Category: The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The Mainland Premier League resumes with two high-profile fixtures today, October 1, 2025 as heavyweights Simba and Azam FC take to the field in pursuit of crucial points.

Azam FC will travel to face JKT Tanzania at the Major Isamuhyo ground in Dar es Salaam, with kickoff scheduled for 6pm. The game carries historic significance, as it will be the first league match ever played under floodlights at the venue.

Azam, fresh from advancing in the CAF Confederation Cup, are eager to translate their continental momentum into domestic success. Later in the evening, attention will shift to Dar es Salaam, where Simba host Namungo FC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in an 8:15pm clash.

Simba, buoyed by their progression in the CAF Champions League after eliminating Gaborone United with a 2-1 aggregate, will be looking to impose their dominance at home. For both sides, three points tonight are vital for setting the tone early in the campaign.

Simba’s assistant coach, Seleman Matola, expressed confidence in his squad while stressing caution. “The players are in good spirits, and we are fully focused.

We expect a tough game because Namungo have quality players and can be very competitive. We need to stay sharp and disciplined,” said Matola.

Namungo, under the guidance of head coach Juma Mgunda, are determined to cause an upset. Mgunda, who once served as Simba’s caretaker coach, acknowledged the scale of the task but remained optimistic.

“Simba are a big club and deserve respect, but we have prepared well. The team is ready for the challenge, and our target is to come away with a positive result,” he noted.

Namungo’s hopes will largely rest on their attacking duo of Heritier Makambo and Fabrice Ngoy from DR Congo, both of whom carry the responsibility of breaking down Simba’s experienced defense. Their sharpness in front of goal could be decisive if Namungo are to claim points at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Meanwhile, Azam FC’s trip to JKT Tanzania is expected to test their resilience away from home. Fresh off a comfortable 3-0 aggregate win over El Merriekh Bentiu in continental competition, Azam will be seeking to extend their strong run.

JKT, however, will count on home support and the landmark atmosphere of the floodlit clash to inspire them. With both fixtures carrying weight for the title race and team confidence, today promises to be an electrifying day in the Mainland Premier League.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s ambition to transition from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status will depend not only on government-led strategies but also on the strength of partnerships that enhance community resilience and unlock people’s potential.

Among the organisations walking alongside the country on this journey is Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), a faith-based humanitarian and development agency that has been part of Tanzania’s story since the 1960s. In her first 100 days as Secretary General of NCA, Anne-Cecilia Kaltenborn chose Tanzania for her first board field visit, underscoring the country’s importance to the organisation’s global strategy.

For her, resilience is the thread tying together livelihoods, health, gender equality, peace, and the environment. “Building a resilient society is kind of the basis for everything,” Kaltenborn said in an interview with The Citizen.

“It’s important for women, youth, and men. And since about 80 percent of the workforce is in agriculture, making this sector more climate-smart and productive will directly support Tanzania’s middle-income ambition.

” Climate-smart agriculture Agriculture remains Tanzania’s economic backbone, employing the majority of its people and contributing around a quarter of GDP. Yet, it is also one of the sectors most vulnerable to climate change.

Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and soil degradation threaten not just food security but also rural incomes. NCA has responded by investing in climate-smart agriculture, equipping smallholder farmers with tools to adapt.

In Mvomero, Morogoro, Kaltenborn observed farmers–especially women and youth–shifting to resilient practices such as improved irrigation, drought-resistant seeds, and soil conservation. “Incremental changes toward more climate-resilient agriculture in more and more places will have an effect,” she explained.

“It improves individual families’ lives, and at the same time strengthens the national economy.” The logic is simple: when farmers thrive, Tanzania thrives.

More productive farms mean more stable households, stronger local economies, and greater progress toward national income targets. Health as a foundation of growth While agriculture anchors livelihoods, health determines whether families can participate fully in development.

NCA’s support to Haydom Lutheran Hospital has led to transformative results, most notably a 75 percent reduction in maternal mortality within the first week after giving birth. The impact, Kaltenborn stressed, extends well beyond the hospital’s walls.

