JF Search: Where is Godfrey Mwakikagile?

[Shwari]

http://www.cmlt.uga.edu/PDFs/RUHUMBIKA%20-%20CV%202006.pdf

Nadhani namkumbuka huyu Dr. Ruhumbika. Niliwahi kumsikia miaka mingi iliyopita, in the seventies, kwamba alikuwa ni mmoja wa Watanzania wa kwanza kuandika vitabu, long, long before Mwakikagile came on the scene.

In fact, I believe he's far more known in Tanzania than Mwakikagile is, especially in academic circles. Lakini hata hivyo, Watanzania wangapi wamewahi kumsikia?

Kuna mwingine, Dr. Peter Palangyo, ambaye namkumbuka nilipokuwa Tambaza High School. Alikuja darasani kwetu mwaka wa 1969 nilipokuwa Form V na yeye alipokuwa PhD student in USA studying literature. Nakumbuka pia kwamba Mwakikagile ni mmoja wa wanafunzi katika darasa letu aliyemuuliza maswali kwa sababu alikuwa na hamu sana ya kuwa mwandishi. Aliletwa darasani na headmaster wetu Bori Lilla ambaye sasa ni marehemu. Dr. Palangyo pia ni marehemu.

Wangapi nchini Tanzania wamemsikia Dr. Palangyo? I think he wrote a novel way back then.

Kuna waandishi wengi ambao ni Watanzania. Na ni kweli wengi wao wako nchi za nje. Kwahiyo, ingawa mjadala huu ulianza kuhusu Godfrey Mwakikagile, tukumbuke kwamba kuna wananchi wenzetu wengi ambao wameandika vitabu vingi na kabla ya Mwakikagile kuanza kuandika.

Ni muhimu tuwakumbuike pia. Pia ni muhimu tujue wako wapi na wanafanya nini. Lakini pia inatubidi tuelewe kwa nini hawaishi na hawafanyi kazi nchini Tanzania.

Mwalimu Nyerere alisema Tanzania itajengwa na wenye moyo. Lakini haimanishi wenye moyo ni wale tu wanaoishi nchini Tanzania. Pia haimanishi kwamba wanaoishi nchi za nje hawawezi kulitumikia taifa lao kwa njia mbali mbali hata wakiendelea kuishi ng'ambo.

I hope others will post more details about other Tanzanians abroad on what they have done and on what they continue to do in their fields, as Julius has done here about Dr. Ruhumbika.

 

[Shwari]

Nadhani tumemzungumzia Godfrey Mwakikagile vya kutosha ingawa ni uamuzi wa kila mwana Jamii Forum akitaka kuendelea au kutoendelea kumjadili mwananchi mwenzetu huyo.

Kama nilivyosema, kuna Watanzania wengine walioandika vitabu ambao hawajulikani kwa Watanzania wengi na ambao inatubidi tuwafahamu pia. Nchi yetu haina mwandishi mmoja tu, aliyezungumziwa hapa, kwa muda mrefu. I don't even know how Godfrey Mwakikagile himself is going to think about all this if he gets the chance to see it, knowing the type of person he is, always humble and self-effacing.

Wangapi wamewahi kumsikia Professor Lawrence Mbogoni? Ni chairman of African, African-American and Caribbean Studies, William Patterson University, New Jersey, USA, na amefundisha huko kwa miaka mingi.

Kuna kitabu chake kilichochapishwa na Mkuki na Nyota, Dar es Salaam, kampuni ya uchapishaji wa vitabu ambayo imeongozwa na Walter Bgoya kwa miaka mingi. Kitabu hicho kinaitwa "The Cross Versus the Crescent: Religion And Politics in Tanzania from the 1880s to the 1990s" which is described on amazon.com in the following terms:

"'A Tanzanian Muslim Dr. Hamza Njozi suggested in his book, 'Mwembechai Killings,' that the killings were 'a culmination of a long historical conspiracy between the Church and the Government: a twin alliance whose objective has always been to marginalize and oppress Muslims.'

The author of this timely book explains the rationale behind 'The Cross versus the Crescent.' 'It was partly because I was dissatisfied with Dr. Ngozi's limited historical context of the crisis that I embarked on my own research. In doing so I was guided by the hope that a broader historical context might help a better understanding of current relations between the two faiths in Tanzania.'

Ameandika zaidi ya kitabu hicho.

Mtanzania mwingine ni Professor Richard Mshomba anayefundisha economics, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Wangapi tumemsikia pamoja na vitabu alivyoandika? Ukitaka kujua zaidi, kuhusu Professor Richard Mshomba, soma yafwatayo:

"RICHARD ELIAS MSHOMBA
Department of Economics
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141 USA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Professor of Economics, La Salle University, 8/2003 -- present
Associate Professor of Economics, La Salle University, 9/96 – 8/2003
Assistant Professor of Economics, La Salle University, 9/91 - 8/96
Team-taught with Professor Harvey Glickman, "Political Economy of Africa"
course, Haverford College, Pennsylvania, Fall 1999 and Spring 1995
Assistant Instructor, Master of Science in Policy Economics Program,
University of Illinois; Macroeconomics and International Trade (Master's
level courses), 8/89 - 5/91
Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois; Principles of Economics, 8/87 –
5/89
Instructor, University of Delaware; Principles of Economics and International
Economics, Summers of 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990
Teaching Assistant, University of Delaware; Principles of Economics, 9/86 –
5/87
Tutor, Academic Discovery Program, La Salle University, 9/83 - 5/85
Planning Assistant/Transport Manager, Arusha Municipal Council, Tanzania,
10/75 - 8/82
Agricultural Field Assistant, Arusha, Tanzania, 8/73 - 10/75

TEACHING ENRICHMENT:

"The Case Method of Instruction," 1993/94 Pew Faculty Fellowship in
International Affairs, Harvard University (one of 24 Fellows selected from
North America)
"Facing Up to Modernity," sponsored by NEH for 12 selected La Salle
faculty, Spring 1992, La Salle University

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992
M.A., Economics, University of Delaware, 1987
B.A., Economics and Philosophy, La Salle University, Philadelphia, 1985
Certificate in General Agriculture (A Two-Year Program in General
Agriculture), Ukiriguru Institute, Tanzania, 1973

PH.D. FIELDS:

International Economics and Development Economics

BOOKS:

"Africa and the World Trade Organization," (due out in 2009, Cambridge
University Press)
"Africa in the Global Economy," 2000, Lynne Rienner Publishers. (A Choice
Magazine Outstanding Academic Book)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS:

"Globalization and African Development," in Emmanuel Nnadozie (editor),
African Economic Development, Academic Press, 2003.
“Openness and Economic Performance of Developing Countries,” in John
Baffoe-Bonnie and Mohammed Khayum (editors), Contemporary Economic
Issues in Developing Countries, Greenwood-Praeger, 2003.
2
“How Northern Subsidies Hurt Africa,” op-ed piece in Africa Recovery,
United Nations Department of Public Information, Volume 16, No. 2-3,
September 2002. Excerpts of the article appeared in the front page of The
Financial Times (East Africa Edition) on October 31, 2002.
Regular contributor, op-ed pieces, The Arusha Times, a leading regional
newspaper in Tanzania, January 2001 to present. (See Appendix I.)
"African Responsibility for Economic Problems," vol. 25, Issue 1, 1997, in
Issue, A Journal of Opinion, The African Studies Association.
Feature interview in The Arusha Times, a leading regional newspaper in
Tanzania, on the economic situation in Tanzania, September 1-15, 1996.
"Western Progress and African Poverty: Cause and Effect?," Comboni
Missions, Summer 1995, pp. 3-4, Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Africa Blames the West Over Economic Woes," two parts -- Daily News,
Tanzania's leading national English-language newspaper, Dar-es-Salaam,
Tanzania, February 27 and February 28, 1995.
Feature interview in Mzalendo, Tanzania's leading Sunday newspaper, on
aspects of the economic transformation in Tanzania, August 14, 1994.
"The Uncertainty of the International Coffee Agreement," Pew Case Studies
in International Affairs, Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown
University, 1994.
"The Magnitude of Coffee Arabica Smuggled From Northern Tanzania Into
Kenya," Eastern Africa Economic Review, Vol. 9 (1), June 1993, pp. 165-75.
"Price Elasticity of Supply of Tanzania's Major Export Crops," Eastern
Africa Economic Review, vol. 5 (1), June 1989, pp. 9-23.
"Is It Really Possible To Rank Countries By Their Magnitude Of Suffering?",
Africa News, Vol. 36 (6), July 20 - August 2, 1992.

