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CORPORATE FINANCEECONOMIC & PUBLIC POLICY MEDIA
SEPTEMBER 2009
Man is by nature a political animal, as half of the top ten storiesthis month demonstrated: CCM’s National Executive Committeemet in Dodoma and the Speaker of Parliament Samuel Sittaalmost got booted out of his own party; Zitto Kabwe abortedhis attempt to run for Chadema’s top post while KingungeNg’ombale-Mwiru may have been channelling CCM in his wrangles with the Catholic Church. Zanzibar’s voter registrationdrives went awry. Meanwhile, the army got implicated in a bank robbery and Zombe was acquitted. Falling car sales and the new Kilimo Kwanza make up some of the month’s Business Notes, while the Yellow Couch dips a toe into the dangerous waters of language politics in the media.
MEDIA REPORT: AUGUST 2009
Headline News Analysis Top-Ranking Headline Stories
Politics: CCM’s NEC Meeting 
Members of CCM’s National Executive Committee (NEC)gathered in Dodoma to discuss the party’s future, ‘CCM wakamianaNEC Dom’ [ 
CCM anxious as NEC meet in Dodoma 
 ] ( 
Tanzania Daima 
,14th August). On the agenda were the up-coming local electionsand preparations for the 2010 general election campaign. Some within the party were also unhappy with how Speaker SamuelSitta had been conducting matters in parliament. After Mr. Sittasurvived a bid to oust him, CCM’s Publicity Secretary Mr. JohnChiligati revealed that the NEC had formed a three-member teamthat includes former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi to monitor theconduct of the party’s MPs, ‘CCM moves to rein in outspokenMPs’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 19th August).
Crime: The Zombe Trial 
 The most compelling murder trial in recent history finally came
to an end after the High Court delivered a ruling of Not Guilty,‘Zombe Huru!’ [ 
Zombe Free! 
 ] ( 
 Mwananchi 
, 18th August). The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions urged patience and told reporters
that he is confident justice will ultimately prevail. If Zombe and
his cohorts were not responsible for the murders they were being accused of then where are the real killers, the press asked, ‘Whereare the 3 men who pulled triggers?’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 19th August). The police announced that the issue of whether Mr. Zombe willreturn to the force will not be discussed until the conclusion of 
the appeals process, ‘Polisi: Mjadala wa Zombe basi’ [ 
Police: Debate on Zombe on hold 
 ] ( 
 Mtanzania 
, 28th August). While press reportssuggested that Mr. Zombe has chosen to lay low since the endof his trial, the police were adamant that they were not going torest until they arrested the real killers, ‘Polisi inaendelea kuwasaka walioua’ [ 
Police continue to look for the killers 
 ] ( 
Uhuru 
, 28th August).
Crime: The NMB Robbery 
In an audacious robbery, bandits stormed through National
Microfinance Bank (NMB)’s Temeke branch with explosives,
stealing millions of shillings and killing a watchman in the process,‘Armed bandits rob Temeke NMB branch’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 1st August). A massive manhunt for the robbers began immediately as police arrested and questioned suspects in Bagamoyo. As detailsof the robbery made its way to the press, the police offered a
five million reward for any information that would lead to the
arrest of the bank robbers. After the arrest of suspects believedto be connected to the robbery, the police told reporters that they had reasons to believe that foreign elements were involved in theheist, ‘Police arrest six over raid on NMB branch’ ( 
The Citizen 
,In August, none of the top ten stories managed to generate morethan 5% worth of headlines. As the attention span index shows,the print media puts intense focus on stories when they break butloses interest quickly- a story lasts a maximum of ten days in themonthly news cycle. The print media, it appears, is still unableto pay attention to stories consistently. Why this is the case is aquestion that has yet to be answered. While some in the legal community stressed the importanceof the public to accept the High Court’s ruling, others
expressed amazement at the judge’s failure to convict Mr.
