Tuesday 31 March 2009

Nani kasema machinga wanataka ghorofa?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Nimekuwa nikisoma magazeti ya kwetu (TZ) na kuona jinsi viongozi wa manispaa za Dar wanavyopanga mipango kuhusiana na wafanyabiashara ndogo-ndogo maarufu kwa jina la machinga.

Pia nimeona picha ya jengo jipya la ghorofa mbili au tatu, pale uwanja wa Karume ambalo ni kwa ajili ya machinga.

Sielewi kama upembuzi yakinifu ulifanyika kisawasawa kabla ya kutekeleza mpango huu wa kuwajengea machinga au kama machinga walihusishwa ktk kutoa mawazo yao maana huu ni mradi unaowagusa kimaslahi.

Kwa maoni yangu siamini kuwa machinga walihitaji au bado wanahitaji ghorofa ili kuendesha shughuli zao kwa ufanisi.

Tukumbuke kuwa msingi mkuu wa hawa machinga ni kutafuta soko la watu mbalimbali hasa wa kipato cha chini au kawaida. Mara nyingi wateja wa machinga ni wale ambao hawamudu bei za bidhaa ktk maduka ya rejareja mitaani. Ndio maana machinga hutembea kwa mguu siku nzima kupita huku na huko wakitafuta wateja tena kwa bei zisizo na uhakika, na wakati mwingine huuza kwa bei za kutupa!

Unapoamua kumjengea huyu machinga jengo la 'kisasa' (kwa maana ya wana-manispaa) unakuwa unamwondoa machinga ktk mlinganyo (equation) wa biashara.

Kwanza itabidi wajisajili kwa mamlaka inayoendesha jengo (manispaa). Halafu watatakiwa wachangie gharama za uendeshaji jengo kama vile umeme, huduma ya maji safi na maji taka, usafi na ukarabati wa jengo, pango la jengo (maana hawa ni wapangaji -jengo sio mali yao) n.k.

Ukishamtwisha machinga gharama hizi zote, atajikuta anaelemewa na mzigo wa malipo na hivyo kulazimika kuongeza bei za bidhaa zake (nyongeza bei ni ktk jitihada za kukidhi gharama mbalimbali za uendeshaji jengo, na vile vile itabidi nae apate faida). Hali ikifikia hapo, hiyo biashara inakuwa si ya machinga tena - hilo ni daraja la juu ya machinga. Machinga hana mtaji wa kuhimili gharama hizi, na kama machinga atauza bei kama za maduka ya Kariakoo au Zanaki, kuna haja gani mteja anasafiri hadi uwanja wa Karume halafu apande ghorofa kununua bidhaa ambazo anaweza kuzipata kwa bei nzuri zaidi Kariakoo au Kinondoni?

Hayo majengo ya ghorofa yaliyobatizwa kuwa ni ya machinga yatageuka kuwa maeneo ya watu wengine (wafanya biashara wakubwa) ambao sio walengwa. Au labda hii ni janja ya kutafuka wafadhili wa kujenga jengo kwa jina la machinga huku wahusika wakijua fika kuwa watakaonufaika na mradi ni wateule wachache (ambao sio machinga)?

Kwa maoni yangu, machinga walihitaji eneo zuri/tambarare la wazi linalofikika kirahisi kwa miguu na usafiri wa gari au basi. Pili walihitaji majengo (structures) ya kawaida kabisa ktk usawa wa ardhi (ground level - achana na mambo ya ghorofa, kwa sababu ukishajenga ghorofa mpangaji wako hawezi kuwa machinga tena! Utakuwa umemjengea Patel, Masawe au Mpemba fulani vile!)

Napendekeza mabanda yajengwe kama ifuatavyo (construction method/materials):
- sakafu ya sementi,
-kuta za tofali au mbao ama bati, na
-paa la canvas (tent materials) - yaani turubai ngumu isiyopenyesha maji au bati za kawaida
.

Yaani ni mjengo rahisi (simple), na ujenzi wake ni wa bei nafuu kabisa! Uendeshaji wa majengo haya wangeachiwa machinga wenyewe waratibu. Utaratibu wa kodi za serikali za mtaa ufanywe na mamlaka husika.

Suala la machinga linahitaji suluhisho la haraka, rahisi kutekelezeka na kwa gharama nafuu kwa mamlaka husika na kwa machinga pia.

Uzoefu Zaidi
Ktk mji wa Reading, Uingereza kuna mitaa miwili napenda kuitolea mfano maana inao wafanyabiashara wadogo (wajasiriamali) wanaofanana na machinga. Hosier Street nyuma ya Broad Mall na Broad Street (katikati ya mji.

Pale Broad Street kuna wafanyabiashara ndogondogo wengi sana. Biashara zao ni za kuhamahama siku hadi siku. Wanakuja na vibanda ambavyo vinavutwa na gari dogo na viwekwa katikati ya mtaa na vinabaki hapo hadi jioni vinaondolewa jioni hadi kesho yake tena wanakuja kufanya biashara. Wengine huwa wanasukuma vibanda au vifremu vyao kutoka upande mmoja hadi mwingine kila baada ya dakika chache - kwa hiyo havikai sehemu moja. Nilishawahi kuwauliza baadhi ya wafanyabiashara hao ni jinsi gani wamepata ruhusa kufanya biashara hapo. Waliniambia kupata leseni ya kufanya biashara ya kutembeza vitu ni rahisi sana. Kinachofanyika ni mhusika kwenda kituo cha polisi na kuomba kibali cha kuzungusha biashara yake mtaani hapo au kibali cha kuweka biashara bila kuzungusha. Polisi ndio hutoa kibali cha mfanyabiashara (kuweka kibanda au cha kuzungusha mtaani). Kibali hutolewa kwa muda fulani na muda huo ukiisha mhusika anatakiwa aende kuongeza muda.

Na kuhusu Hosier Street, hapo naweza kupafananisha na 'soko mjinga'. Wafanyabiashara hujenga vibanda vyao kwa vyuma au mbao kisha huvifunika kwa canvass (turubai). Siku zinazoruhusiwa kufanya biashara hapo ni kila Jumatano hadi Jumamos jioni. Siku ya jumamos jioni mabanda yote hubomolewa na kuondolewa na wahusika. Siku ya Jumanne jioni wafanyabiashara hurudi kujenga tena 'mahema' ya vibanda vyao tayari kwa biashara J'5 hadi J'mos. Biashara inayofanyika ni ya mboga za majani, matunda, vifaa vya umeme na elektroniki (mfano simu za mkononi, cd, redio, betri n.k.), mabegi, n.k. Yaani hapo Hosier Street shughuli zake zinafanana kabisa na za machinga wa Tanzania. Hapana majengo ya biashara - pako wazi. Wenye biashara ndio huweka mahema yao popote watakapo kwa muda ulioruhusiwa. Na kuna wakati eneo hilo lilitakiwa kujengwa ofisi za halmashauri ya mji. Somo tunalojifunza hapa ni kuwa watu wa halmashauri waliwaomba wafanyabiashara watoe maoni au ushauri wao kuhusu maeneo ambayo wangependa kuhamishia shughuli zao. Kwa hiyo watu wa serikali za mitaa waliwahusisha wafanyabiashara juu ya mstakabali wao, sio wakubwa kuamua wenyewe maofisini ni wapi pa kuwapeleka au ni nini cha kuwafanyia wafanyabiashara!

