RTF: Happy Birthday!

It is another Friday. It is another day for random thoughts.

Yesterday was my birthday. My wife took me out to dinner and the waiters at Applebee’s threw me a party with “embarrassing” singing. I am bit private, so I really didn’t want everyone in the restaurant to know that it was my birthday.

I could have sensed the waiters were planning something, because I saw my wife whispering something to the waiter assigned to our table. Man, how did I miss that? She couldn’t have possibly been asking silently for extra salt. Duh!

I had a good time though.

And speaking of birthdays, I just couldn’t help but randomly think: If you were born on February 29, does that mean you only celebrate your birthday once every four years?

Just curious….

Enjoy your weekend.

“Had It Been..."

“Had it been somewhere else…”

Most of you have probably heard that when Bongolanders would be comparing what is happening in Bongoland to other places in the world, mostly in the developed countries. There are so many interpretations that could be derived from that, but from my perspective, the sentence sends a message of despair or giving up.

As always, it is not my intention to dedicate an entire blog post based on a single reader’s comments on any of my previous posts. Nonetheless, I feel it is necessary at times to override that rule of mine, just to educate all of us on my thought process and rationale for what I write.

I believe we are entitled to our opinions. As such, my writing shouldn’t be reflected as a jab to my esteemed readers, but rather an attempt to bring certain things to light. That is because I am sure there are folks who see the world the way some of my readers do. Honestly, what I am about to say is just coming from my recycling bin, for I have said this before. Just to get the ball rolling, here is the basis for my reflection today, and it is based on the following statement from some of my esteemed readers:

“…I think you suffer this myth of black inferiority, and the press/blogs like yours are constantly promulgates the worst of the African experiences…”

“…your solutions are…simplistic…”

“…"mindset/culture" solution is way too general...”

Just for the records. I believe in a positive Africa. I believe in the progressive Africa. Otherwise, why waste my time blogging? The difference, however, is that I have taken a rather “unorthodox” approach. I have deliberately taken myself outside the thinking mode that most “patriotic” Africans tend to hold. I know that my position is not popular in an African political context, but that’s the risk I am willing to take.

I don’t think that by having an “ unorthodox” approach to Africa’s problem I have become less of an African than the rest. Besides, what makes one a true African? Aren’t the supposedly “true” Africans elected to presidential posts looting the continent left and right? See, a spade is always a spade whether a foreigner or a brother next door calls it out. Honestly, I would like to be educated on how I have become a problem to Africa by calling out Africa’s core snags.

Unless you open your mind a little bit and step outside a typical we-are-the-victims-of-something African mentality box, you will never get the spirit of this blog.

Man, if you had known how proud I am of being African, you would not dare call me inferior. On the flip side, I think those that are afraid to be challenged by a fellow African are the ones who suffer from inferiority complex. Just read this previous post to gauge whether I believe Africans are inferior or not. I have chosen, however, not to depict my pride only by embracing the African rot.

Besides, there are plenty of Uhuru and Daily News, which are the mouthpieces of the government, drumming up the “positives”. I chose to depict the other side of the coin, and that should remain my prerogative.

Whether you are agree with me or not, I strongly believe that Africa’s problems are rooted in Africa’s own culture. And when I talk about culture, please take a broader view. If you narrow your understand of culture to traditional dances alone, you will neither get the solution I have proposed nor the message I am sending. Which is too bad. The issue is not lack of a “road map”, resources, or intelligent people in Africa.

Let me just cited an example of how culture is killing Africa. Recently, This Day published stories on how the former Tanzanian president, Mr. BWM, through his influence as the head of the state, managed to snatch a coal mine from the state and turn it into his private hands. From an ethical standpoint, that is wrong and presents a classic case of corruption.

The corruption watchdog guys, however, are balking from investigating or taking any legal actions against the former president. The reason for the inactivity from the Tanzanian corruption bureau is very simple. As a prominent lawyer and a former member of parliament, Mr. Mabere Marando has put it; the incumbent president cannot push for the investigation of the former president, because that would set a “dangerous” precedent.

The main issue in this whole saga is a culture that protects and hence promotes ineptitude and corruption. And that is a bigger problem, because corruption renders ineffective all wonderful development policies and strategies that a country like Tanzania can draw. And that is what I am trying to draw our attention to – CULTURE AND MINDSET.

What do you think would have been the impact of allowing for the investigation and possibly prosecution of the former president to Tanzania’s progress? In my estimation – huge. On the flip side, Mr. JMK’s decision to protect a culture that does not call for accountability will definitely have a negative impact on Tanzania’s progress for ions to come. Trust me on that one. Because the message send out is loud and clear – there are not penalties for the violation ethical codes as long as you are the president.

Given that Tanzanians are not monkeys but human beings, we can certainly learn from other cultures. Would this crap about Mr. BWM happen in other countries, let’s say United States of America? Absolutely not! The reason such a known unethical act would be dealt with severely in the United States is not because the United States has more money, Caucasians as a majority, or more intelligent people than Tanzania, but because the United States society values a culture which allows for a president to be impeached for violating the established code of ethics. Nothing magical, nothing more.

So as you sing along that wonderful tune “hii isingetokea kwenye nchi zingine”, just understand that the separating point between Tanzania and other countries is not intelligence, lack of resources or any other factors, but a culture that does not call for accountability and create an environment of rapid development to take place in Tanzania. As subtle as that is, it has been and it is a killing monster.

Sometimes, seemingly complicated problems require the simplest of the solutions.

I apologize in advance to those who still think even this article is full of generalities and simplistic solutions. My call is this: open your eyes.

RTF: Celebrities Can't Save Africa

It is another Friday. So I will rant on anything that crosses my mind. That could be about Tanzania or anything. That’s the beauty of having your own space. I promise though, that I will not bring you anything crazy.

Today I feel like reflecting a bit on this new trend of Western celebrities making Africa their playground. Just yesterday (August 23, 2007), I found this article on Yahoo. This article is really what prompted me to reflect on this issue.

I would really be mad if someone tells me how to spend my money or my time, especially if I have worked hard to earn tons of money. As such, I believe that celebrities are entitled to the way they want to spend their millions of dollars. Besides, what the Bonos and Jolies are doing is good. I would be stupid to question that.

The issue, from my perspective, is not about who is sending or mobilizing the infusion of financial aid to the African government coffers. The core issue for is whether Africans, through their political leaders, have the same outlook on financial aid as those that donate them. I honestly believe that most African leaders and bureaucrats regard financial aid from the West as a sweet channel of money straight to their own private banks accounts.

If anyone thinks I am crazy, can African continent show evidence that the financial aid that has flown through the continent in years past has really been a catalyst to development? And please don’t give me the typical rhetoric about the West control and the rest of African political junk.

I acknowledge the fact that there was a shift in aid delivery, from that of simply sending money to sending money plus “expatriates” to supervise the use of the money. This shift has probably contributed to the ineffective of financial aid to African, nonetheless, that was due to continent’s own doing. Donors initially sent money only to realize the money was always diverted from the intended use. So I will never blame donors for doing what was necessary.

The flow of celebrities to Africa could be just a fad or seriously a new way of “saving” Africa. Nonetheless, honestly, that is a waste of time.

I know I have just stirred a controversy right there, but the reality is that foreign solutions to the African situation will never work. As African myself, I can straight up tell you this: deliverance of African people will only be achieved when there is a paradigm shift within the African continent. The issues facing African are primarily not financial or lack of resources, it is more the issues of the wrong mindset. Africa’s problems are rooted in a culture that is not conducive for development, as that West knows it.

Unless there is a transformation within the African continent itself, the Clintons are just (unknowingly) finding a nice way to enjoy their retirement from official government posts. That is because financial aid has never transformed anyone and anything in Africa. Bill Clinton, Bono, George Clooney or Angelina Jolie could have the best intentions, but they are certainly stepping into a territory that they are certainly ignorant about.