“When you can reduce maternal mortality by 75 percent, that makes a difference for the economy,” she said. “Children who lose their mothers have a much more difficult time in school and in life.

Health is also economy, and economy is also health.” This view reflects a broader reality: strong health systems are not just a social good but also a driver of economic resilience.

Families spared from preventable deaths are able to invest in education, build livelihoods, and break intergenerational cycles of poverty. Faith-based partnerships and peacebuilding One of NCA’s defining approaches is working through faith-based organisations, a strategy that taps into deep community trust.

Colton-Born argues that this method is not just about service delivery but also about preventing conflict. “If you have an armed conflict, the gross national product is set back 30 years — an entire generation,” she said.

“Working with churches and mosques ensures dialogue and peace. Dialogue always has results because it creates trust, and trust reduces the willingness for conflict.

” In Mvomero, she witnessed a simple yet powerful moment: Christian and Muslim leaders arriving at a meeting on the same motorcycle. For her, this symbolised the potential of interfaith collaboration to foster unity in a region where diversity is often exploited for division elsewhere.

Gender equality and social transformation Tanzania’s progress toward middle-income prosperity cannot be divorced from the empowerment of women. NCA has made gender justice central to its work, particularly in tackling gender-based violence (GBV).

Through partnerships with religious leaders, NCA has helped shift community attitudes dramatically–from 34 percent to 75 percent zero tolerance for GBV in certain areas. “That is a fabulous result,” Kaltenborn noted.

“And we must never underestimate the effect of women being part of the workforce and having their own economy. It reduces violence and strengthens families.

” She also pointed to ongoing debates around Tanzania’s Marriage Act, which still permits girl-child marriage under certain circumstances. For her, this is an example of where dialogue with faith leaders can drive meaningful legal and cultural change.

Linking environment and jobs Beyond farming and health, NCA is exploring solutions to the growing challenge of waste and environmental degradation. Its ‘Waste for Value’ initiative connects plastic collectors with recycling companies, creating a circular economy that turns trash into livelihoods.

“We were able to see how this project benefits 10,000 households and 20,000 smallholder farmers,” Kaltenborn said. “It creates jobs, protects the environment, and shows how development aid translates into concrete results.

” This approach resonates with Tanzania’s own industrialisation agenda, which seeks to expand manufacturing while safeguarding natural resources. Aid, responsibility, and local ownership With global aid budgets under pressure, questions often arise about whether foreign assistance makes governments complacent.

Kaltenborn acknowledged the tension but emphasised that aid should reinforce, not replace, national responsibility. “It doesn’t have to make governments complacent.

It’s about empowering the partners who want to make a change,” she explained. Despite cutbacks in parts of Europe and the US, she pointed out that 85 percent of Norwegians continue to support development aid, providing NCA with stability.

“We are in it for the long run,” she affirmed. Trade unions as untapped partners Drawing on her background in Norway’s employer’s union, Ms Kaltenborn argued that Tanzanian unions could play a bigger role in development.

In her view, unions are not just about wages and working conditions; they can mobilise communities, spread awareness, and complement humanitarian efforts. This perspective mirrors Norway’s own tradition of dialogue between unions, employers, and government–a model that has underpinned its social and economic resilience.

A holistic web of resilience From farmers adopting new methods in Morogoro, to women accessing safe childbirth in Haydom, to faith leaders riding together in Mvomero, NCA’s work demonstrates the interwoven nature of development. Each initiative may address a specific issue, but together they form a broader ecosystem of resilience.

“Everything is related to everything,” Kaltenborn reflected. “Health is related to the economy.

Women’s participation is related to violence reduction. Dialogue is related to peace and investment.

When you put these pieces together, you get a good spiral of development.” As Tanzania edges closer to its middle-income aspirations, the challenge will be to ensure growth is inclusive and sustainable.

Development partners like NCA bring not only funding but also models of collaboration–working with faith groups, empowering women, engaging youth, and protecting the environment. The organisation’s long history in Tanzania, coupled with Norway’s enduring commitment to aid, suggests that this partnership will continue to play a meaningful role.

