tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194284332012-02-16T03:52:31.477-05:00What They Don't Want You To See and KnowJeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.comBlogger871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-69430306570337315052007-08-22T20:44:00.000-04:002007-08-22T21:05:07.329-04:00

Few days ago I put a link of the protests in Kenya with reference to the new media law bill that was proposed. Whether the western media machines were right or wrong to make the story make the headlines, is not a matter of apprehension at this point. What is important to the point of making it in this blog that is now captivated to only good news is that President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, who

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-25371075804941367402007-08-17T18:34:00.000-04:002007-08-17T18:36:04.470-04:00

It’s Friday evening. After a long week I am getting ready to lay my head down and relax a little bit. But wait, I am attending a wedding ceremony tonight. What a great way to end a week! It’s an African centred wedding, a Muslim wedding. One little secret, it’s my first time to attend a wedding since I came to this country. Not to suggest that people don’t get married in Canada or where I live.

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-70825265439047056592007-08-16T11:29:00.000-04:002007-08-16T11:43:14.462-04:00

Is African economy lifeless? If you watch the way most western newspapers and TV news tell it, you may be tempted to conclude that there's little going on in Africa except poverty, famine, disease, and even genocide. That is a wrong assumption because there is a lot going on in Africa. They just rarely make it to the mainstream media. What makes it to the mainstream media is news like the protest

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-50996977566071836452007-08-15T15:51:00.000-04:002007-08-15T15:59:54.830-04:00

I remember once upon a time I was involved in a heated debate about which women/ladies are the most beautiful ones in the world? "Which" meant which country. The debate was hot because everyone had his/her idea about beauty and elegance.I being from Tanzania, I defended our women till when there was no more time for argument.Surprisingly,last week I overheard a group of young people talking about

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-14755777484406228682007-08-15T14:09:00.000-04:002007-08-15T14:14:21.702-04:00

You have to forgive me for the little twist my blog has to take again. I have been a buffalo soldier trying to make sure that African continent is fairly represented in the western media. Right now when you hear a word “Africa” mentioned in television station and newspapers here, you’d think Africa is a single country sharing same troubles and humiliation. No wonder the fact like Equatorial

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-32148140037914194542007-08-03T18:37:00.001-04:002007-08-03T18:42:41.988-04:00

I have said it before, please bear with me,I have to say it again.Different people blogs for different reasons. Among those reasons, Tanzanian bloggers, including myself, can proudly say they are blogging for social change.You may agree with me that blogging for fun, although its necessary in order to see another day, would not be all that fun when brothers and sisters are dying for completely

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-90584983372925783172007-08-03T10:43:00.001-04:002007-08-03T10:50:00.732-04:00

Its a Friday morning, I was hoping to have a great day.The weather is warm,unusually warm for most Canadians.But for me,who lived in Dar-es-salaam where the weather rarely goes below 25 degrees,its just a lovely day.However,my hopes for the best day were not to last that longer.Its because I came across an article which made me sad and just wonder, whats wrong with some of us,human beings?

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-54662836982300658442007-07-19T22:46:00.000-04:002007-07-19T22:52:30.447-04:00

Yesterday was Nelson “Madiba” Mandela’s 89th birthday. Congratulations and best wishes ahead Madiba. The name Mandela does not need lots of fanfare preamble. He is one man who is globally well known, loved and respected. He is among African sons that we are so proud of. His comrades like Julius Nyerere are among other African leaders that I truly admire, respect and love and wish I could have

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-8206382752001473322007-07-16T11:04:00.000-04:002007-07-16T11:10:04.323-04:00

Different bloggers, blogs for, different reasons. I blog for lots different reasons. However, just as Global Voices identified me recently, I blog for social change. Social changes comes slow, they face lots of resistances. In Africa, where I come from and proud to be from, social changes are even slower due to the fact that if allowed, they come as threats to most leaders. Therefore, these

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-38616530692466890462007-07-10T15:06:00.000-04:002007-07-10T15:13:59.733-04:00

Have we forgotten what Africa is? Africa is our dreamland, is our spiritual homeland. There is a realm inside every human being that is Africa. We all have an Africa within us. And so when the Africa outside is sick with troubles, the Africa inside us makes us ill with neuroses. The sheer quantity of neuroses, of anorexia, of inexplicable psychic illness in the world is possibly indirectly due to

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-26788540299790793752007-06-11T20:03:00.000-04:002007-06-11T20:09:30.240-04:00

Violence among black youth or youth in general across the GTA is now overpowering to all of us. Over the last couple of weeks, violent acts among youth can be painted with almost five deaths of very young people who had just started to enjoy life or make sense of what it is to be born a man or a woman. Listening to the tone of politicians, law enforcers, members of the community, social

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-18749188701328018062007-06-08T16:07:00.000-04:002007-06-08T16:15:29.868-04:00

The recent legal proceedings have left me thinking, a lot of thinking actually.What is justice in North America? Do you just have to unlucky one or poor to have the painful side of the law as a visitor?I know sometimes its somehow absurd to talk about these legal proceedings.They actually annoy me pretty much. Have you ever heard of this woman who killed her defenseless preacher husband and then

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-14791949116679249922007-05-27T22:07:00.001-04:002007-05-27T22:12:30.661-04:00

Now that the weather is good, I sometimes take a break from my busy weekday schedule to appreciate and discover what Toronto has to offer. Yesterday was Doors Open Toronto weekend.I took time to visit most landmark and historical building of the city.Toronto City Hall (in the picture above) was one of them.

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-47422370601262773972007-05-21T09:47:00.000-04:002007-05-21T10:06:00.254-04:00

The case of Darfur is one of the most worst stories of human history. It's another good example of how, as human beings, we can choose to fail and indeed succeed. Many says the war on terrorism is perhaps the most dangerous thing of the century because it threatens entire college of humanism, democracy,human rights and dignity. The way the international community have and still handles the Darfur

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-81272540273075542012007-05-06T19:45:00.000-04:002007-05-06T20:03:41.865-04:00

Greetings,Two or three forms of art usually stand out in my mind when I think of how to bestly explain anything so hard to be understood by many. Music is one of them. Now I know some music/lyrics could carry a very negative meaning, racial slurs, violence against women, championing the acts of evil etc.I am not talking about such music. I am talking about the music that is pure and nothing but

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-63300213638204836612007-04-20T15:01:00.000-04:002007-04-20T16:30:48.321-04:00

If you are using glasses for reading or day to day vision, the idea of loosing your glasses even for one hour is never appealing. Can you even start to imagine how miserable such a day could turn out to be? In developing world over 200 million people do not actually misplace their glasses but do not have one, even though they badly need them! Many people in developing world including lots of

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-54055840942024379142007-04-03T15:22:00.000-04:002007-04-03T15:25:26.131-04:00

You must have noticed,I am trying to give my blog a new look.Given the fact that I am not a computer wiz by any standards,that may take some time.Therefore,please bear with me when I am doing that.Thanks!

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-28460831353261503862007-03-21T10:37:00.000-04:002007-03-21T10:47:31.515-04:00

If you ask most North Americans about what they consider a very pressing issue at the moment,they will most likely tell you it's the environment. What if you ask these Africans?Photo courtesy of Cedric Kalonji who blogs in French.

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-61621858280897174582007-03-17T20:00:00.000-04:002007-03-17T20:45:45.048-04:00

Different from other parts of the world in Africa every tune,every drum beat,every saxophone bit could carry a very significant message. That means you can still enjoy the african music,on and off stage.Listen here to some of the best african tunes that are covered.If you are interested about the history of some of african greatest music styles this article will help you. Lastly,what is your

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-34822314430204417162007-03-04T12:49:00.000-05:002007-03-04T13:07:37.441-05:00

Sometimes reality is a hard thing to face.Its human nature to try,as much as possible,to avoid thinking or imagining things that will depress you,make you cry,sad and even confused.The psychological therapists will tell you that thinking positive,putting a smile on your face are two important steps towards happiness,success and well-being.I agree with them.However,there are times when one is

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-37493860816701552462007-02-23T18:42:00.000-05:002007-02-23T19:12:22.890-05:00

Without being too judgmental, most of us will agree that Bob Marley is one of our all time legend personalities. His music was real,his messages were carried life by themselves.His popularity across the globe is/was untouchable. To this day,his music is widely listened to and its one of the tunes that will witness a crowd going wild but with peace. His music was all season to mean that he sang

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1171476497724050462007-02-14T12:31:00.000-05:002007-02-14T13:08:17.753-05:00

To millions of people in the world,today is Valentine's Day. Like many things in the world, the real story behind this day is not very clear and surprisingly no one will even admit to historical facts errors even if new proofs accompanied by new sciences would back up their new stories. Its for the hypocrisy,greed and fear that lots of stones are left unturned for centuries and centuries.Nobody

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1170086847109388072007-01-29T10:54:00.000-05:002007-01-29T11:07:27.130-05:00

Africa is not only about wars,diseases,corruption, deaths and tooth to tooth struggles! If you happen to be an african advocate, you have probably lamented that way when you constantly see in the news what western media prefers to feed its viewers and readers.Almost nothing positive comes out of Africa.I am using a word "almost" because I do not get to see all the channels and newspapers all the

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1169569116076189362007-01-23T10:15:00.000-05:002007-01-23T11:18:36.180-05:00

As of today,Canadians and Americans who will be traveling by air across their borders as well as to Mexico and the Caribbean are supposed to carry their passports along with them. The move is said to be geared towards increased border security across all borders.In common terms,both Canadian and American authorities agrees that the borders needs to be more secure than ever before. As we know,the

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1169480283600660402007-01-22T10:26:00.000-05:002007-01-22T10:38:03.626-05:00

If there is one thing that most of North Americans (and nearly all developed countries in the world), is that each one is suffering from certain types of debts.Most of those debts are financial debts although spiritual and moral debts are slowly becoming heavier and heavier. Most people,especially after holidays like Christmas, will head towards their kitchen tables, holding enough amount of

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1168628963089025432007-01-12T14:06:00.000-05:002007-01-12T14:17:07.460-05:00

Greetings,Miraculously the year 2007 has already kicked in which suggests that all things that were done or undone in 2007 goes into historical archives waiting to be shared mostly among history students and their professors. They say the world is too busy to remember everything or try to keep history alive and a tool for learning. Soon we will forget about Saddam Hussein, shall we?Whilst a new

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1166761152391692952006-12-21T22:55:00.000-05:002006-12-21T23:19:12.406-05:00

What are you doing for Christmas? That question has been thrown on my face thousands of times in the last few weeks.I have been asked that question so many times to the extent that now, whenever I am about to meet anyone that I know has not asked me before, I volunteer the answers. Everybody is busy with preparations for Christmas holidays. Over 2 billions dollars will be spend just this month

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1164997486375500152006-12-01T13:20:00.001-05:002006-12-01T13:42:14.263-05:00

Today is World AIDS/HIV day. I do not fancy the idea of having a “specific day” for a crisis that affects millions of lives everyday. To me, in most of the times, the specific days takes away commitment and essence of the struggle. However, that is probably how it has always been and I have little choice than to agree with the “system” before the system rejects me!Africa, for all the reasons,

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1164299877617599162006-11-23T11:32:00.000-05:002006-11-23T11:37:57.643-05:00

The results for the first round of votes towards Canadian Blogs Awards are out.As you all know this blog had been nominated for Best Cultural Blog category.Unfortunately, this blog did not make it to the second round. You can see the results here. Does that surprise you? For sure it surprised me. I thought I had a better blog especially in that specific category of my nomination. What do you

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1164128513482688092006-11-21T11:47:00.000-05:002006-11-21T12:01:55.360-05:00

I am currently reading a book titled Fashioning Africa:Power and the Politics of Dress which is edited by Jean Allman. Thanks to my friend Scout of Harper Valley for recommending to me this book through sending me one of the essays. The book is fascinating. It is like reading the history again, in different perspective. The book revisits some historical facts and histories using “fashion”. The

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1163793483894213392006-11-17T14:50:00.000-05:002006-11-17T14:58:03.980-05:00

Few weeks ago, when I asked my readers to reflect to me what they would like to have me blogging about, one of them asked if I can talk about African Music. Now when you talk about african music, you are talking about something real huge,something attached to the soul and hearts of millions.You will be touching some people's foundation of life.While I am still gathering the long "literature"

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1163779095721209902006-11-17T10:52:00.000-05:002006-11-17T10:58:15.740-05:00

Some days comes with great news. That is how sweet life is. Today is one of them to me. I have just received notification that this blog (African Perspective) has been nominated for 2006 Canadian Blog Awards in Best Cultural Blog category. Many thanks to whoever nominated me for the award. My love to culture must have influenced this consideration.Votes are now underway. I for one need your votes

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1163729680319238482006-11-16T21:12:00.000-05:002006-11-16T21:14:40.336-05:00

The sun is shining, the wilderness is amazing.An African child is up again, to face another day. From above the mountain, Africa can be seen. It is a shining pearl. Love it or hate, it’s a cradle of mankind.Please sit down. Let us talk about culture. Walk me through the valleys of culture and traditions. Tell me the great tales of humanity. Let us talk about humanity. Talking about culture is

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1163098596425211232006-11-09T13:50:00.000-05:002006-11-09T13:56:36.440-05:00

Christmas season is just around the corner. Here in North America the "temptations" are already out there. The tv commercials are already flashing every five minutes. To many Africans, christmas is still a western holiday.But that has not stopped them from celebrating christmas even more than westerners themselves. There are of course tons of theories against and for christmas. But one important

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1162509778533596022006-11-02T18:19:00.000-05:002006-11-02T18:24:21.876-05:00

As hard as it may be, today I need to start by saying sorry to all of you who have been visiting my blog in hope of finding something new just to find same old 14th October article. I know some of you have visited me, yes, I know and I thank you and beg you please accept my apology. See, blogging is fun but also a voluntary responsibility especially when you write for both sides of the sword,

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1160846642746618402006-10-14T13:22:00.000-04:002006-10-14T13:38:04.143-04:00

(Photo courtesy of Issa Michuzi)Sometimes last year, a friend of mine asked me a tough and funny question. He asked me, if given a chance to select four people, dead or alive, which I would like to have dinner with, who would they be? The question included additional guidelines that my parents should not be on the list. He probably knew in advance

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1160766804569850902006-10-13T15:01:00.000-04:002006-11-16T21:24:46.440-05:00

Today is Friday 13th. Before coming to North America I never knew about the superstitions associated with this date. Now I know, I have never believed in superstitions in my life. Should I start now?Apart from being a non-believer when it comes to superstitions, there are things that I consider “bad cases” when I see them. I believe that is a power of imagination, you can call it self-inflicted

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1160419841149486912006-10-09T14:49:00.000-04:002006-10-09T14:50:41.166-04:00

Dear friends,I hope you are all fine. North America has not changed much and therefore I am in the same situation that I was last time I wrote. Drastically changes are rare nowadays. Sometimes I wonder whether it is because courageous men are all dead or it’s just that we are too busy to even think about changes. However, people claims that things are changing because every dawn there is a new

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1160067409436175312006-10-05T12:43:00.000-04:002006-10-05T12:56:49.466-04:00

If you ask a question "why is Africa under-developed"? You may hear lots of answers, some of them may even suprise you.It depends on who is asking the question and who is ready to answer. One of the popular answers is that African leaders are corrupt. This may be true, I am not positively sure.The reason why I am not very sure is that I have always considered the "corruption" as two way traffic

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1159287183645293682006-09-26T12:01:00.000-04:002006-09-26T12:13:03.666-04:00

Wonders never cease. You have probably heard that sentence before or used it yourself in daily conversation somewhere. But how true is it? I have used it a million times. I remember using it when the americans re-elected George W.Bush instead of John Kerry in 2004 US presidential elections. I bet I can use it again when somewhere in India, medical miracle suggests that a man too can become

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1158862121598323622006-09-21T14:00:00.000-04:002006-09-21T14:08:41.620-04:00

What about Chavez?Do we agree with the case he is putting on international tables?Do we need need a new UN?If at all I agree with his suggestion, I have one condition; the next Secretary General has to be a woman.What do you think? You can read Venezuela's president, Hugo Chaves's speech here.I liked it.

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1158770485843470882006-09-20T12:18:00.000-04:002006-09-20T17:08:32.796-04:00

The UN General Assembly is on high kick.Speeches are being delivered. African statesmen and their huge entourage are busy in New York.Come on,lets be real here,what they say does not matter,does not deny anyone a sleep. These are first class tourists unless something changes drastically. Therefore when I say busy I mean busy shopping,soliciting business(personal may be) begging investors to come

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1158339051481926802006-09-15T12:43:00.000-04:002006-09-15T12:50:51.496-04:00

A traveller is an atheist. We have that saying in Africa. How much of that saying is true or not could be an endless debate.There are thousands of perceived messages that could come out of this picture. What do you think when you see this one? Please leave your opinion(s).Don't just glance at it and say nothing.I would like to hear from you.Picture courtesy of my good friend Yahya Charahani who

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1158242387762885572006-09-14T09:54:00.000-04:002006-09-14T10:22:55.693-04:00

Yes I have been quite, I admit. I have been watching news, listening to the same old radio; I have had it for eighteen years now. It still gives me the vibes I need, same old wacko jacko thriller. Been busy watching the documentaries. My TV set is still black and white. I am an old school, I admit and not complain. But I can see the flying planes hitting the twin towers, oops I poor me I thought

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1157725840474463882006-09-08T10:24:00.000-04:002006-09-08T10:32:06.826-04:00

Recently,I came accross the north american phenomena called Blue Men.Although these guys have existed since 80's, of recent they have become talks and talks of cities and towns. Did I like their performances...mmmh.Not very sure. But well,they made it,they are living now for being blue! What a big apple North America is,is that right?

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1157641283836514192006-09-07T11:00:00.000-04:002006-09-07T11:01:23.853-04:00

Dear Mom and Dad,Its my earnestly hope that you are all fine. As I always say, hope is the best thing that all human beings are living by/for. Envisioning a day with no hope is hard. Hope keeps us moving, keeps us focused and above all positive hopes brings about better dreams as opposed to nightmares.I am fine, fine than when I wrote you two past letters. I was very sorry to hear that my

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1157484035152598242006-09-05T15:17:00.000-04:002006-09-05T15:48:17.473-04:00

I feel sorry when anybody loses life. I simply hate death. That explains why I see my doctor twice a year!Today, the world mourns the death of Steve Irwin, an environmentalist, animal lover, down to earth person, risks taker, husband, friend, dad and many more. How did he die? Here is the story.In Africa, we simply don’t play with the so called wild species. We hardly have pets that lives inside

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1157151103075198002006-09-01T18:45:00.000-04:002006-09-01T18:51:43.090-04:00

Where I come from there is a saying that says "shughuli ni watu".Literally it means there is no people,there is no event/party.Simple as that. I bet that is true,isn't it? This photo was taken during 2006 Caribana parade.Can you see me there?

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1156967434143404122006-08-30T15:27:00.000-04:002006-08-30T16:51:43.056-04:00

In case you didn't know,confidence is power.I remember been told/reminded that fact some years ago when my mentors were injecting in me "the powers" that they always believed and wanted me to posses. I am not sure whether that was a success but I am comfortable that at least the bells that keeps me awake when needed to, sings the same tunes;confidence is power!The Iranian president, Mr.Mahmoud

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1156709088149908792006-08-27T15:57:00.000-04:002006-08-27T16:09:09.146-04:00

Over this week CNN, the station that I rarely watch, has been airing their Christine Amapour’s documentary “In The Footsteps of Osama Bin Laden”. The main anthem of that documentary was knowing your enemy. I happened to watch the documentary not because I had nothing else to watch but because I wanted to see whether things have changed since the last time I got myself glued on my couch to watch “

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1156192415978686122006-08-21T16:13:00.000-04:002006-08-21T16:35:32.920-04:00

Almost a week to come,last year, the world saw a different face of America. The face that somebody wishes it was never to be revealed. How the saga came out of headlines seems to be a conspiracy of its own nature. A week or so after Katrina I wrote this in my swahili and only blog I had by then.Spike Lee, one of the film producers that I respect a lot, has come up with When The Leeves Broke

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1155838790393117422006-08-17T14:18:00.000-04:002006-08-17T14:19:50.413-04:00

When tough gets going,why not just watch the geese and smile?

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1155601256745378312006-08-14T19:54:00.000-04:002006-08-17T13:58:10.696-04:00

The XVI International Conference on HIV/AIDS 2006 in Toronto, Canada has started. Over 24,000 delegates across the globe are in Toronto to plan, evaluate and discuss policies, politics, freak economics etc. The first reflection that comes into my mind is when will this conference go back to Africa where it is believed to be a fact that almost half of the people infected with the virus live? Is

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1154731450798881032006-08-04T18:35:00.000-04:002006-08-04T18:44:10.813-04:00

Dear Mom and Dad,As I promised you in my last letter, whenever I get time I will write. I am not sure whether its because I am a promise keeper or just because I love writing. The challenge I have is to write more and also learn more so that I could escape the trap of writing more, learn less and therefore end up planning more and accomplishing nothing. Have I ever told you that in this part of

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1154382182576046002006-07-31T17:27:00.000-04:002006-07-31T17:43:02.603-04:00

I recently received a forwarded email from a friend that I just couldn't put it in trash like how I do to thousands of them. This one was special,painful and felt that it needed my attention,at least by spreading it out. I forwarded it to everyone in my mailing list.Even after doing that, I am still not getting enough sleep. Believing that similar situations are still common even today makes me

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1154026518369323802006-07-27T14:32:00.000-04:002006-07-31T19:50:26.810-04:00

If you happen to be working in social service industry in Canada or USA you have probably heard the word "community" mentioned in countless policy dossiers and memos than any other words,not even Osama or Bush. Of course if you instead watch too much television your experiences could somewhat be different.Just as how Osama and Bush are tv magic words,I think,in my opinion, community is a magic

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1153347696139601032006-07-19T18:16:00.000-04:002006-07-31T18:57:07.160-04:00

Dear Dad and Mom,I have to believe,not only hope, that you are all fine.If I will say I am not fine, a bit confused, deeply thinking, the white man will have no choice but to admit me for clinical depression. That is how it goes down here, quite different from how such incidents are handled back there. A long tiresome trip to the village to see grandparents and play with old friends at a nearby

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1153159528661628582006-07-17T13:47:00.000-04:002006-07-31T14:05:35.956-04:00

The G8 for 2006 is over. Attendees,journalists,demonstrators, watch dogs etc etc are now parking and ready to head back to their base. I am still wondering whether this meetings worths the attention it gathers every year round.But as the "picnic" ends and promises are on the tables again,I notice one thing.Canadian Prime Minister,Stephen Joseph Harper is the youngest yet the heaviest. Should I

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1153081434818121022006-07-16T15:48:00.000-04:002006-07-16T16:27:35.006-04:00

The world is full of chaos,media outlets are full of worrying and hope -outlets stories.Its either deaths,wars or threats. You just can't trust anyone anymore,even your close relative. Reason?Simple..you don't know what they believe into,you are never sure whether they mean freedom fighting or terrorism based on corrupted faiths/beliefs.If our ancestors ever lived in the world like the one we are

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1152642188686862912006-07-11T14:15:00.000-04:002006-07-11T14:26:10.070-04:00

The world cup is over.Whether Italy deserved to be crowned the world champions or didn't does not matter anymore.They did it anyway. France will have to wait untill 2010 when finally,the game goes to my beloved continent.Lord,please keep extending my visa so that I attend the games at "home".It was joy and fun to watch how fans celebrated whenever their teams emerged winners.Among the fans who

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1150914598899984642006-06-21T14:12:00.000-04:002006-06-21T14:47:19.876-04:00

Last night I finally composed myself and had guts to watch the HBO documentary called Baghdad E.R. I had to compose myself because I seriously don't fancy to see blood,dead bodies,injured people or people in such pain of a bullet or bomb blast.But I had no choice but to watch this disturbing reality life of what life means for the soldiers in Iraq,Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world. Through

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1150738787204798382006-06-19T13:24:00.000-04:002006-06-19T13:39:47.220-04:00

Sometimes life becomes so busy to the extent that we completely forget where we are from,where we are going,who we are and most dangerous what to do! Once in a while I am a victim of all the above.However,I thank my god(yes my god and not yours) that he does not allow me to loose my mind even for one minute.How could the feeling of loosing my mind for even one minute be?Do you ask yourself the

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1147447430600374932006-05-12T11:11:00.000-04:002006-06-19T13:23:57.923-04:00

Recently, the president of Iran-Mahmood Ahmadinejad wrote a letter to president George W.Bush. As usual,as it is known,such hard core letters do not get a chance in most of the western media spotlights.It all has to do with who owns the media,belongs to which political philosophy,with whom do they eat dinners and plays golf with etc.Diplomacy has never been at the best angle than in what the Iran

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1147042606556169212006-05-07T18:35:00.000-04:002006-05-07T19:05:27.650-04:00

Last weekend I visited the capital city of Canada.The sky was blue and the weather was just perfect for a tourist like myself.Was I a tourist? May be yes, may be no,of course I had other businesses to accomplish in Ottawa.When you talk about Canada you are almost talking about Ottawa. Every angle ends in there and as they say,if you want to win you have to practise with the best.That is my

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1144109957845804802006-04-03T20:07:00.000-04:002006-04-03T20:20:44.616-04:00

Human rights and democracy are words that sounds somehow disgusting in my ears now.Before being introduced to this new vocabulary I was in a big war for what in Africa we called neo-colonialism. Before sunset neo-colonialism was perfectly and carefully replaced by globalization and privatization. What happens in most African countries today under the umbrella of globalization and privatization is

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1143055924801480092006-03-22T14:29:00.001-05:002006-03-22T14:32:51.736-05:00

