As the global economic crisis seems to relent; our eyes must now be focused on 2011 with caution due to the obvious remaining threats. European debt crisis, currency tensions between the Chinese and the Americans, along with the delicate global banking –financial- sector, are all factors to watch very closely. On our domestic front, we must look into economic indicators, and other factors that are could change the economic playing field, seriously weakening or strengthening our already delicate economy

According to Bank of Tanzania’s October economic review, there are no clear indicators that could provide a true picture of what to expect for 2011. BOT records a significant decrease in inflation rate from 6.6% to 4.5% from a previous year. It also records a slowdown in banks credit or money supply to major economic activities compared to a year before with exception of manufacturing, construction and hospitality. Credit to manufacturing grew by 62% compared to a decline of 4.7% in the year ending 2009. Construction grew by 48% compared with a decline of 11.4%, while that of hotels grew to 37.8% compared to a decline of 1.4% in the same period

With exception of gold which recorded 42.2% from 35.8% a year before, and manufactured goods rose to 23.0% from 20.1%, all other exports hit negative territories. The service sector recorded literally no growth so to speak. Capital goods importation recorded negligible decrease; however, national debt sky rocketed to USD 10,685.6million a whopping 14.5% higher than USD 9,330.3million in 2009. Sadly enough 78.7% of the national dent was external and only 21.3% being domestic.

While the Bank of Tanzania shows a decrease in inflation, the value of shilling has steadily declined against major global currencies from a year before. One USD fetched a median of Tsh. 1,320 in 2009; today, one USD is being exchanged at TSH.1, 450, a 9.85% higher. Since domestic services such as education, housing, air travel and hotel accommodation in some segments are priced and charged in US Dollar; an artificial demand for the dollar has risen against its supply, pinching the pockets of the ordinary consumer whose wages are flat, and this has translated into economic hardship, not only on the year we are leaving behind, but also on the coming year

In brief, Tanzania’s main GDP contributors have showed no significant growth. Productivity is flat, there is no optimism in the horizon .Unless the political establishment revamps its approach to boost domestic productivity, and export needed to cut the ever ballooning trade deficit. There must be seriousness and will in the political structure to tackle corruption and embezzlement which are other impediments to the economic leap. Out of control and excessive government spending, unemployment which stands at 26%, discriminative lending practices, high interest rates, and continuously rising inflation, bear hallmarks of negative economic growth, and must be tamed.

There is no solid ground for us to rejoice for the year 2011 as of yet, as manufacturing, service and even the agricultural sectors are in for a big trouble in the face of the chronic and unreliable supply of energy. Even though Dr. William Ngeleja is shouldering the TANESCO fiasco, the problem seems to more of political than administrative for him to solve; meaning the only body that can un-puzzle the riddle is the parliament. We may also see a global crude oil price increase relatively to the demand in the coming year. This is due to the growing thirst for energy in the Asian countries of China and India. Major adjustments therefore, will have to be implemented not only by companies, but also by individual consumers to remain solvent, and this could have some impact on our growth.

These are indeed tough economic times; TANESCO’s proposed 18.5% price increase may spell disaster to the economy. Companies are struggling to remain operational, Increase in the cost of energy will be balanced by massive lay-offs, and other spending cutbacks which is extremely dangerous to the economic growth. The government must step in either by subsidizing the proposed increase or by simply providing an alternative source of electricity. Economists, policymakers and other experts must come up with immediate creative ideas to aid President Kikwete and his team in their effort to steer the economic wheel into the right direction for the good of the country. This is my perspective, what is yours?

Heri Ya Mwaka Mpya, Na Mungu Aibariki Tanzania
John Mashaka
Mashaka.john@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 51 mpaka sasa

  1. Bw. Worries, kuna mchangiaji amewahi kusema kwamba hauitendei Tanzania haki kutokuweko kwako bungeni. Ungekuwa changamoto kubwa sana kwa vijana na wazee ndani ya Bunge. Nadhani ungelitafakari sana, tena kwa undani swala la kuingia bungeni. Vyema zaidi JK angekupa moja ya viti maalum. REMAINING IN THE WEST, BENEFITTING AMERICANS YET OUR COUNTRY NEED EXPERTS IS A DISSERVICE TO TANZANIA if you truly and really love this country the way you write, then you need to come back home. Tule vumbi pamoja na kwenda baa pamoja
    nawakilisha

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  2. Huyu nabii na econmoc crisis zake haziishagi??

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  3. PETER KADASHIAN NALITOLELADecember 31, 2010

    NABII YOHANA MASHAKA, MIMI NAKUSHANGAA SANA. WEWE CHUO CHETU KIKUU CHA UNIVESITI CHA MUZUMBE CHA KULE MULOGOLO IMEKUTOA NA KUKUPA ELIMU YA TASMANI YA UCHUMI NA KAZI YA WAZILI WA WOLSTRILITI INAKUWAJE UNAGEUKA CHUO CHAKO BWANA? UNAKUMBUKA TUKISOMA PALE MUZUMBE ULIKUWAGA KIPANGA SANA ALIYEDESA KAZI YANGU LEO HII UNACHAFUA TASMINI YETU BANA. HACHA HIZO, HII UCHUMI INAENDESHWA VIZULI SANA NA DR. DR. DR. DR.RAIS KIKWETE AMBAYE PIA NI MCHUMI WA MUZUMBE PAMOJA NA ANKAL MISUPU, LADY JEIDII AMBAYE AMEKUJA NA MAJI YA UHAI YA JD. NA MASTAA KIBAO. KWA HIYO UNAPOTULETEA LONGOLONGO ZA HUKO MALEKANI SISI TUNAKUWA HATUKUELEWI KABISA. HAU HUYU MWANMKE WA KITASHA NDO AMEKUFUNDISHA KINGELEZA CHA KUKALILI. NASIKIA HUKU MNAO VIBIBI VIZEE KAMA KWELI KWETU MULOGOLO HIYO SIYO HAKI. MIMI UCHUMI UKUHALIBIKA, NARUDI KUSOMA PHD YA 3HUKO KILAKALA HABARI NDO HIYO

