Category: The Citizen

Work and Travel remains one of the most popular programmes for students. It is chosen for the chance to spend summer in the US, earn money, improve English, and explore the country. But work is only half the story – the other half is living independently, which many participants are experiencing for the first time.

There is no single accommodation scenario in this programme – it really depends on the employer, the city, and the season. In some cases, participants are helped with finding a place to stay, while in other cases, they are left to sort it out themselves. The most common options are rooms, flats, houses, or dormitories shared with other students.

This format has an obvious advantage: it quickly immerses participants in real adult life. They share expenses, divide household responsibilities, negotiate with one another, learn to budget, and handle everyday matters in a foreign language. For many, this becomes an experience just as valuable as the work itself.

An added privilege is the international environment. Neighbours are often students from different countries, and it is the shared daily life that makes the programme especially vibrant: people cook together, go on trips at weekends, help each other out, and quickly build a social circle. In resort towns, accommodation is often located close to work, shops, and transport, making everyday life more convenient.

Comfort levels can vary, so it is important to check the details before travelling: how many people share a room, what is included in the price, whether appliances are provided, and how far the accommodation is from work. Ultimately, Work and Travel is valued precisely for its combination of freedom, flexibility, and the experience of independent living within an international student community.

Au Pair: life with a host family and gentle adaptation

The Au Pair programme works differently. Here, participants do not simply work abroad – they live within a host family, help with children, and become part of the household’s everyday routine. This is precisely why the living arrangements tend to be simpler and less stressful here than in other programmes.

Generally, participants are given their own room and meals. They do not need to search for a place to live, sign a rent contract, pay separately for utilities, or set up a household from scratch. From day one, there is a stable setting, a fixed address, a daily routine, and people to interact with on a regular basis. For those travelling abroad for the first time, this often turns out to be one of the most comfortable scenarios.

Another important benefit is immersion in the language and culture through everyday life. Here, language is not confined to lessons – it is spoken over breakfast, in conversations with the kids, at the shops, on family trips, and during household chores. As a result, adaptation often occurs with greater ease and speed.

Much of the success of this programme depends on whether the host family is a good fit. That is why prior discussion of the terms is key: schedule, responsibilities, days off, personal space, and everyday habits. But if expectations align, Au Pair offers not just a place to stay abroad, but a genuine immersion in another culture from the inside.

Alabuga Start: structured living arrangements and clear terms

Alabuga Start is a Russian employment programme. It differs from most programmes in that accommodation does not need to be found independently – it is built into the system from the start. For many participants, this is one of the main advantages, as it reduces the level of uncertainty right at the beginning.

The programme accepts only young women aged 18 to 22. They are placed in corporate hostels equipped with furniture, appliances, fitted kitchens, and bathrooms. One apartment with two rooms typically accommodates eight people. This format does not offer complete privacy, but it provides a valuable sense of structure: the living arrangements are clearly defined before you arrive, and adaptation takes place within a more organised environment.

Special attention is given to safety within the programme. The living spaces are located on secured premises, with Face ID access control and CCTV monitoring. For participants and their families, this is a strong argument in favour of the programme, especially when it comes to the first move to another country.

An added benefit is the clear and predictable cost of living – around $44. Since accommodation and all related expenses are already included in the programme from the beginning, participants can easily manage their budget and stay focused on work and adapting, rather than on hunting for a place to live in an unfamiliar country.

In particular, this programme is aimed at people who want more than just a job – it’s for anyone looking to build a solid profession and secure a stable income within a few years. Participants can choose from eight fields – from Construction, Installation, and Finishing works to Catering, Service and hospitality, and Logistics.

Starting salaries are around $706, and for many, that’s more than just a pay check – it’s a real chance to gain hands-on experience over two or four years in a field with real prospects.

WWOOF: down-to-earth living and life away from big cities

WWOOF is a programme for those who want to stay on an organic farm and take part in rural life. Participants help with daily tasks for a few hours a day and receive accommodation and meals in return. Living conditions here can be noticeably more basic than in city-based programmes, but that is exactly what this experience is all about.

