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| Mashaka |
The race for 2015 elections is moving in an overdrive mode; Potential candidates are waging covert operations within their own parties to emerge as the torch bearers. Major political parties are also establishing branches across the globe to court the Diaspora’s support, which begs the question whether will the Diaspora be able to vote in the coming election general elections
Despite its strategic social-political and economic significance, Tanzanian Diaspora does not have official representation in neither the government nor in the parliament of Tanzania. This marginalized group has very little say when it comes to affairs that affect their interest and that of their nation despite their massive contribution into our economy.
Diaspora’s economic contribution could be close that of tourism and mining sectors. According to Western Union’s data, Tanzania Diaspora’s remittance is around $369 million for the year 2011. The figure could easily top $1billion if other official and unofficial channels are included, and this figure alone is more than 10% of the government’s annual budget
Modest estimate places Tanzania’s Diaspora at around 2 million. This group is therefore accounting for almost 4.4% of the country’s entire population; yet they do not have a single representative in the national legislative assembly, neither do they have the capability to exercise their democratic right of electing their leaders while abroad, whilst contributing massively into the country’s social-political and economic spheres.
It will be a fatal mistake to continue marginalizing this important group .Tanzania’s Diaspora must be consulted on the new constitutional review process. This is unavoidable; they must participate in the dual citizenship debate, and the effort to sideline them could prove counterproductive and extremely costly to our nation in the political, social and economic perspectives. This is a human capital goldmine the country is in dire need of
Depending on the Diaspora’s number and concentration in a given region or continent, this group needs representatives from each continent into the legislative assembly. Whether elected or nominated through special seats, Diasporas representation is crucial.
The group also needs an office in the executive branch of the government, which will address their specific needs and concerns within our legal and constitutional frameworks, including, but not limited to the impediments that keeps the influx of their capital and expertise; and by that I mean the deeply entrenched bureaucracy in our government. Our previous discussions or debates “Our Readers, John Mashaka & Prof. Joseph Mbele” touched on these issues
There are a few persons that are capable of returning home to vote, however, majority do not have that luxury due to the factors beyond their control. They are therefore, in need of a platform that will enable them to exercise their right to vote while abroad considering their contribution into our economy.
The current technological advancements have brought the world closer together; a web based voting platform is an idea to give a thought. Establishing voting centers in Washington DC and perhaps Houston to serve North America is very practical and doable. Voting centers in London and Stockholm to serve Europe would be very fair to our citizens abroad.
Electoral Commission of Tanzania will possibly cite logistical nightmare as the main hindrance to voting abroad. I am however, convinced and inclined to say that, proper planning with our relevant embassies could, without a doubt provide an easy solution to the problem.
My petition therefore, goes directly to Electoral Commission of Tanzania, main political parties; more so to Mr. Nape Nauye and John Mnyika to trumpet and present the Diaspora voting idea to the relevant organs well in advance, so necessary steps and arrangements can be made, if at all they mean good with their mushrooming party branches across Europe, and North America
Whichever party embarks on the effort to ensure Tanzanians abroad get an opportunity to vote in 2015 stands a good chance to make a significant gain in the brewing battle for 2015 supremacy. While the effort to vote is significant, it is a baby step towards the representation into the Parliament and the executive branch of the government. Otherwise the government must do all it can to ensure all of its citizens exercise their right to vote in the coming general elections regardless of where they are
Mungu Ibariki Tanzania
John Mashaka,
Mashaka.john@yahoo.com
Mashaka.john@yahoo.com
Thank you for a very much needed contribution. You should also write this in Swahili so that everyone can get and understand this important message.
ReplyDeleteCan diaspora vote? Oooh gosh!! for whose interest,what reasons? Do they really know what`s going on in Tanzania?Yiou only want to vote,and this will be your contribution!
ReplyDeleteMashaka acha kuchanganya mambo na kuchanganya watu.Wewe endelea na mambo huko uliko na piga kura huko uliko kwa serikali unazozitumikia huko.
michuzi, kweli mashaka ni ginias. tunaomba uitafsiri hii article kusema kweli, please do so, please mimi niko UK for 21 years sina makaratasi na ninatamani nipige kura hata siku moja. inshallah mashaka. asante sana
ReplyDeleteMr. JOHN, WHILE I HIGHLY RESPECT YOUR LEARNED ANALYSIS. I MUST SAY THAT TANZANIA IS NOT READY WITH VOTING ABROAD. UCHAKACHUAJI DOES NOT ALLOW FOREIGN VOTING POSSIBLE. YOU ARE VERY INTELLIGENT AND SHOULD NOT THIS HONOBALE SIR.
