Eco Hotels of the World: 236 Hurumzi Hotel

An integral part of the skyline of Zanzibar, along with mosque minarets, Hindu temple towers, and church spires, is the Tower Top restaurant of 236 Hurumzi.

The second tallest building in Stone Town Zanzibar, the hotel has been restored to its former glory when it was the residence of one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire.

All the furnishings are original Zanzibari antiques of varied origins and styles that, together, create the impressions of Arabian.

The sixteen guestrooms are beautiful and romantic, each representing Zanzibari traditions in a distinct way. All rooms except for the Kipembe room are equipped with large stone bathtubs. Ceiling fans keep the guests cool along with the constant breeze on the upper floors. Second and first floor rooms as well as the South room are equipped with air conditioning for added comfort.

The sultan-sized rooms on the first and second floors have 20 foot ceilings, carved doors, original stucco décor and hand painted glass lamps and window panes. All guest rooms have large Zanzibari beds complete with netting.


Angalizo: Zanzibar kuna hoteli mbili tu zinazotambuliwa na Eco Hotels of the World

Source: Eco Hotels of the World

Tanzanian speaker praises unity

Visiting speaker of the Zanzibar, Tanzania, Ameer Kificho, has said that he have experience the unity that exists among the Maldivians during his stay in the Maldives. He advised Maldivians to sustain their sense of hospitality. In his press conference before departure he also said that there is a close similarities between the Maldives and the Zanzibar.

He also said that preserving the country’s culture and tradition is vital for the development and that the peace and stability in the country would be a catalyst in bringing home development.

When questioned on the message he will convey to Zanzibar Parliament after the visit he said that it would be the differences that exists in Zanzibar would not help in its development. He also said that Parliament is a place in which peoples rights should come first and that is exactly why Maldivian Parliament is known as “Peoples Majlis”.

During his stay in the Maldives Ameer Kificho had paid a courtesy call to Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed and Speaker Abdulla Shahid. He also met with the leaders of the parliamentary groups. Ameer Kipicho is visiting Maldives upon an invitation from Speaker Abdulla Shahid.

Source: South Asian Media

Mv. Serengeti yateketea kwa moto

Zanzibar Jamii � Zanzibar Yetu

Kilindi – Zanzibar -- Better Living Through Design

Kilindi – Zanzibar --
Better Living Through Design

China donates medical equipment to Zanzibar gov't

The Chinese government on Thursday donated a number of medical equipment worth more than 64 million Tanzanian Shillings (about 49,000 U.S. dollars) to Tanzania's Zanzibar government through the Chinese medical team working in the Indian Ocean Archipelago.

The equipment was handed over by Zhu Xiangjun, head of the Chinese medical team, to Zanzibar Minister of Health and Social Welfare Sultan Mohd Mughery at a ceremony which was held at the ministry of Health in Zanzibar.

Including medical endoscope Co light Source, high Frequency position, therapeutic apparatus for operation, Some of the equipmentare meant to serve in the theater at Mnazimmoja general hospital, while the others would serve in the eye clinics, it was learned.

In his remarks, Zhu said the donation of the equipment is a further indication to boost the historical medical cooperation between the Chinese government and that of Zanzibar.

"The equipment, we believe, would boost medical services in Zanzibar hospitals and clinics especially at this time when Zanzibar has been without power for the last three months," he remarked.

For his part, Mughery thanked the Chinese government for its long stand in helping Zanzibar economically and socially especially on the medical services.

He further said the team of Chinese medical experts working in Zanzibar are providing a helping hand in the health centers.

Chinese Zanzibar medical cooperation has started since 1968, while there are at present a team of 21 doctors working in different hospitals and clinics both in Unguja and Pemba, the sister island.


Source:Xinhua

Kilimanjaro na Konyagi.....

Huu ni Ujuha au Ujuhaji?

Waznz hatutaki Njia zetu kuitwa majia ya makafiri hawa akina Mkapa na ndugu zake hawana historia zozote znz, kama mumeshindwa kuwa enzi wana vyuoni wetu basi bora muite jina la Bi Kitute Road wazanzibar tutarizika.

Wanao jizalilisha ni ccm-smz sio wazanzibar wote, kuna wana vyuoni wetu na watu wenye historia mzuri Zanzibar na wazanzibar wana zipenda kwa nini hamukuita mumekwenda kuita majina ya wauwaji na walioasha asari za viwete na vizuka. Wakadi kuna historia zetu wenyewe wazanzibar. Au ndio kutawaliwa smz huko? Mungeita barabara ya Sh Amer Tajo,Sh Abdalla Farth,Sitti Binti Sadi, Mwana wa Mwana na Mkama Tume. Hizi ndio historia zetu. Lakini ccm-smz mumeoza kwa watawala wa ki-Tanganyika kama. Kama tulivyo piga kelele iondoshwe historia mpovu isisomeswe maskulini watoto wetu isio wahusu wazanzibar na kuaswa historia yao wazanzibar nah ii ya bara bara iondoswe mara moja.

Zamani utaona watoto wetu wanasomeswa vita vya wahehe na wamanyema vita vya majimaji lakini hatujawahi hata siku moja kusomeswa watoto wetu kuhusu Mkama ndume na Mwana wa Mwana tunasomeswa watoto wetu makabila hata hapa Zanzibar hayapo. Wewe umeona wapi kabila la wahehe hapa? Au wamanema kama sio vishekesho bora kusema Wazaramu wapo Miembeni na kwahani na sasa tuna Wamasai Kiwengwa historia ya badae zenj. Kwa hio wazanzibar tustuke tusikubali kupashikizwa historia zisizo tuhusu.

