Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. In line with efforts to promote the development of sports in the country, as championed by the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, Monti International School has announced a 10 day high performance swimming camp to be held in Dar es Salaam.

The camp, which will run from May 5 to May 14, 2026, will take place at the school’s Mikocheni campus and will be led by renowned American coach Austin Pillado. Pillado, currently the associate head coach of the women’s swimming team at Washington State University, was part of the technical bench that guided a title winning team at the National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in 2024 during his time at Arizona State University.

His experience working with Olympic champions and world record holders is expected to add value to the growth of swimming in Tanzania, particularly among young athletes. Monti International School founder and director Fatma Fernandes said the initiative is aimed at raising the standard of local swimmers to match global levels.

She said bringing in elite coaches offers young athletes access to professional training methods and performance analysis similar to those used by top international competitors. The camp will introduce advanced training tools, including underwater camera technology that provides real time feedback to help swimmers refine their techniques.

Participants will also attend sessions on race strategy, nutrition and the modern “Fifth Stroke” concept, which focuses on improving efficiency and overall performance in competitive swimming. Organisers said the programme is modelled on training systems used by universities competing under the NCAA, with emphasis on mastering the four main swimming strokes while improving endurance and speed.

The school noted that its investment in sports infrastructure, including a 25 metre Olympic standard swimming pool, is intended to support both students and the wider community. The camp is expected to attract participants from across East Africa, with limited slots available to allow close monitoring and personalised development.

The initiative is seen as a step forward in efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s presence in international swimming while supporting the broader goal of nurturing talent and enhancing competitiveness in sports. .

Dar es Salaam. When leaders at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) recently urged academic staff to prioritise artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, the message went beyond one institution in Tanzania.

It captured a growing global reality: university lecturers must adapt to fast-moving digital change or risk losing relevance Opening a Special Staff Council meeting, UDSM Council Deputy Chairperson Moremi Marwa made the position clear. AI, he said, is no longer optional but central to improving efficiency, service delivery and institutional decision-making.

“In an era of rapid change, technology, especially AI–plays a critical role in simplifying work and improving how institutions operate,” he noted. Across higher education systems worldwide, AI is rapidly becoming embedded in teaching, research and administration.

From automated marking tools to generative AI platforms that can produce essays and code, the academic landscape is changing faster than many anticipated. According to UNESCO, universities must now rethink how knowledge is delivered, assessed and validated in the age of AI.

The organisation warns that digital skills are no longer an added advantage, they are essential. For lecturers, this creates both urgency and responsibility.

Graduates are entering a labour market where AI is already shaping industries, from finance and health to media and education itself. If teaching methods remain unchanged, universities risk producing graduates who are out of step with workplace realities.

The UDSM leadership is aligning this push with long-term reforms. Vice Chancellor William Anangisye underscored that digital transformation sits at the heart of the institution’s Vision 2061 and its 20242033 Strategic Plan, signalling a deliberate shift towards a more technology-driven academic environment.

Yet what is happening at UDSM reflects a much wider trend. At the centre of this transformation is the lecturer.

AI can assist with content generation, data analysis and personalised learning. But it cannot replace the human role of guiding critical thinking, ethical judgement and contextual understanding.

“AI should enhance teaching, not replace it,” says a leading researcher in AI and education, Prof Wayne Holmes. “Educators need to be equipped to help students use these tools critically and responsibly.

” The challenge, however, is that many lecturers are still catching up. Global surveys show widespread use of AI tools among academics, but also significant uncertainty about how to apply them effectively in teaching and research.

Experts note that this gap–between access and understanding–is where lecturers must step forward. They said, rise of AI is not simply about adopting new tools.

It is reshaping the very nature of teaching. Traditional lecture-based approaches are increasingly being challenged by AI systems capable of delivering content instantly.

In this environment, the lecturer’s role is evolving–from a source of knowledge to a facilitator of deeper learning. As Professor at University College London, Rose Luckin, explains: “The real value of educators lies in helping students question, interpret and apply knowledge–skills that AI alone cannot provide.

” This means rethinking assessments, encouraging originality and teaching students how to interrogate AI-generated content. It also requires lecturers to model ethical use of technology in their own work.

For universities, the stakes are high. Institutions that fail to embrace AI risk falling behind in global rankings, research output and graduate employability.