OTHER RESEARCH:

“The Economics of Parallel Markets for Foreign Exchange and Illegal
Trade: Focus on Tanzania," Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of
Illinois, 1991.
"A Macroeconomic Model of the Agricultural and External Sectors of the
Tanzanian Economy," Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of Delaware,
1987.

BROADCAST COMMENTARY:

Frequent Guest analyst on Voice of America (radio broadcast) concerning various issues. The eight-minute analyses, in Swahili, were
broadcast in East and Central Africa on the indicated dates:
“Potential impact of the comments by Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Senator
Obama’s former pastor) on Democratic Party Presidential lections.”
April 30, 2008.
“Comments of Presidential Primary Elections in Pennsylvania.” April
3
22, 2008
“Comments of Presidential Primary Elections in Pennsylvania.” April
23, 2008
“Evaluating the withdrawal of Rwanda from the Economic
Community of Central African States and joining the East African
Community” (this interview was in English), May 17, 2007
“Evaluating African countries’ perspective of Paul Wolfowitz, the
President of the World Bank,” May 15, 2007.
Evaluation of President Bush’s State of the Union address (January
23, 2007) with respect to HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, January 24
2007.
“G8 Summit in Scotland and Campaign for Aid to Africa,” – With the
Minister of Finance of Kenya – (30 minutes) July 7, 2005
“A general discussion of the major events of 2004 in the United
States,” (30 minutes) December 27, 2004.
“Evaluation of the October 8, 2004, Presidential debate between
President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry,” October 11,
2004.
“Evaluation of the October 5, 2004, Vice Presidential debate between
Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John Edwards,” October 6,
2004.
“Evaluation of the October 8, 2004, Presidential debate between
President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry,” October 11,
2004.
“The prospects of commercial farming in Africa,” April 13, 2004.
“The potential impact of the African Agricultural Technology
Foundation,” April 22, 2003.
“The impact of agricultural subsidies in developed countries on
Africa,” November 5, 2002.
“The sharp drop in stock prices in New York on August 31, 1998 and
its potential impact on the economy of East Africa,” September 1,
1998.
“The potential impact on the Tanzanian economy of the value added
tax instituted in Tanzania on July 1, 1998,” July 1, 1998.
“The impact on African economies of the GATT resolutions reached
on December 15, 1993,” December 16, 1993.
4
Guest analyst on University of Toronto Community Radio regarding aid from
the G8 countries to Africa. The 40-minute program was broadcast live on
July 15, 2005.
Guest analyst on RadioIslam (Chicago) on G8 Summit and Povery in Africa.
The one-hour program was broadcast live on July 6, 2005.
Guest on “Insight,” a half-hour program on Channel 56 (La Salle
University’s cable channel), February 22, 2005.
Guest analyst on the Irish Public Radio (Radio Telefis Eireann) regarding
President Bush’s trip to Africa. The four-minute interview was broadcast in
Ireland on July 8, 2003.
Guest analyst on Radio Times, a one-hour radio program on WHYY
(National Public Radio), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
“Economic challenges and opportunities in Africa,” May 2, 2000.
“President Clinton's visit to Africa and the U.S. trade bill, the African
Growth and Opportunity Act,” April 1, 1998.
Guest on Pacifica (a public radio station) concerning the economic and
political situation in Tanzania following the bombing of the U.S. embassies
in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam on August 7, 1998. The 15-minute discussion
was broadcast live in several states in the U.S. on August 11, 1998.

PRESENTATIONS:

Numerous presentations for community groups, youth groups, and
elementary and high schools on various topics. (See Appendix II.)
“The Politics of Economic Reform in Africa and the World Trade
Organization,” University of Pennsylvania, November 5, 2004
“Is Africa Being Tripped by the TRIPs Agreement?” University of
Pennsylvania, October 3, 2003; African Studies Association Annual Meeting,
Boston, Massachusetts, November 1, 2003; and Allied Social Sciences
Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, January 4, 2004.
“Africa in the Global Economy,” University of Delaware, March 11, 2003.
“Trade Regulation and Development in Africa,” Center for Development
Research, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 29-30, 2002.
“Investing in Africa: Creating a Conducive Environment,” University of
Pennsylvania, April 26, 2002.
“Openness and Economic Performance of Sub-Saharan African Countries,”
November 2001 Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association,
Houston, Texas.
“Africa in the Global Economy,” U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY,
April 17, 2001.
5
“Nigeria and the Global Economy,” World Affairs Council of Philadelphia,
April 3, 2001.
“African Economies Face the 21st Century,” Philadelphia University,
Pennsylvania, February 27, 2001.
“Can Africa Export Manufacturing Goods?,” Swarthmore College,
Pennsylvania, November 21, 2000.
"Africa in the Global Economy: Is Trade the Answer," University of
Pennsylvania, December 8, 2000; Haverford College, Pennsylvania, October
28, 1999, and La Salle University, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1999.
"Globalization and African Development,” November 2000 Annual Meeting
of the African Studies Association, Nashville, Tennessee.
"Africa in the Global Economy," University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign,
April 20 and 21, 2000.
One of three presenters on "Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges in a Changing
World," Community College of Philadelphia, April 6, 2000.
Conducted a one-day seminar on Economic Development in Sub-Saharan
Africa for 15 faculty members at Community College of Philadelphia, May
11, 1998.
"The Global Economy," presented at the Staff and Command College,
Arusha, Tanzania, July 19, 1996.
"Is GATT Good for Africa?," November 1995 Annual Meeting of the
African Studies Association, Orlando, Florida. Also presented at Haverford
College, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1995.
"Strategies for Trade and Development in Africa," Swarthmore College,
Pennsylvania, March 16, 1994 and La Salle University, November 3, 1994.
"An Overview of the Economic History of Sub-Saharan Africa: Focus on
Agriculture," La Salle University, February 17, 1994. This presentation was
broadcast on channel 56, Philadelphia.
"Economic Welfare Effects of Reducing Trade Taxes in an Economy With
Illegal Trade and a Parallel Market in Foreign Exchange: Focus on
Tanzania," included in the collection of papers "Presented at the 1992 Annual
Meeting of the African Studies Association, Seattle WA," ASA, Emory
University, Atlanta, Georgia. Also presented at the 1993 Annual Conference
of the Mid-West Economics Association.
"The Smuggling of Coffee: The Case of Tanzania and Kenya" (with
Lawrence Donnelley), November 1987 Annual Meeting of the African
Studies Association, Denver, Colorado.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Moderator, Panel on “Trade – Can Trade Blocs Lead to the Emergence of Competitive African Economies in Finished Goods Manufacturing?”
Wharton Africa Business Forum, November 10, 2007
Discussant of a paper by J. David Richardson, “Faith as a Mediator in
Legitimizing Global Market Integration,” at the Allied Social Science
Associations conference in Boston, January 6-8, 2006.
Quoted in Global Finance (January 2006 and January 2005) on foreign direct
investment in Africa.
External examiner on Economic Development for the Swarthmore College
honors program, spring semesters, 2004 and 1997
Reviewed a manuscript, “The European Union and the Developing
Countries,” for Lynne Rienner Publishers Spring 2004
Chair, a panel on “Globalization, Economic Development, and the U.S.
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),” Swarthmore College, March
22-23, 2002
Co-Chair, Sub-Saharan Africa round table, Student Conference on U.S.
Affairs (SCUSA), U.S. Military Academy, West Point, November 14-17,
2001
Discussant, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa meetings on
“African Knowledge Networks Forum” and “Regional Economic Integration
in Africa,” Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 17-18, 2001
Consultant (pro bono) for American Friends Service Committee at
Conference on “The International Financial and Social Architecture,”
London, November 13-16, 2000
Referee, African Studies Review, African Studies Association, Rutgers, The
State University of New Jersey, 1999-present
Member of the Africa Panel of the International Division Executive
Committee, American Friends Service Committee, 1995-2000
Referee, Eastern Economic Journal, University of Delaware, 2001 to present
Referee, Pew Case Studies in International Affairs, Institute for the Study of
Diplomacy, Georgetown University (1993-1995)
Referee, Eastern Africa Economic Review, University of Nairobi, 1993-1995
HONORS AND Research leave, La Salle University, Spring 2006 and Spring 1998
AWARDS
2005 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, La Salle University.
Featured in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philly Hero: One of Us, “Prof
analyzes the big issues,” November 15, 2004.
Africa in the Global Economy (2000, Lynne Rienner Publishers), selected as
a Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book
7
Lindback Foundation research grant, 1997/98
"Most Supportive Award" from the African-American Student League, La
Salle University, 1994
Summer research grants, La Salle University, 1992, 1993, and 1994
Honorable mention winner of the 1989/90 Demarest Award (for graduate
students) for exceptional performance as a teacher, University of Illinois
Winner of the 1988/89 Brems Award for the best research paper by a
graduate student in Economics, University of Illinois
Included in the List of Teachers Rated Excellent by Their Students (4 out of 4
semesters), University of Illinois
Recipient of a Full Fellowship, University of Delaware, 1985/86
Graduated Maxima Cum Laude and named Outstanding Senior in
Philosophy, La Salle University, 1985
Recipient of a Full Tuition Scholarship, La Salle University, 1982/85
Certificate for Best Worker, out of 1800, as Planning Assistant/Transport
Manager, Arusha Municipal Council, Tanzania, 1982
OTHER Organizer and sponsor (with my wife), educational seminars for high
school and college students, Arusha, Tanzania (summers 1994, 1996,
2000, 2002, 2004)
Adviser and sponsor (with my wife), development projects in the village of
Sinon, Arusha, Tanzania
International travel for research and professional activities (and vacation, for
Tanzania): Tanzania (summers 1986,1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000,
2002, 2004, 2006), Ghana (summer 1998), Kenya (summer 1998),
Switzerland (summer 1998 and 2006), United Kingdom (2002), Ethiopia
(Fall 2001), and Denmark (Fall 2002)
8
Appendix I
Op-ed pieces
The Arusha Times (a regional newspaper in Tanzania)
“An Economic lesson from Zimbabwe on fixed exchange rates,” December 1-7, 2007
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2007/47/Economic.htm
“Why African leaders have not been able to effectively hold each other accountable – the case of
President Mugabe,” July 21-27, 2007
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2007/47/Economic.htm
“G8 and the World’s image of Africa,” June 16-22, 2007
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2007/23/society_4.htm
“The complexity of agricultural subsidies in developed countries leaves African countries
uncertain,” September 2-8, 2006
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2006/35/features_9.htm
“Thoughts About Concerts As a Way To Raise Awareness of African Poverty,” July 9-15, 2005
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2005/26/features_4.htm
“Why African countries should not lobby for retention of U.S. import quotas,” January 15-21, 2005
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2005/1/features_11.htm
“Kibati: an alternative to high-interest loans,” August 14-20, 2004
http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/2004/32/features_8.htm
“East African Community: A Customs union in the Making,” March 13-19, 2004
“Technical Assistance for Africa – Some Words of Caution,” October 25-31, 2003
“The New Partnership for Africa’s Development,” August 30-September 5, 2003
9
“African Agricultural Technology Foundation: a new initiative for food security,” June 7-13, 2003
“The Pain of Borrowing from Microfinance Institutions,” January 18-24, 2003
“Agricultural Subsidies in Developed Countries – Their Impact on Africa,” July 20-26, 2002
“The Limited Impact of the U.S. Trade Law on Africa,” April 27-May 3, 2002
“Tourist Industry: Lucrative, but Volatile,” December 15-31, 2001
“Global Economic Impact of Terrorist Attacks on America,” October 6-12, 2001
“What is Expected of the U.S.-Africa Business Summit?,” September 15-21, 2001
“Africa and WTO: Capacity to Negotiate is Limited,” September 8-14, 2001
On Economic Integration in Africa: “Wanted: Political commitment guided by peoples’ voices,”
June 9-15, 2001
“The IMF and Poverty Reduction,” April 7-13, 2001
“Globalization and Africa Development,” February 24-March 2, 2001
“The Bush Administration and Africa,” January 20-26, 2001
10
Appendix II
Presentations for Community Groups, Youth Groups, and High Schools
“European Integration: looking ahead,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, March 6, 2008.
“South Africa: Facing New Challenges,” at Cheltenham Township Adult School, May 10, 2007.
“United Nations Reform,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, March 2, 2006.
“South Africa: Facing New Challenges,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, May 10, 2007.
“Perspectives on Civil Wars in Africa: Focus on Sudan,” (Peter Ajak, and Isaiah Kuch), La Salle
University (March 15, 2005) and Cheltenham Township Adult School (April 7, 2005).
“Outsourcing jobs: U.S. dilemma,” Cheltenham Township Adult School (March 17, 2005).
“Establishing and managing a group business,” Seminar for rural women entrepreneurs, Longido,
Arusha, Tanzania, July 29, 2004
“Public Diplomacy,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, Wyncote, Pennslyvania, April 29, 2004
Panelist in the Diplomat in Residence Program, “Is the HIV/AIDS Pandemic an International
Security Threat?,” La Salle University, March 30, 2004
Keynote address at South Jersey Model United Nations, October 25, 2003.
“Nigeria and the Global Economy,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, Wyncote, Pennsylvania,
March 13, 2002
Africa and the UN – Bishop Mc Devitt – October 24, 2002
“Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Tanzania,” Edmund Rice Secondary School , Arusha,
Tanzania, July 29 and 31; and Kituchabamo Vocational Training Institute, Arusha, Tanzania, July
23, 2002
Economic Development for Women in Africa,” 10100, Raymond and Miriam Klein Branch of the
Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia, May 22, 2002
“Aids in Africa,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, April 18, 2002
“Economic Challenges in Africa and Potential Solutions,” Abington Friends School in Jenkintown,
Pennsylvania, December 3, 2001
Several presentations on Africa, Ancillae Assumpta Academy, Wyncote, Pennsylvania, since 2001
11
“Conflict Resolution in Africa,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, Wyncote, Pennsylvania,
April 26, 2001
“The Politics of Trade: Africa in the global Economy,” Congregation Adath Jeshurum (Raymond
and Miriam Klein Branch of the Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia,), March 29, 2001
“Africa in the Global Economy,” The Science and Art Club of Germantown, October 23, 2000
“Africa in the Global Economy,” Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, September
12, 2000
Books and Authors Series: “Africa in the Global Economy,” Charles & Elizabeth Gershman YM
and & YWHA Branch of Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia), May 24, 2000
“Africa in the Global Economy,” Barnes & Noble, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, May 10, 2000
“The World Economy,” Robert Saligman Campus, (Kevy K. & Hortense M.Kaiserman Branch of
the Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia), May 17, 2000
“Africa in the Global Economy,” Germantown Women Book Club, April 24, 2000
“Africa’s place in the World,” Cheltenham Township Adult School, Wyncote, Pennsylvania,
March 16, 2000
“Africa: A Fertile Land for Christ’s Gospels,” St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Wayne,
Pennsylvania, April 25, 1999
“A general discussion on Africa,” Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote, Pennsylvania, March
1999
“A general discussion on Africa,” Robert Saligman Campus, (Kevy K. & Hortense M.Kaiserman
Branch of the Jewish Community Centers of Philadelphia), January 21, 1999
“Is a Strong Dollar Good for the U.S.?,” The Gershman Y Branch of Jewish Community Centers of
Philadelphia), November 3, 1998
“Africa’s Responsibility for Economic Problems,” Strafford Book and Prayer Group, February 13,
1998
“Cooperative Economics,” Part of a retreat for Catholic Youth Organization, Camp Newman,
Archdiocese of Philadelphia, every first weekend of March 1993-2005."