Hiyo hapo juu ni nukuu toka Mzalendo.net

Baada ya kuisoma imebidi nijiulize kama imeandikwa kutokana na kutojua taratibu za utoaji wa Majina katika barabara, mitaa, na vitongoji au ni ujuhaji mwingi ambao upelekea kwa mhusika kuwa juha! Pichani juu kabisa ni baadhi ya barabara na mitaa ya Mkoa wa Mjini Magharibi.

Kama kawaida mtoa hoja kaficha jina lake, lakini kwa kuwa lengo lake isomwe na kujadiliwa hakuna tatizo katika hilo. Nitajaribu kumfahamisha taratibu za ubadilishaji wa majina ya mitaa, barabara na vitongoji katika Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Zanzibar kwa mujibu wa sheria ya Manispaa ya Zanzibar ya mwaka 1995 namba 3.

Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Zanzibar ndio yenye jukumu la kuhudumia na kusimamia barabara, mitaa na chochoro zote zilizopo ndani ya mipaka ya Manispaa hiyo, hii ikiwa ni pamoja na utoaji wa majina kwa barabara na mitaa. Mara ya mwisho ya kufanyika mabadiliko makubwa ya majina katika barabara na mitaa ya Zanzibar ilikuwa ni katika miaka ya tisini ambapo zaidi ya barabara kumi zilipatiwa majina mapya. Kazi hii ilifanya na kamati ya Mipango Mji kabla ya kuthibitisha na Baraza Kuu la Manispaa hiyo.

Vigezo vya ubadilishaji wa majina ya mitaa/barabara hufanywa na Madiwani, na kwa bahati nzuri tokea mwaka 1995 hadi leo Baraza la Manispaa hilo limekuwa na Madiwani toka CCM na CUF. Mtoa hoja katika nukuu hapo juu ametupa lawama kwa CCM - SMZ, napenda ajue kuwa Madiwani hata Madiwani wa CuF walikuwepo. Zaidi ni vema kujua kuwa Madiwani ni wawakilishi wa ngazi ya mwanzo ya wananchi na ndio wapo karibu kabisa na wananchi. Hivyo basi madiliko kama haya huwa kwa namna moja ama nyingine yanabeba maoni ya wananchi wao. Mtoa mada mada sijui anawakilisha maoni ya wadi gani au jimbo? Ni vema akaweka sawa kwenye mada yake ili iweze kufahamika anawawakilisha akina nani!

Ramani iliopo hapo juu pamoja na kutoonyesha barabara zote zilizopo ndani ya mipaka ya Manispaa, pia haionyeshi majina ya mitaa mingi ambayo tayali imeshapewa majina. Hili linaweza kuwa ni tatizo la muundaji/mchoraji wa ramani husika au tazizo la asasi zinazohusika na upasishaji wa ramani kwa matumizi ya jumuiya na watalii.

Hapa chini ni baadhi ya majina ya barabara zilizopo katika Manispaa ya Zanzibar:-

Kutoka Kinazin kwenda Bububu- Aboud Jumbe

Kiembe Samaki hadi Amani- Idrisa A. Wakili

Mnazi mmoja- Airport- Nyerere

Mkunazini hadi Kariakoo - Karume

Maisara - Michenzani kwenda Mlandege- Dr. Salmin Amour


Ule Uchochoro wa Darajani hadi Mlandege- Ali H.Mwinyi

Barabara toka Mazinini kwenda Chukwani - Barabara ya Bakari Jabu



Kwa mtoa hoja bado ana nafasi kubwa ya kuweka kwa majina ambayo anaona yana umuhimu kwa jamii na historia ya Zanzibar. Majina mengi bado yanahitajika na hasa katika Halmashauri ya Mji Magharibi. Ni vema kwake akawasilina na Halmashauri husika na kuona vipi anaweza kuchangia katika kutoa majina mapya.

Mwisho nimeona kuwa kuna utunzaji mbovu sana wa kumbukumbu au kuna njia za makusudi zinazofanyika katika kupotosha majina ya barabara na mitaa.

Mfano mkubwa ni kwa barabara ya Creek. Barabara hii ilishabadilishwa jina zaidi ya miaka ishirini sasa, lakini bado ramani zinazotoka kwa matumizi ya utalii zinatumia jina hilo. Hii ni pamoja na mtaa utakao Darajani hadi Mladenge. Ipo haja kwa vyombo husika kuliona hili.

Kwa upande wa Manispaa ni vema mkarudisha vibao vya majina ya mitaa na barabara, kumekuwepo na tabia ya kuweka vibao hivyo kwa barabara maarufu tu, ni vyema sasa mkaangalia na kuweka vibao katika sehemu ambazo sio maarufu lakini zenye uhumimu sawa na sehemu nyingine maarufu.

Leo Katika kumbukumbu: Zanzibar police ban veiled drivers

Zanzibar - A police ban on women drivers wearing veils came into effect on Tuesday across the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, drawing some protests from the overwhelmingly Muslim population.

Zanzibar police commander Ramadhan Khatib said the measure was intended to curb a rise in traffic accidents which reached a record 680 - with 40 deaths and 100 injuries - in 2006.

"We have the responsibility of ensuring we decrease the accidents, and we think veil-wearers have to be included in this exercise as well," he told Reuters.

Police gave no indication of whether any of the accidents had been caused by women wearing veils.

Moves against veils and burqas are the subject of heated global debate, particularly in Europe where some governments see them impeding the integration of Muslims.

