Maaskofu, Mapadri washambuliwa

Na Edward Kinabo,

VIONGOZI wa dini wakiwemo baadhi ya maaskofu, mapadri na wachungaji wa madhehebu mbalimbali ya kikristu nchini, wameaswa kuacha tabia ya kuwatanguliza mbele wanasiasa katika kila shughuli ya kiroho wala kuzigeuza nyumba za ibada kuwa vijiwe vya kuwasafisha na kuwahalalisha watu wenye malengo binafsi ya kutafuta uongozi.

Tuhuma na ushauri dhidi ya viongozi wa dini nchini zilitolewa jana na Mbunge wa Jimbo la Iringa Mjini, Mchungaji Peter Msigwa (Chadema), alipozungumza na waandishi wa habari mjini hapa, kutoa salaam zake maalum kwa viongozi wa dini kuelekea sikuu kuu za X mas na mwaka mpya wa 2012.

Msigwa alisema katika mwaka unaomalizika wa 2011 kulishamiri desturi ya baadhi ya wanasiasa hususan wale wa Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kupenda kuwatumia vibaya baadhi ya viongozi wa dini na nyumba za ibada kama sabuni ya kujisafisha na ngazi ya kufikia malengo ya kuutafuta urais au ubunge na udiwani.

Alisema ingawa Kanisa ni mahali pa kusafishwa uchafu na kila mtu anakaribishwa, lakini pia si sahihi kwa kanisa au nyumba nyingine za ibada kutumika kusafisha watu kwa malengo yao ya kibinafsi.

“Ingawa kanisa ni mahali pa kusafishwa uchafu na kila mtu anakaribishwa, lakini tumkumbuke yule Simon Mchawi katika kitabu cha matendo ya mitume,aliyejaribu kununua kipawa cha Roho mtakatifu kwa faida yake binafsi, ndipo mtumishi wa Mungu Petro alipomwambia apotelee mbali pamoja na pesa yake”, alisema Mchungaji Msigwa.

Aliwataka viongozi wa dini wenzake wasikubali kamwe kuwa mawakala wa kufanikisha kile alichokiita “mbio za urais mchafu”, wala kuwa chini ya wanasiasa, kwani jukumu la viongozi wa dini kwa binadamu ni zito na kubwa kuliko uroho wa madaraka aliodai kuwa ndio unaowakimbiza baadhi ya wanasiasa kwenye nyumba za ibada.

“Kanisa likitakiwa kuzinduliwa, mwanasiasa, uzinduzi wa nyimbo ya injili, mwanasiasa, ununuzi wa magitaa, mwanasiasa, ununuzi wa maspika, mwanasiasa. Hivi hawa wanasiasa wana upako gani kana kwamba kazi ya Mungu haiwezi kufanyika bila wao?

Sisi viongozi wa dini tunapaswa kuwa viongozi na sio wafuasi wa wanasiasa, tunapaswa kuwaonyesha njia wanadamu wote wakiwemo wanasiasa na sio wanasiasa watuonyeshe njia sisi, maana kufanya hivyo ni kulishusha thamani neno la Mungu”, alisema

Ingawa hakuwataja kwa majina baadhi ya wanasiasa wa CCM aliodai wanakimbilia makanisani kutafuta madaraka, lakini Edward Lowassa (Mbunge wa Monduli), Samuel Sitta (Waziri Afrika Mashariki) na Bernard Membe (Waziri Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa), ndio wamekuwa wakionekana zaidi kwenye matukio ya kanisa huku matukio hayo yakihusishwa na mbio za urais 2015.

“Ni udhalilishaji mkubwa wa huduma ya kiroho pale sisi viongozi wa dini tunapowatanguliza wanasiasa kwenye kila shughuli kama ya uzinduzi wa makanisa au albamu za nyimbo za kidini, kana kwamba wanasiasa ndio wenye upako, utukufu na mamlaka zaidi ya kubariki kinachozinduliwa kuliko sisi viongozi wa dini wenyewe.

“Tusikubali nyumba takatifu za ibada zigeuzwe viwanja vya kampeni za kisiasa na wala tusiwe chanzo cha kuiingiza nchi yetu katika mgawanyiko na machafuko ya kidini kwasababu tu ya kuwabeba baadhi ya wanasiasa ambao ama kwa sababu ya uchafu wao au umma kukosa imani nao, wameona hawawezi tena kuwa na uhalali wa kujitangaza wala kujijenga tena kwenye majukwaa ya kisiasa bila kwanza kukimbilia makanisani”, alisema Mbunge huyo na kuongeza:

“Binafsi naamini, mwanasiasa msafi anayejiamini na anayemcha Mungu kwelikweli haitaji harambee au tukio lolote la kujinadi kanisani , maana huko si pahali pake”

Alisema anafahamu kuwa taifa kwa ujumla wake lina hali duni kimaisha zinazowagusa pia viongozi wa kiroho, lakini hali hiyo isiwafanye baadhi ya viongozi wa dini kusahau misingi yao ya kitume kana kwamba Mungu aliyewaita amewaacha.

“Tunapokwenda kusherehekea siku kuu hii ya X Mas na Mwaka Mpya, ninawasihi tena viongozi wenzangu wa kidini, kwamba tumkumbuke mtumishi wa nabii Elisha, aliyeitwa Gehazi, ambaye alipenda pesa na zawadi akasahau mwito wake wa kitume mpaka ukoma wa Nahaman ukahamia mwilini mwake.

Na tumkumbuke Yuda Eskarioti ambaye alimuuza mwokozi wetu, Yesu Kiristu, kwa vipande thelathini vya fedha, na kwa hiyo, sisi viongozi wa dini tusikubali kamwe kuwauza Watanzania wenzetu kwa pesa za wanasiasa wachafu”, alisema mbunge huyo ambaye pia ni mchungaji wa kanisa la Vineyard.

Alisema anamini kuwa viongozi wa dini wakisimama imara bila kuyumba, Tanzania inayougua umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na ufisadi, hatimaye itaponywa.

Mwisho.

Waraka wa Msigwa kwa viongozi wa dini Tanzania: Kuweni macho na wanasiasa hawa...

Kwa nafasi yangu kama raia, Mbunge ninayewakilisha wananchi wa Jimbo la Iringa Mjini na Watanzania wote kwa ujumla na mmoja wa viongozi wa dini/dhehebu nchini, naomba kutumia fursa yenu na ya vyombo vyenu vya habari kutoa ujumbe mahsusi kwa viongozi wenzangu wa kidini kwa manufaa ya taifa letu.

Ninapowasilisha salaam zangu hizi za X-Mas na Mwaka mpya wa 2012, ningependa kusisitiza yafuatayo kwa viongozi wenzangu wa dini, kuhusiana na nini hasa unapaswa kuwa wajibu wetu kuhusiana na mwenendo wa viongozi wetu wa kisiasa (mimi pia nikiwa mmoja wao);

1. Nianze kwa, kuwapongeza viongozi wenzangu wote wa dini waliojitokeza hadharani au kupitia vyombo vya habari hivi karibuni kupinga kusudio au mpango wa kuongeza posho za vikao kwa wabunge. Suala hili limegusa hisia za Watanzania wengi wakiwemo viongozi wenzangu wa dini ambao nami naungana nao kuzipinga nikisisitiza msimamo wa siku nyingi wa chama chetu (Chadema).

2. Pongezi hizi zinazingatia ukweli kuwa katika suala hili la posho,Baadhi ya viongozi wa dini wameweza kuchukua wajibu wao kikamilifu wa kuwa juu ya wanasiasa wenye malengo mabaya tofauti na desturi iliyoanza kujengeka hivi karibuni ya baadhi ya wanasiasa hususan wale wa Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) kupenda kuwatumia vibaya baadhi ya viongozi wa dini na nyumba za ibada kama sabuni ya kujisafishia uchafu wao na ngazi ya kufikia malengo ya kuutafuta urais au ubunge na udiwani (uongozi mchafu). Ingawa kanisa ni mahali pa kusafishwa uchafu na kila mtu anakaribishwa, lakini tumkumbuke yule Simon Mchawi katika kitabu cha matendo ya mitume,aliyejaribu kununua kipawa cha Roho mtakatifu kwa faida yake binafsi, ndipo mtumishi wa Mungu Petro alipomwambia apotelee mbali pamoja na pesa yake.

3. Nawasihi viongozi wa dini wenzangu kwamba kamwe tusikubali kuwa mawakala wa kufanikisha mbio za urais mchafu. Tusikubali kuwa chini ya wanasiasa maana jukumu letu la kuwanusuru wanadamu kiroho kwa kuwaongoza kumcha Mungu, ni jukumu zito na kubwa kuliko uroho wa madaraka unaowakimbiza baadhi ya wanasiasa kwenye nyumba za ibada.

4. Ni udhalilishaji mkubwa wa huduma ya kiroho pale viongozi wa dini tunapowakaribisha wanasiasa kufanya shughuli kama za uzinduzi wa makanisa au albamu za nyimbo za kidini kana kwamba wao ndio wenye upako, utukufu na mamlaka zaidi ya kubariki kinachozinduliwa kuliko sisi viongozi wa dini wenyewe.

5. Tabia kama hii ya kuwatanguliza mbele wanasiasa kwenye shughuli za kiroho badala ya kuacha huduma hii ijitegemee yenyewe (maana Mungu ni Mkuu na mwenye uwezo kuliko siasa), kwa namna moja au nyingine imekuwa ndio kichocheo cha kufanya wanasiasa kutafuta pesa kwa gharama yoyote, ilimradi wakiitwa kwenye mialiko hiyo waweze kutoa fungu kubwa wakiamini itawajenga kisiasa hata kama hawana nia ya kweli na Mungu.

6. Tusikubali kamwe kutumiwa vibaya na wanasiasa wanaojipenyeza kwenye matukio mbalimbali kama ya harambee na uzinduzi wa albamu za nyimbo za kiinjili, kwa lengo la kujitangaza, kujisafisha na kujipendekeza kwa umma uliowakataa au kukosa imani nao.

7. Tusikubali nyumba takatifu za ibada zigeuzwe viwanja vya kampeni za kisiasa na wala tusiwe chanzo cha kuiingiza nchi yetu katika mgawanyiko na machafuko ya kidini kwasababu tu ya kuwabeba baadhi ya wanasiasa ambao ama kwa sababu ya uchafu wao au umma kukosa imani nao, wameona hawawezi tena kuwa na uhalali wa kujitangaza wala kujijenga tena kwenye majukwaa ya kisiasa bila kwanza kukimbilia makanisani. Binafsi naamini, mwanasiasa msafi anayejiamini na anayemcha Mungu kwelikweli haitaji harambee au tukio lolote la kujinadi kanisani , maana huko si pahali pake.

8. Najua kuwa Watanzania wengi wanakerwa na tabia ya baadhi ya sisi viongozi wa dini kama maaskofu, wachungaji na mapadri kubabaikia wanasiasa kwa kiasi cha kuonekana wanaidhalilisha huduma hii kuu. Kanisa likitakiwa kuzinduliwa – mwanasiasa, uzinduzi wa nyimbo ya injili – mwanasiasa, ununuzi wa magitaa – mwanasiasa, ununuzi wa maspika – mwanasiasa. Hivi hawa wanasiasa wana upako gani kana kwamba kazi ya Mungu haiwezi kufanyika bila wao?

9. Tunapokwenda kusherehekea siku kuu hii ya X Mas na Mwaka Mpya, ninawasihi tena viongozi wenzangu wa kidini, kwamba tumkumbuke nabii Baalam ambaye vitabu vitakatifu vinaeleza jinsi alivyoifanyia biashara huduma yake ya kinabii mpaka alisababisha Punda aongee;

Tumkumbuke mtumishi wa nabii Elisha, aliyeitwa Gehazi, ambaye vitabu vitakatifu vinatufundisha kwamba alipenda pesa na zawadi akasahau mwito wake wa kitume mpaka ukoma wa Nahaman ukahamia mwilini mwake;

Tumkumbuke Esau aliyeuza haki ya uzaliwa wake wa kwanza kwa njaa ya muda mfupi (dengu,mlo moja tu);

Na tumkumbuke Yuda Eskarioti ambaye alimuuza mwokozi wetu, Yesu Kiristu, kwa vipande thelathini vya fedha, na kwa hiyo, sisi viongozi wa dini tusikubali kamwe kuwauza Watanzania wenzetu kwa pesa za wanasiasa wachafu.

10. Nasisitiza tena, kwamba sisi viongozi wa dini tunapaswa kuwa viongozi na sio wafuasi wa wanasiasa, tunapaswa kuwaonyesha njia wanadamu wote wakiwemo wanasiasa na sio wanasiasa watuonyeshe njia sisi, maana kufanya hivyo ni kulishusha thamani neno la Mungu.

11. Naamini kama taifa kwa ujumla tuna hali za duni za kimaisha zinazotugusa pia sisi viongozi wa kiroho, lakini hii isisababishe tukasahau misingi yetu ya kitume kana kwamba Mungu aliyetuita ametuacha. Naamini sisi viongozi wa dini tukisimama imara bila kuyumba, Tanzania yetu inayougua umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na ufisadi, hatimaye itaponywa. Hizi ndio salamu zangu za mwaka mpya kwa viongozi wa dini ambao naamini kupitia wao Watanzania wote wataongozwa vema

Nawatakia kheri na fanaka ya X- Mas na Mwaka Mpya.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania.

Mchungaji Peter Msigwa
Mbunge Jimbo la Iringa Mjini

Katiba Mpya yayeyuka

Na Edward Kinabo

NDOTO ya Watanzania kupata katiba mpya imetoweka baada ya serikali ya rais Jakaya Kikwete kuamua kuunda tume ya kukusanya maoni ya katiba kabla ya kurekebisha sheria inayolalamikiwa, Tanzania Daima Jumatano limebaini.

Waziri wa Sheria na Katiba, Celina Kombani, amethibitisha wiki hii kwamba Serikali haina nia ya kuifanyia marekebisho Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba ya mwaka 2011 na kwamba kinachosubiriwa hivi sasa ni Mkuu huyo wa nchi kuunda tume ya mabadiliko ya katiba kwaajili ya kukusanya maoni.

Kombani akihojiwa kwenye mahafali ya Chuo cha Taaluma ya Habari jijini Dar es Salaam (DSJ), alisema sheria hiyo ni lazima tume hiyo iundwe kwanza kabla ya marekebisho yoyote kufanywa.

Msimamo huo unaonekana dhahiri kwenda kinyume na kile alichokubali Kikwete kwa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), walipokutana naye Ikulu jijini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni, kwamba ipo haja ya sheria hiyo kufanyiwa marekebisho kabla ya kuanza kutumika.

Msimamo huo mpya unamaanisha kuwa tume hiyo itaundwa na wajumbe wa kuteuliwa na Rais chini ya utaratibu uliowekwa na sheria iliyosainiwa, jambo ambalo limekuwa likipingwa na wadau wengi.

Wanaopinga utaratibu huo wamekuwa wakisisitiza kuwa, “wajumbe wa tume wakiteuliwa na Rais hawatakuwa huru na watalazimika kulipa fadhila kwa Rais atakayewateua na chama chake (CCM)”

Wanasema utaratibu wa sheria hiyo ukitumika ni dhahiri kuwa tume itafanya kazi ya kuchakachua maoni muhimu ya wananchi na kuhakikisha inadumisha yote yanayotakiwa na CCM hata kama yatakuwa kinyume na matakwa ya wengi.

Wanatoa mfano kuwa wakati wananchi wengi wanaoonekana kukerwa na muungano wa serikali mbili na kutaka katiba mpya iruhusu muundo wa Serikali tatu, sera ya CCM siku zote imekuwa ni kudumisha serikali mbili.

Aidha, baadhi ya wadadisi wa masuala ya kisiasa wamelieleza Tanzania Daima Jumatano kuwa CCM haijawahi hata siku moja kuwa na ajenda ya kutaka katiba mpya.

