U.S. State Department Travel Alert - Tanzania

Travel Alert
Tanzania (including Zanzibar)
October 15, 2009

The U.S. Department of State alerts American citizens to the possibility
of election-related unrest as Zanzibar registers voters for the upcoming
general elections expected October 2010. American citizens who choose to
travel to Zanzibar during this period are advised to maintain a high
level of security vigilance and avoid political rallies, centers where
voter registrations are taking place, and related public gatherings.
This replaces the Travel Alert of August 28, 2009, to reflect continued
voter registration throughout the Archipelago of Zanzibar, which
includes both islands of Pemba and Unguja. This Travel Alert expires on
February 15, 2010.

Past elections in Zanzibar have featured violence during the campaign
season, the election and especially in the days and weeks following
announcement of the results. Since registration of voters began on the
island of Pemba on July 6, 2009, there have been reports of civil
unrest.
Voter registration on Pemba Island is expected to conclude on January
10, 2010. Voter registration on the larger island of Unguja (also
referred to as "Zanzibar") began September 12 and is expected to
conclude February 14, 2010. A second round of voter registration is
anticipated in late spring 2010 and may carry with it similar political
tensions.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should
regularly monitor the Department's Internet website
(http://travel.state.gov ), where the current
Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the World Wide
Caution, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can
also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00am to 8:00pm
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.
Americans living or traveling in Tanzania are encouraged to register
with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration
website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, so that they can
obtain updated information on travel and security within Tanzania.
Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest
U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the
Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The Consular Section of
the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania can be contacted by telephone [255] (22)
266-8001 ext. 4122 and fax [255] (22) 266-8238. You may also contact the
U.S. Embassy in Tanzania via email at drsacs@state.gov. For after hour
emergencies U.S. citizens should call [255] (22) 266-8001.

Car Trouble in Da Hood

Wanavijiji Wafukuzwa Morogoro

Premier Mizengo Pinda (C), flanked by Morogoro regional commissioner, Colonel (rtd) Issa Machibya (L), Kilombero district commissioner, Evarist Ndikilo and Kilombero Plantations Limited manager, Carter

Huko Zimbabwe, Mugabe anafukuzwa wazungu kusudi wananchi wa kiafrika wapate ardhi ya kulimia. Sisi Tanzania, tunafukuza waafrika kusudi wazungu wapate ardhi ya kulimia. Ukoloni Mamboleo?

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Kutoka ippmedia.com

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda has ordered villagers who invaded the Mngeta Rice Farm (MRF) in Kilombero district, Morogoro region to leave immediately to make way for massive agricultural investments.

The premier issued the order over the weekend on the second day of his official tour of Morogoro region to inspect agricultural activities including farms and research centres.

Addressing Mngeta villagers, the Prime Minister said about 2,000 residents of Mngeta and Lukolongo villages have illegally taken over 300 hectares out of 5,000 hectares in the potential area for paddy farming.

He directed Morogoro regional authorities to ensure that villagers who have illegally invaded the area are immediately relocated to other areas.

“But this should be done in a proper manner. I would not prefer the use of force during the process of relocation,” the Premier cautioned, stressing that farmers should continue cultivating around the MRF as out-growers and contract farmers.

He said the move would enable the farmers acquire farming skills and access to rice farming infrastructures.

MRF is co-owned by Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA) and a UK based investor, Agrica.

The two have formed a new company known as Kilombero Plantations Limited (KPL) to help boost modern agriculture in the region.

The farm was established in 1986 under Korea Tanzania Agricultural Company (KOTACO). KPL started to operate the farm in 2008 and succeeded to cultivate more that 2,000 hectares of rice with an investment of 22bn/-.

Pinda arrived in Morogoro last Saturday and started his tour by visiting Kilombero district where he received information on development of the ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ initiative from the District Commissioner, Eng. Evarist Ndikilo. He also visited the Katrin Agricultural Research Centre.

He also visited Chita-Melela valley which is used for rice cultivation.

The Prime Minister also advised farmers to establish a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Saccos) that would provide them with funds to improve their agriculture, and promised to give them 10m/- once they manage to contribute among themselves a total of 10m/-.

Pinda yesterday visited Sagamaganga village to see a demonstration farm for livestock keeping where he promised a 3m/- donation as a contribution for purchases of animal feeds and vaccination.

CHANZO: THE GUARDIAN

Jamaica at Sweet Eazy

Wayward Husband Notice -Kenyan Style

Kutoka Michuzi Blog: Tanzania igeni jamani! Mbona itakuwa kazi!

Miss EA Schengen 2009 - Questions and Concerns

Miss EA Schengen 2009 - Questions and Concerns

Dear community, can you please share my concerns below in your respected outlets.

I would like to understand a few things about this Miss EA Schengen competition (as there seems to be a lot of Miss competitions popping up with the notion of empowering young women). For anyone who can help, please do share your knowledge. Earlier attempts to speak to Mr. Charles Gadi were futile, as he hung up on me, upon me saying I did not recognise what the company was. Most importantly, we would like to know who is behind the organisation. What is their background? Who is training the girls? What do these individuals do for life? The girls competiting are required not to have "poor behaviour or they will be disqualified". Are the organisers, trainers etc squeaky clean? Will their background impart "beauty, culture and purity" to the girls? Do you really, really know who is working with your daughters and sisters? DO YOU??

So my questions;

1. What kind of organisation is this? Is it an individuals company or an NGO? What is the registration number if anyone knows, and when was it registered. Who is on the board?

