Category: The Citizen

Taifa Group chairman Mr Rostam Azizi has received the highest distinguished award from the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce (TNCC) in recognition of his contribution to investment promotion, job creation and Tanzania’s economic development.

The award was presented by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba during the 2026 Trade and Investment Conference organised by TNCC at the Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam.

Mr Azizi was recognised for his role in promoting investment across different sectors, supporting employment creation and contributing to the expansion of social services.

Addressing participants at the conference, Dr Nchemba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the business and investment climate through reforms in policies, legislation, regulations and service delivery systems aimed at strengthening the private sector.

“The private sector agenda is the national agenda. We cannot achieve the goals of Vision 2050 without a strong private sector working closely with the government,” he said.

He said the government would continue addressing recommendations raised by private sector stakeholders in efforts to remove barriers affecting trade and improve the competitiveness of Tanzanian products and services in regional and international markets.

Dr Nchemba noted that strengthening collaboration between the government and private sector remained important in accelerating economic growth and supporting the country’s long-term development ambitions.

Receiving the award, Mr Azizi thanked the government and TNCC for the recognition, saying it would encourage him to continue supporting national development efforts.

“I receive this award with great honour. I dedicate it to the collective efforts of the private sector and the government in building a strong and resilient economy,” he said.

He also congratulated other award recipients recognised during the event for their contribution to private sector development and improving the business environment.

Others honoured during the ceremony included Emma Kawawa, David Mwaibula, Imani Kajula, Elibariki Mmasi and Mercy Emmanuel Sila for their contributions to strengthening private sector activities and supporting the work of TNCC.

Tanzania has taken another significant step towards economic self-reliance after public institutions and companies in which the government holds shares paid a record Sh1.327 trillion in dividends and contributions to the Treasury.

The amount, received by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the third annual Gawio Day at State House on June 30, represents a 30 percent increase from the Sh1.028 trillion collected in the previous financial year.

It’s a Friday afternoon. The clock reads 4:55 p.m. Your laptop is halfway closed, your bag is packed and mentally, you’ve already started your weekend. Then your manager walks over and says, ‘Before you log off, can you finish this tonight?’

Suddenly, your evening changes.

For many professionals, this moment has very little to do with one extra task. It becomes a question of what kind of employee you are expected to be. Do you stay because that’s what committed employees do? Or do you leave because your working day has already ended?

We recently posed this scenario on The Citizen’s Instagram page, and the responses revealed that this isn’t just about a late deadline. It opened a much bigger conversation about workplace culture, leadership, boundaries and the pressure many people feel to constantly prove their commitment.

What the responses revealed

When someone else’s planning becomes your problem

One of the strongest themes in the comments was frustration with poor planning. Many readers felt that work appearing five minutes before closing time is rarely a genuine emergency. More often, it reflects delays that happened much earlier in the process.

One reader summed it up perfectly:

‘Your poor planning can’t be my emergency. See you in the morning.’

The comment resonated because many employees have lived this experience. A deadline that could have been managed earlier quietly becomes someone else’s responsibility at the end of the day. After a while, staying late no longer feels like teamwork. It feels like carrying the consequences of someone else’s planning.

Authority doesn’t automatically create leadership

Another thread in the comments was the gap between authority and leadership.

As one reader wrote:

‘So many managers mistake authority for leadership… The sad reality is that many talented employees don’t quit their jobs, they quit bosses like these.’

Most people don’t mind working hard. They don’t even mind staying late when circumstances genuinely require it. The frustration begins when every deadline becomes urgent and every late evening is treated as proof of commitment.

Most people don’t expect every day to end exactly at five. Deadlines change, clients call, and sometimes things genuinely come up. The problem is when poor planning becomes so routine that employees are expected to absorb it without question.

Why saying ‘No’ feels risky

Not everyone agreed that leaving at five was the right decision.

One company account commented:

‘You just stay and do the job otherwise that’s an alarm for you to be self employed.’

The comment reflects something many employees quietly believe. In many workplaces, staying late has become tied to ideas of loyalty, commitment and professionalism. Leaving on time can feel like you’re sending the wrong message, even when you’ve completed everything you were expected to do.

The conversation stops being about the task itself and starts becoming about your character.

What this says about our work culture

Another reader kept it simple:

‘These results tells you everything about the tz job market.’

That one sentence probably explains why this conversation struck such a nerve.

Jobs are competitive. Opportunities can feel uncertain. For many young professionals, saying no doesn’t just feel uncomfortable. It feels risky.

People aren’t always staying late because they believe the request is reasonable. Sometimes they’re staying because they’re thinking about performance reviews, future promotions or whether saying no today will quietly affect opportunities tomorrow.

Why this feels bigger than one late deadline

Part of the answer sits outside the workplace.

Many of us were raised to respect authority without questioning it. Parents, teachers and elders were rarely challenged, and speaking up could easily be interpreted as disrespect. Those lessons don’t disappear once we enter the workplace.

So when a manager asks you to stay late, it doesn’t always land as a simple work request. It can feel like a test of attitude, discipline or respect.

