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Topic : Global 2013 Human Development Report: the rise of the South  
 

Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse

World The 21st century is witnessing a profound shift in global dynamics, driven by the fast-rising new powers of the developing world. China has overtaken Japan as the world’s second biggest economy, lifting hundreds of mi ...Click here to read more

     
Comments From TAKNET Members
Abdallah Hassan  : Thursday, June 6, 2013    
  Dear TAKNET members,

We would like to thank you all, more especially those who participated in one way or another to make the discussion on the 2013 Human Development Report a success. We received a lot of useful contributions that will be synthesized to a policy brief. We will share with you the brief once it is out.

We shall close this discussion topic today, get prepared for yet another interesting discussion that will start tomorrow!

Regards

A.K. Hassan

 
     

Dr Abel Alfred Kinyondo  : Tuesday, June 4, 2013    
  The 2015 general elections in Tanzania will be a key to either major economic breakthrough for the country or doom. What we should not forget is the fact that with all their various flaws, successes in the likes of Brazil have coincided with improved governance and respect to human rights ingredients which are seriously lacking in Tanzania. If voters choose right MPs and therefore better parliament, we could be heading for a brighter future. On a positive note though, I am glad that Judge Warioba's white paper (report) on constitution is positive and significantly progressive. I choose to be optimistic and believe things will change for the better post 2015 elections.  
     

elphone  : Tuesday, June 4, 2013    
  As we look for the future and prosperity of our motherland Tanzania every citizen of this country should consider the national integrity is one of the basic fundamental of our national if we wish seriously to grow into advanced technology and attain first class development,it is wonderful we notice growing number of day to day serious events taking place in this country will plunge the national and completely ruin dreams for any hope to reaching developed level. we are loosing national our national unity.  
     

ANTHONY GIKURI  : Tuesday, June 4, 2013    
  Mr. Izak and the fellow and dear colleagues,

I think we should not underestimate the language of communication in learning institutions in our country. Personally, I think there is a need to rethink the history of our education. What can say about the quality of education before independence and during the first decade of independent Tanzania? Most likely some of you will agree with me that many of the secondary leavers were capable to demonstrate their knowledge and skills when recruited to take on new jobs. Ok, I can not also underestimate the many factors that constitute the so-called quality education. If we are to be sincere, we will all agree that there is a serious problem with the medium of communication in our schools from elementary to tertiary levels.

Learning from the last year`s form four final examination results, We can see that language of communication has an outstanding role to play in the learning process. We build the foundation of a child for more than 9 years in Kiswahili(Kindergarten to Std 7), abruptly, we switch to English. In my opinion, in form one a student starts learning afresh language while expected to use the same in learning different subjects. Is it possible? Therefore the ultimate outcome is mass failure. TO BE SINCERE, how many of us send our children to these schools? Don't we take them to English medium schools (of course including the leaders). I have two suggestions. First let us declare Kiswahili the official learning language from elementary to tertiary.

Alternatively, let us do away with politics and decisively, promote English as an official language from lower to higher learning institutions. Dear colleagues, who in our midst will refute the fact that our university graduates are not in ailing condition? Are we not the victim of the same education system? I think we need to broaden our minds and avoid compromising with political propaganda.

Anthony Gikuri

Kizumbi Campus

Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies

P.O.BOX 469

SHINYANGATanzaniaMobile +255713634382/+25589448244/+255768805441Website:

www.muccobs.ac.tz

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Tuesday, June 4, 2013    
  Dear Colleagues,

I think we are missing the whole point! Or are we made to miss it? The whole point is that the time has come for Africa, in this century, to declare 'African Economic Liberation Struggle'! Last century was 'Africa's Political Liberation Struggle'. Our African Founding Fathers fought tooth and nail, and sacrificed themselves to make sure that Africans would become politically independent. But, as you all know very well, what is the point of an economically void political independence? Significantly, Tanzania was the Headquarters of OAU (then) Liberation Committee. This century Tanzania should be the AU Economic Liberation Committee Headquarters.

For that reason, non-economically liberated African countries need to adjust their thinking about the role of international development assistance (IDA) on ‘poverty reduction’. Instead we should begin

to think in terms of ‘economic liberation’ from dependency on aid. To initiate the struggle, I am currently reviewing literature explaining why some countries are wealthy and others are still economically subjugated, i.e. they are not yet self-reliant. History has repeatedly shown that the process of building up self-reliance in manufacturing and improving the productivity of agriculture leads to wealth creation and long-term sustained economic liberation.

Furthermore, industrialization and increased agricultural productivity are interdependent processes. Later on, I hope to mobilize people to discuss about ending Africa's poverty by shifting back to consideration of liberative (not ‘liberalized’!) economic transformation and the role only ethical foreign aid, to start with, can reasonably play in achieving these objectives. Later on, I will work on a critique of mainstream economics to show its theoretical unsuitability in ensuring Sustainable and Green Economic Development in the period of post-2015 MDGs.

CDNKassala

 
     

Dr Abel Alfred Kinyondo  : Wednesday, May 22, 2013    
  Some interesting comments out there. Will be joining the discussion soon. I am glad I joined this network.  
     

Danford Sango  : Friday, May 10, 2013    
  Dear Ishengoma,

I look at the issue of “mixed results” you have brought up as a very important dimension to the discussion. You have mentioned about achievements in enrollments BUT low pass rates & low overall quality of education. You can also cite high economic growth rates BUT little reduction of (income) poverty. The list is long. This line of thinking resonates well with a perplexing question I have been pondering upon in connection to Rise of the South report – Given such kind of mixed results, does Tanzania as a country has a reason to celebrate the (good) news of rising south? Or should we say that YES we have a reason to celebrate plus a BUT at the midst of the celebration?

Sango

 
     

Bariki Karosi Kaale  : Friday, May 10, 2013    
  Dear members

Change from maintaining a position to maintaining a function

Thanks to Hon Ishengoma wisdom. The main problem in Tanzania that is contributing to our underveleopment is that many policy makers and implementors of programmes are maintaining a position and not a function also in most cases we do not take into account value for money for our implemented programmes. Main trend is to spend money annually but with little tangible field results.

For example, we planned MKUKUTA One - but at the end the number of poor people in Tanzania increased by over 1.7 million during the plan period.. Planners of MKUKUTA one (we) should be held responsible to explain why our plans failed and why we should not be dismissed due to the failure. This is not taking place, instead most of the planners of MKUKUTA one -continued to plan for MKUKUTA Two - currently with poor early results i.e in eduction - leading to maintain a position by the experts..

Even if we experience mass failures of our students - teachers and education policy makers continue to get their salaries - hence maintaining a position. In April 2013 I had some discussion with four students (relatives) who completed form four last year and failed. I asked them a simple question - Four dogs have a total of how many legs?. One said 7 legs, the other 17 legs, one was silent and the final one after five minutes indicated 28 legs. They had difficulties to multiply 4 X 7. For sure the students require our concerted efforts to maintain academic standards and not only raising their pass marks as currently proposed.

Deforestation and degradation of our forests in all regions has reached a critical point causing drying of springs, streams and even large rivers resulting to increasing water shortage for human consumption and power generation. Instead of enforcing conservation of water catchment areas, current priority is on laying pipes that will have no water in the near future. Trillions of shillings allocated to the water ministry will be spent and workers paid even if millions of Tanzanians will continue to experience increasing water scarcithy. In this case, experts we shall be paid for maintaining a position.

Kazimzumbwi and Pugu Central Government Forest reserves that are the lungs of Dar es Salaam and located only 25 km from the national core of Government Policy makers (Dar es Salaam) have been cleared resulting to continued floods and water scarcity in Dar es Salaam and Coast region. In this case ministries responsible for conserving the forests are paid for maintaining a position while millions of Tanzanin are suffering from the effects of the on ongoing deforestation.

Drastic efforts are required to change the attitude of maintaining a position to maintaining a function with tangible results and value for money for implemented programmes and activities. The change will be an answer to the wisdom provided by Hon Ishengoma and will contribute to equitable growth of our nation. We could list and share specific expereinces where experts we have maintained a position and not function hence the need for change.

Sincerely

Bariki K. Kaale

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Friday, May 10, 2013    
  Thanks very much Abdallah for sharing. I will go through the literature and write a critical review.

