When mothers' love is eroded, children suffer

AFRICAN movies are undoubtedly taking Africa by storm, gaining popularity and winning the hearts of many viewers, especially women. Most of them are so touching to an extent that viewers are left without a choice but to follow them up to the end.

These movies have offered an alternative for viewers who for a long time had been exposed to high-budget films that are full of fiction and violence. In fact, many fingers were beginning to point at these Hollywood-made films as the major cause of moral disintegration, cultural imperialism and the ever increasing cases of deviance within our society.

These are the same movies that are also blamed for having our women walk along the streets half naked in the name of fashion. As if this was not enough, the films have also been blamed for the increase in teenage pregnancies as they are said to encourage sex among youth because they show the act live in some of the scenes. The list is endless.

So, that is why the coming in of these African movies was a relief as most of them observe African traditions, norms and values. Most of them can be viewed by the whole family without someone feeling uncomfortable. 

I have watched an ad-infinitum number of these movies, most of them with respectable people, but I don’t remember feeling out of place because of an uncomfortable scene. Don’t get me wrong, not all are perfect as we have some that are just replicas of the western films. Never mind them because today we are not dealing with those.

What made these films so popular are the touching themes that revolve around witchcraft, hatred, love, child abuse, Christianity and riches just but to mention a few. Amongst a barrage of criticisms on these movies is them possessing a predictable ending. If you watch one movie and if you happen to come across another one with the same theme, it is very easy to predict the ending and in most cases your prediction will be correct. The industry seems to be battling to deal with monotony and creativity when it comes to films.

Besides these criticisms, the industry managed to produce a lot of actors who are now famous. I don’t know whether they are rich or not but notable names from Nollywood are Ramsey Noah, Emeka Ike, the notorious midgets Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, Frances Nsokwu and Amaechi Muonagor, just but to mention a few. Forgive me dear reader, these are some of the names that just came into mind, in case I left one of your favourite actors.

Among these actors is one that I like to hate.  This woman plays her role so well that you won’t have any option but to hate her. Her real name is Patience Ozokwor, known by her name as Mama Azuka in one of the films. She is always good when it comes to acting as a ruthless, evil and greedy woman.

Mrs Uzokwor is a popular actress who plays the role of a wicked woman so well. In fact, many people find it difficult to separate her role in drama from her actions in real life

She is so popular when it comes to child abuse, especially her step children while pampering her own.  Step children are made to suffer and labour by tilling land, doing all the donkey work while her children are enjoying.

To be frank, I am still to come across a film where a mother mistreats her own children. We all know that, even if these films are based on fictitious stories, they reflect the way of life of a society and its people.

It is unfortunate that besides being fed up with these African movies, we continue experiencing and witnessing stranger than fiction scripts that are being written by some of our women today.

I really don’t know what is happening to humanity but what ever it is then we have been bewitched by the dead. Whatever is eroding mother’s love from most women in this country should be too powerful and seems to be irresistible as our media are awash with  a lot of awkward and bizarre stories of mothers ill-treating or even killing their own children because of something as little as 1000/-.

A Dar es Salaam woman was nabbed by the police for causing grievous bodily harm to her child after accusing him of stealing 1 000/-. The woman thought of the best and deterrent way of punishing the child, grabbed the nearby razor blade and cut the child’s hands.

The cuts were so deep and many that the child’s hands were greatly affected. Asked why she did it, the woman blamed it on anger. The visibly ashamed mother who had to hide her face by covering her head using a khanga said she could not control her anger.

However, after doing the hideous act, the woman failed to atone for her sins by helping the boy get medical treatment. She was dilly-dallying about the case until an alert teacher reported the case to the responsible authorities, leading to the mother’s arrest.

This is not the only case, they are too many to mention. The love for money is fast driving our women into mama Azukas, who stop at nothing as long as they get what they want.

Most people forget that children have rights too. Carrying a child in your womb for nine months does not give a person the right to ill-treat him. Just like in the African movies, the good will always prevail over the evil and the law usually takes it’s course. Woe to those who treat their own children, as if they were forced to have them, as they will face the music.

Whatever happened to the long-held belief that mlee mtoto atakulea kesho? How do today’s parents expect their children to look after them in their old age when they are mistreating them now.  Children are gifts from God and they need love and protection.