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  4. Mr. Mashaka, I would have thought that any discussion on property in TZ should focus primarily on the issue of credit availability and debt, so I’m somewhat disappointed with the interview. The interviewee drifted around the issue by suggesting that “fundamentals will catch up”, but a year of improved savings rates isn’t going to improve TZ’s private fiscal position in a hurry. Therefore, any debate should perhaps be focused on the banking sector and how it plans to bankroll the debt train going forward. Fundamentally, that is your key driver of housing activity. Perhaps we should be more focused on what is happening with banking reform in IRAN because our country is ran by an Iranin Agent. Otherwise, Kudos man. You are my hero. I truly respect you and your critical thinking

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  5. you are just too polished man. excellent analysis
    Good material!

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  6. mtu atajiuliza ni kwanni hawa wakurya au watu wamara ni majasiri na ni watu wenye akili sana? jibu ni kwamba hawa wanazaliwa, kitu cha kwanza kuingiza kuingiza mdomoni ni damu ya ng'ombe, yaani ile mbichi mtoto mchanga ananyweshwa na kichuri yaani mavi ya ng'ombe. pili baada ya wiki analishwa kicha cha samaki na dagaa wa kusaga. na ujue, kwamba ukila samaki sana wale kamongo wabichi mtoto anakuwa na akili za ajabu kama za mtoto wa muzungu wa kule blog ya pili, yaani nanihii kule jilani. sasa wakina mashaka baada ya hapo wanapelekwa jandoni kufanya mavituzzz hii ndo siri ya watu wa mara, kwa hiyo na wewe anza kuwalisha wanao samaki kwa sana. kichuli kipo brekpoint na maziwa ya mgando kule kimara baruti kuna wakurya wanafuga ng'ombe

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  7. As usual Good Job John Mashaka, this is some solid analysis, educated and well informed. We truly appreciate your vision for Tanzania. Good stuff and God bless

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  8. Wewe Prof. John Mashaka....wengine hata hamu ya ku-discuss uchumi hatuna...naona kwanza tuongelee suala la uadilifu wa viongozi maana uchumi wetu uko affected sana na hao viongozi wasiotumia busara kama akina Chenge...ati mtu alikuwa Waziri wa Sheria halafu hakuwa na Bima ya kuendeshea gari...tuwajadili kwanza hao ndo itakuwa na maana kujadili mambo ya uchumi. Sidhani kama tutaenda mbali na watu mbumbumbu kama huyo Chenge kwahiyo We need to call-off huu mjadala wako kwanza...!! Asante, Thank you...gracias....!!

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  9. I have never heard mashaka speak in Public, but from the look of his writing. I see a deep thinker, a visionary and a true patriot. He reminds me of our dear Mwalimu.Mashaka will be crazy not to be the president of Tanzania, he has massive followig and hardcoe supporters who whorship him.One of our contributers in Jamii forum, while discussing Corrupt people like Masha whoa re abusing their power, argued, that Mashaka’s generation link is what we need to get where need to be in terms of pushing our development wheel.Nyerere will forever be remembered for pushing and spearheading the growth of Kiswahili in East and Central Africa, which epitomized his belief that Kiswahili could promote African unity, just as it had done in Tanzania. He gave content and meaning to Tanzania`s independence by recognising the role of an indigenous language in the development of cultural authenticity and national unity.
    To him, pan-Africanism meant self-determination in political, economic, ideological, social and cultural spheres. As globalisation witnesses growing nationalism in other continents of the world (such as pan-Europeanism in Europe), and Africa risking marginalisation, African thinkers, intellectuals and literacy icons such as Ali Mazrui, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Okot P’Bitek and Wole Soyinka have made passionate pleas for a cultural re-awaking, which they see as a first step towards social, political and economic growth. It is the thesis of this paper that by drawing from Nyerere’s example, African renaissance and the dream of pan-Africanism shall be realised and that Africans shall not only discover themselves and uphold their identity but also appreciate the inherent power enshrined in its cultural heritage.
    It is argued that over-reliance on imperialist colonial languages, which by and large embrace and are emblazoned with Western world views, cultural values and ideals, is in fact neo-colonial and therefore detrimental to African unity and the spirit of pan-Africanism. It is demonstrated that a common indigenous language will not only foster unity but also accommodate and manage diversity, express identity and articulate concerns for collective action and shared solutions to achieve growth and development. Keep it up Mashaka good Job for defending our country and by giving us an economic insight on how to develop and prosper.
    Kudos Mr. Mashaka John

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  10. Jon mashaka mchina, hacha kuiga mambo wewe pia unapotosha jamii kama yule mdada wa ninihii blog. hacha kuiga mambo. Bongo hakuna financial crisis wala nini..msidandie train kwa mbele..kuna watu (ambao ndo majority ya watanzania) hawaoni tofauti ya maisha kabla ya hiyo crisis na hali ilivyo kwa sasa..sema tuu basi waafrika mnashindwa kuaddress matatizo tuliyo nayo mnaanza kukimbilia wazungu wanachosema....financial crisis? My foot!

    Mfano mda si mrefu..utasikia wasomi wetu wa kiafrika..wanaanza kuimba climate change..wakati ukweli..sisi matatizo yetu ya haraka na lazima ni mengine kabisa..where are our priorities jamani? Sometimes wasomi wetu mimi siwaelewi..

    As long as donors wanaamua kipi cha kufund..na sisi ndo inakuwa priority yetu..duh...sisi hatuna vipaumbele kabisa.

