When Sibling Becomes Strangers

After two months of going missing not only from her family but friends and co-workers; her concerned close friend decided to anonymously inform The Tanzanienne 

After two months of going missing not only from her family but friends and co-workers; her concerned close friend decided to anonymously inform The Tanzanienne over Suzanne’s quietness. She briefly explained how hardworking and committed is her friend but something has always seemed to be off. 

‘You can read all the sadness written on her face; from the body language to the negative energy surrounds her for whoever comes near her presence, but never for a minute has she opened her mouth to express what is it that bothers her! She has so far been to more than six jobs but has under no circumstances stayed up to 3 months on a single job…not that she got fired; surprisingly all the companies still want her to date but she chose to voluntarily quit. I would try to understand if she could have gone to being self-employed but none of that has ever happened. She definitely needs help’. Sadly explained Halima. 
Suzanne; (25) is the second out of three children in Mr. Mmari’s family who is not only educated and gifted daughter but beautiful with humbleness yet unhappy soul due to her mother’s endless and unintended curses she receives on a daily basis.

Our magazine could no longer remained calm upon Halima’s alarming concern on Suzanne, so we immediately called her through a mobile phone. After few failed call attempts of trying to reach her, we decided to make a special visit to her home at Kunduchi where she is currently residing with her aunty without the parents’ knowledge… be minded she has been living with her parents for the past twenty five years except for the last two months. Thus it was expected for them to know where the daughter is currently because this is Africa where it is normal for a grown up child regardless her old age to live with parents before marriage.

The following was a brief but effective conversation a Tanzanienne writer has had with Suzanne which happened after consulting her last employer who had well wholeheartedly cooperated and informed Suzanne on our arrival:

 

Tanzanienne: Thank you for having me, how are you doing!

Suzanne: (With a wounded tone voice) it is my pleasure, I am okay

Tanzanienne: It is Thursday and you are not at work, why?

Suzanne: mmh…I have not been well

Tanzanienne: What is wrong?

Suzanne: Many things

Tanzanienne: Please talk to me

Suzanne: (sighed) I don’t know where to flinch, but I will just tell you whatever approaches my mind. I am an isolated little girl living in a 25 years old lonely lady’s weak body. I have been referred to all evil names and characters you may have ever heard in your life; to the family members and strangers. I could wear up to the maximum of six ugliness in a day from being called crazy to stupid, mediocre, incompetent, failure and all other terms you know that can kill your self-esteem in a second. My well-being has been put in a stake throughout my life. I earn no respect from nobody and it hurts even more when I experience it from my own younger sister because you know how important the respect is in our country especially if there is an age gap. I sometimes don’t want to blame her because she learns it all from my mother. My mother is literally allowing her to disrespect me whenever she gossips about me with her. All along I have been a scape goat to the entire family and other relatives thinking I could get their acceptance and approval but I am regretting my precious wasted time.

I was made to believe that my mindset has been possessed by devils so I was taken to consult different witchdoctors and fortune-tellers but not hospital. All this was my once beloved mother’s doing to make me believe that she cared for but the reality is she was slowly but surely destroying me. Suzanne explained

Tanzanienne: This is deep Suzanne, but one thing I am sure of is you will get through this and being able to stand on your feet again. You need to identify your weak points and take them as strength to seek help for your mental health. Find a trustable close family member to share all your troubles with, then request for a family meeting because it is possible your mother is unaware of how you feel. You shall be healed in due time.

It always all starts with the parent’s tendency of comparing their kids. Comparison is a thief of all happiness especially for human beings unless it is done to machines or the things which cannot perform without a man’s command and intelligence. However; it appears to be a useful tool for many parents whenever they want to correct or motivate their children…or maybe they are missing out what it real means by motivation. 

It is human nature to make comparison but it is an equal importance to reconsider that doing so among siblings always leaves negative impacts because these are two separate individuals who may have shared the DNA but are absolutely different personalities and should be celebrated accordingly.

by Khadija Amri

Three Lessons Corona Has Left Us With

The world might have heard of the saying goes by Cancer had picked a wrong diva but not Corona has picked a wrong country as many Tanzanians claim; why! Because regardless the geographical location or population the country is, it has somehow either experienced this unforgettable pandemic disease or its effects

The world might have heard of the saying goes by Cancer had picked a wrong diva but not Corona has picked a wrong country as many Tanzanians claim; why! Because regardless the geographical location or population the country is, it has somehow either experienced this unforgettable pandemic disease or its effects. Many families have lost their loved ones, Nations have lost the heroes and great leaders, mean while uncountable number of marriages have unexpectedly failed because it was about time the couples had to face each other’s hidden true colors throughout the Quarantine period. Interestingly.

Remarkably in Tanzania; the number of pregnancies in schools went tremendously higher than usual especially in Southern Tanzania and brought exceptional cases ever to happen in a country. This was one of those hectic moments in a lifetime when few parents had to witness the daughters became pregnant from their blood brothers just because of spending months together in the houses. What a horrible trauma for both parents and children!