Muda wa viongozi kuwapangia wajibu wananchi ulishapitwa na wakati, siku hizi ni enzi za kusikiliza wananchi wanataka kufanya nini na serikali au mamlaka husika wanachofanya ni kuwawezesha wananchi kutimiza azma yao.

Ladies' Detective 3/6

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The drama The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency continued on Sunday (BBC One, at 9 -10pm BST).
The main show was about investigating the circumstances that led to the disappearance of Michael Curtis, son of a lady from US. It was learnt eventually that he was murdered in the rural areas where he was runing a health care program. Luckily, Michael left his girlfriend pregnant of his only child, a son who was to be named after him.

After the dramma, I switched to BBC Radio 7 where I listened to the 'Ladies detective favourite radio show' (Kgale Radio) for about 20 minutes! I like the tradional songs and Tswana cultural/taboos talks in the phone-in.

This coming Sunday the drama continues at the same time, same place. Don't miss. According to the previews, it is going to an interesting night with the Detective Mma Ramotswe alongside the Assistant Detective-cum-sectretary Mma Makutsi!

WoW

Tuesday March 31, 2009
.................................
'throughout the past 20 years Manchester United has become an institution. When you deal with Manchester United you deal with a mighty force!'
-mike parry, talksport radio, 10/01/2009, 08:25 GMT
..................................
'the reason why people do not have what they want is because they are thinking more about what they don't want than what they do want'
-R Byrne, The Secret pg.12
..................................
'money is the oil that smoothes the wheels. It is not the engine.'
-R Templer, RoW pg.27
..................................
'the deeper your intelligence, the least noise you make'
-mike parry, talksport radio, 10:38 GMT, 20/12/2008

First XI ya 'KJ' ni moto wa kuotea mbali!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Gazeti jipya 'baba lao' Kwanza Jamii, kwa kifupi 'KJ', limeingia mitaani kwa mara ya kwanza leo nchini Tanzania chini ya kapteni Magid Mjengwa.

Kikosi cha KJ ni kikali kwa mujibu wa safu niliyoiona ktk blog ya Mjengwa, kwa kweli sikutegemea ile line-up niliyoiona!

Ni matumaini yangu kabumbu litakalochezwa na hii squad ni la karne ijayo, hamna mpinzani.

Baadhi ya silaha za KJ ni hizi hapa;
1. Prof. Bwenge, C.
2. Prof. Mbele, J.
3. Prof. Nzuzullima
4. Dr. Chechege, B.
5. Dr. Mihangwa, J
6. Padri Karugendi, P
7. Subira Feruz (Ms)
8. Subi Sabato (Ms) -wa Nukta77!!!!
9. Born A.P.
10. Mjengwa, M (C)
11. na wengineo wengi

Kila la heri KJ.

Tabia ya mtu - 2

Tue March 31, 2009
Zipo njia nyingi za kuweza kumuelewa au kumfahamu mtu kitabia au mwenendo wa kimaisha ikiwa haumuelewi au hamjafahamiana kwa kipindi kirefu au ndo mnakutana kwa mara ya kwanza.

Njia rahisi ambayo ninadhani inafaa kujua undani wa huyo mtu ni kupitia vyombo vya habari na pia kupitia njia ya maongezi ya kawaida au kwa simu.

Magazeti
Angalia anapenda kusoma magazeti gani (yapo magazeti ya aina na aina siasa, michezo na burudani n.k.). Pia ktk gazeti au magazeti anayopenda jaribu kuangalia anapenda kusoma kurasa gani -ukurasa wa mbele au nyuma (michezo) au za kati au hadithi, tamthiliya, makala n.k.

Redio na Televisheni
Siku hizi zipo stesheni nyingi sana za radio na TV. Je anasikiliza habari, miziki au michezo kwa upande wa radio. Kwenye Tv anapenda kuangalia nini zaidi.

Vitabu
Kama ni mpenzi wa vitabu anapendelea vitabu vya aina gani au fani gani; hadithi, sayansi, siasa, jamii, maisha n.k.

Hobby
Ni vitu gani anapendelea pale anapokuwa hana shughuli muhimu ya kufanya kutoka na kutembelea watu, kwenda kwenye kumbi za starehe au michezo, kufanya mazoezi n.k.

Maongezi ya kawaida
Ukiondoa salaam, kujuliana hali na kutambulishana, sehemu kubwa ya maongezi yanayofuata yanagusia au yanahusiana na nini.

Vitu au mali anazomiliki
Aina na thamani ya vitu anavyomiliki au mali yake, oanisha na jamii ya karibu nae kuona uwiano uliopo. Unaweza kupata kitu fulani cha ku-define mhusika.

Huwezi kukosa kumuelewa mtu kama utamtazama kwa tochi hii niliyodokeza. Hata busara na hekima za mtu huyo unaweza pia kuzipata kutumia tochi hiyo hiyo!

Kumbuka: haya ni maoni yangu binafsi, (kwa uzoefu wangu wa kula chumvi nyingi hapa duniani) na wala hayana uhusiano na mfano wowote hai.


(Maoni haya niliyatoa mara ya kwanza ktk mosonga.blogspot.com, Thursday, 11 September 2008. Labels: Autobiography)

Monday 30 March 2009

Entertainment Awards Diary, 2009

Entertainment Awards 2009
February 2009:
1. BAFTA: British Academy of Film and Television Arts
2. Brit Awards: (The Brits) -2nd weekend of Feb?
3. Oscars Academy awards; last Sunday of February.
4. RTS: Royal Television Society -Last wednesday of Feb?

March 2009:
1. TRIC - The Television and Radio Industries Club.
Held in March 10 (2nd Tuesdat of March?). Founded 1931.
The TRIC Awards have honoured stars and celebrities each year for three decades.
2. Empire Awards, held 29/03/2009

WoW

..................................
'men are like chocolates ... you find them in bars, they head straight for your thighs and they never last long enough to satisfy you!'
-hw&ghg b'day cards, 2008
..................................
'to impress a guy, I'd wear something short, tight and sexy -and no bra'
'... I used to walk around naked but builders saw me!'
-danielle lloyd, nutsmag. 01-07 aug., 2008
..................................
'there's nothing wrong with losing your temper for the right reason'
...................................
'christmas is a time when people like their past forgotten and their present remembered'
-the oracle, reading, uk. nov. 2008

Madona na mradi wa 'kununua' watoto

Kwa mara ya pili mwimbaji maarufu Madona ametinga tena nchini Malawi akitaka 'kununua' mtoto.
Mwenyewe anatumia lugha ya kilaghai ei 'ku-adopt' na kudanganya mamlaka za kisheria Malawi!
Damu ya waafrika inanunuliwa kirahisi hivi, hata baadhi ya wazungu wanapinga hasa ile taasisi ya 'save the children' wanasema mtoto anapaswa kuangaliwa na jamii inayomzunguka na sio kumbadilishia mazingira.
Mimi napinga sana dhana hii ya Madona hata pale alipoenda 'kununua' mtoto wa kwanza.
Wengine wanasema eti mtot amepata bahati, kwa hiyo aachwe akaule huko Marekani!
Ikumbukwa Madona haendi kuchukua mtoto yeyote yule, bali anachukua mtoto aliyepimwa kiafya na kuonekana anayo afya nzuri na pia yule anayeonekana kuwa kiakili na maarifa anafaa. kwa maana hii ni kwamba anachagua 'cream' (wale bora) na kuwaacha 'wasiofaa' kwa maana nyingine. Na huyu mtoto anaenda kuwa Mmarekani, huku Malawi inabaki na wagonjwa na wasio na maarifa.
Ni kwanini Madona kama ana uchungu na Malawi asisaidie vituo vyote vya watoto yatima na kuwapatia huduma zote palepale Malawi. kwa jinsi hii atasaidia wamalawi wote na sio kwenda kuchukua wawili au watatu na kuacha maelfu ya watoto wakiwa hawana matumaini ya maisha bora!