CDNKassala

 
     

Jones Kapeleka  : Friday, May 10, 2013    
  Dear people,

The issue of development and poverty can be argued in different ways huku watu wakilaumiana na kunyosheana vidole. But there is something we need to ask our selves: What is it that we are doing wrong for the past 50 years of independence such that poverty is still a problem? I don't agree that Africans can not solve our problems without western help! African problems will be solved by Africans, ni mpaka hapo tutakapokubali ukweli huu ndipo fikra za kila mmoja zitabalika, otherwise, hizo MDG, na hata zingine zitakazokuja zitakuwa opportunities for western world to perpetuate poverty in our continent! Have we ever asked ourselves, NGOs both local, regional and international zimekuwepo kwa miaka mingapi? Na zote are either humanitarian, charity ama majina mazuri, na zote targeting the poor! Then why are people still power? External support has shown no success in fighting hunger and poverty, instead they are fighting hunger and poverty of those running them and their metropolitan organizations. Lets learn from China, one western guy wrote a book " Who will Feed China"? The Chinese responded by word and committed themselves by deed " Chinese will feed China", and they did it! Nobody knows our problems except ourselves, and nobody will solve our problems excepts ourselves. In my view, there will be no universal standards such as MDG cutting across, but we Africans should define poverty and decide how to tackle it with our limited resources and technological advancement, no mutter how long will it take us. How long did it take Europe to kick-out malaria for instance? And why do they need Africa to kick it out in 5 year? Lets be Africans, think African to solve African challenges.

 
     

wilson ernest loth  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  yes it true that Tanzania have been improving every year but at a normal level not as much as china or Brazil grow because of one thing i think , and that thing is we lack good institutional arrangements. Tanzania as a country have many goals to accomplish but there are no good rules which can provide welfare among individuals that is why we are still poor.  
     

wence mushi  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Dear all,

I salute the many of you who have indeed given stimulating observations on the issue of development. Indeed the question that should be uppermost whenever we are on the subject of development is: Development for whom? Do we sincerely know what, those we seek to see develop along the path we theoretically chart here, want? I say so aware that there are many of those young men and women termed as average minds, in their struggle to survive, engaging in innovations, which can make a big contributions locally but are sadly overlooked and thus not supported adequately. Yet our nascent industrial base (nurtured during Mwalimu Nyerere's era) was 'killed' mainly by the cheap imported substitutes, which many of the averaged minds in our midst could have easily managed to make locally. But todate we mostly choose not to see or acknowledge enough the resourcefulness (innovations) in our midst. Unless we train ourselves to see, recognise and nurture the talent in our youths (of whatever level of educational achievement), we are bound to continue viewing and describing our youth as a burdensome population, a time-bomb rather than the productive force it is, if given material support and encouragement. While I do not dispute the need to 'steal technology', made easier by the advent of the Information Highway, I still see a greater need to scout and nurture the plentiful talent in our midst as a nation if our Development Vision is to be realised.

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Dear Dastan,

Yes the economy is growing in terms of production, but it is shrinking in terms of distribution! More and more of production is given to less and less people! The reason is: the model being followed does not take into account the distribution or the demand side! How many can benefit from the growth/production if the opportunities or the structures/systems open more and more doors to the few who already have? Even in the case of agriculture: there is more shouting for increasing production, but hardly anybody shouts for the fair or more equitable distribution of the produce, directly or indirectly! Unfortunately the indexes or statistics to tell us the distribution/demand side of the economy can hardly explain why the gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' is increasing. Consider the way the HDI is calculated: its methodology is still embedded in the mainstrean economics logic, that of the market, where everything is a commodity - i.e. on sale. Given in the unjust distribution of income, haow many can afford to join the market and but the necessary needs for survival?

Yes, you are right: we are leaderless! We lack critical thinking leaders, and to be so you do not have to be a politician! Unfortunaytely many people think that to be a leader one has to be a politician! The moment you begin to think critically, eloquently, persuasively and insighfully everybody says 'You should be an MP or a diwani, for that matter!' And there is no unfortunate mistake to join politics if you are such a thinker, because you lose all your cognitive and cerebral freedom!

CDNKassala

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Dear Sallu,

What you say about China and India was possible because of one thing which in Africa we do not have, that is the cultural embeddedness of our infrastructure systems. One aspect of this kind of embeddeness is language as a cognitive technology. The Indians and the Chinese know the critical instrumentarity of language in bringing about economic or development revolution! Unfortunately, in Africa the majority - who have not yet been de-rooted by western-orinted education - are not able to think together with the academia, the corporate or the governement for that matter! In the sebenties of eighties when Tanzanians could think together - through the facilitation of Mwalimu Nyerere and through kiswahili - one of the HDI factors (i.e. literarcy) was the highest in Africa! the question here is: How does a nation think together if the media of communication and the technology for thinking are different? How can education/knoweldge/skills acquired in English - with its Western cognitive load - be translated into culturally relevant cognitive categories for the majority to make use of it in the endeavour for development? India and China are where they are now because their language policies and planning are coherent with the socio-cultural infrastructure of their societies. In the case of many African countries, language plocies and planning are very ineffective because they do not - if at all they are there - 'resonate' with the socio-cultural or cognitive realities prevailing in the majority of Africans!

CDNKassala

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Thanks Gideon for the compliment!

Let us continue thinking together!

CDNKassala

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Thanks very much Izak!

It is interesting that you have mixed two languages - both Kiswahili and English - in your response! How do you explain this? I think it is because in the case where you want to express yourself at a deeper level, e.g. that of feelings, you express yourself in Kiswahili! Where you express yourself more theoretically or academically you use English, because you have learnt to do that in English! The use different languages, in my argument, was not about different levels of thinking; rather it was about different ways of thinking. Unfortunately, a lot of Africans believe that because one knows a different language, e.g. English or French for that matter, therefore one (who uses English/French) knows better than the other (who uses Kiswahili/Kichagga)! That's not the point! the point is to recognize the complimentarity of the various sociolinguistic cultures, because there is no culture, or language for that matter, is self-sufficient. However, when one language community dominates another, or succumbs to another, community that is when problems begin. We need both English and Kiswahili, at least in Tanzania. But the question is: which language is more functional in communicating development messages to the majority of Tanzanians? If I say it is Kiswahili, I am not being racist, I am just being realist. Realism and racism belong to different conceptual categories!

On the same basis of realism, one could ask: which language is more functional in communicating with the international world? Certainly it is English or French, although Kiswahili is also an international language (refer to BBC, DW, VOA, UN, AU, etc.).

The example you give after your sentence "... there is no such thing of thinking in English" does not refer to thinking (in the cognitive or cerebral sense) but it is related to feeling hungry or pain, things which are not about thinking but about instinct! All human beings have the same insticts of feeling hungry or feeling pain! But when it come to the question of what to do with the hunger or the pain, that is when thinking begins! Since language is a cultural artifact, as well as a cognitive technology, different languages with reflect different ways of thinking about feeling huingry or painful!

CDNKassala

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Indeed, the moment we begin to think together while recognizing the diverse ways of thinking, then there will be no 'dependency or inferiority complex' on the side of the Africans. What Africa needs now is cognitive liberation: to be liberated from the western ways and criteria of thinking, understanding, valuing and choosing. Unfortunately the educational system in Africa - through the sociolinguistics of education - is still embedded in western cognitive frameworks, including concepts about economics, management and development. It is not enough to have political liberation or independence, the next step should be economic liberation! The majority of Africans, namely those who have never been 'de-rooted' from the socio-cultural infrastructure through western education, will continue to be dictated upon by the few who have the reigns of power be it political, economic or ideological. Naturally, they will tend to resist or be slow in catching up with the rest!

In that context, economic democracy will remain only in the higher echelons of the political and corporate and academic self-interested clubs!

To make the move to economic liberation, Africa needs Liberation Economics!

CDNKassala

 
     

Gideon Karuguru  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Kassala has a good point here, which we need to reflect on. Interesting though, in cultural perspective, I'm sure we are in the reversal gear. Thanks Kassala for bringing this kind of thinking.  
     

Ishengoma Ishabakaki  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Hello people, it is my pleasure to thank all who have contributed in the topic. I have some opinions inform of questions and these are as follows; 1. Its true that our country is fighting hard to implement some MDGs like on Education level but why do the results of our young sister & brother are worse?

2. Some people are giving out good views on how to eradicate poverty but these views are like stories or history. I think the government should organise itself on how to get people's views. This can be done by constructing a website which could used by any one to contribute on how to eradicate poverty in our country so as to acquire ideas like the ones yuo are giving out. Through this atleast we can acquire some developments. Thanks.