    Sasa hivi serikali inashindwa kufanya kazi zake kama ilivyotumwa na wananchi inaimba..financial crisis..everybody is in the same boat..when shall we wake up we bongolanders?

    Kila lakheri kwa wahusika..

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  11. mimi nilishasema sirudi tanzanaia kwa maana naona wajaruo na wakulya wanakuja kuichukua hiyo nchi, hili kundi la maprofesa kutoka marekani wakina nyan'goro, mbele, mashaka, nalitolea na shayo kuongoza nchi yangu ni ktu ambacho hakiwezekani. nabaki hapa hapa ulaya, nyabaff nyie

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  12. i am getting very upset by mashakamania of this country. mashaka is not the only only smartest guy to have ever lived in tanzania. We have nyerere, we have nyerere, chachage, tindo lissu, issa shivji and many more. please give mashaka a break, he is not a god just a human being blessed with vision and good thinking. call him a visionary but not god. give me a break. how can he be a nabii?? . So is this guy every day or Mashaka mashaka, what is mashaka. give him compliments for what is doing to help people with needs like food that is fine everybody can do it but let it not be a ticket for him to be mbunge or what.Instead of giving him too much compliments you better be not forgeting to have a sense of MASHAKA as his name,Today our economy is dying, people are poorer than in 1961, you need to have a sense of MASHAKA about KENYANS. You may surprise that MASHAKA is a seed of Kenyans Paulo Kamau said this.What he thinks, he may be thinking like kenyans, not LIke Tanzanians. Because this is another problems of we TZs, once they go just in Kenya there, when they come back they act rude, or if not rude they pretend they know alot better than their fellow country home.Kenyans mentallity is selfish, lifting up themself, infact, they are inmoral.I will not take my children to Kenya at all.

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  13. Mashaka if is good in economics like you guys say oh he is in WAlstreet. What happened now,If he is, what kind of ideas will he give to rise up economy, ninyi watu muwe macho.Hebu kumbukeni wakati wa campeni za Urais marekani Yule mama kwenye debate badala ya kujitetea mwenyewe ikawa kila kitu" Macain maverick maverick, maverick maverick" sasa naye ninyi ndugu zangu Mashaka tangu atoe msaada huo kwa yatima sasa imekuwa kila kitu Mashaka ubunge, ubunge, ubunge, ubunge" Rais, Rais, Rais, Rais. Kesho mashaka atakuwa yesu, yesu yesu. Mashaka hawezi kuwa rais wa Tanzania, wakina Rostam Aziz wamekamata nchi.. na hela chafu naona leo mmeanza kumuita nabii Ubunge gani huyo, jamani msichanganye mtu kufanya kazi ya usamalia mwema basi ikawa ndiyo ticket ya ubunge, Jamani ah.Hata Mrema mwaka 1995 anagombea Urais alisema yeye anastahili kuwa Rais wa Tanzania kwa sababu alikamata MADINI ya dhahabu AIRPORT.Watu wakasema jamani sasa kila mtu itabidi ajitahidi kukamata madini Airport ili apate Urais,ikiwa ni kweli kwamba sifa ya mtu kuwa Rais ni kukamata madini Airport.Angalieni wazungu wameleta misaada kwetu Africa, lakini wanatoa wakiwa wana ka lengo fulani pale.Wanaongea na wewe huku wameweka mrija wa kunyonya raslimali zako zoooooote na kupeleka kwao.Kwahiyo kuweni macho jamani msije mkampa kichwa mtu mkampachika nafasi ambazo siyo talanta zake au mkashtukia mmeweka wageni kuwa watawala wenu wakishilikiana na nchi za majirani kukomba mali zetu.

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  14. This is the right time to address the issue because we are waking up and seeing that we can do it. Most of the time, people believe that country’s wealth lies on natural resources. This has proven not to be the case. The reason being that, you can have so much yet don’t know what to do with it, and other people ending up benefiting more than the country itself.

    This is the case in Tanzania today. Many our riches (wealth) is being enjoyed by foreigners, and a few in the government (FISADI’S -in the ruling CCM). This is happening because we don’t have true wealth. We have poor brains.

    John Mashaka and his team, has proven to be a such a valuable ASSET, or other few of the brains we need to claim full riches. I am baffled by this Youngman’s genius mind, no wonder he was tapped to Wall-Street. He has instigated thinking among the Diaspora and has been lightning rod of envy.

    I must admit, that this is a well written article, well thought, and timely delivered. These are very challenging times, which needed brains to counter the challenges. Mashaka, tumekusikia vizuri ujumbe umefika, I hope the governor, Hon: Mustafa Mkullo, William Ngeleja na Dr. Jakaya Kikwete Wamekusoma and the rest heard you too. .

    Itakuwa vyema ukianzisha darasa la wanamtandao linaloitwa Economic -101.Bila shaka ninakuwa mwanafunzi wako You are Tanzania’s Gold,

    Mlawa
    Copenhagen- Denmark

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  15. PETER KARDASHIAN NALITOLELADecember 31, 2010

