[Tanzania]Trump, Obama inspire CSEE top performers

US President Donald Trump and his predecessor, Mr Barack Obama, are the role models of the two top performers in the just-released Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) results.

lfred Shauri, the 2016 overall best examinee, speaking to the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday, explained how he admires President Trump whom he described as a successful business mogul, with determination and business acumen.

But, the second best performer and the top in the female category, Cynthia Mchechu, said she draws her inspiration from former US President Barack Obama. The two Form Four leavers visited the government owned media group, Tanzania Standard Newspapers Limited (TSN), which publishes the ‘Daily News’, ‘Sunday News’, ‘HabariLeo’, ‘HabariLeo Jumapili’ and ‘SpotiLeo’.

Contrary to what one would have expected, the talented youth exuded confidence, intellect, integrity and sense of humour during the entire interview with the ‘Daily News’.

Alfred who has studied the history of Mr Trump said he adores the US president’s tough, shrewd and never back down mentality, which enabled him to build a business empire and became the 45th US President despite opposition from within his own political party.

“I don’t mean to copy everything from my role model... what I like about Trump is that he doesn’t give up. I have read his history on how he started his business...the Trump Tower took about four years before he was granted the building permit.

This is the kind of determination I am talking about,” he explained. Alfred intends to study Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) combination in his ‘A’ level education before pursuing industrial electrical engineering at the tertiary education to realise his dream of becoming a business mogul in the industrial sector.

“My dream is to become a business tycoon and with industrial engineering, I will have firsthand experience in the industry sector. I want to eventually invest and establish my own industries within and outside the country,” he explained. During spare time, Alfred plays music instruments, reads novels and biographies as well as books on business.

He also takes pictures and edits the school magazine while at Feza Boys Secondary School. Cynthia Mchechu from St Francis Girls in Mbeya Region, who draws her aspiration from Obama, plans to pursue a career in Law as the 44th US president who served two terms. Her father, mother, brother and young siblings inspire her too, she said.

“I will pursue Economics, Geography, Mathematics (EGM) combination in my ‘A’ level studies and study law at university, I enjoy defending the rights of other people, especially the oppressed, I believe law is the right career for me,” she explained. Cynthia, the lone daughter of National Housing Corporation (NHC) Director General Nehemiah Mchechu, loves reading novels, writing poems and listening to music when at home.

Meanwhile, LYDIA SHEKIGHENDA reports that the government yesterday presented cash prizes and certificates to 13 students who had competed in the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) essay writing competition for 2016.

It also handed over textbooks, a laptop and overhead projector all worth 3,700 US dollars (over 7m/-) to three secondary schools which won the first, second and third positions at national level in the EAC essay writing.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Courageous Tanga widow wins president’s empathy

SWAHABA Shosi, a widow, yesterday exhibited high level of determination that finally earned her an attention of President John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam.

The courageous lady hopefully went home a joyous person after the president had directed state organs to intervene and take actions against people she had accused of conspiring to rob her of her inheritance rights. Ms Shosi made a surprise move to get the audience of the president shortly after the Head of State had addressed the gathering at the Law Day along Garden Avenue in the city.

Dr Magufuli directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and Principal Judge Ferdinand Wambali, to work on the widow’s claims of being denied justice since 2012. President Magufuli asked Judge Wambali to get hold of her mobile contacts for direct communications and ensure the matter is solved.

The president also instructed the police to provide the lady with special protection to ensure she is not harmed in the course of seeking justice. Ms Shosi, a Kenyan who was married to a Tanzanian in Tanga Region, was obviously aware that the event, which also marks the opening of the new judiciary year, attracts heads of all three pillars of the state, the President, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chief Justice.

She rose to her feet holding a placard just after President Magufuli had concluded his speech and was lined for photograph taking with invited guests. In her placard, she accused the police, DPP and judiciary of denying her inheritance rights from her late husband.

The woman caught the attention of security detail present at the event who were about to restrain her before Dr Magufuli noticed the encounter and called her forward to present her case.

She claimed before the head of state that she possessed all required documents for the property and accused some dishonest officials in the judiciary, police and some advocates of colluding with some relatives of his late husband Mohamed Shoshi, to deny her ownership of the property.

“Your Excellency Mr President I have been trying to seek assistance from state organs and leaders without success; I thus decided to travel from Tanga to Dar es Salaam to seek your audience. I am being denied my rights just like many other women out there,” she lamented.

According to Ms Shosi, relatives of her late husband have gone to the extent of forging documents to show that she is not bonafide inheritor of the property.

“They have as well made a number of trumped up criminal cases against me; I have been receiving death threats from unknown people but much as I reported the matter to the police nothing has been done,” she further lamented.

