The Chatafisha Project

Simalike Musika's Chatafisha Project is revolutionizing urban engagement in Tanzania by combining public art and technology. With AR and blockchain, they aim to transform Dar-es-Salaam into a "smart city" and create integrative spaces for urban dwellers. Through Rangi Chanya festival and NFT sales, the project fosters community engagement and artistic expression.

“Sometimes you got to create what you want to be part of.” –Geri Weitzman

This statement rings extremely true for Simalike Musika, founder of the Chatafisha Project. By integrating public art with technology, the Chatafisha project seeks to alter how the urban community engages with its environments. Through the use of Augmented Reality and blockchaintechnology, the Tanzanian Urban community can get to experience living in a “smart city”.

‘Chatafisha’ is derived from two Swahili words: CHATA, which means a mark and symbolizes the artistic medium; and SAFISHA, which means to clean and symbolizes metamorphosis.

Tanzania’s Dar-es-Salaam is a vibrant fast growing city with a number of ongoing construction projects. Dar-es-Salaam is a city that recounts the tale of a rich history, founded by the Sultan of Zanzibar in 1862 who famously named it Mzizima, it is a rapidly growing center for economic activity, the 5th in Africa and is predicted to cross the “Megacity” threshold (10million people) before 2030. From the bustling street life of the Machingas (“marching guys” or street merchants) to the heavily packed Daladalas (buses) and old coastal style architecture in down-town Posta or Kariakoo. Urban tales containing revolutionary names such as Malcom X and Che Guavaraneed to be remembered and revisited. The Chatafisha project aims to utilize and deploy public art as a medium of story-telling to spark dialogue in a more engaging, vibrant and innovative way and encourage interactivity in the Urban space.

Simalike and I had the opportunity to speak for a bit so that I could learn more about him and the Chatafisha Project.

The Tanzanian Times (TT): How did you come up with the Chatafisha project?

Simalike Musika (SM): The idea for the project was originally to give kids a place to skate and interact. Urban culture, and notably skateboarding, has always been very much to my taste. My good friend Alphonce and I used to skate at a skate park called Funkys in Masaki, where he used to work. I loved everything about skate culture, even the style and music. We used to meet with other kids to skate by the Morocco bus stop, so we thought it would be really cool to build a space where we could all skate, do graffiti, maybe even have a basketball court. A location where they can develop their artistic side and learn how to draw graffiti. The basic goal of the Chatafisha project is still to develop integrating spaces for urban dwellers. A setting that promotes integration.

TT: How long has it been in the works?

SM: From when I was in college, around 2014 to this day.

TT: What is the selection process for the artists?

SM: There will be a visual preference survey where we will document and interview the community in the targeted area to give them a voice and document their stories in order to integrate it through code in the Artwork. We aim to work with top notch talent and our art is meant to be not only site specific, but also interactive, therefore the artneeds to reflect the spirit of these areas. So, if we are to paint a mural in Morocco Bus Station, for example, we’d like the mural to reflect the environment of buses passing by and heavy traffic. After the creation the art shall go up on sale as an NFT, on the blockchain.

TT: The Rangi Chanya Festival. Can you tell me a little about that?

SM: This is actually how the project is being carried out. After the survey, the creation will commence in the form of a public exhibition we call it Rangi Chanya festival (Rangi Chanya means “positive colors”). This event will include a selling component. Vendors, are welcome to set up a booth and sell their artwork. This festival is intended to serve as a Mural exhibition and a chance for the community to engage and experience the creative process and learn about the application of AR, VR and QR technology. Later this year, the inaugural Rangi Chanya event is scheduled to take place.

TT: Are you an artist yourself?

