Beyond basic needs
By Peter Temu
Poverty eradication is the satisfaction of basic needs. But economic development, to which all countries aspire, goes way beyond that.
You cannot think seriously about development, let alone do much about it, when you are weighed down by anxiety about where your next meal will come from.
That is why poverty eradication is naturally prior to development.
Just as a man must be able to stand on his own feet before he can walk or run, so people at the family level be able to “make ends meet“ before their national development efforts can bear fruit.
Last week, while discussing development-inhibiting factors, I singled out witchcraft as the villain of the piece. To this, I would now add poor health and the lack of education and training.
These factors together tend to interact in mutual aggravation, and they jointly militate against the war on poverty.
It is absolutely imperative for people, with state assistance if necessary, to ensure that good health standards are maintained, and minimum educational and training needs met.
It seems evident, therefore, that if the war against poverty is to be won, relentless efforts must be made concurrently at the family level, at the level of the local community, and at the national level, to address the development-inhibiting factors.
Importance of Leadership
History demonstrates that successful performance at any of these levels depends more on good leadership than on technology, financial resources, or any other single factor.
Experience also confirms that in the absence of good leadership, even large injections of funds from the outside (including foreign expertise) will go to waste.
Once the basic needs have been met, the real development task what we euphemistically call `nation building` - can begin in earnest.
What, then, is the way forward?
No one has the magic answer not the government, not the myriad of so-called development agencies, not the learned professors, and certainly not this author.
We should all as citizens, therefore, feel free - perfectly free - to contribute to the debate as best we can.
The bottom line is that the development of our people, by our people, must have its own indigenous roots: it cannot be a mere transplant or carbon copy of some cherished model imported from the outside.
This does not mean, of course, that we have nothing to learn from the outside world.
On the contrary, we have much to learn from the achievements of others, as well as from their failures.
Their achievements lie in the spheres of savings and investment, science and technology, modernization, the market economy, employment creation and income generation, and in their ability to plan for the future.
Their failures, on the other hand, normally stem from the excesses associated with these very achievements; and from criminal activity (such as money laundering) which typically accompanies development in this era of globalization.
All in all, it is a tall order, but we have to come to grips with it.
If in the forthcoming weeks, these presentations, and the feedback that they generate, bring us closer to an understanding of the development process in Tanzania, and of the way we can speed it up, this column of The Guardian will have served its purpose.
I like to devote the little space still available to making a few observations on leadership and the fight against corruption, both of which are at the core of our country’s development problems.
In Tanzania as in any other country, development has to be spearheaded by members of society with the right leadership qualities: those who have more than just the charismatic ability to make eloquent speeches and capture electoral votes; and who possess the honesty and the moral integrity to put national interests first and their own interests second.
At present, Tanzania is awash with huge corruption scandals witness the ongoing saga about Richmond, Buzwagi, and the Bank of Tanzania.
Corruption on such a grand scale is crippling: not only does it slow down the country`s development momentum, but it causes ordinary citizens to lose faith in their national leaders.
Unfortunately, too much lip-service and window-dressing still characterises our `fight` against corruption.
If the Prevention of Corruption Bureau, the official anti-corruption watchdog, is itself being accused of corruption, Tanzania is truly up against impossible odds!
Forget the lack of investment funds. Forget the brain drain.
Forget HIV/AIDS. Forget all development obstacles due to poverty, illiteracy, ill-health, lack of education, poor infrastructure, and the rest.
The blunt truth is that as long as corruption on the present scale continues, the country is doomed.
What is required is a massive clean-up: a bold and merciless exercise, which will put President Kikwete`s leadership to a severe test.
Source: The Guardian
Z’bar clubs receives cash for CAF tourneys
ZANZIBAR representatives in the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions have received cash boosts from the Isles government ahead of their preliminary round campaigns.