As luck would have it, IGP Ernest Mangu was aware of the woman’s situation and informed President Magufuli that there was a pending criminal case at Tanga District Court. “Your Excellency Mr President, at first this matter started as a civil case but developed into complications, which involve criminal cases.

Police have completed investigations in this matter; the ball is now in the courts,” he stated. The widow as well informed the president how she had sought the intervention of the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, the IGP and the DPP but all in vein.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania]Five drug kingpins netted

FIVE alleged drug dealers in Dar es Salaam have been arrested, with Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, ordering an arrest of nine police officers linked to the illegal trade.

Mr Makonda told reporters in the city yesterday that the suspected drug kingpins were apprehended during an overnight special operation that he carried out in collaboration with the region’s security and defence organs.

He named the suspects under police custody as Ahmed Ngahemela popularly known as Petit man, Said Lina (Alteza), Nasor Nassor, B a k a r i Khelef and o n e identif i e d b y one name, Omary. “Some of the suspects were found in possession of the illicit drugs,” charged the RC, describing the operation as continuing to disband the entire network of drug dealers in the city. Mr Makonda who also chairs the region’s peace and security committee, demanded the immediate arrest of police officers accused of collaborating with drug dealers.

Police officers in the arrest list include former Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Christopher Fuime, Kinondoni Regional Crime Officer Fadhil, Inspector Wayi, Steven (D/ SGT-RCO Kinondoni) and James (D/C-Kinondoni).

Others are Swai, Neri, Willy and Makomeo at Oysterbay station, D/CPT Dotto from Kijitonyama police station, WP Glory of Kawe police station and JB from Chang’ombe police station. “During the special operation that we carried, these police officers were often mentioned by ‘wananchi’, as being part of the network.

I have, therefore, ordered their arrest and interrogation, be they are in or outside the region,” said Mr Makonda. The RC also directed some Dar es Salaam-based artists to surrender themselves at Central Police Station today to give statements over their alleged drug abuse or drug business facilitation.

The summoned artists are Wema Sepetu, Khaleed Mohamed (TID), Winfrida Josephat (Recho), Khery Sameer (Mr Blue), Hamidu Chambuso (Dogo Hamidu) and Rashid Makwiro (Chid Benz).

The RC also ordered operators of the city-based night clubs, George Dragon and Q-Bar, alleged to deal in illicit drugs to surrender themselves at Central Police station today at 11.00am.

According to Mr Makonda, the suspected police officers were reportedly hampering the operations in the region by exposing operation information to the suspects. Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Simon Sirro is expected to talk about the issue today.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Magufuli spits fire at Judiciary

• CONDEMNS ‘BAD BLOOD’ BETWEEN AG, DPP

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday blamed the judiciary on delayed tax evasion cases involving 7.5 trillion/-, asking the courts to play an effective role in boosting the treasury coffers through timely dispensation of justice.

Dr Magufuli on the other hand expressed concerns over what he described as ‘bad-blood’ between the Attorney General’s Chamber and the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), directing the two public institutions to mend their differences.

The hostility between the AG and DPP offices, Dr Magufuli noted, was to blame for ‘watered down evidences’ presented before courts of law in which eventually the government, as a plaintiff, loses cases to defendants.

“These cases have been pending since the year 2005, the total amount involved is 7.5tri/-,” President Magufuli remarked at the Law Day and new judiciary year in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The day was marked under a theme, “Timely justice for economic growth.

” The president argued that the colossal amount being contested in court cases could have played a critical role in improving social amenities for the benefits of all Tanzanians. “Even the judiciary faces acute shortage of funds for development projects, but these cases are still pending and as a result denying the country revenues for growth,” he observed.

He added; “I am told that when these cases are heard and ruling comes in favour of the government, the offenders appeal at high courts and when they lose they turn to what is described in court circles as ‘case parking.’

Dr Magufuli further pledged to present details of the cases to the Acting Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof Ibrahim Juma, for review and further actions. “I fail to understand whether it is lack of communication between the judiciary and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) or what, these revenues should be claimed for development,” he noted with concerns. Stating further; “To me, dispensation of justice means (among others) sourcing funds to serve the people.”

Due to financial constraints, said the president, only six of 80 judges who were on foreign visits last year had their trips Dr Magufuli as well took issues with the police force and the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), which he accused of sloppy investigations and at times destroying evidence.

“Why, for instance, should investigations take long when a criminal has been apprehended red-handed with illicit drugs or elephant tusks?” wondered President Magufuli, adding: “I know these criminals have a lot of money which they use to bribe the law enforcers to destroy exhibits...this should stop.” At the event, Dr Magufuli urged the judiciary to use members of the law enforcement agencies to provide security at its premises to reduce redundant employees in the state organs.

The Acting CJ had earlier complained that the judiciary faces a shortage of workers, stating that its current workforce stand at 6,500. “Why should you hire guards for your facilities and yet you can make use of the police?” he queried and challenged the judiciary to reduce the number of redundant workers.