    MIMI NAWAAMBIAGA KILA SIKU KWAMBA PELEKENI WATOTO WENU KWENYE SHULE YA CHUO KIKUU CHA UNIVESITi YA MUZUMBE YA KULE MOLOGOLO ILI WAKASOME WAWE NA AKILI KAMA NABII YOHANA MASHAKA NA HASHEEM THABEET, KANUMBA, JK NA MISUPU AMBAO WOTE WAMEENDA MELEKANI YA WALL-STREET NA NBA YA MPILA WA VIKAPU YA D-LEAGUE.NYIE MNAKUWAGA WABISHI SANA, HII NDIO SABABU WENGI WENU WANAISHI KWENYE MABOKSI ZA MABONDENI KWENYE VYANZO VYA MAJI, HETI HAWA NI VICHWA SANA. NYIE MNAOZIDI KUBAKI HAPA KUKOMENTI, LUGHA IZ NOT RICHEBO , NNYIE NI MAMBUMBUMBU. MIMI NILIGLAJUETI NA DEGREE YA HESHIMA YA JUU KUTOKA CHUO KIKUU CHA MUZUMBE CHA KULE MOLOGOLO, NA NDO HUKO HUKU NABII YOHANNA MASHAKA KASOMEA. SIKU ANAENDA IKULU NA SISI PIA TUTAKUJA KUPAMBA NA VYETI VYETU VYA MUZUMBE NDO MTAJUA WATU WA MUZUMBE WAKO JUU KUSEMA KWELI. MUZUMBE ALUMNI WAKO KILA KATIKA TASMANIA

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  16. hivi huyu JOHN MASHAKA ameoa au bado? nipo available naomba majibu. nimesoma na ninatoka kwenye familia yenye heshima
    eligible bachelorate hallo at yao girl

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  17. Mimi nawaonya kuhusu hawa wanoitwa wasomi kutoka nje. watu kama mashaka na hizi rhetoric zao ni watu ambao uwezo wao siyo wa bure. they have someone's hand. mkishawapa hawa wasomi nchi basi ndo balaa. wanauza nchi na kila kitu, mimi mashaka simpi kura yangu hasa ya Urais wa Tanzania. abaki tu huko marekani abebe boxi

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  18. tanzania ni kichwa cha mwendawazimu kwa hiyo ushauri wa mashaka utasomwa na kupotezewa. yaani hii nchi na uongozi wake unashindwa kuelewa ni kitu gani kinachoendelea. viongozi hovyo sana. alafu ni kama vile ni uongozi dhiddi ya wananchi siyo ya wananchi

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  19. Mashaka unajua mimi si mshabiki wako, sema wakati mwingine provocative article zako zina maana sana. Kwa hilo nakusifu. What a shame for our Central Bank!! Kweli lakini sijaona OFFICIAL document hata moja inayo-sum-up mafanikio ya uchumi wetu kwa mwaka uliopita iliyopata wide coverage kwenye magazeti yetu. Hivi bado hawajafunga mahesabu?? Au suala la kuchapisha noti mpya ndio ilikuwa report ya maendeleo ya mwaka mzima? Sitashangaa kutomuona hata President wetu akipitiwa kutoa salamu za mwaka mpya kama ilivyo desturi yake. labda kazi zimewazidi mwaka huu! wako busy sana.

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  20. this guy is very smart, but why cant he come to JamiiForums. This blog does not have people to Challenge him. He need to come to JamiiForums and meet the like minded people. unapoteza muda wako kubishana na vilaza kama Peter Nalitolela. This is absurd. John come to the forum... thank you

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  21. These economic mumbo-jumbo gimmicks do not help a lay Tanzanian. Kwa uchumi wa Tanzania, hali ya mtu wa kijijini, mfano kule Ntaba, Kyela haina uhusiano wowote na inflation rate ... whether inflation rate imeshuka au imepanda, bei ya mafuta (ya aina zote) inapanda tu ... whether mafuta yameshuka bei kwenye soko la dunia; hapa kwetu yanazidi kupanda tu! ... so please spare us with such terminologies, ambazo haziko applicable hapa nyumbani.

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  22. John mashaka my friend, you ne'er cease to amuse me with your rhetorical power.you have good command of language. I love reading your commentary keep up good work.

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  23. John Mashaka, his chief of staff Dr. Shayo, do anybody pay close attention to their lectures? tanzania is something else, these are just kumpigia mbuzi gitaa... wakuu nchi yote imeoza, hizi analysis hacheni huko huko kwa mzee obama na tony blair siyo hii nchi ya tanganyika

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  24. Mashaka John, this is a very hot topic, but what can we do? we are powerless to stand infront of our leaders, nyie vijana ndo mje mpiganie ufisadi.

    THE CORRUPTION IS SO DEEP IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THERE IS NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO SALVAGE THIS COUNTRY. Hao viongozi wamfika hatua ya kuiza nchi na itabakia mashimo, iasee inakatisha tamaa

    Mdau UK

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  25. As a Tanzanian, I strongly object to our leaders spending our tax dollars attending Investors’ Conferences abroad without addressing the poor state of our country's economy first. Foreign investors will not simply pour millions of dollars into our economy just because they shook our President’s hands.

    At the moment, our whole infrastructure is broken down.We have Iranian running the country We have shortages of water and electricity. Our labour laws are complex. The government services are poorly delivered by corrupted and often ill-trained bureaucrats. Our court system works at a snail’s speed. Our education system is out of date. Our doctors lack equipments and medicine to treat patients with serious medical conditions.

    Endemic corruption at all levels of the government means that the rich and the politically connected individuals are above the law. The laws to protect life, liberty and property are in the books but hardly enforced by the corrupted system. Government officials and big shot businessmen steal billions of shillings from the treasury with impunity and are then bailed out by the courts. Yet, a poor citizen charged with a bail-able petty crime faces years in jail waiting for a verdict because he can’t afford to bribe a judge.

    Tanzania is blessed with many natural resources and a fertile land. One must wonder then why our country is still poor and can’t seem to attract major investors. The latest figures from The World Bank (www.fdi.net) shows that we have attracted only $370 million dollars in 2006. This is such a small change. Chile, a South American country, exported $700 million dollars worth of just wine last year, according to the BBC site. To understand why we have very few major global players in our country, we need to re-visit our history.