Kwamba inachofanya sasa ni kujaribu tu kuwatuliza wananchi kwa kuwapa matumaini hewa kuwa katiba mpya inakuja, wakati wamepitisha sheria inayowawezesha kuutawala mchakato mzima na kuamua aina ya katiba waitakayo kwa maslahi yao ya kichama na kiserikali.

“CCM siku zote wamekuwa wakiipigania katiba ya sasa ibaki. Kama tutazubaa na kuacha sheria hii bila marekebisho, hakuna katiba mpya itakayotokea… maana tume itakuwa ni yao na vyombo vyote vya kuamua katiba kama bunge la katiba, mabaraza ya katiba na kura za maoni, vitatawaliwa nao”, ameeleza Jaji mmoja mstaafu kwa sharti la kutotajwa jina lake.

Chadema kupitia Waraka wao kwa Kikwete, walipendekeza badala ya wajumbe wa tume kuteuliwa na Rais pekee, sheria irekebishwe kuruhusu wajumbe kupatikana kwa kuchaguliwa kutoka kwenye taasisi za kiraia, kidini, kitaaluma, vyama vya siasa na wachache kuteuliwa na Rais, ili kuwa na tume huru na yenye uwakilishi mpana wa kulinda maslahi ya umma katika mchakato mzima wa katiba mpya.

Ili kuondoa uwezekano wa upande mmoja wa muungano kuingilia mambo yasiyo ya muungano na kuamua muelekeo wa kikatiba wa upande wa pili, chama hicho kikuu cha upinzani pia kilipendekeza kwa Rais kwamba kuundwe tume mbili za katiba, moja itakayokusanya na kuratibu maoni ya wananchi kuhusu katiba mpya kwa ajili ya masuala yasiyokuwa ya Muungano ya Tanganyika, na ya pili itakayokusanya na kuratibu maoni ya wananchi juu ya masuala ya Muungano.

Mbali na Chadema, makundi ya kijamii na asasi nyingi zimekuwa zikipinga tume ya katiba kuundwa na Rais na kutaka sheria nzima ifanyiwe marekebisho makubwa.

Baadhi ya makundi hayo ni pamoja na Chama cha Mawakili Tanganyika, Chama cha Majaji Wastaafu, Chama cha Wanataaluma wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, na asasi zaidi ya180 zinazounda Jukwaa la Katiba.

Wengine ni Umoja wa Vyama vya Wafanyakazi Tanzania (TUCTA), Umoja wa Madhehebu ya Kidini Tanzania (Inter-Religion Council for Peace in Tanzania (IRCPT) na watu mashuhuri kama Jaji Mkuu mstaafu, Barnabas Samatta na msomi mashuhuri nchini, Profesa Issa Shivji wamedaikatika mijadala inayoendelea nchi nzima

Mwisho.

Ushindi wa JK wazidi kutia shaka

Na Edward Kinabo

UHALALI wa Rais Jakaya Kikwete kuwa madarakani unazidi kutia shaka baada ya ripoti ya mwisho ya waangalizi wa Umoja wa Ulaya kutoa maelezo yanayothibitisha kuwapo kwa mwanya mkubwa wa kura kuibiwa na matokeo kubadilishwa katika uchaguzi mkuu wa Rais uliofanyika mwaka jana (2010).

Wakati Rais Kikwete na chama chake walidai kura zisingeibiwa kwa sababu kila chama huruhusiwa kuweka wakala wake, ripoti hiyo ya ujumbe wa waangalizi wa uchaguzi mkuu kutoka Jumuiya ya Ulaya (EU) inawaumbua, baada ya kueleza waziwazi bila kumung’unya maneno kwamba mawakala wa vyama vya siasa na waangalizi wa uchaguzi hawakuruhusiwa kushuhudia ujumlishaji wa matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais.

Ujumbe wa waangalizi hao wa EU ukiongozwa na Mbunge wa Bunge la Ulaya, David Martin, ulikuwepo nchini tangu Septemba 29 hadi Novemba 28 mwaka jana na ulisambaza waangalizi wake 103 katika mikoa yote 26 ya Bara na Visiwani.

Katika ripoti hiyo ambayo Tanzania Daima Jumapili inayo nakala yake, wataalamu hao wameeleza kuwa matokeo ya kura za urais mwishowe yalijumlishwa na viongozi wa Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi (NEC) wakiwa peke yao bila kushuhudiwa na mawakala wa vyama vya siasa, utaratibu ambao kwa mtazamo wa kawaida, ulitoa mwanya mkubwa kwa kura kuibiwa au matokeo halali kubadilishwa, huku ukiwepo uwezekano wa Kikwete kupendelewa kwa sababu ya kile kinachofahamika kuwa ndiye aliyewateua kuiongoza tume hiyo kwa mamlaka yake ya uteuzi kama rais.

“Matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano yalijumlishwa na makamishna wa NEC. Matokeo ya kila jimbo la uchaguzi yalitumwa Idara ya Teknolojia ya Habari ya NEC (NEC IT Department) kwa njia ya kompyuta, ambapo yalipokewa na makamishna wa NEC.

Mawakala wa vyama vya siasa na waangalizi wa uchaguzi hawakuruhusiwa kufuatilia ujumuishaji wa matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais”, ilisema ripoti hiyo yenye kurasa 61.

Wakizidi kuonyesha jinsi ujumlishaji wa kura za urais ulivyogubikwa na usiri mkubwa uliokuwa na nia mbaya, wataalamu hao katika ukurasa wa 51 wa ripoti yao, wanasema:

“Licha ya kuwapo hakikisho la waangalizi wa uchaguzi kuruhusiwa kuwepo kwenye hatua zote za uchaguzi, ujumbe wa Waangalizi wa Uchaguzi wa Jumuiya ya Ulaya (EU EOM) haukuruhusiwa kuwepo kwenye hatua muhimu za michakato ya ujumlishaji na uthibitishaji wa matokeo, hususan matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais.”

Wakizungumzia zaidi mfumo wa usiri uliotumika kujumlisha matokeo na ulivyoweza kuathiri uhalali wa matokeo yenyewe, waangalizi hao wamesema: “Taratibu za kuhesabu na kujumlisha matokeo katika ngazi ya kituo cha kupigia kura; wilaya na taifa maelezo yake ingefaa yatolewe wazi moja kwa moja kwenye kifaa ambacho yanaweza kurekodiwa na kuonyeshwa, kisha kuonekana wazi kwa macho kwa wadau wote. Kufanya hivyo, kungedumisha uhalali wa matokeo na uwazi wa tume ya uchaguzi”.

Ikigusia mwenendo wa kampeni na matumizi ya rasilimali za serikali, ripoti hiyo imeonyesha jinsi vyombo vya habari vya serikali vilivyoripoti zaidi kampeni za CCM na chama hicho kunufaika na muundo wa kiutawala kuliko vyama vya upinzani, huku ikibainisha kuwa vyama vya upinzani havikukata tamaa ya kushindana kutokana na hali hiyo.

“Chama kikuu cha upinzani cha CHADEMA upande wa Bara, taratibu kilizidi kuungwa mkono baada ya kipindi kirefu cha kampeni,” ripoti hiyo inasema.

Pia wachunguzi hao wanasema kutokana na kuwepo kwa dosari nyingi kwenye mchakato wa kujumlisha matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais kwenye baadhi ya majimbo, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) kiliandikisha lalamiko NEC Novemba 4, mwaka jana na kuitaka isitishe kutangaza matokeo na badala yake irudie upya uchaguzi, lalamiko ambalo hata hivyo lilitupiliwa mbali na NEC, ambayo ilidai kuwa tuhuma zilizotolewa zingepaswa kuwasilishwa kwa wasimamizi wa kura.

Katika ukurasa wa 55 wa ripoti hiyo, waangalizi hao wamependekeza kuanzishwa kwa haki ya matokeo ya uchaguzi wa rais kupingwa mahakamani.

Kwa upande mwingine ripoti hiyo imeeleza kile kinachoonekana kuwa ni busara na hekima aliyoonyesha Dk. Slaa kwa kukataa kutoa mwito kwa wananchi kufanya vurugu baada ya kutoridhishwa na matokeo ya urais.

“Dk. Slaa hakutoa mwito wowote wa kufanya vurugu au kuuchochea mjibizano ulioratibiwa na wafuasi wa chama chake, bali alitaka kuwe na uchaguzi mpya wa urais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano kwa manufaa na faida ya taifa zima kutokana na matokeo ya uchaguzi yaliyotolewa na NEC kutodhihirisha matakwa ya wapiga kura,” ilifafanua zaidi ripoti hiyo.

Gazeti hili liliwahi kuandika taarifa nyingine za uchunguzi zilizokuwa pia kwenye mitandao ya kompyuta (internet) zilizoeleza kuwa Dk. Willibrod Slaa aliyekuwa mgombea urais kupitia CHADEMA alishinda uchaguzi huo kwa kupata asilimia 64 ya kura zilizopigwa.

Taarifa hizo zilieleza kuwa matokeo zaidi ya urais yalichakachuliwa katika majumlisho ya mwisho ya kura nchi nzima, ambapo NEC inadaiwa ilipunguza kura za Dk. Slaa hata zile zilizokuwa zimeshuhudiwa kwa pamoja na mawakala wa vyama vya upinzani katika ngazi za majimbo.

Hata hivyo kama ilivyotarajiwa, Mwenyekiti wa NEC, Jaji Lewis Makame, alikanusha vikali taarifa za Dk. Slaa kushinda urais kupitia gazeti la Uhuru linalomilikiwa na Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Waraka wa Kinabo: Kuna umuhimu gani Wapinzani kuungana?

WATANZANIA wenzangu, kama nilivyosema katika waraka wangu kwenu wiki mbili zilizopita, ukombozi wa taifa letu dhidi ya umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na ufisadi, hauwezi kupatikana chini ya utawala wa Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), kilichoshindwa kufanya hivyo katika kipindi cha miaka 47 ya utawala wake.

Nilieleza kuwa CCM imeshathibitisha kupitia viongozi wake, makada, na utendaji wa serikali yake kuwa ni chama ambacho hakina dhamira ya dhati ya kusimamia uwajibikaji na adilifu kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya watu.

Maendeleo yaliyopatikana chini ya utawala wa chama hiki hayalingani na umri wa uhuru wetu wala utajiri wa rasilimali za nchi yetu. Aidha, hayalingani na wito wa wananchi katika kulipa kodi na kutoa michango ya kusaidia miradi ya maendeleo.

Mafanikio kidogo ambayo CCM imekuwa ikiyaita kuwa ni maendeleo na kuyatumia katika kila uchaguzi kulaghai wananchi, kwa kiasi kikubwa yanalingana na ufisadi uliokithiri nchini.

Wingi wa ufisadi ndio udogo wa maendeleo yetu! Katika kipindi hiki ambacho taifa letu linakabiliwa na matatizo makubwa ya kukithiri kwa ufisadi na kuongezeka kwa makali ya maisha, wajibu wetu mkuu unapaswa kuwa ni kutafakari njia mbadala ya kutufikisha kwenye ukombozi tunaouhitaji na kuifuata njia hiyo.

Mfumo wa siasa ya vyama vingi nchini ndiyo fursa ya kwanza tunayopaswa kuitumia. Uwepo wa vyama vya upinzani unatupa fursa ya kutafuta itikadi, sera, mipango na mikakati ya kutekeleza yale tunayoyahitaji. Tunahitaji kasi, ufanisi na uwajibikaji unaozidi ule ulioonyeshwa na CCM kwa kipindi cha miaka 47 sasa.

Hata hivyo, nguvu ya CCM siku zote imekuwa ikijenga hofu kwa jamii kuwa ni vigumu kwa chama chochote cha upinzani kuweza kuing’oa CCM madarakani.

Kwa sababu hii, imekuwa ikipendekezwa na kusisitizwa kwa muda mrefu kwamba, ili kuiondoa CCM madarakani, vyama vya upinzani nchini ni lazima vishirikiane na kusimamisha mgombea mmoja katika kiti cha urais, viti vya ubunge, udiwani na katika viti vya chaguzi za serikali za mitaa.

Leo waraka wangu kwenu unahusu mtazamo na imani hii kubwa iliyojengwa kwa wananchi, nawasihi tujiulize maswali haya: “Kuna umuhimu gani kwetu, wapinzani wakishirikiana ili kuing’oa CCM? Hivi ni kweli kuwa CCM haiwezi kung’olewa hadi vyama vya upinzani viungane au vishirikiane? Tutafakari pamoja.

Wahenga wetu waliowahi kuishi karne nyingi nyuma, walituusia kuwa umoja ni nguvu na utengano ni udhaifu. Hata hivyo katika medani za siasa za sasa, nikizingatia uzoefu wa ushirikiano wa vyama vya siasa nchini na ule wa nchi jirani ya Kenya, nasita kukubaliana moja kwa moja na dhana ya vyama vya upinzani kuwa katika ubia wa kisiasa.

Muungano au ushirikiano wa vyama vya siasa ni jambo lenye mantiki lakini katika mfumo wa vyama vingi umoja wa vyama vya upinzani unaweza usiwe na tija kwa wananchi.

Ikiwa vyama vitakuwa kwenye ushirikiano au muungano wa kisiasa kwa lengo tu la kukitoa chama tawala madarakani, bila kujipanga jinsi watakavyoweza kuunda serikali na kuwaondolea wananchi umaskini na matatizo mengine yanayowakabili, muungano au ushirikiano huo unaweza kuwa ni wa madhara makubwa kwa taifa.

Hata kama CCM ni tatizo bado ushirikiano wowote wa vyama vya wapinzani wenye lengo tu la kuing’oa CCM madarakani hauwezi kuwa na manufaa kwa taifa. Kuiondoa CCM madarakani ni jambo moja na kuiletea Tanzania maendeleo ni jambo jingine.

Baadhi ya watu wamekuwa wazito kutofautisha mambo haya mawili ambayo yanapaswa kwenda pamoja. Lazima malengo yawe zaidi ya kuiondoa CCM madarakani, vinginevyo ushirikiano wa vyama vya upinzani dhidi ya chama kinachotawala hauwezi kuwa na mantiki wala manufaa kwa Watanzania.

Kwa mfano katika ushirikiano wa kisiasa unaoyumba au uliovunjika kati ya vyama vikuu vinne vya upinzani, Chadema, CUF, TLP na NCCRMageuzi, vyama hivi kila kimoja kina itikadi, sera na mtazamo tofauti kuhusu jinsi kitakavyoongoza nchi iwapo kitapata ridhaa hiyo kutoka kwa wananchi.

CUF inajitambulisha kama chama cha itikadi ya Kileberali, Chadema inafuata itikadi ya mrengo wa kati, na NCCR wana mguso wa kijamaa.

Ikiwa vyama hivi vitaendelea kushirikiana kwa lengo la kusimamisha mgombea mmoja ili kuitoa CCM madarakani, serikali itakayoundwa na vyama hivi itafuata sera zipi? Wenzetu wanaotaka vyama hivi vishirikiane au viungane wakiamini kuwa kwa kufanya hivyo CCM itang’olewa, hivi wameainisha uwiano wa sera na misimamo ya vyama hivi kabla ya kuvitaka viendelee kufanya hivyo? Binafsi, naamini kuwa tunapaswa kuamka zaidi na kuimarisha mazingira ya kidemokrasia badala ya kushikilia hoja ya vyama kuungana.

Sioni haja ya kuilazimisha jamii kuchagua rangi nyeusi na nyeupe tu, kama jamii tunapaswa kutambua kuwa kuna nyekundu, bluu na kahawia pia. Tuondoe dhana ya uwili, CCM na upinzani, ndiyo na hapana, ukweli na uongo! Dhana ya uwili ina tofauti ndogo sana na mfumo wa chama kimoja tuliokwisha kuuacha.

Kunatakiwa kuwepo ushindani wa fikra, hoja nzito na sera mbadala. Tusitengeneze NARC nyingine Tanzania, kama ile ya Kenya ambayo malengo yake yalikuwa kuiondoa KANU pekee.