For Kaltenborn, the goal is clear: resilient communities that can withstand shocks, seize opportunities, and chart their own future. “Resilience is not just about surviving,” she concluded.

“It’s about thriving.” .

Mark Twain, the great American writer and humorist, is reported to have said that “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Twain was responding to media reports of his demise.

He died in 1910 at the ripe age of 74 — by the life expectancy of the time. This year, the United Nations, the first truly global organisation, turned a neat 80. In the life a human being, even in developed countries, living to be 80 is considered a long life.

So is the life of a global organisation in a turbulent century. This is especially true for an organisation with ambitions and aspirations of grandeur.

The UN tried to reach for the heavens. But now we must wonder whether it has sunk to the pits of hell.

Let’s understand that the UN was born in 1945 right in the thick of Empire and the colonial project when White people subjugated all other races Black African, Asian, Arab, Latin Americans of native descend, and Pacific Islanders. To capture the sense of White European hegemony, the English often said the sun never set on the British Empire.

The rest of the planet chafed under the French, the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and other assorted White peoples. I often wonder what it must feel in your veins to be a member of this “master race.

” Adolf Hitler, he of the German Third Reich, tried to take these feelings to a cataclysmic climax. He failed, but not for want of trying.

It was out of Hitler’s ashes that the UN was born. Ironically, the United Nations, born out of the wreckage of the League of Nations, reproduced some of the same racial and demonic hierarchies that were central to Hitler’s Aryan hegemony.

Let’s reprise a few of these norms and structures of the subjugation of Black, Brown, and Asian peoples by a global White American and European power structure. The first was the physical location of the centre of the United Nations activities in New York and Geneva.

This in itself was deeply symbolic of locational superiority of White over “the other.” To go to the United Nations, “the rest of the world” had to travel to America and Europe.

Never mind the vast majority of persons of colour lived, and still do, outside America and Europe, and were then held in colonial vassalage. By Charter and law, the UN’s most powerful body is the Security Council.

Only it can make decisions binding on the members. This tiny club has five permanent members, who wield the veto power.

No resolution can be passed even if the other 10 non-permanent members outvote the veto five. In effect, the veto five the United States, Britain, Russia, France, and China control what the UN can say and do.

A veto of one of the five kills a resolution. Nothing can pass if the US, or Russia, say nyet.

Ditto for Britain, China, and France. I am sure you have noticed that four of the veto five are European or majority White nations.

Race is the calling card at the UN. The UN General Assembly, or UNGA, is the world’s biggest talking shop.

In there, even little Belize or Djibouti can say anything. They can insult the mighty US with the filthiest of languages.

But it’s all “hot air.” That’s because breathing fire doesn’t produce one.

Even if all 193 states of the UN badly want something within UNGA, their wishes or votes are nugatory so long as one of the veto powers doesn’t want it. One often negates 193 in the UN system.

To make matters worse, the UN Charter which cast this inequity in stone, cannot be amended if one of the veto five says no. It doesn’t matter that matrix is blatantly racist, obsolete, and indefensible.

Since 1945, the power dynamics of the globe have changed. But the victories of World War II allies have kept the UN’s obsolescence in place.

Africa, the fastest growing continent by population and economy, doesn’t have a voice at the UN. Asia, the new centre of the global economy is out, except China.

That’s why Kenyan President William Ruto, in his prime time address to the UN this year, argued that equity demands that Africa gets at least two permanent veto-power seats in a long delayed reform of the institution. His speech was cheered over and over by a majority of members.

It is this structure of the UN that’s at the centre of its irrelevance and possible death. It is these archaic, racist, and calamitous structures and normative inequities that stand in direct contradiction to the purposes for which the United Nations was founded in the first place to outlaw war, protect human rights, and foster equitable development.

The UN watches helplessly as Israel commits genocide in Gaza and Sudan descends into hell. Will the UN die with Sudan and Gaza? It just might in its 80s.

Makau Mutua is SUNY Distinguished Professor and Margaret W. Wong Professor at Buffalo Law School, The State University of New York.

@makaumutua .

