Dr.Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity and former Prime Minister of Tanzania, has been appointed Chair of the Prize Committee of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, on which he currently serves as a member. Dr Salim, who is also a member of the Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, takes over from former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Laureate, Kofi Annan, who has chaired the Committee for the last four years.

In his new role, Dr Salim will oversee the selection of winners of the Ibrahim Prize, which recognises and celebrates excellence in African leadership.

The 2008 Ibrahim Prize Laureate, former President of Botswana, H.E. President Festus Mogae, will join Dr Salim on the Prize Committee. President Mogae is currently also the Chairperson of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa and Founder of Champions for an HIV Free Generation. He was awarded the 2008 Ibrahim Prize for his outstanding leadership in ensuring Botswana’s continued prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic and for his careful stewardship of Botswana’s natural wealth for the benefit of citizens.

Dr Salim Ahmed Salim said of his appointment to Chair, “The success, or failure, of African countries is a function of our political leadership. It is no coincidence that visionary leaders such as our previous Laureates Presidents Chissano, Mandela and Mogae, have transformed their countries’ fortunes or amplified success in the face of huge challenges. That is why the Prize is so important – we have to recognise the vital role that leadership plays on the continent. I am delighted to be able to take forward the deliberations on what constitutes exceptional leadership, and to help provide a platform for African role models to be recognised and celebrated, and to continue in a life of public service after office.”

H.E. Mr Kofi Annan said, “It has been a great privilege and honour to serve as the first Chair of the Prize Committee of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. If there is one area, which above all will determine the direction of Africa’s future, it is the quality of its governance and leadership. For a continent at peace with itself requires more than the absence of war. It requires leaders to embrace respect for human rights, the rule of law, and transparent, effective and accountable governance. This is why the Ibrahim Prize is so important: it celebrates excellence in African leadership and encourages progress across the whole continent.”‘

Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said of the appointment, “Salim has been a key member of the Foundation and the Prize Committee since the very beginning. His unrivalled experience both as Prime Minister and in numerous diplomatic roles, including as Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) for an unprecedented three terms, mean he is ideally placed to assess what constitutes excellent leadership on the continent. We are grateful to Kofi Annan for the experience and expertise he has brought to the Committee over the past four years. As the inaugural Chair of the Committee his contribution has been invaluable”.

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Miongoni mwa marais barani Afrika ambao walikuwa wananivutia sana ni pamoja na Rais mstaafu wa Ghana,Jerry Rawlings. Kilichonivutia zaidi ni historia yake na jinsi ambavyo alianza kuiongoza nchi ya Ghana.

Hivi leo inaaminika kwamba mafanikio ya kiuchumi na kidemokrasia iliyonayo Ghana ya leo, yalichangiwa kwa kiasi kikubwa na uongozi wa Jerry Rawlings. Hivi leo Ghana ni nchi yenye uchumi unaokua kwa kasi zaidi barani Afrika na hivi karibuni iliingia katika orodha ya nchi zinazozalisha mafuta ulimwenguni. Katika siasa au demokrasia,nchi hiyo inasemekana kuwa na demokrasia iliyokomaa zaidi barani Afrika baada ya kushuhudia mabadiliko kadhaa ya vyama vinavyoongoza. Alipokuwa anaondoka madarakani,chama chake ambacho ndicho kilikuwa chama tawala,kilishindwa kabla ya kuweza kurejea tena madarakani miaka nane iliyofuata.

Jerry Rawlings aliiongoza nchi ya Ghana kwanza kama “dikteta” kuanzia mwaka 1981-1992 kufuatia mapinduzi ya kijeshi aliyoyaongoza hapo awali.

Ilikuwa May 15,mwaka 1979 alipowaongoza maofisa kadhaa wa ngazi za chini kutoka Jeshi la Anga la nchi hiyo(akiwa miongoni mwa maofisa hao). Wakati huo Ghana ilikuwa ikiongozwa kijeshi. Kwa hiyo unaweza kusema yalikuwa mapinduzi ya maofisa wa ngazi za chini dhidi ya maofisa wa ngazi za juu. Kilichomsukuma Rawlings ilikuwa ni kupinga rushwa na ubadhirifu wa mali ya umma uliokuwa umetapakaa kila kona( Unaweza kuita “ufisadi” ukipenda.)na kuporomoka kwa uchumi.

Jaribio la kufanya mapinduzi halikwenda vizuri.Jerry Rawlings alikamatwa na kupitia mahakama ya kijeshi, akawekwa ndani akisubiri kusikiliza kwa kesi yake. Lakini akiwa jela na kabla hukumu rasmi haijatolewa, kundi lingine la maofisa wa kijeshi lilivamia jela na kumtoa likimtaka awaongoze katika mapinduzi.

Baada ya kutolewa au kutoka jela,Rawlings akatangaza kupitia radio kwamba anaunda Armed Forces Revolutionary Council maalum kwa ajili ya kumuondoa madarakani kiongozi wa kijeshi aliyekuwepo madarakani.Alikuwa akiitwa William Fred Akuffo.

