Nilivyo pekua kurasa za ‘Growing up with Tanzania’

By Sanaa & Culture

From left Ado Shaibu & Prof Hirji
at Soma Cafe when 'Kitabu nilichosoma'  
stirred a discussion on 'Growing up with TZ'

When I first came across ‘Kitabu nilichosoma’ it was on the 16th of April ‘14 where they held a discussion on ‘Run Free’ a book by Richard Mabala at Soma Book Café in DSM. Present were university students and invited literary lovers, there to share their thoughts with the author on his work and its inspiration.

‘Kitabu Nilichosoma’ is an initiative by Diana Kamara, Seif Abalhasa & Ado Shaibu; who met whilst doing their tertiary studies at University of Dar es Salaam. It started as a ‘Facebook’ page put up in June'13 inciting peers to share small reviews on literary works they had read. In Oct'14 the initiative was officially registered as ‘Kitabu kwa Maendeleo Tanzania’ (KMT).

Later on in the year on the 24th of Sept once again ‘Kitabu nilichosoma’ had a discussion surrounding a book then not yet on the bookshelves of Tanzania. Namely ‘Growing Up with Tanzania’ by Prof Karim F Hirji a Memoir. The author was present at the scene as again some university students and literary lovers in Dar es Salaam including MP Zitto Kabwe.

It’s this second book that I’ve managed to get my hands on and am honored to pen this review so you may as well know what it can offer. Now let it be noted that this memoir is from an intelligent man, I kid you not 'Dude' is a Professor in some branch of Maths! ‘BSc 1st Class, Mathematics & Education-UDSM; MSc Operations Research-University of London; SM & DSc Biostatistics-Harvard University.’

Strangely enough you won’t need a dictionary & Wikipedia handy whilst coursing through the entire book. You may however wish to consume a few almonds, pumpkin seeds too this to sharpen your memory, so you’re abreast the various mathematical scenarios decorated across the book.

No don’t be scared if anything I am a poet and after reading this book I am now told math & poetry are buddies. “Accomplished mathematicians have stood out in the world of literature and poetry. Take one case: Omar Khayyaam…Bertrand Russel.”-Growing Up with Tanzania-Karim F. Hirji.

MP Zitto Kabwe at the discussion held by KMT at SOMA
shedding more light on 'Growing up with TZ'
with audiences there

Yes there’s no doubt Prof Hirji has an affinity for numbers, graphs and some lines on those graphs. However what strikes a chord with the reader is his candid reiteration of his becoming. That is filled with vulnerable admissions and spurs of triumph indicative of a life of a man who dared to probe deeper.

With native Indian roots from the Ismaili (a sect ot the Shia wing of Islam) born in Newala a small town in Tanzania then growing up in Lindi. His mom was a homemaker and his father a humble businessman. Karim grew up during the critical times of the 1960’s when we just gained independence in Tanzania.

“As in Lindi, My existential universe remained a racially and religiously isolated segment of the national universe. Consequently, as the nation moved towards ending colonial rule, my primary sense of being was essentially static.”(Hirji 2014)

Author Prof Hirji (middle in white & khaki) posing
with the audience there at the first public
discussion on -Growing up with TZ'

At the discussion where Prof Hirji was taking questions from those present he shared that penning this memoir came after his grandkids from his daughter who reside in USA. Kept asking him of how life was, back in the day when he was young in Tanzania.

Well indeed this memoir isn’t just a personal reflect into the life of Prof Hirji it’s also a worthy historical peek into the generation that grew up with Tanzania. Musing with Tanzania is aptly titled as the figure reiterates his personal epics as accessories to a mind, which is critically observing the circumstances of growing up with a just birthed nation.