Dar es Salaam . Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) management has appealed to its fans and members to remain calm and rally behind head coach Romain Folz, following the team’s disappointing goalless draw against Mbeya City on Tuesday at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

The barren result in the ongoing Mainland Tanzania Premier League left sections of the fanbase visibly frustrated, with some openly chanting for the Frenchman’s dismissal. Supporters complained that the performance was below par, arguing that Yanga’s trademark attacking style, characterized by attractive passing and entertaining football, has diminished under his leadership.

Fans call for change after stalemate The stalemate against newly promoted Mbeya City, a side many expected Yanga to defeat, was met with jeers from the stands. Some disgruntled fans urged the club’s leadership to terminate Folz’s contract and find a new coach, insisting that the team appeared uninspired and lacking creativity.

Since taking charge, Folz has been scrutinized for his tactical approach. Critics argue that his style does not reflect Yanga’s traditional attacking identity, one that has brought the Jangwani Street giants immense success in recent seasons.

“This is not the Yanga we are used to,” one fan lamented. “We want to dominate, to play with flair, and to win convincingly.

” Management: “It’s part of the game” However, Yanga’s leadership has moved swiftly to cool tensions. Speaking to The Citizen, one club official defended Folz, reminding supporters that football is unpredictable and that difficult matches at Sokoine Stadium are nothing new.

“It is part of the game, and historically, our team has often struggled to get positive results at the Sokoine Stadium, especially against Mbeya City,” the official explained. “This was not the first time to record such results.

We must accept that Mbeya City also came targeting victory against us. What matters is that we remain unbeaten since his arrival.

Let’s give him our support.” A mixed start for Folz Despite the frustrations, Folz’s record is far from poor.

Since his appointment, he has guided Yanga in four competitive matches, producing three victories and one draw. His tenure began with a morale-boosting 1-0 win over arch-rivals Simba in the Community Shield.

That was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 away win against Angola’s Wiliete in the CAF Champions League, a 3-0 triumph over Pamba Jiji in the league opener, and a 2-0 second-leg victory over Wiliete to advance in continental action. The Mbeya draw was the first time Folz dropped points with Yanga, though he remains unbeaten.

Still, many believe the performance gap between local dominance and continental ambition is too wide, and tougher matches ahead will be a true test of his tactical ability. Future on the line For now, Yanga’s management insists Folz deserves time to instill his philosophy.

But with fan pressure mounting, the next few fixtures could prove decisive for his future. Any further slip-ups may intensify calls for change, while convincing victories could calm the storm.

As the reigning champions eye another successful campaign, one thing is clear: unity between management, players, and supporters will be critical if Yanga are to defend their crown and excel on the continental stage .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s agricultural exports to China are expanding, with sesame seeds, dried chillies, cotton seed cake, dried cassava, avocado, honey and marine products all finding growing demand in the Chinese market.

Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo made these remarks on Monday, September 29 during celebrations marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He thanked China for granting duty-free access for African goods, saying the move has opened new opportunities for Tanzanian farmers and traders.

“We are seeing real results, with our products finding pathways into the Chinese market. Beyond avocado and honey, sesame, cassava, cotton seed cake and chillies are now in demand,” he said.

Mr Kombo highlighted that sesame seeds are widely used in Chinese foods, including bread, sweets, and Beijing duck. He also noted that cotton seed cake is increasingly popular for mushroom cultivation.

“We need to learn from China how they use cotton seed cake for mushroom farming. It is an area we could develop locally,” he said.

He added that chillies are especially popular in Sichuan Province, while sunflower seed cake and marine products are also entering the Chinese market. Mr Kombo described the growing exports as proof that Tanzania-China relations are delivering tangible results.

“This year, our relations have focused on deepening cooperation, coordinating on bilateral and multilateral issues, and accelerating joint initiatives,” he said. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said China has made remarkable progress in innovation, including artificial intelligence, supercomputers, deep-sea exploration and new energy technologies, contributing nearly 30 percent annually to global economic growth.

“China has always placed its development within the broader framework of human development and solidarity with the Global South,” she said. “We have lifted 850 million people out of poverty and advanced global cooperation.

