Mapping The ‘Late’ Vice
By Kizito Makoye
It is enough to shake the nation. The biggest nemesis for the
country has been identified. A group of social scientists believe that they have
found a key to solve the problem of poverty in this country. In one of the
biggest researches ever conducted in the country, the experts have pointed out
to improper time management as the largest contributing factor to acute poverty
in the country. To prove it beyond any doubts, a unique country-wide research
has been launched by University of Dar es Salaam with assistance of a Norwegian
NGO called NUFU. The research promises to expose the weaknesses that were
ambiguous till now. So, 52 students and 13 lecturers will be involved in the
research for two weeks throughout the country effectively January 25 after
getting trained on interviewing skills and behaviour analysis. Already a pilot
survey has been completed in two selected areas and two main problems were noted
by the researchers. Firstly, respondents seemed to be irritated by being asked
about normal every day activities and previous day activities. They were of the
opinion that these were the same activities and therefore questions were
repetitive and thus wasted their valuable time. Specifically, the quest-ionnaire
solicits information on the extent the respondents spend time with parents or
relatives, spend time with friends, spend time socially with colleagues, from
work or profession, spend time with people at church, mosque or synagogues Other
problem was that some respondent found the questionnaires rather long. The
average time to complete the questionnaire was noted to be 40 minutes. Apart
from the problem with the instrument itself, there was also a problem with data
entry of the time, arising from the way the interviewers recorded the responses.
The interviewers in Most cases did not differentiate clearly between morning,
evening and night hours when recording responses. Just like the hour 7 may be
either 7 am or 7 pm in English, the hour 1 may be either 1 am or 1 pm in
Kiswahili if it is not clearly specified. Unfort-unately, there were a number of
cases where guesses had to be made at the data cleaning stage to fix the time of
the day that was supposedly meant by respondents. Such a problem should not have
occurred if the interviewers had been extra careful in recording the responses.
The researchers plan to relate some of the results from the world values survey,
by developing a way of capturing information specified in the questionnaire of
the world value survey. The Pilot survey findings give an indication that some
people spend some time in having conversation. The country-wide research is also
expected to generate information on how men and women spend time in their
various social economic and political activities. According to research
coordinator, Dr. Deogratias Rugaimukamu the research will cover 3180 households
across the country in which heads of the household and their spouses will
respond to questions from the researchers. “This research is not time audit as
most people may think… its scope is even bigger and impact greater. We are
trying to find out how people keep time in their day to day activities,” he
said. He added that the research seek to target 9000 respondents from designated
areas therefore, the researchers will have to question four members of some
families. “We sincerely think that if the society is told on proper management
of their time, it is likely that they can fight poverty… some of the questions
we are going to ask are related to their activities like farming. We are
confident it will materialise,” he said. A time survey will generate information
that will give a clear idea about the time that females and males spend on
various – social economic and political activities in the course of a normal
day. The information is important for discourses on female’s welfare on female’s
role in community development and in building knowledge about the female’s
situation. The knowledge is in great demand in Tanzania as well as in several
other African countries . Time use information may be used for planners, health
officials, community –based and various non governmental organisation for
developing policies geared toward improving the people’s welfare and especially
in analysing and confronting poverty. The fund for the study is in tune of
3,500,270 Norwegian corners. The research has been divided into six zones, the
East Zone (Dar es salaam, Coast region, Tanga, Lindi, and Mtwara) Central (Singida
Dodoma, and Morogoro) Lake (Shinyanga, Mwanza, Kagera, and Mara, Western
(Tabora, Kigoma,and Rukwa), Southern Highlands, Mbeya, Iringa, and Ruvuma, North
(Kilimanjaro Arusha and Manyara) The Preliminary Pilot study aimed at testing
the questionnaires in a field situation and logistics was carried out in 2003,
in Iringa and Morogoro. Though the pilot survey indicated that on average a
person had 18 hour working day, due to poor management and infrastructural
problems, he fails to achieve effective working time. Majority of the people,
91.3 per cent of the heads of household in the areas covered by the survey wake
up between 4:00 a.m and 6:30 am everyday and go to sleep 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
When the finding are cross-tabulated, as it is noted that 83.9 per cent of the
heads of households wake up between 4:00 am and 6:30 am and go for night sleep
between 9:00 pm and 10: 00 pm. This essentially means that about 84 per cent of
the heads of the house hold have an 18 hours working day. Since most people
consider the period between 5:30 am and 7:30 pm to be an effective working day,
the survey aimed at finding out and analyse specifically the kind of activities
that people engage in between 4:00 am and 5:30 am and between 7:30 pm and 10:00
pm for the main survey. The researcher claim that the findings will not only
reveal the way time is consumed by Tanzanians but will also provide solution to
how to make time more productive. “It will perhaps be landmark research is
revealing a nation’s char-esteristics and provide a direction to the people,”
said Rugaimukamu.
