Tanzania: Activists Call for Civic Education to Marginalised Groups

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

AS Tanzania prepares for the upcoming local government elections on November 27, activists and stakeholders are calling for more civic education, particularly targeting marginalised groups such as youth, women and people with disabilities.

They argue that it is critical for these groups to fully understand the importance of participating in the electoral process to foster inclusivity and ensure that their voices are heard in political decision-making.

The local government elections will serve as a precursor to the country’s general election in 2025.

In an interview with Daily News, General Secretary for Vijana Connect Tanzania, Mr Soba Sanganya, stressed the need for increased educational efforts aimed at encouraging youth participation in political processes.

He pointed out that harbour negative perceptions about democratic processes, leading to low voter turnout and minimal engagement in political affairs.

“Youth participation in political matters remains alarmingly low, not because of a lack of awareness campaigns, but due to negative attitudes and perceptions about politics.

Many young people see politics as a waste of time, which significantly affects their engagement. This is why civic education, specifically targeting youth, is crucial,” Mr Sanganya said.

Mr Sanganya underscored the importance of enlightening young people about the significance of their votes and how their involvement in choosing leaders could directly impact their future and the development of their communities.

On the issue of women’s participation, Ms Victoria Melami, Managing Director of Timiza Ndoto Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls in leadership, technology and economic development, noted that progress has been made in encouraging women to participate in politics.

“To some extent, we are seeing more women becoming motivated to participate in politics. Women are now more empowered to engage in elections, both as voters and candidates,” Ms Melami explained.

“Despite ongoing efforts, the biggest challenges remain a lack of education and entrenched societal attitudes that discourage women from getting involved in politics.

Additionally, the lack of financial resources for campaigns continues to be a major obstacle for women aspiring to run for leadership positions,” she said.

ALSO READ: INEC calls for proper handling of PVR kits

Ms Aneth Diarana, a representative from FUWAVITA, an organisation that supports women with disabilities through leadership and economic empowerment programmes, called for intensified efforts to raise awareness of electoral rights for people with disabilities.

She emphasised that many people with disabilities lack the necessary education and support to fully understand their rights and how to participate in elections and political processes.

However, Ms Diarana highlighted the need for the government to invest in improving voting infrastructure and services to make polling stations more accessible for people with disabilities.

“The government and election stakeholders must ensure that polling stations are equipped with the necessary support services and infrastructure to accommodate people with disabilities,” she said.

Ms Mary Kiria, a youth representative from the Ladies of Value NGO, called on political parties to provide more opportunities for youth and women who are interested in participating in elections and political leadership.

She criticised political parties for primarily using young people and women for campaigns, without giving them a genuine chance to compete for leadership positions.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues its efforts to register voters and update information in the Permanent Voters’ Register (PVR) ahead of the elections.

The Commission is also working in collaboration with civil society organisations to provide voter education as part of an ongoing campaign to encourage citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: IPU President Urges Prioritizing Youth Education, Employment

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Tanzania: IPU President Urges Prioritizing Youth Education, Employment

Armenia: President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Dr. Tulia Ackson, has underscored the pressing challenges facing youth worldwide, particularly inadequate education and high unemployment.

According to Dr. Tulia, these challenges have caused many young people to lose hope, driving some into criminal activities, public protests, and, in certain cases, migration in search of better opportunities.

Speaking at the official opening of the 10th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Yerevan, Armenia on Thursday, Dr. Tulia emphasized that the needs of youth must not be overlooked in these turbulent times.

She urged leaders and parliamentarians to create an enabling environment by prioritizing access to quality education and meaningful employment for youth.

“In today’s world, the youth face significant hardships, and it is our responsibility as leaders to ensure they are not left behind. We must make it a priority to offer them the tools and opportunities they need to thrive,” Dr. Tulia stressed.

ALSO READ:IPU President Tulia meets Putin in Petersburg

The conference, attended by parliamentary leaders and young lawmakers from IPU member countries, was officially opened by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The conference, which seeks to address education and employment crises affecting youth, aims to develop solutions that prevent lost generations and ensure access to education and job opportunities for all young people.

Over 150 young parliamentarians from 60 countries are participating in the event, which runs from September 12 to 14, under the theme “Preserving Education and Employment in All Circumstances.

Source: allafrica.com

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How do I manage my Sh103,000 monthly salary to buy a car and land?

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

My name is Travis and I am 35 years old. I am employed and earn a net salary of Sh103,000 per month. I have a family. My monthly budget is as follows: Rent and water Sh28,000, school fees per term for two children Sh45,000, transport Sh8,000, family activities and emergencies Sh10,000, harambees and support groups Sh5,000, miscellaneous expenses Sh8,000 (can sometimes go up to Sh12,000) and savings Sh7,000.