 
     

Izak  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Bwana Camillus D. N. Kassala

I think you are self contradictory and self defeating; some of your axioms were used by racist to argue the inferiority and difference of Non Europeans. People like Rudyard Kipling considered English language as being superior to all other languages and the English people to be also superior, the converse is also controversial, and that is English being an inferior language to some others. Basically the power to think is not based on language but on intelligence, and language is only a means of expression. As such the use of English is just as medium of expression it’s got nothing to do with intelligence or ability to think or even depth of thinking. Hisiya ulizotoa (Bwana Kassala) ni kama kusema kwamba watu wanozungumza lugha tafauti wana hakili tafauti, basi kutokana na hisiya hiyo, kuna swali linalojitokeza ambalo ni ‘ni lugha ipi ambayo ni ya wajanja ama wenye hakili ama wenye kufikiri kwa kina zaidi kutokana na kuzungumza hiyo lugha iliyobora zaidi? Ukitafakari sana hayo ninayo uliza utaona kwamba hisiya zako ni za kikoloni ama za kibaguzi zinaasharia kwamba lugha fulani ina ambatana na kiwango fulani cha hakili (critical thinking). Language is just a tool of expressing that which the mind has synthesized or conceptualized. So please let us not mix depth of thinking with specific languages, there is no such thing of thinking in English. If one is hungry or feeling pain whether he or she is in China, India, Timbaktu, Unyasa, Ugogoni, Ukonogo or England, and is just a mother tongue speaker, that person will come up with the same logical solution to that issue of hunger or pain, there will not be a varied responses, to those stimuli, that will be influenced or dependent on ones native language. That common derivative of response is based on using logic that is universal to all humans, irrespective of language.

In the case of our beloved Africa the critical issue is not talking Kiswahili or English and for that matter French, rather, the critical issue is recognizing and identifying the key local issues, recognizing the real owners of the Continent and the legitimate beneficiaries of national policies and as such striving for Social and Economic Justice.

Ni mie Izak. ikhomo@yahoo.com +27726207268, +27117143739 (w)

 
     

Gabor Z Siklosi  : Thursday, May 9, 2013    
  Agreed! So much of development efforts deal only with one aspect of humanity's need. A Whole-man approach needs to be taken into account so that the Whole community might be impacted and the whole system changed and tipped toward upward momentum and mobility. Too many efforts are based in only one or two sectors and then the solutions do not address the other areas of need in the other sectors. Development efforts must unite all sectors of community infrastructure--drawing from expertise in all areas, to address the needs of all and to find solutions that address the needs of all sectors.

To answer the question--with my western mind--is No the western mind and the African mind do not think the same way, nor do they come to the problem the same way. This is precisely why united collaboration is so critical. Though we do not think critically the same way, we can agree on tackling the problem together and then working toward solutions that work within the context we are attempting to address. The western mind tends to impose itself upon the culture and the African mind tends to reject all things "non" african, as if not of value. We need to review our ability to collaborate together for solutions, valuing the position of all parties, so that a workable solution might come about from mutual and respectful collaboration. Africa will not solve its problems without outside help, and westerners cannot impose solutions that are not applicable. Many of the solutions are on the micro-level, improving people's views of themselves and empowering them to address their own needs and then those of their immediate neighbor. The development community needs to view the massive macro problem of poverty with a view to go small and to the micro level.

What we have learned in our brief time wrestling with the accursed poverty spirit is that there is a way to impact the whole by impacting the smallest level possible.

GZS..

 
     

cyril komba  : Wednesday, May 8, 2013    
  Dear Members I totally support the idea given by Kaale Bariki that we need to have a well and the right path for development inclusion....this should involve community participation at all development levels...!!

The government should ensure a serious policy that emphasize community participation and which is practically implemented...!!

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Wednesday, May 8, 2013    
  Dear all!

I have been following the exchanges across the taknet community. There is one thing which makes me wonder whether our exchanges are based on the same assumptions, or not! One of such assumptions is the belief that we can really 'think critically in English'! Another one: that the Western mind sees things in the same way as the African mind! Still another one: that development is only economic development! What about spiritual or cultuaral development? Another question: do we all have the same conception of what it means to be a human being/person, with whom we want to work together for our development? Indeed, the post-MDG (after 2015) stage (or transition towards aspired development?) will require hard, critical and soul-searching thinking, expressing and doing!

CDNKassala

 
     

Bariki Karosi Kaale  : Wednesday, May 8, 2013    
  Dear all

Many thanks for the wisdom provided by Hon Kweka. It is high time to find the right path for our inclusive and equitable growth for all. Let us propose result oriented actions of which we should be inclined to facilitate from initial planing, implementation and M&E. We could select a small sample area to demonstrate our combined talents " as seeing is to believe".

Sincerely

Bariki K. Kaale

0754 286273

 
     

SALLU JOHNSON  : Tuesday, May 7, 2013    
  Dear Izak,

I concur on almost everything you have touched, and it really makes me sick, for our Politicians not being able to drive our country out of this douldrum. I however will underline the fact that both India, China and the rest borrowed a leaf from the west in the course of finding their welfare. There was a massive movement of labour both from China and India to the west immeadiately after the 2nd world war, where you have this flocked China Towns around, and the fact that the father of Chinese recent development came from daring people like Deng Xiao Ping who grew up and studied in France, to move back to China with sweaping political economy changes Post Chairman Mao Era.

Incidentally, as we witness the growing of a middle class in Tanzania which you firmly call parasitic, we need to priotixe on the major employer the fact that we have over 80% of Tanzanians dependent on Agriculture to support the emerging Non Productive middle class. This should start with three major issues (i) Education (ii) Infrastructure (iii) Energy development to create a competitive atmosphere capable of ensuring economic growth for this country.

Sending scouts to foreign countries at this era of information technology is a mere waste of time and respources. You have the entire world on anything at your finger tips, therefore we need to organize ourselves, and set clear objectives on how we are determined to move from where we found ourselves amid a lot of resources that abound.

Sallu E. Johnson CMILT(UK)

Dar es Salaam - Tanzania.

Cell: +255 (0) 784 368 888 / 0715 062 888

 
     

SALLU JOHNSON  : Tuesday, May 7, 2013    
  Dear Izak, I concur on almost everything you have touched, and it really makes me sick, for our Politicians not being able to drive our country out of this douldrum. I however will underline the fact that both India, China and the rest borrowed a leaf from the west in the course of finding their welfare. There was a massive movement of labour both from China and India to the west immeadiately after the 2nd world war, where you have this flocked China Towns around, and the fact that the father of Chinese recent development came from daring people like Deng Xiao Ping who grew up and studied in France, to move back to China with sweaping political economy changes Post Chairman Mao Era.

Incidentally, as we witness the growing of a middle class in Tanzania which you firmly call parasitic, we need to priotixe on the major employer the fact that we have over 80% of Tanzanians dependent on Agriculture to support the emerging Non Productive middle class. This should start with three major issues (i) Education (ii) Infrastructure (iii) Energy development to create a competitive atmosphere capable of ensuring economic growth for this country.

Sending scouts to foreign countries at this era of information technology is a mere waste of time and respources. You have the entire world on anything at your finger tips, therefore we need to organize ourselves, and set clear objectives on how we are determined to move from where we found ourselves amid a lot of resources that abound.

Sallu E. Johnson CMILT(UK)

Dar es Salaam - Tanzania.

Cell: +255 (0) 784 368 888 / 0715 062 888

 
     

Prosper F. H. Tesha  : Monday, May 6, 2013    
  Kudos Izak. Can't be more true!  
     

Izak  : Monday, May 6, 2013    
  CONTINUED FROM THE BELOW POST

That is how the Asian Countries did it. However, we Western inclined intellectuals, academics, technocrats, et al, are implementing policies and programmes that are creating a middle class at the expense of the peasantry which is being destroyed as more of the rural people migrate to cities in doing that they have become internal economic refugees running away from rural poverty, however, to be welcomed into the urban squalor, and poverty that is prevalent in African bulging informal settlements or rather slums which have become a characteristic of all African towns and cities housing almost 80% of urban dwellers, and forever contributing to the informal economic sector whose magical capability of absorbing the unemployed is stretched and is finite that resulting in social upheavals of crime and in bid to guarantee a monopoly of the limited oppotunity gangsterism, which again will basically be the source of great political upheaval and explosion insecurity.

,Just in closing and in giving a suggestion that does not entail going out side Africa. Right now oil imports account for over 50% of African country's GDP earnings, when viewed from a perspective that all these cost are in scarce foreign exchange, what advantage and savings could be had if our peasants could produce at least 10% of the fuel oil needs through Bio Fuels, a situation that is possible through production of power Alcohol that can be blended into with petrol to a tune of 12% without effecting the car engine and performance. At the price of crude of around 100US$ per barrel and taking the quantity of fuel imported and cost of processing Bio Fuels, this preposition is a possibility and there will be a huge profit margin. What we need is the political will and planning which will also look after food production as in such a situation no one will produce grain for food stuff in fact it just takes legislation a thing that the Brazilian Government did. For a considerable time now all Brazilian Petrol is blended with Power Alchohol a thing that helped sustain its sugar industry.