Zoezi hilo lilifanikiwa na Jerry Rawlings aliongoza harakati za aina yake katika “kuisafisha” Ghana ambayo yeye na wenzake waliamini ilikuwa imeoza kwa rushwa na ufisadi. Mghana mmoja ambaye alishuhudia harakati hizo anasema Jerry Rawlings alipewa support kubwa na vijana wasomi kutoka vyuo vikuu  ambao nao walikuwa wamechoshwa na mambo yalivyokuwa.

Vijana hao wakiongozana na maofisa wa kijeshi waliokuwa chini ya Rawlings,wakaingia kila kona ya nchi wakikagua vitabu vya kumbukumbu za kifedha nk. Endapo itaonekana kwamba wewe ndio chanzo cha rushwa na ubadhirifu moja kwa moja unakwenda mahakamani. Kwa sababu wakati huo nchi ilikuwa ni ya kijeshi,wengi miongoni mwa watu waliothibitishwa kuwa chanzo cha rushwa walikuwa maofisa wa kijeshi. Adhabu yao ilikuwa KIFO kwa kutandikwa risasi hadharani!

Miongoni mwa watu waliouawa hadharani ni pamoja na viongozi wa kijeshi waliopita. Hawa kimsingi walikuwa marais waliomtangulia wakiwemo Akwasi Afrifa, Ignatius Acheampong na William Fred Akuffo.

Wote waliuliwa hadharani ndani ya kipindi cha miezi mitatu tu tangu Rawlings na wenzake walipoanza zoezi la “kuisafisha” Ghana. Baada ya kuamini kwamba zoezi la “kuisafisha” Ghana limekamilika, Rawlings alijiweka pembeni na kupisha kuitishwa kwa  uchaguzi wa kitaifa huku yeye akiwa hayumo miongoni mwa wagombea. Yeye alirejea jeshini na kuendelea na kazi yake kama pilot wa ndege za kijeshi kazi ambayo inasemekana aliimudu vizuri sana.

Uchaguzi ulifanyika na Dr.Hilla Limann, akashinda kwa tiketi ya chama cha National People Party(PNP) na hivyo Ghana ikawa imerejeshwa katika serikali ya kawaida. Baada ya muda mfupi tu (September 1979 mpaka December 1981) Jerry Rawlings akaona Dr.Hilla Limann, anairudisha tena nchi kule ilikotoka.Rushwa ikawa imeanza tena kutapakaa. Ufisadi ukaanza tena kuota mizizi. Baada ya kuona hivyo,akaipindua serikali ya Dr.Limann na kutwaa madaraka tarehe siku ya mkesha wa mwaka mpya mwaka 1981.Akaitupilia mbali katiba iliyokuwepo,akalivunja bunge na kuweka sheria kuondoa vyama vya kisiasa.

Jambo la kwanza alilolifanya baada ya kutwaa madaraka ni kuunda   Provisional National Defence Council(PNDC) ukiwa na mchanganyiko wa wajumbe kutoka uraiani na jeshini na yeye Jerry Rawlings akiwa Mwenyekiti.Baraza hilo ndio likawa chama pekee cha kisiasa.

Kazi ya kwanza ya baraza hilo ilikuwa ni kuanzisha mchakato wa kuirudisha Ghana kwenye utawala wa kiraia ambapo kila M-Ghana angejisikia kwamba anacho cha kuchangia katika maendeleo ya nchi. Suala la huduma ya afya kwa wote lilipewa kipaumbele ambapo sera ya kuzuia maradhi ilitiliwa mkazo.

Mwaka 1992, Rawlings alistaafu rasmi kutoka jeshini na kuanzisha rasmi chama cha National Democratic Congress(NDC) baada ya kukubalika kuundwa kwa mfumo wa vyama vingi kufuatia mchakato uliofanywa na tume ya demokrasia(National Commission for Democracy) aliyoiunda Rawlings.

Katika uchaguzi mkuu uliofanyika baada ya hapo,Jerry Rawlings alishinda kwa kishindo. Alishinda tena uchaguzi mkuu miaka minne iliyofuata(1996) na hivyo kutokana na katiba akaiongoza tena Ghana kwa kipindi kingine cha miaka minne mpaka mwaka 2001 alipostaafu.

Jerry Rawlings alizaliwa tarehe 22 June mwaka 1947. Baba yake alikuwa ni mkemia kutoka nchini Scotland aliyekwenda kufanya kazi nchini Ghana(wakati huo ilikuwa ikiitwa Gold Coast).Alijiunga na jeshi la anga la nchi hiyo mwaka 1967. Yeye na mke wake Nana Konadu Agyemah-Rawlings wana watoto wanne.

Pichani ni Jerry Rawlings akisalimiana na Rais wetu Dr.Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete walipokutana hapo juzi nchini Ethiopia wakati wa mkutano wa Umoja wa Afrika(AU).Picha kwa hisani ya Mawasiliano Ikulu.