Vyama viungane kama malengo, maono au itikadi zao zinawiana na si kwa lengo la kuing’oa CCM tu. Ushirikiano au muungano usio makini wa vyama vya upinzani vyenyewe, au chama tawala na vyama vya upinzani, unaweza kusababisha kuundwa kwa serikali kubwa sana pindi muungano huo unaposhinda uchaguzi.

Ukweli ni kwamba, sisi ni binadamu, hisia za uchama zitaendelea kuwepo hata baada ya chama kimoja kuundwa, watu wataangalia waliokuwa CUF wapewe majimbo mangapi kugombea, Chadema, TLP na kadhalika.

Iwapo muungano utashinda ipo hatari ya kuundwa serikali kubwa kwa minajili ya kuridhisha kila chama kilicho kwenye muungano au ushirikiano huo (iwapo sheria ya vyama vya siasa itarekebishwa.

Muungano unaweza kupata shinikizo la kuridhisha kila chama kilicho kwenye muungano husika kitoe viongozi wa kuunda serikali. Hapa ndipo tunapoweza kuwa na wizara moja yenye mawaziri zaidi ya watatu na matokeo yake ni kuwa na bajeti kubwa mno kwa ajili ya kugharamia shughuli za utawala serikalini kuliko miradi ya maendeleo kwa ajili ya wananchi.

Kwa hiyo ushirikiano wa vyama vya upinzani wenye lengo tu la kuing’oa CCM hauwezi kuwa na manufaa kwetu. Kwa sababu hii kuyumba au kuvunjika kwa ushirikiano wa Chadema, CUF, TLP na NCCRMageuzi hakuwezi kuwa na madhara yoyote ya msingi kwetu sisi wananchi.

Bila shaka kuyumba au kuvunjika kwa ushirikiano wa vyama hivi kutatupa fursa nzuri zaidi chama au vyama vyenye sera nzuri na dhamira ya dhati ya kuziba pengo la upungufu wa CCM.

Hivi ni kweli kuwa CCM haiwezi kung’olewa hadi vyama vya upinzani viungane au viwe katika ushirikiano wa kisiasa? Msingi wa swali hili ni kuwa wapo wanaoamini kuwa sababu kuu ya vyama vya upinzani kushindwa katika chaguzi zilizopita ni kutosimamisha mgombea mmoja.

Kwamba vimekuwa vikigawana kura na kuiacha CCM ikishinda. Kwamba ili vyama vya upinzani viweze kuishinda CCM ni lazima viungane au vishirikiane, vinginevyo CCM itatawala milele. Binafsi siamini hivyo, sikubaliani na ulazima huo.

Naamini kuwa chama kimoja cha siasa chenye dhamira ya kweli, sera nzuri na mikakati mizuri na endelevu ya kufanya siasa na inayoweza kuwaridhisha wananchi kuwa itawakomboa, kinaweza kuishinda CCM.

Chama chochote kinachoweza kuthibitisha uwezo na dhamira yake ya kuwatumikia wananchi kuanzia bungeni kinaweza kuaminiwa na umma na kupata ridhaa ya kuongoza dola chenyewe bila kulazimika kuungana na vyama vingine.

Uzoefu wa uchaguzi mkuu uliopita uliompa Rais Kikwete ushindi mkubwa wa zaidi ya asilimia 80 unaweza kuthibitisha imani yangu. Miongoni mwa vyama vilivyoshiriki kwenye uchaguzi ule katika kiti cha urais ni CCM, Chadema, CUF, TLP, NCCR-Mageuzi, PPT Maendeleo, Demokrasia Makini, DP na SAU.

Mgombea wa urais wa CCM katika uchaguzi ule, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete alipata ushindi wa zaidi ya asilimia 80, maana yake ni kwamba tukichukua kura za vyama vya upinzani zaidi ya nane vilivyosimamisha wagombea wake bado zisingeweza kutosha kuzidi kura za mgombea wa CCM.

Vyama vyote vya upinzani vilivyoshiriki kwenye uchaguzi ule kiti cha urais vilipata si zaidi ya asilimia 19 ya kura, wakati Kikwete wa CCM alipata zaidi ya asilimia 80. Kwa manti hii hoja kwamba vyama vya upinzani hushindwa kwa sababu ya kugawana kura haina mashiko.

Hushindwa kwa sababu ya udhaifu wao na sababu nyingine zilizo nje ya udhaifu wao, likiwemo tatizo la mfumo wetu wa uchaguzi (tutajadili hili siku zijazo). Uchaguzi mdogo wa ubunge Jimbo la Tarime pia unaweza kuthibitisha mtazamo wangu, kwamba chama kimoja cha upinzani kikijijengea uaminifu kwa umma na kufanya siasa za makini, si tu kinaweza kuishinda CCM bali kinaweza kuvishinda vyama vingine vingi.

Katika uchaguzi wa Tarime, CCM, Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi na DP kila kimoja kilisimamisha mgombea wake, lakini ni chama cha upinzani cha Chadema ndicho kilichoweza kuibuka na ushindi na kuvishinda vyama vingine vyote, ikiwemo CCM.

Nguvu ya Chadema na kampeni makini iliyofanywa na chama hiki kule Tarime inaweza kuenezwa nchi nzima na chama hiki kikaweza kuing’oa CCM madarakani na hatimaye kuongoza nchi kwa kufuata sera zake ikiwa wananchi wataridhia hivyo.

Aidha, nguvu ya Chama cha NCCR- Mageuzi iliyoonyeshwa nchi nzima katika uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 1995, na nguvu ya CUF iliyoonyeshwa katika chaguzi zote tatu zilizopita, ule wa mwaka 1995, 2000 na mwaka 2005 kule kisiwani Zanzibar, zote zinathibitisha kuwa upo uwezekano mkubwa kwa CCM kung’olewa madarakani na chama kimoja cha upinzani iwapo kitajipanga na kuwa makini katika kufanya siasa zake.

Wajibu wetu kama wananchi ni kupima chama chenye muelekeo si tu wa kushinda katika uchaguzi lakini pia wa kutuongoza na kutufikisha kwenye ukombozi tunaouhitaji dhidi ya umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na umaskini.

Kuamini kuwa ili CCM ing’oke ni lazima wapinzani waungane ni kupotoka. Kutaka wapinzani waungane kwa lengo tu la kuing’oa CCM madarakani hakutatusaidia, ikiwa vyama vyenyewe vinapishana kisera na kiitikadi.

Tuendelee kutafakari na kuutafuta ukombozi wetu.

Waraka wa Kinabo: Hawa wanachelewesha ukombozi wetu

WATANZANIA wenzangu, wazalendo wa kweli wa Tanzania yetu, tutaweza kuing’oa CCM? Leo waraka wangu unajaribu kufanya tafakuri ya swali hili kwenu. Binafsi nalitafakari, nikiwa na sababu kuu mbili zinazonisukuma kufanya hivyo.

Kwanza, kama nilivyowahi kuandika awali, kuing’oa serikali ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), iliyotawala nchi hii kwa zaidi ya miaka 47 (tangu TANU na ASP), ni muhimu mno katika kupisha mustakabali mpya wa ukombozi wa taifa letu dhidi ya umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na ufisadi. Katika hili nisisitize yafuatayo.

Ni muhimu CCM ing’oke kwani ndiyo chanzo na kikwazo kikuu cha matatizo yanayotukabili. Utawala wake wa muda mrefu, umekuwa wa kusuasua, wa kifisadi na usiokuwa na dhamira ya dhati ya kuwakomboa Watanzania.

Wingi wa raslimali na utajiri wa nchi yetu haviwiani na hali za maisha yetu, wala havilingani na umri wa uhuru wa nchi yetu, tangu tulipoupata mwaka 1961.

Kushindwa kwa CCM kumaliza au kupunguza umaskini wa nchi hii, kulibainishwa pia na hotuba ya bajeti mbadala ya kambi ya upinzani, iliyosomwa bungeni hivi karibuni na kiongozi wa kambi hiyo, Hamad Rashid Mohamed. Moja ya aya za hotuba hiyo, zilisema kama ifuatayo, ninanukuu:

‘‘Wakati CCM kinaendelea kupongezana kwa kunyosheana dole gumba, Watanzania wanaolala na njaa wameongezeka toka milioni 7.4 mwaka 1990 hadi kufikia milioni 14.4 mwaka 2007”, mwisho wa kunukuu.

Nikizingatia nukuu hiyo, ni muhimu CCM ing’oke ili tusitishe kasi hii ya ajabu ya kuongezeka kwa idadi ya maskini kila kukicha.

Ni muhimu CCM ing’oke kwani, kutokana na mfumo na kiwango cha kuchafuka kwake, hakuna tena uwezekano wa kutokea mtu atakayekuwa na uwezo wa kuleta mabadiliko kutoka ndani ya chama hicho.

Ni muhimu CCM ing’oke kwani wapo Watanzania wengi walio nje ya chama hicho, wenye uwezo wa kifikra na kiutendaji, wenye uchungu na nchi yao na wenye nia ya dhati ya kuikomboa nchi yao.

Pili, wakati ni muhimu kwa CCM kung’oka ili kupisha ukombozi mpya wa nchi hii, uzoefu wangu unaonyesha kuwa wapo watanzania wenzangu wenye mitazamo au imani zinazochangia sana kuchelewesha harakati za kuing’oa CCM kutoka madarakani.

Watanzania hao na mitazamo yao, naweza kuwagawanya katika makundi makuu matatu kama ifuatavyo;

Kundi la kwanza, ni lile la watu wasiojua, wasiojali au wasioamini kabisa kwamba siasa na uongozi wa serikali, vinaweza kufanikisha au kukwamisha jitihada za kutimiza ndoto za maisha yao.

Hili naliita kundi la kipekee. Naliita hivyo si kwa kulisifia bali ni kutokana na mtazamo wake wa kushtusha zaidi kulinganisha na makundi mengine nitakayoyajadili hapa chini. Kundi hili linaamini kuwa CCM ing’oke au ising’oke hilo si muhimu kwao.

Kwamba, itawale CCM, Cuf, CHADEMA, TLP, NCCR –Mageuzi au chama kingine chochote kile au kusiwe na serikali kabisa, wao hawajali, wanaona sawa tu.

Hawajali kwa sababu wanaona kufanikiwa, kukwama au kushindwa kwa maisha yao, hakuna uhusiano wowote na masuala ya kiserikali au utawala wa vyama vya siasa.

Hawa ndio wale ambao hawajiandikishi kupiga kura au wakijiandikisha hufanya hivyo kwa lengo la kupata vitambulisho tu lakini si kwa lengo la kutumia haki yao ya kuchagua chama au mgombea atakayeweza kuboresha maisha yao. Hawa pia ni wepesi sana kuuza shahada zao za kupigia kura pindi wanapofuatwa na viongozi au makada wa CCM.

Hawa wanaamini kuwa juhudi zao binafsi za kufanya biashara, kuchimba madini, sanaa, kuajiriwa, kulima na shughuli nyingine, zinatosha kabisa kutimiza ndoto za maisha yao.

Hawa hawapimi wala kujali athari chanya au hasi zitokanazo na maamuzi ya serikali. Baadhi yao wanapokwama kwenye shughuli za kutafuta mkate wao wa kila siku huamini wana nuksi, wamerogwa au Mungu hajapenda. Ni kawaida kuwasikia wenzetu hawa wakiizungumzia siasa kama ifuatavyo;

‘‘Jamani mie na hayo mambo ya siasa akaaa mwenzangu…siyawezi. Ashinde CCM, ashinde huyo CHADEMA, sijui na wale nani wengine wale, Cuf mie najionea yote sawa. Kwani huyo atakayeshinda ndiye atakayenipa ugali? Nikijiuzia vitumbua vyangu hapa nikapata unga wa kuwasongea ugali wanangu wakala, basi namshukuru Mungu. Hiyo siasa itanisaidia nini?

Hakika kundi hili lenye Watanzania wenye mtazamo huu, ndio kundi la kwanza na la msingi kabisa linalokwamisha au kuchelewesha kwa kiasi kikubwa harakati za ukombozi mpya wa nchi hii.

Kundi la pili, ni lile la watu wanaoamini kuwa CCM haistahili kung’oka na haitang’oka. Hawa wanaona CCM haistahili kung’oka kwa kuwa ni chama kizuri mno na kimeiongoza vema nchi hii katika kupata maendeleo na kudumisha amani, utulivu na umoja na mshikamano wa kitaifa. Kwa mantiki hiyo, wanaona kuwa ni halali CCM kuendelea kutawala.

Kwa watu hawa, hakuna chama chenye uwezo wa kuongoza nchi hii kama CCM kwani chama hicho ndicho kilichopigania uhuru wa nchi hii (tangu TANU na ASP). Hawa hupenda kusisitiza, ‘‘CCM ndiyo yenye uzoefu na nchi hii’’.

Wenzetu hawa wanaona CCM haiwezi kung’oka kwani licha ya kuiongoza vema nchi hii pia ni chama chenye nguvu mno, kinachokubalika kwa wanachi wengi. Hawaamini kama siku moja chama hiki kitang’oka. Wanaamini kitatawala milele na milele.

Hakika kundi hili la Watanzania wenye mtazamo huu nalo huchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kuchelewesha ukombozi mpya wa taifa hili.

Kundi la tatu, ni lile la Watanzania wanaona kuwa CCM inastahili kung’oka kutoka serikalini, lakini hawaamini kuwa kama kuna chama au kutatokea chama kitakachokuwa na nguvu ya kuiong’oa CCM.

Kwa hawa, CCM inastahili kung’oka kwani hayo inayoyaita maendeleo ni kidogo mno kulinganisha na utajiri wa raslimali zilizopo katika nchi hii.

Wenzetu hawa hutumia werevu wao kulinganisha maendeleo yaliyofikiwa katika nchi nyingine zikiwemo zile tulizozitangulia kupata uhuru, mathalani Kenya, Botswana na Namibia na kugundua ni kwa kiasi gani CCM inavyowapotezea muda Watanzania.

Zaidi ya kutatizwa na ufukara uliokithiri, wenzetu hawa pia huona kuwa nchi yao imetawaliwa na matatizo mengi ya uonevu, unyonyaji, ubaguzi, upendeleo na ukandamizaji.

Kwa mantiki hiyo, shauku na sababu zao za kutaka CCM ing’oke zinafanana kabisa na sababu zile zile zilizowafanya mababu na mabibi zetu wapambane na wakoloni na hatimaye kufanikiwa kuwang’oa, wakiongozwa na Hayati Baba wa Taifa Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.

Hawa wanaona kuwa amani na utulivu, umoja na mshikamano wa taifa vinavyodaiwa kudumishwa na CCM ni muhimu lakini si kila kitu kwa ustawi wa maisha yao, ikiwa chama hicho kimeshindwa kuondoa au kupunguza umaskini, ujinga, maradhi na ufisadi, vinavyowatafuna wao na nchi yao.

Hawa huona kuwa nchi yetu imechelewa mno, na inaweza ikapata maendeleo ya haraka mno (ikapaa), ikiwa serikali ya CCM itang’oka kupisha serikali ya chama kingine mbadala (wasichokijua), kuleta maendeleo kama yaliyofikiwa katika nchi jirani.

Lakini tatizo la watu wa kundi hili kama nilivyosema hapo juu ni kwamba, hawaamini kama CCM itang’oka. Kimsingi, wanatamani CCM ing’oke tena haraka iwezekanavyo, lakini hawaamini kama itang’oka, kwa sababu zifuatazo:

Kwamba, CCM haitang’oka kwa sababu ni chama chenye nguvu mno, chenye pesa nyingi, kikiwa na mtandao mkubwa wa viongozi na makada, kuanzia ngazi za chini kabisa za mashina, matawi, mabalozi wa nyumba kumikumi, uongozi wa vijiji, vitongoji, mitaa, kata, jimbo, wilaya, mkoa hadi taifa, wakifanya kazi ya kuvuna wanachama na kudumisha utawala wa chama hicho.