    We lost three decades of development because we were governed by a one-party socialist regime of Mwalimu Nyerere. Any Tanzanian who worked hard and got wealthy was immediately seen as a traitor to the system. Many businesses were nationalized and many properties were confisticated from their right owners. The economy was quickly ruined, Zimbabwe style. Industrialists were not able to buy raw materials and new machineries to expand production. Ownership of foreign currencies was prohibited and subject to a jail term. Price controls were in effect. Few people were allowed to leave the country for further studies. This political climate discouraged further investments in all sectors of the economy and stunted our academic development for many years to come.

    As a result of negative growth, people got poorer as decades passed. Soon enough, Nyerere had to swallow his pride and begged friendly nations for food even though Tanzania had a fertile land. The educational system was totally ruined. Government-controlled universities chocked academic freedom and forced many professors to leave the country. Those who stayed behind were not able to go abroad to update their skills and lectured generations of graduates with the same stale disciplines with a strong dosage of socialist ideology. Mandatory military service before university discouraged many parents from sending their children to universities.

    Our people developed a dependency addiction. They expected the socialist government to take good care of them for life with minimum work. They expected to be employed, fed, and housed cheaply. This was the dreamland installed into their minds by the socialist propaganda machine.

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  26. As a Tanzanian, I strongly object to our leaders spending our tax dollars attending Investors’ Conferences abroad without addressing the poor state of our country's economy first. Foreign investors will not simply pour millions of dollars into our economy just because they shook our President’s hands.

    At the moment, our whole infrastructure is broken down.We have Iranian running the country We have shortages of water and electricity. Our labour laws are complex. The government services are poorly delivered by corrupted and often ill-trained bureaucrats. Our court system works at a snail’s speed. Our education system is out of date. Our doctors lack equipments and medicine to treat patients with serious medical conditions.

    Endemic corruption at all levels of the government means that the rich and the politically connected individuals are above the law. The laws to protect life, liberty and property are in the books but hardly enforced by the corrupted system. Government officials and big shot businessmen steal billions of shillings from the treasury with impunity and are then bailed out by the courts. Yet, a poor citizen charged with a bail-able petty crime faces years in jail waiting for a verdict because he can’t afford to bribe a judge.

    Tanzania is blessed with many natural resources and a fertile land. One must wonder then why our country is still poor and can’t seem to attract major investors. The latest figures from The World Bank (www.fdi.net) shows that we have attracted only $370 million dollars in 2006. This is such a small change. Chile, a South American country, exported $700 million dollars worth of just wine last year, according to the BBC site. To understand why we have very few major global players in our country, we need to re-visit our history.

    We lost three decades of development because we were governed by a one-party socialist regime of Mwalimu Nyerere. Any Tanzanian who worked hard and got wealthy was immediately seen as a traitor to the system. Many businesses were nationalized and many properties were confisticated from their right owners. The economy was quickly ruined, Zimbabwe style. Industrialists were not able to buy raw materials and new machineries to expand production. Ownership of foreign currencies was prohibited and subject to a jail term.

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  27. As a Tanzanian, I strongly object to our leaders spending our tax dollars attending Investors’ Conferences abroad without addressing the poor state of our country's economy first. Foreign investors will not simply pour millions of dollars into our economy just because they shook our President’s hands.

    At the moment, our whole infrastructure is broken down.We have Iranian running the country We have shortages of water and electricity. Our labour laws are complex. The government services are poorly delivered by corrupted and often ill-trained bureaucrats. Our court system works at a snail’s speed. Our education system is out of date. Our doctors lack equipments and medicine to treat patients with serious medical conditions.

    Endemic corruption at all levels of the government means that the rich and the politically connected individuals are above the law. The laws to protect life, liberty and property are in the books but hardly enforced by the corrupted system. Government officials and big shot businessmen steal billions of shillings from the treasury with impunity and are then bailed out by the courts. Yet, a poor citizen charged with a bail-able petty crime faces years in jail waiting for a verdict because he can’t afford to bribe a judge.

    Tanzania is blessed with many natural resources and a fertile land. One must wonder then why our country is still poor and can’t seem to attract major investors. The latest figures from The World Bank (www.fdi.net) shows that we have attracted only $370 million dollars in 2006. This is such a small change. Chile, a South American country, exported $700 million dollars worth of just wine last year, according to the BBC site. To understand why we have very few major global players in our country, we need to re-visit our history.

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  28. Many of them have been discouraged because the government is not sincere in reforming the system. There are so many reforming committees at the moment in various sectors of the government. However, they lack the power to enforce unpopular but necessary reforms and are under the supervision and employment of the government.
    Investors take one look at our $27 billion dollar domestic market (GDP) and see what it can offer against $1.5 trillion dollar market of Brazil or $3.6 trillion dollars market of India. Soon enough you can guess where the investor will head. The slow growth of our economy for so many years is the reason why we need to reform so urgently. These Investors’ Forums will not be effective because we are just not well-equipped to make investors comfortable with their money.

    We have tax-free access to many developed markets, part of the aid package to help our local industries grow. Unfortunately we can’t take advantage of this generous offer because we lack sophisticated industries to produce export-quality products. We are losing a golden opportunity to establish a global Tanzanian brand for free. (It usually takes billions of dollars to establish a brand name in the global market). Furthermore, agricultural products and minerals by themselves are not enough to lift us from poverty. We need to produce high-tech products and services to sell to the global market. No country in the world has gotten rich from selling coffee, bananas and tea. Mineral resources are only useful if we can develop our own technologies to mine them and not share profits. Currently, we are forced to give tax credits and other incentives to foreign miners and the profit margin is not enough to support even the neighbouring villages around the minefields to have access to clean water, schools, hospitals and power supplies. We need our experts to come up with a business plan which will be beneficial to both the investors and the people of Tanzania. If the Australians, Canadians, Brazilians, South Africans and Chileans can mine their own fields, why can’t we? What’s stopping us?

