BRIG. GEN. HASHIM MBITA LAID TO REST

A historical picture: Father of the Nation Mwalimu Julius Nyerere with his Press Secretaries Hashim Mbita (2nd right); Benjamin Mkapa (first right); Habib Halahala (extreme left) and next to him Paul Sozigwa.

Eighty-two years old Brigadier Hashim Mbita who played a pivotal role in the politics of Tanzania and especially during the freedom struggle of some African countries, died and buried in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday afternoon. The burial ceremony was attended by President Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete and many dignitaries from several African neighbour countries.

Late Brig. General Hashim Mbita served for a long time as Executive Secretary of the Liberation Committee of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Press Secretary to the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, Secretary General to the ruling Party TANU, Ambassador of Tanzania to Zimbabwe and the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF).

President Dr. Kikwete said on behalf of the Government and Nation that the news of the death of Brig. Hashim Mbita was received with great grief and sadness. "Our condolence goes to the family and the whole Nation mourns with them. May God rest in peace the soul of Mzee Hashim Mbita," the President prayed.

Late Brig. Gen. Hashim Mbita who died and buried in Dar es Salaam last Wednesday at the Kisutu Muslim Cemetery.

In Zimbabwe where he served as Tanzania Ambassador, he was decorated with the honour known as the "Royal Order Munhumutapa" for his historical contribution during the freedom struggle of the country.

The "Salatul Jenaza" the prayers for the Late Brig, General Hashim Mbita was conducted at Masjid Mtoro in Dar es Salaam where he frequented often to pray along with Muslims.

He died at Lugalo Military Hospital where he was given full military honour and later the religious Islamic prayers were held at Mtoro Masjid in Dar es Salaam before the funeral cortege was brought to Kisutu Muslim Cemetery in the heart of Dar es Salaam city. A twenty-one gun salute was fired in his honour and all the Islamic Rites were performed at the burial ceremony. Hundreds of people including Tanzania Government leaders, family members, relatives attended the solemn ceremony.

NUMBER OF BAGAMOYO JOGGERS INCREASES

Joggers passing through the main streets of Bagamoyo town in the early morning hours of Sunday.

Joggers relaxing at the road-side after completion of five kilometers run.

The number of “Joggers” today broke the previous record of attendance as children, ladies, grown up adults and the majority youngsters passed through the streets of Bagamoyo early in the morning (Sunday). They recorded the number of participants as 141.

Dressed in their usual blue tracks, the call to wake them up was as early as five in the morning, jogged around this small town covering almost five kilometers. Their waking calls were the shrieking sounds from the “vuvuzela” trumpet like horn which was heard early in the morning, before sun rise.

The joggers were preceded with small boys and girls in their blue track suits, followed by ladies who at times looked tired but were in high spirits to finish the five kilometers distance.

At the end of the jogging spree, the tired looking lot rested at the road side just next to the Bagamoyo District Hospital. Some of the tired and hungry-looking athletes helped themselves to a cup of porridge, each one paying for himself or herself.

The officials of the Bagamoyo Jogging Sports Club said that their main aim is to ensure that the “jogging culture” is well spread in Bagamoyo. They said that a healthy body makes a healthy nation.

 Story by: Abdul Hai

Pictures by: Bagamoyo |Jogging Sports Club

TANZANIANS CELEBRATE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNION

President of the United Republic of Tanzania Hon. Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete waves back jubilantly at the thousands of Tanzanians who thronged the Uhuru Stadium to celebrate the 51st Anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. On the left is Chief of Armed Forces Davis Mwamunyange.

The dignitaries acknowledging the salutations from the armed forces. Facing camera on the left side is President of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, next to him First Lady Salma Kikwete and President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Dr. Ally Mohamed Shein.

Tanzanians celebrated jubilantly the 51^st Anniversary of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar which culminated into the United Republic of Tanzania. The highlight of the day-long celebrations was at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam attended by thousands at the stadium and among the high dignitaries present were the President of Tanzania Hon. Dr.  Jakaya M. Kikwete and the President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Dr. Ally Mohamed  Shein.

Upon arrival in the Uhuru Stadium, President Jakaya Kikwete accompanied with the Chief of Defence Forces Davis Mwamunyange was driven around acknowledging thunderous cheers from the crowded stadium. He reciprocated, looking cheerful and smart as always, by waving at them with both hands. 

The jubilant crowd watched with admiration the acrobatic performances of school children and again  with great admiration, saw the “special contingent” of young boys who marched like  soldiers and almost behaved like the grown-up commandoes. While the soldiers marched uniformly in goose-steps, with “eyes right” salutations to the Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, the Air Force fighter jets criss-crossed the open sky giving their respectful salutations.

The open air performance of the fighter planes not only attracted those who were in the stadium but almost all Dar es Salaam residents swung their heads upwards and saw the trails of the planes criss crossing the open sky.

The celebrations of the 51^st Anniversary, as commentators said, could perhaps be the last to be seen by Hon. Jakaya Kikwete as the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The next elections are  just at the corner.