2. On the website, the contact is not clear, there is only an e-mail and phone number but no physical address.

3. What kind of health (or any other) insurances are in place for young girls participating in this event?

4. The organisation aims to encourage people to visit East African countries etc. Is this encouraging East Africans in the diaspora to go back to their own countries, or they are targeting Europeans? If so, how is this being marketed to them?

5. One of the entry requirements is; girls must be single and have no children. Why specifically single? Is this a discrimination on young girls who might have boyfriends? Does it make them improper to serve the community?

6. I see there are only 2 sponsors, one travel company and a restaurant. Are they the main sponsors of the event? Do they provide the presents for these young girls? I believe, it is important to have transparency, and it would be encouraging to see the companies put forward what they are actually sponsoring, so that come the time their word will be legally binding (mainly to the participating girls). I would hate to see naive young girls being exploited.

7. Does the company provide psychological support to young girls who might be vulnerable to insults that will no doubt pop in different blogs whereby the individual has decided to market. It is one thing to claim to build confidence in young girls, it is another when individuals elsewhere try and knock young girls' confidence. A proper organisation should have these things in place.

8. On that note, a concerned parent has recently called the organiser, Mr. Gadi in relation to the pictures and more importantly to a "bongoflava" cheap $2 video (NOTE: $2 is a compliment), which consists of lyrics that arent pleasant to a parent, with videos of the young girls pictures flashing. He has been asked to remove them, the singer has been requested to remove them. In reply Mr. Gadi said "Maybe I will do", "I will see what I can do" or "They are 18 years, they can decide what they want". I believe on this note, an organiser creating a reputable organisation, promoting positivity for the girls, shows a lack of understanding and respect to a concerned parent and our beautiful african culture. I believe the organiser has a family, and needs to think like a family man. So if anyone else knows who is running this organisation, it will be wise to share it, so they can be contacted, perhaps they might show sense and discuss as grow ups.

9. It may be neccessary to contact the different ambassadors to understand their involvement in this event, and whether they endorse the carefree nature of dealing with parents as shown by this particular organiser.

10. For parents who have young girls competiting for these events, it is important you ask questions and make sure your children's interests are best served. Where will your girls be staying? How are they funding their travelling costs? Will these costs be recouped regardless of whether they win or lose?

Food For Thought for parents: What do you want your young girls to achieve from this? Is it attention? Fame? Material things? If helping the community, is parading on stage and being viewed as an object what your daughter is about? In terms of modelling, in Europe there are a lot of very genuine modelling companies with clear procedures on how they are run. My word is, ask questions, talk to your friends, advise them and do the right and sensible things for your young daughters and sisters.

Best of Regards,

Denis

Defunkadelic

(Please feel free to contact me in private and in confidence. I am accessible on the e-mail (and my mobile no. is available on request via e-mail), I will be happy to speak out when you do not dare, where neccessary, you can always rely on the rule of law).

ASANTE MICHUZI JR. JIACHIE BLOG

Alogwa kwa Kutembea na Mke wa Mtu!

Kumbe huko Zambia kuna dawa kali za kienyeji. Huyo jamaa alitembea na mke wa mtu huko Zambia. Kafumaniwa na mume wa mwanamke wake. Huyo mume kaenda kumfanyia dawa kali. Jamaa kafaa baada ya ume wake kuvimba kuwa saizi ya paja! Bofya picha kusoma habari kamili. (Picha kutoka Michuzi Blog)

The Harlem Renaissance Revisited - October 16th

Ms. Thelma (mimi) na Ms. Evelyn (Irene O'Bannon)

Costume 2 Ms. Thelma na mchumba wake Joe (Big Moe da Comedian)

Ms. Thelma akitenda wema

Ms. Thelma akipodiwa

Chemi, Ms. Elite 2009, Ms. Evelyn

Ukitaka kuwa tajiri, cheza namba na Steve Lucky aka. Joe Banks

Mary McLoud Bethune aka. Wanda Perry Josephs

Bag Lady (Ruby Hill) na Ms. Evelyn

Bag Lady na Ms. Harmon (Linda Henderson)

Wadau, hizi ni picha chache kutoka Maonyesho ya Ijumaa iliyopita, ya mchezo wa kuigiza, The Harlem Renaissance Revisited with a Gospel Flavor. Tulikuwa Robsham Theater, Boston College. Hizi ni behind the scenes, kabla hatujaenda jukwaani.

Peter Mwagula Kayele Kapanga'a Pdocast

Hi everyone, I posted a new episode to my podcast, Peter Mwagula Kayele Kapangas Podcast.
Please click the link below to view it.

http://kapanga.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-19T21_33_04-07_00
See you there!
- Peter

Khadija Kopa in Boston!

Harlem Renaissance Revisited Play - This Friday!

The Oscar Micheaux Family Theater Program

Invites you to...