Unless Africans truly take responsibility for their own destiny or hunger for change, we can always expect to see the next fad in trying to save the continent. Mark my words.
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Photo Credit: School of St. Jude

It Is 1636...

It is 1636. What do you think your great, great, great, great, great grandfather is doing in the remote parts of Usambara? I would just let you use your imagination.

While your great, great, great, great, great grandpa or grandma is doing whatever he or she is doing, just know that there are people in the other parts of the world attending formal classes and pursuing formal education. That is a fact. Just think about that.

According to Harvard’s website, this institution was established in 1636, 16 years after the arrival of Pilgrims in Plymouth. I have heard so much about Pilgrims, especially around Thanksgiving, so I had to dig a bit of the American history for my benefit and the benefits of my readers.

Also, my search on Wikipedia found that Pilgrims is the name commonly applied to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts. Their leadership came from a religious congregation who had fled a volatile political environment in the East Midlands of England for the relative calm of Holland in the Netherlands to preserve their religion. Concerned with losing their cultural identity, the group later arranged with English investors to establish a new colony in North America. The colonists faced a lengthy series of challenges, from bureaucracy, impatient investors and internal conflicts to sabotage, storms, disease,and uncertain relations with the indigenous people. The colony, established in 1620, became the second successful settlement in what was to become the United States of America, the first being Jamestown, Virginia which was founded in 1607. Their story has become a central theme in United States cultural identity.

What is my point? My point is this: as Tanzanians we have to acknowledge the fact that there have been other societies and cultures that were and are still ahead of us. These cultures and societies have set up an environment for full utilization of all the capabilities and potential that God has endowed to human beings.

My objective is not to make us feel inferior because of that historical fact, but to make us think a little bit. I am convinced that we (society as a whole) do certain things because we hardly stop to think about life beyond our immediate need for food and shelter. It is not that thinking about immediate needs is a bad thing, but remaining at that level is just too low for the mental capabilities that we have.

I have not come across any research that has proven that people of the Negroid nature are naturally stupid compared to their Caucasian or Asian counterparts. The problem, therefore, has to do with the environment. Given one’s setting influences their perception, understanding and interpretation of life situations, nothing can change unless one is equipped with a new way of looking at life. I am convinced that the majority of Africans, and Tanzanians in particular, are still stuck in the world of 1636.

The above sentence is not meant to be demeaning. It is meant to highlight the fact that most folks are still making decisions based on cultural references. I know of that fact because I have relatives who have not been blessed to have certain academic and general life experiences. As such, their decision-making process is always been based on some cultural references, and not based on critical thinking. As such, as the environment changes, these folks are still stuck in the same, old thinking mode.

I strongly believe that one of the best ways one can be equipped with a new way of looking at life is to be educated. It is true that getting educated can get a nice job, but the most important aspect is the mental transformation that one goes through. Certainly, there is a clear correlation between the number of educated people in a society and the developmental level of that society.


This is my contention: regardless of the number of policies and strategies that the Tanzanian government would come up with, it would be very difficult for an average Tanzanian to benefit from them, given that the thinking and understanding level of a common Tanzania has not been transformed. Besides, when a society is educated, the government would not need to hawk the entrepreneurial spirit. Innovation and ingenuity will spring and ooze of society as the mental faculties are stimulated.

You don’t have to go far to tell that the Tanzania society (generally speaking) is still at a very the low level intellectually. Just look at how the society has failed to contain cholera. So what makes us think we can fully comprehend complex global issues? We can’t go back and create our Harvard in 1636. Nonetheless, we need to catch up quickly.

Just do a quick census in Tanzania. What percentage of the population do you think hold a university degree, 2%, or 5%? Think about that for a minute. So let the CCM folks go ahead with their Vision 2025, but the Tanzanian society will only change when the minds of the people are transformed and enlightened.

It is 2007, but I wonder if much has changed for the entire Tanzanian society compared to 1636. Think I am kidding? Just read this old story from Tanzania Daima. Or just for fun, muse with me on this old post of mine.


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Photo credit: Mjengwa.

RTF: This Zimbabwe Thing

It is another Friday. So this my day of Random Thoughts Friday (RTF) and I will touch on Zimbabwe, just a little bit.

Why I am talking about Zimbabw while this blog should be dedicated to Tanzanian issues? I’m giving Zimbabwe a time of the day, because some Tanzanians regard the Zimbabwean situation as an African situation. Just read the This Day editorial comments to prove my point.

I can understand why one would consider the Zimbabwean ordeal as an African pain. For the most part, that fits well in a hypocritical African politics. It fits well in a “don’t ask, don’t tell” African political climate. It perfectly fit in African politics where accountability is hardly exercised. May be because almost all of the African leaders are corrupt. As such, no African president can rebuke a fellow African president on the same ills he or she does.

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe in solidarity and all that jazz that come with it. We have the European Union for the same reason. At times it is necessary to join hands in order to accomplish a whole lot. Nevertheless, I believe loving someone does not equate to patting them on the back alone. True love comes with being tough and communicating hard and difficult truths to the one you love. That is because the line between loving and spoiling could be vague at times. Mugabe needs to hear the hard truth from his African leadership fraternity.

Thus far, none from this fraternity has been bold enough to face him.

While SADC leaders are showing plenty of seemingly moral support to Mugabe, they are just killing ordinary Zimbabweans. Most the SADC countries have embarked on economic reforms and heading in the right direction, while Zimbabwe is heading south. Most of these countries have a good relationship with EU and other developing countries, while “helping” Zimbabwe to destroy her relationship with the same countries. Isn’t that hypocrisy? Isn’t that pathetic?

May the cost of “freedom” from those awful Westerners is to sacrifice a few poor Zimbabweans here and there. Seriously, when folks are starving, do you really think that Mugabe is going without? (I know that question could be thrown back at me, whether the EU and all others who have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe have thought about that. But that is beside the point).

I acknowledge the fact that Zimbabwe has the right to embark on any policies they seem fit, including the land redistribution policy. Nonetheless, any right should come with the accompanying obligations. As such, Mugabe and the Zimbabwean folks, and not the entire African continent, should bear weight to the consequences of their land policy.

I think that is fair. You bear the weight of your own sins. If you shoot a gun and it backfires, you should be in the line of harm’s way. Don’t call your neighbors to die for you.

There have been views that the land redistribution was just a political tool that Mugabe utilized to gain more political clout. I would not even doubt that, because according to the article published by the Tanzanian Daily News, and I will quote just a section of it, “ The EU sanctions involve a travel ban against top officials and the freezing of their assets in European banks, as well as a ban on arms sales”

Key sentence there? Freezing of top officials’ assets in European banks. Yeah, that is right, assets in European banks. You didn’t think those assets are furniture and some old clothes inherited from their grandparents, did you?

If you still think the land redistribution was meant to help the poor Zimbabweans, please raise your hands.

Seriously, I think this Zimbabwean thing is a litmus paper that has depicted the true colors of African leaders, which is mainly irresponsibility and hypocrisy. But that is not surprising, because that has been the political culture in Africa as long as I can remember.

Sometimes, honestly, I am glad that I don’t have to bribe anyone just to renew my driver’s license in the United States of America. That allows me (as artificial as it is) to escape the reality, which many of my brothers and sisters are facing in the African continent.

Enjoy your weekend!
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Photo Credit: Don't recall the source

Constitution Overhaul: Leave The Rhetoric Aside

I am convinced politicians are all the same across the board. That is not to recognize the fact that a culture within which politicians operate limits what politicians can say or do. Nonetheless, all politicians are motivated by power. More the power, the merrier they get.