We are living in the world that peace and stability is a new myth. Pure human rights ,justice and equality practices are almost as rare as Tanzanite jewels which are believed to be available only in Tanzania,the country where I hail from. When war against terror,seeking peace and justice becomes the common words in every world leader speech, another common man like me wonders what happened and

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1141833348839000932006-03-08T10:31:00.000-05:002006-03-08T10:57:34.723-05:00

In countless occassions I have clearly stated that english is not my language.Not even the second one or the third. Outspoken as hell in the cradle of humanity,I still struggle to bring sentences together. The notable difference is that giving up is a sin to me,therefore I keep going,miles and miles. The journey of being multi-lingual is not an easy one. You will always carry the luggage of jokes

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1140411373269828252006-02-19T23:18:00.000-05:002006-02-19T23:56:13.336-05:00

As I am writting this article it is a very cold night in the GTA.Thoughts and prayers goes to men and women on the streets because they don't or can't afford a place to call their homes.We call them homelessness yet do very little about them.Most of them can not even afford a meal,cold or warm one.Their survival totally depends on miracles.Humanity means nothing to them,does it? Should it?The

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1139941458946289672006-02-14T13:03:00.000-05:002006-02-17T18:54:18.016-05:00

In life there must be things that you agree with and disagree with. Its also essential to have ideologies that you believe in and others that you do not believe in.Its purity of life and one among few areas that offers totally independence and freedom of opinions.Whether the same qualifies into "freedom of speech" myths and truths,it is a matter of choices like that of promised paradise and hell!

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1139342087124823312006-02-07T14:33:00.000-05:002006-02-07T14:54:47.143-05:00

It certainly feel like a dream, a dream that your only house is burning and your both hands a tied up.You can do less than watch,weep and let it go. Its the simple laws of life that you have to live with.I am not sure where was I composing these dreams from.May be they were wishes and not hopes.I am told black people wishes but not hope. For some reasons I was not excited that Steven Harper was

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1138241814828392422006-01-25T20:31:00.000-05:002006-01-25T21:16:54.873-05:00

Watching Canada's politics from the short distance as I did this time is one of the best experiences that I will always have at the back of my mind. If I decide to take the life turn and move back to my beautiful country of Tanzania in next two or three years,I would have written a nice,best-seller novel if not a memoir of my life in Canada. Many things keeps on happening,some makes me laugh,some

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1137200149188686942006-01-13T19:21:00.000-05:002006-01-13T20:42:31.586-05:00

There are two words in North American common vocabulary that I constantly hear every now and then.These words are stereotyping and discriminating. As far as I now know the two common words can perfectly be connected with the North Americans views about my beloved continent of Africa. The link I am about to post you unto sounds like a common joke to many of us or people who have been to Africa,

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1137030741775290442006-01-11T20:39:00.000-05:002006-01-11T20:52:21.786-05:00

The title above is a very old theory in legal history.Its the theory that was meant to preserve justice and procedures of the civil and private matters that involves lawsuits.In today's world people like me wonders how can justice be served if the theory of "innocence" remains practically impossible to respect? USA is currently doing so to the accused canadian citizen in Guantanamo Bay.What is

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1136851049147249012006-01-09T18:52:00.000-05:002006-01-09T18:57:29.163-05:00

Have you ever sat and wondered how would the world be without music?Fortunately or unfortunately I have been there several times.I am a music lover and I listen to all types of music as long as there is a rythm that my ears and soul can feel it.I just thought I should share with you this site which feeds me with music from all over the world. Click here to get it.If you already had it in your

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1136426237271645592006-01-04T20:41:00.000-05:002006-01-04T20:57:17.283-05:00

Recently,I had predicted that the gun violence incidences that have dominated the face of Toronto for almost the entire year of 2005 will soon take a race marathon.My prediction was right.Its now an issue of racism.My prediction had based on the timing of the issue itself(when Canada was approaching campaign and during the campaigns itself)Normally,this is what happens when a social issue turns

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1136334718909731282006-01-03T19:17:00.000-05:002006-01-03T19:31:58.926-05:00

2005 has finally gave the last salute and welcomed 2006. To me 2005 disappears as the year that saw the African continent making some headlines in the "mainstream media" of the western countries. The Live8 concert when oiling its campaign "Make Poverty History" is credited for the highlighting of the continent.I am sure even students who had never known anything about Africa became aware of the

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1135025997076949542005-12-19T15:34:00.000-05:002005-12-19T16:01:59.666-05:00

