Wednesday, December 30, 2009

MAAZIMIO YA 2010

NAWATAKIA MWAKA MPYA MWEMA TUNAPOFUNGA MWAKA HUU 2009 NA KUINGIA 2010. Naomba tujadili ili na mwisho wake tuwape ushauri vijana wanaoanza maisha. Je, kama maazimio ( resolution) ya mwaka unaokuja, 2010 lipi ni jambo la busara kwa kijana aliyemaliza shule, ( mfano chuo kikuu) na kuyaanza maisha; aanze kwa kununua gari, au anunue kiwanja? naomba tujadiliane.

Samahani, mjadala huu ni wa ushauri kwa vijana waliopo Afrika kusini mwa jangwa la Sahara.

Monday, December 28, 2009

DAR ES SALAAM SHWARI KIPINDI HIKI CHA XMAS

natamani dar es salaam iwe hivi hivi kipindi chote cha mwaka. Naishi Tegeta, takribani kilomita 30 kutoka katikati ya mji. Kwa kawaida huwa natumia lisaa limoja na nusu kwenda kazini asubuhi. Katika kipindi hiki cha sikukuhuu ya noeli kuanzia tarehe 26th december nimekuwa nikitumia dakika 40 kufika kazini. Nafanya kazi Bandarini, Dsm.

Kweli, wageni wameondoka kwenda shamba na kutuachia wenye mji.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Two Dumb persons

Q. How do men get exercise at the beach?

A. By sucking in their stomachs every time they see a bikini

Q. What's a man's idea of helping with the housework?

A. Lifting his legs so you can vacuum

Q. How do women define 50/50 relationship?

A. We cook/they eat; we clean/they dirty; we iron/they wrinkle.

Q. What is the difference between goverment bonds and men?

A. Goverment bonds mature

Q. How are men like noodles?

A. They are always in hot water, they lack taste, and they need daugh.

Q. What's the best way to force a man to do sit ups?

A. Put the remote control between his toes.

Source. Daily News ( Tanzanian daily)

HOW TO AVERT NEGATIVE CONFLICT AT THE OFFICE

THE EARLIER, THE BETTER: Address issues as early as possible, whether you are the employer or employee

Prevent conflict from happening

1) ‘’You can predict straight away what conflict areas are going to be, ‘’ Peter Samuel, an Industrial relations specialist at Nottingham University Business School, says. Budget squeezes and redundancies are a dangerous breeding ground for employee discontent. Communicating clearly; setting an open door policy, being consistent and developing teams’ interpersonal skills can help to prevent conflict from arising.

Acknowledge it

2) Ben Willmott, a senior public policy advisor at Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, says that most managers are not prepared for conflict: There are usually clear signs from individual behaviour. Managers need to be ready to intervene.’’

Dr Samuel says that passive forms of conflict such as ABSENTEEISM OR LATENESS often point a deeper, hidden problem. ‘’Even joking can be a form of conflict.’’

Tackle issues early on

3) ‘’It is important to address issues as early as possible, whether you are the employer or employee, ‘’Jane Bird, of Acas, the conciliation service, says; ‘’Internal workplace conflict is kept very much underground- everyone knows it is going on, but organizationally is not talked about.’’

CIPD research found that resolving a grievance case takes an average of nine days, disciplinary case 13 and preparing for an employment tribunal 15 days.

Take the emotion out

4) As a traffic warden for Vinci park, a car park design and management company, Craig Adamson is used to dealing with irate customers who sometimes can become violent when presented with fines. In his experience, the worst thing to do when a blow-up occurs is to ask someone to calm down: ‘’they find it patronizing’’. Using open language, not talking with hands and speaking gentle, tone send out calming signals

‘’If people are frustrated or angry, then don’t try to resolve it while they are still emotional,’’ Bill Fox, the Chairman of Maybo, a conflict specialist, says.

People instinctively avoid uncomfortable conversations.

5) Ms Bird says. ‘’Talking can be cathartic- when people feel that someone is listening to them, they calm down.’’

Grievances or formal disciplinary procedures are an important stage, but are often overused by managers, who shy away from dealing with conflict, Mr Wilmott says. ‘’Speak to people individually to find the root of the issue, then bring people together. Retain your integrity-don’t take sides.’’

Look for the root causes

6) Conflict is the symptom, not the problem- the real cause is not always obvious. Conflict is often caused by breakdown in communication. Mr. Fox suggests asking ‘’why’’ five time- the number of questions usually needed before people can pinpoint the reason for something happening.

Move away from ‘win-lose’

7) ‘’People think of conflict as ‘’WIN LOSE’’, but there are many different outcomes- a compromise or a solution that meets everyone’s need.’’ Gareth English of OPP, a business psychology firm, says.