“Those that move early can position themselves as leaders in innovation and attract partnerships, funding and talent,” Prof Luckin wrote on her LinkedIn page. UDSM’s recent push is therefore significant.

By encouraging staff to integrate AI into their work, the university is signalling its intention to remain competitive in a global knowledge economy. .

Dar es Salaam. Most mobile communication service providers in Tanzania have met quality of service standards set by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), reflecting strong performance in the telecom sector.

According to the latest communications sector report for the period ending December 2025, mobile network operators generally complied with regulatory benchmarks, while gaps were noted in parts of the broadcasting, postal and courier sectors. The regulator assessed mobile network operators, postal and courier companies between October and December 2025 to determine compliance with quality of service requirements.

The report shows that all five mobile network operators met required thresholds in key performance indicators, including network availability, call connection success rates and voice and data service delivery. Other indicators such as SMS delivery time, call setup time and voice quality also recorded compliance levels above 90 percent across operators.

Network availability measures the consistency of access to mobile services, while call connection success rate reflects successfully completed calls after dialling. Call drop rate measures interrupted calls due to technical faults.

Coverage assesses signal strength and service reach, while data speed measures the efficiency of internet service delivery and response times. SMS delivery time tracks how quickly messages are delivered, while call setup time measures the duration taken to establish a call, with a benchmark of under eight seconds.

Voice quality evaluates clarity during calls. Despite strong performance in telecoms, the report identified compliance gaps in other sectors.

Out of 16 television stations inspected, 12 did not adhere to their registered programming schedules, while four failed to submit schedules as required under regulations. In the radio sector, four out of 12 stations either failed to follow approved schedules or did not submit them.

However, most radio and television stations complied with broader content requirements, including providing diverse programming, airing educational content and allocating at least 90 minutes daily to news broadcasts. In the courier segment, 12 out of 20 domestic parcel service providers met same-day delivery requirements.

However, only seven out of 17 operators complied with the two-day delivery standard under a separate licence category. .

Mwanza. More than 7,000 women entrepreneurs have benefited from a financial inclusion programme after CRDB Bank Foundation announced a Sh3 billion initiative aimed at supporting women-owned businesses in Ilemela and Mwanza Region.

The programme, implemented in collaboration with Kafiti Foundation, also included the disbursement of about Sh760 million in seed capital as part of the broader empowerment package. The Mwanamke na Kafiti conference brought together women entrepreneurs from across the region and was officially opened by Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda, who represented the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Dorothy Gwajima.

Mr Mtanda said women play a key role in household and national development, urging them to utilise available financial opportunities to grow their businesses. He also cautioned against excluding spouses from financial decisions, saying this could lead to household disputes when businesses face challenges.

“There are cases where loans are taken without informing partners, which later creates conflict when repayment becomes difficult,” he said. CRDB Bank Foundation Executive Director TullyEsther Mwambapa said the institution, established in 2023, focuses on expanding financial inclusion among women, youth and marginalised groups.

She said the Sh3 billion allocation will support entrepreneurs in Ilemela and across Mwanza Region through business financing and capacity-building programmes. “This initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods,” she said.

Ms Mwambapa said the foundation works with partners to promote financial literacy, entrepreneurship, access to markets and business formalisation. So far, the foundation has reached more than 1.

25 million entrepreneurs across sectors including agriculture, fishing, small-scale mining, informal trade and small industries. CRDB Bank Chief Commercial Officer Boma Raballa said the bank has disbursed more than Sh513 billion in the Lake Zone, with Sh240 billion directed to Mwanza Region.

He said the bank continues to focus on reaching entrepreneurs who are outside the formal banking system. Kafiti Foundation Executive Director Mapuli Kafiti said the broader goal is to empower more than five million entrepreneurs through partnerships with key stakeholders.

Ilemela MP William Kafiti said the programme is part of ongoing efforts to improve livelihoods and strengthen economic participation among residents. .

In an increasingly competitive labour market, talent is emerging as a critical asset–enabling young people not only to secure livelihoods but also to create opportunities for others, particularly in the creative and sports industries. Yet, across Tanzania, a persistent tension remains.

