Just in... (encouraging news)
Hayawi hayawi mwisho huwa...
Hatimaye majaji Natalia Kimaro, Salum Massati na Jaji Thomas Mihayo, wamekubaliana na walalamikaji LHRC (Legal and Human Rights Centre), LEAT (Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team) na NOLA (National Organisation for Legal Assistance); kuwa kimsingi "Takrima" ni ukiukwaji wa sheria, na inabidi itambulikane hivyo.
Habari kamili zipo kwenye gazeti la jumanne la daily news
Unadhani hii itasaidia? Nini maoni yako?
Ned
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Our (Tanzania) Market
In March this year, The Boston Consulting Group released their report on “Organizing for global advantage in China, India and other RDEs” … well this past weekend, I managed to get my little “paws” on it and decide to read it to see what it was all about. I must admit the report is intriguing (can read or get a copy of it from their website.
Right of the bat they recounted the five major Currents of today's globalization (initially presented in their 2005 focus paper):
- The rapid growth of RDE markets
- The continuing cost and capital advantages of RDEs
- The development of talents and capabilities in RDEs
- The migration of customers to RDEs
- The emergence of RDE-based competitors
While the report primarily focuses on what successful multinational companies must do to navigate these five currents, I found some clues of what we as Tanzanians must do to – in the least – catch up with the fast paced global economy.
Now, I can see some of you smiling – either in the sense of “in your dreams pal!” Or “Keep dreaming dude – one day yes!” remember that “… one day yes” phrase? :)
You see the question I keep asking myself is… WHY NOT? Why not us? Yes - us Tanzanians! I truly believe we CAN become an RDE! Only that it will require a serious re-thinking in the way we do things - as a people (not only the government) and lot of work for that matter... - rabbit trail! back to what I was talking about:
What I was driving at was the fact that; it seems the fuel that powers most of today’s RDEs (those who play in the big league of global economy) came from within. ALL five currents seem to be inherent to the RDEs themselves.
Translation: If we are serious with this “maendeleo” thing, we must “posses” in the least – 3 key things:
- Growing local market (especially for our locally produced goods and services)
- Must develop AND RETAIN our own – locally grown talents and capabilities (this is a “can of worms” right here!
- Must develop or foster an environment that will encourage the emergence of fierce but fair local competition.
You will note that I deliberately left out the other two factors: cost and capital advantage and, the migration of customers to Tanzania. This is because I am assuming the other two are in essence secondary to the 3 factors that I have summarized above… that is; we get a grip of the 3 factors, most likely the other two will tag along.
If we can, I would like to encourage an honest discussion of these three main areas. Lets’ start with the first one (two parts):
- How are we doing as a people? Is our market growing?
- Are our people today; better positioned to take advantage of the growing economy?
(Remember: No name calling, No blame shifting please - just facts).
- In an assumption that “we are not there yet” What needs to be done?
o People’s role
* Tanzanians
* Their friends
o Government role
o Non-government Organization’s role
Want to take a stab?
Again, please feel free to use either of the two languages (English/Kiswahili) – I use English only because I know inaweza kuniwia vigumu kufafanua baadhi ya hizi concepts kwa Kiswahili – Ni aibu, lakini ndio ukweli wenyewe – matokeo ya kuishi ughaibuni muda mrefu.
IN the spirit of full disclosure – Najitayarisha kurudi nyumbani (go ahead say I am crazy!) But, believe me – Baada ya kuishi ughaibuni for over 12 years (school & work – fulltime and very satisfying - thank you)… + awareness of what is going on in Tanzania? – Believe me when I say - I find the idea “all worth it!” – another topic, another rabbit trail – probably for another time - for now folks:
Talk to me!
Ned
Right of the bat they recounted the five major Currents of today's globalization (initially presented in their 2005 focus paper):
- The rapid growth of RDE markets
- The continuing cost and capital advantages of RDEs
- The development of talents and capabilities in RDEs
- The migration of customers to RDEs
- The emergence of RDE-based competitors
While the report primarily focuses on what successful multinational companies must do to navigate these five currents, I found some clues of what we as Tanzanians must do to – in the least – catch up with the fast paced global economy.
Now, I can see some of you smiling – either in the sense of “in your dreams pal!” Or “Keep dreaming dude – one day yes!” remember that “… one day yes” phrase? :)
You see the question I keep asking myself is… WHY NOT? Why not us? Yes - us Tanzanians! I truly believe we CAN become an RDE! Only that it will require a serious re-thinking in the way we do things - as a people (not only the government) and lot of work for that matter... - rabbit trail! back to what I was talking about:
What I was driving at was the fact that; it seems the fuel that powers most of today’s RDEs (those who play in the big league of global economy) came from within. ALL five currents seem to be inherent to the RDEs themselves.
Translation: If we are serious with this “maendeleo” thing, we must “posses” in the least – 3 key things:
- Growing local market (especially for our locally produced goods and services)
- Must develop AND RETAIN our own – locally grown talents and capabilities (this is a “can of worms” right here!
- Must develop or foster an environment that will encourage the emergence of fierce but fair local competition.
You will note that I deliberately left out the other two factors: cost and capital advantage and, the migration of customers to Tanzania. This is because I am assuming the other two are in essence secondary to the 3 factors that I have summarized above… that is; we get a grip of the 3 factors, most likely the other two will tag along.
If we can, I would like to encourage an honest discussion of these three main areas. Lets’ start with the first one (two parts):
- How are we doing as a people? Is our market growing?
- Are our people today; better positioned to take advantage of the growing economy?
(Remember: No name calling, No blame shifting please - just facts).
- In an assumption that “we are not there yet” What needs to be done?
o People’s role
* Tanzanians
* Their friends
o Government role
o Non-government Organization’s role
Want to take a stab?
Again, please feel free to use either of the two languages (English/Kiswahili) – I use English only because I know inaweza kuniwia vigumu kufafanua baadhi ya hizi concepts kwa Kiswahili – Ni aibu, lakini ndio ukweli wenyewe – matokeo ya kuishi ughaibuni muda mrefu.
IN the spirit of full disclosure – Najitayarisha kurudi nyumbani (go ahead say I am crazy!) But, believe me – Baada ya kuishi ughaibuni for over 12 years (school & work – fulltime and very satisfying - thank you)… + awareness of what is going on in Tanzania? – Believe me when I say - I find the idea “all worth it!” – another topic, another rabbit trail – probably for another time - for now folks:
Talk to me!
Ned
Friday, April 21, 2006
Tanzania an RDE? What is missing?
There was what they called "Asian tigers" economies - Singapore, Indonesia…I can't recall who else, now we have Rapid developing economies (RDEs) – China, India, Brazil etc. – so far I am not aware of any African country that is considered to be an RDE.
However, among the African nations, I would say we (Tanzania) are not all that bad... I mean; we have what may be regarded as one of the fastest African growing economies; an average growth rate of 5 to 6% for the past 4 years… - I hear if it wasn’t for that drought “thingy” and its effect on our energy supply, this year we were expecting 7.2%!
Inflation has been contained to below 5% for the most part of the same period - now that is a hoot! Remember when the inflation rate used to be 20 – 25%? When we used to consider those rates as “normal”? Lets – play a little here… how do you feel when you read things like what is happening in Zimbabwe… their inflation rate is hovering in the mid 30’s – the last time I checked – Folks, Yes we are not there… but we can smile a little There are proven positives in our country; and yet the fact stare right on our face… Tanzania is still one of the poorest nations in the world! That is, in the global contest, we are economically still where we were in the 90's. IN fact the assertion that we are still among the poorest nation in the world may imply; our "rapid" growing economy is probably not all that unique. That is… yes we are growing, but “others” are also growing and probably at a faster rate. What are we missing?