Kwa nini hawa wote na wengineo wameamua kwenda au kubaki nchi za nje, inategemea na kila mtu binafsi. Kila mtu ana sababu zake. Lakini pia tusisahau kama Philip Ochieng' alivyosema katika article yake in "The East African," 13 March 2000:

"The problem is well known. It is called the 'brain drain.' The causes are also well known. As long as we are either unable or unwilling to pay our professionals properly, as long as we, in our individualistic and tribal interests, persist in misplacing them and ignoring their advice, as long as the econo-political circumstances remain volatile as a consequence - so long will the brain drain and the refugee problem overwhelm us."

 

[Shwari]

We, as a nation, need to find ways to use the professional skills of Tanzanians who live in other countries, especially in the industrialised world.

First of all, we have to face the fact that most of them are not coming back home to stay.

Therefore there should be ways to mobilise them and use them where they are for the collective well-being of our nation. For example, we complain about the shortage of lecturers and professors in different fields. Many Tanzanians who live abroad can teach classes of our students in Tanzania using the Internet. In fact, this is already being done in some countries. Video conferencing is common even in business transactions on a global scale. So is lecturing using the same medium.

There are many Tanzanians overseas who are highly accomplished in their fields including writers such as Godfrey Mwakikagile whom this thread focused on from the beginning until we introduced other Tanzanians who are equally accomplished in different academic fields. And, by the way, I just saw an important update in the Wikipedia article about Mwakikagile on "The Group of Six" I and probably most Tanzanians have never heard of.

Anyway, probably almost all highly skilled Tanzanians overseas want to serve their country in different capacities, in their fields, from where they are. The focus should not be just on investment our leaders talk so much about in an attempt to attract capital from overseas including money from Tanzanians to invest in our economy. We should equally focus on training high-level manpower, an area in which Tanzanian professors abroad can play a very important role if arrangements are made to enable them to teach classes in Tanzania - via Internet - and provide other skills through video conferencing with our leaders - as long as our leaders take their advice seriously, including whatever other information is provided by these fellow countrymen of ours who live outside Tanzania.

The main point is this: Tap their talent where they are because most of them are not coming back home to stay. Let's just face it.

And this is not unique to Tanzania. Just look at how many Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans and Ethiopians live overseas. Their numbers, individually, exceed those of Tanzanians. For example, Godfrey Mwakikagile in his book "Africa is in A Mess" states that there are more than 30,000 Nigerian doctors in the United States alone! A staggering figure.

Collectively, it's millions of Africans who live overseas; at least 5 million according to some estimates.

Back in 1996, it was reported that there were more than 600,000 Tanzanians living abroad, according to an article I read in "The Economist" sometime between June and August that year. I think it was an August issue of "The Economist" which cited those statistics and the sources they were obtained from. The number is much higher now than it was back then more than 13 years ago.

We need to have an engagement, constructive engagement, with our brethren overseas so that they can contribute to national development from wherever they are.

 

[Josh Michael]

We, as a nation, need to find ways to use the professional skills of Tanzanians who live in other countries, especially in the industrialised world.

First of all, we have to face the fact that most of them are not coming back home to stay.

Therefore there should be ways to mobilise them and use them where they are for the collective well-being of our nation. For example, we complain about the shortage of lecturers and professors in different fields. Many Tanzanians who live abroad can teach classes of our students in Tanzania using the Internet. In fact, this is already being done in some countries. Video conferencing is common even in business transactions on a global scale. So is lecturing using the same medium.

There are many Tanzanians overseas who are highly accomplished in their fields including writers such as Godfrey Mwakikagile whom this thread focused on from the beginning until we introduced other Tanzanians who are equally accomplished in different academic fields. And, by the way, I just saw an important update in the Wikipedia article about Mwakikagile on "The Group of Six" I and probably most Tanzanians have never heard of.

Anyway, probably almost all highly skilled Tanzanians overseas want to serve their country in different capacities, in their fields, from where they are. The focus should not be just on investment our leaders talk so much about in an attempt to attract capital from overseas including money from Tanzanians to invest in our economy. We should equally focus on training high-level manpower, an area in which Tanzanian professors abroad can play a very important role if arrangements are made to enable them to teach classes in Tanzania - via Internet - and provide other skills through video conferencing with our leaders - as long as our leaders take their advice seriously, including whatever other information is provided by these fellow countrymen of ours who live outside Tanzania.

The main point is this: Tap their talent where they are because most of them are not coming back home to stay. Let's just face it.

And this is not unique to Tanzania. Just look at how many Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans and Ethiopians live overseas. Their numbers, individually, exceed those of Tanzanians. For example, Godfrey Mwakikagile in his book "Africa is in A Mess" states that there are more than 30,000 Nigerian doctors in the United States alone! A staggering figure.

Collectively, it's millions of Africans who live overseas; at least 5 million according to some estimates.

Back in 1996, it was reported that there were more than 600,000 Tanzanians living abroad, according to an article I read in "The Economist" sometime between June and August that year. I think it was an August issue of "The Economist" which cited those statistics and the sources they were obtained from. The number is much higher now than it was back then more than 13 years ago.

We need to have an engagement, constructive engagement, with our brethren overseas so that they can contribute to national development from wherever they are.

Nimependa uandishi wako na pia natumani tutazidi kuendelea kufanya mambo ambayo, Labda idara ya elimu katik wizara ya Elimu ya taifa wangefanya mambo haya ingekuwa faida kubwa sana katika Taifa letu

 

[Josh Michael]

Kazi nzuri sana katika Academia ya Tanzania na pia kuna ulazima kabisa watu kama hawa kuja Tanzania kufanya na kuona kuwa Wizara ya Elimu inakuwa na Kitengo hata kutenga pesa nyingi sana katika kufanya watu kama hawa warudi Tanzania

 

[Shwari]

Tujiulize maswali yafwatayo:

Let's assume out of the hundreds of thousands of Tanzanians who live overseas, 100,000 of them returned to Tanzania today with all their skills in different fields including high professional skills. What would they do? Would the economy be able to absorb them? Would they be able to get jobs commensurate with their skills and training when many highly skilled Tanzanians right here in Tanzania can't get jobs? What would be the point of their returning to Tanzania if they can't find jobs for which they are qualified or if they can't find jobs at all?

Many of them send substantial amounts of money to their relatives and friends in Tanzania every year, the kind of money they would not have been able to earn had they been in Tanzania. So, they are already making a significant contribution to the economic well-being of their brethren in Tanzania; something they would not have been able to do had they remained or returned to Tanzania.

We should also remember that our compatriots who live overseas, especially in the industrialised world, have access to facilities and technology which they would not be able to get in Tanzania, making it impossible for many of them to be productive in their fields. So, why should they return home? Just to rot?

Some of them do return home, they get jobs, and they become productive in their fields. But we should not take it for granted that all those who want to return to Tanzania will be equally successful. And it's unrealistic to expect tens of thousands of highly skilled Tanzanians to find employment in Tanzania if they were return home today, knowing full well that there are many highly educated Tanzanians today, right here in Tanzania, who can't find work, let alone the kind of employment for which they are qualified and that matches their educational training and skills.

Once we come to grips with those harsh realities, some of us may stop blaming our compatriots who live overseas for being unpatriotic simply because they have not returned to Tanzania - or anywhere else in Africa.

As Professor Ali Mazrui stated:

"When he was President of Ghana Jerry Rawlings used to worry especially about losing too many Ghanaian doctors. I once heard him address this issue with singular passion. We were both attending the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In his presentation at the conference Rawlings got angrier and angrier as he talked about how newly skilled doctors in countries like Ghana started packing their bags for Canada, Britain, France or the United States almost as soon as they were professionally qualified to reduce infant mortality or unsafe motherhood in their own countries. Jerry Rawlings' anger rose higher and higher as he reflected on this issue.

At question time I congratulated the President on his passionate concern for vulnerable groups in a country like Ghana and their need for the services of qualified professionals. But I pointed out that the brain drain as a whole was caused by two sets of forces.