Kwamba, CCM haitang’oka kwa sababu ni chama kinachoshikilia serikali tangu mwaka 1961 kikiwa na sauti kwa tume ya uchaguzi (NEC), mahakama, majeshi, idara ya usalama wa taifa, na vyombo vyote vya ulinzi na usalama ambavyo huweza kuvitumia vibaya kudumisha utawala wake hata wanapotokea kushindwa kwa kura. Kwamba CHADEMA, Cuf au TLP, vikishinda nani atawatangaza kuwa washindi?

Kwamba, CCM haitang’oka kwa sababu vyama vya upinzani ni dhaifu, havina nguvu. Havina mtandao wa kutosha kutoka ngazi za chini hadi juu. Havina pesa, havifiki vijijini kwenye watanzania wengi.

Tena wapo wanaodiriki kusema (wengine wasomi), kwamba vyama vyote vya upinzani havina sera, vimetawaliwa na migogoro tu na viongozi wake wana uchu wa madaraka, ubinafsi na ukabila.

Hakika, kundi hili nalo la Watanzania wenye mtazamo huu, huchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kuchelewesha harakati za ukombozi wa taifa hili, ingawa linautamani ukombozi huo. Ni kundi lililokata tamaa, ni Watanzania wanaoona giza nene mbele ya safari ya ukombozi wa nchi hii.

Kimsingi makundi mawili ya mwisho, lile la pili na la tatu, yanaamini kuwa CCM haiwezi kung’oka, tofauti zao ni kwamba kundi la kwanza linaamini CCM haistahili kung’oka wakati hili la pili linaamini kuwa inastahili kung’oka lakini haitang’oka.

Mitizamo na imani za watanzania wa makundi yote hayo vinakwamisha au kuchelewesha ukombozi mpya wa nchi hii, kwa sababu kwa ujumla wake, watu wa makundi yote hayo wana sababu au hoja zinazowafanya wasijue, wapotoke au wasiwe sehemu ya harakati za ukombozi wanaopaswa kuupigania na kuupata.

Hata hivyo, hoja na mitazamo ya makundi yote hayo kama nilivyofafanua, si za kupuuza. Kwa kiasi kikubwa hoja hizo, iwe ni kwa usahihi au upotofu wake, ndizo zinazochangia kuifanya CCM ionekane kuwa na nguvu kubwa kupindukia.

Kwa tafsiri ya mitazamo, imani na hoja hizo za baadhi ya Watanzania wenzetu (unaweza kuwa ni mmoja wao), ni kwamba tupende tusipende, CCM itatawala karne nyingi mno, itatawala milele na milele, itatawala daima.

Je, ni kweli CCM itatawala daima kama wenzetu hao wanavyoamini, tena wakiwa na hoja zao nzito nzito kama hizo? Je, tutaweza kuing’oa CCM inayopaswa kung’oka ili kupisha mustakabali mpya wa ukombozi wa taifa letu?

‘‘Watanzania wenzangu, kupitia waraka wangu kwenu, kwa kujiamini kabisa, natangaza unabii wangu juu ya mustakabali mpya wa uongozi taifa letu, kwamba Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), kilichotawala nchi hii kwa zaidi ya miaka 47 sasa, toka enzi za TANU na ASP, kitang’oka kutoka kwenye serikali ya nchi hii.

…Niwe hai au mfu, nina hakika unabii huu mtakatifu na unaopaswa kutokea kwa manufaa ya vizazi vya leo na kesho vya taifa hili, utatimia.

Ndiyo, unabii huu utatimia kupisha zama mpya za utawala wa nchi hii, utawala utakaoleta haki palipo na dhuluma, upendo palipo na chuki na kuchochea maendeleo ya haraka na ya usawa kwa watu wote, yatakayosimika umoja na mshikamano wa kweli wa Watanzania wote”.

Kimsingi, kutokana na mfumo wetu wa kisiasa na kisheria, CCM kama chama cha siasa kinapaswa kung’olewa na chama kingine cha siasa. Kwa mantiki hiyo, tunapozungumzia harakati za kuing’oa CCM kutoka madarakani tunazungumzia harakati za kisiasa zinazofanywa au zinazoweza kufanywa na chama fulani cha siasa katika kuuvuta na kuunganisha umma wa Watanzania, kuelewa hasara za kutawaliwa na CCM na kuchukua wajibu wa kukipigia kura nyingi chama husika cha upinzani, kiingie serikalini. Katika hili kuna mambo yafuatayo yakutiliwa maanan.

Kwanza, ili kuiong’oa CCM kwa lengo la kuepukana na utawala wake usiofaa ni lazima kuwapo au kuanzishwe chama mbadala, ambacho kwa dira yake, maadili, miiko yake na dhamira yake kitaweza kuunda serikali mbadala itakayoondoa au kupunguza kwa kiasi kikubwa ubovu wa CCM isiyotakiwa.

Pasipo kuzingatia hili, kunaweza kukatokea hatari ya kuing’oa CCM iliyopo madarakani na kukiingiza chama kingine madarakani kisicho na tofauti yoyote na CCM.

Pili, ikiwa chama hicho mbadala kipo, basi pamoja na uzuri wake wa kiitikadi, kisera na dhamira yake ya kiutendaji, ni lazima chama hicho kiweze kufanya harakati madhubuti za kisiasa ili ndio kiweze kuungwa mkono na kuingia madarakani.

Itikadi, sera, kujua matatizo ya wananchi na kuwa na dhamira nzuri ya kuwaongoza vema wananchi, havitoshi kukifanya chama husika kiingie madarakani. Ni lazima chama hicho kifanye siasa ya kuwafikia, kuwaelewesha na kuwashawishi wananchi kukiunga mkono.

Tatu, katika kufanya siasa hiyo, ni muhimu kwa chama kinachotaka kuwa mbadala wa CCM kifahamu mitazamo ya Watanzania walio wengi juu ya siasa za nchi na hasa serikali ya chama kilicho madarakani. Kama tulivyoona hapo juu, si Watanzania wote walio maskini wanataka CCM ing’oke. Kwa mfano katika kundi la kwanza tuliona kuna Watanzania wenzetu ambao wamepigika kama sisi, wakifanya shughuli za ubangaizaji, tena wakikumbana na vikwazo kadhaa vya kiutawala.

Lakini bado wenzetu hawa uelewa wao haujafikia hatua ya kuuona utawala (serikali) kama ndiyo kikwazo chao kikuu. Huamini kuwa hawana bahati (nuksi), wamerogwa, mambo tu hayajaenda vizuri, si riziki au Mungu hajapenda.

Kwa mfano huo, ni muhimu kwa chama kinachotaka kuing’oa CCM kuielewa mitazamo kama hii ya wananchi wenzetu, ili kiweze kubuni mikakati madhubuti ya kuwaelimisha wananchi jinsi matatizo yao yanavyosababishwa na serikali, na jinsi matatizo hayo yanavyoweza kuondolewa kwa kuking’oa chama kilichounda serikali hiyo na kukiweka kingine madarakani.

Nne, ni lazima chama husika kibuni mkakati madhubuti wa kuwafikia na kuzungumza au kuwasiliana vema na wananchi, ili wajue uzuri wa chama hicho, vinginevyo bila kufanyika siasa hiyo, wananchi hawatajua dhamira na dira nzuri ya chama hicho katika kuwakomboa.

Tano, ni lazima chama kinachotaka kuwa mbadala wa CCM kielewe vema mfumo usio wa haki wa kisiasa, kama moja ya kikwazo kikuu dhidi ya harakati zake za kisiasa. Suala hili ni muhimu kwani linabeba zile hoja nzito za mtazamo wa Watanzania wa kundi la tatu, kwamba ni vigumu kuing’oa CCM kutoka madarakani kwa sababu tume ya uchaguzi ni yao, majeshi yote ni yao (yapo chini yao), mahakama zao na serikali pamoja na vyombo vyake vyote kwa ujumla, ipo chini yao.

Katika hilo la tano, uzoefu unaonyesha kuwa kuna hoja kuu mbili zinazokidhana. Hoja ya kwanza ni ile inayosema kuwa hakuna chama cha upinzani - hata kiwe kizuri vipi, kitakachoweza kuing’oa CCM hadi kwanza mfumo wa kisiasa utakaporekebishwa ili kujenga uwanja sawa wa ushindani kisiasa kwa vyama vyote.

Hoja ya pili inasema hivi, kwa kuwa chama kilicho madarakani (CCM), ndicho kilichouweka huo mfumo mbaya wa kisiasa ili kipendelewe na mfumo huo na kudumisha utawala wake, basi ni vigumu kwa chama hicho (kinachoshikilia makali), kukubali kuurekebisha mfumo huo, kwani kinajua fika kikifanya hivyo kitakuwa kinahatarisha nafasi yake ya kuwa madarakani.

Hoja hii inahitimisha kwa kusema hivi, njia muafaka lakini iliyo ngumu ni ile ya chama hicho mbadala kuamua kushindana na CCM ikitumia mfumo huu huu mbaya wa kisiasa kwani hakuna uwezekano wa CCM hiyo kukubali kuurekebisha.

Hoja hii ya pili pia inapinga mtazamo mwingine mwepesi unaovitaka vyama vya upinzani visusie uchaguzi hadi serikali ya CCM itakapokubali kurekebisha mfumo wa kisiasa kwa kuunda tume huru ya uchaguzi na kurekebisha sheria kadhaa za uchaguzi zinazokibeba chama hicho. Inahitimisha ikisema kuwa kususia chaguzi hakutaizuia CCM kuendelea kutawala, huku ikihalalisha utawala wake kauli mbalimbali za propaganda kama;

‘‘Wapinzani wameshindwa siasa, wamekubali tutawale baada ya kuona hawakubaliki”

Binafsi naungana na hoja hii ya pili, kwamba ni vigumu kwa serikali ya CCM kukubali kurekebisha mfumo wa kisiasa kwani uhai wa chama hicho unabebwa kwa kiasi kikubwa na mfumo huo. Kwa maneno mengine, tume huru ya uchaguzi itajenga uwezekano wa dhahiri wa chama hicho kushindwa uchaguzi kama hakitakubalika, kama vinavyoshindwa vyama vingine.

Uzoefu mdogo wa matukio ya kisiasa yaliyojiri nchi kwetu tangu kuanza kwa mfumo wa siasa za vyama vingi, unaashiria kuwa upo uwezekano wa CCM kung’olewa chini ya mfumo huu huu wa siasa tulionao. Nitoe mifano ifuatayo:

Chama cha Wananchi (CUF), karibu katika chaguzi zote, kimeweza kushinda viti vyote vya ubunge na uwakilishi kule kisiwani Pemba. Cuf imekuwa ikishinda katika mfumo huu huu wa kisiasa unaoibeba sana CCM, na si kweli kwamba CCM imekuwa ikiwaachia Cuf kushinda kisiwa chote cha Pemba. Wamekuwa wakikitamani sana lakini huzidiwa na kushindwa.

Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), nacho kimeweza kushinda viti vingi sana vya udiwani katika uchaguzi mkuu uliopita wa mwaka 2005. CHADEMA hivi sasa ina madiwani takribani 102 nchi nzima. Hawa walipatikana wakati tume yetu sio huru na wala haitendi haki vya kutosha.

Aidha, chama hiki kiliweza pia kushinda chaguzi za ubunge mwaka 2005, kule Tarime, Mpanda Kati, Kigoma Kaskazini, Moshi Mjini na Karatu. Kutokana na ushindi wake huo, CHADEMA kikapata nafasi ya kuongoza serikali za halmashauri ya Karatu, Tarime na Kigoma ujiji. Hapa pia ni vema ikazingitiwa kuwa ushindi wote huu na mafanikio yote haya, yalipatikana katika uchaguzi ambao ulisimamiwa na tume isiyo huru tena ikisimamia sheria kadhaa za uchaguzi zinazoipa CCM mwanya wa kujifanya washindi. Huko kote, CCM walijaribu kufanya mbinu za kuungwa mkono walishindwa, walijaribu pia kufanya hia za kupoka ushindi nazo zilishindwa.

Kutokana na mifano hiyo, tunapata funzo kuwa Watanzania tunaweza kabisa kuishinda na kuing’oa CCM hata kama majeshi ni yao, tume ya uchaguzi yao, na mahakama ziko chini ya serikali ya chama hicho. Msingi wa uwezo wetu huo unajikita katika falsafa ya nguvu umma kuwa kubwa zaidi kuliko nguvu ya utawala (serikali) na vyombo vyake.

Hii inatuashiria kuwa iwapo umma wa Watanzania wa maeneo yote utaelimishwa kisiasa juu ya ubaya wa CCM na kuhamasishwa kuchukua wajibu wa kuing’oa bila uwoga kama ilivyofanyika kule Pemba, Tarime, Karatu, Moshi Mjini, Mpanda Kati, Kigoma Kaskazini na Kigoma Ujiji, basi Tanzania yetu itaweza kabisa kujikomboa kutoka kwenye utawala dhalimu wa CCM.

Tunaweza kupata rais na wabunge wengi kutoka chama mbadala cha upinzani, ikiwa tu umma wote utaelemishwa vema, kuhamsishwa na kutiwa ujasiri wa kutosha kama ilivyofanyika katika maeneo hayo niliyoyatolea mfano.

Nguvu ya umma wenye ujasiri wa kutosha inaweza kabisa kuwafanya vijana wetu walio kwenye majeshi kutothubutu kuipendelea CCM. Vijana walio kwenye vyombo vya ulinzi na usalama vinavyoibeba CCM leo hii, wanaweza kabisa kuchotwa na mwamko wa nguvu ya umma wa Watanzania walio wengi na kujikuta wakiiasi CCM na kutenda haki, ili kuepuka kumwaga damu za Watanzania wenzao. Hali kama hiyo au inayofanana na hiyo ndiyo iliyotokea katika maeneo kadhaa ambayo vyama vya upinzani vimeweza kushinda.

Kumbe inawezekana kabisa kwa CCM kung’olewa kutoka madarakani katika mazingira haya haya tuliyonayo!. Kinachotakiwa ni uwepo wa chama mbadala kinachoweza kuwaelimisha, kuwaunganisha, kuwahamasisha na kuwatia ujasiri Watanzania walio wengi katika kuikataa na kuing’oa CCM.

Aya za Ukombozi: Kutoka uchaga hadi ukatoliki, tuwaeleweje?

WIKI chache kabla ya kuanza rasmi kwa kampeni za Uchaguzi Mkuu wa rais, wabunge na madiwani, nawasilisha aya hizi kuvikumbusha vyombo vya habari kuwa havipaswi kufungamana na chama wala wagombea, lakini wakati huo huo kila chombo cha habari kina haki na wajibu wa kupinga na kulaani jitihada zozote za makusudi zinazofanywa na watu au chombo kingine cha habari, zenye lengo la kuchonganisha, kuchochea au kupandikiza chuki na ubaguzi wa aina yoyote ile dhidi ya Mtanzania yeyote yule, iwe ni dhidi ya mwanasiasa au mwananchi wa kawaida.

Nikiitumia safu ya ‘Waraka wa Kinabo’, nimewahi kukemea na kulaani uchochezi na ubaguzi wa kidini na kikabila kuwa ni hatari kwa umoja na mshikamano wa taifa na hatari kwa amani na maendeleo yetu lakini hali hiyo imekuwa ikiendelezwa kwa makusudi.

Leo nimelazimika tena kuurudia wajibu wangu huo, baada ya kuona siasa hizo chafu zikitamalaki kwa kasi kubwa kutoka kwa wanasiasa ucharwa hadi kufikia kubebwa na baadhi ya vyombo vya habari vilivyojipatia heshima kubwa miaka ya nyuma kwa kuelimisha jamii na sasa kuonekana kubadilika na kutoa baadhi ya habari zinazoonekana dhahiri kuipotosha jamii.

Ndani ya kipindi cha takriban wiki mbili sasa tangu Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Dk. Willbrod Slaa, akubali na kutangazwa kugombea urais kupitia chama hicho, kumekuwa na habari zinazoonekana dhahiri kuandikwa kimkakati (propaganda) zikilenga kuushawishi umma umbague mwanasiasa huyo kwa sababu ya dini na dhehebu lake.