    They have been exposed to new ideas and business plans which best fit the current global business.

    Tanzania's GDP: 27 Billion USD
    Nigeria's GDP: 127 Billion USD
    Kenya's GDP: 37 Billion USD
    Egypt's GDP: 303 Billion USD
    South Africa's GDP: 187 Billion USD
    India's GDP: 3.6 TRILLION USD
    ALL FIGURES 2006.

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  29. cont...
    Many of them have been discouraged because the government is not sincere in reforming the system. There are so many reforming committees at the moment in various sectors of the government. However, they lack the power to enforce unpopular but necessary reforms and are under the supervision and employment of the government.
    Investors take one look at our $27 billion dollar domestic market (GDP) and see what it can offer against $1.5 trillion dollar market of Brazil or $3.6 trillion dollars market of India. Soon enough you can guess where the investor will head. The slow growth of our economy for so many years is the reason why we need to reform so urgently. These Investors’ Forums will not be effective because we are just not well-equipped to make investors comfortable with their money.

    ReplyDelete
  30. We have tax-free access to many developed markets, part of the aid package to help our local industries grow. Unfortunately we can’t take advantage of this generous offer because we lack sophisticated industries to produce export-quality products. We are losing a golden opportunity to establish a global Tanzanian brand for free. (It usually takes billions of dollars to establish a brand name in the global market). Furthermore, agricultural products and minerals by themselves are not enough to lift us from poverty. We need to produce high-tech products and services to sell to the global market. No country in the world has gotten rich from selling coffee, bananas and tea. Mineral resources are only useful if we can develop our own technologies to mine them and not share profits. Currently, we are forced to give tax credits and other incentives to foreign miners and the profit margin is not enough to support even the neighbouring villages around the minefields to have access to clean water, schools, hospitals and power supplies. We need our experts to come up with a business plan which will be beneficial to both the investors and the people of Tanzania. If the Australians, Canadians, Brazilians, South Africans and Chileans can mine their own fields, why can’t we? What’s stopping us?

    They have been exposed to new ideas and business plans which best fit the current global business.

    Tanzania's GDP: 27 Billion USD
    Nigeria's GDP: 127 Billion USD
    Kenya's GDP: 37 Billion USD
    Egypt's GDP: 303 Billion USD
    South Africa's GDP: 187 Billion USD
    India's GDP: 3.6 TRILLION USD
    ALL FIGURES 2006.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Bravo Mashaka!
    You intelligence is a center of pride for our country. I am sure our leaders are reading these blogs, and they have known your courage to take head on the government.i am a ptofessor, but cant afford a house for my family unless i join politics or join ufisadi. the economic condition is this country is very bad, and need couregous people to join Mr. mashaka bravo

    God bless you all.
    Anonymous Professor TZ

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  32. US Blogger na wenzio, jibuni hoja za nabii, kazi kwikwi... kazi imeanza.

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  33. Mashaka john you have nixed it, Brilliant man.
    You are a man who does what he does best, what he is good at; Murdering people with his brilliance, and mightiness of his pen. Flatly, I am impressed.

    Mithupu, sambaza hii kwenye magazeti au us blogger tafsiri kwa kiswahili ili raia wote wasome hii darasa tusiwe wachoyo. Well Stated Mashaka, can’t be better than this. Kudos, shoot for the economic portfolio.This is a very sensitive subject that I felt relieved at last its addressed when I was reading it. I am glad to know that there is another person 'a Tanzania' or An African who has the same concern. Well .'Tanzanians are toying with a ticking bomb' . Well, Mashaka, as much as it might sound easy for the government to strategize in cubbing this fake item(s)pandemic, we should not forget that it is the SAME GOVERNMENT AMBAYO INATUTOA KARAFA' by not having ETHICS and INTEGRITY that will protect and defend an ordinary Tanzanian.

    My concern is i) what are our government incentives given to government doctors so that they are commited in there jobs and not juggling with own private practice and using uncertified medicines that have polluted Tanzania today, to cure patients? Eg My father died from Chinese malaria tablets which were presribed by a prominent government doctor with a private practice,. and he is not the only one who fell to this fate' with the analysis done of the medicine 'of course not in Tanzania' seemed the tablets had a concotion mixer not suitable for human consumption.

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  34. Da!
    Wabongo wanaogopa lugha kinoma. hii ni mambo ya kawaida mtu yeyote anayesoma majarida kama times ataandika! Mashaka hana chochote zaidi ya kidhungu kigumu alichosomea chuo kikuu cha sheria au kwenye kitabu!!! huyu siyo mchumi, ni mwanasheria nina uhakika huo kwa maana jamaa kasomea sheria JD/MBA pale Duke

    Choka mbaya na kuwamaliza wabongo kwa kiswakinge hio mbinu ndio aliyotumia nyerere mpaka akapata madaraka. Sasa Mashaka naye yuko mbioni kutwaa urais hivi hivi, kwnai wengi wenu wanamuona kama Mungu mtu kwa sababu sisi sote bado tuna infreolity complex only kwa sababu tumeenda shuleee weee tuna degree weee na masters lakini bado ni maskini kwisha kazi .

    Mashaka sio watanzania wote wapumbavu Marekani imeshindwa biashara kwa sababbu kila mtu anategemea mkopo na biashara zote zinategemea makaratasi kwa hito ndio maana kila kitu kigumu ....muuza nyanya wa kariakoo ataathirika vipi hapo?? Acha kuwatisha waosha vinywa tuko chini mno hatuwezi kuguswa kwa chochote maswala ni globolization...
    Mdau kwa Bi Mkubwa!!

