Friday, November 5, 2010

Elections 2010: Done.

What a fantastic election to have experienced as a first-time voter. So rarely is the practice of Afro-optimism validated as in this, my beloved land. We watched, we weighed, we voted and waited. We were tense, we were young, we were challenging the status quo in the most peaceful manner we knew how. It wasn't always easy to keep our social contract- our angry youth lost patience in the cities, opportunists made hay while the sun was shining and even the normally invisible branches of the state security machinery felt the need to expose themselves in the light of day to quell anxieties. Neighboring states anticipated a little shadenfreude, some African politics 'experts' trotted out unimaginative comparative analysis. It was a close thing. But we've come through.

Hey, Tanzania: we've come through. We are, we can be, we should be the example of a finely integrated, self-aware, internally coherent, progressive, democracy-seeking, negotiated, complex African polity.

A few things:

1. I got this wrong and I must eat my share of crow. I admit: the Fourth Estate surprised me. And not even from the quarter I expected. Broadcast came into it's own in this election. Radio, sure. But let's talk television. Every single station brought their a-game. Some revamped their look, some launched their teams of new anchors, some even braved the English-language medium. But Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation took the cake. Thank you Tido, and Tido's team. What a beautiful thing you did.

2. Zanzibar. Zanzibar. Zanzibar.

3. There are a lot of hot young things on the political scene to watch. We will hold you to account.

4. While we were distracted by the usual noisy suspects, some folks parachuted themselves into Bunge in a truly Ninja style. I salute them- that level of strategic capacity is masterful.

5. You be the judge.

Social media Tanzania na marafiki zetu majirani: bonge la collabo. High Ten. Mikocheni Reporter over and out.

7 comments:

  1. Five More Years of mediocrity. Kweli watanzania tuna moyo.

    We inaugurate a popular face who will increase youth employment (bartender-jobs and ajira za kufungua vizibo), increase living standards (according to JK Dar has traffic jams because of the improved livelihood), reduce poverty (we have enough donor friends to give us aid, ombaomba nation), and support better healthcare for its citizens (if you have HIV it is your "Kiherehere" in JK's own words, and the same goes for if you got pregnant while still in school).

    In anycase, it was exciting to see that vigour from the youth in the cities, especially after they casted their votes and some remained in the stations 'kulinda kura zao'.

    This morning as Jakaya Kikwete (B.Sc) raises that hand and murmurs that oath to begin his second term, let Tanzanians stay put and realise that this nation cannot continue to run in such theater style-type of democracy, by having a toothless body like NEC coordinating our elections and having an intimidating police-force and army body that threatens the citizens (via Clouds FM?). We need to challenge these bodies, and our 'upole' won't bring any change as we might see the same issues arising in 2015. Why have NEC announce identical presidential results in GEITA and Nyang'hwale? In any other 'serious' nation, Makame and Kiravu would have to resign for such a error. Why does it take 5 days to count votes of some 8 milion people? We need to demand more, as this mediocrity justifies how we as Tanzanians are satisfied with the system. No progress can ever come from complacency.

    The election-season fiesta is over, and after today's inauguration, tomorrow we preside as a nation, sadly a nation facing the dire problems of ignorance, disease, and apathy (that 45% turn-out).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay, Joji. You are obviously an intelligent man so let's just cut to the chase. The notion that there is a "system" external to "us" that is both responsible for our welfare to the point of killing off individual initiative, and receptive to self-indulgent criticism is complete bullshit. This kind of thing is why it is important to vote. Wanna win, playa? Then get off the bench with your five-cent commentary and play the game.

    This "we" and "them" business is some 1960's, "Oooh Nyerere was our godfather and we can't possibly think for ourselves" crap. You don't live under a totalitarian government. Ask people who actually do: they would envy your Tanzanian freedoms. Does this mean you should stop bitching and trying to make a change? Hell no. But it does place an onus on you to take mastery not only of your own fate but to help others do the same. Which, FYI, is what a true public servant does. And you would be surprised by how many of them there are in this, our fair land.

