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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The EU Air Safety List includes airlines that fail to meet international safety standards. Commissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of passenger safety, stating: “The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards. We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift action to address these safety issues. The Commission has offered its assistance to Tanzanian authorities to enhance safety performance and achieve compliance with international aviation standards.”
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Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
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Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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