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We promised to give it a try and finally we can answer that question not only in private but also in public for the benefit of others including yourself. But before we reveal our top 10,I’d like to mention that our list is in no particular order. It is random…

Second, what rationale  did we use in picking up our top 10? Just to mention a few of them…first it was creativity. Then we looked at how active a designer is in terms of his/her own work as well as the community at large. Participation and international recognition was also a  piece that we pushed into consideration.And of course marketability of the products was a factor. In marketability we considered how well someone’s designs are doing in local markets and also their online presence…things like that.

Below is our top 10. Who do you think we missed and in your opinion they should have made it into our list? Your comments.

Manju Msita

Fatma Amour

Khadija Mwanamboka

Mustafa Hassanali

Jamilla Vera Swai

Farha Sultan

Ally Rhemtullah

Zamda George

Ailinda Sawe

Asia Idarous Khamsin

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Wenzetu wa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo(zamani ilikuwa inaitwa Zaire),leo wanasheherekea miaka 50 ya Uhuru! D.R.C walipata Uhuru kutoka kwa mkoloni Mbelgiji.Tunawapongeza.

Pichani ni Patrice Lumumba, Waziri Mkuu wa kwanza wa Zaire. Yeye ndiye aliyeongoza harakati za kujipatia uhuru.Wiki chache tu baada ya Uhuru na kuwa madarakani,aliuawa.Unaweza kusoma zaidi kuhusu historia yake kwa kubonyeza hapa.

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Imeandikwa na Na Angela Semaya wa Habari Leo

MAISHA yake sasa yamebadilika, amelazimika kuwa mtumwa wa kujificha kwa kuvaa vazi aina la Hijab ambalo anasema kwake limegeuka kuwa vazi analoliheshimu na kulithamini kwa kuwa ndio msiri wake mkubwa siku hizi, hii yote ni gharama inayotokana na moyo wake wa ujasiri na ushupavu uliotokana na kutumia kalamu yake kufichua uovu na unyanyasaji dhidi ya watu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi kwa kuuawa kwa imani za kishirikina.

Kwa walio wengi ndani na nje ya Tanzania, jina la Vicky Ntetema sio geni masikioni mwao kwani ni mwandishi mahiri wa Idhaa ya Kiswahili ya Shirika la Utangazaji la Uingereza (BBC).

Ntetema aliyezaliwa miaka 51 iliyopita ameibuka kuwa mwandishi mahiri, jasiri na shupavu baada ya kufichua siri ya kutisha kutokana na uchunguzi wa mauaji ya albino na familia zao akitaka kujua kwa undani sababu hasa za mauaji na ukatili dhidi ya albino. Hatimaye kazi yake hiyo imemuwezesha kupata Tuzo ya Ujasiri katika fani ya Uandishi wa Habari inayotolewa na International Women’s Media Foundation.

HABARI LEO Jumapili iliamua kumtafuta Vicky baada kutaka kufahamu kwa undani wa kilichomsukuma kufuatilia habari hiyo na kwa kiwango gani amefanikiwa, maisha yake kwa ujumla na kuhusiana na tuzo hiyo.

Ntetema ambaye alifanya uchunguzi wake kwa siri bila woga anasema Novemba, 2007 alipokea ujumbe wa maneno ukimuelezea kuhusu matukio ya kuuawa albino na kukatwa viungo vyao kwa imani za kishirikina, lakini awali naye hakuamini kama hicho kitu kinawezekana.

Na baada ya kufuatilia kwa muda na kujithibitishia habari hizo, alianza kuishawishi BBC, lakini walionekana kusitika wakiwa na mashaka kwamba kweli inawezekana kuwepo kwa matukio hayo? Hata hivyo anasema hakukata tamaa aliwasiliana na waandishi wengine walioko katika maeneo husika nao walimsaidia kuchunguza na kumpa taarifa zaidi.

Wakati akiendelea na uchunguzi wake aligundua kuwa waganga wa kienyeji ndio waliokuwa wakisababisha mauaji ya albino kwa kuwaambia wateja kuwa wanaweza kupata utajiri kwa kutumia viungo vya walemavu hao, ndipo alipoamua kuishawishi tena BBC huku akiendelea na uchunguzi wake kwa njia ya simu kwa kuwasiliana na watu wa Kanda ya Ziwa.

Kile alichokuwa amekusudia kukifanya na kukifichua, kilithibitishwa na Rais Jakaya Kikwete ambaye Mwezi Machi, 2008 alikemea vitendo hivyo vya kikatili dhidi ya albino na kuweka wazi kuwa tayari watu 19 walishauawa.

“Baada ya Rais kutangaza hivyo, nikasema kama kiongozi wa nchi amekemea kiasi hili na ametaja hadi maeneo yanayohusika na matukio hayo…kwa sababu ya kuwa na uhusiano mzuri na wahariri nilipeleka maombi yangu bila kusita wanisaidie ili niweze kwenda kabisa eneo husika ingawa waliniambia kwa kipindi hicho hawakuwa na bajeti,” anasema.