“The convergence of my two universes, the union of my black and brown friends, climaxed in the national service…These fine features of national service, however came with two impediments…We were a group chosen for university level students a rarity in Tanzania in that era…I say with confidence that our misgivings at the camp were not against national service as such, but on the manner on which it was run.”(Hirji 2014)

From left Ado Shaibu, Prof Hirji & Weseja fellow
lecturer at UDSM heading the discussion on
 'Growing up with TZ' at SOMA 24-09-14

Hirji was a rare young lad for he signed up for national service during his holidays after his years in secondary school voluntarily; this during a break whilst he was studying in Dar es Salaam Technical College (DTC). It was later when he enrolled at UDSM that he again attended compulsory national service. In this his comments above on the experience are quite balanced and again indicative of a man who didn’t always view it insolent to question things.

Much of the book is with minor headings which highlight key dramas in this dialogue of musing with Tanzania. Through the memoir we get to learn of critical illnesses that have stricken the author’s family, including himself which he’s dealing with till now.

Still it was this comment from him at the discussion prior to the official launch that had me smiling and really inspired me to get a copy of this book. “I can no longer ingest solids in my diet and yet I found the time to write this book…you as the youth of today need rise up.” Prof Hirji.

Here he went on to share a tale while he was working in recent years at UDSM. Some students upon receiving a very tough exam came to him complaining. That their lecturer in question had hardly attended any of his lectures and his exam questions came out of the assigned reading. To this he told them “…well if you had come to me complaining of your lecturer’s non attendance then I could have helped now well…’ he went on to ascertain that yes he’s quite aware that the dedication from teachers in various learning institutions in the country is flailing at best.

Yet in this case he showcased that the blame was on both the students and the lecturer. For the later might have been busy cashing consulting check during his/her teaching hours. While the former were too lazy to really learn hence rejoicing when the lecturer didn’t show up for class instead of reporting him/her.

Indeed reading this book one thing you’ll note is the author’s real love for his country. In highlighting his heroes he mentions “Professor Mmari spent more than fifty five years working to improve mathematics education and education in general in Tanzania…John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania at the Olympic games of 1968…Along the way, John fell down, sustaining deep cuts at his knee. The knee joint was partially dislocated…When he was asked why he did not quit he replied: My country did not send me to 5,000 miles to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.” (Hirji 2014)

There’s various observations that ‘Musing with Tanzania’ bring to our forefront illustrating where we need change course in the way in which we’re running our country. There’s a sarcasm that Prof Hirji utilizes in bringing forth this message that will have you turning the pages. All along opening your eyes to the clear blunders that we need not continue making.

Far right Prof Hirji on the 12th of Feb this year at Sayansi
grounds in DSM where the book was officially launched

“A man who sells us vegetables was having his lunch. In his hand was half a loaf of white bread and an ice-cold soda. I asked him why he sold us gold only to buy rusted iron. What about a banana or an orange with cold water. He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders…Our taste buds have been neo-colonized. Nutritious vegetables, beans and whole grains that generations have consumed have been replaced by attractively packaged but sugary biscuits and Coke, Fanta or synthetic juice from China and South Africa.”(Hirji 2014)

Yes indeed going through the book at many junctures I wished he was my teacher but then again he has been. Through this book he has schooled me and it was when he connected his experiences in USA and Europe with that of Tanzania that I knew I have just brushed airs with a great teacher.

Prof Hirji (2nd  left) with Diana Kamara one of the founders
of KMT & other fans at a soft launch of-Growing up with TZ

“What were to be my last words projected a distinctly downcast vision. But my friends have turned me around…Yet their gentle humanity, warm smiles, calm persona and elemental wisdom convey a radiant future. They impress upon me that with the intellectual and moral power of the seven and a quarter billion of our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters and elders on this planet, it is foolish to lose hope. No matter how grotesque the conditions capricious capitalism, drone-led militarism and fervent fanaticism unleash in the near future, our family will find a way around.”

Well on that note I’ll just add, get the book there’s much that Prof Hirji has unearthed particularly in this time as we head for elections in Tanzania. That can leave you with more tools in ascertaining respect for yourself as a world citizen from this corner of the globe called Tanzania.

Growing Up with Tanzania can now be found inside TPH bookstore (Samora Av DSM) and other outlets in the country.