Sylivester Ernest
By Sylivester Ernest ,Today’s Talk
In Summary
When deputy minister for Communications, Science
and Technology January Makamba toured the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) in London and subsequently announced he would announce
his candidature for the presidency in the upcoming 2015 General
Election, the youth, especially those on social networks went abuzz – he
appeared to be speaking in “their” tongue.
Makamba’s July 2 announcement opened up the door
for many others to come open on their intentions. It would look as if
they had thought the election date was still far away to start finding
avenues to make their intentions known. In fact, it is an open secret
that all these prospective candidates have been going around ‘quietly’
lobbying and seeking support. But thanks to CCM’s move to ban for a
year, six of its senior cadres from forging their alliances due to
premature campaigns that pronouncements ceased.
However, one fact beats my understanding. Two out
of the three ‘most famous presidential hopefuls’ have made their
intentions known from a foreign land, through a foreign media, and using
the same programme. That in itself is not a criminal offence. However, I
cannot help but ask myself a number of questions. Why didn’t it occur
to our presidential hopefuls to see it prudent to make such
announcements of a life-time right before their voters or say, in their
constituencies? Wouldn’t this have been like going to a shrine --asking
for blessings from their own people? What’s wrong with using our media
outlets, aren’t they good enough such that one would choose a foreign
outlet to a local one? Where is the spirit -- consume/use what is made
in Tanzania?
One thing comes to mind quickly, may be, and only
may be, they thought making announcements of a life time on home ground
and using local media would have undermined their image.
Okay. That’s settled. But again, why is it that
some are not open enough? Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told the BBC that
he made the announcement kimyakimya (quietly). Why should this be the
case? Just go open! Or, is this the new trend for our leaders to make
big announcements on foreign land? Just a few days ago, President Jakaya
Kikwete, while on a State visit to China announced that the country
would be going for a referendum in April! We are setting a precedent.
Ears will now be directed to every official travelling to London for a
conference. May be that is where the good omen is.
Sylivester Ernest is a Chevening Scholar, studying for an MA in Media and Development at the University of Westminster, UK
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