Precision Air Inflight Magazine

Your complimentary copy

IOSA Registered Operator

July - September 2007 S o a r i n g

w i t h

y o u

t o

g r e a t e r

h e i g h t s

Coral reefs

Gardens under the sea

IOSA Certification

Another Precision Air achievement

The Dragon fly An unknown predator

Kayaking

A sport and a relaxation

CEO’s message

This achievement placed us as the first non IATA member airline in Africa to gain IOSA certification. What this means is our safety and operational standards are at par with any other international airline world over. We realize that safety is a continuous exercise and we are committed to improving on the already high standards attained. Upon getting the IOSA registration, we also became full IATA member effective April 2007.

Jambo

J

ambo and Welcome aboard this Precision

Last year our passenger uplift grew by 25%. We managed to uplift a total of 425,306 from 340,000 prior year. This would not have been possible without your support.

Our fleet modernization programme remained on course and we expect to get the first brand new ATR 72 by January 2008 to be followed by another one in October same year. In the meantime we intend to increase our capacity by adding another aircraft - ATR 72 this summer.

We also intend to restart our Arusha airport operations

by July 2007 when the airport renovations are deemed to have been completed. This will give easy access to our clients from Arusha and the tourists visiting our game parks. However we will still retain some operations in Kilimanjaro airport.

Four beneficiaries of our aviation scholarships with ATR will be proceeding to France end of June for a 3 year degree programme. These students have already undergone a six month French course at Alliance Francaise. Upon completion of their training they will join Precision Air family as new recruits. This is in line with our policy of identifying and developing local talents.

Air flight.

We wish to thank you for flying Precision Air.

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the developments that we have had in Precision Air last financial year which ended March 31st, 2007. Through your support we are able to scale great heights. We have successfully completed the IATA Operational Standards Audit (IOSA) registration that began September 2006.

We are now fully IOSA registered thus becoming the sixth airline in Africa to attain IOSA Certification status.

Have a pleasant flight

Alfonse M. Kioko Precision Air MD & CEO

Credits & contents

1

CEO’s Message Alfonse Kioko’s message ................................... Page 1

Precision News Fleet expansion........................................................ Page 4

Precision Air Limited

Precision Events

Dar es Salaam-Head Office

P.O. Box 70770, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255 (22) 213 08 00 +255 (22) 212 17 18 Email: pwreservations@precisionairtz.com Web: www.precisionairtz.com

Supporting local golfers....................................... Page 6

IOSA Certification Sixth in Africa..........................................................Page 12

6

Precision Fortunes An aeronauts story................................................Page 13

Feature Article Chumbe Island Coral Reefs .............................. Page 8

Technology Hydroelectric power.............................................Page 14 Publishing 360 Advertising and Public Relations A division of DeskTop Productions (DTP) Limited P.O. Box 20936 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255 (22) 277 28 02 - 03 Fax: +255 (22) 277 28 07 Email: 360@360tz.com In association with Mwanangu Publishing Limited

Business World Phoenix Assurance..............................................Page 18

Development Catalyst WaterAid ..................................................................Page 21

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Runway Destinations Serene Lake Duluti...............................................Page 23

Palatable News Victor Irengo special............................................Page 26

Heart at Work

For advertising space contact: mwanangu@mwanangu.com Precision Air’s in flight magazine, PAA (Swahili for fly), is a quarterly magazine published on behalf of Precision Air. Editorial materials and opinions expressed in PAA do not necessarily reflect the views of Precision Air or the publisher.

Muzu Sulemanji.....................................................Page 28 Eva Mshiu.................................................................Page 29

Umependeza Simple Elegance ..................................................Page 32

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Neither Precision Air nor the publisher accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or articles, or for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or illustrations. Materials submitted become the property of the publisher and must be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Materials may be edited for length or clarity and may be used without compensation and acknowledgment. Please include a phone number for verification purposes.

Products and services mentioned are subject to change without prior notice.

Neither text nor photographs from this publication from this publication may be reproduced either in full text or summary without informing the publishers, sending a copy of the material to be printed via post and acknowledging the source.

Cover photo Basslet fish with stony & soft coral at 9meters deep Courtesy of Prof. Dr.. Alp Can

Mpingo Where water meets wood.................................Page 34

Rave Reviews Books & Movies.....................................................Page 36

Nature The Dragon Fly......................................................Page 38

Things we miss Kayaking ..................................................................Page 40 Kizimkazi Dolphins ..............................................Page 44

44

Synapse Puzzles for adults ................................................. Page 41

Buds Puzzles for youngsters .......................................Page 43

Interesting Facts Things you never knew .....................................Page 45

Tech Specs & Exercises ..............................Page 47

Precision news

Precision Air Background New Boeing

The airline has since increased its frequencies and capacity many folds with its fleet currently comprising eight aircraft.

They include four 47-seater ATR 42, one 70-seater ATR 72, one 64-seater ATR 72 and one LET 410. There are plans to phase out the LET series from this year and introduce the Boeing fleet in 2007. It is headquartered in Dar es Salaam providing scheduled, chartered and cargo air services.

A fleet modernization deal worth US $ 100 million was signed in August this year with a French based aircraft manufacturing company, ATR, under which Precision Air will buy seven brand new aircraft to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. The seven include four ATR 72–500 each with a 66-seat configuration and three ATR 42–500 with a capacity of 47 passengers each.

P

recision Air was established in 1993. It started as a private charter air transport company operating a five-seater piper Aztec aircraft. Its initial line of business mainly entailed providing connections to tourists visiting the rich natural attractions of Serengeti National Park, Ngoro Ngoro Crater, in northern Tanzania, the Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the country from Arusha town as its base.

Expansion

The vast nature of Tanzania coupled with a growing demand for air transport services as the country started to embrace a free market economy soon drove Precision Air into operating scheduled flights maintaining Arusha town as its base. First flights were scheduled using a seven-seater one engine Cessna 207, one seven-seater Cessna 402, two eleven-seater Cessna 404s and the nineteen-seater LET 410 until mid 1990s when the airline introduced the bigger and more comfortable ATR 42 fleet.

The fleet expansion has gone hand in hand with an increase in the volumes of passenger uplift. The past two years have witnessed a steady growth of total passenger uplift of about 27% rising from 268,580 passengers in 2004/05 financial year to 425,000 in 2006/07.

The projection in the airline’s current financial year which started on 1st of April is to uplift about 500,000 passengers, equivalent to a 15% increase.

Partnerships

The most significant turn around of ‘Tanzania’s Finest’ as Precision Air is also known, came in 2003 when Kenya Airways acquired a minority 49% shareholding leaving majority 51% shares in the control of one local Tanzanian businessman. Since then, Precision Air has literally turned its image into a professionally run modern airline.

“Once the six are delivered, Precision Air will boast having the youngest fleet of aircraft in Africa which in itself speaks volumes about our commitment to customer safety, comfort and reliability,” says Alfonse Kioko, the Managing Director and CEO of the airline. Precision Air currently offers the widest connections to all major towns in Tanzania including Mwanza, Tabora, Musoma, Shinyanga, Kigoma, Bukoba, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Lindi, Mtwara and Arusha. Regionally, the carrier to Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya as well as to Pemba in Mozambique and Entebbe in Uganda.

E-Ticketing

In January 2007, the carrier successfully completed a one-year lived project of e-ticketing technology adoption, making the fifth airline in Africa to become e-ticket compliant.

E-ticketing is a mandatory technology for all IATA members airlines that must be embraced before end of this year.

The technology provides flexibility to passengers who enjoy the advantage of booking and checking in online. An electronic ticket is an ordinary computer print out that can be regenerated when lost as compared to the paper ticket, which if lost cannot be reprinted.

IOSA certification

Along with becoming e-ticket compliant, the year 2006 also witnessed Precision Air undergo IATA Operational and Safety Audit (IOSA) again scoring another first for its name in Tanzania’s aviation industry.

