NEW OFFICE BEARERS ELECTED FOR S.I.D TANZANIA

The Society for International Development (SID) Tanzania Chapter on Saturday 18th June 2011 elected new office bearers for its chapter.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, pic coursey, Issa Michuzi

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo has been appointed chapter’s President while Richard Kasesela will serve as Vice-President. June Warioba becomes the chapter’s Secretary General, Muhidin Issa Michuzi, Programs Officer and Yasmin Said Chali is Treasurer.

Blogger Issa Michuzi

The following were elected members of the Executive Council: Ally Masoud (Kipanya), John Ulanga, Fatma Alloo, Salma Moulid and Chambi Chachage.
SID Tanzania is one of chapters of SID International and acts as an independent platform organisation, bringing together policy makers, academics, NGOs, the private sector, journalists and others to drive forward the development debate in Tanzania, and subsequently influencing the policy discussion.
Ambassador Juma Mwapachu, Vice President of SID’s Global Governing Council, said: "We are thrilled to have such thoughtful and knowledgeable members to lead SID Tanzania during this challenging period."
“We need to provide a forum for individuals and institutions that are seeking long-term solutions to issues such as good governance, food security and agriculture and gender in development to name a few” he added.

Tanzania and developing countries need better infrastructure...
(Pic courtsey Full Shangwe blog)

On his appointment, the in-coming President thanked members for the honor to serve SID Tanzania. “More than ever, we need the kind of forum that SID provides for enhanced collaboration, informed debate, and a steady focus on learning and innovation. I look forward to working in these areas with other members.”
“My colleagues and I are committed to broadening the dialogue on crucial development issues and promoting effective economic growth for our people” said Kombo.

An advert in London's underground station to attract tourists in Kenya. Jambo means hello in Swahili...Jambo means business too. Pic by F Macha

Mr. Kombo succeeds His Lordship Chief Justice, Mohammed Chande Othman.
Founded in 1957, SID is an international association of individuals and organizations concerned with sustainable economic, social and political development. SID has over 3,000 individual and institutional members in 125 countries and over 65 local chapters worldwide, including in Tanzania.

The SID meeting in progress

For more information on SID Tanzania, contact:
June Warioba,
Tel: 0782/0655 004436
Email: sidtanzania@gmail.com
sidtanzania@yahoo.com

RECALLING -MUSICIAN GIL SCOTT HERON, London 1999

Jazz Café, Camden Town, North West London, has been his favoured concert venue for a couple of years now.
We have been told the gig shall start 9 p.m. but 25 minutes are gone. To make things worse it is a “standing” gig. Half way through the concert some people (especially ladies)massage their lower backs. If you want to sit, you have to book a table upstairs “and eat” says the regulations. Many of us have come to see a great musician, not dine.

photo credits : Amita M.