The Harlem Renaissance Revisited With a Gospel Flavor

"Telling the History of Triumph Over Adversities"

October 16, 2009
8:00 PM
Boston College's Robsham Theater

Featuring some of Boston Best Talents....Singing and Dancing

Ruby Hill, Irene O'Bannon, Michael Carter, Jr., Marchelle Jacques-Yarde, Rayetta Ingram,
Kushelia Sukhu, Joe Banks, Linda Henderson, Alex Newell, Wanda Perry Josephs,
Maurice Smith, Angel Dublin, Sidney M. Bowden, Stanley Everette, Chemi Kadete,
Catrina Andrade, and David Bowden

Director: Lee Smith and Music Director: Adonis Martin

Dance by: Stajezz Center for the Arts and Nikai Fondon


For Ticket Information Call: (617) 238-2460

General Admissions $20 Seniors/Children/Students with ID

Sinema - Aerodynamics

Wadau, nimo katika hii sinema Aerodynamics. Naigiza kama mwanamke mwenye wivu katika scene ya klabu. Nilifanya kama miaka mitano iliyopita, na bado haijaiisha. Ni sinema iliyotengenewa na mtu binafsi (Independent Film). Kaka Theodore anasema itatoka mwakani Mungu akipenda.

Kwa habari zaidi tembelea:

http://www.myspace.com/aerodynamicsmovie

Sweet Eazy - Bollywood

Tatizo la Umeme Tanzania

Jamani, mbona habari ya mgao wa umeme kuanza tena Tanzania inasikitisha sana. Lini tatizo litaisha? Kweli habari hizi zinavunja moyo. Badala ya kwenda mbele tunakwenda nyuma!

Someni maoni ya mhariri wa Nipashe.

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Tunahitaji umeme wa uhakika si malumbano

Na Mhariri

13th October 2009

Ukifuatilia kwa karibu yanayotokea katika sekta ya nishati ya umeme nchini, huwezi kuepuka kufikia hitimisho jepesi tu, kwamba hakuna anayejali kinachotokea.

Kama taifa tumekosa ujasiri si tu wa kutenda, bali hata wa kusema. Tumekosa hata soni ndani ya nafsi zetu, kiasi cha kubakia kupiga domo mwaka hadi mwaka.

Taifa kwa sasa lipo kwenye mgawo mkali wa umeme wa zaidi ya saa 14 kwa siku kokote ambako gridi ya taifa imepita. Ni kero, shida na kila aina ya kuvunjika moyo, kwamba mwaka baada ya mwaka tunabakia pale pale, watu tusioweza si tu kujifunza kwa makosa ya watu wengine, bali hata kwa yetu wenyewe.

Tangu mwaka 2006 serikali ilipoamua kuachana na mchakato wa kubinafsisha Shirika la Umeme Nchini (Tanesco) tulitarajia kuona watu wakikimbizana usiku na mchana kuiondoa nchi katika adha hii ya umeme wa mgawo.

Tuliona juhudi za kutafutwa kwa umeme wa dharura wa megawati 100 wa kampuni hewa ya Richmond, ambayo ilipewa kandarasi ya kuzalisha nishati hiyo kwa kutumia gesi asilia.

Kwa bahati mbaya, umeme huo uliingia ruba, haukupatikana kwa wakati, kwa hakika ulipatikana wakati dharura ikiwa imekaribia kufikia ukingoni, lakini kwa kutambua ukiukaji wa taratibu za kumpata mkandarasi Richmond, mkataba wake ulivunjwa na hivyo, Richmond na mrithi wake, Dowans wakatakiwa wafungashe virago.

Tangu hatua hizi za kuvunja mkataba zichukuliwe, si tu kumekuwa na ngonjera za kutakiwa kwa mitambo ya Dowans, bali pia juhudi za lazima kabisa za kutaka Tanesco inunue mitambo hiyo, hoja inayojengwa ni moja, mitambo ni mizuri na kwamba mitambo si mkataba, kweli inawezekana kuna ukweli wa jambo hilo.

Lakini kwa bahati mbaya, nchi haiendeshwi tu kwa uhalali wa kisheria na ubora wa hiki au kile, bali pia na siha ya kisiasa ya wakati husika. Kwa maana hiyo kama siha ya kisiasa si mwafaka kwa wakati fulani si vema wala busara kung’ang’ana na jambo fulani.

Kwa hali hii haijalishi kwamba eti mitambo ya Dowans ni mizuri kiasi gani, kama siha ya kisiasa si mwafaka kwa mitambo hiyo kuchukuliwa, na kwa sababu wahusika serikalini na ndani ya Tanesco walikwisha kuonywa juu ya hali hiyo, tulidhani kwamba nguvu zao zingeelekezwa kwa mbadala wa Dowans.

Lakini inavyoelekea watu wamejaza vifua visasi na vinyongo vya kutaka kuonyeshana nani zaidi. Nguvu kubwa hazijaonekana zikielekezwa huko na huko kusaka mitambo mengine kama mbadala wa Dowans, hata kama ilijulikana wazi kwamba mkataba wa Richmond kuanzia mapema ulikuwa ni wa miaka miwili tu, sasa kufikiri kwamba bila wao (Dowans) adha ya umeme haiwezi kutatuliwa, tunashawishika kuuliza kuna nini Tanesco na Wizara ya Nishati na Madini?

Kama taifa hatuwezi kukamatwa mateka wa Dowans na siasa zote zinazohusu Richmond na wote waliokuwa kondoo wa kafara kwa utendaji mbovu wa baadhi ya watendaji serikalini na au maamuzi dhaifu ya wanasiasa; tunataka umeme.

Tanesco ni lazima itambue kwamba inawajibika kutupa umeme, ni lazima iumize kichwa kutupa umeme, kutupa sababu za mgawo wa umeme na ratiba ya mgawo, si vitu vinavyosaidia taifa hili kusonga mbele.