The airline has identified three key community areas of support - education, assisting orphans and environmental conservation into which it pumps millions of shillings every year. It also provides assistance to unforeseen calamities and emergency situations. In March 2006 for instance, Precision Air was among companies that put forth a Tshs 15,000,000 cash donation towards the National Food Relief Fund, a special fund established by the Tanzanian government to mobilize resources towards offsetting the ongoing famine in Tanzania brought by last year’s prolonged drought which resulted to poor harvests

Precision events

Precision supports local Golfers P

recision Air today has handled tickets and golf shirts to Tanzania Golf team that will present the country in this year’s Africa Zone VI Amateur golf tournament to be held in Kampala, Uganda.

The airline gave Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) Chairman, Michael Shirima on behalf of the team, 12 tickets, 24 golf shirts plus caps worth almost Tshs 10,000,000.

The presenting the tickets to the TGU Chairman, Precision Air Head of Sales and Marketing Phil Mwakitawa said the airline is pleased to be associated with golf development in the country.

“We want to see golf becoming one of the favorite and popular sports in the country,” Phil said.

The airline package of sponsorship included a return ticket to Kampala and golf shirts plus caps.

century by gutta-percha, and in the 20th century by hard rubber. Clubs, limited in number to 14, are known by the traditional names of “irons” (primarily for mid-range to short shots) and “woods” (primarily for longer shots); today irons are more likely made of stainless steel, and the heads of woods are usually made of metal such as steel or titanium

Hot off the press

According to TGU each country is sending about eight players. And The Citizen reported that so far 11 countries confirmed participation-- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Precision Air mainly sponsors golf events.

The origins of the game are difficult to ascertain, although evidence now suggests that early forms of golf were played in the Netherlands first and then in Scotland. Golf developed in Scotland — the courses were originally fields of grass that sheep had clipped short in their characteristic grazing style. Golf balls were originally made of wood; wood was replaced in the 17th century by boiled feathers stuffed in a leather cover, in the 19th

The first copy of PAA being presented to the MD of Precision Air, Alfonse Kioko by the Director of DTP, Hanif Abdulrasul

Feature article

Treasures of the Indian Ocean:

Chumbe Island Reef

By Helen Peeks Photos by Jonas Stromass and Judith Mkomanzi

T

he Chumbe Island Coral Park project was initiated in the early 1990’s specifically to protect the magnificent coral reef based on the west side of Chumbe Island. When flying from Dar es Salaam, just before Zanzibar, you will see a small tear drop shaped island with a white lighthouse. This is Chumbe Island - where East Africa’s first private marine park is located.

The Indian Ocean is home to an enchanting tropical underworld. Snorkeling on the Chumbe reef is like a magical safari where you will see over four hundred species of fish swimming amongst the two hundred different types of hard corals. You can also see huge lobsters, octopus, turtles and dolphins and in September whales pass by calling out to those nearby.

Conservation of the ocean and the coral reefs are paramount to protect marine life and local livelihood. Lack of knowledge of sustainable fishing techniques and the use of damaging and illegal methods such as dynamite fishing need to be addressed. Through education and practical experience people can understand the importance of the bounties of the ocean and learn how to care for it and use it in a sustainable way

Feature Article 10

At Chumbe Island the importance of education has been recognised by the creation of an active education programme that invites local school children to visit and learn about the ocean and conservation of the coral. The children get an opportunity to experience theoretical classroom work in the field opening up a new world for them. Care of the natural environment and personal responsibility are taught on the school trip and many children have been affected by this opportunity.

The conservation and education programmes are supported by income from eco-tourism making the project self-sustaining and a perfect example of business promoting environmental awareness, education and positive action. Everything on Chumbe Island is designed to fully protect the fragile nature of this Island reserve, employing local staff and respecting local culture.

Seven eco bungalows were built with local materials and fitted with all the latest eco-technology from solar lighting and water heaters, to rain water collection systems, compost toilets and natural air conditioning. The bungalows house up to 14 guests who enjoy a Robinson Crusoe style holiday.

Many of the people who visit the Island come to snorkel and experience the wealth of marine life in the reef. The reefs around Zanzibar are in poor condition after a recent invasion of the Crown of Thorns starfish that feed on coral. These starfish can decimate an area within weeks if prompt action is not taken. Fortunately the conservation department with the Chumbe project took swift action and saved the reef from the damage created on other local reefs.

The protection of the Chumbe reef has given many researchers the opportunity to study a pristine coral reef and compare it to other areas in Zanzibar. From these important studies many conclusions can be made which will support conservation of the Indian Ocean reefs in the future.

The Chumbe Island reef which is only 1.1 km by 300 m is not only a snorkellers paradise it is a nursery for young fish which spill out over the area and provide fishermen with healthy, mature fish. Conservation of our reefs benefits all and will lead to an appreciation of the beauty of the underwater world

Press release 12

Precision Air is IOSA Complaint

Chief guest, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development, Dr.. Maua Daftari (2nd left), hands over the IOSA Registry to Precision Air Board Chairman Michael Shirima (3rd Left) soon after receiving it from IATA Regional Vice President, Africa Vinod Chidambaram (1st left) who officially hands the certificate to Dr.. Daftari, looking on is Precision Air Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Alfonse Kioko.

• IATA is the International Air Transport Association.

• IOSA is conducted by IATA-accredited audit organizations, and must be renewed every 24 months.

• Precision Air closed audit in mid March 2007 but the exact audit was conducted between the 18th and 22nd of September 2006.

• Precision Air becomes the seventh airline in Africa to enter into IOSA registry after Kenya Airways, South Africa Airways, Air Mauritius, Comair, Ethiopia Airline, and National Wide.

P

recision Air, Tanzania’s leading airline, has made history in Africa by becoming the first none-IATA member to go for IOSA and qualify, a record which is so far yet to be broken by any other non member in the continent.

The IATA Regional Vice President of Africa, Mr.. Vinod Chidambaram said when presenting IOSA registry and IATA membership certificates to the airline on June 15 in Dar es Salaam: “You did not only swim amongst the sharks but you also sheave and hit them.”

The Vice President also called the government to mandate IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in civil aviation docket because safety is number one priority to the airlines and International Air Transport Association (IATA) in general.

“IOSA or basically safety is for every individual, airlines particularly should live and breath IOSA,” Mr. Chidambaram told the about 200 guest who attended the ceremony in Dar es Salaam.

The Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development, Dr. Maua Daftari, congratulated Precision Air for the cooperation that enabled the airline to achieve the audit despite being a none IATA member.

“The successes come to those who dare and act… I have no doubt that other players will take the achievement of Precision Air as a challenge and follow in the foot prints and undergo this universally accepted safety audit.

“I am particularly gratified to note that we have Precision Air in Tanzania as an IOSA compliant airline which means travellers will not shun Tanzania due to safety reasons” Dr. Daftari, who was the chief guest, said.

The Precision Air Board Chairman and founder, Mr. Michael Shirima, said the airline would maintain its success without compromising the value of its services to customers.

“We are not blowing our own trumpet but we want to live up to what IATA has certified us. As our foremost priority lies to our clients and business partners, who brought us here,” Mr. Shirima jovially said.

Precision Air has also become the first Tanzanian operator and the sixth in Africa to achieve IOSA registry. The airline subsequently attain full IATA membership on 8th May 2007

Precise fortunes 13

‘In the clouds is where I belong’ It was in September 2006 when my uncle was traveling to Nairobi on board Precision Air when he came across a very young female pilot — Hilda Ringo. He inquired and asked her how she got to where she is. She explained how she got there and told him that Precision Air was offering four scholarships to anyone interested. I sent in my application and left the rest to God.

By Khadija Farid

“S

it back and relax,” was all that I could hear after take-off. My dad making sure my seat belt was tightened, me seated by the window, not ever wanting to miss a view. In broad daylight I could see it all; the fluffy white clouds, the tiny objects way below, it was amazing and truly breath taking, the feeling was indescribable.

Just after ‘touchdown’ I remember asking my father to take me for another ride. He laughed and told me “my dear, if you work hard in your exams, you will fly as many times as you want.”

