mamlaka ya taasisi nyingine hata kama wahusika wanakingiwa kifua na dingi.”

  “Msomi umenikumbusha na kunifikirisha. Je huyu dogo ana ujuzi gani wa mambo ya ndoa ukiachia mbali yeye kukalia kashfa ya kughushi? Hawa walighushi upendo wao sawa naye alivyoghushi vyeti. Au siyo?” anazoza Mipawa huku akibwia kahawa yake.

  “Jamani kaka zangu acheni utani. Mngejua sisi tuliojizalia tu tunavyohangaika hasa kuishi bila matunzo wala msingepinga hatua hii ya ukombozi. Mungu azidi kumsimamia huyu kijana hata kama ana madhambi yake.’ Anachomekea Gau Ngumi aka Jinungembe huku akimwangalia da Sofia Lion aka Kanungaembe. Wanaangua kicheko kuonyesha kuridhika na hatua anazochukua Bashit.

  Kapende anaamua kutia guu akionyesha wazi kuchukia “kuingilia ndoa za watu, mambo ya vitandani mwetu hayalihusu lisirikali. Huyu anatafuta kiki tu.Je ameishamaliza tatizo zilizoko chini ya mamlaka yake kisheria. Je anajua mipaka ya mamlaka na kazi yake. Je ameisoma historia ya kadhia kama hii na uingiliaji wa maafisa wa lisirikali? Kama alivyosema Msomi, kwanini jamaa amekuwa mvivu wa kufikiri kiasi cha kusahau yaliyompata Lyatongolwa pale wenye kujua walimwambia wazi kuwa hawana sababu ya kumwamini kwa wake zao.”

  Mpemba anakula mic na kusema “Mie siungi nkono wala kulaumu kadhia hii. Hata hiyo tujiulize. Untegemeani iwapo matokeo ya vipimo vya kinasaba DNA yaoneesha kuwa vitegemezi vingi vinavozaliwa kwenye ndoa ni vya baba wa nje tokana na nchepuko? Unategemea nini kaya iniporuhusu mambo ya kipuuzi kama short guest houses ambazo zinajulikana wazi kuwa kazi zake ni kuharibu maadili na kupromoti umalaya?”

  “Duh! Ami unaongea utadhani wewe ni mwanasheria!” anachomekea Mbwamwitu.

  Mpemba anajibu “wadhani hiyo sharia kuisomea siwezi? Basi mwenzio mie nimesoma fiqh nje na ndani. Hivo, nisemayo si matokeo ya hasira wala husda bali uhalisia wa mambo ati. Je untegema nini kaya inaporuhusu waganga wa kienyeji kutangaza wanavotibu matatizo ya ndoa wakati lengo lao ni kutembea na kuwaibia wateja wao ambao wengi wao ni akina mama? Nadhani kama huyu dogo anataka kueleweka, basi aachane na mambo ya kulazimisha watu wazima wakapime DNA badala yake apambana na chanzo cha janga hili ambalo ni kukosekana uaminifu, uvunjifu wa maadili na utapeli wa kawaida hasa rushwa. Kwani wapo wengi walopewa mimba kwa njia ya kutoa ana kupokea rushua ati.”

  Kijiwe kikiwa kinanoga si likaja kundi la akina mama wakiwa na vitegemezi vilivyotelekezwa na madingi wao! Acha tutoke mkuku kuogopa kuumbuliwa!
• Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Aprili 18, 2018.

Sarkozy’s quandary must open African rulers’ eyes

Former French president is in hot soup currently after it came to light that he received dirty dosh at the tune of €50 million from Libyan strongman, the late Muamar Gadaffi (Telegram July 2, 2014).  In proving that Sarkozy actually received the monies, a lawyer for former Libyan prime minister Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi, Mehdi Bouaouaja was quoted by the Telegraph (March 21, 2018) as saying that “Sarkozy thanked Libyan authorities many times - officials of course, Gaddafi and his close entourage - for the funding.” Such admission shows how the mask has fallen from Mr. Sarkozy? Again, how many European current and former leaders received such legs up from the rulers of paupers and mercilessly got satisfied with it?