Mfano mkubwa wa habari hizo ni ile iliyoandikwa na gazeti moja wiki iliyopita ikitaarifu kuwa wabunge Waislamu wa CHADEMA waliamua kususia mikutano ya Dk. Slaa anayoifanya kutafuta udhamini maeneo mbalimbali nchini kwa madai ya kuchukizwa na mgombea huyo kutumwa na maaskofu kugombea urais.

Tukiitazama kwa umakini habari hiyo tutabaini kuwa gazeti husika liliamua kwa makusudi kuwaandika wabunge hao wa CHADEMA kwa kutazama na kutumia zaidi kigezo cha dini zao (Waislamu) kuliko sababu za msingi zilizowafanya wakosekane kwenye mikutano hiyo.

Izingatiwe kuwa mmoja wa wabunge ambaye hakuwepo, Zitto Kabwe, alihojiwa na kukijibu chombo hicho kwamba kutokuwepo kwao kwenye mikutano hiyo kulisababishwa na wao kuwa na ratiba majimboni mwao lakini katika kile kinachoonekana ni kulazimisha na kukoleza chuki na ubaguzi wa kidini dhidi ya Dk. Slaa, chombo hicho kiliichapa habari hiyo huku kichwa cha habari na maudhui yake vikionekana dhahiri kuupa nafasi kubwa na kuupambanisha kwa makusudi Uislamu wa wabunge hao dhidi ya Ukiristu wa Dk. Slaa bila sababu za msingi.

Pasipo shaka yoyote ile, nathubutu kuthibitisha kuwa huu ni uchochezi unaopaswa kuchukuliwa hatua na mamlaka husika, si kwa kusubiria hadi aliyeguswa alalamike kwa Waziri wa habari au Baraza la Habari, bali kwa mamlaka husika kuwajibika mara moja na kuchukua hatua stahiki dhidi ya chombo husika, kwani athari ya uchochezi huo haiishii kwa Dk.Slaa na chama chake tu bali pia kitendo hicho kwa taathira yake ni hatari kwa taifa zima.

Kinachoshangaza na pengine kusikitisha zaidi ni suala hilo kuendelea kukuzwa na kulazimishwa kwa staili hiyo licha ya ukweli kuwa tayari Kanisa Katoliki lenyewe lilishakanusha rasmi madai ya kumtuma Dk. Slaa kugombea urais tangu ilipochapwa gazetini habari iliyotangulia, iliyokuwa na maudhui yanayofanana kidogo na habari hii iliyofuatia.

Uandishi wa aina hiyo unaonekana dhahiri kuwa na lengo la kuwapotosha na kuwagawa Watanzania wapige kura kidini pengine kwa matakwa na masilahi ya chama au mgombea wa urais anayeungwa mkono na chombo husika cha habari.

Hali hii inaweza kusababisha Watanzania wasio waangalifu kupumbazwa na habari hizo na kujikuta wakiacha kumchagua mgombea anayestahili na matokeo yake taifa kujikuta likipata viongozi wabovu waliochaguliwa kwa sababu ya dini au makabila yao badala ya sifa za uwezo wao wa kiuongozi. Kwa mantiki hiyo, nathubutu kusema tena hapa kwamba, habari ya namna hiyo hazina maslahi kwa taifa kwani kwa taathira yake zinaweza kuhujumu haki na utashi wa Watanzania kuchagua kiongozi atakayewafaa.

Aidha, nikumbushe kwamba si mara ya kwanza kwa gazeti hilo au mengineyo yenye muelekeo kama huo kuandika habari zenye kuhamsha hisia za ubaguzi kwa mtindo wa kuonyesha madai ya kuwepo ubaguzi. Katika kile kinachoonekana kuwa ni mkakati, mara zote hizo, CHADEMA ndiyo imekuwa mhanga mkuu wa habari hizo.

Mathalani, wakati wa kampeni za Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka 2005, waliandika kile walichokiita kuwa ni ukabila ndani ya CHADEMA, wakijaribu kuushawishi umma ukione kile kilichodaiwa kuwa ni upendeleo wa Wachaga (Uchaga) ndani ya chama hicho. Hilo likarudiwarudiwa mara kadhaa na kukuzwa zaidi hata baada ya uchaguzi ule.

Ilipokosa nguvu wakaandika madai kuwa CHADEMA ni chama cha watu wa Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro. Mkurugenzi wa Mambo ya Nchi za Nje wa chama hicho, John Mnyika, ambaye kabila lake ni Msukuma naye wakamchokonoa na kubaini kuwa mama yake ni Mpare na kutumia kabila hilo la mama yake kuhalalisha madai yao dhaifu kwamba CHADEMA ni chama cha watu wa Kilimanjaro. Vituko vitupu!

Madai ya chama cha Kilimanjaro yalipochuja yakaongezewa nguvu mpya, sasa chama hiki kikadaiwa kuwa ni chama cha upendeleo kwa watu wa ukanda wa kaskazini. Yote matatu, ‘Uchaga’, ‘Kilimanjaro’ na “Kanda ya kaskazini” yakarudiwarudiwa kwa miaka minne mfululizo yakishereheshwa na hoja dhaifu zilizoonekana kuupima au kuuchezea uwezo wa kufikiri wa Watanzania lakini wapi – propaganda hizo zilikosa mvuto. Madai yote yakakosa mashiko.

Chama kilichodaiwa cha Wachaga, cha Kilimanjaro, cha Kaskazini, juzi kilikuwa Musoma na Mwanza, jana kilikuwa Shinyanga na Kagera, kinafanya nini kote huko?

Mara zote uchambuzi makini ungeweza kujiridhisha pasipo shaka yoyote ile kuwa, habari hizo zilikuwa zikilenga tu kukiondolea imani chama hicho au viongozi wake ndani ya mioyo na fikra za Watanzania. Kinyume chake walengwa wa propaganda zote hizo (CHADEMA na uongozi wake) wameendelea kuimarika na kuonekana kuungwa mkono na Watanzania wa kada zote, wakiwemo wasio na dini, wenye dini na makabila yote. Sasa umeibuliwa wimbo mpya ‘udini na ukatoliki’, hii ndiyo santuri mpya nayo kama zilivyokuwa santuri zilizopita inaonekana kukosa mashabiki. Tusubiri tuone.

Kutoka Uchaga hadi Ukatoliki; tuwaeleweje watu hawa, tuvieleweje vyombo hivi vya habari, tuwaeleweje wanasiasa hawa? Jibu la msingi ni moja tu, nalo ni lile lililowahi kutolewa na Baba wa Taifa, Hayati Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, kwamba “wamefilisika kisiasa”.

Upande wanaoupigania umepwaya, hauna hoja za msingi za kujihalalisha kwa umma, ndiyo maana zinafanyika jitihada nyingine za pembeni zikijaribu kutumia ukabila na udini kuwatafutia uhalali mpya watawala walioshindwa kuthibitisha uhalali wao wakiwa madarakani.

Wanajua fika kwamba sekondari za kata si kigezo cha kumhalalisha mgombea wao mbele ya umma wa Watanzania waliojipatia elimu na maarifa kupitia shida za nchi yao licha ya kunyimwa elimu bora na serikali yao.

Wanajua fika kwamba vigogo wachache waliofikishwa mahakamani kwa tuhuma za rushwa na matumizi mabaya ya madaraka sio kigezo cha msingi cha kumhalalisha mgombea wao aliyeshindwa kutumia vizuri madaraka yake kunusuru fedha na raslimali nyingi za umma.

Wanajua fika kwamba wasifu na uwezo wa mgombea wao hautoshi kumhalalisha mbele ya umma wa Watanzania utakapolinganishwa na wasifu na uwezo wa Dk.Slaa aliyevuta hisia za Watanzania wengi ndani ya wiki mbili tu tangu alipokubali kuwania wadhifa huu mkubwa.

Wana hofu ya msingi kuwa Dk. Slaa aliyefanya kazi kubwa jimboni, bungeni na nje ya Bunge kwa miaka kumi na tano sasa, amejipatia umaarufu, umashuhuri na uhalali mkubwa wa kupewa dhamana ya kuliongoza taifa kuliko yule aliyepewa dhamana hiyo lakini akalirudisha nyuma.

Wanajua fika kuwa hata jina la ‘Dokta’ linalotumiwa na mgombea wao ni la kupewa kwa heshima tu na wala halijatokana na kufikia ngazi ya elimu ya udaktari wa falsafa “PHD” aliyonayo Dk. Slaa. Kwa mantiki hiyo wanajua fika kuwa hawana miujiza hata ile ya kumtengenezea sifa za ziada mgombea wao na chama chao, sasa wamebakiwa na mkakati mmoja tu, nao ni kujaribu kuharibu sifa za Dk. Slaa kwa kuihusisha hatua yake ya kuwania urais na ukatoliki na historia yake ya kuwa padri, ili kuibua hisia za ubaguzi miongoni mwa Watanzania dhidi ya mwanasiasa huyo. Tukikubali kuingia kwenye mtego wa kutufanya anayetufaa tumuone hatufai, basi tutakuwa tumekubali kukwamisha harakati za kuufikia ukombozi mpya wa taifa letu. Tusikubali.

Wana falsafa wana msemo usemao: “Ni mjinga yule asiyesoma, lakini ni mjinga zaidi yule anayeamini kila kitu anachokisoma”. Tusome magazeti lakini tusiamini kila kitu tunachokisoma, yapo yanayokosewa kwa bahati mbaya na wakati mwingine yapo yanayoandikwa kwa makusudi kupotosha au kutimiza malengo fulani yasiyo na maslahi kwetu sisi kama wananchi.

Ni wajibu wa kila mmoja wetu kuvichunguza na kuvifahamu vyombo vyote vya habari vinavyoandika na kuripoti habari za aina hiyo na hatimaye kuvipuuza na kuviacha vikijifia vyenyewe kwa ama kukosa soko au kukosa wasomaji kwa sababu ya habari hizo ambazo nathibitisha pasipo shaka yoyote ile kwamba hazilitendei haki wala kulitakia mema taifa hili.

Kwa aya hizi, nauenzi na kuueneza wasifu wa Baba wa Taifa hayati Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, kwamba: “Hatutamkataa mtu kwa sababu ya kabila lake lakini hatutamchagua mtu kwa sababu ya kabila lake.” Vivyo hivyo, “haitatusaidia kumkataa mtu kwa sababu ya dini yake wala kumchagua mtu kwa sababu ya dini yake”. Tuweke mbele masilahi ya taifa letu.

Waraka wa Kinabo:Kwa Serikali hii,daima tutaomboleza uzembe

Na Edward Kinabo

NIMERUDI tena, kwa uchungu na hisia nzito. Mungu azilaze mahali pema peponi roho za Watanzania wenzetu waliopoteza maisha kwenye maafa ya mv Spice Islanders. Mungu azijaze moyo wa uvumilivu na ujasiri familia zao, ndugu, jamaa na rafiki zao wa karibu, hususan katika kipindi hiki kichungu.

Wapo watakaosema “ajali haina kinga”, na wapo watakaodiriki kusema, “Wamekufa kwa sababu hiyo ndiyo siku yao waliyoandikiwa na Mungu”, kwamba “kazi ya Mungu haina makosa”. Fikra hizi, zinazoonekana kuwa za kiungwana na za kumcha-Mungu, ndizo zinazoifanya Serikali hii ya kizembe kuendelea na uzembe wake na kusababisha wananchi wengi kupoteza maisha katika mazingira ya kizembezembe, uzembe ambao na sisi kwa kujisahau, tumekuwa tukiulinda kwa kuwa na fikra na misemo kibao ya kumsingizia Mungu.

Ni kweli, kazi ya Mungu haina makosa, lakini kazi ya Mungu haipaswi kuingiliwa na mkono wa binadamu. Mungu wetu hawezi kuwa mzembe kama viongozi wa Serikali ya CCM, na ile ya Umoja wa Kitaifa kule Zanzibar. Na hata ikimlazimu kuwachukua watu wake, hana sababu ya kuwachukua kizembezembe.

Najua, wapo waungwana wengine watakaosema kuwa si ustaarabu kuchanganya siasa na suala la ajali iliyopoteza maisha ya watu. Lakini tunawezaje kupuuza nafasi ya siasa katika hili, ikiwa siasa za ghiliba ndizo zilizopachika viongozi wazembe wanaosababisha maafa yasiyokwisha kwa taifa?

Utakuwa ni ustaarabu wa kipuuzi ikiwa tutabaki kulialia tu na kuomboleza mauti yatokanayo na Serikali ya kizembe, bila kuchukua hatua za haraka dhidi ya serikali hii. Nani alijua kuwa baada ya maafa ya meli ya mv Bukoba, kungetokea tena maafa haya ya MV Spice Islanders? Nani alijua kuwa baada ya milipuko ya mabomu ya Mbagala, kungetokea tena maafa ya milipuko ya mabomu ya Gongo la Mboto? Nani anajua kuwa kabla ya mwaka 2015, Serikali hii hii ya kizembe, itakuwa imesababisha tena maafa na mauti mengine kwa Watanzania?

Na nani anajua kuwa katika maafa na mauti yajayo kizembe, mmoja wa marehemu anaweza kuwa mimi au wewe?

Badala ya kumsingizia Mungu, tuchukue hatua. Kama nchi imelaaniwa, basi ni muhimu ikafanyika toba ya kitaifa, ili atunusuru na uzembe na nuksi zote (kama zipo) zinazosababisha mauti makubwa kwetu. Kinyume na hayo, tunapaswa kuanzisha vuguvugu lisilokoma la kunusuru uhai wetu na wa nchi yetu dhidi ya utawala wa kizembe, na si lazima kusubiri uchaguzi wa 2015.

Mauti ya kizembe hayasubiri chaguzi, yanatokea wakati wowote na yanaweza kutuchukua sote, wewe mimi au wapendwa na wapenzi wetu. Pima mwenyewe…
Mungu wetu hana sababu ya kuhangaika kujaza mizigo mingi na abiria wengi kwenye meli ili izame ndipo aweze kuwachukua watu wake kwa kuchomoa roho zao.

Na wala hana sababu ya kuwaua watu wake kwa mv Bukoba halafu tena aje awaue kwa MV Spice Islanders. Hapana, yote hiyo ni kazi ya binadamu wazembe waliopewa dhamana ya kulinda uhai wa binadamu wenzao. Mungu wetu akitaka kukuchukua anakuchukua tu, si mpaka asubiri meli zijaze watu kupita kiasi au zipate hitilafu.

Watanzania wenzetu zaidi ya 240, kama mimi na wewe, wamepoteza uhai kwa sababu tu meli ya mv Spice Islanders ilipakia mizigo na abiria wengi kupita kiasi, au ilipata hitilafu, na hivyo kuzama kwenye Bahari ya Hindi. Isingepakia mizigo na abiria wengi isingezama, au ingekaguliwa vizuri na kufanyiwa matengenezo ya kufaa kabla ya safari, isingepata hitilafu wala kuzama.

Kwa maana hiyo, maafa yaliyotokea yangeweza kabisa kuepukika kama vyombo vya Serikali hii, ikiwemo mamlaka za usafiri wa majini, vingekuwa vinatimiza wajibu wake bila kuzembea.

Itiliwe maanani kuwa meli hiyo ilizama majira ya saa 7 usiku, na abiria wengi walikuwa wakifanya jitihada za kujiokoa, lakini kwa sababu ya “uzembe”, vikosi vya uokoaji vilichelewa kutumwa eneo la tukio na matokeo yake vilifika saa 12 asubuhi, takriban saa tano baada ya ajali kutokea.Katika hali hiyo, abiria wengi ambao wangeweza kuokolewa walikuwa wameshapoteza maisha.