Avoid referring to entrenched positions. When you start sharing information, you often find that they are closer than they think.’’

Involve people in the solution

8) ‘’Managers do not have a monopoly on good ideas. People can often be encouraged to be quite creative in coming up with a solution and are more likely to ‘own’ it’’ Ms Bird says.

Mr. Willmott advises managers to take mediation training to develop their skills at brokering a deal.

MAKE PHYSICAL CHANGES

9) TO BREAK A DREADLOCK, PHYSICALLY MOVE PEOPLE OR CHANGE THEIR WORKING PATTERNS TO HELP TO RE-START SITUATION

10) Conflict is not always negative

Some of the greatest victories in employment history would not have been won without bitter conflict- equal pay legislation or maternity rights for example, Dr Samuel says.

‘’Just because conflict is uncomfortable doesn’t mean that it’s bad,’’ Mr. English says. ‘’If people agree all the time, then you get ‘group think,’ which leads to risky behaviour.’’


Source The EastAfrican

Sunday, December 13, 2009


please click in the middle to enlarge for easy reading.

When dar gets hotter, try Jangwani Sea breeze resort.

Is this the best use of our precious human resources?
Maktaba street, Dar.

MATUMIZI MABAYA YA NJIA ZA WAPITA KWA MIGUU

Hapa ni kijitonyama, Dar Es Salaam, barabara ya Ali Hassan Mwinyi, karibu na mgahawa maarufu wa break point.


Is this market regulated?

CATHOLIC CHURCH LAUNCHES A COMMERCIAL BANK


The building that was once accomodating catholic bookshop behind St.Joseph church in Dar Es Salaam is now a premise for Mkombozi Commercial Bank Ltd, wholly owned and managed by catholic church.

BANK OF TANZANIA; THEN


BANK OF TANZANIA; NOW


TANZANIAN 48TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

what is the difference?

We got independence 48 years ago. Poverty is increasing day by day, and the value of the shilling is going down and down.

Shilling exchange rate now stands at 1324/- against one US Dollar; when we got independence, a dollar exchange was Shs 7/- for 1$; now is this progressing or backwardness?

On 9th December, 1961, we're so hopeful and 10th December 2009, we are less hopeful, on 11th December 2010, we may completely lose hope if H.E Kikwete does not put agriculture first.

I am now a grand father but my grand father used to export cereals and cashewnuts to India in thousands of tonnes per year.

Our export were thousands of tonnes approximately 300,000 tonnes of cashewnuts and cereals ( ufuta, groundnuts, peagon peas and dengu) per year in 1960's in Southern Regions only, leave aside cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco, and maize, in other regions like Mwanza and Kilimanjaro.

I am very happy that H.E President has come up with the policy of Kilimo Kwanza.

mwalimu was very keen on agriculture and therefore he tried Ujamaa villages although his best policies were spoiled by pseudo implemontors. Now H.E Kikwete, the president of the United Republic of Tanzania is number ONE in agriculture and even Hon. Pinda and Hon. Wassira.

I will salute them if they put agriculture first priority.

M.R.J SABODO

The Retired Specialist in Hedge Funds, Equity Funds and International Commercial Debts.

Source. Daily News; A Tanzanian daily

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

DO THEY KNOW ITS TANZANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY?

9/12/1961 Tanganyikans celebrated the independence from colonizers, old guards had reasons just to do that; 'mkoloni ondoka, mtanganyika atawale' liberation from whitemen.

Statistically the life expectancy of a child born in the year of Uhuru was 41 years, so the majority of the uhuru children are now dead. I've talked to a large group of Tanzanians who are all more than 50 years old and several are over 80. But, statistically, these people are not representative, for the average first-generation Tanzanian is dead.

The leaders of the uhuru generation are mostly gone. A second generation has taken over and a third generation is waiting on the sidelines. Tanzania is a second- generation nation but some of the first generation Tanzanians are still alive.

So, second-generation is on the driving seat, the likes of Hon. Laurent Masha ( Home Affair Minister), was born in 1969 and Emmanuel Nchimbi ( Deputy, Defence Minister), was born 1974. How are these leaders view foreigners?

On my opinion they see 'wazungu' not as exploiters but partners/friends, to put it in a more fashionable term, 'development partners'.

When these second-generation leaders with their fashionable suits convene at top most hotel, e.g Movenpick, are they really reprensenting Tanzanians? Are these leaders really know or have any idea that their grandfathers ( Mwalimu Nyerere and others) fought for independence?

There are more questions than answers.