Friday 27 March 2009

Mwisho wa Mwezi na Bili zake!

Mwisho wa mwezi umewadia. Ni wakati wa furaha -maana kuna kitu kidogo mfukoni!! Lakini furaha ya kupata mshahara inaweza kuwa ya muda mfupi hasa ukizingatia bili za mwezi nazo ndio muda wake kudondoshwa mlangoni.

Kwa walio wengi mshahara wa mwezi kwa wastani ni kati ya Paundi za Uingereza 1,500 na 2,000!

Ukishapokea mshahara wako, toa bili zifuatazo na unachobakiwa nacho ndio ufanyie shuguli zako za pembeni pamoja na kusaidia jamaa kule nyumbani Afrika. Kumbuka mshahara huo hukatwa kodi ya mapato (income tax) asilimia 20, na pia hukatwa bima ya taifa (National Insurance).

Bili zenyewe ni kama ifuatavyo:

1. Kodi ya chumba au nyumba. Kwa wastani chumba kimoja cha single ni £250-280 kwa mwezi, chumba double ni kwenye £300 hadi 350 ukinjumlisha na bili za ndani (mpangaji)

Kodi ya flati vyumba 2 ni kwenye £450 hadi 500, nyumba nzima ni kwenye £700 hadi 800.

2. Bili za maji (miezi 3) na gesi na umeme (miezi 3).

3. Bili za broadband (utandawazi -internet, TV, pamoja na simu ya ndani -landline)

4. TV Licence (kwa mwaka -£131.00 au kila mwezi)

5. Bili za Simu za mkononi (mkataba) kwenye £15 hadi 35 au zaidi.

6. Bili za Mikopo (credit cards na/au personal loans monthly payments) -kulingana na ulivyokopa mwenyewe!

7. Bili ya kodi ya halmashauri ya mji (council tax)

8. Usafiri: Nauli (usafiri wa mabasi/treni) au mafuta ya gari (fuel)

9. Mahitaji ya kimsingi ya binadamu kama vile Chakula

10. Mengineyo

Ukishatoa gharama hizo zote, unajikuta umebakiwa na deni. Kwa hiyo unaanza mwezi unaofuata na mkopo kama kawaida, na maisha yanaendelea.

Ndio maana huku ulaya watu wanaishi kwa mikopo kila siku. Ukweli ni kwamba hela haikaliki mfukoni. Kinachofanya kazi ni plastic cards (credit cards na debit cards kutoka ktk mabenki). Kwa jinsi hii mabenki yanatengeneza faida na watu pia wanafaidika ktk kuweza kumudu gharama za maisha ya kila siku! Bila hivyo Ulaya hakukaliki na wala hakulaliki!

Signs of STROKE! Act F.A.S.T

..........................................
When STROKE strikes, it spreads like fire in the brain.
But you can't see the damage.
Just spot the signs of stroke, you have to think and act F.A.S.T.

1. Face -has their face fallen one side? Can they smile?
2. Arms -can they raise both arms and keep them there?
3. Speech -is their speech slurred?
4. Time -Just like fire, it's time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs.
(for Tanzania, it's time send the patient to hospital immediately)

The earlier you act the more of a person you save.

When STROKE strikes act FAST!
............................................

Business Ideas(?)

-Business is about spotting a gap in the market and filling it better than anyone else.

-Business is about a simple formula. Make more than you spend. Keep business simple and it works.


source: Reading Midweek (newspaper powered by Reading Chronicle),
Wed. March 25, 2009 page3

Premiership Grounds (A-Z): 2008/09

Stadiums (Home of Premier League Clubs) + crowd capacity:

Anfield - Liverpool (L/pool, Merseyside); capacity: 45,276
Brittania Stadium - Stoke City; 27,300
City of Manchester Stadium - Manchester City; 47,726
Craven Cottage - Fulham FC (London); 26,600
Emirates - Arsenal 60,361

Ewood Park - Blackburn Rovers; 31,154
Fratton Park - Portsmouth (South); 20,709
Goodison Park - Everton (Liverpool, Merseyside); 40,157
JJB Stadium - Wigan Athletics; 25,135
Kingston Communications (KC) Stadium - Hull City; 25,504

Old Trafford - Manchester United; 76,180
Reebok Stadium - Bolton (Greater Manchester); 28,101
Riverside Stadium - Middlesborough (North east); 34,998
Stadium of Light - Sunderland (North East); 49,000
Stamford Bridge - Chelsea 40,000+ (London); 41,841

St James' Park - Newcastle United (North East); 52,407
The Hawthorns - West Bromwich Albion (Birmingham); 27,000
Upton Park (Boleyn Groun) - West Ham United (London); 35,300
Villa Park - Aston Villa (Birmingham); 42,640
White Hart Lane - Tottenham Hotspur (London); 36,237

Tuesday 24 March 2009

customer care (i enjoy these announcements)

.....................................
vodafone.

'your credit is running low, please arrange a to-up.'

.....................................

south-west trains (reading to london waterloo, platform 4A or 4B)

'this is a 14:42 south-west train to london waterloo. calling at early, winnersh triangle, winnersh, wokingham, bracknell, aston martin, ascot, virginia water, richmond, and clapham junction. your next stop is early ...

this is early. the next station is winnersh triangle ... we are now approaching winnersh triangle.

this is a ..... '
(=repeat)



i will always remember these adverts + many others and will never forget the beautiful and civilized britain (united kingdom)!

Quiz

What is 'altimeter'

-it is an instrument to measure change in altitude.


source: sky-news 04/march/2009

Business idea(s)?

always remember,

'start small go big'
or
'start big go burst'

(source: working lunch, bbc2, wed 04/march/2009, 13:59 GMT)

1694

Bank of England wa established in 1694

Goalkeeper's attributes

1. technical
2. tactical, and
3. physical prowess

caught by eyes and ears

'my own english is still far from fluently. unfortunately, the only people who seem to understand me are referees. sometimes it seems to me that on the pitch, they get the meaning of what i say even if it's in russian'
-roman pavlyuchenko, tottenham hotspur, (in media) 17/02/2009
.................................

we are not the state with army but the army with state'
-hamas, on hardtalk, bbc news, 08/01/2009, 23:44 GMT
...................................