Don’t get me wrong; history has seen politicians who have been true leaders. But what I see in Tanzania is just a bunch of guys who have decided to invest in politics. That is, they just invest $10,000 in MPs election campaign (mainly for takrima expenses) and then in about five years, you are guaranteed of $20,000 in MPs’ pension. Why wouldn’t anyone go for 100% guaranteed return on investment? And that is not counting the possibility of being a minister, board appointments, plenty of sitting allowances, and all other bells and whistles that no ordinary Tanzanian can get access to.

Guess what? These guys get all that for snoozing during the Bunge sessions. That’s insane, isn’t it? Sadly, a regular mzawa in Igunga will never, never figure this game out.

Whatever the motive for getting into wananchi representation, all politicians have an ethical, moral and social obligation to abide by what the assumed position calls for. I know that is actually a wishful thinking on my part, because checks and balances in the Tanzanian context is a notion that is as foreign and far as Tasmania can be.

There have been numerous calls (mainly from the opposition camp) for the overhaul of the Constitution. I personally think there are plenty to be desired from the opposition camp, but it would be very myopic of me and the rest of us to assume that everything that comes from the opposition should be reduced to whining. There are valid points that come from the opposition camp. Similarly, there are valid points that come from the CCM camp.

With regards to the call for the overhaul, redraft, reformulation (or whatever word you want to use) of the Constitution, I am yet to hear a strong opposing arguments from the CCM folks. Simply because shortcomings identified in the Constitution have not led to a political upheaval in the country does not mean it couldn’t or shouldn't be enhanced. Besides, shouldn’t we, as a country, try to make everything better today than it was yesterday?

It appears that most political leaders in Tanzania have not read the Constitution. If they have, it is clear than they have not understood the tenets laid out in the Constitution. The squabble between the Tanzanian government and HakiElimu is a good example of how neither the government (specifically government official who make decisions) nor some our Members of the Parliament have a good understanding of the Constitution.

I am not a legal expert, as such my interpretation of some articles of the Constitution may not be correct. Nonetheless, isn’t it ridiculous when the CCM folks believe the Constitution is just fine, while some of the articles of the Constitution have no practical meaning in the current Tanzania? For instance, Part II, Section 9(j) of the Constitution is geared to ensure that:

“Economic activities are not conducted in a manner capable of resulting in the concentration of wealth or major means of production in the hands of a few individuals”

I mean, seriously, whom are we kidding?

Continuing to hold on to the idea that Tanzania is a socialist country is just an indication that some folks within the CCM camp are in denial. And that is a psychological problem. Given that Mirembe Hospital is just nearby, why don’t some of these people go for a psychiatric evaluation? Socialism as a policy (that is what the Constitution calls it) was thrown out of the window when the country embarked on a free market economy. So why don’t we just leave the rhetoric aside and reformulate our Constitution to reflect Tanzania’s current state of economic and political affairs?

Furthermore, if the Ujamaa policy was as operational as the CCM folks are trying to believe, how could their former president, Mr. BWM “steal” the coalmine from STAMICO, a state-owned company, and transfer it to a private ownership? Is that really what the Constitution says?

Besides, I don’t believe that the former Tanzanian Prime Minister, Mr. Warioba, is that stupid to call for a work on the Constitution. As a legal expert, seasoned politician, he knows what is talking about. Some things, seriously, just require an application of common sense. And I don’t think that is too much to ask for.

Whatever the politician’s motives for vying for a leadership position, I think throwing away common sense (and hence act stupidly) for the sake of power retention is just ridiculous.

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Photo credit: trekearth.com

RTF: Ujamaa v. Free Market

I am just trying to add some pizzazz to my reflection. So this is what I am going to do. I am coming up with what I call Random Thoughts Fridays (RTF). I plan to rant on anything that crosses my mind on Fridays.

I just want to point out stuff that could look meaningless, but with some degree of significance or curiousity.

My wife calls me crazy. According to her, what she meant is that I am not a lunatic, but rather I am ahead of most people she knows. Well, that was what she said…but could it be she meant something else now that I am thinking about it?

Anyways, let’s forget about her. She married me though (Honey, you are stuck with me whether I am a lunatic or not).

This is what crossed my mind today: do you know that the Ujamaa policy lasted shorter than free market economy in Tanzania? The policy was crafted in 1967 and officially came to an end in 1985 when Mwalimu Nyerere stepped down as the president of the United Republic of Tanzania.

That was only 18 years of experimentation. And the policy tanked. Nyerere ran out of Ikulu.

As I am blogging today in 2007, it has been a cool 22 years since Tanzania embraced economic reforms, specifically embarking on a free market economy. Yes, that is 22 years and counting. If we have to look at longevity as a sign of a policy’s viability, Ujamaa was not a viable idea. Period.

Thinking more of it, the policy wasn't only utopian, it created this culture of ineptitude that Tanzanians are still dearly paying for.

I couldn’t just help wonder some more, could it be that the late Kambona was genius than Nyerere for being against Ujamaa, now that we have the 20/20 vision looking back?

This is all random so don’t shoot me. As I said, this is RTF!

Enjoy your weekend.

Negroid and Tanzanian = Failure and Disrespect?

I’m back. I am still emotionally wobbling, but I am back. After “uguzaring” my son, seven nights of sleeping on a hard couch-cum-bed, hearing all sorts of hospital equipment sounds, I am relieved that I am getting my sanity back. The best part of all is that the little man is getting better.

I wanted to come out with a light reflection, something to cheer all of us up. But what else could possibly be happening (almost all the time) in Tanzania other than depressing news? As much as I hate that, it seems like there is no hope for Tanzanians. I know the situation will not stay the same forever, but man; the wait is killing me. This is seriously bugging me because, from my point of view, we have no strong reasons to be where we are.

It is seems our current President, Mr. JMK, has hope for Africa, Tanzania included. Well, I am not sure if the hope that Mr. JMK, has is based on his attempt to sound politically correct or whether he knows something that we don’t know, but the truth and the perception of the matter in Tanzania seems to point in the opposite direction.

If you think I am just full of crap, revisit what the MP for Musoma Rural constituency and a prominent lawyer, Mr. Nimrod Mkono, thinks of the fate of indigenous Tanzanians, unfortunately, in their own country. I would just like to quote what This Day published:

“ …if you are black, it is very difficult to succeed in this country. Sometimes you have to partner with light-skinned people just to get things done”.

I grew up in a poor family. Well, that was mainly due to the fact that my father died when I was three years old. The story goes, and I have seen memorabilia such as photographs to prove it, that my father was doing fine. Unfortunately, my mom was a housewife and when my father passed on, the roof started to crumble. So I grew up in the family’s “dry season”. Kind of the Swahili saying “Mla mla leo…” I didn’t see the feast on the dinner table.

Despite all that, I never felt inferior to anybody simply because my family was poor. I had always held my head up. It could be that God endowed with me intellectual capabilities that were admired by rich kids. Trust me, I have had rich kids “bribe” me to assist them with their homework. I guess those experiences, unknowingly, boosted my ego.

I have held the same attitude of equality, regardless of race, gender or color. It could have been easier for me to adjust my outlook once I landed on the USA soil, given the constant reminder of racial struggles, but I couldn’t find a good reason for making such an adjustment. May be because I recognize that life is full of obstacles. I don’t think simply because someone is white in the United States of America, then life is just a breeze. I have seen plenty of trailer parks full of white folks, while there are plenty of black millionaires in the same country!

Despite my positive outlook on race as a factor in individual progress, I would be so naïve to overlook the message that Nimrod Mkono is trying to send out. For one, I am assuming that Nimrod is an intelligent, educated Tanzanian. His resume speaks for itself. Secondly, I respect his experience, both as a businessperson, lawyer and a politician. Given Nimrod’s position, I am presuming that he knows what he is talking about when he speaks of a Negroid Tanzanian in terms of opportunities for socioeconomic progress.

We could discuss whether Nimrod took the right path, by choosing the “if you can’t beat them, join them” philosophy, given his position as a legislator and hence having a social and moral obligation to fight for the underprivileged. Nonetheless, that is a topic of its own.