SM: I am a multidisciplinary artist. I adore visual art. I can write rhymes. I can curate, conceptualize and produce for entire bodies of work, like I did with my most recent album, “Heaven is now,” in addition to directing music videos and short films. I am about to begin work on a feature film’s soundtrack. I am a voice actor and have done several voice-over work, for NGOs and corporates. I am alsoabout to dabble in some acting and fashion designing. I want to start a collection with a partner. These to me are all various aspects of visual art, which is something that I’m quite passionate about.

TT: How do you intend on overcoming the challenge of lack of knowledge when it comes to technology?

SM: Technology is part and parcel of our lives nowadays. With regard to NFTs and AR, our goal is to have a provision for workshops to educate the artists on potentials that exist in the tech world. We want to provide them with opportunity to go beyond the traditional boundaries of public art such as its ephemeral nature through block chain technology. Technology could serve as a platform for the storage, transferring of information in a safe and transparent way. Working with our strategic partners in the AR industry to educate the public and give them a chance to experience this new technology first hand. In addition to serving as a platform for artistic expression, Chatafisha also serves as an introduction to Web3 technology.

TT: What excites you most about this project?

SM: The fact that this concept offers the ideal solution to the issue of excessive advertising in the city of Dar is what intrigues me the most about it. I believe that artists should be paid to display their skills and originality, rather than just getting paid to paint various corporations’ logos on the sides of houses. We wanted to have Art with minimal external corporate branding but business organizations will always seek for visibility, subsequently this would not be impactful if not counterproductive. With AR technology, we can now satisfy the need for branding, transferring and storage of information for educational or social purposes, while maintaining the integrity of the artwork. Digital coding is a viable option for storing all required data. This is art that speaks… art that comes to life.

TT: Is the Chatafisha project supposed to be an ongoing project? If so, what cities are you kicking off the project in?

SM: This is definitely going to be an ongoing project. We plan on being the entity that not only draws murals butdevelops and encourages for more integrative spaces as it pertains to the public art scene. It will start at home in Dar es Salaam and slowly move into different cities throughout Tanzania.

TT: Have there been any challenges experienced throughout this entire project?

SM: The biggest challenge has been building a solid team that is as passionate about transforming public spaces and who are also interested in technology and its prospects in creating a more sustainable city. The accessing of funds has also been another challenge that the recent developments of Web3 promises to solve. People are more excited to hop on this project because of that.

To keep up with all things #CHATAFISHA, be sure to follow them on Discord:

Instagram:@chatafisha_tz

Twitter:@chatafisha

Discord:CHATAFiSHA https://discord.gg/98mpNuxq

ORUCHUM NAMUNGO HEADS TO TANZANIA’S AFTER TUSKER CONTRACT EXPIRED

ORUCHUM HEADS TO TANZANIA’S NAMUNGO AFTER TUSKER CONTRACT EXPIRED

The FKF Premier League winners Tusker FC have suffered a significant setback after defender Christopher Oruchum quit the team after his contract expired and moved for Tanzania, where he has already signed a two-year agreement with the NBC Premier League team.

After two seasons with Tusker FC, where he won back-to-back Premier League championships, Oruchum departed

He played in 31 games and contributed to 19 clean sheets as a key member of the team this past season. He was an important part of the defense.

Christopher Oruchum, a defender for Tusker FC, departed the team when his contract expired and is moving on in search of better opportunities. The defender joined Tusker at the start of the 2020–21 season, and the team announced in a statement that he had successfully won back-to-back championships.

“I want to say a big thank you to the Tusker family; from the management, my fellow players, technical bench members and the fans for their support for the two years that I have been at the club. I have enjoyed tremendous growth with the challenges to perform well at the high level consistently,” Oruchum stated to the club.

“I have won the league back to back which is really something amazing for any player. Two League titles, One Charity Cup Trophy and three medals on, I can say I have had the best time at Tusker FC. I am off to a new challenge but I will leave with my head held high as a proud alumnus of this great club,”

Robert Matano acquired Oruchum from AFC Leopards at the beginning of the 2020–21 campaign, but he didn’t appear in as many games.

