TAZARA to ease tourist route from Southern Tanzania

Built in early 1970s, Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) line is set t promote southern routes in Tanzania where tourists pass through while entering main tourist destination centers in Southern Highland regions of Tanzania. Thos is evident as tourists have expressed their satisfaction with Tanzanian tourist attractions as Rovos Rail from South Africa increases its routes from three to five this year. Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the arrival of a tourist train from South Africa, the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Public Relations Officer, Ms Regina Tarimo, said the increase of routes is evidence that tourists are satisfied with Tanzanian services. “Our railway line is connected to Southern African countries, which is an opportunity for increased revenue as well as tourist attractions. This year, Rovos rail has brought tourists five times in the country compared to three times in the previous years.

This shows how tourists are satisfied with services offered here and tourist attractions which are available,” she said, adding that Tanzanians should cultivate a culture of visiting the country’s tourist attractions. On his part, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) Public Relations Officer, Mr. Geoffrey Tengeneza said the increase of the rail routes is also a clear evidence of a good job being done by the tourist board in publicizing the country’s tourist attractions. In order to promote domestic tourism, Mr. Tengeneza said negotiations are underway between TTB and TAZARA to launch special routes during weekends that will give citizens a chance to visit tourist attractions and national parks where the rail passes. “Our aim is also to make sure we influence as many citizens as possible to boost domestic tourism. Soon dialogue between TTB and TAZARA will start to promote local tourism,” he revealed. According to him, Tanzania, home of Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park, have been great tourist destinations which are witnessed by the increasing number of tourists in recent years. One of the tourists, Ms Annette Steele from London, couldn’t hide her excitement as she sets to visit Zanzibar. “I love Zanzibar, I can’t wait to land on beautiful beaches in Zanzibar,” she said happily when reached for comment.

Tribalism attitude is still a thorn on Africa’s developments

It is rather shameful with what is currently happening in the Republic of Kenya. This is a typical example that proves that tribalism attitudes have become a thorn on the country’s major political movements. Political analysts also say that, “tribalism is responsible for African underdevelopment”. For decades the continent has been engaged in crisis due to misunderstanding among tribes. Some political analysts in Tanzania and abroad have in one way or another linked the ongoing political misunderstandings in Kenya with tribalism. Some politicians in Kenya have been quoted asking ‘wananchi’ to vote for leaders who originate from their tribes or their areas regardless they are incapable to deliver. The story for Kenya goes back to 2007-08 post-election violence that revealed the extent to which tribal forces could quickly bring a country to the brink of civil war. At least 1,100 people were killed and 600,000 others were displaced during the 2007-08 post-election violence. According to the Human Rights Watch, at least 12 people were killed by Police and 100 others injured during demonstration in August, this year, in Western Kenya. Moreover, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said so far 37 people have been killed in the country. According to KNCHR, at least 123 incidents in which Police beat and caused injuries to innocent civilians have been recorded in Nairobi and Kisumu cities in recent months. The challenge to democracy in Africa is not the prevalence of ethnic diversity, but the use of identity politics to promote narrow tribal interests. There are those who argue that tribalism is a result of arbitrary post-colonial boundaries that force different communities to live within artificial borders. Knowing that, Mwalimu Nyerere managed to dismantle tribalism in Tanzania. Speaking to the ‘Daily News on Saturday,’ some political analysts and academicians said Mwalimu Nyerere played a big role in creating the Tanzania of today. They argue that with more than 120 tribes, it would have been difficult for Tanzanians to get a competent and patriotic leader if tribalism was left in the mind of the people. “Tribalism is cancer that kills African democracy, we have many vivid examples that are in trouble because of tribalism, Kenya is one of the countries that are facing the problem,” said University of Dodoma Lecturer, Dr Paul Loisulie. He said Mwalimu Nyerere used the National Service (JKT), boarding schools, Kiswahili language and many other strategies to bring people together. “Through JKT, Mwalimu brought people from various parts of the country, they lived together and shared everything,” he said. According to Dr Loisulie, Mwalimu Nyerere had an idea to unite Africa. He said while some African leaders were applying various strategies to remain in power, Mwalimu Nyerere campaigned for one Africa. “Since some people wanted to remain in power, they even applied tribalism as a means to maintain their power, this has become a big problem to some countries until today,” he said. A political analyst who is also an ad vocate of the High Court, Mr Silvanus Mathias said it is believed that in some countries people vote for leaders from their tribes. “For example, when you go on social media and see how people argue on election matters, you will realise that tribalism is a big problem in some countries including Kenya,” he said. He added that Mwalimu Nyerere was a gifted leader who foresaw all such problems. The continent democracy is no longer the stranglehold of autocrats, but the hijacking of the democratic process by tribal politics. As we mark 18 years since the Founding Father Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was promoted to glory, it is time to reflect on how tribalism was fought and pulled to pieces in Tanzania. Mwalimu Nyerere managed to unite all Tanzanians and ensure they live together. He used Kiswahili language as a tool of communication for uniting all tribes. The founding Father also ensured all Tanzanians live as members of one family by sharing good values. From the foundation that was set by the Father of the Nation, today Tanzania, which has more than 120 tribes is referred as an island of peace in Africa and the World at large. Mwalimu Nyerere also ensured that political leaders are obtained democratically basing on their ability to lead. This has been difficult for many other African countries, where tribalism has been the main factor in electing leaders.

