ISMILA STONE AGE TANZANIA

Isimila Stone Age Site is an Acheulean site where tools, stone artifacts and bones were found in a dry bed that was once a shallow lake. Discovered in 1951 and excavated in 1957, soil erosion exposed many items at Isimila. Tools that were found include axes, cleavers and spherical stones and they are believed to date from 60,000 years ago.Many fossilized bones believed to be those of mammals related to the modern giraffes, but with much shorter necks and an extinct form of hippopotamus with periscope-like eyes that protrude were uncovered.Isimila appears to have been a watering hole and a place to hunt for early hominoids.The area surrounding Isimila Stone Age Site is known as Isimila Gully with pillars of limestone that were left standing by erosion over the millennia. This site is worth the journey and has become a popular picnic spot.

STOP SMOKING

These choices are yours alone and it's your responsibility to make good choices and make your life meaningful. You may have had a hard beginning and you may have to work hard climbing up the ladder of life to become successful. But ultimately you become who you decide to become and you can choose to be better than what you are raised to be. The choices you make are ultimately yours and you have to be responsible and take your choices seriously. If you smoke cigarettes, you will become a smoker. If you get pregnant, you will become a parent. If you get hooked on Meth, you will become a drug addict. It's your choice and if you choose to fuck up your life, it's your fault. But if you want to become great then you can be great, even if you come from unfortunate conditions. And the difference between those who become great and those who don't is that great people take control of their lives, take responsibility for their decisions, and through pure force of will, looking into the future, and through self discipline, lift themselves up and achieve greatness. And every one of you who read this can do the same thing.

FISHING IN TANZANIA

The deep waters of the Indian Ocean along Tanzania’s coast are rich in big-game fish, from marlin and tuna to swordfish and biting barracudas. All the same, the waters of Tanzania are only just beginning to gain the world-wide fame of the Kenyan coast, so the waters are less populated and fishing at its most pristine. Tuna and other pelagics migrate through the Pemba Channel on a yearly basis, but can be found in smaller numbers throughout the year. Besides the big-game fish, grouper, red snapper, and other local species are populous along the coastal waters. Deep sea fishing in Tanzania is best organised through private companies that specialise in boating and ocean trips, or through lodges and hotel properties that offer day excursions throughout the coast.Along the mainland coast, Pangani and Dar es Salaam are the most popular area for deep-sea fishing. Trips from Pangani and Tanga offer easy access to the Pemba Channel, a main migratory route for big-game pelagics. Outfitted charters are best arranged from local lodges, and the guide will know where best to look for a big-game catch. Around Dar es Salaam, fishing boats can be chartered and trips arranged around the areas of Msasani Bay, as well as the larger hotels and lodges. Excursions usually take the form of day trips and although the area is not as populated with large game fish, smaller species are in plentiful supply.In the Zanzibar Archipelago, resorts and lodges along the northern and eastern parts of Unguja and the island of Pemba offer fishing charters that venture into deep waters. Fishing is becoming a popular alternative to snorkelling and dive trips along the reefs, and boats take clients out into the Pemba Channel and surrounding waters.Pelagics and big-game fish are abundant in the isolated waters around Pemba and Unguja, and reward the adventurous fisherman with their size and bounty.Inland FishingFishing is an economic mainstay of many parts of rural Tanzania and quickly becoming a popular activity for visitors along the country’s rivers and lakes. Although not permitted in national parks, fly and lake fishing in remote areas is a rewarding and peaceful way to experience the beauty of African scenery and enjoy the country at a leisurely pace. Private companies, tour operators, and lodges can arrange for day trips to nearby lakes and rivers, and longer fishing safaris around the region can be organised with travel specialists should you so desire. In addition to planned day excursions, local fishermen in the region will often gladly take you with them on their daily fishing trips and show you the best places to get started.The freshwater lakes of Tanzania offer fishing opportunities for visitors willing to venture off the beaten track. Fishing along Lake Victoria affords an opportunity to experience freshwater lake fishing and observe life around the lakes of Tanzania. Fishing trips can be organised from surrounding villages, as well as the larger ports of Mwanza and Musoma, where boatmen will gladly arrange for you to accompany them on their daily trips to net Nile Perch and Tilapia in the waters offshore. Trips to Rubondo Island National Park also offer fishermen a base from which to embark on trips around the Lake Victoria and its tributaries.Fly fishing along the many rivers and large streams Tanzania is another rewarding experience for sportsmen wanting to experience remote areas at a leisurely pace. During the rainy season, rivers and their tributaries swell with fish and river life, and any time after the short and long rains is a good time to plan a fishing safari. Many adventure safari companies cater for international fisherman looking for the best fishing waters in East Africa, and everything from trolling through flood plains to fly fishing in mountain streams is possible.