Zombe and his associates of even minor offences thatthey claimed had been proven by the prosecution, ‘Lawyersdenounce Zombe’s acquittal’ ( 
Sunday Citizen 
, 23rd August). The acquittal also appeared to have political implicationsafter residents of Epanko ward in Mahenge District revealedthat they planned to boycott the forthcoming local electionsto demonstrate their displeasure at the decision, ‘Residentsshun vote over Zombe acquittal’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 25th August).Mr. Chiligati decried reporter attacks on former President
Benjamin Mkapa, claiming that he deserved respect for leading the country to economic prosperity, ‘CCM yamsafisha Mkapa’
[ 
CCM clears Mkapa’s name 
 ] ( 
 Majira 
, 19th August). Afterwards,the party had to explain why its Vice Chairman, Zanzibar’sPresident Amani Karume, had missed the meeting, ‘Karumeshuns dialogue on Union Govt matters’ ( 
The African 
, 19th August).
 
SERENGETI ADVISERSMEDIAAUGUST 2009
 
2
Commissioner William Lukuvi made clear that the money wouldonly be given to those whose properties had been damaged by theblasts. When the day of provision arrived, Mr. Lukuvi announcedthe postponement of the exercise for another week as the Treasury had apparently failed to complete its tasks on time, ‘Payments forMbagala’s bomb victims August 24th’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 13th August). As soon as the details of the compensation packages becamepublic, problems arose. Residents complained that the subsidies
did not adequately reflect the damages inflicted to their properties.One victim whose house was flattened by the bombs received a
mere Sh30,000- over 5 million short of what it would cost him torebuild his home, ‘Some Mbagala bomb victims bitter over low compensation’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 25th August). Meanwhile, DefenceMinister Dr. Hussein Mwinyi warned residents that the area wasnot safe and told reporters that the government was considering resettling current residents. His warnings proved prescient afteranother bomb exploded ‘Bomb latibua futari Mbagala’ [ 
Bomb disturbs iftaar in Mbagala 
 ] ( 
Habari Leo
, 31st August).
Society: Student Deaths by Fire Transport: The TRL Strike 
 After contract negotiations for improved salaries stalled, workers from Tanzania Railways Limited went on strike to pushmanagement to heed their demands, ‘Wafanyakazi TRL wagoma’[ 
TRL workers strike 
 ] ( 
 Mwananchi 
, 4th August). The situation becameeven more contentious after reports suggested that the workershad refused to meet with the management and the government.On the third day of the strike, angry passengers decided to
take matters into their own hands and stormed the offices of 
the Ministry of Transport, ‘Abiria TRL wavamia wizara’ [ 
TRL  passengers invade ministry 
 ] ( 
 Mtanzania 
, 6th August). The associationadvocating for passengers’ rights (Chakua) told the press thatthey were planning to take TRL to court over their cancellationof services that left hundreds of customers stranded, ‘Passengerrights group to sue TRL’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 7th August). Attempts to
find a solution to the crisis broke down after management and
 workers failed to agree on the issues of salaries and part-timecontracts. Days later a tentative agreement was negotiated, butsuspicions still lingered between the two parties, ‘TRL workersdemand expulsion of RITES’ ( 
Daily News 
, 14th August). Thisdemand seemed to resonate with the government - the Minister4th August). Things got murkier after news broke that some of the suspects may be members of the Tanzania People’s DefenceForce (TPDF). At the arraignment, it became clear that a serving sergeant of the Tanzania’s armed forces was one of those charged with the NMB robbery, ‘NMB robbers on murder charges’ ( 
Daily  News 
, 27th August).
Politics: Speaker Samuel Sitta and Corruption 
 A story broke out that influential figures were waging a campaign
against some members of parliament by raising millions of shillings for their opponents in an effort to unseat them in the
next general election, ‘Mabilioni ya mafisadi yawaliza Sitta, Selelii’
[ 
Billions from corrupt figures unnerves Sitta, Selelii 
 ] ( 
 Mwananchi Jumapili 
,2nd August). This news came after Speaker Samuel Sitta askedthe government to provide him with extra protection from whathe claimed were dangerous political forces that wished to silencehim. In an interview, the Speaker said that he was referring tothose involved in the Richmond scandal, and went on to accuse
them of trying to discredit him, ‘Sitta aanika majeruhi kashfa ya
Richmond’ [ 
Sitta reveals those wounded by Richmond scandal 
 ] ( 
Raia  Mwema 
, 5th August). This stance angered some within his party to the extent that they attempted to oust him from CCM at the
next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, ‘Mafisadi
 wamwandama Spika Sitta hadi NEC’ [ 
Corrupt figures hound Speaker 
Sitta at NEC 
 ] ( 
 Nipashe 
, 18th August). While they did not prevail,the party secretariat reprimanded the Speaker and other MPs fortheir outspoken views.