For many families, nurturing talent, especially in sport and the arts, is still viewed as a distraction from academic success rather than a complementary pathway. This mindset, experts warn, risks locking out a generation of young people from opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Speaking after the Uwezo Festival finals held recently in Dar es Salaam, which brought together secondary school students from the Coastal Zone through the Uwezo Bonanza and Uwezo Awards, Great Hope’s National Projects Coordinator, Noelle Mahuvi, underscored the urgency of shifting this narrative. “Some parents still show limited support when it comes to their children expressing their talents.

This discourages many young people and, ultimately, suppresses potential that could transform not only their lives but society as a whole,” she says. Ms Mahuvi’s argument is not merely anecdotal.

A growing body of global research shows that integrating play, sport, and creative arts into education significantly improves learning outcomes, employability, and social development. According to Unesco, quality physical education and school sport programmes enhance students’ cognitive performance, concentration, and academic achievement, while also building critical life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership.

Similarly, Unicef highlights that structured play supports emotional well-being and helps children develop problem-solving abilities–skills that are essential in the 21st-century economy. Since 2016, Great Hope has been working with secondary schools through initiatives such as Uwezo Bonanza and Uwezo Awards, reaching more than 100 schools in Dar es Salaam and the Coast Region.

The programmes identify and nurture talents in areas ranging from music, drama, and fine arts to acrobatics and fashion design. But beyond talent showcases, the initiatives are deliberately designed to embed entrepreneurship and practical learning.

“We are not just identifying talent, we are equipping students with the skills and knowledge to transform those talents into economic opportunities,” Ms Mahuvi explains. “Education is important, but so is developing what a child can do beyond the classroom.

” Through the Uwezo Awards, students design and implement entrepreneurial projects using locally available resources. The proceeds are often reinvested into community initiatives, creating a cycle of learning, innovation, and social impact.

For Form Six student Ramadhani Juma, the experience has been transformative. “I have learnt how to use resources around me to create opportunities,” he tells Smart World in an interview.

“I can now produce items like liquid soap and candles, and I understand how to run a small business.” The science of play and sport in education Education experts argue that such approaches align closely with global best practices.

Research by the World Bank shows that education systems that integrate extracurricular activities–especially sport, tend to produce more adaptable and employable graduates. An education specialist based in Dar es Salaam, Dr Asha Msuya, notes that play and sport are not peripheral–they are foundational.

“When children engage in structured play and sport, they develop executive functioning skills–planning, focus, self-control–that directly influence academic performance,” she said. “These are the same skills employers are looking for.

” A 2022 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) further reinforces this, indicating that students who participate in sports and creative activities demonstrate higher levels of motivation, better school attendance, and stronger social connections. In Tanzania, where youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, these findings carry particular weight.

By some estimates, hundreds of thousands of young people enter the labour market each year, many without the practical skills required to navigate it. One of the biggest barriers, however, remains societal perception.

Ms Mahuvi points out that many parents still prioritise academic performance at the expense of talent development. “We need parents to understand that talent is not a waste of time.

It is an investment,” she says. “Through talent, a child can solve real-world problems and even create employment.

” Experts agree that addressing this requires both community awareness and policy alignment. A sports development analyst, Dr Josephat Kahama, argues that Tanzania must institutionalise talent development within its education framework.

“We cannot treat sport and the arts as extracurricular luxuries,” he notes. “They must be integrated into the curriculum, supported with infrastructure, and guided by trained professionals.

” This aligns with calls for the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, alongside education stakeholders, to establish structured talent development centres–similar to business incubation hubs–where young people can nurture their abilities from an early age. Lessons from global practice Countries that have successfully integrated sport and play into education offer valuable lessons.

In nations such as Finland and Canada, physical education and creative arts are considered core components of holistic learning. According to Unesco, such systems not only improve academic outcomes but also foster innovation and social cohesion.

Closer to home, Rwanda has made strides in embedding sports development within schools, linking it to national talent identification programmes. For Tanzania, scaling initiatives like Uwezo could have far-reaching implications.

First, it would help bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping students with practical, income-generating skills. Second, it would improve student engagement and retention, particularly for those who struggle in traditional academic settings.

Third, it would nurture a generation of confident, creative, and resilient young people. Dr Msuya believes the impact could be transformative.

“If we take talent seriously, if we invest in play, sport and creativity–we will not only improve our schools, we will reshape our economy,” she says. The road ahead Great Hope’s ambition is to expand its reach beyond the Coastal Zone, ensuring that more schools and regions benefit from its programmes.