Tunahisi kwamba kwa kitambo kirefu mno, Tanesco si tu wameachwa hadi kulewa vilivyo ukiritimba wa kuzalisha na kusambaza umeme nchini, bali pia wamebobea mno katika uzembe na kutokujali kwa kiwango cha hali ya juu.

Uongozi wa Tanesco umeamua kubweteka, si leo wala jana, ila kwa miaka na miaka, wameruhusiwa kuishi kwa kuamini wananchi ndio wanaowahitaji na si vinginevyo, ndiyo maana Tanesco daima hawashituki wanaposikia mteja wao kapata hasara kwa sababu ya kuunguliwa na nyumba kutokana na huduma zao mbovu, wala hawasumbuki wanapokuwa na mlolongo wa maombi ya wananchi wanaohitaji huduma yao. Tanesco wakikosa kabisa mkakati wa kumaliza kero hizo.

Tanesco walitutisha kwamba kwa kuikataa Dowans tutajuta, na sasa wameanzisha mgawo, ndiyo kusema walikusudia kuliadhibu taifa, walipanga na sasa wametekeleza. Hii haikubaliki, kama wapo walioshindwa kazi Tanesco wanasubiri nini, hili ni shirika la umma si kampuni binafsi, ni vema na haki wakapisha wengine watakaothubutu kujaribu na hivyo kutatua kero ya umeme nchini.


CHANZO: NIPASHE

Kaka Michuzi Kwenye Harusi Juzi

Wadau, hebu cheki kaka Michuzi anavyonengua kwenye arusi ya Jackson Mbando wikiendi hii iliyopita. Kujua nani kashinda BOFYA HAPA:

Ubaguzi Marekani - Mzungu Aongea

Nimepokea hii kwa e-mail. Mara nyingi sisi weusi tukilalamika kuhusu ubaguzi, wazungu wanatusema. Huyo mzungu Andrew M. Manis, anauliza lini wazungu wataacha ubaguzi, anasema bado upo.

***************************************************************************

Andrew M. Manis is associate professor of history at Macon State College in
Georgia and wrote this for an editorial in the Macon Telegraph.

Andrew M. Manis: When Are WE Going to Get Over It?

For much of the last forty years, ever since America "fixed" its race
problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have
been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their
difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, "When are African Americans
finally going to get over it? Now I want to ask: "When are we White
Americans going to get over our ridiculous obsession with skin color?

Recent reports that "Election Spurs Hundreds' of Race Threats, Crimes"
should frighten and infuriate every one of us. Having grown up in
"Bombingham," Alabama in the 1960s, I remember overhearing an avalanche of
comments about what many white classmates and their parents wanted to do to
John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Eventually, as you may
recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than "talk the talk."

Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once
again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my boyhood.
We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and
United States for some 400 years on this continent. Conservative whites have
been in power 28 of the last 40 years.

Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that
anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan,
or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes. Call for their impeachment,
perhaps. But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone
did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case
who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster.

But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and we're back in the sixties
again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that we've proven
what conservatives are always saying -- that in America anything is
possible, EVEN electing a black man as president. But instead we now hear
that school children from Maine to California are talking about wanting to
"assassinate Obama."

Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, "How long?" How long before
we white people realize we can't make our nation, much less the whole world,
look like us? How long until we white people can - once and for all - get
over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin color? How long until we
white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us
superior? How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments
about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?

How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head
of the line merely because of our white skin? How long until we white people
end our silence and call out our peers when they share the latest racist
jokes in the privacy of our white-only conversations?

I believe in free speech, but how long until we white people start making
racist loudmouths as socially uncomfortable as we do flag burners? How long
until we white people will stop insisting that blacks exercise personal
responsibility, build strong families, educate themselves enough to edit the
Harvard Law Review, and work hard enough to become President of the United
States, only to threaten to assassinate them when they do?

How long before we starting "living out the true meaning" of our creeds,
both civil and religious, that all men and women are created equal and that
"red and yellow, black and white" all are precious in God's sight?
Until this past November 4, I didn't believe this country would ever elect
an African American to the presidency. I still don't believe I'll live long
enough to see us white people get over our racism problem.

But here's my three-point plan:

First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House
that Black Slaves Built, I'm going to pray that God (and the Secret Service)
will protect him and his family from us white people.

Second, I'm going to report to the FBI any white person I overhear saying,
in seriousness or in jest, anything of a threatening nature about President
Obama.

Third, I'm going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise
the world once again, when white people can "in spirit and in truth" sing of
our damnable color prejudice, "We HAVE overcome."
**************************************
It takes a Village to protect our President.

Air Tanzania Kuachisha Nusu ya Wafanyakazi Wake

Samahani, lakini nashindwa kuelewa sababu ya Air Tanzania kuwa na wafanyakazi zaidi ya 300 wakati wana ndege mbili tu! Kuna efficiency hapo kweli?

******************************************************
Kutoka ippmedia.com

9th October 2009

After over a week of dead silence, the Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) management came out of its shell yesterday to confirm exclusive reports published by The Guardian about plans by the firm to retrench at least half its workforce.

Chief executive officer William Haji budged to pressure from journalists who had camped at the company’s offices in Dar es Salaam and swiftly called a news conference at which he shed light on the saga over the layoff plans.

He was forced to adjourn a meeting with representatives of the ATCL branch of the Communication and Transport Workers’ Union (Cotwu) on reports reaching this paper on Wednesday that it was likely that 181 workers lined up for retrenchment would be issued with “termination of services” letters yesterday.