In Zanzibar, where 95 percent of the islands' one million inhabitants are Muslim, one Islamic group protested that the traffic order went against local culture.

"This is not acceptable. We do not see any legal basis for this order ... and we are going to challenge it," said Sheikh Khalid Azan, the Islamic Propagation Centre's leader.

"Wearing a veil is a virtue and an obligation to women ... we cannot understand if someone orders them not to wear it."

One woman driver wearing the veil - known as a niqab N said before the ban came into effect that it showed police in Zanzibar were barking up the wrong tree.

"If they do not have anything to do, they could chase underage drivers, they could search for fake licences and those who cheat on their insurance policies," said Asha Issa, covered in a veil as she leaned on her steering wheel.

"This is going too far into my religion...The only person who could take the niqab from me is my husband, and he would not do so because he knows his obligation in Islam."

Although semi-autonomous, the Zanzibar islands are part of Tanzania and lie just off its east coast.

Maalim Seif apata nafuu...

Maalim Seif akiwa hospitalini Hindu Mandal leo hii. Maalim amenukuliwa akisema kuwa ameshapoa na anategemea kupata ruhusa ya kutoka hospitalini hapo mara baada ya kuonana na daktari wake.


Picha kwa hisani ya Mzee wa Sumo

Umeme umerudi Zenj...

Upo kwenye majaribio, uhakika wa kurudi ni kuanzia wiki kesho... Jioni njema

Stone Town- Zanzibar

Mabadiliko:
Kwenye no:2 ni barabara ya Benjamin Mkapa na sio Creek Road.

Mambo ya Mwambao...

Weekend Njema..!

Ubaguzi waanza kushika kasi Zanzibar....

Katika tembea tembea mtandaoni, nimekutana na mada hii hapa chini, yenye kila aina ya ubaguzi na chuki za waziwazi, kwa watanzania bara waishio visiwani humu. Hapa chini ni nukuu yake

mkuu wa vitambulisho vya uzanzibar Mohamed Juma Ame anasema waliokosa haki ya kujiandikisha wato hawana sifa za uzanzibar kwa hio sio wazanzibar bona watu wa tanga pangani,mafya na wamasai wa kiwengwa wote wamepata kuandikiswa hiwe nyie tu?

Maskini Mh Shabani Hamis Mloo mawazo yake na busara zake tutazienzi. Aliona mbali aliposema Zanzibar hatuna Serekali tuna kikundi cha wahuni tu. Leo ni Nchi gani ulimwenguni inayo wakataa wananchi wake na kuwanyima haki na kuwakumbatia wageni kwa kuwapa uhalali wa Nchi na usibiticho wa uzawa vyeti vya kuzaliwa na utambulicho wa Zanzibar. Au ndio Msh Karume tulifanya kosa Mh Amertajo alipokula kiapo cha Ushahidi kuwa Father K kazaliwa Mwera ndio kiapo kile kilituzuru wazanzibar wote? Kunahaja ya wazanzibar kujipanga safu na Kenosha mazila ya kila siku kama hatuja pigana coper basi mambo hayawi heat and running mealtime itumike Zanzibar si hivyo Nchi inakwenda na ccm ndio wabeba mashera.

Jina la mtoa mada hii halijabandikwa ila unaweza kutembelea tovuti ya mzalendo kwa maelezo zaidi.

Mada hiyo ni mfululizo wa mada kadhaa zilizoanza kuibuka baada ya mazungumzo ya maridhiano ya Rais Karume na Maalim Seif. Mara baada ya maridhiano hayo, maoni mengi yalielekezwa katika Zanzibar na Muungano wake chini ya kivuli cha utaifa,na kusahau kabisa lengo kuu la maridhiano/mapatano hayo ambayo yalikuwa na lengo la kuijenga Zanzibar moja iliyomeguka kutokana na siasa na kuathiri kwa kiwango kikubwa umoja na undugu wa wananchi wa visiwa hivyo tokea kuingia kwa mfumo wa vyama vingi.

Zanzibar ya leo uchumi wake kwa aslimia 80 unategemea watalii, tokea Zanzibar kufungua milango ya utalii, visiwa hivyo vimeshuhudia uingiaji wa wageni wengi, na wageni hawa wameingia kutokana na kukua kwa utalii na mahitaji ya utalii katika visiwa hivyo, ambayo kwa wakati huo na sasa wakaazi wake hawawezi kukidhi mahitaji ya utalii visiwani humo.

Kumekuwepo na hatua mbali mbali za kuondoa baadhi ya mahitaji ya utalii katika visiwa hivyo kwa nyakati tofauti. Miaka ya mwishoni ya tisini, kulifanyika zoezi kubwa la kuwaondoa wafanyabiashara za vinyago na batiki katika maeneo ya Kiwengwa pasipo mafanikio. Uundoaji wa wafanyabiashara hao ulishindikana kutokana na kuwa ulikuwa hauna maana yoyote zaidi ya chuki na ubinafsi wa baadhi ya viongozi ambao walijiweka nyuma ya pazia la udini.

Zoezi kama hilo lilirudiwa tena kwa wafanyabiashara wa vinyago na batiki katika mitaa ya gizenga na forodhani, na hata liliposhindikana wafanyabiashara hao walihamishiwa katika maeneo ya Maruhubi, na baadae Msikiti Mabluu. Hata hivyo maeneo hayo yalishindikana kufanyika kwa biashara hizo kwani zoezi hilo lilifanyika pasipo kuwepo kwa utafiti wa kina, na baadae ilikuja kujulikana kuwa limetokana na utashi wa baadhi ya watu dhidi ya wafanyabiashara hao.