There were the pull-in factors in the host countries – factors like greater freedom, wider opportunities, better rewards, and professional recognition. The push-out factors were in the countries being left behind – factors like lack of freedom, limited resources, restricted professional opportunities, and inadequate professional recognition.

I suggested to President Jerry Rawlings (as he then was) that the push-out forces in African countries included the policies of African governments which were often hostile to intellectuals. Bad government policies often also had the effect of damaging the economy or reducing freedom at home.

I suggested to Jerry Rawlings that there would have been fewer African doctors packing their bags to migrate to the West if African governments had been more supportive of African professionals, or more sensitive to the wider needs of their societies.

Jerry Rawlings and I continued the banter a little longer. He then invited me to Ghana on a future date to conclude our debate in a leisurely fashion." - (Ali A. Mazrui, "Nkrumahism and The Triple Heritage Out of The Shadows" Third Lecture, Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial lectures, University of Ghana Legon, Accra, 13 March 2002).

 

[Josh Michael]

Tujiulize maswali yafwatayo:

Let's assume out of the hundreds of thousands of Tanzanians who live overseas, 100,000 of them returned to Tanzania today with all their skills in different fields including high professional skills. What would they do? Would the economy be able to absorb them? Would they be able to get jobs commensurate with their skills and training when many highly skilled Tanzanians right here in Tanzania can't get jobs? What would be the point of their returning to Tanzania if they can't find jobs for which they are qualified or if they can't find jobs at all?

Many of them send substantial amounts of money to their relatives and friends in Tanzania every year, the kind of money they would not have been able to earn had they been in Tanzania. So, they are already making a significant contribution to the economic well-being of their brethren in Tanzania; something they would not have been able to do had they remained or returned to Tanzania.

We should also remember that our compatriots who live overseas, especially in the industrialised world, have access to facilities and technology which they would not be able to get in Tanzania, making it impossible for many of them to be productive in their fields. So, why should they return home? Just to rot?

Some of them do return home, they get jobs, and they become productive in their fields. But we should not take it for granted that all those who want to return to Tanzania will be equally successful. And it's unrealistic to expect tens of thousands of highly skilled Tanzanians to find employment in Tanzania if they were return home today, knowing full well that there are many highly educated Tanzanians today, right here in Tanzania, who can't find work, let alone the kind of employment for which they are qualified and that matches their educational training and skills.

Once we come to grips with those harsh realities, some of us may stop blaming our compatriots who live overseas for being unpatriotic simply because they have not returned to Tanzania - or anywhere else in Africa.

As Professor Ali Mazrui stated:

"When he was President of Ghana Jerry Rawlings used to worry especially about losing too many Ghanaian doctors. I once heard him address this issue with singular passion. We were both attending the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In his presentation at the conference Rawlings got angrier and angrier as he talked about how newly skilled doctors in countries like Ghana started packing their bags for Canada, Britain, France or the United States almost as soon as they were professionally qualified to reduce infant mortality or unsafe motherhood in their own countries. Jerry Rawlings' anger rose higher and higher as he reflected on this issue.

At question time I congratulated the President on his passionate concern for vulnerable groups in a country like Ghana and their need for the services of qualified professionals. But I pointed out that the brain drain as a whole was caused by two sets of forces.

There were the pull-in factors in the host countries – factors like greater freedom, wider opportunities, better rewards, and professional recognition. The push-out factors were in the countries being left behind – factors like lack of freedom, limited resources, restricted professional opportunities, and inadequate professional recognition.

I suggested to President Jerry Rawlings (as he then was) that the push-out forces in African countries included the policies of African governments which were often hostile to intellectuals. Bad government policies often also had the effect of damaging the economy or reducing freedom at home.

I suggested to Jerry Rawlings that there would have been fewer African doctors packing their bags to migrate to the West if African governments had been more supportive of African professionals, or more sensitive to the wider needs of their societies.

Jerry Rawlings and I continued the banter a little longer. He then invited me to Ghana on a future date to conclude our debate in a leisurely fashion." - (Ali A. Mazrui, "Nkrumahism and The Triple Heritage Out of The Shadows" Third Lecture, Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial lectures, University of Ghana Legon, Accra, 13 March 2002).

Jiulize maswali kuwa ni pesa ngapi tunapoteza kwa ajili ya kukodisha Wataalumu toka nje na tena wanakuja Tanzania na kufanya tafiti kwa ajili yetu kwa kutumia maarifa yetu??Je watu hawa kama kweli government zetu zina Sera maalumu sana kwa ajili ya Taifa kufanya academicians kubaki Tanzania?? Niliwahi kusikia toka Bungeni kuwa Taifa la Tanzania pekee yaani chukua UDSM, and SUA kuna wau zaidi 300 wanakwenda nje kufanya kazi huko!! sasa hapa tena ni Hasara kwa Taifa letu

 

[Josh Michael]

Hakika Tanzania tuna hazina kubwa sana ya watu na hata rasilimali watu na hata natural resources, but hatuna watu makini wa kupanga

 

[Josh Michael]

Tanzania kwa sasa kuna uhaba mkubwa sana wa walimu wa vyuo na ndio wakati mwafaka kabisa katika kujua na kuwatambua na kufanya kurudi nyumbani katika ujenzi wa Taifa

 

[Shwari]

Ni kweli kuna uhaba mkubwa wa walimu katika vyuo vyetu vikuu.

Pia hatuna madaktari wa kutosha na watu wengine wenye ujuzi sehemu mbali mbali.

Lakini tuangalie pia matatizo yanayowakabili kazini hawa wazalendo wenzetu walio nchini na sisi.

Kwa mfano, katika Hospitali ya Taifa, Muhimbili, hatukuwa na dialysis machine kwa miaka mingi sana. Kumbuka hiyo ni hospitali ya taifa, si ya mkoa tu.

Nadhani dialysis machine iliyokuwepo katika hospitali ya Muhimbili iliharibika 1989. Hatukupata nyingine hadi sasa.

Madaktari wa Kitanzania walio ng'ambo hawakabiliwi na matatizo hayo. Watafanya nini wakirudi nyumbani ikiwa hawana vifaa wanavyohitaji kuwatibu na kuwahudumia wagonjwa?

Ni kosa la nani? La madaktari au la serikali?

Kwa nini wagonjwa wetu wengi wenye ugonjwa wa moyo na matatizo mengine wanapelekwa India?

Viongozi wengi hawataki kutibiwa katika hospital zetu. Wengi wao wanapenda kwenda Afrika Kusini - kutibiwa katika hospitali za "Kizungu"!

Wamefanya nini kurekebisha matatizo nchini?

 

[Jasusi]

Ni kweli kuna uhaba mkubwa wa walimu katika vyuo vyetu vikuu.

Pia hatuna madaktari wa kutosha na watu wengine wenye ujuzi sehemu mbali mbali.

Lakini tuangalie pia matatizo yanayowakabili kazini hawa wazalendo wenzetu walio nchini na sisi.

Kwa mfano, katika Hospitali ya Taifa, Muhimbili, hatukuwa na dialysis machine kwa miaka mingi sana. Kumbuka hiyo ni hospitali ya taifa, si ya mkoa tu.

Nadhani dialysis machine iliyokuwepo katika hospitali ya Muhimbili iliharibika 1989. Hatukupata nyingine hadi sasa.

Madaktari wa Kitanzania walio ng'ambo hawakabiliwi na matatizo hayo. Watafanya nini wakirudi nyumbani ikiwa hawana vifaa wanavyohitaji kuwatibu na kuwahudumia wagonjwa?

Ni kosa la nani? La madaktari au la serikali?

Kwa nini wagonjwa wetu wengi wenye ugonjwa wa moyo na matatizo mengine wanapelekwa India?

Viongozi wengi hawataki kutibiwa katika hospital zetu. Wengi wao wanapenda kwenda Afrika Kusini - kutibiwa katika hospitali za "Kizungu"!

Wamefanya nini kurekebisha matatizo nchini?