Monday 23 March 2009

Heart Attack

When do you get the alarm bells ringing?

Here is one of the early indicators of the potential danger of the heart attack!

If your waist measures as follows (below), then you are in a danger zone and you should be thinking of doing something positive about it (to avoid problems).

Men: over 40 inches (40")
Women: 35 inches (35")

(data source: channel 4 tv, May 02, 2006, UK, 21:00 BST)

Act FAST on STROKE!

When STROKE strikes, it spreads like fire. But you can't see the damage.

Symptoms 'F.A.S.T'
1. Face -has their face fallen one side? Can they smile?
2. Arms -can they raise both arms and keep them there?
3. Speech -is their speech slurred?
4. Time -Just like fire, it's time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs. (for Tanzania: send the patient to hospital immediately)

The earlier you act the more of a person you save.

When STROKE strikes act FAST!

Bad month for Man United

March 2009, isn't Manchester United's lucky month. We lost a couple of Premier League matches and our form and confidence is not promising at all.

The good news is that we are still on top of the league table.

Hopefully all these bad days and memories can be washed away by splendid performance in the remaining 2 months so that we can successfully defend our 2 titles and add a couple more!

Glory United!! Let's Match On!

Ladies' Detective 2/6

Yesterday was the second part of the dramma series -The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, based on the the book by Alexander McCall Smith. The theme was 'poison'.
Mma Ramotswe, JLB Matekoni ann Mma Maktsi had another wonderful perfomance!!
Also, yesterday, was JLB Matekoni's birthday. His boys at Speedy Motors did not let him down with an early morning surprise of the birthday gift!
Looking forward to another show this Sunday, 9pm on BBC One.

Friday 20 March 2009

Ladies' Detective Agency: DVD release

No.1 Ladies Detective Agency: Series 1 (TV Series)

RRP £29.99 your saving £13.00

release date: 8-6-2009

pre order now DVD £16.99 Free Delivery


source: www.hmv.com

Uefa Champions League Draw: Final

To be played in Rome

Winner Semi Final-2 (winner Q4/Q3)
v.
Winner Semi Final-1 (winner Q2/Q1)

Uefa Champions League: Semi-Finals Draw

First Leg to be played on April 28 and 29. Second Leg will be played on May 05 and 06

Semi-Final 1
Q2.v.Q1. (MANCHESTER UNITED/FC Poto) v. (Villarreal/Arsenal)

Semi-Final 2
Q4.v.Q3 (FC Barcelona/FC Bayern Munchen) v. (Liverpool/Chelsea)

Uefa Champions League Q/Finals Draw

The draw was made in Nyon, France this morning 11:00 GMT

First Leg to be played on April 07 and 08, while the Second Leg will be hel on April 14 1nd 15, 2009.

Q1. Villarreal v. Arsenal

Q2. MANCHESTER UNITED v. FC Porto

Q3. Liverpool v. Chelsea

Q4. FC Barcelona v. FC Bayern Munchen (Munich)

Tuesday 17 March 2009

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.

The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

St. Patrick's feast day was placed on the universal liturgical calendar in the Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, although the feast day was celebrated in the local Irish church from a much earlier date. St. Patrick's Day is a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. The feast day usually falls during Lent; if it falls on a Friday of Lent (unless it is Good Friday), the obligation to abstain from eating meat can be lifted by the local bishop. The church calendar avoids the observance of saints' feasts during certain solemnities, moving the saint's day to a time outside those periods. St. Patricks Day is very occasionally affected by this requirement. Thus when March 17 falls during Holy Week, as in 1940 when St. Patrick's Day was observed on April 3 in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and again in 2008, having been observed on 15 March.


(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Political Parties (UK)

This page lists the political parties with sites which have Parliamentary representatives from the United Kingdom. As not all political parties have websites, and links often change, we would be grateful if updates could be sent to keep the list as complete and accurate as possible. Contact us using the feedback form.
The Prime Minister’s Office is not responsible for the content of other websites.

United Kingdom Parliament
The Labour Party
The Conservative Party
The Liberal Democrats
The Scottish National Party
The Scottish Labour Party
Plaid Cymru
Green Party of England and Wales
The Social Democratic and Labour Party
The Democratic Unionist Party
Sinn Fein
The Ulster Unionist Party

Scottish Parliament
The Conservative Party (Scotland)
The Green Party (Scotland)
The Labour Party (Scotland)
The Liberal Democrats (Scotland)
The Scottish National Party
The Scottish Socialist Party

National Assembly for Wales
The Conservative Party (Wales)
The Labour Party (Wales)
The Liberal Democrats (Wales)
Plaid Cymru
Green Party of England and Wales

The Northern Ireland Assembly
The Alliance Party
The Democratic Unionist Party
TheSocal Democratic and Labour Party
The UK Unionist Party
Sinn Fein
The Ulster Unionist Party

European Parliament
The Conservatives in Europe
The European Parliamentary Labour Party
The Liberal Democrats (Europe)
The UK Independence Party
The Green Party (Europe)
The Scottish National Party (Europe)
Plaid Cymru (Europe)
The Democratic Unionist Party (Europe)
The Social Democratic Labour Party
The Ulster Unionist Party (Europe)

Youth Political Organisations
Conservative Future
Liberal Democrat Youth and Students
Young Scots for Independence
Scottish Young Labour
Young Greens
SDLP Youth


source: www.number10.gov.uk/page205
Last Edited: Monday 17 December 2001

Monday 16 March 2009

Siasa za UK

Mimi ni mmoja wa watu ambao zamani walikuwa wanadhania kuwa kuna vyama viwili vya siasa ktk visiwa vya Uingereza (UK) yaani Labour na Conservatives. Kumbe vipo vingi sana, tena ni utitiri wa vyama ...!

Orodha ninayoielewa kwa sasa (vyama vya siasa):
1. Labour (chama tawala kwa ujumla -UK)
2. Scottish National Party (SNP) - (chama tawala serikali ya Scotland)
3. Plaid Cymru PC, (chama tawala serikali ya mseto Wales)
4. Democratic Unionist Party, DUP (chama tawala serikali ya mseto Ireland ya kaskazini)
5. Conservative Party (Tory) -chama rasmi cha upinzani UK
6. Liberal Democtrats - chama cha 2 cha upinzani kwa ukubwa wa idadi ya wabunge
7. UK Independence Party, UKIP -chama cha upinzani Uingereza (England)
8. Respect Coalition
9. Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
10. Ulster Unionist Party, UUP (N/Ireland)
11. Sinn Fein (N. Ireland)
12. British National Party, BNP (England)

Ladies' Detective Starts (1/6)

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

BBC One, March 15, 2009, 9pm.

The ultimate in feelgood Sunday night television returns for a six-part series. Adapted from Alexander McCall Smith’s bestselling novels and filmed entirely on location in Botswana, it is bursting with warmth, colour and rosy optimism.

The “fat and fabulous” Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott) takes on three new cases at her detective agency – a missing dog, a missing husband, and a Nigerian dentist who looks after his patients one day and tortures them the next.

