Issue 12 / January to March 2022
YO U R F R E E A I R TA N Z A N I A M AGA ZINE
T R AV E L / TA STE / TALEN T
Cultural journey Twiga A I R TA N Z A N I A Issue 12
Travelling Tanzania
An insider's guide to Nairobi Artist Phoebe Ouma shows us around
Travel like a boss
How to add a touch of luxury to your holiday
KIBUBU Pay for your flight in instalments Visit airtanzania.co.tz
contents 21
33
Regulars
Features
3
6
CEO foreword Air Tanzania news
8
Win a night’s stay at luxury villa in Moshi
17 10 good reasons why… …travelling is good for you
37 Swahili story Baraka ni kwa mwenye kushukuru
21 Nancy Sumari ‘Everyone wants to be famous, but we can be great’
42 Cookery column With Belinda Mkony
52 Tech New year, new tech 54 Faysal’s blog 54 Sound and vision 55 Arts column 57 Kid's puzzle page
Land & Marine Publications (Tanzania) Ltd 4th floor, Josam House Block A, along Coca Cola Road Mikocheni Area, Dar es Salaam Tel: +255 686 118 816 www.landmarine.com Head Office: Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park, Colchester, Essex, UK, CO4 9RA Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com
The benefits of luxury travel
47 Legal eye Crucial changes to the law regarding the employment of non-citizens in Tanzania
49 Migratory birds The epic migration of birds to East Africa
27 Comoros islands Which of the islands is right for you?
31 Zanzibar real estate Why Stone Town should be your next investment location
33 Maua Mazuri A new culture of growth for the banana industry
Fun challenges
Is published by:
An insider's guide to Nairobi
44 Luxe By Elle
Stand-up comedy The rising stars of Tanzanian comedy
15 Twiga competition
42
38 Phoebe Ouma
Photo special The work of Imani Nsamila
More planes, more places
5
38
Read Twiga online: qrs.ly/qdbooco
Air Tanzania information 61 64 64 66 68
Twiga miles Travel information Air Tanzania fleet Air Tanzania destinations Air Tanzania contacts
On behalf of: Call toll free: 0800 110 045
Editor: Mark Edwards markedwards@landmarine.com Advertising sales: Catherine O’Callaghan Tel: +44 (0)7944 212063 (WhatsApp) Email: catherineocallaghan@landmarine.com Godfrey S. Urassa Tel: +255 (0) 686 118 816 (WhatsApp) Email: godfreyurassa@landmarine.com Printed by Jamana Printers Ltd, Dar es Salaam
@AirTanzania Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ACTL) Second floor, ATC House, Ohio Street Dar es Salaam. Email: info@airtanzania.co.tz Office (JNIA) Telephone: +255 222113248 Jerry Ngewe, Marketing Executive, Email: jerry.ngewe@airtanzania.co.tz
@airtanzania airtanzania_atcl For the latest flights, information and to book online, visit:
www.airtanzania.co.tz
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2021 Land & Marine Publications Ltd.
airtanzania.co.tz / 1
Photography © Imani Nsamila
CEO foreword
EDITOR’S NOTE New year resolutions can be a little joyless – exercise at dawn, stop drinking, cut out desserts, work harder – so it's important to also make plans for a fun and adventurous 2022. What better way to achieve that than a holiday away? Inside this issue of Twiga you'll find plenty of reasons why wanderlust is wondrous for your mood and wellbeing. We've also helped you out with some holiday ideas – all of them just an Air Tanzania flight away. If you want some motivation on what carrying through on your goals can bring you, check out the article on former beauty queen and now social entrepreneur Nancy Sumari. Faced with a dearth of children's stories that would entertain and inspire her young daughter and other African girls like her, she decided to write her own! Now she's a three-time published novelist to add to her many other achievements. I hope you find some inspiration inside this edition of Twiga. Happy new year to all our readers. markedwards@landmarine.com
www.airtanzania.co.tz Follow us on:
More planes, more places I’m delighted to welcome you onboard your Air Tanzania flight today. You will have noticed that we have recently made considerable expansions to our route network – indeed you may be enjoying a flight to one of those new destinations right now! Africa is set to become one of the world’s fastest growing aviation regions and with the introduction of twice-daily flights to Nairobi, one of the continent’s biggest and busiest international airports, as well as strategic routes to Ndola, Lubumbashi and Bujumbura, Air Tanzania is playing a major part in that expansion. Building this intra-Africa air connectivity has the potential to make an important contribution to our country’s economic growth and development. We also have established freight aviation links with China, Tanzania biggest global trading partner, with regular flights from Dar es Salaam to Guangzhou. To serve this growing network of destinations we have made unprecedented investments in expanding our fleet of aircraft. In October we received a delivery of two new Airbus A220-300, doubling the number in our fleet, and we have ordered a 787-8 Dreamliner, a 767-300 Freighter and two 737 Max jets in a deal with Boeing. Adding a second Dreamliner as our flagship aircraft will lead the way as we renew and grow the Air Tanzania fleet. We aim to establish our long-haul capability by starting flights to Europe, Asia, and the USA over the coming years, and the 787 is the perfect aircraft to achieve this ambition. The introduction of the 737 MAX and 767 Freighter will give Air Tanzania exceptional capability and flexibility to meet passenger and cargo demand within Africa and beyond. These are exciting times for Air Tanzania, and I am delighted to be able to share them with you as we share the skies today. Enjoy your flight.
Eng. Ladislaus Matindi Managing Director and Chief Executive Air Tanzania
@AirTanzania @airtanzania airtanzania_atcl Air Tanzania ATCL airtanzania.co.tz / 3
Air Tanzania news
Our new three to fly destinations Air Tanzania continues its mission to connect its business and leisure passengers across the continent with the addition of three new African destinations to its route network Where? Ndola (prices start at US$ 287 one way) One of Zambia’s largest cities, Ndola is the hub of the country’s copper-mining region. When? Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as part of a triangular route between Dar es Salaam, Lubumbashi and Ndola. Why? The mining industry has spawned a thriving urban community here. Visitors can find plenty of high-class hotels, shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy. Check out the Glamville Beauty Parlor and Health Bar, which is a great for a massage or a poolside drink or meal. Its lush grounds also host regular social events. Where? Lubumbashi (prices start at US$ 287 one way) The second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the country’s mining capital. When? Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday as part of a triangular route between Dar es Salaam, Lubumbashi and Ndola. Why? Walking tours of Lubumbashi will reveal its wealth of colonial architecture
UGANDA
Entebbe
INDIA
KENYA
Nairobi BURUNDI
Bujumbura
TANZANIA
Mumbai
Dar es Salaam
DRC
Lubumbashi Ndola Lusaka
ZAMBIA
Comoros
ZIMBABWE
Harare
and you can mine the history of the city and Congolese culture with a visit to the excellent National Museum. Where? Bujumbura (Prices start at US$ 299 one way) Burundi’s capital, largest city and lakeside port. When? Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Dar es Salaam Why? With its lovely Lake Tanganyika
setting, you’ll find some of the best inland beaches in Africa within easy reach. For a wild adventure, a 15km trip from the city will get you to Rusizi Nature Reserve, which is next to the Rusizi river and home to plenty of hippos, crocodiles and swamp-dwelling antelope the sitatunga. Visit airtanzania.co.tz to book your trip or call free on 0800 110 045 for more information.
airtanzania.co.tz / 5
Photo special / All images © Imani Nsamila
Stories in a single frame That Imani Nsamila became a photographer was a happy accident that followed an unfortunate accident. In 2014 while a student at the Kilimanjaro Film Institute, in Arusha, pursuing his dream of becoming a filmmaker, the Kigoma-born Nsamila was involved in a serious car crash. It left his right arm so badly broken that he could no longer balance a film camera to shoot his videos. Thinking his dream over, Nsamila needed a plan B. He found solace in the fact that he could still hold a photographic camera. Taking pictures had always been a hobby and itching to keep creative while his arm healed, he volunteered to accompany Norwegian Church Aid on its work raising climate change awareness across Tanzania. As official photographer, his images revealed the scope of environmental damage in the country from flooding in the Pwani region to droughts across Tanzania and the solutions set up in the affected communities.
Capturing life in a moment The work was not only the beginning of Nsamila’s interest in promoting sustainable development goals, but also his love of photography. He fell in love with the idea of its universal language and how pictures can capture life in a moment. He also discovered he had a real talent for it, as you can see from the pictures he has kindly shared with us for these pages. His images showcase people’s ability to innovate and survive in the most trying conditions. They are always beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking and often joyous. He says: “One of my teachers on a photography workshop told me if a story is sad, don’t make it sadder. People can see that already. I always try to reveal the hope and friendliness in people. That’s what I live to do.” He has a gift for capturing unguarded moments and framing powerful images that make the viewer look again and look harder. Word on Nsamila’s talents spread and in 2015 he became Tanzania’s youngest official photographer when he documented John Magufuli’s election campaign. Once the late president was in power, Nsamila continued to work freelance for Tanzanian minister January Makamba.
6 / Twiga
As an independent photographer he has documented the changes in our environment across Tanzania, Africa and Europe and has worked with organisations such as the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform, UN agencies, the World Food Programme and Tanzania Unicef. His work has brought him a number of awards, including this year being named Best Climate Storyteller for East and Central Africa at an event in Brussels, Belgium, affiliated to the Cop26 UN climate change conference. In the past couple of years he has also sought to address the gender imbalance in the Tanzanian photography industry, teaming up with all-women projects the Female Photographers Program and the NGO Friends of Dar es Salaam in Hamburg, Germany. So far he has been able to mentor more than 50 emerging women photographers.
Upcoming exhibition The past year has seen him take on commissions as varied as drone photos and videos of Tanzania for international media and documenting humanitarian projects for the Vodacom Foundation. He also has a long-term working relationship with his friend and Tanzanian international footballer Mbwana Samatta. Twiga is delighted to share a selection of amazing images from across Nsamila’s career. The 29-year-old photographer is currently putting together a touring retrospective of his work, which he hopes in the coming months will be exhibited at venues across Tanzania and then further afield. He still makes films, but photography has shown Nsamila the universal language of an image caught in time. “Just one shot can mean more than a thousand words,” he says. "I love real moments – real people, real events. I try to anticipate a moment. Sometimes I can see events before they happen and then I’m there to capture them.”
FIND OUT MORE To see more examples of Imani's work, visit imaninsamila.co.tz or @imaninsamila on Instagram.
airtanzania.co.tz / 7
stand-up comedy
The rising stars of
TANZANIAN COMEDY Go back just a few years and the Tanzanian stand-up comedy scene was a joke in itself with barely any opportunity to see acts perform live. Now however, there are comedy clubs showcasing local rising stars, small bars offering open mics for amateurs and even a stand-up school to mentor the next generation of performers. Much of this success is down to Punchline Africa, a homegrown comedy club and agency set up by stand-up star Evans Bukuku and which is invested in shaping a new wave of comedy talent on the continent. With Evans’ help, we’ve rounded up some of the scene’s rising stars to find out how they got their start, where they get their material and what makes them laugh.
I was okay with that as I been an MC at house parties and I had three jokes up my sleeve. I dropped the jokes and turned to my brother who was back-stage to come take the mic and he signals me to continue. I ended up talking for about an hour – that was when stand up began for me.
KEVIN CHUWANG PAM The Nigerian entrepreneur and entertainer shot to fame when he became the winner of Big Brother Africa in 2009 (he also fell in love with one of the housemates on the show, Tanzanian actress Elizabeth Gupta and they are now married with a child.) His Punchline Africa stand-up shows always sell-out. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: Well, my friends and family knew I was funny, but I had never tried doing stand-up. In 2000 my older brother was organizing a gospel concert called Metamorphosis and he needed someone to hold the crowd while the artists got ready. He walked up to me and said “Jamex (that’s what they call me) you know you got jokes so please just help me buy time with one or two.”
8 / Twiga
Q: Have you always wanted to be a comedian? A: No. I actually wanted to be a professional footballer. Then at some point I pursued music. Let’s just say I took the wrong bus to the right destination. Q: How do you come up with material for your shows? A: I always say that if my life was a movie, it will definitely be comedy. I think and create jokes spontaneously from interaction or my imagination that may be triggered by an ongoing conversation. Sometimes I just say something and it turns out to be stage material. Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? A: It depends on where I find myself. In Tanzania they find it quite funny because comedy is still growing here. But in Nigeria comedians even have business cards and all. So, I believe you can make a living out of comedy. Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Is it weird to say I make myself laugh a lot? Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: As far as comedy is concerned it will still be my first time on the mic at Metamorphosis because I surprised myself and my family. The crowd went crazy. It was the day I discovered I had comedy flowing through me. Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: Yo! I have a sharp mouth and I can give hilarious and spontaneous replie, so it even makes the show more interesting for me. As long as I have the mic in my hands, I definitely should have the situation under control. Q: What, in your opinion, are the characteristics of Tanzanian comedy? A: In my opinion Tanzanian comedy is still in its teething stage so everyone is a lab rat. Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: Again, depending on the country/place and time. Every crowd or place has its vibe and energy. Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: I am a joker everywhere, mehn! I joke at the weirdest moments you can think about. Even in my sleep.
/ stand-up comedy
SADICK ALI One of Tanzania’s top live stand-up acts and host of Punchline Africa's regular comedy nights. Find out more at @iamsadickali on Instagram. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: was always in the performance space since age seven. I was either on stage doing theatre, in the school choir, or in some sort of music thing. Live performance and the arts were always something I gravitated towards. It led to studying film, television, and live performance through university. There stand-up comedy became an avenue of self-expression and it stuck. Q: Have you always wanted to be a comedian? A: I think subconsciously. I was always infatuated by the performances of different comedic characters on screen, from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Kenan and Kel and The Cosby Show and many more. This was way before I had any idea of what stand-up is or having have seen anything like it. My influences always came from the screen. It wasn’t until I was in Cape Town at university that I stepped on stage and had a go at it. Q: How do you come up with material for your shows?