Shughuli za Utalii hapo visiwani unaweza kuzigawa katika mafungu kadhaa. Kuna vijana ambao wanaitwa mapapasi hawa kazi yao kubwa ni kupokea na kuwazungusha watalii katika mitaa ya mji Mkongwe,kuwatafutia watalii hao sehemu za kumpuzika na kadhalika,Kundi hili linaaminika kujengwa na wazawa. Aidha kuna wakati kundi hili lilitakiwa kujiandikisha kama chombo rasmi ili kijulikane kisheria na kuweza kulipa kodi. Hata hivyo zoezi hili halikuweza kufanikiwa. Kuna kundi la wafanyabiashara ndogo ndogo za vinyago na batiki, kundi hili linaaminika kuundwa na wageni. Na ni kundi ambalo linapata misukosuko isiyo kwisha licha ya nafasi yake kubwa katika utalii visiwani hapo ikiwa ni pamoja na kuingiza mapato yake serikalini.

Mada toka Mzalendo inalalamikia kwa wageni hao kupata haki ya kupiga kura. Sifa mojawapo ya kuweza kupiga kura ni kukaa sehemu moja kwa zaidi ya miaka mitano. Hapana shaka wengi wa wafanyabiashara hawa wana zaidi ya miaka kumi visiwani huo. Hivyo kwa wao kuandikishwa kupiga kura sio suala la kushangaza na kuandikiwa kwa namna hiyo! Zaidi hawa ni watanzania na wana haki ya kwenda sehemu yoyote ya nchi.

Umeme sasa ni Machi 9 - ZECO

IMEDAIWA jana kuwa huduma ya umeme visiwani Zanzibar inatarajiwa kurudi Machi 9 baada ya kukamilika kazi za utengenezaji wa kituo cha kupokea umeme kilichopo Fumba, Mkoa wa Mjini Magharibi

Kaimu Meneja wa Shirika la Umeme Zanzibar (ZECO), Hassan Ali Mbarouk, aliwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa kutokana na kukamilika kwa matengenezo cha Fumba huduma hiyo itarejea punde na kuwaahidi wananchi wasiwe na wasiwasi huduma hiyo itarejea siku hiyo.

Alisema kazi iliyobakia ni kuunganisha waya za umeme kutoka nchi kavu na baharini na kazi hiyo ya kuunganishwa kwa waya kutoka katika vituo vya Fumba hadi Ras Kiromoni Tanzania Bara itachukua muda wa siku tatu.

Alisema hadi Jumapili ijayo kazi ya matengenezo itakuwa imemalizika na matarajio Machi 8 kutafanyika vipimo vya majaribio na Machi 9 ndiyo huduma hiyo inatarajiwa kuwashwa na kurudi rasmi kwa umeme visiwani humo.

Pia aliweza kuwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa kuchelewa kwa huduma hiyo kumesababishwa na mafuta yaliyokuwemo ndani ya waya zinazoleta umeme kutokuwa safi na kulazimika kusafishwa kwa muda wa siku tatu.

Wakazi wa visiwani humo wamekosa huduma hiyo ya umeme tangu Desemba mwaka jana, baada ya kutokea hitilafu katika kituo cha kupokea umeme huo kutoka Ras Kiromoni hadi Fumba mjini Unguja.

Minister: Tourism Accounts for 80% of Zanzibar Revenue

Tourism in Zanzibar is a Sh163 billion industry and employs 10,500 people.

It is an indirect source of income for another 40,000 Zanzibaris, the minister of State in the President's Office (Finance and Economy), Dr Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini, said.

He told The Citizen that the sector accounted for 80 per cent of government revenue. He attributed its increasing contribution to the national development to reforms adopted in the mid-1980s.

"The sector contributes about 22 per cent of GDP and about 80 per cent in government revenue. The overall growth of the sector, estimated at 9-10 per cent, has outpaced that of agriculture. But like most sectors of the economy, tourism has recently been affected by the global crisis," he said.

He believes that more jobs would have been created and household incomes boosted had it not been for the negative impact of the global recession in 2008. Zanzibar had a gross domestic product (GDP) of Sh738.7 billion in 2008.

The global recession cut the GDP growth rate to 5.4 per cent in the year from 6.3 per cent in 2007. The crisis also raised the cost of living to 20.6 per cent from 13.1 per cent during the same period as food became scarce and prices escalated.

The downturn also affected government revenues, capital inflows and export earnings but donors did not cut aid, which accounts for over 40 per cent of the government budget. However, he is optimistic that the industry will improve this year following signs of recovery in the second half of last year.

Members of the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (Zati) are cautious that the rebound is not guaranteed. The Zanzibar Commission of Tourism (ZTC) reported that the number of tourists fell to 128,440 visitors in 2008 from 148, 283 the previous year.


However, a Zati report showed that the number of tourists increased to 97,711 in the first nine months of 2009 from 94,430 in the similar period the previous year.

"The global financial crisis made 2009 a bit difficult for Zanzibar's tourism and prospects for this year are clouded by the power problem," Zati chairman Simai Mohamed told The Citizen on the sidelines of the association's 2010 dinner party.

Bwawani Hoteli kuuzwa kwa deni la mchele?

The Zanzibar High Court has blocked the decision to auction Bwawani Hotel after the Isles government presented a petition to settle its debt worth 1.6 trillion outside the court.

Speaking to this paper on Friday, the High Court Registrar Yesaya Kayange said the hotel’s auction was scheduled to take place on January 26 this year, but the High Court halted the decision after the respondent, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs pleaded to settle the matter out of court.