Katika moja ya maandiko yake kuhusu “Uzembe wa Serikali ya CCM”, Mwanaharakati, Erick Ongara, baada ya kutokea kwa maafa ya milipuko ya mabomu ya Gongo la Mboto, aliandika hivi, namnukuu kwa kirefu:
“Tunaandika kwa hisia nzito sana. Tumefikishwa mahala ambapo tunalazimika kuwalinda raia dhidi ya Serikali yao. Ni kama kuwatenganisha vitoto vya mnyama wa kufuga na Mzazi wao ili kuwaokoa wasiliwe. Serikali ya CCM ikitumia silaha yake kubwa ya maangamizi iitwayo “uzembe” imeua waajiri wake kwa mara nyingine tena.

Imewaua, ikawalemaza, ikaharibu mali zao na kuwapa athari hasi na za kudumu Watanzania huku ikiendelea kuwafukarisha. Serikali ya CCM imejingea utamaduni wa kuishi katika duara la uzembe. Yaani huwa inahaidi, haijali, haijifunzi, haitendi na inapumzika mda wote kisha duara la uzembe linaanza tena.

Baada ya maafa ya Mbagala, serikali ya CCM ilihaidi kwamba hali hii haitatokea tena, kisha haikujali kufuatilia ilichoahidi, haikutenda katika kudhibiti uwezekano wa hali hiyo kujirudia na hatimaye ikapumzika. Baada ya mwaka mmoja na nusu duara la uzembe lilianza tena na kusababisha milipuko ya mabomu kutokea kwenye kambi ya jeshi Gongo la mboto.

Gongo la Mboto imeshalipuka na tayari wameahidi, kisha hawatajali, hawatatenda, watapumzika na hatimaye wataua tena kwa staili nyingine ya kizembe na duara la uzembe litaanza tena mwanzo.

Mwaka 2006 taifa lilikuwa na changamoto kubwa sana ya umeme. Wakasema tuna dharura. Wakabuni kampuni ya uongo. Wakajilipa, wakatunga kesi,wakahakikisha wanashindwa na sasa wanataka tuilipe fidia kampuni hiyo.

Leo duara la uzembe limeanza tena. Kuna dharura ya kuliokoa taifa dhidi ya kiza totoro.

Baada ya mwaka 2006, waliahidi, hawakujali, hawakutenda,wakapumzika na leo tumerudi pale pale. Tuna dharura (wamekuja na mpango wa dharura).

Kwa serikali hii ya kizembe, Tanzania ndiyo imekuwa taifa pekee dunia, lenye dharura za kudumu.

Kinachoumiza, vifaa vinavyopaswakuwalinda raia ndivyo vinavyowaangamiza. Risasi za polisi wa Arusha zilipaswa kuwahakikishia ulinzi raia, lakini zikawaua kwa kuwa tu walikuwa wanatembea pamoja wakiwa wameshika vitambaa vyeupe.

Wakazi wa Mbagala na Gongo la Mboto wamepoteza maisha kwa mabomu ambayo yalipaswa kuwahakishia ulinzi. Wanakatwa kodi, silaha zinanunuliwa kisha zinaingizwa katika mfumo wa duara la uzembe. Wanaahidi, hawajali, hawatendi na hatimaye wanapumzika.

Kwa bahati mbaya sana umma nao una duara saidizi kwa duara la uzembe. Kuna duara la uovu. Serikali inapokosea na kushindwa kutekeleza wajibu wake katika kiwango cha kuhatarisha na hata kupokonya maisha yao, Watanzania huwa tunajadili, tunachambua, tunalalamika, hatuchukui hatua kisha tunapumzika.

Serikali ikilizua tena, huanza duara upya, wananchi watajadili, watachambua, watalalamika, hawatachukua hatua kisha watapumzika, na matokeo yake maafa mengine yataibuka tena kwa sababu ya uzembe.

Zipo sauti zinazotaka mkuu wa majeshi na waziri wa ulinzi wajiuzulu kama sehemu ya uwajibikaji. Ni kweli na ni sawa kwa kuwa ndio wao walioahidi,kisha hawakujali,hawakutenda na hatimae wakapumzika.

Ili kudhoofisha duara hatari la uzembe lazima waaachie ngazi kwa maana wameshindwa kubeba dhamana ya kulinda uhai wetu.

Lakini hiyo pekee haitoshi. Lazima kutokomeza kabisa duara la uzembe kwa kumwajibisha kiongozi wa juu anaelea duara hili (Rais wa Nchi).

Ili kuondoa duara la uzembe lazima kwanza tuondoe duara la uovu.Watu wa Misri hivi karibuni hawakutengeneza duara bali mstari. Walichambua, wakakubaliana, wakajikusanya, wakashinikiza na hatimaye kuvunja duara la maangamizi kwao, ambalo lilidumu kwa miongo kadhaa.

Tumeumia sana na tunawapa pole ndugu zetu kwa maafa wanayoyakabili. Inawezekana, timiza wajibu wako. Mwisho wa kunukuu.

Baada ya maafa ya milipuko ya mabomu Gongo la Mboto, duara la uzembe liliendelea tena, na serikali ya CCM ambayo wakati wa ajali ya mv Bukoba, iliahidi kuongeza usalama wa vyombo vya usafiri wa majini, ikafanya tena uzembe na kusababisha meli ya mv Spice Islanders kuzama baada ya kuiacha ipakie mizigo na abiria wengi kupita kiasi. Na sasa taifa linaomboleza msiba mzito, msiba wa kizembe.

Katika hali hii ya ajali za kizembezembe, ni dhambi kubwa kusema “ajali haina kinga”, au kusema “kazi ya Mungu haina makosa”. Mungu wetu si mzembe. Kwa serikali hii, daima tutaomboleza mauti ya kizembe. Ni wakati wa kuchukua hatua za haraka. Tutafakari kwa pamoja.

SOURCE: Tanzania Daima Newspaper, September, 2011

Waraka wa Kinabo:Ufunuo wa Chadema Musoma

Na Edward Kinabo

MAENDELEO ya kweli na ya haraka yanawezekana, ikiwa kuna serikali yenye viongozi waadilifu na wanaojituma kwa dhati kuwatumikia wananchi.

Ndani ya kipindi cha takriban miezi tisa tangu kumalizika kwa Uchaguzi Mkuu wa 2010, Serikali mpya ya Manispaa ya Musoma Mjini imethibitisha ukweli huu licha ya changamoto nyingi zilizopo.

Serikali hii imeundwa na Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), baada ya kushinda kwa kishindo katika Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka jana. Meya, naibu meya na wenyeviti wote wa kamati za halmashauri, ikiwamo Kamati ya Fedha, Ardhi na nyinginezo, wote wametoka CHADEMA.

Hii ni kwasababu wananchi mbali na kuchagua mbunge kutoka CHADEMA (Vincent Nyerere), pia walikipa chama hiki maarufu mjini hapa kwa jina la “People”, madiwani wengi (11) huku CCM ikiambulia madiwani (4) na CUF (3).

Ziara yangu ya kiudadisi na kiupembuzi ilinikutanisha na wananchi wa kata mbalimbali za mjini Musoma, vijana, wazee na akina mama kwa kadiri nilivyoweza, ambapo kutoka kwao niliweza kupata taarifa na maoni huru kuhusu hali halisi ya wilaya yao ndani ya kipindi hicho kifupi cha miezi tisa. Aidha, iliniwezesha kutembelea na kushuhudia mafanikio yote ya kuonekana kwa macho, niliyoelezwa na wananchi.

Na hatimaye niliweza kupata taarifa za kitakwimu kutoka kwa Meya wa Mji huu, Alex Kisurura, Mbunge, Vincent Nyerere, pamoja na madiwani na baadhi ya viongozi wa serikali za mitaa bila kujali vyama vyao. Ziara hii ilinionyesha mambo kadhaa ya kupigiwa mfano yaliyopatikana ndani ya kipindi hicho kifupi tangu CHADEMA waingie madarakani, kama ifuatavyo:

Kwanza, kwa mtu aliyefika Musoma Mjini mwezi Oktoba mwaka jana (kabla ya kumalizika kwa Uchaguzi Mkuu), halafu akaingia tena hivi sasa, tofauti ya Serikali ya CCM iliyokuwepo na hii mpya ya CHADEMA inaonekana wazi wazi katika barabara za mitaa ya mji huu. Barabara nyingi kama za Kata ya Bweri, Nyamatare, Nyasho, Makoko, Mwisenge, Kigera na Buhare (eneo la Bima quarters) zilikuwa hazipitiki, na za kata nyingine chache zilipitika kwa tabu kwa sababu ya mashimo na makorongo mengi, lakini sasa zote zinapitika baada ya kufanyiwa ukarabati mkubwa na kuwekewa mitaro ya kupitishia maji pembeni ambayo haikuwepo kabisa, hivyo kuhakikisha haziharibiki mara kwa mara.

Katika elimu, serikali ya CHADEMA ilipoingia madarakani ilifanikiwa kufuta michango mingi isiyo ya lazima na kuipunguza ile iliyokuwa na umuhimu, ili kumpunguzia mwananchi mzigo wa gharama. Michango hiyo ambayo wakati wa utawala wa CCM ilifikia kiasi cha shilingi 140,000 hadi 250,000 kwa kila mwanafunzi, hatimaye imepunguzwa hadi kufikia wastani wa shilingi 52,000 hadi 62,000 tena pale tu kunapokuwa na ulazima.

Mathalani, mchango wa madawati uliokuwa shilingi 50,000 kwa kila mwanafunzi, lakini umepunguzwa hadi shilingi 5,000. Mbali na punguzo hilo, serikali ya CHADEMA pia ilichukua jukumu la kukarabati madawati kwenye shule zote za msingi. Na mchango wa maendeleo ya taaluma umepunguzwa kutoka shilingi 40,000 hadi shilingi 10,000.

Pia shule mpya (Shule ya Msingi Bukanga) imeanzishwa, ili kuwapunguzia adha ya kutembea umbali mrefu watoto wa eneo la Bukanga ambao wakati wa utawala wa CCM, walikuwa wanalazimika kutembea umbali wa takribani kilometa tatu kuifuata Shule ya Msingi Nyarigamba. Shule hiyo imeshaanza darasa la kwanza na inatumia majengo ya muda, huku ujenzi wa majengo yake ukisubiriwa kukamilika.

Na zipo shule nyingine tano za msingi ambazo zinajengewa maabara kwa fedha za Mfuko wa Jimbo. Sehemu ya fedha za mfuko huo pia inatumika kumalizia ujenzi wa majengo ya Sekondari kwenye Kata 10, ambayo Serikali ya CCM ilishindwa kuyakamilisha. Baraza la Halmashauri hii pia limeshaanza kutekeleza mpango wake wa kuzifanya sekondari za Morembe na Kyara kutoa elimu ya kidato cha tano na cha sita.

Viongozi wa CHADEMA pia wanawasomesha watoto yatima na wasiojiweza wilayani hapa kwa kuwalipia ada na gharama nyingine za elimu. Katika utaratibu huo waliojiwekea, Mbunge Nyerere, anasomesha watoto 70, Meya Kisurura watoto 100 na madiwani wa CHADEMA nao wana watoto wasiojiweza wanaowasomesha kwa fedha zao wenyewe. Kwa ujumla, kuna watoto wasiojiweza zaidi ya 200 wanaogharamiwa masomo na viongozi wa CHADEMA. Mbali na idadi hiyo, Serikali hii pia iliamua kuanza kuwalipia ada watoto 100 wasiojiweza, ambao serikali ya CCM iliwatelekeza kwa kuacha kuwalipia ada tangu mwaka 2008.

Katika nyanja ya afya, wananchi wa Musoma Mjini pia wana kitu cha kujivunia kwa kuiweka CHADEMA madarakani. Kwa kauli zao wenyewe na kwa ushuhuda wa macho na utashi wangu, ndani ya kipindi hicho kifupi tayari wodi ya watoto katika Zahanati ya Nyakato inajengwa na bado kidogo kukamilika.

Na chini ya usimamizi wa serikali hii, wodi kama hiyo pia inajengwa katika Zahanati ya Kigera kwa fedha za Mfuko wa Maendeleo ya Jamii (TASAF).

Kwa mara ya kwanza katika manispaa hii, wazee, watoto walio chini ya miaka mitano na kina mama wajawazito wanatibiwa bure katika hospitali za serikali hapa Musoma.

Na Serikali hii ya CHADEMA imeshaanza kutayarisha vitambulisho kwa watu wa makundi hayo, ili kuhakikisha kuwa wanapata haki hiyo ya kutibiwa bure katika siku zote za maisha yao, haki ambayo walikuwa hawaipati wakati wa utawala wa CCM, licha ya sera za kiserikali kutamka hivyo.

Zahanati mpya zinaendelea kujengwa kwa kasi katika kata za Iringo na Buhare, pamoja na kuweka uzio kwenye Kituo cha Afya cha Nyasho na kwenye zahanati ya Bweri.

Kwa sababu ya ufisadi na usimamizi mbovu wa Serikali ya CCM, miradi mingi ya TASAF wilayani hapa kwa muda mrefu ilishindwa kukamilika na kubaki kusuasua, lakini sasa hali ni tofauti. Tayari ujenzi wa Zahanati ya Nyamatare uko mbioni kumaliziwa baada ya fedha za mradi huo kupatikana.

Aidha, msukumo wa Mbunge Nyerere na madiwani umewezesha kupatikana kwa gari jipya la kisasa la kubebea wagonjwa mahututi (Ambulance) kwa ajili ya kuwapeleka kwenye hospitali kubwa jijini Mwanza, huku mpango wa kufufua na kukamilisha ujenzi wa Hospitali Kuu ya Mkoa wa Mara, uliosuasua kwa miaka mingi mjini hapa, ukishughulikiwa kwa kasi.

Na katika hili, jitihada za Nyerere zimesaidia baadhi ya familia zilizohamishwa kwenye eneo linalojengwa hospitali hiyo, kulipwa fidia ya jumla ya shilingi milioni 100, ambayo walikuwa wakiidai kwa muda mrefu bila mafanikio.

Wakati wa utawala wa CCM wakazi wa Musoma Mjini walikuwa wakiteseka kwa shida kubwa ya maji, licha ya kuwa mji huu umezungukwa na Ziwa Victoria.

Hii ni kwasababu, kwa zaidi ya miaka 30, Serikali ya CCM haikufanya kazi ya kukarabati miundo mbinu ya mabomba ya maji, ambayo sasa imechakaa kiasi cha kuwa na uwezo wa kusambaza maji kwa wananchi 50,000 tu, wakati Musoma yenyewe ikiwa inakadiriwa kuwa na watu takriban 181,000. Serikali mpya imeamua kulishughulikia kwa kasi tatizo hili linalogusa moja kwa moja uhai wa binadamu, na sasa mradi wa maji utakaogharimu takriban shilingi bilioni 50 unaanza kutekelezwa chini ya usimamizi wake.

Wakati mradi huo mkubwa ukianza, baraza la halmashauri limekwisha kuidhinisha fedha kwa ajili ya kutekeleza mradi wa kupeleka maji kwenye Kata ya Buhare, iliyo katika shida kubwa. Na tayari mpango wa uchimbaji wa visima vya dharura hivi karibuni upo mbioni kuanza, hususan kwenye maeneo yenye shida kubwa sana ya maji kuliko maeneo mengine. Mipango ya mbunge, meya na madiwani, ni kuhakikisha shida hii inakwisha kabisa katika maeneo yote kwani maji ya Ziwa Victoria yapo, kazi iliyoishinda CCM ni kuyavuta tu.

Katika nyanja ya ajira, kwanza serikali ya CHADEMA ilipoingia tu madarakani hapa Musoma, ilifuta ushuru uliokuwa ukitozwa kwa wafanyabiashara ndogondogo za uchuuzi kama ule uliokuwa ukitozwa kwa kina mama wanaouza mbogamboga, matunda, dagaa na bidhaa nyingine ndogondogo za kujitafutia riziki, lengo likiwa ni kuwapa nafuu ya maisha wananchi hawa.

Pili, kwa lengo la kuwajengea wananchi mazingira mazuri ya kujipatia kipato, serikali hii imeweza kukarabati na kulifufua Soko la Kamnyonge ambalo lilisimama tangu mwaka 1986.