Nobody announces him.
There is no hint, either. The funk music from more than four JBL speakers is still on. Sometimes James Brown; sometimes Chaka Khan…we are in African American territory here.
A man with a cotton hat slides quietly down the stairs- there are ropes – barriers sort of…so he steps under like someone doing something forbidden. The “I don’t care vibe” is here- it will colour the gig from start to end.
Gil Scott Heron sits behind his “Rhodes” keyboards and is talking intimately to us, as though each of us is a pal in his living room...
Tall, lanky,free spirit, his hair has shades of grey ( 50 this year);the teeth seem cracked in some places; tennis shoes, a black jacket. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years ; physically he has aged, but the vigour, intellect and wit has gotten fresher and better.
We are more than 200, mostly whites, trickles of blacks here and there-an Indian woman (tells me she is from Delhi), a Greek who says he lives in New Zealand; but Caucasians dominate this eager audience. Most of us are drinking and listening…
“Good evening…”
His voice booms, a bass; very familiar to those acquainted with his records.
I have been listening to Gil Scott Heron since 1982. That first time an African American expatriate (and former Black Panther member) had introduced me to his work in Arusha, north Tanzania. I especially loved “Grandma Hands” and “Inner City Blues” both also recorded by Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye. I met him after his concert in Bonn, Germany back in 1987. We had a chat and I published an interview in the "African Interpreter" in Cologne months later. (You should read the 1987 interview soon. Check this space)….
Gil Scott Heron’s work has always inspired me as an artist because I can relate to him hundred percent. I am not talking of his personal life style here.
He is an accomplished writer and skilled musician. The struggle of my life has been to try and reach a balance between good music and good writing: verse and melody; rhythm and meaning; entertainment and subject matter and Gil Scott Heron is one of a few artists I know who is able to balance great art form and intelligent conscious content. No wonder, he is regarded as the father of rap and hip hop.
No art for art's sake.
INSPIRATIONAL.
Brings to mind other similarly inclined artists.
Brazilians Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso or Jamaica's Bob Marley.
Can you name more?
2
So?
Jazz Café, London, April 1999.
Gil Scott Heron is talking about the end of the 20th Century.
“This is the decade of allergies” (his own brand is “blues allergies”) meaning the feel. It is he adds , “your last chance to feel it. Next century will be information. Everything will be about information…”
Music is oozing through his fingers as he plays the "Rhodes" keys while talking and soon is joined by flute and piano player ( Brian Jackson) thru one of his best numbers :"Pieces of a Man." (“The secret is I don’t play piano…” is he joking?) But he is playing. So what is this supposed to mean? Humility? Modesty?
“I saw the thunder and heard the lighting
And felt the burden of his shame..."

More musicians join in.
We hear “Peace” ( T-shirts are on sale with the tour’s mantra: “Everybody got a job to do, lets work for peace.”)
THE ONLY REASON WE CANNOT HAVE PEACE; IS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT MAKE MONEY WITH PEACE…
WAR MEANS MONEY.
What a line. What a line. Reminds of John Pilger’s take on war... as a dirty money business.
Follows other great tunes. “Winter in America” an amazing jazz-bluesy metaphorical song :
“Its winter in America, and all the healers done be killed or put in jail.”
Somewhere along the way the microphone does him tricks.
His clumsiness, he says is “I just cant handle these things.” One member of the audience helps.
“There are kind guys and kind ladies here. Thanks for your help.”
You might think he is strolling down a confessional road but later after the break he makes a serious comment about the drinks offered by the venue.
“We have been given lots of orange juice. They gave us this juice in a box. A square thing. And they got…so fucking stupid. In a stupid box. All natural. This should be all orange. No Preservatives. Valid June the first. If there are no preservatives it should be valid until today or now…”
3
After the break the performance is terrific. There is melodic backing vocals from rest of band. The pendulum of strong words and great music is swinging; such decorous balance means more instrumentation. Like when Gil Scott Heron gets off stage to let, Larry MacDonalds the percussionist play expertly and long.
Backstage he keeps praising the band using WE instead of I.
“It is because they are such good musicians.” He explains, modestly.
The fans explain the mood better.
Inga Clark, from the Caribbean celebrating her 25th birthday:
“I knew television won’t be televised. I like jazz but never seen him live. I wanted to come here with my friends to see something mellow and educational. I would like to see him again. He is very natural and spontaneous.”
Inga’s friend, Deepa Moodgal (also 25)is a teacher for ex-offenders:
“Show was inspirational. Spiritual. I have heard his records, but first time I have seen him live. I cannot specify which song I liked best – he speaks to everyone and everything.”
Two guys.
Film editor, Alistair Waterson (27):
“My expectations were all surpassed. My favourite is Winter in America…although I like all his music....”
Damon Mangos (27)of New Zealand, graphic designer:
“He is just amazing. Brilliant. He takes personal appreciation of things and gives a general comment like peace.”
4
Backstage.
Other musicians chill out with women and fans. Don Mcgriggs, (bass player) admits he is Gil’s anchor man.
“ I am close to him musically. We play well together, all kinds of music.”
Gil Scott Heron takes my hand after remembering the article I did back in 1987. We go into a quieter room, where two characters join us.
The first, a cab driver, says he knows the musician for 19 years now; they are the same age.
“Gil is a survivor. He has done almost 20 albums, but you cannot find them. He is a legend.”
The other man agrees immediately.
“But he is not that known. Which is good because it has not spoiled his image. If he had got too famous, he would be something different. He keeps the intimacy.”
Is Gil Scott Heron worried about his safety?
“Well not. I am more worried of friends and family who associate themselves with me.”
Is he watched? Like …a terrorist would?
“Of course. But I would rather do what I do – take a position of responsibility than stand on a corner. I would rather do something.”
Yes, this is a A man who has really lived.