English schools outperform
vernaculars in final results
By Angela Mazula, Arusha
Students in English Medium Schools have outperformed their
counterparts in vernacular medium schools in this year’s final Standard Seven
Examinations in Arusha Region, the Arusha Regional Education Officer, Clement
Mtenga revealed.
In fact, nine out of 10 best primary schools in last year’s Standard Seven
results were English Medium while only one Vernacular Medium School was in the
league of the top 10.
Mtenga named some of the place Ngorongoro-based Makao Mapya Primary School, as
the only vernacular medium school that could compete with the English Medium
schools.
He added that this will attain the fourth position at the regional level and was
number 198 at the national level. It produced 30 candidates for Form One
entrance for this year which will increase the number of professional people.
Green Acres English Medium School was the overall best school at the regional
level, which at the national level has secured the fourth position with 90
selected pupils, a commendable performance to encourage all the English Medium
Schools in the coutry.
He explained that, Trust Junior Academy takes second winner at the regional
level, while at the national level it was placed 25th; and produced 63 selected
pupils who will go for secondary school this year.
Political chaos starts
surfacing
By Kizito Joseph
Political chaos has started reigning already, much ahead the general election
later this year. Recently, the general meeting called for election of CUF youth
leadership of Temeke District at Charambe last Wednesday had to be cancelled
following a dispute between its own members.
Chaos began when the members from Temeke Constituency demanded confirmation of
legible members to participate in the meeting alleging that their fellow members
from Kigamboni Constituency have put in illegible members. Tememke district has
two electoral Constituencies, Temeke and Kigamboni.
“It is downright silly and negligence of the CUF Constitution to conduct the
meeting while there is a clear sign of the meeting misconduct. We need to
confirm the number of members liable to participate the election,” said one
member.
Lack of trust to the leadership was another reason for the failure of the
conduct of the meeting. Members alleged the leadership to have dictated the
conduct of the meeting as the executive committee was not involved.
However the chaos was intensified by an anonymous letter which was passed
through members asking them to get rid of the elections that it could be
adjourned for next day.
Speaking at an interview, some of the members said that the conflicts within the
members was remote by one of the top officials of CUF who created mistrust of
the district leadership among the members.
CUF Deputy Director for Youth, Rajab Mazee who was prepared to open the meeting
postponed it up to 23rd January at the same venue. “We cannot conduct the
meeting because the column does not meet the required number,” he said.
Forum floated for social
movement
Tanzania Social Forum, a body to combat various social evils, was launched on
Wednesday in the country by Tanzania Associated of Non-Governmental Organization
(TANGO).
The forum will provide women with legal assistance.
She claimed that Tanzania’s choice of socialism and later of forced capitalism
as public strategies were a failure.
Law body to have AGM
By Express Reporter
Tanganyika Law Society will hold its Annual General Meeting to be
held at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha in February 11.
According to a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Anita Moshi, the
meeting will be presided by the continuing Legal Education Workshop whose theme
is “Regional Intergration and legal practice in East Africa.”
Confused passengers face
trouble as buses go off the streets
By Kizito Makoye
Confusion and chaos are causing trouble to the passengers who use
busses to commute after license of hundreds of smaller carriers were impounded
last week.
The Survey conducted by The Express on Sunday revealed that only a handful of
busses are operating causing great inconveniences to the passengers.
Large numbers of people is forced to wait for buses to various destinations
including Kariakoo, City Centre, Msasani and Mbezi.
“Following the reports that Vipanya have been banned we have seen a reduced
number of buses servicing in this area to day,” remarked a resident of Kimara.
About 900 mini buses, commonly known as Hiace, plying between Mbezi, Kariakoo,
Posta and Kimara was to be implicated and the licences revoked because of
continued tendency whereby most drivers cut short their routes as a result
causing unnecessary inconveniences to commuters.
According to the reports the mini busses would be replaced by bigger busses
which would be plying in the same route.
Most commuter bus drivers who were interviewed said revoking licenses alone does
not provide the solution for the existing problem where some drivers cut short
their routes.
“This is a behavioural problem. If Mwaibula vows to revoke licences I do not
think the problem will be over… it does not matter whether it is a mini bus or
what” said Kim Mohamed, a driver whose bus plies between Mwenge and Mbezi.
back to headlines
Good rain relieves farmers
By Danny Eliah, Dodoma
A good monsoon this year in Dodoma and central zone regions have
been a boom for farmers in the region who are not only being able to maintain a
healthy stock of foodgrains but are also able to sell the produce to earn a
profit.
In villages of Dodoma urban district and Dodoma rural many peasants who always
suffer from hunger and forced to work in farms of others to earn money, this
year are working in their own farms.
Not only they have enough food to their families, continuing rains also promise
to help the crops to grow well for stocks.
The Dodoma Urban District Commissioner, Shaabani Muyombo said this would affect
many people especially the farmers from urban areas who always use the manpower
to cultivate their farms.
