We open today’s edition of our column with a look at a story appearing on Page 6 of Bongo’s huge and colourful broadsheet of Friday, November 6, with a headline that reads, ‘Government seeks contractors’ input in bid to reform procurement.’
At the end of his story, the scribbler writes: ‘The CONTRACTORS said such improvements would increase local CONTRACTORS’ participation in strategic projects, grow domestic companies, boost employment…’
We would rather one ‘contractors’ was deleted to get rid of monotony. Here is our attempt to redeem the situation: ‘The CONTRACTORS said such improvements would increase local PLAYERS’ participation in strategic projects, grow domestic companies, boost employment…’
Alternatively, our colleague could have chosen to write, ‘The contractors said such improvements would increase local ACTORS’ participation in strategic projects, grow domestic companies, boost employment…’
At the same time, it would have been perfectly okay to say, ‘…increase LOCALS’ participation…’
On Page 19, the broadsheet is running a regular cartoon strip, Gwiji, which is so cherished by this columnist that it comprises one of the reasons he buys the paper now and then. Gwiji, the main character of the strip, is fielding question from a reporter.
Asks the reporter: So, how prepared is your team in this tournament?
Gwiji’s reply: We have our own fans, own cup, own medals, own refs. Nothing to lose, REAL.’ Most funny this!
Now the word reproduced in caps, if you ask us, ought to have been ‘really.’ Nothing to lose, REALLY (not real).
Every one of us who contributes to a publication, cartoonists included, is entitled to having their work edited. That is the cardinal rule.
And now, a look at Bongo’s senior-most broadsheet of Saturday, November 7, whose Page 17 ha a story entitled, ‘Winfrida leads Tanzania’s representation in CAF youth awards’. The scribbler writes: ‘Tanzania will be represented on the continental stage after JKT Queens midfielder Winfrida was named the country’s only nominee in the CAF Youth Awards. Her nomination places her among SOME of Africa’s PROMISING young football talents…’
Our view here is, referring to our football star Winfrida as someone who is among ‘some’ of Africa’s promising young talents is entertaining uncalled-for reductionism. That actually minimises the significance of the young lady. Why not simply tell the readers that ‘her nomination places her among Africa’s PROMISING young football talents…’?
It means, when ALL Africa’s up-and-coming lady football stars are lumped together-whatever their number-Winfrida will be there-standing tall, we may add. Well done, Winnie. We are sure you are going to do us proud!
Page 19 has this other story, whose headline is, ‘Ikangaa celebrates New York Marathon legacy’ and therein, sports legend Juma Ikangaa is thus reported: ‘Ikangaa said although TIME HAS changed, the New York Marathon remains the best platform for top runners across the globe.’
The fixed idiom used to mean that society, culture, technology and the overall life conditions have now become different from what they used be in the past is: TIMES HAVE CHANGED. Times here, says our wordbook, refers to eras, epochs or the general state of the world.
However, if you are keen on using an expression that is singular in nature, feel free to say, MUCH HAS changed or, time HAS PASSED.