Happy independence day.

Sunday, December 6, 2009



Its a mall with western flavour, this is where elite shop, dine, go to a movie, conduct financial transactions ( a number of banks are housed in this mall), etc etc etc

For us, 'walalahoi' this is a place to wonder about, spending considerable time moving around without spending a penny.

Mlimani City, its a wonder of Dar Es Salaam, partly owned by South africans, the mall has changed the way we shop to a greater length. Gone are days when dar es salaamites had no alternatives; the ujamaa days when sembe was bought by 'duka la kaya'. These days it is the thickness of the wallet that counts.

But I'm not impressed by 100% with this 'modern' way of shopping. The Mall is located on the area that was at one time reserved for University of Dar Es Salaam. Ironically, the University students are squatting and commute from distant location due to the absence of hostel accomodation. Students are residing as far as Mabibo and we should not expect academic excellence from our sisters and brothers.




CHRISMAS TREE!!! The History of the tree.



Yes, chrismas is around the corner, we are ready to decorate our houses with chrismas trees and santa claus, but do we really know the history of the tree?

Please visit,

http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

Friday, December 4, 2009

Dar Es Salaam gets hotter.

Dar Es Salaam is getting hotter; for my friends and relatives from diaspora with plans to visit dar, think about this before coming.

Dar temperature is 32c
London temperature is 7c
New York is 9c

Mates come with bikini/ kaptura and tell your uncle/parents/ brother/spouse/hotel reservations to make sure air conditioner is properly working. Otherwise stay away from Dar.

besides dar needs 'usafiri' bwana, do not rely on overcrowded daladala, you'wont enjoy a xmas season with this out of date commuting system, plse make sure you own a decent car with air conditioner.

A weird idea

A GUY goes over to his friend’s house, ring the bell, and the wife answers.

‘Hi, is Tony home?”
‘No, he went to the store.’

‘Well, you mind if I wait?

Yes, come in.’

They sit down and the friend says ‘‘you know Nora; you have the greatest breast I have ever seen. I’d give you a $100 if I could just see one’

Nora thinks about this for a second and figures what the hell. A $100, she opens her robe and shows one. He promptly thanks her and throws a $100 on the table.

They sit there a while longer and Chris says ‘They are beautiful I have got to see both of them. I will give you another $100 if I could just see both of them together.’ Nora thinks about this and thinks what the hell, opens her robe, and give Chris a nice long look. Chris thanks her, throws another $100 on the table, and then says he can’t wait any longer and leaves.

A while later Tony arrives home and his wife says, ‘you know, your weird friend Chris came over’.

Tony thinks about this for a second and says, ‘WELL DID HE DROP OFF THE $200 HE OWES ME?’

Source: Daily News ( A Tanzanian daily)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

IS OUR LIFESTYLE SUSTAINABLE?

I am tempted to pose this question after reading with wide interest a story of an Irish-born economics graduate who lived for a year without spending any money.



Mark Boyle, 30, has lived for the past 12 months as a true 'free-economist' leading a self-sufficient lifestyle in a caravan in Timsbury, near Bath, England glowing his own food and reusing junk that people have thrown away.



Obviously Mark had gone to the extreme, but his lifestyle sheds light and should make us guilt of our own destruction. We've literally abandoned what nature had provided us for free and embrace human influences without realizing the mishaps.



In Africa, 500 years of western domination has had adverse effect not only to environment but also to our well-being. We have been pulling down trees in order to facilitate 'modern' housing, tilling land for damned cash crops not for our consumption and poaching valuable elephants for ivory . Interestingly all of the above depletion of natural resources satisfies our immediate needs, i.e gaining damned money; ignoring livelihood and survival of next generations.



Ironically there's no check and balance of our own actions. For many years human being has been uprooting trees without planting thus endangering the ecosystem. For example, Dar Es Salaam is the third fastest growing city in Africa after Bamako and Lagos. 40 years ago, the area stretching from sinza suburban to University Hill was a dense forest inhabiting indigenous trees that had environmental role of holding the soil in its place. In those forests, a not insignificant amount of water used to be retained on leaves, bark, and in the soil. Of course retained water used to evaporate and then feed other ecological system and thus maintained rainfall cycle. Money has greatly disturbed this environmentally friendly city that the whole area notably Sinza, Mwenge, Mlalakua, and University of Dar Es Salaam is full of residential houses, hotels, shopping mall ( Mlimani City), petrol stations, roads, and other 'modern' facilities. When it rains, much of the water rushes down the slope and is lost for good. We're not only using water but our own life too.

The World will be saved when we imitate, just a little bit of Boyle's lifestyle.