But scaling such efforts will require collaboration between the government, development partners, schools, and communities. For now, the message is clear: classrooms alone are not enough.

As Tanzania navigates the demands of a rapidly changing world, the future of its education system may well depend on how effectively it embraces what happens beyond the desk–on the playing field, on the stage, and in the creative spaces where young minds discover who they truly are. .

Dar es Salaam. Msimbazi Valley residents have raised complaints over compensation for the valley development project, alleging undervaluation of their land and low financial payouts by authorities responsible for relocation and the project implementation process underway across the city.

The residents have urged government intervention to ensure land compensation is paid fairly and on time, and to address disparities they claim exist in project implementation across the entire scheme process. Residents voiced their concerns on Sunday, April 27, 2026, before Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, during an inspection tour of the construction of the Mkwajuni and Kigogo bridges in Dar es Salaam.

In their concerns, residents said that although they welcomed the project with expectations of development, its implementation has caused deep distress due to what they describe as injustice in the compensation process handling system. A resident of the area, Mr Salehe Cheo, said they initially accepted the project and allowed experts to assess their buildings and land, anticipating receiving appropriate compensation.

“They came, measured, and surveyed our buildings and land. But during payment, they valued buildings only and gave no value to the land.

We were given documents to sign without a land component,” said Mr Cheo. He said efforts to pursue their rights reached the then President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), but they were advised to go to court, forcing them to escalate complaints to the World Bank (WB), which is financing the project under an ongoing dispute resolution process mechanism review stage.

“What we insist on is that land compensation must be paid. Until now, not even a single citizen has been paid land compensation,” said Mr Cheo.

Another resident said he refused to sign for S million as compensation for land, explaining that the amount would not enable him to secure another plot to continue his income-generating activities. “This matter is painful.

We are being relocated, but others are left to continue their activities within the project area,” said the resident whose name couldn’t be established immediately. Ms Nuru Kikopa said the initial valuation awarded her Sh1 million, which she rejected, before it was increased to Sh2.5 million and later accepted.

However, she said she received a total of S million for the house and plot, funds that have not enabled her to secure new accommodation. “Up to now, I have done nothing with that money; it does not match the cost of obtaining another plot.

I have found myself forced to live with my children,” said Ms Kikopa. Mr Thomson Moshi said he has not received compensation to date despite being assessed, claiming they were promised payment for land and buildings, but so far, only building compensation has been issued.

“During payment, we were shown a form containing compensation for buildings only, while being promised that land would be paid for later, something that has not been implemented,” said Mr Moshi. Responding to the claims, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Albert Chalamila, said the compensation process was conducted in accordance with the area’s legal status, while assuring the government is ready to review the assessment to reach a lasting solution on the said matter.

He said Sh54 billion has already been spent to compensate residents who were living in the valley, as part of the implementation of the development project in the area. He explained that, under existing laws, residents of the valley were not eligible for land compensation because the entire Msimbazi Valley is classified as a wetland, which, under conditions governing projects funded by the WB, does not permit payment of land compensation.

“Under these laws, no one in the entire Msimbazi River Valley was eligible for land compensation because the area is located in a wetland,” he said. However, the regional commissioner said that after receiving complaints from residents, the government took an additional step by providing each resident with S million to help them purchase land in other areas.

He explained that the decision did not arise directly from legal requirements but was an effort by the government to reduce the impact on citizens displaced from their homes. “That S million was not provided under the law, but was a measure to help citizens obtain alternative areas,” he emphasised.

Due to continued complaints by some residents regarding the amount and procedures of compensation, Mr Chalamila said the government is ready to revisit the valuation exercise to ensure justice for all parties. He noted that the exercise could be conducted in collaboration with relevant offices to reassess residents’ claims and examine the possibility of improvements.

“We are ready to repeat this valuation exercise and bring it to your office so that we can obtain an acceptable solution,” he said. Issuing directives on the matter, Dr Nchemba accepted the RC’s proposal and directed the formation of a team of experts from the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), the Ministry of Lands, the Regional Commissioner’s Office, and representatives of residents to resolve the matter.