ReplyDeleteJOHN MASHAKA ndiye kiongozi wa UAMSHO huko zanzibar
ReplyDeletemnyonge mnyongeni lakini haki yake mpeni. huyu mashaka ni kijana mwenye busara na upeo wa hali ya juu. anakipaji cha aina yake
ReplyDeleteMh. JK
ReplyDeleteI aks, you give mashaka yohana ukuu wa wilaya SIMIYU. Siyo wakina viki kamata na miss bunge Catherine magige, ni mzuri kuliko enjinia stella manyanya. kijana anaongea mambo mazito ambayo hata maige alishindwa kutamka kipindi chote akiwa pale mali asili. Mzee wa utepe haweki mikasi chini wakati ndo mtu wa pili kutoka juu kwa sabu tuu ya muungano wakati isiwa chenyewe ni kiduju kuliko bagamoyo nadhani mashaka kadri muda unavyokwenda, anawadhiirishia watanzania umuhimu wake katika jamii yenu.
kwanza tunamuomba msamaria mwema atoe tafsiri ya hii makala tafadhali.ni muhimu hii makala isomwe na watanzania wengine.
ReplyDeletehii nchi inahitaji mashaka 10
deo-fulinjombe 5,dr. slaa 20, tundu lissu 10,
john mnyika 10,hakika umasikini tutausahau. namaanisha watu wanaojituma na kuweka mustakabali wa taifa mbele bila kujali vyama vyao, na wajasiri. watu wanaofikiri wasio wavivu kifikra hakika nchi hii ya tanganyika itakuwa mbele siyo mambo ya uamsho
Mashaka swala ulilolizungumzia ni nzuri sana lakini sasa nah ii serikali, sidhani kama itawezekana. Huo utageuka kuwa mradi wa mtu na ufisadi hela za kufanya hizo shughuli zinaishia njiani. Usicheze, hii nchi ina watu na viatu
ReplyDeleteMICHUZI TUNAOMBA UITAFSIRI HII MAKALA. AU KAMA KUNA MTU MWENYE UFASAHA WA LUGHA ZOTE MBILI ATUFANYIE TAFSIRI... HII MAKALA NI NZURI SANA KUSEMA KWELI.
ReplyDeleteMr. mashaka , I can truly and honestly declare my true love to you. I love you. If I can vote in 2015 then I will offer you my daughter. Kama umeshaoa na dini yako inakuruhusu nitakupa mke wa pili….
ReplyDeleteI salute John Mashaka,
ReplyDeleteTanzania Parliament should not wait until a new constitution is in place to pass the law to allow dual citizenship as in that case many Tanzanians in diaspora will not be able to vote in the referundum for a new constitution and that would be very unfair to us in diaspora.
At least in appreciation of the remitances we send back home which helps the whole economy not just our families Tanzania parliament should find a way to bring up the motion in parliament ASAP so that we in diaspora with other citizenships can take up Tanzanian passports and voters' cards ASAP to enable us vote during the referundum for a new constitution.
NABII YOHANA KILA SIKU ANAZUKA NA MAMBO YAKE. HAWA WATU MNAOWAONA WENYE AKILI SANA KAMA MASHAKA SIJUI KWA NINI ATETEE HAO WENZAKE KUPIGA KURA. YEYE ABAKIE HUKO HUKO WOLSTLITI. HII TANZANIA NI YA WABUNGE WAZALENDO TU. TUMESHAIBIWA SANA NA WAZUNGU SASA BASI
ReplyDeleteSANA, WAKIPEWA UBUNGE NDIO WANAIUZA NCHI KWA MAANA WANA MMBINU NYINGI SANA ZA KUFANYA UJUMA. MIMI NAKATAA HOJA . HAWA WATU WASIRUHUSIWE KUPIGA KURA
I have said it elsewhere and I repeat it here that no failed asylum seekers will be given a right to vote while in the diaspora. Failed asylum seekers are not needed in the United Kingdom and should simply go back to their country of origin and claim their right to vote. Anything else, is just wishful thinking, as CUF will not listen to anything that will work against their interests. These guys like anyone else, have interests to protect, so make no mistake about it. Get cracking guys and go home to exercise your right to vote and not while you sit on your backsides in the diaspora.
ReplyDeleteMUCH RESPECT MR. MASHAKA. YOU ARE MY HERO,I have common sense and sadly the same can not be said of individuals like you. The writing of the new constitution has already taken nearly LEAD at a cost of millions of dollar and yet there is nothing to show for it. CCM was allowed to disrupt the whole process at critical stages and therefore making the finding suspect. These are facts for all to see and common sense dictate that nothing good would ever come out of this whole exercise. One does not have to wait for the draft constitution to know it be anything but rubbish!