The first thing we need to do is to clear our minds and the best way is to Down Load Free from the net the Book 'The Bad Samaritan' by Ha- Joon Chang a world reknown South Korean economist.

Mjenga Nchi Ni Mwana Nchi, hiyvo hivyo Mbomoa Nchi Ni Mwana Nchi Na Hubomoa Kwa Mipango Mibovu.

Haya Kazi Kwenu

Wasalam

Izak Khomo

 
     

Izak  : Monday, May 6, 2013    
  Hi Folks

First and foremost the idea of sending people abroad to learn and that after fifty years of independence is mind boggling. What is there to learn, the most that one will come back with will be images of the other world and the implementation will be trying to replicate what one has seen, as such create a folly or a charade. And I think us Africans have to be very wary of that as there are signs of that taking place in Africa like the preeminence of the notion that real estate sector being also a driver of African economies. One should be reminded of the current International economic meltdown was caused by, amongst many things, the booming of the speculative real estate sector. Dar es Salaam is a hub of real estate business in Tanzania with towers being built all over the place, however, this is not due to a spin off from economic development, rather from direct injection of finance.

That sector does not create new wealth, never, and so people, prepare yourselves for super inflation and one also wonders whether, there will be clients for those office spaces. That money could have been better invested in upgrading the Central Railway Line or constructing an all weather road between Mbeya and Arusha or Tunduma to Bukoba via Kigoma.

A second issue is the big talk that is being pandered around by financial institutions and even by African governments that the African middleclass is growing and it will be three hundred million by I do not know when, and the middle class will be the driver of Africa's economic development. An economy dependent on a middle class is an economy that is driven by consumption, a key question is what will that middle class subsist from, the civil service, the service industry, bank loans; like the now doomed west; or what? A middle class that is not based on a solid economic activity is purely parasitic and that is what is being produced all over Africa, we are creating economies that really are just a folly with a growing parasitic elite that is not really involved in any exercise connected with creation of access value or new wealth this elite is the new middle class. In such a situation the fate that awaits us is that expirenced by Europe.

The Chinese biggest achievement was uplifting of over 300,000,000 Chinese out of dire poverty and intergrating them into the country's economy, this done in the last twenty years, in the time when African populace slid down to poverty and as such the biggest African project is poverty alleviation and not poverty eradication. In the 1960s after suffering a debilitating famine India decided to under take agrarian reforms whose main purpose was to bring in the huge Indian peasantry into the money economy this was achieved through strengthening its peasant based agriculture, that initially involved land reform that saw the nationalisation and redistribution of land to land less peasants, further, their whole development and industrialization strategy followed from that premise, ie to support a peasant based agricultural sector, and as such you had the State run entities like the Hindustan Fertilizer Company, Pesticide Company, companies to produce farm inputs and farm implements (which were made available at subsidised cost), Peasant Cooperatives for marketing, Peasant banks for finance, etc, provision of free State agricultural extension services, and at a higher level, the knock on effect of industrial development towards manufacture of mechanized farm implements, irrigation equipment, and the rest is history.

The Indians and the Chinese did not go to another country to see what needs to be done, they looked with-in and identified the population that had to be developed and empowered and the means that need to be employed. And for your information South Korea, Taiwan and Japan did not go to other countries to get their act right. The first thing that those countries did after suffering crippling wars, was to carry out agrarian reform, they nationalised lands and distributed it to family producers (peasant producers) thus they stabilised their rural population and got the basis of their economy (that happened in highly capitalist asian countries). All those countries have huge populations which are provided for by a peasant based agriculture and in the case of India and China that population is over a billion people and they are both net exporters of food. Please google to see this facts for yourselves. After the Bretton Wood Institution driven Structural Adjustment Programmes, Africans are scared to talk of nationalisation and subsidy even at a time when the West subsidises its uneconomic agricultural sector by over one billion US$ a day, other wise it would collapse, it now stands at four hundred billion US$ per anum.

The African peasant is non existing in the eyes and minds of African politicians, African economist and African technocrats that is why they are running to South Africa and the West to invite Corporate entities who are given huge tracts of land on very imperialistic, neo colonial and corrupt terms and afforded agricultural subsidies which peasants of host countries never received, all done to produce Bio Fuels for the West, or the most insulting thing, to enhance food security to Africans and these plans coming from our new technocrats and leaders who are basically doing a Cut and Paste after going to learn from other countries as suggested by Mr Shabir and Mr Mwakalinga is now confirming. One wonder after attaining capitalist farming produced food security, what sustenance activity will be available to our peasants? Africa's economic future and its development is tied to the rise and inclusion of the African Peasantry in the economies of African countries, this will have a knock on effect of creating a huge consumer market of almost one billion people a situation that far surpasses the critical mass that is needed to sustain a manufacturing industrial sector.

CONTINUES!

 
     

Hebron Mwakalinga  : Friday, May 3, 2013    
  Dear Shabir. Your question as whether we need to send people abroad for to source knowledge and skills? Yes indeed, it is what Asian Tigers did and notably South Korea. we also in Tanzania did in early1980s (government sponsored) but at very low level and unsustainably. Most of them were recalled in the Govt and Parastatals. I also know a number of successful entrepreneurs (mainly of Asian origin) who attribute their success to access to western Education. (You don't see them in domestic higher learning institutions but they have excellent education). I have read a myriad of literature that confirms this phenomenon including a report that 10% of US export earnings came from education service i.e. people from abroad who go to study to US. 10% of US export earnings!

You point out that many have gone abroad but returned to be average persons, first note that these people did not have a vision of what they want to achieve, in most cases it happens that resources can afford them but intrinsically nothing beyond paper qualification is being sought after. That is the very reason people are debating on the need to have a conscious process to look for knowledge/technology instead of anticipating it to happen under natural process. Just a hint, show that you are an A+ student, the American will offer your a scholarship because they are hunting for brains from all over the world. It is these brains that drive innovation. It has to be a conscious process!

Hebron Mwakalinga

Facilitating Markets for Development

 
     

SALLU JOHNSON  : Thursday, May 2, 2013    
  Dear Hebron, I deeply feel obliged to respond to your candid contribution and naturally an overview of the global business trend in a nutshell. I concur with you on the existing marriage between western governmrnts and their Multinationals, though I equally see this happening to Chinese Investors as well - a good thing, contrary to our policies that leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to the promotion of local investors as far as on the creation of incentives relative to foreign companies.

I also agree with you on Mwalimu's concept during the 70's that was aimed to create our own national industrial base of which we excelled in textiles, footwear etc, all of which went away with the globalization, where cheap imports killed the industries then sold to investors ultimately turning them into warehouses for imported goods.

The South South Countries need visionary governments that could kirk start strategies that could lead into sustainable economies within the block, guided by a spirit of multilateral trade agreements among member countries outside the west circles, thus creating competitive economies based on a concept of Self Reliance. Mwalimu was very right to emphasize on "Kujitegemea" enabling the nation, though by then we had a weak industrial capacity.

China and India from the extreme end (Little Asian Tigers), are very successful based on this, reflected by their own consumption of locally produced goods and services, an essential parameter in controlling their economies relative to our situation where we consume products that we do not produce, and otherwise.

Sallu E. Johnson CMILT(UK)

Dar es Salaam - Tanzania.

Cell: +255 (0) 784 368 888 / 0715 062 888

 
     

Dastan Kweka  : Thursday, May 2, 2013    
  Dear Comrades,

Please allow me to comment on the last aspect-economy is growing but benefits are not seen in the lives of many rural inhabitants.

I wonder if this is a puzzle at all. We all know that rural economy is based on agriculture. And agriculture employs more than 75% of the population. If this is the case,why expect a growth in service and extractive industry to be reflected in the lives of the farmers?

Are we short of models? Learn from vietnam and China.

Even in urban areas,benefits of growth are acrrued by the priviledged. Those with college degrees and connections.

The problem is,we are leaderless.