That is why even reasonable boundaries can come with guilt attached. Not because the request is always unreasonable, but because many of us were never really taught how to separate respect from automatic compliance.

Navigating the 5:00 PM request

There isn’t one correct response. Sometimes staying late genuinely makes sense. Sometimes protecting your evening is the better decision. The important thing is making that decision intentionally rather than out of pressure.

If you decide to stay, keep it clear and contained:

‘I can stay for about an hour and focus on the priority items, but after that I’ll need to head home.’

If you decide to leave, still keep it professional and forward-moving:

‘I understand this is important. I’ve already committed my evening elsewhere, but I’ll make this my first priority tomorrow morning.’

Boundaries don’t need to be dramatic. Most of the time, they are just clarity in real time.

The bottom line

When that 4:55 p.m. request lands, a growing number of professionals are choosing to bid a polite but firm farewell or, as one reader simply put it:

‘Gudubaaiiii ??’

Whether you choose to pack your bag or stay behind to finish the project, the more important question is whether the decision was actually yours to make. Were you responding to a genuine business need, or were you responding to the fear of disappointing someone in authority?

Not every last-minute request is unreasonable. Sometimes projects genuinely run over, clients make unexpected demands or emergencies happen. But when urgency becomes routine rather than the exception, it is worth asking whether the problem is employee commitment or workplace culture.

Unless the building is physically on fire, the work will almost always be there tomorrow morning.

Disclaimer: This column is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice. While exploring these psychological concepts can provide helpful insight, it is not a replacement for professional therapy. If you are struggling with deep family conflict, burnout, or mental health challenges and want to dive deeper, please consider reaching out to a licensed therapist or mental health professional for personalized guidance.

Haika Gerson is a mental health advocate with a background in psychology and a focus on modern relational wellness.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Tanzania has set a target of achieving 60 percent self-sufficiency in medicines and medical supplies by 2030, directing the newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, to fast-track its implementation.

Speaking at State House, Magogoni, in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, during the swearing in of recently appointed senior government officials, President Hassan said the appointments come at the start of a new five-year development plan and the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.

Sebastian Beccacece bid a heartfelt farewell as Ecuador coach following their 2-0 defeat by Mexico in the World Cup round of ?32 on Tuesday, saying he would have liked to continue in the but that he had failed to deliver on his promises.

Despite entering the knockout stage with renewed momentum following a dramatic comeback victory over Germany, Ecuador could not overcome Mexico’s ?fast start and flawless defensive record.

“Our contract ended with the World Cup. ?I don’t think we were able to achieve the feat ?we promised: to make this the best World Cup ever. Today it’s my ?turn to say goodbye,” Beccacece said after their defeat at a deafening Azteca Stadium.

“That’s ?why I have to leave. I would have liked to continue because what I received from the players and the management warranted the possibility of continuing.

But I understand how ?this works and it hurts, but I think the decision was clear.”

Beccacece acknowledged ?his team were frustrated by an energised Mexican side, who dominated the opening 45 minutes.

“We were outplayed ?the first half,” he said.

Ecuador improved after the break and enjoyed more possession as they searched for a way back into the contest, but Mexico’s defence held firm.

“We fought back, but we couldn’t find the goal that would have given ?us a boost,” ?Beccacece added.

Despite the ?pain of elimination, the Argentine manager chose to focus on the deep bond forged with his squad and the country ?during their journey.

Asked about the legacy he leaves behind, Beccacece ?deflected the ?praise to his squad.

“The legacy is from the players, because they have been the youngest team of Ecuador,” he said.

“I have no complaints, only gratitude to the people ?and ?the players,” he said. “I received so much gratitude ?and affection from the bottom of my heart.

The boys gave me two beautiful hours after the ?match and that’s what we’re left with.”

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah resumed training on Tuesday, participating in part ?of the team’s session as he his recovery from a hamstring strain and boosting hopes he will be fit ?for Friday’s World Cup last-32 ?clash against Australia.

Salah was substituted during ?Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran in ?their final group match, casting doubt ?over his availability for the knockout tie in Dallas.

Photos posted on the Egyptian Football Association’s ?Facebook page showed a smiling Salah ?back on the training pitch in Spokane, where ?have been preparing for the Australia match. The team accompanied the images with the caption: “The King is back”.

Salah’s ?return was ?a timely ?boost for Egypt, who progressed to the knockout stages ?for the first time after ?finishing ?second in their group with five points, behind leaders Belgium on goal difference.

The ?34-year-old ?has been instrumental in ?Egypt’s campaign, scoring once and providing two assists.

Despite government efforts to strengthen inclusive education, stakeholders say Tanzania still faces major challenges in ensuring every child, regardless of disability or learning difficulty, receives quality education in an environment suited to their needs.

Tanzania is implementing various policies and guidelines to integrate children with special educational needs into mainstream education, including the National Inclusive Education Strategy 2022-2026.

Daladala operators along Kilwa Road have been granted partial relief as a directive barring them from dropping passengers at intermediate stops until their final destination takes effect today, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

The relief follows permission allowing the commuter minibuses to use alternative routes that avoid interference with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, commonly known as mwendokasi.

