Kitabu cha 'Oyster Bay Stories'

Mwandishi Jules Damji

Kusoma blogu yake bofya hapa: http://oysterbay-stories.blogspot.com/

Hivi karibuni nimegundua kitabu cha 'Oyster Bay Stories' kilichoandikwa na bwana Jules Damji. Yeye ni mhindi aliyezaliwa Tanzania na kuishi huko kwa muda mrefu kabla ya kuja hapa Marekani.

Kama tunavyojua kuna wahindi wengi Tanzania and Afrika kwa ujumla. Nao wana historia yao ndefu na makabila na dini tofauti, mfano kuna wahindi wakristo, waislamu (mfano mabohora) na wahindu.

Kitabu cha bwana Damji ina hadithi fupi mbalimbali kuhusu maisha ya Tanzania na hasa Dar es Salaam miaka ya 1960's na 1970's.

Kwa habari zaidi kuhusu kitabu cha 'Oyster Bay Stories' mnaweza kusoma:
http://oysterbay-stories.blogspot.com/

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Excerpt from the Book:

Caretaker

In the way that elegant minarets, manicured lawns, and lush gardens with sparkling water fountains are inherently part of a Grand Mosque, Mr. Karmali was a human one. He was our jamat bhai, or caretaker, of the Upanga Mosque at the end of several rows of two-story cream-white identical flats along the bending Upanga Road.

It is a modern two-story white building, with arched glass windows along the length of each floor, and a prominent tower at one end of the building, housing four circular clocks on each of its face and a dome on top of it. It looks grand and ostentatiously conspicuous, more like a palace than a house of worship. Perhaps all houses of worship are deliberately built on a grander scale to inspire awe among its worshipers — and envy among those not of the denomination.
Even in Europe, ancient cathedrals were built on enormous scale. So were the temples of ancient India, followed by Muslim conquers who built their grand mosques, some on razed temple grounds.

On festive occasions, our Upanga Mosque would be festooned with glittering colored lights along the edges of the building, outlining its frame at night. Many postcards captured this luminous moment — and were on sale at many of the local bookstores in town. It was a landmark of its kind and a source of architectural pride for our community, not only the Upanga Mosque, but others as well, in downtown, in Kariakoo, in other coastal and interior towns. These landscape monuments spoke of the community’s powerful presence — and for many a source of envy.

Every morning and evening before prayers, Mr. Karmali would be seated in his rickety wooden chair by the main entrance doors of the mosque facing Upanga Road. His appearance and attire, like the unchanging engraved Arabic designs on the entrance doors, remained unaltered: a white flowing kanzu, concealing his large body, a brown tweed jacket adorned with old bronze medals with ribbons, and a tilted red fez on his oversized head, its black tassel, like a pendulum, brushed his unshaven jovial face as he greeted people entering the prayer hall.

He rarely spoke, and when he did, it was only to delegate mosque-related chores in Kiswahili to youngsters; his kutchi or gujarati was heavily accented, with African pronunciations, and was often ridiculed by the affluent kids who attended Friday prayers in their best designer clothes........

Dada Ummie Alley Hamid Amsuta Eric Shigongo (Amina Chifupa)

BURIANI MWANANGU AMINA CHIFUPA: PRINCESS WA TANZANIA

Na Ummie-Mahfoudha Alley Hamid

Kifo hakina wakati, huruma wala subira, huja kwa saa na muda uliopangwa na mwenyewe Subhana wa Taala Mwenyezi Mungu Mtukufu. Mwanaadamu hawezi kukipangua. Ya laiti ingelikuwa uwezekano huo upo, basi tungalipangua vifo vya wengi ambao ni vipenzi vyetu kikiwemo hichi cha juzi cha mbunge wa Viti Maalum CCM anaewawakilisha vijana katika Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Marehemu Amina Chifupa Mpakanjia.

Wa kale walisema chema hakidumu. Nimeuthibitisha ukweli wa usemi huu kwa kifo cha binti huyu. Marehemu Amina alikuwa na sifa zote za kupendeza. Alikuwa kijana, mrembo, mtanashati, mcheshi, msomi kwa kiasi chake na zaidi ya yote alikuwa mtu wa watu.

Si muda mrefu tangu nimjuwe Marehemu. Nilimsikia sauti yake wakati akiwa mtangazaji wa redio, na nikamjuwa kupitia magazeti na runinga. Nikaja kumjuwa baada ya kuchaguliwa kuwa mbunge wa vijana kupitia chama tawala cha CCM. Kabla ya kumjuwa fika, nilikuwa najisemea ki moyo moyo, “Hmmmm, binti kama huyu mwenye sifa zote hizi, kweli atakuwa na uwezo wa kuongea na watu wa hali ya chini anaowawakilisha? Hivi huyu si anaringa na kujiona kuwa hakuna wa kumgusa?” Hakika dhana ni dhambi na kweli nilipata dhambi kwani nilivyomdhania ikawa ni tofauti na nilivyomjua. Ukweli nilijikumbuka mimi enzi zangu nilipokuwa natikisa na namna watu walivyokuwa wanaona najivuna

Nilimwmjuwa Amina kwa muda wa miaka chini ya miwili ya ubunge wake. Aliniita “mama” nikamwitika “mwanangu”. Alikuwa ni mtu “Simpol” kwa lugha ya mjini. Alikuwa mchangamfu na pia alikuwa ni mtu mwenye sikio la kusikiliza watu na shida zao ingawa shida nyengine zilikuwa si rahisi kwake kuzitatua.

Umaarufu, ujana, urembo, wema wake ulimfanya alengwe shabaha na kila chombo cha habari, iwe kwa wema au utelezi alioufanya. Ujana wake ulimfanya awe au afanye mambo mengi ambayo yanafanywa na yalifanywa na wengi ambao walio na umri wake. Binaadamu tunasahau kuwa “ujana ni moshi” na mwishowe hupita tu. Tunasahau kuwa tumepitia hatua zote hizo na zaidi ya hizo katika ujana wetu.

Alifanya mambo ya kawaida ya ujana na urembo, alikuwa mlevi? Sikumfahamu hivyo, mvuta sigara au bangi? Sikumjuwa hivyo, mtumiaji wa madawa ya kulevya? Sikumuona na sidhani kama alikuwa hivyo. Lipi geni alilokuwa nalo Marehemu Amina hata kusakamwa na kudhalillishwa hadi kufikia kupoteza roho yake changa?

Tujiambie na tujiulize, hivi sisi tukiwa kama waandishi wa habari, ni lazima tuwe na habari mbaya (negative) ndio tuandike au ndio ziuzike? Hatuwezi kuwa na upande mzuri (positive) side of issues? Kwa nini muandishi wa habari mwenzetu anaeanza maisha na malengo yake awe ndio chanzo chetu cha habari mbovu zilizopo na zisizokuwepo? Vijarida vya udaku haviuziki bila ya kuwepo uwongo usokifuniko?

Nasema hivi kwa sababu nimesikitishwa na muandishi Eric Shigongo wa gazeti la IJUMAA ambalo slogan yake ni “We belong to God” yaani wao ni waja wa Mungu, na namna alivyomsakama mwana wa watu na kusahau hiyo slogan yake ya kuwa yeye ni mja wa Mungu na Marehemu Amina pia ni mja wa Mungu. Amemuekea makala spesheli ya kumdoboa na kumnazi’i kadmnas bila kimeme. Anamkashifu na kuashiria kuwa Marehemu amefika kumfata kwake na kujitakisha!

Shigongo amemkejeli Marehemu eti asijifananishe na Mhe. Migiro na Mhe. Meghji. Kwa nini iwe vibaya kuwa na malengo? Hata Waheshimiwa hao walimhusudu Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meyer, Bandaranaike, Madeline Albright, Indira Ghandi na Bi Titi hawa wakiwa wachache tu kati ya wengi. Hakuna aliezaliwa na ujuzi usio weza kufikiwa na wengine. Hakuna kati yetu aliejuwa tu bila kuiga au kuweka malengo. Amemkejeli kwa bezo eti hata nae awe katika NEC na awe Mwenyekiti UVCCM. Mbona huyu Mwenyekiti wa sasa nae ni mjumbe wa NEC? Kwa nini kilicho “Good for the goose” kisiwe “Good for the gander?” Au hii ni kwa sababu ya jinsia yake? Kwa Marehemu alijiwekea malengo kuwa “Even the Sky was not the limit” because there is Outer Space after the sky, and may be that is where she wanted to set the limit.

