Life lessons, Tanzania Plane Crash; Majaliwa Jackson, new hero in town

Editorial thoughts:
In the past, people like Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, the founding father of our nation, many politicians, and the people who served Tanzania with great dedication were heroes.

Of late in Tanzania, our heroes and heroines have been music stars, actors, and actresses, who have risen using their talents, and some of them through scandals to keep the public talking mesmerized. Sometimes, some of our superstars’ actions, like sharing the crudest and most mannerless videos online, are not a healthy food for the mind, but we get used to them.

Doing wrong and showcasing bad manners now seems to have become a way of life. Immorality and bad manners shown by public figures mirror the behaviours of the common mwananchi. No wonder when a road accident occurs, one of the victim’s fear is being vandalized.

Some years ago, superstar comedian Sharo Milionea had an accident in Tanga and was found dead. His car was vandalized. His particulars like the clothes he was wearing were stolen.

What a shame! It was headlessness and immorality of the worst kind. Some people steal things from the victims and leave them to die instead of saving them.

In the tragic Precision air accident in Bukoba, an unlikely young boy emerged as a hero. The boy’s name, Majaliwa Jackson, became the talk of the town. He was among the first responders who helped to rescue 24 passengers from the plane.

He was just a mere fish folk, but out of good nature and self-drive, he decided to get into the sinking plane and serve the victims. He broke the plane’s windows and got the people out. He was the most instrumental person in saving the 24 lives!

It’s an incredible story of super courage, selflessness, self-drive, and the good nature of helping others in trouble without a second thought.

While saving the victims, Majaliwa said that he fainted, and at the end of the day, he had to be taken to the hospital with the people he saved.

No wonder initially, the police thought he was one of the victims on the plane.

Majaliwa’s story has been shared widely by news channels all over the world. At home, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has given him a state job. Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa gave him money while many other people of goodwill have topped it up.

The story of young Majaliwa is very touching and is a lesson to learn.

For instance, we should do good and help others without expecting any reward.

However, in due time, the goodness pays up; here the power of giving says it all. I hope his story will inspire young people to do good by helping those in trouble. For instance, when there is an accident, people should help the victims and not steal from them. We need to learn that in this life, every good deed we do comes back in due time.

It’s a good thing that President Samia has recognized the boy’s efforts and sacrifices and given him a job; being trained, and joins the rescue team. I hope he will continue to inspire the nation to do good.

In the plane accident, 19 people died, May their souls Rest in Peace! My heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and relatives. This tragedy has also taught us that it is paramount that, as a nation, we should have rapid air rescue services.

This should be a wake-up call that we must have a rescue unit that, within a short time, can reach any destination in Tanzania and save lives.

In the meantime, kudos to the fish folks, who with Majaliwa, did splendid work by using their traditional boats, local knowledge and skills, to save lives of the victims.