Living conditions depend on the specific farm – it could be a room in the main house, a small separate house, a trailer, or other modest accommodation. This option is rarely associated with standard urban comfort, but for many, it becomes a way to experience a different pace of life – slower, calmer, and closely connected to nature.

Instead of urban infrastructure, what matters here are different things: peace and quiet, fresh air, organic food, physical work, and being part of the local environment. Participants often choose WWOOF precisely for this experience – as a chance to step out of their usual routine for a while and live in a simpler, more mindful way.

Another advantage of the programme is that it is budget-friendly. Accommodation and meals are usually already included, so participants do not need to cover significant living expenses. However, before travelling, it is important to read the farm description and reviews carefully: comfort levels, working conditions, and the overall atmosphere can vary considerably.

Different programmes, different approaches to comfort

Comparing these formats shows that there is no perfect option for everyone. Each programme has its own approach to comfort and its own way of organising daily life.

Work and Travel is a good fit for those who are ready for independence and want to live in an international student environment.

Au Pair suits those who value a stable daily routine, family life, and a gentler adaptation process.

Alabuga Start is for those who value structured living arrangements, clear rules, and safety precautions. The programme also offers the chance to gain a new profession.

WWOOF is for those who are ready for a more basic way of life in exchange for the experience of living in nature, away from urban life.

When choosing a programme like this, don’t just look at the country, the salary, or what you see at first glance. But it’s equally important to think about where you’ll live, if that lifestyle fits you, and what comfort means to you. At the end of the day, it’s the everyday life that will decide whether the experience feels like a challenge or a success.

Halotel Tanzania has stepped up its push to expand digital connectivity by showcasing its latest telecommunications and financial technology solutions at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), as the company’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to investing in innovation.

The firm’s Managing Direcor, Mr Bui Van Thang, visited the Halotel exhibition stand on July 8, 2026 where he inspected a range of services on display, including the company’s 5G network, Halotel Fibre home internet and HaloPesa mobile financial platform.

Accompanied by Halotel Tanzania Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ms Tran Thi Thuy Dung, the Managing Director toured the stand with Halotel Tanzania Commercial Director, Mr Abdallah Salum, who briefed the executives on the company’s showcase and customer engagement activities during the annual trade fair.

The visit also provided an opportunity for the company’s top leadership to interact with customers and frontline staff, with Mr Bui commending employees for their efforts in delivering customer service throughout the exhibition.

Speaking after the tour, Halotel Tanzania Managing Director, Mr Bui Van Thang, said the company would continue investing in technology and innovation to deliver reliable digital services that respond to the growing demand for connectivity across Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Halotel Tanzania Marketing Manager, Ms Aidat Lwiza, said the exhibition provides an opportunity for customers to engage directly with the company’s experts, learn about emerging technologies and benefit from promotional offers available during the fair.

The 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, popularly known as Sabasaba, continues until July 13, attracting hundreds of exhibitors from Tanzania and abroad as companies showcase new products, services and technologies.

The Tanzania Men’s and Women’s National Rugby Teams have returned from Burundi after competing in a regional international tournament that also featured hosts Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), gaining valuable experience as they continue preparations for future competitions.

The tour marked a significant milestone for Tanzanian rugby, as it was the first time that both the men’s and women’s national teams travelled together to represent the country at the same international tournament.

Beyond the results, the competition offered an important platform for the players to test themselves against strong regional opponents and build experience at the continental level.

The women’s team faced Burundi and Uganda in the group stage but was unable to register a victory, finishing third in the standings. Despite the outcome, the players benefited from valuable competitive exposure that is expected to contribute to the team’s long-term development.

The men’s side also endured a challenging campaign, opening with a hard-fought goalless draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo before suffering defeats to Uganda and Burundi. The results saw Tanzania finish third in its group without recording a victory.