Nathubutu kusema kuwa nilivyomjuwa Marehemu kwa muda mfupi na tukawa karibu sana kiasi cha kuwa wiki haipiti bila kujuliana hali siamini kama alikwenda kwa Shigongo na kukaa kwa saa sita kupindukia usiku wa manane kwa lengo la kutumia ujanajike wake. Maalesh, na iwe kweli kenda kwa lengo hilo, kwani Marehemu Amina atakuwa wa kwanza kujitakisha? Eric Shigongo hajapata kutaka au kutakwa na mwanamke? Anasema alimshikisha Marehemu kitabu kitakatifu ili aape kama aliwahi kutakiwa na Shigongo, na Marehemu akakataa kukishika; jee Shigongo anajuwa sharia za Kiislamu na sababu zinazomfanya mwanamke wa Kiislamu kukataa kushika Mas-hafu kwa sababu na nyakati fulani fulani?

Shigongo ameendelea na makala zake za kashfa juu ya uhusiano wa Marehemu na Mheshimiwa mmoja bungeni, jee tumuite yey ni mtafiti wa habari za ndani za wabunge wote walio bungeni? Ni kweli anajuwa mahusiano binafsi ya baina wabunge wote au alimkandia Marehemu tu? Kama anazijuwa habari zote mbona asiziandike kwa mapana na marefu na akakazania za Marehemu tu? Mbona asitoe habari za kina za huyo mbunge wa kiume na kumuandama Marehemu peke yake? Wangereza wanasema “It takes two to tango and it takes two to quarrel”. Au hii ni ile dhana ya mfumo dume uliotutawala kuwa mwanamke ndie anaefaa kuitwa M……a (siwezi kuliandika hili neno) na mwanamme anafaa uitwa “KIJOGOO”. Kama kazi hii ni ya wawili, vipi iwe sifa kwa mmoja na kashfa kwa mwengine? Shigongo anaogopa mwanmme mwenziwe na akamuonea Marehemu. Au ana ajenda ya siri?

Nimemjuwa Marehemu Amina kwa muda mfupi, na nikajuwa ni mtu mkweli, muaminifu, mwenye ithibati, asiekwenda kinyume na kauli yake. Nasema hivi kwa uthibitisho kamili nilionao binafsi. Miezi michache nyuma alitowa kauli yake kwa mtu mmoja kwamba angempa msaada fulani. Baadhi ya watu hawakupenda Marehemu afanye vile na akawekwa kiti moto na majopo si mawili si matatu, ya watu wazito sana ili aende kinyume na kauli yake ile. Marehemu Amina aliwasikiliza, na baadae akawajibu kuwa hangeweza kwenda kinyume na kauli yake na kwamba kama alivyoahidi, atampa mtu yule msaada wake.

Hapa niliweza kuona tafauti baina ya Marehemu Amina na wanawake na wanaume wengine wengi, wakiwemo vijana kama yeye waliotokea huko Umoja wa vijana CCM, na wanawake na wanaume wakongwe waliokomaa waliotokea katika vilele vikubwa vya Chama. Tafauti ilikuwa wengi wao walitia ulimi puani na kwenda kinyume na walivyotamka, wengine wakawa washiriki wa kumuweka Marehemu kiti moto na kumtishia kuwa wangemfanyia hivi au vile.

Marehemu Alikuwa hamtishi mtu wala hatishiki au kutikisika. Alikuwa ni mtu ambae akishatoa kauli yake, basi hata ashuke malaika gani haibadili abadan. Aliweka msimamo wa kupiga vita madawa ya kulevya kwa nguvu zake zote, jambo ambalo lingemtetemesha mtu mkubwa na mwenye nguvu. Niliwahi kuongea nae na kumwambia “Mwanangu pole pole, wasije wakakudhuru!”. Kauli aliyonijibu ni kuwa amejitolea nafsi yake katika ukweli na haki na chochote kitachomfika ni maktub na hakifutiki. Kweli kilichoandikwa hakifutiki.

Nikiacha hili nitakwenda kwenye utanashati wake ambao ulifika kumponza bungeni kwa kuambiwa na Mheshimiwa Spika atoke nje ya kikao aende akabadili kivazi kwani hakistahili bungeni. Bila kinyongo Marehemu alitoka na tabasamu na akaenda akafanya kama alivyoamriwa. Binafsi wakati huo mimi nilikuwa katika maeneo ya Bunge Dodoma. Kivazi kilichomponza hakikuwa cha uchi au kuvunja heshima, kilikuwa na kidokezo cha kofia ambapo kwa sharia za bungeni tulizorithi kwa wakoloni, kilipaswa kiendane na uvaaji wa gloves na ndipo kiwe kimetimia. Marehemu Amina alitoka nje na akavua kofia ile na kurudi bungeni. Alifika hata kufanyiwa usaili na stesheni moja ya runinga na ilipoletwamada hiyo Marehemu alicheka na kusema kuwa hiyo ilikuwa ni changa-moto ya ukomavu wake na zaidi ya yote ilikuwa ni funzo la kupitia kanuni kabla kutenda jambo.

Wacha niwambie unafiki wa sisi watu. Kwenye runinga nimeona watu wanalia karibu ya kugaragara na kutiririkwa na machozi wakimsifia Marehemu. Jamani wengine katika hao ni wale ambao walichekelea Marehemu alipoamriwa kutoka nje kwa ajili ya kivazi chake, wengi ya hao walidiriki kumbeza na kusema kuwa pale ni pahala pa kazi na si pahala pa fashen na ubishoo. Wengi wetu ambao wakati umeshatupita kushoto na jua limekuchwa tulijisahau kuwa nasi kwa wakati wetu tulipiga vimini na kutesa mjini. Wengi ya wale ambao bado ni vijana walijawa na wivu wa kutomiliki vivazi vya “designer goods” vya Marehemu Amina, au ki maumbile kutopendeza kama yeye. Wivu na choyo vilitutawala na tukasahau kuwa “kila ndege anaruka na ubawa wake na nyota ya mwenzio usiisafiire”.

Kila mtu ana mapungufu yake. Kwa sasa, ilivyo khulka ya binaadamu, utasikia sifa tu atakazo mwagiwa Marehemmu Amina. Kashfa zitatulia kwa wengi wetu kwa ile dhana ya “Never speak evil of the dead”. Bwana Shigongo alisema katika makala yake ya Ijumaa iliopita kuwa anasitisha kuandika mengine kemkem ya Marehemu Amina na kashfa zake kwa vile ni mgonjwa kitandani. Aliahidi kuwa atatuletea uhondo huo baada ya kupona Marehemu Amina. Naomba nimnukuu marehemu bibi yangu ambae alikuwa ndio mentor (muongozi au dira) wangu. Alipokuwa katika “sakarati-l-mauti” nilikuwa namsomea na kumuombea dua huku nikilia na kumwambia “Bibi utapona”. Alinitupia macho akanijibu “Nikipona nimepona, nikifa nimepona”. Nami namuomba bwana Shigongo aliemsakama Marehemu hata wakati alipokuwa mgonjwa mahtuti kitandani, asitunyime conclusion ya uhondo wa hadithi yake tamu maana sasa Mhe. Amina AMEPONA na ni rukhsa kwake kutumalizia makala yake na asituache na shauku na duku duku la kutaka kujuwa kulikoni.

Kwa makala hii namuombea marehemu Amina malazi pema peponi, Mungu amsamehe madhambi yake, ampe kauli thabit, ampe kitaabu chake kwa mkono wa kulia, malaika wema wawe marafiki na wapokezi wake kaburini, apate nuru katika kaburi lake, liwe linatoa harufu ya rehani nasumini na mawaridi, awe mkono wa kulia wa Bwana Mtume siku ya Kiama pamoja na Ma-abrar wema, awape subira wazee wake, mwanawe, marafiki zake na kila aliempenda na aliependwa na Marehemu.

Marehemu Amina namfananisha na Princess Diana wa Uingereza alivyoandamwa na mapaparazi wa ulaya hadi akato(ka)lewa roho yake. Wema, Utanashati,ukarimu, ukweli, huruma, usaidizi na mengi mazuri ya Princess Diana yanafanana na yale ya Mrehemu wetu. Vifo vyao vinatafautiana mazingira lakini vinafanana sababu nazo ni kuandamwa kwa hili na lile. Tarehe pia zinapishana kidogo kama mwezi tu kufikisha miaka kumi kamili.

Diana alikuwa ni Princess wa Uingereza ambae ana andamwa hadi leo miaka 10 baada ya kifo chake. Marehemu Amina ni Princess wetu Tanzania. Natumai Paparazzi wenzangu tutakuwa na hishma za Ki Afrika na utu wa Ki Tanzania na tutamwacha marehemu apumzike kwa amani baada ya kumpa Bwana Shigongo nafasi ya mwisho ya kutueleza yaliyobaki juu ya Marehemu Amina. Baada ya hapo tutamwachia Mungu atamhukumu kwa amali zake nzuri, na zikiwa mbaya atamsamehe.