ReplyDeleteThe only reasons both CCM -CUF and CHADEMA politicians have taken part in this charade of a constitution writing process is because they were paid generously allowances and travel expenses for taking part.
PRESIDENT KIKWETE has invested a lot of political capital in the new constitution, it will be the one thing the party hopes will have to show for their failed political m arriage to CUF and CCM. CHADEMA has already admitted there has been so much horse-trading with CCMon the new constitution, no doubt the finished product will look more like a wolf when they set out to create a sheep! Otherwise as usual. you are a shining star
mr mashaka, whislt you have good intentions for the country, i highly doubt anything will come out of this.
ReplyDeletekwanza hii idea yako itakopiwa leo hii na mtu atakayepeleka proposal kwa wakubwa wanakula alafu mambo yanaishia hapo. hii ndio bongo
of courze wazo ni zuri sana ila, nakuhakikishia kwamba unajisumbua. subiri mwaka kama hautasikia mtu (mwanamke mrembo/ rafiki/ dungu/mlamba miguu) kapandishwa cheo na kupewa uenyekiti wa diaspora au viti maalum ambaye hajui maana ya diaspora
watu wakiwa huko wolstrit wanajifunzaga kiingereza sana. huyu mashaka tumesoma naye muzumbe alikuwaga kilaza sana
ReplyDeletetanzania haijakomaa kuweza kupiga kura ugahibuni. magamba wachakachuaji balaa. kura zitaibiwa angani. ila wazo la mashaka ni nzuri isipokuwa hao wakimbizi wabakie huko huko
ReplyDeleteveri good idea. ila tatizo litakuja pale kamanda kova atakapoibuka na kesema kwamba hii haitawezekana kwa sababu Al-Shabaab watavuruga uchaguzi
ReplyDeletei mean this is good. mashaka hiongera sana. nimeanza kukukubali. nilidhania wewe ni sharobaro flani tu.hii mada nzuri na mungu akipenda sauti zenu zitatusaidia kupiga kura tusiokuwa na makaratasi huku kwa obama
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Comrade mashaka. get a pat in the back for your maturity, reasoning and scope of current affairs. you are a hero in this land. and your work is touching many lives. thank you for the worderful article. I wouldn't be so exited about expatriates coming back to VOTE. You like to bury your head into the sand. Those who left will never come back for as long as things do not change, which is the reason why they left. I have several friends, some returnees some born in Zanzibar. They tell me that, like Smith, they do not feel very good about Tanzania. You should ask them why. Many of the expatriates are sons and daughters of big shots, like Kikwete..... How many Tanzanians have two passports? a Swiss bank account? Are there more new Tanzanians or are those who leave in greater numbers? Why are the figures a well guarded secret?
ReplyDeletei advice you join the Tundu Lissu group and fight for these things from within. You are brllliant and your brand name will touch the lives of majority poor. good job , well written article
mashaka, As an tanzanian living in tanzania I will not exercise my right to vote at this time because I refuse to be conned anymore. This is not a system that represents the people or their wishes. Vote for a corrupt CCM leader and he will still sign bad contracts. Vote for an opposition leader and he will still accept bribe to vote a bad bill. The whole system is a corrupted, stinking joke. Only it's not funny. Yet again, in spite of their belief to the contrary, tanzanians have shown that they are the biggest freirs in the world because they still vote every election. I refuse. I refuse to lend any credence to this broken system. I call on all Israeli patriots to refuse. If enough of us don't vote it will create a crisis of legitimacy and force the powers to be to design a system that truly represents our interests. Not one that fawns us at election time and then throws us out of the parliament.after the elections. fight for your brothers in diaspora, but the truth will remain that nobody in tanzania government or parliment will understand your concern except a few learned persons in the academia or civil service. our politicians dont read, they are only blah, blah, big mouth fools waiting only to eat. once you give an MP a few thousand dollars, they will sing your name like akudo impact. hii nchi imeoza
ReplyDeleteNyie mashaka worshipers. Nitapingana nanyi kidogo. Watu kama mashaka wanapopewa nafasi wanatuangusha.Kwa mfano
ReplyDelete1. aman Kaborou alipopewa nafasi alinagukia pua
2. Lemutuzz (Ledemuz) naye kaja na mbwembwe matoke o yake kuishia kwenye magazeti ya udaku. kw ahiyo sioni mashaka kuwa na faida yoyote kwenye hii jamii. abakie huko huko wolstriti afanye uchambuzi wa kiuchumi.
Wote wanaomuunga mkono wako ughaibuni.Walionyumbani hawaoni hoja hapo.Hakuna cha maana chochote.Ni ajabu sana kuona mtu anaongea sana basi mwaona ana akili sana hivyop aweza kuendeleza nchi.Huu ni uozo.Tumeona waongeaji na hata wasomi sana walipopewa ndo wamefeli kabisa.