TSN launches its new Board members

The Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe yesterday asked members of Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Limited (TSN) Board of Directors to work hard and ensure the company excels beyond Tanzania borders. The Minister was speaking during an official launch of the new board of directors at the company’s headquarters situated at Tazara along Nelson Mandela Expressway in Dar es Salaam. Last week, President John Magufuli appointed former Public Service Management Permanent Secretary (PS), Hab Mkwizu as the TSN Board of Directors Chairman. Besides that development, Dr Mwakyembe appointed seven members to form TSN Board of Directors. They include Titus Kaguo (EWURA), Teddy Njau (Ministry of Lands), Erasmus Uisso (Judiciary), Dr Lugazia Julius Mutabuzi (TPA) and Melchizedec Hango (TRA). Others in the list are Dr Hassan Abbasi who is the Director of Information Services and Government Spokesperson and TSN Managing Editor, Dr Jim Yonazi. TSN publishes the ‘Daily News,’ ‘Sunday News,’ ‘HabariLeo,’ ‘HabariLeo Jumapili’ and ‘SpotiLeo’ newspapers. Dr Mwakyembe said the appointment of the chairman and all other members is a clear evidence that the government is confident in them and that their contribution is expected to move the company forward. “You have been appointed because the government believes in you; we expect this team to record an excellent performance,” said Dr Mwakyembe. The Minister expressed his appreciation to the TSN management saying they have shown good performance in leading the company. “As we launch this new board, I would like to recognise the efforts that have been demonstrated by TSN Managing Editor, Dr Yonazi and his team, they are doing a great job,” said the Minister. He added that TSN’s products are now available not only in Tanzania, but also in neighbouring countries. 

The Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe (Standing in the middle front row)  in a group photo with newly TSN Board members he had just launched in Dar es Salaam on Friday this week.

He said the company is now excelling in various areas including creating selling ideas and coordinating events such as business forums that open business and investment opportunities in various regions across the country. “Today we are talking about a new TSN, a State owned organisation that is committed and prepared to face all sorts of challenges in the market; it a company that competes for businesses and we are all proud of that,” said the Minister. He added, “I would like to assure the new board that the Ministry’s doors are always open for everybody, let’s cooperate to maintain good performance for TSN.” Earlier, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Prof Elisante Ole Gabriel said the appointment of the members of the board of directors followed various criteria as set by the registrar of the public organizations. He said the new board comprises members from different backgrounds, basically to enable it offer profession ad vice. He said the board is made up of a lawyer, economist, an expert on human resources, journalists and an accountant. The new TSN Board of Directors Chairman, Mr Mkwizu assured the Minister that his team will perform its duties basing on professionalism, transparency and patriotism. “This is the State owned newspaper company, in performing our duties, we need to adhere to the established procedures,” he said. He added that the board recognises all media stakeholders and that it will always consider them as strong pillars in moving the company forward. Giving a brief presentation on the company’s performance, the TSN Managing Editor, Dr Yonazi said: “We have positioned ourselves as a media service company,” He said the company’s dream is to export knowledge and information. According to Dr Yonazi, the company’s performance stands on speed, technology, innovation and responsiveness (STIR). The outgoing TSN Board of Director Chairman, Prof Moses Warioba said he is confident in the new board and that he expects to see TSN recording excellent performance in future. “I will always be available to share my experience and give advice to the new board when necessary,” he said.