Chipukizi’s Vice Chairman Faki Othman Shariff and Miembeni coach Seleman Jabir confirmed to the ‘Daily News’ today that the government was due to hand them 10m/- each. Chipukizi will launch their Confederation Cup campaign against Green Buffaloes of Zambia, while Miembeni will play Mamelodi Sundown of South Africa mid this month.
“We expect to receive our cheques today (yesterday),” said Jabir, addoing that the cash would enable them prepare adequately and go progress in this year’s championships. He said they have been analysing their opponent’s video tapes almost everyday.
“We now know their strengths and weaknesses. They are tactically a very good side,” he said. He insisted that the South Africans are beatable saying the players just need to concentrate and follow his instructions.
“Zanzibar teams have been fairing poorly in the continental competitions because of various factors but the major is lack cognitive training. Training that will prepare players understand, concentrate, think and make tactical decisions,” he said.
Jabir said he has endeavored to change the trend by introducing cognitive training in his squad. He also said that he has changed the formation of play that Miembeni was using from what he described as ineffective 3-5-2 to 4-4-2.
The coach said his team would play a final build up match against Simba at the Amaan Stadium on February 11. Simba are preparing for a Champions League preliminary round match against Awassa of Ethiopia.
On his part Chipukizi Vice Chairman whose team would play Green Eagles of Zambia at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba on February 16, said players are ready for the battle. “Our players are ready for the match. We played several build up matches that has helped to improve players’ confidence,” he said.
Source: Daily News
Kikwete Dissolves cabinet
President Jakaya Kikwete has accepted resignation of Prime Minister Edward Lowassa tendered yesterday morning, and has dissolved the cabinet, according to a press statement issued by State House last night from Dodoma.
State House sources said that the President is expected to announce a new cabinet anytime from now.
Political observers are considering front runners for the post of the Prime Minister the current Foreign Minister, Mr Bernard Membe, and the Minister for Local Governments, Mizengo Pinda.
However, they did not rule President Kikwete picking completely an outsider to oversee the government’s affairs.
Source: Daily News
Kenya talks resume, African ministers arrive
By NAIROBI
East African foreign ministers arrived in Kenya yesterday for a meeting the opposition has threatened to demonstrate against, while the rival sides hammered away at talks to end the post-election crisis.
The opposition has threatened more street protests if the government holds today`s planned meeting of the seven-nation, regional bloc IGAD, whose rotating chairmanship is now held by President Mwai Kibaki.
Kenya`s government is banking on goodwill in African diplomatic circles-earned from years as a continental peacemaker - to win support for its view that the opposition should challenge the vote in court, not in the streets.
IGAD issued a communique last week that backed that position, while supporting the talks. The opposition argues that Kenya`s institutions are too flawed or biased to do the job.
Former UN chief Kofi Annan, mediating between the opposing sides about a disputed election, has chided the opposition for threatening mass action while talks were under way.
For a second day, he pushed the two sides to focus on the election dispute.
The opposition says Kibaki stole the vote and does not recognise him as the victor, while the government says he was legally elected and the opposition should make it challenge in court.
The bloodshed ensuing from the Dec. 27 election has seriously harmed Kenya`s image as a stable and prosperous country in a turbulent part of Africa.
Source: The Guardian
Sarkozy to sign UAE nuclear accord
Paris: French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that he will sign a nuclear cooperation deal with the UAE during his regional tour.
Sarkozy is travelling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE this week. He is due in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday where he is expected to sign the accord on developing civilian nuclear energy.
France has already made similar agreements with Algeria and Libya.
Sarkozy said Arab countries should have the rights to civilian nuclear programmes being enjoyed by other countries.
"The sharing of civilian nuclear [technology] will be one of the foundations of a pact of confidence which the West must forge with the Islamic world," Sarkozy said after signing a deal with Algeria last month.
Sarkozy’s latest move comes as US President George W. Bush tours the region to rally support for his policy of isolating Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
Source: Gulf News