I have come across depressing news from Tanzania many a time, but I believe that this is probably the worst. I don’t about you, but this really makes feel like choking someone. I mean, can I seriously call myself a free Tanzanian? I was convinced that Tanzania gained independence from the British so that every Tanzanian of Negroid, Caucasian, Asian and whatever origin could freely enjoy the opportunity to economically progress. I believed that. It is in the constitution. Nevertheless, I never envisioned a day that it could be perceived or factually true, that a Negroid Tanzanian can never succeed in their own land, unless they team up with a light-skinned individual.

That is insulting. Or may be there are realities that Tanzanians have to acknowledge, before any meaningful change can take place.

I am optimistic, but I am sure a day is coming when poor Tanzanians will break out of their stupidity and all hell will break out. I have been accused of being a Western sell out when I try to challenge my fellow Tanzanians to think better, if not think outside the box. I can I understand that, because for so many years ordinary Tanzanians have been and are continuing to be abused and used in their own land. They have come to the point of accepting the status quo, despite the fact that they could opt for the alternative. Yet those bold enough to question, probe and provide an alternative thinking are viewed as traitors.

I am fortunate enough to be educated and exposed to a different world. In the Tanzanian context, I am a millionaire (hey, in case you didn’t know, my little $1,000 saving is a little over TShs 1m/-), so I would have opted to not care. I could continue chasing my own dreams and ambitions in the USA and never take my time to think about my relatives and friends in Tanzania who are not as fortunate as I am. But selfish is not in my character.

As such, my heart goes out the poor folks in every corner of Tanzania. At the core of my heart, I can feel a sparkle of anger in me. I feel like choking the breath out of somebody. I mean, why? What’s wrong with us? Sooner than later, we have to declare salvation for the oppressed and real freedom for Tanzanians. What we currently have is just depressing me. I don’t know about you.

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Photo Credit: Mjengwa

BRB: An Update

Wandugu,

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. The boy was discharged from Children's Hospital on Friday. He is doing much better and back to his heartwarming smiles. Obviously, those smiles have cheered both my wife and I up.

But above all, the glory, honor and praises go back to the LORD, for his covering and healing touch on the little man.

BRB

Folks,

Due to my son's sickness, I have not been able to post anything. The little guy is hospitalized at the Children's Hospital, here in Columbus, Ohio. He had some bacterial infection that went as far as affecting his muscles.

The doctors are doing a wonderful job (including minor surgery) and he is making a come back. So pray with my family that the boy will make a quick recovery and that daddy can continue sharing his thoughts with you.

But certainly, I will be right back.
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Photo Credit: Daddy's Phone Camera.

While Accusing Me On Culture...

You know what? I thought communicating verbally was more difficult compared to communicating in writing. My rationale wsa that there are so many factors that could affect the listener's ability to fully comprehend what is being communucated, when communication is done orally. As I continue to grow in blogging, I have come to realize how that theory of mine is not working. Man, it is hard to believe that folks could actually misread you. What I like about ideas put down in ink and paper is this: you can always go back to a sentence and quote it as it is, leaving no room for such excuses as “that’s not what I heard…err…read”.

Just on my last post, one of the readers just decided to take my post out of context and put words in my mouth…well in my writing hands. That is sad. I don’t want to school anyone in reading skills, but I believe that understanding the context in which the writer is writing can always help the reader understand the message. But I take the challenge also as a writer to be more articulate.

Going back to this particular reader, he or she accused me being an advocate of the importation of the Western culture and ideologies. I am hereby, ladies and gentlemen, vehemently denying those accusations. I know, I know…it might sound like I am pro-West. I am not. I am actually a pro-progressive African. The difference is this: I am proud and bold enough to say that in order for Africa to make any meaningful progress, the continent has to embrace formulas that have worked. I believe that is being realistic than political.

I know that is troubling some folks, because the point of reference, with regards to the working formulas, will always be the West. To some people, making such a proposition is equivalent to selling the continent out. To some folks, that sounds like that poor Metty is suffering from inferiority complex, that he can’t see any other alternatives, but to embrace the Western ways.

Wait a minute people. When was the last time Tanzania had a self-sufficient budget without foreign aid? For Pete’s sake, we can’t even fight malaria unless Bill Clinton visits town! You know how pathetic that is? This is my position: pride without substance is stupidity. Sadly, my observation has been that Africans who like to be known as “super patriotic” also like to portray this hypocritical, meaningless pride. This is so sickening; because on one hand we pretend to hate the West, while on the other we are so proudly begging for their money.

My call is very simple: let’s stop begging for fish and learn to fish. If that makes me a sell-out, I will accept that.

Going through the Tanzanian news, I learned that Tanzanian’s national television (TvT) has secured the rights to broadcast live English Premier League (EPL) matches. Well, the underlying force is the available and adequate demand for the English soccer in Tanzania. But how did we get here? What is the message?

I think it would be very myopic to define culture in terms of traditional dances alone, for culture is more than that. Google defines culture as “the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization”. If I understand this definition correctly, culture includes why and how a particular society does certain things. If that is the case then, all aspects of life, including economy, sports and entertainment, economy and politics are greatly driven by the underlying culture.

How is that related to the EPL then?

Obviously, random forces do not drive the quality of the EPL. It has to be the British culture that emphasizes organization, accountability, quality, creativity and all the good things that are lacking in the Tanzanian context (if we had those qualities, we would have been exporting Tanzanian soccer to England instead). I have not heard of a scientific research that has concluded that Tanzanian soccer players are less talented that the European or South American counterparts. The difference, therefore, has to do with culture (And not money, as some people would quickly cite finances as a reason. This is a whole new topic on it's own).

I always emphasize critical thinking for a reason. I do that because it is very easy to be swallowed in the general wave of life to the extent that one fails to decipher the underlying messages. As such I chose to think and not just go with the general crowd. If one decides to hate me for challenging our (Tanzanians) thinking, go ahead and be my guest. Nonetheless, as you admire the British soccer, just remember that there is a culture and a mental attitude that brought the quality EPL football on your TV screen.

As you watch the EPL too, remember that you are celebrating not only the game, but you are being a consumer of the British culture. And it wasn't Metty who called for that, it is the very Tanzanian national TV, that is doing the importation.

Which begs the question: who’s better for Tanzania; Danstan Tido Mhando who decided to import the British culture, as it is, or Metty who’s calling for learning how the British created the EPL so that we can create our own? Furthermore, what’s wrong with copying positive aspects of the British culture for our own benefits as opposed to blindly embracing the EPL like stupid cheerleaders?

So while you are accusing me of being a pro-West, the national TV is importing the same very culture through the back door. Go figure.

Amkeni jamani!

Progress With Twisted Logic? Impossible...

I don’t intend to open up a can of worms (as this has been one of the hottest debates), but I am strongly convinced that Tanzanians (generally speaking) are struggling mightily because of the twisted mindset. From my observation, an average Tanzanian would rather draw their arguments from cultural norms and not from pure logic.

I must agree, culture defines what people are. Culture is one’s identity. So I’m not despising drawing one’s arguments from a cultural perspective. Nonetheless, leaning so much on one’s culture has its disadvantages. One of them is being locked mentally in a cultural box, particularly when one is not equipped to think critically.

Being on cultural lock-up is particularly difficult when a particular culture is forced to interact with other forces. As much as Tanzanians like to ignore it, there is a cultural war going on right now. Opening up borders for free market will not only bring it quality goods and products, but also a change in “how to”. That is a blanket concept, because it encompasses how a person will conduct himself or herself in the labor market, for instance. At the end of the day, those who are quick to think outside their cultural box would benefit the most.