Shwari,
Ni kosa la watunga sera wetu. Wakati wako mstari wa mbele kuwaundia wawekezaji conducive environment hakuna hata kiongozi yeyote anayefikiria kuwawekea waalimu na madaktari conducive environment ya kurudi nyumbani. Wakati huo huo tuko tayari kumlipa mtaalamu wa kigeni $10,000 kwa mwezi kwa kazi ambayo Mtanzania ana ujuzi kamili wa kuifanya.

 

[Josh Michael]

Ni kweli kuna uhaba mkubwa wa walimu katika vyuo vyetu vikuu.

Pia hatuna madaktari wa kutosha na watu wengine wenye ujuzi sehemu mbali mbali.

Lakini tuangalie pia matatizo yanayowakabili kazini hawa wazalendo wenzetu walio nchini na sisi.

Kwa mfano, katika Hospitali ya Taifa, Muhimbili, hatukuwa na dialysis machine kwa miaka mingi sana. Kumbuka hiyo ni hospitali ya taifa, si ya mkoa tu.

Nadhani dialysis machine iliyokuwepo katika hospitali ya Muhimbili iliharibika 1989. Hatukupata nyingine hadi sasa.

Madaktari wa Kitanzania walio ng'ambo hawakabiliwi na matatizo hayo. Watafanya nini wakirudi nyumbani ikiwa hawana vifaa wanavyohitaji kuwatibu na kuwahudumia wagonjwa?

Ni kosa la nani? La madaktari au la serikali?

Kwa nini wagonjwa wetu wengi wenye ugonjwa wa moyo na matatizo mengine wanapelekwa India?

Viongozi wengi hawataki kutibiwa katika hospital zetu. Wengi wao wanapenda kwenda Afrika Kusini - kutibiwa katika hospitali za "Kizungu"!

Wamefanya nini kurekebisha matatizo nchini?

Huwa nashindwa sana kujua wajibu wa wizara ya afya miaka nenda rudi, Umesema ukweli sana juu ya hiyo machine, Sasa hapa hakuna mipango katika wizara ya Afya juu ya hilo, Mkurungenzi mkuu wa Muhimbili anafanya nini?? Je Mipango yote katika Taifa lolote lile inafanywa na Serikali katika kusimamia na kuratibu mipango yote, Madaktari hawana kosa lolote lile hapa. Jaribu kutazama hata yule Daktari Masau jinsi alivyopata misukosuko ndipo unaweza kuona kuwa Tatizo kubwa sana katika Taifa letu ni SIASA, POLITICA mzee wangu, Inauma sana, Inatupasa sasa kuwasukuma watu ambao tuwapa wajibu wa kutuongoza

 

[Shwari]

Jasusi na Josh,

Tunakubaliana kabisa. Mliyosema ni ukweli.

Matatizo hayo yote yanatokana na viongozi wetu na sera zao.

Jasusi, kama ulivyosema, hatuna environment nzuri. Tatizo la mazingira pia linatokana na sera mbaya na viongozi kutotimiza ahadi zao. Wanajua tuna matatizo gani lakini mara nyingi unachosikia kutoka kwa wanasiasa hao ni: "Rudi nyumbani ili tusaidiane kujenga taifa letu. Nchi yenu inawahitaji."

Yet they do nothing, absolutely nothing, to improve the environment that would encourage some of our people to return home.

Hata mishahara haitoshi. Na ni kweli wataalamu kutoka nchi za nje wanalipwa mishahara mikubwa kuliko Watanzania.

Tatizo hilo pia ni la kasumba. Kwa nini viongozi wetu wanasisitiza kuwaajiri watu kutoka nchi za nje badala ya kuwaajiri Watanzania ambao wana ujuzi sawa au zaidi kuliko hao expatriates?

Pia Kuna matatizo ya kisiasa. Ikiwa unaungana na vyama vya upinzani, na ikiwa huwaungi mkono viongozi wa chama cha utawala, utasahauliwa.

Watanzania wengi walio nchi za nje hawakubaliani na sera za CCM au viongozi wa CCM. Wakirudi nyumbani, na wakijulikana kwamba wanakipinga chama hicho ambacho kimekuwa madarakani karibu ya miaka hamsini sasa (kuanzia kilipokuwa kinaitwa TANU upande wa bara tangu tulipopata uhuru), wengi wao hawatafanikiwa maishani nchini Tanzania.

Watajilaumu na kusema walifanya kosa kubwa kurudi nyumbani.

Lakini licha ya matatizo ya siasa, na mishara midogo, kuna tatizo lingine ambalo ni kubwa sana la - lack of facilities. Angalia vyuo vyetu. Havina hata vitabu vya kutosha - let alone labs or well-equipped research facilities. Halafu tunataka scientists wa Kitanzania walio nga'mbo warudi nyumbani? Watafanya nini?

Lawama pia iko upande wa viongozi wa vyama vya upinzani. Nimelijadili swala hilo kwa kirefu huko nyuma tulipomzungumzia Godfrey Mwakikagile na vitabu vyake na analysis yake. Na kama nilivyosema, nakubaliana naye 100 per cent. Bila chama kimoja cha upinzani ambacho ni imara na chenye wafwasi wengi across the country, katika kila mkoa bara na visiwani, tusahau mabadiliko nchini Tanzania. CCM will rule forever!

Mwakikagile hajasema anataka CCM ishindwe katika uchaguzi au kwamba vyama vya upinzani vishinde vikiungana. Ametupa analysis, tu, on how democracy can be institutionalised in Tanzania regardless of who wins or loses elections.

The main point is this: Ni lazima tuwe na chama kimoja kikubwa cha upinzani to challenge CCM and force our leaders to be accountable. If our leaders know that they are not going to be tossed out of office by voters during elections, they are not going to worry about being held accountable for their misdeeds and for their refusal and unwillingness to fulfill their promises.

If we have only one strong opposition party - as is the case in all major democracies and others around the world - and it presents itself to the electorate as a viable alternative to CCM, then we can expect some changes. CCM leaders will know that the opposition is acting as a watchdog for the people, and that it has the potential to win elections and replace CCM. They will also realise that there is a need to listen to the people and help them fulfill their aspirations.

Otherwise it's a total waste of time, energy and resources, as Mwakikagile and others say, if Tanzania continues to have a divided opposition, with many opposition parties, while attempting to bring about fundamental changes in the country through the ballot box. They will never win a general election, never, as a divided opposition.

I totally agree with that.

I don't know why opposition leaders in Tanzania can't see that. Many people ask the same question.

Look at what happened recently next-door in Zambia. Had the opposition been united, as one strong opposition party, instead of several opposition parties fielding presidential candidates, Rupia Banda would not be president of Zambia today. He barely won. Opposition candidates, combined, won more votes than he did.

In Kenya, had opposition parties formed one strong opposition party back in the early 1990s, Moi would have been history a long time ago. They didn't wake up until only recently - just a few years ago.

Ours are still sleeping, blind to simple reality: a divided opposition does not, and cannot, win elections. It's as simple as that.

Opposition leaders in Tanzania don't put our country first. They put themselves first, competing for power. It's nothing but a clash of personalities. There's very little difference among them in terms of policy. Yet they're busy competing instead of uniting, thus destroying prospects for victory against a formidable opponent: CCM.

It's hard enough to win elections against CCM - let alone as a divided opposition.

And that means CCM will continue to rule us, and its leaders will continue to ignore us, forever, because there is no serious challenge to their leadership at the polls.

Hayo yote yamezungumziwa hapa. Na ndugu zetu walio ng'ambo wanayazungumzia matatizo hayo nyakati mbali mbali. Na kati yao, kuna Watanzania ambao labda wanayazungumzia matatizo hayo kila siku.

Hizo zote ni pull-factors na push-factors ambazo Professor Ali Mazrui amezitaja hapo nyuma. Na nitarudia tena kama Philip Ochieng' alivyosema:

""The problem is well known. It is called the 'brain drain.' The causes are also well known. As long as we are either unable or unwilling to pay our professionals properly, as long as we, in our individualistic and tribal interests, persist in misplacing them and ignoring their advice, as long as the econo-political circumstances remain volatile as a consequence - so long will the brain drain and the refugee problem overwhelm us."