The captain greeted us on our way out and I thought to myself: “so this is the person behind it all!” I shook his hand happily and told him “one day I will be just like you.”

He smiled back and told me “if that is what you want nothing will stop you, my dear go for it.”

That was my first time being on a plane flying from Mwanza to Entebbe back in 1995. Since then I started dreaming of one thing only, becoming a pilot. Every time I was on the plane I felt I belonged up there. I became so interested in flying. I would watch movies, read books and collect articles and objects concerning planes. Whenever asked about my ambitions, I would reply “becoming a pilot.”

Around 4:00 pm on the 14th of February, I received a call from Precision Air saying: “Khadija, congratulations, this is your Valentines gift, you have been selected as one of the four candidates.”

I started screaming on the phone, saying thank you, my whole body was trembling and I was crying tears of joy. I knew that this was it, the closest I could get in achieving my dreams. I vowed to work extra hard because I knew that such chances come only once in a lifetime. I remember a saying “fortune knocks once at every man’s door.” And so I believe this is my fortune. I have a whole lot of responsibilities ahead but again “where there is a will there is a way.” With a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment I believe I will achieve what I have always been dreaming of - being in the clouds, way above the ground is where I want to be! *In her application letter Khadija attached part of her Mwanza-Entebbe experience story. The story, however, did not move the selection panel to short-list her, rather her qualifications did. Precision Air wishes her and her colleagues, success in their studies in France this July

Heavy Hammer

JokeBar

I worked very hard in school and passed my studies with good grades. In secondary school I chose subjects like science that would take me a step closer to my dream.

And in high school I took physics, mathematics and chemistry. On completion of my advanced studies, I had one thing in mind, finding opportunities that would lead me to the aviation industry.

Months passed without any reply from Precision Air. Then on the 13th of January 2007, I received a call from Precision Air offices in Dar es Salaam asking me to appear for an interview the following day. I reside in Mwanza City so I left the same day for Dar es Salaam.

The following day I arrived on time to find eleven other applicants waiting for an interview and I thought to myself ‘I need a miracle’. I looked around and my heart started beating fast — I think it might have even skipped some beats—but I told myself that I’ve come this far so there is nothing that can stop me. It was a tough interview with both oral and written parts to it. In the end we were told the results would be out in a weeks time. I kept my fingers crossed and went home.

A group of prisoners are on manual work - filling a foundation trench ready for concrete casting. One prisoner who has been assigned a particularly tough job of breaking huge stones to reduce them into smaller sizes using a 5 kilo hammer before laying them decides to have a break.

The supervisor is up on him almost immediately and orders him back to work. “Give me a break”, the prisoner complains, “Don’t you realise this hammer is heavy?”

“So, the hammer is heavy now?” Says the supervisor; “But when you were stealing the freezer you managed to run with it on your back! Get back to work!”

Technology 14

Hydroelectric Power Information provided by Daniel Mshana, TANESCO Public Relations Manager.

E

nergy from water (hydroelectricity) is a very important source of electric power in Tanzania currently accounting for about 67 percent of the total available installed capacity. Tanzania’s total hydroelectric energy potential is in excess of 4.7GW of installed capacity or about 3.2GW of firm capacity.

Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) is the sole organization in the country with the responsibility of generating, transmission, supply and sale of electricity for domestic and industrial use to the mainland Tanzania and bulk power supply to Zanzibar.

How Hydroelectricity is generated Operation

• Whether a generator is large or small, the generator shaft has to be spun around and around before electricity is produced.

• A paddle wheel on an axle will spin when water is dropped on the paddles. The falling water hits the blades and pushes the wheel around.

• With small generators, the shaft can be turned by hand, or hooked up to a bicycle and spun by pedal power. The electricity produced will light a bulb.

• With large generators, a tremendous force is required to spin the shaft and generate electricity.

• The cheapest engine to operate however is the water turbine because the only driving force it requires is falling water.

• If paddle wheels were made large enough and

a whole river were dammed and poured on the paddles, a powerful driving force would be created.

• In fact, this is similar to the way a water turbine used in a hydroelectric generating plant operates.

• The dam is built to trap water, usually in a valley where there is an existing lake. Water is allowed to flow through tunnels in the dam, to turn turbines and thus drive generators.

At a number of places in Tanzania, TANESCO has built dams across rivers to back up the water and raise river levels. Pipes called penstocks are built into the dams so the water that has been held back can be released to rush down the penstocks with great force and hit the turbine runners (“paddle wheels”) at the bottom. The runner starts spinning when the water hits it, and when the energy created by the falling water has served its purpose; the water runs out through the tailrace of the generating station to rejoin the mainstream of the river.

Turbo generators

All that remains to be done is to connect the turbine shaft with the generator shaft and then open up the water supply. The turbine is set spinning by the falling water and this spins the generator shaft starts turning, electricity is generated.

Much of the electricity used in Tanzania is produced in this way, by water power. The method is called hydroelectric generation

Technology 16

Other sources

As an alternative to a water turbine to turn the generators, a steam powered turbine can be used. Plants in which generators are driven by steam-powered turbines can be used. Plants in which generators are driven by steam turbines are called steam thermal electric.

At present TANESCO does not have any thermal electric power stations. However, as the country has large reserves of coal, this method of producing power may well be used in years to come.

In a steam-electric station, fossil fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas are burned in large boilers to produce large quantities of high-pressure, high-temperature steam. Jets of this steam provide the force to turn the turbine and drive the generator. Although they both work on the same basic principle, water turbines and steam turbines are quite different in construction and appearance. The end result, power to drive a generator is the same.

•

•

•

he name hydroelectricity is a combination of T two words; it comes from “hydro”, the Greek word for water and electricity which literally when combined means electricity from water.

Hydroelectric dams are very expensive to build.

However, once the station is built, the water comes free of charge, and there is no waste or pollution at the area.

As opposed to other sources of electricity, hydroelectric power stations can produce a great deal of power at a very cheap cost

Toasted ears...

A Tanzania guy having seen blisters in both of his friends’s ears asked him what happened to his ears.

JokeBar

Also in many parts of Tanzania large diesel engines are used to drive generators, these diesel engines are similar to those in trucks or railway locomotives but instead of turning wheels they turn generator shafts and produce electricity.

Fast facts

He said that while he was busy ironing his clothes, the telephone rang, and he mistakenly put the iron to his ear instead of the receiver.

So the first fellow asked him what happened to his other ear, and the reply was - ‘That fool called me again’ !

Business world 18

Phoenix Assurance cares reinsurers, namely Swiss Re, Hanover Re, and Munich Re. Phoenix has aviation and other facultative placement with top world-class securities.

Expertise • Five expatriates with an average of 30 years experience with Indian and East African insurance companies, • An engineer with expertise in risk management, loss prevention and minimization, • A chartered accountant with finance expertise, • A management expert with experience in aviation and marine hull insurance, • A veterinary surgeon with expertise in livestock and crop insurance,

Training

T

he international credit rating agency, Global Credit Ratings (GCR), has accorded Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance Company Limited with a domestic Tshs currency claims paying ability rating of A+ making it the first insurance company in Tanzania to be accorded a credit rating.

GCR is the largest credit rating agency on the African continent and ascribes more ratings than any other agency in Africa. An A+ rating is the best rating accorded to any insurance company in this region. This is one of the many achievements of Phoenix of Tanzania.

Incorporated under cap 212 in 1997, Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance Company Limited is licensed to transact all types of non-life insurance.

Share Capital In 1997 the company began with the minimum required share capital that quickly increased to 600,000,000 Tshs in 2002, 1,400,000,000 Tshs in 2004 and 2,100,000,000 Tshs in April 2006 making it the highest capitalized insurance company in the market.

Regional Presence Phoenix is operating in four countries throughout East Africa.

There are seven offices in Tanzania with the main one in Dar es Salaam and an extension counter in Kariakoo. There are four branch offices in Mwanza, Iringa, Arusha and Morogoro, with another planned for Mtwara. There are three offices in Kenya, located in Nairobi, Mombassa and Eldoret and one office in Rwanda, located in Kigali.