Dhamira yake ilimsukuma Ntetema kuchukua fedha zake za mshahara na kuamua kwenda Mwanza kwa ajili ya kuendelea na uchunguzi wake. Anasema kazi hiyo ilimlazimu kuzunguka sehemu mbalimbali hadi akajikuta ameishiwa fedha na kulazimika kuomba kwa mama yake.

Akiwa Mwanza, alilazimika kutumia jina lingine kwa ajili ya usalama alifika Kituo Kikuu cha Polisi mkoani humo na kuonana na Kamanda wa Polisi wakati huo, Zelothe Stephen na Mkuu wa Mkoa wakati huo, James Nsekela na walimueleza kwa undani kuhusiana na matukio hayo na kuthibitisha kuwapo.

Hata hivyo polisi walikataa kumsindikiza katika vijiji vinavyotajwa kuwa na waganga wa kienyeji wanaofanya biashara ya viungo vya albino kwa hofu ya kulogwa na badala yake walimuonya kuwa akifika huko asile, asinywe wala kulala ama sivyo anaweza kupotea.

“Kwa kweli nilipata hadithi za kutisha hasa kuhusu kijiji kinachoitwa Gambush, lakini nilisema nakwenda na walikuwa wakiniona mbishi sana…niliamua kununua biblia na rozari, nilimpigia mama, alinitia moyo nimtegemee Mungu,” anasema.

Akiwa Sengerema alikokwenda kufuatilia habari za wavuvi haramu alipigiwa simu na Mchungaji wa Kanisa la Kiinjili la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKKT) kuwa mchawi amekwenda kutubu baada ya kufanya kazi hiyo muda mrefu tangu akiwa na miaka mitatu na kuua watu 40.

Ntetema anasema walimkuta mchawi huyo aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Daniel Shilinde akiwa ametapika sana yakiwa madonge ya damu na mwisho alilazimika kulazwa hospitali baada ya kuishiwa damu, lakini kila aliyeombwa kumsaidia alikataa kwa hofu ya kurogwa.

“Mimi nilitaka mtu huyu aishi ili anieleze vizuri mambo ninayoyataka kikiwemo hicho kijiji cha Gambush, nikajitolea damu na aliweza kupona na kuniwezesha kunipa taarifa nyingine nilizokuwa nahitaji,” anasema.

Uchunguzi wake ulimwezesha kupita wilaya mbalimbali na akiwa wilayani Magu, alikutana na Mwenyekiti wa Waganga wa Tiba za Asili ambaye alimfafanulia kuwa kuna waganga wa tiba za asili ambao hutumia miti shamba kutibu na kuna waganga wa kienyeji ndio wanaohusika na ushirikina.

Anasema alikwenda Gambush na dereva teksi mmoja ambaye amekuwa akipeleka wafanyabiashara na hata viongozi wa serikali kwa waganga. Alipofika mwandishi mwenzake na dereva teksi waliegesha gari mbali na yeye alienda kwa mganga mmoja maarufu.

“Wakati nikiwa kwa mganga wakati wote kidole kilikuwa kwenye simu ndani ya nguo ili kikitokea chochote niwataarifu wenzangu…sasa nilipofika nikaambiwa nitafute kuku ikabidi nitoe fedha ili akanunuliwe, haya alipoletwa kuku nikaambiwa nimshike kuku na kumueleza shida zangu zote.

“Jamani waganga ni waongo kuku hata sikumueleza chochote, baadaye mganga alivyofika nikamueleza mimi nataka kupata utajiri, lakini cha ajabu nilipokuwa nikimuuliza kuku kasemaje mganga anashindwa kusema mara ooh! lazima usafishe kwanza, nikagundua aha! Hiki ndio nilichoonywa na wenyeji,” anasema na kuongeza kuwa mganga huyo alimtaka alale ili apewe dawa, lakini Ntetema alikataa na matokeo yake mganga huyo aliwaelekeza njia ya kurudia ambayo haipitiki na walikwama hadi waliposukumwa na watu wengine.

Katika uchunguzi wake wote, Ntetema alifika kwa waganga 12 na wawili kati ya hao walithibitisha kwa vinywa vyao kuwa wanaweza kumuuzia viungo vya albino na anaongeza kuwa mara nyingine, lazima ukifanya habari za uchunguzi uwe mjinga ili upate unachotaka.

“Mmh! nakumbuka wakati nikiwa kwa mganga mwisho wakati nataka kutoa fedha kutoka kwenye pochi, kiredio kidogo cha kurekodia kilidondoka ikabidi nifanye kama ni simu.

Akaniuliza unatembea na simu mbili nikamwambia ndio si unajua mara nyingine moja inaweza isipatikane, akaniambia hebu nipe namba nikupigie, nikamwambia namba yake siijui sana mpaka niiangalie, akaridhika ingawa alinitazama sana,”anasema.