In a statement, his first official response to the media inquiries since The Guardian broke the news about the retrenchment plan last week, CEO Haji said the issuance of the letters wasn’t possible yesterday “because the management and representatives of the trade union (Cotwu) are still finalising deliberations on a few important things that are still pending”.

He said issues on which agreement had not been reached by yesterday afternoon included details on terminal packages and the exact number of workers to be offloaded.

“It is true that there is an ongoing restructuring process at ATCL which will see some members of the workforce retrenched. The aim is to remain with reasonable team of staff which will make the airline perform more efficiently,” added a highly co-operative CEO Haji.

He was emphatic that the layoffs were inevitable and would touch practically the entire company, and hoped all those on whom the axe would fall would take things in their stride.

Haji resisted all attempts to draw him into giving the exact number of workers to be served with retrenchment letters, only saying: “The restructuring exercise seeks to make the company remain with only a reasonable number of employees…It is just one of several measures aimed at cutting operational costs.”

He was quick to add that the restructuring would follow the rules, regulations and guidelines stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He said retrenchment exercises usually require huge amount of money in terminal benefits for those affected, adding: “This touches people’s lives and so the way the exercises are carried out means one must be especially keen to avoid needless harm to those retrenched. Besides, there are legal technicalities that must be considered.”

The ATCL chief also explained that it was evident that the airline stood to benefit from restructuring “since the size of our workforce doesn’t match with our operations”.

The cash-strapped airline currently operates only two Dash-8 Bombardier aircrafts, but it is understood to have a 337-strong workforce.

It other two planes - a Boeing 737 and a leased 150-seater Airbus (A320) - are undergoing a mandatory ‘C’ check maintenance in Mozambique and France, respectively.

According to the CEO, the layoffs were coming at an especially awkward time “because we have only 14 qualified pilots and licensed aircraft engineers, when the minimum needed for a two-aircraft fleet is 18 pilots”.

“Still, this should not be taken to mean that there is any sector or department that will not be touched by the job cut exercise,” he warned.

Authoritative sources within ATCL intimated to this paper earlier this week that the firm would “bid farewell” to more than half its workers in an impending layoff exercise.

Meanwhile, an enraged woman who vaguely identified herself as an ATCL employee, yesterday morning called the editor of this paper on his mobile phone swearing that The Guardian was peddling untruths about what was going on at the airline “and you will end up disgraced because no ATCL employee is being laid off and no retrenchment letter will be issued”.

Her surprise call came just hours before her CEO called the media to confirm the reports. Efforts to contact her by phone later in the day through the number she had used failed.

Scores of well-placed sources within the company, including senior pilots and junior staff who have repeatedly talked to this paper separately, said they knew their days at ATCL were over and they were just waiting for official notification to confirm their worst fears.

They said the decision to proceed with the staff ‘pruning’ exercise was reached late Tuesday after a daylong consultative meeting in Dar es Salaam between the ATCL management and officials from the firm’s parent ministry - Infrastructure Development.

The state-run airline is surviving on government subsidy, and sources say the downsizing of the workforce was the least painful way to save on unnecessary expenditure and help it possibly run off life support.

The exercise was earlier planned for October 1 (Thursday last week) but the company’s top officials and trade union representatives were still locked in an extended meeting for about a week because there were still “certain unresolved disagreements.”

Sources close to representatives attending the closed-door talks said the meeting this week was aimed at keeping the dialogue going after formal talks on retrenchment plans ended prematurely on Friday last week.

The formal talks, the sources said, were due to be followed by a meeting between ATCL workers and their management.

Should the layoff plan materialise, meaning that 181 workers will lose jobs, ATCL will remain with a staff of only 150.

In January this year, the government rescued the national flag carrier from financial doldrums with the disbursement of a second bailout package to the tune of 4.5bn/-.

The firm has experienced a series of problems since its marriage with “strategic investor” South African Airline (SAA) collapsed in 2006.

The problems included the December 8, 2008 decision by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) to revoke the new-look airline’s Air Operating Certificate over faulty documentation.

TCAA imposed the ban after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) threatened to rate Tanzania as not airworthy.

The airline fulfilled TCAA’s requirements three weeks later (December 30) and its planes were allowed to start flying again. However, financial difficulties made it impossible for the flights to actually resume.

Just recently, well-placed sources intimated to The Guardian that ATCL was currently being investigated in connection with the reported purchase of more than 15 posh vehicles despite the crippling financial problems it was facing.

The sources said the four-wheel-drive vehicles were bought with money forming part of the rescue package the corporation has been receiving from the government.

It is reported that the vehicles cost over 2bn/- and that the decision to buy them was made by the firm’s management and endorsed by the board of directors.

ATCL, formerly Air Tanzania Corporation (ATC), was established in March 1977 after the collapse of East African Airways and other regional institutions previously under the ill-fated first-phase East African Community.

ATC was taken over by SAA in 2002 and renamed ATCL, before the government reclaimed all its shares in the firm four years later.


SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Rais Obama Ashinda Tuzo ya Nobel (Amani)

Rais Barack Obama ameshinda tuzo ya Amani ya Nobel (Nobel Peace Prize). Hiyo ni tuzo enye heshima kubwa sana duniani. Watu wengi hapa Marekani wamepigwa butwaa maana wanasema kuwa hasthili kupewa. Wengine wanatania kuwa eti kapewa shauri ya kusuluhisha ugomvi kati ya Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. na polisi Sgt. Jim Crowley hapa Cambridge, MA.