Naomba kumaliza kwa kunukuu maneno ya Jesus Christ alipowambia Mayahudi walipokuwa wanataka kumpiga mawe Mary Magdalene kwa sabau eti alikuwa mzinzi. Jesus aliwaambi hivi: “Let that among you with no sin cast the first stone”. Yaani naanze kati yenu yule asie na dhambi kutupa jiwe la kwanza. Jee tupo kati yetu tulio malaika bila dhambi? Tukumbuke kuwa mtu akimyooshea mwenziwe kidole kimoja, basi vidole vine vinamgeukia yeye na kumsuta. Upo Bwana Shigongo?

Briani mwanangu Princess Amina. Mungu akulaze pema peponi Amin.

Wakatabahu

Mahfoudha Alley Hamid

E mail: umimah@zanlink.com

Shairi - Amina Hayupo Tena

Amina Chifupa aliwatembelea waginjwa hospitali ya Amana, Ilala, Dar es Salaam
(Photo from Jiachie (Michuzi Jr.) Blog)


Amina Hayupo Tena

Imetungwa na Fahdili Mtanga

Nasikia radioni, Amina hayupo tena,
Ninashindwa kuamini, umetutoka Amina,
Amina wetu jamani, Amina wetu Amina,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Mola wetu tusikie, twaja kwako Maulana,
Amina tumlilie, mbunge wetu vijana,
Faraja utupatie, usiku hata mchana,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Amina mbunge wetu, tuliyekupenda sana,
Uliyeonesha utu, kwa wazee na vijana,
Uliyekuwa mwenzetu, tena bila ya hiyana,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Amina ulitujali, tukakupenda kwa sana,
Juhudi zako za kweli, zilikubalika sana,
Mola wetu mfadhili, lini tutamwona tena?
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Umetuacha jamani, twakulilia Amina,
Ni vigumu kuamini, kuwa hatukwoni tena,
Majonzi yetu moyoni, mbona ni makubwa sana,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Twashindwa kuelezea, jinsi inavyotuuma,
Ni vigumu kuzowea, kupoteza kitu chema,
Wewe ulijitolea, ukweli ukausema,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Amina bado kijana, umetuacha mapema,
Ndoto zako nyingi sana, ukaamua kusoma,
Kwa marefu na mapana, uiongeze hekima,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Amina muongeaji, waongea kwa hekima,
Wewe mshereheshaji, Amina ukawa mama,
Amina mpiganaji, vita sasa waitema,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Amina tulikupenda, ukawa rafiki mwema,
Ona sasa umekwenda, kwa heri hujaisema,
Mauti yamekutenda, basi uende salama,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Pole wanafamilia, pole Tanzania nzima,
Sote tunakulilia, utakumbukwa daima,
Wewe umetangulia, nasi twaja tuko nyuma,
Mola umlaze pema, rafiki yetu Amina.

Mola akupumzishe, peponi mahala pema,
Nasi tukajikumbushe, dunia siyo salama,
Mola wetu tuepushe, na hicho chako kiyama,
MOLA UMLAZE PEMA, RAFIKI YETU AMINA.


Fadhili Mtanga,
http://www.fadhilimshairi.blogspot.com/
Dar es Salaam.

Bongoland II

Mtengeneza sinema Josiah Kibira, anaanza kupata umaarufu katika dunia ya sinema. Hapa anahojiwa nyumbani kwake jana na Channel 12, huko Minnesota. Walitaka kujua habari zaidi ya sinema ya Bongoland II. Josiah ameondoka leo kuelekea Tanzania.

Hapo anaongea na mtangazaji, Lisa Furgison, wa Channel 12, Twin Cities, Minnesota. Mnaweza kuona mahojiano leo hapa: Channel 12 Live

Mazishi ya Marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa

Vibaka hawana dogo. Wanamwibia mfiwa simu kwenye mazishi! Simu ya Mpakanjia ya bei mbaya imeibiwa kwenye mazishi huko Njombe. Photo from Michuzi Blog.

Marehemu Mhsehimwa Amina Chifupa amezikwa kwao Njombe. Photo from Michuzi Jr. Jiachie Blog.

Katika uhai wake Amina Chifupa alionyesho upendo kwa watu wote. Hapa anatoa zawadi kwa wagonjwa wodini, Amana Hospital, Ilala Dar es Salaam mwanzoni mwa mwaka huu. Photo from Michuzi Jr. (Jiachie) Blog.

Ibada ya Kumwombea Marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa

Mama Mzazi wa marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa, Bi Judy Mbanga, (mwenye kitambaa cheusi) akiwasili kwenye kilio Mikocheni. (photo from Michuzi Blog)

Gari ya kubeba maiti (Hearse) ikiwasili Mikocheni, nyumbani kwa Baba yake marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa ambapo ibada ya kumwombea ilifanyika.

Photo from Michuzi blog.

Sheikh Mkuu, Issa Shabaan bin Simba, aliongoza ibada ya kumwombea marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa.

Photo from Michuzi Blog.

Waombolezaji walijitokeza kwa wingi kwenye msiba wa marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa huko nyumbani kwa baba yake Mikocheni.

Photo from Michuzi Blog

Kavareji! News Coverage ya magazeti Bongo. Kila gazeti ilikuwa na habari hizo za kusikitisha.

Photo from Michuzi Blog.

Baadhi ya waombolezaji yumbani kwa Mzee Chifupa. Kulia ni mtangazaji wa Clouds88.4 FM Sebastian Ndege (mzee wa njia panda) akitangaza moja kwa moja (live) kwenye msiba huo uliohudhuriwa na maelfu ya watu. Photo from Jiachie Blog.

Mipango ya Mazishi ya Marehemu Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa

The late Amina Chifupa's ex-husband Mohamed Mpakanjia talks to ITV.

Jeneza lenye mwili wa Marehemu Amina Chifupa

(Photos from 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' BLOG)

From ippmedia.com

Bunge laahirishwa...mwili kuagwa leo

2007-06-27

Na Usu-Emma Sindila, Dodoma

Kifo cha Mbunge wa Viti Maalum-CCM, Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa kimelifanya Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuahirisha shughuli zake ili kujipa muda wa kumlilia mwenzao, Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa aliyefariki usiku wa kuamkia leo.

Spika wa Bunge, Mhe. Samweli Sitta amesema shughuli za Bunge zitaendelea tena kesho asubuhi saa tatu. Hata hivyo amesema wabunge kadhaa wameteuliwa kuja Jijini Dar es Salaam kuungana na ndugu wa marehemu kuomboleza na kushiriki shughuli nyingine za msiba huo mzito.

Awali ilikuwa imetangazwa kwamba mwili wa marehemu ungepelekwa Dodoma kuagwa na kisha kusafirishwa kwenda Njombe kwa maziko.

Spika amewataja watakaoongoza msafara huo wa wabunge kwa ajili ya kuuaga mwili na kisha kesho kushiriki maziko kule kijijini Lupembe wilayani Njombe kuwa ni pamoja na yeye mwenyewe, kiongozi wa upinzani bungeni, Mhe. Hamad Rashid Mohamed, wabunge wote wa Dar es Salaam, wabunge wote wa Iringa na Mbunge Anne Kilango aliyekuwa mlezi wa marehemu.

Amesema watakaowakilisha Serikali katika msiba huo ni Waziri wa Usalama wa Raia, Bw. Bakari Mwapachu. Amesema marehemu atazikwa kesho katika kijiji cha Lupembe wilayani Njombe kule Iringa, alasiri. Kwa mujibu wa Spika Sitta taarifa marehemu alifariki usiku wa kuamkia leo katika Hospitali Kuu ya Jeshi Lugalo Jijini Dar.

Prophecy???

Amina is now truly FREE! May she rest in eternal peace.

Na hii gazeti walikuwa wanatabiri nini? DUH!

Mheshimwa Amina Chifupa atazikwa Njombe

Ama kweli kifo cha Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa kimegusa wengi. Jana nimeshinda kwenye simu na neti kwenye e-mails naongea na watu kuhusu kifo chake. Kifo chake kimegusa wengi.

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From ippmedia.com:

Wabunge kibao waangua vilio

2007-06-27

Na Emmanuel Lengwa, Mikocheni

Kama kuna siku ambayo Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania limegubikwa na simanzi, basi ni leo asubuhi wakati Spika, Samweli Sitta alipowatangazia wabunge kwamba mwenzao, mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa, amefariki dunia.