Later after the celebrations, an announcement was made that the President had pardoned some four hundred convicts and clemency reduction of jail terms for many more. No pardoning or clemency of jail terms for convicts sentenced for serious crimes.

Story: Abdul Hai

Pictures: Issa Michuzi Blog

“THE WAR AGAINST MALARIA” VICTORY IN SIGHT

The malaria causing  anophelese mosquito, small in appearance but big enough to cause panic and death. The war against malaria continues and victory is at sight.

Another anopheles mosquito trying to inject the malaria parasite. The vaccine in trial is the tool against this dreadful insect which has been causing malaria illness and deaths among children and adults.

 THE WAR AGAINST MALARIA

The “World Malaria Day” was observed in Tanzania today with a happy breaking news that the Malaria Vaccination Trials had reached towards the path of success.

Doctors, Scientists, Research Scholars  and  Administrators working as a large team for the last three to four years have arrived at an important milestone for malaria prevention and hence reduction in child mortality caused by malaria. The vaccination is described as an additional tool in the war against malaria.

Final results from Phase III Malaria Vaccine RTS,S trial has suggested that substantial public health benefits could be provided in endemic regions in Sub Saharan Africa. 

A joint Press release issued by National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) stated that the vaccine includes the impact of a booster dose. The press release also indicated that the vaccine candidates helped protect children and infants from clinical malaria for at least three years after vaccination.

A Senior Doctor  at the IHI, Dr. Ali Mtoro said his institute was  extremely encouraged with the positive results which point to continued and significant public health benefit for children whose lives are disrupted by malaria disease.

Prof. John Lusingu, a Principal investigator in the trial of the vaccine at NIMR in Korogwe site said that the vaccine could have a real impact on this terrible disease which effects many children during their first years in life.

The  Vice President of Product Development at PATH, Dr. David Kaslow  paid tribute to the thousands of African families and hundreds of scientists, clinicians and health professionals who have made commitments for many years to this trial vaccine.

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) has ultra modern clinic with sophisticated research and laboratory facilities at Bagamoyo. The well maintained center with highly qualified staff, is still in expansion stages at Kingani which was a farm land with cashew trees, palm trees and mango trees.

Eleven research centres in seven African countries, including Tanzania, conducted the efficacy and safety trial of the vaccine. Other supporting partners and research institutions included GSK and PATH malaria vaccine initiative MVI with grant funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to MVI. The trials started in March 2009 and concluded in January 2014 and enrolled 15,459 participants.

STORY: ABDUL HAI

TASUBA PARTICIPATES IN ART EXHIBITION AT UDSM

Veteran Artist Raza Mohamed with of his works in Nkurumah Hall at University of Dar es salaam.

Principal tutor of College of Arts and Culture Bagamoyo (TASUBA) Suitbert Komba with his "Makonde Carving"

Vice Chancellor UDSM Prof. Rwekaza S. Mukandala observing some of the 134 art works immediately after performing the opening ceremony.

Artist Vita Malulu with his master piece plastic on wire sculpture of wild animals on feasting time, being most expensive of all art work. With Blogger of Bagamoyo News Abdul Hai.

The six-days Art Exhibition opened officially at the University of Dar es Salaam was described as “professional advancement” with an important role in the field of art.

 The Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Rwekeza S. Mukandala observed these remarks when performing the opening ceremony of the exhibition where not less than 134 art works were displayed in the Nkurumah Hall of the University.

Speaking to hundreds of professional artists, budding artists from the Fine & Performing Arts Department and members of the public, he said that art works  should not only be  produced for commercial reasons but should also be for the sake of love of art. He emphasized that efforts should be made to train more experts in this field.

The Fine & Performing Arts Department in the University was forty years old and the venue where the Art Exhibition was being held, Nkurumah Hall,  had attained the status of Heritage Site. The exhibition was a collection of some 134 paintings in numerous medias, sculptors made with different materials, photography etc.

Simple yet attractive paintings, meticulously prepared sculptors with selling prices ranging from TShs. 30,000/=  to TShs. 6,720,000/= were on display in the hall. Prominent Artists like Vita Malulu, Muzu Sulemanji, Raza Mohamed, Fred Halla, Suitbert Komba (TASUBA) and many others were present and their works on display.

The master piece (my assessment) was a set of three sculptors fabricated by mild steel wires and plastered with discarded black plastic bags portraying a “feasting time for a vulture and hyena on a carcass of buffalo”. The effect of splashed red oil paint (blood) on the half eaten victim and the dramatic  fight for the meat chunk was so dramatically made that time and again admirers were seen taking photographs. Strange enough, the title of the show piece was “Election Time” costing TShs. 6.720,000/= for a complete three piece, installation size 3 x 3 metres on the floor.

The Artist is called Vita Malulu and has his own studio under the name of Nafasi Art Space at Kijitonyama in Dar es Salaam.

Principal of the college, Prof. Imani Sanga delightfully described the budding artists as seeds planted and germinated, ready to bring out their best works.

STORY & PICTURES: ABDUL HAI