“We received a request from the respondents asking us to halt the auction because they were ready to settle the matter out of court,” said the registrar.

However, Kayange said should the parties fail to reach an understanding, the matter would revert to court.

He noted that for now the court would not interfere because it had awarded both the parties time to settle the matter.

The court had authorized the auction of the hotel following the Zanzibar Ministry of Finance and Economics’ failure to pay a debt of 1.6trn/- to Leamthore Rice Company Ltd which had been awarded tender to supply rice to the government.

The order was issued on November 12 last year by the same registrar to execute a judgment that was delivered by high Court Judge Wolfgang Dourado on May 16, 1997.

Earlier, the company had filed a civil case no. 47/1997 following the governments failure to pay a debt of USD 69.4m after receiving rice from the same company and selling it in the local markets.

The company was being represented by advocate Dr Masumbuko Lamwai who had asked the court to order confiscation of government properties including a farm in Kijichi area.

Judge Dourado reached the decision following failure by the ministry’s permanent secretary Omar Sheha to appear in court.

The court then ordered the ministry to pay the debt in full including an interest of 25 per cent and the costs of the case.

However the ministry failed to pay the debt on time which accumulated to 1.6trn/-.

Bwawani Hotel was built by the first phase President, the late Abeid Amani Karume, and reports show that high profile businessmen from the Isles and Tanzania Mainland had shown interest in buying the hotel.

Drug Free Zanzibar

Hivi karibu katika Hoteli ya Africa House kulifanyika onyesho la fund raising kwa ajili ya kuzuia utumiaji wa madawa ya kulevya kisiwani Zanzibar.

Hatua yoyote inayochukuliwa ili kuondoa matumizi ya madawa ya kulevya visiwani humo, inapaswa kuungwa mkono. Kwani athari za matumizi hayo sasa zimekuwa kubwa mno kiasi cha hata watoto wadogo kuanza kuathirika, kama ilivyoondika hapa.

Paje Police Station

Weekend Njema

Zanzibar sunset

Jumapili Njema....

Umeme utarudi karibuni...

Hilton Resort Zanzibar, Nungwi.

McLaren Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd today announced that it has successfully integrated crucial communication solutions and guest services to the two Doubletree by Hilton properties in Tanzania. The Doubletree by Hilton Dar Es Salaam, Oyster Bay is an ocean front property, located on the mainland, whilst the Doubletree by Hilton Resort Zanzibar, Nungwi is located on the northern tip of the island Zanzibar.

Implementing only the leading brands, Hilton Worldwide has entrusted ‘Best of Breed’ Technology provider McLaren Technologies with these critical Enterprise Solutions to any hotels’ revenue and service source.

Waseem Farouk, Senior Director IT at Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa said – “After successfully integrating the Jazz and DuVoice systems into our new Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya property, the McLaren team were the obvious choice for our new African properties. Jazz call accounting has served us well in Riyadh delivering enhanced functionality and increased corporate control of our communications infrastructure and billing at each property, plus delivered cost savings through the elimination of premise based systems and servers. DuVoice has delivered flexible configuration options to meet the needs of the individual hotels, guests and staff. We are 100% confident that these two systems will deliver the same value at our new Tanzanian properties.

The experience and professional approach that the McLaren Technologies technical team always deliver made them the clear choice for this and future projects.”

More

Maalim Seif: Alivyopokelewa Uk...

Hili ni moja ya mabango yaliyomkaribisha Maalim Seif katika mkutano wake, uliofanyika Jumamosi nchini UK.

Zanzibar offers free gas to check deforestation

IN efforts to control deforestation and promote environmental conservation on the islands, authorities in Zanzibar have announced free gas to all Zanzibar households that would abandon using firewood as fuel and switch to utilization of gas for domestic use.

The Director of Department of Commercial Crops, Fruits, and forestry Dr Bakar Aseid, told a press conference here that there were enough funds to pay for the gas for household that declared not to use firewood and charcoal for home use.

“We appeal to all Zanzibaris to find alternative energy to save the environment,” he said.

Dr Aseid said that free gas would be available from April this year under the project aiming at conserving the forests or trees.

“Only people who accept to change will get free gas starter kit,” he said.

The director said that about 526,000 US dollars was already available for the four year project run by his department in collaboration with Oryx Gas Limited, and Salama Gas Limited of Zanzibar and supported by “members of the business community and development partners.”

“A household, which buys gas accessories package for a 38kg, 15kg or 6kg gas cylinders will be entitled to get starter gas equivalent to the purchased package. The cost of the package (including gas paid by the project) is about 303,000/=, 193,000/=, and 92,000/= respectively,” said Dr Aseid.

He said that although there was a drop in the use of forest products since 2000 due to increased awareness, it was still important for Zanzibaris to unite in conserving the environment to avoid future negative impact of the climate change.

According to the 2007 study on energy balance, he said, 95 per cent of Zanzibaris use bio fuels, 3 per cent use petroleum products, and only 2 per cent use electricity from the national grid.

“The scale of deforestation remains worrying! While in the eastern areas of Zanzibar people destroy forest for source of energy, in the West people are felling trees because of expanding construction,” the director said.

Putting more emphasis on the environment conservation, the minister of agriculture, livestock, and environment Mr Burhani Saadat Haji also said at the conference that Zanzibar would be at the risk of ‘great’ erosion in the near future due to lack of trees including mangroves, if the current cutting down of trees was unchecked.

Trouble on Paradise Island.....