A: Stand up is a vulnerability and honesty game. If you can do those two things, and be original, telling it from your perspective, you can come up with some dope gags. Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? Can you make a living from it? A: Well, we definitely don’t get the same reaction as when someone says “I am a brain surgeon”, though we are also healers. Laughter is medicine. As comedians we use our joy, pain, and life experiences to create bits and gags that turn out to be medicine for the listener. Artists are an integral part of any community or nation. Without us, life is very bleak. Also, stand-up comedy in Tanzania is fairly young, the comics you see now are responsible for creating a base for the industry to exist. We are yet to find or create multiple avenues that can allow a comic to exist just through doing stand-up comedy. The platforms of stand-up open other avenues, such as corporate MCing, radio, television, commercials and such. That is where the money is at the moment. Q: What makes you laugh? A: Life happening. Life is full of moments that are just super original like snowflakes. Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: The first time ever getting on stage.
Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: Hecklers are usually people who are really enjoying the show, or had one too many, or just generally rude. Either way when you are on stage you are the one with the mic, you are the one with the power. If you’ve done enough shows you can gauge who you are dealing with and handle the situation in a way that keeps the show going. Some young comics get thrown of their game by hecklers and can’t recover for the rest of their set. Q: What, in your opinion, are the characteristics of Tanzanian comedy? A: Comedians are pushing the culture; we are establishing a whole new form of entertainment in this country. Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: Usually, our job is to tread on the lines of what is socially acceptable and what is not using comedy. I usually stay away from things I know that in no way shape or form I can turn into something funny. Other than that, everything else is a go. Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: Not always. One of the drawbacks of being in the public space constantly is that people expect to meet the person they see on stage every time they see you. I wouldn’t expect a boxer to want to fight all the time they are outside the ring. airtanzania.co.tz / 9
/ stand-up comedy
HAMIS MDEE This young Punchline comedy workshop graduate has become a regular and a crowd favourite at the Raw stand-up nights at the Drum, in Masaki, Dar es Salaam. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: After completing my secondary school education in 2018 I thought about football because I love sports, acting because I love movies and doing comedy because I’ve always loved making my friends laugh. In early 2019 a comedian friend of mine told me about Evans Bukuku, who was at the time looking for comics or anyone interested in trying stand-up comedy because he wanted to prep us through a stand-up comedy workshop. This was when I decided to attend the workshop and see where it would take me. Q: Have you always wanted to be a comedian? A: No, stand-up comedy is not something that I saw myself doing but now I think about it I realise that I was exposed to stand-up comedy since primary school. Q: How do you come up with material for your shows? A: Usually, I write material about my family, friends, my past relationships and work experiences. The truth is always great. Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? Can you make a living from it? A: Most people don’t believe it when I say I’m a comedian because I’ve always been seen as someone who is serious looking, smart, and reserved. Even my classmates
LEONARDO have the toughest time believing me when I say I’m a comedian because I was always serious in school. Nevertheless, I believe I was serious in school so I could be less serious in life. But stand-up comedy alone will not pay enough until you are a household name. Q: What makes you laugh? A: Watching other comedians, watching sitcoms, my mother and a few of my friends. Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: I think my second big show with Punchline was my most memorable moment. I got to perform at the Serena Hotel in front of 400 to 500 people. Making those people laugh that day made me feel like a true comedian. Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: I always try to talk to my hecklers instead of ignoring them. I’ve realised that when someone heckles you it can make or break your show especially if you are unprepared. Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: I prefer not to joke about religion and politics because these two things are very touchy in Tanzania. However, I do have a religious joke about myself and my family only because I feel like it lets people know more about my upbringing as compared to just teasing or mocking religion. Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: I don’t try to impress everyone or make everyone laugh because I do that on stage already and it’s very exhausting.
A young comedian who broke through after appearing on Wasafi TV’s Cheka Tu Comedy Search. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: I’ve always been that funny guy since childhood, making silly remarks and joking around, but I realised I could do stand-up comedy after watching a comedy special called Delirious by Eddy Murphy in June 2017. Q: Have you always wanted to be a comedian? A: Not until I watched Delirious. Q: How do you come up with material for your shows? A: I think of daily happenings that are common to many and might be funny if expressed in a humorous way. Also, I talk about my experiences. Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? Can you make a living from it? A: My skinny appearance and funny looking head convince them that I’m a stand-up comedian. So, no hassle on that. Yes, I can make a living from it big time Q: What makes you laugh? A: Mostly dirty and dark humour. Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: When I switched and tried doing Swahili jokes and won a comedy search competition the very same year, winning TZS10 million. Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: I usually try to find a nice funny airtanzania.co.tz / 11
/ stand-up comedy
INFORMATION To find out more about upcoming Punchline comedy shows near you or even how you can try out your own stand-up routine, visit punchline.or.tz or @tzpunchline on Instagram
comeback to what they’ve said but if I can’t I just pass and go on with the set
personality job, which I unfortunately didn’t get. Comedy was my Plan B.
Q: What, in your opinion, are the characteristics of Tanzanian comedy? A: In recent years Tanzanian comedians have shifted from being clowns to clean stand-up comedians and in most cases, they do observational jokes about the everyday life of Tanzanians.
Q: How do you come up with material for your shows? A: I harvest material from almost every scenario around me.
Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: I have no limit, I joke about everything, especially when people don’t like the subject in question Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: Yes, I also do skits and funny monologue videos on Instagram.
Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? Can you make a living from it? A: Most of them, especially older people give me a “you are such a loser” kind of look. At the beginning of my career, it was hard to make ends meet, now I’m somehow making money. Q: What makes you laugh? A: My imagination makes me laugh all the time especially when I picture respectable figures in weird scenarios. Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: First time I won the comedian of the night is going down in my history as the most unforgettable moment. Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: By saying some made-up embarrassing stuff about them.
HALELUYA This rising star on the Tanzania stand-up comedy scene is another Cheka Tu and Punchline favourite. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: I sold my gadgets (professional camera, tripod and laptop) and moved from Morogoro to Dar es Salaam for a media
Q: What, in your opinion, are the characteristics of Tanzanian comedy? A: Comedians can be too limited when it comes to being creative. Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: Yes, I definitely wouldn’t joke about politics.
MARTHA NGWADA The comedy scene is not exclusively a man’s game. Dar-based Martha’s is putting women centre stage with her debut Punchline show going viral. Q: How did you get into stand-up comedy? A: I saw it interesting and wanted to give it a try. Q: How do you come up with material for your shows? A: I draw from my daily life routine. Q: How do people react when you tell them you are a comedian? A: Most of them find it interesting and want to know how I do it. I believe I can earn and make a living from it. Q: What makes you laugh? A: Literally everything that looks, sounds and is perceived as funny. Q: What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far? A: When my short skit unexpectedly went viral. Q: How do you deal with hecklers? A: I just ignore them. Q: Are there any subjects you would not joke about? A: Disabilities, religion and politics. Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: Yes, because it’s part of my life.
Q: Are you a joker away from the stage? A: Not really airtanzania.co.tz / 13
competition
WIN
All photographs courtesy of Ally Mwasi
A NIGHT’S STAY AT LUXURY VILLA IN MOSHI ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS To be in with a chance all you have to do is send your answers to the questions below along with a photograph of yourself holding Twiga 12 on your Air Tanzania flight to competition@landmarine.org by 10th March 2022. Bahati njema! 1
Which is the largest of the Comoros islands?
2
What is the name of Nairobi’s popular urban forest?
3
In which year was Nancy Sumari crowned Miss Tanzania?
COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Prizes dependent on availability. One entry per person. Entrants must be 18 years or over. The decision of the organisers will be final. The competition is not open to employees and their relatives of The Amans Kilimanjaro Villa, Air Tanzania or Land & Marine Publications Ltd. The prize does not include flights or travel to and from the destination. Images are for representation only.
T
he Amans Kilimanjaro Villa is a unique private villa tucked away among the mountains of Moshi and offering a luxurious and laidback base to explore this dramatic part of Tanzania. Inside, its five bedrooms are each distinctly decorated and there is a stunning and spacious kitchen for up to 10 guests to share. Outside there is a colonnaded verandah that offers a shaded seating and dining area with views of the outdoor swimming pool and the lush flower and fruit-tree filled gardens. One lucky Twiga passenger will win a night’s stay in this Moshi paradise with this issue’s competition.
For more information, visit @amans_kilimanjaro_villa on Instagram or call +255 788 932 667. For bookings, visit airbnb.com
airtanzania.co.tz / 15
Travel
1O REASONS WHY
TRAVELLING IS SO GOOD FOR YOU The past 18 months have been tough times for travel, but don’t let that discourage you from making plans now. Jetting off somewhere new does amazing things to your body and mind. Here are just a few of the benefits if you need convincing.
1
Reduce stress
Neuroscientists have found that chronic exposure to stress can alter your brain structure and bring on anxiety and depression. Taking a break from the everyday hustle and bustle is essential for your mind to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. And what better way to get that change of scene than to pack your bags and escape on holiday. Mellowing out
doesn’t have to involve a sun lounger and a stack of the novels you haven’t had the chance to get around to yet. For some, having an active break – sightseeing, hiking or enjoying water sports – is just as much as a tonic. Combined with the new surroundings they focus the mind on something entirely new and old worries are forgotten.
Unwind with a beach break
Try this: Mrembo Spa, Zanzibar Island. If you really want to sink into serene levels of relaxation, book yourself in for one of the traditional Swahili massages or skin treatments on offer at this renowned Stone Town favourite. Visit mrembospa.com Get there: Air Tanzania flights from Dar to Zanzibar four times a week.
airtanzania.co.tz / 17
/ Travel
Try this: Experience the roaring waterways of Zimbabwe in a kayak or raft. Fantastic fun and an amazing way to take in sights such as Victoria Falls and the deep gorges of the Dibu Dibu Gorge. Get there: Air Tanzania flights from Dar to Harare every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
3
It’s a learning experience
As the well-known proverb goes, “travel broadens the mind”. It inspires people to seek out new places and experiences and grow their understanding of the world. Wanderlust is the sign of an inquisitive, open mind – just what the world needs more of. As “the father of American literature” Mark Twain said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” So, go be a global citizen and get travelling! Try this: Travelling across Tanzania gives the opportunity to experience the way of life of ancient tribes whose culture has been largely untouched by modern society such as the Hadzabe – one of the oldest lineages of humankind – who live as
18 / Twiga
Katiekk / Shutterstock.com
The stress-busting effect of holidays is great for our overall physical health. A trip away can also be a much-needed fillip for our fitness regime. If your regular runs and gym visits at home are becoming monotonous and you feel you are just going through the motions, the injection of new pursuits a holiday offers – long ocean swims, hiking and biking in the mountains, kite-surfing or kayaking – can be enough to reawaken your love of testing your body.
their conversation will be anything but dull. Whether you are trying to impress a loved one or a potential work client, it is good to have some wild adventures to draw on to ensure you stick in people’s memories.
nomadic hunter gatherers around Lake Eyasi in the Arusha Region. Get there: Air Tanzania flights from Dar es Salaam to Arusha every day.
4
Help you get a top job
Racking up the air miles can make you become a high achiever in your chosen career path. Employers love a candidate who is well travelled because they are often more confident, are used to transitioning into new environments and are prepared to learn new ways of thinking. Although it can feel a bit of a risk and sometimes even irresponsible to travel the world in favour of getting on the job ladder early, it may well prove invaluable in securing your dream role in time.
6
It makes you more interesting
Ever find yourself ignored at dinner parties while another guest holds court with tales of derring-do from his or her last holiday adventure? It’s not a nice situation to be in, but consider it a sign you need to get out more. Someone who has travelled extensively is likely to have a ready repertoire of stories and
Chance to try amazing food
When we visit a new place, our senses come alive and tasting the local delicacies is one of the best – and most enjoyable ways – of learning about a country’s culture. Recipes and cooking techniques can be passed down from generation to generation and tell the story of a
Try this: African human capital specialists Empower are always looking for well-travelled job-seekers they can help direct towards their dream careers. Visit empower.co.tz
5
Try this: As a holiday experience and a story for a lifetime, it doesn’t come much better than swimming with whale sharks. The gigantic aquatic creatures come to the krillfilled waters off Mafia Island from September to December and there are opportunities to dive and snorkel alongside them. If you’re planning on regaling people later with your bravery, you may want to neglect to mention that despite being sharks and having a serious set of teeth these gentle giants have all the lust for violence of your average sloth. Hey, selective retelling is not lying, right? Get there: Air Tanzania flights from Dar to Zanzibar four times a week (private flights and ferries are available from Zanzibar to Mafia Island).
Nowaczyk / Shutterstock.com
2
Keeps you fit
/ Travel
whole nation. Eating is also a social event and a great way to meet and enjoy the company of the locals. Try this: A trip to Zanzibar is a culinary adventure. The scent of spices is heady in the air and the islands’ history as a hub of early maritime trade routes has fused a cosmopolitan cuisine. You can sample the scope of food on offer by visiting Stone Town’s nightly street food market at Forodhani Gardens where you can enjoy Swahili favourites such as urojo, a thick mango and tamarind soup and wash it down with some hand-pressed sugarcane juice. Get there: Air Tanzania flies from Dar to Zanzibar four times a day.
7
Make new friends
Making friends when you travel is often far easier than at home. Even if you’re a little shy, a trip away can bring you out of your shell as you really have no choice but to talk to people. Similarly, as an outsider you will invite curiosity from the locals and will often have them approach you. Whether these friendships are fleeting or forever, they form a valuable part of the trip and your travel experience. Try this: If you are in Mumbai, head for Leopold Café in the Coloba Causeway. It’s a great place to swap stories over drinks with fellow travellers and locals. Among those who frequent the bar are Bollywood scouts so you could find yourself whisked away to appear as an extra in a movie! Visit leopoldcafe.com Get there: Air Tanzania flies from Dar es Salaam to Mumbai twice a week.
8
You get to feel like an adventurer
Be more explorer than tourist and take the road less travelled to one of the world’s remote destinations. While truly off-theradar spots are tough to find these
days, they are out there and that sense of the unknown can make for an exhilarating learning experience. Of course, you don’t have to head off into unchartered jungle to get that sense of adventure, if you’re used to spending most of your time in the city then just a few days in the countryside will make you feel different. Try this: Zanzibar may be where the tourists flock to, but Air Tanzania can connect you with a far less well known, Indian Ocean archipelago a little further south. The Comoros islands are barely touched by the tourist trade yet visitors will find beautiful beaches, volcanic lakes, protected marine parks and pristine nature perfumed by the ylang ylang flowers that grown and are farmed in abundance here. Visit comorosdiscover.com Get there: Air Tanzania flies from Dar to Hahaya every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
9
Reflect and find yourself
Time away from the entrenched rhythms of your everyday life affords the opportunity for some self-appraisal. A trip away can make you aware of your potential,
your likes and dislikes and of what you have been missing out on. Above all it drills into you how important it is to have fun and rediscover your playful side. Try this: If you are after a place of space and calm for a bit self-discovery, head to Lamu, a beautiful, unspoiled island on the north coast of the Kenya coast in March for its annual five-day yoga retreat. Visit lamuyoga.org for more details Get there: Air Tanzania flies from Dar to Nairobi twice a day (with onward connections to Lamu).