Dastan Kweka

mob no: +255 0717 61 29 65

Email: kwekad@gmail.com

Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

 
     

Hebron Mwakalinga  : Thursday, May 2, 2013    
  Sallu, what I believe in is that there is no one single path to development. Not to recount human civilizations that we can't explain precisely what happened, in the 21st century development was initially associated with democracy, multi-party democracy. China rose within a single political party system witnessed the highest growth (higher than India the largest multi-party democracy). The Asian tigers, some quite small in terms of size hence natural resources recognized their weaknesses and designed conscious development strategy as countries and not individual firms or entrepreneurs. South Korea for example invested heavily as a country to develop human resource the American way. In sum, one input that has globally proved to be essential for sustainable development/competitiveness is creation of a mass of educated population. I repeat - mass of educate (not just literate) population. I am not so sure if this premise is given due priority in our Vision 2025. (I don't hear the MKUKUTA/MKUZA/MKURABITA/MKUMBITA etc zeal that actually are expected to steer us towards the Vision 2025. I hope these were or are conscious national strategies to development. So far it looks as if they disappeared with expiry of "Askari wa Miavuli" (were they Projects/Programme or Long-term national plans?)

The case you have put forward on Chinese/Indian labour competitiveness is a transient as these countries are also experiencing sharply increasing wages as they Westernize their consumption behaviour and are bcoming resource hungrier. As the educated and skilled population increase in our countries (supply side) and employment opportunities are not growing as fast (demand side) I foresee locals picking up jobs at less pay and therefore becoming competitive in future. Ask young graduates recruited by Telcos as sales people how much they get per month, Tshs 150,000 (USD 90). Yet they fill the shofloors. It is happening it is just a matter of time.

On the high overall cost of doing business in Tanzania has two main faces, lack of technology (under which the very subject of scouts rests) and poor management of resources (including corruption). Technology is patented or protected in some way, you either purchase it or "steal" (I emphasize - in quote). Purchasing is the easier and widely practised the issue is at what terms and cost, here comes the ITPLs, the Dowans, etc.? Just to find ourselves in a high electricity cost economy conundrum ... and please every one should keep tab on our mounting the domestic and sovereign debt. The nerves (strategies for power generation) are not connected to the brain (National Development Vision) hence operating on emergency plans.

Back to scouting, this is effective only if the invisible hand has its nerves (strategies) connected to the brain (national vision). If not then forget. Remember in the 1970s when we had the Basic Industry Strategy, it was this move that created the industrial capacity that we later from late 1990s privatized and stopped doing anything under the illusion that private investors will do everything. Instead, factories have been turned into warehouses - check the trend of our manufacturing GDP. It is important to understand that the multi-nationals you see around are strongly backed up by their Governments, the Governments can't provide support if they are not part of the deal or aren't convinced it will work. Have you forgotten the Tony Blair's multi-billion $ BAE System corruption scandal in Saudi Arabia, Tony said he was securing jobs for Britons. Govts can't be convinced unless they do their own due diligence "scouting". There are a lot that visionary Governments do to support their entrepreneurs, in Germany for example Siemens at one time had to renegotiate tax concessions with the Government to avoid shifting jobs to other less tax laden countries. Hillary Clinton, whenever she visited a foreign country part of her mission had been to scout for American exports/foreign investment. So she paid a visit to Symbion in Tanzania (amid all the Richmond/Dowans controversies). Why do Governments sign trade deals if everything has to be left to business people?

It is difficult to draw the line between scouting and economic intelligence/diplomacy. Wouldn't it be prudent for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report how many business/economic deals our honourable ambassadors and the Ministry itself have made during the budget session?

My little contribution!

Hebron Mwakalinga

Facilitating Markets for Development

 
     

Shabbir H. Khataw  : Thursday, May 2, 2013    
  Do we really need to send our people abroad to under study and work in those countries?

Many of us have studied abroad but wen we come back we are absorbed and follow the stream.

Lets change our attitude to work and we would create a strong nation.

When we see people working we tell them Pole na Kazi! Jamani kweli tutafika?

Lets us transform ourselves and change our laisse faire attitude

Regards

Shabbir

 
     

SALLU JOHNSON  : Tuesday, April 30, 2013    
  Thanks Anicetus,

Economic espionage or not, the critical binding factor is our Scout will. You should see these "scouts" upon their arrival to these foreign lands with their common adage "Kuwahi sio kushinda - ujanja Kupata" where all their driving spirits are personal and nothing more!

The Chinese are a very good example of a country that had seen tremendous economic progress over the last 20 years. Wages were very low in the 80s where a General Manager of a Public Firm used to ride a bicycle, and that where the Chinese Government made a primitive accumulation of wealth it now stand as a 2nd most powerful nation second to the US with its paper money. The Chinese have generated wealth both in terms of goods and on modern production capacities that include infrastructure, power sources, technology in industrial production and what have you.

When the US was debating with China on devaluation of the Yen, the Chinese told them that if they think it is easy to peg the Yen against the US Currency, let any country try it. Almost the entire west is trapped on the High Income employability as far as competitive manufacturing / productivity as related to Asian Countries, where wages are still low, but cost of leaving is relatively low too. A trained Nurse in one of the Indian Reknowned Hospital globally is paid an avarage of USD 200 Per Month, while this will not be acceptable to a TRA Driver or one at the Bank of Tanzania.

We are in on this wage trap, and relying on cheap manufactured goods from Asia appears to be a lasting solution irrespective of how smart our Scouts will be, and the escalating costs of production in Tanzania, despite the fact we have everthing that could run a plant i.e. abundant coal, gas you name it; but electricty sells the highest in the region.

What do you think our Scouts could manage under the sun ?

 
     

ANTHONY GIKURI  : Tuesday, April 30, 2013    
  I really agree with you

Anthony Gikuri

Kizumbi Campus

Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies

P.O.BOX 469

SHINYANGA

Tanzania

Mobile +255713634382/+25589448244/+255768805441

Website: www.muccobs.ac.tz

 
     

Abdallah Hassan  : Tuesday, April 23, 2013    
  Dear TAKNET members,

Below please find world media coverage of  Human

Development Report 2013 in International Newspapers, Agencies,

Broadcasters and Internet Sites

Newspapers and Periodicals

China Daily:

China climbs on human development index (15 March)

The Economist:

Not by Bread Alone: Growth in national income is a poor predictor of welfare

(16 March)

The Financial Times:

Poverty decreases sharply in developing world (14 March)

The Guardian:

Environmental threats could push billions into extreme poverty, warns UN

(14 March)

New York Times:

Environmental Woes Could Reverse Global Development (18 March)

The Times of India: Gender Equality in India among worst in world: UN

(15 March)

The Washington Post:

UN Human Development Report finds rising prosperity in southern nations

(14 March)

News Agencies

AP:

UN finds rising prosperity in southern nations (14 March)

IPS:

OP-ED by Helen Clark: The BRICS and the Rising South (25 March)

IPS: Q&A:

Rise of South “Unprecedented in Speed and Scale” (14 March)

Reuters:

Climate Conversations - Development progress in global south races ahead

(19 March

Xinhua: Unprecedented growth in developing countries shifting global balance of

power: UN report (15 March)

International Broadcasters

Al Jazeera:

The rise of the global South (20 March)

Al Jazeera: 

HDR Infographic: Global South is rising fast

 
     

Elias Ambrose  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  All these failures are because we are ruled and not leaded, we have the type of leaders who does not lead, but they rule, in doing so they do what they think it is right, while it is very wrong, they do not do what is taking place in the real community life, they do not find solutions for our problems, instead they do cause more and more problems.

They are increasing the cost in every purchase we do, neither of the days they have made our life to become even a little bit reasonable, instead, they are making it more and more un reasonable.

They are destroying every part of it, there isnt a conner you can find a hidden place, where there is a better poor life, this is because, what we have now is a more worse poorly life.

For example, a certain lady has passed to go for a form one, at Lugeye Sec School, 2013, her name is Masigani Mosses, from Nyamilama Primary School (2012 std seven graduate) in Magu District, but due to a huge budden of contributions at Lugeye Sec School in Magu District, where by in order for student to join that Gorvernment Sec School, which is thought to be cheeper of price by means of school fees, normally it is 20,000= Tshs per student per year.

What happen is that, " the named student was not able to join that school at that perticullar time, she was supposed to pay over 70,000= Tshs as an initial contribution in order to be addmmited, due to that, she failed to join, although her poor mother had 40,000= Tshs which she wanted to pay so that her poor daughter can start attending classes and promised to hardly raise the balance while her daugher continue with the school.

This is what happened, " The named girl was not addimitted ntil she will be able to pay all the money as it is requred by the Honorable Head Master of the said Sec School".

The poor girl decided to go look for a temporally house work so that she can raise the required amount and return to school.

I was asking my self, will she manage to catch the train, while she is not at school, her fellow students are continuining with the studies!

