Mwaya’, not her real name, owned a small shop in Dar es Salaam, and it was doing very well. She had a trusted worker called Happy, who had been with her for a few months and was instrumental in the shop’s success. The customers loved her because she had a way of putting them at ease and advising them on their needs.
However, one day, Mwaya’s trusted worker (Happy) left and started her own shop. To make matters worse to Mwaya, the new employee she hired was untrustworthy, as they ended up stealing both profits and capital.
This story highlights one of the most significant downsides of being a small business owner in Dar es Salaam – employee turnover.
It’s not just about losing a trusted worker but also exposes the business to risks such as theft, loss of customers, and reputational damage.
Yet, despite such threats, when you walk around shopping areas in Dar es Salaam, it’s clear that many people are hungry for business success. From the woman selling avocados or bananas to the mitumba traders and those who have been able to rent out shops, business people desire to earn a decent living.
However, running a successful business is easier said than done, as illustrated by Mwaya’s story.
According to the Small Enterprise Development and Promotion (SEDP) Programme in Tanzania, the Baseline Survey of Small Enterprises conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2016 shows that many small businesses in Tanzania operate in low-productivity sectors, such as agriculture and retail, and need more skills and resources to expand and grow their businesses.
The study recommends that small business owners in Tanzania receive training and support to improve their management and technical skills and access to finance and market information.
Before starting a small business, it’s crucial to carefully consider your business needs and assess the qualities necessary for the positions you want to fill.
Ask yourself if there is a need for additional staff, what roles the employee will perform, what skills and experience are necessary, and what remuneration you can offer.
That is the professional way, but in an actual situation, some small business owners cannot make those considerations because even paying the employees is an uphill task. But all in all, it’s essential to think about and plan, even when your capital base is shallow.
Choosing the right employee is crucial as it directly impacts your business’s success. After employing someone, assess their performance and supervise their interactions with customers. Customers are the foundation of any thriving business, and employees’ language and attitude towards them significantly maintain or lose their loyalty.
If you find that your employees need to interact better with customers, be firm and take action to maintain your customers. The language and attitude of employees towards customers are critical in maintaining customer loyalty.
By providing quality customer attention and support, customers are more likely to return, regardless of your business’s location.
It’s important to note that running a successful business involves more than having adequate capital and a good location. Your employees will make or break you.
The decision to employ workers depends on the size and nature of the business. Small businesses often function with just one or a few employees, while larger enterprises may require a more substantial workforce.
Although finding the perfect candidate may not always be possible, every entrepreneur should seek hard-working and honest individuals with potential. Consider hiring someone on a contractual basis and assessing their qualities and performance before keeping them as regular employees.
Selecting and managing employees is crucial to the success of any business. By carefully evaluating your business needs and choosing the right employees, you can ensure a positive impact on your bottom line.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
ACT Unaware of Mwinyi’s joint committee on Zanzibar reforms
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Zanzibar Airports Authority enforces Dnata monopoly
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