“The number of employees you have at the moment exceeds by far the workforce of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

” President Magufuli as well lashed at the Tanzania Law Society (TLS), accusing it of embracing partisan politics, urging the association to operate neutrally.

Present at the ceremony yesterday were Speaker of the National Assembly Job Ndugai, Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, Chief Secretary John Kijazi, Principal Judge Ferdinand Wambali, as well as heads of security and defence forces and other high ranking government officials.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Minor claim, mobile courts to ease justice dispensing

DETERMINED to guarantee access to justice and take the services closer to the people, the judiciary plans minor claim and mobile courts in the country, the acting Chief Justice (CJ), Professor Ibrahim Juma, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Closing the law week exhibitions at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in the city, Professor Juma explained that the strategy is crucial in enabling more people to get justice on time and easing dispensation of justice to citizens in rural and other remote areas. “Statistics show that there are 3,957 wards in the country, with each requiring at least one primary court.

But, there are only 976 courts, implying that we can hardly reach all people in need of justice,” said Professor Juma, describing the establishment of the minor claim and mobile courts as inevitable.

He said neighbouring countries like Kenya and Uganda have already started adopting the system, assuring that the mobile courts will take off by next year to address one of the critical challenges that the judiciary has learnt during the weeklong exhibitions.

The CJ described the exhibitions as successful, with hundreds of citizens getting the opportunity to ask questions on various judicial issues, including the opening of cases, procedures relating to inheritance cases, bail applications, appeal procedures, matrimonial disputes and provision of legal aids.

He cited complaints by many people, especially on abusive language by court clerks, corruption practices among court officials and adjournment of cases beyond the required time, promising to work on the complaints effectively and timely.

Earlier, the Principal Judge Ferdinand Wambari told the gathering that over 3,000 ‘wananchi’ attended the exhibitions, with their major complaints centred on delays in provision of judgment copies to litigants, promising that the problem would be addressed soon.

“We understand the challenges of inadequate working tools but to start with, we have decided to provide 58 laptop computers which would be distributed to magistrates from the primary courts to the resident magistrate’s courts,” he said.

The working tools, he said, will reduce the burden on magistrates who had to handwrite case proceedings and use them to compose judgments by themselves instead of giving the work to typewriters.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Underperformers on the defensive

• Blame their poor show on factors beyond their control
• heads of schools grilled.DAR ES SALAAM’s underperforming schools in the just released Form Four National Examination results have come out strongly, defending their poor show, which they blame on factors beyond their control.
  

Long distances that students commute daily to and from school, truancy, poor support from parents and shortage of especially science teachers are some of the factors that have adversely affected the results of many Dar es Salaam-based schools.

In separate interviews with the ‘Daily News’ yesterday, teachers, parents and Msongola Ward Education Coordinator Venance Mwakilembe, said before pointing an accusing finger to the schools that underperformed, it is critical to take stock of the existing challenges.

At Kitonga, Mbondole and Nyeburu Secondary Schools, which are in the list of the ten worst performers, the roads heading to the schools are themselves a serious impediment to students commuting daily to and from school.

Ward education leaders and teachers at Kitonga and Mbondole secondary schools in Ilala Municipality were busy with a series of meetings for the better part of yesterday, barely a day after the results were released. However, Dar es Salaam Regional Education Officer (REO) yesterday summoned the heads of all the six schools that underperformed to explain reasons behind the failure, said Mr Mwakilembe.

The National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) released the 2016 Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) results on Tuesday, with six of the top ten poorly performing schools coming from the country’s commercial capital. NECTA Executive Secretary Charles Msonde, said a total of 277,283 candidates or 70.09 per cent of the 397,275 who wrote the examinations last November passed.

As students from other schools that excelled in the exams celebrated, sombre mood reigned at Kitonga Secondary School and others that underperformed. Mr Mwakilembe said majority students failed due to the long distances they were commuting to attend classes.

From the main junction of the main road to Kitonga school, according to Mr Hassan Waziri, a resident at the area, students were compelled to walk up to three kilometres for they could hardly afford hiring motorbikes.

The school’s acting head master was reluctant to comment, saying he was not the institution’s spokesperson, “I am totally confused with these results, I prefer reserving my comments.” Mbondole Secondary School Acting Headmaster who preferred to remain anonymous, saying he was not the spokesperson, told the ‘Daily News’ that it was difficult for the calibre of students who were enrolled at the school to pass due to their low pass rates in their Standard Seven examinations.

“We had students here with between 60 and 70 marks out of the 250 points in their standard seven examinations. It is difficult for this calibre of students to cope with secondary education,’’ he said, hinting that the school had only one physics teacher, teaching the subject from Form One to Four.