Baada ya taarifa hiyo, wabunge wengi walishindwa kujizuia na kuanza kuangua kilio waziwazi. Mbunge Jenista Mhagama, Aziza Sleyum, Martha Mlaka na Waziri wa Elimu na Mafunzo ya Ufundi, Margareth Sitta ni miongoni mwa wengi waliokuwa wakibubujikwa machozi waziwazi na kuwalazimu wabunge wengine kujipa ushujaa wa kuwafariji muda wote. Vilio hivyo na simanzi vilishika kasi zaidi wakati wabunge wote walipotulia vitini ili kumsikiliza Spika wa Bunge, Mhe. Sitta wakati akiendelea kueleza utaratibu unaofuata.

Kadhalika hapa Jijini Dar, nyumbani kwao marehemu Amina, vilio vilitawala huku ndugu na jamaa wakiwa hawaamini kama kweli mpendwa wao amewatoka. Alasiri ilipotinga nyumbani kwa baba wa marehemu, Brigedia mstaafu Chifupa, Mikocheni Jijini leo asubuhi imemkuta aliyekuwa mume wa marehemu pamoja na na familia yake, wakiwa katika majonzi makubwa.

Akizungumza na Alasiri, Bw. Mohamed Mpakanjia, amesema mazishi ya aliyekuwa mkewe yanatarajiwa kufanyika kesho huko wilayani Njombe. ``Tutaondoka kesho kwenda Njombe kwa mazishi? leo tunatoa fursa kwa ndugu, jamaa na marafiki na wananchi wa waliopo Jijini Dar ili kuweza kumuaga kabla ya kumsafirisha,`` akasema Bw. Mpakanjia.

Bw. Mpakanjia amesema ikiwa ratiba itakwenda kama ilivyopangwa, baada ya wabunge kutoa heshima za mwisho, mwili wa marehemu utaondoka kwa ndege kuelekea Njombe ambako utazikwa kesho,? akasema. Kabla ya kifo chake, Mheshimiwa Chifupa anakumbukwa jinsi alivyokuwa akitoa hoja kadhaa nzito nzito bungeni.

Marehemu alikuwa akiwashangaza wengi kutokana na ujasiri wake wa kuibua mambo mazito kama yale ya kujitolea kuongoza mapambano dhidi ya biashara ya dawa za kulevya waziwazi, jambo ambalo wazoefu wengi wamekuwa hawaonekani kulifanya.

Pia alikuwa mstari wa mbele katika kutetea maslahi ya vijana, kukemea rushwa na kupigania haki za wanawake.

Historia ya mbunge huyo aliyekuwa miongoni mwa waheshimiwa wenye umri mdogo zaidi katika bunge la sasa inaonyesha kuwa amepata elimu ya msingi katika Shule ya Msingi Ushindi ya Jijini, kisha akajiunga na shule ya sekondari ya Kisutu. Alipomaliza kidato cha nne, Amina Chifupa alijiunga kidato cha tano katika Shule ya Sekondari Makongo kabla ya kuhitimu na kwenda kujiunga katika Chuo cha Uandishi wa Habari cha Royal College cha Jijini Dar es Salaam. Inaonyesha historia yake kuwa tangu akiwa shuleni, marehemu Amina alishaanza kazi ya utangazaji wa redio. Mwaka 2005, Amina Chifupa alitwaa ubunge baada ya kufanya vyema katika uchaguzi mkuu kupitia tiketi ya viti maalum (Vijana-CCM).

Hadi anafariki dunia jana usiku, marehemu Amina Chifupa alikuwa na umri wa miaka 27.

Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa Amefariki Dunia!

Nimepata habari muda huo kuwa Mheshimiwa Amina Chifupa amefariki dunia katika Hospitali ya Lugalo, Dar es Salaam. Nilipiga simu nyumbani kwa wazazi wangu Dar na kuambiwa kuwa walitangaza kwenye television na walikatisha kipindi cha Rebecca kusudi wa tangaze.

Mungu amlaze marehemu Amina mahili pema peponi. Amin.

Amina, ulikuwa shujaa kwa wanawake wengi, tutakukosa, Mola amekuchukua mapema mno. Ninalia pamoja na ndugu zako.

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Comments za Baba mzazi wa marehemu kwenye Michuzi blog:

MH. AMINA CHIFUPA WA MPAKANJIA HATUKO NAYE TENA. KWA MUJIBU WA BABA YAKE MZAZI MZEE CHIFUPA (PICHANI) AMBAYE NIMEONGEA NAE DAKIKA TANO ZILOPITA, HAYATI AMINA AMEFARIKI SAA TATU KASOROBO USIKU HUU HOSPITALI YA JESHI YA LUGALO ALIKOKUWA AMELAZWA. MAKELELE YA VILIO YALITAWALA MAZUNGUMZO YETU KUTHIBITISHA HABARI HII YA KUSTUA.

Safari ya Boti

Nimeona hii picha ippmedia.com leo. Caption ilisema kuwa ni wakazi wa Dar es Salaam wakienda kustarehe Bongoyo Island, kwenye boti iiliyotoka pale Slipway Dar.

Picha ni nzuri lakini iliniaacha na maswali. Mbona wazungu tu wamevaa lifejackets? (vifaa vya kuokoa maisha). Bila shaka hizo lifejackets ni zao binafsi. Na mawimbi hayo, duh! Ama kweli watu wameweka maisha ya mikononi mwa malaika. Lifejackets ni muhimu kama unasafiri kwenye boti na kwa bahati mbaya inapinduka au inazama. Maana unaweza kuelea kwenye maji kwa muda hata kama hujui kuogelea. Mara nyingi watu wanazama shauri ya uchovu kama hawajivaa.

Nakumbuka miaka ya nyuma Tanzania, maboti kadhaa yalipinduka na watu walikufa maji shauri ya kutokujua kuogelea na kuzama. Hata boti zilizama Lake Victoria na Lake Nyasa na watu kadha walipoteza maisha yao. Watu wangepona kama wangekuwa wamevaa lifejackets.

Na hata ukipanda kwenye ndege kitu cha kwanza wanakuambia hizo lifejackets ziko wapi kama kwa bahati mbaya ndege inaanguka kwenye maji.

Sidhani kama kuna sheria inayolazimisha hao wenye boti wawe na lifejackets za kutosha kwa ajili ya abiria yao. Na huenda ingekuwa ghali sana kwa hao wenye boti. WaBongo tuna maarifa lakini na hata dumu tupu inaweza kusaidia kuokoa maisha maana inalea kwenye maji.l

Lakini Mungu yupo na atatulinda. Ni kuomba kabla hujaingiwa kwenye boti.

Mjue Msanii Thecla Mjatta

Thecla Mjatta in Arusi ya Mariamu

Thecla Mjatta at a screening of the film, Tumaini
Thecla Mjatta (in baibui) with other cast of the film, Mlima Kolero
(photo from Jiachie blog)

Mama Thecla Mjatta ni mwigizaji mkongwe wa Tanzania. Huenda mnakumbuka zile michezo za kuigiza kwenye redio. Tulikuwa tunazingojea kwa hamu kila wiki, hasa kwa vile wakati huo hakuna TV miaka ya 70 na 80. Pia aliigiza katika michezo ya kuigiza kadhaa.

TV ilivyoanza alianza kuigiza kwenye michezo ya television. Mama Thecla pia ameigiza katika sinema kadhaa na kucheza kama watu ambao hamwezi kusahau.

Katika sinema ya Arusi ya Mariamu, anaigiza kama shangazi yake Mariamu, na hamtasahau anvyopagawa.

Katika sinema ya Maangamizi the Ancient One aliigiza kama mama wa mhusika mkuu, Samehe. Samehe, alishuhudia kifo cha cha kuunguzwa na moto na baba yake mzazi amabaye alikuwa ni mchungaji mwenye imani kali ya dini. Sinema ya Maangamizi iliteuliwa kama sinema ya kwanza kutoka Tanzania, katika mshindano ya Oscars mwaka 2001 (Foreign Language category).

Pia ameigiza katika sinema za Simu ya Kifo, Tumaini, Mzee Mkude, na mlima Kolero. Hivi karibuni ataigiza katika sinema ya Bongoland II, akicheza kama mama yake mhusika mkuu, Juma.

Kwa habari zaidi za sinema ya Bongoland II nenda : http://www.kibirafilms.com/bongoland/home.html

UGALI

Mwandishi Sandra A. Mushi ametoa hadithi mpya. Hadithi hiyo inaitwa ' The Plate of Ugali' (sahani ya ugali). Hadithi hiyo hasa inahusu mambo ya kunyanyaswa kwa mwanamke na mume wake (domestic violence). Imeandikwa kwa kimombo (English).