RELIGION

Christianity and Islam are the predominant religions of Tanzania. About 40-45% of the population practice Christianity, about 35-40% practice Islam. The rest of the population adhere to traditional beliefs, most of which centre around ancestor worship and nature-based animism. Most Christians live on the mainland, where missionary stations and schools reach deep into the continent. Islam is the major religion of the coastal areas but is also practiced further inland along the old caravan routes. Religion plays a large part in the daily life of Tanzanians. In Christian areas, families attend church together dressed in their Sunday best. Church services always involve singing and the hymns – often sung in complex harmonies – spill out to the streets outside. Easter and Christmas are major events in Tanzania, with services and celebrations often extending far into the day and night. The lunar month of Ramadan is an important time for Muslims around the country, who fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. After Ramadan comes the Eid, a time of feasting and festivity for the whole community. Tanzania’s Asian religious minority includes Hindus, Sikhs, and Ismailis

Kilimo Kwanza

WHEREAS the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), under its Chairman, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania held a two day meeting on 2nd and 3rd June 2009 at Kunduchi Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam, to discuss the policies and strategies for the transformation of Tanzania’s agriculture under the theme “KILIMO KWANZA ” and its implementation;AND WHEREAS eighty per cent of Tanzanians depend on agriculture for their livelihood;
RECOGNIZING that the greatest challenge facing Tanzania is to combat poverty and that this will be possible mainly through enhanced agricultural productivity;
CONSIDERING Tanzania’s endowment of agricultural land, livestock and marine resources of which a large proportion is currently underutilized;
REALIZING that Tanzania has the second largest volume of inland fresh water resources in Africa that can be utilized for irrigation;
CONSCIOUS of the fact that so far considerable efforts have been made towards the transformation of agriculture without much success;

Academicians are divided on whether or not, Tanzania's new initiative dubbed as 'Kilimo Kwanza' (Agriculture First) is the right path towards a green revolution.
Those that spoke to The Citizen expressed mixed reactions as other questioned the uniqueness of the new initiative to all the failed past initiatives.
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In his independent views, the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) lecturer, Dr Damian Gabagambi feels the new initiative has nothing new than the failed initiatives of Kilimo ni Uti wa Mgongo wa Uchumi' (Agriculture is the backbone of the economy), Kilimo ni uhai (Agriculture is life) and Kilimo cha kufa na kupona (Life or death agriculture).
Citing examples of Mexico, India and Malawi, Dr Gabagambi said developing agriculture requires not only well-crafted documents but also committed people to bringing about real change.
But Prof Andrew Temu also from SUA feels Kilimo Kwanza is designed uniquely.
"Kilimo Kwanza is the only initiative designed without force from outside... it is initiated by Tanzanians for Tanzanians... it does not seek to solicit funding from donors as is the case with most of the past initiatives," he told The Citizen yesterday.
Since most of the past initiatives had influence of donors, transferring the initiatives from donors to Tanzanians used to create problems at the implementation level, he said.
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Kilimo Kwanza has tried to provide a linkage between small-scale farmers and their medium and large-scale counterparts, something that was lacking in the past initiatives, urges Prof Temu.
"Instead of mobilising FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) into agriculture, we have, through Kilimo Kwanza, decided to sensitise local investors to engage themselves in large-scale commercial farming," he said.
Earlier, Dr Adolph Mkenda who lectures at the University of Dar es Salaam had told The Citizen that he finds no problem with the initiative but rather with whether or not it (the initiative) will help to hasten implementation of the country's existing agriculture development strategies.
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"An initiative is, in itself, nothing than just a document meant to sensitise people to take on a certain activity... Kilimo Kwanza will therefore be meaningful if its intention is to add a new vigour to the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS)," he told The Citizen yesterday.
Tanzania approved the ASDS in 2001, with an objective of achieving a sustainable agricultural sector growth rate of five per cent per annum through transformation from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
According to Dr Mkenda, many of the issues highlighted in the strategy have been replicated in the Kilimo Kwanza document. "While I have nothing against Kilimo Kwanza, I think the best way to develop our agricultural sector is to sit down and take a stock of what we have achieved since the ASDS became operational," he intoned.