She is still being bossed around by her hyper-efficient and highly strung secretary (Anika Noni Rose), and now the cheerful assortment of hangers-on – kindly car mechanics, comical hairdressers and the like – are joined by an endearing little boy, which ups the cute quota still further.

This is a series determined to present a jolly view of Africa and send you to bed basking in a warm, sunny glow.

source: times-online (entertainment) 14.03.2009
....................


I watched the show last night and wasn't disappointed at all. As I predicted, there were many new characters including Mma Maktsi's old friend and classmate who got a mere 40% in the exam but have got better job than Mma Makutsi who scored a record 97% in the Botswana's sectretarial college final Exam!

Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi with her ailing boyfriend(?), JLB Matekoni and BK were all fantastic!!

I can't wait to see the remaining 5 episodes!

Do not forget to switch to BBC Radio 7 - soon after the dramma (at 22:00 GMT) to listend to Ladies' Detective Favourite Radio Show - a 20 minute program.

Friday 13 March 2009

Uchumi unapochoma!

Jamani dunia iko ktk kipindi kigumu kiuchumi na kimaisha kwa ujumla. Serikali mbalimbali duniani hata za mataifa makubwa kiuchumi kama Marekani na Uingereza zimetikiswa na hali hii ya uchumi.

Kwa wananchi wa kawaida hali ni ngumu zaidi. Maisha ktk ngazi ya familia yamezidi kupanda kila kukicha huku vipato vyao vikizidi kuwa duni au vinaporomoka chini. Kila mmoja wetu anahisi joto la ukali wa maisha kwa sasa.

Kwa kuzingatia hii shida tuliyoko, nimeona nitoe maoni au mchango wangu juu ya ni nini tufanye ili kukabiliana na ugumu wa maisha. Ni matumaini yangu kuwa kwa njia hii ya kubadilishana mawazo, tunaweza kupunguza makali ya maisha kwa kutumia uzoefu wa kila mmoja wetu.

Ni vema pia tuwaelemishe wadogo zetu, watoto wetu au wana familia kwa ujumla ili waelewe kinachoendelea. Hali ya usiri ndani ya familia huleta kutoaminiana. Lakini kukiwa na uwazi na ukweli kuhusiana hali ya uchumi ndani ya familia, misuguano ya kifamilia itapungua ama kutoweka kabisa na badala yake furaha, amani na mshikamano vitatanda ndani ya nyumba.

Sasa tufanye nini basi ili kukabiliana na hili balaa la kiuchumi?

Mimi ushauri wangu na maoni yangu ni mafupi na rahisi. Tujaribu kujijengea utamaduni wa kujitosheleza ktk mahitaji ya kimsingi kwa njia ya kujitegemea. Yaani tupunguze matumizi ya hela ktk kununua vitu au huduma ambazo sio za lazima au zile ambazo tunaweza kuzifaidi bure. Nitatoa mifano michache hapa chini:

1. kujilimia bustani ya mboga na matunda (kama eneo linapatikana).
Nina imani ktk nchi yetu maeneo yapo kwa ajili ya kilimo cha bustani na upatikanaji wa maji sio mbaya sana na hivyo inawezekana kujitosheleza mboga za majani na matunda kwa ajili ya afya zetu.

2. kuanzisha ufugaji mdogo-mdogo.
Mfano, kuku wa kienyeji au wa kisasa, mifugo kama mbuzi, kondoo na ng'ombe kwa ajili ya nyama na maziwa. Mbolea inayotokana na vinyesi vya mifugo hii itatumika ktk kilimo cha bustani.
Mazao ya ziada ya mifugo hii (maziwa, nyama, ngozi, mbolea n.k.) tunaweza kuuza na kujipatia fedha zaidi.

3. kujipikia vyakula nyumbani badala ya kununua gengeni au hotelini.
a) vitafunio. unaweza kujipikia mwenyewe vitu kama keki, maandazi, chapati na vitumbua kwa matumizi yako na familia nzima badala ya kununua vitafunio ambavyo vitagharimu fedha nyingi ili kutosheleza familia. Unachotakiwa kufanya ni kununua unga wangano, mafuta ya kupikia, sukari, chumvi n.k. kwa ajili ya kupika vitafunio. Vitu hivyo pia (mafuta ya kupikia, chumvi n.k.) vitatumika kupikia chakula cha mchana na usiku!
b)kujipikia na kula nyumbani badala ya kununua chakula magengeni au hotelini.
mapishi nyumbani ni nafuu kwa vile chakula kitakuwa kwa ajili ya familia nzima na kwa mara moja. Unapokula gengeni utashiba peke yako kwa gharama ambayo ingelisha familia nzima ktk mlo mmoja. Unaweza pia kwenda na chakula/vitafunio kazini, hivyo kuokoa gharama za kununua.
Kumbuka wanaofanya biashara hii hutaka kurudisha gharama ya vitu walivyotumia kupika na pia kupata faida, kwa hiyo wanakutoza hela zaidi wewe ambazo unaweza kuziokoa kwa kujipikia.

4. kujifunza ususi au unyoaji nywele.
a) kwa kina mama; unapoajifunza kazi za ususi unakuwa unapunguza gharama za kwenda saluni kusuka nywele au kuweka rasta. Ukisuka mwanao nae atakusuka au ndugu yako atakusuka. Hela utakayookoa kwa mwezi ukiizidisha kwa mwaka mzima utakuwa umeokoa kiasi kikubwa cha hela.
b) kwa kina baba; jinunulie mkasi, nyembe au mashine ya kunyolea. Ukishapata hii mashine au mkasi huwezi tena kutumia hela zaidi, kazi yako itakuwa ni kunyoa tu kila unapohitaji bila kwenda saluni. Nawe pia utaokoa hela za kwenda saluni kila mwezi.

5. punguza bili za umeme kwa kununua taa (balbu) za kutumia umeme kidogo. Siku hizi zipo balbu za umeme kidogo na hutoa mwanga wa kutosha. Ondoa taa zote za zamani. Pia washa taa ile unayotaka kutumia. Kama chumba au mahali fulani hapatumiki ni vema uzime taa zake. Washa tu pale unapohitaji mwanga.
Kwa vyombo vya umeme (tv, video na dvd players n.k.) navyo unatakiwa kuvizima kama havitumiki. Kama unataka kuwa na friji, tumia friji yenye 'kihisi' jotoridi ambacho huzima friji pale ubaridi wa kwenye friji unapofikia kiwango kinachotakiwa na kuwasha tena friji ubaridi unapopungua.

6. Zungusha matumizi ya maji.
Maji ukishayatumia kwa shughuli moja unaweza kuyatumia tena kwa matumizi mengine ya nyumbani mfano kudekia, kumwagilia bustani au maua n.k.

7. tembea kwa miguu au tumia baiskeli.
Unaweza kuokoa maelfu ya hela kwa mwaka endapo utaamua kutumia usafiri wa baiskeli au kutembea kwa miguu ktk umbali wa kawaida. Kwa kutembea kwa miguu mara kwa mara utaweza pia kupata faida ya kuupa mwili mazoezi bure kabisa!