And the lone teacher was only deployed at the school last year. But, Roneko Nziku, a student at Nyeburu School, which is among the ten worst performers, remains optimistic, notwithstanding the results.

“I remain determined to pursue science subjects because we have sufficient teachers who are doing their best,” he said. Unlike other schools in the worst performance list, Nyeburu is the science and arts school with 35 teachers and fully equipped physics, chemistry and biology laboratories.

According to Nziku, in the 2015 Form Two exams, out of the 65 students, a mere 10 per cent failed. “This motivated us to study harder knowing that the future is bright… teachers are always encouraging us to study harder.”

The ‘Daily News’ team visited the school yesterday after school hours and found a couple of Form Two students staying behind for private studies. A resident near the school, Severino Wami, attributed the school’s poor performance to students’ indiscipline.

“Most of the students here reside almost 20 kilometres away from the school, this alone poses a challenge for teachers to closely monitor their behaviour after school hours,” he said. Subira Kitumbo, the mother of two students at Nyeburu, admitted to have not closely monitoring her children, saying only their father had severally met teachers on the boy’s school performance.

Meanwhile, MAUREEN ODUNGA and JIMMY LWANGILI report that six heads of the underperformed schools were yesterday grilled by the office of the Dar es Salaam REO. The schools are Kitonga, Nyeburu, Mbopo, Mbondole, Somangila Day and Kidete. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the acting REO, Ms Janeth Nsunza, said the headteachers had started giving their statements as of yesterday.

“The region has received the results with great disappointment, contrary to our expectations and emphasis on provision of quality and better education,” said Ms Nsunza, pointing out that the performance indicators in the region were spotted from the mock exams results.

The results prompted the district executive directors to write letters to heads of schools to pull up their socks to avoid negative outcomes in the final exams. Ms Nsunza said the six schools are among the 128 schools in the region which were constructed through efforts of the people.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] TTCL for friendly, cheaper mobile money services

TANZANIA Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) is set to enter into the highly competitive and rapidly growing mobile money transfer services next month, promising friendly and cheaper services.

TTCL joins the race amid fierce competition among the communication companies, with reports from the industry indicating that over 25tri/- was transacted last year through the mobile money transfer services.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ here yesterday, TTCL Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Waziri Kindamba, said all were set for the new services, hinting that the telecommunications firm was finalising some crucial procedures with regulatory authorities.

“We have already tested the service with ourinternal customers and it has proven tremendous outcomes ... we are determined to enter the market differently,” revealed Mr Kindamba, without specifying the trade name that could be used. The new service could be referred to as TTCL-PESA just like other companies do, but the CEO said the company is working on a unique name to make TTCL unique in the market.

The bank of Tanzania said Mr Kindamba has advised TTCL to form a subsidiary firm that will operate the new service while all other procedures are being finalised by the regulatory bodies, including the Treasury Registrar (TR).

Mobile money services allow users to store funds in a phone account, with majority people snubbing bank accounts although some operators have integrated the users’ bank accounts with their mobile accounts.

So far all mobile money operators in Tanzania are offering similar services that enable users to easily deposit, withdraw, transfer money, settle bills and pay for goods through their phones.

Experience shows that bill settlement has become easy, with users paying electricity bills, water bills, government taxes, road licences, flight tickets and even satellite TV subscriptions through phones.

Introduction of the new services by TTCL brings good news to especially rural dwellers who have limited access to conventional bank services and for years have been yearning for cheaper mobile communication services.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] New UN chief meets JPM, pledges more cooperation

THE new Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr Antonio Guterres, has assured President John Magufuli of continued and strengthened cooperation from the global body on a number of issues, including handling of refugees from neighbouring countries.

The assurance from Mr Guterres came after a meeting with Dr Magufuli on the sidelines of the ongoing 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr Guterres promised to woo various development stakeholders in the international circles to support Tanzania in hosting refugees, a task it has been undertaking since 1971.

Speaking at the occasion, President Magufuli congratulated the new UN SG, pledging as well that the government of Tanzania will continue to work closely with the global organisation. Dr Magufuli also briefed Mr Guterres on efforts being undertaken by Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) as a whole to end political impasse in Burundi under mediation of former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

President Magufuli told the UN Chief that there has been progress on efforts to address the situation in Bujumbura. In a related development, President Magufuli yesterday met and held talks with the President of Malawi, Professor Peter Mutharika, in which they discussed on strengthening bilateral and trade relations between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed to allow efforts by the team of former presidents led by former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano and the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between the two countries to continue dealing with the border row on Lake Nyasa.

“They stressed that Tanzania and Malawi are friendly countries with longstanding relation which should be maintained,” a statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications stated yesterday.

The two presidents as well directed transport ministers from their countries to meet and chart strategies of introducing direct flights between the two countries in order to ease transport and boost trade.