Wanakamati wa Nobel wanasema kuwa Rais Obama alichaguliwa shauri ya bidii yake ya kupoza chuki kati ya Marekani na nchi za KiIslamu.

Wengine waliowahi kushinda ni: Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, na Martin Luther Jr.

Kwa habari zaidi someni:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/obama.nobel.international.reaction/

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/a-little-soon-for-the-nobel-peace-prize/

Weusi Watukanwa Australia

Kwa wasiojua kuigiza ukiwa na 'Black Face' (make-up maalum inayotengeneza na masizi) ni kashfa kubwa sana hapa Marekani. Inatokana na historia ya weusi kuonewa Hollywood, Broadway and katika sanaa za maigizo na uimbaji.

Muhimbili Wapandisha Bei ya Huduma

Hizi bei ni chee ukilinganisha na hela tunaolipa hapa Marekani. Lakini kwa Bongo ni hela nyingi kweli. Kazi ipo!

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Kutoka ippmedia.com

Private patients seeking treatment at the Muhimbili National Hospital will have to pay more than double the amounts charged previously, The Guardian has learnt.

Fees which have gone up effective this month include those for laboratory, dental, blood, x-ray and ultra-sound services.

Also raised are charges for admission, consultancy, and surgery. A patient will now have to pay more than one million shillings for surgery, way above the previous charges.

A survey by this reporter, showed that charges for kidney, urethral and stomach x-ray has gone up from 9,000/- to 20,000/-.

Full body x-ray which previously cost 12,000/- has had its charges raised to 40,000/- Lumbar and back x-ray charges have now gone up to 51,000/- from the previous 18,000/-.

Ultrasound charges have gone up from 15,000/- to 35,000/-

Fluoroscopy charges have in some cases gone up from previous 20,000/- to 35,000/- those of x-ray of the throat have risen from 30,000/- to 40,000/-.

A few other charges such as those for CT Scan have not changed, while charges for others such as MRI plain have gone down to 350,000/- from 400,000/-.

An official of MNH, Aminiel Buberwa Aligaesha,

told this reporter that rising operational, equipment and patient overhead costs had forced the hospital to raise the charges.

The national referral hospital was also seeking to raise funds to finance its drive for better services, he said.


SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Victoria Rowell Avaa Kitenge Kwenye Emmy Awards

Wadau, mcheza sinema Victoria Rowell, alivaa gauni ilishonwa na kitenge kwenye tuzo za Emmy Awards hivi karibuni. Kitenge chenyewe kilikuwa na picha za Rais Obama. Basi hiyo gauni imezua zozo! Kuna watu wanasema kuwa eti Rais Obama ametukanwa kwa vile picha yake iko kwenye kitambaa. Hao wanaosema hivyo hawalewi kuwa ni sifa kuwa na picha yako kwenye kitenge barani Afrika!

Wengine wanasema eti Victoria alionekana kama kajitundika kitambaa cha mezani (Tablecloth). Wengine eti ni kama blanketi. Kuna waMarekani weusi ambao wamesema kuwa wameona aibu kwa vile kavaa nguo ya kiAfrika! Heh!

Mimi namsifu Victoria kwa kupenda uAfrika na kutangaza Afrika na mila yake! Weusi waMarekani wamepoteza uAfrika wao na mila zao za kiAfrika kutokana na utumwa. Nashukuru kuna weusi wanaopenda weusi wao.

VICTORIA, YOU GO GIRL! BIG UP ON YOUR BOLD MOVE!

Kwa habari zaidi someni:

http://www.starsareblind.com/2009/09/21/victoria-rowell-emmy-dress/

http://blackpoliticalthought.blogspot.com/2009/09/actress-victoria-rowell-wears-obama.html

Varsity College Tanzania

Mtandao wako wa Varsity College Tanzania -- http://www.varsitycollegetz.ning.com/ -- unawashukuru wadau wote kwa juhudi zao na ushiriki wao wa kila siku katika kutafuta majibu ya matatizo mengi ya kijamii nchini kupitia mada mbalimbali zianzishwazo na nyinyi wadau katika mtandao huu. Tunawapongeza wadau wote vile vile kwa jitihada zao za kupost nafasi lukuki za ufadhili wa masomo, ndani na nje ya Tanzania. Hii inaonyesha jinsi gani tunavyowajali wenzetu na nchi yetu kiujumla.

Tunawakaribisha wadau wote wanaojiunga na mtandao huu kila siku. Tunasema karibuni na tuna hakika kuwa pamoja tutaweza. Tuna programs kadhaa mbele yetu zinazolenga kuchangia maendeleo ya elimu nchini. Kwa kuanza, siku chache zijazo tutakuwa na shindano la essay kwa wadau wote wa varsitycolletgetz. Kutakuwa na zawadi za fedha na vifaa kwa washindi mbalimbali watakaochaguliwa na nyinyi wadau.

Tunawakaribisha wadau wote kujumuika nasi katika mtandao huu wa wasomi Tanzania - http://www.varsitycollegetz.ning.com/

Kitogo

Vitabu Kwa Ajili ya Shule za Afrika - Changamkeni!

Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 2:04:29 AM

Subject: Anybody know of an African school that needs books: queryDate:

Tuesday, 6 October 2009From: Cynthia Brantley <http://us.mc397.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=clbrantley@ucdavis.edu> I am retiring and leaving my office by October 30. Does anyone know of an African school or university that needs books? I would be happy to learn of any.