10
You get to appreciate home even more on your return Home might be the same when you return from your trip away, but you won’t be! You’ll be enthused by what you have learnt and seen while abroad and ready to return home and start living better.
Twiga hopes these ideas inspire you and that you realise how much travel is an investment in yourself. Here is some more sage advice from Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” Time to seize the day and get travelling. Air Tanzania is here to help you on your journey of discovery. Visit airtanzania.co.tz airtanzania.co.tz / 19
Nancy Sumari
‘Everyone wants to be famous,but we can be GREAT’ Nancy Sumari is the most successful beauty queen Tanzania has ever had, yet her more recent career as a social entrepreneur looks set to leave an even more lasting legacy. The author, media executive and power behind innovative tech-focused education community Jenga Hub talks to Mark Edwards about “creating an avenue to give back”.
All images courtesy of Nancy Sumari
airtanzania.co.tz / 21
/ Nancy Sumari
T
he village of Mererani in the Arusha Region is built around the only place in the world where the precious blue and violet stone Tanzanite is mined. It is also the birthplace of another unique Tanzanian gem: Nancy Sumari. Nancy became an over-night household name in 2005 when she was crowned Miss Tanzania. The then 19-year-old business student at the University of Dar es Salaam had never considered beauty pageants an option, but on wandering into a fast-food restaurant in the city she was approached by a talent scout struck by her poise and encouraged to take part. That she went on to win came as a huge surprise to Nancy, but it was an even bigger shock to her parents, who were unaware of their daughter’s involvement. Nancy’s father did not even recognise her in photos from the event that appeared in the national newspaper the next day. “He’d never seen me in make-up before,” Nancy says.
Beauty queen
Nancy has had three of her books for children published
22 / Twiga
The Miss Tanzania triumph was only the beginning. Nancy went on to make it to the final six contestants in that year’s Miss World competition and won the title Continental Queen of Africa. To this day, no other Tanzanian beauty queen has matched her achievements at global pageants, and few can say they have gone on to carve such a
barrier-breaking, multi-hyphenate subsequent career. Nancy is now the author of three books for children, the managing director of the youth-focused Bongo5 Media Group, the co-founder of non-profit The Neghesti Sumari Foundation and its portfolio of projects to help empower woman and children and is the driving force behind the hugely influential tech-focused learning programme Jenga Hub. It’s a list of professional accomplishments that prompted the Africa Youth Awards to name Nancy among its 100 Most Influential Young Africans in 2017.
Giving back It is clear her successes only serve to drive her to achieve more. When we speak, she is in London, studying for a post-graduate diploma in education at UCL. She tells me she is keenly feeling the absence of her husband and 10-year-old daughter – a family Christmas get-together in the UK is planned – but relishing the opportunity to “explore more ways in which education can continue to transform lives – and bring them back to Tanzania”. Giving back and empowering those in need has always been at the heart of her endeavours. Coming from a large middle-class family in Arusha with parents who could afford to send her and her siblings to university, Nancy knows she is fortunate. The sense of privilege was only compounded by her Miss Tanzania win. Nancy has “fond memories” of an experience that “opened up the world “– the prize included a firsttime trip to South Africa courtesy of Air Tanzania – and she enjoyed the perks afforded to her. However, she was soon asking herself of her newfound fame, “What are you going to do with it?” In the short term that involved setting up her own modelling agency and mentoring young Tanzanian hopefuls, but Nancy was soon branching out. Always a keen reader and writer, she began submitting blog posts for the Bongo5 media
group. As the voice of a modern, worldly young Arushan, Nancy’s columns proved popular on the website and when the news network decided to shift its audience focus from the diaspora to young resident Tanzanians with a concomitant change in emphasis from print to digital, Nancy oversaw the restructuring as managing director. “I wanted to create a platform where young people see themselves represented and have access to information that allows them to act differently,” she says. “We represent many different voices now, within reason, with lots of guest bloggers and it is a two-way communication
/ Nancy Sumari
I went from being a daughter and a sister in a household to becoming the face of the country… winning Miss Tanzania was great, but there was a backlash when I made the Miss Universe final six
Exploring the natural riches of Tanzania at Mkomazi National Park
Nancy's latest book is inspired by the life of Tanzania's first woman president, Samia Suluhu Hassan
with plenty of opportunities for our audience to comment and enter the debate. Young people want to see things better.”
Understanding the media The website Bongo5.com won Entertainment Blog of the Year at the 2020 Tanzanian Digital Awards for its mix of news, gossip, music and videos. Nancy, now the group’s chief executive, puts the site’s success down to the small, young homegrown team she has assembled to create the fast-moving content. Indeed, the team is so young that Nancy, still just 35, is by some way the oldest. “They don’t let me forget it,” she laughs.
Nancy’s experience, however, gives her rare insight in the role. She has, after all, an understanding of both sides of the media machine, having been a celebrity target for journalists and now commissioning stories on the stars of today. She admits that the power of the media came as a shock when she was younger as coverage of her Miss World success was not universally positive. “I went from being a daughter and a sister in a household to becoming the face of the country,” she says. “Winning Miss Tanzania was great, but there was a backlash when I made the Miss Universe final six. I
Problem solving at Jenga Hub
was an underdog and not one of the pageant favourites so there was some surprise and scepticism at my success. I didn’t entirely disagree.”
Books for a new generation Now Nancy has come to appreciate the media is a business. “You write something to get clicks and hits,” she says. “I understand now that’s just how it is.” However, she also believes there are different approaches and Bongo5.com, for all its celebrity hearsay, does appreciate that with power comes responsibility. “We back up what we put out to provide timely, credible information for young people. With social media anyone has access to fame and I have qualms around that. Our writers have something to say. Everyone wants to be famous, but we can be great.” For all her championing of online content, Nancy says she is “old-fashioned” at heart and grew up getting her information from books. The stories she loved best were local tales of strong women that inspired her own dreams of making a mark on the world. When her daughter, Zuri, was born, Nancy was keen that airtanzania.co.tz / 23
/ Nancy Sumari
With daughter, Zuri
she would also be exposed to African female role models as she began reading. However, she struggled to find a modern work that collected such traditional, lesson-packed stories. So, in keeping with the can-do attitude that has informed her entire career, she decided to write that book herself.
Inspiring children She says: “I wanted Zuri to have that culture, but the local stories I grew up on didn’t seem to be in any of the books out there. I asked myself: What are you doing about it? I write. I read. I can give this a go. I spoke to young girls and women in the community and found inspirational examples of excellence in everyday life.” The result was Nyota Yako (Your Star), a tribute in poem form to the great women in the Tanzanian society and designed to inspire Zuri and many more children like her to pursue their path in life. She has now written two more books, Haki – which teaches young people to know the rights that protect them as set out in the Law of the Child Act 2009 – and the recently released Samia, which reveals the early years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Nancy is delighted the country has its first woman president, but what struck her most and inspired her to tell Samia’s story for children, was an interview the premier gave in which she revealed that her early academic years gave little suggestion of the political heights she would reach.
Capturing a moment in history “With my third book I wanted to capture a moment in history and examine what it means that we have a female president,” she says. “I wanted to show that it is a journey with struggle and pain, wins and losses just like everyone else’ story is like that. There is no straight line. The President has been very open about the fact she didn’t do well at school and her struggles with her expectations of herself. But it didn’t put her off. She worked very hard and transformed into a formidable leader.
24 / Twiga
/ Nancy Sumari
“To research the book, I went to Zanzibar where she was brought up and met and talked to some of her family. Once the book was published, I even went to the school the President attended and gave out copies.” Nancy has done much herself to reach pupils who feel left behind or lost in the school system, and she believes in President Hassan the country has a leader in place sympathetic to her cause. Nancy set up The Neghesti Sumari Foundation with her husband, serial entrepreneur Luca Neghesti, to give the power couple an “avenue to give back”. Both have “different paths and passions” and from the start Nancy’s projects were geared towards women, children and education. Chief among them has been The Jenga Hub – a community of afterschool clubs and workshops that use elements of technology, coding and robotics to make learning fun, engaging and give children future-ready skills. What began as one club in Dar es Salaam has grown to 50 clubs at schools across six regions the country and with almost 10,000 children taking part. In 2017 it was presented with the Tigo Digital Change Maker Award.
Teaching tech
Jenga Hub was devised as a pathway for children to leverage technology. It has become such an integral part of our lives now and we want children to interact with it, learn from it and help develop it You can’t revamp a curriculum overnight. We have to prove our methods work. We are stepping in the right direction, and we have the right leader.”
Skills to change the world If you can’t get to one of the school clubs, the Jenga Hub website does offer some challenges to try at home such as combining Coca Cola and Mentos for volcanic results. Another recent development has been the setting up of Designathon workshops where children use the problem-solving skills they have been honing at Jenga Hub to tackle environmental issues such as water shortages, the circular economy and food production. Nancy believes the events show children the real-world value of the
Nancy presenting at a Jenga Hub event
skills they are learning and she has been astounded at quality of the inventions on display. “I am always amazed at how relevant they are and yet somehow how out of the world,” she says. “Sometimes we assume they are just children, but they are engaged changemakers and humans and inventors. We need to mentor those voices to ensure they are heard.” While Nancy may head to London or many other foreign cities as a member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community or an Obama Leaders Africa fellow to sharpen her skill set, she’ll always be a Mererani girl. “Spending time with family takes the cake. As often as I can, I sneak out there.” While it is no longer home, she has made a life of convincing others that they have a treasure deep inside them and that they must find a way to dig it out. If you are interested in joining a Jenga Hub club or want to try one of the jenga@home challenges for yourself, visit jengahub.com You can also order Jenga Kits for the classroom and home with plenty of puzzles to master. Email info@jengahub.com for more information.
“Jenga Hub was devised as a pathway for children to leverage technology. It has become such an integral part of our lives now and we want children to interact with it, learn from it and help develop it. They are not just playing games; they are making them. We want kids to come up with ideas, not just to drill learning into them.” The Jenga Hub team has 300 teachers trained to deliver its design thinking curriculum and Nancy is now looking ahead to see how it can be integrated into the national curriculum and even reach pupils in the remotest parts of the country. “We need the government if we are going to ensure that no child is left behind. The sweet spot is offline as not everyone can access data. We want access for all. “The response has been positive. airtanzania.co.tz / 25
Comoros islands
WHICH OF THE COMOROS ISLANDS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Evgeny Shulin / Shutterstock.com
Zanzibar may grab the headlines, but it’s not the only Indian Ocean island paradise Air Tanzania serves. All the independent Comoros Islands – Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Mohéli (Mwali), and Anjouan (Ndzuani) - have much to offer the adventurous tourist, from pristine beaches, rugged volcanic landscapes, rare wildlife, perfumed forests, tasty local food and captivating culture. So, which one should you choose? Here’s how to find the best island for your holiday criteria.
The one to soak up the archipelago’s historic culture in style Grande Comore
Why: If you are looking for a remote island paradise, but still want to enjoy plenty of creature comforts, Grande Comore – known to locals by its Swahili name Ngazidja – is for you. It’s the largest island of the archipelago and its capital, Moroni, with a population of around 60,000, is by far the biggest and most cosmopolitan city with a vibrant culture. It’s here you’ll be most likely to hear music acts playing twarab – a funkier, dance driven version of Zanzibar’s taarab – at concerts or weddings, which are huge, lavish events on Comoros. You’ll
also get to browse and buy locally made arts and crafts at Moroni’s daily Volo-Volo market, which also has a covered area of street food stalls selling local dishes that are a fusion of the islands’ African, French and Arabic heritage and make ready use of the islands’ bounty of spices and the daily haul of the fishermen that set out early each morning in their handmade dhows from the town’s bustling harbour. The main coastal thoroughfare, Rue des Corniches, has a few more sophisticated eateries that cater mostly for visitors and state officials – Moroni is the seat of the airtanzania.co.tz / 27
/ Comoros islands
Comoros government – with Mocafé with its to-die-for fresh patisserie and Restaurant a l’Escale with its ocean-view terrace are of particular note. Moroni is far from a modern metropolis. Most life still revolves around its medina – historic town centre – of weathered coral and stone buildings, some more than 500 years old. With its huge carved wooden entrance gates, narrow streets peppered with shops and cafes it can seem like a miniature version of Zanzibar’s Stone Town with tourist numbers even further downsized. Without the crowds, visitors can take their time to stroll the winding alleyways and absorb the romance and beauty of this city of living history. You can delve deeper into the history at the National Museum on Karthala Boulevard. Much of its exhibition space is given to the Arabic influence on Comoros, which ushered in the islands’ trading hey-day and is still felt today. Almost all Comorians are Sunni Muslims and worshippers can be seen filing in and out of Moroni’s many mosques, with the oldest and largest being the Ancienne Mosquée de Vendredi, which looms over the neighbouring medina and harbour. It was originally built in 1427, but its eye-catching design that looks like a gleaming set of upper and lower teeth clamped together had an architectural scrape and polish from the French in the 1920s to pay tribute to those islanders killed fighting for them during the First World War. It’s still the centrepiece of the city with people filing in and out for prayers and its front steps a popular gathering spot. Moroni is on the coast, but if you are after the paradise-like beaches the islands are known for you’ll need to cross to the east coast to Chomoni, which is an Instagram-ready combination of black volcanic rock, vanilla sands and turquoise waters. A little further up the coast, you’ll also find the village of Bouni, which presents its spectacular beach in a thrilling reveal after you have made your way densely packed palm trees. There is lots to enjoy on the largest island in the Comoros, including visiting a ylang-ylang plantation and distillery, Lac Salé, the ruins of the 18th century
28 / Twiga
sultan’s palace at Singani. At Itsoundzou enjoy views of the seven volcanic cones of Diboini, and head north for the dramatic Dos du Dragon (Dragon’s Back) rock formations. The historic town of Iconi is also worth a look for its massive mosque with a similarly huge swimming pool that fills up with seawater at high tide. Highlight: You can’t miss Mount Karthala. At just over 2,300 metres this (very) active volcano looms over Grande Comore. Since the beginning of the 19th century it has averaged an eruption every 11 years. The last occurred in 2005 and lasted 14 days! The years of lava flow have left a bizarre yet spectacular landscape for hikers to traverse on their way to the top. Guided trips can be organised and with an early start you can get up and down in a day, but it is a testing climb and some tour companies offer the welcome rest and incredible experience of camping overnight inside the crater. However, given another eruption is a good five years overdue, you may prefer to keep your visit brief! Stay: If you are sticking around in the capital, the Retaj Moroni Hotel is a good option with a lovely outdoor pool, lush garden and ocean views (but no beach). A few miles north is the Golden Tulip, the only four-star accommodation to be found on the islands, which has its own private beach and a wealth of water sports on offer with which to enjoy it. If you really want to get away, the opulent Al Camar Lodge on the northern tip of Grand Comore is a haven of tranquillity.
