Of Christmas turning slaves into kings and the January Disease

The floods that rocked Dar es Salaam last week seems to have failed to water down this year’s Christmas celebrations as many people did it in style. For once, I thought many people will not participate as they will be busy trying to come to terms with reality but it seems as if many people put their problems behind to enjoy themselves.

As usual, entertainment joints were a hive of activity as many people took the chance to spend their hard earned cash. I had a chance to visit many areas and I have no doubt that people have the capacity and ability to enjoy until they forget themselves.

Christmas comes but just once a year and in many cases people strive to make it a day to remember. This is usually done through things that are unique and out of the ordinary. This is the reason some people drink beers in a manner they have never done it before. Some will visit resort areas while others confine themselves to their homes.

My heart however bleeds for some people who out of reasons beyond their control fail to celebrate it in style. I remember that visiting rural areas during this time will make you a mini hero as people will be looking up to you for many things.

In the remote part of the country where I hail from, those from urban areas, no matter how young they are, are respected and many people are expectant whenever they come across them. They believe urban areas where we come from are like heaven. Besides asking you a lot of questions about the urban lifestyle, they want to be associated with you.

Many of us lose it when we visit the rural areas. Even if we don’t have money, we will by all means try to pretend as if we have it. And, to those who drink beer, they know that once they walk into a bar, their old friends will be waiting anxiously for you to buy them some beer. Even those who don’t know you will also pretend to be your friends so that they can benefit.

What these people don’t know is that life in urban areas is difficult and beyond the reach of many. They also are not aware that sometimes you survive on one or two meals a day for you to make ends meet. They don’t know that there is an animal called inflation that continues to eat away your meager salaries.

They also don’t know that you have to wake up early in the morning to engage yourself in a tug of war for a place in a daladala for you to go for work, that electricity is expensive, water is gold while everything that is not your, you lay hands on, will have to pay for it.

And, your status suddenly changes when you board a bus from the city to rural areas where you graduate from being a servant to a king. That’s why many people love to spend their holidays in rural areas.

Lessons I have learnt from my experiences so far have shown me that what is important when it comes to this day is not what one has but the level of satisfaction. The rural areas bring sad memories to me because besides being adventurous to spend the Christmas holiday there, it pains to see some people struggling to force ends meet. Some children can be seen roaming around in tattered clothing on that day and a closer look at them usually shows that they will in actual fact be enjoying themselves.

So, no matter how little these people might be having what is important is that they enjoy the day and have what they call a day to remember in their lives. Don’t get me wrong dear reader I am not saying they don’t deserve better lives and things during the celebrations but what I am saying is that they have no option but to be content with what they have. As you read this article today, it is Boxing Day and it is the time when people open their presents. I hope we took our time to give than receiving during this festive season. The Bible says that it is blessed to give than to receive and this principle has seen many people being blessed for simply extending their hands.

It is also my hope that you are not reading this article with regrets. Many people become over excited to the extent of losing focus and end up doing things that they should not do. They end up throwing themselves in hot soup of which it will be difficult to come out without being burnt.

So many people have contracted the deadly virus (HIV) during these periods. Some have died while others due to excessive use of alcohol ended up driving drunk and caused the deaths of innocent lives. Let’s continue taking care of ourselves as the festive season is yet to be over. It’s never too late to save a life.

Again, I will keep on repeating that there is something called January Disease. We should also try by all means to run away from it. The best medicine for it is to budget your finances well and avoid unnecessary expenditures.

Many things will be awaiting your little pocket come January. Children will be in need of school fees, a lot of money will also be needed to buy uniforms, books and other school requirements, landlords will be waiting for their rents and the family will be in need of money for their upkeep.

The problem is that this disease is so widespread to such an extent that everyone will be suffering from it and in the long run there is nowhere one can borrow money. Your friends will be in the same predicament and will not be in a position to help.

Let’s therefore watch our spending this holiday as its effects will be felt heavily next year. For those who spend a lot of money when they visit their folks in rural areas so that they can be called heroes while forgetting that January with all its need will be awaiting them, they will have a rude awakening.

Let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest but we should do it with hope and vision that life has to go on come January. Bongo Blast takes this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2012. And may God guide you and bless you through out the year.

bongoblast@thisday.co.tz/symeniah.blogspot.com/0657651300

BongoBlast wishes you a merry Christimas

BongoBlast Editorial Board, Publisher, Management and staff wish all our valued readers a merry Christmas and a Blessed 2012.

Kikwete visits flood victims

The President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Kikwete toured flood affected areas using an army helicopter before visiting flood victims housed in various centres such as schools. Kikwete urged all valley residents to relocate, promising over 800 hectares for resettling the over 4000 people rendered homeless.

“It is high time for the people living in the valleys to move out of these areas,” said Kikwete when he visited Mchikichini Primary School that is housing more than 1000 flood victims.

He said that the government had put in place plans to survey plots in Kibaha and Kinondoni for those willing to vacate the valleys.