“Meanwhile, in the near future, we have plans to open more branches in upcountry regions,” says Subhash Wadhawan, the company’s General Manager.

Reinsurance Protection Clients are protected by reinsurance treaties lead by world-class

The majority of staff at Phoenix has attended the College of Insurance in Nairobi, Kenya. Many have sat for the Indian Insurance Institute Examinations. In addition the firm conducts regular in-house training. Two key staff have extensive training at Munich Re, Swiss Re, Marsh, Willis Dumas, British Engines and ICI in various fields including aviation, marine & risk management, pre-acceptance surveys and PML calculations.

Stability There has been no change in the composition of the Body of Directors for the past seven years. As well, the members of senior and middle management have remained the same since the company’s inception, generating a friendly ambiance and family-like atmosphere.

Products & Services: • All types of non-life insurance products • Only company in the market offering Aviation, Marine Hull and Medical • Experts in tailor made products to suit customer requirements • Exploring the possibility of offering rural insurances

Gross Premium Income (Tshs)

• • • •

Eleventh to be licensed post liberalization Excellent growth Acquired second position amongst private insurers Approximately 15 percent market share in 2004

Net Written Premiums (Tshs) • Net written premiums growing in line with gross premiums • Well balanced overall growth • Phoenix shares risks rather than passing entirely to reinsurers

Awards Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance Company Limited has won many certificates of excellence in various categories including the 2004 Top Ten Tanzania Company Awards. In the year 2003 Phoenix was recognized for its remarkable support to the Insurance Institute of Tanzania (IIT) activities

The human eye can detect millions of colors

We say you only need these

Development catalyst 21

WaterAid Compiled by Timothy Kitundu

W

aterAid is an international charity with a mission to overcome poverty by enabling the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

WaterAid’s work in Tanzania is vital. Without clean water and sanitation, common childhood ailments like diarrhoea can be fatal. A child dies every 15 seconds from waterrelated diseases and diarrhea is among the killer diseases worldwide.

In 1983 WaterAid’s first work in Tanzania started in Dodoma region and continued throughout the 1990s in collaboration with Dodoma local government, water engineers and hygiene education staff under the name of WAMMA. WAMMA stands for the four participatory parties; WA – WaterAid; M – Maji (the Water Department) M – Maendeleo ya Jamii (Community Development); and A – Afya (the Health Department).

In the last ten years, WaterAid has expanded into the Singida and Manyara regions working with church groups, municipal and district councils and local developmental organizations.

WaterAid and partners help communities set up low cost, sustainable projects. Water supply is usually established by rehabilitating bore holes or constructing small gravity schemes or shallow wells. Sanitation implementation includes constructing simple pit latrines and dish racks and digging disposal pits for rubbish. Hygiene education focuses on the importance of hand washing, the safe handling of water, use of latrines and restricting the access of cattle and goats to areas around the home.

WaterAid’s partners in Tanzania WaterAid’s formal government partners in Tanzania are those of Dodoma and Tabora regions, Kiteto district, Temeke district, Iringa Town Council plus the multilateral groups UNICEF and UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).

The Anglican Church remains a partner in Tabora, while relatively new partnerships have begun with local nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in both Dodoma; Maji na Maendeleo Dodoma (MAMADDO) and Kiteto, Kinama, Kibaya, Ndaleta, Namelock and Partimbo (KINNAPA) and with a community group Peoples Voice for Development (PEVODE) in Dar es Salaam.

WaterAid’s plans for Tanzania: 2005 – 2010 The key aim is to directly help 80,000 more people gain access to water and 40,000 more people gain access to sanitation and hygiene every year by 2010.

The other focus is to strengthen local government and support local partner organizations and other non government organizations to ensure at least a further 100,000 people gain access to safe water by 2010.

A model collaborative programme WAMMA, now more than a decade old, has become a model of cooperation with government agencies in promoting integrated water and sanitation (WATSAN) services. Structurally, it consists of teams of four to six field workers drawn from junior staff of the government departments of Water, Health and Community, always including men and women.

The key has been empowerment; empowerment of the teams themselves, and through them, of local communities, so that the pre-existing very passive relationship between communities and government has been transformed.

The teams now enjoy respect from all sides. They ensure that the village priorities dictate the type and pace of development, while government, donor and NGO support fill technical and financial gaps, villages themselves first raising significant proportion of costs as well as providing labour.

An example of community work The Anglican Church of Tabora has helped the community of Chessa Village in the Tabora District construct a 24-metre deep well, fitted with an Afridev handpump, which serves the 15 homesteads with safe water.

A key principle of WaterAid projects is that communities take ownership of projects and are responsible for their upkeep. Brothers Vincent and Lazaro William are volunteer pump caretakers; they received a week’s maintenance training and a toolkit consisting of a spanner, wrench and rods from KINNAPA. They take the pump apart once a year to check the whole system, and fix whatever problems they can. If there are problems they cannot solve a specialist technician comes from the Church to help them out.

Achievements to date WaterAid has helped almost 1.1 million people in Tanzania gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation services since 1983. Through an urban programme in Dar es Salaam, WaterAid has provided more than 180,000 people with water and sanitation services since 2000.

In a project in the peri-urban and rural areas of Singida Region, WaterAid formed a strong partnership with local government agencies, partner organizations and the private sector to deliver water and sanitation services to 40,000 people over three years

Runway destinations 23

Serenity on Lake Duluti A

ccording to the local history, in 1839 the clans renamed this Crater Lake. One of the clan girls who went for a swim was sucked under near the centre where waters from the underground river gushes water from beneath causing a current of water exchanging places. Her body was recovered 5 days later, and the elders hence called the lake “Nunuti” meaning “the hanger” in Kaya.

By Sameer Kermalli Facts Erasto Kaya

Runway destinations 24

Explorers who came here in the late 1800s and early 1900s, asked what this lake was called, from “Nunuti” it became “Duluti” following an auditory error. The lake is 172 meters deep at the centre and is fed by one of the nile tributaries. It is approximately 6 hectares and the path around it is 6 kilometers.

Not far from Arusha town, Duluti is a very beautiful place to visit and relax. The calmness of this lake is soothing and the sound made by birds around the lake is musical.

The Malachite Kingfisher is a common sight. Yellow Weavers build their nests on reeds that originate from the lakeside. There is a small landmass that harbors white and cow egrets that are seen in the morning hours and in the evening when they return to nest here. Dikdik, squirrels, bush baby are also common.

The shy green Mamba is also a habitant but very rare to see because as soon as there is a rustle, it hides and becomes inconspicuous to the human eye. It’s also possible to see dragonflies, but they move rapidly along the edge hovering close to the water surface for split seconds at times. The common variety there are the ones that look like Zebras.

One can take a boat into the lake or canoe around it.

This does not require skill, just maybe a little courage.

Among the things we miss, Duluti is the one that can be considered to be only a stone throw away

A travellers note

Anantara spa After a hectic week finishing projects, the spa was the only choice that would give me the best of two worlds; energy and relaxation all in one. I walked into the spa and the corridors create an ambiance beyond imagination, the sweet aroma and the music, soothing.

My masseur was wonderful, very polite yet confident. The usual spa routine but here everything was just so serene, the anantara theme of flowing waters everywhere. The aromatherapy massage was tantalizing and I never knew what stress does to your muscles until I began feeling the crackling while being massaged.

As a busy person in this fast moving world of today, I would suggest to my colleagues in this busy world to give yourself some time to get pampered, something that will put a smile on any face.

Palatable news 26

Serves: 2 Ingredients

Recipes

240g: Tiger Prawns 30g: each: Green, Yellow and Red Bell pepper 30g: Medium sized Onion 25g: Green Beans 35g: Baby corn 25g: Fresh Cherry Tomatoes - cut in halves 10g: Garlic cloves 2 tbsp: Vegetable or olive oil - for deep-frying and sautée 4 tbsp: Soya sauce Salt: to taste

Sauté Prawns with vegetables and Soya sauce Chef Victor Irengo Executive Chef – Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski

Preparation

M

arinate the prawns in oil, garlic, salt and pepper and chill for some time.