The one that is a feast for the senses Anjouan (Ndzuani)
Why: Anjouan could well be the most attractive island of an archipelago that has beauty in spades, combining the historic port towns of Grande Comore with the virgin natural attractions of Mohéli. It also smells just as good as it looks with the fertile island home to plantations of aromatic cloves and ylang-ylang, Anjouan’s most important export. You are sure to pass through many fragrant fields and forests hiking to the normally cloud-covered summit of 1595m Mount Ntingui, the highest point on Anjouan. On a rare clear day, it affords a view over all islands of the archipelago. The trek will also take you through Moya forest and Lac Dzialandzé. All are protected within the Mount Ntingui National Park. These highlands are also a birdwatcher’s dream and home to indigenous species such as Comoro pigeons, Anjouan scop owls and Anjouan sunbirds. Other natural features to take in include Tratringa waterfalls, which attracts visitors for its beauty and locals to get their laundry done. If you’d rather not hike the mountainous and dense terrain of Anjouan there is a road that circumvents the island and
/ Comoros islands
The one for nature lovers Mohéli (Mwali)
car hire is available. The most attractive stretch heads up to Col de Moya with views over the wild coastline. Don’t be surprised to see local youngsters speeding past you in the opposite direction, racing down in carts made out of soapboxes. Moya also has one of the pick of the island’s many lovely beaches. Anjouan’s capital, Mutsamudu, has a historic citadel and the medina, to explore and is a lively place, especially around its port.
Why: The smallest island of the Comoros teems with life, but very little of it is human, which means the rare tourist is treated to a paradise of wildlife on arrival. Here you can hike through virgin rainforest that is home to the enormous Comoros flying fox (its wingspan reaches 1.5m), walk deserted beaches where giant sea turtles come to nest, and snorkel amid pristine coral reefs where you can see Manta rays, dolphins, sharks, and even rare dugongs if you are lucky. Humpback whales are well aware of the attraction of the place. They come here from Antarctica in their thousands from late July to October. Such diverse and unusual wildlife and its habitat is protected here. The Parc Marin de Mohéli, the Comoros’ first national park, was created to preserve
Highlight: The sweet, jasmine-like scent of ylang-ylang will fill your nostrils as you explore the island. The sent is almost overpowering when you come across piles of the freshly harvested green flowers that are so prized by the world’s parfumiers in villages across the island. You’ll also find women – wearing a beauty mask of sandalwood paste to protect their faces from the sun and dressed in a Shiromani, a sari-like traditional dress often red to represent the Anjouan flag, selling sun-dried cloves. Stay: In Mutsamudu, the Hotel Al-Amal, occupies a prime location with wonderful sea views. There is also the chance to see flying foxes swooping amid the trees in the hotel grounds as darkness descends. If you can’t drag yourself away from the paradise-like beach at Moya, the thatched seaside cottages of Le Hotel Sultan are a good overnight option.
the coral reefs on the island’s south coast and its work has spread on land with 10 villages combining to help save endangered species such as the flying foxes and turtles. As you’d expect in such an untouched environment, the beaches are something else. Two of the most beautiful on Mohéli are Sambadjou and Nioumachoua, while the beach at Itsamia is the nesting ground of sea turtles. Most human life on the island gathers at Fomboni, the largest town on the island. It’s still a quiet and laidback place, but worth checking out for its market and harbour and the chance it offers to soak up life being lived. The locals on Mohéli tend to be more reserved than their neighbours on Anjouan and Grande Comore but they are sure to give you a friendly welcome. Highlight: Taking to Mohéli’s only sealed – and virtually empty road – by bicycle is not to be missed. You’ll find beautiful natural sights at every turn of the head, welcoming villages to drop in on and you’ll never be too far from a picturesque waterfall or deserted beach when you want to cool off. Stay: Laka Lodge. Situated within the marine park and with villas and suites just footsteps from its own private beach, Laka Lodge is the place to stay in Mohéli. From here you can organise plenty of activities to make the most of the island’s natural wonders – from reef diving, swimming with humpbacks (in season), bike hire, hiking and an early morning trip to see sea turtles laying their eggs.
GETTING THERE Air Tanzania flies in to the islands’ biggest airport, Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport, in Hahaya on the outskirts of Moroni, three times a week. From Grande Comore there are island hopping options to Mohéli and Anjouan via chartered flight or ferry. Boat crossings are dependent on weather conditions so best to factor in potential delays or cancellations when you make plans. Visit airtanzania.co.tz to book your trip or call free on 0800 110 045 for more information.
airtanzania.co.tz / 29
Zanzibar real estate
Why Stone Town should be your next
INVESTMENT
LOCATION
Stone Town’s unique buildings are a living monument to Zanzibar’s fascinating history, but that ageing architecture is crumbling. However, financial consultant Samiha Zahor reveals recent governmentbacked incentives for investors should usher in more renovation projects that preserve these buildings and add to the historic city’s unique portfolio of luxury hospitality options.
Z
Samiha Zahor believes there has never been a better time to invest in Zanzibar real estate
anzibar has been on the news for all good reasons lately. It was named Africa’s Leading Travel Destination by the World Travel Awards 2021, reflecting the speed at which tourism returned to normal here after the Covid-19 pandemic and the relaxed incentives that the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority(ZIPA) has announced for worldwide firms and individuals willing to invest in this beautiful archipelago. Zanzibar has long been renowned for its pristine beaches and this is where investors have been drawn to in establishing beautiful waterfront properties ranging from between nine to 200- key hotels, mostly on the northern (Nungwi and Kendwa) and southern (Paje and Jambiani) coasts of Unguja. Over the past few months, the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) – along with its subsidiary ministries
and ZIPA – has intensified its work to unleash the unexplored potential that Zanzibar has at different capacities. The hope is that this will in turn boost the economy, which inevitably leads to a higher GDP, more jobs for locals, more tourism and better infrastructure.
Homes with a history But first, let’s go back to history. Over the past 400 years, this archipelago has been ruled by a number of different regimes, including the Portuguese, the Sultanate of Oman, the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the British Empire. In the 19th century trade flourished and there were a lot of immigrants from Oman, India and Persia. Many of these merchants settled specifically in Stone Town on Unguja, triggering the port’s development. That influence is still very visible today for anyone exploring the historic town. Anyone who walks into a basic residential airtanzania.co.tz / 31
/ Zanzibar real estate
property in Stone Town will see it is not your typical duplex house. It will most likely be made with “coral rock” mined from the Indian Ocean, then you’ll see a beautiful Zanzibari sofa set, a few steps further in and you’ll encounter an ornate spiral staircase made of very strong wood and which leads you to the bedrooms. Other distinguishing features include the roofs and ceilings in Stone Town, which are quite narrow and high as they were made using mangrove poles. Stone Town is not only one of the main tourist attractions in Zanzibar but it has also been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2000. Here you’ll find a fusion of cultures and exploring its maze of narrow streets you are sure to stumble across a curio shop selling antique Arabic-style furniture at the same time as local hand-made bracelets using Maasai beads.
Tourism boost The RGoZ – through the Stone Town Development Authority (STDA) – has made efforts over the years in trying to maintain the history and heritage of Stone Town specifically, however due to uncontrollable situations it is also visibly evident that some of these buildings need dire rehabilitation and restoration. Stone Town has around 2,700 buildings which fall under
different categories of ownership – Government owned, National Housing Corporation, Trust Wakf Commission and private individuals. Therefore, in an effort to make sure the value and sustainability of this outstanding attraction is preserved, the RGoZ, through the Ministry of Tourism & Heritage, is inviting international investors in phases to put their money in commercial and residential properties in the historic town. The procedure will be carefully controlled by the government, which will ensure the local individuals who own buildings receive the best value for their property. This is undoubtedly a great move since refurbishment of these buildings is going to give a boost to tourism and create more jobs for locals, all while highlighting the diversification within Stone Town. To note, there has already been significant investment in Stone Town by various investors. The town has radically changed over the years, and it is only fair to give credit to both the Government and investors from the private sector for ensuring the culture and heritage is maintained. Excellent examples include the Emerson chain that runs the Emerson by Hurumzi and Emerson Spice hotels in the heart of Stone
Swahili style at the Zanzibar Coffee House
Town. Both have been transformed beautifully from the former homes of merchants into luxury state-of-the art boutique hotels while maintaining a Zanzibari touch and feel. Both the hotels also boast exquisite rooftop restaurants that afford breathtaking view over the city and to the ocean. Emerson Spice also has a sister restaurant nearby called The Secret Garden which hosts regular live bands and has a cool ambience that gives off serious ruins vibes (the good kind!)
Wonderful renovations
The Emerson Spice Tea House offers priceless views across the Stone Town rooftops
Other examples include Zanzibar Coffee House, a 19th-century Arabic House sensitively renovated as a hotel and café. Sipping on a Zanzibari spiced coffee from its rooftop terrace is certainly a Stone Town experience not to be missed. Let’s not also forget the beautiful Kholle House, which is literally a hidden gem, tucked away just behind the Old Dispensary and a three-minute walk from the port. It was built by a princess in 1860 and is now a stunning boutique hotel. With Zanzibar opening its doors to global investments alongside the ZIPA incentives, there is no better time than now to consider Zanzibar for your next business venture.
Samiha Zahor is the CEO and founder of Sazali Consultancy, a Zanzibar-based company of accountants and consultants. She specialises in connecting global investors to business opportunities in Zanzibar. For more information, visit the website sazali.co.tz or @sazaliconsulancytz on Instagram.
32 / Twiga
Maua Mazuri
A new culture of growth for
THE BANANA INDUSTRY
Maua Mazuri is turning bananas into big business in East Africa. From its state-of-the-art lab in Moshi the Tanzanian company is using tissue culture to provide small-scale farmers with disease-free, exportquality banana plants as well as financing and farming plans to take their production to the next level. Mark Edwards talks to its chief executive, Jack Langworthy (left).
T
anzanians are bananas about bananas. The nutritional powerhouse, packed with energy-giving carbohydrate and heart-healthy potassium, is a staple of diets here and you’ll even find the plant’s leaves used as cattle feed, to provide roofing for homes or as a platter to serve food on. Jack Langworthy, an American who has spent most of the past decade living and working in the country, has become well aware of the high regard the fruit is held in here. “When my wife Sarah, who is Tanzanian, gave birth to our daughter, our family and friends nourished her with mtori, a plantain [cooking banana] soup, for weeks on end,” he says. “It was what Sarah’s mama had
eaten and her mama before that. The nutrition, energy and flavour in a Tanzanian banana are world class.” With his work focusing on business development in East Africa, Jack was also struck by the fact that the huge domestic demand for bananas was mostly met by smallholder farms across the country, yet Tanzania had little in the way of an export market. “Tanzania is a [global] top-ten producer in terms of national tonnage, however, we consume 99 per cent of what we produce,” he tells me. “Latin American countries like Guatemala or Colombia, with a similar production of about four million metric tonnes, have multi-billion dollar export industries. Tanzania consumes that same amount domestically.”
Producing bananas here in even greater numbers and of exportgrade quality has been hindered in the past by poor plant genetics and the spread of pests and diseases. Inefficiencies in farming practice for a crop Jack reports is often treated as “a hobby” rather than a business have also hampered yields.
A boost for banana farmers Preparing the tissue cultures in the Maua Mazuri laboratory
Now Jack is part of move to commercialise the industry and help smallholder banana farmers go from subsistence to life-changing income. This is what he does. The Californian admits “farming is not in my blood. I like economics, tech and data sets very much, though, and I’ve applied those interests into airtanzania.co.tz / 33
/ Maua Mazuri
The seedling has a monthly multiplication rate. So, for example, if we multiply two seedlings with a multiplication rate of three, we will have six seedlings after one month. But because the growth is compounding, we get tens of thousands of seedlings in later generations
Tanzanian agriculture”. He made his name with Ninayo, the online trading platform for Tanzanian maize farmers, which attracted the investment of Garett Camp, the co-founder of Uber, and was later acquired by the global transport company’s incubator Expa Labs.
Healthy plants and lots of them Jack’s latest East African project is Maua Mazuri. As its chief executive he oversees a state-of-the-art lab and nursery in the fertile Kilimanjaro region with a team of scientists and expert farmers set on producing premium quality and disease-resilient plantlets and seedlings to take African agriculture to the next level. The company name translates from Swahili as ‘beautiful flowers’ and was inspired by the popular Tanzanian lullaby “Maua Mazuri yapendeza”. While floriculture products won’t be part of operations until late next year, the Moshi nursery has been producing superior planting materials for fruits and vegetables such as mango, papaya, tomato, pineapple and cassava since 2009. However, in the past two years, with the arrival of Maua Mazuri’s tissue culture laboratory, the focus has been on bananas. Here in the stateof-the-art lab scientists can isolate a healthy banana plant seedling and create the ideal conditions for it to multiply identically.
Tissue culture explained Jack explains the process as akin to creating “photocopies” of good plant genetics. He says: “Tissue culture is a non-GMO method for multiplying healthy seedlings. In practice, we isolate the corm [plant stem] of a healthy banana plant seedling, near the root. We place that seedling in a nutrient-rich agar, under exact pressure, light and temperature conditions. The seedling multiplies each month, with that exact genetic identity. “The seedling has a monthly multiplication rate. So, for example, if we multiply two seedlings with a multiplication rate of three, we will have six seedlings after one month.