Do we expect this poor girl to perfom better in her furture exams, iven though she will, do we expect this poor girl to become a good leader in the future, or we should expect this personal to treat the same our expected childrens!

My big question to the heads of Magu District as wel as the Hon Minister of Education, that is this the directions of the Ministry, that " Students should not be addmitted at school if not able to pay for these contributions?

If poor peasants childrens did their best for their poor families future are simply blocked like these, do the Gorvenment expect to be trusted by these people?!

But this girl is just the one among the majority who where treated the same, but they were not luck to met and explain their pain to some one who is today have dicided to put this issue in the air, so that Gorvernment Officials can see this and hopefully, this matter can be taken care and stop these nosence going on in these schools, and done by the people who were put in places by the Gorvernment it self, and insted of cleaning it, they are making it smelling.

To me I think, these people are doing the other way around, I could hardly believe if what they are doing is from their Big Bosses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
     

Elias Ambrose  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  All these failures are because we are ruled and not leaded, we have the type of leaders who does not lead, but they rule, in doing so they do what they think it is right, while it is very wrong, they do not do what is taking place in the real community life, they do not find solutions for our problems, instead they do cause more and more problems.

They are increasing the cost in every purchase we do, neither of the days they have made our life to become even a little bit reasonable, instead, they are making it more and more un reasonable.

They are destroying every part of it, there isnt a conner you can find a hidden place, where there is a better poor life, this is because, what we have now is a more worse poorly life.

For example, a certain lady has passed to go for a form one, at Lugeye Sec School, 2013, her name is Masigani Mosses, from Nyamilama Primary School (2012 std seven graduate) in Magu District, but due to a huge budden of contributions at Lugeye Sec School in Magu District, where by in order for student to join that Gorvernment Sec School, which is thought to be cheeper of price by means of school fees, normally it is 20,000= Tshs per student per year.

What happen is that, " the named student was not able to join that school at that perticullar time, she was supposed to pay over 70,000= Tshs as an initial contribution in order to be addmmited, due to that, she failed to join, although her poor mother had 40,000= Tshs which she wanted to pay so that her poor daughter can start attending classes and promised to hardly raise the balance while her daugher continue with the school.

This is what happened, " The named girl was not addimitted ntil she will be able to pay all the money as it is requred by the Honorable Head Master of the said Sec School".

The poor girl decided to go look for a temporally house work so that she can raise the required amount and return to school.

I was asking my self, will she manage to catch the train, while she is not at school, her fellow students are continuining with the studies!

Do we expect this poor girl to perfom better in her furture exams, iven though she will, do we expect this poor girl to become a good leader in the future, or we should expect this personal to treat the same our expected childrens!

My big question to the heads of Magu District as wel as the Hon Minister of Education, that is this the directions of the Ministry, that " Students should not be addmitted at school if not able to pay for these contributions?

If poor peasants childrens did their best for their poor families future are simply blocked like these, do the Gorvenment expect to be trusted by these people?!

But this girl is just the one among the majority who where treated the same, but they were not luck to met and explain their pain to some one who is today have dicided to put this issue in the air, so that Gorvernment Officials can see this and hopefully, this matter can be taken care and stop these nosence going on in these schools, and done by the people who were put in places by the Gorvernment it self, and insted of cleaning it, they are making it smelling.

To me I think, these people are doing the other way around, I could hardly believe if what they are doing is from their Big Bosses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
     

Elias Ambrose  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  All these failures are because we are ruled and not leaded, we have the type of leaders who does not lead, but they rule, in doing so they do what they think it is right, while it is very wrong, they do not do what is taking place in the real community life, they do not find solutions for our problems, instead they do cause more and more problems.

They are increasing the cost in every purchase we do, neither of the days they have made our life to become even a little bit reasonable, instead, they are making it more and more un reasonable.

They are destroying every part of it, there isnt a conner you can find a hidden place, where there is a better poor life, this is because, what we have now is a more worse poorly life.

For example, a certain lady has passed to go for a form one, at Lugeye Sec School, 2013, her name is Masigani Mosses, from Nyamilama Primary School (2012 std seven graduate) in Magu District, but due to a huge budden of contributions at Lugeye Sec School in Magu District, where by in order for student to join that Gorvernment Sec School, which is thought to be cheeper of price by means of school fees, normally it is 20,000= Tshs per student per year.

What happen is that, " the named student was not able to join that school at that perticullar time, she was supposed to pay over 70,000= Tshs as an initial contribution in order to be addmmited, due to that, she failed to join, although her poor mother had 40,000= Tshs which she wanted to pay so that her poor daughter can start attending classes and promised to hardly raise the balance while her daugher continue with the school.

This is what happened, " The named girl was not addimitted ntil she will be able to pay all the money as it is requred by the Honorable Head Master of the said Sec School".

The poor girl decided to go look for a temporally house work so that she can raise the required amount and return to school.

I was asking my self, will she manage to catch the train, while she is not at school, her fellow students are continuining with the studies!

Do we expect this poor girl to perfom better in her furture exams, iven though she will, do we expect this poor girl to become a good leader in the future, or we should expect this personal to treat the same our expected childrens!

My big question to the heads of Magu District as wel as the Hon Minister of Education, that is this the directions of the Ministry, that " Students should not be addmitted at school if not able to pay for these contributions?

If poor peasants childrens did their best for their poor families future are simply blocked like these, do the Gorvenment expect to be trusted by these people?!

But this girl is just the one among the majority who where treated the same, but they were not luck to met and explain their pain to some one who is today have dicided to put this issue in the air, so that Gorvernment Officials can see this and hopefully, this matter can be taken care and stop these nosence going on in these schools, and done by the people who were put in places by the Gorvernment it self, and insted of cleaning it, they are making it smelling.

To me I think, these people are doing the other way around, I could hardly believe if what they are doing is from their Big Bosses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
     

ANTHONY GIKURI  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  Dear Colleagues, reflecting on the processes and stages of development our counterparts South Eastern have gone through, we can all agree unanimously that we need to re-examine ourselves in all walks of life as a nation. I believe, we need to lay a good a foundation before we can dream for forging partnership with developed and emerging economies. Take a minute, `` Recently we had witnessed efforts by our government to fast-track the East African Federation while, in my opinion, there are a lot of matters that need thorough scrutiny if we are to become active participant in the game. Why don't we learn from others? We might have good policies policies, but I am worried whether responsible government machinery and individual citizens play their part. Let us first consider putting in place the internal structures and institutions before we can dream for bigger opportunities that we may not be able to hand.

Anthony Gikuri

Kizumbi Campus

 
     

Gideon Karuguru  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  Hi Sango,

To me I think we're reversing at a very high speed, did you happen to read the so called 'late comers catching-up strategy' by the World Bank. There are some good answers in that report.

Karuguru, GM

 
     

Gideon Karuguru  : Tuesday, April 16, 2013    
  Thanks Yahya Khamis Msangi for a touching contribution.

Karuguru, GM

 
     

Camillus D. N. Kassala  : Monday, April 15, 2013    
  HDR, Socioeconomic Justice and Integrity of Creation

It iseems our leaders do not have enough philosophical acumen to integrate the imperatives of sustainable development. Another isuee is confusing ends with means. In the whole endeavour, where are the people: are they in the end or means category? If the latter, human beings as means for what purpose? At whose interests? after all, are human beings more important than the rest of creation?

Dr. Kassala, Research fellow

Standing Interfaith Committe,

Socioeconomic Justice and Integrity of Creation

BAKWATA, CCT and TEC

Dar es salaam

 
     

Danford Sango  : Monday, April 15, 2013    
  Thank you Hassan for bringing forward such an interesting topic for discussion.

One major issue that seem to be disturbing my mind relates to the way the word “south” is used in this report. Countries like China, India, Thailand and Indonesia which have been mentioned to be rising are not really in the south with respect to their geographical location in the globe. When I heard about the theme of this year’s report a couple of weeks before the report was released I thought that a new discovery is coming up that countries in southern hemisphere e.g. Sub Sahara African we starting to advance economically – on the contrary it appears that the countries which are rising are mostly in the (the other part of) north. I think this kind of a title is quite confusing. However, this confusion is not new as far as world economies are being categorized according to their levels of economic development. For example, a county like India is being mixed up together with Malawi as “developing countries”. I think it will be useful for development experts to look again at such nomenclature. For instance, those countries which are really developing should be clustered together and those which are making progress at a speed of snail should also be lumped together – even those which are literally static in terms of development should be grouped together as well so that we don’t comfort anyone unnecessarily. We have been termed developing countries for decades how far we haven’t climbed out of poverty and dependence on foreign assistance? Something doesn’t add up.