Cut the vegetables into bite size pieces so they cook evenly and rapidly. This also facilitates easier eating using chopsticks.

Then deep fry the prawns in hot oil for about 2-3 minutes, until they are visibly cooked. Remove from oil and keep aside.

Put a non stick frying pan on the fire and add enough oil to glaze the pan, you can help the oil coat the pan by twirling it around [heat makes the oil easier to move around]. Wait until the oil in the pan is hot, then add the garlic, as garlic cooks very quickly. Make sure to keep stirring it as to keep it from burning.

Add the onions to begin with as they take a little longer to cook. The bell peppers can follow with the green beans.

Followed by the baby corn. Continue stirring until the vegetables look cooked but are still crunchy. It is very important not to overcook them at this stage.

Now stir in the prawns that you had kept aside. Soya sauce should be added at this time, followed by the cherry tomatoes. Stir a little letting it all cook for about 2 minutes. As soya sauce is salty, taste before adding additional salt.

And now your sautéed prawns with vegetable are ready to serve! This dish goes very well with rice.

Low in calories – 460 calories with 25 percent of calories from fat

Heart at work 28

Artists Profile:

Muzu Sulemanji When did you realize what you wanted to do what you are doing now?

Well, I did not want to join my father’s hardware business so I decided on photography, printing and art. Although my artistic talent had been recognized from an early age, I never took painting seriously until the early 1990s when I had my first one man show at the National Museum. It was an outstanding success and many other exhibitions were held not only in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, but also in London and Washington D.C as well. Because I take photos and then paint them, my profession as a photographer has helped me in doing my work.

M

I similarly work in oils, water colours, charcoal, pen and ink, mixed media and silk screen and my choice of subjects is varied, but my particular gift lies in my ability to represent the extraordinary atmosphere of Zanzibar, warts and all, as seen through the eyes of an artist who holds it in deep affection. The Stone Town filtered through happy childhood memories of the dazzling sunshine and deep shade; of peeling plaster and rusty drainpipes, of festooning electricity wires and the washing drying on balconies; of bicycles and handcarts and people going about their daily chores. I hope that my paintings will inspire the constant preservation of Zanzibar’s unique Stone Town and the history that created it. y heart is in photography, printing and art

Where were you born?

I was born in Zanzibar and my grandfather came to Tanganyika in 1881 from India. He ran a hardware shop in Dar es Salaam near Clock Tower which is now a petrol station and in 1951 we built a house at the junction of Kaluta and India Streets where we stayed until it was nationalized in the late1960s.

What is your educational background?

I started my primary education at Mtendeni Primary School, and then completed my secondary O-Level education at Azania Secondary School, both in Dar es Salaam. On completion of my secondary education, I went to India and studied Applied Arts in Bombay at J J School of Arts. From 1973 to 1975 I did Graphic Design in Basel, Switzerland and at that time there were no computers so things were not easy as you can imagine!

Where did you grow up and how has it influenced your work?

I have spent most of my life in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. I have loving memories of both since I was a child, and I still find most of my inspiration in the narrow winding streets of my birthplace.

If you were given the chance what would you do differently?

My dream is to start an art school and bring in different artists for seminars and workshops etc. There are people who are ready to fund this project; basically it’ll be like a complex with shops, a school of art and a gallery. Currently there are a few artists I’m training at Art n Frame.

Do you find your work rewarding?

Pretty much, I sell my paintings, I keep other artists’ work, abstract art and old interesting furniture. I also organise exhibitions for the artists occasionally.

I am also a member of the board of trustees of Wasanii Art Centre at Slipway. The centre was established in 2004 to help local artists show their work and to make a living out of it. Moreover, I am a member of the Committee for the Art of the State House that was nominated about three years ago.

What piece of work are you proud of?

There are many, I cannot single out one.

What does water mean to you?

To me water means life in all forms and of course too much of it can be disastrous. My dhow paintings have always been on calm seas - rough seas make me seasick

Heart at work 29

Precision Air Staff Profile

Eva Mshiu ‘Precision is here to stay’

My first voyage outside Tanzania was in 1969 to Mumbai on the ship called “Muzaffery” which took 9 days with a stop over at Seychelles and Goa. Amazingly an old man died and was buried at sea and on the eighth day a baby girl was born.

How do Tanzanians value artwork?

These days people do realize the role of art.

With the country’s fast economic growth foreign investments like hotels require art work and exposure to the rest of the world through television has helped Tanzanians appreciate art and as a result want their houses or work places be well decorated. So now local lawyers, insurance companies, hotels and other businesses have paintings on their walls.

Unfortunately there are many hotels that haven’t helped in supporting local artists by decorating their hotels with their work.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy travelling, painting and partying.

On the contrary, what do you enjoy least?

Keeping accounts, standing in queue, playing cricket or golf and watching formula one car racing.

What is your favourite book, movie, food and place?

I like reading magazines, watching factual movies, and eating fish, especially crab, and would love to go all over South America for at least 3 months if not more as I’ve seen most of other places except northern Asia or Australia

W

hen did start working at Precision Air?

I began working with Precision when it was still Precision Flight way back in 1987. This was when Precision had a single aircraft whose sole duty was to spray fields around the northern region. When It changed to Precision Air in 1993 I was with them at AICC then to our offices where we are now. So in actual fact I have been with “Precision” for long.

What department did you start with and where are you now?

I began as the Chief Engineers Secretary at the Arusha Airport hangers, and now I am the Information Services personnel at the Arusha Airport that is under renovation at the moment.

Do you look forward to your day? Does you work excite you?

I love my job; I think this is a sufficient answer. I am looking forward to those days when Arusha Airport is going to be functional and when we get air traffic coming to our area.

You must face lots of challenges per day, what is you secret of overcoming these hurdles?

There were lots of challenges when we had lots of traffic coming this way, but now because the airport in being renovated, I am faced with lesser challenges. These hurdles we at Precision Air overcome as a family, we have been together and help each other out in anyway we possibly can.

Where do you think Precision Air will be in the coming 10 years?

I have seen it grow and develop. In 10 years Precision will be the top carrier in Tanzania, with passengers being able to fly around EA and SA with just one ticket.

Apart from the basic and common uses of water, what does it mean to you?

To me water is life, without water survival is not possible. When you go to hospital the first thing they ask you is if you are drinking water. Arusha is blessed with lots of water and this has a very calming and soothing effect on me

Umependeza 32

Hollywood movie star day look The model is wearing a stunning Bebe V neck knit top 35,000/=, Combined with a black over the neck H&M top 20,000/=.

To add a bit of touch of glamour to the look we accessorized with a gold and silver long necklace from the Maya collection of accessories priced at 15,000/= and a beautiful gold round buckle belt 25,000/=.

Leggings 20,000/= are a must this season so we combined them with Zoom gold pumps 30,000/= and a gold oversized bag 25,000/= and to protect your eyes from the damaging UVA/ UVB rays I recommend oversized 60’s Sunglasses 40,000/=.

Modern fairytale day look Our model is wearing a beautiful white Gypsy skirt 30,000/= ideal light cotton fabric for the hot days. Knits are back this season and we love our baby-blue Top with a knit racer back 38,000/=.

For a soft feminine touch we’ve added a Bebe knit wrap top 40,000/= accompanied by Maya accessories collection’s Gold and Pearl combination necklace 20,000/=.

All items can be found at Maya Vintage Boutique opening soon at Shoppers Plaza 1st Floor Inquiries: maya.vintage.boutique@gmail.com Make up supplied by MAC, applied by Maya Yaneska Al Said Tel: 0774 555 888 for make up inquiries email: maya.vintage.boutique@gmail.com

Umependeza 33

Office smart casual look This look is created for modern on the run businesswoman; it is fashionable, smart, comfortable and stunning. Our model is wearing a XOXO yellow knit sleeveless top, very soft cotton suitable for day wear 34,000/=, Black/White striped 3/4 smart short pants 38,000/=. Add a mist of glamour by accessorizing with a gold and black pearl combined necklace 23,000/=, black leather oversized bag 30,000/= and a pair of Zoom black and silver shoes 45,000/=.