Although both teams fell short of progressing beyond the group stage, they displayed determination, discipline and resilience throughout the tournament.

Tanzania Rugby Union believes the experience will play an important role in the continued growth of both national teams as they prepare for upcoming regional and continental assignments.

On their return journey, the Tanzanian delegation paid a courtesy visit to the country’s Ambassador to Burundi, where they briefed him on the progress of rugby in Tanzania and the steady development of both the men’s and women’s programmes. As a token of appreciation, the delegation presented the Ambassador with an official Tanzania Rugby jersey.

The Ambassador welcomed the players and officials, commending the progress the sport has made in Tanzania and encouraging the teams to continue representing the country with pride while raising its profile on the international stage.

Tanzania Rugby Union said the Burundi tour has laid another important foundation in its long-term development strategy.

The Union reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening both national teams, increasing international exposure for players, and improving performances as Tanzania seeks to establish a stronger presence in African rugby.

Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile, has directed the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to improve its ticketing systems to ensure passengers are not told that trains are full while some seats remain unoccupied on certain Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trips.

He said that the ticketing system is a key area that needs improvement to ensure citizens access services easily, without facing challenges of being told that trains are full while there are still available seats.

Kihenzile said the challenge is one of the areas that needs improvement to enhance service efficiency, noting that the country’s rail transport system is growing rapidly and must align with public expectations.

He made the remarks today, July 6, 2027, while visiting the TRC pavilion at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), where he also praised the corporation’s leadership for improving rail transport services.

Kihenzile said the ticketing system is a crucial area that must be strengthened to ensure citizens receive services easily, without facing challenges of being unable to secure seats while trains appear to have capacity.

‘SGR has been widely embraced by citizens, and many Tanzanians are enjoying this new service that enables easy and fast travel. Therefore, ensure such challenges are addressed,’ he said.

He said the service has brought major changes in rail transport in the country, citing routes such as Dodoma, Singida, Tabora, Mwanza, and Kigoma as among the most frequently used by passengers.

Kihenzile praised TRC for implementing the major national project, saying it is one of the model projects in Africa due to its infrastructure quality and management. He added that Tanzanians value the service so much that some have even suggested fare adjustments to ensure sustainability, a sign of how well the SGR has been received.

He also emphasized the need to continue improving service quality, particularly ensuring trains depart on schedule and addressing minor operational challenges.

‘The goal is to ensure this service remains sustainable and of high quality. These are improvements, not opposition to the project,’ he said.

He noted that Tanzania is currently among a few African countries with a modern railway system, making the SGR a strategic national development project.

Kihenzile called on railway sector officials to continue improving their systems, pledging that the government will continue to support all improvements aimed at enhancing services for citizens.

Responding to the issue, TRC Chief Communications Officer Athuman Idd said that some coaches appearing empty is due to many passengers who have purchased tickets but do not show up for the journey.

‘The train is indeed full as reflected in the system, and it is not that coaches are empty.

The issue is that many passengers in business class and Royal class are government officials and businesspeople, and many of them miss the train due to changes in their schedules,’ he said.

This situation makes coaches appear empty even though the system shows they are fully booked, adding that the seats have been paid for and TRC does not incur any loss.

Minister for Industry and Trade, Ms Judith Kapinga (MP), has urged Tanzanians to continue visiting the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba), saying this year’s exhibition has showcased major milestones in industrial development, technological innovation and the quality of locally manufactured products.

Speaking on July 8, 2026, after touring various exhibition stands, Ms Kapinga said public response to the fair has been overwhelming, prompting the Government to consider extending the exhibition by one more day to allow more people to participate and give traders additional time to conduct business.

She said the scale of the exhibition requires repeated visits, as it is impossible to explore all the stands in a single day, adding that she was impressed by exhibitors’ preparations and the quality of products on display.

Ms Kapinga said the 2026 exhibition has featured a wide range of modern technologies, including electric vehicles, hybrid cars, fully compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles, as well as advanced electric-powered machinery, reflecting the growth of Tanzania’s industrial sector and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.