Generally; the entire world had felt this global mental crisis of which no media outlet could be at rest except updating and enthusiastically reporting thousands of incidents while educating citizens on the precautions. This magazine however, respects all the incredible coverage done throughout but will not unnecessary repeat their works rather we will focus on the lessons learnt from corona.

 Learn to save money

In other words; it is about the time people learn to have plans A and B in their lives in case things fall apart unforeseen. A bitter truth about many people in Africa including Tanzania is; we do not have a habit of saving…whichever it is; money, food or even time. The money management has been a long time nightmare for us that’s why people would risk their lives regardless of how bad the circumstance may show up, just to get a family food for tomorrow. Sadly eight out of ten people could still go to their daily activities during Quarantine; worried more about their families dying of hunger other than the dangerous Covid-19 itself. Recalling form the situation, many Tanzanians could not afford a kilogram of sugar due to its highest price ever to happen in the country. Governments, Organizations and each individual is responsible and must consider ‘saving habit’ on a daily basis.

Appreciating the doctors everyday

There is no the paramount moment in 21st century where the world has appreciated the doctors more as the moment of Covid-19 although our appreciation should not wait for the pandemic to pop-up, because at some point everyone gets sick. The doctors have always been sacrificing their all just to make sure they save lives. The unknown figure of doctors have lost their lives to Corona in the process of saving others’ which surprisingly did not stop the rest of them to continue support their patients. In the developing countries like Tanzania where there has been shortage of equipment’s such as OPP, the doctors had a chance to quit and choose to protect themselves at home, oppositely they did what was possible in their hands to attend on their duties despite the dangerous environment. The yearly health budgets must make doctors’ safety a number one priority in all matters regarding health because it cannot be improved without their consent.

 

Working from home

It is about time for families to start investing more on the quality time at home.  A Zimbabwean man known as Mr. Arnold who is now residing in Tanzania told this magazine the reasons why such cases like marriage failure and students’ pregnancies happened; it is because there is no groundwork set for both parents and children to make a useful time while at home.

‘Where I come from we believe that if a man is at home before 8:00pm he is useless. We would rather make it to bars or do anything to kill time just to avoid being at home before the chosen time. Now imagine the Quarantine commands us to spend unlimited hours with the wives who are by nature are so talkative and men don’t like that and yet they have nothing to keep them busy…only divorce should be a savage to such families.  This goes to children as well, we parents must start teaching our kids to be busy at home but this doesn’t mean we should ignore spending the quality time with family together’ He said.
On a nutshell; despite of all that took place the Tanzanians have remained calm and maintain their positive attitudes towards life in general. With on-going the 2020 election campaign at the moment, majority of citizens have experienced the businesses failures because of the almost no money circulations but are still working hard and keep their hopes higher for a better tomorrow.

by Khadija Amri

Makocha Wageni Wajaa Tanzania

Una Majina mengi sana huu Mchezo.Wengine tunauita Soka,Kandanda,Kabumbu nk.Lakini wewe tambua ni Mchezo wa Mpira wa Miguu,Mchezo ambao una matumizi makubwa ya Fedha.

Una Majina mengi sana huu Mchezo.Wengine tunauita Soka,Kandanda,Kabumbu nk.Lakini wewe tambua ni Mchezo wa Mpira wa Miguu,Mchezo ambao una matumizi makubwa ya Fedha.

Katika kuhakikisha Mchezo huu unasonga mbele zaidi,ni lazima kwa upande wa Kifedha Timu iwe imejipanga ipasavyo kisawasawa.Pesa itatumika kila Eneo.Kusajili Wachezaji,Kuajiri Makocha,Kuajiri Madaktari wa Timu,Kuajiri Ma Afisa Habari wa Timu nk.

Kama ilivyo sehemu nyingine Duniani,Nchini Tanzania nako hatuko nyuma katika Kulisakata Soka.Septemba 25 mwaka 2021,Ufunguzi wa Ligi Kuu ulifanyika kwa Mchezo wa Ngao ya Jamii uliopigwa katika Dimba la Benjamin Mkapa(Uwanja wa Taifa).Mchezo uliowakutanisha Timu kubwa zenye Mashabiki Wengi zaidi Timu za Yanga na Simba.Ambapo Yanga ilishinda kwa ushindi wa 1-0.Ikiashiria rasmi kufunguliwa kwa Msimu mpya wa Ligi 2021/2022.

Ligi hii kuu ya Soka Tanzania Bara,ni moja ya Ligi kubwa sana kwa sasa Barani Afrika.Msimu wa mwaka 2020/2021 ilichukua nafasi ya Nane (8) miongoni mwa Ligi Bora Afrika na Nafasi ya Sabini na Moja(71) Duniani kwa ubora.Imekuwa Ligi pendwa sana kwa sasa kwa Ukanda wa Nchi za Afrika Mashariki na Kati.