STOP HIV

Tanzania has reported progress on efforts aimed developing at an effective HIV vaccine after two years of extensive research and trials at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. The study, whose preliminary trials have cost $3.8 million, is known as the “HIV Vaccine Safety and Immunogenicity” and has been carried out since 2007. So far, the vaccine has proven positive in terms of safety and ability to stimulate the immune system. The university intends to present the results in Arusha this week and later in Paris, France, at the 5th Aids Vaccine 2009 Conference. The vice-chancellor, Prof Kisali Pallangyo who led the team of researchers, said that all vaccine trials were completed in mid-July, and were positive by 100 per cent. The 60 volunteers, all from the police force — 45 men and 15 women — were immunised with DNA/placebo vaccination and later MVA/placebo boost, according to the researchers. By being positive, the scientists say, the candidate vaccines stimulated the immune system of those vaccinated and almost all who were given the vaccine responded to it. But the team said there was still a long way to go before a usable vaccine is developed. The big challenge now is to determine in the laboratory if the immune responses are able to kill or limit multiplication of live HIV,” said Prof Pallangyo.

Future Shape of Arusha

Arusha — The Arusha Municipal Council (AMC) has initiated a process to develop a "Tourism Master Plan" for the municipality as if to respond to the recent criticisms that the Lonely Planet made about Arusha as a tourist destination.
The Lonely Planet, dubbed the Travel Bible, nagged authorities, residents and friends of Arusha by listing the municipality as one of the eight most hated cities in the world. The proposed Tourism Plan is expected to shape the future of Arusha as a unique and competitive tourist destination.
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Some residents of Arusha are quick to criticize initiatives that AMC makes in managing affairs in the municipality. This time the AMC has become proactive. It challenges all stakeholders in Arusha to contribute to the process of shaping Arusha through development of a participatory Tourism Master Plan.
The rule of the challenge is to encourage local investors, individuals and institutions to take pride in developing the future of their city without external influence. It is important to apply that rule if Arusha is to become a unique tourist destination.
In particular, it is important for local people and institutions to realize that they are capable of pulling efforts and resources together in order to create a unique city. Let the people in Arusha refer to the University of Dodoma (UDOM) for motivation in that regard. It is said that UDOM is a result of a partnership among local investors and developers.
The institution is expected to be the biggest university in East Africa when it becomes fully operational in the next few years. Therefore, it is possible for residents of Arusha, local investors and developers to establish Arusha to become evidence that Tanzanians are eventually growing out of the unnecessary dependency on foreign aid and selfish syndrome that have crippled the country for so long.
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Imagine the richness of the Arusha Tourism Master Plan that would be a result of contributions from local institutions like the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), TATO, TACTO, AICC, Tour and Hotel Operators, communication and transport companies, construction companies, the media, museums, NGOs, Cultural Centers, researchers and academicians.
Imagine further the quality of the proposed Arusha tourism master plan if the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, local law enforcers, traders, economists, planners, GIS and mapping experts, entrepreneurs, tourism trainers, street vendors, street children, women groups, TANESCO and Water authorities were to make their contributions.
The starting point is for stakeholders to make contributions to develop a common policy statement that would guide designers of the tourism master plan to develop an appropriate future shape of Arusha. For instance, some people propose to focus development of Arusha as a cultural city since the cultures of the major ethnic groups in the city are still intact. Other people propose to develop Arusha as a financial city since the city is international.
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In addition, such people envisage that major trading activities can be conducted in the city. In fact, there are people who dream of development of a state of the art trading center the like of the Twin Towers in New York. They propose the center to be established at the plot which is located adjacent to Kilombero market. They argue that there are no decent shopping centers in Arusha.
Individuals and institutions with varied backgrounds have started to contribute to develop the tourism master plan for Arusha in different ways. For example, a local expert has volunteered to produce a document that reviews the requirements of four national guidelines, 12 national policies, 15 national legislations and eight international conventions in view of the proposed tourism plan.
The aim of the document is to ensure that the plan addresses the requirements of national and international policies and legislations. To his credit, the author prepared the draft document free. It is a sign of individual commitment for his country.
The document frames Arusha to become a multiple land use area with limited focus on the town as a tourist destination. In addition, the document is too regulatory. If in doubt of the statement, the author has devoted 30 pages of the 70 page document to describe how the plan is expected to adhere to requirements of national guidelines, strategies, policies and legislation. Needless to mention, a plan that is too regulatory can easily be a non-starter.
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In addition, the document describes a limited variety of tourist attraction features. For instance, the author proposes development of only biological and cultural attraction features. Yet, Arusha offers many other unique tourist attraction features such as the precious Tanzanite minerals. There is a Tanzanite museum in Arusha.
On their part, local economic planners propose a process of developing a tourism master plan that replicates the National Tourism Master Plan of 2002. The aim is to develop a city tourism plan which is consistent with national aspirations.