On the sidelines of the AU Summit, Dr Magufuli also met with President Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Republic where President Magufuli maintained that Tanzania will continue its cooperation with the desert nation.

The Tanzania leader, who is attending the AU Summit for the first time since assuming power in November 2015, also attended the official opening of the 28th AU Heads of State and Government Summit, which was officiated by the ongoing Chairman of AU, President Idriss Deby of Chad.

During the opening ceremony, Mr Guterres hailed African countries for their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the continent. The Chadian president finally handed over the Chairmanship to President Alpha Conde of Guinea.

Meanwhile, Chad’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Moussa Mahamat, has been elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, taking over from Dr Nkosazama Dlamini Zuma of South Africa whose tenure has come to an end.

Mr Mahamat won with 38 votes against Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed who got 26 votes. Ambassador Kwesi Quartey of Ghana was elected Vice-Chair of the AU Commission.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Best student attributes his success to God

BEST student in the just released National Form Four Examinations results, Alfred Shauri, yesterday credited all his achievements ‘‘to the Almighty God’’, advising all students to work hard under His guidance.

As the young Shauri, whom the management of Feza Boys School has described as a ‘very special boy’ attributed his brilliant score to God, Dar es Salaam regional authorities were busy assessing the results in which the region’s six schools have emerged among the ten worst performers.

Alfred, whom the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) declared yesterday as the best overall student in the exams, told the ‘Daily News’ a few hours after the results were released that prayers were the source of all his achievements.

Speaking at his Mbezi Beach-based Feza Boys School in Dar es Salaam, he expressed gratitude to all who have contributed to his success ‘‘under the guidance of the Almighty’’.

He advised other students to work hard, saying success can be achieved from anywhere regardless of school one is schooling. Cynthia Mchechu, the second best student and the best student in female category, was overjoyed for her achievement and short of words.

The daughter of the National Housing Corporation (NHC)Director General Nehemia Mchechu, only urged her fellow students to focus on their studies as the only way of attaining their dreams.

The Manager and Founder of Marian Girls and Boys secondary schools, Father Valentino Bayo said his schools that acquired position four and five in the list of top ten schools, received the examination results with happiness and that it was the mission of the school to have students graduating with flying colours.

“Our intention is to see our students moving to the next level of their education after passing well and that is equally a dream of every parent that enrolls students at our schools,’’ he said.

According to Father Bayo, it was not a big deal to see his school emerging number one or two, but the best satisfaction of the school was when all students passed with either division one or two to move to the next level of their education.

Dar es Salaam Region performed poorly in the Form Four results, with six out of ten secondary schools from the bottom that performed badly coming from the country’s commercial city. In his reaction, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, said his region was currently making an assessment on the education sector in the region, promising to issue an official report in the next few days.

“After receiving proper information from those in charge of the education sector in the region, I will communicate to the public on what made these schools to perform so poorly and the strategies that we will have come up with to improve in the coming examinations,’’ he said.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Dar blunders in Form 4 exams

RESULTS of 2016 National Form Four Examinations were released in Dar es Salaam yesterday, with six of the top ten poorly performing schools coming from the country’s commercial capital.

The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) announced a slight increase of 2.44 per cent pass rate from the previous year. NECTA Executive Secretary Charles Msonde said a total of 277,283 candidates or 70.09 per cent of the 397,275 who wrote the examinations last November passed.

The new results, according to Dr Msonde, indicate a slight improvement from the 2015’s pass rate of 67.91 per cent. Candidates who scored divisions one, two and three, however, constitute only 27.60 per cent of all examinees, with Kiswahili being the subject which many candidates performed well and Basic Mathematic being the poorly performed subject, with the pass rate of only 18.12 per cent.

Dr Msonde said that the rate of cheating in the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) maintained a declining trend, with only 126 candidates, including one who wrote abusive language in the answer sheet, having their results nullified.

“The decrease in cheating rate shows that the Examinations Committees, District Councils and NECTA invigilators have been doing their job well, resulting into few cases of deceit ... this good job should be maintained,” he said.

Dr Msonde named the best ten overall candidates in the examinations with their schools in brackets as Alfred Shauri (Feza Boys), Cynthia Mchechu (St Francis), Erick Mamuya (Marian Boys), Jigna Chavda (St Mary Goreti), Naomi Tundui (Marian Girls), Victoria Chang’a (St Francis Girls), Brian Johnson (Marian Boys), Esther Mndeme (St Mary’s Mazinde Juu), Ally Koti (ACLP Kilasara) and Emmanuel Kajege (Marian Boys).

The best ten schools with their regions in brackets are Feza Boys (Dar es Salaam), St Francis Girls (Mbeya), Kaizirege Junior (Kagera), Marians Girls (Coast Region), Marian Boys (Coast Region), St Aloysius Girls (Coast Region), Shamsiye Boys (Dar es Salaam), Anwarite Girls (Kilimanjaro), Kifungilo Girls (Tanga) and Thomas More Machrina (Dar es Salaam).