She added that locally manufactured products have continued to improve in quality, particularly in terms of value addition and packaging, demonstrating the impact of Government efforts to empower citizens economically and promote domestic production.

‘Citizens should continue turning up to visit Sabasaba. There are more opportunities available this year, making it the right time to learn, do business and witness the progress being made by Tanzania’s industries,’ Ms Kapinga said.

She further explained that if the decision to extend the exhibition by one day is approved, it would provide more opportunities for citizens, especially those who are occupied with work on regular weekdays, to visit the fair and benefit from various business and investment opportunities.

In the 38th week of Adaugo Adebimpe’s pregnancy, she went to the hospital feeling ill. Her delivery was in two weeks and she thought her blood pressure was acting up again. Instead, doctors told her she had malaria, the fourth diagnosis during her pregnancy.

‘I took the prophylaxis twice and yet I had malaria four times during my pregnancy,’ she told The New Humanitarian. ‘I know I live in Africa and malaria is endemic, but four times in one pregnancy is a lot.’

Her family and doctors in the Nigerian city of Ibadan worried throughout her pregnancy – with good reason. Pregnant women are three to five times more likely to die from severe malaria than non-pregnant women, and 80 percent of all malaria deaths globally happen to children under five.

Adebimpe’s experience reflects a broader reality across much of Africa, where malaria remains one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.

World Malaria Day on 25 April aims to flag the progress that has been made against the disease. Between 2000 and 2024, the number of malaria-endemic countries fell from 108 to 80, and an estimated 14 million deaths were averted.

But these gains are extremely fragile. According to the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2025, there were 282 million cases worldwide in 2025 – an 11 million increase from the previous year – and 627,000 deaths.

Africa accounted for 94 percent of cases and 95 percent of all deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, and Uganda contributed to more than half of the global cases. Nigeria carries the world’s highest infection burden.

The WHO has set an ambitious target of eliminating malaria in at least 35 endemic countries by 2030 and reducing mortality rates by 90 percent. The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) has also endorsed those goals.

But owing to aid funding cuts, growing mosquito resistance to treatments and insecticides, and the impact of conflict in some of the worst-affected countries, these look increasingly like over-ambitious goals.

The 2025 malaria report points out that the financing gap for malaria action has nearly doubled. US funding cuts have hit African public health systems especially hard, with the dismantling of USAID – a key global health financier – undoing decades of progress, potentially causing hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths.

A slowdown isn’t like a break that can be un-paused when funding becomes available again – it has long-term effects on health systems. The burden of malaria also has a tremendous economic impact across the continent.

Lack of money is only part of the malaria struggle. Scientists have warned for years that malaria parasites and mosquitoes – the vectors of the disease – were adapting to standard interventions. Partial resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies, or ACTs – a frontline treatment – has been confirmed in four African countries (Eritrea, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) and is spreading.

Partial resistance does not mean the drugs have stopped working altogether, as happened with chloroquine. But it does mean treatment is taking longer – a worrying development in places where patients may already struggle to complete a full course of medication, which in itself is a significant driver of resistance.

The last time Osato Edokpayi had malaria, he thought he might die. He spent the night in an Abuja hospital gripped by violent shivering, sweating – and fear. He was so certain he might not survive that he texted his best friend his bank details and passwords.

‘ I’d never felt anything like that in my life. It genuinely felt like I wasn’t going to make it to morning,’ he explained. ‘ That was a new dimension in my getting malaria and it was an incredibly scary dimension.’

Although no formal confirmation of ACT resistance has been made where Edokpayi lives, he says many people around him believe their experiences are worsening: Symptoms feel more severe, recovery takes longer, and some cases now lead to hospitalisation in situations where earlier treatment might once have worked.

Even basic mosquito repellants don’t seem to work as before.