Cynthia Brantley

**********************************************************************************
Subject: Anybody know of an African school that needs books: queryDate:

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

From: Richard Seltzer <http://us.mc397.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=seltzer@samizdat.com>

I have many collections of the classics http://samizdat.stores.yahoo.net/ and would like to donate some toAfrican schools that could make good use of them.

Best wishes.Richard

SweetEazy Ijumaa

Food from Uganda - Music from Uganda – Hosts from Uganda. Rest from Sweet Eazy.

Join the Uganda Independence Day Celebrations - this Saturday, from 8pm.
Tubaniliza!

Swahili Fashion Week

IBUA Film Star Awards - Tanzania

WACHEZA FILAMU CHIPUKIZI KUSAKWA TANZANIA

Mchakato wa kutafuta na kuibuwa vipaji vya waigizaji chipukizi linaanza rasmi na litahusisha mikoa ya Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Dodoma, Zanzibar na Dar es Salaam.
Uibuaji na ukuzaji wa vipaji vya wasanii chipukizi wa filamu ambao hawajawahi kushiriki katika filamu au tamthilia yoyote itawahusisha watanzania wenye vigezo vya kuwa na umri wa miaka 16 na kuendelea, awe na akili timamu, awe ni raia wa Tanzania na ajue kusoma na kuandika.
Mchakato utahusisha kufanya usaili katika mikoa husika hadi watakapopatikana kumi bora ambapo washiriki watachuana kumtafuta msanii chipukizi wa filamu Tanzania.
Mwaka huu kampuni mbali mbali zimejitokeza kudhamini mashindano haya lakini yatatajwa hapo baadaye
Mshindi wa IBUA Film Star Tanzania atajinyakulia zawadi ambayo itatangazwa baadae na pia atapata mkataba wa kushiriki filamu mbali mbali za wasanii wa ndani na nje ya nchi.
Mshindi atapatikana kwa kupigiwa kura na wananchi kupitia kipindi maalumu kitakachoonyeshwa hapo baadae.
Fomu za kushiriki shindano la IBUA Film Stars Tanzania zinapatikana mikoa husika kama ifuatavyo Arusha (Club Silk), Mwanza (Salma Cone), Mbeya (CPMTL Stationery mkabala na ofisi ya mkuu wa mkoa), Dodoma (Zunny Ice Cream Parlour), Zanzibar (Ofisi za Zenj FM), Dar es Salaam (TCC Chang’ombe, Shear Illusions mlimani City, Royal Salon Sinza, Zizzou Fashions). Fomu zitaanza kupatikana tarehe 10 Oktoba 2009.
Mwisho wa kuchukua fomu ni tarehe 30 Oktoba 2009 kabla ya kuanza usaili mjini Arusha tarehe 31 Oktoba na 01 Novemba.
Zoezi la usaili litafanyika kabla ya wananchi kupata nafasi ya kutoa maoni na kufanikisha kuwapata washindi.

Jacqueline Wolper
Afisa Uhusiano-YEC PRODUCTION

Kitchen Party - You Tube!

Wadau, nimekuta hii kideo You Tube! Sijui ni Kitchen Party, au ni show kwa ajili ya watalii au ni nini. Pia kulikuwa na mjadala umepigwa wapi, Zanzibar, Tanga, au Kenya?

JIHADHARI: Wizi wa mtandaoni nao wachukua kasi ya mabadiliko ya teknolojia!

Huu ni ujumbe uliotumwa kwangu (soma hapo chini) nami kwa vile nilivyoona maneno kadhaa ya KiSwahili, nikaazimu nisiufutilie mbali bali niusome pengine utakuwa umetoka kwa mtu ninayemfahamu. Baada ya kusoma mistari miwilitu ya mwanzo, nimejikuta naang'ua kicheko na kushangaa sasa kwa jinsi hawa majangili wa mtandaoni walivyoamua kutumia huduma ya Google ya kutafsiri lugha "Google Translate" na kubadili utapeli wao kutoka lugha kanganya ya Kiingereza hadi iliyovunjikavunjika ya Kiswahili ili waweze kuwaibia Waswahili wengi zaidi. Masikini we, laiti wangejua thidanganyiki!.

Subi, nukta77!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: 2009/10/1
Subject: huu ember kukuza lucky mshindi
To:

Sisi ni radhi kwa taarifa kwamba alishinda una jumla ya kutoka 485,000.00 GBP kutoka Yahoo! MSN (Windows Live) Awards mpango.

PAYMENT wa zawadi na kudai Vinnarna atalipwa kulingana na makazi Center. Tuzo ya Nobel yahoo lazima kutekelezwa no baadaye kuliko 15 siku kuanzia tarehe ya notification Draw. Gharama yoyote alidai kipindi hiki itakuwa waliopotea.

Alisema chini nambari yako ni kitambulisho:
Batch namba: YPA/07-43658
Reference number: 2007234522
PIN: 1206

ushauri wewe kurudi kwetu wasiliana na mtu Shining Rev Dr Robert kulabu kwa madai yake.

Wasiliana akiitwa / madai ya mwakilishi na taarifa zifuatazo.
Jina: Rev Dr Robert kulabu
E-mail: rev.dr.roberthooks@live.com
rev.dr.roberthooks@safat.us
Simu: +447024067872

Sincerely,
Mrs Carol Jones
Tarehe mstari mratibu

Swine Flu (H1N1) Nchini Tanzania - Taarifa!