Robbery and power cuts – two of the problems awaiting visitors to the isle of Zanzibar

The island of Zanzibar, just off the mainland of East Africa, receives 100,000 tourists each year, including many honeymooners. The allure is clear: beautiful beaches of powder-white sand, fascinating townscapes and tranquil waters with excellent scuba and snorkel potential. In addition, there are areas inland where spices grow in the wild.

But according to Chris McIntyre, author of the Bradt Guide to Zanzibar and proprietor of Expert Africa, "Zanzibar has more issues to grapple with than do other countries in sub-Saharan Africa."

Visitors to Zanzibar are being warned by the US State Department that travellers "are often targeted for robbery or assault" when walking on beaches and footpaths. That view is echoed by the Foreign Office – which warns of "robberies, some accompanied with violence, occurring on popular tourist beaches".

"Visitors to Zanzibar will probably have a very safe and enjoyable time," says McIntyre, "But it is more dangerous to visit Zanzibar then many other places. You need to understand the culture you are going to," he says.

The extent of crime, says Mr McIntyre, is a result of population and popularity: "Zanzibar is very busy with a population of nearly 100,000, and a constant stream of tourists all year round. The crime rates are therefore expected to be higher than other African destinations like Botswana for example, which has very few people and a very low level of tourism." He added: "Is it a more difficult country for people to visit than Botswana? Yes it is. But is it an absolutely dangerous place for people to visit? No."

The US State Department is also warning of the possibility of political unrest as voters register for elections due in October this year: "Past elections in Zanzibar have featured violence during the campaign season".

Visitors are advised by the Foreign Office to "dress modestly and refrain from intemperate public behaviour" when visiting Zanzibar. The FCO also expresses concerns about women's dress on the island, urging female travellers to avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts, especially in the capital, Stone Town. The official advice warns: "There have been cases where women travelling alone and in small groups have been verbally harassed in such areas."

Meanwhile there are other concerns for tourists. Zanzibar could be without mains electricity for the whole of February, following a technical failure on the submarine cable from the national grid in mainland Tanzania. This follows a similar blackout in 2008. The Foreign Office suggests "confirm with your hotel that they have a generator".

In addition, "Same gender sexual relations are illegal", though no one has been arrested or convicted for homosexuality in decades.

Rececca Buchan and Simon Calder

* One more concern, writes Francesca Lewis, is intellectual rather than intimidating. When you arrive in Stone Town, the capital of this exotic island, you are likely to be accosted by an enterprising young tour guide offering guided walking tours around the maze of streets.

The history of Zanzibar's British links is fascinating. In the 19th-century, Britain became involved with the island in a bid to put an end to slavery – something that was not achieved until 1876. By all means, go on the tour and explore the elegantly crumbling town, but when they take you to the city's Anglican cathedral and the adjoining St Monica's Hostel (now a tourist location) beware of the stories you'll hear.

The standard patter is that the site was previously a slave market, but in fact these cells were dry medicine storage units for the hospital next door, and built, in any case, after the abolition of slavery on the island. The real site of the old market can be tracked down across town among the foundations of the plush Serena Inn hotel.

Vyama vingine zaidi vyataka mseto....

Ni baada ya kutoshirikishwa katika mseto wa CCM na CUF

VYAMA 16 vya upinzani visiwani hapa vimekataa kuundwa kwa Serikali ya Umoja wa Kitaifa itakayoshirikisha vyama vya CCM na CUF kwa madai kuwa havitaondoa mpasuko wa kisiasa.

Msimamo huo umetolewa jana visiwani hapa na mwenyekiti wa umoja wa vyama 16 vya siasa Zanzibar, Juma Ali Khatib, alipokuwa akizungumza na waandishi wa habari juu ya kuundwa kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa.

Vyama hivyo ni: DP, TADEA, CHADEMA, NCCR Mageuzi, AFP, TLP, SAU, UDP, UPDP, CHAUSTA, UMD, JAHAZI Asila, P.T.P Maendeleo, DEMOCRASIA Makini, NRA na NLD.

Habari zaidi tembelea Mzalendo.net

Maalim Seif kukutana na Watanzania UK,tarehe 13/02/10

Jumuiya ya Wazanzibar waishio Uingereza (ZAWA) ina furaha kuwaalika mkutano wa hadhara utakaohutubiwa na Katibu Mkuu CUF Taifa, Maalim SEIF SHARIF HAMAD.

Wazanzibari na Watanzania wote waliopo UK na nchi za jirani wanakaribishwa kuhudhuria. Huu ni mkutano wa kwanza na wa kihistoria kufanyika hapa London baada ya maridhiano ya kuleta umoja miongoni mwa Wazanzibar.

SIKU: Jumamosi, tarehe 13/02/2010

WAKATI: Saa 7.30 mchana (1.30 PM)

PAHALA: Durning Hall (Nyuma ya Mangala Solicitor)
Earlham Grove,
Forest Gate, London
E7 9AB

Tel. 02085363800 (kupata maelezo ya mahala)

USAFIRI: Bus: 25, 86, 58 na Train: British rail (Forest Gate Station)

Ofisi mpya ya Nahodha

Ofisi mpya ya Waziri kiongozi inayokamlishwa ujenzi wake huko Pemba. Kwa muda mrefu viongozi wengi wa SMZ wamekuwa hawapendi kwenda kufanya kazi zao katika kisiwa hiko. Kwa kukamilika kwa ujenzi huu kutatoa nafasi kubwa kwa Waziri Kiongozi kufanya kazi zake huko Pemba sawa na huko Unguja.