34 / Twiga
Images courtesy of Maua Mazuri / Maua Mazuri
(Far left) Tissue culture allows for many multiples of healthy seedlings
(Left) Mau Mazuri nursery staff surrounded by hardening banana seedlings
But because the growth is compounding, we get tens of thousands of seedlings in later generations.” The banana plantlets remain in the lab for around six months and then half that time again at Maua Mazuri’s Mbosho nursery semi-hardening in the greenhouse and getting used to natural living conditions. They are then available to Tanzanian farmers, who should see transformational results. These bananas are resistant to diseases that have plagued production of the crop across the globe and harvest faster and with far greater yields. Maua Mazuri advertises its services with the tagline ‘make your acre your money maker’ and Jack says: “Poor genetics plague most farms. Our tissue culture specifically addresses the genetics of planting material, but it also helps farmers fetch higher market prices, as the bananas harvest uniformly, making it easier for buyers to manage their logistics. The return on investment per acre, over 30 months is good, roughly four times the return on investment. You’ll be hard pressed to find anything like that in the stock market. “There are hundreds of farmers who have purchased our seedlings across Tanzania and Kenya. Our seedlings are yielding harvests with 95 per cent accuracy, which beats the
Sharing best farming tips
industry standard.” Creating a quality product that farmers can trust is paramount at Maua Mazuri. Tissue culture is not new to Africa, but Jack says there has been a history of unscrupulous supply that has exploited the continent’s agricultural industry. “Part of the reason it is so important to have a trusted tissue culture company is that after generation ten, the genetic quality of the seedling starts to decline,” he tells me. “There’s a big business of selling seedling genetics from generation 10 onwards to far flung places like Africa, because there will be no consequences for the seedling distributor.
Maintaining standards “Maua Mazuri cuts off our multiplication before generation 10 and we use PCR testing to assess the viral index in our seedlings. We pride ourselves on supporting our farmers through harvest, so that they come back again and again. As our customers are doing.” Maua Mazuri has the facilities and the expert staff to comply to such exacting standards. Jack has assembled a “passionate and capable” 84-strong team across the lab, farm and nurseries. The lab is entirely staffed by women, led by Chantal
Ndabigendgesere, who has spent over ten years running tissue culture labs in her native Burundi. Jack tells me the female dominance is deliberate and addresses an issue he became aware of on his introduction to Tanzania over a decade ago. “I came here as a Peace Corps volunteer and lived in a rural Ruvuma village teaching math from 2009 to 2011,” he says. “During that time, I became obsessed with the agriculture sector, but I also saw so many brilliant young women excel in math and science as well, but in the end there just wasn’t much opportunity for women with that background in Tanzania. Having a female-run lab at Maua Mazuri feels like it’s completing something.”
The Mau Mazuri lab is staffed by an all-women team
For all the expertise of his team, Jack is keen for people to understand that Maua Mazuri does not produce “magic seedlings” and that any farmer expecting simply to plant them and sit back and wait on their bumper harvest is going to be disappointed. These are organic living creatures that require water and nutrients. The onus is on the farmer to maintain them and space them in a way that maximises production on their land. Fortunately, Maua Mazuri’s duty of care extends far beyond the moment they hand over the nursery-hardened plantlets to the farmers. Jack says: “Tanzanian farmers can visit our demo farm and see the most effective banana farming techniques. We also invite our customers to our ‘Bwana Ndizi’ [‘Mr Banana’] WhatsApp group so that they have 24/7 access to our banana agronomist. Customers can share pictures of their progress and ask questions. Farming is dynamic, so it’s important they know how to address common problems like [leaf spot disease of banana plants] sigatoka, and our team is ready to answer the simple and complex questions that arise.” Maua Mazuri is also helping its customers cover the costs of its seedlings and confidently invest in their farms through Cycle Out of airtanzania.co.tz / 35
/ Maua Mazuri
Poverty (Coop), set up in partnership with NMB Bank. The initiative’s package of benefits includes a sales contract for the banana harvest, financing from NMB, Maua Mazuri seedlings and agricultural training and advice. Jack says: “I’m really proud of the Coop initiative as I’ve basically built my career around helping smallholder farmers earn more money, and this works wonders, and without any aid or charity. It’s the private sector partnering with farmers so that they can profitably manage their land.”
Revolutionary change The stage is set for a revolutionary change in banana production in East Africa which allows smallholder farmers to level up. Jack hopes Tanzania will see a similar growth in its banana export industry as it has recently experienced with its avocados. He also feels it is time that the vast majority of the population engaged in agriculture here see financial rewards for their efforts. He says: “Tanzania is in such a unique position in terms of agricultural development. It’s a beautiful thing that 80 per cent of the work force is in agriculture, working close
to nature. But it’s also tragic that smallholder farming traps families in a cycle of poverty.” Jack is buoyed by the willingness of larger industrial-scaled farms to come onboard Maua Mazuri’s mission to help uplift smallholder farmers. He recounts the example of an “amazing” farm and packhouse in Morogoro, which is owned by Tanzanian politician Abdullah Mwinyi. It produces highly prized golden yellow, sweet cavendish bananas for markets in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. “Those bananas are going to be export grade, and for quality reasons, the smallholder farmers surrounding him just won’t be at the same level and be able to access that market,” Jack says. “But the Honourable Minister Mwinyi is committed to using the packhouse, refrigerators and other equipment to help farmers near him optimise their harvests for the domestic market. He’s even looking into being a distributor for the seedling and leveraging the economy of scale in a way that will seriously raise the standard of living for neighbouring farmers in Morogoro. “I think we’ll see more of that.
Plantlets being prepared for the Maua Mazuri nurseries
Innovative models that are practical, profitable and lift up everyone.” Maua Mazuri is also looking to spread its influence across Tanzania’s agricultural heartlands with a training scheme in place for nurseries across the country to learn about and distribute the lab-raised banana seedlings. Jack says: “Getting our products available in all corners of this country is a goal we are rapidly approaching. Big banana producing regions like Mbeya and Bukoba have so much potential for tissue culture banana seedling distribution and farming.” Tanzanians may have a love affair with the banana, but now it seems it is time for the head to rule the heart, get serious about the fruit and reap its life-changing financial rewards. As Jack says: “Our clients aren’t farming because they love bananas, necessarily – it’s an investment. They are entrusting Maua Mazuri seedlings to grow and bear the fruits that will send their kids to school and provide for them happy and abundant livelihoods. I take that investment very seriously.” For more information on the Maua Mazuri seedlings and services, visit maua.mazuri.co.tz
Benefits of the banana Inexpensive, healthy and convenient – thanks a bunch, bananas! • • • • •
Rich in nutrients May improve blood sugar levels Helps digestion Low in calories, yet filling Potassium rich so good for you heart and blood pressure • Full of antioxidants • Contains electrolytes so helps in recovery from exercise • Easy to eat
36 / Twiga
Swahili story
Baraka ni kwa mwenye kushukuru Blessed are the thankful
BY LAURA PETTIE
The latest Swahili Story presented by Tanzanian writing collective Uwaridi is this morality tale by Laura Pettie. It centres on Shakaza, who is about to learn a valuable lesson after finding a mysterious box by the roadside. Soma endelea.
A
subuhi moja, Shakaza akiwa njiani kwenda kibaruani, aliliona boksi zuri la mbao kichakani, pembezoni mwa njia. Lilimvutia sana machoni. Shauku ya kujua kilichomo ilimchapa na mashaka yakamzonga. Kabla ya kulikaribia, Shakaza alimpigia rafikiye, Zoza, kumwomba ushauri. Zoza alimjibu, “Achana nalo tu, wewe hutaweza kulifungua.” Kweli, Shakaza aliachana nalo. Lakini, alipofika kibaruani, mawazo juu ya boksi lile hayakumtoka. Yalimng’ang’ania kichwani mithili ya nta. Akaamua kumsimulia mfanyakazi mwenzie. “Linaweza kuwa na mambo ya maana, ukirudi ulifungue tu.” Shakaza alitiwa moyo. Walakini, alipogeuka nyuma tu, yule mfanyakazi mwenzie alimsaliti kwa kumtuma mtu akalifungue lile boksi. Kumbe alipokuwa akizungumza na yule mfanyakazi mwenzie, kuna jamaa mfuta vumbi alikuwa akiwasikiliza. Shakaza alipoagana na mfanyakazi mwenzie, mfuta vumbi alimsogelea na kuanza kumpa maoni yake juu ya namna ya kulifungua hilo boksi. Shakaza alitaamali, mfuta vumbi alikuwa mtu dhalili, kulielewa boksi la aina hiyo ni jambo muhali. Akili moja ilimtuma kutomsikiliza kwani asingeweza kumsaidia. Kwa sababu hakuwahi kuliona boksi na zaidi ni mfuta vumbi tu. Akili nyingine ilimtaka amsikilize kwa makini pasi kumhukumu.
Akamsikiliza. Pamoja na yote hayo, Shakaza aliendelea kujishtukia; mtu kama yeye anawezaje kuokota boksi kama lile. Yeye ni nani hata aokote kitu kikubwa kama kile. Je, ataweza kweli kulifungua? Jioni ile alipotoka kibaruani, alikuta boksi likiwa limekwisha funguliwa. Shakaza alikata tamaa. Akaketi chini akijilaumu. Hata hivyo, alitokea mpitanjia aliyemkuta akilitazama lile boksi kwa huzuni. Mpitanjia alimshawishi sana alikague tena kujua kama kuna chochote kilichobakia. Shakaza alikubali na mpitanjia akajitolea kumsaidia. Katika harakati za kulikagua aliyakumbuka maelezo ya yule mfuta vumbi. Akagundua kulikuwa na sehemu nyingine iliyojificha kwa chini. Walipambana na mpitanjia hadi wakaifungua sehemu hiyo. Wakakuta bahasha yenye barua na hundi yenye jina lake. Shakaza aliruka kwa furaha ya ajabu sana. Alitoka mbio na ile hundi kwenda kusherehekea na rafikiye, Zoza. Alimsahau kabisa yule mpitanjia pale nje. Alipomaliza kuishangilia ile hundi, akaifungua barua na kukuta ujumbe uliomfahamisha, akienda peke yake atapata nusu theluthi ya pesa. Akienda na mtu aliyemsaidia atazipata pesa zote na ziada. Hapo ndipo Shakaza akakumbuka alitoka mbio pasipo kumshukuru mpitanjia hata kwa ahsante kavu. Chambilecho wahenga, mchama ago hanyeli huenda akauya papo.
Kwamba, msafiri hanyei kambi huenda akarejea hapo. Na sasa ilimpasa kurejea tena kwa mpitanjia yuleyule kuomba msaada ili aweze kupata pesa zote na ziada. Alipotoka nje mpitanjia hakuwepo. Shakaza alihuzunika sana. Akajifunza, kushukuru ni amali njema yenye kumpa mja vya ziada. Boksi ni wazo au fursa. Jifunze kuzichangamkia fursa kwa kutenda kwa maarifa badala ya kujaa hofu. Zoza ni watu wa karibu wanaokatisha tamaa wenzao. Mfanyakazi mwenza ni watu wanaosaliti wenzao. Mfuta vumbi ni watu wema wanaodharauliwa kwa kazi na hali zao. Mpitanjia ni watu wanaosahaulika baada ya kusaidia wengine.
Laura Pettie Laura Pettie, ni mwanacha hai wa Uwaridi na ni mmoja kati wa watunzi makini wa kike Tanzania. Hujulikana zaidi na wasomaji wake kama "Fundi mshona maneno". Ameshaandika vitabu viwili mpaka sasa - "Dira ya Moyo" na "Kiroba Cheusi". Pia ameshaandika visa zaidi ya 30 mitandaoni, ambavyo vimempatia wafuasi wengi kwenye kurasa zake za mitandao ya kijamii. Laura Pettie – known by her fans as "the tailor of words", is a member of Uwaridi with two published works, ‘Dira ya Moyo’ and ‘Kiroba Cheusi’. She has also written more than 30 stories for social media, which has gained her a large number of followers.
airtanzania.co.tz / 37
Phoebe Ouma
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO NAIROBI Artist Phoebe Ouma’s internationally renowned work elegantly entwines elements of African beauty, fashion and her hometown Nairobi. Her illustrations of some of the Kenyan capital’s most eye-catching attractions appear in a new coffee table book on the city. Here Phoebe shares some of those images and reveals why each location is so special to her in a personal and sensory guide to the ‘City Under The Sun’.
N
(Above) Village Market
(From left to right) Central Park Nairobi, Nyayo Monument, Nairobi National Park, Nairobi National Museum (Opposite) Karura Forest
38 / Twiga
airobi is a city I have called home for quite a number of years. A good part of my childhood has been spent in this vibrant place but it’s not until my recent years that I was able to truly see it and enjoy it in a different light. Growing up, Nairobi was dubbed ‘The City Under the Sun.’ I never understood why since I saw it quite passively as I would only leave the house to tag along as my parents ran errands. I always did enjoy getting dressed up and stopping to have a bite of something. A few things have changed since then in terms of how I see and indulge in the city. I still enjoy getting dressed up
and having a bite along the way but now I savour certain places in the city that have become an absolute favourite and have helped me see why it is so special. Getting dressed up is usually where it starts for me. It sort of sets the tone for my mood. Lately I’ve been enjoying a homegrown fashion brand known as CocoLili, which has an outlet in the Village Market mall. I like how it finds a way of making subtle nods to the city through its fun prints.
Karura Forest One of the places that has become a regular on my list is Karura Forest. I love how it helps me reset and enjoy
Images courtesy of Phoebe Ouma, CocoLili / Phoebe Ouma
airtanzania.co.tz / 39
/ Phoebe Ouma
(Below left) Ngong Racecourse (Middle) Central Park, Nairobi (Below) Nairobi Cityscape
nature. It is hard to believe you can find this little piece of paradise in the city. My favourite thing to do when I’m here is to ride a bike – it makes me feel like a little girl all over again. The good thing is if you don’t have a bike, you can always rent one for the day at one of the entrances to the park. It is such an affordable luxury you can offer yourself if you are ever in the city. As a creative I also love a place that can stimulate my visual senses and mind. There is no place that does this better for me than the Nairobi National Museum. My relationship with the museum started on a school trip. Once inside I couldn’t get enough. Not only did I get the chance of experiencing amazing art from up-and-coming local talent, but I also had the privilege of learning Kenya’s history on a deeper level. The museum offers something for everyone and is bound to leave you feeling enlightened. It always keeps me coming back for more.