 

[Josh Michael]

Mkuu Shwari umesema ukweli hapa na pia nakupokeza sana kwa ajili ya kuandika yote haya

 

[Josh Michael]

Jasusi na Josh,

Tunakubaliana kabisa. Mliyosema ni ukweli.

Matatizo hayo yote yanatokana na viongozi wetu na sera zao.

Jasusi, kama ulivyosema, hatuna environment nzuri. Tatizo la mazingira pia linatokana na sera mbaya na viongozi kutotimiza ahadi zao. Wanajua tuna matatizo gani lakini mara nyingi unachosikia kutoka kwa wanasiasa hao ni: "Rudi nyumbani ili tusaidiane kujenga taifa letu. Nchi yenu inawahitaji."

Yet they do nothing, absolutely nothing, to improve the environment that would encourage some of our people to return home.

Hata mishahara haitoshi. Na ni kweli wataalamu kutoka nchi za nje wanalipwa mishahara mikubwa kuliko Watanzania.

Tatizo hilo pia ni la kasumba. Kwa nini viongozi wetu wanasisitiza kuwaajiri watu kutoka nchi za nje badala ya kuwaajiri Watanzania ambao wana ujuzi sawa au zaidi kuliko hao expatriates?

Pia Kuna matatizo ya kisiasa. Ikiwa unaungana na vyama vya upinzani, na ikiwa huwaungi mkono viongozi wa chama cha utawala, utasahauliwa.

Watanzania wengi walio nchi za nje hawakubaliani na sera za CCM au viongozi wa CCM. Wakirudi nyumbani, na wakijulikana kwamba wanakipinga chama hicho ambacho kimekuwa madarakani karibu ya miaka hamsini sasa (kuanzia kilipokuwa kinaitwa TANU upande wa bara tangu tulipopata uhuru), wengi wao hawatafanikiwa maishani nchini Tanzania.

Watajilaumu na kusema walifanya kosa kubwa kurudi nyumbani.

Lakini licha ya matatizo ya siasa, na mishara midogo, kuna tatizo lingine ambalo ni kubwa sana la - lack of facilities. Angalia vyuo vyetu. Havina hata vitabu vya kutosha - let alone labs or well-equipped research facilities. Halafu tunataka scientists wa Kitanzania walio nga'mbo warudi nyumbani? Watafanya nini?

Lawama pia iko upande wa viongozi wa vyama vya upinzani. Nimelijadili swala hilo kwa kirefu huko nyuma tulipomzungumzia Godfrey Mwakikagile na vitabu vyake na analysis yake. Na kama nilivyosema, nakubaliana naye 100 per cent. Bila chama kimoja cha upinzani ambacho ni imara na chenye wafwasi wengi across the country, katika kila mkoa bara na visiwani, tusahau mabadiliko nchini Tanzania. CCM will rule forever!

Mwakikagile hajasema anataka CCM ishindwe katika uchaguzi au kwamba vyama vya upinzani vishinde vikiungana. Ametupa analysis, tu, on how democracy can be institutionalised in Tanzania regardless of who wins or loses elections.

The main point is this: Ni lazima tuwe na chama kimoja kikubwa cha upinzani to challenge CCM and force our leaders to be accountable. If our leaders know that they are not going to be tossed out of office by voters during elections, they are not going to worry about being held accountable for their misdeeds and for their refusal and unwillingness to fulfill their promises.

If we have only one strong opposition party - as is the case in all major democracies and others around the world - and it presents itself to the electorate as a viable alternative to CCM, then we can expect some changes. CCM leaders will know that the opposition is acting as a watchdog for the people, and that it has the potential to win elections and replace CCM. They will also realise that there is a need to listen to the people and help them fulfill their aspirations.

Otherwise it's a total waste of time, energy and resources, as Mwakikagile and others say, if Tanzania continues to have a divided opposition, with many opposition parties, while attempting to bring about fundamental changes in the country through the ballot box. They will never win a general election, never, as a divided opposition.

I totally agree with that.

I don't know why opposition leaders in Tanzania can't see that. Many people ask the same question.

Look at what happened recently next-door in Zambia. Had the opposition been united, as one strong opposition party, instead of several opposition parties fielding presidential candidates, Rupia Banda would not be president of Zambia today. He barely won. Opposition candidates, combined, won more votes than he did.

In Kenya, had opposition parties formed one strong opposition party back in the early 1990s, Moi would have been history a long time ago. They didn't wake up until only recently - just a few years ago.

Ours are still sleeping, blind to simple reality: a divided opposition does not, and cannot, win elections. It's as simple as that.

Opposition leaders in Tanzania don't put our country first. They put themselves first, competing for power. It's nothing but a clash of personalities. There's very little difference among them in terms of policy. Yet they're busy competing instead of uniting, thus destroying prospects for victory against a formidable opponent: CCM.

It's hard enough to win elections against CCM - let alone as a divided opposition.

And that means CCM will continue to rule us, and its leaders will continue to ignore us, forever, because there is no serious challenge to their leadership at the polls.

Hayo yote yamezungumziwa hapa. Na ndugu zetu walio ng'ambo wanayazungumzia matatizo hayo nyakati mbali mbali. Na kati yao, kuna Watanzania ambao labda wanayazungumzia matatizo hayo kila siku.

Hizo zote ni pull-factors na push-factors ambazo Professor Ali Mazrui amezitaja hapo nyuma. Na nitarudia tena kama Philip Ochieng' alivyosema:

""The problem is well known. It is called the 'brain drain.' The causes are also well known. As long as we are either unable or unwilling to pay our professionals properly, as long as we, in our individualistic and tribal interests, persist in misplacing them and ignoring their advice, as long as the econo-political circumstances remain volatile as a consequence - so long will the brain drain and the refugee problem overwhelm us."

Leo nilikuwa nasoma Kitabu cha Mwalimu Nyerere cha development kuhusu Africa, Nakubaliana kuwa MWalimu alikuwa anaona mbali sana tofauti sana na Viongozi wetu

 

[Josh Michael]

Mkuu Shwari umesema mengi sana asante sana kwa mchango wako Katika Jf na pia itakuwa vizuri sana katika Tanzania kupata watu kama nyinyi

 

[Josh Michael]

Tunapongeza sana kwa moyo wako wa kuzalendo katika Tanzania

 

[Shwari]

Umechangia sana, Josh Michael, sehemu mbali mbali hapa Jamii Forum. Shukrani nyingi kwa moyo wako wa uzalendo na kwa kuanzisha mada hii ambayo imetuwezesha kujadili mambo mengi ambayo ni ya muhimu kwa taifa letu; ingawa mwanzoni ilihusu mwandishi wetu mmoja, Godfrey Mwakikagile, na baadaye, Watanzania wengine walioandika vitabu. Sababu ambayo imetufanya tumzungumzie Mwakikagile kwa kirefu ni kwamba labda ameandika vitabu vingi kuliko Watanzania wengi ambao pia wameandika vitabu.

Swala moja ambalo tumelijadili ni ufisadi. Na ni bahati mbaya hatuna kiongozi nchini Tanzania mwenye moral authority kama Mwalimu Nyerere ambaye angeweza kukemea mafisadi na maadui wengine wa taifa letu na kuonyesha mfano mzuri wa uongozi kwa ujumla katika sehemu zote za taifa letu.

Ni wazi kwamba mafisadi na maadui wengine tulionao hapa nchini Tanzania wana angamiza nchi yetu. Pia ni jambo la kusikitisha sana kwamba ingawa kuna watu wengi sana wanaopinga ufisadi, na ambao wako katika mapambano na maadui wetu wa kila aina, watu wote hawa wameshindwa kuungana na kuunda chama kimoja kikubwa cha upinzani.

Bila chama hicho, chenye nguvu na wafwasi wengi katika kila mkoa huku bara na visiwani, uchaguzi wa mwaka ujao, na pia wa 2015, hautaleta mabadiliko yoyote nchini. Watu wa vyama vya upinzani mbali mbali watakuwa wanawasindikiza tu, wana CCM, kwenda kupiga kura. Ni sawa na kuipongeza CCM - "Endelea kututawala na kuongoza nchi yetu."