    So. You hate the way this country is run, and you got beef to chew with the ones who you feel are failing us all. What are you doing about it, other than blogging your rage? Apathy comes in many different forms. Message sent.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Message delivered.

    I guess using the word "system" creates a fume these days. I acknowledge it's BS as you outlined, and in fact I didn't mean the opposite. So don't get me wrong, I am not playa-hatin on JK or the efforts of the true public servants out there doing good for the nation. I am numerically insignificant. But I also don't understand why these days when someone raises an opinion one has to attach a CV of what he or she is doing to make a better Tanzania. Whatever I am doing let it be noticed by the recipients as I see no need to blow any horns. And why raise an issues on my intelligence or lack there-off?

    The fact that we have the Tanzanian 'freedoms' shouldn't waive our right to voice any dukuduku that we may have against the ones in leadership. Why do people vote? Au 'zidumu fikra za kiongozi'?! As long as we don't bite, spit, trol or have ugly insults, innit?

    No doubt, to the traditional political commentator, realist, and blogger I may appear as an irrelevant wanderer from my proper territory and an intruding amateur. I have not been unaware of my own imperfect preparation in attempting to join the bandwagon.

    Back to the topic. Oh, I'm reminded.

    I am concerned with the same irregularities (in various tones) appearing during every other election season. In 1995 - in our first multi-party election experiment - NEC had similar issues on vote-counting confusion and even accusations of playing up to the rules set by the incumbency. One would expect such irregularities be learnt (see: Chitowa P, http://home.snafu.de/mjm/tz/chintowa.html)

    Remember during the 2000 elections our then IGP Mahita's statement that if CUF is Ngangari, the Police is Ngunguri? How about the 'mkwara' by Ben Mkapa ordering voters to disappear after voting, or news stations not to broadcast election results and observers to not voice any criticisms while still in the country? (Ernest
    Mpinganjira East African Standard 28 October 2000).

    How about the extreme force that we saw by the police force in the Tarime interim elections back in 2008? What about the recent 'mkwara' by the Daily News editor to Slaa? (Daily News la tarehe 23 Septemba 2010). As citizens we expect the NEC body to condemn such statements as the law stipulates (see: http://www.parliament.go.tz/Polis/PAMS/Docs/1-1985.pdf). Should people be quite?

    Kikwete is elected. He is my president, and yours too. To ensure such election issues not appear again in 5, 10 years, I don't see anything wrong for people out there to voice their 5-cent opinions about what went wrong.

    PS: I am ready to play the game. I believe the voters abroad waves will reach the next Bunge session.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Message delivered.

    I guess using the word "system" creates a fume these days. I acknowledge it's BS as you outlined, and in fact I didn't mean the opposite. So don't get me wrong, I am not playa-hatin on JK or the efforts of the true public servants out there doing good for the nation. I am numerically insignificant. But I also don't understand why these days when someone raises an opinion one has to attach a CV of what he or she is doing to make a better Tanzania. Whatever I am doing let it be noticed by the recipients as I see no need to blow any horns. And why raise an issues on my intelligence or lack there-off?

    The fact that we have the Tanzanian 'freedoms' shouldn't waive our right to voice any dukuduku that we may have against the ones in leadership. Why do people vote? Au 'zidumu fikra za kiongozi'?! As long as we don't bite, spit, trol or have ugly insults, innit?

    No doubt, to the traditional political commentator, realist, and blogger I may appear as an irrelevant wanderer from my proper territory and an intruding amateur. I have not been unaware of my own imperfect preparation in attempting to join the bandwagon.

    Back to the topic. Oh, I'm reminded.