Aidha baada ya BLW kuridhia maridhiano ya Rais Amani na Maalim Seif, ni nafasi nzuri kwa Nahodha kuwepo muda mrefu kisiwani huko ili aweze kuzoeleka kwa wananchi wa huko, iwapo bado na ndoto za kuja kuwa Prez wa Zenj.

Awali Ofisi hiyo ambayo ilikuwa ikimfanya Nahodha kufikili mara mbili kabla ya kwenda huko ilikuwa kama inavyo onekana kwenye picha hii hapa chini...

Haikuweza kufahamika mara moja jengo hilo litatumika kwa shughuli gani mara baada ya Waziri Kiongozi kuhamia kwenye jengo jipya katika siku chache zijazo.

Shujaa wetu:

Kenya and Tanzania Establish Joint Program to Tackle Common Challenges | Newstime Africa

Kenya and Tanzania Establish Joint Program to Tackle Common Challenges | Newstime Africa

Nampuzika kuingia JF

Kwa muda wa miaka minne nimekuwa nikishiriki kikamilifu katika forum ya Jamii(JF). Kwa muda wote nilipokuwa katika forum hiyo nimeweza kujifunza mengi sana katika suala zima la ujenzi wa Taifa letu.

Binafsi nina blog yangu hii ambayo kwa muda mrefu nimekua nikiangalia kadhia mbalimbali hasa zinazohusu SMZ na Jamii nzima ya Tz visiwani. Hata hivyo sikuwa mbele sana katika kuona blog hii ikishiriki kikamilifu katika ujenzi wa Zanzibar, hii ni kutokana na kuweka nguvu zangu nyingi Jamii Forums.

Michango yangu ndani ya JF ilihusu sana suala zima la Visiwani na hatima yake, JF kama ukumbi huru umeweza kutoa nafasi kubwa kwa washiriki wake kujadili kwa kina kadhia mbalimbali zinazo zorotesha maendeleo ya Tanzania. Aidha kwa upande wa visiwani JF imekeuwa ikiota nasafi kubwa kwa kupokea michango mbalimbali juu ya hatima ya siasa za visiwani. Kwa hili napenda kuwapongeza sana watendaji wa JF na wachangiaji wa mada hizo.

Mimi binafsi nimewahi kuwa mtendaji katika SMZ, na nimeweza kukamilisha majukumu kadhaa yenye lengo ya kuboresha maisha ya watu wa visiwani. Majukumu hayo niliweza kuyafanya katika kipindi ambacho siasa za ubaguzi zilikuwa juu sana. Ubaguzi ambao ninaongelea hapa ni kuhusu Pemba na Unguja. Hapana shaka maelfu ya wapenda siasa wanajua kuhusu hili.

Hatua iliyofikiwa mwaka huu ya kuondoa tofauti za kisiasa ni jambo la kujivunia sana. Kitendo cha Mhe Karume na Maalim Seif kukutana kwa ajili ya kuondoa tofauti za kisiasa baada ya kushindwa kwa miafaka kadhaa sio jambo la kukebehi, ila ni mwanzo kwa kujenga upya Zanzibar iliyopotea kwa miaka zaidi ya therathini.

Pamoja nakejeli nyingi alizotupiwa Rais wa Zanzibar katika muda wake wa uongozi, ameweza kufanya yale ambayo hayakuwezwa kufanywa na mtu yoyote toka visiwani hadi bara. Rais Karume anamaliza muda wake, hata hivyo ataendelea kukumbukwa sana kwa hatua yake ya kuwa na maridhiano na CUF.

Sipendi kusema ni maridhinao, bali napenda kusema ni mapatano,kwani sasa ni wakati wa kuelewa na kufahamu siasa za Zenj hazitokai na chuki miongoni mwao bali chuki zilipandikizwa ili kuwezesha chama fulani kushika madalaka. Hivyo sio sahihi kusema ni maridhiano, kwani kwa kusema hivyo bado kutakuwepo na chuki binafsi miongoni mwetu.

Cha msingi ni kusema kuwa zanzibar sasa inaelekea kwenye mapatano ambayo jatajali Wakaazi wa visiwa hivyo zaidi ya itikadi zao za kisiasa. Na ni vema kwa wana visiwani wote kujua hilo na kushiriki kikamilifu katika kura za maoni ili kuwepo kwa serikali ya umoja wa kitaifa.

Kwa muda mrefu nimekuwa mjumbe wa JF na nimeshiriki kikamilifu katika kutetea siasa za Zenj ikiwa ni pamoja na kuanzisha blog hii. Hta hivyo naona sasa ni muda muufaka wa kupumzika kuogelea siasa na kusubiri maamuzi muafakan ya wananchi wa Visiwani na hatima yetu kisiasa.

Nitaendele kupitia JF kwa kusoma janayojili pasipo kuchangia chochote.


Kwa muda huu napenda kuwajulisha wapenzi wote wa Vituko vya Zenj
kuwa tuwe pamoja katika ujenzi moya wa Zanzibar

BLW: Hoja ya Serikali ya Kitaifa Yawasilishwa Leo...

Dondoo 5 za hoja ya msingi ni -

1. BLW liyaridhie na kuyapa nguvu Maridhiaano.

2. Uanzishwe mfumo serikali ya Umoja wa Kitaifa itayohusisha vyama vya siasa vyenye wajumbe ndani ya BLW.

3. Serikali hiyo ya Umoja wa Kitaifa izingatie uwiano kwa mujibu wa kura za urais.

4. Baraza lifanye marekebisho ya vifungu vya 39, 42 na 62 ili kuweka utaratibu wa serikali ya Umoja wa kitaifa.

5. Baraza liweke utaratibu wa kura za maoni, referendum.


Source: JF

Maridhiano: Alichosahau Maalim Seif...