FROM THE BOILING PAN INTO THE FIRE...

This month (of June) the respected broadcaster and writer Darcus Howe, impressed me with a short piece regarding teenage murders in his London’s The Voice, column (“Vex in the City”).
Giving an example of his recent holiday in the Caribbean he broadens the subject by citing youth killings in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica. As he returns to the UK headlines scream the same chilling problem(29 murderers so far in 6 months). YOUTH MURDERS ARE A GLOBAL PROBLEM, he reminds us.
“The Caribbean, Latin America and Africa have produced a mass of young men who have taken to killing each other like ducks to water…They are casualties of an increasingly globalised world that offers them nothing but a disconnection from values of the generation that preceded them.”
In other words values that we of past generations learnt (and still, luckily upheld) are out of reach with this feuding, green generation. Of course throughout history young men have had fights. But this is different. Children are scared. Parents are worried...in the old days there was honour, kids used fists; you defeat me, i accept; today it is about cemeteries. No winners.
Bad vibes. Full stop.

But what are the values that Darcus Howe is talking about?
Humility, respect, good manners; which youngsters learn via respective parents, religion, school and community education.
Today the young see (and have) more possibilities, opportunities and information yet lack stability (broken families); broken politics and role models some who are themselves, broken celebrities. Celebrities with ragged egos, drug addict entertainers, arrogant entertainers some so stupid that they happily pass their rubbish to these eager hero worshipping youngsters.
Remember the young fella with a hood, hanging pants and a sulk playing his loud music on his mobile phone in the bus which irritates you but you (impontently) cannot do anything? Not because you are scared of him (a baby) but of the law, the consequences of, lack of citizen's power, common sense...
One such "hanging pants" confessed to me. When he listens to rap music it (sometimes) makes him feel like ripping someone’s head off. In other words: Inspired Aggression. Negative Energy. Some of today's Pop Music has become substitute to that essential basic education. For good manners, good behaviour, etiquette, respect.
And hence.
You stare at me, I stab you.
You give me bad looks, I stab you and END your life.
You step on my foot, I KILL you.
That is one story.

The other is Aserma Dawitt.
A promising 15 year old school girl from Eritrea, in East Africa, killed in London beginning of June. Arsema was living with her mother and two siblings, having fled the fires of war in her homeland to find solace, peace, education and a possible future in Europe, but met her death in a lift of her flat(pictured above). Arsema was a remarkable student who went to church, devotedly. Ironically, it was in the same church that she met her 21 year old, killer who became obsessed with her.
The mother of the deceased criticised the police for not protecting her victim after informing them of the threats.
There are thousands stories to tell.
Loads.

Indifference to Ongoing Women World Cup In Beijing…

Another appropriate word is nonchalant.
As though it is not happening.
I always overhear women saying “I hate football”, “It is a men’s game!” or “I can’t stand those bands of blokes singing ugly songs, drinking beer, shouting and fighting.”
Fair enough. Football (soccer, in the USA), can be rough and recently some dreadful skirmishes were recorded at London’s King’s Cross station where 150 violent fans from the Arsenal –Tottenham match (the previous weekend) left a 38 year old man hospitalised. Daniel King, sports columnist with Mail on Sunday wrote “sorry to mention it but violence is back” in football. Such stories of course will continue to put women who dislike Pele’s beautiful game, off it.
This is, nevertheless, for me, the exception rather than the rule.