During the visit, Dr Nchemba inspected progress on the construction of the Mkwajuni and Kigogo bridges and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work. What Minister Ulega said Speaking at the site, the Minister for Works, Mr Abdallah Ulega, said the Mkwajuni bridge project, measuring 20 metres in length and 5.

5 metres in height, includes 560 metres of access roads. The project, whose implementation has reached 98 percent, is costing Sh11.6 billion.

It began on February 3, 2025, with a 16-month implementation period and is expected to be completed on May 20, 2026. Regarding the Kigogo Bridge, he said the project measures 50 metres in length and 8.9 metres in height, with access roads extending 625 metres.

“Its construction began on November 7, 2024, for a period of 18 months and is expected to be completed on May 20, 2026. The project costs Sh17.7 billion, and the contractor has already been paid Sh15.1 billion, while implementation has reached 89 percent,” he said. Regarding the Jangwani Bridge, Mr Ulega said once completed, incidents of roads being closed due to flooding will become history.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s growing demand for fertility treatment is driving investment in advanced reproductive healthcare, as specialists say improved local capacity could reduce the need for patients to seek expensive treatment abroad.

Local infertility consultant and the director of NuLife Advanced Fertility Centre Dr Madhav Hirani said advancements in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), genetic screening and minimally invasive surgery are making treatment more accessible for couples facing infertility challenges. Speaking in Dar es Salaam over the weekend the expert said Tanzania has made significant progress in building local expertise and infrastructure in artificial reproductive technology (ART), supported by government efforts to improve the sector.

“The government has been extremely supportive, not only to us but to the entire field of artificial reproductive technology,” Dr Hirani said. He said one of the landmark developments came in 2023 when the government engaged both private and public fertility centres to help develop a national framework for ART services.

According to him, NuLife helped facilitate a six-to-seven-day technical workshop in Dar es Salaam that brought together 27 government representatives from across the country to draft working guidelines for fertility treatment services. Dr Hirani said the government is also working to address one of the major barriers to fertility care the high cost and limited access to IVF drugs.

“IVF drugs are comparatively much more expensive than many other pharmaceutical products. The government is trying to ease supply pressures so that the cost of treatment can come down,” he said.

Speaking at the event, renowned Indian fertility expert Dr Nayana Patel, who has more than 40 years of experience in infertility treatment and regenerative medicine, said advances in reproductive science have dramatically improved treatment outcomes. “What was basic IVF four decades ago is now a totally different ball game,” Dr Patel said.

She said modern fertility medicine now includes advanced diagnostic and treatment options such as genetic screening, blastocyst biopsy and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which help identify viable embryos and reduce the risk of repeated miscarriages. “There are couples who experience repeated miscarriages.

Today we can investigate the cause, whether it is genetic, immunological or linked to the quality of the egg or sperm, and provide targeted treatment,” she said. “Fibroids and endometriosis are a huge problem in Tanzania and many African countries,” she said.

She noted that changing social trends, including delayed marriages and couples postponing childbirth until they are financially stable, are further affecting fertility outcomes. “Many couples wait for years before trying to conceive, and by then egg and sperm quality may have declined due to age, environmental toxins, stress and unhealthy lifestyles,” she said.

According to her, one of the biggest opportunities for Tanzania lies in bringing world-class fertility care closer to patients, sparing them the financial and emotional burden of travelling overseas. “When treatment is available at their doorstep, couples are more encouraged to seek help.

They no longer need to incur travel costs, lose work hours or go through the stress of travelling abroad,” she said. She said the model of transferring technology and medical expertise to local teams is helping expand access across underserved markets.

“We may not be able to reach every couple from India or the US, but by exporting the technology and training local teams, patients can benefit while staying at home,” she said. .

By Wanjira Mathai Eight decades have passed since the world last had to rebuild itself from total ruin. It is easy, across that span of time, to forget what made the rebuilding necessary.

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission and that was to maintain international peace and security. The Charter it was founded upon was an important document that became one of the pillars of the international system in which we live today, a framework born directly from the catastrophic failure of nations to talk, cooperate, and restrain themselves before two global wars consumed tens of millions of lives.

Idealistic experiment Multilateralism was actually not an idealistic experiment but rather our human family’s best and painful effort to counter what happens when nations act alone. Multilateralism is the alliance of multiple countries toward a common goal and this means that even the smallest powers have voice in global matters.

