In defence of Mama Kikwete.
1. Hana kazi rasmi aliyoiomba kwa Watanzania, ni first lady by virtue of her husband's capacity.
2. Hata kama hajui Kiingereza, anajua kiswahili, ambacho kinamuwezesha kuongea na Watanzania karibu wote.
Kitu pekee ninachoweza kusema ni kwamba Mama Kikwete, kama Kiingereza hujui - and this is not verified- kutaka mkalimani si dhambi, na wengine wanaweza kuchukulia kama "national pride".
Kina Fidel Castro wanajua Kiingereza vilivyo, lakini wakifanya interview na Wamarekani shurti mkalimani wa Kihispania. Tena kuna muandishi mmoja wa habari wa Marekani muhuni, alijua Castro anapenda sana Baseball, akamuuliza swali kuhusu baseball, Castro kutokana na passion yake kwa baseball akajisahau kwamba anatakiwa kuwa hajui Kiingereza, instead of replying in Spanish and letting the interpreter relay, he bursted out in English.
Kwa hiyo mkalimani mara nyingine muhimu. Kiingereza kinaweza kuwa ni Kiswahili cha dunia, lakini hii haiondoi ukweli kwamba Kiswahili ni lugha yenye hadhi ya kimataifa.