Tanzania undertake precautions against nuclear threat

As two big nations of USA and South Korea threatens themselves over the use of nuclear bombs, smaller nations have started to take precautions in order to safeguard themselves against any possible attack. Nuclear terrorism brought about by illegal use of radiological dispersive devices is now becoming a phenomenon of worldwide concern, in respect of which Tanzania, through the Tanzania Atomic Commission, is already taking serious precautions. We are aware that the threat to public safety and security posed by some form of nuclear terrorism through the possible use of radiological dispersive devices (RDDs) is not fiction and has now become a global cause of anxiety,” stated Dr Firmi Banzi, the acting Director General for the Arusha based Tanzania Atomic Commission (TAEC). Dr Banzi was addressing delegates during the one of the sessions of the just held ‘International Response Force Training,’ which was organized by the Government through TAEC, in collaboration with the United States’ Department for Energy (USDOE). 

The training was attended by 35 representatives from various, medical, research and security organs, including the Police, the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) of Dar es salaam, Bugando Medical Center from Mwanza, Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Research Institute (TTRI) of Tanga as well as regulators from TAEC. The TAEC Acting Director General pointed out that “In Tanzania, we have experienced incidents of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials, whereby unauthorized people attempted to possess radioactive sources to make quick money by selling them to other persons who are similarly not authorized to handle such supplies,” he said. According to Dr Banzi, since the radioactive materials could be used for various applications, some being deadly, they could easily become sources for nuclear terrorism; “and because of these, all unprotected radiation sources worldwide are being recognized as potential threats for everyone,” he added. In broader and legal terms, ‘nuclear terrorism’ was described at the training as being an offence committed when a person unlawfully and intentionally “uses in any way radioactive material, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to another person.

RAHCO promises more jobs for Tanzania youths

As people whose structures were demolished to pave the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) along the central railway line are still painful about the matter, the construction of the standard gauge has directly employed 800 people. More jobs are unfolding as the project proceeds. Reli Assets Holding Company (RAHCO) acting Managing Director Masanja Kadogosa has said. “More jobs will be created as the project continues... as for now, we have already employed 808 people,” he said, advising job seekers at the project to remain patient as more job opportunities open up. Mr Kadogosa made surprise visits to SGR construction sites to check the work progress. He assured that the project would require more workers with different skills to perform various tasks, citing civil works, which constitute 60 per cent of the entire project, electrification and signal engineering. “Currently, the major works are civil, including designing, building culverts and bridges,” he said, adding that all the stages require people of different skills. Upon completion, the mega project will have created over 600,000 jobs. Mr Kadogosa visited the sites as per directives by Works, Transport and Communication Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa to RAHCO to ensure the SGR project is executed at much faster pace. “The minister visited the construction sites last month and among other directives, demanded speedy construction of the project,” he said. Following the directives, the project contractors are now working 24 hours. Mr Kadogosa said that the contractor had opened more working sites, with more sites still coming up to speed up the work. He directed the project contractor to take stern disciplinary measures, including dismissal, against irresponsible and dishonesty workers. The company has also expressed its readiness to complete the country’s pioneering second phase SGR stretch from Morogoro to Makutupora in Dodoma on time. Speaking in Dar es Salaam recently, the company’s Vice- President, Mr Erdem Arioglu, said construction of the 400-kilometre stretch will revolutionise Tanzania’s transport sector. The third phase project will start from Makutupora to Tabora, with the fourth phase covering the Tabora-Mwanza stretch. Professor Mbarawa was recently quoted as saying completion of all four phases will among others reduce freight charges and stimulate economic growth. “Transporters will have the choice to either use the railway or road transport,” he said, noting that the government is committed to create conducive ground for doing business.