    I am concerned with the same irregularities (in various tones) appearing during every other election season. In 1995 - in our first multi-party election experiment - NEC had similar issues on vote-counting confusion and even accusations of playing up to the rules set by the incumbency. One would expect such irregularities be learnt (see: Chitowa P, http://home.snafu.de/mjm/tz/chintowa.html)

    Remember during the 2000 elections our then IGP Mahita's statement that if CUF is Ngangari, the Police is Ngunguri? How about the 'mkwara' by Ben Mkapa ordering voters to disappear after voting, or news stations not to broadcast election results and observers to not voice any criticisms while still in the country? (Ernest
    Mpinganjira East African Standard 28 October 2000).

    How about the extreme force that we saw by the police force in the Tarime interim elections back in 2008? What about the recent 'mkwara' by the Daily News editor to Slaa? (Daily News la tarehe 23 Septemba 2010). As citizens we expect the NEC body to condemn such statements as the law stipulates (see: http://www.parliament.go.tz/Polis/PAMS/Docs/1-1985.pdf). Should people be quite?

    Kikwete is elected. He is my president, and yours too. To ensure such election issues not appear again in 5, 10 years, I don't see anything wrong for people out there to voice their 5-cent opinions about what went wrong.

    PS: I am ready to play the game. I believe the voters abroad waves will reach the next Bunge session.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Joji: hmmm... watu wengine wakiamua kujitokeza full force inapendeza :) But you are right, and I am sorry. I crossed the line there and got all in your face. Thanks for flagging it.

    Sasa, Joji, you want me to out my politics? I don't see anything wrong for people out there to voice their 5-cent opinions about what went wrong. I wish we voiced all our opinions with committment and honesty and strength and passion. And information! I am still learning this country, believe me i appreciate every considered opinion and new information even if i don't agree with it. Democracy is the ultimate intellectual debate.

    But my politics are about struggling to construct a future that we all want. I admit right here: I deliberately ignored the hate-speech going on during the elections, all the name-calling and arm-chair revolutionary daydreaming and general negativity. Because I don't intend to let myself get bogged down in resenting the state to the point where I can't see the functional parts of the system and promote their use for the sake of all of us.

    Believe me, I know that the state sucks. But here I am, a young woman blogging publicly under her own name. If I can do it, anyone can do it. And if anyone can do it, take on the state constructively but on their own terms... well. We'll change the game on them so much that all of these incidents that you listed will never be repeated. Because we will have learned from the past, rather than holding on to the past. So yeah, I'm obviously on a bit of a mission... and thanks for coming out of the woodwork and enhancing the conversation.

    So. Welcome, playa. Looking forward.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have two requests Mama Mikocheni.
    1. I am fascinated by what transpired in Zanzibar, whats the story ? could you dig deep and share a little piece?

    2. Speaker...Vijisenti rumuors? Could you shake the grapevine for more juice?

    I was far from the action but boy could i feel the heat all the way to my spine! I kept tapping my shoes, 'there is no place like home' but sadly, i was sitting in the same spot ( Ndo tatizo la Kizungu fairytails!). However, the the titbits i received over sms, phones' and the internet- were the suprise of this election. Wenyenchi have made a gigantic step ahead of the establishment. Mighty impressed by Tanzanians!Let it never be said again that we are sluggish, 'ndio bwana' people. We may not be Kenyans, (nor would we want to be...ever! ) but we have made our point. We can decide, we can defend our beliefs and we can inflict fear in the might 'system' by reminding them, who, why and what we put the system for.

    On JK kuchaguliwa, actually happy! I want him to taste what a strong bunge can do. A bit of balance would only help to serve Tanzanians interests better..May the good times roll.

    suma

    ReplyDelete
  7. @ Suma/Dorothy: Well, Zanzibar. Understand: I am putting my own reading on this. But basically, I think that CUF and CCM decided to share power on that island in order to do the necessary work of negotiating a transition to non-CCM rule. But they did it the Zanzibari way, thank you very much. Does anyone know what transpires behind closed doors on the isles? Certainly not me.

    2. Vijisenti- not rumors. he is a candidate...

    And yeah, I am proud of Tanzania too. And next time: we'll be even better. Let the good times roll.

    ReplyDelete

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