Tanzania in Peril:
A Response to John Mashaka & Dr. Shayo

My fellow countrymen, as I start; I am aware that some of us hate the fact that our fellow Tanzanians, Mr. Mashaka and Dr. Shayo are applauded for what they are doing. What we are failing to realize is that, it is not about Mashaka or Dr. Shayo but rather the substance of their call. I am one of those who commend them for going an extra mile; not only reminding us about our responsibilities as Tanzanians, rather of the need to bond together and save our beloved country hanging on the cliff.

As I read their articles; I couldn’t help it but sadly think of the fact that many of us are wandering in the western world not because we feel good living away from home but because we are circuitously forced to.
We are forced because Tanzania, our nation isn’t attracting to go back to.
Depressing enough, some of us have even lost our loved ones but could not lay them to rest because we are away. I vividly remember one of the Tanzanian; a pharmacist I met on the plane from Dubai to Dar.
Out of our good conversation I asked him what he was doing for living. He explained to me that he had graduated from Carnegie Mellon and was working for Pfizer. Carnegie Mellon is one of the leading research universities in the US and Pfizer is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

The gentleman made it clear to me that when he graduated he briefly went to Tanzania to search for a job; regrettably the work environment was too gloomy to practice his pharmacy degree; not only considering the remuneration he expected but the endless bureaucracy he could not bear.

Now, I hate whining or painting the dismal picture about our country since we’ve heard this nagging time and again; yet this discussion cannot be over while Tanzania is in peril.
The fact that our health care system is broken is clear; that our education system isn’t producing the innovators and creators of things is vivid; that our judicial system is too corrupt is now a reality; that the cost of living all over the nation has skyrocketed astronomically is an old story, that the executive branch of our government is self serving instead of serving the public is an everyday tale.
Of all, that the economy is ailing to its knees is prominent all over the world, shame on us. Sorry to say, but the majority of Tanzanians feel like their life is getting worse instead of getting better.

In his article, Mashaka talked at length the need of patriotism for the betterment of our nation; that our President JK cannot do it alone. Mashaka is right, as citizens we have the sense of duty of standing up and say enough is enough when the nation’s direction is visibly going astray. However, when it comes to the issue of leadership; we ought to have a real debate.

The discussion about our nation’s leadership has been lingering almost everywhere Tanzanians meet: bar joints, family meetings, barbeque, and kiti moto places.
Based on the severity of problems facing the country the reality is people we elected in office have not been successful. They have failed us: their constituencies. My concern is people will be riled to the extent of taking anger into their own hands.
We saw what happened in Kenya. You could argue that Kenya is a separate case because of deep tribalism, but let us remember who was taking part in violence. It is those who felt marginalized, left out by the system; those who ask themselves why do my member of parliament has uncountable luxury vehicles while my kids are starving? They have legitimate reasons to be angry, they have played by the rules, paid taxes (if they can afford to); worked as hard they could only to end up with unbearable conditions.

In the early 1990’s we cried for multiparty political system; the magic panacea to cure our broken system. There it was; we got it. Have we gained anything from this? I will leave this for you to decide. Some people are now wondering if it is a real multiparty or it is a single party under the umbrella of multiparty. In this case I believe it is not just the ruling party to blame for polarizing the nation, but sometimes it is even harder to identify what the opposition camp stand for.
Given the chance to run the government, people wonder if they will be able to. My chief concern is their failure to form a coalition for the betterment of the country while aware that none of them will gain power singlehandedly. Obviously there is a failure of leadership.

We need a different kind of leadership. However, changing few members of the parliament might not bring the change we need. We firstly have to the change our mindset; be able to realize that we can never go anywhere if we keep recycling same MPs, and same ministers. Some of these people have served our government since independence, when their time to retire comes they leave us with their sons and daughters to lead us. When will the common Tanzanian get chance to bring their ideas and change his/her homeland? Only time will tell.
I believe change has to start with the head of the state, the president; the president with clear policies and the will to enforce them. We need the president with the resolve to re-evaluate every sector of the government and implement new ones with a new kind of leadership instead of recycling same people. The president who will be aware that when some of his cabinet members are corrupt: that makes corruption ubiquitous. We need leaders who are result-oriented and long-term minded instead of making decision on ad hoc basis.