8. vaa nguo zako ulizo nazo kwa sasa.
Hizo nguo ulizonazo ni nzuri na zinakufaa, kwa nini uende dukani tena kutafuta nyingine?
Hata viatu vyako bado ni vizima na vinapendeza kwa nini unavitelekeza na kununua jozi zaidi?
Jiepushe na kasumba ya kwenda na fasheni. Hii ni pamoja na vitu kama simu za mikononi, vito vya thamani n.k. Endelea kutumia vitu hivyo ulivyo navyo tayari na okoa fedha kwa kuachana na kasumba ya kwenda na fasheni -maana fasheni haziishi kila msimu zinaibuka mpya, ukishindana nazo wewe ndio utakuwa mshindwa!

9. punguza sherehe zisizokuwa za lazima.
Sherehe za mara kwa mara hugharimu fedha nyingi, kwa hiyo ni vema suala la matanuzi, tafrija au sherehe litazamwe kwa umakini (hili linategemea mtazamo wa mtu binafsi).

10. kama unavuta sigara na kulewa pombe, utakuwa unaelewa mzigo ulionao kulipia vileo hivyo na ninadhani mwenyewe unaamini ipo haja ya kuachana na vitu hivyo.

Mwisho, penda kile ulichobarikiwa kuwa nacho. Jiepushe tamaa - kutamani usichoweza kuwa nacho. Zaidi ya yote mshukuru Mungu kwa alichokubarikia.

Tovuti ya Mwalimu imepotelea wapi?

Tovuti ya Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation ambayo ilikuwa iko ktk mtandao imepotea kinyemela tangu mwaka jana. MNF ilianzishwa na Mwalimu Nyerere mwaka 1996.

Sijawahi kusikia au kusoma mahali popote ni nini kimesababisha tovuti hiyo itoweke ktk mtandao. Ni matumaini yangu wahusika MNF watashughulikia tatizo lililosababisha kutoweka kwa tovuti hiyo ili irejee hewani. Wananchi tungependa kujua kinachoendelea ndani ya MNF na shughuli zinazofanywa na Foundation ya Mwalimu.

Na njia rahisi ya kuwafikia watu wengi nchini kote au duniani ni kupitia kwenye mtandao. Ingawa zipo njia nyingine za kuwafikia walengwa -mfano redio, television na magazeti - bado njia ya mtandao inasambaa kwa haraka zaidi na kwa gharama nafuu. Kumbuka hata wahisani, wafadhili au watafiti ni rahisi kufuatilia shughuli za MNF kupitia mtandao kuliko hizo nyinginezo!

Entertainment: Awards Diary 2009

February:
1. BAFTA: British Academy of Film and Television Arts
2. Brit Awards: (The Brits) -2nd weekend of Feb?
3. Oscars Academy awards; last Sunday of February.
4. RTS: Royal Television Society) -Last wednesday of Feb?

March 2009:
1. TRIC - The Television and Radio Industries Club.
Held in March 10 (2nd Tuesdat of March?). Founded 1931.
The TRIC Awards have honoured stars and celebrities each year for three decades.

Thursday 12 March 2009

Kiharusi (Stroke)

Hili ni tangazo la idara ya huduma za afya ktk vyombo vya habari Uingereza.

When STROKE strikes, it spreads like fire.

When STROKE strikes act F.A.S.T:

1. Face -has their face fallen one side? Can they smile?
2. Arms -can they raise both arms and keep them there?
3. Speech -is their speech slurred?
4. Time -Just like fire, it's time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs. (for Tanzania: send the patient to hospital immediately)

The earlier you act the more of a person you save.



source: an advert by NHS, www.nhs.uk/act fast

Tuesday 10 March 2009

Mma Ramotswe is back! (Sunday March 15)

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency drama will be on telly (bbc-one) on sunday 21:000 GMT, the first of 13 episodes.

According to the dvd released last autumn (October 26, 2008) of which I have a copy*, we expect to see the following characters!

Mma Ramotswe - Jill Scott
Mma Makutsi - Anika Noni Rose
JLB Matekoni - Lucian Msamati
Alice Busang - Nikki Amuka Bird
BK - Desmond Dube
Lucky Sesana -Tumisho Masha
Happy Bapesti - Bongeka Mpongwana
Kremlin Busang - David Oye Iowo
Daddy Bapetsi - John Kani
Doctor Gulubane - Vusi Kunene
Mma Notshi - Harriet Manamelamta
Colin Salmon - Note Makoti
Charles Gotso - Idris Elba

Hector Lepodise - Lindani Nkosi
Obed Ramotswe - Vasco Shoba
Solomon Moretsi - Kabelo Thai
Kenosi - Percy Matemale
Apprentice-1 - Tau Maseramula
Apprentice-2 - Thabo Malema
Loretta - tshapo Maphanyane
Sister Kgomotso - Shombi Ellis
Thobiso Morapedi - Brendan Kupa
Ernest Morapedi - Motsheresanyi Sefanyetso
Little Precious Ramotswe - Kudran Alabi
Mochudi Chief - Khuduga Kagiso
Post Office customer - Kgomotso D Tshwenyego

Lily - Karabo Mpai
Taxi Driver - Pascar Proctor
Boy - Sandiswe Mdiza
Estate Agent - Vusiele Otakila
Auctioneer - Rebagamag sekgekge
Beautiful Town girl-1 - Sopphire Seeletso
Beautiful Town girl-2 - Mpho Pheko
Beautiful Town girl-3 - Keeletsang Pelaelo
Woman searcher - Seingwaeng Kgafela
Kitty - Ikanyeng Dipatane
Journalist - Pauline Letsattle
The accused - Thatayaone mongwedisle
The accuser - Losika Seboni
Funky Sign writer - Kgosi Goodwill

Above is a list of actors/actresses in the drama (90 minutes DVD) relesead last year -as an experiment. I hope there might be some additions this time!

So put that date in your diary, on bbc-one at 21:00 GMT. Let's enjoy the drama together. It was cast on location in Botswana, Southern Africa!


*I bought it at hmv - reading shop (the oracle)

Kijani ipi ni ya Si-Si-Emu?

Bado sijaelewa rangi rasmi inayotumiwa na Chama Cha Mapinduzi.

Zipo aina nyingi za rangi ya kijani (ambayo inatawala ktk bendera ya chama na mavazi rasmi ktk matukio ya kichama).

Ktk tukio moja unaweza kukuta rangi za kijani kibichi, kijani ya kawaida na kijani iliyopauka zote zimetumika ktk bendera na mavazi ya viongozi wa ngazi za juu. Ukiwaona kwa pamoja unaweza kusema waziwazi kuwa hii sio sare (ingawa wao watasema ni sare ya chama!)

Ingekuwa vema kama wana-ccm wangeamua rangi gani ya kijani ni muafaka ili itumike rasmi, badala ya kuchanganya rangi anuai za kijani.