Another amazing place that fills me with so much pride is Nairobi National Park right in the city. This is truly a novelty as no city offers anything quite like this. I didn’t visit until I was in my early twenties but it was certainly worth the wait. I truly wish that everyone gets the chance to enjoy a drive though the National Park at least once. I loved seeing the wildlife and I was filled with a sense of adventure. I also appreciate the fact that you don't have to go far from the city to enjoy this amazing place.
Nairobi Polo Club The next place on my list isn't that well known but can offer loads of fun. The Nairobi Polo Club hosts tournaments occasionally at the Ngong Racecourse. The best part is you don't have to be a member to enjoy some of the tournaments that are held here. I had the chance to go a few months ago. I’m not an avid sports watcher, but this experience was refreshing. The event really get your adrenaline going and it is an excuse to dress up as well. If you come dressed to impress you can even win a gift box. I usually like going with a friend as I feel it takes all the cheering up a notch. I've never been a person who enjoys going to malls but I feel like the Village Market is one of those places that has made me like them a little more. As an avid lover of local designers this place offers just that. You’ll never run short of a Kenyan
brand when you are here. I like how it has helped me get a hold of some statement pieces. There are also so many food joints that offer a local and global cuisine to choose from. It certainly offers a very diverse view of Nairobi. Central Park is one of the places I would visit regularly growing up and when I came back [Phoebe spent some years living in the US] to Nairobi it offered a sense of comfort and familiarity. The park exists alongside the CBD’s major road, Kenyatta Avenue. It is a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic and take in views of the city. Whether you wish to enjoy the city’s skyline or landmarks such as the Nyayo Monument you will find it all here. The park offers a great and memorable backdrop for photos. The cherry on top for me is when I get to take a stroll here in early October as this is when the Jacaranda trees are in full bloom and the city is adorned with beautiful lilac flowers. Whether you are looking for an art-filled experience to inspire you, something to calm your senses through the power of nature or unique fashion pieces to adorn yourself in Nairobi will always deliver.
Illustrations courtesy of CocoLili from their ‘Coffee Table Book’ written by Furaha Bishota and illustrated by Phoebe Ouma. The book will be available from January 2022 at CocoLili Africa store at Village Market. For updates, visit @cocoliliafrica on Instagram.
airtanzania.co.tz / 41
Cooking with Belinda Mkony
Baked honey mustard and rosemary chicken Twiga cookery columnist Belinda Mkony – aka ‘the Rebel Chef’ – is back with a one-pan French-African dish that is as tasty as it is easy to prepare.
S
o here’s an amazing one-pan chicken recipe. I’m a big fan of easy meals and what could be easier than throwing a whole chicken into a pan with vegetables, covering it with a tasty sauce and roasting it? This roasted chicken is marinated with a mustard rub and covered in a quick, easy and tasty homemade honey Dijon sauce. This recipe is made for sharing and there’s enough to feed an entire family. If you love honey mustard, you will absolutely adore this dish – it’s so flavourful and with its combination of sweet and savoury flavours will make you instantly happy.
42 / Twiga
All images courtesy of Belinda Mkony / Cooking with Belinda Mkony
Ingredients:
Mustard rub:
6 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 1 tablespoon olive oil
6 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
6 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
6 4 tablespoons honey
6 Salt and pepper to taste
6 2-3 tablespoons chicken stock
6 1 tablespoon of Tropical Heat Chicken Masala
6 1 tablespoon olive oil 6 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary 6 3 to 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, extra for garnish
6 1 tablespoon of paprika 6 1 tablespoon of freshly diced garlic
6 2 cups baby potatoes, whole 6 2 cups baby onions, whole
4. In a large bowl, whisk together Dijon and whole-grain mustard, honey, garlic, chopped rosemary and chicken stock. Set aside.
Step-by-step guide: 1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F (200°C) 2. Combine the mustard rub ingredients in a small bowl. Use your fingers to massage and coat the chicken, rubbing on both sides. Set your chicken aside and let it marinate for one to five hours. The longer the better – say it with me the longer the better (For me, that means at least 24 hours). 3. Toss the potatoes and onions in the same mustard rub and also set aside.
5. Place the chicken and vegetables on to your cast-iron pan or any baking dish you have available. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil to get it ready for baking in the oven. 6. Bake for the chicken and vegetables for 40 mins. 7. Remove the cooking pan from the oven, baste your chicken with the remaining prepped sauce by generously drizzling honey mustard sauce over the chicken dish. Add fresh rosemary sprigs. 8. Return to the oven and roast
for 10 mins to grill at 100°C until chicken is completely cooked through (internal temperature of 175°F). Keep the heat low and slow and keep an eye on your chicken to prevent it from burning. 9. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve immediately. The chicken will be juicy with a flavourful golden skin whilst the vegetables will be super soft and amazingggggg.
FOLLOW BELINDA To keep up with her latest recipes and events, visit Fork.Ur.Munchies on Instagram
airtanzania.co.tz / 43
Luxury travel
The benefits of
LUXURY TRAVEL
Julda Makundi knows all about travelling in style. Her Tanzanian travel company, Luxe By Elle, creates tailor-made luxury holidays and experiences for her exclusive clients in which everything is taken care of – from reservations at five-star hotels and award-winning restaurants, yacht charters and VIP access to the hottest clubs and bars – all with a chauffeur-driven vehicle to connect you. As well as classy adventures that join the dots between Tanzania and Zanzibar’s most glamorous hospitality options, Luxe By Elle offers its bespoke services worldwide in 11 regions. Here, Julda explains how to take a break like a boss.
Drink in the atmosphere at a luxury hotel bar If staying overnight at a five-star restaurant is beyond your budget for now, you can get a flavour of the experience with a fancy drink or two at the hotel bar. Julda says: “For a truly luxurious experience, I love the Level 8 rooftop bar at the Hyatt Regency in Dar es Salaam. The views across the heart of the city are breathtaking day and night. “Karambezi at the Sea Cliff Hotel also has incredible views, this time over the Indian Ocean from its cliff-top location. It reminds me of Santorini [Greek Island with rugged coastline]. “The nearby Café Blanc is also a very calming space to enjoy drinks. It has a beautiful ambience and is very fashion-orientated. There’s a huge choice of lattes and really good food.”
Try some unforgettable food There are some restaurants that go all out to make dining a very special
44 / Twiga
experience. When such customer focus is combined with cuisine that gives an authentic flavour of the region you are visiting, your meal becomes a true event. Julda says: “If we have clients flying in to Dar on a Friday, we always suggest they dine at the Hyatt Regency that evening because the five-star hotel runs a Swahili night. It’s priceless experience. You get a huge range of traditional dishes, live bands and it is all conducted with exemplary customer service.”
Personalise your experience A travel advisor who knows the place you are visiting well can schedule an itinerary of excursions or experiences that connect your interests with the local attractions. Julda says: “The majority of our clients want to be assisted so their stay is smooth and stress-free. My assistants and I can help with getting clients currency changes, sorting out a new sim card here. You can always count on us, whatever issues come
Curator of luxury experiences – Luxe By Elle founder Julda Makundi
up. We are there to help you plan the perfect vacation and save you from any problems that might come up during the trip.”
Stay in a five-star hotel
Travel in style with a chauffeur-driven vehicle
Let’s face it, holidays are special events – just a few weeks out of the year when you can treat yourself. So, staying at a hotel where you know all its staff go out of their way to make your stay as special as possible and make you feel you are more than just a room number is huge.
/ Luxury travel
Julda says: “Finding a top-class hotel in a prime area is very important. For our business travellers, we usually recommend the Hyatt or the Sea Cliff. “The Hotel Slipway is also very popular. It has its own excellent restaurants and its Msasani Bay location means there are opportunities on its doorstep for trips to the islands and yachting. The views from the rooms are incredible.”
Get an exclusive experience Nothing says VIP like having exclusive access to the best bars and clubs during your trip away. Julda says: “I have a really strong relationship with high end event organiser Str8 Up Vibes so I can get my clients exclusive access to the top shows and clubs even at the last minute – with no need for queues. We can even sort out bodyguards to ensure your exclusivity. It makes for nights out there are really special. In Dar we also work with clubs such as Maison and Elements, both of which have a great vibe and music.”
Let someone else do the driving Driving can be stressful, especially in a place where you are unfamiliar with the roads. A chauffeur takes those troubles away from the moment you come out of the airport and walk right by the rush for taxis. Julda says: “Getting chauffeured around in a vehicle with plenty of room to relax in the back is a special experience. You can stop wherever takes your fancy. If you see a café or bar that looks cute, you can be dropped right outside.”
I can get you behind the velvet rope at the best clubs with no need for queues even at the last minute Pamper yourself
Fly business or first class You don’t really want to waste the first day of your holiday catching up on sleep after a restless flight. Fly business or first class in a fully reclinable seat – even your own mini-suite – and arrive rested and refreshed. Julda says: “You can still do work and conduct meetings in the air in comfort. You’ll also benefit from expedited boarding, a nice glass of wine, a tasty meal and a few hours of shuteye.”
Relax in luxury at five-star hotels such as the Sea Cliff (top right)
Wellness is becoming an increasingly important part of our holidays. A good luxury holiday should factor in time to devote to your physical and mental health. Julda says: “Self-care is very important, especially after a long trip to a foreign place. Grab a massage or another treatment at a health spa or work out any stress with a gym session. These will also help you stay relaxed and upbeat to make the most of your holiday. In Dar, I love the Antara Spa at the Hyatt while the Colosseum Hotel and Fitness Club is a great place to work out or take part in a fitness class.”
To find out more about how Luxe By Elle can curate a luxury dinner, wedding, party or travel experience for you, visit @luxe.by_elle on Instagram. airtanzania.co.tz / 45
Legal eye
Crucial changes to the law regarding the employment of non-citizens in Tanzania With the Tanzanian government recently amending its non-citizen employment laws, Victory Attorneys breaks down the need-to-know changes
I
n an attempt to foster investment in Tanzania, the government has recently amended the Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act to create more favourable conditions for the employment of non-citizens. These changes are contained in the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 4 of 2021. The new amendments to the Act have brought significant changes to the employment of non-citizens. We’ve highlighted the most important below:
A) Incentives to investors Section 19 of the Act, which provided for incentives to investors, has been repealed and replaced with a new provision, which allows investors registered under the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) and the Economic Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) to employ up to ten non-citizens without being subjected to any conditions under the Act save for the requirement to pay prescribed fees. This means there is no strict condition of qualification for
the 10 non-citizen employees for the registered investors. Further, the amended Section 19 (2) of the Act provides that the immigrant quota shall not preclude the investor from employing other non-citizens provided that such employment complies with the employment ratio of one non-citizen to ten local employees and the investor has satisfied the Labour Commissioner that the nature of his business demands such number of non-citizens. Additionally Section 19 (3) of the Act, as amended, states that for an employer who is not a registered investor and the nature of business does not permit employment of local employees as per the required ratio, be subjected to the requirement of creating employment opportunities at the ratio of one non-citizen to ten local employees.
B) Validity of work permit Section 12 (4) of the Act has been amended by section 43 of the
Amendment Act by increasing the period of work permit validity from the previous five years to eight years. This means that the total period of validity of the first grant and its renewals should not exceed eight years. Therefore a non-citizen whose permit was to expire after the end of five years can now apply for a new permit up to three more years. Hence a non-citizen can be employed in Tanzania for a maximum period of eight years.
C) Issuance of permit through electronic system. Section 42 of the Act has amended Section 10 of the Act by adding new sub-section 4, which introduces an electronic system for applying and issuing work permits. That system is already operational and has been functioning for the past few months. For more information, call Victory Attorneys & Consultants on +255 752 089 685, email info@victoryattorneys.co.tz or visit its offices at 1st Floor, IT Plaza Building, Ohio Street/ Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
airtanzania.co.tz / 47
Migratory birds
THE EPIC
MIGRATION
of birds to East Africa As you sit back and enjoy your own soaring journey in the skies, it may bring you back down to earth to know that we are not the only high-flyers to cover such great distances. At this time of year, millions of birds escape the winter of the northern hemisphere for the tropical warmth to be had here. Twiga spotlights some of the birds that enjoy an African adventure from October to March and the amazing journeys that bring them this way.
airtanzania.co.tz / 49
/ Migratory birds
Common sandpiper
The ruff
This tiny wading bird’s tropical getaway of choice is the wetlands of East Africa. Here it can be seen foraging in the shallow waters for insects and crustaceans. If its distinctive three-note call or pudgy belly and short yellow legs don’t alert you to what it is you’re watching, the giveaway is the common sandpiper’s slightly NSFW habit of thrusting its lower body back and forth. The practise is known as ‘teetering’ and while each sandpiper takes up the repetitive movement for life as a chick, no ornithologist has yet determined any purpose to it all.
Between October and November ruffs arrive in East Africa in their millions, flying in huge flocks from their breeding grounds in the wetlands of northern Europe. Unfortunately, this means that birdwatchers here do not get to witness the male of the species’ flamboyant efforts to attract a mate. During the breeding season, male ruffs are quite the dandy. Their legs, bill and face turn orange, their head feathers rise to a punk-like tuft and the plumage around their neck grows to form an oversized collar that resembles the frilled ruffs fashionable in seventeenth century Europe and which give the bird its name. In fact, very few of the ruffs who make it to Kenya and Tanzania are males. It is the far smaller females who predominantly make the marathon journey as they are less able to tolerate the plunge in temperatures a European winter brings.
Average distance travelled: 5,902 km
Black Stork
Ospreys
This large, sturdy wading bird makes the most of its immense wings to soar on thermals from its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia to winter in East Africa. Though it usually makes that journey in flocks of more than 100 birds, once it arrives here, the black stork cuts a more solitary figure, venturing out alone or as a pair. They tend to inhabit open forests which have a water source nearby for foraging.