Akiwa kwa mganga huyo wa mwisho huko Magu, Ntetema anasema alipigiwa na mganga ambaye alishawahi kwenda kwake awali ambaye alimwambia amemshitukia kuwa si mfanyabiashara, bali mwandishi. Akaenda mbali zaidi na kusema alidokezwa na askari polisi mmoja aliyekuwa ampigia simu mganga huyo.

Kuanzia hapo, simu na ujumbe wa vitisho havikukoma, akalazimika kuwahi Mwanza ambako alishauriwa na mwenyekiti wa waganga wa tiba asilia asirudi hotelini na BBC walimtaka aondoke haraka Mwanza.

“Nikiwa uwanja wa ndege watu wawili walinifuata wakiniambia wao ni maofisa wa usalama wa taifa hivyo wanataka kitambulisho changu na pasi ya kusafiria, lakini niliwataka waonyeshe vya kwao walikataa,” anasema na kuongeza kuwa ilipofika ndege ya Precision na hivyo alipanda na kukimbilia Kenya.

Kutokana na uzoefu wake mwandishi huyu anasema waganga ni watu hatari kwa sababu wana nafasi kubwa katika jamii za kitamaduni za Kiafrika na wanatumia wauaji wa kukodi na wanalindwa na polisi wa kawaida.

Tangu alipoanza kuripoti habari hiyo Ntetema amepokea vitisho na watu wengine walijaribu kumfuata hadi ofisi za BBC Dar es Salaam na kumkosa, hali iliyomlazimu kuondoka nchini mara mbili kwa ajili ya usalama wake ingawa mwenyewe anasema kamwe hawezi kukimbia nchi yake kwa sababu ya waovu.

Katika kipindi cha mwaka mmoja na nusu anaishi maisha ya kuhamahama huku akitembea amevaa hijab, vazi ambalo anasema analiheshimu sana kwa kuwa linamsaidia kujificha na sio hivyo tu analazimika pia kutembea na mlinzi wake binafsi.

Je, Uandishi wa habari ni kitu alichotamani tangu zamani? Vicky anasema; “Ndiyo.” Na anakiri kwamba, tamaa ya uandishi wa vitabu au magazeti ilimjengea umakini wa kusoma kwa bidii shule ya msingi na sekondari na alipomaliza kidato cha Sita katika Shule ya Sekondari Jangwani alitakiwa kujiunga na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT), lakini alifanyiwa operesheni ya kongosho.

Hata hivyo serikali kupitia Wizara ya Ulinzi na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa lilimtaka kujiunga na JKT na kufanya kazi za kuandika hivyo jukumu lake lilikuwa kuandika majina ya makuruta wapya na kumbukumbu za makuruta waliomaliza mafunzo.

Ntetema anasema akiwa na umri wa miaka 16 baba yake alifariki akiwa shule na kwamba aliona kama ndoto zake zimepotea maana lengo lake ilikuwa kusoma uandishi kisha aje kumuonesha baba yake na pia aliona ana jukumu la kuangalia wadogo zake na mama yake ingawa alikuwa na ndugu zake waliomtangulia.

Hata hivyo, akiwa JKT rafiki yake wa sekondari alimletea gazeti la DailyNews ambalo lilikuwa na tangazo kuwa kuna nafasi za kwenda kusoma Urusi na moja ya kozi ni uandishi wa habari wakati huo ikiwa ni mwaka 1979, aliomba nafasi hiyo na alichaguliwa na wasichana wengine 22 kwa sababu ilitaka wasichana ndio waombe na kati ya hao ni yeye peke yake ndio alikwenda kuchukua masomo ya uandishi wa habari.

Ntetema alisoma miaka saba Urusi na akisomea lugha, upigaji picha, sinema, uandishi wa habari wa magazeti, redio na televisheni na kati ya hiyo miaka miwili alisomea uandishi wa habari za radio. Lakini alipomaliza chuo alipotaka kurudi nyumbani Tanzania kufanyakazi serikali ilimwambia amepata elimu ya juu sana, yaani Shahada ya Pili wakati wahariri nyumbani (Tanzania) hakuwa na elimu kama hiyo hivyo hakuna nafasi ya kazi.

“Unajua wakati tunaondoka tuliingia mkataba na serikali kuwa ukirudi unatakiwa kutumikia kwanza Watanzania kabla ya kufanya mambo mengine, lakini walishindwa kunipa kazi…bahati niliona tangazo la Shirika la Afro International Theatre la Uingereza ambalo walihitaji mwalimu wa Kiswahili na mtu wa kuanzisha jarida,” anasema na kuongeza kuwa alibahatika kupata nafasi hiyo na hivyo mwaka 1987 alitoka Urusi na kuhamia Uingereza.

Mwaka 1991 Ntetema aliona tangazo la BBC, Idhaa ya Kiswahili likitaka mwandishi na hivyo aliomba na alipata nafasi hiyo ingawa kituo kilikuwa, Uingereza lakini alikuwa akisafiri nchi mbalimbali kutafuta habari.