Friday 6 March 2009

Fixtures and Results (March 2009)

March 2009: Manchester United v. ....
01 Mar League Cup (Carling) Tottenham A 15:00 0 - 0 (AET)
(Man Utd Win 4-1 on Penalties Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo, Anderson)
04 Mar Barclays Premier League Newcastle A 19:45 W 2 - 1 Rooney, Berbatov
07 Mar FA Cup Fulham A 17:15 W 4-0 Tevez(2), Rooney, Park
11 Mar UEFA Champions League Inter Milan H 19:45 W 2-0 Vidic, Ronaldo
14 Mar Barclays Premier League Liverpool H 12:45 L 1-4 Ronaldo(p)
21 Mar Barclays Premier League Fulham A 15:00 L 0-2

MJ na 'This is it'

Mfalme wa Pop Duniani, Michael Jackson, ametangangaza kuwa mwezi wa Saba mwaka huu atakuwa jijini London ktk ukumbi wa O2 Arena (zamani Millennium Dome) kwa ajili kuwatumbuiza wapenzi na mashabiki wake wa London (na Uingereza kwa ujumla) kwa mara ya mwisho.

Michael alitangaza mwenyewe jana 'live' majira ya saa 11 kwa saa za Uingereza na amesema atatoa burudani kwa kuimba nyimbo ambazo mashabiki wake wake wanazipenda.

Mimi ni mmoja wa mashabiki wa muziki wa Michael Jackson hasa nyimbo za 'The way you Make Me Feel', 'Earth Song', 'Man In the Mirror', 'Dirty Diana', 'Will You Be There' n.k.

Ubunifu na mawazo mapya

Rais wa Jamhuri yetu ya Muungano ameongelea umuhimu wa ubunifu na michango ya mawazo mapya ktk kukabiliana na changamoto za kimazingira na maendeleo duniani.

Naunga mkono kauli hii ya Mhe Rais.

...................................................
soma zaidi hapo chini. (nimeifupisha hotuba)
....................................................


Napenda kuanza kwa kutoa shukrani zangu za dhati kwa heshima mliyonipa ya kunishirikisha kwenye sherehe hii adhimu ya uzinduzi wa Kamandi ya Jeshi la Nchi Kavu ya Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania.

Siku ya leo ni siku muhimu sana katika historia ya jeshi letu. Ni siku ambayo tunashuhudia mabadiliko ya muundo wa kiutawala na kiutendaji wa Jeshi letu ukizinduliwa rasmi kwa uzinduzi wa Kamandi ya Jeshi la Nchi Kavu.

Nakupongeza sana CDF kwa uamuzi wako wa busara wa kufanya mabadiliko katika muundo wa Jeshi letu. Ni mabadiliko yanayoenda na wakati. Ndiyo maana sikusita kiyaunga mkono na kuyakubali. Nafarijika sana ninapoona Jeshi letu likijitahidi kuendeleza msukumo wa historia yake ya kubadilika kuendana na mabadiliko ya nyakati. Hiyo ndiyo siri kubwa ya uimara na mafanikio ya Jeshi letu.

Tangu Jeshi letu lianzishwe mwaka 1964, limeshafanya mabadiliko mengi, ya kimuundo na kiutendaji kama matakwa ya kimazingira, kiutendaji na kiteknolojia yalivyojitokeza. Uzinduzi wa Kamandi hii unadhihirisha dhamira ya Jeshi letu ya kwenda na wakati. Mimi naamini ni mabadiliko yenye maslahi kwa Jeshi letu. Yatakaleta ufanisi na kuliimarisha Jeshi letu kwa utendaji kivita na kiutawala. Nawashukuru sana viongozi wa Jeshi na Wizara. Naomba muendelee kuwa wabunifu ili muendelee kufanya mabadiliko stahiki zaidi kwa nia ya kupata ufanisi mkubwa zaidi. Nasema tena hongereni sana.

Wakati tunazindua Kamandi hii na kupongezana napenda kuwaomba muendelee kuwa wabunifu, mfikirie na kufanya mabadiliko zaidi yanayostahili ili muendelee kujiimarisha na kwenda na wakati.

Ni muhimu kwa ajili hiyo mkaangalia miundo ya utumishi wa Jeshi, ikama, mitaala ya ufundishaji, zana na vifaa mbalimbali vya kijeshi ili navyo viendane na wakati. Napenda kuwahakikisheni kuwa Serikali itaendelea kuwaunga mkono katika jitihada zenu kadiri uwezo wa bajeti yetu utakavyoruhusu. Kwa moyo huo huo wa kuendelea kuwaunga mkono ndiyo maana nimekubali kuongeza umri wa kustaafu wa wanajeshi nchini kuwa miaka 60 badala ya 57 ya sasa. Mabadiliko hayo yatakayoanza Julai Mosi mwaka huu tunayafanya ili yaendane na wakati. Siku hizi watu wanachelewa kuzeeka tofauti na ilivyokuwa zamani.

Nitakuwa mwizi wa fadhila kama sitaitumia nafasi hii, kwa mara nyingine kuwapongeza Wanajeshi wetu wote kwa kazi nzuri mnayoifanya ya kulinda uhuru na mipaka ya nchi yetu. Septemba Mosi, mwaka huu JWTZ litatimiza miaka 45 tangu kuasisiwa kwake. Imekuwa ni miaka 45 ya utumishi uliotukuka na mafanikio makubwa. Jeshi letu limetekeleza majukumu yake kwa ushujaa, umahiri, utii na uaminifu wa hali ya juu. Jeshi letu limezingatia kwa dhati misingi ya uweledi na uzalendo. Matokeo yake ni usalama na utulivu endelevu wa nchi yetu na watu wake. Tumefanikiwa kulinda mipaka ya nchi yetu wakati wote hata pale palipotokea tishio la wazi la nchi kuvamiwa na sehemu kutekwa na majeshi ya fashisti Idd Amin wa Uganda mwaka 1978. Nakumbuka Operesheni CHAKAZA mwaka 1978 – 1979. Nawapongeza sana.

Naomba nimalize kwa kuwashukuru tena, kwa kazi nzuri mnayoendelea kuifanya ya kulinda nchi yetu. Napenda kuwahakikishia kwamba Serikali inawajali na inathamini kazi yenu. Nawaomba msisahau kuwa siri kubwa ya mafaniko yetu Jeshini ni: Umoja, Ujasiri, Nidhamu na Uweledi. Yazingatieni. Nawatakia kila kheri katika majukumu yenu.
Asanteni sana.

Tuesday 3 March 2009

WoW

'Naambiwa Kahama inaifuatia Temeke kwa makusanyo ya mapato hapa nchini.'


source: Maggid Mjengwa Blog, Tarehe: March 02, 2009

Waziri wa Fedha atembelea RG

Jana waziri wa fedha wa UK Bwana Alistair Darling alitembelea mji wa Reading. Madhumuni ya ziara yake ni kuangalia jinsi mji wa Reading ulivyoathirika kutokana na mtikisiko na kuyumba kwa hali ya uchumi nchini na duniani kote.

Nilimuona akipitishwa na wenyeji wake pale Market Place huku akionyeshwa majengo ambayo yamebaki wazi (matupu) baada ya shughuli za kibiashara kufa na hivyo kufungwa. Majengo hayo yako kati ya benki za Lloyds TSB na NatWest. Wakubwa wa Halmashauri ya Mji wa Reading walikuwa wakimjulisha ni nini kinafanyika ili majengo hayo yaendelee kutumika ili yasibaki kuwa mahame! Waziri alikuwa akitembea kwa miguu huku amezungukwa na utitiri wa waandishi habari na kamera zao.