From that founding principle grew not just the United Nations, but the entire architecture of modern international cooperation which includes the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, UN climate change (UNFCCC) and many other frameworks through which nations have chosen negotiation over confrontation. From 51 founding member states in 1945, that community of nations has grown to 193 today.

We must celebrate this as a testament to how deeply the world has embraced the idea that shared problems demand shared solutions. Yet as we marked International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

The day came at a time when multilateralism and peace are under great strain. It seemed less of a celebration and more like an urgent reminder of the scary space we are entering.

The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace highlights a fundamental truth and that is that no country can solve today’s challenges alone. Dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateral solutions provide the surest path to a peaceful and just world.

The system built in the aftermath of World War II was designed precisely for moments like this. To abandon it now through isolationism, unilateralism, or simple indifference would be a dangerous mistake.

It is in precisely such moments of fracture that multilateralism and peaceful coexistence become both aspirational and existential. Across Africa, rising energy prices are assaulting everyday life, and if left unaddressed through coordinated international action, the pressure they create will be massively disruptive and could translate into social and political unrest that no single government can contain alone.

At its core, multilateralism is built on the understanding that the world’s challenges are shared, and that we are bound to each other in ways that no wall or tariff can dissolve. This January, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave voice to what many had long feared to say plainly.

He spoke of a rupture in the world order, the end of a pleasant fiction, and the beginning of a harsh reality where the actions of great powers are submitted to no limits, no constraints. His warning was strong.

“The old order is not coming back.” It was a candid acknowledgment of the unfortunate dynamic that the strong do as they will, and the weak endure what they must.

And yet, against that bleak backdrop, something quietly hopeful unfolded at United Nations headquarters in New York this week. Four candidates vying to succeed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stepped before the General Assembly in a series of interactive dialogues, outlining their vision for the United Nations and answering questions from Member States and civil society representatives.

They were Rafael Mariano Grossi (Argentina), Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica), Macky Sall (Senegal) and Michelle Bachelet (Chile). As General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock reminded the room, the next Secretary-General will not only shape the future of the institution but, in their role as the strongest defender of the UN Charter, also that of the international rules-based order itself.

That candidates still present themselves for the SG office is itself an act of faith in multilateralism. It is the system refusing to surrender and that we must celebrate.

In light of dwindling Overseas Development Aid (ODA), what African countries must do is form a united front. Not tomorrow, but now.

Because for too long, the continent has arrived at the international stage divided, negotiating as fifty-four separate voices when we could speak as one. A single stick is easily broken.

A bundle is not. Ancient wisdom That ancient wisdom has never been more urgently needed than at this moment.

This also means empowering the African Union as a genuine instrument of collective will. Together, Africa holds the keys to the world’s sustainable tomorrow.

The multilateral system will not disappear and we should not wish it away. Humanity will always need mechanisms to collaborate, to resolve disputes, to pursue common goals.

But the multilateralism that emerges from this period of rupture must be one rebuilt on fairness and equality, where every nation arrives at the negotiating table with equal standing and equal voice. Wanjira Mathai is MD for Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute and Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation .

Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) striker Clement Mzize is among three standout Tanzanian athletes shortlisted for the prestigious National Sports Council (NSC) Best Sports Personality of the Year 2025 award, setting up a compelling contest against celebrated long-distance runner Alphonce Simbu and professional boxer Salmin Khamis.

The much-anticipated awards ceremony is scheduled for May 9 at the Super Dome, Masaki, in Dar es Salaam, where the country’s top sporting talents will be recognised for their achievements over the past year. Mzize earns his nomination after an impressive season with Young Africans S.

C., where his attacking prowess and consistency in front of goal have made him one of the most exciting young footballers in the country.

His inclusion in the top category highlights football’s continued influence in Tanzania’s sporting landscape. However, he faces stiff competition from Simbu, one of Tanzania’s most accomplished athletes on the global stage, known for his strong performances in international marathons, and Khamis, who has been making waves in professional boxing with notable victories that have elevated Tanzania’s profile in the sport.

The Best Sports Personality (Female) category is equally competitive, featuring Stumai Abdallah (football), Magdalena Shauri (athletics), and Merciana Kizenge (basketball), all of whom have excelled in their respective disciplines. In the team categories, the Best National Team (Men) award will be contested by Tanzania national football team, the U-19 cricket team, and the Tanzania Amateur Boxing team.