Disco princess Skinny leg pants 35,000/= are hot this season so we combined them with a knit over the neck multi color Bebe top 39,000/=.

Accessorized with a long key silver necklace 20,000/=, big buckle knit silver belt 15,000/=, black pouch 20,000/= and white Zoom pumps 30,000/=.

Make up To create a smooth matte beautiful skin we used MAC’s liquid daywear foundation, and matte bronzing powder. To create a beautiful illuminating base for the eyes I used MAC’s white shimmering eye shadow base. A soft beige eye colour was used on the lids of the eyes to create a soft natural look blended with olive green colour eye shadow on the corners of the eyelids. A glamorous contour was created with black eye liner and black voluminazing mascara. Eyebrows were perfectly shaped with MAC’s brow set.

For a 3D look we used berry cream blush applied on the cheekbones with professional make up sponge then perfected with shimmering bronzing powder. Luscious lips MAC color in peach was applied to seal this stunning glamour look

Model: Prisca E. Sulle Photography by: 360 Advertising a division of DTP

Mpingo 34

Boats,

where water and wood meet

By Sameer Kermalli

The string that is dipped in blue paint is an excellent tool for drawing straight lines. The same blue paint is used to mark other areas using a very primitive compass for size and minor adjustments so that the “Fashina” can fit into the planks in the front of the boat from either side.

The ribs or “Taluma” keep the shape, but are supported from collapse by “Lumada” around the whole boat and “Chanda” helps against the wood caving in around the boat. The “Taluma” is bent using a slow fire and old engine oil. The rudder is called “Sukani” and is attached to the “Kana”.

These boat building engineers use an arms length “Lezi” as the unit of standard measurement, and visual estimations of curvature and angles. Most of this art is more than engineering and is learnt through the old fashion way, master and apprentice.

T

he dry dock at Kigamboni is food for all the senses. The site of partially built, renovated and under maintenance boats is enhanced by the sound of hand drills going through the hull and nails being driven into the wood from the other side, cotton strings dipped in coconut oil “Kalafati” being tapped between two planks of wood as a sealant. The sea at a low has its own characteristic aroma that comes from smoke and old engine oil used for bending the wooden planks.

The wood used is a local hardwood is known as “Mninga”. This wood is strong and can withstand the wear and tear caused by seawater, but cannot protect itself against wood mites “Dosari”, that are the cause of needing to change the wood after a while.

Boat Building The boat building process seems to be standard around the world, considering we learnt how to build boats from Noah. From there people travelled, technologies jumped ship and tribes around the coastal regions made new names for all the components that make up the boat.

The engine has its own supports at the back of the boat and uses the whole sea as its radiator, sucking in water from “Ngama”, the inlet at the bottom of the boat, rotating it around the engine and pushing it out through the side.

Even with the “Kalafati” in place, there is always leakage and boats are built with a reservoir “Nguluzi” where deck hands use buckets to remove the excess water. The there is a release valve “Ngwanda” at the bottom that is opened when the boat reaches dry dock to remove all the water that is collected in the boats.

Seeing is believing and knowledge, just like the horizon has no end

Rave reviews 36

M O V I E S Ratatouille

B O O K S The Secret Supper

Voice: Patton Oswalt - Remy Genre: Animated Feature/ Comedy/ Family

by Javier Sierra Publisher: Pocket Books (paper back)

Remy is a rat, constantly risking life in an expensive French restaurant because of his love of good food, as well as a desire to become a chef.

Yet, obviously, this is a rather tough dream for a rat. But opportunity knocks when a young boy, who desperately needs to keep his job at the restaurant, despite his lack of cooking abilities, discovers and partners the young Remy to produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France.

An anonymous soothsayer has written to Rome suggesting that Leonardo da Vinci has encrypted a secret, blasphemous message in his painting The Last Supper. Father Agostino Leyre, an inquisitor and expert in cryptography is dispatched by the Pope to the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grzie to decode the painting. Should he succeed, da Vinci will face trial for heresy - and certain execution. Full of dark surprises, The Secret Supper depicts a deadly game of wits between the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci and the man intent on uncovering the shattering secrets behind one of the most famous Christian masterpieces. After reading this novel you’ll never see The Last Supper in the same way again.

Captivity

Histories Of The Hanged Cast: Elisha Cuthbert - Jennifer Daniel Gillies - Gary Genre: Thriller Rating: US - NC17

Top cover girl and fashion model, Jennifer Tree has it all - beauty, fame, money and power. Her face appears on covers of hundreds of magazines. At the top of her game, Jennifer is America’s sweetheart.

She is loved and adored and sought after. Everyone wants her. But someone out there has been watching and waiting. Someone wants her in the worst way.

Out alone at a charity event in Soho, Jennifer is drugged and taken. Held captive in a cell, Jennifer is subjected to a series of terrifying, life-threatening tortures that could only be conceived by a twisted, sadistic mind.

by David Anderson Publisher: Phoenix (paper back)

Fifty years ago, an optimistic and proud Britain emerged from the Second World War still with an Empire and a leading role in world affairs, but within a few years everything would change. In Africa the rise of nationalism brought British power to its knees.

In the struggle to retain influence and authority the British government that had a decade earlier stood firm against tyranny now became the tyrant. In Kenya the bitter and violent Mau Mau rebellion against British white rule saw the death of thirty-two white settlers, but more than 12,000 Mau Mau rebels were killed. At the peak of the struggle Britain held more than 70,000 Africans in detention camps without trial. Histories of the Hanged is the shocking true story of Britain’s first war on terror.

Poor Story

by Giles Bolton Publisher: Ebury Press (paper back)

Mr.. Brooks Kevin Costner - Mr.. Earl Brooks Demi Moore - Detective Tracy Atwood Crime / Drama / Thriller Rating: Restricted The story follows a man with a murderous alter ego. Moore will play a tough detective whose devotion to her craft catches the attention and respect of the serial killer she is hunting, which leads to a symbiotic relationship.

Do you know why Africa is so poor? What really happens to aid money? Why do trade rules fail African countries and end up costing as well? We’ve heard it all before: the corrupt leaders, heartless global corporations, the wicked World Bank. But the answers are much closer to home... and so are the solutions.

When Giles Bolton began working in the world of aid and development, he traveled to Africa convinced that he could solve problems, save villages and sing songs with the locals under a shimmering sunset. The reality proved rather less romantic, and far more shocking.

Poor Story is a radical, but brilliantly readable and totally original approach to an unending problem. It may change your life - more importantly, it will help you change the lives of others

Nature 38

Dragonfly:

the world’s fastest insect

By Sameer Kermalii and Veneranda Malima

A

dragonfly is an insect characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong but narrow net veined transparent wings, and an elongated body. It is compared very rightly to a helicopter by most of us during our childhood days where like dragonflies, ponds and puddles were our favourite hangouts. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands because their larvae, known as ‘nymphs’, are aquatic.

Dragonflies are predators in the insect world eating mosquitoes and other small insects like flies, bees, and butterflies. Normally they do not bite or sting humans (though they will bite in order to escape, for example, if grasped by the abdomen); in fact, they are valued as a predator that helps control the population of harmful insects, such as mosquitoes and thus are sometimes called ‘mosquito hawks’.

Life cycle A dragonfly’s life cycle from egg to adult can vary from six months to as many as four years. Female dragonflies lay eggs in or near water, often in or on floating or emergent

plants. Most of the life cycle is spent in the larval (naiad, also nymph) form, beneath the water surface, using internal gills to breathe, and catching other invertebrates or even vertebrates such as tadpoles and fish. In the adult (flying) stage, larger species of dragonfly can live as long as four months.