Mwaka 1992 vyombo binafsi vya habari vilianzishwa na aliona tangazo la kituo cha televisheni cha ITV na Radio One aliomba kazi, lakini walipata hofu namna ya kumlipa maana alikuwa ni mwandishi wa kiwango cha juu. Basi alikuwa na kipindi chake maarufu kilichojulikana kama Rekodi Bora maarufu ambacho kilimpa fursa ya kufahamu aina ya muziki na wasanii mbalimbali.

“Nilipenda kuwa mwandishi wa habari zaidi, si DJ. Sikupenda pia kukaa ofisini kutafsiri kazi zinazofanywa na watu wengine nilitaka niende kwenye kazi mwenyewe badala ya kusoma kazi za watu wengine…niliona kama akili yangu inadumaa,” anasema na kufafanua kuwa, kuanzia hapo alianza kutoka nje kwa kazi mbalimbali.

Ntetema anasema aliweza kutembelea nchi za Senegal, Rwanda, Burundi, Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, Uganda, Malawi na Zimbabwe ambapo aliweza kupata habari za Waafrika wengine na kuziripoti na kujulikana na watu wengine duniani.

Moja ya kazi zake ambazo pia ni kumbukumbu nzuri katika kazi yake ya uandishi wa habari ni kwenda nchi takatifu ya Israeli kipindi cha mapambo ya mara ya pili ya Palestina kudai maeneo yao kipindi hicho ikiwa ni mwaka 2002.

Ntetema anasema hiyo ni safari ambayo hataisahau hasa akizingatia kwamba alikuwa anakwenda katika nchi takatifu ambayo alikuwa akiisikia kwa kusimuliwa na baba yake kutoka kwenye biblia, aliufikiria mji wa Yerusalemu na Bethlehemu.

“Nilipata faraja, tena hata sikuamini kwamba nakwenda huko. Lakini zaidi nilitaka kujua kwa nini pande hizi mbili zilikuwa zikipigana katika nchi takatifu, nilipofika nilijifunza mambo ya Kiyahudi, Kiislamu na Kikristo.

Nilizungumza na viongozi wao yaani wa Wayahudi Rabi Mkuu, Waislamu Sheikh Mkuu ambaye alikuwa Yassin Arafat na Kiongozi wa Wakristo wa Kanisa Katoliki,” anasema mtoto huyo wa tano kuzaliwa katika familia ya watoto kumi.

Cha ajabu! Alichobaini makundi hayo hayagombani kwa sababu ya dini la hasha! Wanachogombania ni ardhi yaani kila mmoja anataka Nabii Issa Bin Mariam kwa waislamu akija awakute katika eneo hilo takatifu, wakati Wakrito wanataka mtoto wa Mungu akija awakute katika eneo takatifu na Wayahudi wanataka akija Masiha awakute katika eneo hilo takatifu, kimsingi wote walitaka Bwana Yesu akirudi awakute katika nchi takatifu, hivyo hawagombei suala la dini ila ardhi takatifu.

Ntetema anasema alipofanya mahojiano na Hayati Yasser Arafat, kiongozi huyo alimwambia Muislamu wa dhati hawezi kudharau kuzaliwa Bwana Yesu na atamheshimu Bikira Mariakwa hiyo ni lazima aelewane na mkristo. Anasimulia zaidi anasema hawezi kusahau maishani safari hiyo ilimwezesha kufahamu mambo mengi.

Hata hivyo, anakumbuka alilazimika kuondoka Israeli baada ya BBC kumtaka kukimbia haraka maana saa chache zilizopita bomu lililipuliwa mjini Tel Aviv karibu na ofisi za BBC, wakati huo akiwa katika ofisi za Waziri Mkuu wa Israel wakati huo Ariel Sharon, kwani alikuwa na miadi naye ya kufanya mahojiano.

Anakumbuka pia kuumwa na hadi kufariki dunia kwa Baba wa Taifa, Hayati Julius Nyerere anasema alifanya habari hiyo akiwa katika wakati mgumu, kwani hakutaka mwalimu afariki dunia. Ntetema, mama wa watoto wawili wa kiume Douglas na Thomas, anasema ujasiri na uhodari wa kufanya habari za uchunguzi umechangiwa na kusoma vitabu vya upelelezi na filamu.

Anatoa mfano wa vitabu vya mwandishi James Hardley Chase, Ian Flemming na Agatha Christine ambavyo anasema vilimsaidia kumpa mbinu za kufuatilia habari za uchunguzi. Vile vile kusoma mtandao na kusikiliza radio.

Mwandishi huo ambaye pia ana Shahada ya Uzamili katika Uhandisi wa Teknolojia ya Habari na Mawasiliano kutoka Chuo cha Uchumi London, anasema aliamua kusomea taaluma hiyo iwapo siku sauti yake itakauka. “Waandishi pia waangalie na taaluma nyingine ili unapoona unataka mabadiliko unacho kitu kingine cha kufanya.”

Akizungumzia kuhusu Tuzo ya Ujasiri ambayo atakwenda kupokea mwezi Oktoba mwaka huu katika sherehe itakayofanyika katika miji mitatu ya Los Angeles, NewYork na Washington anasema hawezi kufurahia Tuzo hiyo mpaka mauaji ya albino yatakapokoma na watu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi kuthaminiwa.