Parents should know that there is always a better way of disciplining a child. If we over do it, then we will be merely digging our own graves as that will have a negative impact on our children, who in most cases are left without choice but become thugs.

Though the law usually takes its own course, with the perpetrators facing the music, it remains sad, however, that by ill-treating a child, we are inflicting permanent scars that usually will have a direct bearing to their characters and behaviours.

The society should not fold hands and watch children being abused. They should confront those devious parents and rescue these innocent and defenseless children. It is everyone’s duty to make a better Tanzania by protecting children, who are leaders of tomorrow. God bless you.

W

Kanumba’s lover in court again

The late Tanzanian movie star, Steven Kanumba’s girlfriend, Elizabeth Michael |(17), popularly known as  ' Lulu' (In red dress  ) being escorted by police officers soon after a court hearing at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam today (April 23 2012).

Lulu was at the courts as her case, in which she suspected to have played a hand in the death of Kanumba, was due for mentioning. The State Prosecutor, Elizabeth Kaganda before Resident Magistrate, Rita Tarimo, said that investigations where still going on and incomplete hence Lulu was remanded in custody up to May 7 when the case will be due for mentioning.

. Picture/DAILY MITIKASI BLOG

Zimbabweans in Tanzania mark Independence Day

Zimbabweans living and working in Tanzania converged at Peacock Hotel in Dar es Salaam, during the weekend, to commemorate the country’s 32^nd Independence anniversary.

Addressing the gathering, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Tanzania, His Excellence EAC Chimonyo hailed Tanzania for playing an important role in the liberation of Africa as a whole.

 Ambassador Chimonyo

“We need to thank Tanzania, not only for accommodating us, but also for the whole Southern Africa to be liberated; it was because of this country. They sacrificed and in as much as we might talk about Zimbabwe being sanctioned, I need to remind you that Tanzania did suffer more than we are suffering.

“Tanzania played an important role and when we are here, we should be proud to be in a country which helped us to liberate Zimbabwe,” Ambassador Chimonyo said.

In his speech, he welcomed Dr Martin from Nigeria before explaining the role played by his country in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.

“When we talk of Frontline states, Nigeria did play an important role to Southern Africa and in particular Zimbabwe,” he said.

He took the opportunity to thank Zimbabweans for recognizing such an important day. “Let’s keep the spirit and remain united. Zimbabweans we are known for being educated and hard working but we lack cohesiveness. Togetherness is one thing that we lack and we should learn that from Dr Martins.

“Nigerians are good at doing that and I think this is one aspect that we need to instill in ourselves to enable that country to move forward,” he added.

Also addressing the same gathering, the Deputy Ambassador, Walter Sande, welcomed the guests before explaining that the event was belated due to the fact that many people were at work when Zimbabwe turned 32.

The event in pictures 
NB You are free to add your own captions

Of red ribbons in schools, segregation and demystifying HIV/AIDS

The coming in of the deadly virus, HIV/AIDS into this world has brought with it a lot of confusion into the lives of humanity as desperation is forcing people to embark on the most absurd things in the name of dealing with it.

So many people have run out of ideas to such an extent that they come up with ridiculous ways of dealing with the disease. And, of late, some schools in this country have been accused of forcing students who are suffering from such a disease to put on red ribbons so that they can be identified and treated with care. The other reason is that such students are exempted from doing manual work.

Though this might have been done with a clear conscience and with the aim to help and assist these students, this is discrimination at its best. This is not the only example as recently the MP for Nkasi North, Mr Ally Kessy Mohamed, refused to withdraw a statement he made in Parliament that people infected with HIV got it deliberately.

Whether it was a matter of ignorance, on AIDS, or was a deliberate move to court controversy by the legislator remains debatable but the fact remains that it’s a shame that people who are supposed to lead by example especially in fighting stigma and discrimination are the ones promoting it.

It seems when it comes to the disease, our leaders sometimes lose it as they continue to give not only fun but also awkward suggestions as to deal with the problem. A Senator in Zimbabwe, last year, was quoted as proposing that there be a drug to be injected on men to reduce their insatiable sexual desires so that they can have sex once a month, claiming that would curb the spread of HIV.

