BARUA YA WAZI KWA DICOTA - ALBINO FULANI

DICOTA officials,

I would like to commend your efforts on putting together the event to mark 50 years of Tanzania’s Independence. In this day and age where our country is going through various crises including severe corruption, water and energy deficiencies, poor standards of living, leadership and political conflicts and so forth; we need a new and improved system. I therefore strongly support your network effort linking fellow Tanzanians living in the US to the ones back in Tanzania.

I was happy; yet, saddened to see that DICOTA is hosting and possibly paying for a Kilimanjaro Band (Wananjenje), Jahazi Modern Taarab and King Kiki for music entertainment at the event and disregarding the fact that there are Tanzanian artists in the diaspora community. We have mainstream and non-mainstream Tanzanian artist living in the USA. The general expectation would be to involve and support these artists, whose works are hereby showcased and incorporated into today’s entertainment and culture.

Not to challenge or downplay your current guest musicians, but the list could have been more diversified to entertain more guests. It is vital to consider all groups. Higher number of viewers and listeners enables Bongo Flava to get more airtime compared to any other gene in all Swahili based radio or TV stations all over the world. Surprisingly, Bongo Flava artists were not included in your list.

Most will argue that in the 21^st century the world is moving in a very fast economic and social pace. Instead of old-fashioned, traditional mentalities and stagnant ideologies, the community could benefit more from innovative, diverse leadership. We need to keep up.

This kind of leadership is what we are trying to change in Tanzania. Most will agree that this is the type of leadership that only focuses on self-interest and personal gain. It should be remembered that one key campaign strategy for CCM and JK’s presidential campaign (the ruling party and current president) was to campaign with the kind of artists DICOTA left out.

By ignoring these talented artists who have been representing the Republic of Tanzania by taking part in cultural festivities amongst other events in the United States; it’s fair to question the blatant discrimination against fellow musicians and lack of diversity or acknowledgement of the hard work of community members. Based on the upcoming event, DICOTA has demonstrated a lack of insight as to what transpires between Tanzanians living in the US and those back in Tanzania.

I recommend that, prior to assuming leadership duties as members of the diaspora community; DICOTA officials should meet and exceed a minimum qualification of frequently visiting the country they are representing to update their knowledge of the current situation rather than depending on Michuzi and other blogs. Today, it’s about inviting music artists but tomorrow might be choosing a president.

Albino Fulani