Sango

Danford Sango

 
     

Prosper F. H. Tesha  : Monday, April 15, 2013    
  Anthony, I 100% concur with your observations and proposals. The patriotism you are talking about is what has brought China and India to where they are now. Internal manufacturing of goods, and particularly the narturing and development of small scale industries and sme's generally has eventually contributed to their nations economy and industrial development. These efforts went hand in hand with Agricultural development. Big up to the Kilimo Kwanza initiatives of the Tz government. However, if the small holders and medium scale farmers are not integrated and linked by dedicated non-oppresive/suppresive initiatives and programmes to the earmarked/invited multinational large farmers, the eventual developments and growth will not benefit the "wananchi" and the economy of Tanzania, but the foreigners. Eventually the case of Zimbabwe will arise. Again, one major infrastructure requirement that can only be meaningfully provided by government, and is a pre-requisite to agricultural revolution is 'National Irrigation Infrastructure'. If this was to be provided, Tanzania would be able to produce many Tanzanian Large Farmers and turn the country into a competitive agricultural producer and hence industrial producer; and change from what it is becoming now, that is -a country of Traders (Wachuuzi).

Eng. Prosper Tesha, PROFATE Investments Ltd, P.O.Box 40387, Dar es salaam

 
     

SHABBIR A ZAVERY  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  Dear Friends,

Japan which was totally destroyed and virtually on its knees, also achieved its current status through deliberate economic espionage that countries make a development leap. Japan has succeeded through targeting USA and others and they have made it."

The secret is commitment and sincerity in implementation.

Shabbir A. Zavery

TANZANIA BRUSH PRODUCTS LTD

 
     

Anicetus Temba  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  "To learn from China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, etc Tanzania need a deliberate policy of sending enmasse economic scouts to study and work in these countries. These scouts should be required to copy socio-economic development models, technology and policies that have allowed these countries to progress. It is througth deliberate economic espionage that countries make a development leap. The asian Tigers have done this through targeting Japan, UK and the US and they have made it." To learn from China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, etc Tanzania need a deliberate policy of sending enmasse economic scouts to study and work in these countries. These scouts should be required to copy socio-economic development models, technology and policies that have allowed these countries to progress. It is through deliberate economic espionage that countries make a development leap. The Asian Tigers have done this through targeting Japan, UK and the US and they have made it."

In this notions, will the scouts get a job in Tanzania? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB8zQomxXo0

Temba

 
     

Elly Kimbwereza  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  Fear is the key.How do we apply enough fear on the decision makers such that everybody takes socially responsible actions.People behave with total impunity knowing that nothing will happen to them.Unfortunately the very poor who are being plundered are the first to praise their leaders who are fixing them left and right.Extremely difficult and very painful decisions have to be made if any meaning progress is to be made.We will need brain surgeons for looking into the brains of both the led and the leaders.

Elly Kimbwereza

 
     

Chrisantus Ndibaiukao  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  On "What Tanzania should do to benefit or learn from the rise of the Southern countries such as; China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey etc."

From the 2013 Human development Report there are three drivers of transformation namely

(1) Proactive development state,

(2)Tapping of global markets and

(3)Determined social policy innovation

These can be used as benchmark to our country copy and pest cleverly/smartly from some countries from south which have succeeded in human development like Chine, Chile, India, Malaysia and Mexico few to mention.

On my views if taken in detail our discussion should try to relate what was done in Southern Tigers and reflect to our similar opportunity we have that can be used but taking in care that we have different social, political and economic climate.

I will start on on Driver 1 proactive development state. Here we need bureaucracy with power and authority to plan and implement policies precisely. In our country we are always good in creating numbers of good policies but we fell to implement them, sometimes we have more than one policy one national issues.

Long-term vision is one element we need to look, in our country we experienced part manifesto for only five years non strategic plan with short vision not enough to articulate human development with motto like “maisha bora kwa kila mtanzania” Here we need to have clear vision and mission of what our national need to be after 20 to 30 years.

Nurturing selected industries in India it was observed that pharmaceutical industrialization was a key sector in achieving high Human Development why cant we select textile industrial where we have cotton available to invest in this area and we export textile at world market refer AGOA.

Prioritizing job creation it was noted from the report that in Rwanda by investing in tourism more job were created, we have similar environment and more opportunities in tourism. Uganda has improved in informal sector in agriculture by large scale in cash crops which were accepted at high price in world market and make a substantial increase of agriculture term of trade the HDR 2013 revealed. If it is possible for Uganda why us in Tanzania with wide range of cash crops from cotton, coffee, cash-nuts, sisal etc.

Committing to long-term development and reform. From HDR 2013 it was reveled that there is a requirement of balanced approach to development and ability to convert crises to opportunities for introducing broad-based economic reforms. In our case we need policymakers to lay down policies which will re-invent the public services. Here need to employ ten principles of re-eventing the government (David Osborn and Ted Gaebler, 1997), that from monopoly to entrepreneurial government.

Next time I will discus the remaining two drivers of transformation

Chrisantus Ndibaiukao,

Bsc ( Math&St),MBA-HRM

Mobile phone 0784263466/0713038826

 
     

Anicetus Temba  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  Gideon Karuguru, your point deserves a merit. In that notion, worse the mister of education wants the students to be stroked. My opinion is that those responsible for student s poor performance should be stroked

Temba

 
     

Anicetus Temba  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  Vence Mushi

The problem is not the politicians. So far, the politicians are looking for their own survival. We have to come up with a solution where evaluation of any program is granted- what fail or pass and make corrections. In so far, there is none. My first take is each individual Tanzanian should stand strong, doing things without depending on others. The more individual strong Tanzania are there, others will follow their example in building strong communities, villages , towns, regions and finally a strong country. The government is too generalized in looking for changes other than satisfying international interest other than their own. In the long run, they will change very little. Let the stronger individuals pull others to be stronger using the knowledge gained from the generous foreign countries, conceptual frameworks which proved to work, employ new technologies and social change theories.

Temba

 
     

Sauli Giliard  : Friday, April 12, 2013    
  Yes, we are striving hard to have more colleges, yet we don't see people-centred development. The problem is that policy and development strategies do not incorporate the available man power. Today we can say that we have achieved in terms of GDP but when you go in rural you cannot see any reality there.  
     

YAHYA KHAMIS MSANGI  : Thursday, April 11, 2013    
  Dear Catherine and  Herick,

 Thanks for the kind words. Herick, just a little bit more about Social Protection. SP is not only about giving cash, it also includes extending rights to all but particularly the more vulnerable groups. These rights include rights of access and ownership of land and its resources, participation in decision making and holding accountable those who we have entrusted to run government affairs, access to quality and affordable social services e.g. education, water, health, sanitation, etc.  That is why our comrades from the developed world come to our countries as tourist while we go to their countries to seek better social protection systems. They do not want to stay in countries where SP is almost zero while we want to stay permanently in their countries to enjoy and sometimes abuse their SP systems!

Without good SP systems, it will be difficult to eradicate poverty, stop human rights abuses, overcome illiteracy, get rid of diseases, get rid of child labour, extend maternity services to all, etc. We can have good 5 year development plans, Millinieum Dev Goals, Vision 2025, Good policies and legislations but without SP we will always stay poor. We need to learn SP from others. Brazil is a good class; they are running one of the best SP system in the world.
Catherine,  we have leaders, politicians and civil servants who have created their own SP system through grand corruption, these do not care if the country receive a grant/project/loan or not; if it does not promote their SP they don't care at all! When Mwalimu was the leader, we saw how each citizen regardles of his/her position was protected. We need to go back to Mwalimu's SP policies to avoid such sad events!
 
     

Theresa Nyamizi Tuniga  : Thursday, April 11, 2013    
  It is high time now that our country take a different turn on the development agenda,instead of being too much donor dependence we should strive and work as partners with our colleagues like Brazil,China,India etc.Take for instance Brazilian foreign policy for developing countries is characterized by a long term commitment which is best expressed through technical cooperation over the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), which in essence seek to sow capacity for autonomous development.The Brazilian South South Technical cooperation is characterized by the transfer of knowledge and emphasis is on training human resources, it is free of conditionalities and constructed from the expression of interest of the partners (demand driven).

Tanzania should capitalize on this opportunity especially with a focus on large scale agriculture production,health,environment etc. and tap the knowledge through these channels of communication (Embassy) which serve as a link with the government and hence forth move a step forward. We could surely make use of the arable land suitable for agriculture particularly in the rural areas to benefit the rural poor if an effective mechanism is devised to involve them in a large scale production.