Olivia Ndubuisi is a science journalist based in New York

‘I was buying insecticide the other day and I asked the shop attendant which one would work best, and they pointed to one they said was pretty harsh and would get the job done,’ recounted Edokpayi.

‘I sprayed it around the house, took a walk, came back, and there were still mosquitoes,’ he said. ‘This isn’t my experience alone. Everyone says the same thing. It feels like something is wrong.’

‘The current tools we have are not effective. They have done their best, but the mosquitoes have evolved mechanisms to evade them.’

Martin Lukindu, a post-doctoral research entomologist on the Target Malaria project in the Ugandan Virus Research Institute studies resistance. ‘The current tools we have are not effective,’ he told The New Humanitarian. ‘They have done their best, but the mosquitoes have evolved mechanisms to evade them.’

The Target Malaria project is working on new approaches, including gene technology, which researchers hope could help suppress mosquito populations or reduce their ability to transmit malaria.

The WHO also points to the rollout of new malaria vaccines in 25 countries – which could save millions of children’s lives – and a new generation of insecticide-treated bed nets.

But such work is costly and depends on steady investment. ‘If you look at the Western world, they have really invested a lot of money in just gaining that knowledge,’ said Lukindu. ‘But when it comes to our countries, probably we have not, and as you know research is expensive.’

Access to populations in need is also key. Conflict and social upheaval blocks prevention, control, and treatment programmes.

In South Sudan, where fighting and displacement is a barrier to care, malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death. According to the WHO, it accounts for around 67 percent of all reported disease cases and half of all deaths in the country.

The stakes are incredibly high. If resistance spreads, the African continent could face 16 million more cases annually and 80,000 additional deaths, notes the WHO. Yet with the current assault on funding, coupled with a plateau in progress, it seems a perfect storm is brewing in malaria eradication efforts.

African governments need to be part of the solution

For Christian Happi, adjunct professor of infectious diseases at Harvard University, and director of the Institute of Genomics and Public Health at Redeemers University in Nigeria, part of the problem is that African countries are not pulling their weight.

‘ It’s not just the responsibility of outside donors. I think our governments need to take full responsibility,’ he told The New Humanitarian. ‘Countries used to make their healthcare plan and budget taking into account that aid was coming, but they never took responsibility a hundred percent.’

Kayode Tolulope, a malaria researcher at the University of Notre Dame in the US, agrees. He believes that Nigeria, for example, should be taking far more of a lead given that it carries the world’s heaviest malaria burden. Domestic financing for malaria research should be a national priority, he noted.

But climate change is also shifting the disease burden. Tolulope’s research is finding that mosquitoes are becoming present in cold, high-altitude regions and people are testing positive for malaria where it was previously assumed to not be possible, such as the Horn of Africa.

It could also re-emerge in areas where malaria has been beaten. ‘Right now malaria is not a thing for the US, but I think it might be very soon with climate change and global warming,’ he noted.

Yet with the tools and resources available today, WHO believes nobody should be dying from malaria.

Tolulope agrees – but with reservations. ‘The problem of malaria is solvable, but a lot of the moving parts need to come together,’ he said. ‘It will be difficult, but the countries that have got there are proof of concept. It can be solved, but not without heightened local funding and collaboration.’

The WHO’s goal of eliminating malaria in at least 35 countries by 2030 was set in 2015. What seemed potentially feasible then has not worn well.

‘What we require right now is holistic, high-level funding to support and sustain all those efforts,’ said Happi.

Even then, he estimates such an endeavour would take 25 years – another generation at least – before the threat of malaria ceases to be a present danger.

The Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) has described the retirement of Taifa Stars captain Mbwana Samatta from international football as premature, saying the veteran striker still had enough quality to serve the national team until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

Speaking to _The Citizen_ yesterday, ZFF secretary general Hussein Ahmada Vuai said Samatta remains one of Tanzania’s finest footballers and still has the ability to make a significant contribution to the national team.

Vuai noted that the 32-year-old forward continues to compete at the highest level with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre, demonstrating that he remains capable of performing on the international stage.