Hivi karibuni niliandika blogu kuhusu Sandra na bidii yake ya kutunga hadithi na mashairi. Mnaweza kusoma hapa: http://swahilitime.blogspot.com/2007/06/mjue-sandra-mushi.html

Pia tembelea Authors Den:

- http://authorsden.com/sandraamushi

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The Plate of Ugali

By Sandra A. Mushi

Read more stories by this author

It was one reason after another – as long as I was his punching bag – and almost always it was a plate of ugali that started it. Yep, his source of strength. Like the hair on Samson in the bible. Maybe ugali makes one mad. Maybe it had a drug.

My mama used to say a real African man doesn’t eat chips or pasta. That’s food for a mzungu man who gets his nails manicured, his face scrubbed and his lips conditioned with lip balm. A real African man eats ugali, my mama used to say. With their calloused fingers with rough nails he would mould the stiff porridge into little balls, dunk each ball into a stew then dunk the stew covered ball into mouth with chapped lips.

I would sit at the corner of the room watching his Adam’s apple bopping up and down as he swallowed a ball of ugali and meat stew. His jaw always moving in super-human speed as he chewed, making the vein on his forehead pop out angrily.

Ugali would make your man strong, my mama used to say. Strong enough to take care of you and our family, she would add. What she didn’t add was that ugali would make him strong enough to beat me black and blue. But maybe she was always right, because it was a plate of ugali that gave me strength today.

It had started with his plate of ugali not being warm enough. Then the following time he beat me black and blue it was because the bowl of stew did not have enough meat. The other times before that it was the disciplinary slap, as the elders called it. Married women needed the slap every now and then, they would say, to keep them in check.

Then he beat me again black and blue when I failed to pound his kisamvu the way he liked it. I had been vomiting the whole day; infact even getting up was a problem.

“My mother dug a whole farm the day she was giving birth and you say you can’t cook for your husband?” He had bellowed. “What kind of a woman are you?”

“But mume wangu, the doctor said …” lamenting, I had tried to explain before I was interrupted by a slap. The room started spinning around me.
“Has the doctor married you?” He gave me another slap which sent me reeling to the floor vomiting blood, “is the doctor your husband now? Or are you having an affair?”

My baby did not make it. I almost did not make it too. I broke a few bones and I almost became blinded on my left eye.

After that I became numb to the pain. It was one reason after another – as long as I was his punching bag – and almost always it was a plate of ugali that started it. Yep, his source of strength. Like the hair on Samson in the bible. Maybe ugali makes one mad. Maybe it has a drug.

Today he broke my two front teeth – after breaking four others last week. I laugh madly as I looked at four year old with his milk teeth missing. He grins at me nervously showing his gums.

Today he beat me because I refused to serve his mistress a plate of ugali. Like my body numbing to pain, my heart had numbed to reason. Maybe it was my fault when the plate of ugali wasn’t warm enough because I had run out of cool to warm the food; maybe it was my fault when I didn’t negotiate with the butcher to give me more meat than the money could buy; maybe it was my fault that I was too lazy too pound cassava when I was due; maybe it was my fault when I had used to the last of the flour to cook my baby porridge for lunch instead of cooking him his ugali; maybe it had all been my fault. But how could this be my fault? My mama told me my husband came first, then my children.

I had put some food aside for my husband, the fed the remaining to my children. How was that my fault? I never said anything when he brought her and moved me out of our marital bed. I said nothing.

He kicked his plate of ugali when there wasn’t enough for his mistress and made me eat from the floor after beating me black and blue - wounding the scars that had no even healed. On all fours I bent down and ate like a dog. As I lay clutching my stomach I see the mouse that I have been trying to catch for a while, rushing to the last crumbs of ugali on the floor. No amount of rat poison seemed to kill it. Rodent. Maybe I had been giving it the poison with the wrong food. Rodent. Rodent. I should have mixed the poison in ugali. Rodent. Or is it rodent and man. Rodent man. Kick. Rodent man. Kick. Rodent man, I think.

I feel humiliated when I hear her cheering him on. It was okay before, as I probably needed disciplining. But it’s not okay now. She is not supposed to be here, cheering on. But the ugali gave me strength.

“Stupid woman! Go make another plate,” he had kicked me on the shins as his mistress laughed again, louder this time. “And make it enough to give us strength for the work ahead of us tonight!”

Ugali has given me strength too. I look down as I limp to the back yard. I don’t want them to see my face. The smile on my face. Yes, ugali has given me strength.

Quickly I grab a khanga to hide my new scars, covering myself I dash to my neighbour to borrow me some money from her. Just as quickly I send my oldest to the market. Flour, kisamvu, coconut, curry powder, peanuts, nyanya chungu and some powder that will kill that rodent. Today I will make the best plate of ugali ever. The kisamvu will have peanut sauce and the dagaa will have coconut milk and nyanya chungu. Today I will catch that rodent with a plate of ugali for sure.

Jamani mbona mmetukana!

Nimepokea hii story kwenye e-mail. Sijui kama ilitokea kweli, lakini naweza kuamini ilitokea. Watu wakianza kutamka lugha ambazo si zao wanatukana bila kujua.

Nilisimuliwa visa hivi viwili:

- Mchungaji wa kutoka kanisa fulani Ulaya, alifika kwenye hoteli fulani Mwanza. Naye alikuwa amejifunza kiswahili kabla ya kutua Bongo. Alipofika Reception akawasalimia wahudumu pale vizuri halafu kasema:

Father Mzungu - Naomba Mchumba

Receptionist - (Kashutuka kweli) Heh! Unasema nini?

Father Mzungu - Nimesema nataka Mchumba

Receptionist - (wakati huo na wafanyakazi na wageni wengine wanamtazama kwa mshangao wakidhani anataka changudoa) Dada mwenyewe kashindwa aseme nini.

Father Mzungu - Ndiyo nina mchumba. Mchumba yupo leo?

Ndo hapo kaingilia mgeni na kumwuliza kwa lugha yake alitaka nini. Kumbe mzungu alitaka chumba cha wanaume.

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Wajapani wawili walifika pale Embassy Hoteli Dar na kujiandikisha Reception.

Wale wapokezi wakashindwa kutamka majina yao.

Yalikuwa - Mr. Kumamoto na Mr. Takeuchi!

Kumamoto pia ni mji huko Japani. Na wana majina yanayofanana ya Bongo, kama Maeda

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Na hii nilishuhudia mwenyewe nikiwa mwandhis wa habari Daily News.

WaJapani walitoa msaada sehemu fulani miaka ya tisini. Sasa siku ya kuzindua mradi akaja mtu mzito kutoka wizara iliyohusika na mradi. Alishindwa kutamka jina la mgeni kutoka Japani, naye alikuwa anaitwa Mr. Kumamoto. Yule mzito wa wizarani alimwintroduce kama 'Rafiki yetu kutoka Japani' .

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E-mail enyewe ndo hii:

Ifuatayo ni sehemu ya hotuba ya Mfadhili (Mzungu) wa mradi wa maji safi huko katika kijiji cha Mkomazi, Mkoani Tanga.

Mfadhili huyu kutoka ubalozi wa nchi moja - Majuu amewahi kujifunza kiswahili kwa muda wa miezi mitatu hivyo kutohitaji kufuatana na mkalimani wa ubalozi.

Alikuwa na hayamachache:

>Mzungu: Jambo wanakijiji wa Mkuma Wazi?

(akimaanisha Mkomazi)

> Watu walibaki kumtumbulia macho na kujikausha wengine

Wakicheka kichini chini. Mzungu akadhani amepatia sana lugha ya kiswahili, akazidi kujitutumua:

Leo mimi na uke yangu (mkewe!)tumekuja hapa Mkuma wazi kukagua

mitombo ya mboo zenu inayoendeshwa kwa nguvu ya pepo

( Mitambo ya mbao inayoendeshwa kwa nguvu ya upepo!)

na Visimi yenu inatoa maji(Visima jamani!).

Mitombo hii ni pesa kidogo na wake yenu haitakuwa na maumivu zaidi kubeba maji.

Watu wakaduwaa kabisa!

Mzungu akaropoka tena:

Mbona watu mko pumbu wazi? (Alikuwa ana maanisha bumbuwazi

lililowapata wanakijiji! Wanakiji wakaanza kuzoza chini chini

hatimaye sauti zikawa za juu wakimuuliza Mzungu kwa nini

amewatusi kiasi hicho.)Mzungu wa watu akazidi kubomoka kiswahili:

Mzungu:

Pepo kubwa inafanya mitombo kufanya kazi bila kulala na visimi yenu

kutoa maji salama na mama wamepata uja zito na watoto yenu wanakuwa salama!

Wanakijiji wazidi kuzoza.

Mzungu:Nasema sikiliza watu wote, Kima, Nyama zenu!!!

Hapa alikuwa akitaka kusema watu wote kaeni kimya, nyamazeni!