“This should be a reminder that Tanzanians should turn back and start using
modern machines for cultivating their farms, like tractors and other machines
which will easy the process and not depend on manpower” Muyombo said.
New manager for Emirates in
Tanzania
By Express Reporter
The Dubai-based international airline, Emirates has recently
appointed Khalid Al Serkal as its new Area Manager for Tanzania.
Al Serkal has been with the Emirates Group for the past five years. Before
coming to Tanzania he was designated as Emirates’ Area Manager Uganda for 14
months.
“I look forward to this new challenge and the future opportunities for Tanzania
and Emirates to grow together...
India offers scholarships to
Tanzanian students
Government of India has declared new sets of scholarships for Tanzanian students
to study in India in the academic session 2005-2006.
Administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on behalf of the
Government of India, a total of nine scholarships will be available for
Tanzania, six under the General Cultural Scholarship Scheme and three under the
Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowship Plan. Tanzanian students are also eligible
to apply for the Africa Day Scholarship.
The terms and conditions of the scholarships, inter alia, include monthly living
allowance, contingency grant, accommodation charges, tuition fees, medical
benefits, study tour expenses, and thesis and dissertation expenses as
applicable. Awardees of scholarship under the Commonwealth
Scholarship/Fellowship Plan, and Africa Day Scholarship Scheme, will be entitled
to return airfare in addition to the above.
Interested Tanzanian nationals are invited to send their applications on plain
paper giving relevant particulars including full residential addresses and
contact numbers as well as details of their educational qualifications, courses
sought and universities/institutions desired-along with alternatives, and a
short resume, to the High Commission of India. The last date of receiving
applications is February 4, 2005.
Defend Tanzania's sovereignty
: Mugabe
By Kizito Makoye
The Architect of Africa’s struggle for independence, President
Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has urged Tanzanians to defend their solidarity as one
way of sustaining legacy of the legendary leaders, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and
Abeid Amani Karume.
In his well structured worded speech, he delivered at Amani Stadium during the
commemoration of 41 years of Revolution of Zanzibar yesterday, Mugabe reiterated
his stance that Africans have every reason to defend their sovereignty and
reject domination of foreign nations.
“I remember so that I can not forget the sacrifice made by your people, your
leaders …during struggle for liberty ...you should learn how to defend your
sovereignty,’ he stressed.
He said the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar is a good example for other African
countries to follow, seeing two nations which suffered together and endured
atrocities and crimes against humanity remain committed in their own land seen
united today.
He further said that Zanzibar Revolution is the symbol of removal of the
economic domination and brutal oppression of the people of Zanzibar which denied
them freedom.
Among other things Mugabe commended the peace accord signed in 2001 between the
Ruling Party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the Opposition Civic United
Front(CUF) as a clear demonstration that people of Zanzibar can face challenges
and solve their own problems.
“It is my sincere hope that people of this great nation will remain united in
the years to come’ he said.
Bleak future for refugees
despite EU support
By Angela Mazula
Peace talks and possibility of refugees returning to their land
still remain bleak despite the European Union spending about Tsh. 19 million
till date to rehabilitate Tanzania refugees.
According to the EU Press Information Neema Kambona, the programme has been
supported by EU for more than six years now despite peace talks and hopes of
return where about 400,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees in North-west of
Tanzania.
“Tanzania still hosts the largest refugee population on the African continent
although it is one of the world’s poorest countries; peace and stability have
made it an attractive destination,” she said.
Health hazards were clearly one the major problems at the camps, she said. She
added that at the start of last year there were 476,000 refugees in 13 camps in
North-Western Tanzania. Malaria problem was also rising with a morbidity rate of
40 per cent up to 50 per cent in the rainy seasons.
Kambona said that the EU will provide targeted support to vulnerable refugees
(pregnant women and unaccompanied minors).
MP declines to fight election
By Kizitto Joseph
The Kigamboni Constituency Member of Parliament Frank Magoba has withdrawn from
contesting in this year’s general election unless forced otherwise by his
people.
Speaking in an interview last Wednesday, Magoba said he was not prepared to
participate in the race because he believes that there are others who can just
take over the post and do as good as himself.
“I have done my part and will leave the rest to others. I’m glad to leave the
constituency. I have done my part and will leave the rest to others,” said
Magoba.
He said during his term which will end up on August this year from the year
2000, Kigamboni has experienced development in both political and economic
sectors.
Politically he said, people have increased awareness against undemocratic moves
aiming at confiscating their rights hence are ready to protest against them.
“Kigamboni is no more of the year 1995. People know their rights and are ready
to stand for them at any cost. It is a success,” boasted Magoba.
Speaking about his party (CUF) vision towards the election, Magoba said it will
probably acquire victory in many electoral constituencies which with time will
give chance to presidential victory.
“The last civic elections have shown signs of CUF victory in the next election.
CUF has trempeded into every region and district of the country” said Magoba who
is also the coordinator for election results of the CUF.