” Ambassador Chen added that China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade hitting almost $300 billion in 2024. Under the zero-tariff arrangement, 53 African countries now enjoy duty-free access to the Chinese market, boosting exports from the continent. “China has expanded imports of Tanzanian products, including honey, avocado and aquatic goods.

We have also invested in health projects such as the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and medical training programmes,” she said. She further added that agricultural cooperation has advanced as well, with the use of satellite and digital technologies to boost production.

“China stands ready to work with Tanzania to deepen cooperation across all sectors, strengthen our all-weather friendship, and advance modernisation together,” she said. .

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Mainland champions Young Africans (Yanga) continued their strong start to the season with a 2-0 home victory over Angola’s Wiliete Benguela, securing progression to the next round of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 5-0 aggregate score.

Yanga head coach Romain Folz praised the consistency and reliability of his core squad, noting that their performance across competitions has been crucial to the team’s success. “We have a strong and reliable squad.

These players have delivered results match after match, and their consistency gives us a solid foundation to compete at the highest level,” said Folz. He also addressed the challenge of balancing squad rotation with maintaining performance.

“We rotate where necessary, but keeping a rhythm is important. Our core players have proven their quality, and the rest are developing alongside them,” he added.

In the second-leg clash at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Pacome Zouzoua once again stole the spotlight, opening the scoring with a brilliant display of skill. Aziz Andabwile added the second goal, cementing Yanga’s dominance over the Angolan side.

Folz singled out Pacome for his tactical intelligence and ability to unsettle defenders. “Players like him give us a real advantage, both domestically and in continental competitions,” he said.

This season, across four competitive matches–including the Community Shield win over Simba (1-0), the CAF Champions League first-leg victory in Angola (3-0), the Mainland Tanzania Premier League opener against Pamba Jiji (3-0), and the recent second-leg win over Wiliete (2-0)–Folz has relied heavily on a core group of players. Overall, Yanga’s scoring form have been impressive.

The team opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bandari FC of Kenya during Mwananchi Day, followed by the Community Shield triumph over Simba. They went on to defeat Pamba Jiji 3-0 in the Mainland Tanzania Premier League and later eliminated Wiliete Benguela with a 5-0 goal aggregate.

Folz’s focus remains on leveraging squad consistency and tactical intelligence to maintain momentum across both domestic and continental competitions. “Every match teaches us something.

Our discipline, depth, and the quality of our players are what will help Yanga continue to grow,” he said. .

Dodoma. The government has announced new amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations aimed at strengthening the participation of indigenous Tanzanian companies and financial institutions in the country’s mining sector.

Published under Government Notice No. 563 of September 12, 2025, the amendments introduce stricter requirements for foreign companies, new compliance timelines, and additional sub-plans for local content reporting.

One of the most significant changes is the requirement for non-indigenous companies seeking to supply goods or services to mining contractors, subcontractors, licensees, or the State Mining Corporation to form joint ventures with local firms. These joint ventures must include an indigenous Tanzanian company that is 100 percent citizen-owned and operating in the same line of business.

According to the notice the local partner is required to hold at least 20 percent equity, unless the goods and services fall under an exemption which is set to be published separately. The regulations also introduce a new provision requiring the Mining Commission to publish, in the Gazette and other platforms, a list of goods and services that must be supplied exclusively by Tanzanian-owned firms.

Further, the amendments expand the scope of local content plans. Companies must now include both a banking services sub-plan and a procurement sub-plan in their submissions.

In addition, if the Mining Commission fails to respond to a revised local content plan within 50 working days, the plan will be deemed automatically approved. The updated framework also redefines thresholds for sole-sourced contracts.

Any mining-related contract valued at more than the equivalent of $10,000 will now require stricter scrutiny and compliance with local content rules. Other technical adjustments include revisions to prequalification requirements for bidders, clarification of reporting obligations, and the inclusion of the Director of the Mineral Audit and Trading Department in the oversight framework.

The notice which was signed by Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde aims at reforms that are intended to deepen local participation, build capacity among Tanzanian companies, and ensure the country benefits more equitably from its mineral wealth. The move comes as Tanzania continues to tighten its mining sector governance, balancing efforts to attract foreign investment with a push to maximize local benefits from the country’s vast mineral resources.