Wito wake kwa wanawake ni kuwa waachane na fikra kuwa hawawezi kufanya kitu na kutoa mfano wa mtangazaji wa habari wa kwanza mwanamke kutoka Afrika kutangaza BBC, Zeyana Seif (marehemu) kuwa alimhamasisha na kumfanya ajiamini kuwa naye aweza kufanya vizuri kama mtangazaji huyo.

Huyo ndiye Vicky Mtetema, mwanahabari aliyegeuka mkimbizi ndani ya nchi yake.

Pichani Vicky Ntetema akiwa na Mariamu.Picha  na habari kwa hisani ya Habari Leo. Tafadhali usinakili bila ruhusa kutoka Habari Leo.

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She is famously known as a Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania. Her name is Tausi Likokola, one of the most successful international models that Tanzania has ever produced. In her modeling career, she has graced the catwalk stages of international shows and showcased some of the most renowned labels such as Gucci, Escada, Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior, Issey Miyake and many more.

However, Tausi is not just a model or a Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania. She is an activist, an author and a mother. She is the founder of the not-for-profit organization, Tausi AIDS Fund, which supports prevention and awareness programs against HIV/AIDS in Africa. It is actually her efforts to support prevention and awareness of HIV/AIDS in Africa that landed her the title of a Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania as a recognition and encouragement from the Government of Tanzania.

Recently, Tausi added yet another book in her list of books that she has authored. Her most recent book is titled The Touch of An Angel. About this book, Tausi says; “This is the closest and most private part of my life. This is my story of loss and how I am reconciling that loss. This is a memoir of my angel, AMANI. It is a story of life’s joy and pain”.

I recently caught up with Tausi to talk about her new book and also a couple of other things. Here is the interview;

BC: Congratulations for the launch of your latest book, The Touch of An Angel and welcome to BongoCelebrity.com. How are you doing today?

Tausi: Doing very well, thank you for all your support over the years.

BC: When did you decide to write a The Touch of an Angel? Did you have any particular reason for starting to write at that very moment?

Tausi: I have been writing as long as I can remember and always expressed myself through writing….likewise with this book….I was working my feeling and emotions through my writing. I started writing the book in Japan in 2005 following the death of my first born “Amani”….this book is on the incident that unfolded during that time.

BC: How was your writing process like? Did you have to get up early morning everyday to write or how did it go?

Tausi: I wrote whenever I felt like writing, sometimes at 2am in the morning and sometimes at 2pm during the day…..whenever emotions hit me, I hit the paper.

BC: We know that this book is a true story of your little angel Amani. I am just wondering how you went about plotting it. Did you outline first all the major events or did you just let the thoughts and feelings flow the way they did?

Tausi: Yes it was a series of incidents and how they unfolded, from the hospital to home and how I dealt with it.

BC: We know you have written other successful books. How different was it to write The Touch of an Angel given the fact that it bears true events of your personal life?

Tausi: When I write, I always have someone or something in mind, this time it was working my emotions of losing a son and allowing God to heal me in my situation. Amani lived only 11 days. He was born with chromosome disorder called Trysome 18.

BC: Do you have book signings event planned for Tanzania?

Tausi: It has been four years since I last visited Tanzania. After Amani, I had two other children and being a mother has been a full time commitment from my part…..limiting my travels as I used to. Never the less, I will be making arrangement to visit again and do a few book signing as well.

BC: You are one of the mostly recognized Tanzanian ambassadors through fashion and beauty. Looking at how Tanzania has evolved in the world of fashion since then, what do you have to say about it? Are we going towards the right direction?

Tausi: Being absent from home for 4 years, I hardly know what is going on there on beauty and fashion but I see a few good Tanzanians doing amazing things and I am sure we are making progress.

BC: For someone who wants to buy a copy or copies of your books; are they available in Tanzania? If yes, in which stores/ shops. And for those abroad can they order it online?

Tausi: “The Touch of an Angel” can be purchased on Amazon although
the one I just launched is an upgraded version which means it is not the same as the one which is sold online. For copies of new version please send inquiries at vdejoy@me.com . Once I work the details with distributors/book-stores at home, I would certainly spread the word again.

BC: Just for the fun of it, could you tell us something that we might be surprised to learn about you?

Tausi: Though I am somewhat a very private person, I am living to the fullest….enjoying and embracing seasons of life…..I won’t mind stopping my car somewhere with my children and dance to the ground with them…..

Tausi in a joyous moment with her kids

BC: Finally, what’s in store for Tausi Likokola? Are there any new books forthcoming?

Tausi: I do my best everyday and let God lead me to the next level….the sky is the limit!

BC: Tausi, you are inspirational woman to many people around the world and especially in Tanzania. Any final words of wisdom you’d like to leave me with?

Tausi: That what won’t kill you will make you stronger……Never give up.

