Muke Ya Muzungu
JF-Expert Member
- Jun 17, 2009
- 3,444
- 264
SOURCE: Michuzi
To understand the intricacies of life for ordinary Tanzanians, and how they live on social edge, is as complex as paradigm shift of humanity itself. Millions of Tanzanians are living on simmering time bomb set to go off at any time. May sound utopian type of thinking, but not quite so, until you learn how a Tanzanian is putting his and others lives in line, for the sake of riches triggered by poverty.
Over a month ago, while in Tanzania, I heard over the radio, a diplomatic row between Tanzania and Burundi governments, in which, six Tanzanian truckers, were arrested for siphoning gasoline, and then adding kerosene into the tankers. No one knew exactly, how many lives had been negatively impacted by these acts, and how long this dirty game had been going on, but the fact of the matter is, it was shameful and embarrassing for Tanzania.
While en-route to Dar-es-salaam from Arusha, I stopped in Korogwe to fuel my car. Along the way, somewhere around Tanga, the vehicle started to act funny, shaking occasionally. Considering this was fairly a new car, with only 25,000km. I assumed, however, that, there was nothing mechanically serious to worry about. Until I reached Dar-Es-Salaam, I did not suspect any foul play.
While in Dar, and the gasoline was almost running out, out of nowhere, a bomb like sound, violent shaking and excessive smoke erupted abruptly, and went for almost half a kilometer. I knew my engine was gone, and had to stop the vehicle, and towed it to the garage; only to find out that indeed, my car had kerosene in the engine!
Today, Transformer fuel is being used in food business. Due to its slow burning capability, this oil is a precious commodity in the chips vumbi business. Many street vendors are using it extensively to fry chips, without knowing its negative or adverse effects to the peoples health. The vendors main objective is to maximize their profits at a minimal cost, at the expense of unsuspecting consumer. Thank you to greed and poverty in our country that legalizes crime as an alternative to survival as opposed to lawful means!
There is a new inclination, in which some in poultry, and pig farming, are reaping huge profits within the shortest period of time; feeding chicken and pigs human medicine. Out of curiosity, shock and dismay, I went deeper to find out how in the world could this happen. My findings were rather desolate and shocking, to know that, Antiretroviral (ARVs), meant for HIV victims, were now being fed to pigs and poultry, because they hasten growth; hence, quick and huge profits turnaround to farmers. My only question was, how could this happen in a country with the government, law enforces and health officials; Human medicine being diverted for farm animal usage?
My experiences are just but a few of the many sad tales. What we have to understand is that, as a society, we are bathing in situational and generational poverty. These are not normal exploits for survival; they are products, of greed and hopelessness in which a human can do anything to sustain himself, including legalizing crime as an alternative to traditional employment.
They are long- term economic struggle that naturally follows when people are pushed into the wall of despair, and consequently careless for the aftereffect of their actions, even if means killing the whole country, which seems to be the simmering news that will one day, shock us.
The entire Tanzanian society is forming a culture that limits chances for future generations. We have cultural belief that celebrates success derived from shortcuts regarded as crime. There is no exception to this. From top down of our societal structure, corruption and Uchakachuaji are celebrated. Children in our country are growing up believing that their present circumstances are determined only by fate and factors beyond their control, which includes obstruction of others wellbeing, as long as you enrich yourself. This is living in a social edge that will soon explode if we dont rethink, and only urging you the reader to suggest an alternative.
To understand the intricacies of life for ordinary Tanzanians, and how they live on social edge, is as complex as paradigm shift of humanity itself. Millions of Tanzanians are living on simmering time bomb set to go off at any time. May sound utopian type of thinking, but not quite so, until you learn how a Tanzanian is putting his and others lives in line, for the sake of riches triggered by poverty.
Over a month ago, while in Tanzania, I heard over the radio, a diplomatic row between Tanzania and Burundi governments, in which, six Tanzanian truckers, were arrested for siphoning gasoline, and then adding kerosene into the tankers. No one knew exactly, how many lives had been negatively impacted by these acts, and how long this dirty game had been going on, but the fact of the matter is, it was shameful and embarrassing for Tanzania.
While en-route to Dar-es-salaam from Arusha, I stopped in Korogwe to fuel my car. Along the way, somewhere around Tanga, the vehicle started to act funny, shaking occasionally. Considering this was fairly a new car, with only 25,000km. I assumed, however, that, there was nothing mechanically serious to worry about. Until I reached Dar-Es-Salaam, I did not suspect any foul play.
While in Dar, and the gasoline was almost running out, out of nowhere, a bomb like sound, violent shaking and excessive smoke erupted abruptly, and went for almost half a kilometer. I knew my engine was gone, and had to stop the vehicle, and towed it to the garage; only to find out that indeed, my car had kerosene in the engine!
Today, Transformer fuel is being used in food business. Due to its slow burning capability, this oil is a precious commodity in the chips vumbi business. Many street vendors are using it extensively to fry chips, without knowing its negative or adverse effects to the peoples health. The vendors main objective is to maximize their profits at a minimal cost, at the expense of unsuspecting consumer. Thank you to greed and poverty in our country that legalizes crime as an alternative to survival as opposed to lawful means!
There is a new inclination, in which some in poultry, and pig farming, are reaping huge profits within the shortest period of time; feeding chicken and pigs human medicine. Out of curiosity, shock and dismay, I went deeper to find out how in the world could this happen. My findings were rather desolate and shocking, to know that, Antiretroviral (ARVs), meant for HIV victims, were now being fed to pigs and poultry, because they hasten growth; hence, quick and huge profits turnaround to farmers. My only question was, how could this happen in a country with the government, law enforces and health officials; Human medicine being diverted for farm animal usage?
My experiences are just but a few of the many sad tales. What we have to understand is that, as a society, we are bathing in situational and generational poverty. These are not normal exploits for survival; they are products, of greed and hopelessness in which a human can do anything to sustain himself, including legalizing crime as an alternative to traditional employment.
They are long- term economic struggle that naturally follows when people are pushed into the wall of despair, and consequently careless for the aftereffect of their actions, even if means killing the whole country, which seems to be the simmering news that will one day, shock us.
The entire Tanzanian society is forming a culture that limits chances for future generations. We have cultural belief that celebrates success derived from shortcuts regarded as crime. There is no exception to this. From top down of our societal structure, corruption and Uchakachuaji are celebrated. Children in our country are growing up believing that their present circumstances are determined only by fate and factors beyond their control, which includes obstruction of others wellbeing, as long as you enrich yourself. This is living in a social edge that will soon explode if we dont rethink, and only urging you the reader to suggest an alternative.
Mungu Ibariki Tanzania
John Mashaka
Mashaka.john@yahoo.com