  When Gadaffi dished out some moola to Sarkozy to finance his presidential campaigns, he wrongly thought he was mending fences for himself and his country. What a fatal mistake! After making away with Gadaffi’s millions of dollars, Sarkozy went ahead to become instrumental in the toppling and demise of his financier.  

Another person who duped Gadaffi to end up being toppled and summarily butchered is none other than former Prime Minister Tony Blair who once cheated Gadaffi so as to cough a cool over $1.5bn (£1bn) to compensate the relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing in which a Pan Am flight 103 was brought down killing overall 243 passengers and 16 crew in what became known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1998. Up till now, nobody knows exactly the truth about this tragedy. The Telegraph (Jan., 24, 2015) published a letter in which it quoted Blair thanking Gadaffi noting “the excellent co-operation of your officials with their British colleagues - is a tribute to the strength of the bilateral relationship which has grown up between the United Kingdom and Libya.”

The two scenarios above nicely show how full-on hypocritical and double-faced some friends can be. Again, was Gadaffi the only African potentate to finance France elections? Former Gabonese strongman, Omar Bongo is said to have been a chief financier of many French presidents. The Guardian (30 December, 2010) citing the US embassy in Yaounde in 2009, notes that “Gabonese officials used the proceeds for their own enrichment and, at Bongo’s direction, funneled funds to French political parties, including in support of French President Nicolas Sarkozy” while his people were  pauperised and dying of poverty as he served the interests of France. Others implicated in this sabotage for Africa are former presidents Abdulaye Wade (Senegal); Blaise Compaore (Burkina Faso); Laurent Gbagbo (Ivory Coast); and the incumbent president of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso who used to send briefcases full of money to Chirac. I wonder why Chirac hasn’t yet been brought to book or scrutiny. One may wonder why African thieves-in-chief were able to commit such sacrilegious things without being made accountable for their sins. The simple explanation is that African presidency is the most corrupt and colonised institution that is more powerful than all institutions and systems put together. Practically, almost all African presidents are above the laws of their countries minus a few countries with progressive constitutions such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Therefore, they are legally allowed to do whatever they want with the presidency and the resources of their countries.

When the late Dr. Walter Rodney wrote his masterpiece, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, such situations where the provocateurs that forced him to pen down this bigger than life corpus that seems to have been forgotten recently. However, Sarkozy betrayal of Gadaffi needs to be an eye opener for African dictators who buy their power from their former colonial masters in order to internal colonise their countries and abuse them they deem fit. African stooges may buy their time in office by obtaining support from their johns abroad; the fact of the matter is there is an end to everything under the Sun.  The way Sarkozy received the hush-hush money from Gadaffi shows how one can take your money and get rid of you in order to cover his tracks. Who wants his dirty linens on the agora for every eye to see? How many African rulers cheaply and myopically allowed the west to use them as its stooges who paid dearly?

True to form, major lessons we get in Sarkozy quandary is that corruption doesn’t pay. So, too, we learn that African rulers must invest in good governance and rule of law and on their people instead of robbing them and spend the loots in buying pseudo protection. How can such criminal protect them while they can’t protect themselves? Think twice venal African rulers.

Source: Citizen, March 11, 2018.

Kuna haja ya kutoa elimu ya matumizi ya barabara nchini

            Ajali za hivi karibuni nchini na nyingine kabla ya hapo baada ya Tanzania kuondokana na barabara za matope, zinasikitisha japo zina somo kubwa kwa taifa. Tokana na kujirudia kwa ajali zenye kugharimu maisha ya watu wetu wasio na hatia, kuna dalili kuwa, kama taifa, ima tumeshindwa au kukataa kujifunza au hatuna la kufanya. Je inawezekana kuendelea kushuhudia mamia ya watu wakipoteza maisha wakati kuna namna ya kuweza kujenga mfumo na utaratibu wa kukabiliana na janga hili linaloonekana kutokana na maendeleo?

 Kwanza, tunatoa rambirambi zetu kwa wahanga wa ajali za barabarani ambazo hivi karibunizimegharimu maisha ya watu wengi. Pamoja na kwamba kuna msemo wa wahenga kuwa ajali haina kinga, ni wakati ule. Japo hatuwezi, kama taifa, kuondoa ajali kwa ujumla wake, tunao uwezo wa kuzipunguza na kuzizuia baadhi. Leo katika makala hii nitajikita katika nini kifanyike kupunguza au kuondokana na ajali zinazoua watu wetu.