The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Sadick said that they had put inplace health facilities for the provision of first aid and that the government had donated 1,600 blankets while mattresses were expected yesterday. Various companies continued to donate different items for the flood victims though the situation remains critical.

Pictures: Michuzi Blog

Over 4000 people displaced as Tanzania floods death toll shoots to 23

The number of people who perished in floods that rocked Dar es Salaam early this week has risen to 23 while more than 4000 people were forced to abandon their residences and have been housed at three stations in the city.

The situation continued to be unbearable as almost all the affected areas remained inaccessible and with the looks of things, will remain so for a long time to come as flood water continue covering these areas.

Though no serious rains were witnessed on Thursday, a visit by Bongo Blast discovered that valleys and low lying areas such as Jangwani and those along Msimbazi River remain engulfed with flood water making it difficult for those affected to go back.

Displaced people have been housed in schools and health centres in Kinondoni and Ilala districts. Aid has started to flow in as good Samaritans were donating in cash and kind.

There is urgent need of aid as there are many people who need food, clothing, clean water, bedding and other humanitarian needs. There are fears of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and malaria as many of these people don’t have access to clean food and water and to mosquito nets to cover themselves at night

Havoc as Tanzania floods death toll rises

Submerged. . . . .

The heavy rains that rocked Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country have continued to cause untold suffering among citizens as the death toll rises to 13 and is expected to rise. More people are feared dead while many have been displaced and are still to be accounted for by their families. The rains have brought business almost to a standstill in the city with infrastructures such as roads and bridges being destroyed.

Most people whose houses are in low lying areas continue to count their losses as they had to be rescued to higher ground in a bid to save their lives. Property worth billions of shillings has been destroyed comprising household goods, vehicles, road infrastructure, shops and many small trader markets.

Various properties such as mattresses, fridges, TV sets and other household goods could be seen being swept away by the floods and many people were positioning themselves strategically to collect these goods for their own use. Some new items such as pipes, new pairs of shoes and clothes could also be seen with many people jostling to get a hand on them.



Police officers asses a damaged road in Dar es salaam.

Confusion reigned supreme as many people panicked and in a bid to save their lives some climbed on top of trees and roofs of buildings waiting for rescuers. The rescuers used helicopters and speed boats.

Today, the rains are continuing unabated but are lighter giving hope to citizens that the floods are ending. A snap survey yesterday by Bongoblast revealed that the effects of the foods were severe with many people failing to report for work while many businesses remained closed. Transport was problematic and many people resorted to walk from town to various residential areas.

Disease outbreaks

Fears are now rife that there might be outbreaks of disease such as cholera and the government should prepare and make sure that should the outbreak occurs, then they will be in a position to deal with it.

Many affected people are still to return to their houses as they are covered by water. And, with the rains continuing, then it might take time before the water subsidies. With the Christmass holiday nearing, many people are set to have one of their dulliest holidays as they will either spend it out of their residences or trying to force ends meet after all their properties have been lost in the floods.

The rescue operation continues in the city though the water is beginning to subsidies.

The picture combo below shows the effects of floods in various parts of the city.





END OF THE ROAD. . . The fate of the driver of this government vehicle is unknown after the vehicle plunged into a gorge created by the floods in Mbezi, Dar es Salaam.


Some flood victims had to climb on top of the roofs of their houses to save their lives as depicted in the picture.





An aerial view of submerged houses along the Jangwani valley in Dar es salaam.




Houses submerged along the Jangwani valley, in Dar es Salaam.

Picture sources: Michuzi, Full Shangwe and Daily Mitikasi blogs

Floods wreak havoc in Tanzania, claim five lives and destroy property

Heavy rains have continued pounding in Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country causing untold suffering among residents especially those occupying low lying areas. The early morning rains today threatened to bring business to a stand still as many roads were flooded, becoming impassable, forcing many workers to either fail to report for duty or report late.

The situation was unbearable as many houses were flooded submerging property and all household goods. Some shops in residential areas were not spared either with their owners waiting to count their losses when the floods subsidies.

And, with the meteorological agency having issued an alert that the rains are expected to continue pounding coastal areas, more still needs to be done to save lives and property. Five people were reportedly killed yesterday due to lightning, drowning and electrical shocks. The damages caused by today’s rains and floods are still to be announced.

Helicopters had to be used to save thousands of lives in low lying areas of Dar es salaam as some had no option but to get on top of the roofs of their houses.

It all started around 3am yesterday when a heavy downpour with thunder and strong winds hit the city leading to power blackouts in many parts of the city. The same thing repeated itself today as early morning heavy rains caused floods that will definitely leave many people counting their losses.

Rescue efforts are continuing in various parts of the town.

300 families homeless in Dodoma

Flood waters swept across 70 houses in Ntyuka and Iyumbu wards in Dodoma municipality on Monday Night rendering about 300 families homeless. The families are now in need of relief supplies.