Taarifa Maalum Kutoka Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii

Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii inapenda kutoa taarifa kwa umma, kuhusu hali ya ugonjwa wa Mafua Makali ya Nguruwe (Influenza A H1N1), Ikiwa ni taarifa ya tatu kutolewa na Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii tangu ugonjwa huu uingie hapa nchini.

Ugonjwa huu kwa mara ya kwanza ulitokea katika nchi ya Mexico mwanzoni mwa mwezi wa Aprili 2009. Hadi hivi sasa nchi 24 katika bara la Afrika zimethibitisha kuwa na ugonjwa huo, zikiwa na jumla ya wagonjwa 8,187 na vifo 41.

Nchi inayoongoza kuwa na idadi kubwa ya wagonjwa katika bara la Afrika ni Afrika ya Kusini ambayo ina jumla ya wagonjwa 7,606 na vifo 31. Hadi kufikia tarehe 30/09/2009 idadi ya wagonjwa waliothibitishwa kuwa na ugonjwa huu hapa nchini ni 170.
Kati ya wagonjwa hao 151 ni kutoka mkoa wa Dar es salaam, 15 kutoka Wilaya ya Mbulu mkoa wa Manyara, na 4 kutoka mkoa wa Mara. Wengi wa wagonjwa hao walikwishatibiwa na kupona na kwa sasa hivi wagonjwa waliolazwa ni 15 ambao wapo wilayani Mbulu.

Vile vile, kati ya wagonjwa hao 170, kuna Watanzania 80. Hii inaonyesha kwamba, maambukizi ya ugonjwa huu yameanza kuingia kwenye jamii yetu. Aidha, hali ya sasa ya ugonjwa inaonyesha kuwa maambukizi yametokea katika shule mbalimbali za mkoa wa Dar es salaam. Sababu kubwa ni kwamba, virusi vya ugonjwa huu huenea kwa haraka kwenye mikusanyiko ya watoto, kundi ambalo limethibitishwa kisayansi kuwa katika hatari zaidi ya kupata maambukizi ya Ugonjwa huo.

Idadi ya shule zilizothibitishwa kuwa na ugonjwa huu mpaka sasa, zilizoko katika mkoa wa Dar es salaam ni 9. Shule hizo ni pamoja na International School of Tanganyika, Delhi Primary School, Little Scholar, French Primary School, Dar es salaam International School, Msasani Peninsular Primary School, Feza Girls Secondary School, Makongo Secondary school na Litlle Deau Mont.

Wagonjwa wengi waliothibitishwa kuwa na ugonjwa huu hapa nchini hawakuwa na dalili kali za ugonjwa huo, na walipona kati ya siku 3 hadi 5 baada ya kupatiwa matibabu. Wizara imechukua hatua mbalimbali kukabiliana na ugonjwa huo ambapo: ·

Imeimarisha mfumo wa ufuatiliaji wa ugonjwa huu, katika viwanja vya ndege, mipakani pamoja na bandari.
· Imeimarisha Ufuatiliaji na Utambuzi wa ugonjwa huu katika hospitali za rufaa, mikoa na wilaya na kuunda kamati za wataalamu za kitaifa, mikoa na wilaya ili kupambana na ugonjwa huu

· Pia mafunzo yametolewa kwa watumishi wa afya katika hospitali za rufaa, mikoa pamoja na kamati za afya za wilaya kuhusiana na ugonjwa huu.

· Wizara imepeleka vifaa kinga katika hospitali zote za rufaa na mikoa pamoja na dawa (Tamiflu) dozi 1000 kwenye hospitali zote za rufaa, mikoa na wilaya.

· Wizara ilitembelea na kufanya majadiliano na uongozi wa hospitali binafsi za mkoa wa Dar es salaam, na imezipatia mafunzo pamoja na dawa za ugonjwa huu.

· Huduma za upimaji pamoja na dawa zinatolewa bila malipo.

· Wizara kwa kushirikiana na uongozi wa mganga mkuu wa jiji la Dar es salaam pamoja na manispaa zake imeimarisha ufuatiliaji katika shule zote zilizoathirika na ugonjwa huu, ili kudhibiti kuenea kwa ugonjwa huu mashuleni.

· Wizara imesambaza vipeperushi na imeendelea kutoa elimu ya afya kuhusu ugonjwa huo kupitia njia mbalimbali za mawasiliano kama vile televisheni, radio pamoja na magazeti.

TAHADHARI
Wizara inapenda kuufahamisha Umma kuwa, ugonjwa huu hauambukizwi kwa kula nyama ya nguruwe. Njia kuu ya maambukizi ni kwa njia ya hewa iwapo mgonjwa atakohoa au kupiga chafya bila kufunika pua au mdomo, au kwa kugusa sehemu zenye virusi hivyo na kujigusa mdomomi au puani.


HITIMISHO
Kwa kuzingatia hali hiyo, Wizara inapenda kuwaelekeza wananchi KUNAWA MIKONO VIZURI KWA SABUNI NA MAJI MARA KWA MARA na pia KUZUIA MDOMO NA PUA KWA KITAMBAA AU KARATASI LAINI (TISSUE PAPER) WAKATI WA KUKOHOA AU KUPIGA CHAFYA. Pia, wananchi wanashauriwa kutoa taarifa haraka kwenye kituo chochote cha matibabu, mara wanapoona dalili za ugonjwa huu.

Blandina S. J. Nyoni
Katibu Mkuu
Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii