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BTS Newsletter Jan 2017

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BTS Newsletter Jan 2017 January 2017 BTS NEWSLETTER www.btsociety.org www.tanzdevtrust.org Volume 15 Issue No 1 AMBASSADOR MIGIRO: CALM, ARTICULATE AND TO THE POINT Tanzanian High Commissioner’s talk to BTS AGM, Saturday 19th November Westminster Central Hall A Report and photos by Freddy Macha H. E. Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro would brief us on “current developments in Tanzania”, this as British Tanzania Society chair Dr Andrew Coulson warned his audience, was a gigantic task. It is one year into the new Presidency, and “whatever you say will be of interest...you cannot go wrong,” he said amidst laughter. Dr Migiro was introduced with adjectives. Academic. Law. Ministerial positions. Diplomacy. Seen it all, at various levels. First female foreign minister, first African United Nations female assistant secretary general, etc, etc. The newly appointed high commissioner was gracious i.e. she said all the accolades are about serving her “country, not about me,” - which summed up her visit. Instead of a long, mundane speech - she was as brief and concise as she was detailed. She managed to give us a facsimile of what is happening after the 2015 Presidential elections. The rest of the time (and this was long) questions were shot like water pistols. Hands were raised. Busy time. The relaxed lady grabbed three questions at a time. Dealt with each, separately. Calm and articulate. How is Zanzibar? What about the new cyber laws? And the rise of inequalities in Tanzania? Land rights for foreign based citizens. Dual citizenship. Constitutional crisis. Nonstop tirade. I am certain readers would like to know what was actually said. We can divide answers into two sections. One part was dealt with efficiently. Take Mr Aseri Katanga, an unsung hero who works with Computers 4 Africa, sending used laptops and PCs to children in Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Gambia and Tanzania. Why are high fees charged for visas to volunteers travelling to deliver these computers in rural Tanzania? BTS members never get salaries. Their work is voluntary. Dr Migiro assured she would look into the matter. The second type of answers was current affairs. The slogan “Sasa Hapa Kazi tu”...why such a slogan? An example? Cut unnecessary spending. Prioritise education. We all know the stats. Abolishment of school fees. Enrolment of pupils in standard one in the past year has swollen from 1,282,000 in 2015 to 1,896,584 in 2016. Or the clamping down on freedom of movement and association. Media freedom. Zanzibar 2015 election. Such stuff. How did she answer? A lawyer and experienced politician. She dissected the original meaning , pointed out what CCM has done - why and finally what the future promises. Belief in the party and the President. The land issue for overseas based citizens is a perfect example. Dr Migiro: “I believe the government of Dr John Magufuli will take up this matter when things are in place...” Even after the talks was over and everyone mingled with a cup of tea (“cuppa” as the English say), Dr Migiro was relentlessly hunted. I did not see the experienced envoy pause to sit or be quiet or yawn. Thus is public service. Page 2 BTS AGM/Award to Petronilla Mlowe BTS Newsletter January 2017 BRITAIN – TANZANIA SOCIETY AGM, Saturday, 19th November. Almost 80 members assembled in Central Hall, Westminster for the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Society on Saturday, 19th November. The Society now has a membership in excess of 600; clearly many value the opportunities which the Society affords to keep in touch with Tanzania. The Annual Report of BTS was presented by our chairman, Andrew Coulson, whilst Jonathan Pace, Chairman of the Tanzania Development Trust since 2015, presented the Annual Report of TDT. These reports are still available on the website or paper copies can be requested from Dr Elizabeth Taylor, Executive Secretary of BTS and TDT. At this meeting several members stepped down – see ‘Note from Chair’ - opposite page. Petronilla Mwakatuma also stood down from her post of Membership Secretary. She continues to be a member of the Executive Committee where she makes a valuable contribution to links with the Tanzanian diaspora. She recently received a certificate of Recognition and Appreciation - see below. As reported by Freddy Macha on the front page, the true highlight of the AGM was the speech given by H.E. Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, Tanzania High Commissioner to the UK who spoke on ‘Current Developments in Tanzania’ and responded fully to questions from the floor. At the end of the meeting, members had the opportunity to network and visit the tables set up by various organisations which work with Tanzania. There was also a presentation of slides showing aspects of the many projects which TDT has supported in Tanzania. Award to BTS executive member Petronilla Mlowe BTS Executive member, Petronilla Mlowe is a Food Lead auditor with vast experience in Food Safety in the UK spanning over 15 years. Based on her experience in food safety industry regulatory role she decided to utilise the skills she gained in the UK to help her fellow Tanzanians. Petronilla joined TDT 3 years ago and straight away got involved with a project helping women in Singida. “Since joining I have learnt a lot from other BTS members. I often travel back and forth to Tanzania to help farmers, small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses engaged in food, or interested in food export, particularly to EU countries. I also run webinars and WhatsApp courses to agricultural and manufacturers in Tanzania.” Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation Petronilla was in Tanzania in early August this year when she received a phone call from former Prime Minister Hon. Pinda, wanting to support her work. “ It was nice to know I had taught a Bee keeping Tanzania WhatsApp group in which he took part” said Petronilla. She was also invited to the 3rd Diaspora conference in Zanzibar after receiving a phone call from the Tanzanian ambassador in South Africa, Hon Rose Jairo and Minister for Diaspora in Tanzania Hon Ms Anisa Mbega. Whilst in Zanzibar Petronilla met some highly reputable top government officials who appreciated and recognised her work and efforts and promised to work closely with her. She had an opportunity to say a vote of thanks to a guest of honour Hon January Makamba, on behalf of Hon President Dr Magufuli. “I was so pleased to receive an accolade appreciating and acknowledging my work. ‘The Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation’ was awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of East Africa and the Minister of State President's Office and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, the organiser of the conference, and presented by Hon. January Makamba, Minister of State in the Vice President's Office, at a dinner event. After the conference, Petronilla taught a ‘Good Agricultural Course’ to the former Minister of Commerce and Industries, Mama Rita Mlaiki and her family. “It was a wonderful time”. Petronilla is currently preparing for an international conference in Tanzania, with the theme ‘Integrating Globalisation with Food Safety and Security’ which is scheduled for August 2017. “I require lots of help with preparations for this and therefore I would really welcome support from anyone with experience in preparing such big events.” BTS Newsletter January 2017 BTS Chair Page 3 A note from BTS Chair: The recent AGM was a very friendly occasion, with the best attendance for several years. We got through the business quickly in order to free up time for a presentation by Her Excellency Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, the recently appointed Tanzanian High Commissioner in London (See Freddy Macha’s report). We also said thank you to Jill Bowden and David Brewin. David is still on the committee but has stood down as editor of Tanzanian Affairs after 30 years. Jill has stood down after (I think) even longer, and after doing a whole range of jobs, including Secretary but most recently Treasurer. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions over the years. Three Important Vacancies But there is one very dark cloud. We failed to fill 3 Website Manager: important vacancies on the Committee – for The website is as simple as we can make it, and very Treasurer, Membership Officer, and Website effective, but it does need to be kept up to date, for Manager. None of the 3 jobs are onerous. example by putting on information about Treasurer: The Treasurer job is probably the least. forthcoming seminars and events and then There are perhaps 30 transactions out of the bank replacing that information with reports about those account each year, such as bills for printing and events after they have taken place. payments of rail tickets to speakers at seminars. The Can you help? subs almost all come into the account through So could you all give this very serious consideration? direct debits. So the task involves watching over the Please email it to any friends or others who might be bank account, and producing simple summaries of interested or know of people who might be - young where we stand,for meetings and the AGM. We are or old, In work or retired, with experience of not a company or a charity, so there are no legal Tanzania or just with interest in it. Even a short reporting requirements. You certainly do not need period of time – up till the next AGM in October – to be an accountant to do this job. would be helpful. Membership Officer: The membership officer keeps our list of members up to date, and in a form If anyone would like to discuss it, in the first instance that emails can be taken off it for mailing out to email me on [email protected] or Elizabeth members, and address labels printed for the Taylor on [email protected] .
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