For decades and decades the United States of America has been against the economical systems called Socialism a.k.a communism.(I don't see any differences).She has been against it in such a way that she is ready to launch any military attacks just to kill any elements of socialism anywhere in the world.There must be a reason, a reason that is sometimes simplified to selfishness.What is wrong with

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1134781020635629282005-12-16T19:40:00.000-05:002005-12-16T19:57:00.653-05:00

Finally I am starting to understand what my peers used to tell me when I was becoming a political aspirant just like any youth in mid twenties. That is the time when the ego just keep pushing you unguided.I remember one of my peer telling me this "All politicians lies all the time". Watching the first political debate yesternight,having prepared a little book to take some notes I ended up

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1134424124203475222005-12-12T16:43:00.000-05:002005-12-12T16:48:44.226-05:00

Controversy is not what I intend to label myself against.But I am a firm believer that while life should not be taken serious all the time(yes,we all need to relax sometimes) there are some things that worth being given minutes of thoughts and analysis. One of my blog friends warned me not to believe everything I read. What he forgot to warn me about is what to do when believing or not believing

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1134148095123213802005-12-09T11:52:00.000-05:002005-12-09T12:16:58.126-05:00

Being a foreigner in North America means more than just arriving at the airport and seeing another world. You have to learn and accept whatever traditions, cultures and ways of life that you find here. Above learning and accepting you are also expected to offer maximum tolerance towards any of them.It’s a foreign land, lots of surprises . Sometimes are known as culture shocks. Some are admissible

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133975955180745192005-12-07T12:11:00.000-05:002005-12-07T12:19:15.193-05:00

On daily basis I try to run away from politics, from lies which can not easily be admitted by what we call our world leaders. But in my same daily marathon I tend to look back and see how far have I gone or how far can I go. The results emerging mostly from thoughts are always disturbing. What is intelligence, what is ethics and many more similar vocabularies,so famous in politicians mouths?

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133901525252068502005-12-06T15:31:00.000-05:002005-12-06T15:45:04.330-05:00

When I was growing up my home country of Tanzania was purely socialist. Things are changing now. The Cuban President Fidel Castro is one person who has empowered me and he continoues doing so even today. He is a man who can make you listen to him from sunrise to sunset. He tells the truth,he is prepared to die defending his cause.Take time,make sure you are not in a rush.Read this and see whether

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133887668413802832005-12-06T11:41:00.000-05:002005-12-06T12:23:03.536-05:00

Few years ago the world started talking about "brain drain". Core suggestions were that brain drain was nothing but just "new colonialism". United States of America knows the sweetness and bitterness of all these. The unending war against racism never misses in all these.I do not remember reading about the conclusion to that discussion anywhere. Switzerland has a new idea as this article triggers

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133809438643091932005-12-05T14:00:00.000-05:002005-12-05T14:03:58.656-05:00

Its winter time in Toronto and most parts of the world. People’s faces are full of anger and shivering. Few people loves this season.Certainly I have not come across someone who loves and always in a mood of waiting for this season of the year. Unfortunately, it is longer than the cherished and most loved “summer”. Summer days are finally over. The only best hope for winter season is Christmas

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133569268745251332005-12-02T19:15:00.000-05:002005-12-02T19:21:08.753-05:00

Yesterday was International Day for HIV/AIDS. Many speeches,promises and analysis of this killer disease were made. As usual politicians were not behind to capitalize and maintain their political agendas by making all of us believe that "they care". Among many stuff that were written,read and spoken there was one person who wrote a letter to President George W.Bush of USA and President Thabo

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133453803529700942005-12-01T10:48:00.000-05:002005-12-01T11:16:43.540-05:00

I am writting this piece away from Africa. The air transport experts shocked me when they told me that I am sitting at about 19 hours flight from my home land Tanzania. A simple meaning to this is that I am miles away from my motherland.Its a scary feeling and I should insist its hard and almost a nightmare learning to cope with it.I have been in North America for a while now but I am yet to get

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19428433.post-1133296517437553502005-11-29T15:16:00.000-05:002005-11-30T14:01:34.963-05:00

Your cry has been heard,though not through a grapevine as that lady of soul sensationalized us in those old sweet days a lot of requests I have officially given in and decided to establish an English language blog.Before that I have been busy creating and developing my mother tongue language(swahili) blog.I am still having lots of stimulation and challenges with www.harakati.blogspot.com (my

Jeff Msangihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721472155262805502noreply@blogger.com0