Kabla ya kuzama kwenye nini kifanyike, ni vizuri kukiri na kupongeza juhudi za serikali ya awamu ya tano za kuhakikisha taifa linakuwa na miundombinu bora kwa ajili ya maendeleo na ustawi wa taifa. Hakuna ubishi. Dhana nzima ya maendeleo inalenga na kujikita kwenye ustawi wa jamii na watu wake. Ndiyo maana serikali ya rais John Magufuli imejikita kwenye ujenzi wa barabara, madaraja na miundombinu mingine nchini. Hata hivyo, pamoja na nia nzuri ya serikali, kuna mapungufu mengi tokana na mfumo na mazoea mabovu ya zamani kabla ya kuwa na barabara za kisasi ambazo tunapaswa kuchunga sikigeuke barabara za kisasi. Mfano mzuri ni wimbi la ajali zilizopoteza maisha ya mamia ya watu wetu kwa sababu tu hawajui kutumia barabara vizuri. Kuna haja ya kubadili mfumo wetu wa utoaji wa leseni za udereva na matumizi mengine ya barabara.  Utashangaa, kwa mfano, kuona mtu anavuka barabara tena kubwa kwenye eneo lisiloruhusiwa. Kimsingi, kufanya hivi ni kujihukumu adhabu ya kifo kirahisi. Je hakuna namna ya kuwaelimisha watanzania namna ya kutumia barabara kisheria na vizuri? Je sheria zetu zinasemaje kuhusu watu wanaovunja sheria za barabarani wawe ni madereva au waenda kwa miguu?  Kwa vile wimbi la ajali limezidi na kwa vile tunajua vyanzo vyake vikuu, kuna haja kuhakikisha wote wanaozivunja wanatungiwa sheria zenye kutoa adhabu kali hasa ya vifungo ili kuwa onyo na somo kwa wengine.

Ngoja nitoe mfano wa nchi ya Kanada niliyo nayo uzoefu juu ya matumizi ya barabara na vyombo vya moto. Ni jambo lisiloingia akilini achia mbali kulitenda chombo cha moto bila kupitia mafunzo ya udereva yanayohusisha sheria na kanuni za utumiaji barabara na vyombo vya moto.

Mbali na mafunzo ya namna ya kutumia barabara na vyombo vya moto yanayochukua si chini ya miezi tisa, kuna eneo jingine ambalo taifa hili lilolendelea na lenye barabara nyingi kuliko idadi ya wakati wake. Sheria za Kanada zinatoa adhabu kali kwa makosa yanayohusiana na matumizi mabaya ya barabara na vyombo vya moto. Kwa mfano, mtu akipatikana na hatia ya kuendesha chombo cha moto akiwa amelewa, hata kama hajasababisha ajali, hufungiwa leseni yake kwa muda kulingana na kosa na historia yake ya matumizi ya barabara na vyombo vya moto. Pia mamlaka za bima hupandisha bima ya mhusika ukiachia mbali wengine kulazimika kulipia leseni zao za udereva kwa bei mbaya sana. Mfano, kwenye jimbo ninamoishi, bei ya leseni ya udereva ni dola 40 kuanzia. Bei hushuka kila mwaka au kupanda kulingana na namna dereva anavyoendesha. Wale waliohusika kwenye ajali nyingi bila kufungiwam, hujikuta wakilipia leseni hii hii hata kwa dola 1,000 kwa mwaka. Mbali na hili, wakanada wana utamaduni wa kuripotiana wanapogundua kuwa mtu anaendesha vibaya gari. Wanafanya hivyo kwa kujua kuwa kuendesha gari kwa namna isiyokubalika ni kuweka maisha ya madereva hata waenda kwa miguu na wanyama hatarini.

Hatua nyingine iliyoweka kuhakikisha inapambana matumizi mabaya ya barabara ni kuweka kamera kwenye maeneo mbali mbali. Kanada ni moja ya mataifa yanayotumia kamera kwa ulinzi wa aina mbali kuanzia wa barabarani, madukani hata kwenye maeneo ya umma.

