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- Feb 11, 2007
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EasyFriday:Time to say NO to this stupid silence
Simon Mkina
THIS DAY
Dar es Salaam
A LONG time ago I regarded as absurd those who were defining Tanzanians as being ignorant, people who agreed to everything, people who were as meek as sheep and people who did not have guts to say 'no' even when they were maltreated.
But now I have a changed mind. I have started to line up with those colleagues, especially from our neighbouring country who, since time immemorial, have that mindset about my fellow Tanzanians.
That is to say they have had a belief that a Tanzanian was a 'yes man' even when someone pocked a finger in his eye. They say the most a Tanzanian could do was to close his eyelid to protect the eye. But he could not use his hands to push away the attacker pocking a finger into his eye.
They are people without speech even when they are hit on the left cheek. If the attacker wants to continue, they will offer the right cheek. To them that is not a problem.
They say Tanzanians are people who cannot stand for their rights even when a man who is mad but wealthy or has authority violates their rights.
They are people who love to adore the wealthy and treat the poor with contempt. When you have money, the body and the intelligence of a Tanzanian is your property. Such mindset is quite regrettable!
Tanzanians are people who did not have the temerity to demonstrate, to reject or show dislike to bad deeds done to them or those in relation to them.
That they are people who complain quietly as they continue to suffer. They stupidly endure problems, remain silent while they are being exploited endlessly.
It is said that they are people who can remain silent the fact that they don't have water for many days notwithstanding; they will continue to use water that is not safe, thus risking their lives.
All water taps are just for decoration. Family members die because of the dirty water; but people never complain to the authorities, they will only bury their dead and continue to draw water from the same water sources without raising an accusing finger to anyone.
If the situation gets worse, they will take water from the Indian Ocean for use at home and elsewhere. Only the sea water is too salty.
They can't say anything; but will keep on complaining while treating themselves against cholera and diarrhea, water-borne diseases caused by the lack of safe water.
What is more, they will continue receiving monthly water bills without complaining; and they will pay the bills and continue to complain albeit quietly.
It is the same with electricity; for a Tanzanian who lives in a house with electric wiring, it is a luxury to use electricity and the day power becomes available� children rejoice loudly shouting:�.Eee-h there is power�.electricity !!!
When you write, politicians jump on you saying you are instigating people to demonstrate, riot or to hate their government. It's terrible to work under this environment. Thus most of Tanzanian journalists are believed to be hypocrites.
I am even told that if a beer customer finds dirty particles swimming in the 'golden' liquid, what he can do is just to throw out the beer and then buy another one without complaining to the bar owner.
If he develops stomach upsets, he swallows some tablets and life goes on.
Many shops are full of bad and second-rate products; but many customers do not care about their quality or their expiry date. One thing remains -to eat.. eat.. eat�drink�drink�drink. Nobody cares even for his health.
That is why many clever shopkeepers -- other people call them con men -- people, who particularly frequent high-density areas with sub-standard products. They sell everything. If the buyers die from treatable illnesses �aah it is the will of Allah! But the deaths are certainly caused by eating a lot of dirt in the products they consume.
Nobody complains on behalf of these poor people! Everybody is concerned with his own affairs; and even those responsible will be heard saying: ''Ah, it is their problem, can't they even look after their own health? It is regrettable!''
How many students can approach the National Examination Council to argue against their failure in the examinations despite their being intelligent in class? Not one. It is even possible their headmasters are unaware of such a possibility.
Silence and fear are ubiquitous.
Our intellectuals are even more foolish. Even after studying for a long time and staying without employment they consider the situation to be normal and do not fuss about it.
They are told that there is no employment; but at the same time relatives of a minister, a principal secretary, a director or a board chairman get employed, even when they are not well educated like them.
These intellectuals cannot even voice their disapproval. They keep quiet and if they are seen to ask questions of that nature, they are told to go and employ themselves by forming cooperatives.
They don't even ask where they will obtain capital to start their enterprises. They keep silent and continue to complain. Wake up now!
Banks are other institutions that ridicule Tanzanians. They charge high interests, and above all they ask for a lot of valuable assets before issuing their money. Who possesses those assets? It's only wives, sons, daughters, nieces of nephews of those bigwigs, especially those with EPA and Richmond money.
The list of malpractices is long, but who will dare to tie the bell on the cat's neck? Time is the ultimate judge. May I wish you all a nice Friday.