Kwahiyo, uchaguzi wa 2010 ni CCM tena. Pia uchaguzi wa 2015, itakuwa CCM tena ikiwa vyama vya upinzani havitaungana na kuunda chama kimoja kupambana na CCM.

CCM ina haki kuliongoza taifa letu kwa sababu hakuna upinzani wa kutosha ambao unaweza kukiondoa madarakani chama hicho ambacho kimeongoza nchi yetu karibu ya miaka hamsini tangu tulipopata uhuru. Kilikuwa ni TANU upande wa bara, chama kilichotuletea uhuru nchini Tanganyika, lakini hakuna tofauti kati ya CCM na TANU. CCM ni TANU + ASP tangu February 1977.

Tatizo lingine ambalo linatukabili katika uongozi wa taifa letu ni hili: Vingozi wa CCM hawataki kuwasilikiza viongozi wenzao katika vyama vya upinzani. Pia hawataki kushirikiana nao.

Ushirikiano mzuri ungekuwepo ikiwa serikali ya CCM ingewapa wapinzani wizara tatu, nne au hata tano, kuimarisha umoja wa taifa na muungano wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar. Wanaogopa nini? Kwa nini, kwa mfano, Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, akikubali, asipewe wizara ya uchumi au wizara ya fedha kuwa waziri wa wizara hiyo? Kwa nini kiongozi kutoka chama cha upinzani asichaguliwe na raisi kuwa naibu wa waziri mkuu katika serikali ya muungano? Kwa nini kiongozi kutoka CHADEMA au CUF asiwe waziri wa mambo ya nchi za nje na ushirkiano wa mataifa?

Nchi mbali mbali zinashirikiana hivyo katika sehemu mbali mbali serikalini. Mfano mmoja ni Merikani John Kennedy alipokuwa raisi wa nchi hiyo. Alikuwa ni Democrat, lakini viongozi wa wizara tatu kubwa walitoka chama cha upinzani. Walikuwa Republicans. US Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, alikuwa Republican. US Secretary of Defence, Robert S. McNamara, alikuwa Republican. US Secretary of Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon, alikuwa Republican.

Huo ni mfano tu; na mfano mmoja. Kuna mingine nchi mbali mbali.

Kwa nini haiwezekani kufanya hivyo nchini Tanzania?

Viongozi wa vyama vya upinzani wanaweza kusaidia kuliongoza taifa letu. Lakini pia ni kosa lao hawajaungana kuunda chama kimoja ambacho kinaweza kupambana na CMM katika uchaguzi.

 

[Josh Michael]

Umechangia sana, Josh Michael, sehemu mbali mbali hapa Jamii Forum. Shukrani nyingi kwa moyo wako wa uzalendo na kwa kuanzisha mada hii ambayo imetuwezesha kujadili mambo mengi ambayo ni ya muhimu kwa taifa letu; ingawa mwanzoni ilihusu mwandishi wetu mmoja, Godfrey Mwakikagile, na baadaye, Watanzania wengine walioandika vitabu. Sababu ambayo imetufanya tumzungumzie Mwakikagile kwa kirefu ni kwamba labda ameandika vitabu vingi kuliko Watanzania wengi ambao pia wameandika vitabu.

Swala moja ambalo tumelijadili ni ufisadi. Na ni bahati mbaya hatuna kiongozi nchini Tanzania mwenye moral authority kama Mwalimu Nyerere ambaye angeweza kukemea mafisadi na maadui wengine wa taifa letu na kuonyesha mfano mzuri wa uongozi kwa ujumla katika sehemu zote za taifa letu.

Ni wazi kwamba mafisadi na maadui wengine tulionao hapa nchini Tanzania wana angamiza nchi yetu. Pia ni jambo la kusikitisha sana kwamba ingawa kuna watu wengi sana wanaopinga ufisadi, na ambao wako katika mapambano na maadui wetu wa kila aina, watu wote hawa wameshindwa kuungana na kuunda chama kimoja kikubwa cha upinzani.

Bila chama hicho, chenye nguvu na wafwasi wengi katika kila mkoa huku bara na visiwani, uchaguzi wa mwaka ujao, na pia wa 2015, hautaleta mabadiliko yoyte nchini. Watu wa vyama vya upinzani mbali mbali watakuwa wanasindikiza tu, wana CCM, kwenda kupiga kura. Ni sawa na kuipongeza CCM - "Endelea kututawala na kuongoza nchi yetu."

Kwahiyo, uchaguzi wa 2010 ni CCM tena. Pia uchaguzi wa 2015, itakuwa CCM tena ikiwa vyama vya upinzani havitaungana na kuunda chama kimoja kupambana na CCM.

CCM ina haki kuliongoza taifa letu kwa sababu hakuna upinzani wa kutosha ambao unaweza kukiondoa madarakani chama hicho ambacho kimeongoza nchi yetu karibu ya miaka hamsini tangu tulipopata uhuru. Kilikuwa ni TANU upande wa bara, chama kilichotuletea uhuru nchini Tanganyika, lakini hakuna tofauti kati ya CCM na TANU. CCM ni TANU + ASP tangu February 1977.

Tatizo lingine ambalo linatukabili katika uongozi wa taifa letu ni hili: Vingozi wa CCM hawataki kuwasilikiza viongozi wenzao katika vyama vya upinzani. Pia hawataki kushirikiana nao.

Ushirikiano mzuri ungekuwepo ikiwa serikali ya CCM ingewapa wapinzani wizara tatu, nne au hata tano, kuimarisha umoja wa taifa na muungano wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar. Wanaogopa nini? Kwa nini, kwa mfano, Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, akikubali, asipewe wizara ya uchumi au wizara ya fedha kuwa waziri wa wizara hiyo? Kwa nini kiongozi kutoka chama cha upinzani asichaguliwe na raisi kuwa naibu wa waziri mkuu katika serikali ya muugano? Kwa nini kiongozi kutoka CHADEMA au CUF asiwe waziri wa mambo ya nchi za nje na ushirkiano wa mataifa?

Nchi mbali mbali zinashirikiana hivyo katika sehemu mbali mbali serikalini. Mfano mmoja ni Merikani John Kennedy alipokuwa raisi wa nchi hiyo. Alikuwa ni Democrat, lakini viongozi wa wizara tatu kubwa walitoka chama cha upinzani. Walikuwa Republicans. US Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, alikuwa Republican. US Secretary of Defence, Robert S. McNamara, alikuwa Republican. US Secretary of Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon, alikuwa Republican.

Huo ni mfano tu; na mfano mmoja. Kuna mingine nchi mbali mbali.

Kwa nini haiwezekani kufanya hivyo nchini Tanzania?

Viongozi wa vyama vya upinzani wanaweza kusaidia kuliongoza taifa letu. Lakini pia ni kosa lao hawajaungana kuunda chama kimoja ambacho kinaweza kupambana na CMM katika uchaguzi.

Mkuu Shwari, Asante sana kwa michango yako yote uliyotoa hapa na kila sehemu umeonekana kuwa unajua kwa undani juu ya mwandishi huyu na watu wengine wengi, huwa napenda sana kusoma kwa makini sana maelezo yako yote, Asante sana, hata mimi huwa napata sana shida sana katika kutafakari katika kujua na kuona upinznia katika Tanzania unakuwa na nguvu Katika Tanzania, Na kwa jinsi hivyo kama Upinzania ni dhaifu sana na ndio serikali nayo inakuwa dhaifu hivyo hivyo, Kuna haja ya kuwasaidia hata kudai katiba mpya katika Tanzania, Huwa napenda sana kuona Kiongozi awe kama MWalimu lakini watu wote kwa sasa wapo kwa ajili ya matundo yao, Asnte sana tena na pia endelea na harakati zako zote

 

[Josh Michael]

Tunapendekeza kuwa labda uje na kuandika kitabu cha current Tanzania social problems za katika politics zetu na jinsi gani ya kuboresha mifumo yetu ya uongozi