Mzungu wa watu baada ya kufanikiwa kuwanyamazisha wananchi

akaendelea kuwaambia kwamba ameridhishwa na hali ya usafi wa visima

ikilinganishwa na siku za nyuma.

Mzungu wetu akaendelea kusema:

Mzungu:

Mimi na uke yangu tumechota maji kutoka visimi yenu na kuyaweka kwenye chupi yetu!

Akimaanisha wamechota maji toka kwenye visima na kuyaweka kwenye chupa.

Akazidi kubonga:

>

Mzungu:

Sasa mimi na uke yangu tutatoa chupi yetu na tutakunya mbele yenu!

lahaula lakwata wanakijiji waanza kuondoka:

Alikuwa anamaanisha kwamba watayamimina maji na kuyanywa mbele yao

ili kuwathibitishia kwamba ni safi na Salama.

Lugha ya watu bwana...

Zanaki Girls Secondary School (ZASESCO)

Baada ya Disco 1979 shule ya wasichana ya sekondari Zanaki. Kati ni Mwalimu wetu wa Physics Mr. Tamba, wakati huo alikuwa anasoma Education University of Dar es Salaam ,Fourth year, na kaja kufanya Practicals.

Tuliomzunguka, mbele kabisa mimi, kulia kwangu ni Natujwa Mbagga ambaye siku hizi ni Mama Shilla. Patricia Kassamia, mwenye bun (nimesahau jina), Kulthum, na huyo dada mwingine alikuwa anasoma darasa la Commerce.

Hapa ni baada ya Study Group tukiwa Form Four 1980. Watoto wa Aga Khan nursery walikuwa wamekwenda nyumbani ndo tukavamia playground yao kwa ajili ya kupiga picha.

Mbele kuanzia kushoto - Mimi, Lilian Maganga, Emily Mbagule, Theresia
Nyuma kuanzia kushoto - Dorothy Kihampa, Neema Kingswaga, na (Jina nimesahau)

Hapa ni Darasa la Form Four Science One! Sayansi Wani! (Enzi hiyo top floor kwenye corner) na tulikuwa wanafunzi 25 tu kwenye hiyo darasa. Tulikuwa wasomi kweli, maana mwalimu alikuwa antoa tuition bure, lakini wachache walibakia kuifaidi. Karibu wote walioenda Form Five kutoka Zanaki mwaka huo walitoka darasa letu la Science One.

Mbele, kuanzia kushoto -Demetria Joseph, Lucy Masamba, Rosemary
Nyuma, kuanzia kushoto -Dorothy Kihampa, Batuli, na mimi

Historia fupi - Kabla ya kuwa Zanaki Girls, ilikuwa Aga Khan Girls School. Shule ilitaifishwa baada ya Azimio ya Arusha. Katika hiyo compound kulikuwa na shule ya vidudu (private) na shule ya msingi na Hostel. Nasikia Hostel imerudishwa kwa Aga Khan.

Sketi za bluu. Tulianza kuvaa sketi za bluu nikiwa Form Two. Kabla ya hapo walikuwa wanavaa sketi za kijani. Nakumbuka walifanya kama fashion show asubuhi wakati wa mazoezi na gwaride na hiyo design ya bluu ilichaguliwa.

Mimi na Marehemu Ernest Millinga (1993)

Hapa niko na Mzee Ernest Millinga ambaye alikuwa mpiga picha mkuu wa gazeti ya serikali ya Kiingereza, Daily News.

Hapa tulikuwa kwenye 'assignment'. Tulikuwa kwenye meli fulani pale Ferry Dar. Nadhani ilikuwa kuhusu mambo ya kujenga daraja pale Ferry.

Picha ilipigwa 1993 na mpiga picha maarufu, Muhidini Issa Michuzi.

Article kuhusu Bongoland II

Mtengeneza sinema Josiah Kibira, na timu yake watatua Dar hivi karibuni kutengeneza sinema, Bongoland II (Nyumbani ni Nyumbani).

Darhotwire wameandika kuhusu sinema ya Bongoland II.

http://www.darhotwire.com/maisha/news/2007/06/20/bongoland_ii_ndani_bongo.html

Waandishi wa Habari wa Daily News

(Kushoto, Dr. Mwamoyo Hamza, Kati, Lady Diana Kibodya, kulia, Chemi Che-Mponda)

Wikiendi hii tulisherekea 50th Birthday, ya Mama Diane Kibodya (Lady Diana), huko Springfield, Massachusetts. Ndugu na marafiki walitoka sehemu mbalimbali kusherekea.

Kwa bahati sisi watatu tuliowahi fanya kazi Daily News (TSN) na kusoma Tanzania School of Journalism (TSJ) (miaka mbalimbali) tulikutana na kupiga picha ya kumbukumbu. Mimi nilikuwa chipukizi kwa Dr. Mwamoyo na Lady Diana lakini walinifundisha mengi. Nawashukuru.

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Kibodya Family watoa Shukurani

From an e-mail message 6/18/07

Dear Friends:

On behalf of Lady D, we the Kibodyas give many thanks to you and your family for coming to join us in Lady D 50Th Birthday Party. We could not do it alone, definitely your help has made this event "unique" in many ways. Thank you for your help, thanks for your time and resources. May The Almighty God reward you well.. Amen!

For some of you who could not attend because of other obligations, we know deeply in our hearts that you had good intentions and may The Almighty Lord reward you well.

All of you have a permanent place in our hearts for your kindly words, gifts, helping in cooking, taking pictures and video camera as well as for those tireless, the most talented DJ's who came all out to showcase their skills! (Paul Massudi, Samora and Rich Maka) Without forgetting our flamboyant outstanding MC "Mzee wa Ngwasuma!" Emmanuel Bandawe! What a talent!

I am sure you saw the dance! If you missed asked somebody! Our daughter Hawa and her 3 friends gave us an African "high energy" dance and we give special thanks our sisters and brothers from South Africa who did acapella songs and showed us how the banqanga dance is performed.

Thanks to all of you who travel from far and for those who live near and special thanks to "Father Chui" for your hospitality my family and I know we can count on you! This Email cannot be enough to thanks each and every individual but we chose to use as a mean of quicker communication and I have started to call each one of you to thank you personally!

Shukran!

Isaac A. Kibodya, Esq.,

Lady Diana Kibodya Asherekea 50th Birthday!

Lady Diana witnessed the murder of Hector Pieterson by racist police.

Lady Diana Kibodya receives well wishes from a guest. A South African Guest leads a South African Dance


Lady Diana joins in a South African Song

Springfield Tanzanian Dance Group

Lady Diana Kibodya, alisherekea miaka 50 toka azaliwe katika Party kabambe iliyofanyika Springfield, Massachusetts siku ya jumamosi, juni 16. Ndugu na marafiki walitoka sehemu mbalimbali kusherekea naye.

Party ilifunguliwa kwa wageni kuimba wimbo wa taifa wa Afrika Kusini, (nkosi sikelel iAfrika) na wimbo wa taifa wa Tanzania. Asili yake Lady Diana ni Afrika Kusini. Pia walitoa shukrani kwa nchi ya Tanzania kusaidia sana katika ukombozi wa Afrika Kusini na hasa kutoa hifadhi kwa wakimbizi. (Mnakumbuka makambi ya Dakawa na Mazimbu?) Kwa kifupi wanafunzi waliandamana kupinga kufndishwa kwa lugha ya makaburu ya Afrikaans. Waliandamana kwa amani lakini polisi mbaguzi alianza kufyatua risasi ndipo vijana 20 walipoteza maisha yao.

Lakini watu wengi hasa vijana waliohudhuria sherehe hiyo walipatwa na butwa kusikia habari zake. Karibu kila mtu alijua kuwa asili yake ni Afrika Kusini. Lakini hawakujua kuwa alishuhudia kijana, Hector Pieterson mwenye miaka 12, alivyopigwa risasi na askari wa kibaguzi wa Afrika Kusini. Picha ya tukio hiyo ilisambazwa kwa wageni (picha ya kwanza kabisa).

Mume wake, Lady Diana, Bwana Isaac Kibodya, alisoma risala ambayo ilisimulia historia ya mke wake, na watu wengi walishikwa na machozi. Baada ya Hector kuuwawa, askari wa BOSS (polisi wa kikatili) walianza kusaka wanafunzi hao. Ilibidi wakimbie nchi yao kwa kutembea hadi Swaziland kwa mguu. Alisema kuwa wanafunzi wengine hawakufanikiwa kutoroka, lakini yeye alifanikiwa kufika Swaziland, halafu alipelekwa Uganda, na hatimaye Tanzania.

Tanzania alisoma Chuo cha Waandishi wa Habari, na Chuo cha Ustawi wa Jamii. Alikutana na mume wake, Isaac Kibodya, mwaka 79. Bwana Kibodya alifurahisha watu alivyosema, " Diana alikuja kwenye birthday party yangu ya kusherekea miaka 23, toka skiu hiyo alikuwa wangu!"