Since 2003, I have been able to go home on a yearly basis - and I can testify to the fact that… Yes, the environment back home is changing and changing at a fast rate – to the positive. In my opinion, our nation is “an attitude away from braking away” – yes that’s my slogan… but it is literally the way I see things in Tanzania. I got a sense that basi lipo njia moja… kuna wengi (in fact – the majority) bado wapo nje ya basi… absolutely oblivious of the fact that the bus is about to leave. Kuna wachache walio kwenye viti vyao tayari … Iwapo basi linaondoka sasa hivi – hao ndio watakao benefit the most… But, what can we do in this kind of a situation?
Our founding father (JKN), used to say we need People, Land, Good Policies and Quality Leadership - to develop. Is that still the case? Do we have those things? What need to be done to get a firm grip of those things?
Starting with people? Of course we have "people" - 38 mills to be precise! But, as you may be aware, JKN was not talking about simple population (though it seems China & India took a full advantage of their “simple population figures – together they are making 1/3 of the world population – go figure:) … - rather, I believe JKN was talking of people with talents and capabilities that would engage our economy into a high gear and catapult us out of this poverty thing? Do we have these kinds of people?
Just wondering?
Ned
However, among the African nations, I would say we (Tanzania) are not all that bad... I mean; we have what may be regarded as one of the fastest African growing economies; an average growth rate of 5 to 6% for the past 4 years… - I hear if it wasn’t for that drought “thingy” and its effect on our energy supply, this year we were expecting 7.2%!
Inflation has been contained to below 5% for the most part of the same period - now that is a hoot! Remember when the inflation rate used to be 20 – 25%? When we used to consider those rates as “normal”? Lets – play a little here… how do you feel when you read things like what is happening in Zimbabwe… their inflation rate is hovering in the mid 30’s – the last time I checked – Folks, Yes we are not there… but we can smile a little There are proven positives in our country; and yet the fact stare right on our face… Tanzania is still one of the poorest nations in the world! That is, in the global contest, we are economically still where we were in the 90's. IN fact the assertion that we are still among the poorest nation in the world may imply; our "rapid" growing economy is probably not all that unique. That is… yes we are growing, but “others” are also growing and probably at a faster rate. What are we missing?
Since 2003, I have been able to go home on a yearly basis - and I can testify to the fact that… Yes, the environment back home is changing and changing at a fast rate – to the positive. In my opinion, our nation is “an attitude away from braking away” – yes that’s my slogan… but it is literally the way I see things in Tanzania. I got a sense that basi lipo njia moja… kuna wengi (in fact – the majority) bado wapo nje ya basi… absolutely oblivious of the fact that the bus is about to leave. Kuna wachache walio kwenye viti vyao tayari … Iwapo basi linaondoka sasa hivi – hao ndio watakao benefit the most… But, what can we do in this kind of a situation?
Our founding father (JKN), used to say we need People, Land, Good Policies and Quality Leadership - to develop. Is that still the case? Do we have those things? What need to be done to get a firm grip of those things?
Starting with people? Of course we have "people" - 38 mills to be precise! But, as you may be aware, JKN was not talking about simple population (though it seems China & India took a full advantage of their “simple population figures – together they are making 1/3 of the world population – go figure:) … - rather, I believe JKN was talking of people with talents and capabilities that would engage our economy into a high gear and catapult us out of this poverty thing? Do we have these kinds of people?
Just wondering?
Ned
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Welcome Message
Friend,
“KARIBU
Since the vision is for whatever is discussed here, to be of direct value to
A few ground rules:
· Every person deserves RESPECT! Differences in our ideological orientation DO not in anyway warrant a right to disrespect another person. Any expression of disrespect will not be tolerated.
· We expect constructive ideas and opinions. Critiquing ideas just for the sake of it, IS NOT cool. As much as you can... try to offer an alternate opinion or idea with your critic.
· If we will all take time to first try to understand others' point of view; being understood will not be an issue. As much as you can, seek first to understand others' point of view, before being understood by others.
Otherwise, it is exciting that you are here. Please relax and feel free to join us and share your ideas, opinion etc.
Karibu
Ned
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