I believe that changing from one’s culture and assimilating to the new environment is one of the ways one can make a cultural reconciliation. Nonetheless, I believe that there are aspects of life that are common to every culture. Furthermore, there are certain things that a reasonable human being, regardless of cultural assimilation, would do. I think that’s where the word common sense kicks in. I believe common sense stands for knowledge, concepts, issues that EVERY reasonable human, regardless of race or culture, is expected to know. For instance, you don't have to be Chinese or a white person to know that when you are hungry you eat, or when you have to wee wee, you go.

Is common sense so common? I don’t think so. We still have idiots in every culture.

Are Tanzanians (generally speaking) lacking in at least an ounce of common sense? I don’t have an answer to that. But sometimes I wonder if that could be true. I am not trying to be ridiculous, and I will try to present an evidence to prove my point.

Recently, Minister Philip Marmo contended that expensive and luxurious sports utility vehicles that the Tanzanian government (despite being one the poorest countries in the world) has employed for the use of high-ranking officials are not luxurious at all, but tools for work.

Pose for a minute. Take a deep breath and think.

I am sure you got it.

That is load of crap. You know what is soooo sad? Ordinary Tanzanians just swallow that crap and zipped their mouths. I am not suggesting that they could have rioted, but at least a journalist, a member of the parliament, somebody who is acting in the capacity of representation of the larger mass could have asked this dude this question: what defines a luxurious vehicle?

See, a luxurious car is not defined by what it is used for, but rather its make, model, costs and other bells and whistles that move it from a basic status to luxurious. Mr. Marmo, simply because somebody like to Bill Gates can take a Lamborghini to run errands does not diminish the Lamborghini’s status as a luxurious car. Some lunatics have taken their expensive, luxurious cars and smashed them in Hollywood. Does that reduce these cars to meaningless toys?

Was Mr. Marmo just acting dumb for political reasons or was he really escaped by common sense? I think he is in a better position to tell. But from my point of view, we (Tanzanians) are really making a fool of ourselves as a nation. If I were the president, I would tell my ministers to at least come up with seemingly complicated cost-benefit-analysis to sound intelligent than provide cheap explanations that could easily take one to the top of the list of idiots.

If we have a Minister who can’t tell what a luxurious sports vehicle is, what makes Tanzanians think that we can get where we want to go? I strongly believe that progress starts in the mind. What Minister Marmo demonstrated is a twisted logic that you could only find in Tanzania.

And you wonder why we are still poor?

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Photo Credit. Yahoo.com

There Is More To Buzzwords...

I am glad to be back. If I were in control of every aspect of life, I would have been posting new reflections on a constant basis. Of course, that would mean that I would be controlling every happening in Bongoland. I would mess up situations, then reflect on them and provide wonderful insights on how to fix them, just to solidify my position as a genius.

Hey, I am just kidding.

The point is, I had to take care of other life issues that kept me from blogging.

Just to let you know, my wife reads this blog. For y’all married men, you understand what that means. Every word and every concept is scrutinized. Man, that is a lot of pressure. I mean, as I hoped that this would be my private corner, I didn’t realize that everywhere I go I have to be in my best behavior and make the best presentation.

So of late my lovely wife challenged me to focus on other social issues and not “those political stuff”. I felt like my head was spinning. At the bask of head, I was just asking myself, what other social issue in Tanzanian that is not affected by politics? May be my mind is so focused on politics that I see it everywhere, but… Let’s take marriage for instance: when a girl is about to get married, you’ll start hearing about all these uncles and aunts who never took part in upbringing her, but demanding a share of the dowry. Then that’s where hell breaks loose, with uncles and aunts fighting and bickering.

If you look at it critically, these uncles and aunts would have had a better understanding, if only they had gone to “school”. Then you realize that they are victims of their surroundings. The best school around is a torn down primary school with neither adequate teaching supplies nor teachers. As you ponder some more you come to the conclusion that the schools don’t have the necessary tools because of pathetic government policies…all of a sudden, you are back to politics.

So yes, politics can easily interfere a very well planned wedding in Tanzania. Trust me on that. I know my example was a bit of a stretch, but there are plenty of “non-political” social events whose outcomes are influenced by the political climate.

The bottom line is, I am not sure if I can get away from political analysis completely.

And I believe this could be the best point to go back to the heading.

In the most recent past, I had a conversation with one of my relatives. We happened to be talking about the dual citizenship debate in Tanzania, and my relative’s contention was that supporters of dual citizenship are doing so for their own benefits, and not for the “faida ya taifa” (national interest, for non-Swahili speakers).

You know what? Back in the days, I would have just let that go. I’d zip my mouth because that is a politically correct argument (in a typical Tanzanian context), which carries with it a sense of responsibility, accountability and patriotism. So I posed this question to this patriotic fellow: “what is a taifa”? Well, the guy didn’t answer. He looked dumbfounded. You know why? He had recited this buzzword for ions without critically looking at what it really means. And plenty of folks in Tanzania do that.

So this is what I kindly and nicely told him. A nation is made up of individuals. When a government draws up a national policy, such policies are drawn to potentially benefit every citizen at an individual level. For instance, universal primary education in Tanzania was geared towards benefiting every child in Tanzania. Nonetheless, not every child is motivated enough to pursue primary education. As a matter of fact, I know a person who dropped out of school at around Grade Three. The point is this: what benefits the nation, benefits individuals first. How each individual benefits is a question of personal preference at times, and the government can’t control that.

So this is my message. It is imperative that we look beyond or critically at buzzwords. Again, I’m a firm believer that the Tanzanian education has not established itself so much into equipping students with critical thinking skills. As a result, we have a huge population of “educated” folks who can’t ask the right questions.

Just a little consolation to my Tanzanian people: even in the United States, there are very familiar concepts that “ordinary” folks never stopped to ask what they really mean. May be laziness to think is so rampant across the globe. May be it is due to global warming… I don’t know, I am just trying to think aloud. One those concepts is this running in most workplaces when one makes so many copies of a document “unnecessarily”. You would hear someone talk about that as “killing some trees”.

Killing trees is a concept that has been drummed up by environmentalists. I do understand and support taking care of the earth, but that shouldn’t be done through perpetuation of ignorance. The truth is this: there is a whole paper industry that controls the inventory of suitable trees. Besides, not every tree is suitable for making paper. For people in Tanzania, mbuyu is definitely not a raw material for paper manufacturing. So by making plenty of copies of your favorite joke from the Internet for distribution in the office, rest assured that your favorite miarobaini are safe. The Mgololo folks have no business with your miembe. So relax.

My message is that we should be better thinkers. Better thinking individuals eventually make up a better thinking nation. The challenge is whether we currently have that in Tanzania. If we do, such thinkers are a tiny little minority.

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Photo Credit: Mjengwa

Vision 2025: Yeah Right...

I am fighting the temptation to go back on the globalization debate, but I will refrain from it. That is mainly because I don’t see strong of an argument for the claim that African’s pathetic state of economic condition is MOSTLY contributed by the Western tactics and colonialism. I am yet to see a clear and articulated way the Western has contributed to that. I am also yet to be shown why Africa’s own self-destruction is being completely taken out of the picture.

I am a strong believer in the power of one’s mind (mindset, attitude and what have you) of acting as a guiding campus towards one’s goals. I strongly believe that a less educated person who sets him or herself to hard work and perseverance can do wonders compared to an educated person who is lazy. You can clearly tell the difference in mindset when two individuals face similar adversities – one can chose to rise up and the other can elect to crumble.

It is all in the mind and willpower.

So Tanzanians have this wonderful goal of eradicating abject poverty by 2015. You know what? I really commend the CCM folks for having a vision and a goal that is clearly stated. Nonetheless, it is one thing to set goals and another to follow through. It is one thing to draw “intellectual” strategies and it is a different animal to see the practical side of what you are trying to accomplish.