Maalim Seif katika taarifa yake ya Maridhiano na Mustakbali wa Zanzibar, amezungumzia mengi juu ya Zanzibar ilipotoka hadi ilipo sasa. Cha ajabu hakuzungumzia kabisa juu ya kuwepo kwa utumwa visiwani humo, kama inavyoonekana kwenye picha hapo juu.

Maridhiano: Sasa yaandaliwa sherehe...

CUF kusherehekea ushindi

Wakati hali ya kisiasa Visiwani ikiingia katika historia mpya, taarifa zilizopatikana mjini hapa zimedai kuwa Chama cha CUF kinafanya maandalizi ya kusherehekea ushindi baada ya kufanikiwa kuwashawishi baadhi ya vigogo wa CCM Zanzibar kukubali kuundwa kwa Serikali ya mseto kabla ya Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka huu uliopangwa kufanyika mwezi Oktoba.

Katika maandalizi hayo ambayo inasemekana yanafanyika kwa usiri mkubwa, viongozi wa CUF wanaelezwa kukubaliana na mapendekezo ya Baraza la Mawaziri ambalo litajumuisha na wenzao wa CCM katika Serikali ya muda itakayoongozwa na Rais wa sasa wa Zanzibar, Amani Abeid Karume.

Chanzo cha habari hizi kimedai kuwa chini ya mapendekezo hayo, Katibu Mkuu wa CUF, Maalim Seif Shariff Hamad atakuwa Waziri Kiongozi nafasi ambayo kwa sasa inashikiliwa na Shamsi Vuai Nahodha ambaye anakusudiwa kutupwa nje ya Baraza jipya la Mawaziri.

Wengine waliopendekezwa na Wizara zao zikiwa kwenye mabano ni Mansoor Yussuf Himid–CCM (Mafuta na Nishati), Samia Suluhu Hassan-CCM (Afya), Juma Dui Haji – CUF (Biashara Utalii na Uwekezaji), Nassor Mazrui-CUF (Fedha), Dk. Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini-CCM( Kilimo, Ardhi na Maji).

Wengine ni Fatma Abdulhabib Ferej-CUF (Wanawake, Watoto Maendeleo ya Vijana), Burhan Saadat Haji-CCM (Mawasiliano), Machano Othman Said-CCM (Waziri wa Tawala za Mikoa na Vikosi Maalum), Asha Abdulla Juma-CCM (Elimu), Abbas Juma Muhunzi-CUF( Ofisi ya Waziri Kiongozi), Ali Juma Shamuhuna – CCM (Ofisi ya Rais).

Kiongozi wa Upinzani katika Baraza la Wawakilishi, Abubakar Khamis Bakar amependekezwa kuwa Waziri wa Katiba na Utawala Bora.

Chanzo hicho kimedai kuwa mapendekezo hayo ya Baraza la Serikali ya muda yamekuwa yakisambazwa kwa vigogo wa CUF tu ikiwa ni ishara kwao ya ushindi wa suala walilokuwa wakilitaka la kuwepo ndani ya Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar.

Pamoja na hali hiyo, kundi la wajumbe ambao wanapinga harakati hizo ni kubwa na ambalo linaundwa na wanasiasa wenye ushawishi mkubwa wa siasa za Tanzania na kwa namna hali inavyokwenda kikao hicho cha Kamati Maalum kitatawaliwa na vijembe vingi na upinzani mkali kwa watu waliopachikwa jina la ‘Uhafidhina’.

Tayari Kiongozi wa Upinzani katika Baraza la Wawakilishi Abubakar Khamis Bakar ameshawasilisha hoja binafsi kwa Katibu wa Baraza akitaka kufanyike marekebisho ya katiba yatakayoruhusu kubadilisha mfumo wa utawala wa SMZ kwa kuwa na Serikali ya mseto.

Idadi kubwa ya wafuasi wa CCM na viongozi wamekuwa wakipinga suala la kuongezwa muda kwa Rais Karume pamoja na kuwepo kwa Serikali ya mseto Zanzibar wakidai kuwa mazingira hayaruhusu kwa uundwaji wa serikali hiyo na kusisitiza msimamo wa utekelezaji wa azimio la CCM Butiama.

Umeme wa uhakika kurudi 2012 huko Zenj...

New power supply cable for Isles to be built in 2012

The Zanzibar government yesterday disclosed that the project to lay-down a new sub-marine cable for power supply to the Isles from Tanzania Mainland will be completed in 2012, after the US government reduced the project implementation timeframe.

This was said by Isles Minister for Water, Construction, Energy and Lands Mansour Yussuf Himid, when responding to questions by Members of the House of Representatives here yesterday.

He said previously, the project was set for completion by 2013, but the Isles government requested the US Government to reduce the timeframe due to power problems facing Zanzibar.

The minister told the House that the tendering process had been floated and would be opened on February 19, this year.

Himid said already various companies had applied for the implementation of the long-awaited project adding that the financier of the project, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), would go through all processes of picking the winner from the bidding firms.

The new power supply route would have the capacity of 100MW from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco), he said, adding that the cable would pass under the Indian Ocean from Kiromono Cape on the Mainland to Fumba in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar spends 1.2bn/- every month in power expenses from the Mainland, however Isles customers have been living without hydro-electric power supply since December last year, after a key electric device exploded at Fumba main power station.