Lady Diane alikuja Marekani kusoma mwaka 1985, New Hampshire. Hivi sasa anakaa Springfield, Massachusetts na familia yake. Lady Diana na mume wake wana watoto wanne na mjukuu moja wa kiume.

Mungu ambariki Lady Diana na aweze kusherekee 'birthdays' nyingi zaidi.

Kwa habari zaidi ya SOWETO UPRISING someni:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soweto_uprising

http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/History/Africa/04/kistner/kistner.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5085450.stm

Halahala mnaosema mtoto si wako!

Miaka mingi nimeudhika sana na tabia ya wanaume kukataa watoto wao. Wanatembea na mwanamke, anapata mimba, na wanasema si wakwao. Mwanamke anabisha, na wanasema oh huyo mwanamke malaya katembea na wengine, huyo mtoto si wa kwangu. Nasema Shenzi Taipu mkome tabia yenu mbaya!

Halafu ndugu wanasema oh, sijui tungojeee tuone mtoto anafanana na nani. Loh, je kama mtoto anafanana na mwanamke na ndugu zake ndo mmepata kisingizio. Eh he! Si nilikuambia huyo mtoto si wakwangu. Pumbavu kabisa nyie wanaume, cheki dental formula ya mtoto mbona ina fanana na yako. Au mtoto kazaliwa na vidole sita kwenye mguu kama wewe, japo sura kafanana na mama yake. Wanaume kwa kupenda kukwepa majukumu yao!

Miaka mingi wazungu wamekuwa na njia za kugundua baba mtoto hasa ni nani. Walikuwa wanapima damu. Lakini siku hizi kuna 'fail proof' njia ya kuhakisha nayo ni DNA Testing. Na kama ulikuwa hutaki kupima utapimwa tu, maana kajinywele kinatosha kupima. Kama uliacha shahawa kwenye shuka inatosha kupimwa hata kama imekauka. Kama ulikuwa unapiga busu na mama mtu na kuacha denda kwenye blausi yake, inatosha kabisa kupata hiyo DNA. Hata kama umegusa mahala unaweza kuacha chembe chembe za ngozi na kupimwa DNA!

Kesi maarufu za DNA ni:

Mtoto wa marehemu Anna Nicole Smith. Wanaume wanne waligombania mtoto wake wa kike, DannieLynn na kudai ni wakwao kwa vile alitembea nao. Huyo mtoto ni bilionea maana anarithi mapesa ya mama yake. Basi, Anna kaolewa na mwanasheria wake, Howard Stern, huko wanaume wengine wanadai oh, mtoto wa kwao. Wote walipimwa DNA. Kumbe baba mtoto ni wa mpiga picha, Larry Birkhead. Duh! Baada ya testi huyo stern alimkabidhi mtoto kwa Birkhead bila ubishi wowote.

Na kwa sasa mcheza sinema Eddie Murphy anapimwa kwa ajaili ya mtoto aliyezaa Spice Girl Melanie Brown. Murphy anaseme mtoto wa Scary Spice si wa kwake, lakini mmh sijui kwa kumtazama tu naweza kusema hakuna haja hata ya kupima mtoto ni wa Murphy. Anywy, hiyo DNA test ndo itamaliza maswali yote.

Prince Harry, mtoto wa marehemu Princess Diana na Prince Charles (?) wa Uingereza. Watu wanadai ni mtoto wa mpambe wa Diana, James Hewitt, maana katembea naye akiwa ameolewa na Prince Charles. Harry mwenyewe anataka DNA test kujua nani baba yake amalize maswali ambayo yamemsumbua miaka mingi.

Ngoma ya Tap Dance

Wapendwa wasomaji, bado ninanendelea kujifunza ngoma ya waMarekani, Tap Dance. Jumapili iliyopita tulifanya maonyesho kwenye Dance Complex, Central Square, Cambridge. Hapa niko kwenye studio nafanya mazoezi.

Mwakani nikibahatika nitaenda New York, kuchukua kozi fupi ya Tap na Mwalimu maarufu kama Savion Glover.

Kwa habari zaidi kuhusu Tap Dance nenda:

http://www.tapdance.org/

http://www.atdf.org/

Niliwahi kublog kuhusu Tap Dance mnaweza kusoma hapa:

http://swahilitime.blogspot.com/search/label/Tap%20Dance

Rais Bush aiibiwa Saa yake Albania!

Kuna habari kuwa Rais Bush ameibiwa saa yake ya mkononi akiwa kwenye ziara Albania. Wanasema kuwa Bush alifurahi sana jinsi wananchi wa walivyokuwa wanamshabikia kiasi kuwa aliamua kwenda kuwasalimia. Hiyo kusalimiana na wananchi haikupangwa. Ndo hapo wajanja wakawai saa yake.

Wengine wanasema hata pete yake ya ndoa ilibiwa pia.

Wanasema saa ilikuwa ya bei mbaya kweli. Lakini bila shaka ilikuwa na inusrance kali kama Lloyds of London.

Serikali ya Marekani inakataa kuwa saa yake iliibiwa. Lakini mbona video haidanganyi? Mara unaona saa mara haipo. Cha kuchekesha msemaji wake, Tony Snow, kasema "Baada ya kutazama video tulithibitisha kuwa saa yake haikuibiwa." Jamani! Kama haikuibiwa kwa nini mlitazama video kuona kama imebiwa?

Kwa habari zaidi someni:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1921296.ece

http://newsbloggers.aol.com/2007/06/12/the-case-of-the-missing-watch/

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/06/12/mystery-surrounding-bushs-watch-solved/#comments

Marudio - OmbaOmba

Leo nimeona nirudie topiki ya ombaomba hapa Boston. Nikitokea South Station kwenye subway leo asubuhi kuna ombaimba fulani anaitwa Gus, alikasirika na kutupa hela kwenye sidewalk. (Kisa alipewa pennies (senti moja moja). Huyo Gus amekaa pale miaka na miaka zaidi ya miaka 15. Kila siku hakosi, wakati wa Lunch makao yake ni Federal Street. Wikiendi anazunuguka kwenye subway siku nzima, kula kwake ni pale Food Court ya South Station. Hizo pennies alizopewa na huyo mzungu mwanamke zilikuwa anyingi kidogo, basi kazitupa chini kwa hasira. Kazoea noti.

Nashangaa sana. Hao si wanasema wanataka spare change? Lakini ukiwapa na hazitoshi wanatupa chini kama kukutukana. Hao ombaomba wana viwango vyao na kama huna usiwape chochote. Mara nyingi wanakuwa na hela kuliko wewe mfukoni.

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From: December 31, 2005

Hapa Boston kuna ombaomba kibao! Tena wengi ni wazungu. Hao ombaomba wengi wao ni walevi na watumia madawa y kulevya na wenye ugonjwa wa akili. Miaka nenda, miaka rudi, ombaomba ni hao hao!Unapita njiani, unasikia “Spare Change”! Utaona mtu kasimama na kikombe chake anakitikisa. Kuna wengine usipowapa kitu wanakutukana matusi ya nguoni.

Halafu kuna wale wakali wanakufuata mpaka ndani ya ATM. Basi watu kwa uoga wanatoa walichonacho na kuwapa kwa kuhofiwa kupigwa au kuibiwa. Haya, lakini ni lazima niongelee kitu ambacho nimeona, na labda wengine hapa USA mmeona. Kuna ubaguzi katika kile watu wanachotoa kwa ombaomba. Tuseme mtoaji ni mzungu, na ombaomba ni mweusi, basi kama atampa kitu anampa vichenji. Huyo huyo mzungu atatoa noti kwa ombaomba mzungu. Nimeshuhudia mara nyingi tu.

Nimeona ombaomba wa kizungu wakipewa noti za $1, $5, $10 na hata $20! Lakini mweusi atapewa vichenji, kwa nini? Je, ni kwa vile mzungu anajisikia vibaya kuona mzungu mwenzake katika hali hiyo, hivyo ni jitihada ya kumwinua? Je, ni kwa vile anaona kuwa mweusi ni hali ya kawaida kuwa maskini? Sijui kama tutaelewa sababu. Halafu utaona weusi wako tayari kutoa kwa yeyote. Atampa mzungu, atampa mweusi lakini mara nyingi nimeona weusi wakisaidia weusi wenzao kuliko mzungu. Kisa, anajua kuwa yule mzungu anaweza kuishi maisha mazuri akitaka maana Marekani maana bado kuna ubaguzi Marekani.