The reason I’m touching on this is because we have only 8 years to 2015. That is a very short period of time given that Tanzanians typically drag their feet. But the most interesting aspect of it all is that the government is showing signs of panic. Just read the Prime Minister’s reaction to the slow pace in achieving the goal. Well, on the other hand the PM’s reaction is sign that the government is “concerned”, but from my end, that is just a bunch of crap. These guys are professional politicians and certainly he is trying to pull some tricks to build political equity.

The government is simply not serious. There is no willpower to make progress.

May be seriousness in Tanzania is equated to coming up with fancy words alone. What about seriousness that is accompanied by deeds? I just think that a serious government would not spend tons of shillings on expensive sports utility vehicles (which are not part of your poverty eradication strategy) at the expense of infrastructure or education, for instance. But again, that is just how I see it.

I would like to hear all those wonderfully crafted excuses as to why Tanzania failed to accomplish her goal of eradicating poverty come 2015. I won’t be surprise if someone will tell us in 2015 that we failed to reach our goal because of colonialism or effects of colonialism. You think I am kidding? Just read the comments in my previous posts. Some folks actually believe that Africans’ problems are mainly due to some Western game, while our own mental attitude has nothing to do with the current state of affairs.

There is no way we can get to year 2015 as a “rich” country. You know why? How can we get there while we are currently struggling with even very basic things? Ask yourself this: how can we eradicate poverty while we can’t even collect trash in our own towns and cities? Seriously, do we need EEU or Japanese help for trash collection? May that is also the effects of colonialism, or may that there are some Western tricks that are prohibiting us from collecting trash and ensuring steady electric and water supply.

Take it from me. As long as we keep on doing the same crap, we will continue getting the same crap. As long as Tanzanians keep electing crappy leaders, nothing will change. The cycle will continue unless we get someone in the State House who has the right mindset. Until that happens, we can continue to be poor year 2025 and beyond. I know the thought of that stinks, but until “miracles” happen, that is the reality.

Vision 2025. Yeah right…

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Photo credit: Mjengwa

That's Moving Foward...(2)

I’m not trying to be apologetic, but it is not my intention to come hard on my fellow Bongolanders on every corner and on every occasion. I don’t think that everything is so bad in Tanzania. It is just making changes I suggest will make us a much better society. May that is because I don’t just like the minimum. If we can go 10 miles, let’s go there, though 5 could be “adequate”. Successful individuals and societies shoot for improvement.

Let me ask this: what was wrong with the way we used to listen to music in 2003? Absolutely nothing! But Mac folks thought we could have iPods. Of course the reason behind Mac’s innovation was to make money, but the company knew that customers who appreciate something better will consume the iPod. The improvement phenomenon is not confined to Western societies alone, but it happens even in Tanzania. Though we could say that change in Tanzania happens at a very slower pace. So when I give my take, it is just I believe in changing.

That being established, I just wanted to say that I always get thrilled when the right stuff happens in Tanzania. The latest news is that the Tanzanian government will embark on a tourist advertising campaign in the United States and Canada through CNN and various US airports.

You can freely access the article right here.

If anything, this is moving forward. See, I am believer in taking personal responsibility for one’s destiny. I know there have been folks who ascribe to this belief that Africa is not making progress because the West is holding the keys to our breakthrough. To me that is a bunch of baloney. OK, let’s assume the West actually have our keys. What makes someone think that the West will just hand over the keys?

Unlike some folks who are still holding to the “blame the West” mantra, the Tanzanian government is certainly showing signs of maturity. We could ask why it took the government too long to aggressively advertise our tourist attractions, but I will give them credit for taking this first step. I applaud them for realizing that crying wolf against the West will not help, but drawing own strategies is the key.

It is my hope that along with the advertising campaign, the government will embark on a deliberate move to prepare indigenous service providers on the best customer service practices. That is because I think that customer service in Tanzania, generally speaking, needs improvement.

Regardless of everything else, I think spending advertising shillings to attract tourists is definitely moving forward…and in the right direction.

Photo Credit: Mjengwa

WaTZ and Globalization: Beats Me...(3)

IT is not my objective to prolong the discussion on the globalization and Africans versus the West. Nonetheless, I feel that it is necessary to bring this point home: It is the Africans responsibility to push their course and get where they want to go. That process must start by the definition of a desired destiny, followed by a strategy to get there.

If the West becomes a hurdle along the way, so what? Who said the success comes easily? I honestly think that most Africans are living in this cozy Utopian land, where success is handed like peanuts. I can tell you that there are plenty of Africans succeeding in the United States, while there are plenty of African-Americans living in public housing.

At the core of it, it is a matter of perspective and attitude.

It appears that most Africans are still hung on blaming the West for everything or the majority of our issues. I will change my stance if some can come up with the proof that internally, Africans are doing the best to succeed, except that G-8 is standing on the way. I would like someone to give me a “blame scale”, for instance, 60% goes to the West and 40% goes to Africans themselves, etc. Until that happens, I will blame “us” for not getting where we want to go. Honestly, I don’t think we want it bad enough.

Did I say that we need strategies to get where we want to go? Yes I did. Just to prove what I was talking about, here is an excerpt of the speech given by the Tanzanian Minister for Planning and Economic Empowerment, Hon. Dr. Juma Alifa Ngasongwa to the Parliament on June 14, 2007 (I am providing the English translation as the speech was in Swahili):

“…Our challenge is to increase exports and to motivate production at quality that meets the world market demands”

“…The government will push for the execution of the Export Development Strategy to increase the quantity and quality of goods exported, add value to our products by processing good before export, invest in production of new products for export, and to fully utilize all opportunities afforded to export our products such as through the AGOA and EBA programs and other opportunities in Canada, Japan, China and Korea, and looking for new markets for our products”
You can read the entire report here.

Need I add more on that in relationship to he discussion we have had about the developed world ability to penetrate the Western market? I think Mr. Ngasongwa just backed up my arguments.

Folks, it is the responsibility of African countries (including Tanzania) to draw strategies that would enable those countries to enter, satisfy, and capture international markets. So for all my friends who think that G-8 is putting a lid on our attempt to enter the Western market, think again. The ball is on our courts to meet the market standards.

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Update: June 22, 2007

Just read the article below to see how the failure of Tanzanian businessmen to penetrate foreign markets is mainly attributed to their lack of business skills. This came from Daily News

WaTZ and Globalization: Beats Me...(2)

As much as I hate dedicating a whole new post as a response to a reader’s comments, I have to do this. In the last post on some Tanzanians’ reaction to globalization, I received yet another comment, which in my view, is another representative of a popular position. Given that my blog is dedicated (for the most part) to providing an alternative thinking, I will try to “educate” a little.

It should be understood that by doing this I am not playing a genius, I am just trying to be honest and stretch our thinking a little. I know I have blind spots somewhere, so I would greatly encourage feedback and comments.

I have to start by providing snippets of the comments from this esteemed reader, so that we can all be on the same page:

“In fact the whole concept of globalization or international economy has been designed with giant players in mind and the new roles for action accommodate their best interests. The industrialized countries impose barriers on agricultural products from African countries that are five times higher than the manufactured products from their countries”.

The reader went on to add:

“ Since the intensification of globalization, the debt burden of African countries has risen tremendously. In 1973, Africa had a debt of $13.1 billion. Currently, the debts of 52 African countries have reached $315 billion...”

That sounds as a serious attack on globalization. That sounds like someone who’s very, very mad at the industrialized countries. The good news is that I will try my best to provide an alternative thinking. That is not because I’m “westernized”, but because as a true African, I feel that Africans, particularly Tanzanians, have to embark on a whole new thinking mode. I can honestly see the above comments being given by sorry African leader who has no clue what is going on. I sincerely hope that my reader is above that level.

So here is my “rebuttal”…

It is the responsibility and the right of EVERY country in the world to do what is best for her citizens. Fulfilling that duty includes having protectionist policies with regards to the quality of products and services that are delivered to citizens. I dare you to name me a country that is just running wild without some sort of policies and regulations geared towards serving the best interest of her citizens. Well, may be in Tanzania.