This was confirmed by the Dodoma Municipal Council Director, Nicholas Buleta who said supplies including food had been distributed to the affected people but were not adequate to satisfy demand.

Of Christmas fever, gifts and the January disease

“Christmas comes but once a year,” is a common saying but, it is that time of the year again and by the time you read this column next week, I am sure you would have come across the madness and ecstasy that comes along with celebrating the day.

Who can fault those merrymaking as this is a rare day that only comes once in a blue moon. Everyone strives by all means to make it a day to remember and they do things they don't do everyday to an extent that even the type of food they eat on that day is not only unique but also five-star.

My memory of some Christmases I have spent in rural areas brings with me both good and sad memories. I remember that some families when it comes to this time struggle to force ends meet. Sometimes they wouldn't be having the money to buy new clothes for their children. And, it is this time of the year when they taste bread and margarine for the first and last time that year.

I have seen many children in tattered clothes, storming discotheques or nearby shopping centres in a bid to celebrate the day. To them, those clothes will be their best and what touches me so much is that they don't mind many things and they enjoy themselves to the fullest. This part of life seems fictitious but it is real.

But, on the other side of life, I have seen many people who lack nothing. They will have food to throw away. In my mother tongue, we have a saying that describes this act and when it is loosely translated, means “kicking food”. I have seen many people who take this opportunity to 'kick food' and as this day approaches, just take your time to observe the goings on within the community and you will realise that what I am saying is true.

Dear reader, I am not saying people should not celebrate this day but, I am just highlighting the discrepancies of life. I have heard so many people saying that life is unfair and I just concluded that it is from these differences they derived that conclusion and in most cases they blame God for that.

However, despite these disparities one of the important part of marking this day is giving. Many people spend a lot of money buying gifts they give to their beloved ones. I think we should also follow this trend and give something to someone this Christmas. No matter how small it might be, it will be highly appreciated.

Receiving gifts is the part I like most when it comes to this day, but to tell the truth my hand becomes heavy when it comes to giving to others. It's not only me as I discovered that we are many when it comes to this. To make the giving easy especially for those with perforated pockets, Christmas cards provide a cheaper option as they can be used as gifts.

One fun thing about the whole concept is that all the gifts are supposed to be kept and sealed even on Christmas day only to be opened on the following day which is popularly known as Boxing Day. But, people with uncontrollable curiosity like me can't wait that long to know what the wrapped box contains, so I usually open the gift as soon as it comes without minding what day it is.

And, with Christmas around the corner and power outages continuing, I am just but imagining how it will be like. Some people will be forced to drink warm beer and soft drinks if this trend continues. Many children in high density suburbs who rely on discotheques as a form of entertainment during these days will also be disadvantaged if power outages rock their areas.

Let's just pray and hope that a miracle occurs so that power rationing becomes a thing of the past before X-mas. Though this holiday promises to be one of the dullest for many people, it is not the availability of electricity I am worried about. When ever I think of the period after this festive season I feel sorry for many people.

Though many people will try by all means to make their families happy, they usually find themselves in dilemma come January as reality will dawn on them that a lot of money is needed for rentals, school fees, food and many other basic needs. Trying to run around, borrowing from friends will be mission impossible as the so called friends will also be in red. They won't be having any cent to spare but will also be planning to come to you for help.

This is known as the January disease. The beginning of every year is usually problematic as wananchi's pockets would have been perforated during the festive season. So many families have disintegrated due to this disease and despite it being perennial, it seems as if we don't learn from our past mistakes. We always fall into the same trap every year as the temptations of the festive season are too strong to resist.

As we enter into this festive season, let's stop wasting a lot of money on luxuries only to regret it when the January disease strikes. Let's plan wisely and avoid the embarrassment. And, to you dear reader, Bongoblast wishes you a merry X-mas and a happy New Year. Remember don't drink and drive this holiday. And, it is better to be late than to be the late. God bless you.

bongoblast@thisday.co.tz/ symeniah.blogspot.com/0657651300

Prostitute bites off client’s private parts

Gweru, Zimbabwe

A PROSTITUTE has appeared in court in Zimbabwe charged with assault after she bit the penis of a client who refused to pay her.

Wadzanai Marimo, 34, admitted the assault of one of her regular clients, Brian Shumba, 38, at Gweru Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

According to police, the pair had been drinking together at a nightclub in Gweru on Monday night before going back to Marimo's house.

In the bedroom, a dispute broke out after Shumba allegedly refused to pay Marimbo for her services, magistrate Florence Nago heard.

Marimo then bit the end off Mr Shumba's organ, leaving him bleeding profusely, before spitting it out in her garden.

Several hours later, the unfortunate patron was found unconscious and taken to the Gweru Provincial Hospital.
On Tuesday, he shuffled into court, in obvious discomfort, and to a chorus of giggles, to give evidence about his injuries.

Police assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said he could confirm that a "34-year-old woman bit off her boyfriend's male organ" on Monday night at her home.
Marimo will be sentenced this week.