ReplyDeleteInashjangaza sana wenzangu wanapima uongeaje wa mtu na utendaji!!Hujui wengine waongea sana ili wapewa ukubwa halafu waanze kuvurunda.
Wengine mnauraia wa nchi nyingine tayari halafu mnataka kupiga kura,wengine wakimbizi wa somalia halafu mnataka kupiga kura.Sasa mko nje mimi najiuliza ili kura zenu zisaidie nini.Kama tu kusoma na kurudi Tanzania kumewashinda mwaona hakufai,maslahi madogo,hakujaendlea,ila mje kupiga kura tu ndo muhimu.
Wengine mwasema hakuna kazi hata kujaribu kuomba hamjajaribu.Kaeni ulaya tu hamulazimishwi kuja kushare matatizo mliyoyakimbia nasisi.Sisi hatukimbi matatizo hata siku moja halafu tuaksemee ugenini.Mtaponda sana lakini ukweli utabaki palepale.
Narudia Mashaka acha kubabaisha watu,wewe wafikiri watu bora na makini wako nje ya nchi!!!Na usifikiri kuandika sana ndo kutenda sana,waweza kushindwa hata kuongoza kijiji wacha wilaya.Angalia wenzio wanavyokuunga mkono na kuwaponda wakuu wetu wa wilaya kama vile kuna mahali waliwahi kuongoza.Hata u-monitor tu hawajawahi kuupata.
Nchi yoyote hupiga hatua za maendeleo iwapo watu wake wako tayari kuyapokea maendeleo. Ukiwapelekea maendeleo watu wasiokuwa tayari kuyapokea, watakupiga mawe uondoke na maendeleo yako!!! Swali la kujiuliza, kabla hatujachimbachimba umuhimu wa diaspora kupiga kura ni "je watanzania wako tayari kupokea maendeleo?". Ni swali la kichokozi, lakini ni lazima liulizwe kwa sababu maendendeleo hayaji bila ugumu/gharama.
ReplyDeleteGharama kubwa ya Uchaguzi wa Madiaspora hatuiwezi!
ReplyDeleteMkitaka kupiga Kura shusheni Maboksi migongoni mrudi Bongo kuja Kupiga Kura!
Nyie wenzanu hamjajua janja ya hawa diaspora. Wanachotaka ni safari moja ianzishe nyingine yaani wataanza na hili la kupiga kura likifanikiwa tu watakuja na la uwalilishi bungeni na hilo likikaa vizuri watakomalia dual citizenship na mwisho watataka kuja na vikampuni uchwara ili kuhujumu resources zetu. Hawa wameshakuwa watumwa wa Ulaya na mamluki wa wazungu waendelee na maisha yao watuachie Tanzania yetu.
ReplyDeleteWe don't need them afterall watatuchaguaje kiongozi ambaye hawamjui? Sisi ndio tuko na viongozi watarajiwa tunaojua yupi anatufaa na yupi "kimeo".
JOHN MASHAKA HANA TOFAUTI NA TUNDU LISSU. HOJA ZAKE ZIKIKUBALIWA ATATAKA MENGINE. HUYU JAMAA ABAKIE HUKO HUKO WOLSTRIT. HATUMTAKI HAPA TANZANIA ATASUMBUA SANA. WATU WA MARA NDIVYO WALIVYO.
ReplyDeletekwanza wamarekani wakitrain mtu kama mashaka, ambaye amebahatika kufanya kazi kwenye taasisi nyeti kama wolstrit akiamua kurudi hapa anarudi kwa malengo yao. Wamarekani siyo wajinga hata kidogo, ni watu wajanja sana, kw ahiyo namuona mashaka kurudi hapa kuwa kibaraka wa marekani kwa maana naona anavyowaponda wachina wawekezaji
these genius people wanakuwaga na kitu kinaitwa social disorder. si mnaona yule aliuwa watu colorado, naye alikuwa tu jinias. wengi wao wanabakia waalimu vyuo vikuu, hawawezi mambo ya siasa
ReplyDeletewatu wengine wehu kabisa. badala ya kuchangia mada wao wanaona urembo wa cathrine magige na vicy kamata. hovyo kweli. inahusihana vipi na diaspora voting, alafu heti mashaka ndiye mkuu wa UAMSHO??? Are you serious... you need to grow up.
ReplyDeleteUAMSHO na masharubu yote yale na mashaka wapi na wapi. na sidhani hata kama amashaka anajuana na wakina vicky kamata. vichekeso kweli
Jamani mimi ni mjinga msinicheke na nataka kuuondoa huo ujinga na vilevile aulizae ataka kujua, DIASPORA manaake nini?
ReplyDelete