“Samatta is a highly disciplined player who has contributed immensely to the growth of football in Tanzania. Considering that he is still playing in one of Europe’s top leagues, we believe he had enough quality to continue serving Taifa Stars, at least until the 2027 Afcon finals on home soil,” said Vuai.

He added that Samatta has become a role model for many young footballers in Zanzibar and across the country, making his retirement announcement a major surprise within the football fraternity.

“In Zanzibar, there are young players who even use the name ‘Samatta’ as their nickname because of the success he has achieved and the way he has promoted Tanzania internationally. Players such as Feisal ‘Fei Toto’ Salum, Ibrahim ‘Bacca’ Hamad, Mudathir Yahaya and many others who have played alongside him in Taifa Stars have benefited greatly from his guidance and leadership.

“For us at ZFF, this is a huge shock. We still believe he could have continued playing international football for another two years,” he said.

Vuai said ZFF will continue to honour Samatta for his outstanding contribution to Tanzanian football and the inspiration he has provided to generations of players.

Meanwhile, Taifa Stars head coach Miguel Gamondi admitted that Samatta’s decision came as a shock, despite holding discussions with the striker before the announcement.

Gamondi said he respected Samatta’s decision but had hoped the experienced forward would continue representing the country.

“I had the opportunity to speak with him about his decision, but by then he had already made up his mind.

Although I worked with him for only a short period during our preparations for the Morocco Afcon campaign, I was impressed by his commitment, professionalism and desire to serve his country,” said Gamondi.

The Argentine coach described Samatta as an exemplary leader whose legacy will continue to shape Tanzanian football long after his retirement from international duty.

“Samatta’s legacy will always remain part of the development of football in Tanzania.

His journey from Tanzania to playing professionally in Belgium, England, Greece, Trkiye and now France shows the calibre of player he is,” said Gamondi.

He added that although Samatta has retired from Taifa Stars, he intends to continue involving him in football development programmes, particularly those targeting young players.

“I will continue to seek his advice and involve him in various football development initiatives because he is one of Tanzania’s most accomplished footballers.

His experience and leadership will remain valuable to the national team and the country’s football development,” Gamondi said.

There is no such thing as ‘the perfect garden,’ as it changes from one season to the next when different colored flowers bloom, trees change leaf color, food is harvested, and lawns and landscapes continue to evolve with the seasons.

The garden continues to evolve, but most of this can only be seen through individual photographs taken at certain moments in time. Seasonal transformation videos are popular because they allow gardeners to showcase their gardens during each season.

With the help of the latest Seedance 2.5 model, you can build incredible seasonal transformation videos of how your garden has evolved over the growing period of time using photographs of your garden.

This dream tool will allow you to compile all of your photographs from every month into one single video that will showcase the blooming of your flowers, the growth of your vegetables, and the development of the colors in your landscape throughout the year in a single visual story.

Your garden blooming on the screen

Each garden starts with preparing the soil. The garden becomes colorful, full of blossoming flowers, greenery, and alive thanks to your efforts. Showing this process will show the patience and attention needed to grow a perfect garden.

Do not simply give the result; show the process instead. Start from the first days when you were planting things in the soil and gradually reveal fresh sprouts, flourishing plants, and blossoms.

Include events such as:

Plant bed preparation

First emergence of young sprouts

Plants during midseason

Flowering and/or harvest at peak

Finished garden in bloom

Each event is one more chapter of the garden’s story.

Celebrate all the seasons, not only the end result

Gardens constantly change, and each season is unique.

The spring season presents bright blooms and new life. The summer season provides lots of colors and growth. Fall season has warm colors and harvest-ready plants. Winter shows the garden through textures of winter and preparation of the garden for next season.

Don’t think of these as several projects, but rather one cinematic story. Transitions from photos of different seasons show the development of the garden and highlight how important each step of the gardening process is for its final result.