I have been to many football matches in various parts of the world (including Latin America and Europe) where soccer attendance consisted of many happy chanting families and children. It can be a special outing where you can really express yourself verbally. It is also a national cultural event whereby identity is the motive.
On Wednesday (tomorrow) the ongoing women’s world cup in Beijing China enters it’s semi-finals. I have been watching some of the matches and they have been excellent, magical. The standard of playing has been amazing, especially if you observe top class players from Norway, Germany, USA, Brazil and England. The model of playing contrary to those who think this is girlie football ( and I was one of them too) is as good as any man’s game. You cannot deny that Brazil’s mesmerising players Marta and Formiga and England’s Kelly Smith and captain Faye White are great entertainers and fantastic dribblers. The only thing that I found appalling was goalkeeping. So many goals conceded proved it to be the weakest link. Think of the Eleven goals netted against the Argentinean side by Germany during the early matches. Or Ghana being trounced by Australia, New Zealand by Brazil. Many goals, some of them pathetic at the keeper’s kitchen.
But that can be rectified as years go on. Otherwise, I thought the level of the game ( and I was watching one match with a lady who likes football, who agreed too) is really blossoming and the technique of goal control, team work, short and long passes, finishing touches, the goals; absolutely thrilling. Superb.
But what beats me, and this is the intention of this blog entry, is this. Why aren’t women bothered by the World Cup contest? Many times I have been puzzled by the lukewarm response, the surprise when I mentioned it.
“Did you see Marta last night?”
Who is Marta?
They don’t know Brazil’s top goal scorer (female FIFA's world best player)who has been dubbed Pele In A Skirt, or England’s Kelly Smith, the female Zinedine Zidane.
“You heard how Germany trounced Argentina eleven goals?”
What, where, which, when?
“You don’t know there is a Women’s World Cup going on in China?”
Shrug. Sigh. Pout. I don’t like football.
And then there is the media. Female columnists are not even mentioning the games. They are not commenting on the wonderful expertise and skills and beauty of their fellow female sports-ladies; they are not reacting. And the mainstream media itself is merely giving very little tiny brief reports of the matches. I am shocked by the lack of pictures, the absence of headlines. BBC television shows highlights of some of these matches in the dead of the night, usually midnight. Which is understandable because of the time zone difference ….(It was the same with the African Winners Cup in 2006)…However, if someone likes something they can video tape and watch it the next day.
Beats me.
And Then.
Why call football (soccer) a man’s game? Why football in particular? Why are all other sports (not excluding violent boxing), athletics, tennis and so on equally shared? What is the problem here? Yes. Many governments and countries have not put much in female soccer but that shouldn’t be the excuse if there are female football geniuses and stars and the games are entertaining and as good as any other championship ones. Kelly Smith herself said in an interview that when she was younger she used to be discouraged from playing by both females and males. Perhaps that is part of the answer.
And.
When we hear equal rights and emancipation what does it mean exactly?

Why Blogging Is Important to Us All...

WE want to shine "light on places and people other media always ignore.."
What a quote.
It comes from a non profit organisation called Global Voices and you know what? I met it's co-editor last Friday afternoon.

The lunch was fantastic. The talk was great. The ocassion... beautiful. So many adjectives.... because it was about blogging and writing.
After a one hour chat, it was camera time. Yes the visitor to London was none other than GV co-Editor, Solana Larsen, third left. To share the moment was Paula Góes, Brazilian blogger / GV Portuguese translator (second left) and Saidi Yakubu, BBC-Swahili London broadcaster and blogger from Tanzania, first right. Recognise the guy with red pants and a grin?
Global Voices is based in the legendary Harvard Law School at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, USA.

Saidi, shares food and talk with Paula and Solana. All three run some active blogs and are keen to make Global Voices' crucial, monumental work succeed.