Sithembile Mlotshwa, the representative for Matobo, urged the Senate to support scientific research “into a substance that will make men lose (sexual) appetite”.

“We have looked at the use of condoms and abstinence but I still think we have to look at the rate of mating of human beings because through their mating, HIV is being spread,” Mlotshwa said while contributing to a debate on HIV/Aids and access to treatment.

She went on: “The only avenue left is for us as parliamentarians to decide or suggest reducing the appetite of men and their insatiable greed for women.

"If the scientists that we have here look into the issue of trying to inject men with a substance that will make them lose appetite, and use that chance once a month at home, I think that might help.”

Another bombshell erupted from Swaziland where a member of parliament came under fire for suggesting making HIV tests compulsory and branding warning logos on the buttocks of those with the disease.

"Before having sex with anyone, people will have to check their partners' buttocks before proceeding," he explained.

All these are contributions from legislators voted by people, who expect them not only to represent them in parliament but also to come up with sound policies that will go a long way in solving their problems such as HIV.

It is high time we deal with stigma and discrimination. There is no need to segregate those living with the virus because no one is immune to the virus. The problem with those people who segregate others is that they are living in darkness, they have never gone for an HIV test and they simply don't know their status. In most cases, it is a matter of a pot calling another pot black. Gone are the days of thinking that someone with the virus is an outcast especially if we do not know our status.

This leads to many people going into self denial when they later get tested and find out that they are HIV positive. I know of many people, including my relatives, who ended up dying, denying that they had the virus despite the doctors having told them so. They sought solace in witchcraft as they spent their fortune and time going around consulting traditional healers, who in most cases tell them what they want to hear. They are told that they had been bewitched by their relatives who are jealous of their progress in life. What a shame.

I think it is high time we demystify this disease and begin treating it like any other. We know that it is compulsory, in some countries, for children to undergo immunization against the five killer diseases such as polio, typhoid, measles and so on then why can't it be compulsory for HIV.

The secrecy surrounding the disease is the one that is killing us. If testing could be made compulsory and made mandatory that the results are not secretive as they are now, then all the mystery surrounding HIV will disappear and in the long run, will be treated as any other disease where people will be open about it. I believe that the reason we have a lot of stigma and discrimination is the fact that AIDS has been mystified and is viewed as taboo.

Governments, through out the world, especially in Africa should put in place laws compelling men and women to first of all get tested before getting married. Many lives could be saved that way as many people will get into their marriages knowing the status of their loved ones. This will then make them take precautionary measures and avoid infecting each other.

A lot of ground still has to be covered in as far as fighting this disease is concerned. It only takes us to change the perception we have of the disease. And, as of the students who are forced to put on red ribbons, that should stop forth with and it should be criminalized.

This causes these students not only to lose direction and be ashamed of themselves but also isolate them as society will segregate against them. Let’s stop this madness for the benefit of our children. God bless you all.

Of Kanumba lessons, recklessness and the wages of sin

HAPPY MOMENTS. . . . The late Steven Kanumba pictured with Lulu,an actor, who is being held by police over his death.

“Dust to dust” is the destiny of humanity and though it is painful it seems no one will escape from it. What makes even more mysterious is the fact that no one knows the day and time. In most cases, there are no warning signs to inform other people or the person who is about to finish his or her journey on earth of the impending departure.

This has made death more painful because today you are talking to a friend or relative then the other minute you are told that the person is no more. No matter how many deaths you come across in your family or of your friends, there is no way we can get used to it. It becomes more painful to those who would have remained.

We don't have proof yet whether the process of dying is painful, unless you have been involved in an accident but we know for sure that the death of a person is very difficult to stomach for many. Many people usually leave everything to fate; some will blame God for it while others will begin pointing fingers.

Tanzania was recently plunged into mourning after the sudden demise one of its gallant sons, who fought a hard fight to lift the flag high. The sudden and unexpected death of Steven Kanumba, who was popularly known as The Great in the film industry, was a heavy blow to an industry that was just starting to discover its feet, thanks to him.

The angel of death seems to have been busy in this country as many prominent people have been falling by the wayside one by one. But, it was the death of the movie hero that touched the hearts of many people. The death left a lot of broken hearts as his gap will prove very difficult to fill.