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Zanzibar. In politics, rivalry does not always mean hostility.

One may admire an opponent, respect their leadership and even acknowledge their achievements, yet still step forward to challenge them. For Said Soud Said, chairman of the Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP), this is the essence of democracy.

He insists that his 2025 presidential bid in Zanzibar is not driven by enmity but by the spirit of competition. Said has declared his candidacy against incumbent President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, whose leadership he openly praises, especially for strides in infrastructure development and democratic governance.

Yet, he believes Zanzibar deserves more and he promises to accelerate progress while tackling unique social and economic issues. Among his most unusual campaign pledges is a vow to outlaw 66 beds, which he blames for declining birth rates in the Isles.

Respect for Mwinyi, but ready to compete Speaking after receiving his endorsement from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), Said said that his candidacy is serious and that he is confident of victory. However, he made it clear that should President Mwinyi win, it will still be a legitimate outcome.

“Dr Mwinyi has done well and Zanzibaris trust him. But I believe I can build on his successes and do it with more speed,” Said said.

This is not Said’s first attempt at the presidency. He contested in 2010, 2015 and 2020, building a reputation as one of Zanzibar’s most persistent politicians.

His long career has been marked by shifts in party allegiance, bold statements and controversial policies, which have kept him in the spotlight. Political journey through different parties Said’s political path began in the mid-1990s.

He first joined the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) in 1996, running unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives in Wawi constituency in 2000. In 2003, he moved to the Democratic Party (DP), where he became the running mate of the late Rev Christopher Mtikila in the 2005 Union presidential election. In 2009, he founded the Alliance for Farmers Party of Tanzania (AAFP), which he has chaired since.

Through this platform, he has consistently championed the interests of farmers, arguing that agriculture remains the backbone of Zanzibar’s economy. He insists that if farmers thrive, the Isles will prosper.

Beyond party politics, Said has held notable positions in government. He once served as a nominated member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives under former President Ali Mohamed Shein.

After the disputed 2015 elections and the subsequent 2016 repeat poll boycotted by the opposition, Said was appointed to the Revolutionary Council as a Minister without Portfolio. This appointment earned him criticism from some quarters, with detractors labelling him a “puppet”.

He dismisses the accusations as baseless, saying his loyalty has always been to the people, not to any single political figure. Early life and background Born on May 12, 1949 in Kiuyu, Bikirembo, Pemba, Said grew up in a modest farming family.

He is the third of five children. His early years were shaped by the aftermath of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution, which introduced free education.

He did not enter school until the age of 16, completing his primary education in 1972 before pursuing Islamic studies. From a young age, he was politically active, first as a member of the Afro Shiraz Party (ASP) youth wing.

When ASP merged with TANU in 1977 to form Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Said became one of its early members and later held leadership roles at the district level. Though once a staunch CCM supporter, he grew disillusioned in the 1990s, arguing that the party had lost touch with farmers’ needs.

This prompted his eventual shift to the opposition. On opposition politics and democracy Said has strong views on the role of the opposition in Tanzania’s democracy.

He argues that genuine opposition requires not just criticising the ruling party but also accepting electoral defeat when it occurs. He cites the Civic United Front’s (CUF) rejection of the 1995 election results as an example of what he considers poor democratic practice.

For him, the legitimacy of opposition parties lies in their willingness to compete fairly and respect outcomes. Agenda for 2025 While Said’s manifesto includes promises to speed up development and expand opportunities for farmers, what has attracted the most attention is his unconventional social agenda.

He claims that the widespread adoption of 66 beds in Zanzibar has contributed to declining birth rates. According to him, the large beds reduce intimacy and discourage larger families.

“In the past, when people used 46 beds, families were bigger and Zanzibar’s population was growing steadily. Now, 66 beds are everywhere and our birth rate is falling.

If elected, I will ban these beds. The largest size allowed will be 46,” he declared.

Though critics have dismissed this pledge as outlandish, Said insists it reflects his concern for Zanzibar’s future demographic and economic stability. He argues that without population growth, the Isles risk losing their economic vitality and cultural vibrancy.