Young Africans’ (Yanga) celebrations after securing a historic fifth consecutive Mainland Tanzania Premier League title were overshadowed by a serious injury to attacking midfielder Pacome Zouzoua, who suffered a broken left leg during the club’s 3-0 victory over JKT Tanzania.

The Ivorian playmaker sustained the injury after a reckless challenge from JKT Tanzania defender Hassan Wahabi in first-half stoppage time during the league finale at Major General Isamuhyo Stadium on June 30, 2026.

The incident occurred in the 45+3rd minute as Wahabi attempted to stop Pacome’s run. Referee Katanga Hussein of Tabora immediately produced a straight red card, sending off the JKT defender for the dangerous tackle.

Medical personnel rushed onto the pitch to attend to Pacome before he was taken by ambulance to Aga Khan Hospital for further treatment. Medical examinations later confirmed that the midfielder had suffered a fracture to his left leg.

The injury brought a premature end to another influential performance from the Ivorian, who has been one of Yanga’s standout players this season with his creativity and attacking contributions.

Head coach Miloud Hamdi responded by introducing Mohammed Damaro, who replaced Pacome as Yanga comfortably saw out the match despite the setback.

Goals from Prince Dube, Maxi Nzengeli and Clement “Depu” Mzize sealed a convincing 3-0 victory, enabling Yanga to finish the season with their 32nd Mainland Premier League title and a record-equalling fifth successive league championship.

However, the celebrations were tempered by concern for Pacome, whose injury cast a shadow over an otherwise memorable evening for the newly crowned champions.

Although the club has not yet announced how long the midfielder is expected to be sidelined, a broken leg is likely to keep him out of action for several months, dealing a major blow to Yanga’s preparations for next season.

His absence could prove significant as the Tanzanian champions begin planning for the 2026/27 campaign, which includes another appearance in the Caf Champions League, where they will be aiming to build on their recent continental performances.

Yanga are expected to provide a detailed medical update on the player’s condition after further assessment by specialists.

As diseases become more complex and medical knowledge continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, healthcare experts say hospitals can no longer rely solely on modern equipment and specialised doctors to deliver quality care. Access to up-to-date scientific evidence has become an equally critical pillar of healthcare.

It is against this backdrop that the Aga Khan University (AKU) has unveiled a modern research library at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, a move expected to strengthen clinical decision-making, medical research and continuous professional learning among healthcare workers.

Unlike conventional university libraries, the new facility has been established within the hospital premises, allowing doctors, nurses, specialists, students and even patients to access medical and educational resources without leaving the clinical environment.

Speaking during the launch on July 1, 2026, AKU Medical College Principal, Prof Paschal Ruggajo, said the library was designed to bridge learning, research and patient care.

“This unique library has been established within the hospital environment to ensure doctors, students and even patients have easy access to information and opportunities for continuous learning,” he said.

He noted that the library houses a wide range of medical textbooks covering undergraduate, specialist and super-specialist training, alongside research publications and books outside the medical field to cater for broader learning needs.

“We believe quality education, research and excellent healthcare go hand in hand. If we want to continue improving healthcare services, we must continue investing in knowledge,” Prof Ruggajo said.

He explained that most specialist trainees spend much of their time attending patients in hospital wards.

“Having the library within the hospital means a doctor can leave the ward, consult the latest medical literature, review evidence and return to the patient better informed. That directly improves the quality of care,” he said.

The facility was officially inaugurated by Aga Khan Universities President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, underscoring the institution’s commitment to integrating education with healthcare delivery.

Globally, healthcare systems are increasingly embracing evidence-based medicine, where treatment decisions are informed by the latest scientific research rather than routine practice alone.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), continuous professional development is essential for maintaining a competent health workforce and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The organisation notes that healthcare workers require ongoing access to updated knowledge as diseases, technologies and treatment guidelines continue to change.

Beyond clinicians, AKU says the new library will also benefit patients and their families by providing educational materials that can help them better understand diseases, treatment options and healthy lifestyles.

AKU Chief Librarian in Tanzania Dr Jacqueline Kiwelu said the institution previously operated a much smaller library that had become inadequate for its growing student population.

“The previous library had limited space, making it difficult for students to study comfortably. This new facility provides larger reading areas, discussion rooms and better learning resources for students pursuing medicine, nursing and midwifery,” she said.

She added that dedicated spaces have been created for individual study as well as group discussions to promote collaborative learning.

The importance of such facilities is becoming increasingly evident as Tanzania expands specialist healthcare services and invests in training more medical professionals.

With referral hospitals managing rising numbers of patients suffering from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other complex conditions, clinicians are expected to continually update their knowledge to keep pace with global advances.

Experts say while investments in modern diagnostic equipment and hospital infrastructure remain essential, access to credible scientific information is what enables health professionals to use those technologies effectively.

For patients, the impact of a hospital library may not be immediately visible. Yet behind every accurate diagnosis, carefully selected treatment plan and successful medical procedure often lies a clinician who has timely access to the latest medical evidence.

By bringing knowledge closer to the bedside, the Aga Khan University library is expected to strengthen not only education and research but also the quality of healthcare delivered to Tanzanians.