Masoko mengine yanayofuatia katika mpango huo, ni Soko Kuu la Musoma, Soko la Mlango Mmoja, Nyasho, Soko la Samaki (Makoko), Nyakato na Soko la Mwalo wa Mwigobero ambalo litaanza kukarabatiwa kwa kushirikiana na Mamlaka ya Bandari Tanzania.

Tatu, vijana waendesha pikipiki (bodaboda) waliokuwa wanalalamikia utaratibu wa kulipa kodi ya shilingi 95,000 kwa mkupuo mmoja kwa mwaka, sasa wamepewa nafuu ya kutakiwa kulipa kodi hiyo kidogokidogo, ilimradi tu mwaka usiishe bila mhusika kukamilisha malipo ya kiwango hicho cha kodi.

Nne, vibanda vya biashara vya manispaa hii vilivyokuwa vinamilikiwa na watu wachache wakati wa CCM, sasa vimetaifishwa na serikali ya CHADEMA na kugawanywa kwa usawa kwa wananchi wengi zaidi wakiwemo walemavu, ili kuwapa fursa ya kujitafutia mkate wao wa kila siku.

Tano, serikali hii mpya pia inasimamia ujenzi na upanuzi wa stendi kuu ya mabasi makubwa yaingiayo Musoma (Stendi ya Bweri), ili iweze kufanya kazi kwa saa 24 na kwa ufanisi zaidi na hivyo kuipatia manispaa mapato ya kutosha kwa ajili ya miradi mingine ya maendeleo, na wakati huo huo ikitazamiwa kutoa fursa nzuri kwa wajasiriamali wa mji huu kujitengenezea kipato kwa kufanya biashara.

Sita, nimeshuhudia kukamilika kwa ujenzi wa kivuko kikubwa ambacho kitafungua safari za ziwani kutoka Musoma hadi Bunda. Mradi huu unatarajiwa kuchochea maendeleo ya shughuli za kibiashara na kiuchumi baina ya wilaya hizi mbili zinazozungukwa na Ziwa Viktoria.

Saba, serikali hii imeamua kuwa asilimia 10 ya mapato ya manispaa yanayopaswa kushughulikia maendeleo ya vijana na kina mama, yatumike kuanzisha miradi midogomidogo ya pamoja, badala ya kutoa mikopo isiyo na tija ya shilingi elfu 50 kwa mtu mmoja mmoja.

Kwa mujibu wa viongozi wa serikali hii, baadhi ya miradi ambayo iko mbioni kubuniwa kwa kuwashirikisha wananchi wenyewe ni pamoja na kuanzisha kiwanda kidogo cha kutengeneza biskuti za viazi, ununuzi wa mashine za kutotolea vifaranga, kutengeneza chakula cha kuku, kutengeneza chaki, na kuviwezesha baadhi ya vikundi vya wavuvi na wafugaji kuuza samaki na maziwa ya kutosha kwenye viwanda viwili vilivyopo mjini hapa.

Katika nyanja ya utawala bora, meya, mbunge na madiwani wa manispaa hii, wamejiwekea utaratibu wa kufanya mikutano ya hadhara ya mara kwa mara na wananchi ili kuwapa mrejesho wa kazi wanayoifanya na kupokea kero na matatizo mapya kutoka kwao. Pia viongozi hawa kila mmoja ameshawatangazia wananchi namba yake ya simu ya mkononi, kwa ajili ya kutoa kero na matatizo yao kwa urahisi ili yapatiwe ufumbuzi wa haraka.

Na wakati huo huo serikali hii inaendelea kujenga ofisi za watendaji kata, ambazo hazikuwepo kwenye kata mbalimbali mjini hapa ili zitumiwe na wananchi kama fursa ya kuwasilisha kero, matatizo na malalamiko yao kwa diwani, mbunge au halmashauri yote.

Viongozi wanahakikisha kuwa asilimia 20 ya fedha za mapato ya manispaa inabaki kwenye ofisi za serikali za mitaa, ili kuhakikisha kuwa ofisi hizo zinawahudumia wananchi bila kuwatoza chochote. Kabla ya hapo ulikuwa huwezi kupata barua ya utambulisho kutoka ofisi ya mtaa, au kutatuliwa mgogoro wako, bila kuchangia fedha kama shilingi 2,000 ya karatasi au fedha za kuwaita wajumbe kwenye vikao vya usuluhishi (michango hii haramu bado ipo maeneo mengi nchini ikiwemo kwenye ofisi za serikali za mitaa za jijini Dar es Salaam).

Nilipata bahati ya kupitia pia ripoti mbalimbali za kifedha kuhusu manispaa hii, kubwa nililobaini ni kwamba serikali hii mpaka sasa imeshafanikiwa kudhibiti matumizi makubwa na ya anasa ya fedha za umma.

Mathalani, idadi ya semina, warsha na safari za nje ya manispaa zilizokuwa zikifanywa na meya, naibu meya na madiwani wa CCM wakati wa enzi za utawala wao, sasa zimedhibitiwa kwa kiasi kikubwa, na badala yake fedha hiyo nyingi ndiyo inayotumika kutekeleza kwa kasi miradi mingi ya maendeleo ya wananchi.

Changamoto zipo nyingi ikiwemo ya uhaba wa fedha za kutekeleza miradi ya maendeleo, lakini bado serikali hii inaonekana kufanya mengi ya kuvutia ndani ya kipindi kifupi tu cha miezi tisa.

“Tulipokea mji huu ukiwa katika hali mbaya sana. Wakati CCM imetumia miaka 50 kufanya vitu vichache na visivyoonekana dhahiri, sisi mpaka sasa tumeweza kufanya vitu vingi ndani ya miezi nane tu, na bado tuna uhakika wa kufanya makubwa zaidi ndani ya miaka mitano.

Siri ya mafanikio haya, ni uadilifu, uwajibikaji na kutekeleza kwa vitendo falsafa ya CHADEMA ya “nguvu ya umma”, ambapo kwa falsafa hiyo, tumeweza kuiweka serikali hii mikononi mwa wananchi wenyewe, kwa kuwafanya kuwa ndio waamuzi wa mwisho wa nini wanataka kifanyike, huku tukiwapa fursa ya kufuatilia na kusimamia kila kinachofanyika.” (Kauli ya Vincent Nyerere).

Hakika huu ndio ufunuo wa CHADEMA kwa Watanzania kutoka Musoma, kwamba, “Maendeleo yaliyoshindikana ndani ya kipindi kirefu cha ufisadi, uzembe na usanii, sasa yanawezekana ndani ya kipindi kifupi cha uadilifu, na uwajibikaji”.

SOURCE: Tanzania Daima Newspaper- Wednesday October 19, 2010

Successful Training: Thanks to MISA -TAN & VIKES:

Hi, the World.

This is to confess that, the three -days training on investigative internet journalism has been very successful to me and am sure to all participants.

On this third day, we went deep to a Journalistic Research Via Internet, establishment of internet links (within blogs in particular) and off-course learnt more on how to report internet investigated stories.

There were so many lessons learnt from the facilitator and infact from the deliberations of all participants, some of them are as follows;

First, we journalists have learnt how to employ effectively the theories and tools of search engines for investigative journalism.

Second, the effective use of internet has proved to be the fastest and easiest way of conducting investigative topics for our journalistic coverages. For instance, now I can employ all the search options in the google, including Satellite searches, something that I was not familiar with before.

Third, now we are aware that lots of information and facts, is available in the websites and other internet social media, and just in case, something searched not found, the investigative journalist can ask and share with other people via internet, the real facts and information, that is looking for.

Fourth, Mr Peik Johansson (the facilitator), introduced to us a list of useful websites and social media, which can be applicable into our daily journalistic life.

Fifth, as a result of this training, every participant now has became a blogger, and this Kinabo Forum (Freeing Ideas for Free Nations) is a real evidence.

Sincere thanks to the MISA-TAN, the VIKES, and Mr Peik (our facilitator) in particular.

Lord's Resistance Army: The Most Confusing Rebel Group that US want be suppressed

By Edward Kinabo

Hi, the World.

How tough is the Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army, such that President, Barack Obama announced to help President Yoweri Museveni, to suppress it? What exactly this rebel group fighting for in Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and in parts of Central Africa?

It was made clear last week that 100 US soldiers will be deployed soon to the East African country, to coach the native soldiers on how to suppress completely the long undefeated rebel army, which has survived over 24 years, since their leader Joseph Kony formed it.

I believe that deploying these U.S. armed forces furthers U.S. national security interests and foreign policy, and will be a significant contribution toward counter-LRA efforts in central Africa,"wrote Obama in his letter to John Boehner (Speaker of the US assembly)as quoted by BBC.

The Obama's letter content mainly alleged the rebel group to have violated human rights and victimized more than 380,000 people. The very same claims that said by US when sent troops in Iraq and into many other countries of the world.

Throughout the years, the LRA has been ambushing civilians, brutalizing and taking them as sexual captives (women)and forcing boys to be new soldiers in fighting against Uganda government, people of South Sudan, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Whats more interesting about this rebel army, is the confusing mission and ideology they are fighting for? Throughout different sources of information and news, nobody knows for sure yet, what is a focused objective of this rebel group.

Majority think Joseph Kony's group is fighting for power, that is, to overthrow the Museveni's government and start a new christian regime, whose ideological constitution will be the Ten Commandments of God found in the holy bible.

But other analysts say no, this is not a christian movement. If so why are making sins of violating human rights like raping, killing, and enslaving women for sexual purposes? And here they refer to the John Ochola's testimony for BBC in 2006, who was chopped hands,ears and nose by the LRA, such he is know a handcapped man.

Instead, they say the group is fighting to restore the Acholi tribe' nationalism and make it govern Uganda. Acholi is the tribe of Joseph Kony ( the leader).

However, if that the case, why fighting in more than one place -Uganda, South Sudan, Democractic Republic of Congo and Central Africal. How can Acholi's nationalism be restored everywhere, in the four countries?

No matter what, this is a very confusing rebel group, with a very confusing ideological mission, ever happened in Africa and the World at large. Lets wait for US mission, may be the real mission of LRA will be revealed.

Journalistic Research via Internet: Lessons from Day Two of MISA-TAN and VIKES Training

Hi, the World.

The second day of the MISA TAN and VIKES' Training on Investigative Internet Journalism, started for participants writing the review of Day one in their blogs. Under that assignment,earlier today I posted to my blogs the review tittled "Investigative Journalism with Internet".

After that, Mr Perk Johanson, brough us into a practical journalistic research via the internet world. Then we attempted about ten exercises measuring our understanding on the use of internet tools and theories of search engines.

Here we surveyed several options of searching facts from internet in a simple way, especially on how to employ different search options from the google, as Maps, News, Images, Translate, Satellite etc.

The major lesson rose from this topic was that, "first give yourself time to think on how you are going to search before rushing to the website. Failure to do so will end up finding yourself consuming more time, than you had to".

Again, the same exercise gave us the foundation of attempting special questions, throughwhich we had to undergo investigative journalism by internet, then writing and publishing the researched stories on the blogs. And from this I managed researching and publishing the articles titled "LEILA LOPES: Why She became famous woman of the World?

The training will continue and end up tomorrow evening

LEILA LOPES: Why she became famous woman of the World?

By Edward Kinabo

She hits the headlines of international media, both in electronic and print ones and actually has became the subject matter of discussion among many visitors of internet social forums, facebook, twitter and the like, through which sensational stories about her, are shared.

Yes she won the title, that is, Miss Universe 2011, contested in Sao Paul Brazil on September 12, 2011; Yes she comes from our beautiful marginalised continent (Africa); But whatever the case, this couldn't be enough to make the 25 years old Lopes (from Angola) - the most famous woman of the month or even the day.How could it be while we all know for sure that she is not the only miss universe the world has ever had nor Africa is proud off?

In fact, she is the 60th winner of the same worldwide contest and the fourth one from Africa, preceeded by other African winners emerged from South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. What's peculiar facts then surrounding her very fast overgrown fame, especially in this preliminary moments after the victory?

I couldn't handle my curiosity in getting to know more about this lady, and therefore my searches from several websites like ibtimes.com, the wikipedia, ended up finding the followings;

That, Miss Lopes is condemned to have forged documents which enabled her justify her residency in United Kingdom,showed to have studied at the University Campus Suffolk of Ipswich town. Therefore, qualified to
participate the Miss Angola beauty contest for the Angolan diaspora of UK on October 8, 2010,where she won.

Her victory in England led her to partcipate and win the Miss Angola beauty contest held in Luanda two months later, which then gave her a ticket of participating the Miss Universe Contest condected in Sao Paul.

Again, Miss Lopes is alleged to have bribed some judges in UK,otherwise she couldn't win the ticket to Angola contest nor pass through to the Sao Paulo held miss universe contest.

However, there is no much evidence yet about her forgery and fradulent deeds, but that is what is discussed and shared strongly throughout the World. What's more, the organizers of Brazil Miss Universe have confirmed that "Lopes will loose her crown if the allegations will be proved true"

There others who say, Miss Lopes didn't deserve to win, claiming that she underwent costimetic surgery to fake her beauty.

But when interviewed some days later, She said is satisfied in the manners her God created her, adding that the secrets of her beauty is rooted in her unique smile, the way she take good care of her skin and the diets.

All these allegations, has turned up Leila Lopes to be a Scandalous Miss Universe, and hence the most famous woman of the World in the last month.

Investigative Journalism with Internet:Day One of the MISA-TAN and VIKES Training

By Edward Kinabo

Hi the World.

Please let me (Journalist from Tanzania Daima Newspaper) share with you this crucial opportunity of being part of the Tanzanian Journalists attending a capacity building workshop on investigative journalism whose main focus is the use of internet for such purpose.

The three -days training conducted by the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Tanzania Chapter (MISA-TAN) in collaboration with VIKES (Finnish Foundation for Media, Communication and Development) started yesterday October 19, 2011, at Tanzania Global Learning Center (TGDLC) in Dar es Salaam.

Under the facilitation of Mr. Perk Johanson (from VIKES), we were introduced to the different concepts of Investigative Internet Journalism. Now, I can describe it as the process of searching deeply for unknown information by use of internet, in order to make it known through media (be it electronic or print ones), making it easily understood and useful for the public interest.

The use of internet social forums like facebooks, twitter, social websites like Jamii Forums of Tanzania and many other, was suggested to be the easiest means of investigative journalism in Tanzania, as many people can share and contribute whichever they know on the issues which is under investigation.

It was agreed by the participants that investigative journalists can publicize the subject matter of their investigations openly in these forums and request visitors to offer facts and information they know.

By so doing, the investigative journalist will be able to access a lot of desired information of which would take long time or would be difficult to get if one could strive for it all alone.

The journalist can also offer his or her email address in the internet forum, for the information to be sent directly by every respondent, without giving them loop holes of knowing each other, if confidetiality is very necessary.

We got a chance of visiting some popular websites like the Wikileaks, Dispatchonline, Fair (that is Forum for African Investigative Reporters) and the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Also visited various publications  and articles like, "Investigative Journalism Manual" and "How investigative journalism is prospering in the age of social media". These can be accessed by searching in the www.google.com and has a lot to educate on how internet use makes investigative journalism much easier.

The day one of the training ended up for every participant to learn how to establish their internet forums popularly known as blogs. It was from this interesting topic that I managed to open up this "KINABO FORUM" whose address is kinaboforum.blogspot.com.

I hereby welcome the world to share together useful perspectives for the development of humankind,in the context of socio-economic, civil rights;and political issues, via the KINABO FORUM. The training continues today.

Investigative Journalism - A Survival of Print Media in Digital Era

By Edward Kinabo

The MISA TAN & VIKES Internet Training for Editors and Trainers started from March 7 to March 11, 2011 has, among other lessons, posed a fact that the world has changed and it is still changing very fast.

 The digital revolution of internet technologies; websites, blogs and fast search engines like google, yahoo, and alexa has so far played a significant role in changing the world. In general, the changes are positive as they make  life of human beings at ease - now nearly everything can be done directly or facilitated by internet.

