TIME 100: A Reflection

I read through The Time 100: The World's Most Influential People before Sunday Mass yesterday. Inspiring? YES, Informative Graphics? YES, Choice of people? Mh..that is for another day. All in all I enjoyed reading this April 27 - May 4 2015 double issue of TIME. The cover had Kanye West, the maverick American artist - who according to the writer Elon Musk, says would be the first person to tell you he belongs on the list. Kanye West is known far and wide. In our part of the world, he is famed more on his relationship with Kim Kardashian - who is also in the list - than his music. Or am I wrong? My wife doesn't read TIME Magazine, but she took notice of it when she saw Kanye on the cover. Was this TIME's intention? The graphic representation of the Homelands - where the 100 were born is covered in the first pages. It is not surprising to observe the left side of the page which has the Americas is filled with more people - almost three quarters. 

I am not surprised that the list has Kim Kardashian - the first lady of #fame. You can see the harshtag, yes she is a media phenomenon with over 29 million followers on Instagram. When Kim flew to Armenia, her ancestral land, it made the news and remarkably, she made a plea to President Obama to recognise the Armenian Genocide. I am moved by the first woman in charge of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen, this is a positive stride in women empowerment. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the celebrated Nigerian novelist also makes the list an indication that the strides women are making are also been felt in Africa. I have read all her books save for Half of a Yellow Sun which I intend to read soon. The way she moulds her characters in her works is just amazing. Her stories resonate with many people in Africa - remember Kambili in Purple Hibiscus? 

Jorge Ramos is described as "America's New Anchor" a man with silver-haired but with a heart of gold. Christiane Amanpour says Ramos who has redefined the immigration narrative can 'move the needle' with another presidential election coming up. Obiageli Ezekwesili was the face of the #bringbackourgirls campaign. You know making the list of TIME 100 is not an easy task, it requires, in some instances, selfless service to humanity, unbreakable commitment and service. It has been a year and the girls in Chibok have not been rescued but Nigeria has a new man in Muhammadu Buhari who also makes the list. 

Mohammad Javad Zarif, is a man I have always admired. Iranian top diplomat returned from the Iran Talks with a deal. The deal has brought about world rapprochement after decades of Iran isolation from international relations. Zarif was a member of the prominent personalities of the dialogue among civilisations of President Mohamed Khatami. A distinguished scholar who has encapsulated President Hassan Rouhani's constructive engagement policy. I also hold to high esteem Pope Francis, who according to Desmond Tutu has instilled a new sense of human-centredness in the papacy. Pope Francis is indeed God's gift to humanity. His humility and modesty is bringing hope to the world's poor. Benjamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu also makes the list. Ehud Barak, writing on Bibi in his last paragraph, he states "To leave his mark Netanyahu must swiftly heal wounds opened by his campaign [] for a tougher policy, and even, if needed, an attack against Iran [..]. Daring actions are needed. Not just words. From praising Zarif's diplomacy during the Iran Talks to Obama's victory on nuclear nonproliferation deal, TIME ought to have warned against Ehud Barak's insinuation.

TIME 100 gives young people like myself time to reflect on the future. I aspire not to make the list of 100 but to be like Pope Francis, a face of humanity or like Malala a champion of education or just simply like Abby Wambach, to use passion to lead. Or simply like the many who have not made the list who touch the lives of others by bringing hope in their lives.      

Mzee Moyo's Expulsion: Why CCM has miscalculated this!

Mzee Hassan Nassor Moyo is a revered Zanzibari statesman. This veteran politician embodies Zanzibar's history - a history of struggle and revolution. He was an instrumental figure during the days of the 1964 revolution and was a key man in the merger between the Afro Shirazi Party (ASP) and Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) to form present day Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Mzee Moyo, as he is fondly known also embodies the reconciliation efforts in Zanzibar that led to the formation of the Government of National Unity in 2010. 

Abeid Karume, Julius Nyerere and Mzee Moyo

I met him last year at his colleague's house in Zanzibar. He was full of apologies because he came in late. It was past the Ramadhan month, but he told my colleague and I that he was still fasting to make up for the time he had lost. He said he just came from Muscat were he was on holiday. We greeted him with the customary Salaam Aleikum greeting. As he sat down on the comfortable leather coach, he wanted to know my name. I duly introduced myself to him and he quickly made a joke. "You must be from Kilimanjaro" I laughed and he joined in the laugher. His colleague offered us a drink and we sat down to listen to his wise counsel. He was measured in his responses not loquacious like his colleague. He paused and answered our questions in a subtle manner. His calm demeanour was exemplified by his responses.