Structure Like all insects, the dragonfly has a three-part body: a head, a thorax, and a long, thin, segmented abdomen.

The dragonfly has 2 large compound eyes that take up most of the head. On the short thorax there are three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of long, delicate, membranous wings. The dragonfly breathes through spiracles (tiny holes in the abdomen). Dragonflies have excellent eyesight due to their eye structure. Their compound eyes have up to 30,000 facets, each of which is a separate light-sensing organ or ommatidium, arranged to give nearly a 360 degree field of vision.

Camouflage It was recently discovered that dragonflies employ a particular optical illusion, termed motion camouflage, to stalk other insects that invade their territory. Research suggests that a dragonfly can move in such a way as to project itself as a stationary object while speedily attacking its victims. These findings illustrate for the first time how dragonflies use complex camouflaging techniques during aerial combat

Nature 39

Dragonflies in Cultures Dragonflies have often been viewed as sinister. Vernacular names, such as “devil’s needle” and “ear cutter”, link them with evil or injury. A Romanian folk tale says that the dragonfly was once a horse possessed by the devil, and Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people’s souls. Another Swedish legend holds that trolls use the dragonflies as spindles when weaving their clothes (hence the Swedish word for dragonfly “trollslonda”, meaning ‘troll’s spindle’) as well as send them to poke out the eyes of their enemies. The Norwegian name for dragonflies is “ÿyenstikker”, which literally means ‘Eye Poker.’ They are often associated with snakes, as in the Welsh name “gwas-y-neidr” or ‘adder’s servant’. The word dragonfly in Spanish translates to ‘the Devil’s Eye.’ In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku.

In Swahili the dragonfly is known as “Kereng’ende”, not much is known or discussed about this insect because it usually minds its own business, but there are beliefs that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. A dragonfly is a versatile creature even in myths and folklores

Some interesting facts

1. Dragonflies are living fossils, having remained unchanged for over 300 million years. It has a wingspan of 6 1/2 inches and was obviously a member of the club tail group. Modern club tails closely resemble this fossil specimen. The first known dragonfly fossil had a wingspan of about 29 inches.

2. Dragonflies are the world’s fastest insects and although estimates of their speed vary wildly, most credible authorities say they are capable of reaching speeds of between 30 and 60 km/h and travelling as much as 137 km in a single day.

3. T he four wings of a dragonfly can move independently of one another and are powered by large muscles that almost fill the thoracic cavity. The wings typically beat about 35 times a second.

4. I n spite of their delicate appearance, the wings are remarkably strong, which is a tribute to the weight/strength characteristics of the tiny tubes, called veins that reinforce the wing.

Dragonflies can do everything a helicopter can do - only faster. They hover, fly backward, do loops, barrel rolls, and execute very tight turns.

5. T he most highly developed sensory system of a dragonfly is that relating to sight. Their eyes cover a visual area of almost 360 degrees and are designed to detect even the slightest of movements and light flickering off the wings of prey insects.

6. D ragonflies may have a fearsome look to some people, but they are harmless to humans. In fact, many dragonflies are quite beautiful, as in the case of the Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa), and the Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa).

7. S ome dragonflies can fly great distances. For example, swarms of Wandering Gliders (Pantala flavescens) have been spotted over the Atlantic Ocean hundreds of miles from land.

8. A lthough most temperate dragonflies are active only when ambient temperature is about 50 degrees F., they have the ability to regulate their internal temperature within a narrow range. Also, by “whirring” (vibrating) their wings, they can raise the temperature of their flight muscles enough to fly.

Things we miss 40

The pleasure of Kayaking on the Indian Ocean

By Dr.. IMr.an. Hassam

M

y breathing was a ragged whistle, the muscle burn had set in a long while ago and the tropical sun beating down relentlessly on my back wasn’t helping matters much. I was 5 km away from the nearest land kayaking on the Indian Ocean with my friend. I loved every moment of it.

It had begun as a musing over coffee at a quaint outdoor café and we all know as a general rule everything seems possible over coffee on a fine night. The topic of discussion was whether a bunch of weekend warriors could manage to kayak over open ocean to Mbudya Island located off the Tanzanian mainland, a round trip of some odd 10 km.

So here we were at the White Sands Hotel on a beautiful Sunday morning faced with the daunting task of rowing to an island that was, as far as I was concerned, too tiny of a speck on the horizon. The things that I let myself get talked into! Amidst hoots and advices shouted out from my friends (who by the way took the speed boat to the Island) reminding us on what sharks liked to eat on Sundays, we finally set off.

The going was smooth and after the first few minutes the conversation died down as we began concentrating on rowing and enjoying the scenery. Yes scenery. One would think that being at the middle of an ocean there wouldn’t be much in the way of scenery. One has to look for it otherwise subtle changes in the ocean are easy to miss as the undersea grass gives way to reefs and reefs give way to deep green depths and back to more reefs.

The reefs were especially breath taking to behold. The ocean being clear as it is, one can lean over the kayak

and look straight down and be greeted by an explosion of pure colours. The reefs dancing to the beat of the ocean as a myriad of fish swim in and around them. We stopped rowing to hang motionless as we drank in the visage.

Imagine a silence whose racket is deafening. We could hear the waves lap and feel the zephyrs as they graced us with their soft kisses. We felt like the eagles that soar over the world; able to view the world in a perspective that no earth bound mortal can. It was fantastic!

On our way to Mbudya, we passed an island that seems to be inhabited by birds, birds and more birds. It is a sight enough to put a smile on ones face as you pass by this island where every available treetop is decked with scolding, complaining birds. Think guano!

Finally at Mbudya Island! To be greeted by our mates helpfully reminding us that we still had a row back to the mainland. Mbudya Island is everything one imagines a tropical island would be like and more. It has reefs for snorkelling, hiking trails to get lost on the island for hours on end and if you are as lazy as me, then swinging on a hammock under a tree is just what the doctor ordered.

If you are lucky you will come across the giant coconut crabs that inhabit the island. Did I mention the stretch of the most glorious beach that you have ever had the guilty pleasure of sinking your feet in? It’s there.

The sun was setting and everything took on a beautiful soft orange hue as we set off for the mainland. Nearing the end of our trip we decided to see if one could guide a kayak while standing up, so we stood … and promptly fell off. A wet end to a beautiful day. You couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces with sand paper if you tried. My advice before you go on a kayaking trip, always remember safety first! Wear a life jacket, t-shirt, cap, and stock up on water and a bucketful of sunscreen. And if you are feeling up to it, a fishing line and some bait would be a great idea. Other than that - Happy Kayaking!

Synapse 41

Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword

Each row and column and the 3x3 cell must contain numbers 1 to 9 without any duplicates to solve the puzzle.

CLUES ACROSS 6) What correspondents write, and builders build (7).

7) Radio detecting and ranging system (Acronym) (5).

9) Where lawyers quench their thirst? (3).

10) List a Pug for the boxing sport (Anagram) (1, 8).

12) Happening on the spot, impromptu (11).

15) What you need to keep the sides of your upper garment together (5, 6).

17) Partly sounds like piling together (9).

19) Where Daniel met with the lions? (3) 21) O! Read this one to admire strongly (An.) (5).

22) The One Above to whom we owe our existence (7).

CLUES DOWN

Presidents

Match the Presidents with their corresponding countries

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

USA KAZAKISTAN

Nicolas Sarkozy

PALESTINE

George W. Bush

NIGERIA

Mahmoud Abbas Gloria Arroyo

ZIMBABWE VENEZUELA

Robert Mugabe

LIBERIA

Umar Y’Aradua

FRANCE

Nursultan Nazarbayev

PHILLIPINES

SOLUTIONS

Hugo Chavez

POLAR DUD SNAP FALL BELOW CAT SOUP AGHAST SPARE PART NUBILE SHROUDS TENOR HAT

Relates to the region where the bears are (5).

Must be fake, dad! (3).

Break pans up? (An.) (4) Feline broth? Come again! (3, 4).

The hag sat in total dismay (An.) (6).