We know what works; we have seen progress being made in Rwanda, Ghana, and many Asian countries. Why can’t we learn from them? We have to do something. We have to re-think, this time think deeper and recognize that the problem is nobody except WE. I have even heard some people argue that Tanzanians are innately different; that we are good at talking but failed to embrace development and define our destiny.

My friends, it has been almost fifty years since our nation gained independence; unfortunately things have not gone the way we wanted. Think of how many dreams have been shattered because of our inability to lead and manage our country? That’s gone. The choice is ours: we can choose to relax and let others define who we are or we can rise and define the next generation.

In the end, the sun is still shining; this is our opportunity. Let us rise up and build the nation we’ve been dreaming of; for we cannot afford to lose another fifty years.

By Charles Mukuru
chmukuru@yahoo.com

Michuzi Blog

Tanzanian blog operating since 2005, covering International news and Local News, including Politics, Fashion, Social Scenes, Interviews, Movies, Events, personalities and anything positive happening worldwide. Written in Swahili and English targeting both Swahili and English readers.

Toa Maoni Yako:

Kuna Maoni 13 mpaka sasa

  1. Mr Makuru hii ni safi sana. Nakushukuru kwa kutambua mchango wa Dr Shayo na John Mashaka. Ni kweli tunahitaji kumsaidia Rais Jakaya Kikwete.

    Mambo yako mengi sana.

    With swine flue hapo airport kunawatu wanachukua rushwa ili wasipatiwe chanjo! balaa likizuka nani alaumie. tarehe 24/07/09 kuna mtu alipokea rushwa ya shiling 70,000 ili awaachie kikundi fulani cha watu waliokuwa wanatokea Dubai! majina tunayo, na dawa ilo jikoni.
    Hapa nani wa kulaumiwa?

    Majembe Company kule Shinyanga wameuza almasi carats 80 hivi majuzi, Taarifa tulizo nazo hiyo almasi haijalipiwa ushuru, nani alaumiwe? taarifa zaidi tunazo

    More and more to come

    Umoja ni nguvu utengano ni udhaifu

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  2. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    Mr Makuru,

    With this well vested response, I salute your patriotic voice. Boxiologists (wabeba mabox), we have heard the call. This is a 3.00am call, to the State House.
    Mr President has answered the fibre-optic phone line, its our duty to feed his hypothalamus with ways forward.
    I call upon my country men to research on the proper prescription of these long sufferings.
    I cant find a single voice that will never drop tears from this response.
    Dodoma, you are over 75, thank you very much, we respect your civil service, it is time to retire in peace and lets bank our wisdom in you. You couldnt do it in 75 Years, 5 more years will be a death sentence to your constituency.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    "In this case I believe it is not just the ruling party to blame for polarizing the nation, but sometimes it is even harder to identify what the opposition camp stand for"

    Hilo ndio swali huwa najiuliza kila siku, na sipati jibu.
    Tuna vyama pinzani au upinzani wa vyama?

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  4. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    Can't we all say it loudly and clearly that it's time for CHANGE? That we need to change the whole government? That in next year's elections we should not vote for the ruling party? Kikwete needs help to put his friends in jail or what? Who doesn't know that the opposition cannot go anywhere, even build a coalition with the current rules, laws and regulations? I think everyone should educate and inform their family and friends that next year is time for change! Let's not be fooled by the ruling party's propaganda that the opposition cannot lead the country. Who has stood against corruption. Nani ameanzisha vita dhidi ya ufisadi? We have an alternative, that if we we elect we can help to move our country foward. Let's believe!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    Hii ni nchi yetu wote.

    We need a different kind of leadership. However, changing few members of the parliament might not bring the change we need. We firstly have to the change our mindset; be able to realize that we can never go anywhere if we keep recycling same MPs, and same ministers.


    Hicho kipengele cha kubadilisha FIKRA kina umuhimu sana. Mfano: Waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki umeweka bayana mikakati ya kuelimisha jamii namna ya kuchagua viongozi bora. Tatizo linakuja pale ambapo hata juhudi za dhati za kubadilisha fikra nazo zinapingwa vita na wenye akili timamu huko Dodoma.