Kanumba was undoubtedly an unofficial ambassador of this country to the whole world as his films had started penetrating the African market, winning the hearts of many. His life can be likened to a flower whose life is usually cut short as it is plucked for decoration or given as a gift to loved ones. Its only crime will be that it would have blossomed and will be beautiful.

Dear reader, I write this column with a heavy heart after helplessly looking at some beloved people passing away but with nothing at all to do to prevent it. Likewise, so many people are still trying to come to terms with the sad reality that their loved ones are no more. A human being’s life is like a journey, it has the beginning and an ending.

It is a journey full of trials and tribulations. It is also full of love, hate, deception and so on. The Bible in one of the verses mentions that the wages of sin is death and since we have been given the right to choose, sometimes we become our own enemies and contribute to our own deaths. This, however, has over the years been overlooked by humanity and when ever a person dies, whether he was a criminal or a social misfit, many people usually choose to ignore all that and sometimes come to great pains in trying to paint the dead as a saint.

Like I have mentioned earlier on, death remains a mystery to humanity and a lot of differing views have been held concerning the after life, but what is important to note is that life on its own is sacred and should be respected.

We have had a lot of people who try to help God by shortening theirs or other people's lives. In fact, Africans have never accepted that a person can just die without a cause. I am saying so because that they believe a person should live his or her life to the fullest and once one fails to do that then there is always a witch involved. This has seen societies coining a saying that can be loosely translated into Swahili as kunapotokea kifo lazima kuna mchawi aliyehusika.

This has seen society deliberately ignoring the contributions of a person towards his or her own death but concentrate on witch hunting. The death of our movie star falls under such circumstances. I can’t comment much on this issue as it is in the courts, but the police are holding his girlfriend over the unexpected death.

Whether she is guilty or not, at this moment is not important because we leave it to the police and courts of law to do their work. What is important is that other artists learn form this incident and live a straight life. There is no need for someone to continue hogging the limelight for the wrong reasons.

Most of our artists in this country think that for them to be famous they have to live a reckless life. That is far from it and the media should learn to report the truth on them without fear or favour. There is no need to cry over spilt milk. What has happened has happened and what is left is for those who are there to put their houses in order.

We have a lot of artists in this country who are well known for wrong reasons. They are always in the papers and I believe they enjoy courting controversy. What they don’t know is that they are just digging their own graves.

What our fallen movie hero did cannot be condoned either. No one is denied the right to mix and mingle and have any relationship with anyone in this world but the taboo he did led to his death. Many people have been commenting on social website about his relationship with someone he groomed and according to many was still a child. Many people condemned him for it and were wondering as to when the relationship actually started. Speculation is rife that it might have started long back when the actress was still a child.

Forgive me dear reader, for going against a long held belief that we have to respect the dead and not talk any evil about them. What I am only doing dear reader is to try and make sure that the death of this great star be a lesson to various other artists who think that recklessness in life is the ticket to stardom. What they should know is that they are only digging their graves deeper and deeper until six feet under the ground.

Just have a look at some of the posts by different people on Facebook where they were discussing this issue. Names of the contributors have been removed for obvious reasons.

. . . trust me swala la a man of 28 years kumla mtoto wa miaka 17 imetosha awe fataki I don’t care kama utaniita mswahili au nini ila kama usiku wote huo unadhani huyo mtoto alikuwa mlinzi wake au?? It’s obvious something was going on.

. . .. true man was sin, tena mama yake inabidi aifungulie mashtaka familly ya Kanumba kwa mtoto wao kumharibu binti yake na kumdhallsha pia.

. . . .hahah kwani dokta cheni kafa kisa sijui kasukumwa na lulu?? thats why we are blaming him we unaimagine wakiact kwenye ile muvi kanamwambia uncle naenda shule kalikuwa kadogo then later anakuja mwambia baby I love u??? Hata kama ni kuwa fan vitu vingine sio uvifumbie macho

…. Me ni shabik mkubwa wa The Great, then nimecktka sana nilipopata taarifa kuwa amefariki, so katika ukweli tunasema kweli wala haina upendeleo, jamaa ana makosa coz hakustahil lulu kuwa mpenzi wake kwa sasababu ya umri, amefanya mengi mazuri but hii ndo aibu yake!