NECTA chief also named the ten overall worst schools with their regions in brackets as Kitonga (Dar es Salaam), Nyeburu (Dar es Salaam), Masaki (Coast) Mbopo (Dar es Salaam), Mbondole (Dar es Salaam), Somangila Day (Dar es Salaam), Dahani (Kilimanjaro) Ruponda (Lindi), Makiba (Arusha) and Kidete (Dar es Salaam).

Dr Msonde said candidates performed well in History, Geography, Kiswahili, English Language, Physics, Biology, Commerce, Book-Keeping and Basic Mathematic.

However, only 18.12 per cent of all candidates passed Basic Mathematic exam while 77.75 per cent of all candidates passed Kiswahili exam. Dr Msonde said despite statistics showing improvement in performance rate in the CSEE, there is need to put more efforts in subjects like Civics, History, Physics, Basic Mathematics, Commerce and Book-Keeping whose passing rates were below 50 per cent.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Deluxe TRL train set to roll off repaired central railway line Thursday

THE Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) has said its express Deluxe train will resume services on Thursday after finalising repairs on the section of the Central Railway Line near Ruvu Station in Coast Region following an accident on Sunday.

Five people were injured after nine passenger wagons on their way to Dar es Salaam from Kigoma were derailed some 70 kilometres from the city. TRL Deputy Managing Director, Operations, Mr Focus Sahani, told the ‘Daily News’ here yesterday that a passenger train, which had to travel to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam last Sunday, was now expected to travel yesterday.

“The passenger train that had to travel to Mwanza from Dar es Salaam yesterday (Sunday) returned to the city following the accident. “It will travel today (yesterday) after finalising the repairs in the afternoon,” said the TRL Deputy Managing Director.

This newspaper yesterday witnessed workers repairing the railway infrastructure at the accident scene, an exercise that involved a team of about 150 TRL workers. Stranded passengers at the accident scene were transported to Dar es Salaam by another train on the same day of the accident.

According to the TRL Public Relations Manager, Mr Midladjy Maez, the incident occurred on Sunday at 3:40pm at Ruvu Ngeta in Kibaha District, Coast Region. He said there were no deaths reported although one among the casualties was in critical condition at Tumbi Coast Regional Referral Hospital, saying TRL will issue a complete report after the rescue team had lifted up the fallen wagons.

TRL Chief Civil Engineer Nelson Ntejo noted that the cause of the train accident was yet to be established; pointing out that the state railway firm was set to form a team to investigate the accident and establish its cause immediately after finalising refurbishment of the damaged portion of the railway line yesterday.

“There are usually multiple causes in train accidents. The team to be formed after the refurbishment will establish the cause,” Engineer Ntejo observed.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Shein promises continued loans to students

PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has said that the government would continue to provide loans to students with qualifications to join higher learning institutions because the country still needs experts in every field.

“I give my commitment that the government will continue supporting students, particularly in areas of interest,” Dr Shein said during his speech at the 12th graduation ceremony of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).

Dr Shein, also the SUZA University Chancellor, said the Government has been increasing funds for loans to support students but the “hunt for ghost students should continue unabated and the dishonest punished.

We also appeal to students to repay the loans so that others can benefit.” He said the government was prompted to temporary suspend issuing of loans to verify and check names of students listed to get loans.

In his speech, President Shein also emphasized to students and lecturers in the university to give weight to researches by working closely with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), saying that it is through better researches when the institution can grow and findings can be used in national development.

“I commend you for establishing PhD class in Kiswahili; it is admirable development in promoting the language,” Dr Shein said, adding that the government will be using academicians to implement its programmes, including fishing and entrepreneurship. SUZA Vice-Chancellor Prof Idrisa Rai informed the gathering that 861 graduates for the 2015/2016 qualified for the award of certificates.

Minister of Education and Vocational Training Riziki Pembe Juma joined Dr Shein to commend the SUZA administration for the good work in developing the only state University.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Tourism, Culture and Sports, Rashid Ali Juma, has promised to find solutions to challenges facing the state-owned Zanzibar Journalism and Mass Media College (ZJMMC). Speaking at the ZJMMC 8th graduation ceremony held at its new campus, Kilimani, the minister urged journalism graduates to observe ethics.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Tanzanians mark 53rd Revolution Day today

ZANZIBAR marks the 53rd anniversary of the revolution today with President Ali Mohamed Shein expressing appreciation on progress attained in provision of social services to all since the ouster of the Omani-Arab sultanate oligarchy on January 12, 1964.