Contact me if you dare at:
Mobile: 0754 020880
Email:smkina@gmail.com
Weblog: KONA YANGU
Simon Mkina
THIS DAY
Dar es Salaam
A LONG time ago I regarded as absurd those who were defining Tanzanians as being ignorant, people who agreed to everything, people who were as meek as sheep and people who did not have guts to say 'no' even when they were maltreated.
But now I have a changed mind. I have started to line up with those colleagues, especially from our neighbouring country who, since time immemorial, have that mindset about my fellow Tanzanians.
That is to say they have had a belief that a Tanzanian was a 'yes man' even when someone pocked a finger in his eye. They say the most a Tanzanian could do was to close his eyelid to protect the eye. But he could not use his hands to push away the attacker pocking a finger into his eye.
They are people without speech even when they are hit on the left cheek. If the attacker wants to continue, they will offer the right cheek. To them that is not a problem.
They say Tanzanians are people who cannot stand for their rights even when a man who is mad but wealthy or has authority violates their rights.
They are people who love to adore the wealthy and treat the poor with contempt. When you have money, the body and the intelligence of a Tanzanian is your property. Such mindset is quite regrettable!
Tanzanians are people who did not have the temerity to demonstrate, to reject or show dislike to bad deeds done to them or those in relation to them.
That they are people who complain quietly as they continue to suffer. They stupidly endure problems, remain silent while they are being exploited endlessly.
It is said that they are people who can remain silent the fact that they don't have water for many days notwithstanding; they will continue to use water that is not safe, thus risking their lives.
All water taps are just for decoration. Family members die because of the dirty water; but people never complain to the authorities, they will only bury their dead and continue to draw water from the same water sources without raising an accusing finger to anyone.
If the situation gets worse, they will take water from the Indian Ocean for use at home and elsewhere. Only the sea water is too salty.
They can't say anything; but will keep on complaining while treating themselves against cholera and diarrhea, water-borne diseases caused by the lack of safe water.
What is more, they will continue receiving monthly water bills without complaining; and they will pay the bills and continue to complain albeit quietly.
It is the same with electricity; for a Tanzanian who lives in a house with electric wiring, it is a luxury to use electricity and the day power becomes available� children rejoice loudly shouting:�.Eee-h there is power�.electricity !!!
When you write, politicians jump on you saying you are instigating people to demonstrate, riot or to hate their government. It's terrible to work under this environment. Thus most of Tanzanian journalists are believed to be hypocrites.
I am even told that if a beer customer finds dirty particles swimming in the 'golden' liquid, what he can do is just to throw out the beer and then buy another one without complaining to the bar owner.
If he develops stomach upsets, he swallows some tablets and life goes on.
Many shops are full of bad and second-rate products; but many customers do not care about their quality or their expiry date. One thing remains -to eat.. eat.. eat�drink�drink�drink. Nobody cares even for his health.
That is why many clever shopkeepers -- other people call them con men -- people, who particularly frequent high-density areas with sub-standard products. They sell everything. If the buyers die from treatable illnesses �aah it is the will of Allah! But the deaths are certainly caused by eating a lot of dirt in the products they consume.
Nobody complains on behalf of these poor people! Everybody is concerned with his own affairs; and even those responsible will be heard saying: ''Ah, it is their problem, can't they even look after their own health? It is regrettable!''
How many students can approach the National Examination Council to argue against their failure in the examinations despite their being intelligent in class? Not one. It is even possible their headmasters are unaware of such a possibility.
Silence and fear are ubiquitous.
Our intellectuals are even more foolish. Even after studying for a long time and staying without employment they consider the situation to be normal and do not fuss about it.
They are told that there is no employment; but at the same time relatives of a minister, a principal secretary, a director or a board chairman get employed, even when they are not well educated like them.
These intellectuals cannot even voice their disapproval. They keep quiet and if they are seen to ask questions of that nature, they are told to go and employ themselves by forming cooperatives.
They don't even ask where they will obtain capital to start their enterprises. They keep silent and continue to complain. Wake up now!
Banks are other institutions that ridicule Tanzanians. They charge high interests, and above all they ask for a lot of valuable assets before issuing their money. Who possesses those assets? It's only wives, sons, daughters, nieces of nephews of those bigwigs, especially those with EPA and Richmond money.
The list of malpractices is long, but who will dare to tie the bell on the cat's neck? Time is the ultimate judge. May I wish you all a nice Friday.
Contact me if you dare at:
Mobile: 0754 020880
Email:smkina@gmail.com
Weblog: KONA YANGU