Champion of farmers True to his party’s name, Said continues to position himself as the voice of farmers. He has promised policies to improve access to markets, affordable inputs and modern technology.

He also advocates for greater investment in irrigation and storage facilities, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise food prices. He argues that empowering farmers will also reduce youth unemployment, as agriculture can provide meaningful livelihoods if well supported.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s U-20 women’s national team, the Tanzanite Queens, continued their impressive run in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away victory over Angola last Saturday.

The result secured them a spot in the third round with a commanding 6-0 aggregate score. Although the win underlined their dominance, head coach Bakari Shime and his technical bench admitted that the encounter was a learning experience, revealing weaknesses that must be addressed if the team is to remain competitive in the tournament.

“It was a good match for us and one that gives us a clearer picture of how to prepare for the next challenge,” said Shime. “We made several mistakes across all departments–defense, midfield and attack.

We have a lot of work to do, but I believe that with better preparation time ahead of the next game, we will perform even better.” Shime stressed the importance of self-assessment and internal improvement rather than focusing solely on future opponents.

“Our biggest task is to examine ourselves and identify the specific shortcomings that need fixing. Once we strengthen our own game, it will not matter who we face.

At our best, we can handle any team that comes our way.” The Tanzanite Queens will now prepare to meet the winner between Kenya and Ethiopia, who faced off yesterday evening in Nairobi.

That match will determine Tanzania’s third-round opponent in what is expected to be a more demanding test. Shime added that his side’s success should not mask the need for consistent growth.

He said that continuous development will be crucial not only for the current qualifiers but also for the broader ambition of building a strong women’s football foundation in Tanzania. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in Poland from September 6 to 27 next year, bringing together 24 of the world’s best teams.

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Dar es Salaam. Vodacom Tanzania has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) to expand access to paediatric heart care.

The agreement was signed by the telcom firm through its charity arm Vodacom Foundation Tanzania, and the Heart Team Africa Foundation, a specialised foundation under the JKCI. The two organisations described the initiative as a milestone in the fight against paediatric heart disease in Tanzania.

The signing ceremony at JKCI coincided with World Heart Day 2025, held under the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat”, a global call to prioritise heart health through early detection and lifestyle change. Under the MoU, Vodacom Tanzania Foundation will be contributing some cost in providing paediatric cardiac heart care.

According to a recent study conducted by Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, an estimated two out of every 100 children are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), and three percent of children aged 515 suffer from rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a preventable condition caused by untreated throat infections. Each year, more than 4,000 children require surgery, according to the study, yet access to care remains limited.

Although the Government subsidizes 70 percent of costs, the remaining 30 percent is still unaffordable for many families in dire need. JKCI currently has over 350 children on its waiting list for surgery.

Speaking on the gravity of the issue, JKCI executive director, Dr Peter Kisenge, emphasised the urgency. “Behind every statistic is a child with dreams and parents with hope.

This partnership will help us close the gap between need and access, ensuring that more children live to see a healthy future,” he said. Heart Team Africa Foundation chief executive officer and paediatric cardiologist, Dr Naizihijwa Majani, said the cost of treatment can stand between a child and their future.

“This partnership with Vodacom and JKCI is more than financial support; it is a lifeline. Together, we are building a Tanzania where no parent has to choose between poverty and their child’s heartbeat,” he said.

Earlier this year, Vodacom Tanzania Foundation launched the Amini Initiative in Zanzibar, pledging to sponsor 150 children by covering the remaining 30 percent of treatment costs. So far, 38 children, ranging from two months to 14 years old, have already received successful surgeries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vodacom Tanzania chief executive officer, Mr Philip Besiimire, said the MoU is about turning belief into action through the Amini Initiative. “Together with JKCI, we are opening the door to a future where no child’s life is cut short due to lack of access to life-changing medical interventions, but instead given the chance to heal, to hope, and to thrive,” he said.

Vodacom Tanzania Foundation, JKCI, and Heart Team Africa Foundation are calling on partners, donors, and stakeholders to join forces in the lifesaving mission. .