Willy Gamba returns-A brush with iconic TZ spy fiction

By +Caroline Anande Uliwa

In an age unvisited by cell phones, where 100,000Tshs could buy you a house, with the majority of the population having lived, when icons like Patrice Lumumba and Samora Machel were still alive. Inside the Spy Fiction novel series by Aristablus Elvis Musiba-1950-2010, you are given a front seat to this era, through the antics of its lead character ‘Willy Gamba’ from Tanzania.

“Kuanzia 1978 mambo yalikwenda mrama. Na mambo yote yalitokana na chanzo kilicho nje ya siasa ya aina yoyote. Kwanza, Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki ilivunjika…Ukame pia uliathiri uchumi wetu…Na kama nilivyosena hapo awali Shirika la Fedha la Kimataifa na Benki ya Dunia havikutupatia hata senti tano wakati huohuo wenzetu walipewa mamilioni ya fedha za kigeni.”-the character Willy Gamba in the novel ‘Hofu’.

The Director of Mkuki na Nyota publishers Walter Bgoya (left) 

reaching for the hand of former Ambassador Christopher Liundi 

in the middle is GOH Minister of Legal and 

Constitutional Affairs in Tanzania 

Prof Palamagamba J. Kabudi at the launch 

ceremony of the republished Spy Fiction 

series by the late Tanzanian Author A.E.Musiba 

inside Alliance Francais grounds in 

Dar es Salaam last month.

Politics of the time are told from a lived in experience, above is Willy (commonly referred) talking to his friends at a bar. The story in ‘Hofu’ meets us with a ghastly army unit for the apartheid government ‘kulfut’; that aims to attack several African liberation leaders. So as to derail efforts by the same to gain independence in South Africa and cripple economies of other countries, that support them on the continent.

Willy is assigned to stop them with other spies from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Kenya. Elvis Musiba weaves a certain charm that makes these serious topics like the struggle against apartheid and colonization read easy.

Audiences inside Alliance Francais grounds, at the launch of
the republished Spy Fiction Series by A. E. Musiba
in Dar es Salaam last month

The scene progression is just right as you keep turning on the pages. Perhaps it’s the mix of Willy Gamba’s lady charm, which is a tad overspent as ladies seem to fall for him on sight (yes very James Bond like); where he can easily hook up with two ladies in the span of a week. Still while you’re feminist alarm bells ring, you can forgive the author as at least women in these novels are independent working ladies living on their own.

What does keep you reading is the believability brought on by the dialogue of the characters, particularly Willy and his colleagues. You can really picture your neighbors and fellow citizens being these characters.

What is also endearing in this spy series which include ‘Hofu, Kikosi cha Kisasi, Njama and Kufa na Kupona’. Is the accuracy with which the author describes these cities in Africa, you quickly relate feeling a swell of pride as streets, music from your own brethren are immortalized.“Mimi napendelea Orchestra Veve ya Vercky’s.” “Vizuri, twende hukohuko. Leo wanapigia wapi?” “Wako Parafifi Baa.”—Kikosi cha Kisasi by A.E. Musiba

Hon Minister takes money for auctioning a few 
of the books at the launch ceremony of the republished iconic 
Spy Fiction series by the late author A. E.Musiba
recently in Dar es Salaam.

Having scoured the pages of Hofu and Kikosi cha Kisasi, I recommend a read for any East African. They resuscitate a common thread between our African countries reminding us of the birth of our ‘afro-politan’ culture. Here Musiba captures the spirit of an era that shaped the foundations of city life in Africa. Noticing by gone swag with words like ‘sakata rumba’ you get an intimate look at the youths of our parents time.

“Ooo Willy Gamba,’ a broad smile lights up the face of this middle aged man ‘you know back then, there was not much in the way of entertainment. When I caught any of his books, I wouldn’t put it down.” He shares, I’ve just met the man (we’re at a bus stop) but seeing me read one of these ‘Willy Gamba’ novels- ‘kikosi cha kisasi’. Allows him drop his inhibitions as the mere sight of the work, seems to invoke in him warm memories.

Left H.E. French Ambassador Fredric Clavier with former Ambassador
Christopher Liundi sharing a light moment at the launch of
this iconic republished Tanzanian Spy Fiction series

He is not alone at the launch of these republished novels (Kikosi cha Kisasi, Hofu, Kufa na Kupona and Njama) inside the Alliance Francais grounds in Dar es Salaam last month. Persons like the Hon Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs in Tanzania, Prof Palamagamba J. Kabudi as well celebrities like Mwana FA. Shared fond memories of how the character ‘Willy Gamba’ sound tracked and shaped their perceptions growing up.  You can view some of these comments here https://youtu.be/YO4vV_lyltw.

The novels then published by Lioness Transcommunications Ltd, Premier Publishers & Distributors Ltd as well Popular Publications Ltd between the late 70’s and 80’s. As of this year are now republished by Mkuki na Nyota publishers in Tanzania, who have acquired the copyrights to do the same. For a long time the books have been pirated in the market with royalties not benefiting Musiba's family or legacy. 

Mkeka urges you to legally purchase these books, at affordable prices ranging from 8,000 to 10,000Tshs. These can be found at TPH bookstore in Tanzania or you can visit www.mkukinanyota.com to order them online.

This article was first published inside the East African newspaper with a link here https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/The-spy-who-made-Tanzania-shine-from-a-long-gone-era/434746-4896108-12bp4n3/index.html