Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar’s famed Makachu divers have relocated their performances to Coco Beach in Dar es Salaam following a suspension imposed by the Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Management Authority.
The suspension, announced in a public statement last week, halted all Makachu activities in Forodhani Gardens due to alleged violations of local laws and guidelines.
These included the misuse of public infrastructure and inappropriate conduct during performances, according to the authority.
The move has sparked significant discussion online, with videos circulating on social media showing the divers adapting their acts to the new setting at Coco Beach.
These clips have drawn mixed reactions, with some praising the performers’ resilience while others question the shift’s impact on their traditional roots.
Speaking anonymously, one of the divers acknowledged the challenges of the relocation but expressed optimism about continuing their craft in Dar es Salaam.
“The situation in Zanzibar has made things difficult, but Coco Beach offers a new space for us to keep performing while we wait for clarity from the authorities,” he said.
The Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation and Management Authority maintains that the suspension was necessary to enforce discipline and protect public property.
Director General Ali Abubakar emphasised that a framework involving individual contracts is being developed for those wishing to return to Forodhani under stricter regulations.
Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam residents have been quick to embrace the divers, whose daring stunts and unique entertainment style have already begun attracting crowds at Coco Beach.
However, the long-term implications of the move remain unclear, both for the performers and their cultural significance tied to Zanzibar’s identity.
As the debate continues, the spotlight remains on the Makachu divers, whose relocation underscores the delicate balance between tradition, tourism, and modern regulations in Zanzibar’s evolving cultural landscape.
For now, the divers are determined to make the most of their new stage in Dar es Salaam, navigating an uncertain future while maintaining the artistry that has made them a staple of coastal tourism.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