But this year, he seized the opportunity and never looked back, garnering interest from numerous clubs by the end of the campaign.

The defender announced that he was leaving for Tanzania in quest of a new challenge and was eager to take further action.

With the departure of Oruchum and the mid season departure of captain Eugene Asike, the club is now forced to sign additional centrebacks.

By Anne Tendwa

Community Spotlight: 255Nation

Why create 255 Nation?

I created 255 Nation to give a platform to up-and-coming talents from all around the world to connect together, network, collaborate, support and to uplift each other. I also created 255 and used +255 in the name of the company in order to represent my home country of Tanzania, as many people do not know of us. And to emphasize that though I am representing Tanzania(255) on the forefront, our company of 255 Nation, just like Tanzania is a diverse melting pot of many different cultures, backgrounds, and traditions.

What does 255 Nation aim to say?

255 Nation aims to say that no matter where you’re from, what you do or what you represent, there’s always a place for you to genuinely express yourself through your talents and build upon those talents (by networking, collaborating etc)

How does 255 Nation seek opportunities? (how the group has sourced and approached new opportunities)

255 Nation tries to create opportunities/platform. For example, future plans to host talent shows, sports tournaments, giving back to those in need and many more ideas to come. We are also open to collaborating and working with other groups/ organizations to create opportunities.

Where do you see 255 Nation in the long run?

In the long run, I see 255 Nation as a successful company, Established in many different areas within company goals and throughout the world. Able to give out the opportunities and resources needed for anyone who is a part of 255 nation.

Are there as much challenges running 255 Nation?

Yes, as with an all company there are challenges. Especially because this is a fairly new company I started in 2016 and at first I was doing a lot of the things that I have envisioned for the company on my own but now with selected board teams and committees working with me it has been easier to brainstorm, share ideas and bring those ideas to fruition.

How does the group operate?

255 Nation does not own any of the members work and the group is very flexible, easy to work with. We have producers, dancers, artists, graphic designers, models, fashion designers and many more. With all these different members, we have a main group chat and an individual group chat based on your talent/role in the company. These individual group chats are encouraged to interact with each other, share your work, build bonds and support each other.

Any tips for upcoming artists on matters of showcasing their work on different platforms?

Personally, tips that I would give upcoming artists on matters of showcasing their work on different platforms are to:

Have a strategy as to how you want to present yourself and your work
Trust the process, never stop creating. Show your process of creativity (for example, on socials this might be a way to keep people engaged with your work)
Always believe in yourself and your work.

Rayvanny Exits WCB

Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label up until July 2022.

Singer Rayvanny has formally departed Diamond Platnumz’s Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) recordings Tanzania after months of denial.

On July 12th 2022, Rayvanny made the news, stating he was now concentrating on his record company, “Next Level Music,” and was eager to develop musical talent.

Rayvanny thanked Diamond Platnumz for giving him the chance to share his ability with the world in a two-minute video homage to his former employer.

Under WCB, Rayvanny has had what many can describe as a whirlwind career. With numerous hits under his belt such as “Tetema”, “Number One”, and “Te Amo”, the BET Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act 2017 award, the world is really his oyster and we are more than excited to see what happens next for this Mbeya native.

“My respect to you Diamond Platnumz will be forever, God bless you Diamond. But there comes a time when a child goes out to start their own life and bring back respect to his family. Now it is my time to leave, and grow other talents at my record label, Next Level Music,” he said.

According to media accounts, Rayvanny had not yet been able to raise the money needed to buy out the remaining terms of his allegedly 10-year contract at the time, hence his exit had not yet taken place.

According to claims made by Tanzania’s well-known social media influencer and Clouds FM radio host Mwijaku, Diamond wanted $829,383 from Rayvanny in order to let him leave the label.

However, it appears that the parties have come to a cordial understanding as seen by Diamond’s response on Rayvanny’s Instagram post about his departure.

By Anne Tendwa