However, there are some negatives associated with these changes and one of the most alarming one is the shocking future of our print media. It is obvious and the growing statistics prove that there is an  increasing number of people who start to rely on digital forums as their favourite sources of accessing news. As deliberated in the training workshop, the print media particulary newspaper whose survival has  been depending mainly on selling their daily or weekly hard copies will be jeorpadized as the customers resort to internet.

The debate on this challenge was serious but at last, it was agreed by the editors and trainers of the training that investigative journalism is what can assure the survival of print media in these internet era. As the websites and bloggers publish breaking news on the daily events and other occurencies at any time the want, print media can survival by coming up with an in-depth investigative stories in the following morning thus will be able to sustain their customers. Without doing investigative journalism, print media will be finding themselves publishing stories which have been prempted by the  bloggers and websites.

With this lesson  learnt arose from the deliberation of the training, frequent trainings on investigative journalism are highly recommended. MISA TAN and other media stakeholders are advised to consider it.

Big Shame -"Copy and Paste Education revealed in Germany"

By Edward Kinabo

Plagiarizing of educational cresidentials has utimately proved to be possible following the scandal touched the resignned defence minister, Karl-Theodor Zu Guttenberg.

According to sources and dialogue hitted the country before and soon after March 5 this year, the former minister, was proved to have cheated in the process of pursuing his doctorate. Throughout the country, the former minister is now famous with the nick name "Mr Copy and Paste".

Though he has resignned but analysts in Germany say he has delayed to do so. He could do that nearly three weeks before the day quitted the office, something proving that, he didnt regret and could continue to be in the office if there were no public pressure against him.

The whole scandal is a great shame for Germany as one of the frontline countries in the development of education. It has informed the world that cheating in Germany and Europe is very possible things just as it happen in Africa. However in Africa leaders who proved to plagiarize do not resign no matter what public pressures they get. Following that resignation, Chancellor Angela Michel has moved the Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere to defence, with Hans-Peter Friedrich taking up the interior post.

Reflections of Rupert Murdoch Speech on Tanzanian media

A popular speech made by a famous media tycoon, Rupert Murdoch to American Society of News Paper Editors on April 13 2005,reflects a lot the challenges facing Tanzanian print media, news paper in particular.

Briefly, Murdoch talked about the digital revolution in the media industry
which in a shallow eye can be taken as a danger to print media and a favor for electronic or digital media. The peculiar challenge according to him, is how news editor can employ internet and other digital technologies to improve their journalism, as the statistics show that there is increasing number of people who are resorting to access news via digital forums like websites, blogs and fast search engines.

Clarifying the challenge, Murdoch says; "Where four out of every five Americans in 1964 read a paper every day, today, only half do. Among just younger readers, the numbers are even worse, as I’ve just shown.

"The trends are against us. Fast search engines and targeted advertising as well as editorial, all increase the electronic attractions by a factor of 3 or 4. And at least four billion dollars a year is going into R&D to further improve this process".

The challenge is relevant to what is happening in Tanzania. Though slowly, Tanzanians especially youth are increasingly starting to rely on internet as the source of accessing news. Now over 1.6 percent of Tanzanians are using internet, something that if not taken with care, it might hinder the business of print media.

But as Murdoch say, this digital revolution should


Well it hasn’t … it won’t …. And it’s a fast developing reality we should grasp as a huge op

The peculiar challenge then, is for us digital immigrants – many of whom are in positions to determine how news is assembled and disseminated -- to apply a digital mindset to a new set of challenges.

We need to realize that the next generation of people accessing news and information, whether from newspapers or any other source, have a different set of expectations about the kind of news they will get, including when and how they will get it, where they will get it from, and who they will get it from.

Anyone who doubts this should read a recent report by the Carnegie Corporation about young people’s changing habits of news consumption and what they mean for the future of the news industry.

According to this report, and I quote, “There’s a dramatic revolution taking place in the news business today, and it isn’t about TV anchor changes, scandals at storied newspapers or embedded reporters.” The future course of news, says the study’s author, Merrill Brown, is being altered by technology-savvy young people no longer wedded to traditional news outlets or even accessing news in traditional ways.

Instead, as the study illustrates, consumers between the ages of 18-34 are increasingly using the web as their medium of choice for news consumption. While local TV news remains the most accessed source of news, the internet, and more specifically, internet portals, are quickly becoming the favored destination for news among young consumers.

44 percent of the study’s respondents said they use a portal at least once a day for news, as compared to just 19 percent who use a printed newspaper on a daily basis. More ominously, looking out three years, the study found that 39 percent expected to use the internet more to learn about the news, versus only 8 percent who expected to use traditional newspapers more.

And their attitudes towards newspapers are especially alarming. Only 9 percent describe us as trustworthy, a scant 8 percent find us useful, and only 4 percent of respondents think we’re entertaining. Among major news sources, our beloved newspaper is the least likely to be the preferred choice for local, national or international news going forward.

What is happening is, in short, a revolution in the way young people are accessing news. They don’t want to rely on the morning paper for their up-to-date information. They don’t want to rely on a god-like figure from above to tell them what’s important. And to carry the religion analogy a bit further, they certainly don’t want news presented as gospel.

Instead, they want their news on demand, when it works for them.

They want control over their media, instead of being controlled by it.

They want to question, to probe, to offer a different angle. Think about how blogs and message boards revealed that Kryptonite bicycle locks were vulnerable to a Bic pen. Or the Swiftboat incident. Or the swift departure of Dan Rather from CBS. One commentator, Jeff Jarvis, puts it this way: give the people control of media, they will use it. Don’t give people control of media, and you will lose them.

In the face of this revolution, however, we’ve been slow to react. We’ve sat by and watched while our newspapers have gradually lost circulation. We all know of great and expensive exceptions to this – but the technology is now moving much faster than in the past.





One writer, Philip Meyer, has even suggested in his book The Vanishing Newspaper that looking at today’s declining newspaper readership – and continuing that line, the last reader recycles the last printed paper in 2040 – April, 2040, to be exact.

There are a number of reasons for our inertia in the face of this advance. First, newspapers as a medium for centuries enjoyed a virtual information monopoly – roughly from the birth of the printing press to the rise of radio. We never had a reason to second-guess what we were doing. Second, even after the advent of television, a slow but steady decline in readership was masked by population growth that kept circulations reasonably intact. Third, even after absolute circulations started to decline in the 1990s, profitability did not.


So unless we awaken to these changes, which are quite different to those of 5 or 6 years ago, we will, as an industry, be relegated to the status of also-rans. But, properly done, they are an opportunity to actually improve our journalism and expand our reach.

For those who are confronting this new reality, we tend to focus on the technological challenge, which is understandable, since it is one we believe – or hope – that we can do something about.

Thinking back to the challenge that television posed to the newspaper business, we can see some similarities. A new technology comes along, and like many new things, it is somewhat exciting at first, simply by virtue of being new. Like the advent of radio before it, television was always going to be at best an alternative way to get the news, and at worst a direct competitor. There was no way to make it a part, or even a partner, of the paper.

That is manifestly not true of the internet. And all of our papers are living proof. I venture to say that not one newspaper represented in this room lacks a website. Yet how many of us can honestly say that we are taking maximum advantage of those websites to serve our readers, to strengthen our businesses, or to meet head-on what readers increasingly say is important to them in receiving their news?

Despite this, I’m still confident of our future, both in print and via electronic delivery platforms. The data may show that young people aren’t reading newspapers as much as their predecessors, but it doesn’t show they don’t want news. In fact, they want a lot of news, just faster news of a different kind and delivered in a different way.

And we in this room – newspaper editors and journalists – are uniquely positioned to deliver that news. We have the experience, the brands, the resources, and the know-how to get it done. We have unique content to differentiate ourselves in a world where news is becoming increasingly commoditized. And most importantly, we have a great new partner to help us reach this new consumer -- the internet.

The challenge, however, is to deliver that news in ways consumers want to receive it. Before we can apply our competitive advantages, we have to free our minds of our prejudices and predispositions, and start thinking like our newest consumers. In short, we have to answer this fundamental question: what do we – a bunch of digital immigrants -- need to do to be relevant to the digital natives?

Probably, just watch our teenage kids.

What do they want to know, and where will they go to get it?

They want news on demand, continuously updated. They want a point of view about not just what happened, but why it happened.

They want news that speaks to them personally, that affects their lives. They don’t just want to know how events in the Mid-east will affect the presidential election; they want to know what it will mean at the gas-pump. They don’t just want to know about terrorism, but what it means about the safety of their subway line, or whether they’ll be sent to Iraq. And they want the option to go out and get more information, or to seek a contrary point of view.

And finally, they want to be able to use the information in a larger community – to talk about, to debate, to question, and even to meet the people who think about the world in similar or different ways.

Our print versions can obviously satisfy many of these needs, and we at news corporation will continue to invest in our printed papers so they remain an important part of our reader’s daily lives. But our internet versions can do even more, especially in providing virtual communities for our readers to be linked to other sources of information, other opinions, other like-minded people.

And to do that, we must challenge – and reformulate -- the conventions that so far have driven our online efforts.

At News Corporation, we have a history of challenging media orthodoxies. Nearly twenty years ago, we created a fourth broadcast network. What was behind that creation was a fundamental questioning of the way people got their nightly entertainment to that point. We weren’t constrained by the news at six, primetime at eight, news again at 11 paradigm. We weren’t constrained by the belief that entertainment had to be geared to a particular audience, or reflect a certain mind-set.

Instead, we shortened the primetime block to two hours, pushed up the news by an hour, and programmed the network to a younger-skewing audience. The result was the FOX Broadcast Network, today America’s number one network among 18-49 year-olds.

Similarly, we sensed ten years ago that people watching television news felt alienated by the monolithic presentation of the news they were getting from the nightly news broadcasts or cable networks. We sensed that there was another way we could deliver that news – objectively, fairly, and faster-paced. And the result was the fox news channel, today America’s number one cable news network.

And most recently, at the The Times of London, circulation decline was immediately reversed when we moved from a broadsheet to what we call our “compact” edition. For nearly a year, we offered readers both versions: same newspaper, same stories, just different sizes. And they overwhelmingly chose the compact version as more convenient. This is an example of us listening to what our readers want, and then upsetting a centuries old tradition to give them exactly what they were asking for. And we did it all without compromising the quality of our product.

In this spirit, we’re now turning to the internet. Today, the newspaper is just a paper. Tomorrow, it can be a destination.

Today, to the extent anyone is a destination, it’s the internet portals: the Yahoos, Googles, and MSNs. I just saw a report that showed Google News’s traffic increased 90 percent over the past year while the New York Times’ excellent website traffic decreased 23 percent. The challenge for us – for each of us in this room – is to create an internet presence that is compelling enough for users to make us their home page. Just as people traditionally started their day with coffee and the newspaper, in the future, our hope should be that for those who start their day online, it will be with coffee and our website.

To do this, though, we have to refashion what our web presence is. It can’t just be what it too often is today: a bland repurposing of our print content. Instead, it will need to offer compelling and relevant content. Deep, deep local news. Relevant national and international news. Commentary and debate. Gossip and humor.

Some newspapers will invest sufficient resources to continuously update the news, because digital natives don’t just check the news in the morning – they check it throughout the day. If my child played a little league baseball game in the morning, it would be great to be able to access the paper’s website in the afternoon to get a summary of her game, maybe even accompanied by video highlights.

But our internet site will have to do still more to be competitive. For some, it may have to become the place for conversation. The digital native doesn’t send a letter to the editor anymore. She goes online, and starts a blog. We need to be the destination for those bloggers. We need to encourage readers to think of the web as the place to go to engage our reporters and editors in more extended discussions about the way a particular story was reported or researched or presented.

At the same time, we may want to experiment with the concept of using bloggers to supplement our daily coverage of news on the net. There are of course inherent risks in this strategy -- chief among them maintaining our standards for accuracy and reliability. Plainly, we can’t vouch for the quality of people who aren’t regularly employed by us – and bloggers could only add to the work done by our reporters, not replace them. But they may still serve a valuable purpose; broadening our coverage of the news; giving us new and fresh perspectives to issues; deepening our relationship to the communities we serve, so long as our readers understand the clear distinction between bloggers and our journalists.

To carry this one step further, some digital natives do even more than blog with text – they are blogging with audio, specifically through the rise of podcasting – and to remain fully competitive, some may want to consider providing a place for that as well.

And with the growing proliferation of broadband, the emphasis online is shifting from text only to text with video. The future is soon upon us in this regard. Google and Yahoo already are testing video search while other established cable brands, including FOX News, are accompanying their text news stories with video clips.

What this means for us as newspapers is the opportunity to partner with credible video programmers to provide an infinitely better product. More access to news; more visually entertaining news and advertising product; deeper and more penetrating coverage.

At News Corporation, where we’re both a video programmer as well as a newspaper publisher, the rewards of getting this right are enormous. We’ve spent billions of dollars developing unique sports, news and general entertainment programming. We have a library as rich as anyone in this world. Our job now is to bring this content profitably into the broadband world – to marry our video to our publishing assets, and to garner our fair share – hopefully more than our fair share -- of the advertising dollars that will come from successfully converging these media.

Someone whom I respect a great deal, Bill Gates, said recently that the internet would attract $30 billion in advertising revenue annually within the next three years. To give you some perspective, this would equal the entire advertising revenue currently generated each year by the newspaper industry as a whole. Of course, all of this could not be new money. Whether Bill’s math is right is almost beside the point. What is indisputable is the fact that more and more advertising dollars are going on-line, and we must be in a position to capture our fair share.

The threat of losing print advertising dollars to online media is very real. In fact, it’s already happening, particularly in classifieds. No one in this room is oblivious to it. Television and radio and the yellow pages are in the same spot.

In the same way we need to be relevant to our readers, the internet provides the opportunity for us to be more relevant to our advertisers. Plainly, the internet allows us to be more granular in our advertising, targeting potential consumers based on where they’ve surfed and what products they’ve bought. The ability to more precisely target customers using technology- powered forms of advertising represents a great opportunity for us to maintain and even grow market share and is clearly the future of advertising.

And the history of our industry shows that we can do this. Technology has traditionally been an asset to the newspaper business. It has in the past allowed us to improve our printing, helped us collect and transmit the news faster and cheaper – as well as reach people we never could reach before. So of all the trials that face newspapers in the 21st century, I fear technology – and our response to it – is by no means our only challenge.

What I worry about much more is our ability to make the necessary cultural changes to meet the new demands. As I said earlier, what is required is a complete transformation of the way we think about our product. Unfortunately, however, I believe too many of us editors and reporters are out of touch with our readers. Too often, the question we ask is “Do we have the story? rather than “Does anyone want the story?”

And the data support this unpleasant truth. Studies show we’re in an odd position: we’re more trusted by the people who aren’t reading us. And when you ask journalists what they think about their readers, the picture grows darker. According to one recent study, the percentage of national journalists who have a great deal of confidence in the ability of the American public to make good decisions has declined by more than 20 points since 1999. Perhaps this reflects their personal politics and personal prejudices more than anything else, but it is disturbing.

This is a polite way of saying that reporters and editors think their readers are stupid. In any business, such an attitude toward one’s customers would not be healthy. But in the newspaper business, where we rely on people to come back to us each day, it will be disastrous if not addressed.

As one study said: “Even if the economics of journalism work themselves out, how can journalists work on behalf of a public they are coming to see as less wise and less able?”

I’d put it more dramatically: newspapers whose employees look down on their readers can have no hope of ever succeeding as a business.

But by meeting the challenges I’ve raised, I’m confident we will not only improve our chances for success in the online world, but as importantly, improve our actual printed newspapers.

Success in the online world will, I think, beget greater success in the printed medium. By streamlining our operations and becoming more nimble. By changing the way we write and edit stories. By listening more intently to our readers.

I do not underestimate the tests before us. We may never become true digital natives, but we can and must begin to assimilate to their culture and way of thinking. It is a monumental, once-in-a-generation opportunity, but it is also an exciting one, because if we’re successful, our industry has the potential to reshape itself, and to be healthier than ever before.

Thank you very much.