I started saving in June 2024. I do not have huge loans that I am repaying except for short-term loans of Sh80,000 that I am repaying in the next four months. It has been difficult to save enough money to start a major project. I want to buy a car soon as my family grows and maybe a piece of land in the next five years. Help me to achieve these two goals.

Alex Kibebe, Founder of Rubiani Wealth Management Ltd and an investment consultant and business development coach

The first thing you need to do is to define your goals more clearly so that you can make your savings more targeted.

For your goal of owning a car, determine the price range. Let’s say you want a second-hand car worth about Sh600,000.

As for the land, you need to decide what you want to do with it. Is it for speculation, to build a house or to generate rental income? This will help you identify the right location and budget.

For planning purposes, we will assume that you intend to purchase the land to build your home. We will use an estimate of Sh900,000 for the land price.

Next, we will evaluate how you can save and invest to achieve these goals. From the information you have provided, your total monthly expenses come to Sh74,000 and you are currently saving Sh7,000, leaving you with Sh22,000.

This surplus is likely being used to pay off your loans, which will clear in four months. Now, to meet your goals within your set timelines, I suggest increasing your current savings to Sh10,000 even as you continue to pay off the loan.

You can do this by reducing Sh1,000 each from your contributions to harambees, family activities expense and the miscellaneous allowance.

Once you have increased your savings to Sh10,000, I recommend that you place these funds in a Sacco. Identify and save with one that offers development loans. This will help you build up shares so that when the time comes, you can borrow funds to build your house. To maintain consistency in your saving, I would advise you to set up an automated deduction of this contribution at source.

After paying off your current loans, invest the Sh22,000 you will have freed up in a money market fund (MMF). Research different fund managers and identify an ideal one with a track record of good returns.

To maintain discipline, consider setting up a bank standing order for the investment. If you invest in the MMF for two years at the current net annual interest rate of about 13 percent, your total investment should grow to approximately Sh600,000. This would enable you to buy the car.

To purchase the land within your target of five years, continue investing the Sh22,000 monthly in the MMF for a further three years. By then, your fund should grow to around Sh950,000, allowing you to buy the land as planned.

Assuming that you have been contributing Sh10,000 per month to your Sacco within this period and that you reinvest the dividends earned (approximating 10 percent per year), your shares could be worth around Sh780,000.

At this point, you can apply for a development loan of Sh2,000,000 from your Sacco to build your house.

If you get the loan at an interest rate of 12 percent and a repayment period of eight years, your monthly repayments would be Sh32,506.

To manage this, you can redirect the Sh22,000 you have been investing in the MMF and the Sh10,000 going into the Sacco towards this loan repayment.

Once you have built your house and moved in, you will be saving on rent and you can use this freed-up money of about Sh28,000 to invest towards fulfilling other goals such as saving for your children’s higher education and building a passive income for your retirement.

If you have any money problems, send us an email at [email protected] and leave your number for contact. Money questions will be answered on this column.

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Tanzania: Milestone in Health Sector – Muhimbili Introduces Services to Tackle Infertility Challenges

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

DAR ES SALAAM — MUHIMBILI National Hospital (MNH) has achieved a significant milestone in Tanzania’s healthcare sector by introducing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services, becoming the first public hospital to offer these treatments.

This groundbreaking development offers much-needed relief to couples facing infertility challenges who were previously unable to access IVF treatment in public hospitals in Tanzania.

Research conducted by MNH reveals that infertility affects 30 per cent of those undergoing screening, with 65 per cent of affected individuals being women and 35 per cent being men.

This means that three to four out of every ten patients are diagnosed with infertility.

Speaking yesterday during the inauguration of the facility dubbed “Samia Suluhu Hassan IVF Centre,” Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango said that the event marked a significant milestone in supporting citizens who have long faced fertility challenges, including those who have given birth to children with hearing impairments.

The launch also coincided with the reception of a Mobile Clinic Van donated by Aster Foundation, along with the switching on of hearing aids (Cochlear Implants) to 15 children born with hearing impairments.

“It is a great relief to see IVF services being offered for the first time in public hospital, these services were only available in private hospitals, where costs were prohibitively high.

I assure you, here, it will be genuinely affordable,” said Dr Mpango.

He mentioned that although private hospitals in cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam had begun offering the services, many citizens were still forced to seek treatment abroad in countries such as Turkey, South Africa and Kenya.

Dr Mpango explained that the project, which began in 2019, has been implemented to high standards, costing 1.2bn/-, with everything funded by MNH’s internal revenue.

He commended the Ministry of Health and the MNH Board of Trustees and management for successfully executing the IVF project in public hospital.

Dr Mpango said, “this initiative at the national hospital is a fulfilment of the government’s commitment to reduce the number of patients seeking treatment abroad due to a shortage of specialised professionals or lack of necessary medical equipment.”

Regarding hearing difficulties, he said that before 2017 Cochlear Implant services were unavailable in the country, forcing those in need of the services to seek them abroad.

The availability of these services is expected to boost medical tourism in Tanzania.

