GLOBU YA JAMII YAOMBOLEZA KIFO CHA ADAM LUSEKELO

Hayati Adam Lusekelo enzi za uhai wake. Hapa alikuwa ametembelea gereza la Robben Island huko Afrika ya Kusni, hususan katika seli aliyokuwa amefungwa Mzee Nelson Mandela

GLOBU YA JAMII IMEPOKEA KWA MSHTUKO MKUBWA NA MASIKITIKO HABARI ZA KUFARIKI KWA ADAM LUSEKELO MWAKANG'ATA, MWANDISHI WA SIKU NYINGI WA MAKALA ZA KUCHEKESHA LAKINI ZENYE MAFUNZO ALIYEKUWA HANA MFANO HAPA NCHINI TANZANIA.

TUMEPOKEA KWA MAJONZI MAKUBWA KWAMBA LUSEKELO, ALIYEFARIKI AKIWA NA UMRI WA MIAKA 54, AMETANGULIA MBELE YA HAKI ALHAMISI USIKU WAKATI AKIWA NJIANI KUPELEKWA HOSPITALI YA TAIFA YA MUHIMBILI BAADA YA KUZIDIWA GHAFLA. ALIKUWA AKISUMBULIWA NA KISUKARI KWA MUDA MREFU.

MKE WA MAREHEMU, BI. SCOLASTICA LUSEKELO AMENUKURIWA AKISEMA KWAMBA ADAM ALIKATA ROHO MNAMO SAA TANO ZA USIKU AKIWA NJIANI KUPELEKWA MUHIMBILI. AMEACHA MJANE NA WATOTO WATATU.

MSIBA UKO NYUMBANI KWA MAREHEMU UBUNGO MAZIWA JIJINI DAR ES SALAAM, NA KWA MUJIBU WA MJANE WAKE HUENDA MWILI WAKE UKASAFIRISHWA KWENDA TUKUYU, WILAYANI RUNGWE, MKOA WA MBEYA KWA MAZISHI.

ADAM ATAKUMBUKWA KAMA MWANDISHI NGULI WA MAKALA ZA 'WITH A LIGHT TOUCH' ZILIZOCHAPOWA KILA JUMAPILI KATIKA GAZETI LA SUNDAY NEWS. ALIWAHI KUFANYA KAZI KWENYE MAGAZETI YA SERIKALI YA DAILY NEWS NA SUNDAY NEWS MIAKA YA 80 NA 90 KABLA YA KUHAMIA BBC AKIWA MWANDISHI WA REDIO HIYO WA TANZANIA

MOLA AIWEKE PAHALA PEMA PEPONI ROHO YA MAREHEMU - AMINA.

ADAM TUTAKUKUMBUKA KUKUENZI DAIMA SIO TU KAMA MWANDISHI ALIYEBOBEA BALI KAMA KAKA, RAFIKI, MWALIMU NA PIA MSHAURI MKUU WA GLOBU YA JAMII.

THE MASTER IS NO MORE; RIP ADAM LUSEKELO

By M. M. Mwanakijiji

In 2007 I came across a superb piece by Adam Lusekelo in the Daily News titled “Is this the Daily News”. It was an emotional column by Lusekelo decrying what he saw as a constant meddling of the paper by politicians and government officials. Writing on his position on why the meddling needed to stop Lusekelo roared “What the pompous politicians should know is that the average reader wants to read what is news. The whole idea of producing a paper is to be read. This is not a fashion show whereby we photograph politicians in different attire every day. Leave the fashion show to that to David and Victoria Beckham.”

He ended his article by taking this stand “there are some ridiculous people who think that the press is about kowtowing to them! It is not. Just leave us alone. I know there are some clowns who have, and are still using the media to become politicians. But most of us journos are just that. And we resent politicians trying to teach us our jobs.”

When I read that article I was amazed by the simple truths spoken in so many few words. I was worried that Adam was venturing in uncharted territory. I stared a thread in Jamiiforums.com “Lusekelo Anakata Tawi alilokalia?”

That was Adam Lusekelo; a journalist nothing more, nothing less. So his passing today has come in a total shock and an overwhelming cloud of sadness to me and possibly other who have read his collection of articles and columns over the years. Adam Lusekelo my dear fellow Tanzanians is no more.

No more are the writings “With a soft touch”; no more are the writings with an incredible sense of patriotism to our nation; no more are the writings with sweet aroma of love for one’s fellow human beings.

My friends, we have lost today one of the great sons of Tanzania; a talented journalist, a visionary writer and indeed a trail blazer in political satire in Tanzania. Indeed, a giant is gone, a leader who will forever be missed is no more.

Heaven could not have picked a wrong day to play with our minds. When I got the news my first reaction was “this is a very cruel joke”. Then I thought probably it was another “Lusekelo”- I wanted to make sure it was not the Mzee wa Upako dude either! But, it was Adam Lusekelo. Still, how ironic is it for the master of satire and irony to die on April Fool’s Day? Only Adam could have pulled this joke on us.

But well, what can I say; it is true Adam Lusekelo is no more. His contribution in the political thought of our nation will remain. I know for fact for me his greatest impact on my life is his zeal to tell the truth to powers no matter the price. He was willing to dare go where no journalist dared to albeit with a soft touch. His writings while combative sometimes but not always confrontational (like those of some of us) will continue to remain as classic examples in Tanzanian literature.

As I’m praying for the eternal repose of his soul, I’m praying as well for his family, his wife and children and his many friends who on this day are in tears. I pray that those of us who think of trying to follow on his footsteps will continue to stand firm emulate Lusekelo by speaking truth to power, would all the instruments at our disposal and call all our talents we have to continue to push our country and our fellow citizens wherever they may be toward a better system of governance, transparency and accountability, for we deserve nothing less.

Sometimes we also need to do it “with a soft touch!”.

Just like the master did.

RIP Adam!!