With regards to market entry –which the reader complained about – the truth is this: regulatory environment is part and parcel of a market condition. As such, it is the responsibility of the African business community and producers (since Africa is pretty much moving towards private enterprise, this goes to the Mengis and the Manjis) to produce what meets the market demand and meets or beats the regulatory environment. Besides, isn’t the entire free market phenomenon based on letting the market decide? The problem is this: we are sooo used to just doing the minimum in Tanzania. When that minimum does not cut it when we get outside Tanzanian borders we start complaining.

But even in Tanzania, don’t we have Tanzania Bureau of Standars, which is charged with putting some major roadblocks on products and services deemed inappropriate or of low standards for the Tanzanian consumer? (Case in point: Tanzanian government has imposed restrictions on importation of used/second hand vehicles) Why then, would a Tanzanian in sound mind, complain that United Kingdom, for instance, is imposing sanctions on fish fillet from Tanzania that the UK government regards as of low quality? It is their prerogative. If a Tanzanian businessman wants to sell fish fillet to UK, they HAVE to produce, package, and price it in a way that meets the demand. I don’t see anything Africans v. Europeans in that. It is simply business.

Part of the reader’s challenge, which I didn’t include here, is that I should provide solution to the problems I identify. I believe I have been doing that. Nonetheless, with regards to barriers to entering the industrialized countries’ market, I don’t have to provide any strategic solution. All the business folks in Tanzania need is to change their attitude. Well, even Tanzania Chamber of Commerce’s chairman, Elvis A. Musiba, thinks that Tanzanian business community has never been serious about business opportunities, including the AGOA opportunities. That is an attitudinal issue, which has nothing to do with strategy.

I am glad that the obversation came from TCCA boss, not from me. Now, some people in Tanzania still think the issue is with the market, and not with the marketer. That is a twisted mentality, which does not make any sense from a practical standpoint.

With regards to ballooning of the African debt, we can’t simply run and attribute that to globalization. First of all, how that does globalization, which is pretty much a free market concept, cause African countries to acquire more debt? I would seriously need more education on that. As far as I know, the expansion of debt is an outcome of strategies, vision and policies. Case in point: the United States’ debt , which has grown over time, but has increased or decreased based on whether Democrats of Republicans are in power. All that is happening while the country is purely capitalist. So why would one tell us the African debt has grown because of globalization?

This is would be my explanation as to why African debt has grown over time. The African population is growing and policies are changing. With that comes the need to expand infrastructure and other services. Question: what was the length of paved roads in Tanzanian in 1973 compared to 2007? Was the paved road expansion done for free? What is the most likely source of funding of such capital projects? You bet it is through acquisition of debt!

Well, leaving aside policies and strategies, we have to take a deeper look internally. Do you know why donors coined the buzzword “good governance” as a condition for financial aid? It is because Africans leaders have failed, by the Western standards, to do the basics for their own people. Good governance does not only translate into such areas as media freedom, it also goes down to fiscal discipline.

Let’s take Tanzania as an example. What can we really show as a “product” of debt that we took, let’s say in 1992? Even, better, did Tanzanians starve because BWM decide to service the prior debts? I strongly believe that the reason African debt ballooned over the years is this: Leaders got the money, but they never used it for its intended purpose. As a result, the capacity to service the debt flew out the window (not to mention lack of a strong will to service the debt in hope for cancellation). If you think I am kidding, just read the recent Auditor General’s report on fund misappropriation. In 2005/2006 alone, ten ministries, departments, agencies and ten regions incurred payments of roughly $67 million lacking proper documentation. Try to imagine how much has been "stolen" in the last ten years.

And then we have the audacity to sit here and condemn globalization for our problems?

This is my point. Africans need to be responsible. We do all the wrongs things, but quick to shift the blame somewhere else, most likely on the Western world. As far as I am concerned, industrialized countries are doing what is best for them – and that is their prerogative. If we truly want it, we have to go get it. Nobody will ever hand you anything, particularly in this era of fierce competition. If you can show me that African leaders and business folks have done the right things, but the only thing that is blocking them is some Western trickeries, then I can honestly shut my mind down. But as far as I see it, a typical Tanzanian thinking leaves a lot to be desired.

As I said it before, I’m saying it again: If we (Tanzanians) don’t play, we’ll get played. It is that simple. Well, it just happened that Kenyans and South Africans are playing us right now, while we are dancing to Bongo Flava tunes. Please ponder this: why can’t Tanzanians penetrate the Kenyan market? IF we can’t even knock at the neighbor’s door, why do we think we can effectively handle the American or European markets?

I am not willing to jump on the “we are not developing because of the West” bandwagon. Not yet. Even more, I cannot blame globalization for African own bad attitude and mindset. That is up to us to solve first. Sadly, it appears we are not willing to take an internal inventory of our own doings.

Photo credit: Mjengwa

WaTZ and Globalization: Beats Me...

Recently, one of the readers of my blog posted a comment on my previous post on dual citizenship. As I pointed out earlier, I don’t know everything. I just try to be honest with my writing. Telling it like I see it. With the territory comes criticism and corrections. You are welcome to do that. That’s the way we grow.

Well, the reader decided to challenge me on my comment regarding dual citizenship. This is what I said:

“Unfortunately, the world of physical borders is slowing eroding and we are increasingly becoming a global village.”

That didn’t sit well with this esteemed reader. So the reader threw the following challenge my way:

“Who is benefiting from become a global village? The answer will be USA and EU multinational corporations. Why there is no CRDB branch (benki ya mijini na vijijini) in the US, UK, or other EU countries?

I typically don’t like the idea of having a entirely new post on a reader’s comment, but I have to do that at times. That is mainly due to the fact that some of the comments, in my opinion, are respresenting a position that is more likely than not taken by a majority. Since my blog is dedicated towards correcting some of the misconceptions we (Africans and particularly Tanzanians) have towards the West, I will take my time on this.

From the very core of it, the above comment is echoing (please readers, correct me if I am wrong) inferiority complex. I have no idea where this is coming from, but I am guessing it is due to a constant barrage of negative messages we have received from our cheap politicians over the years.

This is my message: get over it. Nothing is going to change because Africans are crying foul.

Secondly, the message has failed to take a critical look at a typical Tanzanians’ attitude towards business skills and competition. That is the very reason that Kenyans have a bank branch in Tanzania, while we continue to play politics. So this is the question regarding the banking industry, which the reader decided so cite as example: has CRDB managed to spread its operations across the entire Tanzania , even as far as Kenya? Well, the answer to that is a plain NO. That demands a second question, why not? The answer to that is lack of strategic vision, seriousness, aggressiveness, lack of true business mindset.

Due to globalization, there are plenty of opportunities for Tanzanian businesses. Just to name a few,IPP Media has a TV station that broadcasts both in Kenya and Uganda, Sumaria Group is running some businesses in Mozambique. You know why they are able to do that? Because they have a business mind. These companies don’t just play politics in their strategic planning. They are aggressive. They go where the market is.

This is my contention. Fear of globalization is based on relatively meaningless arguments. But it appears that Tanzanians are very good at coming up with cheap excuses. I was in high school when there was this commission appointed by then President AHM to collect views on multiparty system. Guess what was one of the reasons cited against the multiparty system? That Tanzania will get into a political and social turmoil like that in Rwanda or Burundi! A bunch of crap.

Baseless phobia is plain stupid. You know what? Everytime a change happens, there are beneficiaries and victims. In my personal experience, flexible folks who understand and go with the times tend to be the beneficiaries. Those who resist change, for no apparent reason other than their love for the status quo, tend to be on the receiving end. I would definitely not like to see my fellow Tanzanians being on the receiving end, simply because they opted to be whiny and whimpy.