Furthermore, he commended the increased accessibility of healthcare services, including the establishment of mobile clinics and thanked the Aster Foundation for their support, having already provided two vehicles one for Zanzibar and another for the Mainland, which was handed over yesterday.

Dr Mpango urged the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, to explore ways to reduce the costs of IVF services at the centre, possibly through tax exemptions.

For her part, Minister for Health Ms Jenister Mhagama commended MNH for fully implementing the IVF project, stating that despite the high costs of healthcare services, the government is committed to provide sustainable solutions, including the introduction of a health insurance scheme covering both basic and specialised services.

She affirmed that the government will continue to oversee the provision of healthcare services, ensuring that systems are integrated across all hospitals along with health insurance to alleviate the burden on citizens.

MNH Executive Director Prof Mohammed Janabi said that in every ten patients at the women’s clinic, three to four have fertility issues, with infertility affecting approximately 17 per cent of the population globally.

Prof Janabi added that the centre is equipped with facilities capable of preserving women’s eggs for up to 30 years, along with a system for testing male sperm and genetic material.

He further mentioned that the centre is already staffed with ten specialists and ten women are ready to begin treatment following the launch, with plans underway to invite more experts from abroad for collaboration.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Mbeya Resident Loses Appeal in Rape Case

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In: Tanzania Foreign Investment News

MBEYA: THE High Court of Tanzania, Mbeya Registry, has rejected the appeal filed by Mashaka Msangawale, seeking to overturn his conviction for rape.

The judgment that was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Musa Pomo, upheld the 30-year prison sentence initially handed down by the Chunya District Court.

Msangawale was convicted in 2021 for rape of a 15-year-old girl, with the crime occurring on December 1, 2021, in the Lyeselo village in the district.

He had challenged the conviction, arguing that the prosecution failed to meet the legal requirements to prove the elements of rape.

Convicted under sections 130(1)(2)(e) and 131(1) of the Penal Code [Cap 16 R.E. 2022], Msangawale argued that the evidence presented was insufficient.

However, Justice Pomo, in his judgment, stated, “Having considered the evidence from both sides, the court finds no reason to believe that the offence was not proven by the respondent.”

During the trial, the prosecution presented three key witnesses: the victim, her mother and Obeid Kasaba Prosper (PW3).

Evidence included the victim’s torn underpants (exhibit PE1) and a Police Form 3 (PF3) from a medical examination (exhibit PE2).

The High Court determined that the district court had not erred in its judgment and concluded that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Pomo noted that evidence from the victim, her mother and other evidence were adequate to uphold the conviction.

According to court documents, the victim was a Form II student at Iyela Secondary School in Mbeya. On the day of the attack, Msangawale, who was working as a labourer for the victim’s family, lured her to a nearby tobacco drying shed, where he forcibly assaulted her, tearing her underpants in the process.

The victim’s mother arrived at the scene shortly after the attack. In the appeal, Ms Nyasige Kajanja, representing the defence, argued that penetration a crucial element of the rape charge was not sufficiently demonstrated.

She contended that the victim did not clearly specify which part of her private area was penetrated and questioned the qualifications of the nurse who conducted the medical examination and completed the PF3 form.

State Attorney, Ms Veneranda Masai, countered these arguments, asserting that the victim’s detailed testimony was sufficient to establish penetration.

She emphasised that in sexual offence cases, especially involving minors, the victim’s account is often the most compelling evidence.

Ms Masai also acknowledged that while the nurse’s qualifications might not have been fully established, the testimony of the victim and her mother alone was adequate to support the conviction.

Justice Pomo found no merit in the appellant’s arguments and confirmed the original conviction, thereby maintaining the 30- year sentence.

Source: allafrica.com

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Tanzania: Govt to Act Against Abusive Political Campaigns

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Tanzania: Govt to Act Against Abusive Political Campaigns

DAR ES SALAAM: The government has included abuse in its new election regulations targeting to protect women who usually turn out to be targets of humiliations in political campaigns.

Senior Legal Officer at the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Governments, Kadete Mihayo said at a digital dialogue on HabariLEO’s X-Space on Thursday the state will now hunt and punish culprits.

The idea, he said, seeks to protect and empower more women aspiring to run for various positions in the upcoming local government election.

Mihayo explained that the regulation was prompted by the observation that many women are reluctant to enter politics due to online harassment and other forms of public humiliation.

“Our goal with this regulation is to ensure that both men and women have an equal playing field during the campaign period.

We believe this measure will encourage more women to step forward and exercise their political rights,” Mihayo stated.

ALSO READ: Women urged to participate in Local government election

10 hours agoHe further emphasized the importance of political parties sponsoring female candidates, noting that party endorsement often carries more influence than independent candidacy.

In addition, Mihayo touched on the rights of voters, clarifying that any former prisoner will be eligible to vote as long as they are registered in the voters’ roll.

Source: allafrica.com

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