LESSONS FROM BTS MEDIA SEMINAR A WEEK AND A HALF AGO

Ben Taylor's  remarkable well planned screen outline resembled a miniature school lecture that  showed the "who is who " of Tanzanian media...

Twenty eight bodies and minds in one of those upstairs rooms at SOAS...and three main lessons.

First, those who have lived and worked in Tanzania, those who have interacted with the people never forget it. I spoke to someone who could even remember local bamboo beer called ulanzi...he left 40 years ago yet still loves Tanzania, and can blurt out coherent Swahili phrases and sentences.

Secondly, the caring means recent developments in the media bring out concerns, i. e. the  killing of journalist Daudi Mwangosi...how are things these days compared to Nyerere times? What does democracy mean? How is the press managing? Who is benefiting and what is going on?

Thirdly, the need to discuss, follow the news, be concerned and interested. What is going to happen after the 2015 elections?

 Following pics may shade more light  on the evening of Thursday 6th December...organised by Britain Tanzania Society...

Display table with Tanzania Development Trust's...merchandise  propagating images, projects and the beauty of the country.
<--more-->

SEMINAR ON TANZANIAN MEDIA IN LONDON TOMORROW

Britain Tanzania Society -BTs has been running a series of short seminars on various crucial topics since October. Thursday 6th November, a two hour seminar on Tanzanian media is expected to be held in Room 4421 of the School of Oriental and African Studies-SOAS from 5-7pm.

 Anyone can attend and entry is free.

According to BTs, the theme is; “Media and Democracy in Tanzania.”

Main speaker will be Ben Taylor of Daraja which runs newspapers in Njombe and Iringa, south Tanzania. Ben Taylor has been involved in development projects in Tanzania since 1999 and has connections to some of active media personalities for example, Maggid Mjengwa of Kwanza Jamii Blog. Kwanza Jamii has built a name highlighting rural and lives of the poor people outside major towns.

Freddy Macha, writer and columnist will be chairing the seminar which is expected to be attended by many interested in Tanzanian media issues.

 

Last month BTs organised a talk by Tanzanian Transport Minister, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe who addressed the meeting at the Central Hall, Westminster, regarding the ongoing constitutional review. Minister Mwakyembe who had allegedly two attempts on his life has been accredited for renovating the ailing transport system in Tanzania by introducing trains in congested filled  streets of Dar es Salaam.

More info read here...

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