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  35. Nawaonya wote mnaompandisha John Mashaka chati. Kumsifia sana kutawagharimu sana watanzania. fungueni macho, huyu anatayarishwa kuja kuongoza hii nchi. hakuna makala ya kichumi wala nini. he is coming to lead this country, sit and watch, he is coming to be the president of tanzania in a few years. haya makala ni strategy ya kumuweka sawa na kumjengea heshima kwenye jamii kama mtu aliyetukuka. lakini ukweli ni kwamba kuna mkono wa mafisadi kwa huyu jamaa. hata haya makala haandiki yeye, kuna watu wanayaandika na kumpa. hana uwezo au akili kama hiyo. fungueni macho, msijekuizua hii nchi kwa wamaerkani. mashaka kwanza siyo mtanzania, huyu ni mtutsi ambaye akikuja tanzania kama mkimbizi. mimi nawaakikishia, huyu mtu akiutwaa uongozi basi naama tanzania kwenda kuwa mujahedeen Somalia au Macenary Zimbabwe. Habari ndo hiyo. kwani kuna watu makini sana hata jamii forums lakini hawapati airtime kwa misupu kama john mashaka na wafuasi wake wengi wanamuona kama mungu mtu

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  36. Yoweli Kaguta MuseveniDecember 31, 2010

    Bwanae, huyu mtu mimi nampotezea, hata hichi kiingeleza kigumu sikielewi.

    MR.HIS HOLINESS PROPHET MASHAKA ZE ECONOMY OF TANZANIA IS GLOBAL BECAUSE HASHEEM THABEET OF D-LEAGUE OF NBA OF USA IS INVESTING AT KEMPISKI LEVEL 8 TO BILLIONAIRE OF 24 YEARS.HIS EXCELENCY IS FOLLOWS WITH MIKE VUTTON OF CRDB IS HAVES ALL THE BUTIFUL LADIES AND HIS EXCELLENCY HASHEEM IS WIHCRAFT BY TID BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVE RANGEROVER, AND TID IS BAJAJ, SO HE IS JELOUSY TO SEE YOUNG MILLIOAIRE OF TANZANIA TO SEE ecomics of wolstleet OF USA OF ZE AMERICA TO COME TO TANZNAIA AND IKULU OF. HAWEZI KUPATA CHOCHOTE HUYO JOHN MASHAKA ATABAKIA KUTOA MIHADHALA YA KINGEREZA KIGUMU CHA SHAKESPEAR NA MALKIA WA UINGELEZA KUKALILI HUMU HUMU KWENYE BULOGU WAKATI MAFISADI YANAPETA. UNADHANI MAFISADI YAKITAKA KUSOMESHA ZERUZERU NA VIWETE SIYATAWAPELEKA MPAKA HUKO ULAYA KWA OBAMA? MICHUZI MWAMBIYE RAFIKI YAKO HIZO PESA AJIDUNDULIZIYE ANUNUE KIWANJA SOMEWHERE ATAZIPOTEZA ZOTE TANZANIA HAIHONGEKI KIRAHISI HIVYO MWAMBIYE KWANZA ASAIDIYE NDUGU ZAKE HUKO AMERICA HATUJAWAONA NYUMBALI MIAKA MINGI LABDA NI NAURI INAWASUMBUA KURUDI KUSAIDIA KWAO. NATOA USHAURI MASHAKA RUDI ULAYA UTAPOTEZA FWEZA NA HATA UDIWANI USIPATE ANIULIZE MIMI NIMEJALIBU NA KULIWA FWEZA YOTE NA BADO HAKUNA NILICHO PATA TENA WEWE MASHAKA HATA KISWAHILI HUJUI WATU WATAFIKIRI NI MJALUO WA KENYA AMA UGANDA HUWEZI HATA KUONGEA KISWAHILI UNATUMIA MISAMIATI YA KIZUNGU KUONGEA NA JAMII HATA HUMU KWA MICHUZI BABA RUDI KWENU AMERICA USIJE KUFANYIWA MCHEZO MBAYA KIPAPAI...HII NI BONGO SIYO AMERICA!!! NENDA UJIFUNZE KISWAHILI KWANZA NDIO URUDI KWENYE JAMII YETU YA WA ECOMONY CHRISITS

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  37. Man, I am behind you 100% tumechoka kusema kweli na umasikini tanzania. Atleast someone has spoken about this manace n inabidi wengine pia waendelee kwa kuweka michango yao ili ujumbe uwafikie. Hongera sana Mashaka. You are my HERO… Amen

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  38. Mr. Mashaka, things you write makea lot of sense, but for our people, honestly speaking is like wasting your energy.
    I find it rather funny, that some can post stupid comments here, especially on heavy issues like this. We are getting poorer, while CCm can bring people , losers from London to come and say CCM hoyee, akili iko wapi watanzania.
    This is really stupid and foolish to have Chenge go free, yet people stealing chickedn get life sentences

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  39. wote mnaojifanya mashaka, alikuwa hivi na vile, mara ungesema hivi na vile, mimi mnamfahamu . Swala ni kwamba, kama mna hoja ya kusema, jitokezeni muandike hoja zenu alivyoandika hoja zake nasi pia tutachangia. Ukiandika ushuzi, tutakuchamba vile vile, ukiandika vya maana tutakupa ongera
    tumechoka na miharo yenu ya kila siku ya ubeba boxi na usafishaji vinywa.... za kuwachafulia wenzenu wenye nia nzuri kwa taifa lao. Sina shaka kwamba baadhi yenu wana akili nzuri tu, ila akili zenu tutakubaliana nazo pale mtakapo toa challenge kwtu hapa nyumbani.
    sasa hivi ni kama vile hakuna hata mmoja ambaye ana upinzani wa hoja zake isipokuwa shayo, il hali mmejaa teteteteteteee mingi bila hata kutaja majina yenu. tobaaaaaaaaa
    mashaka ongeza mwendo

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  40. mashaka has handlers in the united states . DC and other politician in tanzania. all this master does, is displaying his english abilities nothing more, yes we now know that ur an english genius, whats next?
    our economy is going to grow in 2011

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  41. no comment ila watu wengine wamebarikiwa na vipaji vya ajabu

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  42. i only wait for the ay u right your atikols in kiswahili. yaani wewe haujui kiswahili kabisa?

