There may be the official denial of the current drop economic status in Tanzania but the citizens’ recitation of ‘Maisha magumu’ referred to ‘life is hard’ is unquestionable. However; while the majority of people are completely stuck; complain and wondering how they will cope with the president Magufuli slogan of hapa kazi tu effects, others spend the same 24 hours a day blessing, to figure-out and work on all the opportunities that show up. In a country like Tanzania it is hard to imagine if winnowing could make a living as a reliable job, because it is a must have kitchen equipment to every household in the country, thus no one can real hire an individual for that task…but it is happening.

What is winnowing?

Winnowing is the process of separating the heavier components from the lighter components of a mixture by wind or by blowing air using a winnowing basket. It is essential to separate them in order to obtain clean grains that can be used in the eating purpose. Winnowing is widely used in almost every house in Tanzania especially when dealing with grain and all types of cereals.

Mama Leah is a resident of Kimara in Dar es Salaam. She and her husband have involved in cereal business for 8 years now. They order several sacks of rice and beans from the farmers at Temeke by a wholesale price and sell to individual customers by a retail price at Kisutu market. Explaining their experience in the business, Mama Leah said persistence is the only capital that they hold on to, to become who they are today.

“The money flow that was familiar before our eyes has disappeared long time ago and there is no hope without persistence. The profit we make does not equate the value of life we are living…but we cannot stop. She said. Despite of facing several challenges Mama Leah and her husband were able to build a 3 bedrooms house and pay their 2 children’s school fees in less than 8 years. Nevertheless, Mama Leah revealed that in the recent years, the main business has gone down and that many of them have invested their time doing the uncomfortable activities like winnowing. Found her in the middle of winnowing; she revealed to the magazine that, it was not from her shop rather she is doing a part time. “This beans sack contains 100 Kgs, and I do it for a fellow vendor (because we have no customers during holidays like this refers to Eid el Fitr and I am idle) who pays me 8000/- per a sack. There is a good number of fellow women as you can see who make their living out of this senseless job, and the maximum we do in a day is 300 Kgs of winnowing either beans or rice. It is a hard work but it pays off if you persevere”. She lamented. Furthermore Mama Leah said almost all the fellow vendors about 50 of them; participate in a marry-go-round play popularly known as upatu, which motivates them to work even harder because each one of them is required to pay 5000/- everyday. After one week, one person receives 1,750,000/- and the process continues. The entire Kisutu vendors have shifted their businesses following the market renovation and Mwendokasi construction, something that has affected their selling out of losing many customers.

By Khadija Amri