“The revolution has served its purpose; inequality that existed during the rule of sultan has been controlled. All Zanzibaris can now access social services equally,” Dr Shein remarked during an exclusive interview on private television station, Azam TV, on Wednesday.

Dr Shein, the seventh president of Zanzibar since the revolution, went on to praise the founding Father of Zanzibar, the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, for steering the Indian archipelago to resounding development after the revolution.

“Zanzibaris suffered harassment and exploitation for long time before the revolution, which brought in a new era of life that enabled them to access education and health services,” Dr Shein said during the interview, which was hosted by veteran broadcaster Tido Mhando. He added that on top of all those mistreatments, the native people of Zanzibar were not even allowed to own land or conduct farming.”

President Shein, who is as well Chairman of the Zanzibar’s Revolutionary Council, described the revolution as the ‘symbol and icon’ of the Isles, pointing to the fact that it was not easy to liberate the islands from the sultan.

“We are very proud of the groundwork that was established by the founding president (the late Karume) and we will continue cherishing and preserving the revolution,” Dr Shein remarked. The Zanzibar’s president said successive governments in the islands have made major strides in the education sector where primary education is provided for free while parents are made to contribute some funds for students in secondary schools.

“By the time of the revolution in 1964 Zanzibar never had any higher institution of learning but we now boast of three universities,” Dr Shein stated in the televised interview.

He went on to explain on the progress attained in the health sector, whereby the islands now have 154 health facilities up from 36 in the past, noting, however, that there was still shortage of “specialised treatment at the hospitals.” On the other hand, President Shein welcomed both local and foreign investors in Zanzibar to work with the government through the Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Tourism and cloves remain as Zanzibar’s main foreign exchange earner and President Shein was confident that the revised tourism policy will help retain a big chunk of proceeds from the industry.

“In the past, there were tourism agents who made all the bookings and payments abroad and as a result, the lion’s share of the proceeds remained there, leaving us with just a little, the new policy will change all this,” Dr Shein stressed.

Dr Shein noted as well that plans were underway to establish a commission to oversee the lucrative industry, which plays a crucial role in boosting the economy of Zanzibar. President Shein on the other hand took issues with government officials fond of frustrating investors wishing to undertake investments in Zanzibar through red tape.

“I am aware of the challenge and I will not tolerate these officials for their business as usual attitude,” President Shein warned. During the interview, Dr Shein also hailed Union President John Magufuli for his fight against corruption and misuse of public funds.

“Dr Magufuli’s sacking of inefficient and corrupt leaders is his style of leadership, but which complies with laws and regulations,” he noted. Regarding the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form Tanzania, Dr Shein said almost all challenges facing the merger between the two had been resolved, stating that what remained was establishment of a Joint Monetary Commission. Meanwhile, ISSA YUSSUF reports from Zanzibar that President Shein has pardoned 14 prisoners as part of celebrations to mark 53 years of the revolution.

“Section 59 of the Zanzibar’s 1984 Constitution empowers the president to pardon prisoners,” a statement from the State House said, adding that it is a symbol of forgiveness as the country celebrates its liberation.

Those pardoned have served at least half of their sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences.

The freed inmates also include the elderly and those with serious health complications. The pardoning of prisoners is done normally during independence/ revolution celebrations to promote acceptable moral behaviour among inmates on both reformatory centres in the Isles and prisons on the Mainland.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] JPM hits at food shortage cheats

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has come out strongly in condemnation of unscrupulous businessmen, politicians and the media for creating artificial food shortage.

He has also ordered immediate review of the costs estimated for the construction of Simiyu Regional Hospital down from the whopping 46bn/- to around 10bn/-.

Addressing a public rally in Simiyu yesterday where he is on a two-day tour of the region, Dr Magufuli said the same businessmen were propagating stories of artificial food shortage through the media so that they can capitalise on the situation and get exemption on food imports.

He noted that whenever there was famine, some business people use the media and some politicians to propagate that there was severe famine in Tanzania when they already have thousands of tonnes of low-quality imported maize waiting to be offloaded for sale in the country.

“They used the media and some politicians to spread stories that there is famine in Tanzania. But surprisingly, by then they had already imported low quality maize from Brazil and wanted the government to waive taxes so that they can gain more profit while we lose revenue.

There is one businessman who has imported 25,000 tonnes of maize but I have refused to waive taxes on the cargo,” he told the rally. He took to task some Members of Parliament (MPs), who last year appealed to the government to allow farmers to sell agricultural produce such as maize and rice to Uganda, claiming that there was bumper harvest in the country.

“The MPs supported this appeal but I refused ... and now the same MPs are crying that there is food shortage. I want to make it clear that my government will not provide food relief. I want Tanzanians to plan and work hard.

I am the one who knows when there’s hunger and it’s not the media or the business people,” he stressed. President Magufuli said it was logical that in times of shortage of rains, farmers must cultivate crops that do not need a lot of water (drought resistant) as is the case with maize and rice, stressing that the government will not be bailing out the public every time on trivial issues.