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  43. misupu, u need to archive this guy's articles and re-post them sometimes. this is good, however, our economy is resillinet to most of the economy shakeups

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  44. Johnson Mashaka for President 2015; Count my VOTE Sir

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  45. hivi huyu mashaka akiendaga bongo ana demu lake? huyo demu ana mtotot? wale mademu wakibongo wawindaji sasa hivi si wangekuwa na watoto na maisha mazuri tu, najua kila mwezi kwa kwa hasheem ni kama $35,000 kila mwezi na wa John Mashaka hela toka Wall-Street $25,000

    Hapo kuna ki gari cha harrier nje na nyumba masaki au mikocheni.
    Wadau ikiwa hamkuwa wajanja basi polenimme luzi everi thing. mimi sikujua wanakokaa hao jamaa ningejipitisha hadi nimpeata mmoja wao. skills ninazo tena kutoka kule blogu ya jilani

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  46. Mr. Mashaka opne a special poket to collect money to bring all boxi carrier of tanzania who have missed bus fare to go home to tanzania.
    wiz ur NGO, all of us can collect togather all the money to make them go home nstead of doing slave working in america and europe.
    I am joing my hand with you to make the tanzania a good country so that we dont drink too much beer at ze working time.

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  47. MICHUZI WEWE MNAFIKI NA MUOGA.NYIE NDIO MNAOMPA MASHAKA KICHWA KESHO ANAKUJA ANACHUKUA NCHI YETU TUNAYOIPENDA NA KUWAUZIA WAZUNGU WAKE. MASHAKA NI KIBARAKA WA KIKWETE NA WAMAREKANI. NIMETUMA MAONI YANGU JUU YA SWALA HILO HUJATOA HUFAI KUWA MWANDISHI WA HABARI WA KARNE HII YA 21, USIOGOPE SI WEWE NI SISI TUNASEMA HUWEZI KUKOSA ULAJI WAKO KWA KUTUNDIKA MAONI YETU MTUMWA HAUWAWI, WACHA HIZO ZA ZAMANI ZA KUFUNIKA MAWAZO YA WENGINE NA KUYAONA YENU NDO SAHIHI TU, AU NDO HAKUNA UHURU WA KUTOWA MAONI HUKO BONGO, ACHA UOGA WA KONDOO, BASI HAKUKUWA NA HOJA AU MAANA YA WEWE KUANZISHA BLOG YA JAMII, TUNDIKA MANI YA WATU YASOMWE, ILIMRADI MTU ANAANDIKA NDANI YA MAANDILI YA KIBINADAMU HATUKANI MTU.MICHUZI HACHA UNAFIKI, WW PIA NINAKUANGALIA NA HUYO MASHAKA WENU HAWEZI KUNUNUA UMAARUFU KWENYE MIGONGO YETU. MWAMBIE AENDE KWA WAMEREKANI WAKE HUKO MSHAMBA MSUKUMA NA WEWE MZARAMU

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  48. Haya wana jamii, niliwahi kusema tanzania kuna vichwa kama hivi mkanibishia. Tungetarajia wabunge watoe salamu kama hizi za akina Dr shayo na Mashaka. Maskini wa Mungu sijui wako wapi.

    Huu ni uhodari wa hali ya juu ambao vijana wetu akina Dr shayo na John Mashaka wanatoa. Hoja aliyoitoa Dr Shayo majuzi ndani ya blog hii ikifuatiwa na hii ya John Mashaka ni mtazamo tosha wa kutoa mwelekeo wa taifa letu la tanzania.

    jamani vijana wa kitanzania tuamke, taifa la kesho ni sisi, Dr. shayo rudi nyumbani tanzania toka huko kwa Cameroon njoo kasaidie wabongo wenzako, na wewe mashaka pia rudi bongo toka huko kwa Obama ukasaidie wabongo wenzako.

    kukaa kwenu nje hamlitendei haki ya msingi TAIFA LA TANZANIA.

    Michuzi usibanie mchango wangu, ila nawapongeza hawa vijana wetu ila ningeshauri kuwepo na jitihada za kuwarudisha nyumbani tanzania.

    Tuanzishe mfuko wa hiari wa kuwashawishi warudi bongo.

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  49. Kimaro jane (BRAZIL)December 31, 2010

    Dr Shayo kashasema hili nanukuuu

    What is still holding Tanzania back? Capital wants security and growth. We need more leaders that are in politics primarily to do something for their people and their country, and not because it is a ticket to personal power and wealth. We need Tanzania government to remember the core reason for governments to exist – the provision of things best achieved on a communal basis: infrastructure, services such as health and education, security and rule of law. Build the roads and ports, generate and distribute the electricity, cut the red tape, and then sit back and be astonished by the economic growth that will follow.

    hungera vijana wetu.

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  50. tunaomba tafsiri ya kiswahili tafadhali

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  51. ....a good analysis in-deed. the problem isnt new either.... separating politics from administrative issues would be a paramount step in redressing the existing imbalances!

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Hii ni Blog ya Watanzania popote walipo duniani kwa ajili ya kuhabarisha, kutoa/kupokea taarifa na kuelimisha mambo yote yaliyo chanya kwa Taifa letu. Tafadhali sana unapotoa maoni usichafue hali ya hewa wala usijeruhi hisia za mtu/watu. Kuwa mstaarabu...