These are just contributions from wananchi who thought silence on the issue was not the best way. To tell you the truth dear reader, I was also one of the fans of The Great and he was pregnant with talent. Actually he made us proud and we will leave long to cherish him and his works but it is unfortunate that he had to go this way.

Let it stick into artists’ heads that HIV/AIDS is there and can kill. Being a player when it comes to love is equally dangerous as violence can lead to someone’s death, not to mention the virus. There is no need for someone to continue wearing the bad girl tag and becoming notorious of hopping from one bad to another.

It is a shame that many of the so called artists cannot contain fame and it leads them astray. Let me give free advice to you dear reader that life is not a rehearsal and once you destroy it, there is no turning back but you have to face the consequences. We are our own enemies so let’s guard jealously against self destruction. And, again let’s remember the wages of sin is death. God bless you all.

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

Mugabe returns from Singapore

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe returned home from Singapore this morning, looking fit and defying reports that he was seriously ill.

The 88-year-old leader bounded down the stairs of a white chartered plane, accompanied by his wife and was met at Harare's main airport by senior government officials, including his potential successor, vice president Joice Mujuru.

Mugabe did not speak to reporters and was whisked away in his official presidential motorcade.

Mugabe is one of Africa's longest serving leaders and has ruled the former British colony in southern Africa since 1980.

He is sharing power with political rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in a fragile coalition formed three years ago

Indonesia Aceh quake triggers Indian Ocean tsunami alert

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6 has struck under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said a tsunami had been generated but its likely impact was not yet clear.

It advised national authorities across the Indian Ocean region to "take appropriate action".

The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed 170,000 people in Aceh.

One official quoted by Reuters said a 17cm (6.7in) tsunami had been generated and was heading for the coast of Aceh.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which documents quakes worldwide, said the Aceh quake was centred 33km (20 miles) under the sea about 495km from Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.

It was initially reported as 8.9 magnitude but was later revised down to 8.6 by the USGS. Strong aftershocks were also reported.

The PTWC alert said quakes of such a magnitude "have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin".

A later alert said that sea level readings indicated a tsunami was generated and that it "may already have been destructive along some coasts".

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reports in the capital that there had been no tsunami reports so far, "but we remain vigilant".

"Our warning system is working well, and I have ordered the national relief team to fly immediately to Aceh to ensure the situation is under control and to take any necessary action," he said.

Bruce Presgrave of the USGS said that the quake was caused by the earth moving horizontally, rather than vertically, therefore had not displaced large volumes of water.

"We can't rule out the possibility, but horizontal motion is less likely to produce a destructive tsunami," he said.

Sutopo, a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, said electricty was down in Aceh and there were traffic jams to access higher ground.

"Sirens and Koran recitals from mosques are everywhere," he told Reuters.
'Minute of chaos'

The earthquake monitoring agency in Indonesia said the tsunami warning would remain in place for another few hours, but that there had been no reports so far of a low tide, which would indicate the water was receding before building into a tsunami.
Map showing the location of the earthquake

The tremor was felt as far away as Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.

"There was a tremor felt by all of us working in the building," a man called Vincent in Calcutta, India, said.

"All just ran out of the building and people were asked not to use the elevator. There was a minute of chaos where all started ringing up to their family and asking about their well-being."

The Thai office of disaster management said people along the coasts of Phuket, Phang Na and Andaman province should heed warnings and evacuate.

Tsunami warning sirens, set up in many vulnerable areas after the 2004 disaster, were heard in Phuket, where correspondents said people were calmly following evacuation routes to safe zones.

Indonesia straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of major seismic activity.

Source: BBC

Panic grips Dar es Salaam as Tsunami warning is issued

Many offices have been evacuated following an unconfirmed Tsunami warning alert. the Tsunami warning has been doing rounds on the social media in Dar es Salaam and has seen some people panicking and closing their offices.

Below is the warning:

TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001
PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS
ISSUED AT 0845Z 11 APR 2012

THIS BULLETIN IS FOR ALL AREAS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN.

... AN INDIAN-OCEAN-WIDE TSUNAMI WATCH IS IN EFFECT ...