These raptors come to East and West Africa from their breeding grounds in Europe at the end of September and early October. It’s a long journey, but ospreys break it up with plenty of stops to rest and refuel. They head for beaches, lagoons, marshes and lakes and once they find a suitable place with plenty of tree stumps from which to survey waters with a steady supply of fish it becomes their winter home for years to come. Birdwatchers will often become quite familiar with the returning raptors.
Distance travelled: 5,667 km
50 / Twiga
Average distance travelled: 7,480 km
Average distance travelled: 7,500 km
/ Migratory birds
Willow warbler
Great Snipe
White-winged terns
This little bird may weigh little more than a match box, but it undertakes a truly huge journey, winging its way from the UK to sub-Saharan Africa. That’s a distance of more than 8,000 kms. As if that’s not enough, once its sojourn in the tropics is over, it flies all the way back! What does the continent have that spurs such an epic journey? Insects, and lots of them. The willow warbler loves to feed on bugs, which are in short supply during the UK winter, but there is an endless supply over here. Once March comes, the willow warbler returns to breed in the UK, where there are fewer birds competing for the same nesting sites and longer days to fill gathering food for their hungry chicks.
This small, beautifully camouflaged wading bird attacks its annual winter migration to sub-Saharan Africa like some kind of an adrenaline junkie extreme sports enthusiast. Despite starting out from the wetlands of Russia and Ukraine – a journey of around 6,800 km without a break – the Great Snipe reaches speeds of up to 97 km/h and has been recorded at a height of almost 8,700 metres (almost as high as Mount Everest). Flying so high and fast is even more surprising given the bloated state the snipe is in when it begins, having gorged itself with food to fuel the epic journey. The weight is soon burned off and the snipe arrives literally half the bird it was when it took off.
Like a football team with its contrasting home and away kits, the white-winged tern looks quite different when it is enjoying time in East Africa. From October to March while it is here its plumage is mostly white over the body with darker wings, a reversal of its appearance when breeding in southeast Europe and Central Asia when its body is mostly black with pale upper wings. You’ll generally find them here in or near fresh bodies of water such as lakes, ponds and swamps with plenty of surrounding vegetation. A spot such as Lutemba Bay, in Uganda, attracts a million-plus whitewinged terns each year. Here you’ll see them flying slowly over the water to pick up small fish close to the surface or catch insects in flight. Such a feeding practice distinguishes them from other terns that dive for fish.
Average distance travelled: 8,000 km
Average distance travelled: 6,800 km
Average distance travelled: 5,800 km
Between October and November ruffs arrive in East Africa in their millions, flying in huge flocks airtanzania.co.tz / 51
Tech
NEW YEAR
NEW TECH
Time and tech wait for the no man. A new year is here and with it comes a host of justlaunched gadgets that make life just that little bit more fun and convenient. Here is Twiga’s pick of the tech to look out for in 2022.
MOBILE PHONE
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Time to party like it’s 1999. Flip phones may have been the latest word in phone tech about 20 years ago, but they are staging a comeback powered by the latest invention in smartphone tech: foldable screens. The Flip3’s screen splits the display in two, so you can, for example, sit the phone on the table to watch videos. There’s also a small screen on the back so that you can see notifications when your phone is shut. It comes with an octa-core processor inside, plenty of RAM and a 120Hz display. Plus, it’s waterproof. You also get that tactile satisfaction of snapping open your phone to answer a call rather than tapping on a touchscreen. A retro joy worth a comeback. Where to buy: samsung.com Price: US$ 1,060
HEADPHONES
Nothing Ear earbuds These wireless earbuds may sound crystal clear, but there has been plenty of buzz surrounding their arrival. Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPad, and leading YouTube vlogger Casey Neistat have been among those getting very excited about these lightweight wireless earbuds that deliver exceptional sound quality for a wallet-friendly price. State-of-the-art active noise cancellation delivers the pure audio experience, and the earbuds look as good as they sound with transparent veneers revealing all the beauty of the technology at work within. Nothing sounds better. Where to buy: nothing.tech Price: US$ 130
52 / Twiga
/ Tech
VIDEO CONFERENCING Meeting Owl Pro
ALARM CLOCK NightWatch
If you are a heavy sleeper who owns an Apple Watch, the NightWatch might be a useful extra. This attractive orb of polished lucite houses your watch at night, magnifying its display to effectively turn it into an alarm clock. It also amplifies the watch’s sound to ensure its alarm rouses you from your slumbers. The NightWatch also charges your watch while you sleep so, like you, it ready for the day when the alarm sounds. Where to buy: amazon.com Price: US$ 84
SPEAKERS Sony HT-A9
With more films getting a straightto-streaming release or being made available online simultaneous to their time in cinemas, creating your own home cinema has never seemed a smarter idea. Sony’s new speaker system is designed for those that want to get serious wraparound sound to accompany the onscreen action without requiring a tangle of wires around the living room. The HT-A9 system is essentially a set of four wireless speakers that talk to a control box plugged directly into your TV. No need to rearrange your furniture or precisely position your speakers as the setup echolocates each speaker, calibrating them to you and your living room. The four speakers sound more like 12 thanks to the Dolby Atmos spatial sound mapping technology that will envelop the room. All you’ll need is some popcorn.
The Meeting Owl Pro is the ultimate conference camera, primed for a world that continues to work remotely with online meetings becoming a part of everyday life. Just like the nocturnal raptor the camera is named after; it can swivel its view 360 degrees and even lets out a ‘hoot’ when it is switched on. It’s a serious bit of kit, though, with eight microphones, an 18-foot audio pickup radius and an automatic zoom that responds to who is speaking at the time. That means the camera can track someone who is moving around the room while making a presentation and also train the camera on anyone who wants to ask questions. A great solution to bring your team together as homeworkers or across satellite offices. It can integrate with Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts and more. Where to buy: owllabs.com Price: US$ 1,330
Where to buy: sony.com Price: US$ 2,130
airtanzania.co.tz / 53
Sound and vision
Faysal’s blog
It was in 2017, I had just completed my undergraduate degree and it was the perfect time for me to decide my future. As a young adult, all that was in my mind was a way to secure a fruitful future and I thought, even though there are well over 100 countries in the world, there is no better place to make it than here. Tanzania has the perfect blend of all the things I love – adventure, friendly people, interesting culture, a relaxed pace of life, and some of the most amazing nature and wildlife spots. Everyday life in Tanzania is fairly laid back and easy going but, as with anywhere in the world, there are pros and cons. Upon my arrival back, I started exploring different opportunities living in Tanzania for both expats and locals. The country, being subdivided in different zones, offers lots of opportunities. I discovered that for those looking to work there are a lot of employment opportunities in the manufacturing, IT and tourism sectors and for those who want to invest and do business then agriculture, mining, and consumer goods would be the best options. The country’s good tropical weather, general safety and affordable cost of living are the things that attract most people when moving here. Even though the majority opt for cities with high concentration of people and services such as Dar es Salaam, the country’s size means there is the opportunity for success no matter whether you are in an urban or a rural area.
54 / Twiga
FILM REVIEWS
Faysal Alao is a vlogger and tour operator from Tanzania living in Arusha. He uploads regular videos about his experiences and everyday lifestyle on his YouTube channel, ‘Lifestyle of Faysal’. You can also keep up with him on Snapchat @faysal_alao and Instagram @callmefays
BOOK REVIEWS
There’s no better place to make it than right here
MUSIC REVIEWS
Mark Edwards rounds up the latest releases to stream, screen and read
GREATNESS / Femi One Femi One has been a Kenyan favourite since she appeared on the 2014 remix of ‘Ligi Soo’ by King Kaka, who went on to make the Nairobi rapper the first signing on his Kaka Empire record label. However, in 2019 her fame catapulted across East Africa with the release of ‘Utawezana’, her saucy collaboration with fellow Kenyan Mejja, which saw millions of fans put their own dance moves to the track in a viral video ‘challenge’. That East African renown is cemented with the release of her album, ‘Greatness’, which invites many of the region’s biggest artists – including Tanzania’s Joh Makini – to contribute. It is Femi One who is the undoubted star here, showing surprising range over the 14 tracks, with her streetwise sheng raps gracing the gospel stylings of “Adonai’, her battle rap roots in the take-no-prisoners title track and ragga-driven dance in the irresistible single ‘Balance’.
KING RICHARD / Warner Brothers Many tennis fans will remember the cantankerous and mercurial figure Richard Williams cut courtside while his daughters, Venus and Serena, went about becoming two of the biggest and most successful players of the women’s game. This biopic offers a more sympathetic portrait of the larger-than-life figure – unsurprising given both the Williams sisters are listed as executive producers – who is brought to the screen by a stellar performance by Will Smith. It charts an incredible true story: how two talented black girls from inner city Los Angeles and their prickly father-coach shook up the predominantly white and middle-class sport of tennis. It’s an unashamed crowd-pleaser and you’ll be cheering and crying in equal measure.
AFTERLIVES / Abdulrazak Gurnah It was a proud day for East African literature when the Zanzibar-born Gurnah was awarded the Nobel prize in literature in October this year for a body of work that dates back to 1987 and includes 10 novels and many short stories. His latest work, Afterlives, returns to themes of colonialism and identity that have long preoccupied the author. It follows the lives of a disparate group of Tanzanians living under German rule at the beginning of the 20th century. Amid much cruelty and conflict with the shadow of the First World War approaching, we see them live, work and even fall in love. Gurnah exquisitely retrieves the past and brings it to life in vivid detail. It’s the work of a master storyteller and leaves you in no doubt of the author’s Nobel worthiness.
Arts column
MUSIC FOR THE EAGLES / Various Artists East Africa has one of the most vibrant underground dance scenes in the world right now. For proof, check out this latest collection put together by independent Ugandan record label Nyege Nyege Tapes. The 14 never-before-released tracks are an energetic, experimental and unpredictable delight. Tanzania is well represented with badass female MC Anti Vairas ricocheting her rap over madcap beats by French producer Vampi while Jay Mitta swaps singeli for bass-heavy ragga on ‘Wakube’ and Kidene Fighter leads the Chura dance on ‘Ugai Gai’. Other standouts include the futuristic acid dancehall of album opener ‘Gan Dem’ by Ratigan Era from Uganda and the assured Kenyan underground ‘shrap’ (rapping in sheng – a streetwise mix of Swahili and English) of ‘Shrap Over The Rest’ by self-proclaimed ‘shrap god’ Boutross. Don’t miss.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME / Marvel Films When his secret identity is revealed to the world, Peter Parker (aka web-slinging superhero Spider-Man) seeks the help of fellow Avenger Dr Strange to turn back time and restore his anonymity. However, the spell that is cast has the effect of creating a stack of alternate universes that allow the return of some of the teenage superhero’s deadliest foes, such as Dr Octopus and the Green Goblin, while also bringing together several incarnations of Spider-Man himself. It’s an ambitious idea sure to get anyone’s Spidey-sense tingling in an effort to make sense of it. Luckily, Tom Holland in the lead role treats all that comes before him with an engaging lightness of touch so we can jjust enjoy the ride.
THE OTHER BLACK GIRL / Zakiya Dalila Harris This debut novel from US writer Harris was one of the most hotly anticipated releases of 2021 and it does not disappoint. The slick and satirical thriller centres on twenty something editorial assistant Nella Rogers. The only black employee in a New York publishing house, she feels isolated and the target of regular office microaggressions. She’s delighted then when the Harlem-born and bred Hazel joins the team and they soon bond. However, Hazel soon starts jumping the ranks while Nella becomes even more marginalised. When threatening notes start being left on her desk, Nella even begins to think that Hazel could be behind them, or that even more sinister forces are at play. Anyone who has ever been overlooked in the workplace is going to love this twisting tale.
Finding New Shapes – an artistic approach to environmentalism Rebecca Mzengi Corey is the Director of Nafasi Arts Space in Dar es Salaam and Twiga’s arts columnist. You can visit Nafasi Art Apace online at www.nafasiartspace.org and instagram @nafasiartspace. “Art arises when the secret vision of the artist and the manifestation of nature agree to find new shapes.” Renowned writer and painter Khalil Gibran’s quote has fascinated me since I first came across it. He suggests that art can be seen as an agreed collaboration between humanity and nature. How different an understanding this is to the one we are used to, in which people act upon nature, mould it, take from it and then later decide whether or not it is worth ‘saving’. For the past three months at Nafasi Art Space we have been running a project called ‘New Shapes’ in which artists reimagine our relationship with nature, in search of improved models of living and creating. It examined how our work and family lives, history, and culture connect us to (or separate us from) the land and provide models for environmental harmony and balance. The programme culminated in a week-long trip to Choma Village in the Uluguru Mountains. There, artists and curators lived with families who are primarily farmers and agriculturalists. They met with waLuguru elders, who shared their culinary practices, memories, and insight into the beliefs of the community. In the span of just a few days, the artists were able to experience a shift perhaps only temporary, but significant in their own personal orientations towards nature. Back in Dar es Salaam, artists such as Baraka Leo, Liberatha Alibalio and James Choga created work inspired by their time in the mountains. You can find out whether these artists were able to discover new shapes at an exhibition which runs at Nafasi until January 10, 2022. Appointments are available by contacting the Nafasi Office via Instagram @nafasiartspace or through the website at nafasiartspace.org
(Left) Painting by James Choga (Right) Work by Temela Hassan
airtanzania.co.tz / 55
Kids’ fun and puzzles
WORD SEARCH OCEAN ANIMALS
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
SQUID WHALE HERMITCRAB SHARK TURTLE MANTARAY OCTOPUS DOLPHIN CRAB SEAHORSE LOBSTER Find the ten differences between the first and second pictures of the jellyfish below
DOT TO DOT Follow the dots to finish the image and see what sea creature is hiding below
airtanzania.co.tz / 57
Sign up to Twiga Miles now and get 1,000 free points!
And that’s just the beginning of your savings as every subsequent flight you take will earn you more points, which can all be redeemed towards future free flights across Air Tanzania’s domestic and international network of destinations. The amount of points you will earn depends on your ticket type, fare class and destination. As a Twiga Miles member each flight you take will also help you climb through the ranks of our tier system. With each tier upgrade, you’ll get access to even more varied and valuable benefits. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up at www.airtanzania.co.tz now.