What you keep ready to replace a broken one (5, 4).

Woman in blue said to be marriageable (An.) (6).

You need these to wrap the dead in (7).

Singing voice atwixt baritone and alto (5).

A standard pattern that is not abnormal! (4) At the drop of this, instantly... (3).

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 8) 11) 13) 14) 16) 20)

1) 2) 3) 5) 8) 11) 13) 14) 16) 18) 20)

ACROSS DOWN 6) COLUMNS 7) RADAR 9) BAR 10) A PUGILIST 12) SPONTANEOUS 15) SHIRT BUTTON 17) COMPILING 19) DEN 21) ADORE 22) CREATOR 18) NORM

Buds 43

Simple Crossword

Top PAA websites

CLUES ACROSS 6) 7) 9) 10) 12) 15) 17) 19) 21) 23)

Time before noon (7).

What you believe right (5).

Shylock begins being timid? (3).

Day stuck between Tuesday and Thursday (9).

One who loans out cash (5, 6).

Seriously, he prepares burial ground! (5, 6).

Guard, protect and support as a Saint (9).

Where the baby sleeps (3).

Put the lid on! (5).

Male sibling (7).

www.nick.com

kids games, popular TV shows for kids, and free online games

www.fema.gov

education, schools, disasters, games

CLUES DOWN 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 8) 1 1) 13) 14) 16) 18) 20)

www.babloo.com

He was South Africa’s president or foreign minister! (5).

A traveller’s motel (3).

Less than twice! (4).

Rider on a mobile vehicle (9).

One who buys and sells (1, 6).

A single limb on which to stand? (3, 3).

Changed from one faith to another (9).

The finish! (6).

Heinous crime of State (7).

One that roams like a British land vehicle? (5).

Painfully sensitive as an open would? (4).

Where pigs live (3).

entertainment and education, multilingual for kids and adults with kids in them

www.scholastic.com

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Once upon a ...

The King was having trouble deciding who would be the best for his daughter so he decided to call all the young men to his palace. When all the young men where there the King posed his challenge. He challenged them to make a ring with words on it that would change his mood from happy or sad no matter how he was feeling.

Whoever wins gets to marry the Princess!

All the young men tried their best and gave their rings to the King, praying that they would win over the Kings beautiful Princess.

After a lot of reading, the King found the winning ring. The King tried to recall happy and sad moments he had experienced in the past and when he read “this moment will also pass”, he was consoled. As promised, the winner married the Princess and they lived happily ever after.

Fairy Tale

T

here was a King of a certain land. The King had a very beautiful daughter, the Princess, who was ready to get married. Because the Princess was so beautiful, many young men were fighting to win her over.

ACROSS 6) MORNING 7) FAITH 9) SHY 10) WEDNESDAY 12) MONEY LENDER 15) GRAVE DIGGER 17) PATRONISE 19) COT 21) COVER 22) BROTHER 18) SORE

SOLUTIONS

DOWN 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 8) 11) 13) 14) 16) 20)

BOTHA INN ONCE PASSENGER A TRADER ONE LEG CONVERTED ENDING TREASON ROVER STY

Things we miss 44

Kizimkazi Dolphins

By Maya Yaneska and Sameer Kermalli

Your mind posing all sorts of questions, “Will I be able to touch them”, “Will they be friendly”, “Will there be any sharks around”?

Later when swimming with them, the sight is so beautiful, seeing groups and families swimming right under you and next to you making you want to be able to streamline through the water just like they do.

K

izimkazi is in the southern part of Zanzibar and is famous for its clear water and the dolphins that swim there. The thought of being in the same waters as dolphins is an exciting and calming. Kizimkazi has two species of dolphin, the bottle nosed and the humpback. It is claimed that the bottle nosed dolphins are friendlier, allowing you to touch them.

Swimming with dolphins is being used as a form of therapy to cure various ailments, though most of these therapy sessions happen in closed tanks. At Kizimkazi, this is not the case.

Mayas thoughts, Knowing that the dolphins are right there where we are, swimming was a very exiting and warm feeling, mixed thoughts and emotions engulfed my mind.

You think of all sorts of things when you are on your way there, you’re too excited with your adrenaline pumping.

A visit to Kizimkazi is a must every time I am in Zanzibar, I have been there more than 3 times already and each time it is different. It is not like you go to see the dolphins in a pool, it is the open ocean, their home, I would definitely go again to experience more and more and have a different exciting experience at the thought of swimming with another mammal that makes you happy whenever you see them

How to get there

There are agencies that arrange dolphin tours located at the stone town. They arrange everything. The mini bus from stone town to Kizimkazi, which takes around an hour, then a boat a ride to where the dolphins swim, not very far from the shore. The same boat will take you fishing and snorkeling afterwards.

Now you know 45

Interesting Facts Onions

Dirty ears

Chewing on gum while cutting onions can stop a person from producing tears. Try it next time you chop onions!

Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear 700 times.

Babies Up until the age of six months, babies can breathe and swallow at the same time. Indeed convenient!

Babies’ eyes do not produce tears until they are approximately six to eight weeks old.

Habits When offered a new pen to write with, 97% of all people will write their own name.

Copy Cats

Grape bombs Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.

Seeing Stars The stars and colours you see when you rub your eyes are called phosphenes.

Big eyes Our eyes remain the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

The names of the continents all end with the same letter with which they start.

Forensics Eyes

Everyone’s tongue print is different, just like fingerprints.

The average person’s field of vision encompasses a 200-degree wide angle.

Sticky Gum Watermelons To find out if a watermelon is ripe, knock on it, and if it sounds hollow then it is ripe.

Contrary to popular belief, swallowed chewing gum doesn’t stay in the gut but passes through the system and is excreted.

Cold Hotel Stamps Canadians can send letters with personalized postage stamps with their own photos on each stamp.

There is a hotel in Sweden built entirely out of ice; it is rebuilt every year.

Cracking Knuckles Desert Snow It snowed in the Sahara Desert in February of 1979.

Big Plants

The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.

Cool Blue

Plants watered with warm water grow larger and quicker than plants watered with cold water.

The colour blue can have a calming affect on people. Depending upon the shade, the brain may send up to 11 tranquilizing chemicals to calm the body.

Hindsight

Deadly Nuts

The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their head are the rabbit and parrot.

Raw cashews are poisonous and must be roasted before eaten.

Tech specs & exercises 47

Hot and high airports ATR are operated today under all typer of climates.

Other ATR operators are based in regions with similar environments like Iran, Aseman, Royal Air Maroc, Air Botswana and Air Algerie. ATRs are well adapted for such difficult conditions and hence the aircraft of choice for operators in these areas.

ATR 42Versatility To suit regional operations Low weights, together with an advanced aerodynamic design and the choice of state of the art highly efficient Pratt & Whitney PW100 series engines keep fuel burn to a minimum.

Associated with high tank capacities, this allows excellent range characteristics and the capability to fly multiple sectors without refueling.

Requiring remarkable little runway for takeoff and landing, the ATR can operate from a wide range of airports, featuring also a steep approach capability with performance credit operations on very short runways (800 to 1000m).

Exercises 1. Ankle Circles

Lift feet off the floor. Draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise and the other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles. Rotate in each direction for 15 seconds. Repeat if desired.

2. Foot Pumps

Foot motion is in three stages.

1. Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can.

2. Put both feet flat on the floor.

3. Lift heels high, keeping balls of feet on the floor.

Repeat these three stages in a continuous motion and in 30second intervals.

3. Knee Lifts

Lift leg with knee bent while contracting your thigh muscle.

Alternate legs. Repeat 20 to 30 times for each leg.

4. Neck Roll

With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and back, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times.

5. Knee to Chest

Bend forward slightly. Clasp hands around the left knee and hug it to your chest. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Keeping hands around the knee, slowly let it down.

Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times.

6. Forward Flex

With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs toward your ankles.

Hold stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up.

7. Shoulder Roll

Hunch shoulders forward, then upward, then backward, and downward, using a gentle circular motion.