    Naomba Michuzi tuwekee hapa waraka wa Kanisa Katoliki au kwa anayependa anaweza kuusoma akienda hapa http://www.jamiiforums.com/misc.php?do=showattachments&t=30951

    ReplyDelete
  6. SINA MAKOSAJuly 27, 2009

    Credit to Mr Makuru for a black and white article underlining our ailing economy situation.
    KWA MTAZAMO WANGU HII NCHI ITAENDELEA BAADA YA MWISHO WA DUNIA.Kwani nikiangalia sioni watu genuine wa kuingoza nchi.Watu wakiwa nje ya system they tend to talk and define alot.Ila wakishaingia tu wanasahau yote na kelele kwisha."IT'S A HUMAN NATURE TO BLAME OTHERS ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS GO WRONG".Mfano Z.kabwe.He's completely been shut up and fooled by continous international trips.Labda tupeleke watoto 300 kutoka chekechea wakasomeshwe ktk nchi za magharibi kwa level zote.wakisha graduate wapate interships kwenye serikali za huko ya miaka 3 kisha wote warudi kuja kuwa watawala wetu.Kwani hivi sasa hata anamaliza mlimani anakuambia SERIKALINI KUNA DEAL!!sasa sielewi hilo deal ni lipi??

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    " Quote: at length we need patriotism for the betterment of our nation. As citizens we have the sense of duty to stand up and say enough is enough." Now here are the magic words!!!!je tutaweza or we Tanzanians are just people of talk but no deeds.??? We need to unite....

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    Mkururu ana point finger, na sio solution ya matatizo, uongozi isiwe issue hata kuna mataifa makubwa pia ambayo tunaona majina yanaruidi kwenye power eg Bush, Kennedy,clinton etc. Sasa cha muhimu ni kuangalia tatizo liko wapi sio ku point fingers kwa viongozi sijuhi kama wewe umeshakuwa kiongozi...umri sio sababu ya uongozi bora.

    tukiangalia mataifa mengine ya sub sahara Africa Utaona kama we both have the same problems. poor economy , decreasing in Export increasing in Import nchi zote .. sasa tatizo we are being used as primary commodities supplier and what we get out of it condtional aid..
    We need to establisch a middle class in Africa.. create jobs and not being a supplier of resources
    my opinion ni kwamba we need connectivity in Africa, Africa as a continet must take a on body better management of resources , Utilization of resources inoder to address matters of poverty, we have to decide which way to go..., our voice (as a country )is very low ,we need to unity and raise our voice in the world.
    pk.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    Mr Makuru,umegusa sehemu nyingi za msingi za matatizo yanayotukabili kama Taifa, binafsi nakubaliana na mengi uliyoyasema ila kwa maoni yangu kipengele ambacho hasa inabidi tukifanyie kazi kama Watanzania ambao tunapenda nchi yetu isonge mbele ni jinsi ya kutatua matatizo hayo yote tuliyonayo.
    Kifikra pia nilidhani matatito makubwa yapo kwa sisi wapiga kura, hivyo nikaamini tusipowachagua viongozi wale wale wa kila siku tutakuwa tumetatua matatizo yetu mengi, la hasha!!! si hilo tu, tatizo lingine kubwa tumenyimwa elimu zaidizi ya kutufanya tufikiri na kutafakari kwa kina huku tukizijua haki zetu na wajibu wetu wa msingi kama wananchi huru wa Taifa hili la Tanzania.
    Hali ni mbaya sana hapa nyumbani Tanzania, tu masikini wa kutupwa, mtanzania wa kawaida huduma zote za jamii hana uhakika w kuzipata, ikifika wakati wa uchaguzi anapewa shilingi elfu kumi anachagua tena matatizo ya miaka mitano ijayo!!! tufanyeje??
    Tumpe elimu mtanzania huyu, ili afahamu wajibu wake wa msingi, je tutampa pia akili nyingine tukiacha ile aliyozaliwa nayo???? Mr, tunapaswa kufanya kazi kubwa ya kuelimisha kama wananchi wenye walau kajinafasi cha kufanya hivyo. Hasa kwa kuwa viongozi wetu tuliowapa mamlaka ya kutuongoza hawataki mabadiriko wala kutuwekea mifumo mizuri ya elimu (mifumo ya kutufundisha kuhoji na kutafakari kwa kina) ambayo kama ingekuwepo basi kwa kipindi cha miaka 50 ijayo ingetusaidia kwa kiwango flani kuanza kuishi kama wanadamu walio kwenye nchi huru, mawazo yoyote mazuri badala ya kundikwa humu tu kwa MICHUZI yatafutiwe njia yakuwafikia walengwa walio wengi ambao ni Watanzania, hii itakuwa ni elimu bora yakutufanya tufikie kule tunakotaka kufika, kuwa na Taifa bora, lenye maskini ambao huduma zote za msingi ( Maji, Umeme wa uhakika, Matibabu, Chakula, Miundombinu bora na sio bora miundombinu, Huduma ya mitandao majumbani), hatuwzi kuruka tuende taratibu kwa hakika tukifanya hivyo baada ya miaka 20 mabadiriko tunayoyataka tutaanza kuyaona.
    Keep it up, Mr!!!