 
     

ANTHONY GIKURI  : Thursday, April 11, 2013    
  Sallu, I concur with your views for one or two reasons. While we witness Asian economy rises, we need to ask ourselves a number of questions. To what extent are we committed to promoting our industries through consuming internally manufactured goods? As individuals and the government are there commitments to this? Policies?.... (Patriotism!!!!!). The little saving we make, we end up spending it on importing goods which could be procured in our country. I think there is something missing here. The government hasnt done enough to practically encourage Wananchi to love their products and services. We can not dream establishment of heavy industries if small and medium producers are not encouraged.

Secondly, we the younger generation need to know that the future of our country lies in our hands no matter what the outgoing generation does. If we are to learn from developed countries, we would find out that, they are were they are because of hard work. People worked more than 12 hours per day. Today, we complain of unemployment but even those employed do not deliver according. While the public sector requires most of its employees to work not less than 8 hours per day, not more than 60% attain this goal. We are not a spirited nation!!! Everyone from well-paying institutions to office attendants, is complaining of low remunerations, and this is used as an excuse for not delivering. I can not accept this.

Hard work, patriotism and of course integrity should be the practical values of this generation and the many to come.

Anthony Gikuri

Kizumbi Campus

Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies

P.O.BOX 469

SHINYANGA

Tanzania

Mobile +255713634382/+25589448244/+255768805441

Website: www.muccobs.ac.tz

 
     

Herick Marisham  : Thursday, April 11, 2013    
  Thank you Yahya K. Msangi for your Contribution . I would like to contribute on the aspect of social inclusion . My view is that the government must re-visit/review the policy of National conservation . Using this policy the pastoralists have been excluded from owning/using a piece of land ,for example using the case of Ngorongoro Conservation Area ,Mkomazi and Serengeti National Parks Maasai Pastoralists have been excluded from the right of using fully the said areas to keep their livestocks.

Looking at the other side of the coin what happens in Loliondo is similar to what has happenned in the past ( formation of the above conservation areas). My voice on this aspect is for the government to review the policies and make sure that participatory approach is used for the people to know what they will benefit from the project meanwhile what are the future plans in place to ensure them improved livelihood.

 
     

Catherine Kowero  : Wednesday, April 10, 2013    
  Wow! Yahya this is a piece of thought well expressed and backed with facts. I would have been too mean not to congratulate you for this contribution. Kudos!! Continue to think and soar high positively. However, I reserve my comments on the issue per se. I feel I have had enough of Tanzania and good talk. There is a big need of bridging up attitude than anythingelse. I have just packed off from a multi-million US dollar program which has just backfired because of attitudes.

This is the third huge helping program I have lost like that. Now, I am only one little person, how much Tanzania must be loosing just because of deliberate unhealthy attitudes of shameless greed of few? I sympathize with the defenseless suffering in marginalization.

I encourage you to keep on keeping on brother! There is always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel no matter how long the tunnel may be!

Kind regards,

Cathy

 
     

wence mushi  : Wednesday, April 10, 2013    
  I certainly agree with your view. The problem is: Is there enough push to direct resources to the sector and to put in the mechanism for efficient use of the resources? In short are our policy makers walking the talk?  
     

Gideon Karuguru  : Wednesday, April 10, 2013    
  Thanks for bringing this topic for discussion. In my opinion the main cause of our problems is education, we have been made to believe that our country "is among the countries that have achieved in improving health and education" but frankly speaking the opposite is the truth. Forget about mass failures in last year form four examinations, look at the type (not quality) of courses that are being offered by our institutions both non and universities, and lastly reflect on the behavior (read understanding) and performance of our graduates.

China, Brazil, Mexico, and India have and are still investing in education, and for them you will find unquestionable allegiance to a good course, which is highly missing in our case. We will never make it if we continue doing things in the current style.

 
     

SALLU JOHNSON  : Wednesday, April 10, 2013    
  Members,

While we share a number of common things with southern countries, we are only different in the culture we carry ourselves.

Asian or South American countries are different in that aspect, and as far as how sacred they treat work/labor that can be expended. Our attitude to work particularly on physical labour leaves a lot to be desired leave alone our mental faculty when it comes to serious interpretations of our enviromental and physical world challenges.

Tanzanians - most of the younger workforce have lately been more on results oriented rather than on investments for the future, however long the results may yield, some of which may not be in a shorter term to be enjoyed by the passing geneartion.

I have seen China and India changing through the Pre- 80 years to the present, where their rural life were both too difficult for an african, but have managed comparatively to change for the better, where now being in any remote Chinese City, one is assured of all the services that were rarely available by then, only restricted to big cities like Shanghai, Peking and the like. You have now good infrastructure, hospitals, industries, colleges spread across the sub continents.

Tanzania is endowed with a multitude of resorces that are yet to be explored.

We need to formulate clear and very practical policies that will guarantee an equitable sharing of extracted resources bearing the just share for Investors as well as to the native of this land so as to record real economic progress.

The leading factor should be Patriotism to our Country, especially by our leaders.Sallu E. Johnson

Dar es Salaam - Tanzania.

Could it be true that their existed human beings before Adam and Eve as argued by Dr. Malima with biblical verses? perhaps this could lead us to identify where our problem is.

 
     

YAHYA KHAMIS MSANGI  : Tuesday, April 9, 2013    
  1. To learn from China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, etc Tanzania need a deliberate policy of sending enmasse economic scouts to study and work in these countries. These scouts should be required to copy socio-economic development models, technology and policies that have allowed these countries to progress. It is througth deliberate economic espionage that countries make a development leap. The asian Tigers have done this through targeting Japan, UK and the US and they have made it. Our embassies must also be manned by economic, policy and technology 'spies'. The era of assigning worn-out politicians and friends to our high commissions must stop. Embassies and high commissions are not for holiday makers.

We also need to invite investors from these countries but with caution as they too are not different from other investors. We need to think seriously what we want from them and to what extent can we allow them to benefit from us.

2. On climate change, what we need to know is that this is not our major problem neither are we the cause of climate change. We have far more serious developmental problems like poverty, corruption, illiteracy, low social security coverage, bad governance, etc. Since climate change is caused by developed world, our stand should be for adoption of the principle of 'shared responsibilities' as per Rio 1992 i.e. those who are major contributers should shoulder the heaviest burden. We should not allow developed countries to derail our economic progress; we need space to pollute in order to develop. They have exhausted their space and usurped our space for many years. We also need to be careful when implementing mitigation or adaptation measures - we may end up starving our people e.g. allocating vast amounts of land to biofuels, we also intensify unemployment if we adopt inappropriate technologies, etc.

3. On Social inclusion we need to:
- ensure each and every citizen is covered by a social protection system. According to the International Labour Organization, if developing countries use only 2% of their GDP they can provide social protection guarantees listed under the UN Social Protection Floor (SPF) initiative.
- people participation is enhanced and becomes mandatory in all our work including policy formulation, implementation and monitoring. Need to copy our neighbours (kenya) constitution as it is a good example of how people participation can be enhanced
4. Growing Economy but poverty is still rampant: Economic growth should ensure the following:
- Creation of employment and decent jobs for all
- Faciliatate the establishment of Social Protection Schemes
- Provide quality and timely social services (water, education, health, housing, food and nutrition, democracy and good governance) to all citizens
- reduce the gap between the rich and the poor
 
     

Jerry Ngairo  : Tuesday, April 9, 2013    
  Great challenges still remain for Tanzania, My take in a simple statement: We should use the little we have/produce to build the economic and the physical infrastructures which serve the rural populace. In Tanzania we depend on agriculture more than from any subsector.I think if we spend well whatever we earn for building good rural roads, supply afforadble inputs (seeds,fertilisers) and link farmers to good markets that do not exploit but encourage production, then the likelihood of success are higher!!

 
     

Abdallah Hassan  : Tuesday, April 9, 2013    
  Dear TAKNET members;

We once again invite you to give your views regarding the recently launched 2013 Human Development Report. The "Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse”. A brief account of the report is provided above as an introduction to this discussion.

To start we would like to hear from you; regarding the following:

• What Tanzania should do to benefit or learn from the rise of the Southern countries such as; China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey etc.

• What can we do to improve in climate change, social exclusion and inequality, the factors that mostly affect HDI in our countries?

• Tanzania is among the countries that have achieved in improving health and education. What can we learn from the South to improve the quality

• Our economy is growing but the impact in terms of human development is very low. More over according to the report the growth is reflected in the cities while in the rural areas people remain poor. What can be done to overcome this?

 
     

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