How Seedance 2.5 allows gardens to blossom

With the newest upgrade, Seedance 2.5 integrates prompts, seasonal garden photos, and references into one streamlined creative process. The multimodal input feature ensures that all stages of your garden’s evolution remain connected with a unique visual style.

A more consistent tone allows for natural coloring and lighting across the whole video, whereas longer video generation allows enough time to show an entire season or even a year of growth without haste. Seedance 2.5 can now create a video up to 30 seconds, so you can provide longer and more immersive video for readers.

Garden your story with Dreamina

Step 1: Start Dreamina Seedance 2.5

Visit Dreamina and select the Seedance 2.5 AI Video Generator, which allows direct access to the official tool to generate high-quality AI videos using text, image, and reference prompts.

Step 2: Provide your prompt and references

Give an elaborate prompt that describes your video scene, its subject, motion, camera techniques, and desired visual ambiance. Upload any image or reference materials if you wish to guide the character, product, style, and overall direction of your video.

Sample Prompt: Create a cinematic seasonal garden transformation video depicting the evolution of a backyard from newly planted flower beds to a blooming garden in full blossom. Include garden pictures, smooth camera movements, natural sunlight, gradual season transition, realistic plant growth, and an ambiance that highlights nature and gardening.

Step 3: Generate, edit and save

Click on Generate to allow Dreamina Seedance 2.5 to generate your idea as a cinematic AI video. If necessary, edit your prompt or references to fine-tune the generated video, and save your AI video for sharing in social media, ads, product promotions, etc.

Motivate other gardeners on your path

While people love to see a great garden, they like to see how it was built even more.

Demonstrating your seasonal growth inspires people to start gardening themselves and proves that great landscapes grow through patience and diligence.

Think about including:

Flower bed changes

Vegetable garden evolution

Backyard landscaping

Balcony gardening

Seasonal planting series

Every video serves as inspiration and praise to each gardener’s creativity.

Make a visual garden diary

Many gardeners capture photos through the seasons and don’t even know that they have all the necessary material for making video stories.

Each new season means that you will get closer to the point where you will be able to see your growth, your experiments, and changes during the past years. It will be possible to look back at your previous work and to compare your ideas and successes, and to evaluate the results.

It is also possible to use your videos for sharing among friends, gardening forums, and among clients if you are designing landscapes for others. Rather than just presenting images, you will be showing the entire season story and will prove not only your creativity but your devotion as well.

Each new season will become one more story in your gardening experience.

Dreamina to share your garden’s story

A garden is an expression of patience and imagination along with lots of little instances of nurturing. With the help of converting your garden photography into movies that tell a story through their scenes, Dreamina will enable you to experience each step of the way entertainingly.

Using Seedance 2.5, you can make even your ordinary garden updates look like stunning video storytelling.

Illegal gold mining activities in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, have been blamed for increasing silt levels in Lake Rukwa, with authorities warning that the practice is accelerating environmental degradation and raising flood risks for communities around the lake.

The Lake Rukwa Basin Water Board has warned miners against carrying out illegal activities and using chemicals in rivers that drain into the lake, saying such practices pollute water sources and increase sediment deposits.

The board said mining, farming, and other activities conducted in river reserves in breach of regulations were among the factors contributing to environmental damage in the basin.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Lake Rukwa Basin Water Board executive director, Mr Emmanuel Kisendi, said increased silt accumulation could raise water levels and expose surrounding communities to flooding.

‘Social activities have greatly contributed to affecting Lake Rukwa. This situation could cause flooding for residents living around the lake due to increased water levels,’ he said.

Mr Kisendi said data collected between 2020 and 2023 showed that water levels had risen by about four metres, expanding the lake’s surface area and increasing risks for nearby settlements.

However, he said the board was still conducting studies to determine whether the rise was caused by increased rainfall or human activities that accelerate siltation in rivers flowing into the lake.

‘Mining activities inside rivers are unacceptable. Those with valid licences must comply with legal requirements and avoid using chemicals during mineral extraction to protect water resources,’ he said.