A TSUNAMI WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR

INDONESIA / INDIA / SRI LANKA / AUSTRALIA / MYANMAR / THAILAND /
MALDIVES / UNITED KINGDOM / MALAYSIA / MAURITIUS / REUNION /
SEYCHELLES / PAKISTAN / SOMALIA / OMAN / MADAGASCAR / IRAN /
UAE / YEMEN / COMORES / BANGLADESH / TANZANIA / MOZAMBIQUE /
KENYA / CROZET ISLANDS / KERGUELEN ISLANDS / SOUTH AFRICA /
SINGAPORE

THIS BULLETIN IS ISSUED AS ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ONLY
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE
DECISIONS REGARDING THE OFFICIAL STATE OF ALERT IN THEIR AREA AND
ANY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN RESPONSE.

AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

ORIGIN TIME - 0839Z 11 APR 2012
COORDINATES - 2.0 NORTH 92.5 EAST
LOCATION - OFF W COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA
MAGNITUDE - 8.7

EVALUATION

EARTHQUAKES OF THIS SIZE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GENERATE A
WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMI THAT CAN AFFECT COASTLINES ACROSS
THE ENTIRE INDIAN OCEAN BASIN.

HOWEVER - IT IS NOT KNOWN THAT A TSUNAMI WAS GENERATED. THIS
WATCH IS BASED ONLY ON THE EARTHQUAKE EVALUATION. AUTHORITIES IN
THE REGION SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THE
POSSIBILITY OF A WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTIVE TSUNAMI.

ESTIMATED INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE ARRIVAL TIMES AT FORECAST POINTS
WITHIN THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS ARE GIVEN BELOW. ACTUAL
ARRIVAL TIMES MAY DIFFER AND THE INITIAL WAVE MAY NOT BE THE
LARGEST. A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF WAVES AND THE TIME BETWEEN
SUCCESSIVE WAVES CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO ONE HOUR.