Globalization brings with it a competitive spirit. Can you look me straight in the eye and tell me that the only reason CRDB don’t have a branch in Uganda is because some white man is putting a lid on their expansion strategy? Have you tried CRDB customer service of late? That should tell you the story.

We have the AGOA opportunities, right? What did Tanzania do with it? Very little. For instance, Kenyans export to the US on the AGOA program was $249 and $352 million in 2003 and 2004, respectively, compared to a pathetic $24 in both 2003 and 2004. And they you sit and cry about globalization? If we don’t play, we will get played.

Photo credit: Mjengwa

Wasteful Leaky Buckets...

I meant to reflect on this way back, but sometimes life just gets on the way...

I know some people will chew me for repeating this, but it is true. The primary and fundamental problem with African countries, particularly Tanzania, is the wrong mindset. We have just got our minds set on wrong things. One of the things that really irks me is this constant whining about how our problems are caused by colonialism blah blah blah…Don’t get me wrong, I know we have inherited some of the colonial mentalities that put leaders above ordinary citizens, like the colonial masters used to be, but it has been an average of four decades since the white folks got done with Africa. So let’s skip the whining, would you Africa?

I had a chance to visit Bongoland in late 2004. There is no way I could be in Tanzania and never visit my hometown – Shirati. True story: I know folks who would go home from the States, only to end up staying at Kilimanjaro Hotel and such. They would arrange for their parents to come and meet them in Dar. If you ask the core of it all, is that they have a western, civilized spouse, who can’t stand flies in villages. Talking about loss of identity and inferiority complex? There you go!

Man, I would go anywhere. As a matter of fact, I would board the daladalas with everybody. I know of some sophisticates fellas who would not want their American t-shirts to get dirty. Obviously, I have to adjust to the fact that the majority will not have deodorant in the bus. But who cares? I used to do the same. I would spray cologne in the direction of my armpits. Guess what happens when the Bongoland heat hits you? It is one cool stench! But that’s what I knew, so I would definitely cut my people some slack.

I think I just lost my trend of thoughts…well; I was talking about my visit to Tanzania in 2004. I came across a cousin of mine. His business proposal when we met? I send him a tractor, since I was in the land of opportunities. I was afraid to ask if he had sent the same proposal to a bank - him a retired civil servant and all. I didn’t want to offend. You know how folks tend to be sensitive in Bongoland. I didn’t want to bring up logical questions, for such questions never receive a logical response. The only you will end up getting a bad rap for being disrespectful. Age, feelings and emotions always take center stage in discussions back home. And old lady would not tell you that she needs money, but the virtue of visiting your home at 6:30 am before everybody fully wakes up and her emotional story of how she has been sick of late should tell you the message.

Now, let’s go back to my cousin’s story. That is a typical Tanzania mentality. Nobody would go to a bank for a loan. They would rather ask from a relative. And you know very well what happens in case of default. You could never recover your monies. The ukoo vikaos will condemn you for being such a capitalist, if you press for recovery. That’s the predominant culture and regardless of how much I blog about it, it will never go away easily.

The message the culture sends, however, is that it is OK to be beggars. It never puts every member of society to task with regards to his or her personal responsibilities. I understand that there are people who are victims of circumstances. Those should definitely be helped. Nevertheless, what about folks who decided that they would never use their brains, but sit around waiting for this cousin or that nephew in America, for instance?

You know what stinks? The begging mentality has spread so bad that even the president would consider it a success to beg and eventually secure foreign aid. The worst is this: we don’t use donor funds with respect. Donors used to send us money and money alone. Later they discovered we weren’t using the money as planned, so they decided to send the money and the personnel to oversee the use of the money. Nobody seemed to care though, because this wasn’t our hard earned money in the first place.

As I highlighted above, beggars do not like the idea of personal responsibility. As a matter of fact, I believe begging starts when someone feels that their success or breakthrough is dependent on someone else’s hands. So recently, the Auditor General’s report came out. Guess what? There has been rampant squandering of public funds in all directions.

We are certainly a joke, as a nation and collectively. I don’t see a sense of urgency or seriousness. Not from the president. Not from the PM. Not from the cabinet. Not from the MPs. Occasionally, you will see some flames of seriousness. For the most part, the folks we call leaders are a bunch of clowns. Serious folks would consider it a serious offense to squander the little resources we have. Try tipping over a food plate of a hungry man and see.

See, what makes me conclude that the president JK, like his predecessors, is a joke is because he is not viewing misappropriation of public funds as a serious matter. I mean, you deal with misappropriation in terms of billions by issuing a warning statement? I mean, how many times have we heard such songs before? What about prosecution of the offenders? But I guess the prosecution of the offenders would not occur. If you read the Auditor General’s report, some of the offenses occurred under the president’s own watch when he was a minister. So there you go folks, who ties his own hands?

See, the president can do whatever he wants to do as long as he is producing progress for Tanzanians. I really don’t have a problem with that. But isn’t it stupid to go out and beg and put all your “water” in a leaky bucket?

You be the judge.

Photo credit: Mjengwa

Do We Have Low Self-Esteem?

I’m a member of an email group that is mainly for Tanzanians living in Columbus, Ohio. As such, I do receive communication from other members. I get all sorts of messages – folks promoting their businesses, baby shower announcements, bridal shower announcements, birthday party announcements, misiba announcements, etc. Occassionally, political agendas, which are typically followed by a lengthy debate, would surface.

I love it though. It keeps the community flowing.

So a few days ago, one of the members forwarded the following message. I will let you in on it:

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Kenya Airways na Ubaguzi

Couldn't help but wonder about the way the Western Media cover the KQ crash. Look at the following quote from cnn.com:

"The people on board included one American, five Britons, one Swiss, one Swede, six Chinese, and 15 Indians. The remainder were Africans, including at least 35 from Cameroon and at least nine from Kenya, according to airline figures."

So, the most important passenger was the American, followed by the Europeans, the Asians, the Southeast Asians, then the rest were just Africans.

Hey, doesn't matter that Africans comprised of the majority of the passengers in the fateful flight. The western media! Prejudice never fails to show its face.
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You know, you could read the above message and sympathize with the writer if you elect no to exercise your mental muscles. In a very simplistic, African-politically-charged thinking, the above statements appear to make sense. Nevertheless, the above statements, which could have very well be given by any African politician, is just an expression of an epidemic of low self-esteem or inferiority complex that has engulfed the minds of most Africans, particularly when it comes to the way they view themselves relative to the Western counterparts. In my opinion, that is very pathetic and very sad.

So this is the deal, lets get deeper a little bit. Didn't the quote say "according to the airline figures"? Why can't we assume that this was the Kenyan Airways own presentation instead of going into the West vs. poor Africans card? Besides, don't we, as Tanzanians, tend to group all white folks into wazungu group and not according to their nationalities? Isn't true that the rest of the victims in the plan crash were Africans?

The western media is trying to communicate with the western audience - which still believes that Africa is one country. Read Tanzanian own reporting. Their focus wasn't on any other persons, but a Tanzanian soldier onboard the plane. Just read the Guardian’s article to prove my point.

If the Tanzanian media chose to focus on a Tanzanian citizen onboard the plan, why then would any Tanzanian cry foul when the Western media is highlighting their own?

News is supposed to be relevant to the audience. If you understand the Western audience, you can get where the using the general term Africans come into play. I come across American folks, both white and black, who have no clue where Tanzanian is located on the map. Some would actually want to verify whether Tanzania is an island in Australia!

We can surely criticize the Western media in some other instances, but that does not preclude us, as Africans, from being practical. If anything, this was (at best) an overly political reaction. The worst-case scenario, which I believe is the underlying psychological truth, is that we have a very, very, very, low self-esteem when it comes to the way we compare ourselves to the wazungus.

And that is just very sad. Isn’t that circling back to the idea of how one’s mindset affects they way they view life and themselves?

Photo credit: Mjengwa