This week, Mzee Moyo has been in the news. He has just been expelled by CCM. CCM claims that he has betrayed the party by openly supporting a three government Union format. CCM as a party believes and advocates for a two-government Union. Mzee Moyo has also been accused of attending rallies organised by the opposition CUF and openly showing his support for Maalim Seif Shariff, the CUF leader in Zanzibar. His expulsion from CCM come a year after Mansour Yussuf Himid, the former legislator for Kiembesamaki was also expelled. Mansour has since joined CUF and is now a key political strategist for Maalim Seif. 

When asked about his expulsion Mzee Moyo said "CCM is not my father or mother". Mzee Moyo was instrumental in the Maridhiano (reconciliation) agreement that ushered in the GNU in 2010. He served as the chairman of the Moyo Committee of Six, which Mansour was a member. His stand on the Union format is also supported by many CCM stalwarts in Zanzibar who are afraid of the fate that has now befallen Moyo and Mansour. With the elections in October, the decision to expunge Mzee Moyo from the party will be bear great ramifications. There is no doubt that the reconciliation spirit that oozed in the wake of the GNU formation is not there anymore. The old divide that characterised Zanzibari politics is back. Reminiscent of this is the recent torching of CUF party offices in Dimani constituency. There is an apparent attempt to flare up the schism in Zanzibar ahead of the general elections. 

Mzee Moyo has stated that he is not looking to join any other party despite his expulsion from CCM. He continues to reiterate that he will fight for Zanzibari interests which he says include a three-government format and more autonomy for Zanzibar. The decision by CCM to oust him will no doubt have some implications. Mansour was earlier this year quoted in DW radio stating that CCM -Zanzibar has always used the racial card to divide the people of Zanzibar. His public utterances on what he calls 'siri kubwa za chama' (top secrets of the party (CCM) make the general elections in Zanzibar interesting.  

      

Picture of the Week: Obama and Castro in Historic Handshake

Obama and Raul Castro in historic handshake

Moving Out

His father looked and waved goodbye 

As his son reversed his car

He watched almost teary

His mom couldn't control herself

She remained inside and cried

The son was now grown

Moving out

The son too was moved

Melancholic 

He had to be strong 

It was hard for the boy who loves his parents

"I was taken by emotions" said his mum

As the son opened the gate 

A new home

You're now all grown

Responsibilities Await

Moving Out 

The Gift of Marriage

14 February 2015

The day was here

The day I had dreamed all of my life

The alarm went on - the ringtone - Today is my Wedding Day

Masha got into my room - She hugged me - All the best bro

I almost cried - But we danced - Today is my Wedding Day

I undraped my suit, white tuxedo, black trousers

The nobility of purple - purple bow tie - prose and elegant

She stepped into the aisle

Side by side with her brother and mom

She was so beautiful

Her vail couldn't hide her beauty

Could I resist the cry? No I couldn't..

So beautiful, she walked towards the altar

The 'proud of you son' look from my dad and mum

"Yes she's the one" So beautiful

As we danced to - "Beautiful in white"

A thousand Years

I give you all of me

The gift of marriage

The Black Narrative: Too Black to Coach?

Al Jazeera's program Sports Matters examined the black narrative in the sporting world. "Too black to coach?" Interesting discussions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRKErPOVrPA

Yes we need Collective Learning in Schools

I sat and listened to the presenters during the farewell function of Rakesh Rajani. The topic for that afternoon was "How can we help children in school learn real skills?" The founder of Twaweza Rakesh, has always wanted improvement in education and the education system in Tanzania. He has championed this ideal and he is a living testimony of a campaigner for education. Befittingly, Rakesh wanted to sign off with debates. In this particular debate on 8 January 2015, the panel which had distinguished educationists and policy practitioners highlighted a number of very interesting points. 

Although I did not have the opportunity to relay my appreciation and reaction, I choose to pen them down here. Madam Marjorie Mbilinyi, an educationist and former Executive Director of Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TDNP) highlighted a very important point. She believes the best way to make children in school learn real skills is through collective learning. A tragedy of our time, is that we live in a individualistic society, a society that is geared to competition. I call this unnecessary competition where we forget the values of working together, pulling together in the African spirit. 

Today, children are moulded to become competitive beings; who comes first is feted and he comes last is vilified. Parents demand their children to come first in class regardless of whether they grasp what is being taught. Our children today are taught how to cram and reproduce what they've crammed. What a tragedy! Children need to be taught the art of collective learning as Madam Marjorie pointed out. In addition, how do we make sure that learning is enjoyable? Learning should be fun, learning should be interesting. Hence teachers should also learn and nurture the spirit of collective learning. This spirit breeds unlimited success as children learn to appreciate their strengths, and work on their weaknesses. Children will learn to appreciate that they could get a careers in sports, music, entertainment, and not be bulldozed into the traditional careers because his father is an engineers and the mother is a paediatrician. Although not to its entirety, this can be achieved through collective learning in our schools.