Politics: Chadema Leadership Elections 
 While Chadema’s leadership worked hard to project an image
of unity in public, behind the scenes there were frantic effortsto dissuade Mr. Kabwe from running. Mr Kabwe was forced to
rebut charges that he was being used by outsiders to influence theparty’s direction, ‘Zitto: Sijanunuliwa’ [ 
Zitto: I have not been bought 
 ]( 
 Mtanzania 
, 29th August). Soon after, Mr. Kabwe withdrew hisname for consideration. He explained to reporters that his u-turn was caused by the need to prevent a split within the party, ‘Idropped out of race to preserve unity, says Zitto’ ( 
The Citizen 
,31st August).
Society: Mbagala Compensations 
Four months after the explosions at Mbagala, local residents arestill struggling to rebuild their lives. After the victims threatened tohold public demonstrations demanding their compensations, thegovernment tried to calm the situation with this announcement,‘We’ll compensate Mbagala victims next week’ ( 
The Guardian 
,8th August). Speaking to reporters, Dar es Salaam Regional Tragedy hit a school in Iringa after a candle left lit by a student
caused a fire that quickly enveloped a girls’ dormitory, killing 12 students and leaving 22 others injured, ‘Night school fire
kills 12 students’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 24th August). The incident
brought back memories of another deadly school fire in1994 that claimed 43 lives, ‘Another school fire tragedy’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 24th August). At the time Scotland Yard were tasked
 with investigating the causes of the fire, but their report has
yet to see the light of day. As preparations for the funeralsof those who perished were getting underway, questions were being asked about whether enough attention is being 
paid to fire safety procedures at boarding schools, ‘Students’
safety at boarding schools must be assured’ ( 
Daily News 
, 25th August). Local authorities arrested the student responsible forleaving a lit candle unattended and charged her with murder,‘Student arraigned over inferno at school’ ( 
The Guardian 
, 29th August).In a surprising move, the Chadema Deputy Secretary Generaland Kigoma North MP, Zitto Kabwe, announced that he wouldchallenge his leader Freeman Mbowe for the chairmanshipof the party, ‘Zitto Amvaa Mbowe’ [ 
Zitto challenges Mbowe 
 ]( 
 Mtanzania 
, 25th August). Mr. Kabwe told reporters that hisdecision to run was motivated by a desire to see the party 
approach the up-coming general election with a unified vision.
Chairman Freeman Mbowe welcomed the challenge and saidthat it can only be good for the party, ‘Mbowe: Sitishwi naZitto Kabwe’ [ 
 Mbowe: Zitto Kabwe does not frighten me 
 ] ( 
 Majira 
,27th August].
 
of Transport stated that the government was to revise its contracts with Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) toprevent future strikes, ‘Mkataba wa ubia TRL kufumuliwa’ [ 
TRL  joint-venture contract to be scrapped 
 ] ( 
Habari Leo
, 15th August). Thedecision got support from unlikely quarters, ‘Rwanda, Burundidemand TRL privatization deal be scrapped’ ( 
This Day 
, 21st August).
Politics: Kingunge and The Catholic Church 
 The controversy over the Catholic Church’s alleged interference in
political matters intensified after the veteran politician Kingunge
Ngombale Mwiru attacked its leadership, ‘Repent, Kingunge now tells Catholics’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 13th August). The Church’s Auxilliary  Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam refused to directly address Mr. Kingunge’s criticisms, but other civic leaders were lessdiplomatic, arguing that his comments were misguided, ‘Kingunge
defiance draws sharp criticism’ ( 
The Citizen 
, 14th August). A few dayslater a story broke that Mr. Ng’ombale-Mwiru may have been usedby the ruling party to articulate its reservations with the Church’sdecision to publish an election guide to its congregations, ‘CCMyamtumia Kingunge kupambana na Wakatoliki’ [ 
CCM uses Kingunge to confront Catholics 
 ] ( 
 Mwananchi Jumapili 
, 16th August). Seeking tocontain the controversy, the government disassociated itself fromthe politicians’ public statements saying that they were not the views of the party or the government, ‘Government distancesitself from Kingunge’s comments’ ( 
This Day 
, 17th August). Thecriticism and the reaction from the government seemed to havetaken their toll on Mr. Ng’ombale-Mwiru: he refused to commenton the most recent comment from the church, ‘Kauli ya Pengoyampa Mzee Kingunge ganzi’ [ 
Pengo’s statement paralyses Mr. Kingunge 
 ]( 
 Nipashe 
, 28th April).
ON AIR: Leo Tena
If you ever get tired of the American-wannabes who proliferateour television screens and airwaves, then tune in to this mid-morning show to experience the wonderful playfulness of  Tanzania’s coastal sensibility. Listeners are invited into the sassy,gossipy and mischievous ‘mkeka’ conversations that take place incities, towns and villages along the coast. Through its presenter
Dino Mario and her lady co-hosts, Swahili culture finds its mostopen and fun expression. It makes for an enjoyable companionto mornings at the office.
Highlights:The presenters’ authentic ‘pwani’ humour with allits double-entrendres and often risqué honesty.Lowlights:production value can sometimes be less coherent,especially when it comes to the music: Taarab throughout would
fit the overall theme of the show.
Channel:Clouds FM, Dar es Salaam frequency at 88.4 F.M.http://www.cloudsfm.co.tz/index.phpDay: Weekdays, Monday to Friday  Time:9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
SERENGETI ADVISERSMEDIAAUGUST 20093
 The Guardian:
 Micro-finance 
– Bureaucracy, corruption and
misallocation of funds are just a few reasons why small andmedium entrepreneurs (SMEs) are failing to benefit from micro-financing initiatives in the country. Nevertheless, organisations
like the Small Industrial Development Organisation (SIDO)have demonstrated that with the right, targeted approach youcan be successful- it boasts a 90% repayment rate. It should be
noted that for micro-finance projects to be successful, there
is a need for more monitoring and evaluation of the SMEoperator in addition to providing them with entrepreneurialskills. (3rd August) The African:
The East African Community Common Market 
– President Jakaya Kikwete has challenged local manufacturersto step up and prepare for stiff competition from theircounterparts as the region readies itself for the start of acommon market free trade zone come January 2010. Speaking at an annual gala to award the best performers in the sectors,the President advised manufacturers to begin recalibrating theirbusiness strategies to the new reality for once the gates open,there is no going back. He went on to say that this presents agreat opportunity for Tanzanians to showcase their ingenuity and creativity in the region. (8th August)Daily News:
 Motor Sales Fall 
– local prices for motor vehicleshave gone down almost 40% as a consequence of the globaleconomic crisis. The number of customers visiting showroomshas fallen drastically and the continuing depreciation of the Tanzanian shilling against the US dollar has made matters even
 worse. Some firms are taking aggressive approaches to beef up sales, with one firm accepting 25% down payments from
customers who are allowed to settle the balance within a year. Apart from being put off by high prices, potential car buyersare also leery of the maintenance such an investment demands-prices of spare parts and fuel are high. (17th August). The African:
‘Kilimo Kwanza’ gets funding 
– Stanbic Bank in
conjunction with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in
 Africa (AGRA) will help fund the government’s central2009/10 budget initiative, the ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ [AgricultureFirst] policy. AGRA, which has secured $10 million to assist African farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, will work with Stanbic to disperse small loans to local farmersacross the country. The brainchild of the Rockefeller and Billand Melinda Gates Foundations, AGRA is headed by former
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Its main aim
is to promote agricultural development in Africa and increasefood security on the continent. (24th August).
 
Business Notes
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