Na imeonyesha kuwavutia Wachezaji wengi wa Kigeni kuja kucheza Soka Tanzania. Makocha wengi kwa sasa hawavungi kuja Tanzania kufundisha,pindi wanapofuatwa au hata wao wenyewe huomba Nafasi za kuja kufufundisha Kabumbu Tanzania.Msimu huu wa 2021/2022 umekuwa Msimu wa Makocha wengi kuchangamkia ‘FURSA’Tanzania kwani Makocha wa Kigeni wamekuwa wengi mno.


Ligi hii Kuu Tanzania Bara,Msimu huu ina jumla ya Timu kumi na Sita(16), Timu Kumi(10) zina Makocha Wakigeni na Timu Sita pekee zina Makocha Wazawa(Watanzania).

Hii hapa Orodha ya hao Makocha Wa Kigeni na makocha Wazawa.

MAKOCHA WA KIGENI

1. Simba-Didier Gomez De Rosa(France)

2. Yanga-Nasreddin Mohammed Nabi(Tunisia/Ubeligiji)

3. Biashara-Patrick Odhiambo(Kenya)

4. Azam-George Lwandamina(Zambia)

5. Mbeya Kwanza-Haruna Harelimana(Burundi)

6. Kagera Sugar-Francis Baraza(Kenya)

7. Mtibwa Sugar-Joseph Omog(Cameroon)

8. Geita Gold-Ettiene Ndayiragije(Burundi)

9. Coastal Union-Melis Medo(USA)

10. Mbeya City-Mathias Rule(Uganda)

MAKOCHA WAZAWA

1. Polisi Tanzania-Malale Hamsini Keya(Tanzania)

2. Tanzania Prisons-Salum Mayanga(Tanzania)

3. Namungo-Hemed Suleiman ‘Morocco'(Tanzania)

4. KMC-John Simkoko(Tanzania)

5. Dodoma FC-Mbwana Makata(Tanzania)

6. Ruvu Shooting-Charles Boniface Mkwasa(Tanzania)

Hii ya kuwa na Idadi kubwa ya Makocha wageni katika ligi ya Tanzania Bara kuzidi idadi ya Makocha Wazawa,siyo jambo baya.Kwa upande wa pili yawapasa Makocha Wazawa nao kutoka Nje ya Mipaka ya Tanzania kwenda kusaka Malisho zaidi.Inasemwa Makocha wetu wazawa ni Waoga sana wa Kutoka.Huu ni Muda wao wa kuonyesha uwezo wao.Watanzania hatupaswi kuchukia hali hii bali Makocha wetu Wazawa waibebe kama Changamoto waifanyie kazi.

By Kione Hamis Mahuruku

Healthy Outlook On Contemporary Arts

There is no standard way of referring to art. It ranges from modern paintings, to photography, sculptures and dates decades back to oil and silk screenings, and popularly; wax paintings. The manner in which people express themselves has not been celebrated enough in Africa. A plethora of creators spent time in more Western and European settings, therefore, some lose their roots, or are unable to achieve pieces that celebrate the Africa that flows in their blood as constant and as loudly as the Nile flows through the North into the Mediterranean. We have succumb to viewing the pieces created by those among us as inadequate or as needing a western feel, instead of emphasizing and putting a stamp on the fact that this is who we are and that this is our culture.

Innovative visionaries in our continent live and breathe creating content. Each day, we look past artists on accessible platforms, but wait for them to be acknowledged by international press before we put them on a pedestal. Captured brilliance deserves to be laminated and published with pride because our culture and creations should not have to be approved by anyone but us. Thus, the title of this article; invoking a healthy outlook on contemporary art. With 54 countries in our continent, there are waves of content for us to blissfully drown in, and not have to consume any other creations.

The multiple tribes and cultures in our nation result in a plethora of social differences. These differences are what make us unique. We possess the ability to create strides of beauty more diverse than most can come up with. These diversifications are a result of beauty as far West as Ghana, up from the North, across central towards the East and Tanzania, and finally in the enclave that is Lesotho, in the South. Artists whose presence we must amplify are the likes of Trevor Stuurman, who started in South Africa and remained true to himself and his art, and finally made it on the international marketing, penetrating the global sphere. Trevor has worked with brands ranging from Conde Nast, the well acclaimed media company that has Vogue and CN Traveller under its belt. His creations and collaborations have been featured in most publications and he has gained a large following from this. Locally, he has worked with the brand Maxhosa, which is also racking up accolades as they go in Africa. Local collaborations among artists must be encouraged for each of our nurturing’s to grow.

@paulboypaul_

Courtesy of Paul Gugulethu

The talent in our mother land is more than abundant. May we continue create and may we soar higher while maintaining African art positivity!

Written By Dille Neenah Molapo

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

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.

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

  1. 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.

  1. 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)

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.