The Bodaboda taxi

If there is one thing that Tanzanians excel at is to adopt the idioms and sayings from foreign lands. At other times we excel of adopting the practices of other lands.

A motorcycle taxi, bodaboda, at Nyamisisi bus stand

Bodaboda's origin is traced to Uganda where someone one day decided that a motorcycle can also carry passengers. Bobaboda is a motorcycle taxi, now common in every corner of Tanzania.

Compared to conventional taxis bodabodas are cheaper, faster, and relatively more dangerous for both passenger and to the person handling the motorcycle.

It is likely that, today, there are more motorcycles carrying passengers in Tanzania than Ugandans could ever dream of having.

posted from Bloggeroid

Indian Ocean View

The view from the Giraffe Ocean View Hotel in Dar es Salaam is a fitting representation of its name.
Bongoyo Island is seen in the horizon.

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 6 of 15)

Tuesday 20 September 2011
This is it! The first day of the Mt. Kilimanjaro climb and, following a surprisingly regular occurrence every year, I was the last one to leave my room, having stayed up working late into the early hours.

Again, I was the reason why the truck taking us to the drop-off point made two stops in Moshi town: for rental of additional gear, and for flu medication.

At Londrossi Gate of the Kilimanjaro National Park the place was crowded with visitors and porters. I had never seen anything like it.




The trek from the the drop-off point to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree) Camp

After a four hour trek to Mti Mkubwa we found the camp packed with tents.

Next: The Seven Hills' challenge

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Prof. Sospeter Muhongo's latest CV

Professor Sospeter Muhongo, a Tanzanian, Officier, Ordre des Palmes Academiques, is a full professor of Geology at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and an Honorary Professor of Geology at the

Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, (Officier, Ordre des Palmes Academiques), FGSAf, FAAS, FASI, FASSAf, FGIGE, FTWAS, HonFCAGS, HonFGS, CGeol, EurGeol

University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of London (HonFGS), an Honorary Research Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (HonFCAGS), a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (FTWAS), a Fellow of the Geological Society of Africa (FGSAf) and a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). He is a fellow of eight highly learned professional societies, and the first recipient (2004) of the Robert Shackleton Award (Outstanding Research on the Precambrian Geology of Africa). He is the Vice President of the Commission of the Geological Map of the World (CGMW). Prof. Muhongo is the Chair of the Jury of the African Union (AU) Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards - Continental Awards for Outstanding Scientists 2011 Edition. He is a member of the Executive Board of the African Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (AIPF-STI).


He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of African Earth Sciences (Elsevier), Associate Editor of Precambrian Research (Elsevier) and a member of several editorial boards of science journals and bulletins. Prof. Muhongo is the Senior Editor of the published book (2009) on "Science, Technology and Innovation for Socio-Economic Development: Success Stories from Africa."

Prof. Muhongo was the President of the Geological Society of Africa (1995 - 2001). He was the founding Regional Director (2005 - 2010) of the ICSU Regional Office for Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. He was the Chairperson of the UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP Scientific Board of International Geoscience Programme (2004 - 2008), and the Chair (2007 - 2010) of Science Programme Committee (SPC) of the UN-proclaimed International Year of the Planet Earth (IYPE). Prof. Muhongo is a Member of the International Experts Group (Global Science Forum) of OECD.

He was the Chairman (1999 - 2005) of the Board of Directors of the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), Tanzania; and was the Head (1997 - 2000) of the Department of Geology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Prof. Muhongo was the Chairman (2002) of the Tanzania Government's Commission of Inquiry on the deadliest Mererani Tanzanite mine's accident.

Prof. Muhongo has published over 200 well acknowledged research articles, geological and mineral maps. He has delivered more than 300 invited keynote speeches around the world at international conferences. He has undertaken over 100 contracted scientific research projects, and consultancy services in the mineral industry, environmental issues and STI policy matters. Pro. Muhongo has been on many STI review/evaluation panels and advisory boards for both national and international institutions and organizations. He has been an external Examiner/Referee for numerous universities, i.e. examinations moderator and academic staff referee/evaluator (e.g. candidates for professional positions). Over the past two decades, Prof. Muhongo has co-organized over 100 expert group meetings and international earth sciences, STI and science policy conferences, including those on "Science  with Africa (Rapporteur-General)" which are hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and their partners. He has occupied numerous important national, regional and international professional positions dealing with science, technology, innovation, earth resources, science policy and science diplomacy.

Prof. Muhongo is intensively mentoring young scientists, engineers and technologists around the world and has developed a special interest in the application of STI for the sustainable growth and socio-economic development of the global society. Prof. Muhongo, recipient of numerous scholarly and professional awards, recognitions, grants, and fellowships studied geology at the Universities of Dar es Salaam and Goettingen (Germany). He graduated with Dr.rer.nat. degree from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. Prof. Muhongo is fluent in Kiswahili, English, German and French (basic). s.muhongo@bol.co.tz

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The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 5 of 15)

Monday 19 September 2011
I was one of the first clients in the CRDB branch Bank in Moshi when it opened, having survived Moshi with only four thousand shillings yesterday because of an ATM card that is defective.

Jaffar Amin called to inform me of his arrival as I was having breakfast and I picked him up and we headed to the Springlands Hotel. I told him I was relieved he had managed to join the climb because Jim Becket's documentary depended on his presence.

At Springlands Hotel Jim had arrived with Jim Whitney, the cameraman and his son August who resembles one of the younger European princes. I don't know whether I get the impression from his haircut or whether it is his height. I hint some resemblance.

Andrea Wobmann was also present, rearing to go and with her constant jovial mood.
 
I attempted to stay up working late, as usual on the eve of a Kilimanjaro climb, but felt unwell from the flu-like symptoms induced by what I suspected was a night spent in a hotel room with a Gypsum ceiling.

Next: The climb begins

Posts related to this one:

http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/01/mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro-charity.html
http://madarakanyerere.blogspot.com/2012/01/mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro-charity_13.html

Candles

The long periods without power last year were unprecedented.

For a while, each time my room was plunged into darkness I lit a candle and, on a few occasions, I photographed the only beacon of light that illuminated my bedroom.

TANESCO, the Tanzanian electric utility company, was under constant criticism from consumers - sometimes unfairly - for failing to deliver. I credit TANESCO for inspiring me into creativity mode.

*********************************

It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness (motto of the Christopher Society).

Jim Becket is the senior member of the Kilimanjaro Club

The Kilimanjaro Club lists people I know who have scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro, including those who join me every year on the annual the Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb.

Jim Beck is the elder member of the Kilimanjaro Club. When I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with him and a group of other climbers from the United States, Uganda, Switzerland, Kenya, and Tanzania in September 2011 he revealed he was 74 years old. By the time we completed the climb he was 75.


Jim Becket, left, at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

He is the reason why I tell everyone who hesitates to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (especially younger people) that there are very few people who have an excuse not to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The updated list of the Kilimanjaro Club is:

1. Markus Geiger
2. Notburga Maskini
3. Gerald Hando
4. Le Huynh
5. Jaffar Amin
6. Mary Kalikawe
7. William Rutta
8. Steve Kamau
9. Jim Becket

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 4 of 15)

Saturday 17 September 2011
I stayed up late typing on my laptop until 06:45 A.M. and then tried, without success, to sleep.

I boarded the afternoon flight from Mwanza to the Kilimanjaro International (KIA) Airport and arrived in Moshi in the late afternoon.

Jaffar Amin sent a message to inform me he was on the 09:00 A.M. Kampala Coach bus to Moshi via Nairobi to join this year's Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb.


Next: An incident with Gypsum

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