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  10. AnonymousJuly 27, 2009

    charles mukuru,Asante sana kwa article nzuri. Naungana sana na uliyoandika. Ila tumejaliwa sana TZ kuna amani kuliko nchi yoyote afrika. Kama mtu anapinga hilo atoe data. Tatizo, ni kwamba hata ukibadili serikali, hata upinzani wakashinda uchaguzi sidhani kama wanaweza kuongoza nchi vizuri zaidi kulikoni waliopo madarakani.
    Sikatai kwamba serikalini hakuna wala rushwa.

    Wewe angalia mfano wa Zimbabwe, Tsivangirai sasa hivi kimya kimya hasa kwani ameona ugumu ulivyo kuongoza nchi. Maneno mengi, (i'll build you roads, i will put electricity every corner of the country, i'll create jobs for all of you!, i'll make sure that there is no children going to bed without a meal), sasa, sasa unajiuliza hizo pesa za kuwezesha kufanikisha vyote alivyoahidi zitatoka wapi, kama sio kwenda kupiga magoti ng'ambo?

    Mimi nadhani ni mfumo wa uchumi ulivyokaa duniani sasa hivi ndo unafanya tuweze na tuwe tulipo sasa hivi

    Ni hayo tu

    P.E.D

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009

    Mukuru, I really salute you on this.
    You have nailed it. I wish we had many like minded to lift our country out of mayhem.
    The issue now where do we go from here? writing itself isn't enough...the issue what do we do about it?

    congrants man, this is good

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJuly 28, 2009

    the non functioning leadership in tanzania should not be an excuse for tanzanians to run away from their country. shayo, mashaka, mukuru i agree with your views on one side, but on the second side of the coin i invite you back home (tanzania). let us unite and revamp the sinking tanzanian nation. i am not saying that you are wrong, but i am trying to add to top up the partially empty cup you want people to share.
    there are so many tanzanians who are speciallists in different discplines currently working abroad where as even our nation do not have any records of these people.
    personally, i studied in one of the big university in the uk. there i met a big number of professors from china and india. these professors are doing researches in uk , paid by uk government at the same time their home gorvenment knw where they are and what they do. their respective gornemnent is taking care of their families in terms of education, accomodation , etc. so you can see despite the high salary paid while working in uk these guys will always remember their respective homes, because they have to appreciate what ther home countries does for their future.so every copy of research done in the uk, is taken back home for implememtation by their gorvenment where as research costs are covered by the Uk. this is the real diasphora!!!
    but the situation is different when you consider tanzania and its citizens. get your education abroad,, come back home, if you do not have some one to pull you into the system, they will frustrate you till you die. i personally have witnessed a medical assistant employed in a pollice force being assigned in a section which is not relevant to his proffession simply because , h e was threat to his boss- the boss claim to be a medical officer where as he only have a rural medical assistant (RMA) , in presence of a person with medical assistant diploma, the boss started thinking that now his position is online. he decided to declare that the MA guy redundant and the guy was assigned for bank guard!!!!!!!!. at the same time, the pollice force claimed to have shortage of health proffessionals>!!!! see how shame is this?????.
    any way, john mukuru, mashaka and shayo, you are highly welcome home ( tanzania) lets unite and bring the changes. UK, US , Japan, people worked day and night, they even lost life, some lost their limbs to reach where we see them now. if we decide to run away from tanzania , and enjoy the soup which we were not involve on cooking,, we will be failing our own country and future.
    i beliave we have assessed the situation, we have decided what to do and how to do. nothing will hapen, unless we act on what we have decided!!!, mukuru, mashaka and shayo you are welcome to tanzania.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJuly 29, 2009

    Mukuru, you are good. I think you are real up there with the Mashakas.
    The problem u guys just write, and write; how about having a forum for discussion? How about getting the Tanzanians for a discussion, that way u know what people are thinking

    writing is not enough

    ReplyDelete

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