Sambamba na hatua tajwa hapo juu, Kanada hutoa elimu ya matumizi ya barabarani kila mara kupitia vyombo vya habari, vipeperushi, matangazo ya barabarani.

Hatua nyingine iliyochukuliwa na Kanada ni kuhakikisha barabara zinawekewa alama za barabarani na zinafanyiwa matengenezo ya mara kwa mara ili kuepuka kuharibika na kutengeneza maeneo korofi.

Eneo jingine lililoshughulikiwa ni kufanya upakiaji mizigo au watu kwenye magari kosa la jinai lenye adhabu kali. Hata kama ni gari binafsi, huruhusiwi kupakia gari zaidi ya uwezo ulioelekezwa kwenye manua ya gari.

Mwisho, adhabu zitokanazo na makosa ya barabarani ni kubwa kweli. Mfano, hapa ninapoishi, ukikatiza kwenye taa za barabarani, unatumia tiketi ya si chini dola 200.

Hivyo, nashauri mamlaka zetu zianze kuangalia namna ya kutumia elimu, sheria, teknolojia na tabia za jamii kupambana na ajali za barabarani.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima, Machi 11, 2018.

Kijiwe chataka viongozi wa kiroho wakujipachika washughulikiwe

            Hakuna ubishi kuwa kujipachika madaraka ya kiroho imegeuka fasheni kwa baadhi ya matapeli kupiga njuluku toka kwa wachovu wajinga na waliokata tamaa. Leo kijiwe kinadurusu jinai hii na kutoa mapendekezo yake kwa lisirikali linalosifika kuwashughulikia vihiyo walioghushi japo baadhi yao wanafumbiwa jicho kama vile Bashite.

Mijjinga ndiye analianzisha “tangu aingie kwenye ulaji, rais JeiPieM amegeuka mwiba kwa mafisi, mafwisadi na vihio hata watoro makazini na walioghushi vyeti vya kitaaluma. Kwanza nimpongeze. Hata hivyo, nashauri awatumbue viongozi wa kiroho wenye uroho waliojipachika vyeo vikubwa vikubwa wakati hawana lolote zaidi ya kuwaibia wachovu.”

Mpemba anakula mic “hata mie hili nliunga nkono kwa vile nao ni watumishi wa umma sawa na wengine. Haiwezekani tushughulikie vihiyo wa sirikalini na kuwaacha wa mazabahuni. Huku wallahi mie ona kama kujipiga ntama.”

Kabla ya kuendelea Kapende anapunyua mic “usemayo Ami ni ya kweli. Nadhani hapa tutahitaji definition ya umma ili kuwapata hawa wapiga njuluku kwa kisingizo cha roho mtakatifu wakati wamejaa roho mtakakitu.”

“Hapa mmegusa kwenyewe. Kwani, huwa najiuliza: Kwanini kuwashughulikia watumishi wa sirikali kwa vile wako kwenye ofisi za umma na kuwaacha viongozi wa kujipachika wa dini wakitumikia umma ule ule? Je ni umma gani wenye kuleta maana hapa kama siyo umma wa watanzania wote bila kujali anayewatumikia ni mtumishi wa serikali, shirika binafsi au taasisi ya dini?” anahoji Msomi Mkatatamaa.

Kabla ya kuendelea, Mipawa anakamata mic “kwa vile lengo la Mkuu ni kujenga mfumo wajibifu wenye kujali na kushika maadili, namshauri apanue wigo kwa kuwahusisha viongozi wa umma wawe wa sirikali au taasisi za dini na taasisi nyingine zisizo za kiserikali. Hii ni kwa sababu wote wanawatumikia, na wengine kuutumia, umma huu wa wanyonge wanaopaswa kulindwa haki zao.”

Kanji hajivungi; anakula mic na kusema “kama iko taka maadili napasa kukama vote napachika yeye cheo kuba kuba ya roho. Vatu vote ya nchi hii iko sava. Hiwo, mimi taka sugulikia vote bila angalia nyani usoni. Iko vatu nanyonya vatu ingine nasingizia Mungu.”