On the women’s side, Tanzania women’s national football team, the national basketball team, and the wheelchair tennis team are nominated. Individual excellence will also be recognised in officiating, where the Best Referee (Male) category includes Ahmed Arajiga (football), Shaaban Mahobonya (basketball), and Jeremia Keema (swimming).

For women, Tatu Malogo (football) and Dariso Mwidadi (basketball) are in contention. Coaching honours feature top tacticians across disciplines.

In the women’s category, Esther Chabruma (football) and Mariamu Kiwelo (basketball) are nominated, while the men’s shortlist includes Mohamed Mbwana (basketball), Anthony Mwingereza (athletics), and Samwel Kapungu (amateur boxing). The future of Tanzanian sport is also highlighted through youth categories.

The Best Youth Player (Boys) award will be contested by Luqman Mbalasalu (football), Raphael Michael (basketball), and Raymond Francis (cricket). In the girls’ category, Esther Maseke (football), Rose Katamboy (basketball), and Jenifer Kimaro (cricket) are nominated.

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Dar es Salaam. The submission of the Presidential Commission report on post-election violence following the October 29, 2025 General Election is increasingly being viewed as a potential turning point in Tanzania’s political trajectory, with growing emphasis on reconciliation, accountability and institutional reform as key foundations for future stability.

The report was presented to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House in Dar es Salaam on April 23 after more than 150 days of work. It was prepared by a commission chaired by Retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman and examines the causes, triggers and consequences of the unrest that left 518 people dead and hundreds injured.

It also sets out recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence and strengthening governance systems. Presidential Adviser on Diplomatic Affairs Lazaro Nyalandu said the government’s response during the unrest should be understood in the context of restoring order and protecting lives.

He said that the report provides clarity on the nature of the events and the importance of national unity moving forward. At the centre of the commission’s recommendations is the proposal to establish a reconciliation mechanism under the President’s authority, widely interpreted as an attempt to institutionalise the 4R framework–Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding–as a guiding approach to national healing.

Political analyst Baraka Mfinanga said the report offers an opportunity for Tanzania to re-examine its political and governance arrangements. He noted that meaningful reforms, particularly in the electoral system and political dialogue, are necessary to rebuild trust and prevent future instability.

Disaster and risk analyst Neema Kasesela said reconciliation must go hand in hand with rebuilding trust in public institutions. She stressed that youth inclusion is particularly important, given the central role young people played in the events surrounding the election period.

The commission identified both structural and immediate causes of the unrest, including long-standing grievances over constitutional and electoral reforms, governance concerns and issues of political inclusion. It also concluded that the demonstrations were organised and coordinated rather than spontaneous, with some participants reportedly recruited and financed.

Despite these findings, the report has drawn mixed reactions from political actors. Opposition parties, including ACT Wazalendo, have called for a fully independent and transparent investigation, arguing that national healing requires broader consensus and credibility in the process.

Chadema Vice Chairman (Mainland) John Heche questioned the independence of the commission, arguing that its composition limited its ability to provide an impartial account of events. In contrast, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Vice Chairman Stephen Wasira defended the report, saying it demonstrates Tanzania’s capacity to address its internal challenges without external validation.

Religious leaders have urged calm and responsibility in implementing the recommendations. Chairman of the National Interfaith Committee on Peace, Justice and Ethics Bishop William Mwamalanga said accountability is essential for restoring public confidence, while also warning against actions that could reignite tensions.

Legal expert Alloyce Komba said the process of truth-telling is essential for reconciliation, drawing comparisons with transitional justice experiences in other countries. University of Dodoma lecturer Conrad Masabo said the effectiveness of the report will depend on how expectations from different groups are managed.

He warned that focusing only on immediate triggers, without addressing deeper structural causes such as delayed reforms, could limit its impact. He also suggested that proposed institutions, such as a council of elders, should include stronger youth representation given the country’s demographic structure.

Prof Benson Bana emphasised that peace, justice and freedom must be pursued together, arguing that none of the three can be sustained in isolation. Chairman of the National Council of Elders David Sendo urged leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements during the implementation phase, saying responsible communication will be key to safeguarding national stability.

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