Member Benefits
There’s never been a better time to take advantage of Twiga Miles, Air Tanzania’s loyalty programme, with all new members who sign up before May 19 this year getting a welcome pack of 1,000 points as soon as they take their first flight.
BLUE
SILVER SELOUS
GOLD SERENGETI
Start earning points towards a free flight with Air Tanzania.
Members will earn 25% more points than Blue members on each flight they take.
Members will earn 50% more points than Blue members on each flight they take.
Free extra 5kg baggage allowance on domestic flights
Free extra 10kg baggage allowance on domestic flights
Priority check-in at Dar, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports
Priority check-in at Dar, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports
Priority membership baggage tags that ensure your bags are first on conveyor belt at your destination
Priority membership baggage tags that ensure your bags are first on conveyor belt at your destination
FAQS How do I enrol? Visit airtanzania.co.tz or contact our call centre on 0800 110 045. Will I get a membership card? Cards will be issued to Silver Selous and Gold Serengeti members. How long does it take for my points to be transferred to my account? Your points will have been transferred
to your account no later than 72 hours following your flight. How long do my points remain valid? Until the end of the third calendar year following the date you earned them. For example, points earned in June 2021 remain valid till the end of 2024. How can I spend my points? You can spend your points by clicking
on “Use My Points to Buy” section under the payment options tab for the tickets you are going to buy on our website at www.airtanzania.co.tz Twiga Miles is only for passengers aged 18 and above. The scheme applies to all Air Tanzania destinations. Air Tanzania reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions of the campaign. All users participating in the campaign are deemed to have read and accepted these rules.
airtanzania.co.tz / 59
Travel information
Before take-off Taking your first flight is certainly exciting, but can also become a source of stress for those who are unfamiliar with the rules, procedures and customs of flying. To prepare yourself for your first flight, it is therefore important to get information on everything you need to do before and during your journey. Here is a useful pre-departure checklist.
1
Before departing, it is important to check the airline’s website for its hand luggage rules: weight, sizes and types of objects you can take on board. For example, as regards liquids, you are advised to carry these in your hand luggage, only in transparent, reseal able, plastic containers, not exceeding 100 ml. In this section, you will find information regarding the hand luggage permitted on your flights; if you have connection flights, we advise that you also check the websites of other airlines.
2
Arriving at the airport in advance (at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights)
will enable you to check in and board your flight calmly, without anxiety and without unexpected last-minute issues.
3
Check in online, if possible. If travelling with hand luggage alone, you can check in online and print or download your boarding pass which you must take with you directly to security checks. This will enable you to save precious time once at the airport and to go to the gate calmly. For further information, please visit the dedicated page.
4
Set your mobile to flight mode, as well as other devices connected to the internet that you are taking on board.
Cabin crew will remind you of this step before take-off. With flight mode set, you can still take photos of your unforgettable journey and you can also enjoy the in-flight entertainment system! To find out more, please visit the dedicated section.
5
If you suffer from motion sickness… you will only find out about it during your first flight! To prevent sickness from ruining your first flight on a plane, we advise you to take natural remedies, such as, for example, ginger tablets or gum to chew. Ginger is believed to have a anti-nausea properties. Otherwise, ask your doctor to prescribe you antihistamines with a sedative effect.
6
Enjoy the view! By choosing a seat near the window, you will see breath-taking landscapes and you can take photos of the exquisite white clouds you will be flying above. Try to take a nap. Sleeping on the plane will make time pass faster and you will arrive at your destination calm and rested.
7
8
Lastly, especially during take-off and landing, the change in pressure inside the cabin may cause discomfort in your ears. To prevent this discomfort, you are advised to stay awake during these manoeuvres and to chew gum or wear earplugs.
AIR TANZANIA FLEET National carrier Air Tanzania is justifiably proud of its revamped six-strong fleet. Here we take a close-up look at our aircraft with technical data and specifications.
BOMBARDIER DASH 8-Q400 Number of aircraft available: 5 Bombardier Seat capacity: (3 Bombardier) Business Class 6, Economy 70 (1 Bombardier) Business class 10, Economy 68 Number of flight-deck crew: 2 Range: 2,063 km (1,362 Nm) Typical cruising speed: up to 360 knots (414 mph or 667 km/hr) Wingspan: 93 ft 3 in (28.4 m) Length: 107 ft 9 in (32.8 m)
60 / Twiga
AIRBUS 220-300 (CS300) Number of aircraft available: 4 Seat capacity: Business Class 12 and 120 Economy Class Number of flight-deck crew: 2 Range: 6,112 km (3,300 Nm) Typical cruising speed: 470 knots (541 mph or 871 km/hr) Thrust per engine at sea level: 23,300 lbf / 103.6 kN Wingspan: 115 ft 1 in (35.1 m) Length: 127 ft (38.7 m) Interior cabin width: 129 inches (3.28 m)
BOEING 787-8 DREAMLINER Number of aircraft available: 2 Seat capacity: Business Class 22 and 240 Economy Class Number of flight-deck crew: 2 Range: 13,621 km (7,355 Nm) Typical cruising speed: 488 knots (561 mph or 903 km/hr) Thrust per engine at sea level: 64,000 lbf / 280 kN Wingspan: 197 ft 3 in (60.12 m) Length: 186 ft 1 in (56.72 m) Interior cabin width: 18 ft 0 inch (5.49 m)
Flying between COMOROS - AFRICA TANZANIA - TANZANIA AFRICA - INDIA AFRICA - AFRICA
hours ahead of your flight time for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.
Family travel
Passports and visas A valid passport or travel document that is valid for at least six months is required to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. Visitors will also require a valid visa upon arrival. There are a range of visas available depending on the nature and frequency of your visits, but a single entry visa can be obtained on arrival in Tanzania subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. There is a US$ 50 charge for the visa. For a full list of visas available and for countries for which special terms exist, visit the Air Tanzania website.
Check-in Check in online, if possible. If travelling with hand luggage alone, you can check in online and print or download your boarding pass, which you must take with you directly to security checks. You should check in two
Fares for infants and children As a general rule, children up to two years old are not required to have their own seat and are allowed to travel on parents’ lap. An infant tickets costs 10 per cent of the regular fare. Depending on the destination, taxes and fees may apply. Please note that only 1 baby per adult is accepted. You can choose to buy a seat for your baby at the reduced rates for children if any children’s rate is applicable. If your child is older than two years or turns two while you are travelling, you will have to book a separate seat for him or her and book the children fare for the entire journey. If a child travels with an accompanying adult in the same class of cabin, the child should be seated in the same seat row as the accompanying adult. Where this is not possible, the child should be seated no more than one seat row or aisle away. Reduced rates apply for children aged two to 11 on most routes, depending on the travel class. Children turning 12 years en route need to be booked as adults for the entire journey. Expectant mothers Our priority is always your safety and that of your unborn child. To avoid unnecessary risks to you and your baby, we recommend
Free allowance
30 kg 23 kg 2PC @ 23 kg 2PC @ 23 kg
that all expectant mothers consult a doctor before booking their ticket and inquire about their fitness to fly the length of the trip they intend to take. Depending on the stage and circumstances of your pregnancy, you may be required to present certain medical forms before flying. For your own safety and the well-being of your child, Air Tanzania will not accept expectant mothers who are pregnant from their 34th week or beyond. UMNR (children travelling alone) If you’re planning for your child to travel alone, we’re here to make sure they enjoy their trip and that they are well taken care of throughout their journey. When you book our unaccompanied minor service, your child will be received at the originating airport, taken care of during transit and while on board the aircraft. He or she will be handed over to the person designated by the parents/ guardians upon arrival at the final destination. Cost To avail the unaccompanied minor service, an adult fare needs to be purchased for the child. Please contact us to book the flight and the service. Infant fare checked baggage allowance Infants travelling on an infant fare are allowed 10 kg as baggage allowance.
BUSINESS
Air Tanzania has a free allowance for passengers’ baggage across economy and business class. For full details and rates please see our website www.airtanzania.co.tz or contact booking enquiries 0800 110045
ECONOMY
FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Free allowance
40 kg 30 kg 3PC @ 23 kg 3PC @ 23 kg
Child fare baggage allowance Children and infants travelling on a child fare are eligible for the same baggage allowance as adults.
Wheelchairs If you need wheelchair assistance at the airport, you must advise Air Tanzania of this at the time of booking. You can request wheelchair assistance through our Call Centre or at Air Tanzania Sales offices.
Inflight Wi-Fi On board Wi-Fi Enable Wi-Fi on your laptop, tablet or smartphone, and select AirTanzaniaWifi You will need to launch your web browser, which will display the log-in web portal. From the portal, simply select your preferred price plan. Portable electronic devices (PEDs) You can use your e-readers, tablets and smartphones from gate to gate – including taxiing, take-off and landing – without a risk to safety. Note that on-board Wi-Fi is only available on certain aircraft. Please follow cabin crew instructions at all times.
For Booking & Enquiries: 0800 110045 www.airtanzania.co.tz
airtanzania.co.tz / 61
Air Tanzania destinations
DISCOVER
Domestic and international routes Bukoba Mwanza Geita
Arusha
Kilimanjaro
Tabora
Kigoma
Zanzibar Dodoma
Dar es Salaam
Katavi
Mbeya
Songea
For Booking & Enquiries: 0800 110045 | www.airtanzania.co.tz
62 / Twiga
UK
London
CHINA
Guangzhou Mumbai
INDIA
Bangkok
THAILAND
NIGERIA
Lagos UGANDA
Entebbe
KENYA
Nairobi
RWANDA
Kigali BURUNDI Bujumbura
TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam
DRC
Lubumbashi Ndola Lusaka
ZAMBIA
Comoros
ZIMBABWE
Harare
Active routes Upcoming routes
airtanzania.co.tz / 63
Air Tanzania contacts
WHERE TO CONTACT US E-COMMERCE Location: ATC House, Ohio Street. Email: tce-commerce@airtanzania.co.tz
CONTACT CENTRE Location: ATC House, Ohio Street. Email: contactcentre@airtanzania.co.tz
0800 110045 Toll Free (Tanzania only) Tel: +255 022 212 5221
For the latest flights, information and to book online, visit:
www.airtanzania.co.tz
Follow us on:
@AirTanzania
@airtanzania
airtanzania_atcl
Air Tanzania ATCL
AIR TANZANIA CONTACTS DAR ES SALAAM (HQ)
TABORA
KAMPALA
Location: ATC House, Ohio Street P.O Box 543 Office (JNIA) Tel: +255 222 117 500 Email: darairport.station@airtanzania.co.tz
Email: tabora.station@airtanzania.co.tz
Location: Park Royal Mall, Room 208, Buganda Road. Email: uganda.station@airtanzania.co.tz Email: bbesalestc@airtanzania.co.tz Tel: +256 414 289 474 / +256 393 517 145
ARUSHA Location: Old Moshi Road, NSSF Mafao House Email: arusha.station@airtanzania.co.tz Tel: + 255 272 520 177/ +255 739 787 500
MBEYA
SONGEA Location: African Benedict Office Hanga- opposite TRA Songea Email: songea.station@airtanzania.co.tz Mob: +255 712 796 421
KIGOMA
Location: Mbeya Mjini Email: godfrey.Samanyi@airtanzania.co.tz Mob: 0714 800 080 / 0737 800 090
Location: Lumumba Road, opp. Mambo Leo Pharmacy Email: kigoma.station@airtanzania.co.tz Mob: +255 742 580 580
COMOROS
IRINGA
Location: Immeuble MATELEC Moroni, Grande Comores Email: com’airgsaatc@gmail.com Tel: +269 3312570 / +269 3322058
BUKOBA
Location: Asas House, Dodoma Road, opp. TCC. Email: Iringa.station@airtanzania.co.tz Mob: +255 753 574 986
ZANZIBAR
Location: Jamhuri Road, NSSF Building Email: airtanzaniasalesbukoba@gmail.com Tel: 0767351336 /0735351336
Location: Postal Building, Kijangwani Email: zanzibar.station@airtanzania.co.tz Mob: +255 785 452 585
KILIMANJARO
ZIMBABWE
Location: KIA Email: arusha.station@airtanzania.co.tz
DODOMA Location: Hatibu Road, Tofiki Street, CDTF Building Tel: + 255 262 322 272/ 0735 787 241 (mobile)/ 0683 776 744 (mobile) Email: dodoma.station@airtanzania.co.tz
MWANZA
Tel: +255 735 787 239/ +255 28 2501059 Email: mwanza.station@airtanzania.co.tz
64 / Twiga
Location: 24 Shamwari Complex, 157 Sam Nujoma Street, Ext Belgravia, Harare Email: hresalestc@airtanzania.co.tz Tel: +263 424 796 286/7 Mob: +263 773 119 462 ZAMBIA Barnetts Building, Shop 3, Hailie Selasie Avenue, Longacres, Lusaka. Mob: +260 956 610 250 Email: support.lusaka@airtanzania.co.tz
ENTEBBE Location: Entebbe International Airport, Room no 095. Email: uganda.station@airtanzania.co.tz Email: bbesalestc@airtanzania.co.tz Tel: +256 716 680 250
BURUNDI Location: Bujumbura-Mairie, Boulevard de la Liberté, Galerie Alexander, No 10 Email: fantasticvoyage1@gmail.com Tel: +257 610 139 48.
INDIA Location: Ajanta Travels PVT Ltd, VN Road, Mumbai. Email: Res.bom@airtanzania.co.in Tel: +91 224 979 0108/09/ +91 98200 61232 (cargo)/ +91 98193 65286 (reservations)/ +91 740 0084680 (staff airport supervisors)
JOHANNESBURG Location: West Tower, 2nd Floor, Nelson Mandela Square, Maude Street, Sandown, Gauteng, South Africa 2146 Email: southernafrica@airlinepros.com Tel: +27 11 881 5945 Tel: +27 11 881 5945
Issue 12 / January to March 2022
YO U R F R E E A I R TA N Z A N I A M AGA ZINE
T R AV E L / TA STE / TALEN T
Cultural journey Twiga A I R TA N Z A N I A Issue 12
Travelling Tanzania
An insider's guide to Nairobi Artist Phoebe Ouma shows us around
Travel like a boss
How to add a touch of luxury to your holidsay
KIBUBU Pay for your flight in instalments Visit airtanzania.co.tz