Lakini nisiseme kuwa wazungu wote ni wabaguzi, maana mwaka juzi kuna ombaomba Cambridge, anaitwa Ramsey, alikuwa amesimama pale Memorial Drive. Basi Mzungu jike tajiri kapita ndani ya gari yake ya fahari na kampa noti ya $100. Ndiyo kampa dola mia moja! Halafu mzungu kamwambia Merry Christmas, maana ilikuwa Christmas Eve. Lakini jambo kama hiyo kutokea ni bahati nasibu.Utaona wazungu wana jaribu kusaidia wazungu wenzao kupata public housing na huduma zingine. Lakini mweusi anaweza kupitwa. Kuna magari ya kuwasaidia zinapita mitaani, lakini hebu cheki, hao ‘volunteers’ wataenda kwa wazungu kwanza halafu mweusi ataambulia kilichobaki.

Ajabu na si kitu cha kushangaza sana ni kuwa hao ombaomba wa kizungu wakienda kuoga, ku-shave, kuchana nywele na kuvaa vizuri, anaweza kupata kazi kabla ya wewe mweusi na digrii zako!Na kama hamniamini ukipita barbarani tazama mwenyewe. Ngoja niishie kwa leo, na kwa maksudi sijaongelea habari ya welfare, na shelters maana hii blogu ingekuwa ndefu mno!

Nairobi Red Eye umeingia Tanzania Tena!

Nasikia ule ugonjwa wa 'Nairobi Red Eyes' (Conjuncivitis) umeingia tena Tanzania. Huo ugonjwa mbaya kweli maana unasambaa kirahisi sana. Wagonjwa walalamika kuwa ni kama vile kuwa kwenye michanga kwenye macho. Pia macho yanatoa machozi na tongotongo kwa wingi. Waznungu wanaiita 'pink eye'.

Jinsi pekee ya kuepukana nayo ni kunawa mikono kila mara, na usifikiche jicho/macho. Ukishake hands na mtu vijidiudu vinasambaa ukigusa alipogusa mwenye nacho pia unaweza kuambukizwa. Pia usi-share dawa ya macho ya mgonjwa.

Huo ugonjwa ulianza kuitwa Nairobi Red Eyes baada ya kuwa epidemic miaka ya 80. Haikukawia na ugonjwa huo ukaingia Dar es Salaam na kuwa epidemic. Ndo watu wakaanza kuita Nairobi Red Eyes kwa sababu waliona ilianzia Nairobi. Wakati ule maji shida, basi ilikuwa vigumu watu wanawe mikono kila mara, ndo ulikuta kila kona mtu mgonjwa, unamkwepa.

Kaeni Macho!

Kwa habari zaidi someni: http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2007/06/13/92441.html

Kwa Heri Sopranos!

Sijui kama mlikuwa mashabiki wa Sopranos. Jana ilikuwa mwisho wa hiyo show. Na watengenezaji waliacha watazamaji kwenye mataa iliishia vipi. Walitumia Njia ya 'Fade to Black' kumaliza show. Kwa hiyo sisi watazamaji tubakie kujadili Sopranos iliisha vipi.

Mimi nimekuwa mshabiki wa Sopranos kama mwaka moja hivi. Nilikuwa nasikia watu wakiongea kuhusu Sopranos lakini wala sikutazama miaka yote hii. Ila nilianza kutazama kwenye reruns. Comcast wana On Demand, na uliweza kuonza Seasons zote. Kwa muda mfupi nilijua habari za Big Pussy, Christopher, akina Aprile na wengine.

Basi nikaanza kuzitama na kugundua kumbe Sopranos ni nzuri. Huyo Tony Soprano, japo ni mobster ana maisha na familia, na marafiki na watu wanaomwabuud na wanaomwogopa, na pia alikuwa amejaa ashki ya uzeeni. Episodes nyingi walimownyesha Tony akifanya mapenzi na wanawake wasio mke wake. Wengine waliweza kuwa hata umri wa binti yake, wazungu wanaiita 'mid life crisis'.

Lakini ilikuwa kila ukimzoea character, huyo anauliwa! Kifo nilichofurahia ni cha mshenzi Ralph, aliyeua fariai wa Tony Soprano. Ralph alikuwa kichaa anaua watu kwa kufurahia kweli. Kifo nilichosikitika kuona ni cha Bobby Bacala, wiki iliyopita. Huyo baba, alikuwa mpole na alikuwa anajali watu, lakini Tony alimlazimisha kwenda Canada kuua mtu. Bobbby aliuliwa kwenye Toy store.

Yule Baba mdogo wa Tony, Uncle Jr. jana walimwonyesha hana akili kabisa, zimefyatuka shauri ya ugonjwa wa Alzheimers. Na Silivio aliyekuwa concilieri (mshauri) wa Tony alipigwa risasi wiki iliyopita na sasa yuko kwenye coma.

Mtoto wa Tony A.J. maskini ya mungu, show ingendelea nadhani anefanikiwa kujiua. Tokea yule binti mDominica amwache amekuwa kama mwehu hivi. Na hata siku moja atakuwa katili kama baba yake.

Binti yake Tony, Meadow, naona atafanikiwa kimaisha. Anasomea sheria. Na inaelekea ataolewa na rafiki aliyekuwa anatembea naye kisirisiri.

Dada yake Tony, Janice, kawa binadamu alikuwa anajadili ataishaje na watoto wa marehemu mume wake, Bobby Bacala. Hao watoto wa Bobby ni yatima, maana mama yao alikufa kwenye ajali ya gari, ndo Bobby kamwoa Janice.

Paulie, yule mzee rafiki yake Tony mwenye nywele kama vampire, haachi kuchekesha. Jana kasema eti paka ni nyoka mwenye manyoya (fur). Kisa Tony katokea kumpenda paka wa mitaani. Ajabu huyo paka alipena kukaa na kulia mbele ya picha ya Christopher, aliyeuliwa na Tony. Je, roho ya Christopher imo ndani ya huyo paka?

Kuna mengi ya kusema kuhusu Sopranos, nadhani kwa vile imekuwa na washabiki wengi huenda wakatengeneza sinema za Sopranos. Na wakitengeneza mtasikia kuna Sopranos Movies hata 20!

Asante HBO kwa hadithi tamu ya The Sopranos.

African Americans Remember their Slave Ancestors

Siku ya jumamozi, 6/9/07) waMarekani weusi walikumbuka mabibi na mababu zao walioibwa kutoka Afrika na kulazimishwa kuingia utumwani. Japo ni wachache waatakaohudhuria ni vizuri kuona wapo wenye moyo wa kukumbuka wahenga.

Watumwa waliteswa na kusihi maisha duni sana huko wakijenga taifa la Marekani. Shukurani yao ilikuwa ubaguzi ambao mapak leo weusi wanaiona Marekani.

Mungu awape nguvu na umoja.

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June 9, 2007 CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Eighteen years ago, Tony Akeem organized a ceremony in New York City to honor the millions of Africans who died crossing the Atlantic during the slave trade. Similar observances have since spread around the world.

Today , offerings of water, honey and rum were to be poured along the shores of South Carolina and elsewhere for Middle Passage Remembrance Day. The remembrance is held the second Saturday in June.

"We must, we must, honor our ancestors," said Tony Akeem, who has been organizing an observance at Coney Island, N.Y., ever since a 1989 conference on the slave's brutal trip was held at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he works as a photographer.

The observances have spread from Philadelphia to San Francisco and from Brazil to Ghana. Most were started by people who have attended the New York event, Akeem said.

Saturday marked the 10th year South Carolina was participating in the remembrance. As many as 100 people were expected at a Fort Moultrie dock on Sullivans Island near Charleston.
The first slaves arrived in Charleston in 1670, the same year the Carolina colony was created. Historians estimate nearly 40 percent of the millions of slaves brought to what became the United States passed through Charleston. Many others died at sea.

"The stories run pretty strong that there were people who realized they were enslaved and would rather drown than be enslaved and when allowed up on the decks, would just jump into the water," said Fran Norton of the Fort Sumter National Monument, which includes Fort Moultrie. "It commemorates those people who gave up their lives for freedom."

Just how many perished in the slave trade will never be known.

"We know that many died of disease because they were packed in the ships like sardines," said Osei Terry Chandler, a project director at a Charleston education facility who is helping organize the South Carolina memorial.

Participants at the ceremonies in New York and South Carolina planned to drizzle water, rum and honey into the waves Saturday. Some were to toss flowers into the coastal waters. Some were to beat drums.

"Pouring libations is simply to venerate your ancestors," said Bill Jones, who helps organize the Coney Island ceremony. "It gives the ancestors a cool drink of water, or a little bit of gin or a little bit of rum, whatever you pour the libation with.

"In African spirituality we believe we are in constant contact with our ancestors. They are not someplace in heaven, they are right here with us."