LOCATION FORECAST POINT COORDINATES ARRIVAL TIME
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------
INDONESIA SIMEULUE 2.5N 96.0E 0921Z 11 APR
BANDA_ACEH 5.5N 95.1E 0931Z 11 APR
SIBERUT 1.5S 98.7E 0941Z 11 APR
PADANG 0.9S 100.1E 1017Z 11 APR
BENGKULU 3.9S 102.0E 1038Z 11 APR
CILACAP 7.8S 108.9E 1205Z 11 APR
BANDAR_LAMPUNG 5.7S 105.3E 1213Z 11 APR
BALI 8.7S 115.3E 1253Z 11 APR
KUPANG 10.0S 123.4E 1338Z 11 APR
BELAWAN 3.8N 98.8E 1348Z 11 APR
BALI 8.7S 115.3E 1253Z 11 APR
INDIA GREAT_NICOBAR 7.1N 93.6E 0937Z 11 APR
LITTLE_ANDAMAN 10.7N 92.3E 1016Z 11 APR
PORT_BLAIR 11.9N 92.7E 1032Z 11 APR
NORTH_ANDAMAN 13.3N 92.6E 1052Z 11 APR
CHENNAI 13.4N 80.4E 1127Z 11 APR
KAKINADA 17.2N 82.7E 1205Z 11 APR
TRIVANDRUM 8.3N 76.9E 1208Z 11 APR
MANGALORE 13.3N 74.4E 1336Z 11 APR
BOMBAY 18.8N 72.6E 1608Z 11 APR
GULF_OF_KUTCH 22.7N 68.9E 1634Z 11 APR
SRI LANKA DONDRA_HEAD 5.9N 80.6E 1039Z 11 APR
TRINCOMALEE 8.7N 81.3E 1051Z 11 APR
COLOMBO 6.9N 79.8E 1120Z 11 APR
JAFFNA 9.9N 80.0E 1231Z 11 APR
AUSTRALIA COCOS_ISLAND 12.1S 96.7E 1045Z 11 APR
NORTH_WEST_CAPE 21.5S 113.9E 1314Z 11 APR
CAPE_INSPIRATIO 25.9S 113.0E 1413Z 11 APR
PERTH 32.0S 115.3E 1420Z 11 APR
AUGUSTA 34.3S 114.7E 1440Z 11 APR
GERALDTOWN 28.6S 114.3E 1459Z 11 APR
CAPE_LEVEQUE 16.1S 122.6E 1506Z 11 APR
ESPERANCE 34.0S 121.8E 1615Z 11 APR
KINGSTON_SOUTH_ 37.0S 139.4E 1748Z 11 APR
HEARD_ISLAND 54.0S 73.5E 1802Z 11 APR
EUCLA_MOTEL 31.8S 128.9E 1836Z 11 APR
HOBART 43.3S 147.6E 1901Z 11 APR
DARWIN 12.1S 130.7E 1935Z 11 APR
MYANMAR CHEDUBA_ISLAND 18.9N 93.4E 1149Z 11 APR
CHEDUBA_ISLAND 18.9N 93.4E 1149Z 11 APR
PYINKAYAING 15.9N 94.3E 1150Z 11 APR
SITTWE 20.0N 92.9E 1226Z 11 APR
MERGUI 12.8N 98.4E 1316Z 11 APR
YANGON 16.5N 96.4E 1507Z 11 APR
THAILAND PHUKET 8.0N 98.2E 1118Z 11 APR
KO_PHRA_THONG 9.1N 98.2E 1223Z 11 APR
KO_TARUTAO 6.6N 99.6E 1256Z 11 APR
MALDIVES GAN 0.6S 73.2E 1137Z 11 APR
MINICOV 8.3N 73.0E 1210Z 11 APR
MALE 4.2N 73.6E 1211Z 11 APR
UNITED KINGDOM DIEGO_GARCIA 7.3S 72.4E 1153Z 11 APR
MALAYSIA GEORGETOWN 5.4N 100.1E 1311Z 11 APR
PORT_DICKSON 2.5N 101.7E 1810Z 11 APR
MAURITIUS PORT_LOUIS 20.0S 57.3E 1455Z 11 APR
REUNION ST_DENIS 20.8S 55.2E 1512Z 11 APR
SEYCHELLES VICTORIA 4.5S 55.6E 1516Z 11 APR
PAKISTAN GWADAR 25.1N 62.4E 1536Z 11 APR
KARACHI 24.7N 66.9E 1644Z 11 APR
SOMALIA CAPE_GUARO 11.9N 51.4E 1539Z 11 APR
HILALAYA 6.4N 49.1E 1540Z 11 APR
MOGADISHU 2.0N 45.5E 1558Z 11 APR
KAAMBOONI 1.5S 41.9E 1623Z 11 APR
OMAN MUSCAT 23.9N 58.6E 1540Z 11 APR
SALALAH 16.9N 54.1E 1547Z 11 APR
DUQM 19.7N 57.8E 1556Z 11 APR
MADAGASCAR ANTSIRANANA 12.1S 49.5E 1544Z 11 APR
TOAMASINA 17.8S 49.6E 1551Z 11 APR
MANAKARA 22.2S 48.2E 1610Z 11 APR
MAHAJANGA 15.4S 46.2E 1653Z 11 APR
CAP_STE_MARIE 25.8S 45.2E 1713Z 11 APR
TOLIARA 23.4S 43.6E 1733Z 11 APR
IRAN GAVATER 25.0N 61.3E 1546Z 11 APR
UAE FUJAIRAH 25.1N 56.4E 1621Z 11 APR
YEMEN AL_MUKALLA 14.5N 49.2E 1626Z 11 APR
ADEN 13.0N 45.2E 1726Z 11 APR
COMORES MORONI 11.6S 43.3E 1644Z 11 APR
BANGLADESH CHITTAGONG 22.7N 91.2E 1651Z 11 APR
TANZANIA LINDI 9.8S 39.9E 1659Z 11 APR
DAR_ES_SALAAM 6.7S 39.4E 1732Z 11 APR
MOZAMBIQUE CABO_DELGADO 10.7S 40.7E 1701Z 11 APR
ANGOCHE 15.5S 40.6E 1720Z 11 APR
QUELIMANE 18.0S 37.1E 1841Z 11 APR
MAPUTO 25.9S 32.8E 1959Z 11 APR
BEIRA 19.9S 35.1E 2016Z 11 APR
KENYA MOMBASA 4.0S 39.7E 1706Z 11 APR
CROZET ISLANDS CROZET_ISLANDS 46.4S 51.8E 1733Z 11 APR
KERGUELEN ISLAN PORT_AUX_FRANCA 49.0S 69.1E 1815Z 11 APR
SOUTH AFRICA PRINCE_EDWARD_I 46.6S 37.6E 1907Z 11 APR
DURBAN 29.8S 31.2E 1910Z 11 APR
PORT_ELIZABETH 33.9S 25.8E 2006Z 11 APR
CAPE_TOWN 34.1S 18.0E 2109Z 11 APR
SINGAPORE SINGAPORE 1.2N 103.8E 2351Z 11 APR