***BC would like to thank Tausi for granting us this interview. For more information on her, please visit her website by clicking here.****

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Anaitwa Irene Sporah Njau, ni mtangazaji wa Kipindi cha Sporah Show ambacho kinazidi kujipatia umaarufu na mashabiki.Lakini Sporah ni nani,ametokea wapi,ana malengo gani na ni kwanini anafanya anachokifanya? Ili kupata majibu ya maswali hayo na mengineyo bonyeza hapa kutembelea Spoti Starehe ili kucheki mahojiano kamili.

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Katika siku kama ya leo,miaka 26 iliyopita pale mkoani Shinyanga, alizaliwa kijana na kupewa jina la Steven. Hivi leo ni maarufu kama Steven Kanumba au kama mwenyewe anavyojiita wakati mwingine “The Great”. Kwa maana hiyo,leo ni siku ya kumbukumbu ya kuzaliwa kwa Steven Charles Kanumba.Happy Birthday!

Kwa mtu yeyote ambaye anafuatilia maendeleo ya tasnia ya filamu nchini Tanzania,bila shaka atakubaliana na mimi nikisema kwamba Kanumba ni miongoni mwa waigizaji wa filamu(Film Actors) ambao ni maarufu zaidi nchini Tanzania. Leo hii ni vigumu kuiongelea sanaa ya filamu nchini bila kumhusisha Kanumba kwa njia moja ama nyingine.

Kwa hivyo,haishangazi sana kuona kwamba,katika mwaka uliopita jina lake lilikuwa takribani la kudumu katika vyombo mbalimbali vya habari vikiwemo vya mtandaoni,mitaani nk. Bila shaka unakumbuka jinsi habari ya Kiingereza Vs Kiswahili ilivyozua mjadala wa kitaifa. Kila mtu akasema lake.

Baada ya mambo kama yale,mijadala kama ile,watu hupenda kujua what next? Nilimtafuta Steven Kanumba ili kujua machache kuhusu mipango yake ya mwaka huu.

Unajua Kanumba angependa kupata chakula cha mchana (lunch) na actors gani maarufu hapa ulimwenguni? Una habari kwamba katika Curriculum Vitae(CV) yake ameongeza cheo cha “Blogger”? Unajua ana malengo gani mwaka huu? Una habari kwamba Kanumba hivi sasa amedhamiria kuibua vipaji vingine katika ulimwengu wa uigizaji filamu? Fuatana nami;

BC: Mpaka sasa unalionaje soko la filamu nchini Tanzania? Kumekuwa na mabadiliko gani ya kimsingi ukilinganisha toka ulipoanza mpaka hivi leo?

SK: Soko limetanuka kiasi kwamba tunatambulika kimataifa. Pia hivi sasa makampuni ya kusambaza kazi zetu yameongezea ikiwemo na pesa kwa kiasi fulani tofauti na hapo mwanzo.Safari bado ni ndefu lakini angalau inatia moyo.

BC: Mwaka 2009 ndio tumeumaliza.Jina lako liligonga vyombo vya habari kwa mambo kadha wa kadha.Unaweza kusema umejifunza mambo gani katika mwaka ulioisha?

SK: Nimejifunza mengi lakini zaidi nimejua zaidi juu ya thamani kama msanii.

Kanumba(kulia) akiwa na Richard(Big Brother).Wote wameshiriki katika filamu za nchini Nigeria maarufu kama Nollywood.

BC: Nini mipango yako au kama wasemavyo katika kiingereza ‘your resolutions” kwa mwaka huu wa 2010?

SK: Mwaka huu kwangu sitoongea kitu zaidi ya kazi na nimeshaanza. Vitendo vitatawala zaidi.

BC: Nimesikia kwamba umefungua kampuni ya kusaka vipaji vya waigizaji.Unaweza kuniambia kidogo kuhusu kampuni hiyo na jinsi ambavyo vijana wanaweza kuwasiliana nawe kwa minajili hiyo?

SK: Kampuni inaitwa KATI CLASSIC lengo ni kusaidia wasanii ambao hawajawahi kuigiza kabisa katika TV lakini wana vipaji. Vijana ambao hawajui waanzie wapi.Zoezi la kusaka vipaji hivyo limeshaanza na interview zinafanyikia pale Lamada Hotel kila Jumapili.Wanakaribishwa.

BC: Kama ungepewa nafasi ya kupata chakula cha jioni na actors watatu hapa duniani(waliopo hai) ungewachagua kina nani? Kwanini?

SK: Denzel Washington,Leonard DiCaprio na Ashwarai wa Bollywood..napenda kazi zao na ni watu ambao wameshika chart kwa mda mrefu jambo ambalo ni gumu sana kwa ma staa wengi hasa hapa TZ.

BC: Asante kaka.Kila la kheri katika kazi zako.

SK: Shukrani Jeff.Kazi njema na wewe pia.

Note: Ukitaka kuona Steve Kanumba anafanyaje katika ulimwengu wa blog,bonyeza hapa kumtembelea.

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