Kusema kweli makali ya uchumi yameuma kweli kweli hapa UK na karibu kila mtu anapata maumivu yake! Viongozi nao wanahaha kutafuta dawa ya matatizo. Waziri mkuu Bwana Brown yuko Marekani tangu jana kuonana na Rais Obama na pia kama maandalizi ya mkutano mkubwa wa G20 utakaofanyika jijini London mwezi wa nne mwaka huu kujadili masuala ya kiuchumi duniani kwani hakuna nchi moja peke yake inayoweza kuyatatua au kuyamaliza bali ni juhudi za pamoja ndio zitakazopunguza makali na hatimaye kupata jawabu la matatizo haya.

Monday 2 March 2009

Maisha ni kujaribu, kujaribu na kujaribu!

Kama umeona film au documentary ya maisha ya kisiasa ya Mama Margareth Thatcher utaamini kuwa maisha ni kujaribu mara nyingi kadri uwezavyo.

Huyu mama ambaye ni Baroness kwa sasa na waziri mkuu wa zamani, hakuingia ktk ulingo wa siasa kirahisi. Alipata vipingamizi vingi enzi zile za miaka ya 1950 ktk kupata nafasi ya uwakilishi bungeni.

Vipingamizi alivyokumbana navyo vilitokea ndani ya chama chake (wanachama na viongozi) na pia kutoka kwa wabunge wa chama chake. Wengi walimkataa au kumwekea mizengwe kwa sababu ni mwanamke na pili alikuwa na watoto wadogo mapacha.

Kuna majimbo kama matano (au zaidi) ambayo yalimkataa Mama asiwe mgombea kupitia chama chake, hadi yeye mwenyewe akata tamaa kabisa.

Bahati mbaya zaidi kuna mbunge mmoja ambaye alisaidiwa sana na Mama Thatcher ktk kampeni za uchaguzi hadi kushinda jimbo lake. Siku moja Mama alienda kumsalimia na kumwomba ushauri na msaada ktk mambo ya kisiasa. Mbunge huyo akamkatalia kabisa na akamwonya Mama asirudie kumfuatafuata!

Siku moja mume wake akamwambia Mama ajaribu tena kugombea ktk jimbo moja liloko London (Finchley) kwa vile mbunge wake alikuwa ametangaza kustaafu.

Baada ya kutafakari sana, Mama akamkubalia mumewe (Denis). Mama akapeleka jina lake jimboni ili lijadiliwe na kupigiwa kura. Cha ajabu hata mbunge huyo anayeng'atuka alitaka kumzibia Mama Thatcher asipate kuteuliwa na chama chake ili agombee ubunge!!!

Ktk mchujo wa kwanza Mama alipita, wakabaki watatu. Lakini yule mzee 'mstaafu' akaendelea kutia mizengwe na kumkatisha tamaa Mama! Ndipo Mama Thatcher akamwendea huyo mbunge pembeni na kumpasha kuwa yeye ameamua na atagombea na atawatumikia wapiga kura wake kikamilifu.

Mungu si Athumani, Mama akawabwaga wagombea wenzake na kupitishwa kuwa mgombea wa Conservative ktk jimbo. Uchaguzi ulipofika Mama alishinda na kwenda Bungeni.

Mama alipofika bungeni alimwona yule mbunge (aliyemsaidia ktk kampeni zake na aliposhinda akamruka Mama). Yule mbunge kwa wivu au aibu akawa anajifanya hamwoni Mama na akawa anampita Mama bila hata kumsalimia kwa vile enzi zile Mama alikuwa bado mdogo lakini mwenye uwezo mkubwa kisiasa.

Kwa hiyo Mama aliendelea kuwa mbunge wa jimbo lake kwa miaka 31, ambapo aliweza pia kuwa waziri mkuu wa nchi kwa miaka zaidi ya 10 (1979 -1990).

Kutokana na film hii ya Mama Thatcher, nimejifunza kuwa ktk maisha hapa duniani kuna vikwazo vingi. Na mbaya zaidi kuna watu ambao hawapendi kuona ndoto za wenzao zikitimia. Na wengine hata husimama njiani ili kukinga au kuziba njia za wenzao kuelekea ktk mafanikio.

Lakini ipo siku moja pale kweli itakapojidhihirisha na mafanikio kupatikana. Ndio maana nasema: endelea kujaribu bila kukata tamaa, huenda tundu la mafanikio lipo jirani kabisa na hapo unapoonekana kupoteza nguvu za mapambano zaidi kimaisha, kama tulivyoona huyu kwa Mama!

No.1 Ladies' Det Agency - coming soon!

I saw an advertisement on the telly - BBC One - the popular drama 'The no.1 Ladies' detective Agency', starring Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose and Lucian Msamati is coming soon -probably over the easter weekend.

I hear it will be serialized in 13 episodes. Also it is said that the one 90-minute drama we watched last March 2008 was a pilot to be followed by 13 episodes series this year!

Although I watched the drama, I was tempted to buy the DVD in October 26, 2008. It is a good collection and suitable to watch as a family! I hope this time again to purchase the series! Jill and Anika are very interesting.

I look forward to seeing this one!

Mzee Madiba

Siku moja mwezi uliopita nilikuwa naangalia kipindi ktk tv stesheni ya bbc2 kuhusu maisha ya mzee Nelson Mandela. Kipindi kilikuwa kizuri sana hasa pale Mzee Madiba alipozungumzia historia yake kabla ya kwenda gerezani, akiwa gerezani na kutoka. Hata mke wake (Bi Graca) nae alitoa mpya pale alipomwomba mtalaka wake (Bi Winnie) apige picha na Mzee Madiba - Winnie akakaa kando ya Mzee na wakapiga picha ingawa Mzee hakutabasamu!

Baadae Mzee alipasua jipu pale aliposema kuwa alipokuwa gerezani kuna watu walimwambia kuwa Rais Mugabe (Z'bwe) hakutaka Mzee atoke gerezani. Mzee akasema kuwa alipokuwa gerezanai Rais Mugabe alikuwa mtu maarufu sana barani Afrika na hakutaka Mzee atoke kwa vile umaarufu wake ungepungua.

Hata hivyo Mzee Madiba alisema kuwa hayo ni maneno aliyokuwa anaambiwa na watu. kwa maana kwamba inawezekana ikawa kweli au sio kweli.

Penalties Specialists

Yesterday Man Utd won 4-1 in penalty shootout to lift the Carling Cup at Wembley.

Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson scored all their penalties while Spurs missed 2 with united keeper Ben Foster saving one of them.

It reminded me of Moscow's Uefa Champions League spot kicks where Tevez, Carrick, Nani, Anderson and Giggs scored their penalties with the exception of Ronaldo who missed that night along with Chelsea's John Terry and Nicholas Anelka.

United are becoming Penalty Shoot-out specialists now, especially in the Finals they are being involved.

WoW

'everybody has got a talent. It is a matter of how much you maximize it!'
-Anthony Hamilton, Lewis' (F1 champ. 2008) father, speaking on bbc one's program
-the one show, 04/12/2008 19:02 GMT