“I passed along the lake (Lake Victoria) on my way and there was a farm beside it that had onions, tomatoes and maize that had dried up. So why couldn’t the farmer use water from the lake to irrigate the maize instead of letting them dry up and then cry of hunger,” Dr Magufuli wondered.

The president said it was funny to see the Wasukuma also complaining of food shortage while they could sell some cattle and use the money to buy food reserves.

On inflated costs of the hospital building, the president ordered the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, to hold accountable all the concerned consultants for the theft attempt.

Speaking shortly after laying the foundation stone for the building, Dr Magufuli said the entire estimates and designs for the project should be revisited since they smelt of corruption and massive misappropriation of funds. Proving his case, President Magufuli said the facility could not be compared with the recently-built University of Dar es Salaam hostel, where 20 units of four storeys each were constructed at a cost of a mere 10bn/-.

“I have seen the hospital building under construction and I strongly disagree on the mentioned costs, which I believe are too high. I will dish out only 10bn/- for the same and ask for the Minister of Works to hold all behind this scam accountable,” he stressed.

He said it was total misuse and theft of funds to consider building the health college as a component of the regional hospital project, insisting that it was uncalled for since many health experts were graduating from other colleges and posted for service country-wide.

On his part, the Simiyu Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Jumanne Sagini, said the regional administration had received Dr Magufuli’s advice on the higher costs involving the regional hospital project, promising to review it immediately.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Battle of wits for Simba, Yanga

THERE will be no room for a draw when the big Dar es Salaam derby presents at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar tonight.

The huge crowd heading to Zanzibar claimed their mission was to witness the death of one of the two giants; Simba or Young Africans, one of them must die. Most of the supporters of the both teams claimed they were going to Zanzibar to celebrate the victory but the sad demise of one of the giants.

Time will tell who fall tonight between the two giants, each owning almost a half of Tanzanian population. One of the Tanzania’s two biggest football clubs, Simba and Young Africans, will have to fall in the semi final stage of this year’s Mapinduzi Cup to decide which team plays in the event’s last two stage.

It has to be as there is no room for exhibition football – which the two giants are known for – and a draw is out of the question in this cup competition as there must be a winner to advance to the next round.

Although fans continue to be duped by marketing trickery to get them to fill the stadium, everyone now knows that whenever there is a derby, the score line has not been easy to predict. In most cases it has been quite opposite. It has been found most often the best Yanga losing to tactically weak Simba and vice versa.

But all that is out of the question in this match, and fans can brace themselves for a thriller as both teams will seek to win it inside the 90 as opposed to leaving it to the lottery of penalties.

Yanga who suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to Azam in their last group B match can not be underestimated in the game as opposed to Simba who com- TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 URA Simba Yanga KCC Azam Mtibwa Miembeni Malindi Mafunzo KMKM Polisi Z’bar Jamhuri 2016 2011, 2015 2004 2014 2012, 2013 2010 2008 2007 2005 2002 2001 1998 Graph showing Mapinduzi Cup Champions from 1998-2016 pleted the Group Stage assignment unbeaten after posting 3 wins and a draw, while Yanga who finished second behind Group B leaders, Azam, notched six points from a two-match victory and a loss. Prior to their disastrous encounter with Azam, Yanga enjoyed a +8 Goal difference, but the GD went down to +4 after their heavy loss. Psychologically, Simba fans have high hopes of their team’s victory in tonight clash.

Most of the team’s supporters said their claims are backed by the history and the team’s current performance in both the Premier League and the Mapinduzi Cup. With the exception of Cecafa Club Championship final of 1975 which Yanga beat Simba 2-0 to win their maiden region title, Amaan Stadium has been too friendly to Simba. But Yanga supporters, who looked too confident despite their team’s loss to Azam, said they were heading to Zanzibar to witness the death of the ‘beast’ and their loss doesn’t give their opponents a guarantee to win the derby.

“Just wait and watch, you will see how the beast falls in Zanzibar tomorrow,” said one of the supporters. But Simba SC skipper, Jonas Mkude admitted to the reporters yesterday that the match would be tough as both sides were seriously preparing the players for the big match.

Mkude said his players were physically and psychologically fit for the encounter, but insisted that the truth will be found after the end of the 90 minutes

Burundian import Laudit Mavugo scored a brace to give Simba a convincing 2-0 win over Jang’ombe Boys in the early match Before the Dar giants clash, Azam FC will open the semis stage against the hosts Taifa Jang’ombe, the match will be staged at Amaan around 4:00 pm.

Taifa Jang’ombe sealed a semi final spot after beating Uganda URA 1-0 in a thrilling Group A match at the same venue.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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