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Kanumba’s final journey

Grief, confusion and disappointment describe the experience of mourners who braved the scotching sun to throng Leaders’ Club and Kinondoni Cemetery to pay their last respect to their fallen hero, movie star Steven Charles Kanumba.



Firstly, the ceremony at Leaders’ Club was cut short after the unprecedented turnout of mourners created confusion, slowly deteriorating into a disaster. Police officers had to use force to control mourners who were jostling to have a glimpse of their star and after they had been the opportunity, they pushed and shoved to get a chance to at least have a glimpse at the casket.

Secondly, many mourners returned to their homes a disappointed lot after failing to pay their last respect to their loved actor. Poor planning is to blame for the commotion and confusion that gripped the accession.

The hearse carrying Kanumba’s body arrived around 10am at Leader’s grounds where thousands of mourners had already gathered to pay their last respect. The occasion was graced by the Vice President of the Republic of Tanzania, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, the First Lady Mama Salma Kikwete, ministers, MPs and senior government officials.

The ceremony was also attended by Kanumba’s colleagues (actors) various artistes including musicians and people from all walks of life.


Thousands of people thronged Leaders' Club and Kinondoni cemetery to pay their last respects to their hero, movie star, Steven Kanumba. Mourners from all walks of life scrambled to have the last glimpse of their fallen hero.

Speaker after speaker praised Kanumba for his role in developing the film industry in this country. And indeed, like a flower plucked out while still blooming, the 28-year-old died a sudden death that is still shrouded in obscurity.

Meanwhile the late actor’s girlfriend, Lulu, is said to have opened up on what happened and according to police, she will be taken to court soon.

Rest in Peace Kanumba, though you might be physically dead, your works will live longer.

Kanumba burial today

The late Tanzanian movie star, Steven Charles Kanumba, who died on Friday last week will be buried at Kinondoni Cemetery this morning. Thousands of artists and movie lovers will get the chance to pay their last respects to the fallen star at leaders' club this morning.

The Movie star died at his residence in Sinza last week. His girlfriend, who is also an actor, is being held by the police over the sudden death. Watch this space for more information.

Tanzania’s Kanumba The Great dies

Tanzania’s greatest movie star, Steven Kanumba also known as The Great has died. Many people in this country woke up to the shocking news of the star’s death, throwing the country into mourning. Though the cause of his death is still shrouded, it is believed that it was as a result of a misunderstanding at his home with his lover. Finer details are still to be made public.
The film industry in this country has been thrown into confusion with the sudden and unexpected death of the star. Scores of mourners have gathered at his home in Sinza to honour their hero.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda, this morning, visited the star’s home to pay his condolences. Kanumba will be remembered for his contribution to the film industry in this country.
Many actors in this country could not hide their emotions as they narrated how Kanumba The Great helped them or developed their talents. Watch this space for more details.
RIP Steven Charles Kanumba.

Joyce Banda takes over Malawi leadership

Malawi’s Vice President Joyce Banda has taken over the country’s leadership after the confirmation of the death of the President, Bingu wa Mutharika. This comes two days after wa Mutharika suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday , throwing the country into confusion and suspense as the government remained tight lipped over the President’s condition.
The confirmation of Banda as the President allays fears of the country being thrown into a constitutional crisis as she had been expelled from the ruling party in 2010. Details of the late president’s burial arrangements are still to be availed.
Rest in Peace Cde Bingu, you have fought a good fight.

Happy Easter Holidays

The management and editorial team at BongoBlast wishes our valued readers happy and safe Easter holidays. God bless you.