Mr Kisendi said pollution resulting from economic and social activities continued to threaten the ecosystem of the Lake Rukwa Basin.

He identified encroachment on river reserves as another major challenge, with some residents continuing agricultural activities in areas designated for protecting water sources.

Board outlines measures

Mr Kisendi said the board was enforcing water resource management laws to ensure mining, farming, and other activities did not damage rivers feeding Lake Rukwa.

He said authorities were also educating communities on the importance of protecting river reserves and encouraging residents to relocate from high-risk areas through dialogue rather than force.

The board has continued installing boundary markers around rivers and the lake to help residents identify areas where human activities are restricted.

Mr Kisendi warned that continued disregard for directives would force authorities to take action under the Water Resources Management Act No. 11 of 2009, its 2022 amendments, and the Environmental Management Act of 2004.

‘Those laws prohibit human activities within 60 metres from river banks unless special permission is obtained from relevant authorities,’ he said.

Chunya District Environmental Officer, Mr Lucas Deodory, said despite challenges caused by encroachment of river reserves for mining and mineral processing, his office continued educating miners and residents on environmental protection.

‘We are working with the Lake Rukwa Basin Water Board to provide education and conduct awareness meetings on the ban against social activities, especially gold processing, within 60 metres of river reserves,’ he said.

Mr Deodory said a similar challenge had previously occurred in copper mining areas, where some miners entered restricted zones and damaged infrastructure.

He said authorities responded by marking boundaries and enforcing environmental protection laws.

Kibaoni resident, Mr Fabian Lwitiko, who is a small-scale miner, said continuous education and enforcement were necessary to address environmental destruction.

‘I am a small-scale miner. The challenge exists, but we ask relevant authorities to continue providing education and enforcing the law without hesitation to protect the environment and water sources,’ he said.

Ms Chausiku Mturo said activities taking place inside river reserves had contributed to environmental degradation and reduced biodiversity, including fish and sardines that provide food and income for local communities.

The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta) has released the 2026 Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) results, with school candidates maintaining an exceptionally high pass rate of 99.92 percent, while more than half secured the top Division I grade. According to Necta, 125,320 school candidates, equivalent to 99.02 percent of those registered, sat the examination. Female attendance stood at 99.12 percent, with 61,835 candidates sitting the examination, while 63,485 male candidates, or 98.93 percent, took part.

In comparison, 126,135 school candidates sat the examination in 2025, representing an attendance rate of 99.38 percent.

Among private candidates, 6,476 candidates (91.33 percent) sat the examination, while 615 candidates (8.67 percent) were absent. Last year, 6,761 private candidates, equivalent to 90.73 percent, took the examination.

Prof Mohamed noted that 125,056 school candidates passed, representing 99.92 percent of those with results, while only 97 candidates (0.08 percent) failed.

“In 2025, a total of 125,779 school candidates, equivalent to 99.95 percent, passed the examination. The pass rate for school candidates has therefore remained consistently high in 2026,” he said.

The gender breakdown shows that 61,733 female candidates (99.94 percent) passed, compared with 63,323 male candidates (99.91 percent).

Performance among private candidates also improved. Necta said 6,112 private candidates, representing 94.5 percent, passed the examination, up from 6,127 candidates (90.7 percent) in 2025.

“The pass rate for private candidates has increased by 3.8 percentage points compared to 2025,” Prof Mohamed noted.

The results also indicate that 124,603 candidates, equivalent to 99.56 percent, attained Divisions I to III, reflecting continued strong performance.

“Of these candidates, the majority attained the highest grades, with 67,696 candidates (54.09 percent) awarded Division I and 43,515 candidates (34.77 percent) obtaining Division II,” said Prof Mohamed.

He noted that in 2025, 125,375 candidates (99.62 percent) attained Divisions I to III, with 48.57 percent earning Division I and 39.24 percent securing Division II.

“The quality of performance has therefore remained high in 2026,” Prof Mohamed said.