Msomi anakula mic “maadili linapaswa kuwa agenda ya kaya na si ya kisirikali. Kwani, wachovu wote wanapaswa kuwa na kufaidi maadili kama jamii ya watu iliyoanza kujitambua na kuondokana na jinai ya mtu kumnyonya mwingine. Kwa sasa, tunao viongozi wengi wa kiroho tena wa kujipachika waliotokea kuwa matajiri kwa sababu tu wana mwanya wa kutumia vyeo vyao vya bandia kuwaibia watanzania wengi wajinga na waliokata tamaa kwa kuwaahidi pepo na miujiza vyote vya uongo.”

Kabla ya Msomi kuendelea Gau Ngumi Jinungaembe anasema, “kaka acha nikuchomekee.” Kabla ya kuendelea naye anakatizwa na Mbwamwitu anayesema kwa utani “unamfanya nini! haya dada mchomekee mradi msisababishe ajali kama mabasi ya City son.”

Jinungaembe anampuuzia na kuendelea “mwenzenu nashangaa namna wanavyoendekezwa waendekeze ulaji wa dezo kwa jina la roho mtakakitu. Je maadili yanapaswa kuwa ya watumishi wa sirikali tu au wanakaya wote? Je kuendelea kuwaandama watumishi wa umma walioko kwenye ofisi za sirikali na kuwaacha viongozi wa kidini wanaotumia nafasi zao kujitajirisha kinyume cha sheria na hata taratibu na kanuni za madhehebu yao siyo upendeleo wa wazi ambao ni kinyume cha sheria na tararibu za kaya ambazo zinasema wazi kuwa watanzania wote ni sawa na wanapaswa kutenda na kutendewa kwa usawa?”

“Du unauiza mashwai kama jaji au loya! Naona umigusa mashwai yangu kaibu yote. Ngoja nikuongezee shwai jingine. Je viongozi wa kiroho waiojipachika vyeo vya kiroho si sawa na wae waiojipachika sifa za kiaaluma wasizo kuwa nazo? Kwanini iwe jinai kwa mtu kujipachika uaimu, udaktai, ukaani na mengine mengi akini isiwe hivyo kwa anayejipachika cheo cha kiroho? Tinajua namna maaskofu, mashehe na wachungaji wanavyopatikana. Hivyo, hapa hakuna utata juu ya kuwatambua wote waiojipachika vyeo hivi na vinginevyo kama vile utume, unabii na vingine vingi wakati ni uongo mtupu.” Anaronga Mgoshi Machungi wa Shekiango mwana wa Mashindei.

Mzee Maneno aliyekuwa kimya anaamua kutia timu “kumekuwa na mkazo kwenye watumishi wa sirikali kutangaza mali zao. Je kwanini viongozi wa kiroho ambao nao wanashughulika na umma wanaachwa nje wakati, kwa sasa, ndiyo wanaoongoza kuwa na ukwasi usio na malezo yanayoeleweka? Je tunangoja mpaka waishambulie serikali ndiyo tuwawajibishe kama ilivyotokea kwa mmoja aliyejidai kuwa ana fedha kuliko serikali wakati fedha yenyewe ni ya kuwaibia watu mafukara na wajinga waliokata tamaa.”

Kijiwe kikiwa kinanoga si likapita shangingi la kiongozi mmoja wa kiroho aliyejaa uroho na roho mtakakitu. Acha tumzomee na kutaka kumnasa na kumfanyia kitu mbaya. Leo da Sofia Lion Kanungaembe hakuudhuria. Kwani yu auguliwa na mjomba wake aliyehamishwa bondeni Jangwani.

Chanzo: Tanzania Daima Machi 11, 2018.

Prosecuting the Presidents

Another Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is still behind bars waiting for his fate to be decided after being detained for allegations that he received a $101 million bribe.

Former Brazilian Inacio Lula da Silva was recently found guilty of corruption and jailed 12 in prison

Former South African President Jacob Zuma calmly sits in dock charged with 16 criminal counts.

Former South Korean President  Park Geun-hye  escorted to jail after being sentenced  to 24 years behind bars